Book Review (LIX) Panama by C.S. Boyack

Ethan and Coop are sent to the construction zone along the Panama Canal. They have some experience with strange phenomenon, but nothing prepared them for this.

They are faced with civil war, Carlist pretenders to the thrones of France and Spain, an invading Spanish army, and another from Hell itself. They'll be lucky to survive, let alone take care of anything while they're down there.

This story is based upon the construction of the canal, Panamanian independence, international cooperation, and a few celebrity cameos. Even the magic takes on an international flavor.

Ghosts and Voodoo are one thing, but they have no idea what waits along the isthmus.

 My Review

Ethan Stafford - former Rough Rider now freighting out to the mines- can see and talk with ghosts. This information was enough to get my attention and  urge me to read on.

The story started with Ethan’s card game interrupted by the arrival of strangers. This will change the life course for him in an amazing way.

"Panama" demands your attention from the first paragraph and holds it through the many unexpected plot twists and turns.

 Quirky characters - Coop, Jinx, Bento - with their well developed personalities and the feisty, sometimes cantankerous, dialogue make this book an intriguing read.

One of the main reasons I loved the book so much was the author’s attention to detail, describing vividly all the locations the story takes place in. I felt the places and people come to life in front of my eyes , making me feel part of the story.

Political conspiracy during the construction of the Panama canal,  legends, ghosts, voodoo, wise humor, action make Panama a highly entertaining book. I laughed out loud reading that  “the French can't even take care of themselves. You can't get two Frenchmen to agree on anything."

                That’s all I reveal from the book. I won’t spoil the pleasure of reading it with more details.

All in all, a cracking read. I know it's a cliché to say it but I honestly couldn't put it down.  S.C.Boyack’s book, Panama, had me gripped. What are you waiting for? Get the book and be captivated!

 

Mysterious Romania (XXV) Cismigiu Hotel Ghosts

Cismigiu Hotel nowadays

Cismigiu Hotel, a formerly fairy-tale place of Bucharest, is one of the oldest symbols of the capital of Romania. It is located on the well-known Queen Elisabeth Boulevard, within walking distance of Bucharest’s historical and commercial center. During my student years in Bucharest, I  used to pass along this Boulevard on my way to University and crossed the Cismigiu Gardens. Especially if the weather was fine and the classes didn’t start very early in the morning,  together with my colleagues we walked, talked and enjoyed the glorious days, the crisp morning air and our youth.  
 To quote:  "Those were the days.....” The hotel was known as Cismigiu hotel.

Cismigiu Gardens

Well, we never paid too much attention to the building that, at that time, had a restaurant/brewery on the ground floor. Too expensive for a student’s wallet. The hotel was closed in 1970 due to lack of maintenance. It was reopened in 1990, when it was converted into hostel for students of the Faculty of Theatre and Film. Legend says that during a weekend, when all the students were away on vacation, one student, a girl from Moldova was raped and then thrown into the elevator shaft. For hours she desperately cried for help, with no one to hear her. She died there in agony after a few hours, and many say that her screams can still be heard. It is said that she can still be seen on the corridors of the building. People say that now the stillness of the night is disturbed by cries for help that make the blood freeze in your veins. Parapsychologists state that the building was marked by a negative energy. So will you dare book a room in that hotel? The tragic event inspired a Romanian actor, who lived as a student in this hotel, to write a poem that was turned into a song by Vama Veche  band.

The history of the hotel.

Palace Hotel, 1920

In 1856, long before it was a hotel, the site of the current Cismigiu Hotel was the house of Samesu Dumitrache and “Bibica Rosetti”. At that time, the area between the National Military Building and Cismigiu Garden was covered by large gardens with few houses. The story begins with the construction of the first buildings on Queen Elisabeth Boulevard and the inauguration of Palace Hotel back in 1912. It had 200 rooms but was considered a second class hotel. Those years represented the fulfillment of  Romania’s western orientation, that’s why  the hotel  meant a great step forward for Romanian modernity. ( In fact, Bucharest was nicknamed "little Paris"at that time.)

Most delegations who came to  Bucharest chose to stay at Palace Hotel – later called Cismigiu as it is near the Gardens with the same name - as it was in the center of the city. The rooms walls were decorated with thin gold lamina and the entrance in the hotel was through a rotary  wooden door. Due to its central location, the  hotel building was used at its maximum, without receiving the needed improvement. That’s why the grand hotel was closed in 1970 and only after the fall of dictatorship was reopened.

Paranormal Romance Thursday Tour

Just a few lines to let those who are regularly following my blog that, for 12 weeks,  on Thursdays  I will host Paranormal Romance Thursday Tour. Starting with 1st October and till 17th December you will find here a different author who brings to our attention her  story.

 Ghosts and vampires, werewolves and wizards, dragons, witches, a modern day Sandman   and faes will accompany us along the road.

 Authors from all over the world - Australia, Canada, Europe, South Africa and the United States of America - bring to your attention their captivating stories.

 You have, above, a  covers teaser. It includes all the books taking part in the tour.  Don't forget to visit my blog and all the other authors who take part. Enjoy!