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Volume 6, Number 1 January 2007 Home | MBW Index

Table of Contents

Bogstad's Bookshelf Dunford's Bookshelf Klausner's Bookshelf

Laurel's Bookshelf Mary's Bookshelf Shelley's Bookshelf

Shirley's Bookshelf Taylor's Bookshelf Vogel's Bookshelf

Bogstad's Bookshelf
The Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction series is providing readers with a host of re-translated precursors to modern science fiction, correcting some of the bad translations and abridgements of past editions and bringing to light works that have either never been translated or have been out of print for many decades. Below are described two works in the ongoing series. Several more Verne works are represented in the series, with more to come. In both cases, that of Balzac and Verne, this work was much needed and is obviously a labor of love for translators and commentators. We can look forward to more of these excellent works. Janice M. Bogstad, U of Wisconsin-Eau Claire McIntyre Library.

Centenarian Or, the Two Beringhelds
Honore de Balzac (writing as Horace St. Aubin, 1822)
trans. by Daniele Chatelaine and George Slusser
Wesleyan University Press
0819567973 $29.95

Readers of French 19th century literature, devotees of Balzac and historians of science fiction will be very interested in this book as well as others that have been completed (some of them translations of complete editions of Verne's works, see The Begum's Millions, below) and are planned in the "Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction." Admittedly, there are many ways in which it is obvious that this novel is an early book in Balzac's illustrious writing career. The plot is a mishmash of stories in different time frames and only loosely linked by two confusedly drawn characters, the two Beringhelds – Centenarian father and somewhat more noble, illegitimate son. The main value of this book itself is that it is the only translation in English, but also that it is accompanied by well-researched information on the novel's origins and it's place in the corpus of Balzac's entire body of works. Especially interesting is the crucial analysis by the translators, Slusser and Chatelain, but the many notes to the text and the introduction about the publishing history of THIS particular text are also very useful. On its own, I doubt the book would hold a modern reader's attention, and the critics, Slusser and Chatelain are very careful to identify it as an early work written for hire, repudiated later by the author, and probably not read by any of the writers whose work demonstrate some of the early positions on sciences in fiction, such as Verne, Mary Shelly, etc.

This is something I would buy as a critic, scholar and a sort of completetist – because I know the reputation of the editors, translators and the significance of the series, but it's neither a good Gothic, adventure nor Science Fiction story, with elements of all of them. And the story is very disjointed – a sort of imitation of an imitation of a Diary story. Nevertheless, the translators have done a very good job of both translating and explaining carefully which strategies they used and why, very useful to a scholarly reader of a translation.

This scholarly translation of an obscure, early work by the famous 19th century succeeds more as an exemplar than a story. The translators of this newest "Wesleyan Early Classics" title have provided a wealth of supplementary detail about this work's place in the author's writing career, as well as his interest in 19th century biology, and philosophical concepts that preoccupied the author in his later work. The story is somewhat disjointed, being a sort of Gothic horror and romance tale, but also comparable to its more popular contemporary, Mary Shelly's Frankenstein. The two Beringhelds are the monstrous father (born 1450) and his illegitimate son (born 1780). The later grows up to become a much-decorated general in Napoleon's army. In the frame story, Tullius Beringheld (the younger) searches the Centenarian, (Immortal one, a very much older man), "an extraordinary being of gigantic height." The General's diaries form the main story, and detail the source of the Centenarian's powers in a sort of science requiring the life-essence be retrieved, through an alchemical process, from young people, usually young girls and sometimes dying soldiers. Their almost-meetings are punctuated with love stories, including that of Tullius and the innocent, Marianne, love of his youth whom he rescues from the Centenarian after they've been separated for many years. This improbable tale reveals a writer seeking a voice and will appeal especially to those interested in the early history of science fiction and its origins in French popular literature of the 19th century.

The Begum's Millions
Jules Verne
translated by Stanford Luce
Wesleyan U Press
0819567965 $29.95

Fourth of Verne's newly-translated works in the "Wesleyan Early Classics of Science Fiction" series is Verne's cautionary tale. Originally, inexpertly translated in 1879, its plot concerns human failings in the face of both wealth and scientific progress. The introduction, notes, bibliography and commentary by Luce, Evans and Schulman are perhaps more vital to this volume as they establish its historical context, after the French defeat by Germany in 1870, and it's pivotal point in Verne's writing career. Forty-three black-and-white illustrations further enhance the authenticity of presentation. Instead of valorizing progress, Verne's usual stance, the novel presents contested definitions of the utopian impulse to reform human nature. Two scientists, the benevolent, modest Frenchman, Dr. Sarrasin and the egotistical German, Herr Schultze, find that they share a large inheritance, 5 million francs left by a French ancestor who married East-Indian royalty. They use the money to realize two 'utopian' cities. Verne carefully presents the hygienic, peaceful, rational city France-Ville of Dr. Sarrasin as a haven for enlightened, cooperative citizens. City of Steel, the industrialized hell of Herr Schultze, with strictly-regulated worker, is under his sole control. With its resources, he plots the destruction of France-Ville as his first act in ensuring the subjugation of all inferior, non-Saxon races. But the effect is generally dystopian, a regimented and regulated lifestyle, be it industrial or hygienic. The work is also full of racial and personal stereotypes, long paragraphs explaining technological, social and scientific projects, unmediated by Verne's usual humor or adventure plots. Thus translation and the novel itself will be most attractive to the literary completist.

This new translation brings to light the cautionary side of Verne's explorations of technological innovation. Originally, and very inexpertly, translated in 1879, soon after it's publication in French, the title may not have received as much attention because its core is human failings in the face of both wealth and scientific progress, not journeys to fantastic locations. The expert introduction, notes, bibliography and commentary by Luce, Evans and Schulman are perhaps more vital to this volume than the earlier three as they establish it's historical context, after the French loss of Alsace-Lorraine to Germany in 1870, and at a pivotal point in Verne's writing career. Instead of valorizing progress as in his earlier novels, it presents contested definitions of the utopian impulse. Contrasting a city built on the industrial prowess and exactitude of late 19th-century Germany with one organized around emerging conceptions of 'mental' and physical hygiene and championed by a French biological scientist, it actually presents the dystopian of attempts to turn the diversity of human intent and ability into a regimented and regulated lifestyle be it industrial or hygienic. Two scientists, the benevolent, modest Dr. Sarassin and the egotistical Herr Schultze find that they share a large inheritance, 5 million francs left by a French ancestor who married Indian royalty. They choose to realize their utopian drams by creating cities. Verne is careful to present the hygienic, peaceful, rational city France-Ville, enacted by the modest scientist, Dr. Sarrasin, as an enlightened vision for enlightened and cooperative citizens. Its successes are set against the industrialized hell of the German Herr Schultze whose workers are both regulated and isolated, who shares control with no one and plots the destruction of France-Ville as his first act in ensuring that all inferior races will fall under the very appropriate control of the superior Saxon race, of which he is a member. While an interesting premise, and disturbingly prophetic in it's depiction of Germany's future wars of conquest as well as the ease with which the American stock exchange can implode, the work is nevertheless full of stereotypes of racial stereotypes, and not just of French and German, but also much less flattering of Chinese 'coolies'. As if the emphasize the human over the political, Verne ends the novel not with the ultimate financial destruction of Stahlstat (city of Steel) but with a love story, of Sarrasin's protege, an Alsatian named Marcel Bruckmann, who is the major engineer of Schultze's end and Sarrasin's successes.

Professor Janice M. Bogstad
Senior Reviewer

Dunford's Bookshelf
Digital Photography: Click, Then What?
Chuck Clifton
Maple Canyon Co.
PO Box 565, Mapleton, UT 84663-0565
097871640X $19.95 www.maplecanyon.com

Digital photography is now the preferred choice for amateur and professional photographers alike. But for the novice, the simple 'point and click' process can become confusing once the picture is snapped. "Digital Photography: Click, Then What?" by computer expert and digital photography enthusiast Chuck Clifton is a thoroughly 'user friendly', step-by-step, 88-page instruction that teaches just what to do to organize, modify, print, share, use, preserve, and transmit your photos from the camera to the computer to the printer. The simple text and highly illustrated format will get any digital camera operator up and running in no time. These same instructions will allow anyone to scan and obtained digital photography benefits for those old film photos, slides and negatives piling up in photo albums, boxes, drawers, and attics. Whether you are a beginner or have some previous experience with digital photography, Chuck Clifton's "Digital Photography: Click, Then What?" will easily get you started and readily expand your capabilities in making and using digital photographic images.

Essence Of A Land
Tim Hauf
Tim Hauf Photography
PO Box 1241, Kingston, WA 98346
0972074384 $47.50 www.timhaufphotography.com

Featuring 228 photos by Tim Hauf, "Essence Of A Land: South African And its World Heritage Sites showcases seven memorable sites of significance and beauty. Max du Preez provides an accompanying text for Hauf's superb photographic images of Vredefort Dome (the biggest known crater on earth caused by an ancient asteroid); the Cradle of Humankind (an site denoting early hominids and the development of the human species over the past 3.5 million years); the Cape Floral Kingdom; the Khahlamba/Drakensberg National Park; Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (telling the story of the first great kingdom of back farming groups in southern Africa more than six hundred years ago); the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park (with its sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, and wetlands); and Robben Island (perhaps the most powerful symbol of South Africa's long history of repression and resistance). Ideal for armchair travelers with an interest in seeing what the nation of South Africa has to offer, "Essence Of A Land" is especially commended to the attention of anyone planning a business or vacation trip to this diverse and rapidly growing African nation.

Fine Art Printing For Photographers
Uwe Steinmueller & Juergen Gulbins
Rocky Nook Inc.
26 West Mission Street, Suite 3, Santa Barbara, CA 932101
1933952008 $44.95 www.rockynook.com

The collaborative work of Uwe Steinmueller and Juergen Gulbins, "Fine Art Printing For Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints With Inkjet Printers"is a superbly organized and presented instruction guide for anyone using current digital technology as a photographer or graphic artist. Whether a novice amateur or a seasoned professional, "Fine Art Printing For Photographers" will prove to be of immense and practical value in mastering the process of taking a digital image and turning it into a fine art print. Profusely illustrated and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Fine Art Printing For Photographers" presents current printing techniques; inks, paper, and permanence; color management fine art printing workflow; printer selection, installation, and fine-tuning; printing applications and RIPs; black and white printing; image quality evaluation; and even presentation and portfolio development. Anyone wanting to work at the cutting edge of digitally sourced fine art printing should avail themselves of a copy of "Fine Art Printing For Photographers".

Michael Dunford
Reviewer

Klausner's Bookshelf
First Murder in Advent
Sharon Wildwind
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
159414527X $25.95 1-800-223-1244

In 1972 Fort Bragg, Captain Elizabeth receives a call from her friend former Special Forces Sergeant Benny Kirkpatrick that their mutual pal Military Police Captain Avivah Rosen and he were involved in a gun fight in Central Park when she went after a thief. He also says they are going away to hide at the Convent of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Crossmore, North Carolina on the other side of the state from Fayetteville, Bragg's home station locale. Elizabeth agrees to meet up with her best friends. At the Convent just before Advent, Elizabeth sees a strange combination of people welcoming her besides her two friends including the mysterious Major Darby Baxter with his zillion AKAs, who she assumes is an undercover agent of sorts, but not sure for which agency. However, a friendly reunion turns ugly when someone using a garrote murders another guest Gary Dormouth who had accompanied Avivah when she came down from New York. The three soldiers begin to investigate the homicide as they hope to uncover the killer before he or she plays Agatha Christie's ten Little Indians with them. The latest Viet Nam era mystery is a superb tale that showcases how difficult returning to the States were on the soldiers and how little official recognition was accorded females who served in the war zone. The whodunit is cleverly set up so that there is a myriad of suspects so that historical mystery readers will appreciate the story line. However, as with SOME WELCOME HOME, it is the cast especially the two female officers who seem real as they adapt to returning to an unwelcoming world

Dead of Winter
Don D'Ammassa
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594144958 $25.95 1-800-223-1244

Her marriage proved a disaster as her husband turned into a chameleon after they exchanged I do; so when Sean Brennan died, Laura Collier did not mourn her loss. Instead she leaves Vermont to return to her hometown of Dorrance. Her bossy mother Mary expects her to return to her farm, but Laura refuses having had enough clashes with her iron-willed mom in the past. Instead she takes residence in the family log cabin upsetting mom who keeps the pressure up for her to come home. Meanwhile someone stalks Laura and goes so far as trying to shoot her in the dark. Her only friend in town Ashley Sothern, who welcomed her home, vanishes. While Officer Dan Sievert is attracted to Laura and her to him, he does not believe her tale of someone wanting her dead so she investigates her past starting with the abandonment of her father years ago and the present vanishing of Ashley on her own. DEAD OF WINTER is an exhilarating thriller that slowly introduces the audience to the beleaguered heroine and her steel magnolia mom while painting a clear picture of the remoteness of the town. As the action begins to pick up relatively early, readers begin to learn more about why her father vanished without even a goodbye especially tied together with the shocking twisting, but over the top Everest climax. Fans of women in peril from unknown predators will enjoy Don D'Ammassa's entertaining thriller even with an unbelievable ending.

Blue Devil Island
Stephen Mark Rainey
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594144427 $25.95 1-800-223-1244

The year is 1943 and Lieutenant commander Drew McLachlan along with his pilots who are flying in their new F6F-3 Hellcat land on their new base of operations on Conquest Island in the Solomon Island chain in the South Pacific. Their mission is the push the Japanese off Bougainville and the patriotic Navy pilots run many necessary and down many enemy aircraft. They should feel joyous because they are not losing too many men or planes but conditions on Conquest are slowly deteriorating. The men hear noises in the jungle yet flyover shows no tribe has ever lived there. In the cave where the aviation fuel is stored, a rumbling is heard. Beast men attack the marines and pilots and a monster is seen on top of the mountain. It is getting into the military men's thoughts and Drew believes it is intelligent and evil just like the beast men with their clawed hands, unusual jaw formation and other abnormities but are intelligent and in league with the monster. Between the Japanese attacking the island and the native monsters on it, Drew wonders if any of the men will make it out alive. This is a horror novel reminiscent of the black and white terror novels of the 1950's. Stephen Mark Raines pays homage to Lovecraft in BLUE DEVIL ISLAND, an action packed thriller that slowly reveals the truth about the beast-men and the monster. The patriotism and courage of the military stationed on the island enables readers to understand why the Greatest Generation enlisted and were willing to die for the ideals their country stands for; the audience hopes they can defeat the enemy from within and without.

Witch Faith
Narelle M. Harris
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594144680 $25.95 1-800-223-1244

A millennium ago, a colony ship landed on the planet and after a time, some of the passengers was able to perform magic. A religious schism divided the colonists into two groups: the Leylites who worship the Earth-mother and revere the witches and the Priests of the Arc who worship the First King and his Lords (the pilot and his crew). When a civil war broke out, it was in large part due to the King regaining his throne after the coup. Magda, the leader of the witches, who was a Sol Fleet doctor before she crashed on the planet, combines her medical skill with magic. The witches are talented and cherished in Tyne, but many people also fear them. The nation of Marin Kuta bans witches and closed its borders so none can enter. When it is learned that a space craft landed there, Magda and her three witch companions journey into Tyne because her friends need advanced medical attention that she cannot provide. The closer they get to their destination, the deadlier the anti witch fervor is. Magda knows she must persuade the ship's captain that magic is real and also end the schism that hurts everyone. Readers who enjoy the "Warlock Who ..." tales will appreciate this fine science fiction fantasy. Magda becomes the bridge between the two approved religions as her medical skill and her magic abilities enable her to keep a foot in both worlds. Narelle M. Harris is a strong world builder who provides intricate details on religion and culture in a feudal system that came about in order to survive. The divisiveness of the crew and the splinter between the two prime groups leads to a powerful sometimes violent fantasy thriller with sic fi overtones.

Obsidian
Teagan Oliver
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145512 $26.95 1-800-223-1244

The explosion on a boat killed his best friend, Coast Guard Special Investigation Unit partner David while leaving Jamie Rivard physically battered and mentally worse. The Coast Guard places Jamie on sick leave while he heals. However, his Commanding Officer McAlvey says that there is evidence that David illegally sold guns and if Jamie wants to quietly and unofficially investigate to prove otherwise he should. Jamie travels to Chandler, Maine where he obtains work with John Case, who is the prime suspect in the weapons trafficking. He also meets John's niece harbormaster Shelby Teague, whose husband died on the ocean which her brother apparently emulates the recklessness of her late spouse. As Jamie begins to uncover the shocking truth, he and Shelby fall in love, but neither seems to trust the other with the full truth while a behind the scenes Machiavelli type manipulates everyone involved. OBSIDIAN is an entertaining investigative romantic suspense that hooks readers with the boat explosion that kills David and severely injures Jamie. The relationship between the lead couple enhances Jamie's inquiries because he does not trust her as she obviously is loyal to and loves her Uncle John, his prime suspect while she has doubts about men with secrets especially after the escapades of her spouse and new her brother. Though the criminal mastermind seems over the moon, readers will enjoy accompanying Jamie as he explore coastal Maine seeking the truth about his late partner and his heart.

Cold Lessons
Michael McCulloch
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145245 $25.95 1-800-223-1244

In 1969 in Garden City, Montana Gil Strickland, an idealist, was named teacher of the year who made his classroom a fun learning experience. Eighteen years later and almost three decades as a teacher has destroyed his ideals as he is a baby sitter not an instructor; coming to work at Porte l'Enfer High School sober quite an ordeal. His lack of caring endangers his job as Vice Principal Flannel warns him to shape up or else. The school is shook when cheerleader Kristen Swales dies under the influence of drugs by crashing her car. Teacher Dick Simsonsen, who has always placed Gil on a pedestal, tells him he was having an affair with Kristen, which shocks the alcoholic, but fits his belief that moral decay is the norm. However when Kristen's friend Maria sneezes and blood shoots out of her nose, something inexplicable inside Gil resurfaces: a need to help his students. He begins to investigate the drug cartel preying on the local students over the objection of his travel writer wife of over three decades Lolita, but soon finds himself wondering if the red pen is mightier than the sword, make those guns. COLD LESSONS starts off as a well written gloomy deep character study of how far an idealistic caring person can fall when the optimistic armor is destroyed. Towards the middle of the intense story line, Gil converts into a born again needing to save the world one student at a time. However, the latter half of the story line is more an amateur sleuth thriller though the audience will still have some insight into the crusader who as he did in his youth is willing to risk all for his beliefs.

Double Dead
Terry Hoover
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145873 $25.95 1-800-223-1244

In 1961 Charlotte, North Carolina, defense attorney George Warren hires former reporter turned private sleuth Steve Harlan to help him with his case defending his client State Mutual Bank President John Lattimore accused of killing his mistress Delores Green. Lattimore confessed to bringing home the corpse of Delores, but insists he did not kill her. He also admits that he bullied her thirteen years old son Greg to cover for him. The Medical Examiner states that a homicide occurred as the victim had over two hundred bruises on her body. Having lost his father when he was ten, Steve detests Lattimore for his treatment of Greg, but conducts his inquiries in a professional manner. His best witness to affirm Lattimore's contention that Delores had the bruises two days before she died, auto mechanic Jack Cotter vanished. Her friends paint a diverse picture of her as one insists she abused alcohol while another insisted she detested alcohol and drugs. As Steve digs deeper, someone threatens his beloved wife Susie and their two preadolescent children in order to force him to back off from learning the truth. This is an enjoyable historical legal thriller with much of the story line focusing in on Steve's investigation. Like Steve, readers will wonder why Lattimore moved the body and put undo pressure on a young teen. All that accomplished was to make him look guiltier. Readers will enjoy the hero as he overcomes his gut loathing of Lattimore to uncover the truth behind the death of the rich man's mistress.

Retirement Homes Are Murder
Mike Befeler
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145156 $25.95 1-800-223-1244

In Hawaii, crusty octogenarian Paul Jacobson resides at the Kina Nani assisted living retirement home, but has trouble remembering anything that has occurred recently for instance how he got there. At breakfast he meets two other residents, Asperser sufferer Henry Palmer, who knows every baseball stat imaginable and blind Meyer O'Hanna who suggests Paul write everything down in a journal each night so he can use this as a reminder when he forgets everything the next morning. When Paul goes to throw out garbage, he finds the chute stuffed with the corpse of a neighbor Mr. Tiegan. Detective Siato thinks Paul is the prime suspect as the victim was suing him over stealing valuable stamps. Encouraged by Meyer and assisted by Henry, Paul investigates to the chagrin of his visiting son, the lead detective, and the killer. The geriatric trio makes for a delightful amateur sleuth thriller. Paul's short term memory problems makes everyday living let alone the issues he faces that much more difficult; Meyer's solution to the memory loss and other intelligent advice helps Paul with more than just his inquiry; whereas Henry knows baseball stats perhaps better than even the Schwab does (though I doubt he can Stump the Schwab in other sports). This combination makes for a delightful geriatric investigative tale that cozy fans will appreciate.

The Rancher's Heart
C.H. Admirand
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145717 $26.95 1-800-223-1244

In the 1860s in the Colorado Territory, Michael O'Toole vanished leaving behind his wife Bridget who believed he would return for her and their infant son Mick. She moved from town to town where everyone assumed she was a fallen woman. After a dozen years pass without her spouse's return or any word from him, Bridget finally accepts she is a widow raising a son by herself. To feed her growing offspring, Bridget starves herself so a worried Mick joins a gang of cattle rustlers only to be caught by the marshal and rancher James Ryan. Instead of hanging the lad, James takes a chance that the twelve year old is not a thief, but a desperate person. He invites mother and son onto his ranch, but she fears her reputation will destroy her host's due to guilt by association. Still as they fall in love, encouraged by a preadolescent, his Texas "criminal" roots and her marital status threaten anything permanent. THE RANCHER'S HEART is a terrific western romance starring two likable protagonists with pasts that impact the present and how they relate to other adults. The story line is character driven though there is plenty of action especially in the latter half of this late 1870s tale. Though the ending feels abrupt and too neatly packaged, sub-genre fans will enjoy C. H. Admirand's wonderful historical due to the admirable courageous lead couple.

Letters from Lydia
Kent Kamron
Five Star
295 Kennedy Memorial Drive, Waterville, ME 04901
1594145288 $26.95 1-800-223-1244

Seven years after the Civil War ended mentally unbalanced former POW William Pearlman, a widower, commits suicide leaving behind his sixteen year old daughter Lydia, whom he failed to recognize once he came home to Grundy, West Virginia. Lydia, though shocked, has no time to grieve as she leaves immediately for St. Louis to live with her Aunt Almetta Boggs. Almetta makes it clear from the start that her niece will earn her keep. Meanwhile the Gateway City seems initially a haven for the rural rube, but her naivete leaves her heartbroken as people even family take advantage of her kindness. A betrayal leaves her bereft and feeling that she does not belong here. Deciding to leave the big city, Lydia heads west to the Dakotas seeking to find a place where she belongs; instead calamity and misfortune is all she seems to find. Although discouraged a bit, the intrepid young woman continues her journey to find happiness. This is an interesting historical character study starring a determined woman not willing to allow hard knocks to keep her down as she believes she will find someone to cherish and someplace to call home. The story line contains twenty-five letters that Lydia writes to friends and teachers encouraging her to be all that she can be; the correspondence adds to the sense of time and place while also giving the insightful plot a Reconstruction Era biographical fictional feel. Kent Kamron pens LETTERS FROM LYDIA that fans of Americana tales will appreciate.

Kissing Sin
Keri Arthur
Dell Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
055358846X $6.99 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

On an earth where supernatural species like vampires and werewolves exist, the Directorate of Other Races polices the paranormal and the guardians are the ones who act as judges, jury, and executioner. Rhoan and Riley are fraternal half-vampire-half werewolf twins who work for the Directorate, he as a guardian and she is a liaison. Her boss wants her to be a guardian but she doesn't want to be an assassin who kills whenthe situation calls for it. Riley wakes up on what she later learns is a breeding ground where gene manipulation, cloning and creating cross-species is practiced even though it is against the law. They want Riley because she is one of the few cross species that survived. She escapes with the help of a horse shifter and finds herself plunged into the heart of the Directorate investigation to find and stop the people who are conducting such research. She barely escapes with her life after attacks by various species thanks to the vampire, who wants to sire children on her and in exchange gives her information about the people she seeks. Riley is determined to stop them so the attacks on her life will end and she can go back to the normal. Keri Arthur is one of the best authors of paranormal romances writing today and fans of her works will compare her to Laurel K. Hamilton, and Kelly Armstrong. The heroine is a strong willed woman who accepts her nature and tells men who can't accept her for what she is to take a hike. KISSING SIN is a fast paced action packed romantic fantasy that takes place on an earth so descriptive readers will feel they must have visited it.

Surviving Demon Island
Jaci Burton
Dell Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0440243351 $6.99 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

Action adventure movie star Gina Bliss has just completed her latest movie as always doing her own stunts when her agent informs her she has been invited to compete on a reality TV show, SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND, which she accepts. On a boat in the middle of the ocean heading to an isolated island, Gina meets the producer Lou, her five opponents and obnoxious technical advisor Derek, who makes it plain he expects the actress to go home first On the isle, Derek and Gina bet on physical conditioning in which they trek through the jungle; near the finish line, Gina trips Derek to win the contest. On a trek in the jungle, they are attacked by stuntmen pretending to be demons; Gina and two teammates defeat their opponents. On the second day, real demons attack Gina's team. She leads the counterattack just before Derek arrives at the scene. They win the fight, but know this was real. Lou explains that there is no survivor show, demons are real, and he, as the Keeper of the Realm of Light, is seeking new recruits. Lou further explains that demons evolve and live in major cities, but not sure why they are here on this remote island. As they struggle to survive, Derek and Gina fall in love, but a shocker awaits both of them. This is a wild paranormal romantic thriller that has enough tongue in cheek to make for a fine action adventure tale. The relationship between the lead couple is terrific and complex while the strong support cast including the teammates and the demons enhance the thrills and chills of a fun story line with a terrific surprising final twist. Though why Lou selected a celebrity like Gina even if he knows she is skilled when he avoids publicity sees odd, Jaci Burton provides a delightful Beauty vs. the Beast tale with the hero's brother up next.

Bride and Doom
Deborah Donnelly
Dell Books
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
0440242851 $6.99 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

Wedding planner Carnegie Kincaid is thrilled to be engaged to reporter Aaron Gold but at the moment she is more involved with the McKinny/Gutierrez wedding. The groom is a player for the Seattle Navigators and just broke the record for home runs in a single season; the bride is the lead singer in the Goth rock group Honey Hel and the Fiends. The Navigators management is paying for all the wedding festivities and Carnegie is thrilled to be up close and personal with her teen-age crush Rob Harmon. At the engagement party Boris, renowned floral designer, gets into a fight with vicious sports journalist Digger Duvall when he insults Carnegie. Later she finds Boris standing over the dead and bloody body of Digger, a bloody baseball bat in his hands. The police arrest him but Carnegie knows he is innocent and since his own lawyer thinks he is guilty she starts sleuthing trying to clear his name. Someone doesn't want her involved as her new house is broken into and she is mugged but that just makes her more determined to find the killer, a decision that almost gets her killed. It is always fun to see the craziness that is involved in preparing for someone else's wedding, but add in an odd murder and amateur sleuthing to the mix and readers will have a totally entertaining mystery drama to sink their teeth into. Deborah Donnelly can always be counted on to write a wonderful amateur sleuth tale that focuses on a protagonist who is an average person who happens to like solving murder investigations. She's unique independent and totally delightful as she charms the audience who root for her every step of the way.

Come The Night
Angelique Armae
Imajinn Books
PO Box 545, Canon City, CO 81215-0545
193341717X $14.00 http://www.imajinnbooks.com

In 476 Ad near Rome, the desperate widow Octavia introduces her half-breed son Lazerus to his grandfather Romulus the Vampyre. She wants her sire to save his grandson's life for if he refuses Lazerus will join his father a fallen angel in death or become a demon. Reluctantly as he had not done with his mortal daughter, Romulus agrees to convert Lazerus to a life as an undead under the stipulation that he change Octavia too so she can teach him the way of the Nazarene as he has followed. With an heir, a weary Romulus can enter the sun. In 1095 Ireland Lazerus is married to a tracker Neomina, keeper of sacred holy icons. Lazerus leads his vampyric New Breed, but he knows the prophecy is coming that his grandfather explained to his mother five centuries ago. The demons that destroyed Rome are back to finish the job with the only hope for Lazerus and his tribe to survive let alone win is his wife, but she remains unaware of her power. COME THE NIGHT is a delightful paranormal romantic thriller that will give immense pleasure to fans of horror, romance, and suspense. Historical tidbits and religious elements enhance the exciting story line. The cast is deep and the key members so developed that angels, vampyres, trackers, and demons seem almost everyday normal though the adventures are not. Angelique Armae provides a powerful vampyric romance that will fully entertain across the genres.

Killing Spree
Kevin O'Brien
Pinnacle (Kensington)
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0786017759 $6.99 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

Gillian McBride is a Seattle-based published author with five thriller books to her credit and even though she is pleased to be in print, she is not a happy person. Her husband Barry walked out on her and their son to avoid being killed by people he borrowed money from to support his gambling habit; these loan sharks periodically come around looking in her mail and garbage for a clue to the whereabouts of Barry. On top of that her son is going through an identity crisis because he is attracted to males yet doesn't want to be labeled gay. A series of murders starts in New York City where a woman was stabbed to death in a taxi by a man wearing a Zorro costume. A man picks up a hitchhiker, drugs him, and murders him and surgically removes his lover jaw and heart in Billings, Montana. In Chicago, a woman is killed in a department store dressing room. All of these scenarios are found in Gillian's novels and the killer finds various ways of informing her of each killings. As the killer gets closer and closer to Gillian's loved ones, she puts her life on the line to stop him from killing again. Thriller readers are going to thoroughly enjoy KILLING SPREE, a tale with many sub-plots that tie seamlessly into the main storyline. There is so much action that the audience never gets a chance the catch their breath. The heroine, who is besieged on all sides, is a strong willed person, who never even whines or whimpers when life gets difficult; instead she rises to the occasion to cope with her latest crisis. Kevin O' Brien provides a strong thriller.

Blind Fear
Lynn Abercrombie
Pinnacle (Kensington)
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0786017287 $6.99 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

Atlanta Police Detective MeChelle Deakes of the Cold Case Unit wakes up to find her eyelids superglued shut leaving her disoriented and clueless as to why she was abducted. The bewildered cop believes she is also in a soundproof room. At the same time that MeChelle vanished, her new partner Cody Floss goes to her retired former partner Lieutenant Hank Gooch with his concerns about her. Cody explains that Lane Priest came to the precinct to talk to them about who killed and raped her mother because she was hiding under the bed at the time of the tragedy. However, Lane is blind, but insists she can identify the culprit from his voice. Hank and Deakes are given thirteen hours to track down the killer of Lane's mother and find evidence that will convict the murderer in court or MeChelle will die. Hank blackmails the mayor to bring him officially back on duty and immediately afterward he and MeChelle investigate a strange serpentine trail of clues that seemingly lead to nowhere, but hopefully to a killer. Though the murderer and the kidnapper seem impossible to figure out, this treasure hunt investigation is a fun Atlanta joy ride as the police duo struggle to uncover the identity of the rapist killer. The action-packed story line grips the reader from the opening scene in which the heroine cannot open her eyes and never slows down as one clue leads to another. Lynn Abercrombie provides a strong suspense tale that will lead police procedural fans seeking out the Deakes-Gooch previous saga, The Body Box.

The Sex on the Beach Book Club
Jennifer Apodaca
Kensington Brava
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0758214502 $14.00 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

In Goleta, California, private investigator Holly Hillbay enjoys her vocation especially when she can kick the butt of a cheating male though realistically the money is in the tedious background checks. Currently she is frustrated with men ever since her former fiance Brad the cad stole her best paying client from her. So she plans to fully take pleasure in exposing cheating Wes Brockman, owner of Books on the Beach. Her client Phil Shaker believes his wife Tanya is sleeping with Wes using the book club as a pretense. Holly goes undercover by joining the book club, but quickly concludes the hunk is not doing it with his client's spouse though she might be cheating with one of the other members like Cullen. She also believes Wes is hiding something so unable to resist she makes inquiries into his secret while her chip on her shoulder (and the rest of her body) demands a tryst with him on the beach. She also begins investigating Cullen even as the case spins out of control with a homicide in the bookstore ending the cheating Tanya's extramarital affair. This is a terrific private investigator romance that is fun to read as in your face Holly takes no prisoners while trying to uncover the truth that seems to keep twisting on her (and the audience) with every clue she uncovers. The story line is fast-paced and filled with red herrings. Though Holly's abrupt manner can be irritating as we got the message except if you are Wes, fans of romantic mysteries will appreciate this fine tale that starts with WICKED WOMEN WHODUNIT and never slows down until the final on the beach encounter.

Who Wants to Be a Sex Goddess?
Gemma Bruce
Kensington Brava
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
075821622X $14.00 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

The four evil genies demand that Ariadne McAllister go undercover to learn what happened to her Aunt Mac who never came home from her three weeks at obtaining the "eternal orgasm" at the Terra Bliss sex goddess spa in the Lake Tahoe Mountains. Her mom, her two siblings and their housekeeper insist they are too busy so since she finished shooting she is the only one available to investigate. The stuntwoman begs for time off as she worked hard on location, but knows she will be driving immediately to Tahoe as mousy Miss Marple. Investigator Dillon Cross is working undercover as a male slave; make that attendant, at Terra Bliss as he investigates a homicide of a wealthy patron of the Goddess International crowd. He notices two things upon arrival at Terra Bliss; the guards are armed to do more than keep out bears and how sexy the mouse Ariadne is. He is her personal attendant and just touching her accidentally gave his groin a rush he has not felt since high school. As each make inquires while hiding their investigation from the other, both deny the attraction that heats the mountains to equatorial temperatures. WHO WANTS TO BE A SEX GODDESS? is an amusing charmer in which the suspense comes late as the lead couple meets and hides their undercover activities by under cover activities. The lead couple is a delightful pairing as both deny their feelings while distrusting the other with their not so hidden agenda as they trip over one another while making inquiries. Fans who appreciate lighthearted but hot satirical romantic mysteries will want to read Gemma Bruce's lampooning of the sub-genre.

The Stranger I Married
Sylvia Day
Kensington Brava
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
075821474X $14.00 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

In 1815 Lady Isabel Pelham and Lord Gerard Faulkner agree on a marriage of convenience as friends in which they can continue to pursue their "outside interests". She would remain Markham's mistress and he would continue to dally with Lady Sinclair, who carries his offspring. Months later he learns from his nasty mother that his beloved Emily died giving birth to his stillborn offspring. Shocked as he loved the married Emily, Gerald flees England. Four years later, Gerard returns to London no longer the carefree youth who enjoyed scandal. Instead he is gloomy and demanding. He informs his wife that he wants a real marriage with her. Stunned Pel prefers her freedom though his kisses are like none she ever tasted before. As Gerard seduces his wife with rough sexual encounters, they fall in love; but neither will hand the power of that emotion to the other because trust outside of the bedroom remains lacking in their relationship. This is a fresh and very interesting regency romance that focuses on an older woman with a younger man scandalizing society when they married and more so when they fall in love. As a warning the hardball sex is graphic though well written and a major segment of the relationship that develops between this likable lead three dimensional (in and out of the boudoir) couple involves exploring sex. Sylvia Day spices up the sub-genre with her hot THE STRANGER I MARRIED historical relationship drama.

Not Quite a Bride
Kirsten Sawyer
Kensington
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0758216637 $12.95 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

In high school, Molly Harrigan assumed that by the time she turned thirty, she would be married, own a home and have two kids to raise. Now that she is turning thirty, she remains single, a Manhattan renter, and has no kids to raise. Even worse is the fact she has no prospects as she has no boyfriend. Her younger sister Jamie, married to Bryson, is pregnant; her best friend Brad Lawson is engaged to the evil Claire Reilly. There is also Logan. She loves all three of them and wants the best for each, but what about her also getting her desires achieved? Though no male to call her own, Molly decides to have at least the wedding she always wanted by hiring an actor Justin to play the groom. He provides a perfect performance as her family and friends adore him especially her brother Logan. When Brad suddenly seems to wants his relationship ended, so does Logan for different reasons; still in his role Justin secretly agrees with both men. However, the complications of courtships make it seem inevitable that Molly will say I do to Justin even if it is staged. This is an amusing chick lit tale starring an incredibly fully developed support cast and a likable lead protagonist who just wants her soulmate to appear. The story line is fun to follow as the complications of the fake courtship makes it increasingly difficult to back out of it especially since everyone loves Justin. Though Claire is a selfish shrew, readers will enjoy the escapades of the extended Harrigan family.

You're Not the Boss of Me
Erika Schickel
Kensington
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0758215371 $12.95 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

These twenty-five amusing essays reflect on family life starting with the proverb that "Unsafe sex is so hot" as author Erika Schickel and her spouse Doug remove the layers of protection to go skin on skin resulting in the positive blue line appearing on the home stationing kit. Each of the entries are insightful as Erika's womb contains a foreign insurgent who starts as the size of a microscopic pimple but nine plus months later is a whale until she sheds the pounds naturally with the birth of Georgia and the new role of tushi cleaner. Talk about insanity, she and Doug begin the process over again. This is a fun look at family from the perspective of the mother as Ms. Schickel turns Erma Bombeck inside out with the pits and cherries gone as only the bowl requiring cleaning is left behind. Fans of humorous insightful looks at the modern security momma will want to read YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME as the parents learn who rules the roost.

Will She or Won't She?
Sheila Norton
Kensington
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0758214146 $12.95 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

Rosie is bored with her job, her marriage is blah, her kids take her for granted, and her social life is a big fat zero, but though she recognizes her ennui, she has no plans to change her lifestyle even if alluring and fascinating sound better than being called a "comfortable chair". Though everyone knows they can depend on pal Rosie, the most amenable soul on the planet, she wonders what happened to her needs as she is forty-four with no life. She decides to go for a radical makeover starting with her hair and clothing. She begins to look closely at what she wants from life including her husband, who seems to be going through the motions of a relationship. Rosie begins to ponder whether she needs a radical makeover of her marriage though the thought frightens her as she rests in her comfort zone; still she wonders if it is too late to fix things as both of them are in a rut. She considers ending her marriage as a key step if she is going to have any chance at happiness. Rosie is a terrific protagonist who feels a need to be more than Miss Dependable Congeniality as she does nothing for herself while always doing what others ask of her. The comfortable doormat encouraged by friend PJ finally realizes if she fails to change things soon, her life will be wasted. Readers will appreciate the heroine as she learns that one must set aside some quality time for him or herself even while carrying out responsibilities.

Drama High: The Fight
L. Divine
Kensington Dafina
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0758216335 $14.95 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

In Compton, California South Bay High School basketball star Kalvince Alonzo Jenkins, Jr., KJ for short, tells his girlfriend Jayd Jackson that they are through as he is making it with someone else willing to go all the way with him. She is upset, but with her close friends Nellie and Mickey at her side, she moves on past the disappointment of her love life being shattered. After working all summer at Simply Wholesome, Jayd returns to school hoping this year will be quieter and not another sentence at "Drama High", where she knows being an outsider bussed in means the locals assume she will steal from them. However, her former best friend Misty still has in for her and persuades KJ's current squeeze Trecee into challenging Jayd to a cat fight. Though uninterested in a fight or KJ, as she has found student Jeremy more fascinating and kinder than her ex though he is white, Jayd knows she has no choice if she is to attend school with her head held high by defending her honor. This is a captivating look at teen life at a middle class predominately white high school in which the star of the tale, Jayd, is bussed in along with about thirty other black students. Her insight into the drama of surviving high school is terrific as rivalries are the norm. Readers will appreciate the first Drama High tale starring a strong support cast and a heroine who just wants a quiet school year and wonders if that is asking too much?

Now Until Forever
Karen White-Owens
Kensington Dafina
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0758218788 $6.99 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

In Los Angeles, One Leaf Studio Executive Keir Southall feels like a teen in heat when he first sees the woman walk by. He never felt his gut as tight as when he sees her smile for the first time. Keir wants that smile aimed at him. He learns she is a recently widowed highly regarded costume and set designer Ryan Mitchell, who just came under their studio's contract. Keir introduces himself to Mrs. Ryan Mitchell, who feels the same deep attraction that has the executive thinking raging hormones. Once he learns she is a widow, he wants an office romance with her, but she fears such a relationship will devastate her career as she will be labeled as a unprofessional whore. Still they cannot help but flirt with one another while their magnetic pull ignites into passion and ultimately love. However, his son from his former wife gets into a fight over Ryan's relationship with his dad leading to her reconsidering their relationship as she does not want the young man hurt. Readers can feel from the onset the attraction from a distance between the lead couple even before they actually meet; that pull seems so real that the audience will believe in love at first sight and root for Keir and Ryan to find a way to be together. The support cast serves as deterrents to the relationship. Fans of contemporary romances will want to read this charmer as the feelings between Keir and Ryan are incredible, something to behold.

A Nantucket Christmas
Leslie Linsley
Bullfinch Press
c/o Little, Brown & Company
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0821258079 $19.99 www.bullfinchpress.com 1-800-759-0190

This holiday gift book provides readers with insight into celebrating Christmas on Nantucket Island off the coast of Massachusetts. The two centuries old houses look terrific as they are made festive for the Yuletide season. The numerous color photos by Jeffrey Allen enable the reader to see first hand why this is a popular sight during Christmas, almost as much as it is a summer getaway. Author Leslie Linsley provides a warm travelogue as she escorts her readers on a tour of the homes, the ships, the shops, all lit up for the season to be jolly. Ms. Linsley also provides the audience with arts and crafts tips that include designs using greenery, fruits and flowers. Special recipes round out this delightful charmer. Perhaps the only thing missing is the lack of the owners of these delightful homes, shops, and ships as smiling uplifting faces would enhance the insightful descriptions and wonderful photography.

Consolation
Michael Redhill
Little, Brown & Company
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0316734985 $24.99 www.twbookmark.com 1-800-759-0190

In 1997, unable to cope anymore with Lou Gehrig's disease, geologist/historian David Hollis committed suicide. However before he took his life, David left behind another controversy. He claimed that a ship buried in downtown Toronto contained photographs of the city circa 1850s, but he refused to provide the collaborating source, a diary. His assertion turns into a controversy in which most historians assume he made up the so called proof; even friends assume the disease caused him to do it. One person believes David's story is true. His grieving widow Marianne decides to find the evidence that will return her late spouse's reputation. She obtains a hotel room overlooking the locale where a sports stadium is to be constructed that David insisted hides the photos. Her future son-in-law tries to help Marianne and his fiancee through their grief by assisting her though he agrees with the expert opinion that David filed a false declaration. In 1855 English expatriate pharmacist Jem Hallam takes over a pharmaceutical practice in Toronto only to learn that the horrific errors of his predecessor destroyed the business. One of his few customers, ailing Samuel Ennis introduces Jem to photography. The pharmacist turns to the new profession to earn a living as he takes pictures of his adopted city. The fascinating story line shows deference to the city then and now as it rotates perspective between the mid nineteenth century and the present. The modern day subplot reads like an amateur sleuth thriller as Marianne desperately needs to prove her late spouse right before she can move past her loss. The 1855 subplot provides a deep historical look at the city through mostly the eyes of the newcomer. Cleverly Michael Redhill merges his duel themes into a cohesive look at relationships especially after one of the people has died.

The Terror
Dan Simmons
Little, Brown & Company
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0316017442 $25.99 www.twbookmark.com 1-800-759-0190

A few years earlier Captain Sir John Franklin and James Ross found the previously unknown continent f Antarctica. In the mid 1840s, John leads a two ship expedition through the waterways of Northern Canada seeking the Northwest Passage. However, instead of glory and having bays and land masses big and small named for him, in 1845 his ships, the Terror captained by that bitter jealous Francis Crozier and his immediate command the Erebus are stuck in the ice with decreasingly chances of escape. Two years later, the vessels remain trapped and the tainted food supply planned for three years is dwindling rapidly. Worse the intelligent gigantic Thing that lives on the ice has methodically attacked and killed much of the crew. Franklin is dead and Crozier is losing control as mutiny is too weak a word to describe the rapidly dwindling survivors. Insanity and cannibalism makes it clear that this doomed expedition is all about survival of the fittest, which increasingly looks to be the Thing. THE TERROR is an excellent historical thriller with a supernatural like element adding suspense to the tale with the premise based on the real lost Franklin expedition. Readers will appreciate this superior story line that plays out on two levels: the mental and physical deterioration of the crew and Terror brought by the Thing that is impervious to human countermeasures as the creature successfully assaults the crew. Told mostly by Crozier and some of the crew, the tale switches back and forth between 1847 and 1845 allowing readers to contrast what was and what has become of several of the cast. Dan Simmons is at his best with this superb tale of terror.

With Nine You Get Vanyr
Jean Marie Ward & Teri Smith
Samheim Publishing
2932 Ross Clark Circle, #384, Dothan, AL 36301
1599983605 $17.00

At the science fiction and fantasy convention, DragonCon, the internet fan group the Daughters of Reyah loves the show Domain. Also at the event is Reyah, who separately, along with her group followers, makes a wish on the Wishstone. Nine girls are transported to Domain while also transformed into their avatar persona. Also sent is Lydia, the actress who plays the villainess the Demon Queen on the TV show. The internet group is transformed into Vanyr (demi-gods) just like Reyah's sons. Lydia is taken to the evil son's Keep where he mistakes her for Megeara, the villainess who can conjure up an unbound demon. He plans to take over the world and oust his mother from power. He demands Lydia call up a demon. Each of Reyah's daughters is sent on a quest to prepare for the upcoming battle between her evil son and his minions vs. her new "offspring". Jean Marie Ward & Teri Smith make Domain seem like a real realm due to the reactions of the transported conventioneers. The characters are very believable as they adapt to having real powers that they must learn to use properly as opposed to role-playing. Fans will never look at Atlanta's DragonCon the same way again after this fun filled fantasy. This reviewer's only wish when she attends the 07 Con on the Labor Day weekend is more tales in the realm of Domain. WITH NINE YOU GET VANYR is a great fantasy.

Texas Tender
Leigh Greenwood
Leisure
0843956852 $6.99

In 1886, Will Haskins arrives in Dunmore, Texas to buy a bull from Idalou Ellsworth as he plans to start a ranch. However, the usually fiery Idalou is stunned into silence when she sees how beautiful Will is. However, the bull is missing so Will reluctantly agrees to help her and her brother get the critter back from her neighbor Jordan McGloughlin though Idalou's sibling would prefer his daughter instead. Before he can blink and get the dazed Idalou to say coherent sentences, Will has become the temporary sheriff of the town. All the ladies in town think he is a hunk and those not married see him as an ideal spouse. However, he wants Idalou, but first must stop whoever is trying to destroy the Ellsworth siblings in what looks like a land grab from McGloughlin before his beloved does something dangerous on her own. Few authors if any can bring to life a late nineteenth century cowboy romance like Leigh Greenwood consistently does. His latest Texas tale starts with a terrific opening as the in your face Idalou is stoned silent when her eyes see Will for the first time, a condition no one who knows this wild termagant has ever seen before. The amusing story line is a combination of the taming of the no longer shrew and the hunk who adores her even more than her bull. TEXAS TENDER is a delightful historical romance with a touch of suspense that is clearly a Greenwood branded winner.

The Warrior Trainer
Gerri Russell
Leisure
0843958251 $6.99

In 1308 Scotland, Scotia is the latest in a long line of warrior women trained to protect the Stone of Destiny that the English claim the Scots stole from them. Four horsemen vow to kill every Highlander until they bring back the Stone to their English monarch. Ian MacKinnon seeks Scotia the Trainer, considered the world's greatest fighter, to train him so he can protect his clan and avenge his brother killed by vicious English marauders dubbed the Four Horsemen. When he finds her he is stunned by her beauty, but is unaware that she recognizes him as the man who is to be her soulmate. She also sees him as a tool to avenge the death of her mother at the hands of the same evil soulless ones who killed her student's brother. Though both plan to use the other to further their personal agendas, neither can ignore their attraction for one another. Using the real Scottish STONE OF DESTINY as the underlying base to the fine story line, Gerri Russell provides a strong fictional twist to the authentic history in which instead of English knights taking this royal regal item to Westminster, they carted off a fake. The story line is action-packed from the start when the Four Horsemen like those of the Apocalypse destroy anyone misfortunate enough to be in their path and never slows down until the final battlefield confrontation between them and the lead couple. Fans of medieval romance with a wee bit of a whimsical legend (anchored in history) will enjoy this fine tale of a daring skillful heroine and the laird who loves her.

The Freedom of the Soul
Tracey Bateman
Barbour
PO Box 719,1810 Barbour Drive, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
1597892211 $9.97

In 1949 Oregon Shea Penbrook feels all alone as she buries her Granddad; her fiance died during the war in the Pacific and her dad not long afterward. At the funeral with her are the preacher she paid and the family helper who asks for his wages. Even before she can get home, her avariciou neighbor Jackson Sable demands she sell the place to him, which she is forced to do by an unfair legal ruling. Going inside her shack, she packs her possessions, but in the attic she finds the diaries of an ancestor who makes her believe she has some African American blood inside her. Lonely she decides to go to Oak Junction, Georgia to find her other roots. Shea is shocked when she sees how blacks are treated as inhuman, but finds solace in the diaries that focus on the love between Mac the offspring of a wealthy white slave owner and Celeste one of their slaves. She wonders who Mac will marry, a white neighbor who condones his having a discrete tryst or the slave who captures his heart though she sort of knows the answer already. Meanwhile she meets Chicago based Jonas Riley who does not trust Shea, but has no choice except to invite the enemy into his home and more. The sequel to THE COLOR OF THE SOUL, THE FREEDOM OF THE SOUL, is a fabulous historical thriller that brings to life two eras, the Deep South just after WWII and the Antebellum mid ninetieth century South prior to the Civil War. The prime story line focuses on Shea's need to belong to someone and somewhere, but also uses the diaries to tell the story of Mac and Celeste. Readers will appreciate this character driven look at racial relationships while rooting for the best to happen to the deserving Shea.

A Merry Heart
Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour
PO Box 719,1810 Barbour Drive,Uhrichsville, OH 44683
159789298X $12.95

At one time Miriam Stolfus believed that her true love William Graber would come back for her when he left for Ohio. Instead he never returned to their Amish community, ending her dreams with a Dear Miriam letter in which he informed her he has fallen in love and will marry Lydia Stutzman. In spite of her mom constantly quoting Proverbs 17.22, Miriam has a troubled spirit and heavy heart that even her students notice. She is a twenty-six years old spinster who is often a cross teacher with a short fuse, Widower Amos Hilty has loved Miriam since they were children, but she had eyes only for William. He married but his wife passed away. Amos raises their six years old daughter Mary Ellen mostly by himself though the community is there for him. Though her beloved momma insists Amos would Make a good husband, Miriam believes he only wants her as a mother to Mary Ellen. He has competition with English reporter Nick, but Miriam's bitter heart refuses to let go of William's betrayal. However, she begins to reconsider her values when her niece Rebekiah is severely injured in an accident. This is a somewhat expanded reprint of the first Lancaster Brides' tale though this reviewer does not know how much differs from the ten years old original. Miriam is the star as she stereotypes all men as betrayers in spite of the males in her extended family like papa proving otherwise. The interesting story line provides insight into the Amish community through the lead protagonist's perspectives and relationships. The support cast adds to the overall discerning glimpse at a "bah humbug" female who begins to understand God's messages of A MERRY HEART after precocious young niece became wheelchair bound.

The Reliance
M. L. Tyndall
Barbour
PO Box 719,1810 Barbour Drive,Uhrichsville, OH 44683
1597893609 $9.97

In 1668 in the Caribbean, former pirate Captain Edmund Merrick continues to spread the word of the Lord amongst his former associates. However, he has also found happiness with Lady Charlisse who he and his crew saved three years ago and has since married using Porto Bello, Panama as his current base of redemption operation. When the fort is attacked by an unknown emery Merrick goes out to learn what is happening leaving Charlisse with their host Don Diego de Acala for her safety though she objects. However Don Diego's hacienda is attacked; when Merrick returns he thinks his beloved died and blames himself because he chose duty to the King and "abandoned" her. Unbeknownst to the grieving guilt racked ex pirate is the fact that his high seas enemy Captain Kent Carlton and the crew of the Vanquisher abducted her. Feeling God let him down and refusing to behave like a sparrow, the hawkish Merrick denounces his born again credo with a plan to revenge the death of his beloved by killing Carlton and his crew even if that means going to hell to achieve his objective. Readers will see how "soft" Edmund's belief in Jesus is when he faces adversity with the "death" of his beloved; thus the audience will wonder whether he can be redeemed regardless of whether he saves Charlisse or not. The action-packed story line is fast-paced but carries a terrific inspirational message on REDEMPTION. Though readers would be better off first perusing the Legacy of the King's Pirates book 1, THE REDEMPTION as there are several major references to those earlier events, Mary Lou Tyndall provides a great high seas Christian romantic suspense thriller.

Petticoat Ranch
Mary Connealy
Barbour
PO Box 719,1810 Barbour Drive,Uhrichsville, OH 44683
1597896470 $9.97

In 1867 Mosqueros, Texas, Sophie Edwards struggles to keep her four young daughters safe since her spouse Cliff was lynched as a "horse thief" during the Civil War. She knows that the dangerous Judd Mason owner of J Bar M killed her husband, but no one including the law will touch the powerfully cruel rancher. Clay McCellen has searched for his missing twin Cliff since the war ended. He has come to Mosqueros because he knows his brother was murdered nearby. However, he is chased and shot by Judd and his associates as the odious wealthy man wants Clay's horse that he claims was stolen. Sophie and her offspring bring him into the shack they call home. As he heals he vows to protect and take care of the five females his brother "left" to him. Though he anticipates a showdown with Judd, Clay never anticipated he would fall in love with the five females the way he has. He prays that God is there for them if he fails. This is an interesting inspirational western romance that focuses on relationships between people and with Jesus. The story line contains individuals seeking revenge, but the motives are the key as to whether one walks with the Lord or with the devil. The four preadolescent girls are brave and loyal while their intrepid mom is like a she-lion keeping them safe. Clay rides into this mix knowing he would die for his nieces and their mother as he learns that they are soft on the outside, but strong on the inside, just the way God made women.

Blackfoot Braves Society
Christopher E. Long
Actionopolis
4181 East Winged Foot Place, Chandler, AZ 85249
0974280399 $12.95

Jackson Brady's father is a wealthy powerful man so all his life people either were nice to him to get to his father or were jealous of him. He hopes he will be treated like an average boy at the Blackfoot Braves Society Summer Camp; however the camp bully knows who he is and constantly picks on him. When the camp goes on a field trip, Jackson and his friends Austin and Mazzy are left behind. Camp Counselor Bill gives then a treasure map and they go in search of the loot. A sudden storm appears forcing the trio to take shelter in a cave where they meet the spirit of Ma-Tas-Kah, a great warrior who defeated The Sta-au skin shifters who can possess the bodies of anyone they choose. The three children are going to fight the Sta-au. Austin is given the wolf totem which gives him super speed; Mazzy is the Raven which allows her to fly and see in the dark; and Jackson is given the Buffalo token which gives him immense strength. When they realize that Bill is possessed and intent on destroying the camp they must find a way tostop him. Targeted for the grade school crowd, teachers and students will like this tale that stars a rich boy who just wants to be treated normally and have real friends. Readers will relate to his need to belong, like his two friends, and find the supernatural elements of the story fascinating. The illustrations are quite detailed enhancing the delightful storyline.

Zombie Monkey Monster Jamboree
J.J. Hart
Actionopolis
4181 East Winged Foot Place, Chandler, AZ 85249
1933925078 $9.95

The Basilisk Patrol of the Wild West Scouts are having an overnight with Patrol Leader Skeeter McGill who wants everything to go perfectly. He studies up for the big day and then proceeds to lead the scouts through a part of the White Mountains in Arizona. The adult leaders get lost trying to find a shortcut in a heavy rain and compound the problem by losing all the food. When Skeeter calls a halt, they pitch camp as best they can and they find a crate with a warning not to open it, but they do so any way and find a gold monkey with jewels for its eyes. Soon they are disturbed by noises and when they go outside to check they see lots of zombie monkeys surrounding them. They chase them away but the zombie monkeys head for the nearby town so the y the scouts try to figure a way to get rid of them Rather than being scary, ZOMBIE MONKEY MONSTER JAMBOREE is a humorous horror tale that will have the readers laughing out loud. Skeeter is earnest in his desire to lead and that includes taking care of the zombie monkey problem. One of the scouts "Gas" uses the bodily function he was named after to keep the monkey zombies away from his friends. This is a charming tale that elementary school readers will thoroughly enjoy.

The Anubis Tapestry: Between Twilights
Bruce Zick
Actionopolis
4181 East Winged Foot Place, Chandler, AZ 85249
1933925035 $9.95

Thirteen years old Chance Henry says "it started out to be a normal day" in Portland, Oregon. The weeks of rain had stopped and the sun was shining as Holly "Hercules" Whipple whips his butt in basketball again. However before she can humiliate him, he hears the dreaded words "I need your help"; his dad Dr. George Henry curator of the Portland Museum of Eastern Antiquities Museum has paged him again. Like Chance thought earlier this is just a normal day. However, normal becomes quite abnormal when a light shines from inside a recently acquires sarcophagus. A mummy steps out of a tomb and soon George is wrapped inside the bandages while the creature collapses into a pile of sand. Chance is unaware that the Time of Anubis has begun as Sehti has taken over his father's body while George's soul is drifting amidst the Egyptian Underworld. Chance knows he must somehow save his father so he risks binding some of the mummy's bandages on his arms, trusting that he can keep himself from turning and rescue his father; Chance's friends like Holly and Hayden, and a new pal Blixx help him with his quest. Targeting elementary school children, this is a terrific horror-fantasy starring a young teen who gains confidence that he had previously lacked while on a dangerous quest to rescue his father and perhaps the world. The story line is filled with action while illustrations enhance the solid plot. Young readers will root for Chance and his trusty teammates as they battle against ancient evil that has returned.

Spirit of the Samurai: Of Swords and Rings
Gary Reed (writer) and Rick Hoberg (illustrator)
Actionopolis
4181 East Winged Foot Place, Chandler, AZ 85249
1933925051 $9.95

In the Seattle suburbs Grandfather raised his two grandchildren, fourteen years old David and thirteen years old Kat Anderson with four simple kind rules on treating and respecting others and one other, the adult mantra to obey him that that he expects both to follow. However, recently David has been constantly angry at his younger sister and has even instigated fights though her martial arts training usually overcomes his brute strength advantage. However this time he attacks her from behind and it takes Grandfather's intervention to stop him. When David enters their Grandfather's dojo without permission, Kat follows. He shows her a book that provides the history of Japanese Samurai, especially about two rival clans, the Toho and the Black Rings, that fought one another. Grandfather arrives, but David insists on learning the truth as he says they are descendents of Toho and the kid wears three of the four Black Rings that he also found. Finally David touches the Swords of Toho and Hiro of the Black Rings. Whereas David becomes possessed with evil, his sister touches the Toho sword and becomes the last guardian battling against her sibling who wants her dead; on her side is Grandfather and Kyosha the Samurai who has just arrived claiming to be her Father. Targeting elementary school children, this is an action-packed Samurai fantasy starring a young female teen whose opponent in a life and death struggle is her older brother. The story line is filled with action while illustrations enhance the first-rate plot. David's nastiness comes out before he is possessed so young readers will root for Kat to defeat him during their sibling battle.

A Loop in Time
Rowena Wright
Finial Publishing
PO Box 346, Mercer island, WA 98040
1933791071 $16.95

Sophia Ludwig works for a meager wage at the New York City public library. Being shy, she has few friends and little family outside of her ancient race the Ringgolds, who have the skills to manipulate of time and space. Thus for the most part she raises her daughter Ericca just above the poverty line as her beloved spouse Branch Archer, "architect" with a resume out of a fantasy novel died during the Tunnel Wars. Though Sophia and her friends have hidden their heritage from Ericca, she is becoming increasingly aware of how different her mom and she are compared to those who attend the same school as she does like the odious snob Tory Skye. As Erica learns about her inherited talent to work time and space, she enlists the help of her best friends, Albert and Leonardo, who though both are dead "live as bobble heads inside her baby blanket. With their help she begins to plot a course to save her father's life by changing history especially since she knows his soul lives though that means entering the time tunnels that connect alternate realities. A LOOP IN TIME, book one of the Polis series, is not an easy book to read because of the complexities of the plot especially with the time-space continuum for example that enables great thinkers like Albert and Leonardo to "live" though dead. Ericca is a delightful protagonist as she struggles to understand a universe where everything is possible as the cause and effect model is not the only perceivable relationship. Though the key support players are not fully developed making them less understandable than readers will want, fans who desire something different in their science fiction will want to visit Wright's realm where receiving advice from bobble heads is as normal as the plate breaking before you drop it.

Perfecting Kate
Tamara Leigh
Multnomah Books
601 North Larch Street, Sisters, OR 97759-9320
1590529278 $12.99 www.multnomahbooks.com 1-800-929-0910

Twenty-nine years old Katherine Mae Meadows and her housemate Maia are stopped on the streets of San Francisco and asked if they would like a make over as part of a future issue of Changes Magazine. Kate agrees because the transformer is kissable hunk Michael Palmer. She may have said no to agreeing if she knew Dr. Clive Alexander would run the make over like a drill instructor and she the new "big project" recruit he must mode. As he remakes Kate, they go from misunderstanding one another to falling in love only to go full circle back to misunderstanding one another. She attends church and prays to God; he is at best an agnostic. She thinks he loves someone else; he thinks he will write off Kate as a loss given time. She cannot give him children; he wants offspring. She thinks he is attracted to the image he made and not her; he thinks she wants Palmer or Stapleton. This pair allows their respective pasts to determine their present, which means unless someone takes that first leap of faith they have no future as he is still PERFECTING KATE while she wants to be the real Kate. This is an interesting Christian romance starring a true believer and a doubter with both having issues to contend with that prevent a permanent relationship. The story line focuses mostly on Kate's struggles to balance the demands of her life including her religion (her nightly Dear God journal is fascinating), but also enables insight into Clive's trials and trepidations. Though the "curing" of a gay friend seems absurd and in bad taste as it makes being homosexuality a disease, readers will appreciate Kate's efforts to be perfect.

Bone Justice
Elizabeth Fackler
Western Star
0977738507 $24.95

In 1875 in Laredo, Texas twenty-six years old Seth Strummar wins $200 in gold and a Colorado ranch. Euphoric especially with the spread, he quits outlawing to become a rancher. Feeling he owes his mentor-boss Ben Allister to tell him in person he is leaving, he rides to the outlaw leader's cabin. Instead of Ben being there, Seth finds two females held prisoner by other gang members, who inform him that Ben purchased the two women from Comancheros and plans to sell them in Mexico. They also say that he gave them the wailing younger one thirteen years old Esther, but only Ben will use the older silent woman Oriana. Seth abducts both females knowing that will anger Ben, but feels his former leader has gone too far when he begins to trade women as a commodity. Though he initially planned to dump the females on a small town sheriff, Seth finds the town of El Topo dead. He also realizes that Ben is coming for them and him so he can't abandon the females though the idea is tempting but he plans to escort the women to Esther's Granny in Kansas. On the road Angel Madera joins them, but shows he desires Esther leading to Seth not trusting him. BONE JUSTICE is a terrific western thriller starring an outlaw with ethics as Seth feels impelled to rescue two women from his former mentor. Seth is a fascinating character struggling to do the right thing for Esther and Oriana, but not finding it easy as he tries to deliver the vulnerable Esther to her Granny while attempting to help her mentally recover from her ordeal; Oriana with her barriers is even more difficult for him. Fans who appreciate a powerful character driven tale of the old west will want to read Elizabeth Fackler's terrific Southwest frontier thriller and seek Seth's other novels (see ROAD FROM BETRAYAL) as this reviewer plans to do.

The Golden Talisman
J. Stefan Jackson
Mundania Press
6470A Glenway Avenue, #109, Cincinnati, OH 45211-5222.
1594262381 $16.00

The residents of Carlsdale, Alabama know the areas to avoid if they want to live. Sections of the dark woods near Tombigbee River lives evil; for centuries those foolish enough to enter never come out. That is no one until thirteen years old Jack Kenney who somehow survived the ordeal. Not willing to risk the life of their son or his older brother Jeremy, the Kenneys immediately move away to the big city Tuscaloosa. Eight serene years later, Jeremy and Jack attend the University of Alabama. However, the horror returns when a friend of the siblings, University archaeology professor Dr. Menesch, is brutally killed. The FBI abducts Jeremy and Jack without a warrant under some arcane antiterrorism ploy. Agents Reynolds, Iverson and Casey frustrated with the smiles and silence they receive especially from Jack viciously interrogate the brothers seeking to know what Jack met in the woods near Carlsdale. Though battered, he says nothing until Special Agent Peter McNamee arrives with a similar story about a horror from his past that he was fortunate to survive. Jack sees a kindred soul in Peter and begins to tell his story of the terror he fled in the summer of 99 that apparently is spreading its dark realm beyond the banks of the Tombigbee River. The hook to this excellent suspense thriller is the twists that will keep readers wondering what is going on as nothing is quite what it seems. Adding to the excitement is that the audience will wonder whether the terror is an evil supernatural creature or an amoral human even while following the J brothers, mostly Jack, relate their story. J. Stefan Jackson provides a dark thriller that grips fans from the opening FBI abduction and never frees the reader until the final understanding of the loss of innocence of a thirteen years old adolescent.

The Boleyn Inheritance
Philippa Gregory
Touchstone (Simon and Schuster)
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl. New York, NY 10020
0743272501 $25.95 www.simonandschuster.com 1-800-223-2336

By 1539, thirtyish widow Jane Boleyn continues her plotting to gain power and wealth as she more than just survived the execution of her husband and her sister-in-law, the late wife of King Henry VIII six years ago. She insured she was not associated in any way with the "plot" against the Tudor monarch, which also meant her spouse had no outside champion to save his life. Henry chooses the Germanic Princess Anne of Cleves to be his next wife based on the recommendation of his Thomas Cromwell, in order to obtain an ally in the ongoing cold war with Spain and France. Jane plans her demise as her ambition is to be the last woman sitting on the throne. At the same time the Duke of Norfolk brings his precocious beautiful fifteen years old niece Katherine Howard, a cousin-in-law to Jane, to court to tempt the aging ruler with the energy of youth as he sets his schemes in motion. Told predominately from the perspective of the three females, readers obtain a powerful insightful look at the court of Henry VIII in which Machiavellian manipulations is the only way of life. The contrasts in personalities and supporters between the three women make the tale a winner for historical fans especially those intrigued by the Tudor court. Jane is the professional schemer using her wits to tear down her opponents; Anne is a naive outsider used to being ordered about and is uncomfortable with her new role; and Katherine is a vain kitten flirting with everyone but mostly with the King. Philippa Gregory follows up her THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL with an excellent intriguing sixteenth century tale of court manipulations and spins that readers and Karl Rove would appreciate.

True Evil
Greg Iles
Scribner Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
0743292499 $25.95 1-800-223-2336

FBI agent Alex Morse is at the University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi listening to her dying sister tell her that her husband killed her and she wants Alex to take care of her son Jamie. At first Alex doesn't believe her but after investigating without the approval of the agency; she believes that lawyer Andrew Ruskk has had the spouses of several of his richest clients die in the last couple of years. She believes the lawyer has found a doctor to induce cancer in a victim so they can make a fortune from customers wanting to get rid of their spouse but don't want to pay the cost of a divorce. Circumstantial evidence says that Natchez, Mississippi Dr. Chris Shepard is the next victim. When she tells Chris her theory, he doesn't believe his wife Thora wants him dead. However, the evidence mounts up proving she has repeatedly lied to him and is even having an affair. Now in a race against time, Alex must find the evidence to convince the Bureau that she was right all along otherwise another innocent man will die. Greg Iles is one of the better suspense authors writing today and TRUE EVIL is one of his best works to date. The action starts on the very first page and never slows down even after the climax. The characters are well developed and readers will empathize with the victims and heroes. The scary sad part of this thriller is the premise is very believable at least in Mr. Iles' hands.

Shadow Laws
Jim Michael Hanson
Dark Sky Publishing
218 S. McIntyre Way,Golden, CO 80401
097692434X $13.95 http://www.darkskypublishing.com

A serial killer has terrorized the residents of Denver. Homicide Detective Bryson Coventry leads the investigation that seems to be always too late as if the culprit somehow knows his every move. Getting a bit paranoid, Bryson wonders if someone in the inner law enforcement circle could be the maniac. As Coventry digs deeper into understand the nightmarish world of his adversary, attorney Taylor Sutton also seeks to bring justice to a diabolical killing machine. Soon their cases interconnect, but in spite of reluctantly comparing their notes, neither is ready for the next kill by a predator whose pleasure is hurting people. As more die, Coventry and Sutton wonder whether they need to cross the legal line both are sworn to uphold into the shadowy realm where their foe makes death the law of the cement jungle. This is a terrific police procedural- private investigation thriller that grip the audience from the start because the cases feel like they come from headline news. The subplots are fast-paced and merge smoothly into a strong serial killer tale. Readers will enjoy the chilling inquiries made by the intrepid but fearful lead pair; however, afterward will keep the lights on as no one will want to meet who makes the laws in the shadow of night.

Shadow Laws
Jim Michael Hanson
Dark Sky Publishing
218 S. McIntyre Way, Golden, CO 80401
097692434X $13.95

A serial killer has terrorized the residents of Denver. Homicide Detective Bryson Coventry leads the investigation that seems to be always a bit too late, almost as if the culprit somehow knows his every move. Getting a bit paranoid, Bryson wonders if someone in the inner law enforcement circle could be the maniac. As Coventry digs deeper into understanding the nightmarish world of his adversary, attorney Taylor Sutton also seeks to bring to justice to a diabolical killing machine. Soon their cases interconnect, but in spite of reluctantly comparing their notes, neither is ready for the next kill by a predator whose pleasure is hurting people. As more die, Coventry and Sutton wonder whether they need to cross the legal line both are sworn to uphold into the shadowy realm where their foe makes death the law of the cement jungle. This is a terrific police procedural- private investigation thriller that grip the audience from the start because the cases feel like they come from headline news. The subplots are fast-paced and merge smoothly into a strong serial killer tale. Readers will enjoy the chilling inquiries made by the intrepid but fearful lead pair; however, afterward will keep the lights on as no one will want to meet who makes the laws in the shadow of night.

A Killing Tide
P.J. Alderman
Love Spell
0505526964 $6.99

Only for family would Kaz Jorgenson leave her consultanting job in San Francisco to return to her hometown of Astoria, Oregon, but she drops everything when her twin brother Gary needs help. However, her greeting upon her arrival is a fire on one of her family's fishing ships. Once the blaze is contained a bigger shock hits home when the corpse of family friend Ken Lundquist is found on board. The police suspect Gary, who has vanished, killed him and set the fire to hide the evidence. Michael Chapman left scandal and a suspicious death behind in Boston when he came to Astoria as the new fire chief. He is also an experienced trained arson investigator, who begins making inquiries into the deadly blaze. He and Kaz are attracted to one another, but neither plans to act on their feelings. He refuses to have anything to do with the sister of the prime suspect especially after the fiasco back in New England with his former fiancee; she assumes he wants to hang her brother so she rejects Michael in order to not betray Gary. The key to this exhilarating romantic whodunit is the strong cast starting with the lead couple who have flaws, struggle with feelings and the investigation, and fear what they will eventually uncover. In other words, they seem very real. The support characters also feel genuine whether they are friends of the family or Gary (mostly seen through the eyes of others). A KILLING TIDE is a strong investigative romance that will bring kudos to new author P.J. Alderman.

Shooting Star
Colby Hodge
Love Spell
050552628X $6.99

One of twenty-one sons of the all mighty all knowing Emperor Rashad DeMarco Monaco, Rubjikhan Benjamin, son of the ruler's fourth wife, feels honored that his sire is hosting a public birthday party for him. That is until his dad wishes the wrong son a happy birthday leading Ruben to realize his father does not know who he is. He vows to cut all ties with the Emperor as soon as possible. He becomes an interstellar trader who has nothing to do with empire politics until he learns he is the target of a mass manhunt for apparently committing patricide; the price on his head is 750,000 credits as reported by SNN news. As friends betray him, he suffers strange dreams that his brother Stefan is in trouble, but cannot stop to help him. On the run, Ruben crashes his ship the Shooting Star on a primitive orb where Tess the slave and her six years old son Boone save his life. He recognizes her from his weird dream, but fears something is not right as he senses evil especially with the Circe witches in the middle. Fans of romantic science fiction thrillers will want to read Colby Hodge's faster than the speed of light tale, SHOOTING STAR. Ruben is a fascinating lead character who learns a life lesson at his twelfth birthday party. Actually his sire eventually recognized him as the warrior amongst his offspring, but by then even with a gift of a blade Ruben severed all ties until he becomes galaxy-wide headline news for allegedly murdering his father. Ruben makes the story line fun to read as he learns who his friends are as the price on his head is a fortune. Tess is his ideal partner though she has trust issues. The audience will appreciate this entertaining story while afterward stargazing at the skills of this talented author.

Bustin'
Minda Webber
Love Spell
0505527057 $6.99

Samantha "Sam" Hammett is one of the best paranormalbusters in the world perhaps because it is in her blood as her family runs the Paranormal Pest Pursuers, Inc., established by her great-grandfather over eight decades ago. Everyone knows who you gonna call when it comes to catching, communicating or moving supernatural beings on the loose, as no firm can compete with Triple P while Sam is one of their top guns, an elite amongst the elite. However she runs into overseas rivals seeking entry into the American market. The Russian based Monsters 'R Us headed by Nicolas Strakhov, who apparently sanctions sabotage by his workers as Sam knows first hand. As the two companies heat up the supernatural catch and snatch competition, Sam and Nicolas begin to fall in love. However, rivalry, love, sabotage and other ilk need to remain on hold, as a gellog of vampires are outraged when someone murders one of them. Once again Minda Webber, as she has done with Frankenstein and Van Helsing, provides reader with a fun lighthearted romantic fantasy. Readers will believe in vampires, gargoyles, poltergeists, and several other supernatural species, but the tale belongs to the rival firms represented by the dynamic lead couple. Though "here's looking at you" saluting Bogie can turn irritating as it is overdone, sub-genre fans will enjoy BUSTIN' the supernatural with Sam and Nicolas.

Shards of Crimson
Liz Maverick, Patti O'Shea, Carolyn Jewel & Jade Lee
Love Spell
0505527103 $7.99

"A Time to Howl" by Liz Maverick. In Crimson City, Tajo the werewolf tells his soulmate Princess Gia to forget him and leave, as he is a lone rogue. By doing this he breaks two hearts but he must confront Marius and the other Dumont vampires and their werewolf allies. "DX" by Carolyn Jewel. As a favor to a friend and to regain her government security clearance, private investigator Hell Marshall accepts a case from I-Ops to bring down a killing DX (demon of unknown origin). The DX seems easy to deal with when compared to how her heart beats when she is near her partner Special Forces Agent Jordan Lightfeather. "School Bites" by Jade Lee. At Ben Franklin Middle School, human teacher Toni Freedman intercedes in a fight between three male students when one of them Kumars Gray bit her. Principal John Wayne Wong wants to protect the woman he loves whether she is a wolf, human or both. "Dark Awakening" by Patti O'Shea. The evil Bak-Faru pursues Kimi who fears what will happen if her stalker catches her as she is new to the demon game. Her only hope rests with Nic a demon if they can keep their star-crossed attraction under control. These are four delightful romantic fantasies set in Crimson City, Los Angeles' latest reincarnation where four species battle for supremacy.

The Invasion of Falgannon Isle
Deborah MacGillivray
Love Spell
0505526913 $6.99

B.A. Montgomerie owns Falgannon Isle, home to 213 bachelors and her. Though in her late thirties and very pretty, none of the male residents will court the widow or other women for fear of the Curse that they all believe in except perhaps her. Before any of the men can find their true love, B.A. must meet and fall in love with the green-eyed, black-haired Outsider. Desmond Mershan arrives claiming the late grandfather of B.A. made a deal with him giving him ownership of part of the isle. The men are stunned as he has green eyes, black hair, and is an outsider. They feel certain he is the answer toe end the Curse because, besides his physical attributes, B.J. seems attracted to him. To his chagrin he is falling in love with his hostess; feelings he does not want as his plan is to destroy any Montgomerie. This is an amusing whimsical romantic fantasy with the lead couple providing the love and revenge subplots while the support characters especially Cat Dudley bring matchmaking humor to the delightful mix. Readers will enjoy Desmond's INVASION OF FALGANNON ISLE where love competes with hate for relational supremacy.

Feast of Souls
C.S. Freidman
DAW Books, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0756404320 $25.95 www.dawbooks.com 1-800-847-5515

King Danton Aurelius calls the immortal sorcerer Magisters to his castle because his third son Prince Andovan is wasting away from a devastating illness. Magister Colivar immediately knows that Andovan is dying from the incurable Wasting, a self inflicted lifestyle disease in which a Magister uses the life essence of a consort until that person dies; the Magister just finds another person to use and turn into a corpse. No one knows who wasted the prince. Meanwhile, Kamala a sorcerer witch with no consort wants to become the first female Magister, but no one will train her, as women are not strong enough to become a Magister. Kamala pursues her dream anyway hiding her poorly controlled power behind the face of a lowly witch. Colivar realizes that an unknown woman somehow has broken the gender barrier to become a Magister and has used Andovan as her consort. Andovan with Colivar's help fakes a suicide in order to go undercover to uncover the identity of the woman who gave him the wasting disease. An irate Danton fires his Royal Magister Ramirus and replaces him with evil Kostas, who also hunts down the source of the wasting. The first tale of the Magister trilogy is a fascinating fantasy built upon the premise that the source of magic is throwaway people; society, especially the royals, accepts the premise that the Magisters use someone's essence to fuel their power. Readers will feel for Andovan dying from a disease caused by someone else though he previously did not blink when someone else suffered from the wasting (mindful of some stem cell research born again supporters who become vocal advocates when someone they love might be helped with a cure). Readers will appreciate this opening tale that provides a deep look at a society that condones the source of magic in spite of the cost being the death of others.

Forbidden Planets
Edited by Peter Crowther
DAW Books, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0756403308 $7.99 www.dawbooks.com 1-800-847-5515

Paying homage to the landmark science fiction movie Forbidden Planet on the fiftieth anniversary of its release, these twelve tales focus on humans visiting other worlds or dimensions where they are unwelcome and unwanted. Each tales is fun to follow as humans bravely go where they should not. The original movie is loosely based on Shakespeare's The Tempest so the twist of using King Lear (Jay Lake's "Lehr, Rex") is a fascinating spin; others are just as good as mechanical sidekicks like Robert the Robot (see "Forebearing Planet" by Michael Moorcock) and "The Singularity Needs Women" by Paul Di Filippo are fun twists from the film. The remaining tales, all new, are quality contributions that make for a fine collection. In addition to a dozen terrific entries, Ray Bradbury in the Introduction provides two shockers about the movie and Stephen Baxter in the Afterward analyzes the impact on his work. This is an excellent short story collection that reverently salutes a movie that many Trekkies know that Kirk and company should journey where no one did before except Forbidden Planet.

It Happens Every Spring
Gary Chapman and Catherine Palmer
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
1414311656 $12.99 www.tyndale.com 1-800-323-9400

Deepwater Cove is a small community overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks by Tranquility, Missouri. It is small town where everyone knows everyone else. Five women form the TLC club are there for one another especially with personal issues. Since the kids left, one of the TLC members Brenda Hansen suffers from empty nest syndrome as she feels she offers nothing to her community, her spouse or especially herself. Her husband Steve is a workaholic who comes home to eat and sleep, which adds to Brenda's feelings of abandonment, isolation and loneliness; whereas Steve avoids Brenda because he finds her increasingly nasty and combative when hw is near. During a nasty storm, a stranger knocks on Brenda's door saying he is Cody and asking for chocolate cake as that is the Christian way. Brenda initially fears this young man, but soon brings him in from the rain giving him his cake. Others also help the mentally challenged lad without understanding in his way he is assisting them much more as couples like Brenda and Steve try to renew the euphoria of their relationship. Using the spring of Dr. Chapman's THE FOUR SEASONS OF A MARRIAGE theory as the base for the first of a quartet of relationship dramas, IT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING is a delightful tale that introduces the audience to the TLC members and other folks, but focuses mostly on Brenda and Steve. Most fascinating is that the authors chose spring for the couple who is probably in early fall; however spring is the time of rebirth, which means that a pair must renew their relationship or it will atrophy and die prematurely. The opening Four Seasons saga is a warm story of the importance of relational rejuvenation.

Reclaiming Nick
Susan Warren May
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
141431017X $12.99 www.tyndale.com 1-800-323-9400

Loaded with guilt and remorse that he never returned before his estranged father died, Nick Noble knows he must go home now that his late dad's lawyer Saul Lovell arrives to explain the will. He is outraged that his dad left any of the Montana Silver Buckle Ranch to his once best friend Cole St. John and that his sister Stefanie is converting the spread to a dude ranch. He plans to contest the will and to prevent Stefanie's plans. Reporter Piper Sullivan believes that Nick abused his law enforcement duties when he arrested her brother Jimmy McPhee for the murder of Jenny Butler. Nick is no longer a cop and Jimmy has been exonerated after five years in prison. However, while Jimmy has vanished, Piper plans to prove that Nick used her sibling to hide his killing of Jenny. She gets work as a cook on the ranch while his neglect of the past decade towards family and friends catch up to him. As the undercover reporter and her prey fall in love, he begins to learn the truth of just how many mistakes and hurt he left behind ten years ago. The first Noble Legacy tale is a wonderful inspirational family drama starring a terrific cast who do not agree on much except that loved ones are everything. The lead pair is a strong coupling as she has every reason to hate him, but instead falls in love with him; she knows once she reveals the truth he will feel betrayed and not trust her. Other subplot spins seem almost soap opera, but Susan Warren May shows her writing skill by making them excel. Fans of contemporary tales will enjoy RECLAIMING NICK as he learns from piper what really matters in life.

A Mile from Sunday
Jo Kadlecek
Navpress
PO Box 35001, Colorado Springs, CO 80935
1600060285 $12.99 www.navpress.com 1-800-366-7788

The first message on her voicemail claimed to be the Almighty directing Denver Dispatch religion reporter Jonna Lightfoot McLaughlin to join other young females to worship him in the nearby canyon. Jonna ignores the message as the voice sounded more like a whiner who could not even get her name right. She thought of going to the cops, but decided a chocolate bar was a more heavenly solution. Still Jonna seeks inspirational stories though miracles are few if any even though her parents think otherwise having named their children Mark, Mathew, Luke and Jonna. More voicemail messages arrive leading to Jonna following up on them. This takes her into the inner world of religion, which looks even more deceitful and conniving than politics as beliefs have nothing to do with several power hungry leaders taking what they claim as their divine right. Still she adheres to her beliefs while visiting a multitude of religions looking for a good uplifting story. She finds one exception, hunk Terry Choyce of the Catholic Outreach, but she knows that might be just her attraction to him. It is when she meets Jedediah Sundae and his Into the Fields Fellowship Program that looks suspicious as Jonna has become a doubting Thomasette and yet somehow seems possible that she has found the inspiration at the same time. The key to this delightful chick lit Christian tale is Jonna, whose first person account is similar to how many people feel towards religion and beliefs. Thus the audience receives a thought provoking character study starring a wonderful protaognist who displays the tolerance towards other religions as she would have expected Jesus to do likewise. A MILE FROM SUNDAY is an inspiring tale with a deep message of acceptance of other people's faith while adhering to your own convictions.

Death Decent and Some Smooth Jazz
Claudia Mair Burney
Navpress
PO Box 35001, Colorado Springs, CO 80935
1576839796 $12.99 www.navpress.com 1-800-366-7788

Alone and lonely, Dr. Amanda Bell Brown, forensic psychologist, buys Amos the Aussie sugar glider (a marsupial that has characteristics of a squirrel and a bat) when her doorbell rings. Police Lieutenant Jazz Brown comes to tell Bell that he wants a relationship. This shocks her because he told her weeks ago he wasn't available and she walked away from him. She notices his face is scratched and he isn't wearing a coat. The medical examiner who happens to be her sister calls her to tell her to get out of the house if Jazz is there because his ex-wife is dead in his bed, a victim of strangulation. When she arrives at the crime scene she doesn't think Jazz did it because she believes it was not a crime of passion but Jazz is arrested and let out on bond. He turns to Bell for comfort but she is afraid of getting hurt so tries to back away from a relationship. What she does do is investigate the murder because the police aren't looking for another killer and she knows Jazz is not the culprit. This inspirational cozy is full of drama, romance and action without resorting to violent scenes to move the storyline along. The heroine is an everyday woman who loves yet pushes away the man she wants for fear to take a chance. That flaw makes Amanda seem realistic and not a stereotypical sleuth. Claudia Mair Burney has a winning series (see MURDER, MAYHEM AND A FINE MAN) leading to this reviewer impatiently waiting to read the next installment coming at the summer of 2007.

The Miseducation of Tabitha Stone
Emily Durkheim
Cheek
0352340711 $12.95

In Los Angeles, her best friends Jessica and Brad throw an all night twenty-fourth birthday party for Tabitha Stone at the Trash Lounge. She comes home to the family mansion in the Hollywood Hills at seven the next morning to find Daddy waiting for her, looking sad and disappointed. She apologizes when she realizes she failed to share her birthday dinner with her father, as promised. That afternoon, she awakens to make amends, but Daddy blames himself. They argue over her six years of failed schooling and how her mom walked out on them. Daddy decides she is going back to school without credit cards to earn her degree at Adirondack University in Upstate New York by her twenty-fifth birthday or he will cut her off without a penny. Tabby arrives in New York already humiliated having flown coach. She meets senior Jake who promises to show her the ropes hoping he will get her into his bed. By day one she is in trouble with her English Lit professor over Duran Duran vs. the romantic poets and her advanced cognitive psychology professor Mark, Jake's brother. She is attracted to both men, but Mark seems to hate her as he warns her she is bad for his sibling especially since he wants to flunk her out of school that is when he is not admiring her physical assets and her caring about others. This is a fun torrid contemporary academic romance starring an older version of the fun loving Cher Horowitz from Silverstone's Clueless. Tabby must choose between two brothers, who she likes very much not realizing that one of them will do anything for the other including sacrificing his heart. THE MISEDUCATION OF TABITHA STONE is cheeky humor and plenty of heat inside a fun college romance.

Always and Forever
Cathy Kelly
Downtown (Pocket)
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
1416531580 $15.00 1-800-223-2336 www.simonsays.com

In Carrickwell, Ireland three women struggle with the respective directions of their lives. Mel Redmond struggles with guilt feelings as she precariously balances her career at Lorimar with raising her two children. Cleo has just graduated from a hotel management course and wants to prove to her hotelier family that she can do the job as good if not better than they as she offers ideas to save the Willow Hotel, but neither her parents nor her brothers take her seriously. Daisy Farrell yearns for a baby with her long time live-in lover Alex, but fails to conceive so they go to a fertility clinic though he seems very reluctant and has since he became ill several years ago. The three women find their life map devastated with detours and u-turns as nothing goes right. That is until the opening of the new Clouds Hill Spa by Leah, who is looking to start over with a better balanced lifestyle. Mel, Daisy and Cleo find the spa gives them moments to relax and place perspective on what matters in life and the courage to ALWAYS AND FOREVER seek to achieve what means the most to the individual; of course it is easier to try after a beauty treatment. This is an interesting character driven contemporary fiction starring three women each suffering from a person crisis that requires change in their lives if they are to achieve any modicum of harmony. The R&R pampering at the spa enables them to unwind and obtain perspective so that their predicament no longer seems like climbing Mount Everest. Cathy Kelly's message is simple that everyone needs a little pampering magic.

Still Thinking of You
Adele Parks
Downtown
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 13th fl., New York, NY 10020
0743496507 $14.00 1-800-223-2336 www.simonsays.com

Thirtyish Tash and Rich are in love. They talk about a future together, agree to marry and plan to elope to a French ski resort. They look forward to inviting their friends, many of them Rich has known and partied with for years to celebrate their marriage. At first Rich's friends seem nice to Tash, but soon they begin to act childish, selfish and boorish. Adding to her discomfit is that instead of asking his buddies to cool it, Rich joins them. Tash begins to have doubts that loving Rich will prove enough as he disappoints her with his hedonistic attitude shared by his increasingly nasty towards her friends. Finally, the "She" arrives; the one that enthralled Rich when they were lovers in college. Will he go off with her during what was supposed to be his honeymoon or will he realize what he is about to lose for a few days of recapturing his early twenties? Except for Tash, the rest of the cast is selfish trying to hang on to or recapturing their youth as time moves on. Neither Rich nor his friends seem particular nice as they are purposely stereotyped to be the transition decade from youthful exuberance and excess to middle age reasonability. Though difficult to read because of the attitudes of the players, Adele parks provides a fascinating look at aging, the final frontier.

Pictures
Robert Daley
Harcourt
15 East 26th Street, 15th floor, New York, NY 10010
0151012296 $24.00 1-800-543-1918 www.harcourtbooks.com

As Antonio Murano's wife, European Duchess Maria Cristina, goes into labor, paparazzi Georges Grizzard takes pictures of the former tennis coach in close passionate proximity with beautiful bimbo, Gigi Meyer. Georges offers first dibs to the cheating spouse for $100,000, but Tony fails to come up with the money so Grizzard sells the photos to a tabloid. Outraged Duke Augustin II, who already detests Tony for a lot of valid reasons, kicks this common trash out of the family home. However, his wife, Lady Charlotte cannot believe Tony could be this stupid so wonders if her son-in-law is being framed. She hires American security firm Probe, Inc. who have an earned reputation for discrete investigations, to uncover the truth. Probe, Inc. sends Vincent Conte to Europe to handle the case because he speaks Italian. No one offers him any information including Grizzard and Gigi until the peripheral players start dying, making the former NYPD cop wonder if there is something even more sinister than destroying a marriage. Though lacking the stark suspense of Robert Daley's previous urban mysteries and nonfiction, PICTURES is a solid investigative tale starring a defrocked former cop struggling with a horde of Europeans, who refuse to cooperate even in some cases when death seems imminent. Vincent follows the money and corpses all over Western Europe as he tries to determine whether Tony was set up as Charlotte believes or just being Tony as the Duke accepts. Though somewhat more straightforward in plotting than usual, fans of Robert Daley will enjoy this European holiday thriller.

Highland Barbarian
Hannah Howell
Zebra
0821779982 $6.99

In 1480 Scotland dying Angus MacReith forces distant relative Artan Murray to agree to a death bed promise though the younger man does not believe the "three score" older male, who fostered him and his injured brother Lucas, is near death. He demands Artan go to the lowlands to fetch his niece Cecily Donaldson, heir to Glascreag, before he dies. Unable to say no to his mentor, Artan begins his journey, but cannot envision a female especially a lowlander as a chieftain in the Highlands. The rest of Angus' plan stinks as far as Artan is concerned; the old man wants him to marry this biddable female so he can be the laird. However, when he arrives in the Lowlands, he finds Cecily about to marry the King's choice for her, Sir Fergus Ogilvy. Artan tells her that Sir Fergus has plans for his shrewish wife to be out of his way when he is the Laird of Glascreag; only she does not believe him until her fiance abducts her. However, able to think on her feet, she informs her once future groom that she is handfasted to Artan, who takes her with him. Sir Fergus refuses to give up on his ambition, so he leads an attack on the couple, targeting his rival. As Cecily and Artan fall in love they debate the characteristics of a perfect wife to a laird until he is mortally wounded. This is an exhilarating fifteenth century Scottish romance, which sub-genre fans expect no less from Hannah "Highlander" Howell. The latest tale contains three fully developed characters as the lead couple battles over the ideal perfect wife and against the deviously clever Sir Fergus. HIGHLAND BARBARIAN is another well written tale from a consistently good writer, who some consider the Queen of the Scottish historical romance.

Dead Sexy
Amanda Ashley
Zebra
082177834X $6.99

Every since the Endangered Vampire Act was passed, it is illegal to kill a vampire; this law caused slayer Regan Delaney to become unemployed. The creatures of the night are confined to areas like You Bet Your Life park that contains condos, shops, and a supernaturally charged force field that keep vampires within. Synthetic blood satiates the hunger, but Joaquin Santiago, former master of the city, can cross the barrier and drink the real thing not this blood lite without killing his prey. Regan is sent to the park to investigate what looks like a vampire kill, but she has some doubts because the victim's heart, liver and throat were ripped from his body. Joaquin tells her he believes a werewolf is the predator; an enemy who murdered his wife; furthermore they will attack one another until one is eradicated. Regan is caught in their crosshairs (teeth?) and gets bit by Vasile turning her into a werewolf. She can revert back by killing her "mentor", something that Joaquin has tried and failed at for centuries. Whether she is a mortal or a werewolf, Joaquin bares his heart to Regan, who rejects him initially, but soon notices how kind and gentle he is so she cannot help but return his feelings. Both are strong willed people who understand they must first deal with Vante. Amanda Ashley has written a pulse thumping supernatural thriller that keep readers attention with a burning need to know what happens next.

Hell's Belles
Jackie Kessler
Zebra
0821781022 $15.00

Jezebel was until recently the best succubus to come out of Hell as she could seduce almost all males out of their souls. However, now she is on the run on earth as the Underworld has put a bounty on her head. Desperately needing help she turns to Caitlin the witch who has a contract with Hell; they cut one of those golden rule deals in which the human will "mortalize" the succubus to enable her to hide amongst the masses in exchange for a future favor. After the transition and the constant reminder to breath, Jezebel escapes a demon by pretending to be Caitlin before taking the Amtrak to the one place on earth the denizen of the Underground can feel welcome as New York City is a "Hell of a town". Doing what she does best she gets work as an exotic dancer at belle's strip joint, but keeps running into the sexy mysterious Paul Hamilton. While he runs from his past, she falls in love but the demonic horde is closing in on Manhattan in search of the missing succubus who holds the key to prevent Hell going to Heaven in a hand-basket. The first Hell on Earth tale is a fabulous jocular heated (duh- Hell and Jezebel) romantic fantasy that will have readers finishing it in one 304 page sitting. The story line is fast-paced, but also makes the various "species" roaming the earth seem real. Still the novel belongs to its beleaguered heroine as she struggles with human appetites and desires while doing what she does best erotic seduction though she wonders how Paul is reversing her natural instincts while the audience will wonder who he is. Fans will appreciate Jackie Kessler's fine tale as THE ROAD TO HELL leads through Manhattan.

Abraham's Well
Sharon Ewell Foster
Bethany House
11400 Hampshire Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55438
0764228870 $12.99 www.bethanyhouse.com 1-800-328-6109

In 1838 as the Indians are forced from their homes in the southeast United States to walk the "Trail of Tears" to reservations in the Oklahoma Territory, their slaves are forced to accompany them. Whereas the hardship leads to the deaths of many of the purebred, the enslaved "Black Cherokee", considered beneath the human food chain by blacks and by Indians, suffer the most. In that environs, preadolescent Black Cherokee slave Armentia and her family, owned by purebred Cherokees, are treated reasonably well, but still sold as cattle to others who might not worry about their lowlife human stock. Hope for this subgroup is zero and the forced march spirals it downward, however, Armentia finds solace in Jesus, who was there for those like her in ancient Judea and she believes will one day set her people free. A well on her owner's land that she dubs ABRAHAM'S WELL becomes her symbol that one day she and other suppressed people will live free to worship Jesus as the savior and to own their own well. This is inspirational historical fiction at its best as Sharon Ewell Foster provides a fabulous insightful look back at a somewhat ignored atrocity through the eyes of a real person (an ancestor of the award winning author). The story line is told Armentia's account of events including the deadly trek, her finding Jesus giving her hope when others had none, and the symbol of the well. The underlying critical theme is to never forget in order to prevent a repeat of these crimes against nature: this early nineteenth century rendition and the enslavement of people in this case because they are of mixed race.

In This Rain
S. J. Rozan
Delacorte
c/o Bantam Dell Publishing Group
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
038533804X $24.00 1-800-726-0600

Nurse's aide Harriet Winston was walking past a construction site in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx when she hit by a falling object and dies. She is the third victim to be killed at the location. New York City's Buildings Department of Investigation case worker Ann Montgomery is assigned to look into the deadly incidents to ascertain neglect, another type of violation or sabotage as three is too much for coincidence though the first two are linked. Her inquiry has wider implications. The developer Walter Glybenhall, a campaign donor and personal friend of Mayor Charlie Barr, has put in a bid for a bigger project in Harlem that has racial overtones as Harlem developer Ford Carrington has put in a bid too and political impact too as Manhattan Borough President Edgar Westermann covets moving to Gracie Mansion. Within the department others want to push the case against Glybenhall for personal reasons, complicating a messy investigation. Harriet realize she needs help so she turns to her former partner, Joe Cole, who just spent two plus years in prison due to perjury while testifying on a wrongful death probe; he wants nothing to do with this mess. Timely with the recent elections, this is a terrific look at the link between local politics, campaign funding and business deals in which the Big Apple is the star for sale by its leaders. The story line is action-packed and filled with a myriad of believable characters from Harlem to Gramercy Park to the Bronx and elsewhere. The cleverly designed construction investigation enhances the vast lifestyles of New Yorkers that range from corrupt, lethal, to fast-paced and adrenaline pumping.

House of Meetings
Martin Amis
Knopf
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
1400044553 $23.00 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

In 2004, the wealthy octogenarian Russian tours one of his former homes, the gulag and several other such horrific places. As he looks around this place of horror, he writes down what he sees and what he remembers so that his American "stepdaughter" Venus will never forget long after he dies. He compare the Russian-American relationship today to that of his time along with his brother Lev in the Norlag concentration camp from 1948-1956. On top of his memories, he provides Venus with a second letter that a dying Lev sent him in 1982 soon after his nephew died in Afghanistan. He thinks about his first love, Lev's wife Zoya, who married a Soviet apparatchik before becoming a drunk. Life has been hard on him and his family, but he can go peacefully because his Venus lives in affluence in America. Though not quite as powerful as Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's THE GULAG ARCHIPELAGO 1918-1956, the brothers and Zoya are compelling characters as readers will envision Stalin's death camps from their perspectives. The key message of "never forget so that history does not repeat itself" hits home throughout the plot and is accentuated when the unnamed narrator and Zoya meet years later at a gulag's HOUSE OF MEETINGS. In contrast, Venus comes across as a stereotypical shallow ugly American who has no appreciation for what her "stepfather" or others went through as she has never had to sacrifice any of affluent lifestyle for any cause or atrocity. She serves as contrast to a evocative look at the effect of surviving carnage.

The View from Castle Rock
Alice Munro
Knopf
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
0307266028 $17.95 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

These twelve new short stores are broken into three sections. Part One/No Advantages contains five tales from the author's ancestry as her family sails from Scotland to America. Part Two/Home includes six stories mostly occurring in the Lake Huron area that will be much more familiar to fans of Alice Munro. Finally a one tale Epilogue/Messenger that ties to two segments together. Each contribution is terrific and will enhance Ms. Munro's reputation as one of the best modern day short story writers. This reviewer's personal favorite is the "Roots" like first entry "No Advantages" though the others like the title story is well written, filled with depth so that the audience feels they are either in the Scotland or near Lake Huron, past and present. Once again Ms. Munro vividly brings to life the seemingly ennui everyday people, but makes each person seems so alive and vibrant with this superb anthology.

Swimming Upstream, Slowly
Melissa Clark
Broadway (Random House)
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
0767925262 $12.95 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

In Los Angeles, twenty-seven years old Sasha Salter already is the executive director of an Emmy Award winning popular children's television show, Please Pass the Salter, based on her thesis that children learn when they are amused. Everything seems to be going her way until her gynecologist Dr. Banks informs her she is pregnant. The only problem with that diagnosis is that Sasha has not had sex in over two years. Though he has doubts about her honesty and abstinence, Dr. Banks sends Sasha to UCLA researcher Dr. Rusmeuth. He explains he is an expert on male fertility and mentions the condition Lazicum spermatozoa, "lazy sperm" that remains dormant while relaxing in a comfortable biological home until the sperm finally decides to fertilize her egg. Sasha wonders who the father is as she considers lazy sperm, lazy bum with her two best friends providing her with emotional support. Though Sasha has to be the calmest person on the planet, SWIMMING UPSTREAM, SLOWLY is a solid contemporary fiction starring a likable protagonist caught in what seems the impossible, but the ambitious unscrupulous Dr. Rusmeuth (seizes the opportunity with the celeb) makes it appear viable. Readers will enjoy traveling with Sasha as she goes back over her sexual encounters in an a

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