Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 9th edition
Jennifer Thorne Amann, Alex Wilson, & Katie Ackerly
New Society Publishers
PO Box 189, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada, V0R 1X0
9780865716025, $16.95 www.newsociety.com 1-800-283-3572
Written by Jennifer Thorne Amann (Senior Associate in the Buildings and Equipment Program at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy) Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings is a handy resource for homeowners, state utility companies, and anyone else interested in saving money and reducing environmental impact. Now in its ninth updated edition, Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings offers in-depth comparisons between available energy-saving technologies, cost-effective repair and replacement options, step-by-step instructions for finding the right equipment for one's needs, and much more. "Try to install your clothes washer as close to the water heater as reasonably possible and insulate the hot water pipes leading to it to minimize heat loss through the pipes. Also, if possible, locate the washer and dryer in a heated space. This is particularly important with dryers, which depend on heat to dry." Simple black-and-white illustrations help to clarify key points in this solid money-saving guide. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth Bishop
Robert Giroux & Lloyd Schwartz, editors
The Library of America
14 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022
9781598530179, $40.00 www.loa.org
Elizabeth Bishop: Poems, Prose, and Letters is the Library of America's compilation of the works of twentieth century poet and author Elizabeth Bishop - including all her published poetic translations, an extensive selection of her unpublished poems and drafts of poems, several not previously collected, and of course, all the poetry published in her lifetime. Non-poetry writings range from her stories and reminiscences to travel writings, literary essays, and statements, even a number of pieces published for the first time. The absolute definitive compilation of Elizabeth Bishop's works, highly recommended especially for public and college library collections.
The Secret Gospel of Mary Magdalene
Michele Roberts
Pegasus Books
c/o Pegasus Communications Inc.
One Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453-5339
9781933648569, $13.95 www.pegasus.com.com 1-800-272-0945
Award-winning author Michele Roberts presents The Secret Gospel of Mary Magdalene, an original novel about the discovery of a fifth gospel: Mary Magdalene's testimony of Jesus' teachings and her own relationship with him. A dramatic vision of Christianity in which men's and women's spirituality are equally celebrated, The Secret Gospel of Mary Magdalene is a passionate and moving chronicle of human faith that endures despite suffering and loss. An emotionally moving tale affirming Mary Magdalene's crucial role in the birth of Christianity.
Notes from Nethers
Sandra Eugster
Academy Chicago Publishers
363 West Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60610
9780897335614, $18.95 www.academychicago.com 1-800-248-7323
Notes from Nethers: Growing Up in a Sixties Commune is the true-life memoir of author Sandra Eugster, largely centering around her adolescence in a commune in rural Virginia in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The commune Nethers, started by Eugster's mother Carla, was meant to promote social change and grounded in the counterculture of the era. Immersed in the culture shock of commune life at the tender age of nine, Eugster had to adjust along with her older sisters to the complexities of commune life, weekly consensus meetings, days of silence, sweat-hut rituals, and more. Yet even more challenging was making the re-adjustment to the outside world after the commune dissolved - studying for SATs (given that her own education ended at third grade), and gradually learning social skills that she'd never had the opportunity to cultivate amid years of isolation from "normal" people her own age. "The wish to return to innocence came with the thought that by removing the barriers between adult and child, the children could be the bridge back to innocence. But the force of nature goes the other direction, and many children lost their innocence devastatingly early. I often think I was fortunate not to have been molested. But in a sense I was. My exposure to sexual matters was premature, as was my close contact with extreme human peculiarities and, ultimately, the harsh reality of adults doing what was right for themselves as opposed to their charges." Highly recommended as a matter-of-fact glimpse into what commune life was truly like: the good, the bad and the ugly.
Mary Cowper
Reviewer
Dunford's Bookshelf
Solve for X
Arthur Saltzman
University of South Carolina Press
718 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29208
9781570037078, $29.95 www.sc.edu/uscpress 1-800-768-2500
Solve for X is the fourth collection of brief, "creative nonfiction" essays by author Arthur Saltzman (Professor of English, Missouri Southern State University). From reflecting on the phenomenon of child prodigies in "Wunderkindergarten", to a tongue-in-cheek suggestion of how the degree to which a woman enjoys James Joyce's novels can be used to estimate her level of arrogance, to the unquestionable dominance the automobile has claimed in modern American culture, Solve for X ranges the gamut of introspection, insight, and at times, crushing criticism. An most delectable intellectual smorgasbord.
Terra Northwest
David H. Stratton, editor
WSU Press
PO Box 645910, Pullman, WA 99164-5910
9780874222913, $21.95 www.wsupress.wsu.edu 1-800-354-7360
Edited by former Washington State University History Department chair David H. Stratton, Terra Northwest: Interpreting People and Place is an anthology of scholarly essays by eleven authors discussing society, culture, and transitions in the American and Canadian northwest. From a historical assessment of "The American Indian and Freedom of Religion", to "Mexican American Street Gangs, Migration, and Violence in the Yakima Valley", to "The Mind of the Founders: An Assessment of the Washington Constitution of 1889" and much more, Terra Northwest offers detailed examinations of past events and historical trends supported by meticulous research. The resulting anthology of in-depth historical analyses is a welcome supplement to American and Canadian history shelves alike, especially recommended for college library collections.
The Pandora Prescription
James Sheridan
Cambridge House Press
115 W. 29th St., 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001
9780978721350, $24.95 www.CamHousePress.com 1-212-244-2086
Award-winning copywriter James Sheridan presents The Pandora Prescription, a suspenseful novel about a deadly secret kept by giant pharmaceutical companies, and the ruthless lengths to which they will go to protect it. Well-known author Dan Travis is on a book tour when a mysterious message from a stranger in distress changes his life forever. Drawn irrevocably into a secretive war, his only hope for survival is to find an incriminating data file before time runs out. The quest to uncover a link between a remorseless medical cover-up and a massive assassination conspiracy will take him across the country, and amid a hidden society of doctors who swore an ancient oath. A captivating, tautly written thriller for the twenty-first century.
That's Just Kramer!
Ron Kramer with Dan Ewald
Sports Media Group
c/o Ann Arbor Media Group LLC
2500 S. State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
9781587264337, $26.95 www.annarbormediagroup.com
Written by Ron Kramer with newspaper writer Dan Ewald, and comfortably narrated in third person, That's Just Kramer! From Michigan Legend to Lombardi's "12th Man" is the biography of talented athlete Ron Kramer, from his days dominating football, basketball, and track in the University of Michigan, to his time to playing as one of the Green Bay Packers, to choosing his family over his professional career by switching teams and returning home to Detroit, and more. Black-and-white photographs illustrate this down-to-earth chronicle of Kramer's life, career, and passions. An enthralling biography especially recommended for football fans.
Michael Dunford
Reviewer
Greenspan's Bookshelf
International Business
Oded Shenkar & Yadong Luo
Sage Publications
2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2218
9781412949064, $89.95 www.sagepub.com 1-800-818-7243
Now in a newly updated and expanded second edition, "International Business" is the collaborative work of academicians and international business experts Oded Shenkar (Professor of International Business, Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University) and Yadong Luo (Professor of International Business and Strategy, University of Miami). Providing the reader with a comprehensive and comprehensible introduction to the role of culture, politics, and legal issues in international business, this superbly organized and presented 598-page compendium illustrated and explains how such factors influence the institutions, structures, and processes that comprise, regulate, and enable all business functions. Offering an integrated, 'reader friendly', practical, and 'real-world' approach to the analysis and conduct of doing business in a global market, "International Business" is an ideal classroom textbook for college courses and a welcome, core addition to Business School and academic library reference collections, as well as informed and informative supplemental reading for corporate executives, economists, governmental agency heads, and anyone else engaged in or having oversight responsibilities for international trade.
Science Fair Handbook
Anthony D. Fredericks & Isaac Asimov
Good Year Books
PO Box 91858, Tucson, AZ 85752-1858
9781596470293, $14.95 www.goodyearbooks.com 1-888-511-1530
Now in a newly expanded and completely updated edition, "Science Fair Handbook: The Complete Guide For Teachers And Parents" was original published and co-authored by the late science fiction (and non-fiction) author Isaac Asimov and academician Anthony D. Fredericks. The 'how-to' instruction guide and reference for teachers and parents working with was an immense success. The death of Asimov in 1992 as a loss felt throughout the academic and literary communities. Now Fredericks has undertaken to incorporate the huge advances the sciences have experienced during the last decade and the result continues to be a superbly organized and presented 'how to' guide to enable the children in grades 4 through 8 to participate successfully and competently in school science fairs. Of special note are the chapters 'For Teachers: How to Make Your Science Fair Successful'; 'Helping Students Select a Topic; and 'Suggestions for Projects'. With the inclusion of a wealth of new material on the latest academic Science Standards and science fair relevant websites, the "Science Fair Handbook" continues to be an essential and overwhelmingly recommended addition to school reference collections in general, and science teacher curriculum supplemental material in particular.
The Most Effective Natural Cures On Earth
Jonny Bowden
Fair Winds Press
c/o Quayside Publishing Group
18705 Lake Drive East, Chanhassen, MN 55317
9781592332915, $24.99 www.quaysidepublishinggroup.com 1-800-328-0590
"The Most Effective Natural Cures On Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What Treatments Work And Why" by board-certified nutritionist and weight loss authority Jonny Bowden is a superbly informative reference for non-specialist general readers with an interest in the use of vitamins, foods, supplements, and treatments applicable for more than seventy-five common illnesses and ailments. Incorporating analogies, humor, and solid research science, the text is particularly well organized and accessible. Offering a wealth of information from the use of cinnamon to moderate blood sugar, to the use of vitamin C to protect against cancer, to eating celery in order to lower blood pressure, to using acupuncture for treating infertility, this illustrated compendium of 'cures' and curatives is accurate, reliable, practical, and a core addition to personal, family, and community library Alternative Medicine reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Great Feet For Life
Paul Langer, DPM
Fairview Press
2450 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1400
9781577491590, $14.95 www.fairviewpress.org 1-800-544-8207
With the proper care, our feet are designed to last a lifetime of daily service, enduring a cumulative impact of tens of billions of pounds and carrying us more than 100,000 miles during our lives. "Great Feet For Life: Footcare And Footwear For Healthy Aging" by podiatry expert Paul Langer (Clinical Faculty Member, University of Minnesota Medical School) provides simple, effective instructions for self-care on every aspect including nail care, calluses and corns, shoe selection, skin care, arthritis, heel pain, hammertoes and bunions, shoe selection, shoe comfort, insoles and orthotics, footcare products, as well as common foot conditions and injuries. All throughout this superbly organized and presented footcare manual, the emphasis is on staying active, maintaining good balance, and preventing falls. "Great Feet For Life" is especially recommended to the attention of the non-specialist general reader with footcare concerns or questions, and would make an invaluable addition to both personal and community library Health & Medicine instructional reference collections.
Able Greenspan
Reviewer
Klausner's Bookshelf
Beginner's Greek
James Collins
Little Brown
9780316021555 $23.99
Holly and Peter meet on a flight from New York to Los Angeles and are immediately attracted to one another. At some inner level, they each know they met their life mate. Holly writes her phone number on a page from The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann and gives it him.
That night he goes to get the page, but somehow he lost it; he frantically searches but fails to find the key to his happiness. As he goes through the phases of grief, a sad Holly concludes her Peter did not feel the same way as she does.
A few years later she marries Peter's best friend Jonathan while he and Charlotte agree to wed in a marriage of convenient losers as she also loves someone else. At the wedding ceremony of Peter and Charlotte; lightning strikes Jonathan, which leads to a comedy of relationship errors as the newlyweds, Holly and others try to get their just rewards.
This is an amusing chick lit romance in which one thing leads to another as if James Collins knocked down the first domino which than took several subplot paths knocking down other dominos. Peter and Holly are terrific as they try to move on from that fateful plane trip, but neither fully can because they know who the other is deep inside their heart. Readers will wonder whether they will get together and what about Charlotte in this fun Greek romantic "tragedy”.
The Wrath of Zar
Shayne Easson
WestBank
9780978984014 $24.95
Although they are brothers, Adan Caynne would choose flight while Dex would choose fight. Thus they are opposites with Dex wanting to become a warrior and Adan turning the other cheek because he has some inkling of his father's former life as a Ches warrior who barely survived a demonic led assault.
Keeping his head buried in the sand, Adam is ignorant that a demon army is destroying Yannina. However, he becomes aware that something is wrong when his sibling vanishes and a neighbor Cadin brutally killed. Vowing to find and rescue his brother from whatever, Adan wonders if his father's newly arrived fully armed visitors he never met before are involved with the recent events. However, his quest turns surreal when the Andar apprentice Hythe informs him he is the only hope to defeat the Demon Vayle and his horde destroying the guardian who imprisoned him. Soon others including Zar the dragon ally with him even as he insists he is not fighting demons or anyone for that matter.
This action-packed quest fantasy stars a wonderful reluctant hero, who has enough personal issues trying to remain stalwart on his personal hunt only to have an assortment of entities claim he's the man. Readers will feel they are trekking alongside Adan and his band as they search for his twin while preparing for the larger mission of battling the invincible demon army led by a champion who chooses flight not fight. Shayne Easson provides readers with an outstanding opening adventure in his Demons of Destiny saga.
Secret Of The Dragon's Eye
Derek Hart
iUniverse
9780595429677 $16.95
In the North Cornwall coastal town of Crackington Haven, twelve years old Gavin Kane enjoys his childhood playing make believe games with his best friend Emily Scott. However, Gavin knows his parents fear war is coming to England as the Nazis blitzkrieg their way across the continent. His dad knowing he will soon fight for his country shares time with his son; they read together a tale of about King Arthur and Thaddeus Osbert the dragon.
WW II hits home doubly so to Gavin as his father leaves to fight and he befriends a newcomer evacuee child Bunty who survived the Nazi bombing of Plymouth inside air raid shelters until he was transported to North Cornwall. The three children meet Thaddeus Osbert the dragon who begs them to provide him with sugar at a time rationing grips the country. When the Germans land a force near Crackington Haven seeking Excalibur, the three kids and their sweet-toothed dragon try to repel them and their flying ally.
SECRET OF THE DRAGON'S EYE is a superb WWII fantasy that hooks the audience in two ways. First the description early WWII England mostly through the eyes of Bunty makes for a vivid anchored historical. When Thaddeus enters their lives, the story line adds fantasy elements to it. Mindful of Naomi Novik's Temeraire saga, readers who appreciate something different in their war novels will enjoy fine historical fantasy.
Five centuries have past since the battle of Ragnarok in which the gods lost and eternal winter became the norm. With the gods gone and allegedly no more magic existing, filling the leadership vacuum of the Middle World of the Nine Worlds is the Order, who rule with an iron fisted theocracy.
Maddy Smith born with a runemark on her palm knows some residue magic still exists. However the eight hundred villagers of Malbry in the Strond Valley region of the civilized Inland island scorn her because her "ruinmark” make them believe she is a witch. They would exile her except that their hamlet is on the edge of Red Horse Hill, a locale containing the pre-Ragnarok power. Thus they need the witch's skills to control the goblin plague that comes with being so close to the ancient magic. Everything changes for the needed pariah when a traveler One-Eye enters the village. He recognizes her having a world destiny if she can believe in herself; he offers to teach Maddy in Faerie; she avidly accepts.
The biggest problem for parents with this excellent young adult Norse fantasy is their children will be so hooked with the Potter syndrome they will stay up several nights to read this wonderful five hundred plus page tale. The story line is fast-paced from the first rune to the last while the supportive cast is fully developed from Adam the Bully to the heroine's family to the Devotees to the goblins Lucky and Sugar and Sack, etc. However, Maddy and to a lesser degree her mentor own this coming of age Middle World saga.
The Chameleon's Shadow
Minette Walters
Knopf
9780307264633 $24.95
On 24 Nov 2006 the convoy drives the highway that links Basra and Baghdad led by a Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicle when roadside bombs explode. The destruction of the RV became a top DVD seller in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. However, the commander of the RV, British Army Lieutenant Charles Acland survived the blasts with facial and brain injuries; everyone else inside died. Two days later the Light Dragoon Guards' officer is flown unconscious to Birmingham, England to begin reconstructive surgery of his disfigured face.
Back home, Charles is filled with rage especially towards women, and rejects the facial surgery, but initially accepts the psychological treatment offered by Dr. Robert Willis. Charles is incredibly angry at his former fiancee Jen Morley who insists even before his war trauma he was a chameleon. To her he was a woman's man; to his unit and his male friends he was a man's man; to his mom he was the adoring son. Charles abruptly moves to London at about the same time a serial killer is murdering people. He remains reclusive and angry yet accepting. His rage at Muslims leads to a brawl in a bar with Pakistani-English and a rescue by a three hundred pound female lesbian weight lifter Dr. Jackson and the bar's owner Daisy, who try to help him afterward.
This is an interesting look at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in which the medical profession is unsure of whether Charles' injuries changed his personality especially since Jen convinces them he hid his killer instincts behind a nice guy chameleon. Charles seems genuine and his two female saviors also, but it is the plot focused on whether he is a serial killer or not that grips readers. Although a late spin that answers the question of is he seems off kilter, fans of Minette Walters will enjoy this psychological thriller.
Paris Noir: Capital Crime Fiction
Maxim Jakubowski (Editor)
Serpent's Tail
9781852429669 $14.95
Like London before it (see LONDON NOIR) Paris is a great city for Noirs to occur and some of the eighteen contributors like Cara Black ("The Redhead") know the dark side of the city with her Aimee Leduc tales. However, the problem is with the title as some of the entries are not classic Noirs like Michael Moorcock's paranormal sleuth Sexton Blake appearing in "The Flaneur of Les Arcades de l'Opera”; a sleuth I enjoyed reading in his anthology (see THE METATEMPORAL DETECTIVE), but does not fit the theme. Thus purists might be a bit upset to find PARIS NOIR is 200-proof "Capital Crime Fiction”, but only 100-proof Noir. The stories are all new, fun to read with no clinkers and a few are Noir Excellence such as Romain Slocombe's "Guy Georges' Final Crime" confrontation between a serial killer and the next victim and the rotating perspective of "The Lookout” by Marc Villard.
Hungry Hill
Carole O'Malley Gaunt
University of Massachusetts Press
P.O. Box 429, Amherst, MA 01004
9781558495890
In 1959, thirteen years old Carole O'Malley's father took her seven brothers with him to take care of "family” business, but left her behind with their ailing mom, a cancer victim. However, before leaving he told Carole that if the priest arrives before they are back, she is to let him into their home. She does as ordered, only to learn that the priest has come to give her dying mother her last rites. Family business meant alcohol and though no one said anything Carole knew first hand her dad was a nasty drunk and was even uglier when he would awaken with a hangover. He remarried, but ignored that his new wife was abusive to his stepchildren until he died from alcohol abuse.
This gripping memoir by playwright Carole O'Malley Gaunt is not an easy read though extremely well written as the author spent her childhood as a mother to her ailing mother, her brothers, and her father. No reader will remain dry eyed with this sensitive account of growing up as the designated mom.
Office Upstairs
Charles Banov, M.D.
History Press
18 Percy St. Charleston, SC 29403
9781596293700 $34.99
Born in Charlotte, South Carolina at a time when Jews were treated with contempt almost as bad as blacks were, Charles Banov was destined to become a doctor due to his mother pushing him in that direction (in a subtle manner) and his own desire to figure out puzzles. As a medical student he was a curious mix of serious student and risk taker. A teacher who taught him how useful a placebo can be is explained in a funny manner but gets the point across.. After doing an internship he had to do military service so he became a Lieutenant and a surgeon in the navy where he acquired a taste of wanderlust. It was a borning two years so he opened up his own practice in the nearest Texas place that never had a doctor. He was known for his compassion and even temperament.
During his career as in intern and he was called upon to make decisions not included in his field of expertise like Ob-Gyn work and cardiac problems. He talks about his travels in other places, in one such place he went he was kidnapped by South American revolutionaries. He was helping patients in crisis during Hurricanes Hugo and Katrina and was involved without his knowledge, in espionage action during the Cold War. Dr. Banov makes no bones how much he loves his wife and their two sons who are doctors and the daughter who has Rhett's syndrome. He is a Marcus Welby M.D. who cares about his patients and people in general, working through government agencies to get things that need taken care of done Anyone reading this book will want this man as their doctor.
Told in a breezy style, filled with anecdotes, humor and picturesque events, OFFICE UPSTAIRS is a memoir of a doctor filled with fear and uncertainly but somehow always getting the job done.
DeKok and Murder on Blood Mountain
A.C. Baantjer
Speck
4690 Table Mountain Drive, Suite 100, Golden, CO 80403
9781933108131 $14.00
The corpse of Hendrick-Jan Assumber was fished out of the Scheldt River harbor in Antwerp, Belgium. The victim actually died from poisoning not drowning; since Hendrik-Jan known as Henry is a Dutch citizen, the Antwerp Police request Amsterdam Inspectors DeKok and Vledder to assist on their investigation.
The body is sent to Amsterdam for burial. Attending the funeral, DeKok notices another mourner Ronald Kriusberg who legally died over two years ago, but the very alive man flees before DeKok can detain him to learn why he is at the funeral as much as why he faked his demise. Not long after that incident Hendrik's widow is stunned to learn her late spouse's savings have been emptied. Nothing makes sense to DeKok who concludes that all roads lead to the Antwerp neighborhood of Bloedberg (Blood Mountain) where the Holy Pact for the Dying might include the victim as a signer.
In his twenty-third case, DeKok is at his best trying to find the ties between "dead” men in which every new clue makes the investigation seem fuzzier not lucid. DeKok seems so genuine and for an example when he chases after Richard he runs out of breathe rather quickly. Vledder enhances the inquiry especially with his continual questioning of why they are working a Belgium murder case. Fans of the series know this is always a super police procedural; newcomers have a lot of catching up to do.
Con Ed
Matthew Klein
Grand Central
9780446617741 $7.99
He was once the king of the Grifters, but after spending several years as a guest of the state, Kip Largo stays clean as he fears a return engagement. Instead he lives in a dump in Palo Alto, has no friends or family who will talk to him, and ekes out a meager living at a dry cleaner and selling vitamins over the net.
When the femme fatale blonde approaches him with her scheme, Kip thinks beauties like her ignore guys like him except as expendable pawns. She offers him a plan to con her spouse Las Vegas casino owner Ed Napier out of $20 million. Kip's share will save his offspring Toby from further beatings and eventually death from Russian mafia enforcers who demand he pay back his debt of several hundred thousand dollars and growing. Well aware of the risk, Kip obtains investment money from the mob, puts together a team including a programmer, and offers Pythia, a program that predicts stock price changes especially with the dot-com mania though as he sets in motion the game he fears he is being out-conned by a drop dead gorgeous blonde and her husband
This is a terrific cautionary tale warning about repeating stock market bubbles and corrections and not to trust the media to play hard-boil at the start (not after the horse has left the stable). The subplots involving other stings, the dot.com investment mania, and the reporters failing to investigate the '90s investment craze (Iraq is media deja vu) add fascinating depth for a fun prime story line. Modern day Noir readers will wonder whether Kip can pull off the scheme and train his son in the art of the con while wondering along with the hard boiled hero whether he is being set up by the beautiful blond.
Black Magic Woman
Justin Gustainis
Solaris
9781844165414 $15.00 www.solarisbooks.com
It is in Quincey Morris' blood to be a supernatural investigator because, after all, his great great grandfather was one of the people who helped destroy Dracula. After cleaning out a nest of vampires in a small Texan town he gets another client Walter La Rue who believes his house is haunted and whatever is there is trying to kill him, his wife and their children. When he examines the house he notices charms made by Walter's mother-in-law that would keep the inhabitants from being cursed. When she died the charms lost its powers.
He consults with white witch Libby Chastain who gets information on the charms and what is targeting the family. They learn that the descendents of Bridget Warren are being cursed by the descendents of Sarah Carter who was convicted of being a witch due to Bridget's testimony. Sarah was burned to death her and her present day kin Christine Abernathy will stop at nothing to kill the La Rues, Quincey and Libby. A magic practitioner from South Africa is in the United States killing children to make for Christine a fetish that will allow her to achieve that goal. Inspector Van Dreenan who has a personal score to settle with his country's black witch helps the FBI agent in charge of the case understand what they are dealing with. Libby and Quincey become Christine's targets and both almost end up dead, which would leave the La Rues at Christine's mercy.
Urban fantasy lovers who enjoy the works of Km Harrison, Tanya Huff and Jim Butcher will thoroughly appreciate BLACK MAGIC WOMAN. Quincey and Libby risk their lives to protect humans from the evil supernatural; both protagonists are so personable and selfless readers will want to read more of their escapades. Justin Gustainis must own a magic word processor to create such a well thought out, entertaining and creative work.
Starship: Mercenary
Mike Resnick
PYR
9781591025993 $25.00
Three thousand years from now, man created the Republic; many alien races joined it. Now the Republic is at war with the Teroni Federation. Commander Wilson Cole of the starship Theodore Roosevelt relieved a captain of her command and in doing so saved a planet and millions of lives. As a reward, he was arrested and awaiting a court-martial, but his squad freed him and they jumped to the Inner Frontier. They became pirates but for law abiding men and women used to a command structure they found out they were not good at piracy.
They become mercenaries selling their services to the highest bidder and found that a bit more honorable. They save lives including that of freeing a client who is held on a warlike isolationist planet; get the patients out of a hospital before an enemy warlord and his armada bears down on them; stopping a warlord from exterminating an entire planet; and saving a space station that is in neutral territory and where all species are welcome. Cole uses his brains to come out the victor especially since one of his most trusted of crew joined forces with their enemy.
Filled with action, brilliant planning for the success of a mission and characters that readers really care about STARSHIP MERCENARY like its predecessors PIRATE and MUTINY is a fabulous outer space saga. The hero is an honorable man treated dishonorably by the Republic he swore to protect but he is not bitter. He spends his time on missions he chooses and caring for each member of his team; and in return they give him their undying loyalty. Val, the pirate who become Cole's Third Officer, doesn't comprehend how the crew of the Teddy's R can care for one another without demanding more in return. Mike Resnick is a great galaxy-builder as he describes alien species so readers believe they will exist in the future.
The Metatemporal Detective
Michael Moorcock
PYR
9781591025962 $25.00
The eleven tales that make up this fascinating (for fans of the Moorcock multiverse) short story collection are predominately written in the last fifteen years with two of them from 1966 They all obviously involve adventures of The Metatemporal Detective on worlds similar yet dissimilar to ours. Although the hero's name slightly varies but for the most part he is British Home Office Metatemporal Investigation Department agent Seaton Begg; his prime adversary is Count Zenith the Albino (Elric by any other name?) although Hitler is an opponent/client in "The Case of the Nazi Canary”. His sidekick is MID pathologist Dr. Taffy Sinclair
The satirical entries are fun especially as the skins of politicians better be thick with characters like George Putz, Dicky Shiner and Wolfy Paulowitz (see "The Mystery of the Texas Twister"). However, they are also often difficult to follow with obscure references in a pseudo historical setting on an alternate world. Mr. Moorcock also pays tribute to pulp fiction magazine detective Sexton Blake (never read) and the 1966 tales seem to have served as a prototype for Elric. This is definitely for the Moorcock mob, but not a good entry point for newcomers.
The Long Embrace
Judith Freeman
Pantheon
9780375423512 $25.95
This is a fascinating biography of Raymond Chandler and his two decade older twice divorced wife Cissy Pascal especially the insight into their relationship. Ms. Freeman digs deep into archives, visited the numerous California residences where her subjects lived, interviewed people who knew the Chandlers, and dived into the mystery novels he wrote. The biographer used all that to draw conclusions about the couple. Especially fascinating is Ms. Freeman's inferences she makes on Mr. Marlowe and his relationship with Cissy from his novels and correspondence. At times the author over plays her inductive reasoning by making denouements based on extremely insignificant flimsy data that cannot be defended although Ms. Freeman tries. However, overall her logic especially when it comes to analyzing Chandler's literature, for instance Marlowe's flaws and how he dealt with females, make for an intriguing biography that also allows the reader to see inside Judith Freeman.
In 2007 former cop turned bounty hunter Nathan Pierce has trapped Tian in a Culver City warehouse when suddenly a blinding light appears; in the subsequent confusion the criminal escapes. In his place is twenty-five years old Remy Capra, a woman who appeared out of nowhere. Remy is shocked that she is no longer in DC. When they pass a newsstand she realizes she also is not in her time as she has somehow gone back seventy-five years. The headline also reminds her that in the future she is on the run having stole coins from US Senator Harrah whose daughter bad cop Kirsten pursues her.
When she tells Nathan her story after her ID contains an impossible birth date of 2057 and an unknown technology, he still assumes she is crazy except for the material of her clothing that cannot be found anywhere either. The pair is attracted to one another other; unaware that Kirsten is in this time too and has teamed up with Tian to retrieve her coins and kill Remy, and assist her new partner with eliminating Nathan too.
This time travel romantic thriller is filled with hot sex, action-packed drama, and a heroine who kicks butt. The tag team battles of two chicks paired with two modern day adversarial hunks are fun to follow as the tough guys seem soft compared to the future femme fatales. Team Jamie Craig creatively combines elements from mystery, romance, and sci fi to entertain readers with an exciting cat and mouse thriller.
The Sarsen Witch
Eileen Kernachan
Juno
9780809571574 $12.95
The Dark Folk, the Ancient people, the Witch People have all been subjugated to the hors-lords. Those not enslaved hide deep in the hills out of fear of captivity. Naeri of the House of the Lady Ashton of the Albur clan hid in the mountains and caves alone foraging for food from the enemy. Eventually she is caught and brought before Chief Ricca to be punished for theft.
She is saved by the smith Gwi, who takes her on as his apprentice though he wants much more form her. The minstrel of the tribe is hers cousin Daui who helps her find a magician who teaches Naeri how to use the stones and earth magic. Once she becomes proficient with its use, Daui directs Ricca and his men to construct a stone circle as a memorial to him at a place where the leylines are numerous and power is stored like a battery. After it is built, Naeri will use her prowess as a geomancer to bring down the horse lords and their tribes. Although frightened Naeri feels obligated to her kin, but believes no good will come of her mission.
THE SARSEN WITCH is a mesmerizing reading experience that depicts life in the Bronze Age of what will eventually become Britain. Naeri is a survivor who will allows herself to be pushed so far before she goes her own way. It is fascinating to observe how Ricca holds the various horse tribes together using threats and gifts (today we call it an earmark) to keep everyone in line; he is not a bad leader just a product of his time as he is not interested in the welfare of those he conquered (today we call them democrats).
The Blue Door
David Fulmer
Harcourt
9780151011810 $25.00
The year is 1962 and in Philadelphia, welterweight boxer Eddie Cero is depressed as the throbbing cut over his eyebrow still bleeding which means the probable end of his boxing career as he lost to cheap shot artist T-Bone's head butt. When he leaves the Southside Boxing Club where he trains, Eddie wants to avoid everyone he knows until he has at least two drinks; one to numb the physical pain; the other the mental. He cuts across a dark alley only to come across two street punks roughing beating up an elderly man. Unable to stay out, Eddie intercedes and prevents Sal Giambroni from receiving a horrific beating.
Sal buys Eddie a drink at the Corner Bar & Grill explaining he is a professional private-investigator. He offers Eddie work and although he thinks snooping is lower than boxing on the employment ethics scale, he needs to eat so he accepts with great reluctance case work with SG Confidential Investigations; his prime tasks being surveillance and occasional muscle. He proves quite good, but soon becomes involved with the cold case disappearance in 1959 of Johnny Pope, lead singer of the Excels over the concern of Sal. As he remains their biggest fan, Eddie meets group member and Johnny's sister Valerie and investigates what happened to the lead singer of the Excels.
THE BLUE DOOR is an exciting historical private investigative tale. Eddie is terrific as he holds the story line together; his hunk lit asides add depth to 1962 when Bandstand ruled Rock and Roll. Readers will enjoy Eddie working the case, but it is the underbelly of the short-lived Camelot era that comes to vivid life that makes this a strong Philadelphia Noir.
Murder in the Rue de Paradis
Cara Black
Soho
9781569474747 $24.00
In 1995 Paris remains shell-shocked from the recent bombings at the St.-Michel Metro. In that milieu of distrust, private investigator Aimee Leduc is elated to see her former boyfriend, investigative journalist Yves Robert. They share an incredible evening together topped off by his proposal, which she accepts.
The next morning the Paris police call Aimee to come to the city morgue in order to affirm the corpse is her fiance of not even one day. Stunned and unable to let it go especially since the official police report is more interested in remaining politically correct preferring to blame an unknown male prostitute during these harrowing times rather than solving a murder, Aimee investigates. She believes that Yves was working undercover and with her partner Rene Friant make inquiries that tie Yves' last assignment to bitter enemies Turkey and its Kurdish populace.
As always with an Aimee Leduc French mystery (see MURDER ON THE ILE SAINT-LOUIS), readers obtain a tour of Paris that the government and the tourist bureaus prefer to hide. The current case is very personal as Aimee and Rene follow clues that bring Paris to life. Readers will appreciate her obsessive need to know answers to whom and why as the MURDER IN THE RUE DE PARADIS is another outstanding French private investigative thriller.
You Had Me at Good-bye
Tracey Bateman
Faith Words (Hachette)
9780446698948 $13.99
After nine years at Lane Publishing, Dancy Ames knows she has the ceiling unless someone leaves. However, her bitterness is not the lack of opportunities, it is that her dream job of senior editor had been opened, but management ignored her and selected the Brit Jack Quinn, who assigns her with the 3 revolting Cs: copy, coffee, and clean as he assumes she is just his best friend Kale's pathetic little sister. Soon after he takes over she is canned as her copies are late; her coffee cold; and her cleaning the latrine (custodial strike - this is NYC) stinks.
Her two best friends Tabby and Laini encourage Dancy to write a book and send to Jack to be published by him. Dancy loves the idea as she fails at new employment. Her concept is a romance between a shark of an editor with a caffeine tooth and a coffee barista. Using an alias she sends her proposal to Jack, who don't know Dancy as he loves her concept of a Fifth Avenue Princess. Now all she has to do is write a book, but did not expect to fall in love nor trust her beloved as those you love always fail you even God and dads.
The cast is incredibly strong as each of the key players seems genuine especially how they react to a perceived crisis; for instance Dancy expects Jack to fail her so she insures he does whereas Lainie hides in the kitchen cooking and Jack drinks more coffee. Readers will enjoy this inspirational romance as Dancy learns why she distrusts those she loves while Jack's metamorphosis is more mundane as he finally understands that his beloved is not kid sister, but a woman he desires with all his heart. Tracey Bateman provides a fine tale, but to learn what happens to the Fifth Avenue Princess read the book.
Untamed
Hope Tarr
Medallion
9781933836171 $7.95
As an impoverished child, Patrick "Rourke” O'Rourke successfully picked pockets until he was caught in 1875 by his latest intended target, Prime Minister Gladstone. At Rourke's trial the PM arranged for the lad to be given over to him for custody. He sent Rourke to Roxbury House, a Quaker orphanage in which Gladstone serves on the Board of Directors.
Katherine's father was a drunken gambler, but she did not know how bad his vices were until she turned eleven years old. He used her pony Princess as a stake; so that she lost her precious last gift her late mother gave her before dying. Over the next decade and a half Katherine raised and spoiled her younger sister Bea selling herself as a model for pictures to bring in food money for them. No one cares for Kate until in 1890 she meets Rourke.
The third "The Men of Roxbury House” tale (see ENSLAVED and VANQUISHED) is a terrific historical romance that returns the stars of the previous novels in support roles. However the story line belongs to the lead couple who share in common two feelings: love and a belief they are undeserving of love. Readers will appreciate UNTAMED a fine entry in a strong Victorian series.
Tomorrow's World
Davie Harrison
Medallion
9781933836355 $15.95
The environmental disasters of the past century have taken their toll on the earth. However as a byproduct of the toxic wasteland, everyone lives in a computer controlled orb making the various hates like racism, religion, sexual preference obsolete. However, a new kind of bias has occurred between the "Name” natural born and the "Number” engineered lab rats.
Logipol policy is to assign a Name and Number as a police team to maximize the skills of both as the Name brings passion and dreams to a case while the Numbers bring superior mental and physical attributes. The brass assign "Name” cop Ben Travis and his partner "Number” cop Perfect Paula to investigate the death of Name plant dealer Douglas MacDougall. Paula believes he died from a self-induced drug overdose, more likely suicide than accident; Ben thinks otherwise as his gut screams homicide made to look like a suicide. The Name and the Number follow the clues trying to resolve their difference re the death of a Name.
Extrapolating the environmental trends of today into the next century Davie Henderson paints a dismal picture of a dying globe in this interesting science fiction police procedural. The story line is at its best when the Name and the Number argue the case; when the plot turns to the past global environmental disaster and its consequences, it loses steam as that feels more like a preacher shouting brimstone. Still this is a fine start of what looks like a solid twenty-second cop series in which hopefully Mr. Henderson explores the newest form of prejudice by looking into the relationship between the two cops.
In 1996 in Tel Aviv, literature professor Joseph Licht hopes to reconnect with his five adult sons as he desperately needs their forgiveness. Twenty years ago he deserted them and their mother when he realized he loved married male Rabbi Yoel Rosenzweig; Joseph was unaware that he was gay until that moment, but soon after he and his rabbi began their affair until a guilt wracked Yoel killed himself. Stunned by his loss, a grieving Joseph ended his marriage to Rebecca and his relationship with their five offspring. He also no longer practiced Judaism after three decades as an Orthodox Jew. Now he invites his children to join him on his fiftieth birthday although he is unsure they will come for each of them has major emotional problems that he knows he caused by what he did to them two decades ago when they were young.
Readers will feel empathy towards the five sons although their range of issues seems to run the gamut. Life in many aspects of Israel comes across very deep as the audience is taken to locales where the Licht family live to include the Negev, the university, the kibbutz and a small gay enclave. Although the look back to the Joseph-Yoel tryst is seen through a fond schmaltzy nostalgic lens even by the sons rather than a nuke that destroyed two families, readers will enjoy this deep family drama of a disdained patriarch trying to reconnect with the now adult children he deserted.
Blood of the Wicked
Leighton Gage
Soho
9781569474709 $24.00
In a classic sh*t rolls down hill, the Pope calls the Brazilian president twice; in turn the president pressures the Director of the Brazilian Federal Police Nelson Sampaio to resolve the matter ASAP; in turn Nelson orders Chief Inspector Mario Silva to uncover the identity of the person who assassinated Bishop Dom Felipe Antunes at a church mass in front of a crowd at Cascatas. Mario understands he is to drop everything else and personally handle the investigation in the remote town and capture the felon yesterday.
Silva travels immediately to Cascatas only to find angry townsfolk as the affluent landowners and the reform minded Landless Workers' League are in a brawl over sharing the wealth. Each side's leaders demand Silva investigates a local case that has raised tensions to a point that hostilities seem imminent if he wants any cooperation on the Bishop homicide. The son of a local landowner, Orlando Muniz Junior vanished without a trace. His father and his allies believe the league abducted and probably killed him. The League believes the lad is on holiday.
Silva is a fascinating character as he has enough personal issues and a difficult case without getting involved in the local tsunami, but cannot keep out of it as more kidnappings and murders occur. He makes little progress on either investigation and what he does learn like the church is involved in protecting its own when pedophile accusations surface make him wonder if the Bishop's death is related. Although extremely violent as the title is not false advertising, fans who have a strong stomach for gore will enjoy this Brazilian police procedural.
Sticky Fingers
Morgan Hunt
Alyson
9781593500030 $14.95
In San Diego Tess Camillo is taken aback to find a rattlesnake in her bedroom. Animal control takes the snake away without Tess or her roommate Lana getting hurt. The police do a cursory inquiry, but conclude the incident was not deliberate.
Not long after her serpentine encounter, Tess meets Darlene Nealson in the lesbian community. They swap reptile stories, as Darlene explains that a rattler killer her lover Belle in their home. Uncomfortable with the police explanations of her incident even before Darlene's revelation, Tess makes inquires trying to find a link between her and Belle beyond just being lesbians although she has not written off hate crimes.
This is a terrific amateur sleuth tale as Tess learns first hand about snakes not in a plane but seemingly everywhere else she goes. Tess makes the tale work as she also struggles with breast cancer, but that only strengthens her resolve to find the snake trying to kill her. Readers will root for this middle aged woman who strengthens her resolve to find the snake trying to kill her. Readers will adore this middle aged "Criminitlies" woman whose noble significant other of the moment is her Welsh terrier, Raj.
Murder in the Rue Chartres
Greg Herron
Alyson
9781555839666 $14.95 http://www.alyson.com
Private Investigator Chanse MacLeod has finally gone home to his beloved New Orleans, but though he has seen the news clips as the mass destruction of Katrina, he is still stunned with what happened to the city. Not long after returning he learns that his last client Iris Verlaine before the Hurricane was murdered on the same night she had hired him.
Chanse feels obligated to accomplish Iris' assignment to find her long time missing father. He also feels obsessed to find out who killed Iris. However, not only is the city different; his late client's family oozes charm that makes the detective feel welcome and therefore wary.
Chanse is terrific as he sees the horror of Katrina in many ways while traveling the city. Little thinks like street signs and known landmarks are gone. The two mysteries are cleverly designed to bring out post Katrina New Orleans in a way few tales have been bale to do. To fully comprehend Chanse's shock compare MURDER IN THE RUE CHARTRES to his previous Big Easy cases (see MURDER IN THE RUE DAUPHINE and MURDER IN THE RUE ST. ANN).
The Platypus Ploy
Claire McNab
Alyson
9781593500269 $13.95
Formerly from the Outback Kylie Kendell moved to Los Angeles and became a private investigator. She and her lover Ariana Creeling are into a long term exclusive commitment. However, as Kylie still struggles with Americanization she learns what a "kunahura" is when she thinks how good her life is with Ariana. Soon afterward, Ariana vanishes with no sign of an intruder at their house, no hint of violence; just poof; Kylie knows she jinxed their relationship when she thought how good it is.
Despondent Kylie decides to try to follow the trail of her significant other. The few clues she has lead to Clarice Turner Evenstar Home for elderly show business stars. To get inside, Kylie becomes a volunteer at the Home, but soon realizes that the residents are not going gently into the night. She follows other clues that lead her to a prime suspect, but not to her beloved Ariana.
The latest Kylie investigative thriller (see DINGO DILEMMA) is a wonderful mystery as THE PLATYPUS PLOY is personal with the heroine's lesbian partner going missing. The story line is fast-paced as Kylie follows the clues, but also loaded with angst as she worries she will be too late to find her lover and feels illogically guilt for thinking how good the relationship is. Readers will appreciate Claire McNab's delightful tale of the missing mate.
The Escapement
K.J. Parker
Orbit,(Hachette)
9780316003407 $12.99
Former guild military engineer Ziani Vaatzes once cherished his country the superpower Mezentine Republic. However, he understood the flaws in the military-guild-aristocratic complex that ruled the region making the neighboring Vadani and Eremians angry; the Empire used these nations as subordinate states to maintain their superiority. Ziani committed the worst transgression against the Guild and country when he tried to improve on the "perfect” economic model of suppression and was sentenced for innovative efficiencies crimes. He turned traitor selling military-industrial war machines. Many have since died, but Ziani remains obstinate even if it means the destruction of Civitas Vadanis with over a million people residing in it; but he also fears his barbarian allies will fail him.
Mezentine Republic leader Secretary Psellus is stunned by recent events as his country's enemies have proven formidable in spite of massive slaughters of the civilian populace of his neighbors, as the insurgency remains strong against the occupation. He fears the ancient texts that guide him is failing as the Vadani and Eremians seem united in a common cause engineered by Vaatzes into an army of eight hundred thousand savages. Many innocent will die for either a belief system or for someone else's personal gain.
The third book in The Engineer Trilogy (see DEVICES AND DESIRES and EVIL FOR EVIL) is a fascinating look at power; those who have it want more at any cost. The Republic has economic and military power over the region with their premise that savages are expendable in support of the status quo. Ziani remains narrowly obsessed as he comprehends his actions will leave thousands maybe millions dead; Psellus who has doubts is almost as narrow-minded and steadfastly stays the course. Other irresponsible leaders cloaking their motives behind the common good of security willingly send troops to die for a personal cause. Although at times the details are so explicit slows down the story line, readers will appreciate this strong look at the convergence of war, politics and economics.
To Hell and Back
Lilith Saintcrow
Orbit
9780316001779 $6.99
When Lucifer captured half-demon and powerful necromancer Dante Valentine he did all sorts torturous things to her before dispatching her back to the mortal world to live or die as the god's will. At first Dante remembers nothing about her time in Hell, but gradually begins to recall enough to be afraid and hide under her bed. Her demon lover Japhrimel finds her; asks what Lucifer did to her but she is too traumatized to tell him. Japh vows vengeance on the Lord he once served.
Japh is now one of the Fallen although he tricked Lucifer into returning to him to his Greater Flight Powers. Japh fails to confide in Dante, but takes her to another demon who removes what Lucifer placed in her belly, a worm that tied her to him and through her Japh would be bound too. They recover half of the blade of Fudsham, a blade that could kill a demon including Lucifer. The other half is in a place Dante won't go so while Japh goes to recover it, she tries to stay alive from all the factions that want her dead
This is the final book in the Dante Valentine saga and it answers all the key questions followers have had from the previous tales while tying up the major threads. Japh is beginning to be more confident in his feelings and trusts that Dante loves him like he does her. Dante is unsure of whether to trust Japh as he spins plot after plot, but she knows she loves him. TO HELL AND BACK is literal and allegorical and a magnificent enthralling urban fantasy.
Spy Game
Sue Swift
Five Star
9781594146589 $25.95
A decade ago the parents of half-French, half-Algerian Ani Sharif were murdered while attended a girls' school in Algiers. Wanting to enact vengeance, but not knowing how, she obtains undercover work for the United States Security Agency, who knows her background makes her perfect for the SPY GAME.
Ani is initially assigned low skill non classified office work until now. Her first field assignment is to learn who is betraying the country by selling Department of Defense cyber secrets to foreign agents. Her superiors have firm evidence that the traitor works for defense contractor Rexford Inc. in Silicon Valley with the prime suspect being Richard "Baby Rex” Rexford. Ani obtains a programming position at Rexford and begins her efforts to hack into Richard's laptop where the proof is expected to be found. However, she finds much more as she falls in love with the man she believes is committing seditious and potentially deadly acts against the United States.
This is an entertaining espionage romantic suspense in which the cyber crime brings freshness to the plot. Ani is terrific as she wonders whether she could have fallen in love with a traitor as all the evidence points towards Richard as the seller of DOD secrets. Swift pacing and starring two strong lead characters, SPY GAME is a fun enjoyable thriller.
Leading Lady
Heywood Gould
Five Star
9781594146480 $25.95
Thieves Jerry Lang and Gloria Pavlich are doing one last caper before retiring. They are to steal a five million dollar painting "Self Portrait” by Isaac Leviathan from a private collector; then they will give it to their fence Albanian expatriate Hanif "Mittens” Gallega who will sell it. They succeed in taking the painting, but when they get to their hotel, thugs greet them. In the melee that follows, Jerry shoots one of his assailants, but watches his beloved leading lady vanish. He later learns he killed a cop and is convicted of such.
In prison, Jerry escapes four assassination attempts. His last one has him sharing a hospital room with a corpse that he uses to escape his incarceration. He is coming for Hanif while remaining unaware someone has assigned Delta Force Domestic Major Cliff Hartung to insure he does not get close to one of his agency's "toys”. At the Casbah, Jerry meets college student dancer Letitia Hudson, who gets caught in the middle of a local war.
This exhilarating crime caper is not for the cozy crowd as Jerry, feeling guilt for accepting one last job over Gloria's objection, proves quite efficient in dispatching enemies in a violent manner. The story line is fast-paced as Letitia becomes Jerry's new LEADING LADY and Hanif his crash dummy. Although how Hartung and his two deadly soldiers fit into the plot comes very late with quite a revelation, readers will appreciate Heywood Gould's wild Noir.
The Whiskey Killing
H.R. Williams
Five Star
9781594146626 $25.95
After midnight in Medford, Arkansas, a man carrying a 22 caliber rifle walks up to liquor store owner seventy two year old Edwin Mayhew and fires four point blank range shots into his chest. Before leaving Mayhew's front yard, the killer pours whiskey onto his face. The victim's older sister Lavonnie sees his corpse and calls the cops.
Medford Police Department CID Captain Billy Walker leads the murder investigation assisted by CID 2 Sergeant Cordelia Hull and CID 3 Bob Claggert. The obvious suspects are those with an interest in the town's gambling as Mayhew was heavily involved with that. Billy and Cordelia start with Hawaiian Nightclub owner Earl "Uh Oh” Gilby who provides him three sharks wanting the action. However, the case meanders much more than just who will run the illegal gambling business as others die too; Billy works hard to eliminate the obvious until he realizes the killer waits for him.
Billy makes this police procedural so much fun to follow as he methodically seeks clues while training Cordelia; the latter enables the audience to better understand the logic CID 1 applies to the homicide. Filled with twists that occur just when it seems case solved, sub-genre fans will appreciate THE WHISKEY KILLING even if Billy never received admin time for justifiably killing crazy dangerous Eddie Partee.
Dark Horse
Mike Langan
Five Star
9781594146640 $25.95
In Syracuse, New York personal injury lawyer Nicky Rigopoulos wants no problem cases interfering with his efforts to become a judge; thus he settles for less than his clients deserve when even his partner Lottie Magnarella argues with him that he behaves unethically. Although married to the trophy wife that a hot shot attorney wannabe judge needs, Nicky is a first class womanizer to include at one time Lottie. His spouse knows what he is and does not mind as long as he keeps her in a luxurious lifestyle as she is a man-eater.
Nicky's chances of landing on the bench sink totally when Lottie is found dead; he is the prime suspect as just a few hours earlier they had a public brouhaha over his settling a case for her. Not trusting cops or lawyers as he knows both groups too well, Nicky investigates only to have the police believe he also killed his spouse and one of his lovers.
Once you get past the amateur sleuth paradox compounded in this case by the protagonist having strong connections and money, DARK LADY is a terrific whodunit. The story line is fast-paced as Nicky struggles to stay one step ahead of the police while feeling one step behind the culprit. Adding to the fun is that the lead character is the epitome of sleazy lawyer so that readers have mixed feelings as he deserves the worse though he is innocent.
Train to Yesterday
Nell DuVall
Five Star
9781594146633 $25.95
Railroad heiress Penny Barton works as the marketing director of Ohio-based HyperTrans. Penny arranges a special promo of the firm's product safe high-speed rail. A set is made to look like it is 1855 and Penny rides a mid nineteenth century steam engine train through a tunnel. She meets Fletcher Dawe, whom she assumes is a reenactment actor.
Penny and Fletcher are attracted to one another but he assumes she is a lying saboteur as no one knows Penny. She in turn cannot find him until she sees the photo circa 1855. She further learns how her family earned their fortune, that Fletcher was a merchant who invested in high-speed rail; and the tragic death of canal lockmaster Dan Hudson. When Penny faints, she awakens in 1855 to a world in which the transportation industry violently competes between those who support the railroads and those who back the flatboats sailing the Ohio canals.
This an interesting time travel romance with a vivid look at 1855 through the eyes of the twenty-first century heroine at how her family made their money. Although Penny adapts too easily and the romance between her and Fletcher takes a back seat to historical panorama of pre Civil War Ohio, sub-genre fans will enjoy buy a ticket to rid the TRAIN TO YESTERDAY.
A Version of the Truth
Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack
Delacorte
9780385340199 $24.00
The world is over for thirty years old Cassie Shaw as her husband dies. His no longer living is not the high school drop out's problem as he was an idiot. Instead he left her with a debt that she cannot pay off and probably never could pay off as she has no skills, no education, no resume, and her only positive is dyslexia.
Needing work, she lies on a job application to obtain a position as a junior office assistant at a nearby university. Her boss is Professor William Conner, an expert on animal behavior, a topic that Cassie is conformable with. He encourages her to learn and she is motivated to do so as she always loved nature. However, as Cassie and William begin to act on their mutual attraction especially on site visits in Topanga Canyon, her mendacity to cover up her previous fibs grows until she knows he will soon see through her web of deceit.
This sequel to LITERACY AND LONGING IN L.A. provides a nod to politicians as it is the cover-up that gets you and pays strong homage to Thoreau with the musing on nature. The story line is fun to follow as Cassie just gets in deeper with each new lie hiding the previous ones. Trying to keep track of what she said needs a database. Fans will enjoy following Cassie's truism as she provides loosely speaking A VERSION OF THE TRUTH embellished with fabrication; obviously training for applying for a coaching job or head of a federal regulatory agency.
The Night Following
Morag Joss
Delacorte
9780385341189 $22.00
The woman is stunned to learn her spouse the handsome doctor is having affair. Distracted as she drives a winding back road, she fails to notice the woman on a bike in front of her as she comes out of a turn. The driver hits sexagenarian Ruth Mitchell, but instead of stopping, she drives away.
The police fail to find the culprit who murdered Ruth in a hit and run vehicular homicide. However, the driver knows what she did and how she fled the scene. She feels haunted by her action and guilty by her reaction. She begins to watch the victim's husband Arthur from a distance. His raw grief rips her stomach further as he no longer cares about himself or anyone else. He cannot sleep as the nightmares wake him and he cannot take care of his home or himself. She serendipitously enters his home cleaning it. She becomes more brazen as she meets Arthur in person demanding he clean up his act, which he does as he believes a miracle has occurred; his Ruth has returned to him.
Two marriages were shattered with that car accident, but it is the aftermath that digs incredibly deep into the convoluted human condition that makes for a haunting complex psychological thriller. Arthur and Ruth seem real as they react shockingly similar to what connects them, the death of his spouse by her. Yet that almost identical response feels genuine and makes for a powerful saga of loss, deception, and redemption.
The Sweet Far Thing
Libba Bray
Delacorte
9780385730303 $17.99
A year has passed since Gemma Doyle was packed off to attend Spence Academy with plenty of other changes in her life. Some of what has occurred is personal starting with her mom's death and her father's addiction; others are paranormal starting with her ability to travel to the Realms and return with magic.
However, as the Victorian world is bombarded with change especially from across the Channel, Gemma remains an outsider in London. Apparently that which makes her the High Priestess in the Realms also makes her inappropriate for Polite Society. She rejects the constraints on females over the discipline from the martinet headmistress of Spence Mrs. Nightwing as she has had a taste of freedom and leadership in the other Realms. Yet she even considers corseting herself if she could land the hunk Kartik. Life as a teen in London is confusing; life as a High priestess in the realms is deadly.
Though somewhat overwhelming in its size and scope (so were the other tales), the final tale in the coming of age Gemma Doyle trilogy THE SWEET FAR THING is a terrific entry that ties up a zillion dangling subplots from the previous two stories (see REBEL ANGELS and A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY). Thus it behooves the young adult audience to read those books first to gain the full flavor of this paranormal historical saga. Gemma has come a long way baby in both worlds, but feels societal restraints in turn of the century Victorian England and the weight of responsibility in the Realms. With interesting historical tidbits to anchor the era, Libba Bray provides a strong finish to an interesting saga.
The Anatomy of Deception
Lawrence Goldstone
Delacorte
9780385341349 $24.00
In 1889 at the University Of Pennsylvania Medical School, chief of clinical medicine Dr. William Osler glances at the corpse of a beautiful woman in the Dead House, but decides no autopsy is necessary. His young students and subordinates are stunned by Osler's decision.
Not long afterward one of the shocked physicians Dr. George Turk dies from what looks like cholera. Osler sanctions an autopsy that reveals the late doctor's body had traces of arsenic. Another doctor training under the great Osler, Dr. Ephraim Carroll believes George and the Jane Doe were murdered. Disobeying his superior, Ephraim investigates the deaths and bounces between Philadelphia's debauched upper crust and the deviant decadent waterfront alienating the medical establishment every step of the way.
This is a terrific medical historical thriller that is anchored by the real persona of Dr. Osler and a document he wrote and had sealed for fifty years. The story line is fast-paced but belongs to the naive hero who believes medicine should use all tools including the only recently legalized autopsy. He is counterbalanced by the experienced pragmatic Osler, who wisely understands that medicine needs to judiciously use new legal techniques to avoid a backlash of indignation leading to losing their authority. The investigation is cleverly handled, but Lawrence Goldstone's superb thriller belongs to his physician cast.
Deep Magic
Joy Nash
Love Spell
9780505527165 $6.99
The magically supported mists have kept Avalon safe from the mighty Roman legions. However, the Romans have at least one mage amongst its army who is beginning to open a pathway through the mists. If he succeeds, the Romans will overwhelm Avalon like it has everywhere else; Britannia will become another Gaul.
Daughter of the Lady, the powerful mage Gwendolyn knows the enemy is coming as the mists that protect her people and land slowly dissipate. She shapeshifts into a wolf to observe who the enemy magician is that threatens her people. However Gwen is forced to flee to buy time; she finds shelter off island with her friend Marcus, who following her visions forges a great sword Excalibur. At the same time the attraction between them ignites into a deep love, but both knows saving Avalon comes first.
Returning to the Ancient Druid Britannia of THE GRAIL KING, Joy Nash provides a fantastic romantic fantasy. The lead couple seems genuine and makes a nice pairing while the Roman advances anchor the time and place with a key realism. Whereas sub-genre fans will believe in Druidic magic as the mists clear, it is the romance that proves to be the DEEP MAGIC of an entertaining story.
The Ravening
Dawn Thompson
Love Spell
9780505527271 $6.99
After years away, Brotherhood warrior Milosh returns to the Hyde-White family manor in Cumberland, England to complete his long term quest of killing the lord of the evil vampires Sebastian. He is stunned with what he sees as the house is a ruin obviously destroyed by fire and his friends like Joss are gone. However, most shocking is the Gypsy living amidst the wreckage.
He demands Paloma explain why she hides in this cold dump. She tells him she took refuge in this forbidden place that no one visits anymore here praying and waiting in hope that someone would come to teach her the Blood Moon technique so she can control her blood lust thirst. Paloma further explains a shapeshifting vampire bit her. Milosh is further stunned as he realizes he wants Paloma, but must not allow her to become a pawn in his war with Sebastian who he assumes bit her. She makes it even more difficult to resist her when she offers her love, body and soul to him.
Decades since the events of early Victorian THE BROTHERHOOD and even more years since Regency THE BLOOD MOON, the final tale in the Chronicles of the Blood Moon Victorian vampire saga is a superb final confrontation between good and evil. The key to this excellent vampire romantic suspense is how Dawn Thompson keeps the feeling that the bad guy is going to win as the hero is distracted by love. THE RAVENING is vampire historical romantic suspense at its best.
Enchanting The Lady
Kathryne Kennedy
Love Spell
9780505527509 $6.99
In 1882 London, duchess-of-honor Felicity Seymour is worried that she legally will lose her inheritance as she lacks the magical gifts of her parents; Prince Albert's rule states that no magic equates to no duchy. Lion shapeshifter Sir Terence Blackwell enjoys finding ancient relics, but also is a close friend of the Prince, who asked him to participate in the test of Felicity. She ignominiously fails, but Terence feels something was not right as he experiences a trace of relic-magic in use, which makes no sense.
Terence decides to court Felicity somewhat because he is attracted other; somewhat because he feels sorry for her as she is now a pariah like he is as a shapeshifter; and somewhat because what he believes destroyed her test is too similar to what killed his brother. He needs to know whether Felicity is the user or the victim of dark magic. However, Terence never expected to fall in love with her.
ENCHANTING THE LADY is a fantastic late Victorian romantic fantasy that casts a magic spell on the audience from the moment the heroine expects to fail her test and never let's go until the final magical revelation. The story line is fast-paced with an underlying paranormal mystery that enhances the prime romantic plot; the fantasy elements provide a unique look at 1882 England as Kathryne Kennedy provides her readers with a wonderful thriller.
Bedlam, Bath and Beyond
J.D. Warren
Love Spell
9780505526984 $6.99
Although her suburban life with a husband and kids seems perfect Samantha feels something is not quite right. She cannot fathom what is wrong as her spouse is attentive, the kids behave all the time, and their home is the American dream. Thinking hard, Samantha ponders how she ended up where she is as she cannot remember anything before landing in this perfect suburban lifestyle.
Samantha begins to put together what occurred and realizes this perfect life is not hers. Instead she lives in some sort of fabrication with a spouse who is inhuman and their three fiends for kids. With the help of shapeshifter Col she returns to her human existence in Las Vegas although three years have passed since she vanished into the perfect create. Cor promises to keep Sam safe as he and his people search for the malevolent one who did this to her, but she needs to know why her as she seeks vengeance on those who stole three years from her while at the same time those who abducted her seek her and her allies to silence them by returning her to perfect so they can complete their evil quest.
Although a romantic fantasy, BEDLAM, BATH AND BEYOND employs a chick lit style that has the audience at first wondering about Sam's dissatisfaction, but quickly turns into a lighthearted romp. Thus the audience receives a fast-paced thriller with all the elements of a horror tale, but Sam's asides change it into a humorous fantasy frolic. Fans who enjoy something different in design will appreciate this fun thriller as good neighbor Sam wants revenge for three nightmarish family years in the burbs.
Daughter of York
Anna Easter Smith
Touchstone
9780743277310 $16.95
In 1461 fifteen year old Margaret mourns the death of her father who died in combat when the House of Lancaster's forces ambushed his House of York. Also dead is her older brother Edmund. Her oldest brother Edward is now the claimant to the throne instead of the insane king Henry and his French wife Queen Margaret. Not long afterward, word reaches Margaret that Edward won a major victory claiming God on his side.
Margaret tells her two younger brothers (George and Richard) the good news. Edward introduces Margaret to former Lancaster supporter, Anthony Woodville. She is attracted to him, but hides her feelings as he is married. Not long afterward Edward is crowned King when Henry, Margaret and their son flee to Scotland. Over the next two decades Margaret does her royal duty sacrificing much of her happiness as does Richard training to one day be a king but remaining steadfast to his older brother whereas George envies his regal sibling
This is a sweeping saga that brings alive the latter half of the fifteenth century through an ensemble support cast including the major historical figures of the era that were on the European stage. Meg is a strong loyal person with ethics, but it is the historical tidbits that are fascinating and make the two plus decades come to life. Although at times the story line slows down in order to account for the major events between 1461 and 1480, historical fans will appreciate the deep look at England through mostly the eyes of THE DAUGHTER OF YORK.
Not Quite a Mom
Kirsten Sawyer
Kensington
9780758216649 $12.95
After seeing each other for over seven years the itch struck wealthy Beverly Hills resident Daniel McCafferty so he proposes to his euphoric thirty-two years old girlfriend Elizabeth Castle; the tabloid TV fact checker naturally accepts his proposal as her life goal is to marry Daniel. Once back in her roommate-less Los Angeles apartment Elizabeth immediately calls her best friend since her UCLA undergraduate days Courtney Cambridge with the news.
However, her call with Courtney is interrupted by Buck Platner, who took Lizzie to the prom and now is a lawyer from her hometown of Victory, California where 70% of the residents are rednecks and the rest hicks. Buck informs her that her best friend Charla Dearbourne Tatham and her husband died when the pickup they drove exploded. She has been left custody of their "pop-baby” fifteen years old Tiffany. Daniel dumps Elizabeth while Buck escorts Tiffany to her guardian. He has never forgotten his date with Lizzie, who he fell in love with and has hoped for a decade for a second date, but knows the teen must come first.
Though there is a serious undertone re Tiffany, NOT QUITE A MOM is an amusing contemporary romance with don't call me Lizzie's asides on life, men, sudden motherhood and best friends discerning yet entertaining. Buck is a great male lead as he fell in love as a football meathead teen and at second sight realizes he still is in love. Both try to do what is right for Tiffany who just lost her parents. As with NOT QUITE A BRIDE, Kirsten Sawyer provides an amusing chick lit tale.
Sin Club
Rachelle Chase
Kensington Aphrodisia
9780758216519 $12.95
"Jessie A Sinful Striptease”. Encouraged by Dr. Tommy "Love” Jones on his Wake-Up Bay Area radio show to join his Sin Club by being bold, brave, and brassy, Jessie Anderson heeds his advice. She performs "A Sinful Striptease” in a gazebo for the man she sees in the shadows whom she assumes is her Martin, but instead Nick Ralston comes to full alert when he sees her act.
"Sharice A Sinful Phone Call”. After Dr. Love coaxes her to take a chance, Sharice calls Shawn whom she is satiating over in her wet dreams. However, it is Jamal who answers her call, but stammering fails to correct her as to who he is. He is turned on just from her "Sinful Phone Call”, but fears once they meet he will need cold showers.
"Alyssa A Sinful Proposition”. Heeding Dr. Love's tenet to go out and get it, Alyssa James decides writing about sex in San Francisco in her blog is not the same as doing sex. At her friend's business The Perfect Date Alyssa meets Tony Brooks, owner of several upscale bars, who cannot get past her breasts.
These are three heated erotic romances starring needy females on the prowl thanks to Dr. Love. Each meets the right male in weird situations. Fans will appreciate this fine anthology and demand more visits to the doctor of love.
Tappin' on Thirty
Candice Dow
Kensington Dafina
9780758219374 $14.00
In DC Train Worker's Union lawyer Taylor Jabowski looks back to her freshman year in college when she dumped her once in a lifetime love Scooter Evans so that she could play the field. By Christmas she knew she made a mistake, but Scooter, who cried when she said she wanted more than a long distance relationship at separate colleges, moved on and he and his family rejected her. Now at the high school reunion she hopes to have a second chance with Scooter. Although he tells her he has a new love Akua, a fellow medical student, they make love.
Not long after that, divorced New Yorker Devin Patterson meets Taylor at the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Black Party. They hit if off leaving her confused and he wary as he has not forgotten the lesson of six years ago when he married Jennifer; though good came out of that mistake, his beloved daughter Nicole. As Taylor and Devin fall in love leaving her bewildered as to how she can desire two men, Scooter feels the same way as he loves two women. However, soon there will be a reckoning as Devin and Scooter are close friends having roomed at Princeton together.
Readers need to make a slight adjustment to the rotating first person accounts as Taylor, Scooter, and Devin take turns as to how they feel. Thus the audience receives an entertaining deep African-American contemporary relationship drama that enables a close look into the hearts of the Black professional class through the prime trio and to a lesser degree Akua. Candice Dow provides a Lovin' Spoonful "Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind?” relationship drama.
The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty
Donna Kauffman
Kensington Brava
9780758217271 $14.00
Although he is regarded as a computer expert that enabled him to come along way from the streets Raphael Santiago knows the Bronx still flows in his blood. When he sees Elena Caulfield, the new manager at Dalton Downs, he feels a deep attraction to this cowgirl, but keeps his distance as he figures she is way above his class.
However, his desire grows stronger while his coolness facade ebbs yet he also feels protective of Elena as he believes she is hiding a secret from everyone. As he finally asks her to teach him to ride a horse and works on learning her secret because he feels she is in trouble, Raphael dreams of giving her special riding lessons.
The Men of Trinity Inc. contemporary romance (see THE BLACK SHEEP AND THE PRINCESS) is an engaging tale as the urban wannabe cowboy (at least since he met her) and the real cowgirl fall in love. The relationship between the lead couple makes for a fun story line as he believes she is hiding something dangerous from him while Elena's affection for horses rings loud and true as she uses them as a shield from Raphael. Fans will enjoy the love between the city streets dude and the horse lady.
One Wicked Night
Noelle Mack
Kensington Aphrodisia
9780758217738 $12.95
Before Lord Edward Delamar met Lady Fiona (see the Juicy THREE), he was the toast of London; at least the female side as he was an extraordinary lover. Victorian women cherished him because he cherished them making each one feel she was special. His passionate skills made him the legend of the boudoir.
Edward thinks back fondly to his heated trysts with the married Xaviera, wife of the Spanish ambassador to England. He especially wonders about the latter when portraits of a naked Xaviera are suddenly for sale. The cuckolded husband assumes Edward commissioned the paintings and plans revenge for the ridicule he suffers. Edward wonders who would defile a woman.
The prequel to Mack's Juicy THREE is an exciting Victorian erotica that belies the concept that this was an age of prim and proper decorum. Sex is the name of the game when Lord Edward is at a gala, but his encounters vary from menage a trois to light bondage to blowjobs and much more; he knows how to passionately and compassionately treat a woman. Fans will enjoy spending ONE WICKED NIGHT with the great lover, but make sure your significant other is handy (pun intended).
Just Like Candy
Kimberly Kaye Terry
Kensington Aphrodisia
9780758222497 $12.95
Youth center board member Davis Strong knows he must ignore his desires for Candy, but has found it impossible to pay no attention to her. Youth center director Candice Cain knows she must ignore her desires for Strong, but has found it impossible to take no notice of him.
Davis dreams of making love with the woman who infatuates his every thought. Candy dreams of making love with the man who infatuates her every thought. Both wants their hot wet respective fantasies hard rock real, but neither seems able of turning hard core wet dreams into reality. Yet each considers but who will make the first move remains to be seen; for each knows one taste will never be enough.
This relationship drama stars two likeable hesitant protagonists who each fear rejection and even more that the reality will not be as good as the fantasy; that is until the Jacuzzi, which readers will never look at the same way. Fans will need asbestos gloves as this is a scorcher even when the audience just reads the thoughts of Davis and Candy. JUST LIKE CANDY is an equatorial heater as the audience will appreciate the sexual antics of this pair as Nash is right that "candy is dandy”.
Satisfy Me Again
Renee Luke, Sydney Molare and Fiona Zedde
Kensington Aphrodisia
9780758221919 $13.95
"Kiss and Tell" by Renee Luke. Football star Malik first saw therapist Callie when he watched her TV show and immediately wanted more from her. They exchanged correspondence and after a year they meet. They quickly fall into a heated romance that drew into a deep love.
"Matinee" by Sydney Molare. Mina is hiding from the mob when she decides to stop running. She buys an old skin flick theater only to find it haunted by ghosts who know how to turn up the sexual heat.
"Going Wild" by Fiona Zedde. Prim and proper attorney Derrick meets sexually party animal Nuria. Although he is seeing someone just like himself in straitlaced Trish, he finds he wants to explore every inch of passionate Nuria instead.
These are three entertaining erotic romances in which the cast goes sexually wild. Sub-genre fans will enjoy the trio of tales even if Malik and Callie behave as real as the ghosts of "Matinee”.
The Murder Game
Beverly Barton
Kensington
9780821776902 $6.99
Pudge knows the old murder game of hunt and kill is over since his long time companion, cousin, and competitor Pinkie died; one does not just advertise for a cunning sadist to compete in THE MURDER GAME. Thus he has had to start a new contest as the old DYING GAME ended with Pinkie's death. Pudge's new competitor is the victim. He will hunt and stalk them, but give them the opportunity to escape and perhaps even outthink his brilliant sinister mind. However, in the end he will terrorize them before killing them; just ask Kendall Moore when you cross over.
Adding to Pudge's personal entertainment is that part of each hunt includes outwitting private investigator Griffin Powell and FBI agent Nicole Baxter, who joined forces to take down Pinkie. Making them look foolish makes the game fun as he leaves them clues and calls them to insure they play. However, he knows the superbowl contest begins when he stalks Nicole while toying with the psyche of her lover Griff.
Although Pudge seems surreal as he describes the new game and more, readers will enjoy the tense sequel. Nic and indirectly Griff are the ultimate targets not out of vengeance, but because the psychopath assumes they will provide strong competition having taken down Pinkie. The romantic subplot takes somewhat a back seat to the fast-paced cat and mouse game with the betting line on Pudge.
Absolution
Caro Ramsey
Pegasus
9781933648415 $25.00
Glasgow Detective Chief Investigator Alan McAlpine returns to his police cadet roots in Patrickhill Station to lead the official inquiry into the murders of two women by the serial killer dubbed Crucifixion Killer by the media. Alan avoided the town for two decades ever since he was assigned to keep safe the dying pregnant woman named Anna whose face was erased by acid and no longer could talk. Anna killed herself shortly after giving birth; no one involved in the heinous crime was ever caught, but Alan never forgot the woman he considered his beloved angel.
Still Alan focuses on the current serial killer homicides in an attempt to prevent more gruesome murders from this vicious predator. However, he begins to link the current investigation to the cold case that haunts him. His subordinates Detective Sergeants Anderson and Costello are confused by Alan's actions and directions as he makes a difficult case that much more convoluted because he sees ABSOLUTION as his objective.
Mindful of Ian Rankin's dark Glasgow thrillers, Caro Ramsay provides a strong psychological police procedural that grips readers once Alan begins connecting the past with the present. Readers along with the two DS will wonder whether Alan has gone over the edge or found a real connection; which premise makes this a deep read. Although the climax takes the audience back inside the sub-genre's norm, fans will appreciate the dark background that mirrors Alan's even darker revelations.
Bone Machine
Martyn Waites
Pegasus
9781933648354 $25.95
In Newcastle, the body of the mutilated Ashley Malcolm was found in a burial ground. Her eyes and mouth were sewed shut apparently when she still lived and cuts are all over her body. DS Turnbull and DI Nattrass believe her boyfriend Michael Nell killed her, as he has a history of violence against women. Janine Stewart thinks otherwise although she knows her client is a flash tempered lout. She refuses to believe he would perform a ritual killing; if Michael murdered his girlfriend she would be battered not stitched. Michael also claims an alibi.
Janine hires Joe Donovan to affirm Michael's alibi. The case seems simple to Joe until he and his team start tracking the alibi. This leads them to an evil world where vicious thugs run a child-trafficking ring and a prostitution ring with kids as the merchandise. Shook to his core, Joe still wonders what happened to his six-year-old son who vanished three years ago and could have been for sale by these punks. Soon a second death occurs as the serial killing Historian taunts the cops with clues from the city's heritage.
Though the culprit comes out of serial killer casting, BONE MACHINE is a tense gritty Noir that deeply explores human trafficking to the point that the hero and the Historian are left out much of the first half of tale. Readers who appreciate an extremely dark crime thriller that looks at the evil people do to those vulnerable is interred in their bone marrow will want to read the BONE MACHINE and other Donavan thrillers like MERCY SEAT, not reviewed by me.
Oscar Season
Mary McNamara
Simon & Schuster
9781416539919 $24.00
As always when the countdown to the Academy Awards gala begins, much of Los Angeles is caught up with the glitz, but many prepare for the event. For instance the ritzy Pinnacle Hotel Director of Public Relations Juliette Greyson knows how important the Oscar month is to her hotel and works accordingly expecting zaniness as the norm as she hosts the Oscar Season Summit and explains the Oscar Might Survivor Kit excludes cyanide to the employees.
However, this season is different as the "Oscar Curse” seems to be haunting the participants. British actor David Fulbright is shot dead in the hotel's pool. A reporter covering the event, a starlet nominated for best actress, and a screenwriter also nominated were murdered. For Juliette the curse would be curious but no more than that except for Fulbright's death that seems connected to her outside the hotel; however the third victim is more linked to Juliette as he is her former husband Josh Singer. She and superstar Michael O'Connor investigate the "Oscar curse” although she worries how their amateur sleuthing will harm her beloved battling cancer.
Jackie Collins's fans will enjoy this up front and personal look at the Oscar persona filled with egomaniacs who would do anything to get the edge including killing the competition. The investigation is fun but more so because it enables the audience to see deep into the lives of Hollywood much further than the Rivers' duet ever escorted fans. Not for murder mystery purists, OSCAR SEASON is a fun astute glimpse into Oscar Nation.
The Blackburn and Scarletti Mysteries II
Karen Koehler
Black Death
KHP Industries
PO Box 558, Effort, PA. 18330
9780979988103 $14.99
"Legion”. January Blackburn is a ghoul made that way by the vampire the Jackal whose acolyte is Father Dorien Scarletti a dhampire. Her FBI boss asks Blackburn to go to New Orleans to investigate what looks like otherworldly activities. Fairy Boudreau was last seen by the priest of St. Catherine's Cathedral floating in the air. The priest spoke in a strange language to the police officer called to the scene, but the cop vanished. Blackburn and Scarletti find him and he collapses into the arms of the dhampire. Something evil enters Scarletti and no one knows how to exorcise it, which means certain death for the host.
"The Phantom of the Soap Opera”. Scarletti has spent months in the Vatican Gardens when he receives a call from soap opera star Canary in the States. Someone or something otherworldly is causing accidents on the set and if it continues the show will close. Scarletti calls his partner Blackburn; they meet up in Los Angeles where lethal scorpions not native to the area appear on both of them. A pack of Dobermans run amok on the set injuring people and causing much damage. When Scarletti contacts his superiors in Rome, he learns from them that a witch might be on the set. Now they need to find out who and why and especially how a ghoul and dhampire fit in the picture.
Karen Koehler always provides great horror tales as these two mystery novellas affirm. Her protagonists are flawed especially mentally as each has a ton of emotional issues, but they are tough fighters and make an excellent team always there for one another. Both tales are thrilling frightening chillers filled with action and a strong support cast, who make the paranormal, seem normal. Ms. Koehler has a fantastic knack for creating sympathetic monsters and vile villains.
The Skull
S.D. Tooley
Full Moon Publishing
P.O. Box 408, Schererville, IN 46375
9780978540234 $26.00
Thirteen year old Remy Bauer is a highly intelligent teen who lives with her single mom and her paternal grandmother while her absentee dad travels the world gambling just like his late father did. Remy enjoys her lifestyle as the other females in the household encourage her to be all she can be. She especially enjoys forensics.
At the Sycamore Mansion estate sale, Remy buys a monkey's skull with plans to construct the animal. She asks Rob "Roadkill” Haislett who photographs dead animals and orphaned Andy the runaway to help her learn how the animal died. As they become friends, they obtain summer work at Sycamore Mansion. This enables them to seek clues to the monkey's death. However, instead of learning that, Rob proves the skull belonged to a newborn human. The three young teens tries to learn what happened and when, but someone has other ideas as to what to do with three nosy thirteen years old youngsters
This excellent young adult forensics mystery is fast-paced yet provides a discerning look at social issues facing tweeners such as peer pressure, youth gangs, and abandonment. The three amigos are unique eccentric protagonists who make this a fun amateur sleuth for readers of all ages.
In 1850 former prostitute Toni Rodden and the three runaway indentured servants the Caldwell siblings (Fannie, and young teens Katie and Kip) flee Hawkins, Kansas to forge into a family of sorts as part of a wagon train traveling to Oregon. However although Toni feels good for Fannie as the latter marries wagon master Blake Tanner, she feels loneliness also. Toni knows no man will ever want her beyond a night or two because of her background until the Cheyenne war chief offers three horses for her.
Wagon train scout Sam Two-Feathers vows to himself that he will protect Toni with his life before allowing her to be sold again. He knows the war chief will be back offering more to purchase Toni and fears some of the train will want to do so as she is a fallen woman and not worth the price of angering the Cheyenne. However, although Sam knows he loves Toni, he believes as a half Sioux, they cannot be together as white society will ostracize her; Toni likewise feels the same except she fails to meet his much higher standard.
The second Westward Hearts tale (see DEFIANT HEART) is a terrific western romance starring fully developed characters who bring to life the dangerous decade before the Civil War while heading westward. The story line is inspirational yet filled with so much historical insight fans will feel they are traveling on the wagon train as Tracey Bateman provides a vivid exhilarating mid nineteenth century Americana tale.
Choosing Sophie
Leslie Carroll
Avon
9780060871376 $13.95
Estranged from her wealthy father August deMarley for over two decades former burlesque dancer and club manager Venus learns he died by reading it in the Aspen newspaper. She informs her fiance Tom Elliot she is going to New York for the funeral, but he need not come.
In New York, August's attorney Cap Gaines explains that Livy as she is called by family since her name is Olivia inherits the minor league baseball team the Bronx Cheers who play their home games on City Island. However, August "deMiser” as his daughter knew him left a stipulation that she complete the circle; no one knows what he meant though Cap has an idea. The second stunner is a college age female almost her over six foot height who is at the reading. Cap introduces Livy to her daughter Sophie, whom she gave up for adoption twenty years ago. As biological mother and daughter try to forge a relationship, Livy hides her insecurities re Sophie, Tom and the team behind her towering height as she runs the Bronx Cheers hoping to make the playoffs for the first time; something dad never saw.
This entertaining relationship drama is a fabulous look at teaming in sports and in the "adoption triad”. Readers will enjoy watching Livy and Sophie struggle with bonding while her adoptive parents reluctantly but lovingly encourage them. Although Brooklyn, home to the minor league Cyclones seems a better choice of location as the Bronx has the Yankees, fans of an extended family drama will appreciate observing whether Livy hits a home run with her daughter, her team, and her fiance or strikes out.
The Night Before the Wedding
Debra Mullins
Avon
9780060799311 $5.99
In spite of her money, wealthy heiress Catherine Depford knows her husband choices are somewhat limited in her first season in London due to her parentage. Her father is a merchant and her mother is crazy a victim of the ancient cost of a broken vow that demands each generation a MacBraeden chief marry a Farlan or else; her mom chose the doom of love. Still she figures with all that money behind her Catherine should have some choices amidst the poorer segment of the aristocracy.
With famine threatening his people and that of his neighbor, Scottish Laird Gabriel MacBraeden, not wanting to risk further blight nor the wrath of those who believe in the broken vow, comes to England to marry Catherine. However her father, who blames his wife's insanity on the MacBraeden clan, refuses to allow Gabriel to court his daughter. Gabriel ignores her father and abducts the woman he intends to make his bride. Neither he nor Catherine expected a love match would forge between them; yet both also expect the marriage to fail.
This is an entertaining historical romance with a hint of the paranormal that serves as a catalyst for the two lead characters to meet. Gabriel is a strong leader who knows the end does not justify the means but his people's welfare comes first so kidnaps the one woman who can silence the whispers. Catherine is his equal as she refuses to go meekly into the night until she comprehends his people need her. However, it is Catherine's father who steals the show as he fears his daughter will go the way of her mother and lose her mind; he does everything he can to keep her safe and his guilt when he fails is palpable Debra Mullins is at her best with the powerful THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WEDDING.
Vampires Are Forever
Lynsay Sands
Avon
9780061229695 $6.99
Brothers Etienne and Bastien Argeneau worry about their missing mom Marguerite and her sleuthing partner Tiny who vanished in England while on a case to uncover the biological mother of a client. Bastien, the powerful CEO of Argeneau Enterprises, sends their cousin Thomas, who was raised by Aunt Marguerite, to investigate why she stopped contacting them and failed to return for the birth of her grandchild.
Bastien also sends his best London employee Inez Urso to assist Thomas. Meanwhile he calls his friend techie Herbert Langford who can pinpoint where a cell phone is once the device is activated. Herb tells Thomas his aunt is in Amsterdam. Bastien tells him there is no time to send him blood if he leaving immediately so he needs to bite Inez and then wipe out her memory. Reluctantly he agrees; he kisses her and bites her, but his effort to wipe out her memory fails. She locks herself in the bathroom while Bastien informs him that a vampire cannot erase the memory of a human lifemate. Now all Thomas has to do is obtain blood, find his aunt in Amsterdam and persuade Inez they belong together forever; the first two seem easy compared to the Inez scenario.
Fans of the fabulous Argeneau vampire romances (see THE ACCIDENTAL VAMPIRE) will appreciate the lead couple who are a great pairing as he fears rejection by his stunned lifemate and she feels she is not pretty enough for a hunk like him. The vampire species seems genuine as it successfully lives and works amidst mortals while the investigation is top rate as the clues go full circle and Inez's life is in jeopardy.
Taming Rafe
Susan May Warren
Tyndale
9781414310183 $12.99
Eight seconds is all it took to destroy the life of Rafe Noble, world champion bull rider. He was riding Pee Wee when he was tossed by the inappropriately named bull. Instead of tumbling to the ground he got caught on the horns. His best friend Manuel Rodriguez saved Rafe's life, but lost his own leaving behind a wife and young son.
Feeling guilt and unable to ride, Rafe is in New York to raise money for the Breckenridge Foundation whose president Katherine Breckenridge needs money to fund Mercy Doctors in Mexico. A bit drunk Rafe crashes into the hotel hosting the gala destroying the event and himself. He runs back to his family ranch in Montana to heal and escape the media, but it is Katherine's accusation that rips his gut. She decides to visit him on his family ranch to get him to help her raise money for her cause. As they fall in love, secrets involving her late bull riding daddy, her deceased sophisticated fundraising mom, and her mysterious missing Aunt surface.
The sequel to RECLAIMING NICK is a warm inspirational Noble Legacy contemporary romance. The lead couple is a wonderful pairing and the "romance” between an older couple adds depth to the strong story line, but it is little Carlos, in spite of a tiny appearance, who haunts the heroine and the reader. The return of the other two Noble siblings makes life on the ranch seem right for the audience. Although a late suspense involving embezzlement provide unnecessary suspense, readers will appreciate Susan May Warren's fine tale while considering ask not what God can do for you; ask what you can do for God.
Vampire Twilight
Phillip Henry
Coral Moon
9780955655609 $12.50 http://www.philiphenry.com/coralmoon.htm
The Ministry has kept the vampire Kaaliz incarcerated in the Pennines as government scientists secretly experimented on him. Every day that passes his hatred for his captors and the two former vampires Claire and Xavier who Made him what he is but deserted him when he became what he is grows to the point he doubts his sanity. Ministry agent Lucinda Sheridan helps Kaaliz escape, but before she does that she demands he change her; he does into the vampires Sin.
Kaalitz and Sin vow to destroy those who harmed him starting with Claire and Xavier who live a normal life with their purebred human son; and after them the agents of the Ministry. They will kill anyone who happens to be in their way even the innocent. The Ministry sends their top agents to bring both back preferably alive so more research can be conducted; but if necessary dead is acceptable. Also chasing the rogue vampiric duet are vampire slayer Chloe and Xavier's half breed daughter Lynda.
The sequel to the exciting refreshing VAMPIRE DAWN is an entertaining vampire thriller that once again emphasizes no one is all saint or sinner. However, in this novel the maniacal Kaaliz seems so insane that he appears as pure evil; the good he once might have possessed having been vanquished with each experiment and every day in which his Makers failed to come for him. Although much more mainstream than the previous unique first tale, Philip Henry provides genre fans with a strong entry as the past has come back to haunt the present and future of former vampires Claire and Xavier as their offspring has become the expendable pawn of the avengers and the Ministry.
Shadow Music
Julie Garwood
Ballantine
9780345500731 $26.00
In England she is the Lady Gabriella, daughter of a powerful baron; but in Scotland the beautiful and innocent is known as the Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel like her mother before her. Many men want her including King John's favorites Baron Percy and Baron Coswold. Although King John gets pleasure in pitting the two men against each other he decides that Gabrielle goes to Laird Alan Monroe in an attempt to appease his countrymen.
Gabrielle and her guards are on their way to the Abbey in Scotland to meet her betrothed when she sees a group of men dressed up as monks ready to kill a man who they are using as bait to capture his brother Laird Colm MacHugh. She shoots an arrow in the man who is getting ready to kill the prisoner. She saves his life and brings him to the Abbey to heal. She visits him during the night to make sure he is okay but a woman's lies destroy her reputation and causes her to be banished. Lord Colm MacHugh is persuaded by Gabrielle's kinsman to marry her in order for Colm to pay off his debt to him. Once she is in his home, she turns his life upside down but enemies from England and Scotland have differing plans to destroy the relationship that is beginning to blossom between the laird and the princess.
Julie Garwood goes back to her historical roots and writes a romance that is filled with pageantry, blood feuds, duplicitous lords and eventually a war between two powerful clans. The growing love between the hero and the heroine is beautiful to behold and is very believable. Ms. Garwood's trademark underlying humor is present throughout the storyline and readers will chuckle at the way Gabrielle winds Colm around her little finger. This is one of the best historical romances of the year.
The Vampire's Kiss
Raven Hart
Ballantine
9780345498564 $6.99
Five hundred years old vampire William Thorne is tearing Europe apart searching for his vampiric wife and their son; he seeks them not out of some family love, as he does not; instead he knows they are evil and have kidnapped someone dear to him, Renee the powerful daughter of Melaphia the strongest voodoo priestess in the New World. Her daughter's magical blood can cure ills that affect vampires and it is her mother's blood that makes William stronger than vampires twice his age. When he learns they were in London, William asks his vampiric cousin to assist him on his quest.
Back at home in Savannah, Jack's sire William is trying to prevent a backwater hillbilly werewolf clan from making crystal meth. The powerful alpha werewolf Seth is also trying to take them down in a pack fight while Jack's love Connie struggles to accept that creatures of the night exist. Eleanor, who William converted into a vampire, begs him to free her from his wife and her mate even though she betrayed him by leaving with them shortly after he made her. William will free her, but only when Renee is liberated and unbound. His decision to let Eleanor survive proves a mistake because she slows down his quest to reunite with the child of his heart. An ocean away her mother uses her power to hurt her daughter's enemies so that William can free Renee in what appears to be the first salvo in a war.
THE VAMPIRE KISS is a pulse thumping enthralling horror thriller filled with action to the nth degree. There are many revelations in this exciting story that will serve as future plots. This includes the supernatural species Connie belongs too and why Renee's mother wants her soul on another plane of existence. Readers learn of the long term strategic goals of the Vampire Council of Dark Lords especially how they plan to interact with their sustenance, humans. However, it is the lead vampires, likable Jack with his self deprecating undead jokes and courageous William with his need to do right who make this a fine entry in spite of its overall transition story line.
Criminal Paradise
Steven M. Thomas
Ballantine
9780345497819 $24.95
In California Robert Rivers and Switch rob the Cow Town restaurant. However when the two thieves open the safe to take the cash from inside of it, they find a fascinating photograph of a naked underage Vietnamese female; they assume that the restaurant owner Orange County business mogul Lewis McFadden is using and perhaps selling teenage girls.
Rivers enlists his biker friend Reggie England to help him break into McFadden's house. However they find a shocker; tied to the bedposts is a Vietnamese girl who says her name is Song. They liberate Song taking her to Switch's home while he is out of town. Rivers and nineteen year old Song share a sexual encounter. McFadden recaptures her with plans to sell her at a slave auction, but also owes Rivers for his stealing of his merchandise and as an example for other such petty thieves.
This is an interesting crime caper that loses some of its charm with the transformation of River from a likable heroic thief to a disappointing user-predator when he has sex with Song even if she is a consenting adult; he becomes the serpent in CRIMINAL PARADISE turning off many readers. Still this is a deep look at the sex slave market alive and thriving, just ask River's Orange County landlady.
The Ruby Dice
Catherine Asaro
Baen
9781416555148 $23.00
The war between the Eubian Concord and the Skolian Imperialate was devastating to both empires. Many died including the then rulers of the Eubian Concord; whole worlds destroyed. Even when there are no armed combat between the two empires, hostilities are high and everyone remains on a constant state of alert expecting the other side to renew the fight.
Jaibriol rules the Eubian Concord; Kelric rules the Skolian Imperialate. Neither wants war as both understands the consequences first hand. However, both struggles with keeping in line powerful groups demanding the conquest of their rival. Each also hides a devastating secret that if revealed would lead to their ouster and their most likely respective replacement would renew the conflict, killing trillions. As their internal enemies seek weaknesses, Jaibriol hides his taboo skill of Psion as he would go from ruler to slave and Kelric has told no one about having a wife and kid as his people would destroy their homeland.
The latest Skolian Empire tale is an exciting outer space thriller that for much of the tale focuses on the two leaders. The respective crisis that confronts Kelric and Jaibriol makes both seem genuine as each fear for their people if war reignites between them yet feel doomed as if this is the inevitable outcome. Fans of the series will appreciate this character driven entry that looks deep into the pair of rulers, but newcomers will be lost in space in spite of an overly done but cleverly designed history (mostly through the rulers looking back).
Miles in Love
Lois McMaster Bujold
Baen
9781416555476 $14.00
"Komarr”. Considered physically and mentally unfit for military duty any longer, Miles Vorkosigan is forced to leave the service he loves. However, his experiences obtain him work as a Barrayaran Empire Imperial Auditor handling top-secret special complicated cases with potential for far reaching damage. His current investigation is to learn whether a terraforming satellite that collided with an ore freighter near Komarr was deliberate as the planet is a hotbed of rebellion. To make his inquiry more difficult most Komarrans loathe his father, who brutally put down their last revolt. As he uncovers bribery and treason, Miles falls in love with the married enemy, Ekaterin Vorsoisson.
"A Civil Campaign”. Miles loves Ekaterin, but hesitates wooing her since he holds himself culpable as a widow maker when his actions led to her husband's death; although he also rationalizes that her late spouse was corrupt. As he courts his beloved, his wacko clone brother Mark bugs him. Mark's latest get rich scheme involves "butter bugs", but these cockroaches somehow got free and have infested their parents' house. As he tries to exterminate the bugs, Miles is accused of murder. Still he never loses sight of his objective, marrying Ekaterin.
"Winterfair Gifts". Miles and Ekaterin are getting married at his family estate. One of his armsman, Roic, guards the Vorkosigan estate at night especially as the guests arrive for the nuptials. However, to his shock Roic is attracted to the dangerous Amazonian Sergeant Taura at a time when he cannot afford the distraction. Someone wants to kill Miles, Ekaterin or both.
These two novels and the novella that make up this omnibus collection are fabulous tales that showcase MILES IN LOVE. Each entry is humorous yet serious with the novella "Winterfair Gifts” refreshingly told mostly by Roic's perspective. Lois McMaster Bujold is at her best with this trilogy.
People of the Book
Geraldine Brooks
Viking
9780670018215 $25.95
In 1996, Sydney, Australian resident Hanna Heath receives a call from the UN as they want to use her rare book conservator expertise. Apparently the renowned Sarajevo Haggadah, thought destroyed during the Bosnian War, has been found. Harriet is euphoric as she knows the value of this incredible ancient Hebrew tome with its images.
Although a loner whose only love is rare books, when Hanna meets the "savior” Muslim librarian Karaman, they are attracted to one another. Still it is the book that holds her enthralled as she begins to uncover other artifacts of the past buried inside the pages (white hair, insect wing, salt, and a wine stain) and items missing (lost fasteners). Each tells a unique story about who held the precious Sarajevo Haggadah.
PEOPLE OF THE BOOK is an interesting tale that uses the discoveries by Hannah to take the reader back in time to meet those who handled the ancient tome in various eras like 1940 Bosnia, 1480 Seville, and 1492 Barcelona, etc. Each entry provides a historical conflict between a person protecting the book and those wanting to defile the book. Throughout this superb fiction tale is the underlying message that the time for the Jews, Muslims and Christians to unite in peace is now not tomorrow as all have more in common than the differences that divide them.
Alibi in High Heels
Gemma Halliday
Dorchester Making It
9780843958355 $6.99
When internationally renowned fashion designer Jean Luc Le Croix hires Madison "Maddie" Springer to design the shoes his models will wear during Fashion Week, the Californian screams with euphoria. However, she quickly learns the people rule of gravity in which she who goes up must crash down when psychic Mrs. Rosenblatt accidentally hits her because she could not figure out how to use her new stick shift car. Making matters worse, Maddie's mom and Mrs. Rosenblatt insist on accompanying her to Paris to help her get around since she now has broken leg.
Things turn darker in Paris when someone uses a Maddie shoe with a stiletto heel to kill the lead model Gisella. Maddie's best friend Dana arrives to replace Gisella as the show must go on. Soon after that Maddie's boyfriend, LA homicide detective Jack Ramirez comes to Paris to keep her out of further trouble, but more corpses follow all tied to Maddie's shoes, which makes her the prime suspect of the Gendarmes.
The fourth "High Heels' amateur sleuth tale ( see KILLER IN HIGH HEELS, SPYING IN HIGH HEELS and UNDERCOVER IN HIGH HEELS) is a fun entry as Maddie's chick lit big mouth sends her into trouble with the cops, the Paris fashion world, and the killer. Every time she speaks she gets deeper in trouble and someone from stateside shows up intending to rescue her; they are like the movement's motto of "we're here to help you”. Readers will laugh with Maddie's dilemma as her ALIBI IN HIGH HEELS unravels leaving the audience to wonder if her next gig is a convict in high heels designing prison shoe wear.
Time Transit
Kay Austin
Dorchester Shomi
9780505527158 $6.99
In the twenty-second century TIME ROGUE Maude Kincaid is one of the best at insuring temporal rifts do not occur. On her last mission she met and was attracted to twenty-first century inhabitant Dr. Gil Gillespie, but knew nothing can come of her feelings. Instead his memories of her are deleted.
However, for whatever reason, perhaps love is too strong to erase, but Gil somehow remembers her. He is brought forward a century to her natural time, but learns she is to die in 2152. Meanwhile in Outskirt 13 of the sub-orbital tram station where it all began thirty or so rotations ago, Maude, having done her duty by eating a bullet in her gut to save CORE, her friends and the time line, is dying with no hope for help, thirteen miles from home. However, Maude never expected that her friends led by a frantic Gil refuse to allow her to die though they make unauthorized leaps through time as they believe they have all the time in the world to save her.
This sequel to the wild TIME ROGUES is a fabulous science fiction romance, in which dedicated heroes understand protecting the time line is more important than saving a friend, a loved one, or one's self; that is until Gil makes a different plea to test time in order to save Maude. Gil and Maude are terrific protagonists who are ironically the ultimate star-crossed lovers as they have no time at all for one another yet all the time to try i they dare. Although the future world is never developed beyond the physics principals of time management, sub-genre fans will find this action-packed thriller worth the time to read it.
The Quest
Lindsay McKenna
Silhouette Nocturne
9780373617807 $5.25
The search continues for the gems that make up the Emerald Necklace. Two Tage Warriors for the Light and their soulmates have already successfully completed their missions (see UNFORGIVEN and DARK TRUTH). Archaeologists Kendra Johnson and Nolan Galloway of the Ecuadorian based Vesica Pisces Foundation are sent to work together to uncover clues to the whereabouts of the third stone.
The pair has a torrid history that ended in guilt and tragedy in which only his telekinetic power saved his life; both are wary but still in love. Besides these two Warriors for the Light, the evil Tupay send super villain Victor Guerra to follow them and if they succeed, kill them and take the gem as chaos on earth remains their objective and the jewel can help them achieve their strategic goal.
The third Warriors for the Light romantic suspense fantasy is an exhilarating entry that though the overall plot is similar in tone to the first two novels retains its own freshness due to the previous relationship between the lead couple. Nolan and Kendra were selected because their skills complement one another making achieving their quest a strong possibility; however their trek on the Colorado in the Grand Canyon left her younger sister Debbie dead and their relationship shattered. Thus both must overcome the ghost of her sibling if they are to succeed on the mission with a lethal adversary on their tale and perhaps forgive the past with their love for each other. Lindsay McKenna provides a deep entry in a strong saga.
The Girl Next Door
Jack Ketchum
Leisure
9780843960976 $7.99
Suburban 1950s New Jersey is a great place to raise kids; just ask twelve year old David, who loves playing in his idyllic neighborhood where crime is nonexistent. Next door Ruth Chandler, single mother of David's best friend Donny and two brothers, takes in two young distant cousins whose parents died in a horrific automobile accident. The older sister fourteen years old Meg seems to have fully recovered; the younger sibling Susan needs crutches and wears heavy metal braces on her legs while mentally she is totally broken.
David is immediately attracted to the lovely Meg and they begin meeting at places like "Big Rock”; they make a charming cute couple. Ruth lives in the past when she was the office manager of a large firm; she hates suburbia and being saddled with five children. She takes her growing rage out on her new charges, physically and mentally abusing Meg and Susan, especially Meg who reminds her of all she gave up to have kids. Her sons by omission support her actions. David also knows that Ruth is violent towards Meg, but though he loathes what she is doing, he is also fascinated by her dehumanizing the one person who reminds her how far she has fallen.
This reprint of a 1989 deep psychological study focuses on the watcher-narrator David who learns about abuse and helplessness when he fascinatingly observes the pain a human inflicts on another while neighbors ignore the truth. The story line hooks the audience from the opening line as a wizened David understands pain and never lets go as the serene middle class suburban neighborhood enables ugliness to hide behind the scene (mindful of the Kitty Genovese killing in 1964 Queens). This book also includes two short stories and an interview with Jack Ketchum, but cannot be considered padding since the novel is 340 pages. Readers will be shocked by the horror of customized violence that society chooses to ignore when it happens to THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.
Cuts
Richard Laymon
Leisure
9780843957525 $7.99
In North Glen, Illinois in 1975, seventeen years old Albert Prince is looking forward to having sex with Betty, but he is shocked when she demands twenty dollars. He is six dollars short; she tells him to come back when he can afford her. He leaves outraged.
Albert knifes a stray dog, which gives him some sadistic pleasure. On a supermarket checkout line, he observes the address on a check of a female customer. Not long afterward, he breaks into her home and hides in the closet until a man and woman arrive; he knifes the male and begins cutting the woman ending the crescendo with a final plunge. He hitches a ride out of state and kills the driver. He seeks young attractive females so he can break into their homes and terrorize them with his knife before killing them. He ends up in California where he meets some people from a college. The daughter of one of the teachers was attacked by him in Denver. He is about to learn that California girls are nothing like the females he browbeat into doing what he demanded of them.
CUTS is a horror story that in spite of no supernatural element cuts deeply into the psyche of readers; sort of like the first Jaws movie did. The antagonist is an amoral cold blooded monster of the human kind who thinks nothing of torture and murder especially getting off when it occurs in the sanctuary haven of someone's home. Richard Laymon's thriller is very frightening because Albert seems plausible as he craves the slice and dice of a sexual snuff predator, knowing he will never change; the only prevention of his sick sexual slashing is to either kill him or lock him away forever.
In 1816 England Lord Michael Mallory has spent the past year either drunk until he would drop unconscious or mourning the deaths of wife and stillborn son if he remained awake. His best friend, worried about Michael's mental state, abducts him when he is in his normal state of drunkenness and unable to fight back; he dumps Michael on
