	Book Reviews, Book Lover Resources, Advice for Writers and Publishers
Home / MBR Bookwatch

MBR Bookwatch

Volume 2, Number 12 December 2003 Home | MBW Index

Table of Contents

Bogstad's Bookshelf Cynthia Penn's Bookshelf Kaveny's Bookshelf

Klausner's Bookshelf Laurel's Bookshelf Shelley's Bookshelf

Shirley's Bookshelf Vicki's Bookshelf

Bogstad's Bookshelf
WisCon 1-2-3: A Critical and Cultural Perspective.

For me, the true history of WisCon will always be theoretical and conceptual. While I am extremely happy about the many ways in which this conference has intersected with the lives of fans, authors, scholars and other people in the SF community over the last 25 years, for me its value has been in the conceptual spaces it occupies.

I first conceived of an interest in creating WisCon, frankly, out of frustrations with my graduate program in the early- to mid- 1970s. I didn't fit it and it didn't fit me. I had a burning desire to learn everything (as I still do) and a great deal of defensiveness about what I didn't? know. And I had loved science fiction since my first-contact at the age of five. Throughout my undergraduate years in Comparative Literature at University of Wisconsin-Madison, from 1968-1972, I kept seeing connections between everything I learned about language and literature in English, French, German and Chinese, but most especially literary theory which I love almost as much as science fiction, and my favorite literary reading matter (which I came to see called Para literature, sub-genre fiction, etc.). However, most of my student and faculty colleagues did NOT see it that way. SO, when I had the chance to organize a science fiction class as senior seminar with my to-be major professor, Fannie Le Moine, in 1972, I jumped at it and, along with Jeanne Gomoll, who was thinking on the same lines, we went to talk to Fannie.

I knew by then that I was going to graduate school at all costs (and it did cost a lot), but didn't know in what department. What I learned in that class is this: I knew a lot about science fiction but there was a lot more I didn't know, about science fiction, about literature, and about writing. You see, I was told repeatedly that I didn't know how to write. I have since determined that I didn't know how to write SIMPLY enough, and avoided doing it because I find simple writing boring in any case. So, for me one of the gaps filled by WisCon was in creating a space where I could practice talking about the science fiction, women and literature. I was most interested in talking, writing and thinking about theses three intersections with critical theory without having SF or my competence discounted. We were still in this stage in the academic community when you were evaluated and mentored based on how much YOU knew and heavily valorizing a set of primarily male-authored classics of literature. These classics included NO science fiction, a few utopian pieces and almost no women.

As an undergraduate, and a young graduate student in Chinese Studies from 1972-1975, before I went back to Comparative Literature, I was aware of the women's movement, and somewhat interested. But there were very few women's courses and, with credits in Modern and Classical Chinese, German, French and English Literature, and avid reading habits in science fiction, I never seemed to find time to take women's studies classes and in fact didn't take any until I was in graduate school for three years. That would have made it 1975. Nevertheless, I knew about the women's movement and applauded its successes and taught myself to see women differently than I had before. You see, people told me I was 'bright' for a woman, but that meant I was 'not like other women,' and it took me until the early seventies to decode that disarming message.

WisCon grew out of the early Madison science fiction group, which Phil Kaveny, I and Hank Luttrell founded by putting up signs in the old Madison, Wisconsin Book Coop, I had the idea for the group as a place where theoretical discussion of SF, Fantasy; and critical theory could take place, similar to the organizations that Georg Lukacs talks about in his book on the historical novel. So we put up cards in 1974 and set up a meeting time and a few people started to come. Some of them were members of the, by then long-established, Tolkien society. Some had taken Fannie Le Moine's SF (1941-1998) class that was by this time open to students from the second year, not just seniors.

It was in these meetings that we started talking about editing a journal, Janus, and about women and science fiction. Then, after attending WorldCon in 1976 and a MiniCon and WindyCon, which I didn't really enjoy much as I was too shy, we started talking informally about a different kind of SF convention. I had also attended, at the request of Tom Moylan, two literary conferences. Both were ones in which I filled in a session when THEY had a gap, one in Milwaukee's Contemporary Culture Institute where, at the request of their assistant director, Teresa De Lauretis, I spoke on the SF Fan community in session with Chip Delany, and one at the Modern Languages Association Conference I spoke on Race and Gender in Young Adult fiction. Both of these gave me a taste for critical and theoretical dialog that I had heretofore only engaged in about the works of dead white men.

This is what I mean about the conceptual space. I was looking to create something that was 'between' an academic conference and the usual fan convention, something that looked at SF and fantasy as literature and in the context of literary theory AND something where we could talk about and focus on women writers. Believe it or not, in the 1976 world science fiction convention, by which time Joanna Russ and U.K. LeGuin already had something of a reputation, there was only ONE panel, one women SF writers and women in science fiction. And almost all the women writers who were on panels were on that particular panel. Now remember, this was when writers such as Octavia Butler, Suzy Charnas, Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Lynne, Pamela Sargent, Nancy Springer, and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro had each published a few short stories and some of them had published one or two books. It was after the Women of Wonder series had begun and Aurora Beyond Equality had been published. But women writers had just not gotten much attention, nor had women characters or gender issues or gender stereotypes. I really wasn't aware of this disparity until I approached a few women writers and found that no one else was talking to them. This meant we could interview them for JANUS and publish the transcripts along with reviews of their books, and a noble tradition was born. When we started WisCon, we were trying to use a popular forum, the SF fan convention, an academic form, the professional literary conference, and an academic institution, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, to create a new space.

I think we have been successful beyond all our expectations at the time. In fact, with much more experience in institutions and in working on group projects from literature to librarianship, I am amazed that we got this thing off the ground at all. And there is now no denying that the first three WisCons, in early February, through the auspices of UW-Extension, were the birth of a unique cultural space that is still used today to introduce new writers, new ideas and new people to the exploration of critical approaches to SF and fantasy. I believe WisCon has also had a profound influence on the careers of academics like myself, of professional writers and editors, and, even more importantly, from my perspective, on other sf conventions.

There's a lot more I could say about WisCon, and I think I am going to work on saying it in the next few months, so as not to lose it all if for no other reason. The way that we formed our programming, the fact that the first intimate conference attracted only 200 people but the discussions that had started in panels turned into ongoing debates in the lobby and hallways, and the wonderful opportunities we created for ourselves to meet young authors who have later become quite famous. But I also often wonder about the founding moments, about what would have happened if George Hartung had not come to MiniCon, or I had followed my nature and hid-out from the crowds in the con suite, or so many other Madison- and non-Madison fans had not come by to get involved. WisCon is happily way beyond what I got involved for, and starting with WisCon 4 became a different but equally interesting entity whose cultural work goes on. Maybe MiniCon of 1976 was the first WisCon moment, but I look forward to many more to come.

Dr. Janice M. Bogstad, Reviewer
Professor, Head of Collection Development & Women's Studies Program

Cynthia Penn's Bookshelf
Jingle Bell Rock
Lori Foster, et al.
Zebra/Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 0758205694 $14.00

Six Christmas naughty but nice Christmas stories. Reviewing anthologies presents a challenge with so many stories in one compilation. JINGLE BELL ROCK, however, maintains an even pace among its six stories, resulting in a hot Christmas read that rocks! JINGLE BELL ROCK comes highly recommended. "He Sees You when You're Sleeping" by Lori Foster brings together best friends. With commitments he has yet to end, Booker cannot pursue his interest in his neighbor Frances until he learns his girlfriend has been hitting on his brother. With an outrageously amusing ending, "He Sees You when You're Sleeping" nicely showcases Foster's gift for combining humor and sensuality. "All She Wants for Christmas" by Janelle Denison's combines a Christmas wish with daring when Faith sits on Santa's knee. All she wants is one night of passion with Mathew, but what she gets is far more. A sexy, gentle tale of wishes coming true, Denison turns up the heat with flair! "Turning Up the Heat" by Susan Donovan lends freshness to the classic sex with a stranger fantasy. Valerie plans to spend Christmas Eve alone until sexy repairman Earl promises to fix more than just her broken furnace. Donovan displays a dazzling gift for adding zest to the holidays! "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Donna Kauffman reunites high school sweethearts. A snow storm provides Jace and Suzanna with the perfect opportunity to find a room and get reacquainted after ten years. Kauffman pens an endearing tale of passion and second chances. "A Blue Christmas" by Alison Kent also reunites high school sweethearts, though under different circumstances. Jessie returns to her hometown for the weekend to get her high school sweetheart in her bed again. A tale rich with emotional complexity, "A Blue Christmas" reveals an unexpected edge. "The Nutcracker Sweet" by Nancy Warren brings a whole new level of passion to a difficult office relationship. The same angst that makes their office encounters difficult lends Tara and Daniel a fabulously wild boldness. Warren proves that her talent with much longer works certainly extends the short story genre!

Milky Way Marmalade
Michael DiCerto
Zumaya Publications
P.O. Box 44062, Burnaby, B.C. V5B 4Y2, Canada
Paperback ISBN: 1894942213 $15.00
eBook/Multiple Formats $7.99

Very highly recommended. An orange cube of gelatin contains the ultimate knowledge in of the universe. Called L'Orange, or the Akashic Records, or the Philosopher's Stone, or the Universal Hologram, and so on, it contains the past, present and future of all things. In the year 3265, Trinesmart Quark, II, a "procurer" of exotic foods, travels the universe in pursuit of his trade, until he tires of killing exotics merely for the satisfaction of the extremely wealthy and indulged. Soon he finds himself in pursuit of L'Orange and engaged in a surreal adventure. Floating in the vastness of space, Caffrey discovers an ancient jukebox and recovers the sound of 20th century music. Living in a time when music no longer exists, Caffey finds that rock and roll speaks to his soul. His new passion lends new purpose to his life and he retire from procurement to spend his life on 20th century earth. But soon the android Poe 33, Portsmith to L'Orange finds him and ask for help. Suspiciously separated from L'Orange, Poe 33 needs Quark to help him before another entity can capture L'Orange and gain ultimate domination of the universe. Author Michael DiCerto pens a novel that combines the outrageous fun of HITCHHIKER THROUGH THE GALLAXY and Monty Python with the search for cosmic meaning. Exotic imaginings and bizarre adventure lend MILKY WAY MARMALADE an irresistible appeal with its whimsical and outrageous style. Science fiction fans will discover DiCerto's gift of fabulous characterizations and wicked plotting lends a dynamic freshness to the genre. With rich nuances that become at once spiritual and satirical, MILKY WAY MARMALADE belongs on the keeper shelf. Very highly recommended.

Lights, Cubicle, Action!
A.A. Cantor
DocVoc Press
PO Box 2458, Reston, Virginia 20195
ISBN 0970872801 $12.95

Very highly recommended. Judging by the cover, LIGHTS, CUBICLE, ACTION! appears to be yet another Dilbertesque comic book making light of the corporate world. Appearances in this case would be very deceiving. A quick perusal of its pages reveals the truth behind corporate rhetoric, unvarnished by any gloss or glamour. Instead, the wisdom offered is hard hitting, intensely critical and remarkable insightful. Indeed, its rather scathing evaluation of the cubeville reveals the harsh truths of cube dwelling that your boss would like you to forget. A.A. Cantor captures the brutal heart of corporate America in every page. Occasionally amusing, always astute, each page deftly reveals the ruthlessness of business and the keys to survival. Moreover, LIGHTS, CUBICLE, ACTION! offers far more than the cheesy optimism of teamwork and chasing the cheese characteristic of most books within this genre. A must read for all cube dwellers, LIGHTS, CUBICLE, ACTION! comes very highly recommended.

Invisible Promise
Benjamin Prager
1stBooks Library
2511 West Third Street, Bloomington, IN 47404
ISBN 1410778843 $14.50

Recommended with reservations. High class living does not bring Richard Vahnil happiness despite his perfect life, perfect wife and perfect son. Extreme emphasis on brand names and sophisticated taste leaves a lonely emptiness as he realizes that he and wife have the same exact conversation every day without her ever truly hearing him. But the true emptiness lies within Richard Vahnil himself. Back humor highlights Richard Vahnil's struggle to reconcile his domestic life and his fast-paced career. As his morals and values are called into question, Richard Vahil struggles to reconcile impossible situations. Unfortunately, he cannot anticipate the deepest challenges that await him. After all, nothing is ever what it seems. Readers expecting strong narrative flow are advised to look elsewhere. Sentence fragments, odd word usage and choppiness make for uncomfortable reading in INVISIBLE PROMISE. For example: "The rented 2002 Black Lincoln Town Car slammed tremendous. Physically crushing into the van's driver's side door. Throwing Stephen Festine completely across the front seat." Additionally, all men's names are listed as first and last name while women and children are called only by their first name-a powerful literary devise yet harshly disconcerting given the author's other stylistic choices. For readers expecting conventional formatting and literary flow, the author's unexpectedly jarring style will have them looking elsewhere. Readers seeking retro-advent guard stylism may find Benjamin Prager's style entertaining. INVISIBLE PROMISE is recommended with reservations.

The Gemini Trap
Charles Cronin
Publish America
P.O. Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705
ISBN 1592860818 $21.95

Very highly recommended. The Northern Vietnamese capture navy Pilot Lee Hall, setting into a motion a carefully planed and infinitely complex plan to learn the American's secrets. Once the Northern Vietnamese overwhelmed America forces with their advance technology obtained from Russia, but then the Americans develop electronic technology that allows them to overcome Northern Vietnamese air defense in battle. With Lee's capture, the Russian military plans to use him as bait. Lee's adopted brother becomes the target. Braxton Hall is offered the opportunity to ransom his brother in return for handing over the Air force's electronic warfare secrets. When an attempted rescue fails, Brax learns of his brother's worsening condition even as he falls in love with a Russian secret agent. Katrina easily manipulates the distraught Braxton into the ultimate betrayal. But the story only grows more complex wit bogus data and Russian agents determined to succeed. Readers who enjoyed author Charles Cronin's HILL GAMES will relish THE GEMINI TRAP. With a solid background drawn on Cronin's own professional experience as an independent consultant to the aerospace industry, THE GEMINI TRAP presents a riveting tale of espionage and the race to arms during the Vietnam era. The novel's balance of political intrigue and powerful characterizations results in a read that is impossible to put down. Indeed, the moral and ethical dilemma Braxton faces will tempt the most patriotic of hearts. The result is a powerful drama with multilayered depths comes very highly recommended.

Night Fever
Blaze No 105
Tori Carrington
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373791097 $4.50

Sizzling! Very highly recommended. Dr Layla Hollister enjoys the latest Hollywood gossip rag while she waits for friends to join her at a restaurant. Unexpectedly, a hunky stranger approaches her. Sam Lovejoy believes that she must be a model with her good looks and natural assets in a town where everyone seems to have had plastic surgery. Indeed, before becoming the new administrator of Trident Medical Center, he had performed plastic surgery on a large section of the rich and famous. Layla's initial negative comments about the new administrator lead him to conceal his identity and enjoy their evening before she discovers who Sam is. When Layla does learn his identity, she is frustrated to realize she had been attracted to a man with a reputation as a lady's man. Worse, she fears that her determination to retain her natural assets rather than improve them with cosmetic surgery would endanger a relationship with a man whose career centers around appearances. Writing team Tori Carrington once again pens a marvelous romance in NIGHT FEVER, the first of the Kiss and Tell miniseries. A sensual feast with surprising depth of characterization, NIGHT FEVER really turns up the heat. Layla's past presents her with insecurities that are hard to overcome even as Sam learns lessons of judging others and love. A feisty read that uniquely balances the male and female perspective as only this writing duo can do, NIGHT FEVER comes very highly recommended.

Sanctuary
Superromance No 1158
Brenda Novak
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373711581 $5.25

Powerful and poignant -- Very highly recommended. Ten years ago, sixteen-year-old Hope Tanner sought sanctuary at The Birth Place in Enchantment, New Mexico. There she gave birth and placed her child for adoption. It was a heart breaking decision meant to protect her daughter from growing up like she did in a polygamist community. Now an obstetric nurse, hoe lives very quietly, creating an oasis of her home as a refuge from her past. But she cannot forget the extended family she left behind. Finally Hope returns to the tiny community where she was raised. She comes away with her very pregnant sister Faith and a fear that they cannot escape the past. Determined to give her sister an opportunity for healing and independence, Hope returns with her sister to New Mexico to The Birth Place. Her return sparks unimaginable conflict for those who hold tragic secrets about her purported daughter and the nature of her adoption, and the adoptive father, Parker Reynolds. The fifth novel of The Birth Place series sparkles with author Brenda Novak's characteristic flair for endearing tales. Novak's look into the polygamist lifestyle will amaze many readers with it poignant, bittersweet quality. Novak's carefully crafted tale of heartbreak and triumph becomes one of those powerful reads that is impossible to put down. Memorable characterizations and impossible situations makes SANCTUARY come very highly recommended.

The Woman in the News
Superromance No 1161
K.N. Casper
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373711611 $5.25

A strong romance with grit and spirit -- Very highly rcommended. In Coyote Springs Texas, tragedy brings newscaster Marlee Reid and Renn Davis to the same side. Competitive and talented, Marlee deserves the position as sports anchor on KNCS-TV. But news director Renn has been sharp in his criticism, so his sudden support takes Marlee by surprise. However, the competition will stop at nothing to maintain his cushy position. Marlee boldly strolls into the men's locker room to get her story, even when the coach is outraged. Renn views her decision with amusement, even as notes of complaint are drowned by supportive fans. As ratings rise and Marlee and Renn fall in love, a note of discord threatens their newfound happiness. Marlee realizes she might not get the coveted position as sports anchor and makes her question her relationship with Renn. Once again author K.N. Casper pens a strong romance with grit in WOMAN IN THE NEWS. Boldly confronting the challenges faced by a woman competing in a male dominated field, WOMAN IN THE NEWS brings a note of authenticity to the storyline with a intrepid heroine willing to barge into a male locker room. Indeed, Marlee maintained both her dignity and sass regardless of the situation. Renn's mixed emotions, believing a woman does not belong in Marlee's position yet recognizing her talent and ability, brings hard ethical questions to bear. Although the plot of a woman making her way in a male dominated world is old news, Casper brings a note of freshness and relevance with his talented pen. Moreover, WOMAN IN THE NEWS comes very highly recommended.

Ummarked Man
Intrigue No 739
Darlene Scalera
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373227396 $4.75

Sizzling! Very highly recommended. Cissy Spgnola worries over her missing mother and sister, threatening phone calls and attempts on her life. When she discovers a wad of cash stuffed under the front seat of her mother's front seat, a beloved cherry red Thunderbird and the only personal item her mother left behind, Cissy suspects the worst. Unfortunately, her inquiry leads to a dead witness in her hotel room. Someone clearly intends to stop her, and only one man can help. Unfortunately, he once stole her virginity and her heart, so the prospect of accepting his help promises nothing but trouble. Nick Fiore trusts nothing and no one. While it leads to a lonely existence, such an approach to life makes for a great cop. But from their first kiss in years, Nick suddenly wants more. He knows that they will either kill each other or love each other as no other. Working together to find Cissy's missing family and to find the answers to a deadly conspiracy might rekindle their old romance, but they may not survive long enough to enjoy it. Author Darlene Scalera once again demonstrates her dazzling talent for creating bold tales and memorable characters in UNMARKED MAN. Having suffered from devastating career losses, Cissy returns to her roots with a sassy attitude that conceals poignant vulnerabilities. But her losses open Cissy to new possibilities as she would never have otherwise crossed paths with Nick, bad boy turned cop. Nick's bold daring and Cissy's feisty verve result in a combustible mix readers will adore. A sizzling read that is impossible to put down, UNMARKED MAN comes very highly recommended.

The C.E.O. & The Cookie Queen
American Romance No 992
Victoria Chancellor
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373169922 $4.75

An entrancing read -- Highly recommended. When the nutrition police target Huntington Foods, C.E.O. Greg Rafferty worries over the adverse publicity or sales. So he heads to Ranger Springs, Texas to seek help from the creator of the recipes for the cookies, Carole Jacks. While he expects Alice from the Brady Bunch, he finds a beautiful woman. She is also the most frustrating, stubborn, yet enticing. Worse, soon he finds himself purchasing Carole's daughter's twelve-hundred pound steer that depends on him for two meals a day plush snacks. Carole avoids email, faxes, and such, preferring all correspondence to arrive by mail. She very carefully protects her privacy even as she exchanges her recipes for financial security. So she completely mistrusts Greg's motives, especially when he purchases her daughter's prize winning bull. Carole assumes that Grey bought the bull and feigned interest in her to gain her cooperation. They certainly have little in common. Author Victoria Chancellor adds another charming tale to her popular Ranger Springs series with THE C.E.O. & THE COOKIE QUEEN. Carole's need for Greg in her life complicates her determination to protect her daughter in ways that are both believable and sympathetic. The town of Ranger Springs comes to life with a powerful cast of secondary characters and an entrancing atmosphere. THE C.E.O. & THE COOKIE QUEEN is a delightful read that comes highly recommended.

Her Beautiful Assassin
Family Secrets
Virginia Kantra
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373613725 $4.99 256 pages

Don't read the back of the book! Very highly recommended. Following her husband's death, Samantha Barnes becomes the interim U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Delmonico. She fills her sleepless nights with hard work that is satisfying. But her success comes at a price when a conspiracy at the highest levels threatens her safety. Someone wants her dead in order to stop a peace treaty, and it is up to Navy SEAL hero Marcus Evans to insure her safety. Marcus does not initially care for his newest assignment, but he does appreciate an attractive woman like Samantha. When his superiors suspect a mole and cannot guarantee Samantha's safety while she is in Washington. Under orders to get her out of town, Marcus kidnaps her. But isolation and absolute security is not enough to thwart the danger that lurks around Samantha even as she looses her heart to her protector. Do not read the back cover before plunging into HER BEAUTIFUL ASSASSIN if you dislike spoilers. But even if you do read the cover, author Virginia Kantra pens a strong enough read to rivet one's attention. With a couple of unexpected turns and plenty of deft plotting, Kantra once again proves her remarkable ability to pen strong romance with a twist. Indeed, Kantra exceeds expectations in HER BEAUTIFUL ASSASSIN which works equally as well as part of the Family Secrets series or a standalone. She skillfully includes information which ties the tale to the larger whole without getting lost in the explication that commonly grows tedious in such series. HER BEAUTIFUL ASSASSIN comes very highly recommended.

The One Safe Place
Superromance No 1146
Kathleen O'Brien
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373711468 $5.25 304 pages

Sparkling romance -- Very highly recommended. Millionaire Doug Lambert murdered her sister and stalks Faith Constable. When a bullet grazes her arm, Faith accepts the fact that she and her nephew Spencer must seek safety. Indeed, her sister had not been the target, but the victim of mistaken identity. Suddenly she and Spencer hold a disaster mentality; ever mindful that in the midst of ordinary living tragedy can forever alter their lives. So Faith and Spencer seek refuge in Firefly Glen at the home of Reed Fairmont. Two years ago Reed lost his wife, who was in her late twenties, to cancer. Now he opens his home to Faith and Spencer as a favor to a friend. While he hopes that Faith and Spencer will be safe with him, Reed mistrusts his ability to protect them. His wife's death has left doubt that he can protect those he cares for. Certainly the one thing he needs most however is being offered: a little Faith. Author Kathleen O'Brien's gift for creating entrancing romance dazzles in ONE SAFE PLACE. Tragedy leaves both Doug and Faith in desperate need of healing. Along with a wounded child, they discover the healing power of love. Once again the community of Firefly Glen springs vividly to life, resulting in a community readers will long linger in. A remarkable read that will touch the reader's heart, ONE SAFE PLACE comes very highly recommended.

Midnight Run
Intimate Moments No 1259
Linda Castillo
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373273290 $4.75 256 pages

Gripping! Very highly recommended. A desperate escape sends convicted killer Jack LaCroix to the doorstep of the woman who once loved him. Attorney Landis McAllister wants nothing to do with the man convicted of her brother's murder. Now he needs her help if he is to prove that he did not kill his partner. The money, the guns, the witnesses were all provided by Salt Lake City's most infamous drug lord. Jack's lawyer holds the information pivotal in exonerating him. Unfortunately, the lawyer is found murdered before he can turn the information over to Jack, or obtain verification through means the court will accept. Now Jack needs Landis to help him prove his innocence. But their contact puts both their lives in danger, and soon they find themselves on a heedless midnight run for justice. Author Linda Castillo's skill for creating gripping intensity sparkles in MIDNIGHT RUN. Landis faces profound ethical and moral dilemmas as the very foundation of her loyalty is questioned. Jack's determination and fierce passion lend the novel a tight edginess that keeps the drama unfolding quickly. With an intense pace, taut plotting and fantastic characterization, MIDNIGHT RUN comes very highly recommended.

Cowboy Lessons
American Romance No 985
Pamela Britton
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 037316985X $4.75 256 pages

Highly recommended. Amanda Johnson detests computer millionaire Scott Beringer who legally bought her father's spread, the Lazy Y Ranch, by paying delinquent back taxes. She wants Scott to leave while he needs to prove he can be an athletic geek if he can learn to become a cowboy. Scott wants to be a cowboy. Unfortunately, four days a week in the gym tones muscles, but does not provide any prowess. Scott cuts a deal with Amanda. She provides him with cowboy lessons and he will sell her father's ranch back to her. Amanda agrees, but soon they both learn far more than they ever expected. Author Pamela Britton pens a charming romance in COWBOY LESSONS. While the plot is familiar to all sub-genre fans, the marvelous cast of characters lends COWBOY LESSONS amusing originality and flair. Conflict isn't enough to keep this spunky couple apart, even as passion draws them ever closer. Amanda's father lends the novel a note of humor, setting this city slicker up for trouble. An entertaining afternoon's read, COWBOY LESSONS comes highly recommended.

Cynthia Penn
Reviewer

Kaveny's Bookshelf
I have lot territory and time to cover in this month's Kaveny's Bookshelf since I am really covering three months in one. Further I will be leaving for the united Kingdom in less than 48 hours. In other words some sixteen days before my usual deadline.

When I say cover, I am doing so in a both literal and figurative sense, since I seem to be fated to a destiny of never-ending travel. I in the process I hope will bring at least a few very interesting books to your attention. Some are classics some are brand new I will also report on a number of local cultural events and, and an international conferences which my Editor-in-Chief James A Cox Has given me free rein to cover.

I also want to add a note to whoever might have read my angst filled Oct. Feature. I want to report that evil twin may have briefly taken over my brain as complained about emotional the cost of being a writer. Or, perhaps it was something I had to get out from under my skin. But if truth is known I really like what I do with my life and this column is part of what I am and that is enough said about that.

By the time that most of you are reading this feature in early Dec, my wife Dr. Janice Bogstad who is The International Editor of Midwest Book Review and I will be winging or way back across the North Atlantic. At that point we will be on the return leg of our 18-day tour of the United Kingdom. (Look for a report on that for January 2004.) I just want note here that my friends say that I have the luck of the Irish, which certainly seems true in this case. Fortune favored us because we were able to convert our banked frequent flyer Miles into a non stop round trip tickets between Minneapolis International Airport and Gatwick International near London.

We will be taking the direct nearly circumpolar the route which nearly crosses Iceland Green land and the North Pole and then back south across Hudson Bay. I particularly love this route because it is fun to watch the Polar bears as they try to sneak up in the seals on the ice flows in the Hudson's bay. This is just a little challenging as you might image from 35,000 feet above sea level flying at nearly 647 miles an hour since both the Polar Bears and the ice flows are the same color, dirty white with yellow stains. But this is not as difficult as one might think. The trick is, you can spot the bears beady blood shot little eyes and black noses. That's what the seals told me anyway.

I spent Oct 15th 16th and 17th at The 18th International Medievalist conference which took place at Saint Louis University located in downtown Saint Louis I was delighted to be invited to participate in this conference as a book seller and book exhibitor. It was relatively small conference with an attendance of a little less than a hundred but what it lacked in size it made up for in vitality and energy. It also drew distinguished scholars from both Europe and Asia.

Before I go any farther I want to take a stab at clarifying the difference between Medieval Studies and Medievalism. In doing so I will go from the narrower to the broader term. Medieval Studies is the older of the two fields (at least in a formal academic sense) Medieval Studies is the older one encompasses but is not limited to textual studies translations, manuscript studies, church history, religious and lives of the Saints etc. The salient feature of Medieval studies is that one deals with and interpretation and transmission of primary source materials.

Medievalism is a much broader field of study and deals with the subsequent historical periods made use of and presented medieval material from roughly the one thousand year period from the fall of The Roman Empire in 476 to Luther and the reformation around 1517. This use can take just about any form The Internet Radio, Television, and of course dinner theater, and for that matter even theme parks, and of course literature. It also of it also includes the myriad of re-enactment groups which have been recreating the Middle Ages even while the were still going on .

This was certainly the case with my favorite Medieval English printer William Caxton 1422-1471 who was responsible for the printing and distribution of Sir Thomas Mallory's translation of Morte d'Arthur (The standard translation for the next 450 years) in 1485. Not only was Caxton England's first printer but he knew a good thing when he saw it. By this I mean that Caxton had a very modern eye for marketing potential of the emerging print media . For example, in his preface to The Order of Chivalry, a practical book on knight-errantry to go with Mallory's Romance, Caxton is quick to evoke a romantic past full of service honor and virtue, trust. This was in sharp contrast with the knights of contrast with the knights of his who altogether too un-Arthurian, spending far too much time at brothels, dice and "taking ease."

In a sense one could think about the existence of both god and the existence of the Middle Ages as a matter of necessity evoking one of the brightest beacons of the enlightenment Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778). To whom my late father Edward T Kaveny 1898-1985 (who was educated by the Jesuits at Holy University between 1915 -1919, and knew everything), attributed the phrase. "If god did not exist, man would have to invent him." The existence of both God and The Middle Ages makes our Modern and in many ways gloomy and tacky retro fitted a post industrial world a much more interesting tolerable place. Someone once said without religion as a salient and driving force in the history of art, museums would be filled with paintings of dogs playing poker, and paintings of cats and children with really big eyes.

With that thought in mind I want to get to my first review of the day. The Reel Middle Ages (ISBN: 0786405414 316pp, 117 photographs, bibliography, index , $78.50 library binding (7 x 10) 1999) by Kevin Hardy. It is a very fine, and handsomely packaged reference tool on acid free paper. The book has a very broad scope indeed. Since it includes citations on American, Western and Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Asian Films About Medieval Europe.

Hardy critically and authoritatively examines filmmakers over the last Century as the relate in cinematic forms the tales of old King Arthur, Robin Hood, The Crusades, Marco Polo, Joan of Arc as they have been told and retold. His approach is to create a critical filmography with a ninety nine year scope from the earliest of Georges Milis's films in 1897, to a 1996 animated Hunchback of Notre Dame, which is organized in an easy to use dictionary format with handy cross references.

This is the first comprehensive survey of over 900 and cinematic depictions of the European Middle Ages date of production, country of origin, director, production company, cast, and a synopsis and commentary. A bibliography, index, and over 100 stills complete this very handsomely produced work.

Kevin J. Hardy is professor chair of English at La Salle University in Philadelphia and associate editor of Arthuriana, the official journal of the North American Branch of the International Arthurian Society.

Yesterday I stumbled into a program at the Eau Claire public library which Happen to be about one of my favorite authors Kurt Vonnegut's greatest book

Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages; Dimensions (in inches): 0.63 x 6.77 x 4.16
Publisher: Dell Publishing.
Re-issue edition (December 1991)
ISBN: 0440180295 List price $7:50.

Originally published in 1969. The program was part of a four part series Entitled American at War-The Novels of Four American Wars. The other three being

The Red Badge of Courage
Originally by Stephen Crane (1871 1900)
First Published in 1895
Available on Amazon as Mass Market Paperback
Dimensions (in inches): 0.54 x 6.84 x4.20
Publisher: Tor Books
Reissue edition (July 1997)
ISBN: 0812504798 Price $3.95

A Farewell to Arms
Ernest Hemmingway (1929)
Available in Trade Paperback: 336 pages
Dimensions (in inches): 0.83 x 8.04 x 5.29
Publisher: Scribner; Reprint edition (June 1995)
ISBN: 0684801469 Price $10.00

The Things They Carried: A Work of Fiction
Trade Paperback: 272 pages
Dimensions (in inches): 0.74 x 8.04 x 5.30
Publisher: Broadway Books
Reprint edition (April 1999)
ISBN: 0767902890 Price $10.00

Sadly I could only attend the one discussion which was led by a Retired University of Wisconsin Eau Claire English Professor. It was like a seminar for the public with about fourteen people there and at least one Korean and one World war two Veteran. It is the sort of thing that really makes you love libraries.

Hello from the UK This is a bit of SF Fan History Wiscon 1-2-3 An Historical Perspective

My article deals with the history of WisCons 1, 2 and 3 1977-1978-1979 coordinated by Janice Bogstad. During that period WisCon was a joint program of The University of Wisconsin Extension Humanities Division, then headed by the late Dr. George Hartung, 1924-1997. The other party to this effort was the tax-exempt corporate entity called SF3, legally referred to as the Society for The Furtherance and Study of Fantasy and Science Fiction. Underlying that corporate entity was a loosely organized group of individuals who met every Wednesday night for dinner at Nick's Restaurant in the two hundred block of State Street in Madison, Wisconsin

Janice Bogstad, Hank Luttrell, Philip Kaveny, George Hartung, and Richard Russell, who completed the necessary corporate legal work to create a tax-exempt educational corporation, should, from my perspective be considered the founders of Wiscon and were absolutely essential figures in WisCons 1 through 3. The reason I can make this claim is I was there.

But, to understand the process that made all of this possible, it is necessary to move from corporate and legal organizational terms to the field of human experience. By the spring of 1976, there was a relatively active Madison Science fiction group that had been incorporated much against my wishes by Richard Russell. Madison fans had started to attend science fiction conventions as a group, perhaps the most important being Worldcon in Kansas City in 1976 where Janice Bogstad, then a graduate student in Chinese met Tom Moylan, an English instructor at two-year UW-system campus at Waukesha, and Mary Badami a Speech professor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Confluences of interest were discovered and correspondences began. As an historical note, at this time science fiction fandom and the science fiction community were pretty sexist. For example, in 1976 Robert Heinlien who now has and endowed chair named after him at the Naval academy was honored to have stripper Pacia Von Stern do a kind of personal lap dance for him in front of an audience of several thousand conventioneers. Heinlein spent the rest of the night with her bra hanging on his shoulder.

In any case, by the fall of 1975 I had also started attending science fiction conventions, the first one being Windycon in downtown Chicago. At the time I was working as a civil service janitor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Here I must make a kind of parenthetical note about the academic world and myself. I have always related to it as a problem customer might to his neighborhood pub. In 1967 I was thrown out of graduate school in Madison for writing the F word on all my finals, something more common in the Vietnam era than one might think. I returned in 1990 to earn a Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies, and again 1994 to complete a dissertation in 1998.

However, what really lead to the existence of the first WisCon in 1977 was a conversation that was held the spring before between myself, Janice Bogstad, Hank Luttrell, and George Hartung, first at the con suite at MiniCon, and later when we adjourned to a restaurant called "The Hungry Eye," in downtown Minneapolis. Four months later, George Called Jan Bogstad and asked her to coordinate a science fiction convention in the form of a University of Wisconsin Extension program. Hank Luttrell had a great deal of experience working on science fictions conventions in the St. Louis area, including the WorldCon in 1969 where he headed a department. I had no experience this area but I was curious.

I can still remember going to George Hartung's office planning to use numerous University of Wisconsin Madison Resources to make the convention happen. I felt if for a brief moment we had our hands on the controls of a very powerful apparatus, the University of Wisconsin Extension, to use for our own humanistic purposes. In a sense it felt very exciting and subversive. Almost like having one's hands on a very powerful crane.

Here is a point where I want to frame a question. After Worldcon 34, 1976, Mid-AmeriCon, perhaps a score of local science fiction conventions sprung up supported by their local fan groups. Most of them where what they called relaxiCons. What Made Wiscon I through different, and to an extent at least allowed them to set the stage for WisCons in the 90's and twenty-first century. First, I think that the key to all of it is programming. From the start, we who did WisCon took programming very seriously. This caused a number of folks who thought of themselves as big name fans, or SMOF (secret masters of fandom) to either leave the group because the felt neglected, or start to act more like adults than 30-year old children living in their parents' basements.

All of this was taking place at a time when there were some very exciting and dynamic things taking place in publishing which were making science fiction and fantasy academically interesting, and a very economically robust area of publishing. This also was the time when some of the old fannish false dichotomies were breaking down. For example Fanzine vs. Convention Fans, Media Fans vs. Print Fans, SerCons vs. RelaxiCons, and a lot of it was happening in Madison, Wisconsin of all Goddamm places, and in February when the weather is, at best, foul. Big name editors were coming to WisCon at their own or their publishers' expense. Dave Hartwell, Jim Frankel, Donald & Elsie

Wolhiem, and Marty Greenburg. The list of official guests was equally attractive during this same three-year period. There were never less than three tracks of programming, and of course success within a group always leads to dissention and jealousy, and knowing it or not people started to move on. But those who came to WisCon and those who stayed in the group stayed for the programming, and also for the emphasis on women writers that could be found nowhere else in fandom at the time.

Philip Kaveny
Reviewer

Klausner's Bookshelf
The Perils of Paella
Nancy Fairbanks
Berkley
ISBN 042519390X $25.99, 304 pp.

Ever since her children have grown up, Carolyn Blue is doing things that she wants to do. She is a syndicated food columnist, published writer and jets around the world, accompanying her husband to science conferences. Of course she always finds time to solve murder investigations along the way. Carolyn is currently in Barcelona visiting her friend Roberta Hecht, who is working in the research project at the El Esperit de Gaudi i Miro museum. When Carolyn goes to the museum she makes it a point to see the interactive exhibit "Tapas Triage" but is startled to find a dead woman who looks like her friend. It turns out that the woman was the mistress of the owner of the museum. In the xenophobic chauvinistic eyes of Inspector Pojol, who doesn't have a high opinion of American women, Roberta is the only suspect. Carolyn feels obligated to prove her friend's innocence without implicating Roberta's stepson who thinks he might have killed the victim. THE PERILS OF PAELLA is obviously a title twist of "The Perils of Pauline" as the heroine goes from one dangerous adventure into another one. Nancy Fairbanks has some mouth watering descriptions of Catalonian repasts so don't read this culinary mystery on an empty stomach something this reviewer learned first hand. However, my spouse rejected my placing culpability on Ms. Fairbanks for a large dessert I devoured. There are enough suspects to keep the storyline interesting without overwhelming the audience with trivia. This fast and funny who-done-it will have readers in stitches.

Cutwork
Monica Ferris
Berkley
ISBN 0425193896 $6.99

In the small Minnesota town of Excelsior, everyone looks forward to the yearly Art on the Lake Crafts Fair. At this year's event, Betsy Devonshire, owner of Crewel World mans the hospitality booth. When she hears sirens and sees people heading toward a booth near her, she stays away from it but people quickly tell her that someone slashed the throat of the woodcarver Robert McFey. It isn't long before the local police arrest sixteen-year-old Mickey Sinclair for the crime. Mickey's bloody fingerprint is found in the booth and money is found in his home. He denies being at the fair but other people have sees him there. Most townsfolk think he is a troubled person, but they don't believe he is a killer. After all the homicides Betsy has solved, the townsfolk want her to find the real killer so that Mickey's life isn't spent behind bars. What's very interesting about CUTWORK is that the family, neighbors and friends all believe the suspect is capable of criminal acts but don't believe he is a killer so they band together to pressure Betsy into solving the crime. Betsy doesn't want anything to do with the case until she sees Mickey and believes that he might be innocent of this crime. CUTWORK is a fabulous amateur sleuth tales filled with red herrings and misdirection to prevent the reader from seeing who the killer turns out to be until the final stitch is sewn.

A Dilly of a Death
Susan Wittig Albert
Berkley
ISBN 0425193993 $23.95, 336 pp.

China Bayles left a thriving law practice in Houston to become a shop owner in Pecan Springs, a quiet little town except for the occasional murder that somehow China is always investigating. Homicide is the last thing on China's mind as she gets ready for Picklefest, an annual event celebrating Morgan's Premier Pickles, the largest pickle making place west of the Mississippi. Phoebe Morgan controls Picklefest with an iron fist in a velvet glove. When the committee needs to meet with Phoebe, neither she, nor her boy toy Todd Kellerman can be found. A hard rain flushes Phoebe's body out of a containment area right outside the pickle factory. It isn't long before, the sheriff discovers that she was killed but she had so many enemies who wanted to kill her, he doesn't know where to start investigating first. Lucky for him he has China and Ruby who dig up enough information that China begins to realize who the killer might be. A DILLY OF A DEATH is a fantastic amateur sleuth novel as China deals with two businesses, Ruby's illegitimate daughter's problems, her & husband's her career all the while she is trying to find out who killed Phoebe and Todd. Readers care about China because the most important people in her life is her husband and her stepson and she never puts them on the back burner even when she is pulled in several directions at once. Susan Wittig Albert once again provides a who-done-it that is almost impossible to solve by a mere mortal.

Photo Finished
Laura Childs
Berkley
ISBN 0425194345 $5.99, 272 pp.

After a year of marriage, her husband quits his job at the bank and moves to his family place in the Bayou. Although Shamus comes from old world money he wants to be free and get his photographs into a high class gallery. The bond that ties Carmela to her husband is still strong so that neither has filed for a divorce. Still Carmela has moved on with her life in a professional capacity, opening a store in the French Quarter. Memory Mine sells scrapbooks and gives lessons to customers who want to turn them into art. Next door to Memory Mine is Menagerie Antiques owned by Bartholomew, a man who Carmela believes works on the wrong side of the law. One night while giving a craft lesson, Carmela's assistant finds Bart dead in the alley, a scissors in his chest. Everyone from her assistant to her best friend expects Carmela to uncover the identity of the killer and she does her best to accommodate their expectations. PHOTO FINISHED is an exciting amateur sleuth mystery starring a heroine that is impossible to not like. She moves at supersonic speed which means a fast plot, plenty of action and a lot at hair-raising adventure though why involvement in a homicide investigation seems stretched. Laura Childs takes the reader on a tour of New Orleans that seems so realistic that the audience will believe they are there. One should not read this novel on an empty stomach because the mouth watering descriptions of foods will make the reader visit the nearest five star restaurant.

The Hunter's Tale
Margaret Frazer
Berkley
ISBN 0425194019 $23.95, 336 pp.

Sir Ralph of Woodrim, owner of a manor house in Oxfordshire, England of 1458, is despised by his wife, his grown sons, his grandson and his young daughters. The only concern this vile man has is in the hounds and the hunt which his neighbor and friend Sir William is interested in also. One day when he goes into the woods to look for a missing hound, he doesn't come out. Family and Sir William find him dead, his face smashed to a bloody pulp. After the funeral services are over, his wife Lady Anneys goes to St Frideswide's nunnery to regain her emotional equilibrium. Not long after she arrives, she is called home again because her stepson was accidentally killed by Sir William. Dame Frevisse escorts her home and stays to give comfort to the family, but once she arrives there she finds secrets to uncover and killers to be identified. Readers who are interested in the Middle Ages will gain an interesting look into the lives of the minor gentry. Dame Frevisse can't stand to see a mystery stay unsolved so she does her best to learn who killed Sir Ralph, why Sir William is so interested in his deceased friend's family, and what is the secret that nobody wants to talk about or even think about. Margaret Frazer delivers another outstanding historical amateur sleuth tale.

The Shiloh Sisters
Michael Killian
Berkley
ISBN 0425194035 $13.00, 374 pp.

The Rebels surprised the Union troops at Shiloh and forced General Ulysses S. Grant to give ground until he was able to counter their offensive. In the middle of the battle May Abbott, the wife of a Congressman, receives a pass to go through the lines to see her twin sister in the Confederate held town of Corinth. After a very bloody battle, the Confederate troops retreat. Congressman Abbott puts pressure on General Grant to find out what happened to his wife. Harrison Raines, Union Spy in Pinkerton's Secret Service, is passing through Corinth and makes his way to Shiloh where he gives General Grant conformation on what is happening in the town. Grant assigns Raines the tasks of finding out what has become of the congressman's wife and it doesn't take too long to discover that she and her sister were both murdered. Now he has to find out who did it and why without getting killed. Nobody writes an American Civil War mystery better than Michael Killian. Readers will feel they are witnessing first hand the actual battle scene and its aftermath. The hero is a patriotic unorthodox spy whose unusual methods always seen to yield results. The romance between the protagonist and actress Louise Devere, who is a Union spy, a confederate agent, or both, provides a positive counterpoint to the atrocities of wartime.

Mrs. Jeffries Sweeps The Chimney
Emily Brghtwell
Berkley
ISBN 0425193918 $5.93, 215 pp.

Scotland Yard's Inspector Witherspoon is wealthy; lives in a luxurious townhouse in London, and his peers respect him and are in awe of his talent of always solving homicide cases assigned to him. People, including the inspector don't realize that his household staff, who care and love him and love being in on the chase, help him find the clues that will lead him to the killer. His latest case is very perplexing. The Reverend Jasper Claypool who has been in India for ten years has returned to England only to be killed the very same day. None of his heirs claim they have heard from him and a note in the Vicar's handwriting leads them to an abandoned cottage where the body of a woman was been placed in the chimney ten years ago. Both Witherspoon and his house staff are convinced the two are related but to solve this case will take all the resources they can muster and then some. MRS. JEFFRIES SWEEPS THE CHIMNEY is a delightful and refreshing amateur sleuth tale that relies on cerebral reasoning to solve the case. Witherspoon's staff acts like a tightly knit family who will go to any lengths to see their employer recognized as a hero in the eyes of his supervisors. Emily Brightwell can always be counted on to keep her audience entertained with her witty and upbeat mysteries.

The Princess of Park Lane
Jacqueline Navin
Berkley
ISBN: 0425193268 $5.99, 352 pp.

In 1811, widow Lady May Hayworth loves her commoner paramour Robert Carsons though he keeps secrets about his past, especially his family, from her. When her beloved scoundrel of a brother dies during a duel, May feels somewhat alone because he was the only person who shared her blood until she finds a journal that her rapscallion sibling kept about his women and the children he sired. May pledges to use her vast fortune to help her illegitimate nieces and nephews. She decides to sponsor niece Michaela Standish and her two siblings, but quickly realizes that her relative's mom treats her with scorn, perhaps lingering guilt for sleeping with her rascal brother. When Michaela meets Waterloo war hero Major Adrian Khoury sparks fly, but he chooses to ignore his feelings because he seeks a quiet supporting wife to further his political ambitions while Michaela breaks all the rules of the Ton. Still he considers a marriage of convenience that will conveniently let him share a bed with the beauty who has captured his heart. The cause of all these offspring is treated with an affectionate wink that he does not deserve due to his irresponsibility causing havoc on so many lives. Still fans will appreciate this Regency romance that focuses on a strong cast that includes the vulnerable Michaela, her deceased biological father, her disdainful mother, her envious sisters, her interfering matchmaking aunt, and her "not in love" war hero. Sub-genre readers will enjoy following the antics of this crew and look forward to May's next endeavor in Hyde Park.

Midnight Angel
Julie Beard
Berkley
ISBN: 0425194396 $6.99, 320 pp.

In 1880 London, everyone wonders about the MIDNIGHT ANGEL, an apparent wealthy aristocrat, who helps fallen women start anew at her shelter Stone House. Unbeknownst to everyone who speculates about this benefactor is that though he dresses like a man, MIDNIGHT ANGEL is Lady Lydia Beaumont, wife of an earl dying from syphilis. Actress Louise Canfield visits Beau and Lydia to obtain help as someone abducted her teenage daughter from the theater. Louise informs a stunned Beau that Sophia is his child from a long ago tryst. Beau's friends Todd and Clara Leach obtain the services of Lord "Clue", Hugh Montgomery known for solving cases. However, he and Lydia know each other from when they fell in love five years ago when she was known as Addie Parker. He thought she was dead while she felt he deserted her. As they work together, their love remains strong, but before either can think of the future a young girl needs rescuing. Readers will enjoy this Victorian romance starring two intrepid females trying to break the mode that leaves women in lesser roles. From the start, the story line grips the audience with Louise dressed as a man trying to rescue an aging whore who just lost her teen child to a nasty John. Though the personal relationship between Louise and Hugh is heated, resolution is simplified with Beaus' deteriorating health. Still fans will relish this powerful historical romance.

Good Morning, Heartache
Peter Duchin and John Morgan Wilson
Berkley
ISBN 042519180X $22.95, 304 pp.

The Philip Damon Orchestra heads for Los Angeles to perform at Hollywood producer Sid Zell's fiftieth year anniversary party. The band is also playing at the famous Cocoanut Grave Hotel for six weeks but they have one slight problem. They needs a trumpet player who can sing and the only person who comes close to mind is Buddy Bixby, just released from jail for heroin possession, and somehow mixed up in the murder of Angel Vargas, an illegal Mexican working security at the L. A. racetracks. Despite Buddy's track record and because he was good to Philip when his wife died, the orchestra leader hires him. Much to Phillip's surprise, Buddy knows Sid Zell and former child star Nicky Pembroke who worked in Mr. Zell's pictures. When first Buddy and then Nicky are murdered Philip believes the two deaths are connected with that of Angel because all three men had a sponge in their pocket. Phillip with the help of a friend starts investigating and they don't plan to give up until they identity the murderer. GOOD MORNING, HEARTACHE is a terrific amateur sleuth tale that takes place in 1960's California during the Watts riots. There is a surplus of suspects but it won't matter to the audience who the killer is because they are all selfish and arrogant people who believe the world owes them a living. Peter Duchin and John Morgan Wilson have created a colorful and enjoyable mystery series that this reviewer hopes goes on into and past the Summers of Love and Unrest and Rioting.

Coming Home
Dee Holmes
Berkley
ISBN: 0425193020 $5.99, 304 pp.

Massachusetts history teacher Daniel Cafferty proposes marriage to his girlfriend Olivia Halsey, but instead of joy she ends their relationship stating she does not want to marry. Daniel leaves heartbroken. Meanwhile, Olivia learns that her deceased parents' home that she now owns in Bishop, Rhode Island has been vandalized. Seeing an opportunity to escape, she flees for her hometown. Olivia's two best friends, Lexie James and Claire Fitgerald join her from Illinois and Virginia respectively. The three women, though living widely differing lifestyles, are at crossroads in their relationships with men. Olivia questions whether saying no was the right thing; Lexie wonders why one night stands leave her lonely and empty; Claire questions whether her husband even cares. The past is all around them in Bishop, but it is the future each one must decide on. Though at times having three adult women with varying relational issues to muddle through can seem overwhelming readers will appreciate this delightful contemporary tale. The story line mostly focuses on Olivia and to a degree Daniel, but also uses the subplots of Lexie and Claire to enhance the prime theme that relationships require communication, trust and work or they atrophy. Fans of modern day relationship dramas will enjoy COMING HOME with Dee Holmes who shows sometimes you can go home.

The Hanover Square Affair
Ashley Gardner
Berkley
ISBN 0425193306 $5.99, 272 pp.

Regency England in 1816 is not the best place for a lame soldier on half pay with no prospects and no hope of finding any. Captain Gabriel Lacey and his commanding officer were asked to leave the army to avoid a court martial and scandal but the animosity between the two men exist to this very day. Still his ex-commander's wife Louisa tries to mend the breach that she was inadvertently responsible for causing. Lacey rejects her overture but on his way to visit her without her husband there, he runs into a mob intending to assault the home of Josiah Horne. This curious captain goes to visit Josiah who thinks he wants the direction of a powerful man in the underworld. When he returns to the home to get the name, he find the man dead and castrated and a young girl drugged in a hidden compartment in the closet. He learns that another girl was there as well and he intends to find her or die trying. The protagonist of THE HANOVER SQUARE AFFAIR is one of the most honorable men to grace the pages of a mystery book. He will risk his own life to right a wrong and that is the reason the audience will come to care for him and hope one day in his future he will find happiness. Ashley Gardner's debut novel compares favorably with writers who have made the best seller list.

The Lipstick Chronicles
Kathryn Shay, Fiona Kelly, Vivian Leiber, and Lynn Emery
Berkley
ISBN: 0425191753 $13.00, 448 pp.

Anyone who knows Elyssa Wentworth believes her significant other is her company, Allheart.com an online greeting service. Potential investor Joe Monteigne of Highwire Industries wants to put capital into her firm because he sees possibilities, but Elyssa wonders if her attraction to Joe distorts her opinion. Elyssa's young personal assistant Robyn Barrett is struggling to get to work on the new ideas but her productivity has dropped. She is attracted to Steven Rood , a pianist she met at a club. She wants him, but she wonders if he can take her seriously as everyone knows she is a flit. Saleswoman Carole Titus is quite good at bringing in business to Allheart, but has no faith in men after years with her ex. That is until she is rescued by senate staffer Mitch Evans who is on a delayed flight. They are attracted to one another though she frets over being almost a decade older than him. Alix Harris is the only one with no male troubles as she lives with a stud and is as kind a person as anyone can be. However, Alix's perfect world of delicious breakfasts and weekend treks, etc. ends when she learns that her roommate is gay. However there is Marc Preston to consider. The four novellas are actually one collaborative novel that has plenty of camaraderie and romance lighting up the DC skies. The four "tales" plus that of a fifth female employee that runs through each segment are a delight for romance readers. The authors insure each woman never loses their basic personality established relatively early. Thus the audience receives a warm tale of friendship and love.

Really Dead
Gerry Boyle
Berkley
ISBN 0425192016 $23.95, 336 pp.

He works as a stringer for the New York Times covering the New England area while his lover Roxanne works as a field agent for social services. One day a priest informs her that a five-year old child told him (in her own way) that she was being abused. The parents are David and Maddie Connelly, a wealthy and prominent New England family, who don't have to work and have set up a foundation for worthy causes. After interviewing the little girl and her parents, they discover that the abuser was an Irish au pair who they sent back to Ireland. Drawn into the Connelly's social whirl, they meet Angel Morelli, a beautiful young woman who wants a piece of the good life and makes sure everyone knows it. The next time Jack sees Angel, she is lying in a back road in Maine, a homicide victim. Jack is doing a story on this tragedy when two goons warn him off but Jack doesn't scare easily, a trait that could put him and Roxanne in danger. REALLY DEAD is an excellent crime thriller starring a protagonist who has a knight in shining armor complex. He wants, needs, and desires to find the killer of a young woman snuffled out before she really had a chance to live. It's impossible not to like a hero like him. Gerry Boyle has set up his story with so many red herrings and a surplus of suspects that readers will be eager to read it in one sitting just to find out how all the pieces fit together.

Girls of Summer
Barbara Bretton
Berkley
ISBN: 0425192695 $5.99, 368 pp.

Obstetrician gynecologist Ellen Markowitz loves living in Shelter Rock Cove however, not as much as she loves Dr. Hall Talbot. She knows her feelings remain unrequited as he still loves Annie Galloway, who is married to someone else and has been for quite awhile. Ellen and Hall get drunk one evening and share a passionate night of love. The next day both are awkward with one another sharing the same bed. Both fear the impact on their friendship and professionalism that this one night stand can cause. When Ellen's half sister Deirdre arrives needing a temporary place to stay, she serves as a stimulus that makes the two medical practitioners understand that the heart is the most precious place for friendship to reside. Though they exchange feelings of love, will either one take the bold risk of saying so at the cost of their friendship. Fans of relationship dramas will appreciate GIRLS OF SUMMER though wonder about three strikes and your out with the lead protagonist failing four times and still infatuated with a married woman. The story line is loaded with angst not only from the regretting lead couple, but also between the step-siblings. Barbara Bretton provides deep tale of individuals struggling with caring connections of the heart.

Wildest Dreams
Janice Maynard, Morgan Leigh, and LuAnn McLane
Kensington
ISBN: 0758206941 $14.00, 352 pp.

"Suite's Secret" by Janice Maynard. Travel magazine reporter Rebecca Fraser asks Tennant Hotel chain CEO Sebastian Tennant permission to do an insider report on his secret erotic pleasure palace. He offers her a chance if she will pose as his wife while he goes incognito inspecting his latest hotel. She agrees and though an innocent, they make love inside Suite 13. Soon they fall in love, but he is worldly and she is naive. "Voices Carry". Camelot Reeve regrets accepting a job as personal assistant to the secretary of senior partner Jonah McCauley. Two months have passed and she fantasizes about the firm's top attorney. Jonah feels the same way, but he set the policy of new in house dating at McCauley, Parrish, and Hawke. "Cabin Fever" by LuAnn McLane. Under her real name, Rachel Manning writes inspirational tales for teenage girls. Under the pseudonym of Jade Johnstone, she writes promiscuous sex stories on girlsnightout.com. Her agent Jake Nichols seeks Rachel, whom he never met, so he looks for her isolated Kentucky cabin. When they meet, they are attracted to one another and soon fall in love, but is it Jade he desires or the total package? Though at times profanity is overused (which is too bad for at times using curse words really fits), fans will enjoy these three exotic romances starring couples who are so likable that readers will want each pair to make it, which they do a lot.

A Catered Murder
Isis Crawford
Kensington
ISBN 157566710X $22.00, 320 pp.

After discovering lover in bed with her friend and co-worker, Bernadette Simmons walks out of their house wearing only the clothes on her back and carrying her pocketbook. She returns to her hometown Longley where her father and sister still live in order to do some emotional healing. She helps her sister Libby cater the seventeenth Annual Clarington High school reunion with former alumni and guest of honor Laird Wrenn, a world renown horror author who just signed a seven figure book deal for two novels. At the reunion, Laird is giving his opening remarks when he takes a drink of water and dies almost instantly. The police believe the water is poisoned and the killer is Libby's friend Tiffany Doddy. The prime suspect had a very public fight with the author after she found out he was going to marry someone else after leading her on for almost two decades. Though Tiffany confesses, Libby refuses to believe her friend killed the man and decides to find the guilty party. Bernie also helps her sibling by questioning some viable suspects and by the time she figures out who the killer is, she is at that person's mercy. Fans who love culinary mysteries are going to gain pounds after reading this delicious who-done-it. The two Simmons sisters are heroines even though they think, act, and resolve problems differently. They bring a sense of balance to A CATERED MURDERED, a very exciting debut mystery by an author who provides a moveable feast starring characters readers will care about. The non-stop action adds another touch of excitement to this fast moving plot.

Did You Get the Vibe?
Kelly James-Enger
Kensington
ISBN: 0758205589 $12.95, 304 pp.

In Chicago, best friend attorneys Kate Becker and Tracy worry about men, weight, and prestige, but not necessarily in that order. Tracy lives with Tom who she likes and is comfortable with as he is a caring nice individual. However, deep in her heart, confiding only with Kate, Tracy knows he does not set off the vibe in her bones. Kate cannot even find a partner let alone a vibe or two. Both seek something more exciting in their lives especially since work is awful. They try cyber searching and exchange emails with alleged studs, but nothing lights the vibe that each one wants. So they have eating disorders and share their hurts and worry that this is all there is. Kate and Tracy are solid lead characters with intriguing flaws while the support cast enables the audience to further see their respective neuroses and fears. However, the story line is 200 proof chick lit, never leaving the crypt of rules for a moment. Thus DID YOU GET THE VIBE is for sub-genre purists who will devour Kelly James-Enger's angst-laden plot, but occasional readers will never feel the vibe.

Highlights to Heaven
Nancy J. Cohen
Kensington
ISBN 0758200706 $20.00, 240 pp.

Between owning and operating her own hair salon in a south Florida town and trying to keep her relationship with Detective Dalton Vail on an ever keel, one would think that Marla Shore doesn't have time for any extracurricular activities. When Dalton informs her that he got an anonymous tip that there is a dead body in her neighbor Goat's house, she's anxious to find out if it's true and what she can do to help. Against his better judgment, Dalton let's Marla accompany him to investigate the tip and they find the murdered body of a man in Goat's home only it is not her neighbor. By the time they identify the body, Marla start her own investigation as well as nurturing her relationship with Dalton's daughter. Before the killer is caught, Marla is mugged, kidnapped and almost gets into a fatal car accident, courtesy of a killer with a score to settle. HIGHLIGHTS TO HEAVEN is a heavenly amateur sleuth tale starring a protagonist who fills in every minute of her day, whether it's writing, sleuthing, or dealing with her matchmaking mother. Her deepening relationship with her lover's daughter is a beautiful scenario to read-about and comes across as totally believable. Nancy J. Cohen is excellent when it comes to plotting her adventurous storyline and creating eccentric adorable characters.

How to Treat a Lady
Karen Hawkins
Avon
ISBN: 0060514051 $5.99, 384 pp.

Chase St. John is upset with his so-called best friend Harry Annesley for always borrowing money that he never pays back. Worse Harry holds over his head the accident in which a drunken Chase ran over and killed a woman with his coach. Chase tells Harry no more as he plans to leave for the continent so as to not shame his family. He leaves behind his marker to pay his bar bill, but Harry steals the voucher. The four Ward females are in financial trouble when their matriarch informs banking assistant Gower that her oldest daughter Harriet has a wealthy fiance Captain John Frankenham. Soon rumors spread about John. Near the Ward home someone tries to kill Chase, who is rescued by Harriet. The women think he suffers from amnesia, which he does not, so her mother introduces him as Captain John. Chase thrives on the role because he finds himself very attracted to Harriet. The latest St. John ring tale is a fun story due to the shenanigans of Harriet's mother. The lead couple is a fine duo and the support cast enhances the depth of the tale. Though the villain seems ridiculous with how far he goes to accomplish his personal agenda, fans will appreciate this romance and look forward to the adventures of the next sibling possessing the undesired talisman ring (poor Devon).

The Duchess Diaries
Mia Ryan
Avon
ISBN: 006051969X $5.99, 384 pp.

The oldest of six sisters, Lara Darling has no plans to marry. However, her deceased grandmother, in her will, demands she go to London for a season to marry. Lara was ready to ignore the request until Nanny L dared her to find a wealthy spouse in one season without a dowry. Unable to pass on a dare, Lara agrees to go to London. To help Lara, grandma left her a guide diary to navigate through high society. However, unable to resist a dare from her coachman, "Baron" Griff Hallsbury she performs a driving feat only an expert could perform. Soon rumors and bets abound about a Mrs. Hastings who some members of the Ton believe is a better driver than the current champion Griff. As she and Griff fall in love, she plans to defeat him when they meet in a one on one race. Fans of Regency romances will appreciate this delightful charmer starring two brisk intriguing protagonists. Griff is a fallen aristocrat struggling to make ends meet; Lara is a daredevil gender bender yet mindful of McFly in Back to the Future with their respective reactions to a dare (or in the latter's case chicken). Her skills with the whip seem stretched even if she is talented because experience is vital and it is doubtful she had many opportunities. Still, readers will take great delight in her challenges of macho male domination.

Where Is He Now?
Jennifer Greene
Avon
ISBN: 0380819732 $6.99, 384 pp.

In Ann Arbor, Nate "Shadow" Donneli manages the family owned Donneli Motors, an antique car dealership. He also raises his daughter Caitlin by himself since his spouse divorced both their child and him. He is worried about the family business because someone, probably one of his siblings, is cleverly embezzling money from the firm. With her father, Jeanne "Peanut" Cassiday runs Oz Enterprises, which hosts events for organizations. She, her best friend, and a nerd are in charge of the fifteenth anniversary St. Sebastian High School reunion. Though preferring to avoid her reunion assignment, Jeanne visits Shadow, who was her high sweetheart, to ostensibly see if he will come as the person who was most likely to succeed. Instead she asks him why he deserted her. Unable to ignore their attraction, they start seeing each other. The promise of their teen love blossoms into adult forever feelings. However his daughter and her father depend on Nate and Jeanne respectively, making their vows of responsibility turn permanency between them as evanescent as it was back in high school. This is a fun contemporary romance with a wide cast that supplements the prime romance including a charming secondary love story. The where are they now feel to the plot makes for a fine time that will have readers asking the same questions about their high school peers. Though the embezzlement seems unnecessary, fans will appreciate this warm second chance at love.

A Greek God at the Ladies Club
Jenna McKnight
Avon
ISBN: 0060549270 $5.99, 384 pp.

Three thousand years ago, Zeus' son Darius and Queen Aara make love when her spouse King Edward arrives with an army. With no place to hide, Darius uses his power to turn himself into a statue. Edward sees the nude statue and slices off the marble penis before having his men toss the rest out the window. In the present Hermes visits his brother Darius who remains without a body as ruled by Zeus. He tells him that a St. Louis sculptor is building a statue of Darius from a photo taken from the works of Dr. Mickail, who pieced together the shattered stature sans a penis. Darius realizes this is his chance to regain a body, which he does when Alexandra de Marco unveiled her statue if him. As he tries to reward her with his body that the uptight artist rejects, they fall in love, but he is a child of the Greek Gods and she is a mortal making anything permanent impossible or is it? Readers will enjoy this romantic fantasy starring a delightful female protagonist and a somewhat haughty hunk. Though the audience will wonder what it will take for Darius to learn a lesson as he failed to get the message from being castrated and a three millennium bodiless debacle. Still sub-genre fans will appreciate this amusing tale of a mortal teaching a God-rake what really matters.

Almost Perfect
Denise Hampton
Avon
ISBN: 0060509112 $5.99, 384 pp.

Lord Buckstan enters the Conningsby home as if he owns it. His "visit" is to collect his gambling debt from winning at cards with Roland Conningsby. The stake was Conningby's teenage virginal daughter Elizabeth as his mistress. Eliza's older sister widow Cassie Marsten intercedes using an urn to hit Buckstan in the head and probably killing the odious aristocrat. Roland and his two daughters, nearly broke, flee to Aunt Philana's home in Scotland where card expert Cassie plans to win passage for the trio to America before she is arrested for murder. The threesome stays at Ryecroft Castle where widow Lucien Hollier is also. Lucien and Cassie fell in love six years ago, but he broke it off out of fear of being a laughingstock due to the pathetic Roland as an in-law. As Cassie and Lucien play cards, their love rekindles, but she expects him to ditch her again so she plans to flee with his loot. However, Buckstan is in town seeking vengeance and his debt paid while Lucien knows he immaturely erred the last time he courted Cassie and this time will rectify his mistake. Though Roland is so pathetic and Buckstan so odious they are cartoons of losers, ALMOST PERFECT lives up to its title due to the lead couple and her sister and his cousin. Fans will cherish Cassie, a delightful can do person, who must have inherited her mother's genes as she is no chip off her father's block. The audience will also hope that the nice Lucien comprehends that he loves her not the Ton or her father. Readers will enjoy this Regency romance just don't play cards with Cassie.

The Lady in Question
Victoria Alexander
Avon
ISBN: 0060517611 $7.50, 384 pp.

Six months ago, Miss Philadelphia "Delia" Effington became Lady Wilmont when she married the rake Charles Wilmont. A few days after their wedding, someone kills Charles who was actually using a rake masquerade to hide his espionage work for His Majesty. The Widow Delia fled the London scene for the Lake District in the dead of winter. Viscount Anthony St. Stephens goes undercover as an elderly butler in Delia's home because his government superiors believe she killed Charles. However, Anthony finds himself attracted to Delia who questions why she keeps thinking of an aging servant. When she pretends to be her twin sister in high society, Anthony discards his disguise to "court" her. However, he fears that he has fallen in love with a murderer while Delia is confused by her conflicting feelings. No question that Victoria Alexander is a talented author as she spins a delightful regency romance. The story line is fun to follow with its comedy of errors as no one is quite like they seem. Though Delia seems a bit out of character either as a moron or a brilliant strategist on an adventure, the plot remains solid and the key characters likable so that readers spend a fine time following along with the antics of the cast.

A Thoroughly Modern Princess
Wendy Corsi Staub
Avon
ISBN: 0380820544 $5.99, 384 pp.

Princess Emmaline of Verdunia feels American entrepreneur Granger Lockwood IV is perfect for her instead of her fiance Prince Remi of neighboring Buiron though she knows how important the royal coupling is to both nations. Unable to resist, Emmaline surrenders her regal virginity with Granger in his suite at the Traviata Hotel. A couple of months later she feeling nauseous and realizes she has missed her last few menstrual cycles. Not the same since his tryst with Emmaline, Granger informs his grandfather that he is leaving their company to obtain a personal life, something neither he nor his relative seem to have. Emmaline contacts Granger with the news of her pregnancy. He wants to do the right thing with her and their unborn especially since she has been on his mind since their sexcapade. However, a penniless unemployed gold spooned male and a cosset silver spooned royal seems like a doomed relationship as neither is used to wiping the applesauce off their respective chins. Humorously yet with a serious undertone, A THOROUGHLY MODERN PRINCESS is an interesting tale of two coddled individuals struggling to survive on love. The tale is at its best when Emmaline and Granger struggle to survive everyday living. However, the subplot also focuses on other people that in some ways enriches the novel, but at the same time diverts the audience from the prime theme. Still Wendy Corsi Staub provides a strong contemporary romance starring two charming lead characters and a powerful secondary cast who "know" what is best for this duet.

Wickedly Yours
Brenda Hiatt
Avon
ISBN: 0060507594 $5.99, 384 pp.

In 1816 Sarah Killian is shocked to learn her sixteen year old brother William ran away from his school. She travels to London to find work as a governess and to locate her errant sibling. She asks her relative Lady Mountheath for temporary shelter, but the odious woman puts her through a ringer before reluctantly accepting her impoverished relative as an employee. Only luck in terms of accidentally meeting Lord Mountheath keeps her out of the downstairs. Lord Peter Northrup assists Sarah on her way to asking Mountheath for shelter, but encounters her again at a social event. He likes her instantly though he hides his true self from her and the ton by pretending to be a peacock. Peter is surprised to learn that the arrest of the traitorous Black Bishop apparently means that the Robin Hood activities of the Saint of Seven Dials are over as the same man did both. As Sarah and Peter become better acquainted they fall in love and the Saint of Seven Dials still steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Peter must find the felon, but what will happen if he does unmask the thief who currently is his beloved Sarah trying to keep William from a life of crime? WICKEDLY YOURS is an exciting Regency romance that stars two delightful lead protagonists who readers will appreciate,. Though how Sarah becomes the latest Robin Hood like thief is not adequately explained, her adventures and her fear of her beloved finding the truth make Brenda Hiatt's tale into a fine read.

One Kiss From You
Christina Dodd
Avon
ISBN: 0060092661 $7.50, 384 pp.

In 1806 reticent Eleanor de Lacy impersonates her more outgoing cousin the Duchess of Magnus out of love for her relative, but wonders the price once she meets the target of this masquerade. Eleanor was to buy time for Madeline to straighten out this mess caused by her father agreeing to an engagement with a wealthy barbaric colonial. Eleanor and the duchess' fiance Remington Knight are both shocked by the attraction to one another and more so by how different their image is from the reality. As the Duchess works to free herself from this unwanted engagement, Eleanor and Remington becomes better acquainted until they fall in love. However, she is masquerading as her cousin while he has a hidden agenda of revenge that when either surfaces will destroy the key trust element of their budding relationship. Regency romance readers will take great pleasure with Christina Dodd's latest trading places tale. The story line is fast-paced and action-packed, but the key is the extended cast that makes the "family feud" seem genuine and even more important fresh as the sub-genre has had enough feuds to eradicate the Ton. The loving couples provide the right romantic spin especially when Eleanor and Remington exchange words and he "faints" out of love for her. Ms. Dodd is at her best with this delightful amusing tale of vengeance going awry. The Sapphire Sea

John B. Robinson

Morrow, Nov 2003, $22.95, 280 pp. ISBN: 0060527250

New Yorker jewel dealer Lonny Cushman works out of Diego-Suarez, Madagascar so he can avoid his demanding father and elude his estrange wife's lethal lawyers while hoping to make a find that will make him wealthy and enable him to see his daughter. While driving his motorcycle along the King's Reserve, he glances at a flash of blue that could only be from a gem. As he crashes, he observes a local holding a giant sapphire. Lonny has never seen a bigger nor more perfect jewel. He barters for his ticket to American affluence at the cost of a Malagasy spiritual wealth. Lonny plots to smuggle the blue gem out of the country, but he quickly realizes that everyone who covets ownership knows he possesses this sapphire. Military leaders, the police and the deadly tyrant "The First Rooster" will kill him for the jewel. Even a CIA agent tries to gain ownership as Lonny zigzags his way to the sea where the second and third legs of his escapade await him if he actually makes it. THE SAPPHIRE SEA is an exciting action packed adventure that will hook readers the moment Lonny crashes his bike. The story line moves at a rapid pace, but also provides a deep look at the large island off the east African coast; though clearly not as a travelogue for tourists. Despite the fact that some of the bullet dodging seems comical and turns villains into caricatures, fans will not care. Instead anyone who gains immense pleasure from a rollicking romp will read John B. Robinson's fast-paced terrific tale in one sitting.

Over the Edge of the World: Magellan's Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe
Laurence Bergreen
Morrow
ISBN: 0066211735 $27.95, 458 pp.

Laurence Bergreen provides a deep look at Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan's sixteenth century quest that led to the first known navigation of the world. This journey is a pivotal point in how Europeans viewed the world as people realized that not only will one not fall off the globe, but that Europe is not the epicenter of the orb. Mr. Bergreen followed the ill-fated journey through what is now the Straits of Magellan at the tip of South America and uses satellite images to further enhance the trek. Of interest to historical buffs is the daily journal that encompasses known research from around the globe. This includes sailor Albo's log and the comments of scholar sailor Pigafetta. The author debunks several modern day myths such as Magellan's mission was not go around the world, but to find a water route to the Spice Islands; and that the voyage was not glorious but brutal and filled with tragedy and misfortunes including the Captain having died in the Philippines. Magellan never made it. The trek took three years with only one ship with eighteen survivors making it back to Spain. This is a great account of one of the legendary journeys of history. Supplemented by maps, inserts, and first hand accounts, readers join on the harrowing trek that proved once and for all that the world is round. No one will feel over the edge with this great look at the "Terrifying Circumnavigation of the Globe" by Magellan and his crew.

Amelia Peabody's Egypt A Compendium
Elizabeth Peters & Kristen Whitbread
Morrow
ISBN: 0060538112 $29.95, 336 pp.

Egyptologists and readers of the long running Peabody series (mid 1970s) will appreciate this volume that provides deep insight into the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, a period of archeological activity that shed a light on the country's glorious heritage. The compilation takes the audience on tours of Cairo at the turn of the previous century and even more incredibly, a deep look while accompanying some of the archeologists at their digs into ancient tombs and temples. This is not a Peabody novel, but instead a marvelous glimpse at the history of Egypt with an emphasis on the Age of Archeology and the past it uncovered. The tome contains six hundred photographs and illustrations, a deep glossary, and several intriguing essays and commentaries from experts in the field. With the success of the recent Mummy movies and the long bestselling run of field archeologist Peabody and family, the well written, fascinating AMELIA PEABODY'S EGYPT A COMPENDIUM is a delight that brings to life the distant past and relatively recent past in a county with a rich heritage of many millenniums. Elizabeth Peters caps her great writing career with this tome that will fascinate her fans and those who cherish Egyptology.

The Canterbury Papers
Judith Koll Healey
Morrow
ISBN: 0060525355 $24.95, 368 pp.

In 1200 though an octogenarian, the former Queen of both France and England Eleanor remains a wily influence in state affairs. Through an intermediary, Eleanor asks her former ward Princess Alais to travel from France to Canterbury Cathedral to retrieve some letters she hid there that if revealed could doom King John's reign. Though angry with Eleanor for her part in denying her the chance to marry Richard, Alais travels with escort Sir Owain of Cardwyd, a knight of King Harry. Though Alais expected some danger, she thought overall the mission would be rather easy especially with her being sister to the King of France, Philippe. However, instead of the smooth completion of her quest, someone abducts Alais before she can accomplish the mission. Barely staying ahead of her unknown enemies, Alais joins with the Knights Templar to begin to uncover a conspiracy by powerful and evil people wanting to take over two kingdoms. THE CANTERBURY PAPERS is a strong historical fiction mystery that enables the audience to see an era filled with treachery that makes the Democrat and Republicans parties look like choirs. The story line is loaded with action, but it is the powerful characterizations especially Alais the forgotten princess that make the plot a must read for fans of medieval tales.

Now May You Weep
Deborah Crombie
Morrow
ISBN: 0060525231 $23.95, 384 pp.

Gemma Jones is taking a mini vacation from Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid and their two children. The Detective Inspector assigned to Notting Hill Police Station is traveling with her friend to the bed and breakfast Inner Free in a small village in the Scottish Highlands to take a cooking class. What Gemma didn't realize is that Hazel was rendezvousing with Donald Brodie, the only man she ever loved, even though she is married to Jim Cavendish and has a child with him. The group that are at the B&B all have ulterior motives for taking the class and emotions run high. When Gemma takes an early morning walk she stumbles across the body of Donald and finds herself in the middle of a homicide investigation during her vacation. Even though Gemma is out of her jurisdiction, she has a need to solve the case before the killer strikes again. There are so many suspects who would have liked to see the victim dead, from Brodie's mistress's boyfriend to Hazel's husband, readers come to understand that it is not only the B&B people who are the suspects. NOW MAY YOU WEEP concentrates on Gemma who is able to figure out who the killer is before the person is ready to strike again, but is not sure she can stop another homicide from happening. Deborah Crombie once again delivers a fascinating mystery starring characters who feel like old friends.

The Shores of Tomorrow
Roger MacBride Allen
Bantam
ISBN 0553583654 $6.50, 512 pp.

In the far distant future, mankind has learned, thanks to Oskar DeSilvo, how to terraform planets. Once that operation was complete, humanity would colonize that world but what few people know is that DeSilvo took credit for another person's concept. That individual had concluded that eventually terraforming would fail. The prediction proved true on the planet Blister just as it is now happening on Solace. Eventually all the terraformed worlds will collapse and the refugees will return to their home world, bringing with them spores and microbes that that will result in plagues and the death of humanity. The chronological patrol knows this and is trying to buy time by suppressing technologies. DeSilvo has found a way to prevent the eventual extinction of humanity but he must convince his most powerful enemy Anton Koffied that they must work together on his plan that will pit them against the chronological patrol and DeSilvo's many other enemies. Oskar DeSilvo is both the protagonist and the antagonist of THE SHORES OF TOMORROW. He lied and falsified information that could lead to the death of humanity but he acknowledges his guilt and is doing everything in his power to make restitution. There is much action in the several sub-plots that seamlessly flow into the main story line. Roger MacBride Allen may be new to the science fiction genre but there is no doubt that he is a rising star with the talent to rival the brightest suns of the galaxy.

Babylon Rising
Tim LaHaye and Greg Dinallo
Bantam
ISBN: 0553803220 $24.95

A biblical archeologist searches for artifacts that are found in the bible to prove that the events written about actually took place. He is no Indiana Jones but Professor Michael Murphy has had enough hair-raising adventures to rival that of the movie icon. Right now he is searching for the Brazen Serpent ordered destroyed by King Nebuchadnezzar because people worshipped the false idol and not the true God. Also interested in retrieving the Brazian Serpent is a mysterious, powerful and wealthy cabal known as the Seven. They control a multi-billionaire, who specializes in communications and electronics. They have entrusted their henchman Talon to retrieve the artifact once Murphy finds the three pieces but the Seven's lackey discovers that his opponent is formidable and the unspoken war they are engaged in will become very personal on both sides quite soon. Readers will find BABYLON RISING an exciting and fascinating thriller based on events and objects mentioned in the Bible. Tim LaHaye tantalizes his audience with The Seven, an evil group who wants to convert the planet into a one world religion that they can control. To do so, the Seven are trying to turn mankind against evangelical Christians who they paint as dangerous fanatics. The protagonist of this story is a loveable, sincere and honest person who will hopefully star in future adventures as this novel is a winner that deserves sequels.

Odd Thomas
Dean Koontz
Bantam
ISBN 0553802496 $26.95, 401 pp.

Odd Thomas is no typical twenty-year-old. What he considers ordinary most people would consider frightening. On August 14, he sees Penny a young child and knows instantly she is a ghost. Penny points out her killer and Odd gives chase finally apprehending him. The sheriff, who knows about Odd's psychic powers, uses him as an able tool in crime fighting. While working as a short order cook in a diner he notices a man with badachs (shades that never lived and feed off of violence) hovering over him. Believing that this stranger plans to do something that will result in a lot of deaths he tracks the man to his house and finds a file with the date August 15 in it. Odd surmises he has less than one day to stop what he thinks will be a blood bath judging from the amount of badachs hovering in town. Only Dean Koontz can blend a thriller and a horror novel together and make a novel that is better than the sum of its parts. ODD THOMAS is a likeable character that readers will want to mother (or big brother) because he is weighed down by the gift he possesses. He believes he must use it to help people no matter the toll it takes on him. This thrill-a-minute horror thriller is Mr. Koontz at his best.

The Charmer
Madeline Hunter
Bantam
ISBN: 0553585916 $5.99

In 1831 King William sends Adrian Burchard to bring Sophia Raughley back to England though she feels her home is in Paris after eight years there. However, with the death of her estranged father, Sophia inherits the Duchy of Everdom. This means among other things she is considered now a key political person because she controls several rotten borough representatives in the House of Commons including her escort. Adrian first meets Sophia when she is almost unconscious during an orgy. An artist stud that she sponsors slipped her a knock-out drug so that he could have sex with her even if she is out cold, but Adrian stops him. Taking advantage of her claim that she is married, Adrian says he is her spouse and demands that her sponsored artists must stay away from her. Adrian forces Sophia to return with him, but quickly finds himself in love with a woman he thought was a crazy nymphomaniac. She falls in love with her escort who she thinks is a pawn of the rich and famous starting with Wellington. As she did with THE SEDUCER and THE SAINT, Madeline Hunter provides her audience with an engaging historical romance that uses historical tidbits to bring alive the era and to enhance the lead couple, especially their relationship. Once Adrian arrives on the scene with his first impressions, the novel moves rather quickly forward as the twosome argue over just about everything except love. Madeline Hunter provides a delightful tale that will please her myriad of fans who can look forward to a sinful encore.

The X President
Philip E. Baruth
Bantam
ISBN: 0553802941 $11.95, 352 pp.

By 2055, Bill Clinton, known as BC, remains healthy though he is over a hundred years old and has outlived Hilary and Chelsea. However, history has devastated BC's two terms in office as the beginning of the end of the American dynasty. Surprisingly two particular acts that not only had nothing to do with the zipper, but also seemed reasonable and valid in the last decade of the previous century have haunted the United States and BC's standing in the halls of history. The expansion of NATO into the former Eastern Bloc and the signing of the Anti-Tobacco accord did not turn out as expected. Instead the world has been devastated by World War III, commonly known as the Cigarette Wars and a lack of privacy led by the intrusive government. BC wants a second chance to rewrite history so he hires biographer Sal Hayden to spin his definitive biography. Instead his former crew (James, George and the Virginia National Security Team) abduct Sal. The group takes a trip first back to 1963 and then to 1995 to revise history at it source. Though the ending seems too vague, THE X PRESIDENT is a great political science fiction satire. The story line works on several levels but mostly because of how cleverly Philip E. Baruth releases tidbits that hook the audience into wanting more. The key players Bill, James and George are captured brilliantly so that they seem to have rolled off the TV screen into the crossfire of the story line. Sal is the perfect acerbic companion whom rounds out a powerful tale. Perhaps next up could be in the year 2525 the Bush Dynasty is still alive.

Clade
Mark Budz
Bantam
ISBN 0553586580 $6.99, 384 pp.

Planet Earth is not a self-sustaining orb anymore ever since the ecocaust occurred causing the destruction of humongous land masses all over Terra; killing untold billions. Scientists work feverishly to save theplanet as the ice caps rise, causing the oceans to deepen, drowning islands and shorelines. The ozone layer has more holes than Swiss cheese so that many inland communities are domed. Populations are confined to certain geographical regions known as ecotectural zones or Clades and bioengineered sensors prevent one community from interacting with another. Genetically engineered plants and trees pump badly needed oxygen in the air and people like Rigo is a sytech working for Neogenetic's and does his best to work within the system, until he understands that through bioengineering and the use of pherions, the powers that be control what one thinks and feels. Now Rigs works within the system to change it. Thanks to mankind's greed, stupidity and blindness, Earth has destroyed itself. Now instead of starting over, the in crowd is rebuilding the world the way it used to be only now they are in charge. There are such strict class and caste structures that artificial wars exist between people. Everyone knows they are being drugged into docility but very few care and those that do are the true heroes of the CLADE.

With This Puzzle, I Thee Kill
Parnell Hall
Bantam
ISBN 0553802410 $23.95, 384 pp.

Sherry Carter is the real puzzle lady who constructs them for a syndicated column but because she is so shy, everyone thinks her aunt Cara Felton is the puzzle maker because she takes the credit and makes public appearances. The truth of the matter is she couldn't solve a crossword puzzle let alone construct one but she is very good at solving homicides. Murder is the last thing from Cora's mind as she gets ready to marry California businessman Raymond Harstein III but Sherry is frantic because she knows nothing about the man. Matters become much worse when Sherry's best friend announces she is marrying Sherry's physically abusive ex-husband Dennis and they want her to be the maid of honor. A series of cryptograms threatens Raymond if the wedding isn't stopped. When the messages are ignored he is murder with Dennis charged for the crime. Cora is positive Dennis didn't kill anyone and she sets out to prove it to make sure Sherry doesn't soften towards him and to get her mind off her own grief. WITH THIS PUZZLE I THEE KILL is the best book in the series because there are two separate, fulfilling sub-plots and the antagonist from either one could be the killer. Parnell Hall has a wicked sense of humor and it comes out through the dialogues of his characters, especially conversations that take place between Cora and her niece. This amateur sleuth novel will be a thrill for those who like a cerebral puzzle.

The Saint
Madeline Hunter
Bantam
ISBN: 0553585908 $5.99, 432 pp.

In 1823 Lord Vergil LaClare barely can hold his anger in check while the villainess Jane Ormond sings an aria. He informs Jane, companion to his mousy American ward, Bianca Kenwood, that her plot failed and if she wants to avoid Newgate, she better flee for her homeland immediately. Jane looks Vergil in the eyes and blithely informs him that he got everything wrong as there is no white slave sale as she is Bianca. She also wants her inheritance so that she can study opera. Stunned, Vergil rejects her plan as being beneath a lady. He "abducts" her taking Bianca to his country estate where he plans to force her to disavow her singing on the stage. As Bianca and Vergil become acquainted they fall in love. However, can a prim and proper English aristocrat and an independent fiery colonial find a consensus solution that will make both more than they are separately especially with murder and mayhem accompanying them? THE SAINT is an exhilarating late Regency romance starring an irresistible force and an immovable object. Readers will value highly the gender war between Vergil and Bianca as their battles are witty and fun to observe as long as you remain outside the firing line. The murder mystery and other intrigue add suspense and helps drive the lead couple together, but also takes the audience on a sidestep from the key to Madeline Hunter's powerful tale: the third war for American independence.

Hot Number
Sheridon Smythe
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525232 $6.99, 384 pp.

Ashley and Michael Kavanagh divorced two years ago over her mistrust of him but both insist to themselves and to his sister and her best friend Kim that they are over the other. Each one plans to marry someone else and Kim is sad because she knows they still love one another. Realtor Ashley has had a terrible day when her car broke down as she was to meet a client and subsequently learns that her furnace caused a fire in her home. . Her only hope for salvation is the lottery draw that she has faithfully played using the anniversary of her first date with Michael and her wedding day as her lucky numbers. Her bad day turns around when she hears the winning ticket is one of her lucky numbers. Michael happens to be the other winner. Kim arranges a cruise vacation for Ashley and Michael, but fails to tell either that they will share a ship let alone a cabin. Though they squabble, both realize they still love the other, but obstinately neither wants to admit it for fear of rejection and ridicule. Kim's blatant matchmaking looks doomed to failure. HOT NUMBER is an amusing contemporary romance that leaves the audience chuckling at some of the antics of the lead couple and Kim. However, Ashley comes across as spoiled as she never takes the time to find out what really happened, but instead J'accuse Michael and walked. Though Kim is a female Machiavellian, fans will understand her tactics and applaud them as a last ditch desperate Hail Mary pass.

The Conqueror
Judith E. French
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525712 $5.99, 320 pp.

No one has come close to conquering the mountainous twin kingdoms of Bactria and Sogdiana. After Darius and the Persians fell, Bactria went next. Now Alexander the Great and his Macedonian horde have reached Sogdiana where he offers the current ruler a deal. Knowing the impossible has happened, Oxyartes is ready to negotiate terms though his warrior daughter Roxanne wants to fight to the death. As a good soldier, Roxanne does her duty and joins Alexander as he continues to lead his armies towards the Indus River. Surprising herself, she falls in love with the Conqueror. Still she realizes his shortcomings as Alexander not only has an appetite for other women even if Roxanne is the one that grips his heart and soul, but also an inner demon to dominate the world that supersedes all his other needs including Roxanne. THE CONQUEROR is a strong historical tale that brings to life one of the great (no pun intended) individuals. The story line is action packed and filled with Ancient Macedonian tidbits that will especially please the military subgroup as war is a prime element of the society. Roxanne is a solid counterpoint to Alexander, the ultimate hunk for the romance fan even if that subplot takes a back seat to a terrific look into the ancient world.

A Girl's Guide to Vampires
Katie MacAlister
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525305 $6.99, 374 pp.

Based on C.J. Dante's Book of Secrets Roxy and Joy head to the Czech republic ostensibly seeking men, but it is the in place for vampires. The two American females attend the Moravian Gothfaire on All Hallow's Eve at Drahanska Castle where they meet men claiming to be vampires. Of course these modern women reject the notion of someone drinking blood from a live mortal though the participants heat their blood. However, Joy begins to envision weird happenings like blood drinking. She starts to wonder if a real vampire is sending her flashes as a means of courting her. Could that creature of the night be the human hunk Raphael St. John who makes Joy's blood boil or is someone else seeking her as his soul mate? Readers who delight in satiric romances will want to learn the rules of A GIRL'S GUIDE TO VAMPIRES. For the most part the story line is an amusing farce that loses some steam when ironically the plot turns into a terse suspense murder mystery. Raphael is quite the hunk whether he is or isn't a vampire and the support crew like Roxy and another pal Miranda add depth. However this tale belongs to Joy, the six foot brick oven Amazon, who, no one in their right mind regardless of gender will want to fight without supernatural powers.

Outsiders
Melanie Jackson
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525674 $5.99, 342 pp.

Cyra Delphin grew up hiding her "Wildside" connection from other people. Her parents feared for Cyra's safety if she revealed her seemingly otherworldly talents. However, as an adult though she tried, the call of Wildside proved too much for the scientist especially when her fiance Larry stole two years of hard data from research she conducted. Cyra seeks Humans Under Ground (HUG) feeling these individuals will share similar talents with her. Her quest takes her to Nevada where Cyra meets Thomas Marrowbone, a lonely inhuman wizard. As Thomas helps Cyra learn just why she feels so different from humans, they fall in love. However, he has mission to fight the goblins in Sin City and does not want her to come. Cyra will go into hell to help her beloved win. As with TRAVELER, the world of OUTSIDERS is filled with mythological creatures that seem so genuine that the audience will demand Melanie Jackson takes a DNA test. The story line is action packed from the moment Cyra meets Thomas. That duo is a delightful pair who realizes that with one another they have found something rare and sacred, but duty calls first. Fans of supernatural romances will want to visit the strange world of Ms. Jackson because a visual treat awaits them.

Almost an Angel
Katherine Greyle
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525488 $5.99, 309 pp.

Though not totally sure, Carolly Hanson assumes that she must be an angel because she has been reincarnated several times into new lives. Because she feels she must be God's messenger, Carolly tries to help people in whatever reincarnation she finds herself in, but her Good Samaritan efforts are futile failures. This time Carolly lands in 1815 England where she finds her next target the aristocratic James Northram. James thinks that someone beat Carolly when she lands on Earth though it was her normal reaction when she starts a new life. Still going against his nature he offers her sanctuary. Soon James is attracted to his charming, witty, and crazy guest. He cannot believe that Carolly has no intension of using some sort of lunatic ruse to force him to marry her. Worse, James hates the parade of females she sends his way because nutcase or not his true love is the matchmaking angel that he found mysteriously in his arms. ALMOST AN ANGEL is a refreshingly unique "time travel" (loosely speaking) reincarnation romance that fans who delight in something rather different will want to read. Carolly is an interesting protagonist, a characterization of Handel's spring, as she has not yet learned why she has been reincarnated several times. James is a great counterpoint struggling to remain a brooding individual, but failing due to the optimism of the woman he cherishes. Katherine Greyle furbishes a unique take that paranormal romance readers will devour.

Border Dogs
Karen Palmer
Soho
ISBN: 1569473536 $12.00, 293 pp.

Perhaps California border patrol cop James Reese understands the "line" separating his home state from Mexico better than most people because he is a mixed blood having a Mexican mother and an Anglo father. As part of a smoking team flushing out the human "coyotes" from their hiding places in the border desert, James almost dies when his equipment malfunctions. He wonders if peer Leo Tutrone sabotaged his apparatus because of Mercedes, who was the former's girlfriend but is now married to the latter. Reese soon has more reasons to suspect Leo is up to no good when he learns that his rival has ties to deadly coyote Richard "Anteater" Serrano. Reese investigates the Anteater, who was a key player in the conviction of Reese's biological father for murdering a pregnant woman. Reese believes that his now deceased father was framed by the Anteater and his odious associates, but why and where does Leo fit in is what he wants to know. This is a delightful police procedural due to the solid underpinning (brilliantly described by Karen Palmer) of the ever going "war" between the coyotes and the border cops. The strong cast makes the tale as readers will feel the desert border through both sides f the line. Especially solid is the hero who struggles in his personal life, wonders if a colleague is betraying him, and has a vendetta against a certain nasty coyote. All this supports a fun investigation that will send readers like this reviewer seeking Ms. Palmer's first novel, ALL SAINTS.

Night Wolf
Cassie Edwards
Signet
ISBN: 0451210786 $6.99, 353 pp.

In 1846 Montana Territory, Trader Joe's daughter Marissa McHugh and Cree Chief Night Wolf meet for the first time when he makes some young bucks return stolen potatoes to Father Mulvaney. The two of them are instantly attracted to one another and could easily be in love at first sight. Both know they cannot acquiesce to their feelings. He must marry a Chippewa that will lead to an alliance that will help keep his people safe. Her father pressures her to marry a military officer from nearby Fort Harris. As Night Wolf and Marissa struggle to do the right thing, she learns a biological family secret that shakes her to the core. She turns to the man she loves for solace. Now their passion is out in the open, but Night Wolf has a duty to perform that is more important than his personal feelings, making it impossible for a permanent relationship with the woman he loves. Though the resolution of Night Wolf's dilemma occurs too easily and the plot lacks conflict between the lead couple (all troubles are external), fans will enjoy Cassie Edwards' latest Indian romance. The story line provides deep insight into the Cree lifestyle in the mid nineteenth century while also providing a well developed love story. Long time fans of Ms. Edwards will welcome NIGHT WOLF.

Undone
Virginia Henley
Signet
ISBN: 0451210646 $6.99, 416 pp.

In 1751 in a remote part of Ireland, Duke John Gunning and Elizabeth Gunning, meeting for the first time, share a Midsummer Night's Dream encounter. Both are attracted to one another, but neither expects an aristocrat and a commoner to run into each other ever again as their circles are quite different. Elizabeth's pushy mom plans to have both her daughters perform on the stage. She turns to her friend actress Peg Wolffington for help. Peg takes to the two young females and arranges for the three women to see her perform at Dublin Castle. She goes so far as to sham a relationship insisting that the two siblings are daughters of Viscount Mayo, a lord in the most remote isolated part of the country. However, also at the castle is John, whose silence can only be bought with kisses from the real Elizabeth, not the performer. This is a fun Georgian Era romance that puts a twist on the taboo of acting by making it an acceptable occupation. The story line grips the readers as John and Elizabeth fall in love, but must cope with the overarching reach of her mom, who would be the mother-in-law from hell. Fans of the period will enjoy Virginia Henley's latest tale because as usual the author provides a deep historical piece inside a strong character driven romance.

Blue Skies
Catherine Anderson
Signet
ISBN: 0451210751 $6.99, 432 pp.

In Crystal Falls, Oregon Carly Adams feels like a new born ever since she had the operation that gave her the gift of sight especially now that she can see males. In high school she always wondered what the big deal was, but seeing Hank Coulter at a country and western bar explains everything. That night Hanbk and Carly make love, but though he is drunk he is shocked that she was a virgin. Six months later, Carly is pregnant from her only sexual encounter, which could destroy the good that the operation did for her eyes. When Hank learns she is pregnant with his child and her vision is threatened, he coaxes her into a marriage of convenience. Rather soon, Hank changes his mind on the state of matrimony as he wants Carly to wake up with the sight of him everyday. He also wants their child, but fears the cost to his beloved. Adding to his woes is that Carly does not believe her hedonistic husband has found love. Though one wonders why shy virgin Carly accepts a one night stand with Hank that seems out of character for her even if she is doing the town for the first time, fans will appreciate this angst-laden contemporary romance due to the dilemma confronting the heroine. Though Hank is a solid good time Charlie male, clearly the courageous Carly, acting brave in the face of personal disaster knowing that most likely either her child or her sight must go, makes the tale into a page turner. The audience will admire her inner strength and each one of us will wonder what we would do with this choice.

Deadly Games
Thom Racina
Signet
ISBN 045121076X $7.50, 384 pp.

The world's premier computer game programmer Tyler and Quinn, a woman who heads a foundation that gives computers to the needy in all parts of the world, met at Costco and soon they married. Quinn is the happiest woman on earth because she is in love again. She begins to have doubts about her husband when she learns that he has a brother he never mentioned. The sibling is in prison for hacking into the Pentagon's computer. Next Quinn discovers that Tyler's number one bestselling game has subliminal messages that program the hardcore users to kill religious leaders. She confides her fear to a closes friend, an FBI agent but he is murdered before they can find hard evidence against Tyler. Quinn talks to the agent's partner, but he too disappears. Now she concludes that the new version of Practice Run due in stores on Easter will cause a blood bath against religious figures yet she still struggles with accepting Tyler is a killer. Thom Racina is one of the most exciting suspense authors of our time, always writing a book that is believable and unforgettable. DEADLY GAMES is one of his most fascinating books to date because readers don't want Quinn's husband to be the villain. He is portrayed for much of the book as a kind-hearted loving spouse and the audience finds themselves, like Quinn, under his spell and hoping that he is not a killer (kind of like Hitchcock's' Suspicion). There is so much action in this crime thriller that it is a wonder that the characters are so three dimensional and realistic, a testimony to Mr. Racina's talent.

Oklahoma Bride
Carol Finch
Harlequin
ISBN: 0373292864 $5.25

In 1889 Indian Territory, military Commander Rafe Hunter and his troops try to keep law and order just before the first Land Run is to begin. He knows that he must warily watch the nearby Cheyenne-Arapaho reservation to insure troublemakers do not disrupt the land distribution race that will start very shortly. He also keeps an eye out for "Sooners", cheaters trying to grab land too soon by sneaking out before the contest starts. Rafe arrests Karissa Baxter for jumping the gun on the Land Run. He fears for her safety so he keeps her in his room, but wonders who will keep her protected from him as he desires her like no one before. Unable to resist Rafe decides to help Karissa obtain the land she wants, but as they fall in love, a rogue covets that claim (and others) and his fiancee arrives from the east to claim him. OKLAHOMA BRIDE is an action packed western romance that never slows down from the moment the protagonists meet. The story line is fast-paced, filled with adventure, but also provides a deep look at an intriguing moment in American history. Though the antagonists are too obvious to compete against the heroes, fans will enjoy joining the Sooners, soldiers, and others, but especially the lead couple during the first Land Run.

A Hero's Kiss
Diana Palmer, Judith Stacy, and Mary Burton
Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0373835620 $6.99

"The Founding Father" by Diana Palmer. Former Georgian farmer turned Texas rancher Big John Jacobs hopes to persuade New York tycoon Terrance Colby to swing a rail past his spread to expedite the moving of cattle. John offers a business marriage to Terrance's unmarriageable daughter Camilla Ellen. He would receive access to her father while she would gain her freedom, but neither expected love to emerge. This is a solid Tall Texan tale starring an honest hero showcased in an intelligent story line though one must question the change in Camilla from rug rat to heroine. "Wild West Wager" by Judith Stacy. In 1888 Colorado, saloon owner Jack Delaney does the unthinkable when he becomes the first male to enter the Marlow Tea Room. Jack hires the tearoom co-owner Rebecca Merriweather to decorate his new house so that his eastern company will feel at home. Though she thinks he is bringing his fiance west, they fall in love. This is a fine lighthearted western romance. "Snow Maiden" by Mary Burton. In Colorado, business mogul Adam Richmond wants the construction of the new organ to fail because that will badly reflect on the new minister, who he wants to keep away from his sister. He offers the builder Russian emigrant Sophia Petrovnova money to leave town, but she refuses though the cash would enable her to go home. Sophia loves Adam, but knows his heart is colder than her homeland's winters though she had hoped to melt it. Fans will enjoy this warm yet simplistic tale of redemption. All three intriguing western romances bring to life the late nineteenth century through strong lead couples and fine support casts.

The Surgeon
Kate Bridges
Harlequin Historical
ISBN: 0373292856 $5.25, 300 pp.

In 1889 Calgary, Dr. John Calloway serves as chief surgeon for the North West Mounted Police. After a long day of what seems like assembly line surgery since someone murdered his best friend fellow surgeon Wesley Quinn, John needs rest. However, the weary John finds Sarah O'Neill in his room going through his closet. John has no idea who Sarah is or why she is here in his room. As a joke on their commander, John's unit advertised for a bride for him, ultimately selected Sarah as his wife, and sent her a ticket to come to Calgary. After the initial shock passes and John learns the truth that she is his mail order bride, he sanctimoniously informs Sarah that no real woman would accept that type of proposal unless she was desperate or running away. John plans to send her home, but Sarah blithely shakes him further by courageously rejecting his offer. She intends to find work as a gunsmith and remain in town. As John feels responsible for her, she rejects his protection. Still, they fall in love, but will he realize this his first impression about Sarah was off the mark and that they can share a lifetime of love if he heeds his heart and if she trusts him with hers. Based on a real 1880s incident, THE SURGEON is a delightful Canadian historical romance that provides a bridge into a bygone era. The story line is character driven led by a strong lead couple, interfering and smirking support cast, and Calgary, which takes on a dimension of its own. Kate Bridges vividly conveys living and loving in late nineteenth century in the province of Alberta.

Anything Goes
Debbi Rawlins
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 037379116X $4.50, 250 pp.

Carly Saunders knows that next week she will return home to Oroville as the newest middle school teacher and to her role of the prim and proper daughter of the local pastor. However that is next week so encouraged by her pal Ginger she plans seven sultry sunny sexy days with a stranger. Alas poor Carly finds that the hunk she has met is h

Bogstad's Bookshelf	Cynthia Penn's Bookshelf	Kaveny's Bookshelf
Klausner's Bookshelf	Laurel's Bookshelf	Shelley's Bookshelf
Shirley's Bookshelf	Vicki's Bookshelf