Laura Ingalls Wilder: Farm Journalist
Stephen W. Hines, editor
University of Missouri Press
2910 LeMone Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65201
9780826217714, $34.95 www.umsystem.edu/upress 1-800-828-1894
Laura Ingalls Wilder will forever be remembered for her "Little House on the Prairie" books which have entertained generations of readers and been the source of one of television's most popular and long-running series. What is not so well known is that before writing her Little House books, she wrote short nonfiction pieces in magazines and newspapers. She passed away fifty years ago at the age of 90 at her home in the Missouri Ozarks. To celebrate her life's accomplishments, Stephen W. Hines (co-editor of "Laura Ingalls Wilder's Fairy Poems") has expertly compiled and deftly edited a series of essays by Wilder that she wrote for publication in the 'Missouri Realist' between 1911 and 1924 in this newly revised edition of "Laura Ingalls Wilder: Farm Journalist", which now includes an additional forty-two 'Missouri Ruralist' articles and the restoration of previously omitted passages from some of her other articles previously published in the original edition. Simply stated, "Laura Ingalls Wilder: Farm Journalist" is a 'must read' for the legions of Laura Ingalls Wilder fans, and will prove to be a welcome and popular addition to personal, academic, and community library collections.
Shopper's Guide To Healthy Living
Kathy Loidolt
Booksurge LLC
7290-B Investment Drive, Charleston, SC 29418
9781419671258, $12.99 www.amazon.com
In our current climate of rising costs and an economic recession, making a dollar stretch as far as possible in support of a healthy lifestyle takes more than just wishful thinking. It takes a consumer resource like Kathy Loidolt's "Shopper's Guide To Healthy Living". This is a 105-page compendium of information, advice, tips, techniques, resources, and lists for what to get and how to get it when it comes to shopping wisely and successfully on a budget for everything from skin care products, to bug spray, to groceries, to perfumes and more! Of special note are the 'tear out' shopping lists that are provided ready-made for the reader and not only note what to get -- but what to avoid as well! The section devoted to 'Recipes for Healthy Living' range from Whole Grain Pancakes and Homemade Pancake Syrup, to Healthy Oatmeal Cookies and Whole Grain Spelt Bread. The "Shopper's Guide To Healthy Living" is especially recommended for novice housewives (and house-husbands), as well as anyone else wanting to use their financial resources to the best effect in support of a healthy home and a wholesome lifestyle for themselves and their loved ones.
Her Corner Office
Trudy Bourgeois
Brown Books Publishing Group
16200 N. Dallas Parkway, Suite 170, Dallas, TX 75248
Maryglenn McCombs Book Publicity (publicity)
2817 West End Avenue, Suite 126-274 Nashville, TN 37203
9781933285979, $21.95 www.brownbooks.com
In the 19th century women in the workforce was a rarity. In the 20th century women began to transition from the home to the workplace in increasing numbers decade by decade. In The 21st century most women work outside the home, with more and more of them entering the domain of corporate management responsibilities -- but there is still a proverbial 'glass ceiling' that must be dealt with respecting women achieve parity with men in corporate offices and boardrooms. Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded second edition, "Her Corner Office: A Guide To Help Women Find A Place And A Voice In Corporate America" by Trudy Bourgeois (President and CEO of The Center for Workforce Excellence) continues to draw upon her more than twenty-four years of experience and expertise as a speaker, executive coach, trainer, and the first African American female VP in the consumer goods industry to present an informed and informative manual for women seeking to succeed in a corporate career of their own. "Her Corner Office" covers issues of personal confidence, actionable blueprints for professional success, the 'general manager mindset', being a credible leader, overcoming stereotypes concerning women in the workplace, leadership styles within an organizational framework, as well as making conflict and change advantageous to success. Of special note is what Trudy Bourgeois has to say about women supporting other women in a corporate environment. As inspired and inspiring as it is practical and 'user friendly', "Her Corner Office" should be considered essential reading for any woman either entering the corporate world for the first time, or have been trying to work their way up the corporate ladder and achieve a corner office of their own.
Autumn Seclusion
Andrea Ferrell
Trafford Publishing
2333 Government Street, Suite 6E, Victoria, BC, Canada, V8T 4P4
1412040442, $20.00 www.trafford.com 1-888-232-4444
Told through the eyes of Anna, a thirty year old woman reflecting upon her life, Autumn Seclusion is a tale of coming to grips with one's hidden fears and blemishes. Anna's experience of rejection at home set her up for a succession of draining and abusive relationships. The one loving relationship she experienced was with a Native American from Upstate, New York; her family severed her ties at home, and she eventually left the United States entirely to reconstruct her life. A tale that encourages the reader to think long and hard about themselves and the ones they love, Autumn Seclusion is ultimately a tale of the meaning of forgiveness. Highly recommended.
Mary Cowper
Reviewer
Dunford's Bookshelf
Will Rogers Says...
Reba Collins, editor
University of Oklahoma Press
2800 Venture Drive, Norman, OK 73069
9781834397039, $12.95 www.oupress.com 1-800-627-7377
The wit and wisdom of homespun American philosopher, comedian, actor, stage performer, and social critic Will Rogers is legendary. Hundreds of thousands of Americans mourned his untimely death in an Alaskan plane crash. Reba Collins (Director Emeritus at the Will Rogers memorial and Research Center in Claremore, Oklahoma) has a very special expertise to bring to bear in this representative collection she has compiled and edited of commentaries and comments by Will Rogers that will bring him to the approving acquaintance of a whole new generation of readers. This was a man who was as prolific in his pronouncements on everything from the foibles of government to the conundrums of human nature as he was humorously insightful. Highly recommended reading for anyone and everyone, "Will Rogers Says..." could not hope to be comprehensive, only representative. For example in the section featuring his comments on America's political parties what is perhaps his most famous quote (and one particularly applicable to our current political season) is missing: "I don't belong to any organized political party -- I'm a Democrat!" Nonetheless, there are plenty of Will Rogers gems to be found such as "You know it takes nerve to be a Democrat. but it takes money to be a Republican." WAIII: Feb. 10, 1929. Each quote cited is provided with a date. "Will Rogers Says..." is an enthusiastically recommended addition to any personal or community library collection.
The Nature Of Home
Greta Gaard
University of Arizona Press
355 South Euclid Avenue, Suite 103, Tucson, AZ 85719-6654
9780816525768, $17.95 www.uapress.arizona.edu 1-800-426-3797
While home is 'where the heart is', it is also where the body happens to reside as well. "The Nature Of Home: Taking Root In A Place" by environmental literature critic, board member of the Environmental Association for Great Lakes Education, and academician Greta Gaard (University of Wisconsin - River Falls) provides a focused yet wide ranging discussion on what it truly means to be at home in the world. A collection of essays that draw upon such diverse sources as Buddhist studies, feminist psychology, ecopsychology, and environmental writing, "The Nature Of Home surveys the interplay between 'place and identity. The resulting conclusion of her theme is that 'home' is not a static concept but rather a process of 'cultivating the connections with place and people that shape who we become'. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, "The Nature Of Home" will prove to be of immense relevance to students of the psychological aspects of the environmentally oriented concept of home, the concept of ecofeminism, and issues of environmentally relevant social justice, as well as non-specialist general readers with an interest in being and feeling at home in our world from the deserts of Southern California, to the high country of the Sierras, the Wind River Mountains, the North Cascades, Washington wildlands and Minnesota waterways in every season of the year.
The Courage To Lead
Hannah Carlson
Bick Publishing House
307 Neck Road, Madison, CT 06443
1884158250, $14.95 www.bickpubhouse.com 1-800-444-2524
The old adage that there is 'strength in numbers' is especially applicable when trying to make major life changes for those who suffer from addictions, phobias, and mental illness. The phenomenal power of the small group to assist the individual has been documented time and time again in the fields of mental health and addiction recovery. In "The Courage To Lead: Start Your Own Support Group - Mental Illnesses & Addictions", Hannah Carlson provides a truly 'user friendly' instructional guide manual for forming, organizing, publicizing, and conducting a support group. Readers will learn how to start discussion subjects, incorporate study materials, and recruit speakers, as well as using the telephone and on-line support groups. A very highly recommended addition to personal, community library, and community center reference collections, "The Courage To Lead" also addresses the common causes of mental disorders, screening tests, and treatment options. Enhanced with illustrative life stories, an extensive bibliography, as well as local and national resources, "The Courage To Lead" will enable anyone, anywhere, to establish a support group for any health problem or issue.
A Different Story: Aesthetics and the History of Western Music
Olle Edstrom
Pendragon Press
PO Box 190, Hillsdale, NY 12529
9781576471234, $36.00 www.pendragonpress.com 1-518-325-6100
Number eight in the "Aesthetics in Music" series, A Different Story: Aesthetics and the History of Western Music is a philosophical examination of aesthetics and criticism of music throughout history - from ancient Greece to the Age of Enlightenment, to 1800's salon music and the twentieth century, including the "aesthetics of rock". Particular attention is paid to German and Swedish perspectives (partly because A Different Story grew out of a conference in a Swedish university town). "Audiation is a mental process that happens when something 'musical' is experienced as something, and only applies, of course, when we hear a recognizable musical theme like Beethoven's 'destiny theme,' or when we give a name to a chord like a diminished seventh, or when we hear internally, with our mental ears, how a clarinet sounds. In all cases we must have an inner representation of what should be described. To be able to explain how a clarinet sounds we must have an aural memory of it. It is therefore not unlike the music psychologist's point of departure in discussing the neurological-cognitive process of aesthetic experiences." Extensively researched, A Different Story delves deftly into the subtle territory of perspectives and cognition of a timeless and endlessly creative art form.
Michael Dunford
Reviewer
Greenspan's Bookshelf
Urban Illustration Berlin
Benjamin Wolbergs
Gingko Press Inc.
5768 Paradise Drive, Suite J, Corte Madera, CA 94925
9781584232919, $29.95, www.gingkopress.com
If there is such a thing as an authentic 20th Century urban artform to be found in every major city of the western world it is the phenomenon of graffiti. You don't have to speak or read German to be able to appreciate Benjamin Wolbergs' "Ubran Illustration Berlin: Street Art Cityguide", which offers a veritable compendium documenting and illustrating the diversity of that city's informal and amateur wall art that range from acts of simple vandalism to elaborately executed works of considerable complexity and artistic value. Of special value is the inclusion of a 'street art map' making "Urban Illustration Berlin" effective as a tour planning guide for on-site viewing. Interviews are included as well for those who can read German. Enhanced with a roster of thematically relevant websites for both the artists and the street art, "Urban Illustration Berlin" even features some blank-lined pages for personal notes and observations. A unique addition to personal and academic library 20th Century Urban Art reference collections, "Ubran Illustrations Berlin" is also usefully recommended for students, artists, and tourists planning an extended visit to the re-unified capital city of Germany.
Lost-Wax Casting
Fred R. Sias, Jr.
Woodsmere press
PO Box 726, Pendleton, SC 29670
9780967960005, $22.95 www.woodsmerepress.com
The art and craft of making jewelry continues to be a popular and widely appreciate hobby for the amateur enthusiast and a mainstay of the professional independent artist. "Lost-Wax Casting: Old, New, And Inexpensive Methods" is an instruction guide to a specialized form of jewelry making that takes the reader through a comprehensive, superbly presented, step-by-step process of casting. Each of the steps in the casting process is provided with a framework of the science and rational support them. "Lost-Wax Casting" covers every aspect of the casting process and addresses such issues as commonly encounter problems, the metals and alloys used, creating 'homemade equipment', and so much more. Enhanced with more than 70 illustrative drawings, photographs, and tables, as well as appendices providing supporting technical data, "Lost-Wax Casting" is an invaluable, 'user friendly' instruction guide and manual that is ideal for the novice jewelry maker and has a great deal of enduring value as a reference guide for even the more experienced practitioner of this ancient craft and its contemporary advancements.
Choosing Project Success
J. F. McCarthy
Pareto Building Improvement
1220 Bristol, Westchester, IL 60154
9780979996900, $49.95 www.paretobi.com
The commercial construction industry is one of the driving forces of the American economy and a mainstay to the economic health of the community. It is also serious business involving substantial capital investment and the expertise of a whole series of professionals from architects to building contractors, from financial professionals to laborers. "Choosing Project Success: A Guide For Building Professionals" by J. F. McCarthy (a working owner of a commercial construction firm with 36 years of building experience) is a 371-page instructional manual that specifically addresses both project and construction management as well as the technical aspects of construction on the job site. The text is organized into three main sections: 'Observing Well, Thinking Right' which addresses the necessity for perceiving all of the aspects and requirements of the intended project; 'Purpose Definition, Personnel Organization, Management Tools' focusing on what is to be done and how it will be best accomplished; and 'Facts Are The Building Blocks Of Knowledge And Judgment' emphasizing all the disparate elements of a successful building project from water systems, to materials employed, to the soil upon which the building will rest, to lighting, heating, and waste disposal issues. An ideal textbook for technical college curriculums, "Choosing Project Success" is especially recommended reading for both novice as well as experienced architects, building owners and managers, facility managers, designers, project managers, superintendents, foremen, lenders and insurers.
2008 National Earthwork & Heavy Equipment Estimator
Dan Atcheson
Craftsman Book Company
6058 Corte del Cedro, Carlsbad, CA 92009
9781572181915, $57.00 www.craftsman-book.com 1-800-829-8123
Construction projects by their very nature are complex, expensive, and fundamentally necessary to the economic well-being of the community. The volatility of the marketplace, the fluctuating costs of supplies, the operational and maintenance costs of vehicles and equipment; the complexity of the diverse elements to be considered in a construction project, even economic trends with respect to such considerations as inflation and the rising cost of fuel, make estimating and bidding projects to be an essential skill for any successful construction business or enterprise. That's why Dan Atcheson's "2008 National Earthwork & Heavy Equipment Estimator" is recommended as an invaluable and indispensable tool. Every aspect is considered including site preparation; cut and fill operations; topsoil, slabs and paving; roadwork; soil swell and shrinkage; spoil, borrow and soil balancing; basement excavation; trench excavation; grade beams and drilled piers; excavating equipment; moving vehicle performance; loaders; trucks and wagons; tractors and bulldozers; scraper; soil compaction; rock blasting and ripping; and paving. Enhanced with the addition of an accompanying 'Job Cost Wizard' CD-Rom (requiring a Windows 98 or higher computer platform) "2008 National Earthwork & Heavy Equipment Estimator" is an essential reference and it should be noted that monthly price updates on the Craftsman website are free and automatic during the entire 2008 calendar year.
Able Greenspan
Reviewer
Klausner's Bookshelf
The Restorer's Journey
Sharon Hinck
Navpress
PO Box 35001, Colorado Springs, CO 80935
9781600061332, $14.99 http://www.navpress.com
Before Susan, Mark and their eighteen years old son Jake use the portal to return from the dimension of Lyric to their home on earth (see THE RESTORER'S SON), Councilman Cameron and the Rhus Media (who can twist and poison the minds of her victims) they escape through the portal into our earth too. They disappear for several weeks before they return with packages and force Susan to get through the dimension corridor with them.
Mark is unable to use the portal, but Jake travels to the other world to rescue his mother. Jake has changed since the last time he was on the other side. Cameron claims to have records that say when Restorer appeared twice in a generation, the line ends. This is a lie because Jake is the new Restorer, a person sent to the One to fight for the people and help the guardians. While Jake seeks his mother and a plan to defeat Cameron and throw the Kahlarea out of Render, Susan is trapped in the land of Rhus where Medea's protege tries his best to beak her by crawling through her mind.
Anyone who has felt the darkness close in on them while also feeling rage and despair should read THE RESTORER'S JOURNEY. Susan and Jake feel all that and more, but they draw on the strength from the One and in their hearts and refuse to allow evil to win. Sharon Hinck writes fantasy that takes the audience to a special magical place where faith is the cornerstone of life. Those who fail to adhere to that philosophy end up destroying themselves from inside their souls to their physical presence.
Healing Promises
Amy Wallace
Multnomah Books
12265 Oracle Blvd., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
9781601420107, $13.99, www.multnomahbooks.com 1-800-929-0910
FBI agent Clint Rollins proudly works in the Crimes Against Children Unit risking his life whenever a child is in danger. His latest case to save a youngster led to his being shot. However, he believes he has a guardian angel because the hospital tests reveal he has cancer that was caught in time with the help of chemotherapy.
However, Clint's spouse Sara has mixed feelings about her husband's cancer. On the one hand she is very grateful that it was found early, but on the other she feels guilty that she as oncologist should have diagnosed it; she questions her abilities and in a circular logical way feels more guilt about her feelings. Meanwhile in spite of the side effects of chemo treatment, Clint needs to uncover the identity of a child serial killer before some other innocent dies.
Both Clint and Sara question whether God deserted them as they face a trial of faith, as much as the flesh in the second Defenders of Hope series (see RANSOMED DREAMS). The exciting FBI investigation returns characters from the first book in support roles. However, HEALING PROMISES belongs to the lead couple as each has something to prove more to themselves than the other or to God while doubting yet praying for Clint to recover. Amy Wallace provides a fabulous inspirational thriller starring realistic protagonists.
The Grand Scheme
Kathy Herman
Multnomah
9781590529232, $13.99
After all the trials and tribulations caused by drug and alcohol abuse and their legal problems, Rue and Ivy Kessler go on a magnificent well deserved honeymoon as each has straightened out their life. They come home to Jacob's Ear, Colorado to the love of their family and to raise their eight years old son Montana together.
However, not all their woes have past. Someone is stalking the newlyweds. That unknown individual slowly begins a campaign to frighten the Kesslers. The assaults increasingly turn violent including the murder of a crew member working construction under Rue's supervision. Rue and Ivy are scared but determined to uncover the identity of their enemy and learn why before someone else is killed.
The third and final Phantom Hollow tale (see EVER PRESENT DANGER and NEVER LOOK BACK) is an exciting entry as the issue of redemption and forgiveness makes for a powerful inspirational character study. However, to fully grasp how far Ivy and Rue have come, I recommend reading the previous books. Still this is a deep tale that focuses how long does one pay for one's transgressions or is it impossible even with good deeds and paying society's price to ever overcome the past. Fans of the mini series will enjoy this exciting finish as Rue and Ivy would like to look forward but someone is a present danger motivated by looking back.
People of the Weeping Eye
W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Geer
Forge Books
c/o Tor Books
175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
9780765314383, $24.95, 1-888-330-8477
Almost a millennium ago, an advanced civilization existed on what is now the Moundsville section of Alabama. Split Sky City had one thousand inhabitants with giant palisades and mounds built as a gate to protect the citizens. Like suburbs, additional villages were located nearby along the river and occasionally one tribe conquered another. Alligator Town has been attacked and the Chief Clan of the Sky People avenges them with a daring raid.
While this is transpiring, Trader, who left the city after killing his brother, also left behind the woman he loves. He becomes a Trader journeying far and wide seeing things few men have ever observed. In one village, he hits the mother lode of copper, and meets Old White also known as Seeker. Old White also left the city under a cloud; he too became a Trader reaching the Aztec Civilization in the south and the icy tundra in the north. His dreams led him to Two Petals, a powerful mystic, who sees and acts the opposite way of most people. Seeker is going home with Two Petals to redress an old wrong. Trader joins them because the Power moves him to help prevent a catastrophe from happening.
This book ends with a cliffhanger as the tale of Trader, Seeker, and Two Petals will continue in the next First North Americans saga People of the Thunder. Once again the Gears bring alive an ancient North American civilization this time showing somewhat how the Moundsville tribes and the people near the head of the Mississippi lived based on archeological historical information. The research is impeccable but does not overwhelm the story as the key characters are superbly developed especially when they undergo trials and tribulations. Although no climax occurs, fans of the series and those of Jean Auel will relish the vivid details of the PEOPLE OF THE WEEPING EYE.
i heart bloomberg
Melody Carlson
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance View, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
9781589191044, $13.99 www.cookministries.com 1-800-323-7543
Half-Hawaiian Lelani Porter, white Christian Megan Abernathy and Hispanic Anna Mendez are thinking of renting rooms at 86 Bloomberg Place. However, each expected a "luxurious" house based on the advertisement of owner Kendall Weis, but 86 Bloomberg Place is more a fixer upper. Kendall barters with them; and they agree to rent when she reduces their rent in return for helping renovate the home.
Kendall turns out to be a lunatic with enough issues to fill an abnormal psychology class. The three renters consider moving out, but each decides to remain for now as their previous arrangements remain a motivation to stay and they even pledge to be nice to their neurotic landlady.
The concept is fascinating as each of the four females has strong reasons to make their arrangement at 86 Bloomberg Place work. The characters are solid and seem fully developed although Kendall's psychological issues are overwhelming as there are too many for the audience (or the renters) to cope with. Still the story line is fun to follow as relationships begin to form, but the climax is abrupt and nothing important resolved as if this opening tale was to introduce the cast to the audience while affirming the importance of friendship.
Truth and Consequences
Bethany Campbell
Harlequin NASCAR
9780373217861, $5.99
Penny Branch has not told her husband Craig why; only that it is over. She quits modeling and kicks him out of their condo while informing him she is filing for divorce. Although she loves her soon to be ex spouse, she cannot even tell him her secrets that are driving her from him. Even her loving mother in Dallas begs her to explain why as she thought they were the perfect couple, but Penny refuses to say anything.
Craig wants his wife back as he loves her. However, her family has a bigger issue as her father, a business mogul who sponsors NASCAR since he has twin sons as drivers, fled to Switzerland, skipping Daytona, with millions of embezzled company funds. Feeling selfish and opportunistic, Craig is there for Penny because he wants to help her, but also he sees this as his last chance to reconcile with the woman he loves.
Although a tornado is one spin too many, readers will appreciate this deep look behind the scenes at an upstart newcomer family trying to break into the upper tier of NASCAR. The keys to this interesting second chance romance are the Branch family financial woes and Penny's secret that has placed her relationship with Craig on the brink of crashing; something that only his niece Lilly can commiserate with. Fans will enjoy reading Bethany Campbell's drive around the racing oval.
Getting Lucky
Joanne Rock
Harlequin Blaze
9780373793853, $4.99
Sports agent Dex "Lucky" Brantley has lived a most fortunate life as everything he touches turns to gold; for a dozen years he has been at the top of his vocation that is until his thirty-third birthday when his touch became fool's gold. Six months later, the family curse has left him mentally and emotionally devastated, symbolized by his new nickname, Dex the Hex.
Desperate to have the curse removed so he can regain a life worth living, Dex asks psychic Lara Wyland to eliminate the blight. Lara agrees to help him although he was scornful of her psychic skills when he was Dex the Lucky. Still she knows he is serious as he is willing to leave the Big Apple for Albany, a place where only politicians from the city go. She rationalizes helping the king of derision as she would be a fool to pass up the money he offers and the knowledge of how much he has crawled by asking her. Besides he is a hunk.
GETTING LUCKY is an engaging paranormal romance with a bit of late suspense that enhances the story line. Dex is terrific as he goes from scornful non believer to desperate doubter to in love fully converted. This is a fun tale as Dex the Hex feels his nothing but bad luck string of blue notes ending in a spite of ghosts, a nasty storm, and someone who wants him to crap out of life just because he won the World Series and Superbowl of his life: the love of Lara.
Coming Soon
Jo Leigh
Harlequin Blaze
9780373793907, $4.99
Mia Traverse is the concierge at Manhattan's five-star Hush Hotel. Currently she tries to keep things running smooth as Hollywood is staying at the luxurious inn, which means paparazzi is behind every flower pot.
However, Mia never expected to find the corpse of paparazzo Gerry Geiger, a royal pain in the butt, but not deserving of murder. NYPD Detective Bax Milligan leads the investigation, but realizes he needs a hotel insider; Mia volunteers. As they work together trying to solve the homicide, they fall in love, but can a pair of overworked people make time for one another once the whodunit is solved or closed.
Bax is a fascinating protagonist who is burned out at thirty six with plans to leave in three months to relocate to Boulder. Mia is TV mystery junky who loves her job and enjoys going undercover to assist the sleuth. Although the mystery is fun, it seems unlikely a cop even near his departure date would risk a civilian especially the one he is falling in love with. Still fans will enjoy Jo Leigh's entertaining romantic whodunit that is entirely not by the book.
The Marine's Baby
Rogenna Brewer
Harlequin SuperRomance
9780373782239, $6.25
Caitlin Calhoun mourns the death of her Navy SEAL husband Luke Calhoun, Jr. who died in the line of duty. 89 days 9 hours and 9 minutes since the two uniforms knocked on her door with the news she dreaded, Caitlin receives a letter from CryoBank of San Diego asking what to do with his semen specimen. She decides she wants his offspring so she goes to the cryo facility to get impregnated.
However, Caitlin is unaware that her late spouse had an older half-brother with the same name; neither did the sperm bank. She learns later that she has been impregnated by the sperm of Luke Calhoun; just not her Luke Calhoun. Feeling she owes her half-brother-in-law the truth, Caitlin meets and explains to Luke "Lucky" Calhoun about the mix-up. The marine knows what he wants, which are Caitlin and their baby, but she is wary having lost one military officer she loved to the war on terrorism.
Caitlin makes this contemporary romance works as she goes from grief to euphoria to shock to love to guilt in a believable manner. Luke the marine is a caring person who understands much of what his beloved is dealing with as he learns from her that his half-brother was also a good person. Readers will appreciate this strong military romance as Rogenna Brewer brews up a deep lead couple struggling with forming a relationship as the ghost of her late spouse, his brother, lingers in their minds.
Be My Babies
Kathryn Shay
Harlequin SuperRomance
9780373782246, $6.25
Her husband may be affluent and a member of high society, but Derek Wakefield fails to grow up as drugs and now women supersede family obligations especially now that his wife is pregnant. Expecting twins and no help from her addicted Peter Pan mate, Lily Wakefield leaves New York City to visit her mother's hometown Fairview, New York. There she hopes her maternal grandfather Gil Gardner, owner of the local newspaper Sentinel, whom she has never met, will help her.
In Fairview, Lily meets newspaper editor Simon McCarthy and his daughter Jenny, who calls Gil "Grandpa Gil". Soon she meets a stunned Gil who feels guilt for allowing his wife to run off their pregnant daughter Camy when she needed them. He knows Camy died, but was unaware that she had the child, his granddaughter. He needs her to stay and she wants to as her mom only had kind words for her father. Meanwhile Simon fears she has come to take over the paper as he understands how thick blood can be. Still he is attracted to the pregnant woman who might replace him as the editor after she gives birth.
This is a wonderful family drama with likable characters as Gil and Lily get second chances. Simon and Lily are a terrific pairing and love for each other and for Gil brings them together. Although a subplot involving Derek's vengeful upper crust mother using blackmail seems over the top especially the extortion gamut, fans will enjoy this fine homecoming romance.
Becca Smith is stunned when her spouse Gabe dies without any warning. Following his funeral the grieving Becca turns to Gabe's business partner, Rick Jensen, also in mourning, for comfort. Although he knows he must not out of respect for his and best friend Gabe he cannot resist offering her sympathy starting with a hug that soon leads to them making love.
Several weeks later, Becca knows she is pregnant, but is unsure whether the late Gabe is the father or Rick. She tells Rick, who wants to be there for the baby regardless of whose DNA is part of the child's make-up. As he and Becca try to forge a relationship, both remain haunted by guilt and grief.
Although the sex after the funeral seems a disrespectful stretch, fans will appreciate this interesting contemporary tale of grief, guilt, and relationships. Becca is a fascinating lead character as she goes through the grief process compounded by her guilt over having sex with Rick. He is the more fascinating protagonist as he wants to raise the child with the woman he loves, but feels obligated by guilt to assume the baby is Gabe's even if it really is his. Readers will appreciate this deep look at two people struggling with what is the right thing for everyone but themselves as they each feels they are the least deserving.
Klondike Fever
Kate Bridges
Harlequin Historical
9780373294916, $5.99
In 1898, Miss Lilybeth "Klondike Lily" Cromwell rides a coach in the Yukon Wilderness on her way to Alaska to find her missing sister Amanda. The wealthiest female in the territory due to gold, the former servant would return to servile work and give up all the gold she possesses if she could find Amanda safe. Also on the coach is undercover Mountie Dylan Wayburn, who is using the guise of a drifter to investigate coach robberies. He and Lily not only know each other, they concealed their love for one another.
The Maddock gang stops the coach and chains together all the prisoners as they know who Lily is. They steal her gold leaving them to die from wild animals or the even wilder climate. However, the pair survives and team up pretending to be married in their quest to rescue Amanda, retrieve Lily's gold, and end the robberies. During their ordeal, neither can hide their love any longer.
No one brings vividly to life late nineteenth century Canada better than Kate Bridges consistently does with her Mountie historical romances (see KLONDIKE FEVER). The story line is fast-paced from the moment that the coach is robbed and Dylan and Lily are chained together and never slows down until the final confrontation. Lily is terrific as she knows she would give up the gold for her loved ones while Dylan wonders how to prove to his wealthy beloved that he loved her when she was a servant. As always this talented author provides a bridge to bygone era.
Going Down to Georgia
Ann DeFee
Harlequin American
9780373752065, $4.99
Widow Grammy Liza Henderson runs around her hometown of Magnolia Bluffs, Georgia doing errands for her daughter Cassie. Liza loves her daughter, two preadolescent step-grandsons and likes her son-in-law who is half between her age and that of her only child. She detests running errands especially when she is stuck in traffic or involved in an accident that has her buried in a sea of green kudzu. She is running late on her key chore besides buying size six boys shoes and picking up former California police officer turned land developer Zack Maynard.
Zack is in town helping his brother, but is attracted to Liza from the moment they met; he is unaware of the family connection between them. However, he soon wears his former cop hat as someone has threatened Liza and several break-ins make the menace real. As he tries to keep her safe, Liza and Zack fall in love.
This is an entertaining regional romantic suspense that star likable lead protagonists and stereotypical eccentric southern support characters. Liza is a steel magnolia while Zack goes from California titanium to melted metal. Although the mystery of Liza's missing spouse assumed dead is to simplistically resolved, which takes away from an overall fine plot, fans who appreciate GOING DOWN TO GEORGIA for a visit will want to read Ann DeFee's fine contemporary.
The Gentleman Rancher
Cathy Gillen Thacker
Harlequin American
9780373752058, $4.99
Jeremy Carrigan and Taylor O'Quinn attended medical school together until she abruptly quit to become a writer. She left their Texas home for the East to fulfill her dream. He became a doctor while she wrote chick lit novels.
Taylor's book is being turned into a movie by publicity hounds Zak and Zoe. To escape them and the press, a bone weary Taylor flees for her hometown Laramie, Texas where Jeremy owns a ranch. The Z squad pursues her. Once home, Taylor realizes that she still loves Jeremy who apparently prefers a friendship with her. She needs to decide whether she can handle being a pal or the media seekers even as Jeremy wonders if he can persuade his beloved author she can write novels on their ranch.
The latest Carrigan tale (see THE RANCHER NEXT DOOR and THE RANCHER' FAMILY THANKSGIVING) is a zany Texas romance somewhat caused by the maniacal Z squared pair. However, the plot belongs to the chick lit author and her beloved as they prove you can keep them down on the ranch after they've seen New York with love and a large dose of honest communication.
Public Relations Specialist Sandra Jacobs struggles to satisfy her unimpressable client, Gideon Taney, owner of Taney Motorsports as she needs this job, but so far nothing has worked. When his NASCAR driver Will Branch fails to arrive at Olivia Winton Show where he was to be the guest of honor, three cups of coffee does not abate the trepidations she feels when Taney arrives. Someone must take the fall for this embarrassing debacle on the top breakfast morning TV show so Taney fires Jacobs.
Sandra knows how much she needs this client to pay for her father's Alzheimer's medical care so she refuses to slink away. Besides she feels strongly she did everything right as she had worked hard to obtain this coup; it was not her fault that Will pulled his DNF (did not finish). As she struggles to stay afloat, bossy Gideon is impressed with her fortitude, which soon turns to love.
Readers will be FULLY ENGAGED with this fine NASCAR romance due to the strong relationships between the lead couple and within her family. The actual strength of the tale is the contrast between the seriousness of her father's mental fading away vs. the humor of the relationship between the Motor Medias Group member and her client. Abby Gaines provides a wonderful mostly off track romance.
The Devil's Footprint
Amanda Stevens
Mira
9780778325307, $6.99
The cloven footprints first appeared in Adamanet, Alabama in 1922 during a freak snowstorm; nothing further was found. Seven decades later, the battered mutilated corpse of seventeen years old Rachel DeLaune is found in the same area with those same devil's footprints nearby. Her younger sister Sarah meets Ashe Cain who she thinks killed her sibling, but no one else believes he exists.
Twenty-seven years old Sarah continues to be disturbed by her sister's death fourteen years ago. Currently she works as a tattoo artist in New Orleans, which has had its worst storm since Katrina. Her father never recovered from Rachel's brutal murder and ignored his other daughter who needed him; now he is dying. Her former lover, New Orleans Detective Sean Kelton is married to Cat. She feels like she was when she was thirteen and needed a friend only back then to have Ashe appear out of nowhere and vanish into nowhere. Now two mutilated corpses are found near her home with those same telltale cloven footprints. Sam leads the homicide investigation; he asks Sarah to interpret strange etchings on the bodies. She immediately thinks of Ashe and wonders if he is coming for her.
THE DEVIL'S FOOTPRINT is an exciting action-packed suspense thriller that grips the reader from the moment the footprints first appear on page one and never vanishes until the final confrontation. The fast-paced story line hooks readers who ponder whether this is a horror tale, psychological suspense, or some sort of combination as Amanda Stevens keeps the tension stratospherically high throughout. Keep the lights on as this one will reach your gut.
Last Wolf Standing
Rhyannon Byrn
Silhouette Nocturne
9780373617821, $5.25
In Maryland half breed Mason Dillinger and his partner Jason Burns work as Bloodrunners pursuing renegade werewolves who have killed to insure these predators never murder again. While on the hunt for a particular nasty serial killing werewolf, the half-lycan half-human is stunned and extremely unhappy when he smells his soulmate in the crowded The Coffee and Croissant, Torrance Watson. He always pictured falling in love on a full moonlight night not while on a pursuit, but he needs to meet her so he trips her.
However, Mason also knows that his prey will use Torrance as a weapon against him. He must keep his beloved safe, persuade her they are fated for one another, and ultimately bring down the deadly werewolf.
This is an exciting paranormal romantic suspense thriller with police procedural elements. The action is non-stop but the cast makes the tale work especially the relationship between Tory and Mason. The support cast, his partner, her best friend and boss Michaela Doucet, and the killer add to the belief that werewolves exist while also establishing the basic physics and culture of the new Bloodrunners series. Sub-genre fans will relish Rhyannon Byrn's opening act.
Without a Trace
Sandra K. Moore
Silhouette Athena Force
9780373389797, $5.50
Delphi, whom she has never met, warned the Athena Academy for the Advancement of Women graduates that Arachne was kidnapping alumni. One of them Coast Guard Lieutenant Nikki Bustillo heeds the warning alertly watching her crewmates just in case. She loves her job working drug interdiction as she has the DNA enhanced ability to "smell trouble in a man's sweat".
After stopping a shrimp boat containing harshly treated refugees trying to sneak into the States, Nikki receives an encrypted message from Athena's Delphi. She checks with her friend Two-Finger Jimmy who provides her information on a ship owned by S.H.A. leaving Miami for Hong Kong allegedly carrying textiles. Nikki believes they are carting human cargo. She heads to Hong Kong where she works with local police detective Johnny Zhao. However, as they find themselves in deep trouble from a powerful adversary with international criminal connections, they are attracted to one another, but Nikki wants his respect while Johnny needs her safe after his previous contact was murdered.
The latest Athena Academy alumni adventure is a superb romantic suspense thriller that focuses on human trafficking. The story line is fast-paced and the lead couple a strong pairing who understands mission supersedes love. Although I am bias when it comes to this consistently entertaining series, newcomers will see why as Sandra K. Moore provides a great entry in a strong saga.
Beast of Desire
Lisa Renee Jones
Silhouette Nocturne
9780373617838, $5.25
A Knight of the White, Des is a bit surprised with his current assignment. He searches for an ancient tome The Journal of Solomon that contains a map that will lead to a treasure chest filled with the names of those whose ancient lineage were angels; normally Des is a warrior in direct fight against the evil of the Darkland Beasts in their millennia old civil war for species control. Knowing he will need help to locate the sacred journal Des turns to the Dallas World Museum curator Jessica Montgomery for help in finding the treasure before the enemy obtains it.
Her mother ignored her and her family in a futile lifetime quest to find the ancient journal. She wants to tell him to forget it as it is not worth the time, but Jessica is attracted to the enigmatic Des so decides to assist him on his quest to learn why he is interested in this tome and how he knew she was the right staff person to enlist. As they fall in love, he knows he is just a beast with a soul that could turn dark at any moment and thus unworthy of the angelic daughter of a senator.
The latest Knights of White tale (see THE BEAST WITHIN) is a terrific romantic fantasy starring two courageous heroes falling in love while on a dangerous quest with their enemies in hot pursuit as both studies understand what The Journal of Solomon means. The story line is fast-paced and filled with non-stop action as the danger mounts so does the attraction. Readers will appreciate Lisa Renee Jones' latest thriller.
All Eyes On Her
Poonam Sharma
Red Dress Ink (harlequin)
9780373895519, $13.95
At Steel Associates in Beverly Hills, associate divorce attorney Monica is depressed. Not so much because her fiance is away though she misses him; or because backstabbing peer Stefanie plots to sleazily steal the promotion that Monica feels she has earned; nor just her workload involving celebrity marriages. Instead her despondency is the news that mom is moving back to town.
Monica knows she and her mom may love one another, but need different continents for a serene relationship. To stop the rat at the office Monica puts in longer hours not easy to do when you are already on 24/7. However, in spite of her effort to save the celebrity couple marriage of "Camydia" she fails at her mission learning that the truth will set you free from marital entanglements; her attempt to save the in couple leads to her appearance on TV while a former lover wants to start a second set with her.
ALL EYES ON HER is a fascinating chick lit tale that focuses on female to the death rivalries. Interestingly there are eight associates competing for two promotions with six of them males; yet the competition as Monica sees it is fair play vs. the men but a cat fight against her only female opponent because she knows Stefanie cheats to get ahead. Besides the office cut-throat competition, there is also a relationship contest in which two females seemingly battle to the death over a hunk. Rather unique and quite amusing (just who are these celebrities modeled after?), fans will have all eyes on Poonam Sharma for more Hollywood tales; chick lit style.
Plenty Good Room
Cheri Paris Edwards
Walk Worthy
9780446699372, $13.99 http://www.walkworthypress.net
In Springfield, Illinois caring professional Tamara Britton works diligently at her job in the Child Protective Unit's Stabilization Section of Care for Kids Agency. However, she hides from her friends, peers and clients her desire to learn about her own roots behind a facade of control. Her world is nuked when her friend field worker Lynnette Moore asks her to take in fourteen year old runaway Miss Sienna "mouthy" Larson.
The out of control teen misbehaves constantly leaving Tamara with a big headache as to what to do with the recalcitrant sassy "Little Miss Thang". She also finds the "housepitality" border gets Tamara to finally look into her own past as the kid has hammered at her protective barrier forcing the anger and discontent of the adult to surface. Tamara is at a crossroads of letting go or rebuilding her battlement.
This is a strong look at the dangerous life of a teen runaway as Sienna steals the show with her mouth that never rests although Tamara is the fully developed star. The story line is driven by their relationship but changing perspectives jolts the plot. Still readers will enjoy this fine inspirational tale as Sienna in her street sass style teaches Tamara that caring for someone else and oneself is not only okay but encouraged by the Lord.
Mystery Of Everyman's Way
Paul Collins
eTreasures Publishing
PO Box 71813, Newnan, GA 30271
9781605301181, $4.00 www.etreasurespublishing.com
Professor Gregory Henry Case teaches quantum physics at Oxford University. Although the Expatriate American lives in London with his brilliant American girlfriend Caroline who one day he assumes he will marry, his life is conventional English style. However, that changes when he finds a corpse; but by the time authorities arrive the body is gone. After getting drunk and coming home late, his irate girlfriend leaves him.
Soon afterward, the corpse reappears. This time authorities check it for dental records to identify the cadaver. The name of the victim is Gregory H. Case as the body matches the quantum physicist professor in every way. Soon after meeting his dead self, space travelers abduct the living Case. They take him into another dimension where he meets archivist Father Thomas Toomey who informs his visitor that he about to embark on a key mission. Case believes he is the loser as the woman he has just seen and knows he loves is marrying King David and all Gregory can do is watch from his holographic existence.
MYSTERY OF EVERYMAN'S WAY starts off as if it is going to be a wild amateur sleuth murder mystery in which the hero investigates who his murderer is. However, the story line twists into science fiction and seemingly unrequited love. Although the spin from whodunit to sci fi seems a bit jarring as the Twilight Zone like murder mystery has hooked the audience; however once readers adapt to the twist, they will fully appreciate the cosmic escapades of an everyman turning into a heroic Knight.
The Voice
Bill Myers
FaithWords/Hatchette Publishing Group
c/o Grand Central Publishing
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780446697996, $13.99, www.hbgusa.com 1-800-759-0190
In California former Special Forces Agent Charlie Madison suffers from post stress disorder syndrome, which has left him somewhat reclusive. Still he owns and manages a music store as he has to eat. Out of nowhere his thirteen years old deaf niece Jazmin Lutzer rushes into the store insisting men carrying guns are chasing her; someone claiming to be FBI Agent Bolar follows her into the store. Charlie fails to recognize his sister's daughter, but once he realizes the overall scenario, he manages to get her to safety with him only.
Charlie learns from Jazmin that her parents have been abducted as they and she developed the "Program", a voiceprint methodology that captures God's voice. Fanatics from the three major one God religions all want the recording that demonstrates miraculously healing power though it fails to enable Jazmin to hear; these lunatics compete with each other and are willing to kill to obtain the Program. FBI agent Lisa Harmon join the uncle and his niece as they flee to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East trying to keep the Program out of the hands of those who would abuse it in the name of God in order to gain power and suppress others while seeking Jazmin's parents.
THE VOICE is an interesting inspirational suspense thriller. It takes time to comprehend what is going on as there is too much action at the onset so that bewildered readers along with the reluctant hero have no idea what is happening. Still once the story line settles down even with a zillion chase scenes to follow, fans obtain a fascinating concept; that of capturing God's voice with modern technology while economic, governmental and religious powers want to control this healing commodity worth a fortune to the owner.
Par for the Course
Ray Blackston
FaithWords (Hachette)
9780446178150, $13.99
In Charleston, South Carolina, Chris Hackett owns Hackett's Golf Learning Center. His clients like him, but in spite of his skills on the links and his friendliness with people, he admits to himself that when it comes to scoring with women he has hit "a series of relational double bogeys".
One of his students, thirtyish Molly Cusack comes up with a gimmick to increase his customer base by having them swing their clubs so that they can "whack a liberal" or "whack a conservative", depending on their preference. As Chris finds his course is the in place for political hooks and shanks, he begins to have ethical concerns that golf should not become the new arena for improper partisan politicizing.
As is PAR FOR THE COURSE when it comes to a Ray Blackston amusing satire, a triple bogey hits the FLABBERGASTED star as he learns politics and golf don't mix very well. The prime story line on the Hack's Golf Learning Center Course works very well as the laughs keep on coming. However, some subplots feel as if they landed in a sand trap and are forced onto the green of the main theme. Still Mr. Blackston provides a jocular sports romance in which love, golf, and partisan politics make par.
What Was Lost
Catherine O'Flynn
Henry Holt & Company
175 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10010-7725
9780805088335, $14.00, www.henryholt.com 1-888-330-8477
In 1984 in the Birmingham, England area, ten years old orphan Kate Meaney, accompanied by her sidekick a stitched stuffed monkey pretends to be a private investigator. The preadolescent especially keeps an eye out for criminal activity in Green Oaks shopping center near her home. When she is not sleuthing, Kate spends time at the sweetshop next door to her home discussing music with twenty-two tears old Adrian, the son of the owner. Her grandmother who raises Kate directs her to take an exam to gain entrance to a boarding school. Adrian takes her there, but no one sees Kate again. The police suspect Adrian of murder as they cannot comprehend a friendship between the tweener and the adult, but have no evidence to prove their case. However, the neighborhood condemns Adrian forcing him to move away.
Two decades later on a CCTV monitor Green Oaks night shift security guard Kurt Jump notices a girl wandering seemingly lost holding a stuffed monkey. He rushes over to where he saw her, but no one is there. Not long after that Kurt mentions the girl with the monkey to Your Music store manager Lisa, Adrian's sister. They begin a search for the girl as Lisa hopes to solve the disappearance of Kate that destroyed her family especially her forced exiled brother.
WHAT WAS LOST is a superb thriller that uses a mall, especially what happens outside the shops, as a terrific backdrop to a fascinating mystery. In many ways Green Oaks is a major character as the audience learns its economic impact on a blue collar neighborhood in which factory workers are forced to accept shop jobs at extremely diminished income; a subtle slap at the gurus who insist the economy is strong as everyone is working. The atmosphere of the non-shops is a part of the mall that is dark and gloomy at least through the surveillance cameras. With the mall playing a key role and Lisa and Kurt jumping into the cold case seeking the truth, the bottom line is fans will need to know the answer to the title question.
Hollywood Crows
Joseph Wambaugh
Little, Brown & Company
c/o Grand Central Publishing
237 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017
9780316025287, $26.99, www.hbgusa.com 1-800-759-0190
LAPD cops Nathan "Hollywood Nate" Weiss and Bix Ramstead are assigned as the newest "Crows" to the department's Community Relations Office. Weiss stops beautiful Margot Aziz, who ran a stop sign without slowing down. Although he tries to remain impartial officer, she hooks his libido as she explains she is in the throes of an ugly divorce from Ali.
Margot seeks to trump her spouse, who owns a nightclub that is allowed to operate freely because of his financial donations to various police activities. Meanwhile Margot believes she has a cop in her corner in the gullible Hollywood Nate and his naive partner Bix. Her plan is simple use these morons to kill her husband in order to gain his wealth; but she is unaware of a just as lethal counter operation.
The suspense subplot as described above offers no surprises as it goes just the way the audience expects. Thus the interest in HOLLYWOOD CROWS lies with the various police officers trying to do their job under federal monitoring of LAPD. The cops seem genuine with their frustrations and wary of the various social experiments to help the force overcome the scandal that led to oversight. Fans of Joseph Wambaugh will enjoy the latest police procedural at the HOLLYWOOD STATION in spite of the prime suspense element is weak.
Mystery Writers of America Presents the Blue Religion: New Stories about Cops, Criminals, and the Chase
Edited by Michael Connolly
Little, Brown
9780316012515, $24.99
These entertaining nineteen tales focus on the police procedural theme. However, as Mr. Connolly explains in his introduction, for the most part the entries concentrate on the "world of the cop" as the stories "explore the burden of the badge" more so than investigative procedures. The contributions run the gamut with a strong historical by Polly Nelson to the return of Harry Bosch to a retired cop and his wife running into trouble (T. Jefferson Parker's "Skinhead Central). There are no clinkers yet the range is vast from a dark tale of a selected amnesiac ("Such a Lucky, Pretty Girl" by Persia Walker) to amusingly light (Jon Breen's "Serial Killer"). All are excellent, especially insightful is Paul Guyton's tense "What a Wonderful World" that proves a short story can contain fully developed characters; an apropos title along with Alafair Burke's "Winning" as this anthology is a wonderful look at individual members of the Blue Religion special congregation.
Renegade's Rose
Karen Wiesner
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052, Casper, WY 82605-1052
9781603131346, $13.95, http://whiskeycreekpress.com
In the paramedical hierarchy of ultra covert Network, Hunter Savage moved up rapidly to become the Head Team Leader that places him on 5th in Command Level 1 Operatives organization. Hunter's current assignment as mission coordinator is personal as well as tactical as the enemy killed the Network's best operative Roan Emory three years ago. The prime objective is to "retrieve" the insidious Black Pope, Rex Kovacs, which should devastate his Revolutionary Echelon Defenders (R.E.D.) Remote Command Center cell.
The mission fails due to last second personnel switches and Hunter's sister Celine is snatched. Feeling that he failed his late predecessor, his mentor and his sibling, Hunter goes undercover as a gardener at the Kovac Mexican estate. There to his chagrin he is attracted to the Black Pope's "Spanish Rose", former belly dancer turned terrorist wife Tanya. Still Hunter believes she is guilty of crimes of omission ignoring the destruction of her spouse to live in a rose garden. However, he revises his opinion as he begins to fall in love and he realizes she recognizes her spouse to be a SOB abusive fiend and was seeking a way out for her and their kids, who she believes her spouse will kill them without a remorseful thought.
The sixth Incognito romantic suspense thriller stars an obsessed hero struggling to prove his worth as he has misgivings about his skills and a desperate woman in peril whose qualms about his ability to save her and her children lead to increased self doubts. The action is front and center as the attraction takes a back seat to the failed mission and the aftermath to rescue Celine, bring Tanya and her children to safety, and take down the malevolent Black Pope. Fans of suspense thrillers will fully appreciate the latest Network escapades as Karen Wiesner takes a page from Maslow's Hierarchy as safety comes before love.
Have You Found Her?
Janice Erlbaum
Villard
c/o The Random House Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780812974577, $13.95, www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600
Twenty years ago, as a young teen, Janice Erlbaum lived for a while in a homeless shelter for teens (see A HALFWAY HOMELESS MEMOIR and GIRLBOMB, not reviewed by me). Overcoming the dope and returning home now in her thirties, she felt a deep need to give back what was given to her by that New York shelter: her life. Thus she volunteered her time where she would bring her bag of beads and related paraphernalia to teach those who remind her of her fourteen years old Janice how to make jewelry. There she meets nineteen years old junkie Samantha Dunleavy, who told her she traveled the country with her meth chef dad and junkie mom, and sold her body as needed. Janice became like a big sister to the intelligent "junkie savant" and was always there when Sam needed her especially when her protege had accidents. However over time Janice begins to realize Sam's saga was filled with incongruities as a twelve-years-old runaway from a drug traveling show should not be a trained classical pianist. Janice finally makes some inquiries into her beloved "ward" learning a shocking past.
This is a terrific memoir that focuses deep on a savior being saved from her obsession by an apparent schemer. Ms. Erlbaum provides a combination cautionary saga with a bit of real life sleuthing, but in many ways Samantha and the "Redhead" at the beginning of Ms. Erlbaum's adventure steal the show. Although well written and gut wrenching, the overarching issue of what society should do with runaway teens and tweens is never deeply explored; still Ms. Erlbaum makes a strong case that volunteering is good for the soul, but walk cautiously before you give away your heart as the author confesses when she was the runaway lying was her norm; while an alternate title considered for HAVE YOU FOUND HER? sums that up: "Sucker: A Love Story".
Netherwood
Michelle Lang
Dorchester Shomi
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780505527592, $6.99, www.dorchesterpub.com 1-800-481-9191
Sheriff Talia Fortune is the prime owner of FortuneCorp. Her current assignment combines her law enforcement duties with her role as the head of the mega-corporation. She seeks her Netherwood cyber lover Kovner known as Avenger for his wanton destruction of technological gizmos on the colony Fresh Havens.
Talia enters the Netherwood cyberspace where she meets Kovner in a forest. She tells him she must arrest him, but he insists the Singularity has begun; artificial intelligent computers have superseded humanity as the prime species. If something is not done soon, mankind will become extinct. To succeed he and his band of merry outlaws need Talia on their side, but she hesitates as all he says contradicts all she knows about the Grid and reality.
NETHERWOOD combines The Matrix with Charlton Heston's sci fi end of the world flicks like Planet of the Apes and The Omega Man in a fine thriller. The story line is action-packed from the moment the heroine goes after her "terrorist" former lover and never slows down until the final confrontation. Fans will appreciate this exciting futuristic science fiction in which Fresh Haven and Netherwood seem real and the extinction plausible, but the lead couple never comes across as more than just comic book heroes trying to save a way of life (just who's is the question).
No Good Girls
Jean Marie Pierson
Love Spell
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780505527561, $6.99, www.dorchesterpub.com 1-800-481-9191
Wannabe writer Geri knows a lot of things, but most important she hates but needs her job and believes with her heart that the man for her is out there, if she find the right atlas and a New York minute. Helping her cope is her roommate Emmy and their friends Maria and Sally; as these four musketeers lament together about a lack of good men in the city. Amongst their other moans and groans they are there for one another.
Geri thinks her luck must be changing as she has not stepped in anything in a few days and received a promotion although she stops to ponder the female equivalent to the Peter Principle as her boss wants someone to write a children's book on the Donner party thinking it must have been a fun affair. She is also dating, a miracle of sorts, except she fears her Todd's affection might be more the rebound effect as he just broke off with his girlfriend. Still as Geri writes and revises her list of what she knows beside Nittany Lion 1990s football (the'94 team should have been at least co-champs) Geri begins to understand she needs to look inside herself to determine what she wants in her one chance at life.
This is an entertaining chick lit tale starring an interesting young woman supported by her three friends, a hunk, a boss, and a tertiary cast of millions. Geri is a terrific protagonist as she heeds Sinatra's advice to make it in Manhattan, but when she thought of quitting Emmy, Maria and Sally pick her up and get her back in the rat race as "That's Life"; just like she does for them. Fans will enjoy her lament that there are no good men out there even as she understands those good men groan that there are NO GOOD GIRLS out there on a fourteen mile island where millions live and work.
News Blues
Marianne Macusi
Love Spell
9780505527493, $6.99
In San Diego twenty-seven year old investigative news producer Maddy Madison cannot believe she still works on fluff and puff at News 9; her goal since school has been to work real news at Newsline, but each day that passes means one more nail of stereotyping her as candy. Adding to her period of discontentment is that her divorced parents have new significant others and so there is no time for parenting, which means her teenage sister Lulu with a drug problem is Maddy's problem.
However, Maddy begins investigating a real story involving drug smuggling; not the usual attack of the "deadly dishwashers" and the sequel revenge of the "Deadly Dishwashers". She and engaged photographer Jamie Hayes work together to cover the drug smuggling story even as she egotistical anchor terrorist Terrence Toller drives her as batty as her father marrying a girl younger than her.
This entertaining satire of how the news is manufactured is at its best when it focuses on reporting and on Maddy's extended family interrelationships. Especially fascinating while enhancing the lampooning on how news is produced is when the TV station provides opinion and commentary on social issues, but makes it appear to be hard core news. Fans will enjoy this fun tale while also taking a closer look at what CNN, Fox, MSNBC and the networks, etc. claim is the news especially whose advertising dollars pay for the broadcast.
Ravenous
Ray Garton
Dorchester
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780843958201, $7.99, www.dorchesterpub.com 1-800-481-9191
Big Rock, California is a small quiet town where violent crime never occurs as everyone knows everyone else. However, that was before; now Sheriff Hurley struggles with a apprehending a serial rapist whose last victim works in his office. He feels overwhelmed but keeps searching for clues.
Fargo arrives in Big Rock claiming to be a werewolf hunter and that the town is infested with them, Hurley has enough on his plate with the rapist so he ignores the lunatic's ramblings although he keeps an eye on him. However, Hurley reassesses his belief when reports of assaults by large animals begin and torn up mutilated bodies surface.
Ray Garton turns lycanthropy into a sexually transmitted disease; thus a vicious epidemic cycle occurs in which those victims who survive the sexual assault become unrepentant nasty RAVENOUS werewolves on the prowl needing to rape someone. With a nod to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs the werewolves are motivated by Physiological Needs making them seem real and more terrifying. Hurley is terrific as the beleaguered small-town sheriff initially struggling to accept the evidence, but it is the widening werewolf epidemic that turns this into a fabulous horror thriller.
Random Victim
Michael A. Black
Leisure
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
9780843959864, $7.99, www.dorchesterpub.com 1-800-481-9191
After insulting a judge who deserved it, Cook County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Francisco "Frank" Leal, still healing from a gunshot wound and the death of his partner, is assigned to a special task force investigating the cold case murder of Miriam Walker. The victim was a judge and prevention of family violence advocate when she vanished; her corpse was found months later inside a trunk. Lieutenant Brice and Sergeant Murphy led the inquiry, but made no headway as they focused on her missing car.
Also on the task force formed by Sheriff O'Hara to silence his election rival Shay are Sergeant Tom Ryan and rookies Joe Smith and Olivia Hart, a perfectly diverse group in time for an election. Brice once again oversees the investigation, but insists on looking at chop shops like he did months ago. Ryan is in charge of the daily operation while he teams with African-American Smith and bodybuilder Olivia joins with Frank. Evidence points to the victim's spouse financial business guru Martin in spite of his airtight alibi; so ignoring Brice and Ryan Frank and Ollie put pressure on him. Fearing he will crack, his chess strategist secret partner arranges for Martin's silence.
This is an exhilarating police procedural in which the sheriff needs a task force to shut up his opponent while the brass puts roadblocks to the inquiry. The cast is strong as each of the five prime cops has differing personalities. With several fascinating twists and a romance (not between the police partners) that enhances the tale without slowing it down, sub-genre fans will enjoy Michael A. Black's superb Chicago investigative thriller and seek his kickboxing sleuth Ron Shade's entertaining Windy City private investigations.
Fires Rising
Michael Laimo
Leisure
9780843960648, $7.99
Father Pilazzo oversees the renovation of the once abandoned church. He dreams of the flock returning and the ancient church regaining the respect it once had. As the workers tear up the floor, they find a pit underneath; inside this man-made excavation is a long forgotten buried wooden crate. The workers excited by their find open the box.
None knew what they have unleashed on humanity. The demon interred is free causing havoc as it leaves a trail of death with every person the monster touches. Father Pilazzo blames himself for liberating the demonic killer as his sin of pride led to his ignoring his nightmares that warned him to stop the repairs. He knows he must end the abomination even if it means he spends eternity in hell for releasing this evil on the innocent.
Although the releasing of an incarcerated buried demon has been done many times in movies and books, Michael Laimo provides an entertaining horror thriller. The demon never rests once liberated while Father Pilazzo is filled with guilt that he knows he will take to the afterlife with him, but also feels accountable as he plans to take the evil one with him even if it means being stuck in hell with this malevolence for eternity. Readers will enjoy this good and evil confrontation as the innocent become casualties.
Savage Flames
Cassie Edwards
Leisure
9780843958775, $7.99
In 1851 in Florida Lavinia Price lives a perfect life with a loving adoring husband who she thinks the world of and a wonderful daughter. Their plantation home is beautiful and shows their affluence without being gaudy.
One day, Lavinia notices a white cat in a tree on their plantation; before she can blink the feline seems to change into a green-eyed Indian; and before a second blink she sees an empty tree. She has no time to be shook by what she saw because immediately afterward her beloved husband is killed. Her brother-in-law Hiram coveted what his late sibling had, the plantation and Lavinia; he schemes to force the grieving widow into marrying him. However when her daughter vanishes into the nearby Everglades, Lavinia follows. Meanwhile the green-eyed Seminole who watched her from her tree quietly and safely guides the two female Prices to his people's legendary but secret camp on Mystic Island. Lavinia falls in love with this majestic warrior and his tribe while Hiram, using the soldiers who are forcing Indians onto the reservations, sets out to make her his whether she wants that or not.
As is typical of the Cassie Edwards' Indian romances a brave morally upright white female, an ethically courageous Indian male and an evil white male form the classic Edwards' triangle. However, also as always with a Ms. Edwards' historical, SAVAGE FLAMES is an entertaining tale that shines a light on a Seminole tribe refusing to live on a reservation; opting instead to hide and reside in the swamps. Once again Ms. Edwards provides her fans with a delightful nineteenth century story.
The Sinai Secret
Gregg Loomis
Leisure
9780843960426, $7.99
The president of the United States is awakened in the middle of the night to meet with his top security advisors in the bunker because Iran fired nuclear missiles at Israel. However, as the missiles seemingly just vanish into thin air, the Israeli President calls his American counterpart to tell him not to worry and go back to sleep as he has no need to retaliate. The US president and his staff struggle with what happened.
Meanwhile Dutch scientist Dr. Yadish is visiting Bruges, Belgium when he is murdered just before another scientist Dr. Lewis is killed in Atlanta. The two have in common research into alternatives to fossil fuel funded by a foundation run by Lang Reilly. Trying to understand what is going on, Lang flies charter to Amsterdam, but is cleverly abducted at the airport. He escapes even as his kidnappers try to kill him. He continues to investigate with clues taking him to Tel Aviv as he finds another link involving a biblical era parchment that has people willing to kill to hide what has been unearthed.
The third Lang Reilly international thriller (see THE PEGASUS SECRET and THE JULIAN SECRET) is an action-packed tale that hooks readers from the moment the Americans realize the Israelis have some secret weapon that they imply comes from God. Although Reilly is too good at Houdini like escapes although they are exhilaratingly entertaining, readers will admire his dedication as he risks his life to uncover the truth and to prevent anymore of his grant scientists from being murdered. Thriller fans will appreciate Greg Loomis as it is no secret that he provides breathtaking novels.
The Golden Cord
Paul Genesse
Five Star Books
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
http://gale.cengage.com/fivestar
9781594146596, $25.95, 1-800-223-1244
Wyverns, griffins, and dragons are devastating the villages killing many people because they see humans as food. They also want to control Ae'leron making it free of dwarves and humans. Humans live in hidden villages as they conceal themselves from the Wyvern-kin attacks from above and the ground assaults of the Drobin Empire army that takes them as slaves.
The hamlet of Cliffton is in the middle of Thornclaw Forest near the Void, the cloud cover that does not allow anyone to look into the Underworld. Drake Bloodstone does not do much hunting unlike the rest of the men; instead he and his canine pals stay behind to guard his people and his home from outside threats. When two Drobin warriors come to the gate, Drake lets them in and learns they are seeking their kin who settled in the nearby town of Armsted in the mine of Quarzaak. They need a guide to escort them through the forest; Drake agrees to take them although he believes they hide their true objectives and intentions because he wants them away from his village and because it is the right thing to do.
THE GOLDEN CORD is epic quest fantasy in the tradition of Tolkien as the first Iron Dragon tale is an enthralling thriller filled with monsters out of the myths devouring humanity. Because of the danger from the sky and the ground, society has been forced to remain in small agricultural packets of hunters, crop growers, and gatherers. There is plenty of action, but it is the ever dangerous Genesse world that makes this a fascinating opening gamut.
A Novel Way to Die
Karen Hanson Stuyck
Five Star Books
9781594146329, $25.95
Helen Lewis calls University of Texas at Houston Criminology Professor Molly Patterson to say that her renowned mother, mystery writer Katherine Marsh dies from an apparent heart attack. Though not close to her mom, Molly is sad. She, her estranged husband Alex, and their two preadolescent children Annie and Will travel to Austin to arrange the funeral.
Tests by pathologist Dr. Lester prove that Katherine died from an overdose of Stelezine, an anxiety drug she was using while coping with ovarian cancer. Molly refuses to believe that her mother would take the drug as she rejected aspirin or that her mother would ever taken her life without taking care of her affairs as she was the queen of task management. However, her mom did provide generous Christmas presents as if she knew her time was short. She soon believes wannabe writer Suzanne Lang killed her mother, but all the evidence is in the final copy of her mom's last book, "The Summer That Changed Everything" although the version Molly finds is an earlier one containing the wrong ending.
A NOVEL WAY TO DIE is an interesting whodunit wrapped inside a deep family drama. Whereas Molly believes murder occurred as she knew her mom well, everyone else thinks suicide. With a plausible final twist, fans will appreciate the criminologist professor investigating the death of her mother, a best-selling mystery author.
Virgins and Martyrs
E. L. Merkel
Five Star Books
9781594146350, $25.95
In Spanish Bay, Florida, a powerful bomb devastates a family planning clinic that provides abortions; two are dead. At the moment local detective Beaulieu leads the investigation at least until the FBI arrives. He is proud that he found a second bomb in a car before that could explode. However, he miscalculates the cunning of the terrorist as a third bomb ignites killing police detective Tara Kinsey and severely injuring her partner Aria Quynn.
The police and FBI suspect sniper Bobby Teasdale who admits on the Centurions of the Lord website that he is hunting twenty-seven abortion-providers in northwest Florida. However, Federal prosecutor Howard Zhang-mei and FBI agent Moira Osterholm encourage Aria to investigate who killed her partner. After an ugly incident with TV reporter Jack Reason at Tara's funeral, they team up following clues that take them to thirteen year old Maddie Shepard who has had stomata cuts and godly visions that lead back to the Centurions.
VIRGINS AND MARTYRS may star a cop, but is more an urban noir than a police procedural. Aria is terrific as she faces down men and women including verbally pounding Jack and "bi*ch slapping a big ex-con as she understands no man will report police brutality against a female cop who physically over-powered them. With a great final spin that ties up the loose ends, fans will enjoy tough ass Aria's unofficial investigation into who killed her partner.
The Perfect Man
Kristine Dexter
Five Star Books
9781594146800, $25.95
Her Portland, Oregon police partner Lou Rassouli reminds Detective Natasha "Tasha" Morgan that she has a family event to attend at the Harborside Yacht Club. Tasha would prefer to continue literally digging through the garbage for clues that would prove Damon Pfeiffer killed his sibling. Instead she rushes home to change into formal wear for the pre-wedding dinner. Just outside she meets Rick Chance who has just moved back home from Chicago; his older nephew Gerald is marrying Tasha's cousin Brooke.
Rick and Tasha are attracted to one another, but he has a major problem to deal with. The Creep has followed him from Chicago leaving his calling card, an expensive basket of perfumed soaps and oils addressed to Jess. The unknown stalker believes Rick has locked away his wife romance author Jessamyn Chance. As Rick and Tasha fall in love, the obsessed for Jess Creep increases the assaults on Chance.
The irony of THE PERFECT MAN is that the reader knows Herbert Beebe is the Creep while the lead couple does not and the secret of Jess that Beebe does not. The police procedural romance is a fun tale as everyone warns the heroine to stay away from the black sheep, but besides her heart wanting him she has the Creep case to work. Fans will appreciate this romantic mystery with ironic twists starting with garbage patrol.
Hangman's Corner
Peter King
Five Star Books
9781594146459, $25.95
In 1870 Ned Parker makes a living driving a hansom cab in London. However, Ned is a bit shook when he learns that a recent fare was found dead in the Thames; the victim was under police scrutiny as a prime suspect in a church robbery.
Needing help to crack both the theft and the murder cases, London Police Detective Rollo "Jacko" Jackson asks Ned to assist him just like his late father used to help him on investigations. Ned is reluctant to get involved with a copper's inquiry until a driving pal Herbert Summers is arrested for the homicide based on flimsy evidence. Motivated to prove his associate is innocent, Ned turns to other drivers for assistance even as he follows clues that drive him around the city.
The cast especially the eccentric drivers that readers meet out of the 6000 working London make for an entertaining Victorian mystery. Ned is terrific as the focus of the gallows humorous story line. Although the overall plot seems implausible, no one except nit picking reviewers will care as HANGMAN'S CORNER is a fun historical that brings 1870 London to life (and death) through zany characterizations.
The Piara's Legacy
Scott Gamboe
Medallion Press, Inc.
1020 Cedar Lane, No. 2N, St. Charles, IL 60174
9781933836256, $7.95, www.medallionpress.com
Led by the Necromancer Volnor, a legion of the dead invaded the three countries that make up the continent of Pelacia. They killed everyone in sight ravaging the land in a blighted earth policy. Previous rivalries are put aside and the trio of nations united; they successfully repel the enemy horde forcing Volnor and his minion to take refuge in Desert of Malator.
Over time that great saviors' war became part of the ancient mythos with nobody believing that a malevolent soulless one raised the undead into an army as there are more pragmatic concerns for those residing on the continent today. In that environs Elac the Elf makes a living as a merchant with no thoughts on legends. However, renegade Kobold marauders attack his caravan leaving him fleeing for his life. Rilen the Elven warrior rescues Elac who joins him on his journey to Unity where the former hopes to gain support while calling the alarm that Volnor is back. No one except Elac and a hand full of travelers heeds his warning; so that the only hope resides within the soul of the merchant who, if he can figure out what it means in today's context, has ties to the last successful repelling of Volnor and his evil.
This is an exhilarating fantasy due to the two elves, Rilen and Elac, and the threat of Volnor, deftly handled to increase the suspense. Rilen is like a Jeremiah ignored by the leaders who scoff at the return of a mythological necromancer. However Elac is the more fascinating character as he is a successful businessman who suddenly is thrust at the head of a save the world quest in a sort of coming of age way. Fans will appreciate Scott Gamboe's fine fantasy and seek his previous science fiction thriller, THE KILLING FROST.
Fortune's Kiss
Lisa Manuel
Medallion
9781933836355, $7.95
Her beloved stepfather Everett Foster always promised Moira Hughes and her mom (his widow) that he has insured they will be provided for in the event of his death. Moira understands that the brunt of the estate must by law go to his heir. However to her chagrin the codicil to his will, if it was ever written, is missing not filed with the will in the Prerogative Court in Canterbury; soon afterward the solicitor Mr. Smythe of Smythe and Davis, Legal Consultants is dead.
Desperate to find it, Moira accepts work as a maid at Monteith Hall, the house she once lived in as a lady, so that she can search for the codicil. Meanwhile the heir Egyptologist Graham Foster returns to England, a place he left years ago in scandal, accompanied by his African Sun Spider. He finds his wastrel family pretending to welcome him while unable to hide how they want this usurper back in Egypt so they can spend his estate's assets without care or control. However, he is attracted to Moira, who reluctantly tells him her story. Being an adventurer and in love, he helps her investigate her late stepfather's life and helps her search for the missing codicil.
This is an amusing engaging historical romance starring two likable heroes and a zany out of control support cast. The story line is fast-paced and though a nineteenth century tale with its obvious period piece moorings, in some ways the structure of the plot feels more like a 1930s madcap romantic suspense comedy. Fans will enjoy Graham's efforts to prove to Moira that men like Everett and himself don't stray from love.
Into the Mist
Elizabeth Sinclair
Medallion
9781933836423, $7.95
The blizzard is crippling as the woman struggles to survive it while she wanders aimlessly the streets of Tarrytown, New York until some strangers tell her that her name is Carrie and she needs to come with them. With no place to go and a chance to get out of cold, she accompanies them to the misty village of Renaissance where they insist her memory will return.
Weaver Clara Webb takes in the lost soul, who begins to recall tidbits of the blood all over the library on Christmas Eve. Dr. Frank Donovan, who learned of the village from his friend Dr. Steven Cameron (see MIRACLE IN THE MIST), is attracted to her, but the widower has two ghosts from his past that haunt him so he refuses to act on his feelings out of fear of hurting another human again. However, Carrie has brought him back to the living and Frank does likewise with her.
The obvious link to Brigadoon aside, the second Mists romantic fantasy is a fascinating entry as the lead duet has demons in their respective souls to overcome before they can consider their feelings for one another. Early on the story line sets the table for an exciting strong plot, but the audience needs to give Elizabeth Sinclair's tale time to tie the seemingly disentangled divergent subplots together; it is worth it as love and hope for the future complete with grief and fear of the past.
Playing in the Dark
David Rivera, Jr.
Strebor
c/o Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
9781593091811, $13.00, www.simonsays.com
His brothers all failed and had to leave Sodom as part of their bet. Bereft believes he learned from their mistakes and now knows how to tempt Lot so he falls from grace in spite of this man's goodness. He sexually toys with Lot's two daughters, believing they will provide insight into winning his wager. However, before he can complete his quest, the Angels of God attack the city leaving him buried in its ruins.
Thousands of years later, NYPD Detective Chemah Rivers accompanies his live in lover Michelle Thomas to Israel where she will receive controversial treatment not allowed in the States that might enable her to regain her vision. The blind stand up comedienne has hopes and fears while Chemah worries about her, his daughter Tatsuya from his ex-wife and his son Hero from a third woman. Local police inspector Yankow asks Chemah to look at five corpses arranged like an upside down cross with the rest of the evidence making less sense as a clothes model is killed with her bare hands and a deadly military martial arts instructor is a victim as well. He offers his help before returning to New York with Michelle, who needs additional treatments. Chemah is unaware that Bereft has returned and stalks him as the demon sees a Lot like Goodness in the cop. As people die on the plane and in the city, someone looking like his former wife kidnaps his daughter.
The third Chemah Rivers suspense thriller (see HARLEM'S DRAGON and STREET SWEEPER; neither read by me) is a fascinating tale that deftly takes a biblical serial killing demon and places it inside a modern day New York police procedural. Chemah is fabulous as he struggles to be there for Michelle whose fears over seeing and not seeing begin to overwhelm their relationship until the bigger crisis involving his daughter occurs. However, Bereft owns the tale as he hops bodies with a touch and leaves his calling card of arranged broken bones behind in his path of mayhem and destruction.
A World Too Near
Kay Kenyon
PYR
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
9781591026426, $25.00, www.prometheusbooks.com 1-800-421-0351
The Tarig constructed the concentric circles Fortress Ahnenhoon to protect the engine that uses the Rose universe as its prime power source to provide energy to sustain the Entire universe. In the Rose universe, sentient beings on planet earth realize the power draining caused by the Ahnenhoon will suck life out of this universe.
Pilot Titus Quinn knows the only way to save earth's universe is to destroy the Ahnenhoon engine although that could result in destroying the rival universe where his wife and daughter reside. However, scientist Helice Maki insists humanity cannot trust Quinn to do his job as he has a motive to keep the Entire functioning. Maki believes Quinn will try to skip the Rose for the Entire to find his wife Johanna abducted by the Tarig over a decade ago and probably incarcerated inside Fortress Ahnenhoon; and once he rescues her they will search for their missing daughter, Sydney. Maki is sent to accompany Quinn on his mission, but the scientist has a scheme to use the nano-technological weapon to take control of the Ahnenhoon engine and from there usurp the Tarig as the power of two universes fight for survival.
The sequel to BRIGHT OF THE SKY is much more complex than described above as the two "dueling" universes contain convoluted relationships; thus plenty of twists and spins await readers who accompany Titus on his quest. The story line is action-packed, but also further describes the two universes especially the Entire while key characters like beleaguered Quinn and ambitious Maki are fully developed. With two universes on the brink of mass destruction, science fiction fans will want to join Quinn on mission.
Before They Are Hanged
Joe Abercrombie
PYR
9781591026419, $15.00
In the South Inquisitor torturer Glokta serves as the Superior of the city of Dagoska. He has two missions to accomplish if he is to survive his new position unlike his recently assassinated predecessor. He must root out the traitors before they murder him; and he must keep the city safe while it is under siege from superior enemy forces with no hope for outside supplies..
In the North the powerful well trained and equipped Northmen military have invaded neighboring Angland. Crown Prince Ladisla demands leadership of his Union army as he plans gloriously to repel the enemy back beyond his frozen border. However, as Major West escorts the bodacious royal fool he knows his side lacks proper arms, training, leadership and courage while the other side will swamp the battlefield with its superiority.
In the center the First of the Magi Bayaz leads a party of pariahs (incompetent apprentice Malacus Quai, warrior Logen, Ferro the Navigator, Brother Longfoot and Jezal) seeking the Seed. Each person distrusts the rest of the participants, but it is this band that must defeat the Eaters that threaten humanity. Bayaz understands this so he tells the tale of creation to encourage them
As with the First Law Book One: THE BLADE ITSELF, the second tale contains three well written major plots; there is also somewhat of a fourth segue re the Named Men remaining undecided. The best of the trio is Glotka's saga as the audience sees deep into his unsympathetic "soul" while he tortures (graphically) anyone using the rationale he seeks to save the people by rooting out enemy plotters; his detachment from his victims is classic. The West subplot is fun to follow too as he knows what his Prince is leading them into, but can do little to prevent their charge into the valley of death (think of The Charge of the Light Brigade). Finally, the Bayaz clip tells a lot about the history of the world in vivid descriptions, but his teammates fail to listen. This is a complex well written quest fantasy that will have the audience clamoring for the next law book.
Dawn's Light
Terri Blackstock
Zondervan Publishing House
5300 Patterson Avenue, S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49530
9780310257707, $14.99, www.zondervan.com 1-800-727-1309
It has been a year since the Pulses from the dying supernova knocked out all the fiber optics sending civilization back into a pre-electrical age (see TRUE LIGHT, LAST LIGHT and NIGHT LIGHT). Beth Branning has seen her father shot; her sister Deni in the hands of a serial killer; and Deni's boyfriend Mark beaten severely by vigilantes. She is waiting for the "Next Terrible Thing" to happen; which of course occurs.
She witnesses a man kill a person and comes after her next; however a homeless man intercedes and Beth escapes even as her good Samaritan rescuer is murdered. The killer warns Beth not to tell anyone or he will go after her family. He knows her name because it is on the back of the shirt she is wearing. Mark plans to propose to Deni, but on the night he intends to give her an engagement ring, her former boyfriend Craig visits her. Since the Pulses occurred, he has been working diligently trying to get the electricity running. Beth sees a notice of a missing man on a bulleting board; he was the first victim she saw killed leaving behind a wife and their toddler. She worries about the killer coming for her loved ones until he arrives and almost kills her. Her parents find Beth hurt and rush her to the hospital where she undergoes brain surgery. Mark and a deputy search for her attacker while Craig uses his connections to get Beth medicine. The Branning clan knows that Beth's fate is in the hands of God, but a few prayers by them might influence the outcome.
The final Restoration thriller will lift the spirits of readers while simultaneously leave readers weeping. Fans care about the Branning family and friends so feel deeply they feel their trials and tribulations. Mark is heroic as his love for Deni is so unselfish he is willing to give up what he most wants in life, her, if she loves Craig instead of him. Craig likewise is a good person but he tries to put strings on Deni while helping Beth. Terri Blackstock reaches the hearts of her audience with her belief that God remains in charge especially when things are darkest.
99 Coffins
David Wellington
Three Rivers Press
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307381712, $13.95 www.crownpublishing.com 1-888-523-9292
After the horrors she faced (see 13 BULLETS), vampire hunter Laura Caxton vows never again as field work is too gory for her. However, at an archeological dig at the Gettysburg Battle Site, Civil War era coffins are dug up. Detective Jameson Arkeley realizes what the team found is the remains of a Union vampire corps. He knows the only person to handle this gruesome finding is Caxton; so he sends for her.
Caxton reluctantly arrives at the tomb and finds 100 coffins with 99 occupied by vampires without hearts; one is empty and the coffin smashed as if a vandal attacked it. Worse someone manages to return one of the vampires from the dead to the undead; soon the rest of corps begins to reawaken to finish the mission they started in 1863. Caxton knows she must stop them before the Civil War is reenacted with real blood flowing from the victims of a night-stalking militia obsessed with completing its mission.
99 COFFINS is a unique vampire military thriller that rotates between the present, and Civil War Era journals and other writings. Thus the action-packed present stars a heroic Caxton who wants to retire from paranormal hunting while the 1860s correspondence provide insight into the vampire regiment especially their mission that they feel strongly must be achieved over a century and a half since they got their orders. With Gettysburg at stake (pun intended) the battle lines are drawn in this bloody superb tale.
Return of the Stardust Cowgirl
Marsha Moyer
Three Rivers (Crown)
9780307351555, $13.95
In northeast Texas, cowgirl Lucy Hatch worries about their future since the recording contract of her on the road husband Ash Farrell was ended. Despondent, Ash returned to Mooney to move back in with his wife and their son Jude.
Lucy has mixed feelings about Ash staying home. On the one hand he is very handy at fixing things; on the other he has issues starting with his songwriter's block. She also worries that she will soon be unemployed as Peggy Thaney, owner of Faye's Flowers, is retiring and closing the florist shop that Lucy works at. However the biggest problem besides Ash's renewed vow to his family is the arrival of her stepdaughter rising country western star Denny Culpepper, who left her cheating husband Will and his Nashville Cats although she carries his offspring.
Rotating perspective between Lucy and Denny, readers see deep into the Texas roots of both beleaguered, bewildered women as each feels their life is being nuked by outside forces causing unwanted changes and in turn forcing them to make decisions neither wants to make. The pair actually bond helping each other with coping. Fans will appreciate Marsha Moyer's wonderful look at family life in small-town rural Texas in her latest Lucy Hatch tale (see THE SECOND COMING OF LUCY HATCH, THE LAST OF THE HONKY-TONK ANGELS, and HEARTBREAK TOWN).
Obedience
Will Lavender
Shaye Areheart
c/o The Crown Publishing Group
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
9780307396105, $24.00, www.crownpublishing.com 1-888-523-9292
At Winchester University in Indiana, Professor Williams teaches Logic and Reasoning 204. He explains to his class that there is no text, no syllabus, and no lectures. Instead they have one assignment. Based on clues he provides and they find, the students must locate a missing teenager Polly within six weeks or she will die.
All the students assume this is an academic exercise and that no one is in jeopardy of murder. However, rather quickly three of the pupils begin to believe Polly not only exists but that she will be killed if they fail to rescue her. As Professor Williams provides the class with photos of Polly and other clues that affirm she lives for now, the trio panics that a D in this class means dead.
None of the prime players (the professor, the three students, and the maybe living Polly) come across as fully developed, but no one will care as it is the suspenseful storyline that grips the audience from the moment Williams explains the assignment. Readers will wonder if Polly is real and in danger, but also will ponder whether the trio is in peril. Fans of tense intriguing conspiratorial thrillers will want to attend Professor William's Logic and Reasoning class.
Good Man Hunting
Lisa Landolt
Avon Books
c/o HarperCollins Publishers
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022
9780061340390, $13.95, www.avonbooks.com
At a wedding of a friend, a member of the Hunt Club asks plain wallflower Sandra Greene to join their group that assists women in making their ideal match regardless of who he is. The pizza parlor assistant manager thinks this might prove entertaining and diverting so she joins. Though some of the goings-on discomfit the nerd, Sandra for the most enjoys the club especially its matchmaking support to help a woman obtain the hand of the man of their choice.
Sandra hopes to land former sitcom star Mike Warren. However, she is stunned before she goes out on her first date with her chosen one; the FBI informs Sandra that the Hunt Club has performed some nefarious deeds that she finds somewhat hard to believe, but then again she witnessed the sordid undoing of some male meat.
This way out over the top charmer will hook readers with its "Cinderella" concept turned upside down by the FBI (could they be the wicked step-family?). The story line is whimsical as Sandra thinks the Hunt Club goes ethically too far yet she believes she will do anything to land Mike until she learns how far is far to the club members. Lisa Landolt provides her audience with an amusing twist on fairy tale romances.
Making Over Mr. Right
Judi McCoy
Avon
9780061341434, $6.99
In New York successful businessman Theo Maragos is tall, dark, and a geek who needs to change his image before he appears in a national magazine. Zeus' daughter Zoe, the Muse of Beauty, is assigned the ask of making him over; Zoe knows what failure means as her dad will not tolerate such a fiasco on her part or for that matter her two sisters, Kyra (see ALMOST A GODDESS) and Chloe (ONE NIGHT WITH A GODDESS) who have their own Herculean tasks to contend with.
Her plan is to start with the removal of the brainy wire glasses so that his blue eyes shine bright even if he cannot see. Then there is the need to remove the hair from the face so his dimples can shine bright. Then there are his clothes though Zoe is not sure she wants to put garb on that hunk of a body. As Zoe and Theo fall in love, she worries how her father will react to her wanting more than a simple tryst with a mortal. Still she hides her feelings out of fear that her dad might take out his renowned anger on her beloved. Theo assumes Zoe has her reasons for not telling him how she feels about him, but he wants her and plans to make her his one geek move at a time.
MAKING OVER MR. RIGHT is a fabulous ending to the Zeus offspring romantic trilogy. As with her siblings' tales, Zoe knows the rules of engagement include no falling in love with a mortal and the price of failure so she muses over what to do about her heart vs. her father's wrath. Fans will enjoy this lighthearted whimsical romantic fantasy as the Muse of Beauty and a computer geek fall in love to the consternation of Theo's potential father-in-law.
How To Propose To A Prince
Kathryn Caskie
Avon
9780061124877, $6.99
With her two sisters married (see Mary's tale - HOW TO SEDUCE A DUKE and Anne's saga - HOW TO ENGAGE AN EARL). the youngest of the Royle sisters, Elizabeth dreams of marrying a prince; nothing less will do for her. She even dreams of the royal she will marry. When she actually sees the royal of her dreams for the first time Elizabeth struggles to keep her deportment especially when she learns her hunk is Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield.
However, Elizabeth is taken aback when she learns Leopold is intended for the Princess of Wales. Hoping for a miracle, Elizabeth obtains a position as a lady in waiting for Princess Charlotte. As she tries to get close to her dream husband, Elizabeth begins to believe something is not right. She plans to find out what secret Prince Leopold is hiding.
This is a terrific ending to the Royle Regency romances as Elizabeth's plan is unusual and seemingly insane yet is clever as it allows her entry into the playing field. Fans will appreciate Kathryn Caskie's superb tale filled with historical persona and tidbits that bring the early nineteenth century to life; plausible twists (especially a final one) that add depth to the plot; amateur sleuthing that enables the audience to understand the heroine's strength of conviction; and a fun romance.
After centuries as a vampiric mother, aunt and socialite, Marguerite Argeneau decides she needs a vocation. To the chagrin of her sons Etienne and Bastien and her nephew Thomas, Marguerite decides to become a private investigator. The trio feels good that her partner is Tiny who will keep the family matriarch safe.
Her first client is immortal Christian Notte who wants to know who his mother is; his father Julius refuses to divulge her name to him. When she vanishes in Europe, Thomas and his lifemate Inez search for her (see VAMPIRES ARE FOREVER). Meanwhile someone apparently wants Marguerite dead; Julius decides to protect her from whoever wanted to decapitate her although at times he wonders who will protect him from her. However, Marguerite is irate not so much that Julius plays the role of bodyguard, but that he is her lifemate while he needs to persuade her that they belong together forever.
This terrific Argeneau vampiric romantic suspense was set up in the previous tale, VAMPIRES ARE FOREVER, but stands alone. The fun with the entry actually is with Julius who knows his lifemate is obviously in danger, but not sure why; and knows he is in deeper trouble as he hopes courting is like getting back on a bicycle as he has not chased a skirt in five or so centuries. Fans will enjoy the escapades of a thoroughly modern Marguerite, vampiric investigator.
The Kiss
Sophia Nash
Avon
9780061231377, $5.99
In Cornwall as children Quinn Fortesque, Anthony Fortesque and Georgiana Wilde were best friends. One day Quinn left to marry someone else without warning and a heartbroken Georgiana wedded Anthony although she dreamed of being the wife of Quinn. On their wedding night, Anthony tragically died.
Quinn comes home to Penrose allegedly to inspect his estate, but instead he plans to uncover the root cause of a potential scandal that impacts his and Georgiana's family. Georgiana expects he will dispossess her leaving her with no place to go. However, Quinn has come home not because he loathes Georgiana, but because he loves her and always has. Obtaining assistance from a merry widows group and his daughter, Quinn begins his campaign to win his beloved's heart unaware he already has it as he always did.
This is an interesting historical romance starring two obstinate likable protagonists who have a second chance at love if they take that opportunity. The story line is fast-paced once the lead couple sees each other for the first time in fifteen years and never slows down. Although somewhat typical of the sub-genre, Sophia Nash's strong characters especially the Wilde and Fortesque families make this a strong tale that will send new fans seeking the author's previous work (see A DANGEROUS BEAUTY).
Return Of The Rogue
Donna Fletcher
Avon
9780061375439, $5.99
In the late sixteenth century in Scotland, her abusive stepfather Calum Tannach arranges for Honora to wed the oldest son of Laird Sinclare, Artair. However, on their wedding day, Cavan Sinclaire, thought dead, crashes the ceremony. Calum realizes he is the rightful heir and demands he marry Honora. She knows he once saved her life when she was eight years old, but one look at her new betrothed leaves her fearful that this big man will be as brutal as her stepfather although his eyes twinkle with kindness.
Cavan knows his immediate need is to keep his people safe from raiders, but he will honor the wedding contract that states the eldest Sinclaire will marry Honora. Still although he believes she is a pretty lass; he will not allow her to interfere with his obsession to insure his clan's safety. As passion turns to desire and desire to love, Cavan believes he is fortunate, but now must convince his wife they were intended for one another even as someone causes dissension, despair, and destruction.
Though typical of the historical highlander romance especially the return of the prodigal son, readers will appreciate this fine sixteenth century tale. The lead couple is a fabulous pairing as neither is prepared to marry the other, but obligation (and contracts) supersede their desires; soon love supersedes all desires. Fans will appreciate the RETURN OF THE ROGUE as he understands his duty to his clan and to his wife while she proves his equal.
Whispers Of The Bayou
Mindy Stearns Clark
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
9780736918794, $13.99, 1-800-547-8979
Manhattan art restorer Miranda Miller knows she should rejoice in her life as she lives comfortably and her husband Nathan and Tess, their preschool daughter adore her; yet she feels depressed and though she tires to hide it tries to maintain a distance from her loved ones.
When she has an opportunity to get away from home for a while, she jumps at the chance. She rushes to Louisiana to go over with her Aunt Janet's lawyer the estate she will one day inherit from her. However, in New York where AJ as Miranda calls her has lived for three decades, her aunt worries about her niece returning home for the first time since the trauma that changed her life; the horror that her mind buried because the memories are too painful. Meanwhile someone else also wants to insure Miranda does not recall what she knows even willing to resort to murder to keep the past buried.
The key to WHISPERS OF THE BAYOU, a tense suspense thriller is Miranda whose inner soul battles between a need to know and a need for flight. The story line grips the audience from the moment that Miranda returns to the Bayou and never slows down as the tension mounts in anticipation of bad things happening to her, which of course they do. Psychological thriller fans will enjoy Mindy Stearns Clark's superb intense tale.
Mafiya
Charlie Stella
Pegasus Books
c/o Pegasus Communications Inc.
One Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453-5339
9781933648651, $25.00, www.pegasus.com.com 1-800-272-0945
Las Vegas prostitute Agnes Lynn decides she needs to move on and find a new way to earn a living. She leaves Nevada and her sordid hooker lifestyle to start fresh in New York City where her long time best friend Rachel Wilson resides.
Rachel supplements her income to pay for the expensive exclusive private school her two children attend as a high priced hooker. However, a trick turns ugly and Rachel vanishes; eventually she comes ashore in Brooklyn. Lynn is outraged as the police seem at best useless at worst bribed by wealthy sponsors. She investigates seeking vengeance against the person who brutalized, mutilated and murdered Rachel. She and her boyfriend former cop Jack Russo quickly learn the Russian Mafiya gave Rachel a role in a snuff film in which she was killed.
MAFIYA is a fascinating crime thriller starring an intrepid reformed bad girl and her experienced partner against the Russian mob. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Rachel's body lands in Brooklyn and never slows down as Lynn and Jack work their quest. Although the Russian mob seems inept and the plot is not new (for instance Bronson's Death Wish), Charlie Stella fans will enjoy this entertaining tale.
Kill Whitey
Brian Keene
Cemetery Dance Publications
132-B Industry Lane, Unit 7, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050
9781587671784, $25.00, www.cemeterydance.com
Globe Package Service employee Larry Gibson is a loner who does not have much of a life. He works four hours a day at sixteen dollars an hour with health benefits before taxes. He has no close friends, but occasionally hangs out with co-workers Darryl, Jesse and Yul. They go to the Odessa, a popular strip joint owned by Whitey where Larry sees Sondra dancing and immediately lusts for her.
He goes back with and without his co-workers as often as he can afford to as she is always there. One night she fails to appear; the owner sends people for her. Larry accompanied by Darryl finds Sondra hiding under his car. The trio goes to Larry's apartment where she explains that she is pregnant and the father Whitney wants her to abort the fetus. Jesse who stayed at Odessa is tortured into revealing where Larry lives. They kill Darryl and hit Larry, but he escapes with Sondra. Whitey survives due to being a descendent of Rasputin. No matter how many bullets Larry put in Whitey he refuses to die. Larry knows he must rescue Sondra, but is clueless how to do it.
This supernatural thriller would make a fantastic horror movie as everything seems normal until a spin into Kreuger-Jason territory as there is a lot of violence that is appropriate to the fast-paced story line. Readers will pity Larry whose "significant other" is Webster the cat until he meets Sondra. Brian Keene provides a strong horror thriller that will please his fans.
DeKok and the Somber Nude
Baantjer
Speck Press
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80403
9781933108162, $14.00, www.speckpress.com
On a rainy day, Kristel van Daalen with two A's comes to Amsterdam's Warmoes Street police station to report her nineteen years old cousin Nanette Bogaard with a double A is missing. Kristel explains to Inspectors DeKok and Vledders that she and Nanette co-own the Ye Three Roses floral shop, which they bought with money they inherited. She further explains that Nanette is an artistic free spirit, but always came home to the apartment they share above the store. Kristel believes Nanette is dead.
Vledders thinks it is too soon to assume foul play, but DeKok has a hunch that something bad has occurred to Nanette. They begin making inquiries starting with a spawned reporter Barry Weilen that lead to Kristel's addict brother, a "Somber Nude" painting done by Pierre Popko and aging paramour Staaten and his adult son. They see a picture of a mesmerizing serpent wearing an angel's garb before the dismembered corpse of Nanette is found in a garbage dump. The now murder investigation keeps tilting like a pin ball game that flickers back and forth between anyone who was in Nanette's sphere.
This is a fabulous DeKok mystery once readers accept the inspectors take on the missing person case (most will agree with Vledders that its pouring rain, less than 24 hours, and she is nineteen). The story line is driven by DeKok's investigation as each new clue he uncovers seems to open more questions rather than resolving any of them. Fans of this superb Dutch police procedural series will gain immense pleasure from the latest translation.
Lethal Legend
Kathy Lynn Emerson
Pemberley Press
P O Box 1027, Corona del Mar, CA 92625
9780977191352, $17.95, www.pemberleypress.com
In 1888 Maine Dr. Ben Northcote travels across Penobscot Bay to Keep Island to help three men suffering from poisoning. When he fails to return home or send a message to his fiancee Diana Spaulding, she becomes concerned as that is so out of character for the considerate Ben. Adding to her fears is that she has been told Keep Island is a dangerous place.
Still the intrepid Diana ignores the warning and her trepidation; she travels to Keep Island where an archeological dig led by archeologist Serena Dunbar near the home of wealthy Graham Somener, is occurring. There, Diana finds Ben looking into a questionable death that the sheriff, Graham and Serena want kept quiet to avoid negative publicity. Realizing that Graham and Serena is a couple and fearing illegal activities perhaps fraud but also likely murder, Diana and Ben investigate the goings on at the dig site.
LETHAL LEGEND is an entertaining late nineteenth century regional cozy starring an intrepid heroine who joins her beloved as they try to uncover the truth only to meet official obstacles from the law, the property owner and the lead archeologist. Their conspiracy only encourages Ben and Diana to seek what happened on Keep island. Fans of the series (see DEADLIER THAN THE PEN, FATAL AS A FALLEN WOMAN and LETHAL LEGEND) will appreciate the latest entry in the stupendous Spaulding saga.
Just Desserts
Barbara Bretton
Jove
c/o New American Library
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014-3658
9780515144246, $7.99, www.penguin.com 1-800-847-5515
Kind hearted aging rock star Tommy Stiles has hired attorney Finn Rafferty to learn if Hayley Maitland Goldstein is his daughter as he wants to share his fortune with his offspring and his grandchildren. A birth certificate mentions him as her father, but a new one replaced that officially two weeks later stating father unknown. Tommy believes he sired Haley, who was born August 17, 1969 in Lexington, Kentucky to internationally acclaimed oceanographer Jane Maitland. He also knows Haley was married but divorced with one daughter Elizabeth and lives and co-owns Goldy's Bakery in Lakeside, New Jersey.
Finn leaves Manhattan for South Jersey knowing his client plans to inform his offspring at a time her mother decides to pay a visit. Having Jane insist on staying with them makes Haley suspicious that something earth shattering is coming, but she was unprepared for Tommy's claim that turned her world upside down; however, it is her reaction to Finn that sends her spinning out of control; he also loses his sense of gravity.
JUST DESSERTS is a warm family drama filled with tender humor. The amazement to the entertaining story line is the ensemble cast including two pets are fully developed and their interrelationships genuine. Fans will appreciate Barbara Bretton's invasion of South Jersey as everyone receives their JUST DESSERTS.
Predatory Game
Christine Feehan
Jove
9780515144284, $7.99
Saber Wynter knew she broke her safety first clause when she remained in town long enough to date the same jerk three times; Larry even had the nerve to provide her with a "pity fuck" as he insists she is way to skinny to be desirable. On the run since she escaped the horrors of Dr. Whitney's terrorizing experiments that turned her into a female GhostWalker, Saber knows it is past time to move on even if she likes doing her radio talk show on the Wyoming station owned by wheelchair bound Jess Calhoun.
Former Navy Seal Jess lost the use of his legs on a military mission. He wants Saber with all his heart, but knows he must go slowly or she will bolt as she always does when something frightens her. He wants to know what has left her ready to run so that he can help her overcome that demon. She shields the same feelings from him, but also conceals that she a GhostWalker with special skills; ironically besides hiding his heart he masks the fact that he too is a GhostWalker. Neither is aware that someone else is watching both of them and when each slips their cover a little, they wonder if they fell in love with the enemy.
The changing relationship between the lead couple provides a refreshing sixth Ghostwalker Game tale as they first are employer-employee, become friends, fall in love, and become suspicious of one another, etc. Thus readers see deep inside the souls of Saber and Jess. In fact the characterizations lead to less action than usual, yet one of the best in Christine Feehan's modern day military science romantic suspense saga (see DEADLY GAME and CONSPIRACY GAME).
Embrace Me
Lisa Samson
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
9781595542106, $14.99, www.thomasnelson.com 1-800-251-4000
Valentine and Lella are not just best friends; they are each other's only friend. They earn a living working at Roland Wayfaring Marvels and Oddities show knowing they are freaks to the normals who gawk at them. Valentine has scars all over her body while Lella has no extremities. Whereas Lella also has no dreams, Val fantasizes of one day being romanced by a man while she listens to her mother's copy of "Embraceable You", but once the singing stops reality returns.
However, a newcomer with scars on his soul and in his heart joins the caravan. Augustus befriends Val, but Lella who wants the best for her buddy fears she will be left behind with no one to care for or about her.
Combining a deep need to belong to others, which means forgiving and accepting the hurts they cause, inside a set from Browning's Freaks, Lisa Samson writes a powerful relationship drama that will shake the audience to the core. The cast is fully developed so that readers feel the anguish and loneliness each suffers. Adding depth to the emotional punch is the rotating story line between Drew circa 2002-3 and Val circa 2008-9. EMBRACE ME is a powerful insightful tale of love as Ms. Samson makes an ardent case that everyone needs loving mental and physical hugs.
Adam
Ted Dekker
Thomas Nelson
9780849918919, $25.95
FBI Special Agent Daniel Clay is a psychiatrist who gets into the minds of serial killers in the hopes of stopping them. His obsessive compulsive need to understand such a mind led to the break-up of his marriage to Heather. He asked for a field assignment and got the Eve killer. Sixteen young women were killed in sixteen months; each at the beginning of the lunar cycle from a previously unknown form of meningitis. With no clues pointing to a suspect, Daniel is publicly removed from the case.
However, Daniel does what he does best: work alone; his liaison to the information the FBI gathers is sent through Phoenix based pathologist Agent Lori Ames. Clues lead Daniel and Lori to Eve's latest victim who is still alive. While taking her to the hospital, Eve steps in front of a car killing Daniel and injuring Lori. Twenty-eight minutes later Daniel is resuscitated but the image of Eve is gone from his mind. In an effort to recall the killer's face, Daniel persuades Lori to kill him and resuscitate him. While they experiment, the killer grabs Heather; Daniel goes to find her. Daniel thinks he knows where the killer is, but dealing with this evil predator will still prove difficult for reasons Daniel and Lori will soon learn.
Ted Dekker tells a great police procedural supernatural thriller. Daniel is a fascinating hero who in his way is as obsessive as the Eve killer. His disbelief as to what the clues seem to imply adds to the overall tension as he discounts the mystic as nonsense. At the moment s he has given up hope, he begins to believe what his senses tell him. Readers who enjoy a great book should peruse this entertaining paranormal psychological thriller.
Smell of Death
F.M. Meredith
Tigress Press
9780979385759, $13.95 http://www.tigresspress.com
In Rocky Buffs, California, police officer Stacey Wilbur responds to the call from concerned senior citizen Mrs. Lindhall, who shows her doubts about the cop on her face as she towers over the small policewoman. Stacey enters the home of neighbor Darlene Brantley, divorced mother of two small children only to find a homicide scene. She calls it in and Detective Doug Milligan arrives to lead the investigation. The victim's ex husband Charles shows up to gather his kids. Doug sends Stacey to talk to Darlene's mother Mrs. Bender whom she finds murdered too.
At the same time exonerated officer Felix Zachary struggles with having killed an unarmed suspect. Sergeant Abel Navarro leads inquires into a missing two year old Kelley whose parents are despondent and whose aunt is blaming herself for turning her back for a minute; the prime suspect a child molester has an airtight alibi. Finally someone is laying siege to the Trimmel family. With all that going on, Doug unconsciously uses police work to see Stacey as he is attracted to the single mother of a small son; she reciprocates his feelings and appreciates his mentoring her re investigations.
Though Doug and Stacey are the stars, the latest Rocky Buffs police procedural (see FRINGE BENEFITS and FINAL RESPECTS) SMELL OF DEATH still feels like an Ed McBain's 87th Precinct thriller as several subplots focus on other police officers. The story line is fast-paced regardless of which investigation and cop is the focus. Readers will feel the tension over the double murders, the Trimmel harassment and the missing child while also empathizing with Felix and his beloved wife. This is a great entry in a strong series.
Roux Morgue
Claire M. Johnson
Poisoned Pen Press
6962 E. First Avenue, #103, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
9781590584873, $24.95, www.poisonedpenpress.com 1-800-421-3976
In San Francisco when pastry chef Mary Ryan joined the faculty at her alumni Ecole d'Epicure she was unaware of the internal cold war between the "dinosaurs" and the "young brats". However she plans to avoid the politics by stayin
