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MBR Bookwatch

Volume 6, Number 4 April 2007 Home | MBW Index

Table of Contents

Cowper's Bookshelf Dunford's Bookshelf Klausner's Bookshelf

Laurel's Bookshelf Shelley's Bookshelf Shirley's Bookshelf

Taylor's Bookshelf Vogel's Bookshelf

Cowper's Bookshelf
What Every Mother Should Tell Their Daughters
The Nita
BookSurge LLC
5341 Dorchester Road, Suite 16, Charleston, South Carolina 29418
1419615947 $11.99 www.amazon.com

Written by The Nita, an African-American survivor of domestic abuse who has risen above her destructive path through her faith in God and became the first Armed Services Officer in her family, What Every Mother Should Tell Their Daughters: A Book For Women is a guide written especially for mothers and daughters everywhere to avoiding harmful patterns in one's life. Peppered with vignette's from the author's life and her memories of her own mother and grandmother, What Every Mother Should Tell Their Daughters includes such pearls of wisdom as "Don't let circumstances control you", "Never compromise your beliefs or your principles; the results will be pain", "When you want a change in life, do something different", and "Teach your daughters how to manage their finances" . ("For some odd reason we seem to believe that the first sign of growing up and being on our own is to get as many credit cards as we can and max them all out! Completely untrue!") A Best Books Award Finalist at USABookNews.com, What Every Mother Should Tell Their Daughters is a tenderly written, solidly grounded guide especially recommended as a mother's day or daughter's birthday gift.

The Polish Woman
Eva Mekler
Bridge Works Publishing
PO Box 1798, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
1882593995 $21.95 www.amazon.com

Written by Eva Mekler, The Polish Woman is a haunting novel about tragedy and love. Set in 1967 New York, The Polish Woman follows the story of Jewish lawyer Philip Landau, charged with handling the estate of a holocaust survivor, when a woman appears on his doorstep and identifies herself as the survivor's daughter, long since presumed dead. Even though she remembers certain details that suggest she could be the missing daughter, the situation appears suspicious, especially with inheritance at stake, yet Philip is dutifully obligated to meticulously research and examine her story. In the process, and in spite of professional etiquette, he falls in love with her. In a trip to Poland, a nation rife with postwar anti-Semitism, the two of them uncover the full truth that will forever change their relationship. A poignant and emotional tale of terrible repercussions that last a lifetime.

Jaded
Carla Gibson
Llumina Press
7915 W. McNab Road, Tamarac, FL 33321
1595266518 $16.95 www.llumina.com

Written by registered nurse Carla Gibson, Jaded is the story of a woman caught between two loves, and a much more sinister plot. Doctor Erin Tyler is troubled by her feelings for her brilliant, career-minded ex-fiance Chris and her current rock musician boyfriend on tour to Ireland. Chris' mentor Alec has already decided that Erin is the perfect bride for Chris, and Alec's adulterous wife is up to plots of her own. A crisscrossed tale of seduction, trickery, hidden plots and powerful emotions that threaten to overwhelm reason, highly recommended.

Magdalena's Conflict
Frances Bries Wojnar
Xlibris Corporation
International Plaza II, Suite 340, Philadelphia, PA 19113
1413489389, $21.99 www.xlibris.com

A carefully constructed mystery novel by Frances Bries Wojnar, "Magdalena's Conflict" is set in a community of Catholic nuns when Mother Rosaria's death seems to be from natural causes by everyone except Sister Camille who asks Detective Henry Kummer to look into the matter. This request alarms the New Mother Superior who orders Sister Camille to see a psychologist. The result is Sister Camille's examination of why she embraced the religious life of a nun. As the investigation by Detective Kummer proceeds, the reader is treated to a gradual uncovering of the rituals and personality conflicts that are a part of the life and society of the nuns. One unexpected result is Sister Camille resuming her civilian identity as Maggie Brenner and her evolving romance with Detective Kummer as the two work together to discover the truth about the death of Mother Rosaria. A superbly crafted novel and one that clearly documents Frances Bries Wojnar as a gifted storyteller, "Magdalena's Conflict" is especially recommended for mystery enthusiasts who enjoy a well crafted, well rounded mystery novel, and for non-specialist general readers who would enjoy a novel set within the world and lives of Catholic nuns. "Magdalena's Conflict" will have its readers looking eagerly toward Frances Wojnar's next novel!

Mary Cowper
Reviewer

Dunford's Bookshelf
The Manuscript
Brien Jones
Airleaf Publishing
35 Industrial Drive, Suite 104, Martinsville, IN 46151
1594534683 $12.00 www.airleaf.com

The Manuscript is a tongue-in-cheek funny novel that blends the publishing industry, small town life, and high-stakes political intrigue. When Lee Goodwin, a sales rep at a print-on-demand publisher receives a manuscript in the mail, he reads it and discovers that it is beyond extraordinary - it explains the machinations of "The Club" and how their grip of power transformed the world. Mysteries and secrets ranging from JFK's assassination to what happened to Amelia Earheart are explained. Now the FBI and "The Club" are both hot on Lee's tail, placing his life in danger. Can Lee expose the secrets of "The Club", and will anyone believe him if he does? A roller coaster adventure ride from cover to cover, dotted with fascinating true anecdotes of American history throughout.

Earth is Ours
Gary W. Babb
AuthorHouse
1663 Liberty Drive, Suite 200, Bloomington, Indiana 47403
142592364X $22.95 www.authouhouse.com

Winner of the "Best SciFi/Fantasy 2005" prize of the San Diego Book Awards, Earth is Ours is an epic science fiction novel set on a world that aliens have stripped bare of technology. A self-aware, female computer and an American Indian man dying of old age must join forces for the sake of mutual survival, yet before they can battle the aliens, they must struggle against each other to determine who they will be jointly. Their conflict of minds gradually evolves toward tolerance, cooperation, and love - and they will need each other's full cooperation and strength to have a prayer of freeing the human race. An action-packed, fast-paced saga, presented alternately from the perspectives of the two heroes, Earth is Ours is highly recommended. A sequel, "Target Earth", is forthcoming.

Follow Me To Glory
Will Hutchison
Infinity Publishing
1094 New DeHaven Street, Suite 100, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2713
0741435608 $19.95 www.followmetoglory.com

US Army and Marine Corps officer Will Hutchison engaged in extensive research and interviews with serving and retired Scots Guards officers while writing Follow Me To Glory, an exciting novel about high-spirited Scottish nobleman who, despite the odds stacked against him, battles to become a skilled fighting officer in one of the most prestigious regiments of the British Army during the Crimean War. He wanted nothing more in his life than to lead men to war - but the glory he craved would come at a horrific price. A tautly written saga of the valor and bloodshed of combat, penned with meticulous attention to historical detail.

Famous Failures
Joey Green
Lunatic Press
PO Box 4571, West Hills, CA 91308
0977259021, $10.95 www.lunaticpress.com

"Famous Failures" is a hefty little 288-page compendium showcasing descriptive vignettes of hundreds of famous and successful people in the fields of entertainment, sports, science, politics, and literature who all shared one thing in common – they experienced failure. From Albert Einstein who failed the entrance exams to the Swiss Polytechnic Institute, to J. K. Rowling (author of the Harry Potter novels) who was so impoverished that she lived on welfare in an apartment infested with mice, to Sharon Stone who could not get a date to her own highschool prom dance, to Dick Cheney who flunked out of Yale University (twice!), to John Wayne who was rejected from the United States Naval Academy, to Steve Jobs (founder of Apple Computer) who dropped out of Reed College in his freshman year, "Famous Failures" lists the well known and well respected who sometime in their lives and careers got rejected, flunked out, worked lousy jobs, goofed up, did time in jail, or had other kinds of failure experiences and frustrations before achieving the successes for which they are now know. A terrifically great read, "Famous Failures" is especially recommended for anyone getting discouraged about overcoming the seeming failures in their own lives and career paths.

Michael Dunford
Reviewer

Klausner's Bookshelf
Blood Red Square
Pat Mullan
LBF Books
0977308251, $14.95 http://www.lbfbooks.com

In 1961 in Leopoldville, the Congo, the American Kearns and the Russian Zhukov ask the mercenary major with the Anglo-Irish accent if all is ready. He tells them that the VIP will meet with Mobutu before flying on to see Tshombe in Ndola; he will not make it there. They give him 50% of his fee. Three days later UN Secretariat Dag Hammarskjold and his retinue die in a place crash on his way from seeing Mobutu to meet with Tshombe. Rumors fly that his death was no accident, but no proof surfaces to prove otherwise and within two years an assassination in Dallas became the centerfold of conspiracy buffs. In 1997 as part of President Yelstin opening up Russia to new freedoms, secret documents of the KGB Communist reign are being revealed. Russian businessman Misha Kedrov finds some damming evidence implicating the Soviet Union and the U.S. in the death of Hammarskjold. Knowing who else was murdered as part of the Hammarskjold contingent, an outraged Misha takes his find to terrorist Conor "Eduardo Kelly Herrera" Brady with hopes and prayers to cause a new rift between the tentative allies the Americans and the Russians. President Clinton learns of the brewing problem sends his top troubleshooter Special Envoy Owen MacDara to do what is necessary to prevent a new Cold War from heating up. The key to this action-packed thriller that effortlessly moves back and forth between 1997 and 1961 is the plausibility of the two superpowers agreeing to rid themselves of a champion of the Third World, who wants the giants to stop using these poorer nations as heated pawns of the Cold War. The story line is action-packed from start to finish and the prime antagonists seem genuine. Adding to the realism of this exhilarating conspiracy tale is real world leaders like Clinton, Yelstin and Blair. Pat Mullan spins a one sitting suspense novel that will leave the audience demanding he take a close look at JFK's death next.

Lightning and Lace
DiAnn Mills
Barbour Books
1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
1597893579 $9.97

In 1898 Kahlerville, Texas, every morning for almost three years, Bonnie wakes up praying Ben is in bed with her instead of in the grave before putting on her happy face so that their two sons Zack and Michael Paul go to school in a positive mood and their daughter Lydia Anne can feel contented. Inside, Bonnie knows she still mourns her loss and has not moved on. After forty years preaching at the Piney Woods Church, Reverend John Rainer, Bonnie's stepfather, is retiring; Travis Whitworth will replace him though the congregation believes no one can take the place of their beloved pastor especially a bachelor. On his first day in town, Travis breaks up a fight between kids whom he escorts to the school only to have one of them Zack lie to his mother about his intervention. However, she soon realizes her son lied and has been abusive to his younger siblings too. As Travis begins preaching, he also works repairs at her ranch and takes over "fathering" an angry Zack. Travis and Bonnie fall in love, but neither has time to explore their feelings. Travis finds the murdered body of Rosie with much of his flock assuming he is the culprit because of the whispers of a model citizen and because he is the newcomer; that is without anyone knowing about his past. The third Texas Legacy western romance (see LEATHER AND LACE and LANTERNS AND LACE) is a fabulous historical that once again interweaves its message of have faith in the Lord during the good and bad times into an exciting late nineteenth century historicals tale. Bonnie and Travis are fully developed interesting protagonists who fall in love although have doubts that they are worthy of such regard. The support cast, as always with DiAnn Mills' saga augments the plot; in this case especially Zack. Though the homicide adds late suspense, fans will appreciate the entertaining inspirational latest "Lace" novel.

Down the Road: On the Last Day
Bowie Ibarra
Permuted Press
0978970721 http://www.permutedpress.com contact@permutedpress.com

Nobody knows where or how it started, but people suddenly became ill from a plague and died only to be reanimated as zombies. These born again creatures have lost the ability to logically plan with their only objective to eat the living. Anyone butchered by them turned. The plague spread exponentially around the country although some small human enclaves like Beauxville were able to close their borders after removing the zombies from within. Desperate the United States invites UN troops onto its soil to help Homeland Security and local law enforcement cope with the crisis. People were ordered to go to FEMA camps and leave behind safe towns. Those who refused the marital law order were killed. Red La Rue and Alex Rich team up and head to Beeville, which they heard remains a safe independent town. However, near the outskirts of the town, they observe a UN unit preparing to mount a deadly assault. Bowie Ibarra writes an intelligent paranormal thriller loaded with blood, and gore that enables the reader to understand fully how dangerous the zombies, the government, and human marauders have become in a world filled with malice and mayhem. The outside forces have their plans for America while those besieged by a power hungry government and hungry zombies struggle to stay free and live. DOWN THE ROAD: ON THE LAST DAY is a great Zombie saga that will have George Romero reconsider his epics

The Giant Leaf
Davy Liu
Winepress Publishing
1730 Railroad Street, Enumclaw, WA 98022
1579218644, $19.95 http://www.winepresspub.com

Every night the exhausted Kendu the fox dreams of a giant leaf, which he believes means freedom from slaving to cruel beasts who own him. He finally escapes through a hole in the ground to the Out There. Kendu meets Yitzhak the monkey who also dreams of the giant leaf while worried that the ferocious Animal eater is cutting down the trees. Kendu and Yitzhak head to the Wilds in search of the giant leaf. They meet a weeping koala bear Odalia whose mate Gula is missing. She too dreams of the giant leaf. In the Wilds the trio sees the Animal Eater, but fear confronting it as they also see creatures inside it. As lightning and thunder fill the air with the implication of a storm to end all storms about to occur, the threesome must decide to "take a giant leaf of faith " or hide from the Animal Eater. This is a fantastic retelling with superb illustrations of one of the great tales from the bible. Though targeting children, adults will appreciate this delightful personification saga of three courageous animals on a quest for freedom and to rescue Gula; not prepared for what awaits them at the end of their journey.

Beyond the Hedge
Roby James
Juno Books
c/o Wildside Press
9710 Traville Gateway Drive, #234, Rockville, MD 20850
0809556790, $12.95

An orphan since her parents and her brother died in an accident, Jennifer Paul is a business executive at Glidden Industries currently based in London. She enjoyed her work for the firm in Boston and initially in London until her boss at both locales moved on to Barcelona leaving her to cope with the insidious Cobra whose unreasonable assignments are given to her so she would appear to simply want to resign. Thus spending Christmas with her Aunt Cecelia in Wales is a welcome respite. Accompanied by her greyhound Dragon, she drives towards her Aunt's home when she comes across a barrier on the road; a hedge is where no hedge should be and except for turning around Jennifer has no place to drive. While pondering what is going on, Jennifer takes a canine pit stop when a cat comes out of the hedge talking in the King's English; Dragon chases Malkin the cat back through the hedge. Jennifer follows her dog only to find a strange realm that should not be there. She learns she has stepped into Clipton Magna circa 1805 where King George III still misrules; a place in which nuns created a sanctuary for star-crossed lovers to include the Prince Regent whose marriage to Mrs. FitzHerbert was considered invalid. There Jennifer meets the Squire's son, Jeremy Clipton, who falls in love with Jennifer; but she does not belong there as this is magical land for the star-crossed not the no-crossed. If she fails to leave the land could die; if she leaves Jeremy could die of a broken heart. This is a fun Alice falling through the rabbit hole into a Brigadoon romantic fantasy. In some ways the story line feels like a time travel tale as the heroine leaves today when she crosses the hedge into the regency era. With a personification spin provided by Malkin and a wise owl (any other kind?), fans will enjoy Jennifer's adventures on the other side of the hedge.

A Mortal Glamour
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro
JunoBooks
c/o Wildside Press
9710 Traville Gateway Drive, #234, Rockville, MD 20850
0809557940, $12.95

At the bidding of the Cardinal, Frere Odo delivers young Mere Leonie to replace the late saintly elderly Mere Jacinthe at la Tres Saunte Annunciacion to the shock of the nuns stationed there at a time when the plague, war, and a divided Papacy haunt the believers. Meanwhile noble born Seur Aungelique welcomes the newcomer as she hopes the youthful Mere will bring life to the dull tedious monastery; however Aungelique also refuses to take a chance on another Jacinthe so this is a good moment to sneak away. Seur Aungelique escapes to learn more about the pleasures of the flesh having enjoyed the sin of touching herself. She travels to Un Nouveautie to meet the renowned wealthy courtesan la Comtesse Orienne de Hautlimois to learn what she can about carnal pleasures. Orienne tutors the nun who ultimately returns to the monastery where she acts demonically possessed by defiling the church with her contagious lust as she sexually pleasures and punishes her seurs and any monsieur including the Frere who visits them. The once pious monastery has become a house of ill repute where demonic debauchery for the damned is the only prayers answered by sexual meditation. A MORTAL GLAMOUR is a reprint of a two decade old thriller that does not include Saint Germain. The story line brings to life medieval France at a time in which the world seems to be going crazy even before the nuns turn into bawdy lustful seurs. Readers will appreciate Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's dark fourteenth century thriller as la Tres Saunte Annunciacion becomes home to the sinful debauched while wondering if this is the devil's work, simply mob mentality mortals breaking God's commandments, or bad food and drink causing madness.

The Strangeling
Saskia Walker
Juno Books
c/o Wildside Press
9710 Traville Gateway Drive, #234, Rockville, MD 20850
0809557932, $9.95

In her lifetime no one was abducted by the evil Druids though stories persist that was not so a century ago. Most of the young assume it is an adult device to make them behave. However, with Samheim Eve five nights away, the hooded figure kidnaps the maiden Maerose as he knows she is they key to how the STRANGELING curse will be unleashed upon the world. Veldar the Druid believes that if he takes her virginity on Samheim Eve, he will prevent the only means of stopping his diabolical plan of bringing forth an army of evil spirits under his control that will attack the living. If he does not and she mates with a pious believer, the portal to allow evil to cross will remain closed. However, over confident, Veldar fails to insure his unwilling future mate cannot escape. Instead Bron rescues Maerose, who realizes to save her life and that of her people, he is the one she must mate with on Samheim Eve as in his way he is a true believer. This short novel (175 pages) packs a lot of action and three well developed characters in the exciting story line. Most fascinating is how similar Veldar and Bron are though at the same time they are opposites as each fervently and passionately believe in what they are doing yet the villainous druid is a megalomaniac while the hero is a caring kindhearted soul. That comparison along with the coming of age of Maerose from a village mouse into a superhero provides the audience with a wonderful one sitting fantasy.

Demon
Craig W. Tweedle
Llumina Press
7915 W. McNab Road, Tamarac, FL 33321
1595266798, $12.95

Since he entered school, Neil MacAllistair was physically, mentally, and emotionally abused by his peers. Now a senior in high school, he is barely enduring his lot at school but when he goes home, his drunken abusive father also beats him up. One day in the school corridor, Heather bumps into Neil but starts screaming that he hit her. Her boyfriend John Crossman, a demon on the football field, chokes him to within an inch of his life. When he goes home after that, he is stomped on by John and his two football buddies. As he lies dying, he enters a realm where people who were hurt for no reason turn into demons and kill those who picked on them. The overseer of the realm Luharen offers to make Neil one of the brotherhood, turning him into one of his demons so he can go out and kill those who tortured him. When he arrives back into the mortal world he pledges himself to Luharen and becomes a demon. He goes after the people who hurt him killing them one by one while the whole town is helpless to stop him. He has one last kill but his only friend as a mortal is trying to convince Neil that to forgive is humanly divine. Although targeted for the teen crowd, adults will enjoy DEMON just as well. There is a lesson to be learned from the plot. A person can takes so much bullying and violence before they erupt and turn the table on their tormentors. Readers will pity the boy Neil once was and hate the demon he has become. Timothy fights evil with evil and in the process becomes one of the damned and what he embraces he has become. Craig W. Tweedle has written a fine horror novel.

The Heart of Mars
Chuck Rosenthal
Hollyridge Press
0977229858, $23.95 http://www.hollyridgepress.com

The Return of the Nutions, as it is called now, happened when Earth was almost destroyed. The Nutions, who originally settled the planet, found a world in the throes of global warming and the rise of the oceans, which if not checked, will turn the globe into a new Ice Age. The amphibious Nutions stabilized the orb and these sentient beings benevolently ruled the earth except for the Wild Zones where feral humans live. Fish farms operate on Ghost Moon (Europia) run by Nutions (like everything else in the galaxy). A freighter from there containing fish heads for earth but is hijacked and reported headed to Mars. Marl a half-breed human-Nution, investigates starting with a trip to Europa to mollify the angry locals and hopefully find some clues amidst the dolphins and whales who do not want to keep working for the Nutions. He learns of a Kurtz involved in the hijacking and much more as a volatile Mars contains competing ethnic cultures battling for control of the planet and fomenting galaxy wide revolution. This exciting science fiction can be read on several levels. On the surface it is a simple detective story of a hybrid man working a stolen shipment case. ON a deeper level, the plot is a cautionary tale warning people about that "Inconvenient Truth". Even more profound is humanity's place in the universe. Chuck Rosenthal entertains his audience as he says we get what we ask for in this fascinating space thriller seen through the eyes of Marl.

Just Like A Fairy Tale
Sophia Babai
Luna Brillante Publishing
0978527224 $TBA media@lunabrilliantepublishing.com

She arrives at the Eva After restaurant not remembering anything though the eatery seems to beckon her. Her first reception there is from a young woman who accuses her of being a whore and costing her a waitress position at the eatery when they both worked there. Next the owner Kevin has missed Anima Sola, but now that she has returned he wants to hit her; he settles for yelling at her asking why she came back and what she did with his pants when she left. Kevin has a "guest" little Eva who tells him to be nice to the bewildered woman Kevin provides shelter to a god-like creature Taliesin who is in mortal combat with his malevolent brother Morfran. However, Taliesin seems to behave as if he prefers death in spite of raging Kevin's frustrated coaxing to fight. Anima realizes Kevin's guest knows who she truly is, but he refuses to reveal anything of importance to her. Instead, he encourages her to learn the truth with surly Kevin's help because for him to defeat Morfran, he needs this duo. This is a character driven fantasy starring a strange super-being, a female amnesiac, and a churlish hero, who argue and fusses even when confronting the enemy. Readers will enjoy the verbal battles between the magnificent trio, as they prepare to battle evil though the loquaciousness makes the story line more passive then action fans will want. Still fantasy readers will enjoy the first Walking Shadows thriller while welcoming a new talent into the fold.

To Save the World
Heather Hayashi
Synergy Books
c/o BookPros
2100 Kramer Lane, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78758
193353835X, $21.50 http://www.bookpros.com/pub_pages/pub_synergy.php

On the continent Zultar on the world of Arhka war between the two humanoid races Teregians and the Vampires remains heated as it has for generations. On another large landmass Venin reside the Dragons who manipulate ITH'RYA energy magic with goals of becoming the solo supreme species and the mysterious Derus. Since their feeding has collapsed due to the near extinctions of humans, the Vampires prove necessity is the mother of invention by creating a technology that enables them to feed on humans on other orbs. Sixteen year old high school student Stephanie Milianis and her mother Elsie move onto the estate of her late maternal grandfather. Not long afterward the two female Milianis and Stephanie's best friend Eris are accidentally yanked through the Vampiric portal to Arhka. However, as shocking as the trip proves, even more stunning toStephanie is that her mom knows this world having been here before. That disclosure turns out to be minor as her late forties mom is considered "The Power" by those strange humanoids they have met. The Teregians believe their goddess has come home to lead them to victory, but also feel Stephanie was brought here for a reason too. They need her help to win the war and prevent extinction yet the Dragons offer a different perspective of the future that splits mom and daughter. This is a terrific fantasy tale that feels fresh because of the changing relationship between mother and daughter. The issue of trust plays out on a global stage as Stephanie struggles with the revelations about her mother that mom never mentioned to her. Thus besides the global war and the realism of the four species and their respective cultures and geography, fans will appreciate the coming of age of a tomboy who struggles with what to do as everyone seems right yet everyone seems wrong.

Redbone
Ron Stodghill
Amistad
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
0060897155, $25.95 www.harpercollins.com 1-800-242-7737

While the 1996 Olympics placed Atlanta on a world stage, someone murdered forty-one years old ACCESS, Inc. computer consulting firm CEO Lance Herndon. Besides his once successful firm that was suffering from financial troubles, the victim was considered a star player amongst the affluent African-American jet set. Herndon was known to have quite the sexual appetite especially for "redbones" petite, light-skinned black women. One of his redbones, Dionne Baugh, was convicted of killing him as the prosecution pointed out that she became outraged after they had sex because she learned he was not going to help her in court with a charge of trespassing at his home; so while he was sleeping, she killed him. This is an interesting true crime book because of its close look at the power of affluent blacks in the New South. Thus the background and the victim come across three dimensional especially his sultan like behavior towards his harem. Though Herndon's convicted killer seems to nebulous except for her temper and court date motive, Ron Stodghill provides a solid entry that true crime readers will appreciate.

Getting Some
Kayla Perrin
Spice
c/o Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0373605145, $13.95

Having obtained a modicum of revenge against the three male losers they were in respective relationships (see GETTING EVEN) with, the three friends (Lashelle, Claudia, and Annalise) and the latter's sister Samera each wonders now what. The exception is Annelise, who is enjoying great sex with a caring partner Dominic so different than her ex spouse Charles. However, Annelise notices how depressed her two buddies and her sibling are though she thinks the latter is because she left behind her beloved Miguel in Costa Rica. She decides to treat the trio with a trip to Sin City for them to find sex partners to indulge in their whims; she will pay for the trip to Vegas from the money she is making from the sale of her house (tough break for Charles). In Vegas, Lashelle finds several hunks to her liking; Claudia is ready to put away her gadget for real time with a younger hunk, who makes her feel good about being her which is so different than her former fiance Adam; and Samera has nasty Pierre, but pines for Miguel. However, when they return to Atlanta, someone stalks them threatening each of the four females; wondering if one of their former men has concocted a plan of vengeance. The sequel is a fine contemporary character study that showcases four females trying to continue their recovery from broken relationships. The story line rotates perspective with each of the fearsome foursome coming across as genuine and unique as their needs vary. Though the suspense comes late and seems a bit off kilter for this erotic Hot-Atlantans As they seek their groove, Kayla Perrin's fans will appreciate getting more escapades from this likable group.

Take Me Tonight
Roxanne St. Clair
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
1416521860, $6.99 www.simonsays.com 1-800-223-2336

Investigative reporter Sage Valentine asks her friend Lucy Sharpe of Bullet Catchers to help her learn what happened to her roommate Keisha Kingston. Lucy says the firm does not do investigations unless it relates to personal protection of a client, but gives Sage a thin folder filled with some data. Keisha apparently paid takemetonight.com to abduct her and rescue her in a role playing fantasy adventure. Whereas Lucy insists Keisha committed suicide, Sage believes somehow that thrill Internet site led to her murder. She plans to uncover the truth about this division of Fantasy Adventures software gaming company. To do this Sage plans to register with takemetongiht.com so that she can be kidnaped. However, Lucy worries about her niece doing something foolish so she "hires" Bullet Catchers to protect Sage. Johnny Christiano pretends he is part of the rescue team to keep her safe. As they fall in love, Sage and Johnny team up to learn the truth about takemtonight.com and her late roommate. This latest Bullet Catcher thriller is a fast-paced romantic suspense with the cautionary buyer beware warning when purchasing personal services over the Internet. The action never slows down once Johnny "rescues" Sage even when he cooks the sexiest tastiest repast in years. Fans of the series will appreciate TAKE ME TONIGHT as Roxanne St. Clair provides a faster then a speeding bullet tale. The Erotic

Secrets of a French Maid
Lisa Cach
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
1416513302, $13.00 www.simonsays.com 1-800-223-2336

In Seattle, Emma Mayson finds life after college not easy and very expensive as she is unable to find work in her architectural field. Needing to pay her bills including her student loan and eat, Emma finds work cleaning houses. Her employment introduces the impoverished wannabe architect to handsome successful Russell Carrick, CEO of TrackingTech, a firm that develops software to track inventory. He seems to her as being all work and no fun except for ice hockey; but he plays that for exercise at least that is what he insists. Desiring her and unable to accept the beautiful female cleaning his underwear or even making his bed, he offers her a different role. Attracted to Russell and seeing a chance to make more money faster, Emma accepts changing from duster buster to mistress for one year. However, she makes the worst mistake a kept woman of pleasure can make: she falls in love with Russell, who she assumes sees her as a one year sex partner just as in their original agreement. This is a fun lighthearted contemporary romance starring two likable protagonists whose affair turns into much more, but both fears revealing their vulnerability to the other. Readers will enjoy Lisa Cach's delightful tale of the American French maid and her computer nerd finding love in the northwest.

Tough Enough
Michele Albert
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
1416531394, $6.99 www.simonsays.com 1-800-223-2336

As an agent of Avalon, Will Tiernay knows you can't pick your assignments, but this one he wonders if he should claim a conflict of interest. His superior at the privately owned and funded agency that recovers stolen art has tasked Will to go undercover to learn who at Haddington Reproduction plans to switch the authentic priceless Eudoxia Reliquary collection with apparent realistic fakes. His fears is that Mia Dolan, the only woman he ever loved, is one of the bad guys. Will and Mia realize from the first moment of their second time around, the attraction remains stratospheric. As they explore their feelings, he worries foremost that she might be a thief and if not that she will never forgive him for his deception as she will wonder if he used her to get at the con artist(s). As they fall in love again, both have their doubts, but first they must deal with the issue of a clever felon whose replacement plan is foolproof as the fakes look so much like the real that most people would fall for switch. The art theft is the prime story line of a terrific romantic mystery although the second chance at love augments the dilemma facing the hero. The action-packed story line never slows down while leaving a few dangling threads for more Avalon thrillers. However, the reason this is worth reading by sub-genre fans is the doubt whether Mia is a crook hiding in plain sight of love, an unsuspecting dupe, or something else as Michele Albert leaves ONE WAY OUT for her lead couple.

A Wicked Gentleman
Jane Feather
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
1416525513, $7.99 www.simonsays.com 1-800-223-2336

To escape from the demands of her late husband's father, widow Cornelia "Nell" Dagenheim, accompanied by her children, heads to London to spend a month with her widowed sister-in-law Ellie and her children and their best friend Livia. The house the three country mice and their offspring plan to stay in belongs to Livia, who recently inherited the home. To their shock, the house is in bad shape as if someone deliberately tore it apart in search of something. Just after her arrival she meets Harry Bonham who offers to buy the townhouse. Harry is a royal cryptographer, who fears that somewhere in the house is a code breaking device that the French want. As he courts the widow to gain access to where she is staying, someone abducts her oldest son, heir to an earldom. Whereas she assumes ransom money and he considers the French involvement, either way they work together to rescue her child even as they fall in love while doing so. The lead couple supplemented by a horde of family and friends turn A WICKED GENTLEMAN into a superb Regency romantic investigative tale. The two prime subplots, the mystery and the romance blend together into a cohesive save the child thriller. Fans of the author already know she is no featherweight but instead a sub-genre superheavyweight as this team up of a frantic amateur sleuth mom and the spy she loves proves.

Red Hot Reunion
Bella Andre
Pocket Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
1416524185, $14.00 www.simonsays.com 1-800-223-2336

At college Emma Cartwright fell in love with Jason Roberts. However, instead of following her heart she listened to her parents that she should marry her own kind not a scholarship type. She wed Steven instead and after a few unhappy years with the womanizer they divorced. She regrets heeding her parents' admonition as she knows she threw away the love of a lifetime. Ten years later they will see one another for the first time since she dumped him at the Stanford University class reunion. He, like his two scholarship friends, Rick Stodler and Ace McKinty, has become a success as a celebrity chef with a TV show and a bestselling book. He intends to attend only to avenge the affront that has burned his heart. However, when they see one another for the first time in a decade, the attraction remains strong, but not as powerful as his thirst for vengeance as he holds her culpable for the big hurt that haunts him regardless of the myriad of women he has been with since. RED HOT REUNION lives up to its title and more as the lead couple have a second chance at love if they can get past the recriminations and go to the heart of the matter between them. The story line contains light bondage as Emma and Jason provide torrid sexual encounters. The suspense remains whether Jason can see the truth of his failure a decade ago; Emma seen it form the moment she realized Steven was cheating on her while saying I do. Belle Andre writes a heated contemporary romance starring likable lead characters who hopefully find the ties that bind outside the bedroom as well as those they already have found inside the bedroom.

Laugh Lines
Holly Jacobs
Avalon Books
160 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016
0803498144, $21.95 212-598-0222

Accepting the job as CEO at Hamlin Text, publishers of education books, Dani Sinclair returns to her hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania only to be under attack by a woman eating mutant bugs in a gas station bathroom. She flees out of the bathroom almost knocking out Luke Miller with the door. She explains about the killer monster inside as he drives her to a meeting. Luke, owner of Chuckles comedy club, enjoyed her saga of the killer bug so he invites her to perform standup at his establishment. She reluctantly agrees to try her hand at comedy. A few rotten tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables later, Luke and Dani begin to fall in love, as advertised by the disc jockeys of love emceeing at the club and hosting their shows on WLVH radio romance. The fourth WLVH Radio Romance" (see NIGHT CALLS, LOVE HANDLES and PICKUP LINES) is a fun lighthearted romp starring two likable protagonists. The humorous novel hooks the audience early when Dani fleeing from the terrorist bug that almost decapitates Luke. Her story to him of her escapade to escape an enemy combatant that sized her up as lunch sets the tone of an amusing contemporary romance that never misses a laugh except for a kiss.

Sparkles
Louise Bagshawe
Plume
c/o Penguin Group, USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0452288142, $14.00 www.us.penguingroup.com 1-800-847-5515

In Paris, jewelry tycoon Pierre Massot vanishes. His British wife Sophie remains in the city raising their son Tom in hopes that Pierre will return. However, she is very unhappy besides there is no closure as the millions spent on investigations proved fruitless. She also has to put up with the bullying tactics of Pierre's mother Katherine. Finally after seven years have passed since her husband disappeared; a fearful Sophie, over the objection of her martinet mother-in-law, has Pierre legally declared dead. Sophie begins to look into the House Massot business. Company CEO Gregoire Lazard offers her lessons in the boardooom and bedroom. Pierre's former lover American expatriate head of public relations Judy Dean "befriends" the widow to insure Sophie does not interfere with her get rich schemes. As Sophie learns the business, some of Pierre's darkest secrets including the Russian connection, she meets fellow Brit Hugh Montfort, who offers her real comfort though he himself has suffered from personal tragedy. When this thriller looks deep into the machinations of the missing Pierre, it is intoxicating as the audicne wants more; when the story line focuses on the lifestyle especially the wardrobe of the rich and famous the plot suffers inertia as momentum is slowed. Still the cast is fully developed beyond the central lead character as the three females in Pierre's life and the four males (to include Pierre) in Sophie's life bring the plot alive. With a final plausible twist that will stun the audience, this book entertainingly SPARKLES with delight.

The Sweet Life
Lynn York
Plume
c/o Penguin Group, USA
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0452288223, $14.00 www.us.penguingroup.com 1-800-847-5515

In 1988 in Swan's Knob, North Carolina, Wilma and Roy Swan continue to behave like youthful newlyweds though they are much older and married for eight years. Life is good for this couple as the PIANO TEACHER and the grapevine farmer share what most people envy, a strong loving relationship. However, the dynamics abruptly change when Wilma's daughter from a previous marriage Sarah begs her to watch her teenage offspring Starling as she travels in the Far East. Reluctantly Wilma agrees to take in her granddaughter; not realizing that when she acquiesces Star's father Harper will also come to town. A con artist, Harper persuades Roy to let him use the farm as the setting for a small bluegrass festival starring drunken has-been Delrina Kay. Wilma objects especially when she learns that Harper is thinking of a country and western 1980s Woodstock, but soon has a different crisis to deal with when Roy suffers a debilitating stroke that leaves him near death in a comatose state. When Delrina and Harper go on a wine binge they visit Roy who regains consciousness while they serenade him. The second Swan family drama starring a delightful older couple is an interesting look at small town southern life at the end of the Reagan era. The characters are cleverly drawn especially the beleaguered Wilma whose lament has to be a family member in need is a pest that is before Roy's stroke brings home the mortality of their love for one another. Though much of the issues brought forth by the strong secondary cast are left unresolved as if plans are for a next generation sequel, fans of family dramas with fully drawn protagonists will enjoy Lynn York's latest concerto.

Where Willows Grow
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55438
0764201832, $13.99 www.bethanyhouse.com 1-800-328-6109

In 1936 Spencer, Kansas, Anna Mae Phipps feels all alone in the world as the family farm is dying due to the drought and her beloved spouse Harley has left their home to work construction for the federal government's Works in Progress Administration. She feels isolated and abandoned as she has no husband, no mule, an infant Marjorie, an older preadolescent child Dorothy, and a third on the way. Anna Mae fears that Harley will not come back to her and the kids; if he does he probably will not find them on the farm that they will surely lose. Harley misses his family as he loves his wife and two children. He desperately needs to bring in income to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads; that is why he sold their last mule and took a crazy job on the other side of the state building a castle in Lindsborg. He left his spouse angry with him, but he knows the corn cannot grow and if it did who could afford to buy it. He plans to make enough money so that he can come home to his family on their farm. WHERE WILLOWS GROW is a strong Americana family drama that focuses on the impact of the Depression in Kansas. Readers will feel Anna Mae's sense of desertion and hopelessness while also knowing how much Harley misses her and their children, but feels he must do what is needed to insure his family is fed and sheltered. Though the economic climax seems to simple, historical fiction readers will appreciate Kim Vogel Sawyer's deep look at what a 1930s family did to survive on a drought ridden Plains.

Dreaming the Serpent Spear
Manda Scott
Delta Trade Paperbacks
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
038533835X, $14.00 1-800-726-0600

Two decades have passed since the Roman legion began their occupation of Britannia. Now in 60 AD, the local tribes finally have put aide their bickering to join as one in a revolt to send the conquerors off their island. However, though over five-thousand are ready for the war, the only leader who can rally the tribes is not. Breaca of the Eceni, called Boudica the Warrior Queen by the Romans, recovers physically from a brutal whipping that the Romans gave her as a lesson to anyone fostering revolution. More difficult to Breaca is the gang rape of her daughter Graine by legionaries that has left her to doubt her abilities to protect her people since was unable to keep one person safe. She prefers to say no and heal her mental wounds, but also knows that no one else can rally the tribes so she agrees to lead the revolt. While the Romans make a rare tactical error by assaulting an Eceni stronghold Mona leaving them vulnerable for Breaca and the tribes attack on their island capital Camulodunum, which is burned to the ground. With much of the eastern side at war, the two armies will soon meet for a final confrontation that will decide who rules over Britannia. The final Boudica Dreaming thriller (see DREAMING THE EAGLE, DREAMING THE BULL, and DREAMING THE HOUND) is a fabulous ancient historical fiction tale that keeps the suspense coming from start to finish although the winner of the war is known. The key is the heroine who suffers from what appears to be battle fatigue syndrome, but feels duty and responsibility calls her for her to lead her side. Manda Scott rules the sub-genre with her delightful intelligent Britannia saga.

Kingdom Come: The Final Victory
Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
0842360611, $25.99 www.tyndale.com 1-800-323-9400

With Lucifer locked away for a thousand years, Jesus Christ's reign over the inhabitants of the Earth for the next millennium begins. At the beginning it is a beautiful place where rivers of milk, wine, and purified water flow freely in Jerusalem. David is the prince who answers only to Christ and all the people are believers. Cameron and Chloe Williams run the Children of the Tribulation school that teaches all the youngsters who were alive at the Glorious Appearing to give their lives to Christ. Each person has until the 100th birthday to be saved otherwise they will die. As the death of the non-believers rise, a cult comes into being, the Children of the Light who not only turn their back on Christ but worship Satan. They believe their children's children will keep the faith so that when Satan is freed, their side will win. Kenny Bruce, the leader of the Millennium Force, doesn't trust Qasin Marid who wants to not only be a member but an infiltrator. Kenny, Cameron and Chloe's grandson believes he is behind all the bad things that are happening to him, making Kenny look like a false believer. Time will prove he is on the right side. Rafe, Mac, Tsion, Irene, and Chaim are rebuilding the infrastructure of the various countries while Abdullah is in Amman being a preacher to the COL. As time passes and the millennium kingdom ends, everyone is looking forward to be lifted up to heaven. With the publication of KINGDOM COME, the tribulation series comes to a glorious end. Readers will enjoy seeing their favorite characters in the millennial kingdom and enjoy watching the children of the tribulation force take way to make of their parents. The descriptions of a hundred years of paradise are beautiful and makes one think earth should be like that. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins are marvelous storytellers who appeal to both secular and Christian audiences.

The Religion
Tim Willocks
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, New York, NY 10003
0374248656, $26.00 www.fsgbooks.com 1-888-330-8477

In 1540 in the Fagaras Mountains of Hungary, Muslim scarlet horsemen abduct twelve year old Mattias Tannhauser, the son of Saxon metal-smiths. They train him as a holy warrior whose entrance to heaven is to die in combat. However, he eventually obtains his release and settles in Sicily where Mattias taking advantage of having solid feet in the competing religious camps becomes a successful arms broker. In 1565 widow Contessa Carla La Penautier arrives in Sicily to hire Tannhauser to find her illegitimate twelve years old son Orlandu, whom she reluctantly abandoned at his birth due to uncaring pressure. Unable to resist her siren's call, Mattias agrees to go with Carla to Malta at a time that the Turkish Ottoman Suleiman the Magnificent declares a jihad to eradicate the affluent influential Knights Hospitaller of St. John, a monastic order based in Malta. On the disputed Mediterranean island, Mattias and Carla struggle to survive when the Turks begin their assault on the St. John knights. However, even more dangerous to the pair than the war is the arrival of dreaded Inquisition monk Ludovico Ludovici, working under order of Cardinal Michele Ghisleri, who deviously plans to bring Malta under papal rule after he takes care of a certain twelve year old indiscretion that he sired on a teenage Carla. This is an exciting swashbuckling look at a real sixteenth century religious war mostly from the perspective of the dashing hero who is one of the few people who seems to understand both sides of the conflict. The story line is action-packed, but it is the cast who brings to life 1565 Malta as the prime triangle (Mattias, Carla and Ludovico) seem genuine and the combatants fighting in God's name appear real. Readers will appreciate this terrific historical holy war thriller that grips the audience from the opening kidnapping until the final confrontation with more to follow.

Ancestor
Scott Sigler
Dragon Moon Press
3521 43A Ave, Red Deer, AB, Canada, T4N 3E9
1896944736 , $19.95 www.amazon.com

The Novozyme Corporation was working on xeno transplantation by putting the human DNA of one animal to keep donor organs from rejecting what it thinks is a dangerous invader. A virus previously contained among pigs leaps species and eradicates all the humans inside the Novazyme compound. The US government vaporized the site and plans to do likewise to other locations working similar experimental design research starting with Grenada where a firm is working with DNA to recreate the original "Eve" of all mammals. Dante Paglione, the chief of the project, has a CIA mole on his payroll so he learns about the eradication plan so he moves his secret labs, team and equipment from Baffin Island to Black Manitou Island in Lake Superior. There brilliant scientist Jian makes a breakthrough that enables the implant of a special embryo that grows in a fetus recreating the original ANCESTOR. There is only one slight problem when the ANCESTOR is reborn; this is not a cute little harmless creature. This is a deadly evil hunter/killer creature that will kill any animal including human in its path. Readers who liked the book or movie Jurassic Park will enjoy ANCESTOR, a genetic experiment that succeeded too well as philanthropic good intentions pave the way to hell with murder and cover-up of the return of a species with no natural enemies still living. Scott Sigler shows what happens when corporate science ignores morality for profit only (though defining common morality is difficult as shown by the stem cell research). ANCESTOR is a cautionary thriller along the lines of Frankenstein warning readers that science without moral considerations is dangerous to all mankind.

Good Night, My Darling
Inger Frimansson
Pleasure Boat Studios
201 West 89th Street #6F | New York, NY 10024
1929355372, $16.00

Justine Dalvik was a young child when her mother died, but her wealthy father, owner of a candy company, gave her his full attention so she coped with the loss rather well. It wasn't too long afterward that he married his secretary Flora who tried briefly to get Justine to warm up to her. However when Justine refuses to talk to her, Flora turns physically and verbally abusive. School proved to escape either as a clique of girls led by Berit Assarson tormented her there. Years later Justine falls in love with Nathan, who wants to open up a travel agency for clients who want a taste of something different. He and Justine meet Martina, a young adventuress who uses her photojournalist skills to travel the world. On a trek together, Nathan vanishes and Martina is killed. Justine explains to the police an intruder entered their room so she locked herself in the bathroom until he left. At about the same time, Flora has spent the last few years in a rundown nursing home. Justine meets Berit who apologizes for her mistreatment of her when they were students; however, she disappears with the police suspecting Justine of foul play because Nathan and Berit remain missing and Martina was murdered. GOOD NIGHT, MY DARLING won the Swedish Academy of Crime Writer's award as the Best Swedish Crime Novel. Readers will understand why as the story line starts off as a dysfunctional family drama but transitions into a suspense thriller. The audience doesn't get to know Justine very well although ironically the tale is told by her. Yet that feeling of detached aloofness makes her a fascinating character able to hold the tense story line together as fans will wonder whether she is a psychopathic killer or a victim.

Good Night, My Darling
Inger Frimansson
Pleasure Boat Studios
201W 89th St, New York, NY.20024
1929355372, $16.00

Justine Dalvik was a young child when her mother died, but her wealthy father, owner of a candy company, gave her his full attention so she coped with the loss rather well. It wasn't too long afterward that he married his secretary Flora who tried briefly to get Justine to warm up to her. However when Justine refuses to talk to her, Flora turns physically and verbally abusive. School proved to escape either as a clique of girls led by Berit Assarson tormented her there. Years later Justine falls in love with Nathan, who wants to open up a travel agency for clients who want a taste of something different. He and Justine meet Martina, a young adventuress who uses her photojournalist skills to travel the world. On a trek together, Nathan vanishes and Martina is killed. Justine explains to the police an intruder entered their room so she locked herself in the bathroom until he left. At about the same time, Flora has spent the last few years in a rundown nursing home. Justine meets Berit who apologizes for her mistreatment of her when they were students; however, she disappears with the police suspecting Justine of foul play because Nathan and Berit remain missing and Martina was murdered. GOOD NIGHT, MY DARLING won the Swedish Academy of Crime Writer's award as the Best Swedish Crime Novel. Readers will understand why as the story line starts off as a dysfunctional family drama but transitions into a suspense thriller. The audience doesn't get to know Justine very well although ironically the tale is told by her. Yet that feeling of detached aloofness makes her a fascinating character able to hold the tense story line together as fans will wonder whether she is a psychopathic killer or a victim.

All Saints
Liam Callanan
Delacorte Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0385336969, $23.00 1-800-726-0600

Now fifty years old Emily Hamilton reflects back on her life especially since she left home thirty-four years ago. Named for three saints and a should-have been saint, Emily has been married three times and divorced three thrice. Thus her marital record makes her resume to teach church history at a California Catholic high school seem off kilter and her irreverence towards the "Saints and Sinners" of the past makes her popular amongst the present students. However, in her tenth year at the school, Emily feels lonely and guilty when she kisses handsome student Edgar Mandeville as she desires much more but knows that a teacher-student relationship is rightfully taboo. She wants to help a confused Paul, but is not sure how to reach him as his issues involve sexual preference. Finally she fears that reticent Cecily has made her a role model, which means she adulates a failure whose life is filled with hurt and loneliness. Finally there is her department chairman Father Martin Dimanche whose intellectual debates keep her alive and though she wants more, he is a priest even as both are realistic about sinning and godly forgiveness. ALL SAINTS is an interesting character study that stars an intelligent woman reflecting back on what she deems the failure of her life. Her personal emotional crisis is caused by the convergence of three students raising different emotional needs inside her. Though there is little action and perhaps too many sidebars sob subplots, Emily is a realist especially about herself, her school, her church, and her God so that readers obtain a deep look at a unique perspective of not achieving one's life goals.

A Mankind Witch
David Freer
Baen Books
PO Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
0743499131, $26.00 1-800-223-2336

Scandinavia is home to pagan worship that disturbs their neighbor to the south the true believers of the Holy Roman Empire. Barbary sailor Cair Aidin ship wrecked on the Scandinavian coast has become a thrall to despised Princess Signy, stepsister of King Vortenbras. She is accused of stealing a magical relic that no human should have been able to touch; thus everyone except the technologically thinking Cair assumes Signy is a witch. If the relic is not returned to its proper place, Vortenbras and his horde will turn into berserker Vikings destroying Europe. Cair loves his mistress Signy and knows she is no thief let alone a killer as proscribed by many. He plans to prove her innocence by rescuing her, finding the lost token and carrying it back to its designated locale. To succeed he needs the help of Brittany Prince Manfred and the royal bodyguard and guide Erik, also seeking the relic. Cair begins his quest entering a realm filled with murdering dwarves, trolls, hags, and other supernatural cretins that Cair refuses to believe exist even as they try to kill him while also eluding the even more lethal agents of the Holy Roman Empire. The third Heirs of Alexandria alternate history tale (see THIS ROUGH MAGIC and THE SHADOW OF THE LION) is a terrific fantasy thriller that can stand alone though the previous tales co-written with Mercedes Lackey and Eric Flint are fun to read. The exhilarating mid sixteenth century story line contains a fully developed cast (human and others) who enable readers to accept that the Library of Alexandria did not burn and unlike the hero's skepticism, magic being genuine. Cair is terrific as he loves Signy; the reason he sets forth on his task while saving an empire or two from berserker Vikings is not his mission. Fans will enjoy the latest tale as Dave Freer keeps the series top quality without the collaboration.

Hell Hath No Fury
David Weber & Linda Evans
Baen
PO Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
1416521011, $26.00 1-800-223-2336

The Union of Arcana using magic as its energy source and the Sharona employing psionic technology as theirs have sent numerous expeditions exploring other universes without encountering any other sentient beings including each other. Each world understood the importance of control when that anticipated first encounter with an intelligent life form occurs as scientists on both orbs expect it to eventually happen one day. The Arcanian led by Hundred Jasak Olderhan enter a portal into the Sharona universe where one of his soldiers fires the shot heard around the multiverse (see HELL'S GATE). Though Hundred Jasak Olderhan tries to prevent war, hostilities have broken out between the two societies over the incident and control of Hell's Gate. The Arcanian wizards ride their dragons with spells as their weapons into battle; the Sharona counter with their steam driven trains and boats and weapons like machine guns. As mass deaths occur on both sides the likes of neither have seen before, the Arcanian and the Sharona demand vengeance for their fallen warriors. That includes many innocent civilians amidst the dead. Both sides are used to being on the top of the food chain and with grievances to inflame the rabble by power seekers, the multiverse is at war on multiple earths with more deaths added to the hostilities. Book 2 in the Multiverse can stand alone, but is much more enhanced by reading HELL GATE as that tale provides deeper insight into understanding the differing societies. Though more entrenched as a military science fiction story line than the first encounter plot of the previous thriller, HELL HATH NO FURY is filled with action on several earths as two societies collide due to both distrusting the other worsened by an inability to communicate.

Shadowplay
Tad Williams
DAW Books, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0756403588, $26.95 www.dawbooks.com 1-800-847-5515

Hendon Tolly has claimed the throne of Southmarch. Herndon's cousin, the deposed former ruler King Olin Eddon has been incarcerated in Hierosol. The ex-monarch's royal heir Kenrdick is dead, a victim of dark magic. Olin's younger twin offspring has been split apart separately struggling to survive the ordeal of exile with Tolly looking to insure neither can come back by hiring the most lethal mercenary available to insure his cousins never return to claim the crown. Prince Barrick remains under the spell of Yasammez and the Twilight People behind the Shadowline with his only allies being Captain Ferras Vansen, the Storm Lantern, the mysterious and dangerous fairy Gyir, and Skurn the raven. Princess Briony hides in a forest near her former home castle where a woods Goddess abets her escape until she joins a traveling troupe of actors, who welcome her unaware that her presence amidst them endangers them. Meanwhile to the south King Autarch may be insane, but he sees an opportunity to seize Southmarch as chaos reigns. The second "Shadow" fantasy saga is a superb thriller though it is also the middle book of a trilogy so subplots on the three prime fronts move forward, but are never resolved. The story line is action-packed especially when the focuses are the twins. Though newcomers should read the previous tale (see SHADOWMARCH), fans of Tad Williams will enjoy his complex political fantasy

The Name of the Wind
Patrick Rothfuss
Daw
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
075640407X, $24.95 www.dawbooks.com 1-800-847-5515

As a child, Kvothe traveled with his parents from town to town as part of a troupe giving performances. His parents were quite talented, had the patronage of a lord, and stopped at only the best places. The troupe added Abertino who taught Kvothe much about his magic and was quite surprised how easily the lad picked up his lessons. After his mentor leaves the troupe, Kvothe decides to attend the University where he can obtain formal lessons in the use of magic. However his life is shattered after returning from a long solo walk to ponder his future; he finds everyone including his parents dead, killed by the Chandrian because his dad was collecting knowledge on them so that he could write a song about them. A traumatized Kvothe heads for the big city where he becomes a homeless vagabond who is picked on by everyone who lives on the streets. Still he does what he must to stay alive until he finally reaches the University. Three days later he is moved into the Arcanum, the school of magic where he makes an enemy of an older student Ambrose, who makes Kvothe's life miserable, which escalates until he jeopardizes the newcomer's life. Kvothe has had enough and gets Ambrose in trouble with the school authorities. Some call him a hero; others a killer as his legend has just begun. This is a complex enthralling "biographical" fantasy that will stun sub-genre fans with its vividness and depth as if Patrick Rothfuss has written numerous thrillers instead of his first. Kvothe's youthful tale is told mostly by him as he ventures forth once his beloved parents and the rest of those in his "world" were murdered. Readers will appreciate this strong saga of a young hero's salad days while looking forward to further escapades of Kvothe in "day two" of his story to the Chronicler.

Killed by Clutter
Leslie Caine
Dell Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0440335981, $6.99 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

Colorado Interior decorator Erin Gilbert enjoys walking through a house that she is seeing for the first time and redesigning each room in her head. So when she first observes the outside home of Helen Walker, Erin is euphoric as the Crestview bungalow is a designer's delight. Euphoric as this seems, it is also a nice easy job though she knows she must show proper respect to the grieving owner. Then she steps inside; to her horror she concludes the cluttered home needs weapons of mass destruction as Helen and her recently deceased sister kept anything and everything. The surviving sibling refuses to toss out what is classic junk clutter. Still Helen tries to organize, mess and pitch what is obviously worthless in terms of money or sentiment. The problem is Helen insists everything has sentimental value. Helen's neighbor Rachel and Erin's two friends Teddy and Kay support the surviving sister' frustrating Erin who may dump her so-called pals if they don't mind their business. However, these intrusions are irritants; the fourth invader causes colossal issues as that unknown visitor leaves behind murdered bodies amidst the clutter. The fourth Domestic Bliss mystery (see DEATH BY INFERIOR DESIGN and MANOR OF DEATH) is a charming cozy especially when Erin is cleaning the house or furthering her relationship rivalry with competitor Steve Sullivan. However, that is also the weakness of the story line as the homicides come across as just additional clutter to clean up when the heroine gets around to it. Still Leslie Caine provides a fun domestic tale starring a harassed heroine struggling with saving a house on the verge of being KILLED BY CLUTTER, something this reviewer can relate to.

Getting Old Is Criminal
Rita Lakin
Dell Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0440243866, $6.99 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

They might be living in a Fort Lauderdale retirement community Lani Gardens, but the women of the Gladdy Gold Detective Agency live life to the fullest with gusto. Led by the irrepressible Gladdy, they take on investigations though they are not licensed sleuths. Currently the distaff detectives work on the case of the Peeping Tom, a men seen looking through the windows of the female residents, but stays in the shadows so has not been caught. Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Ferguson hire Gladdy to find proof that his nonagenarian mother died at the hands of Lothario Philip Smythe. However, since the woman had heart trouble and there was no evidence of foul play, the doctor ruled natural causes. Alvin's wife believes her mother-in-law died from a heart attack as well. The detective agency learns that Philip will be in the Wilmington House retirement community so Gladdy and her sister Evvie go undercover as residents to fathom whether he is a killer. As Evvie falls in love with Phillip, evidence begins to surface that he is not what he seems. Gladdy is desperate to save her sister before someone kills her. This geriatric chick lit mystery is a charming and exciting amateur sleuth tale starring the golden girls. The storyline revolves around senior citizens who are portrayed as having more energy than many middle age people (at least this reviewer). Gladdy possesses her full faculties with a mind sharper than a kosher butcher's knife. Her relationships with the women of her agency involve friendship, trust and caring though in some ways she is the grandmotherly hen.

Diary of a Serial Killer
Ed Gaffney
Dell Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0440243734, $6.99 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

Twenty years ago Alan Lombardo, accountant to the mob boss George Heinrich, was convicted of killing nine people. He swore he was innocent, but nobody believed him. Now after two decades in jail, he hires law partners Zack Wilson and Terry Tallach to find a loophole that will get him a new trial. They reluctantly take the case. They think they have found an opening when they learn who originally defended the convicted CPA; as Zach's father was on two payrolls with Alan and Heinrich both paying him. His father, now a respected judge, could get disbarred if his conflict of interest goes public. Complicating their ethics dilemma is that the attorneys begin to believe their client is innocent even before a serial killer begins a series of murdering using the same MO as the Springfield Shooter did. The pinky of each victim is cut off and the phrase "Welcome to my World" is left with each victim. That information was never made public. Back then the police barely looked at author Malcolm Ayers as their serial killer because Lombardo fit so perfectly; however evidence points towards him being the "Eternally Yours" killer except lead detective Vera Demopoulos has doubts as everything is to simply perfect making her wonder about a frame, but proving it without dying is quite a task. DIARY OF A SERIAL KILLER is appropriate titled because it was Lombardo's journal that ultimately convicted him. Readers will feel sorry for the mild-mannered obsessive-compulsive convict who does not come across as a psychopath. The cat and mouse game between the cop and the killer will fascinate the audience who will obsess over deciphering clues from the present. Ed Gaffney has a hit series with this fine thriller as an indication. It is the perfect thriller.

Orchard of Hope
Ann H. Gabhart
Revell
c/o Baker Book House
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
0800731697, $12.99 www.bakerbooks.com

In 1964 Hollyhill, Kentucky, fourteen years old Jocie Brooke makes friends with the new negro family from Chicago; especially the son Noah Herndon nearest her age. However, Noah assumes that Jocie is a fake who thinks she knows black people and so has doubts about the friendship; besides which he and his family know how the white hierarchy will react to a colored boy hanging with a magnolia. Meanwhile Jocie's father David, owner and editor of the Hollyhill Barrier and a pastor, argues for human dignity and rights. He is seeing someone for the first time since his former wife Adrienne left without a look back taking their older daughter then thirteen years old Tabitha with her. However, David shocks Noah and the townsfolk when he offers the lad a job at his newspaper. Even more stunning he invites the Herndons to attend the church where he serves as pastor as he believes God would want him to, but his flock is not as tolerant. ORCHARD OF HOPE, the sequel to the insightful THE SCENT OF LILACS, is an interesting Christian historical family drama that focuses on race and family relationships during the civil rights movement. The cast is fully developed especially the Herndon and Brooke families. Although there are too many subplots taking away from the prime tale of the civil rights movement in a small segregated Kentucky town considering integrating schools especially since everyone knows the best teacher in town is a black woman, Ann Gabhart provides a strong inspirational look at a time of momentous change.

Heartstopper
Joy Fielding
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0743295986, $24.95 www.simonsays.com

Torrance, Florida with its population of under 4,200 residents is a quaint town where the locals know one another on a first name basis and can walk safely alone at night. The sheriff John Weber does little more than break up an occasional bar brawl and domestic disputes. Trapped in a loveless marriage with an anorexic daughter, John regrets that his off and on lover Kerri Franklin is seriously involved with newcomer Ian Crosbie. Having left Rochester, New York because of her husband Ian's desire to start fresh in Torrance, Sandy moves her family there but he soon leaves her and their teenage children Megan and Tim because he wants to be with Kerri. She understands he wanted reality not virtual lovemaking with his on line sex partner Kerri

While the adults imitate Peyton Place, the most popular high school female student Liana Martin is kidnaped; eventually she is found dead from a shotgun blast to her face. Another woman in a nearby town disappears in a similar manner, but her corpse has not been found yet though law enforcement fears the worst. When babe magnet and wife abuser Cal Hamilton's wife's body is found by Kerri's daughter Delilah, the police arrest the father. A search of his apartment finds trophies of the dead women. The townsfolk sigh of relief is short-lived because a predator remains free to kill. Joy Fielding writes some of the best thrillers on the market today (see MAD RIVER ROAD). Readers who like the works of Mary Higgins Clark and Patricia McDonald will enjoy HEARTSTOPPER. The characters are fully drawn as they make mistakes which enhance the realism of the prime story line. There is plenty of action and a growing sense of horror as the killer seems increasingly invincible. Though a serial killer preying on a small town is a common theme, Ms. Fielding refreshes her plot with a whodunit that will keep the audience guessing until the shocking climax.

The Wilde Women
Paula Wall
Atria
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0743496213, $24.00 www.simonsays.com

In 1929 in Five Points, Tennessee, Pearl Wilde finds her fiance Bourne Cavanagh, oldest son of the owner of Cavanagh Whiskey Distillery, having sex with her sister Kat, who to add insult to injury is wearing her shoes. Pearl takes her shoes back and leaves for Chicago. As she travels overseas and across America, Pearl sends home post cards to Kat telling her to go to hell. However, late in 1932 she returns home to open up a whore house. Pearl enters the dilapidated hardware store owned by Bud Marshall. The men who hang out there are awed by her except the handsomest nineteen year old Eddie McCowan. She hires him to work for her and tells his mom Maysie that she is pleased with her son's work. Bud cleans up his store and Maysie persuades the men to accept work at Pearl's place. The Mayor informs the town council they will do nothing to prevent Pearl opening up her business, the first new one in town in a decade. Kat works at the Randolph and Hughes Shirt Factory where she sews sleeves onto the shirts. Mason Hughes, the son of the owner, sees her and wants her. She rejects his advances. Still Mason visits Kat who tells him to leave, but unbeknownst to both of them Pearl watches and realizes her sister wants this man because she pushes away those she desires; she now has her tool of revenge. The ensemble cast contains unique characters that bring to life Depression Era Tennessee while the story line has an underlying whimsical feel as the Wilde sisters wink at American history yet brings a sense of time and place to the delightful story line. The final wild twist will surprise readers as Paula Wall provides the audience with a fascinating historical romance starring two Wilde women, their men, and the fully developed townsfolk who observe the sibling war.

The Missing
Chris Mooney
Atria
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0743463803, $25.00 www.simonsays.com

In 1984 best friends Darby McCormick, Melanie Cruz and Stacey Stephens are hiking in the woods when they accidentally observe a man killing a woman. Darby calls the police as her hero her father "Big Red" is a cop, but though her dad promised he would catch the killer, the culprit was never caught. The impact of the horrific crime scene remains with Darby almost as much as her adulation of her late dad; she obtains a doctorate in criminal psychology and becomes a Boston Crime Lab crime scene investigator. Her current case feels a bit like deja vu as she and her partner Jackson "Coop" Cooper search for clues to the whereabouts of a missing girl, Carol Cranmore. This investigation quickly ties back to what happened when she was sixteen as Stacey is a murder victim and Melanie is among THE MISSING leaving a terrorized Darby in a constant state of panic that she is next. This is fun Reagan Era police procedural filled with twists and turns as Darby begins to unravel the truth about a serial killer and her father, whose statue of greatness has begin to crumble in her mind. The story line is action-packed and filled with twists, but also contains typical sidebars of the sub-genre like the brass as always bungling, stumbling and interfering. The serial killer crowd will enjoy Chris Mooney's exciting thriller.

Angelica
Arthur Phillips
Random House
c/o Random House Trade Group Publicity
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
1400062519, $24.95 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

Stationary store clerk Constance is euphoric and overwhelmed when she marries biological researcher Joseph Barton as she has changed from lowly shop girl to the lady of the manor. She decides to give her spouse children, but over the years only Angelica is born. When their daughter turns four, Joseph insists their offspring no longer sleep in their room. Constance panics as she fears for Angelica's safety having seen spirits hover over her child; however Joseph's temper is more frightening so she reluctantly accepts that Angelica will sleep in her own room. Still Constance consults with a spiritualist Anne Montague, who thinks there is something perverted about Joseph and his ferocious rage at home that manifests in the spirits. Joseph cannot understand why his wife suddenly fears him and cringes at his touch as if he is a beast. Years later, an adult Angelica wonders whether when she was a child if her father was a sexual predator, her mother a delusional maniac, or something even more frightening from beyond. This late Victorian psychological suspense tale switches perspective as the key players provide their point of view re what is happening when Angelica turned four. The story line grips readers who are unsure as to what is the truth as each person's version seems right at the time it is presented. Interestingly the audience will empathize with Constance and Joseph as hey share in common the belief that their partner does not understand them. ANGELICA is a strong suspense thriller that will keep fans reading to learn supernatural or mundane cause and effect.

Cold Day in Hell
Richard Hawke
Random House
c/o Random House Trade Group Publicity
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
1400064260, $24.95 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

In New York, while popular talk show host Marshall Fox stands trial for the murder of two female employees, whom he was having affairs with; someone else kills two more people connected to him using the same MO. The latest homicides raise major questions re the guilt of Fox involving the first victims as he has the perfect alibi being a guest of the state to prove he did not commit the latter murders. Feeling guilty as one of the dead women asked him for help before her demise; private investigator Fritz Malone makes inquiries upsetting his beloved Margo, who wants paying customers not deadbeat clients. Still he feels the debt is his so Fritz begins to unravel the complex and convoluted relationships of the rich and famous while one person in the shadows continues to purge anyone who can identify him or her. Fritz is a terrific sleuth as his amusing asides, droll retorts, and bumbling balancing act (between Margo and the case) make a COLD DAY IN HELL a superb urban whodunit. The story line is fast-paced with the cops, Fox, and those tied to him reacting the same way whenever Fritz accosts them as they all think SPEAK OF THE DEVIL. Richard Hawke provides readers with an entertaining New York City mystery.

Chasing Justice: My Story of Freeing Myself After Two Decades on Death Row for a Crime I Didn't Commit
Kerry Max Cook
William Morrow & Company
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
006057464X, $25.95 www.harpercollins.com 1-800-242-7737

In 1977 in Tyler, Texas, Linda Edwards invited Kerry Max Cook back to her apartment. A few days later, she was found dead having been raped and murdered. The local police under extreme political, media, and public pressure to bring the culprit to Texas justice find a single fingerprint of Cook on a door in the victim's apartment. He is arrested, people including detectives perjured themselves on the stand and he was convicted. After At twenty-one years old he was on death row where he remained in spite of appeals tossing out the first trial. In 1996 the Texas Supreme Court threw out the conviction citing official misconduct; in 1999 while Governor Bush was defending his state's perfect record on capital punishment DNA proved he did not commit the act. This heart felt anti capital punishment biography contains several sections especially when the author describes life on death row that reads sloppy as the writing is unprofessional; yet adds emotion and a taste for those who still believe of injustice American style. Similar in tone to other pleading memoirs like Surviving Justice (edited by Vollen), once again an innocent man spent two decades in prison based on the courts concluding those in charge crossed The Thin Blue Line again.

Dark Room
Andrea Kane
Morrow
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
0060741341, $23.95 www.harpercollins.com 1-800-242-7737

On Christmas Eve 1989 in Brooklyn, preadolescent Morgan Winter sneaks down to look at her gifts only to find two presents that she will haunt her soul forever; her parents corpses. Seventeen years later the murder of her beloved family still haunts her. Now the case of killing her father, an ADA is being reopened as new evidence points that the confessed killer Nate Schiller could not have done those homicides as he was in Harlem killing a cop Goddfrey and a gang leader Hernandez. Nate's confession was to keep him stay alive behind bars as murdering an ADA is not on a par of that of a gang leader who has some followers in prison. Former NYPD Homicide Detective Pete "Monty" Montgomery (see WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME), a private investigator, agrees to make inquires into the re-heated Winter murders, but first informs Morgan what occurred. His photojournalist son Lane helps his dad especially with his strong contacts with the Intel crowd. As Lane and Morgan fall in love, Monty finds the case already filled with one odd twist with Schiller exposed; but even a homicide veteran like him is not prepared for the spins through Manhattan's most powerful. Though there is too much coincidence in the plot, fans of romantic police procedural will appreciate this fine thriller in which the legal system and the heroine are tested. The story line is action-packed as the Montgomery duo make inquiries into what was considered a closed case that has suddenly turned into a heated cold case. Fans will enjoy this exciting sequel as Monty father and son seek closure for Morgan.

Anatomy of Fear
Jonathan Santlofer
Morrow
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
0060881976, $24.95 www.harpercollins.com 1-800-242-7737

NYPD sketch artist Nate Rodriguez is considered by the department as one of the best at capturing the essence of a suspect. Some say he has psychic skills that enable him to enter the mind of a victim or witness that facilitates his drawing beyond what is often poorly described. Nate has always seen the world in pictures rather than in words. A killer claiming to do God's cleansing leaves drawings at the scenes of the crime. NYPD Homicide Detective Terri Russo asks for Nate to join her on the investigation because the pictures eerily remind her of the police artist's skills. Upon seeing the graphic evidence of gruesome murders, Nate recognizes a kindred sprit though it is the other side of the coin. Nate turns to his Santera grandmother for guidance even as the adversary ups the murder count and the clues begin to point to a police artist with the grim sketches left behind reminiscent of Nate's work. The sketches alongside the text make this an astonishingly unique police procedural tale that grips readers from the first picture to the last. The story line is action-packed as the investigation comes across via the vivid pictures as much as by the text; which in turns means incredible twists and red herrings as the mind's eye can be fooled. Though the egotistical know it all FBI agents targeting Nate for Attica seems unnecessary as having Terri doubt should be enough personal pressure, readers will receive immense pleasure from Jonathan Santlofer's delightful serial killer thriller.

Diagnosis of Love
Maggie Leffler
Delta Trade Paperbacks
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
038534046X, $13.00 1-800-726-0600

She believes her mother's death several months ago brought her life into perspective; her older by six minutes twin brother Ben thinks otherwise. The first step on her journey begins twenty years ago when mom ran off to medical school in Grenada. Dr. Holly Campbell knows her life is in shambles since mom died as she fails in love and currently is angry at her patients at St. Catherine's Medical Center in Pittsburgh for being ill even as she logically knows how insane that sounds. However, it is patient Clara Storm who brings perspective talking about herself to Holly that she cannot be well until she leaves Pittsburgh

Following the revelation, Holly takes a residency at the Royal County Hampshire Hospital in Winchester, England. However, the States seem to have followed her or preceded her to this remote hospital as an orderly Edwin Clemens from Misty Creek Elementary is there and soon after Ben's fiancee Alecia arrives almost as if she running away. Finally her mom's lover from two decades ago Simon shows up to meet her. All have demands on her time, but it is she who came to England with her mom's suitcase who will learn to live over this year abroad. This is a well written character study of a confused woman struggling to find herself and in some ways this is a coming of age story. Holly is terrific as she feels lost even as she achieves her prime goal of becoming a doctor just like her mom was. Readers will appreciate her efforts in England as she learns what life is all about through the demands of others with their needs and those of others who teach her it takes a "village" to live life.

The Bee's Kiss
Barbara Cleverly
Delta Trade Paperbacks
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0385340419, $13.00 1-800-726-0600

In 1926, Scotland Yard Commander Joe Sandilands has come home to England after working cases in India over the last few years (see THE PALACE TIGER and THE LAST KASHMIRI ROSE). Though the locale changes, the scene does not as Joe is assigned to a homicide investigation. Someone brutally battered renowned Dame Beatrice Joliffe in her hotel suite at the London Ritz. The victim was acclaimed for her efforts in WWI to establish the Women's Royal Naval Service and servings as a Wren. Thus the media is also sniffing around and making noise. Joe, assisted by former Army Sergeant Armitage and Constable Tilly Westhorpe, rejects the scenario that this was a random jewelry theft that turned ugly because the violence speaks otherwise. He wonders if her family or an acquaintance with a grudge committed a homicide but disguised it as a jewelry theft even as his superiors push him to walk gently as national security is whispered. This is a superb historical police procedural that contains an excellent whodunit enhanced by a terrific look at the Roaring Twenties in swinging euphoric post WWI London. Joe's change of milieu provides freshness to this great series as he and his team investigate a case that twists with every clue. Readers can solve the case, but not easily as the author cleverly provides the audience with a one sitting thriller.

Master of Secrets
D. S. Lliteras
Hampton Roads
125 Stoney Ridge Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22902
1571745386, $19.95

Rabbi Jesus is dead having been crucified. His followers are stunned, grieving, and fleeing. In that troubled Golgotha environs, a frightened Boy who watched the great Rabbi die seeks solace from his mother, but she instead tells him to find his father, a devout disciple of the late Rabbi Jesus. Frightened but young enough to hide his fear with bluster, the lad finds only distraught and angry people. That is until he meets devious conman Jeshua, who persuades Addan to come with him as the rambunctious charmer takes the youngster under his wings. They team up trying to survive the post-crucifixion danger from authorities, true believers, and others while Addan is mesmerized by the charlatan who keeps him physically safe, but morally breaks Jesus' ethical and religious code.

As with his powerful biblical tales, JUDAS THE GENTILE and THE SILENCE OF JOHN, S.S. Lliteras provides a strong insightful character driven thriller that occurs immediately following the crucifixion. The story line is told from the perspective of young Addan who is confused by what he saw and sees, but finds comfort with the pretender Jeshua rather than in the teachings of Rabbi Jesus. Interestingly, Jeshua in his own way is a moral "swindler", but this deep poignant novel is all about Addan's faith as he initially clings to the bird in the hand rather tan believe there might be two in the bush. This is great work by one of the best early Christian authors.

They Hunger
Scott Nicholson
Pinnacle
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0786017139, $6.99 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

The primordial world of the Unegawa Wilderness Area is about to be invaded by three different groups of people. The 'Boma Bomber, has entered the area with Clara, a woman who is turned on by his menace, enters the area to escape the Feds that are pursuing him because e made bombs that destroyed people and abortion clinics. Two FBI agents Jim Castle and profiler Derek Samdford are following a tip that he is in the area and are in pursuit of him. The last group is led by Bowie Whitlock and sponsored by Pro Ventures to test a new raft as the white waters of the Gregor River. All three groups see a bat winged humanoid figure with grey skin, blind eyes and the need to drink blood. It is believed that the explosives that Ace set and were exploded when an FBI agent stepped on the trip wire awakened the vampire like creatures from the underground depths. When the victims of the creatures die, they come back with the same fierce hunger for blood. As all three groups meet, Ace and Clara and one of the rafters Guthrie, take a raft leaving the FBI agent and the other rafters to work together to avoid getting killed. Eventually it will fall one person to make the move to eradicate the menace if he can. Scott Nicholson writes horror that scares the living daylights out of the reader even if the creatures that are so frightening are non-breathing, winged bat like humanoids with hand and feet. This could be the creatures the vampire myths were based on and they are very frightening. The characters in this bitingly good horror novel are well developed and range from the saint to the psychopathic who sees the vampires as angels. There is lots of action and chase scenes making readers feel like they are on the fastest and most twisty roller coaster ride on earth.

Then We Came to the End
Joshua Ferris
Little, Brown & Company
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0316016381, $23.95 www.twbookmark.com 1-800-759-0190

In a Chicago ad agency, the era of good feeling that marked most of the second Clinton term seems over. Empty cubicle syndrome frightens much of the staff as employees will be fired. Competition is fierce as symbolism like spots, chairs, and email bites represents who will survive the ordeal. Friendships are over as real survivor is being played. There are numerous stories in this agency; here are three that cross the culture. Word in the office "plaza", coffee pot, and bathrooms is that partner Lynn Mason has breast cancer and is dying; this elates those who work for her who pray the rumor proves true because if she dies or becomes incapacitated a promotion opens up that every employee believes they earned as he or she knows they do all the work while she makes the money and receives the accolades. In the eye of the cutting storm, recently divorced Tom Mota, wearing the same NASCAR polo shirt everyday, cites nineteenth century poetry while having temper tantrums that he hopes frightens management into keeping him employed. Everyone below middle manager Joe Pope blames him for the downsizing; while everyone above him blames him too for not rightsizing. However, he knows his job is secure because someone needs to take the blame. This is a terrific character driven look at the office during a period of uncertainty except for pink slips. The ensemble cast is fabulous as the audience looks deep into the varying reactions of people to the expected reductions (a euphemism for firing) as each wonders what to wear when seen on the unemployment lines. Similar in its cutting edge to Office Space but with a wider scope, fans will appreciate the aptly titled THEN WE CAME TO THE END of Joshua Ferris' wheel.

Night Life
Ray Garton
Leisure
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
0843956755, $7.99 1-800-481-9191

Private investigators Karen Moffett and Gavin Keoph are linked by multi-millionaire horror novelist Martin Burgess. He wants them to investigate former New York Times reporter Walter Benedek under a pseudonym wrote an article about evil vampires for the New York Post. Mr. Burgess wants to know if they are real. Karen tracks Walter down to a small town in Upstate New York where he tells her vampires are real and he did battle with them. He gives them an introduction to nice vampires Casey and Davey, a married couple who drink blood from containers obtained through an underground network. The "brutals" believe mortals are meat to do with as they choose and they dine on anyone looking for them. They never forget a slight and when Davey, Casey and Gavin are in the home of a psychic vampire, Karen and Casey are kidnaped and placed into a hotel belonging to the most dangerous brutal of all. The place is a fortress but they are going to make a rescue attempt regardless knowing there will be casualties on both sides. NIGHT LIFE is the direct sequel to Bram Stoker nominated LIVE GIRLS and it is a fascinating modernization of the vampire legend. These vampires can stay awake in the day, wear sun block to go outside, are allergic to garlic but religious objects don't bother them unlike in most vampiric novels. The characters are full blooded and the storyline is fast paced, action packed and totally terrifying. Ray Garton writes horror fiction at its most frightening best.

Shell Game
Jeff Buck
Leisure
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
0843958464, $7.99 1-800-481-9191

Taylor Simons is living the American dream with a handsome husband Alan whom she loves and who earns a large income so that they live in a mansion. She also runs her own multi-million dollar valued advertising business G-cubed. Their bank suddenly calls in Taylor and Alan to pay their note. past due. The pair had invested everything they owned and more into New Pro, but the firm disappeared overnight in a great scam. Down to a paltry few hundred K, they sell everything even as adding insult Alan loses his job. When they receive a tip as to the whereabouts of New Pro CEO Edward Brand, they head to Mexico to confront him. Per happenstance they find him where he is living and follow him when he leaves his luxurious villa. As the car nears the cliffs, Alan throws Taylor out of their vehicle and tries to run down Edward. Instead he misses and falls into the water below. DNA proves he is dead. Taylor teams up with a former New Pro employee Kelly who also works for the NSA; they set up a scam to take away all of Edward's money knowing failure means death. SHELL GAME is a thrill a minute crime caper in which appearances are deceiving and filled with twists that seem plausible yet stunning. Ironically, Edward is the only key character who appears to be what he is as everyone else has secrets they hide behind. Jeff Buck will be recognized by fans as a leading thriller writer due to this fast-paced tale in which the sting is the only game in town.

Deliver Me
Farrah Rochon
Leisure
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
0843958626, $6.99 1-800-481-9191

Emergency room Dr. Monica Gardner was already considering a change following the news broadcasts of what Katrina did to the Gulf, but Patrick Dangerfield and his lies made it easier for her to leave depression behind in St. Louis and start anew start in New Orleans at Methodist Memorial. Her first day on the job starts with a fender bender and then a C-section emergency that has "Super-Doc" Eli Holmes demanding to know who she is and to get out that she was fired. A new emergency saves Eli from her wrath. Administrator Dr. Slessinger gets Monica to join their charity board; of which Eli is a member too. They reach a truce and soon make a deal to pretend they are seeing one another in order to keep his family from setting him up on dates he does not want and to keep the male vultures from surrounding her with courtships she does not want. As they work together and spend some time away from the hospital together, they fall in love; however his relationships last a month and she still feels distrust towards males thanks to Dangerfield. DELIVER ME is enhanced by the vivid description practicing medicine in post Katrina New Orleans; thus the delightful romance takes a back seat to the action of the emergency room. The lead couple is a fine matching of dedicated physicians wary of love while the romance of a secondary couple adds depth to a loaded story line. Elementary my dear readers, as Farrah Rochon captures the city inside her fabulous contemporary medical romance with hopefully more Holmesian sibling tales to follow.

Highland Warrior
Connie Mason
Leisure
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
0843957441, $6.99 1-800-481-9191

In the fifteenth century Scottish Highlands, the Mackay and Mackenna clans have been fighting for years so no one is surprised when hostilities break out again. However, wanting an end to the seemingly back and forth battle of revenge in which both clans lose, the MacKay Laird approaches his Mackenna counterpart with an odd deal when he offers his daughter Gillian in marriage. Laird Ross Mackenna wants to end the bloodshed too while saving face. He met Gillian on the battlefield and appreciates her fiery spirit so he agrees. Everyone on both sides of the feud is elated with the upcoming nuptials that will ring in peace and prosperity for all. That is everyone except Gillian who feels like a pawn and another suitor who wants the lass' fortune for himself even if that means igniting the feud into an inferno. The gender battle between the lead protagonists make for a fine time for historical romance readers as Gillian proves more than a match for Ross. The story line is fast-paced with these strange bedfellows fighting one another and enemies who want their nuptials ended before they begin. Connie Mason provides a delightful fifteenth century Scottish romance starring a strong heroine and her powerful champion.

The Bare Truth
Elizabeth Clarke
Leisure
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
0843956720, $6.99 1-800-481-9191

Desperate for employment in a reputable home, Juliette Garrison forges letters of reference. She actually succeeds in scoring a fine position, but knows she must keep her big mouth shut as her aristocratic employees are not interested in her thoughts. However, she soon learns that she is the offspring of a lord and a serving girl. She begins dreaming of asking her sire's family for help, but fears their reaction will cost her current position in which she has food and a bed. When American business man Thomas Jameson meets serving girl Juliette, he likes her spark and spunk. She reciprocates though the cost of a tryst she knows would mean sleeping on the streets as she knows guys like the wealthy Yank marry aristocrats while doodling with English servants. This is an interesting historical due to the outspoken Juliette whose mouth gets her into one problem spot after another though it is her loquacious vivaciousness that brings her to the attention of the visiting American. The story line is typical of the period as the lead female makes all other women pale in comparison and the brash Yank ignores convention. Sub-genre readers will enjoy this fine late Victorian.

A Portrait of Marguerite
Kate Lloyd
RiverOak
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
1589190564, $13.99 http://www.cookministries.com/ 1-800-323-7543

With her son Rob off to college, fortyish single mom Marguerite Carr feels her life is over as the empty nest syndrome slams her big time. Her best friend Laurie bullies a reluctant Marguerite to attend Beginning Drawing at the college; the "crime scene" where she met Rob's father Phil. However, the instructor is a bit of a surprise as Henry Marsh is no more than a decade older than her and has no ring. However a set back in her mind occurs when her ex husband Phil introduces Professor Henry to Marguerite and Laurie. Phil has failed Rob and her too many times to matter though he remains attractive; Laurie thinks he is even better than ever. Meanwhile Marguerite finds her love for art especially drawing remains as strong as it was twenty years ago when she passionately painted. Over the semester Henry proves a kind caring person who is smitten with Marguerite. As she reciprocates his feelings, she has doubts about men, love, and even God while Henry tries to prove his love with A PORTRAIT OF MARGUERITE. This is a well written character study of a woman whose only reason for existence over the past two decades is her son until now when she begins to understand that life is so much greater if one passionately goes for it as God would want of his children. Marguerite is a fabulous lead character who learns to believe in the Lord, herself, and her love for Henry as even the darkest secrets are nothings when willingly revealed in the light. Readers will enjoy this wonderful inspirational romance that feels so real even when everything comes together too perfectly to be plausible as Kate Lloyd's talent shines.

Fangland
John Marks
The Penguin Press
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
159420117X, $25.95 www.us.penguingroup.com 1-800-847-5515

TV news show The Hour associate producer Evangeline Harker leaves New York for Romania to look into a possible segment on reputed Eastern European crime boss Ion Torgu with the coup de grace being an interview. In Bucharest, fellow Yank Clemmie Spence warns Evangeline to be careful because the forces of Satan are spreading their pestilence at an alarming rate as she explains what horrors she saw in Africa. The two Americans travel to Transylvania where Evangeline meets Torgu, whose teeth look rotted but not fanged. He takes her to a remote locale in the woods while two of his associates kill a cameraman. Stunned, Evangeline becomes further shocked when she inadvertently observes Torgu drinking blood. Fleeing she finds Clemmie, but instead of the relief of feeling safe, the TV producer thirsts; she slices her companion's throat and drinks the blood. While back in New York, the staffers of the Hour begin to die a horrid slow cancerous like death while a select few thrive. Evangeline is in-between, undecided whether to flourish on the blood of others or waste away while Torgu arrives to take a bite out of the Big Apple. The Romanian segment is a stupendous updating of Stoker's Dracula while the New York portion seems paler than the original London venue. Torgu is a terrific modern day "Count" whose minions are criminals while Evangeline Harker (great name for a character) is a fabulous individual who struggles with the metamorphosis. Overall FANGLAND is a fast-paced horror thriller that fans of vampires will devour in a series of delightful 60 minute bites.

Invisible Shield
Scarlett Dean
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145458, $25.95 1-800-223-1244

Her partner Gerard Alvarez tells Lindsay Frost that Buford Jones was released from prison after a drug bust failed. When the guilty verdict was pronounced Buford threatened Lindsay for she was instrumental in taking him down. When an anxious Lindsay enters her home, she sees noting disturbing so she relaxes. Not long afterward she watches the police looking at her naked body in the bathtub as the cops officially declare suicide, but Gerald and her sister, police officer Kate Frost believe otherwise. Lindsay soon meets other spirits like herself who have unfinished business to attend to on the mortal plane or have things to learn about their new existence. The only person who can see or hear Lindsay is Kate. Rivals in life, the sisters agree to team up to find Lindsay's killer, but the deceased sibling has bigger issues than uncovering her murderer. Lindsay battles an evil spirit bent on eliminating her entirely while Kate struggles with her superiors who demand she drop the case. INVISIBLE SHIELD is a superb paranormal police procedural that focuses on two sisters who are so eerily alike in life and were competitors pushing one another to excel while in death they find common ground. Lindsay makes friends and enemies in limbo with some allies saving her after-life when her spirit stalker tries to snuff her light out. There is plenty of action on both sides of the veil between the living and the dead as Scarlett Dean creates a marvelous mystical mystery.

The Charmstone
C.C. Harrison
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145792, $26.95 1-800-223-1244

Southern California based museum designer Amanda Bell feels guilty that she was never there for her father, a renowned University of Colorado archeologist Dr. Maynard Bell who recently died in a fiery desert crash in Monument Valley. Over the objections of her socialite mother and her fiance, UCLA Professor Elliot Sheffield plans to go to his last locale and sort out his papers and artifacts. When Elliot forbids her to go, she hands him back his engagement ring and leaves for the Navajo Cultural Center. At the site she meets former Hollywood film director Durango Yazzie who is a born again Native American having once turned his back on his people, but now embraces their traditions. He does not want the tall white female nearby because he finds her too attractive at a time he obsesses over the heritage of his people. However, as she offers him ideas to improve his showing of the Navaho culture and she begins to find proof her father lives, they fall in love although someone would not mind another fiery car crash that would kill the two of them. THE CHARMSTONE is a fascinating amateur sleuth romantic suspense that contains several late twists that will shock and delight readers though plausibility seems a stretch. Enhancing the entertaining story line is a fascinating look over the issue of ownership of Native American artifacts. Much of the first half of the book is establishing the relationships between key players especially the lead couple. However, once Amanda decides her dad may be alive, she is like a bull dog in her pursuit to save his life. Readers will enjoy C.C. Harrison's fine thriller.

Foolish Notions
Aris Whittier
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145849, $26.95 1-800-223-1244

In Los Angeles affluent CEO James Taylor wants the best for his mom as she undergoes cancer treatment so he plans to hire a live-in nurse for her. However, Marie has rejected all candidates; insisting Samantha is the only for the job. Used to getting his way, the arrogant James says to his mom anyone, but Sam. He loses the debate and his former girlfriend Sam, the only woman to ever dump James, is hired. Sam agrees only because she cares for Marie and once dreamed of being a close daughter-in-law before she caught James kissing another woman. James realizes he wants Sam back in his life. He bullies her and threatens to rough up her current boyfriend. She knows that she still wants and probably loves James, but does not trust him. Readers will enjoy this solid contemporary romance as James' obsessive behavior and Sam's reactions ring true though the audience will wonder why she puts up with his tactics. The story line is well written and entertaining as James tries to regain what he lost while Sam tries to avoid him as she misses what he cost them, and an ailing Marie plays matchmaker as she knows they belong together. However, a final revelatory twist seems off kilter based on the traits of the lead couple and all that went before. Still this is overall a fine tale.

Croaked!
Dick Lochte
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145253, $25.95 1-800-223-1244

In 1965 Harry Trauble thinks he has the best job for a single twentyish Southern California swinger. He works in the promotions department of Ogle magazine, the second most popular men's magazine in the country. However, Harry is unaware of a war between top management over the future of the magazine as he is to busy trying to make it with receptionist Terry O'Mara. The workforce is shook when the famous statue of the frog in the lobby falls and crushes Circulation Department Vice President Nick Hobart. Everyone assumes a tragic accident occurred, but the sculptor thinks otherwise. Terry agrees with the artist as she believes one of the top managers killed Nick probably over the strategic direction dispute that could be worth millions depending which way the wind blows. Dick Lochte provides readers with a delightful historical amateur sleuth that brings to life the swinging sixties. The story line is driven by the cast especially the hero Harry who thinks he owns the world because to quote his parents he works on a "porn" magazine. Fans who appreciate a deep look at a tumultuous era will appreciate the aptly titled CROAKED! as this is an entertaining mystery.

Cold-Case Killer
Dorothy Francis
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594144850, $25.95 1-800-223-1244

In 1982 Key West, professional diver Randy Jackson is convicted of murdering his girlfriend Dyanne Darby. Years later DNA proved his innocence. The state freed him, but left him with no money or any employment prospects because no one wants to hire an ex-convict. Randy is bitter over his wrongful incarceration and vows on TV to find the culprit. Randy's mom Maxine pleads with her office cleaning client foot reflexologist Keely Moreno to investigate as a favor for her. Keely says no as she was involved in an inquiry once before that almost left her dead (see CONCH SHELL MURDER). Instead she asks her boyfriend private investigator Punt Ashford to help. Punt agrees only because an unknown adversary threatened his beloved Keely. Though she tries to stay out of it, Keely seems to step into the middle of a two decade old homicide whether she wants to or not. The key to this fun investigative tale is Keely who refuses to put her foot into any inquiry as she has learned her lesson; yet in spite of her efforts everyone seems to shove her right into the middle of the mess. The wrongful conviction subplot is fascinating to follow as it subtly supports the notion of using DNA when possible. The prime action comes late because Dorothy Francis provides a deep look inside the souls of her key cast members first. Fns will dive into this fine thriller wondering whether Randy will kill the culprit if uncovered or should his wad instead.

Sound of Mind
Jim Waltzer
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145334, $25.95 1-800-223-1244

In Philadelphia thirty year old former mental patient Richard Keene has supersonic hearing that makes it difficult for him to live a normal life though for the first time he is trying by moving into a Manhattan high riser and working as an audiometric technician. After completing his exercise program, Richard takes the elevator down, but gets off on the wrong floor. He hears noises that lead him to believe the resident of 2307 has strangled someone to death. Shook up he hustles down to his apartment one floor below. Richard reports what he heard to the building superintendent and the cops, but neither believes a nut case like him especially when the accused is renowned Dr. Davis Braun and no corpse surfaces. Still refusing to give it up, Richard needs to prove he may have issues, but his hearing is perfect even when murder occurs behind closed doors. Richard owns this novel as his super-hearing is a handicap that has brought him anguish and placed him on the brink of insanity. Thus when it is his word vs. a respected doctor, who is the cops, the tenants and manager, and readers going to believe? SOUND OF MIND is a fascinating thriller due to the lead character and his unique sense of hearing.

The Moving Water
Sylvia Kelso
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594146063, $25.95 1-800-223-1244

The Lady Moriana rules the Assharral Empire with an invisible but iron fist. She is worshiped as a goddess, immortal, beautiful with powers that can put a whole empire under her spell so that its inhabitants have no will but what she lets them have. Alkir the captain of the Lady's guard is summoned to her presence and told to bring to her a crippled man with a scarred face. He finds the man Beryx who is an ader (a wizard), who willing accepts their escort to the place and person he wants to go see. On the trek to see Moriana he follows the Math (good magic) while the empress ruler follows Ammanth (Bad magic) amplified by the artifact the Well of Wisdom's light. When the two wizard's meet, they have a mental duel of sorts which ends with Beryx thrown into the dungeon where he promptly falls ill. Having won Alkir's loyalty and those of his guard, they help him and eventually he escapes taking those who helped him with him. Moriana destroys people and lands in her attempt to bring them back but Beryx is holding out in the hope that she makes the one mistake that will save the empire. THE MOVING WATER takes place in the same world as Everran's Bane and shows just how great the author's world-building skills are. This is a high fantasy at its finest with good and evil battling for control of the innocent. Although Alkir is the main protagonist and the story is told from his point of view, Beryx will capture the hearts of the audience with his grit and determination as he chooses the power of the light path even though it could kill him.

Lane to Heaven
Sara Daniel
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145695, $26.95 1-800-223-1244

Chicago lawyer Nick McAllister arrives in nearby Maplefield to destroy the reputation of a do-gooder, the Protestant Reverend Annie Lane. He detests the woman on two accounts though he never met her before. She destroyed his half-brother Jason Vonkall who tried to commit suicide due to her when he drove his car into Lake Michigan and her hypocrisy reminds him of his father. At first sight the pair are attracted to one another, but he is stunned by how virginally different she seems than what he expected; he assumes like his father she is a great performer. Nick "blackmails' Annie to visit Jason, who admits he never met her before. Jason explains to her about meeting her sister, Tanya, the spoiled actress known as the "world's sexiest viper" and insists he was not trying to kill himself. As her flock begin to whisper about her indiscretion with Nick, she falls in love with him; he reciprocates but remains at best an agnostic skeptic when it comes to God's existence and an atheist when it comes to organized religions like she preaches even as Tanya's Hollywood actions involving her druggy spouse and a protective cop will soon come to roost in the Midwest. LANE TO HEAVEN is an entertaining contemporary romance with some suspense (with a support character named Hardball what would one expect) that comes late in the story line. The lead couple is an interesting pairing of a skeptic (hopefully my brother-in-law Stephen does not read this, but he is a lawyer) and a believer whose lives intertwine due to the antics of siblings. Fans will enjoy this fine tale in which Nick learns that love is the LANE TO HEAVEN on earth.

Crime and Clutter
Cyndy Salzmann
Howard Publishing Company
3117 North 7th Street, West Monroe, LA 71291-2227
1582296448, $13.00 www.howardpublishingdealer.com 1-800-858-4109

This week the six members of the Friday Afternoon Club (FAC) escape from their families meeting at Lizzie's house. At the gathering, Maxine the cop asks Mary Alice what she was doing at Storage Unlimited. She explains that her father, who abandoned her as a baby, had his stuff shipped to her so she rented storage space. Her friends accompany Mary Alice when she goes to open her storage facility. Inside she finds a 1963 Volkswagen minibus. Looking at the memorabilia by the car, a series of flashbacks tells the story of the brief marriage between her parents. Following the clues at the storage facility, the crew heads to a commune with no bathroom facility and the residents hung around getting high. Letters tell her more about how her dad went to the Chicago Democratic Party Convention where he became a fugitive on the lam from the police forcing him to abandon the child he wanted to cherish with love. The mystery of what happened to Mary Alice's father is explained in CRIME AND CLUTTER in such a way Denny is the prime character of the story line. He was disillusioned by society and then disappointed with his efforts to foster change that cost him so much he held precious, his Mary Alice and her offspring. The group does more than share recipes (there is plenty of that too) as they support one another with coping with life's curveballs. The FAC is fans will want more tales of this fascinating group of moms weekly escaping.

Right from the Gecko
Cynthia Baxter
Bantam Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0553588443, $6.99 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

Eighteen months have passed since Brookside University School of Law student Nick Burby proposed to commitment phobic veterinarian Jessica Popper and she said no though they still seeing one another exclusively. However, they are now returning to the scene of the crime, make that proposal, as they leave Long Island for Maui for her to attend the American Veterinary Medical Association's annual conference and for them to share some romantic interludes. However their retreat is disturbed when the corpse of reporter Marnie Burton washes on the beach near Jessie. Having met the journalist the day before and as always curious when it comes to bodies, Jessica looks close at the deceased while someone observes her doing so and worries that the Long Islander might have found a clue especially when the vet begins making inquiries that lead her to a biotech firm. Though the latest Jessica Popper whodunit is not reigning cats and dogs, fans of a strong amateur sleuth tale will enjoy the heroine's return to Hawaii in which her biggest fear is that Nick will ask the "Question" even when someone wants to end her inquiry. The cast is solid even with just one supporting feline as so many two legged beasts make prime suspects. Though some purists might object to the lack of the four-legged secondary characters, Cynthia Baxter provides a strong mystery RIGHT FROM THE GECKO.

Dawn
Tim Lebbon
Bantam Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0553383655, $12.00 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

Everyone believes the land of Noreela is dead especially since the savior, former farm boy Rafe Baburn, was killed by the Mage with his body given to Angel. A second age of dark magic has begun to cast a shadow over the realm as Angel, the S'Hivez, and the Red Mages have avenged their stunning loss during the Cataclysmic War. There is no hope with the savior vanquished. His compatriots, who fought to keep him safe, feel the devastating impact of gloom, doom, and disappointment even more deeply than the commoners. Hope the witch, Alishia of the books, Kosar the thief and Trey of the enigmatic yellow eyes know they failed on their quest. Yet Alishia believes they still have a chance to insure the ancient prophecy of rebirth by an unborn can happen. She demands they not quit, but valiantly continue the mission as she feels she contains an essence of Rafe that might prove enough to begin a resurrection if they can make it to the city of Kang Kang. The Mages are on mop up duty to prevent their success. Though Alishia is a solid heroine, she lacks the freshness that Rafe brought to DUSK, as that tale was also a coming of age saga. She and her three comrades make DAWN an exhilarating action-packed horror fantasy though the enemy also lacks that signature villain such as the initial Red Mage who massacred the villagers of Trengborne in DUSK. Still this is top-quality tale that provides a staying alive adventure that makes it much more than a middle filler thriller as DAWN can be read without the previous story though reading DUSK first enhances the understanding of how much the death of Rafe impacts his world and casts a gloomy spell on his teammates.

The Borderkind
Christopher Golden
Bantam Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0553383272, $12.00 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

He was suffering from cold feet the night before his marriage when Jack Frost busted into his Maine home pleading with him to save his life. Stunned lawyer Oliver Bascomb crosses the veil into the Two-Kingdoms where he finds a magical sword (see THE MYTH HUNTERS). When he returns to the earthly realm he learns of the murder of his father and more important the abduction of his sister Collette held prisoner by the lethal Sandman. He vows to rescue his sibling and avenge his dad, but is unaware that he is the prime suspect. Meanwhile his jilted fiancee Julianna Whitney, still believes in his goodness and that he did not kill his father or the other corpses haunting Oliver's every step though the evidence speaks otherwise. She teams up with homicide detective Ted Halliwell to track down Oliver. Christopher Golden is going to strike gold with this superior dark fantasy sequel that can stand on its own but is enhanced by reading the equally superb first tale. The story line is action-packed and stars a real American hero and a strong support cast from both sides of the veil. However, the key to this delightful saga is the belief that the Two Kingdoms and its fantasy creatures are not just plausible they are real.

The Alibi Man
Tami Hoag
Bantam Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0553802011, $26.00 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

One day while riding a horse near the canal in Wellington in south Florida, former undercover cop Elena Estes, now a horse groomer, sees the parts of a body in a nearby canal. She calls Detective Landry the man she just broke up with, to take care of the body. When they fish her out of the water, Elena is shocked to know the murdered victim is Irina, one of the women who works will the horses in the same stable as Elena. Once a cop always a cop as Elena's instincts are to find out who killed Irina. At first, she starts out to find out who Irina hung ar

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