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Table of Contents
Christy's Bookshelf
Tidal Rip
Joe Buff
William Morrow
10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY 10022-5299
www.harpercollins.com 212-207-7000
ISBN 0060009667 $25.95, 450 pgs.
Author Joe Buff, considered an expert in submarines and national defense, is a member of the
U.S. Naval Institute and Life Member of the Naval Submarine League, Navy League of the
United States, and Fellows of the Naval War College. Former novels of submarine warfare
include Crush Depth, Thunder in the Deep, and Deep Sound Channel. It goes without saying that
this author's expertise adds true authenticity to his writings.
TIDAL RIP is a futuristic military thriller that takes place during the year 2012. Commander
Jeffrey Fuller returns in this sequel, at war once more against Korvettenkapitan Ernst Beck,
commander of Imperial Germany's most lethal submarine, the SMS Admiral von Scheer. Fuller
has just received the Congressional Medal of Honor for victories in battle as captain of the USS
Challenger, America's most deadly fast-attack nuclear submarine. Almost immediately, he is sent
to join the Challenger with the mission to find the von Scheer before she can stop an Allied
convoy heading toward Africa.
Fuller learns from intelligence sources that the Berlin-Boer Axis is attempting to bring into
Argentina an American atom bomb. Their plans are to use the bomb against Brazil, then blame the
Americans for the deadly act. Fuller deploys Navy SEALs into South America to stop the
Germans from setting off the bomb, while he meets with the president of Brazil to try to convince
him what the Germans have planned. After a successful meeting, Fuller is back on the Challenger,
stalking the von Scheer. When the submarines meet, the battle becomes a mental one between the
two commanders. But what Beck does not know is that Fuller is determined to stop him at all
costs, even if it means the destruction and ultimate death of his own ship and crew.
TIDAL RIP is a mesmerizing read, full of tension-filled action scenes and intense dialogue. The
action is constant, shifting from the SEALs team and their efforts on land as well as at sea, to the
submariners and their sensational engagements with one another. The characterization is
phenomenal. Buff takes his readers into the minds of the two captains before and during their
conflicts and allows them to understand what motivates the two men. The modern warfare
technologies are explained clearly, and the story realistic to the point of being frightening. Get
ready for one rip-roaring, exciting read with this page-turner. Highly recommended.
Joint Task Force America
David E. Meadows
Berkley Mass Market
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
www.penguinputnam.com 212-366-2153
ISBN 0425194825 $6.99 308 pp.
JOINT TASK FORCE AMERICA is book two in the Joint Task Force series by David E.
Meadows. Meadows is a Captain in the US Navy, serving at the Pentagon on the Joint Staff of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His expertise serves to enhance a well-developed sense of drama mixed
with interesting, believable characters and galvanizing action scenes.
Terrorist Abu Alhaul blames US Navy SEAL Commander Tucker Raleigh for the death of his
family and seeks vengeance against him. After an assassination team fails to kill Raleigh, Abu
Alhaul deploys a freighter carrying undisclosed cargo to America. If the freighter reaches
American soil, the devastation will be horrendous and many lives will be lost. International
intelligence is aware of the freighter but not of its destination nor the exact nature of its dangerous
cargo. The Americans, British, and French work together to hunt the freighter, using Raleigh as
bait. When intelligence suspects the freighter is headed for Europe, most of the American fleet
sails in that direction. Raleigh is sent to the Virginia coast, which is being battered by an
approaching hurricane, unaware that the freighter is headed his way.
Strap your seatbelt on and be prepared to stay awhile when you pick up this book. The pace is
exhilarating and the read so compelling you will not want to put it down. Meadows is the master
at creating action scenes packed with tension, dialogue that rings true, and a story line that is so
believable, it's scary. His sense of characterization is outstanding: the terrorists he depicts are
portrayed so well, they become frightening to the reader, and Admiral Holman and Chief of Staff
Leonard Upmann feel like old friends. Meadows offers a welcome touch of romance with this
book, a respite against the horrendous doings of the terrorists. No one can top him at describing
battle scenes, whether in air or, with this one, on the sea. A powerful, thoroughly entertaining
read. Highly recommended.
One Incredible Dog! Lady
Chris Williams, author
Judith Friedman, illustrator
Moo Press, Inc.
6 High Street, 2nd Floor, Warwick, NY 10990-0054
www.MooPress.com 845-987-7750
ISBN: 0972485333 $15.95 32 pp.
ONE INCREDIBLE DOG! LADY is the first book in an early reader series celebrating working
dogs and the services they perform. Lady is an actual dog who was abandoned along the side of
the road in the spring of 2000. She is now a certified Therapy Dog that works with her rescuer,
nursing assistant Kathy Miller, as Kathy's co-partner in nursing as well as volunteering at local
schools, churches, and hospitals in Pennsylvania.
This book is heartwarming and inspiring. It delivers the poignant message of the therapeutic
marvels to be realized from animals. And the fact that this dog was abandoned, then rescued, and
now serves to help so many makes this true story that much more wonderful. The illustrations are
appealing and in harmony with the story, with eye-catching color and detail.
This book would be a valuable addition to any child's personal library, as well as their classroom
and local library system. Highly recommended.
INTERVIEW WITH JOE BUFF
by Christy Tillery French
Joe Buff, admired for his expertise in submarines and national defense, is a Life Member of the
U.S. Naval Institute, the Naval Submarine League, the Navy League of the United States, the
CEC/Seabee Historical Foundation, and the Fellows of the Naval War College. To date, his
novels of submarine warfare include Tidal Rip, Crush Depth, Thunder in the Deep, and Deep
Sound Channel. His next novel, Straits of Power, is scheduled for release in December, 2004.
Joe's publisher is Wm. Morrow/HarperCollins, and his books have been published as hardbacks
and paperbacks. Joe has also authored numerous articles and has won awards for his nonfiction
writings. More information about Joe can be found at his website: www.joebuff.com.
1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
There's an old saying among authors that "I didn't pick writing, writing picked me." In my case I
think this is definitely true. In the mid '90s, out of nowhere, I had an idea for - of all things - a
science fiction novel. It gradually grew in my mind, until I couldn't help but try to write it. I did a
ton of research and outlining in spare time, then hit the laptop, hard. Eventually I cranked out a
250,000 word manuscript (I'm a fast writer and a very fast typist). If someone had asked me years
earlier - say while I was in grad school getting a masters in math at MIT, or later when I was
partner in a top-10 global management consulting firm - whether I saw myself some day making a
living as a full-time writer, I'd have thought they were off their rocker. Yet, here I am!
2. You may be considered by some authors to be an anomaly: you had an agent before you had a
marketable manuscript for a novel. Wow! Tell us how that came about.
It started with that SF ms., which was rejected all over the place (including by the guy who
eventually became my agent), until even I had to admit it needed a ton of work. Step One was
that if I wanted to be a writer, I'd better learn how to write. So I took two professionally run
short-story workshops, and a number of one-day weekend classes. Also read everything I could
find about the publishing industry and the writing craft. Eventually I rewrote my SF novel
completely and cut it down to 93,000 words. Then, I started trying to outline a sequel, which by a
twisted rabbit trail led me to think about submarines. Again, I began with research. This quickly
led me to have some ideas and I wrote my first non-fiction article accepted by THE
SUBMARINE REVIEW's editor, a retired submarine captain, in late 1997. A few months later,
John Talbot left the Anita Diamont Agency to form his own literary agency. I resubmitted the SF
novel (Hey, you never know) and mentioned my single professional article credit. In a month,
John got back to me. He said he loved my writing, was amazed by the learning curve I'd shown in
one year, but didn't do SF. He'd been one of Tom Clancy's editors, and did represent
technothrillers. Based on my article, John suggested I write in the submarine military-suspense
genre instead, and if I would agree, then he'd take me on as a client immediately. You don't say no
to an offer like that! I tossed the unpublishable SF ms. into the trash heap, told John the thoughts
I already had for a submarine novel, and we brainstormed from there. The concept for Deep
Sound Channel was born. I took about 9 months to draft it, and then John did a rolling auction
and got me a rather nice first contract: two books, hard/soft, that made the Publishers Weekly
"Hot Deals" column in April, '99.
3. You have some background in nuclear physics and other science, which plays into the subject
matter of your books, and you write with vast knowledge and authenticity about nuclear
submarines. In fact, your latest novel TIDAL RIP got a very strong review from the prestigious
U.S. Naval Institute PROCEEDINGS. At this point two of your non-fiction papers won literary
awards from the Naval Submarine League. Since you were never in the military, Joe, how did you
do it?
"It all began when I was a child." Seriously, before I was born, my father was in the U.S. Navy.
He was very proud of his service in the early Cold War as a Seabee, and this rubbed off on me in a
big way. I've been an avid reader since I was a kid (I'm 50 now), and three topics were always my
favorites: history, science/technology, and the military. I devoured the stuff, reading far above my
grade level - till the teachers told my mother I seemed to be obsessed. Her answer was "So what?
Joey knows what he likes." (She's the only person who's allowed to call me Joey, by the way. To
everyone else, it's Joe, heh heh!!!) Also, one of my uncles was a merchant mariner on the North
Atlantic convoys late in World War II, before being drafted into the U.S. Army for the occupation
of Nazi Germany. So I had just the right sort of parental support and role models to get me
started on what amounted to literally a lifetime of hectic research that I draw on now for my own
writings. I must have read a thousand relevant books, with an emphasis on personal memoirs of
combat over the centuries, biographies of great generals and admirals, and warfighting gadgetry
of all sorts, to the point where it really got in my blood. Once I started to think about writing
technothrillers, I also put into play some skills I'd acquired in my previous business career,
especially networking, except now it was with military folks, particularly submariners. I hit it off
with them right away. Early on, I got to spend several days at sea aboard the Los Angeles-class
fast-attack nuclear sub USS Miami, also I visited at least a dozen other subs (including a modern
German U-boat!) and talked with their crews, and attended conference after conference of the
major military organizations to which I belong. At these I heard speeches from submarine COs,
active duty admirals, WWII diesel boat veterans, military contractors, politicians, the works. I
mingled with them and got to know them as people and became good friends with some of them.
My articles for THE SUBMARINE REVIEW, I think now I have seven out, two of them ran in
two parts, amounted to term papers or take-home exams, great learning tools: original ideas
based upon lateral thinking that I wrote up to be "graded" by tough teachers who practiced
undersea warfare for a living. Four or five active duty or retired submariner officers or chiefs
carefully critique each of my novels for me in chunks as I write them. These guys are very
meticulous and demanding, and I've learned a huge amount from working with them on five
published novels so far (counting the draft of STRAITS OF POWER, which is with my Editor
right now). But I write everything first, after doing my ongoing reading and thinking "homework"
aggressively -- and then the military pros hit me with their none-too-gentle feedback to firm up
each draft. That's one reason I have a saying, "A writer succeeds in a village." I'm proud of this.
You can't do as well on your own. By now you may be wondering, so why did I ever start trying
to write by dabbling in science fiction? Why didn't I do military suspense from the beginning, since
my whole life prepared me so much better for that? It just goes to show, the most obvious things
are sometimes the hardest to see.
4. Can you give us a brief summary of the storyline behind your submarine warfare novels?
In a nutshell, the books depict tactical nuclear war at sea in 2011/2012. (Tactical nuclear war at
sea is a type of warfare specifically recognized by the Pentagon.) The hero of the saga is an
American submarine officer, Jeffrey Fuller, who gradually rises in rank and wins major medals
completing mission after mission during the war - despite his own inner conflicts and human
foibles. The enemy is the Berlin-Boer Axis, i.e. Germany taken over by an ultranationalist
conspiracy within the country's financial-military-industrial complex, allied with South Africa
taken over by Boers and other whites who have restored Apartheid -- secretly, with the
distraction of the Global War on Terror as cover, the conspirators built their own low-yield atom
bombs. The Axis, using the shock value of a couple of tactical nukes set off on land, and an
ambush of a coalition carrier task force out at sea, have overrun continental Europe and big parts
of Africa. America's principal allies are the UK and the British Commonwealth nations. At first
much of the rest of the world stays neutral - Russia pretends to be neutral but supports the
Germans. Then the war gradually spreads, and some other countries choose sides. Things also get
closer and closer to uncontrolled escalation toward a global thermonuclear holocaust. So far that
hasn't happened, and Jeffrey plays a key role in averting disaster, achieving success, and helping in
the march toward (we hope) an eventual Allied victory. But in STRAITS OF POWER, the war
sure isn't over yet! Jeffrey and his friends and shipmates provide a strong ray of courage and hope
amid this very dark scenario. I like to say that I'm not writing comfort food! My intention is to
entertain and educate people, but also scare them like in JAWS or ALIEN, and shake them up
about how the real world works, give them something to think about beyond escapist fiction.
5. The oceanographic facts and seafloor terrain depicted in your books are fascinating to read.
Are these accurate?
All the science and geography in each novel, above and underneath the water, is as entirely
accurate as I can possibly make it. For each book I purchase dozens of detailed nautical charts,
and spend countless hours doing research on the Internet and reading a (rather daunting) pile of
applicable non-fiction books and journals, too. All of the weapons systems depicted in my stories
either exist now for real or in test-prototype, or are in the design phase as announced by the Navy
or the Pentagon, or are completely realistic given science and technology projected on a
timeframe of a decade or so into the future - were funding made available. In fact, in a chapter in
the TIDAL RIP draft about a particular "secret weapon," one of my submariner ms. critiquers
wrote in the margin -- I think only half tongue-in-cheek -- "Where did you get the security
clearance to know about this?" I'm especially proud of my self-study in sonar and undersea
acoustics, based on some of the same textbooks that practicing submariners read. All of the
depicted effects of tactical nuclear weapons, radioactive fallout, etc., are also thoroughly
researched. Nothing is "made up" to fit the story. Actually, writing stories that strictly "fit the
facts" is half the fun of it for me! Where I depict equipment breaking, or new crewmen being
half-clueless, let's just say I have very good reason to know such things do happen in real life.
6. Navy SEALs play a strong role in your books, and it's interesting to read how committed and
tough these men are, as well as versatile in the duties they perform. How did you research the
SEALs?
The same way I researched submariners. After years of reading every book by or about Navy
SEALs that I could find, I started networking at the people level. I was very privileged to be part
of a tour of the SEAL training compound in Coronado, CA. I met a number of SEAL instructors,
and also got to speak to some of the SEAL trainees who had just finished "Hell Week." I visited
the Amphibious Warfare Base nearby, and toured the various types of craft used to conduct
SEAL operations. I also got to attend an annual SEAL reunion in Norfolk, VA, met a number of
other SEALs there, and saw demonstrations of some of their key weapons and tactics and support
aircraft. I even met and spoke with some German combat swimmers, the Kampfschwimmer -
scary guys whom I'd never want to meet in combat, let me tell you! People ask me sometimes if I
made the Kampfschwimmer up. I say, Heck no. The encounters Jeffrey and his SEAL friends have
with them in the war in 2011/2012 are meant to be utterly frightening. One of the nicest
compliments I've ever gotten was from a Navy SEAL who told me he found my novels
impressively realistic, and they kept him up to five in the morning to finish them in one
sitting!
7. You also write a column for Military.com as well as nonfiction articles for THE SUBMARINE
REVIEW. Do you find it easier to write fiction or nonfiction, and do you have a preference?
To me, fiction and non-fiction are different forms of writing that reinforce each other in my work
and my career. I believe that the shorter a piece is in word-count, the more challenging it is to
draft it to retain the reader's interest and make a useful point. When it comes to fiction, I'm
definitely a "marathon man." Short stories are not my milieu, at all. Novels that take a year
full-time to research and outline, then draft and edit, are the sort of fiction writing I most prefer.
The column I write every week or two for Military.com, in their Military Opinion feature,
represents a type of commentary or op-ed writing. Frankly, I really do enjoy this! (I started it in
January, '03, when the president of Military.com's parent company invited me to be a regular
contributor, alongside big-name writers and military experts like Joe Galloway, Oliver North,
David Hackworth, and William Lind.) To me, personally, a mix of long fiction and shorter
non-fiction seems ideal. I can get a nice immediate sense of gratification and closure with each
Military.com piece, 1,000 to 2,000 words long, because it's usually posted on their home page the
same day I submit it. The articles for THE SUBMARINE REVIEW are more "serious" and
technical in tone, run about 3,000 words (or 6,000ish for a two-parter), and often take up to a
year after submittal to appear in print in a quarterly issue. A novel, from first concept to the
hardcover being in the stores, takes up to two years - then add another year to get to the
massmarket paperback edition. So novel writing demands tremendous patience and a hefty dose
of deferred gratification. What's also great about the Military.com column is it's given me a whole
new circle of people to write for, and earned me a new set of e-pals beyond the folks who contact
me about my novels. The hardest part is juggling everything, to do a good job and meet the
contractual or self-imposed deadlines scattered all over my calendar. But I think writing
constantly is crucial to writing well. I often compare it to professionally playing golf or the violin.
You need to practice every day to stay in your groove. Some variety is good, even essential, it
keeps you fresh and builds your craft skills to the utmost.
8. Tell us about your efforts to raise public awareness that the Seabees still exist and are
active.
Speaking of Military.com e-pals, a retired reservist Seabee chief "Stormin' Normand" once
bemoaned to me that most people don't even realize that the Seabees still exist, let alone are as
busy as ever as combat construction workers - with heavy involvement in humanitarian aid efforts
worldwide. (He first contacted me because he saw in my bio that my late father was a Seabee.) I
put on my thinking cap, and suggested we do something practical. So I wrote one essay for my
column called "Seabees Special Forces?" I was instantly deluged by an incredible outpouring of
e-mails from Seabees everywhere, even their parents, spouses, fianc‚es, thanking me for getting
them some long-craved public recognition. Then I suggested to Stormin' that we needed to
name-brand an effort and start getting serious. Thus "OPERATION SEABEES KNOWLEDGE"
was born, a volunteer grassroots effort. One early success was that one of my favorite military
novelists, David E. Meadows, a captain in the U.S. Navy, wrote JOINT TASK FORCE:
FRANCE, which is due out this summer and has modern Seabees as major characters in the story.
I also included Seabees in an action sequence near the beginning of STRAITS OF POWER. Then
I said, hey, we need a website as a cyberspace home and 'Rallying Point" for OPERATION
SEABEES KNOWLEDGE. And so, soon now the new website www.SeabeesInfoHQ.org will be
announced to the public; it might in fact officially go live by the time people read this interview!
9. You have received acclaim from very well-known authors, including Stephen Coonts and Clive
Cussler. Congratulations. Whose opinion do you value the most, above all others?
Of course I'm absolutely delighted to get such praise from Mr. Coonts and Mr. Cussler. But the
positive feedback I cherish most comes from recreational readers who are or used to be in the
armed forces, especially enlisted people. They're the toughest crowd to satisfy, because they've
"been there, done that," they're very pragmatic, and it's impossible to put one over on them about
the realities of combat and life in the military. When they actually thank me for writing my novels,
or for putting into words in my column things they've always felt in their hearts to be true, well,
for me there really is no better feeling. At the other end of that spectrum, praise - direct or indirect
-- from submariner captains and admirals is terrific affirmation that my work is on the right track.
Lastly, there's something very special about hearing from young readers. Once, by snailmail I got
a hand-written fan letter from a boy in seventh grade. Naturally, I responded to it the same day. I
don't think you can put a price tag on the value of this shared sense of participation and belonging
between author and reader.
10. You are an author who is sought out by other authors for endorsement quotes regarding their
books. Do you enjoy doing this and what is it like providing a quote for another author?
Doing endorsement quotes is hard work, in that the request will usually come up suddenly and the
deadline is always tight, and I make it a rule to read every such book from cover to cover. But as
I said above, I believe a writer succeeds best in a village with other writers and editors and agents.
I take a collegial approach to the business, as do most other people I know. Of course, first of all,
it's flattering to be asked, since the editor (the usual source of the request) wouldn't bother if they
didn't feel my endorsement would be valuable. Also, it's kewl to get a free book and have the
reader's copy or bound manuscript sent to me well before the novel hits the stores. And I won't
deny it's a nice bit of extra advertising to see my name with my quote on someone else's book -
but in writing I think you have to give in order to get, in many ways. What can be tricky is coming
up with accurate praise that doesn't start sounding trite, since there are just so many superlatives
in the dictionary. I have to be careful remembering what I said in other blurbs, or I might repeat
myself! This could get embarrassing, if a reader compares two books I gave endorsements for and
sees that by accident I said the same thing twice. Ha! You think I'm joking. But it's harder than it
looks. Yet it's fun and exciting, to see another writer's work just as it's coming together in the
production and marketing stage, and give it a helpful push in the right direction toward being
received well by the sales force, booksellers, and the public.
11. What is your current WIP?
As we do this interview in late February, 2004, I'm about to start editing the delivered manuscript
of STRAITS OF POWER with my editor Mike Shohl at Wm. Morrow. From that I will roll right
into my major project for 2004, which is writing the next book in the Jeffrey Fuller series. Mike
and I have already agreed on the basic concept of this next story, and I'll be delivering that
manuscript around January 1, 2005.
12. What do you like to do in your spare time?
My wife and I live in a hilly rural area and really love nature. We take exercise hikes through the
fields or along the roads with our dog for an hour or more almost every day, regardless of the
weather. We tend to pick up neighbors' dogs as we go, and also often this way informally talk to
people we know whom we see in their yards or who drive by us and stop in their cars. We enjoy
watching primarily two types of TV shows, either animated shows like "Futurama" (my favorite)
or "South Park," or the BBC comedies and police procedurals. "Cops" is also one of our
favorites. We like going out to dinner with other couples, as there are some very good restaurants
within a moderate drive of our house. I'll also relax by listening to music, mostly soft rock or
country.
13. Who are your favorite authors?
Believe it or not my favorite authors are non-fiction naval history writers. Two great ones really
stand out on my bookshelves. One is Samuel Eliot Morison, especially his biographies of
Christopher Columbus and John Paul Jones. Another is Alfred Thayer Mahan, including his
biographies of Farragut and Nelson, but most of all his classic multi-volume THE INFLUENCE
OF SEA POWER series. Dudley Pope is another superb author of very vivid naval history.
Among more modern writers, Norman Friedman is a sea power strategist and commentator
whose works always keep me up into the wee hours. I draw a lot of inspiration from these writers
and their books, because I try to give my action-adventure novels the feel of "real-world naval
history that just hasn't happened yet."
14. I love the pictures of your dog, Dina, at your website. It seems most authors are either dog or
cat lovers. Is she your only "child"?
My wife Sheila and I first met in college in 1972. We decided many years ago that neither of us
wanted children. (We do, so far, have over thirty nieces and nephews.) We both like cats but I'm
allergic to cats. We got our first dog, Dagmar, in early 1986. When she passed away at age 14,
we got Dina. Both of them we adopted from the North Shore Animal League on Long Island. We
don't think of Dina as our child. It's more like she thinks of us as her slaves, heh heh! Dina is
definitely the leader of the pack of all the dogs along our road. She can be very willful and
stubborn, but also is cuddly and affectionate, quite a combination in a dog who weighs seventy
pounds! (Sheila, by the way, is a full-time nonfiction writer, specializing in health, wellness, and
nutrition. She co-authored some of Dr. Atkins's recent books, and has been on the NY TIMES
Bestseller List as a result.)
15. As an author who writes for a living, do you follow a strict writing regimen?
Yes and no. In an overall macro sense, I'm always working on some aspect of something I'm
writing, even if it's just noodling around in the back of my head as I'm watching TV. In a
day-to-day micro sense, I'd have to say I have no specific regimen at all. I seem to be a natural
self-starter, and very much enjoy being self-employed. On the novels especially, each manuscript
tends to pour out of me in spurts. I might write 100 pages in a week, or nothing new on that front
for two weeks, but the story is always busy taking further shape inside my brain. My record so far
is writing 62 pages in one day toward the end of TIDAL RIP, but I'm sure other writers can top
that. I keep a daily tally of how many pages I write, so that by simple arithmetic I make sure I'll
meet the final deadline on time with the target manuscript length. Sometimes when in what I call a
"writing frenzy" I'll jump out of bed before dawn and write non-stop until midnight. Sometimes I'll
sleep to 11, stay up past 2 a.m., and won't physically write at all - but my mind is always going.
(The one thing I make sure to do without fail each day is respond to all incoming e-mails, which is
another form of writing, into which I put great care.) I think all this works for me because I'm
very organized and analytical, even though my schedule habits probably sound like a form of
chaos theory!
Thanks much!
Christy Tillery French
Reviewer
Cynthia Penn's Bookshelf
Stroke of Midnight
Blaze 114
Jamie Denton, Carrie Alexander, and Nancy Warren
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373791186 $4.50 249 pp.
Highly recommended. Three of Harlequin's most stunning authors combine their talents for
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT, an anthology readers will not want to miss. New Year's Eve brings
three single women together for a Venetian masquerade ball at the home of famous shoe designer
Rafe Monticello. They agree that if they are all three still single the following New Year's Eve,
they will show up at the party together next year. I confess to a fondness for anthologies that hold
together as well as this one. While each story is unique, the overall effect is a wildly romantic
New Years that heats cold winter nights with delightful passion. Indeed, Denton, Alexander and
Warren dazzle readers with their harmonious offering that both tantalizes and pleases at any time
of year. "Impulsive" by Jamie Denton: Fashion reporter Natalie Trent meets sexy Joe Sebastian,
who simply disappears into the night after a scintillating encounter. At least she gets to take home
a pair of Monticello shoes and set up interviews with the people she meets. Significantly, Natalie
wears an unbuttoned man's tuxedo shirt and shakes a stud from her hair when she meets her new
friends, providing proof of a heated encounter with a man who disappears at midnight and
suddenly reappears at the next New Year's party. "Enticing" by Carrie Alexander: Isabel Parisi
claims to come to the party for the French champagne and the Italian men. As a fabric designer,
she has been working with the Monticellos on the spring line. During the course of the year,
online correspondence leads to a wonderful friendship with Tom Grace. Despite her
proclamations that she does not want to actually meet him, Tom crashed the party hoping to meet
Isabel without destroying their friendship. "Tantalizing" by Nancy Warren: Adrianne Sorenson
attends the party because she is Rafe Monticello's accountant. Despite an endless string of
women, Rafe Monticello wants the one woman who seems immune to his charms. Indeed, her
clueless rejection only made him pursue harder. This year Rafe intends to overcome her reticent
caution with spontaneous passion. Good thing that Adrianne is ready to overthrow her practical
reputation in favor of something wild and unpredictable.
A Perfect Life
Flipside No 11
Dawn Atkins
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373441851 $4.50 224 pages
Very highly recommended
The Morning Madness Show announces that Claire Quinn wins their Valentine contest live on the
air. Unfortunately, thousands of listeners bear witness when the disk jockey calls her fianc‚ and
his wife answers. So she decides to get casual about sex and serious about work. Too bad her
mentor prefers in couch time than coaching time, her wardrobe does not match her aspirations,
and her new love interest plays guitar on a street corner. Trip Osborn never stays long in any
place or any job. It was easier for him to think, to learn, to be himself if he kept moving. He audits
classes at the university he happens to be closest to, picking up seasonal and temporary work
when he is not strumming a guitar on a street corner. But his free spirited, out spoken ways
appeal to Claire's need for ice cream and companionship. Too bad that he can never meet her need
for appearances nor she can she match his need for freedom. So the only question is what to do
when dazzling chemistry meets realistic impossibility. Humor keeps the pain at bay in this
delightful comedic romance by Dawn Atkins. With her characteristic flair, A PERFECT LIFE
kept me in stitches. Atkins has a gift for creating believable characters that have a knack for
encounter life's little problems with spirit and sass. Trip teaches Claire to lighten up while she
teaches him what a big heart he does have, and how to connect with others rather than just
moving on. While complete opposites, together they balance a unique and unexpected way that
will delight fans of comedic romance. With a couple of single Chickateers still available, hopefully
readers will find more amusing tales like this one. A PERFECT LIFE comes very highly
recommended.
Rescued by a Rancher
American Romance 1001
Mindy Neff
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373750056 $4.75 256 pages
Highly recommended. Tracy Lynn Randolph and her mother planned her future just hours before
her mother succumbed to ovarian cancer. Now she's about to turn thirty, and Tracy chooses to
take destiny in hand since prince charming has yet to appear. But after successfully utilizing a
sperm bank and then proudly announcing the good news to her father, he demands the name of
the father before he keels over with a heart attack. Lincoln Slade witnesses the disastrous
encounter, stepping in and offering his name as father to the baby. Linc then helps with CPR to
help save Tracy's father's life. With her father about to run for the senate and demanding that
things be put right while he's in the hospital, Tracy and Linc find themselves at the justice of the
peace the very next day. Having already lost one parent prematurely, Tracy will do whatever is
necessary. Little does she suspect that Linc's intentions are more than just honorable. Author
Mindy Neff brings together new technology and old fashioned values in RESCUED BY A
RANCHER. Tracy's loss of her mother and fear of loosing her remaining parent provides
powerful motivation for pleasing her father. Linc's noble price-like rescue conceals a heart long
smitten by a girl he did not believe he could ever have. His bad boy background provides the
perfect foil for the mayor's daughter. With a delightful secondary cast, readers will be hoping for
another Texas Sweetheart story soon. RESCUED BY A RANCHER comes highly
recommended.
Craig Legacy
Terry Campbell
LTD Books
200 North Service Rd W., Unit 1, Suite 301, Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6M 2Y1
eBook/Multiple Formats
ISBN Disk: 1553161211; Download $5.00; Disk $6.00
Trade Paperback ISBN 1586970712 $13.95
Highly recommended. Colonel Benjamin Craig only has ten days to get Frankie Matthews through
the time portal to correct history. He refuses to allow scruples to stand in the way of his
correcting the past, returning it to its rightful course with him as the head of the Craig family
legacy rather than his younger brother Noah. Ben had known since he had comforted a sobbing
six-year-old that she would be his salvation. But now he must work quickly or she will turn thirty
and then it will be too late. Craig Hill always beckoned to Frankie, talking to her, calling her in her
dreams. Then she feels lips on the back of her neck, but there is no one there. Some say that Ben
Craig's spirit haunts the homestead because he was not supposed to die. The only thing she can
learn about Ben is that he had been gunned down by three Union deserters while saving the
family. Frankie becomes a believer when he comes to her room and draws her into the past. Now
in the midst of the Civil War, this twenty-first century girl faces the challenges of no email, no
convenient femine supplies, and no running showers. This Ben does not know that she is from the
future, and is engaged to his older brother's widow. Temporarily accepted as visiting family,
Frankie becomes determined to prevent Ben's marriage and to right the wrongs of the past.
Frankie bemoans her situation humorously commenting, "No coffee. No chocolate. No diet cola.
No caffeine. I'm in hell." But she actually survives her time shift with comedic grace even as her
knowledge of the future, her lifestyle, and her lack of ability to function in the eighteen hundreds
conspired to sabotage her every move. While Ben's machinations in bringing her to the past might
appear selfish, his true heart quickly endears him with the reader. Secondary characters likewise
spring vividly to life from the vicious and vindictive Beatrice to the very proper aunt. Emotional
and ethical complexities lend the story surprising depth as Ben and Frankie determinedly revise
history before it's too late. CRAIG'S LEGACY by Terry Campbell comes highly
recommended.
The Wild Child
Harlequin Superromance No 1160
Judith Bowen
Harlequin Retail Inc
ISBN 0373711603 $5.25 256 pages
A Little Secret miniseries - Very highly recommended. Eva Haines comes to isolated Liberty
Island to tidy up the affairs of an eccentric distant relative. Within a week of arrival, she knows
that someone watches, despite the fact that her cousin claimed the island is deserted except for an
ancient donkey named Andy. There had once been a lone resident at the other end of the island,
but Eva has no reason to believe that he is still in residence. So when she spies a child who later
appears in her kitchen, Eva is taken aback. But no more so than when the wild child's father
appears looking for her. The daughter of reclusive Silas Lord, Fanny practically owns the island.
Her brash charm quickly wins Eva's heart. But Eva cannot help wondering why Silas would so
carefully seclude his daughter, not even allowing her to attend school. She has no playmates, but
she does have a fascination for lipstick, jewelry and the contents of refrigerators. Silas has no
appetite for society, but his daughter seems to crave new company, being drawn irresistibly to the
other side of the island. Once she'd broken her father's rules to visit, Fanny cannot seem to stay
away. Silas struggles between giving her a normal upbringing under strange circumstances and
teaching herself with various excursions. Perhaps Eva can even help. As an elementary teacher she
might be sympathetic to the reasons Silas intends to keep his daughter hidden. Sociable, sassy
Fanny threatens to steal the show in THE WILD CHILD, but it is her impetuous enthusiasm that
draws her reclusive father Silas and newcomer Eva together. The island paradise presents the
perfect setting, complete with seclusion, beaches and bathing pools. Indeed, once again author
Judith Bowen displays her dazzling storytelling ability with this tale. Characteristic of all her
books, THE WILD CHILD captures the heart and imagination with flair that makes all of her
books extraordinary. THE WILD CHILD comes very highly recommended. Authors! Promote
your books! Send extra copies to WordWeaving for the monthly contest.
Yours to Seduce
Harlequin Blaze 111
Karen Anders
Harlequin Retail Inc
ISBN 0373791151 $4.50 256 pp.
Women who Dare miniseries - Very highly recommended. It was an unspoken rule that
co-workers Lana Dempsey and Sean O'Neill did not get too close, because the heat between them
would be too much. But a bet with her friends temporarily suspends the rules and Lana needs to
get Sean in bed and obtain a souvenir. While Sean has stalwartly treated her like just another
firefighter - just one of the boys - Lana has seen his occasional looks of undisguised lust.
Firefighters never discuss their fear, especially Lana. It would make her look weak to her
coworkers. But when a dangerous situation results in Lana saving Sean, their carefully controlled
passion erupts into flames. They might have been able to pretend to be friends and pals until they
gave into lust, but sex complicates matters. Further, for a guy who does not mix friends and
lovers, Sean does not quite know what to do with Lana, who is both. Author Karen Anders has
certainly established herself as one of romance's rising stars, especially with YOURS TO
SEDUCE. The premise behind the WOMEN WHO DARE miniseries is hot, with friends who
agree to seduce their sexual interests and obtain proof of their seduction. Such bold features result
in fabulously searing tales. In YOURS TO SEDUCE, Sean is the kind of guy who gives in every
sense of the word. Lana's bold seduction in the firehouse is absolutely scorching. Indeed, the
burning intensity between Sean and Lana makes for a quick but satisfying read that will have
readers scurrying to the bookstore more of this series. YOURS TO SEDUCE comes very highly
recommended.
Mine to Entice
Harlequin Blaze 119
Karen Anders
Harlequin Retail Inc
ISBN 0373791232 $4.50 256 pages
Women who Dare miniseries - Very highly recommended. Forensic investigator Kate Quinn and
deputy district attorney Jericho St. James have worked together for three years. When she's
slightly late to testify and then enters with a new, enticing look, Jericho cannot take his eyes off of
Kate. Unfortunately, rather than voicing his attraction, Jericho admonishes her for tardiness. At
that point, she vows to tease him, to entice him, and when he is hers, to make him beg. Jericho
could control his desire when Kate hid behind a lab coat and glasses. With her transformation, he
warns her that it may hold touch consequences. He knows that her passion has been sleeping, and
much against his better judgement, Jericho would like to be the one to awaken her. He has
certainly known that she wanted him. But only now he realizes just how much he wants her.
Author Karen Anders creates boldly sensual heroines and wildly sensitive heroes for her Women
Who Dare miniseries. Kate's determination to keep Jericho begging exemplifies the power of
sexuality even as the heart holds sway. MINE TO ENTICE especially results in a deliciously
wicked read when contrasting belief and single-minded desire make for difficult bedfellows when
Jericho arrests a man Kate believes to be innocent. As they boarder on the brink of miracles or
disaster, passion flares and need intensifies. Seductive and alluring, MINE TO ENTICE comes
very highly recommended.
Come Summer
Sandra Steffen
Zebra Books
Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York NY 10022
ISBN 082177557X $6.50 320 pages
Very highly recommended. Five years ago artist Liza Cassidy lost her sister Laurel to a
slow-growing brain tumor. During her last months, Laurel left her beloved sister and mother
behind in Nevada to create a new life for herself in Alcott, New Hampshire, where no one knew
that she wad dying. Her letters home did not share the fact that Laurel fell in love with Sheriff
Jack McCall or that they had a son named Tommy. Liza only learned about Jack when she read
her sister's final letter, which instructed her to meet Jack at a lighthouse on a Wednesday, but he
never showed. When Liza called information for his phone number, Jack was easy to locate. But a
woman answered the phone, and Liza hung up. After her mother's death, Liza discovers an
envelope that holds her sister's death certificate that indicates Laurel had had a child. When his
son Tommy claims to have seen his mother, Jack does not believe him. Then he awakens from a
nap in his leather easy chair to find a woman he believes to be Laurel only a kiss away. Torn
between passion and pain, Jack opts for a kiss rather than demands for answers to her
disappearance. But there will eventually be much to answer for on both parts. Author Sandra
Steffen creates a fascinating premise for COME SUMMER. Twin stories might be as common as
shells upon a beach, but in Steffen's hands the plot becomes riveting and unique. With a beginning
that grabs attention to the last satisfying page, Steffen creates an endearing tale of romance and
discovery. Jack is a typical male, unwilling to deal with emotion and blind to the women who has
loved him for years, yet he's a devoted father. Liza's caution juxtaposes her twin's impetuousness,
allowing her less flamboyant ways to charm both the town and the reader. Moreover, COME
SUMMER balances tragedy with unexpected humor for a marvelous read. I couldn't help but be
amused at Liza's mother, whose life was as memorable as her unorthodox death. Secondary
characters sparkle, from the precious Tommy who is recovering from cancer to Eve, whose
unrequited love proves a delightful secondary plot. Steffen's gift for creating delightful characters
results in a read that comes very highly recommended.
Let It Be Me
Libbie Richman
A Serenade Book, a division of Renaissance Alliance Publishing, Inc
Contemporary Romance
ISBN 1932300023 $14.95 256 pages
Recommended. A devoted fan of music star Yale Frye, Lisa Klein has all of his CDs and has
attended many of his concerts. Recently her letters and postcards have gone unanswered or
returned, but Lisa refuses to be discouraged, continuing to write with fervent devotion. Lisa's
husband Ronnie tolerates her fandom, even attending this concert with her. During a standing
ovation, a shot rings out and Lisa puts herself in harms way, taking a bullet. While the police
initially treat her with suspicion, Yale recognizes the sacrifice she made for him. Soon Yale
convinces Lisa to accompany him to his California estate to recuperate where their relationship
develops romantically. Meanwhile, a fanatical group devoted to white supremacy conspires to
complete the job they began. Even as Lisa faces the most difficult decisions of her life, to follow
her heart and remain with Yale or to return to her husband and children, this group plans both her
and Yale's death. Lisa confronts the oral and ethical dilemmas of the heart when her dream comes
true and she must choose between her marriage and her fantasy in LET IT BE ME. In this boldly
sensual tale, Lisa makes unexpected choices that challenge traditional romantic conventions.
While it would be easy to condemn a music star for the turning the head of a woman like Lisa,
Yale comes across and sexy and sympathetic character. The combination of mystery, romance,
madness and murder keeps the plot moving quickly. Although readers may at times identify the
prose as that of a first time author, Lisa's passion and spirit makes for a convincing read. LET IT
ME BE comes recommended.
Why Am I Up, Why Am I Down: Understanding Bipolar Disorder
Roger Granet, M.D., and Elizabeth Ferber
Dell Publishing, a division of Random House
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
ISBN 0440234654 $5.99 244 pages
Recommended. The paradox of bipolar disorder baffles its victims with its manic highs and
depressive lows, plaguing as many as two million Americans. Since bipolar disorder (previously
known as manic depression) has often been misdiagnosed as depression, many patients have had a
difficult if not impossible task of understanding and managing this condition. WHY AM I UP,
WHY AM I DOWN explores the nature of this illness, including who is at risk and where to get
help. In simple terms, this often complex and devastating condition becomes comprehensible and
hopefully manageable. For readers looking for basic information regarding the diagnosis and
treatment of bipolar disorder, WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN is a useful resource. All the
practical information one needs to begin education oneself is concisely presented in a
question/answer format that reads quickly. However, readers expecting information beyond the
basics will be well advised to continue their search elsewhere. There is little here for those who
wish to live successfully with the illness. Moreover, the dry, clinical tone lends an air of bleakness,
failing to recognize the large number of people diagnosed as bipolar that live healthy, successfully
lives. Nevertheless, for readers seeking a beginner's understanding of mental illness and a guide
through the morass of finding help, WHY AM I UP, WHY AM I DOWN will provide the
practical advise needed to make a start.
Say No to Joe?
Lori Foster
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373711921 $6.99 384 pages
Luna Clark may be the only woman to ever say no to the irresistible Joe Winston, which may be
why he wants her so badly. When he is around her, Joe looses control of his wayward tongue, his
better sense and his lust So when Luna seeks him out, Joe will do almost anything for her,
including moving to a small town in North Carolina to help her to protect her young charges.
Besides, disappearing for a while might be a good idea since his last job as a bounty hunter has yet
to be resolved. Indeed, a little recovery time and a lot of time with Luna suits him fine. Free
spirited, bohemian Luna never expected to fall in love with her cousin' s children so quickly. After
seven guardians, they are understandably suspicious and it does seem as if the whole town is out
to get them. For three months she has wanted Joe, dreaming and fantasizing about him. Despite
her ongoing attraction to Joe, she doggedly says no to him because she refuses to play for less
than for keeps. Nevertheless, she needs his help. Besides, despite his tough guy attitude, he knows
a heck of lot more about children than she does. Once again Lori Foster creates a hero no women
can say no to with SAY NO TO JOE? Foster has a gift for creating scintillating tales that curl the
toes and are impossible to put down. Luna is a sultry goddess that finds Joe impossibly tempting.
While she might have a reputation for flighty fancy, she comes through for two troubled children
in need of love and consistency. Fans have been eagerly awaiting Joe's story since his appearance
in WILD. He might start out wishing for a wild fling, but it does not take long for Joe to
recognize his heart's need for both Luna and the children. With plenty of action, comedy,
wonderful secondary characters and a fun plot, SAY NO TO JOE belongs on the keeper shelf,
coming very highly recommended.
The House on the Beach: American Romance No 1008
Linda Barrett
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373711921 $5.25 304 pages
From the Pilgrim Cove series -- Highly recommended. Following the death of her mother and in
the wake of her own recovery from breast cancer, Laura McCloud discovers a chance for healing
at Sea View House. Laura returns to the town of Pilgrim, Massachusetts, because her parents had
brought her here for summer vacations for ten years. The last visit, when she was sixteen, was
especially memorable for a stolen kiss under the boardwalk with Matthew Parker. When she
discovers him repairing the Sea View House, Laura remembers him immediately. Matt had been
terribly disappointed when the lovely young Laura had not returned to the cove the summer after
their kiss and he recognizes her right away. Life has brought him many changes since then,
including loosing his wife to cervical cancer and raising two sons alone. But Laura quickly fits
herself into his house full of males. Too bad she has a secret that could disrupt their comfortably
growing romance. Author Linda Barrett captures the struggle for emotional balance in THE
HOUE ON THE BEACH. Laura's rejection following her diagnosis with breast cancer leaves her
more deeply scared than her chest. Likewise, Matthew struggles with his own devastation
following the death of his wife due to cervical cancer. While his sons might be ready for a new
mom, Matt's misgivings are all too real when he has already confronted issues of mortality and
loss. Together, however, Laura and Matthew discover the promise of love and the gifts of
opportunity in ways that provide healing. Barrett's gentle treatment of such serious issues,
carefully balanced with the fun of children and a black cat, make for wonderful reading. THE
HOUSE ON THE BEACH is a terrific beginning to a promising series and comes highly
recommended.
About Last Night...
American Romance No 1008
Michele Dunaway
Harlequin Retail Inc
PO Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373750129 $4.75 256 pages
Very highly recommended. The sex was fabulous, the best experience of her life, and he does not
even remember. Now their night together changes everything. Lindy Brinks has loved her boss
Shane Jacobsen for three years-ever since he shared his teen journals with her. As his personal
assistant, Lindy had done everything for Shane, even buying his girlfriend's gifts and getting rid of
them when they turn stalker. Alcohol and painkillers might have affected Shane's memory, but
Lindy recalls every exquisite detail. Now she is moving on out of simple self-preservation. With
missionary parents that left him in the care of expensive nannies, Shane has been a black sheep for
a long time. In his mid twenties, he has never taken anything too seriously, not his job and
certainly not his love affairs. Mistakenly believing that good old Lindy will always be there for
him, Shane takes her for granted until she leaves her job. Then he finds out she is pregnant with
his child in a phone call from his parents who read it in the tabloids. Now it is time for this bad
boy to grow up before the best thing that ever happened to him gets away. Author Michele
Dunaway deftly captures the challenges of transformation and love in ABOUT LAST NIGHT.
Lindy's determination to leave her job and create a life apart from Shane demonstrates the tenacity
and independence that make Dunaway's heroines such a delight. However, her hero departs
radically from the norm. Rather than a mature, wise man with his life together, Shane is a spoiled,
flightily man who must set priorities and radically change his ways if he wants to win Lindy and
their child. Although Shane has a lot of growing up to do, however, he has a heart of gold that
will see him through the greatest challenges of his life. A delightfully fresh tale with unexpected
twists, ABOUT LAST NIGHT comes very highly recommended.
Hung Up on You
Harlequin Flipside
Holly Jacobs
Harlequin Retail Inc
ISBN 0373441835 $4.50 224 pages
Very highly recommended. Adrienne Kelly wants hot, wild, abandoned sex, but she will not be
getting any from her fianc‚, whose focus on a wedding date does not include nooky. When Ari's
graduate thesis, "The Effects of Telephone Answering Systems on Psychological and Physical
Well Being" gets published by Psychology Forum, she should be celebrating. Instead, a rag
magazine picks up the article, transforming it into a slam on the telephone answering machine
industry. As a result, her status conscious fiance decides they should take a break from each other
and her dream job is withdrawn. Then Simon Masterson, owner of SimonSays, a company that
develops business-answering systems, personally takes Ari to task for downgrading the telephone
answering business. His company's latest invention, called Cindy, was expressly designed to
reduce stress and be user friendly, but with bad press like Ari's article, Cindy may be obsolete
before release. So he demands retraction of Ari's theory and attempts to hire her to evaluate his
new system in exchange for helping her out with her latest family crisis. Author Holly Jacob's flair
for creating wildly amusing tales dazzles in HUNG UP ON YOU. Opposites attract with
outrageous fun and hilarity as Jacob creates a cast of characters that will keep the reader in
stitches over their antics, even as the serious undertone will cause readers to identify with the
effect of stress. A wonderful distraction from a frantic day, readers of HUNG UP ON YOU will
be confessing to be hung up on Jacob's sparkling talent for creating witty tales and sizzling
chemistry. Very highly recommended.
Snow Waste
Michael E. Bemis
Writer's Showcase, an imprint of iUniverse, Inc.
1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
2021 Pine Lake Road, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68512
ISBN 0595264603 $24.95 494 pages
Very highly recommended. With the season's first dipping into freezing temperatures, Joe looks
forward to making snow for a ski resort set deep in the Western Mountains of Maine. Joe looks
forward to a successful season after a record-breaking start. But Joe's innocent view of
snowmaking does not necessarily match management's view. While Joe delights in laying down
snow and providing a successful season for the resort, the owner makes his own plans. Without
enough capitol to expand in the direction he wants to go and with a dearth of investors, the owner
Warren resorts to an illegal deal with a local lumber mill to raise extra capitol. Warren does not
know just how close an environmentalist watches, or how determined he will be in protecting the
mountain and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, others watch as well, leading to unexplained accidents
and destruction of property that brings the scrutiny of law enforcement and the media alike. Three
extremely diverse perspectives expose the dangers of greed, necessity and innocence in author
Michael E. Bemis' SNOW WASTE. While the text is rather dense at times with needful
explanation and exploration of technicalities and legalities, Bemis' elegant prose flows beautifully,
making it easy for those who know the information to scan detail quickly yet keeping the
explanations palatable for the uninitiated - truly a remarkable narrative feat. Indeed, Bemis utilizes
his years in law enforcement and love of the snow to render a tale that is both powerful and
thought provoking. While I often hesitate to review self published work, particularly from
publishers like iUniverse, because of the extensive proofing and editing errors I often find in such
work, Bemis' novel is an absolute delight with remarkably few proofing errors and an exceptional
narrative voice. I can only hope that Bemis continues to pen such remarkable novels. SNOW
WASTE comes very highly recommended.
Cynthia Penn
Reviewer
Donovan's Bookshelf
The World Guide
New Internationalist
55 Rectory Road Oxford OX4 1BW, United Kingdom
0954049977 $39.95
This yearbook provides an alternative reference to the countries of the world offering a 2003/04
edition of details on over two hundred countries. Global maps blend with illustrated graphs and
statistics to cover key global issues from women and health to education and population
expansion. An excellent yearbook for reference collections.
The Hawaii Pet Book
Toni Polancy
Barefoot
32 Uilani Rd., Kehei HI 96753
0966625315 $19.95
Islanders who want to keep a dog or cat in the tropics should consider this a 'must' acquisition for
the home library. Hawaiian pets face many unique problems; from killer toads and aggressive
mongooses to deadly plants and flash floods. This provides an unparalleled pet safety guide which
should not be missed.
Land Beyond the River
Monica Whitlock
St. Martins Press
175 5th Ave., New York, NY 10010
031227727X $27.95
This comprehensive survey of the Mid East/Soviet areas of Central Asia offers the eyewitness
perspective of BBC foreign correspondent Whitlock, who offers a history of the 206th century in
following two central Asian families through social and political changes in their regions. What
evolves is an excellent set of interviews which blends with unpublished letters and diaries from
two families to present a personal account of Central Asia's modern politics and society.
Napa and Sonoma Wine Country
Globe Pequot Press
PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437
0762727985 $7.95
This postcard book of California's wine country scenes is the perfect gift for any who would visit
the region and carry back a handy memory. Cards provide some of the most scenic visual displays
of Napa and Sonoma Valley are this booklet is a recommended pick for either a memory book or
for practical mailing.
Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer
Jerry & Janine Sprout
Diamond Valley Co.
89 Lower Manzanita, Markleeville, CA 96120
0967007259 $15.95
This guide for families and outdoor adventurers surveys all the Big Island's attractions, from hikes
and snorkeling destinations to bike trains and rustic cabins. Add maps, photos, and a 'best of'
section for each activity and you have a handbook filled with take-along pleasure.
Lynne McClure titles
Impact Publications
9104-N Manassas Drive
Manassas Park, VA 20111-5211
$14.95 each www.amazon.com
Two new titles by Dr. McClure provide tips on managing anger in a harsh world: ANGRY MEN
(1-57023-205-9) and ANGRY WOMEN (206-7). Each begins with a questionnaire designed to
help the reader determine the causes of their anger, then surveys the leading causes of anger in
both men and women, respectively. Included also are popular coping mechanisms which offer
skills sets men and women can use to manager their angry impulses.
60 Hikes Within 60 Minutes of San Francisco
Menasha Ridge Press
2204 First Ave. #102, Birmingham, AL 35233
0897325532 $15.95
This outlines trails and hiking opportunities within driving distance of San Francisco: each hike
receives a trail description, map, profiles to help understand altitude gain and loss, and directions
to trailheads. The 'at-a-glance' and 'in brief' color coded pages offer quick reference to any who
would plan a trip with a minimum of time.
Guide to the Human Body
Richard Walker
Firefly Books
155 E. 34 St. #5B, New York, NY 10016
1552978796 $14.95 1-800-387-5085
This handbook provides home users with an affordable, clear reference blending anatomy with an
A-Z encyclopedia of common medical conditions. Over 600 definitions are accompanied by over
two hundred diagrams and color art, from photos to charts, making this a splendid introductory
guide.
Sports Bloopers
Mark Huebner and Brad Wilson
Firefly Books
155 E. 34 St. #5B, New York, NY 10016
1552976270 $19.95 1-800-387-5085
Here's a sports book even fans who shun reading will enjoy: a centerpiece of funny bloopers in all
sports, from boxing and baseball to golf. From the Braves' Andruw Jones running into a wall to
sumo wrestler Konishiki being challenged by a tiny opponent, this is packed with fun color photos
and will delight a wide audience of sports fans who relish memorable moments.
Living Tribes
Colin Prior
Firefly Books
155 E. 34 St. #5B, New York NY 10016
1552977463 $35.00 1-800-387-5085
This blends armchair travel with social examination as author Prior provides a photographic
documentation of 15 of the world' most individual tribes and ethic groups. This offers more
visuals than most, providing close-ups of the people and their culture and offering insights into
how tourism has changed some local customs and habits and economics. The beautiful color
photos make this an engaging title for both students of ethnic cultures and more casual
browsers.
Firefly Books
155 E. 34 St. #5B, New York, NY 10016
1-800-387-5085 www.amazon.com
Robert Kovach and Bill McGuire's GUIDE TO GLOBAL HAZARDS (1-55297-815-X, $14.95)
provides a rich illustrated guide to large-scale natural disasters which affect life on Earth globally
and locally, from volcanoes and drought to earthquakes and diseases. Case histories are
accompanied by maps, charts and diagrams which explain both geologic, social and historical
impacts of disasters. Marco Stoppato and Alfredo Bini's DESERTS (669-6, $24.95) is a richly
illustrated, comprehensive guide to the geology and history of deserts around the world. This also
is a powerful blend of symbols, charts and statistics which offers a survey important to any
student of word geography, from high school to college level readers.
'Complete Natural Medicine Guide' titles
Robert Rose/Firefly Books
155 E. 34 St. #5B, New York, NY 10016
1-800-387-5085 www.amazon.com
Look for two outstanding new medical guides which are based on the most current information
and research culled from the world's leading medical journals. Heather Boon and Michael Smith's
50 MOST COMMON MEDICINAL HERBS (0-7788-0081-4, $19.95) reviews dosages, safety
issues, side effects, drug interactions and more, matching a quick reference guide with a survey of
FDA findings and the latest research on the most popular medicinal herbal treatments. Sat
Dharam Kaur's BREAST CANCER (0080-6, $18.95) provides a manual for prevention and care
alike, offering explanations of influences and causes of breast cancer, self-help detox programs,
and natural medicine strategies which compliment conventional medical treatment options. Both
are useful, important keys to natural medicine's effective use.
Sound and Vision/Firefly Books Dist.
155 E. 34 St. #5B, New York, NY 10016
1-800-387-5085 www.amazon.com
Two new 'quotable' guides will appeal to any who seek a quick and easy quotation handbook.
Geoff Savage's WAR OR PEACE (0-920151-57-4, $17.95) provides quotes from discussions of
war through the ages; from John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King to Churchill and beyond.
Chapters divided into 'war' and 'peace' offer exceptional quotes. Stephen and Nancy Tanner's
OPERA: ARIA READY FOR A LAUGH? (54-X, $16.95) provides quotes from major and minor
opera people, from sopranos and tenors to those who know little about the experience. A fun,
revealing guide.
What Color Is Your Swimming Pool?
Alan E. anderfoot
Storey Publications
210 MassMoca Way, N. Adams, MA 02147
1580173098 $19.95
This updated third edition provides a fine homeowner's guide to maintaining a trouble-free pool,
spa or hot tub. The updated edition has been completely revised and covers everything from water
safety and treatment options to solar heating. Spas and hot tubs are also included in this edition,
making it an excellent, practical owner's guide.
The Vanishing Tiger
Vivek R. Sinha
Salamander/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, North Pomfret, VT 05053
1840654414 $29.95 1-800-423-4525
This comprehensive history and guide to the lifestyle of the tiger blends folklore and myths with
over 200 color, specially commissioned photos of the Bengal Tiger, plus images of its
co-predators and prey. Perhaps the most valuable sections of the book lie in its details on the
habitat and range of all tigers in the world. Highly recommended as the definitive tiger guide.
Outlaws of Ennor
Michael Jecks
Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
0755301722 $24.95 1-800-423-4525
Fans of this author's Medieval mysteries will be thrilled with yet another: a story of Baldwin and
Simon's shipwreck and Simon's loss of a good friend in its aftermath. When a castle's master
demands Simon investigate the murder of one Robert, a hated tax collector, he must put aside his
grief and finds himself in the middle of a heated battle. Realistic settings and a fast-paced plot
keep this inviting and fresh.
Living to Tell the Tale
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Alfred A. Knopf
1745 Broadway, 17th fl., NY, NY 10019
1400041341 $26.95 www.amazon.com
This first volume of a planned trilogy should not be missed: here the Nobel-winning writer begins
to tell the story of his life, from birth to the start of his career as a writer. While this is a
biography, the colorful first-person images of family life and stormy relationships reads with all
the action of a novel, and is reviewed here so that prior fans of Marquez will not miss his
invaluable introduction to his life and early influences.
Sioux Quill and Beadwork Designs and Techniques
Carrie A. Lyford
Dover Publications
31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 11501
0486420892 $9.95 1-800-223-3130
This guide to quillwork and its counterpart beadwork was originally published in the 1940s for the
U.S. Dept. of Indian Affairs, and sees new light today thanks to Dover. Craftspeople of all kinds
will find this begins with a short history of Sioux art and patterns to quickly move into the
specifics of creating and sewing quills and using beadwork techniques adapted for Sioux designs.
A special guide to a very specific art.
A Garden of Flowers
Crispin Van De Pass
Dover Publications
31 E. 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501
0486423050 $19.95 1-800-223-3130
Readers anticipating the usual color in a gardening guide may find these black and white
engravings dull; but the reproduce all 104 engravings from the 1614 Hortus Floridus manual the
greatest of early horticultural works using early engravings and as such, they will appeal to the
avid horticulturalist with a passion for history. A speciality item recommended for any in-depth
gardening history collection.
The Art of Piano Pedaling
Anton Rubinstein & Teresa Carreno
Dover Publications
31 E. 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501
048642782X $11.95 1-800-223-3130
This provides a combined reprint of GUIDE TO THE PROPER USE OF THE PIANOFORTE
PEDALS and Carreno's POSSIBILITIES OF TONE COLOR BY ARTISTIC USE OF THE
PEDALS: while narrow and specific in focus, it will provide the aspiring pianist with some lovely
techniques and examples by two masters of the art.
Bridges of the World
Charles S. Whitney
Dover Publications
31 E. 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501
0486429954 $29.95 1-800-223-3130
This reprints a 1929 classic in an unabridged presentation covering the design and construction of
spans around the world, from wooden landmarks and classic restored medieval structures to
covered bridges, stone structures, and modern (up to early 1900s, that is) creations. Chapters
pack in many vintage black and white photos and diagrams to accompany a technical survey of
bridge advancements and construction.
Dover Publications
31 E. 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501
1-800-223-3130 www.amazon.com
Two reprints of classic travel guides are highly recommended picks. Thomas Wright edits
EARLY TRAVELS IN PALESTINE (0-486-42871-0, $26.95), which republishes an 1848
London edition surveying nine explorers who made their way from England to the Middle East
from the 7th to the 17th centuries. Descriptions throughout provide intriguing cultural and
historical backgrounds. Charles Doughty's TRAVELS IN ARABIA DESERTA: SELECTED
PASSAGES (43158-4, $17.95) republishes PASSAGES, a 1931 original text famous among
scholars of Arab history and culture. Edited down from its original formidable 1,400 pages, this
provides a fine description of the author's attempt to reach Mecca.
Diane C. Donovan
Reviewer
Kaveny's Bookshelf
This month I am featuring two books that deal with the empires; the British and Russian. The first
book is really about one individuals dream of empire.
The Long Recessional: The Imperial Life of Rudyard Kipling
David Gilmour
Farrar Straus & Giroux
1st American Edition
ISBN: 0374187029 $26.00 368 pages
I liked David Gilmour at lot because he kept close to his subject and though his work is both
sympathetic and well written it is not really a literary biography of Rudyard Kipling's it is a literary
idea of Rudyard Kipling's idealogy of imperialism across his half century career.
In a sense it is kind of melancholy book as one sees the dynamic energy develop in the first part of
Rudyard Kipling's life move through several stages. ( Born in Bombay India 1865-1936), first as a
rowdy boy who spent the first six years of his life absorbing the sights sounds, languages, and
culture of British India with his British parents in Bombay. Forced to return with his sister to
England for health reasons, he returned to India as a seventeen-year-old to work as a journalist
with only the secondary school education that his family could afford. In one sense his early years
make one think of the American writer Mark Twain. One thing I liked very much about the book
was that Gilmour brought that the last fact few decades of the 19th Century were not a time when
someone spent their lifetime studying to be something. One simply became something, without
having to spend a decade or perhaps two of post secondary education. I sense that Rudyard
Kipling was at the height of his literary power when he returned to England in 1889 because he
was writing from his senses rather than his memories. In a way years remind more of those of
Joyce or Proust, rather than (J.R.R Tolkien, 1892- 1973 born in South Africa), or even (C.S.
Lewis 1898-1963 born in Ulster Ireland, technically park of the UK, but defacto a colonial
possession). All these writers shared a British Colonial Childhood, all dealt in the fantastic in a
highly successful manner but only Kipling was trapped in his fantasy of an empire, for which he
became a popular spokesman.
This book is not a literary, personal biography it is a kind of an ideological biography which links
the personnel, with the artistic, political, and finally the grand historical narrative of Rudyard
Kipling's life. This is a daunting task but David Gilmore succeeds because he presents the
international geopolitical context 1882-1936 as Rudyard Kipling saw, not as it was rendered after
two generations of historical analysis, after the seals have been broken on the secret documents of
fallen empires,. In the first years of the 21st Century after several visits to the Indian section of
The Royal Armories in Leeds England, and to The Victoria and Albert Museum, and some intense
discussion with military historian specializing in 19th Century British India it seems pretty clear
that the idea of British Cultural superiority Even Rudyard Kipling's construct of The White Mans
Burden, were historical constructions at best. I don't think one could refer to Kipling had an
ideology but rather certain formalized preferences. *** Perhaps the saddest and paradoxically
wonderfully informative part of. The Long Recessional is Gimore's foregrounding of Kipling's
un-relenting hatred of Germany, and the Germans before during and after World War One. Part of
this was of course motivated by the loss of his son lieutenant John Kipling 1897-1915 first missing
in action and then presumed dead, colored all of Kipling's remaining years. It is strange that
combatants often will forgive and associate with each other sensing there essential shared
humanity in a wartime situation, where non-combatants can only scream for revenge. At the same
time one must honor Kipling for the work he did with Imperial Graves Commission, and memorial
design, and inscription and feel a certain resonance with his inconsolable loss for what came
before, particularly in the post 9- 11-01 America as many Americans honestly feel that our only
choice is to pick up the fallen European Colonial Standard.
Yet in the final analysis I like Gilmore work because of the clarity serves the memory of Kipling
very well indeed. n spite of everything it is almost a guilty little pleasure how much we all like
Kipling, at least his early years. Yes we agree he loved the idea of a British Empire, hated and
miss-trusted Winston Churchill as liberal, and yet Churchill un-daunted by Kipling's opinion of
him drew great inspiration from him for his finest hour speeches. Ironically enough the British
people thanked Churchill for his great sacrifice in 1946 by voting him out as his party out as
Prime-Minister. Too bad The Russian could not do that with Stalin.
The Military and Society in Russia: 1450-1917
English Series: History of Warfare. v. 14
Eric Lohr and Marshall Poe, editors
Leiden
Boston, MA: Brill
ISBN: 9004122737 $180.00 550 pg.
This collection of articles addresses nothing less than the life and survival of an empire from its
inception until almost the moment of its death. This makes it a highly relevant work to both the
Russian area specialist in military history and the generalist in a number of areas outside of the
scope of Russian Area Studies. Those potentially interested range from a student of religious
history to economic historians interested in agents of change in a nearly closed socio-economic
system, or to the political scientist specializing in the historical evolution of comparative
government.
But to me the most important reason The Military and Society in Russia is of interest is this: The
concept of an empire seems to be back in fashion on both a popular level as we listen to broadcast
media talk show hosts on both public and commercial broadcast media, and as we gossip over our
morning coffee. The other morning I shared my morning coffee with a retired, local, right-wing
politician in Eau Claire (a sleepy little college town in Western Wisconsin) and after disagreeing
on just about every thing of substance, we both sadly agreed that we missed the stability of the
cold war, when we at least had a very good idea how civilization as we know it might end.
However, that is not the end of it.
Empire also seems to be in the air in the fields of power on highest level of leadership both the
United States and Great Britain, as evidenced by the events of last twelve months in the Middle
East. Therefore this book fills an important function as its scholarly contributors help us try to
understand our present by making a thoughtful and scholarly study of the past "in order to that
fortune does not triumph over virtue" as Niccolo Machiavelli said in The Discourses nearly five
hundred years ago.
As I write this review, I must force myself to look at the concept of empire and imperialism from
a value-neutral position, which is not an easy thing to do. Interestingly enough, empire is a
concept which makes the left and the right very uncomfortable, as evidenced by Ronald Reagan's
damnation of the former Soviet Union as an evil empire. Those of us who were Vietnam Era
protestors must also overcome our abhorrence of the term empire and operationally agree to use
it as a value neutral term which describes a particular historical reality. As much as we might wish
otherwise, this term might in fact generalize to the Third Millennium as well as it has dominated
the last five thousand years of world history.
Yet another problem with the term 'empire' is that it is easy to ascribe the word to the dust bin of
ancient history by linking with such states as Assyria, New Babylonia, Ancient Persia, and Rome,
and ancient China. However, at the same time we must remember that the Byzantine Empire with
its capital in Constantinople survived as a Christian bulwark against successive waves of militarily,
and culturally superior Islamic invaders for the best part of a millennium. Furthermore, if we
simply lengthen our historical memories by three generations, the Ottoman, Chinese, Japanese.
Hapsburg, German, and Russian Empires were all well on their way to becoming modern states
into the first decade of 20th century only to be rent asunder by the cataclysm of "The Great
War"
This collection of articles broadly sweeps across the spectrum of four hundred and sixty-seven
years of Russian History and contains twenty-two topical articles grouped into the following three
broad areas: The Military and Society in Muscovy; The Military and Society in Imperial Russian;
Patriotism, Nationality, Religion and the Military. Though the scope of the articles is mostly
outside of what is commonly though of as medieval history it is nevertheless of interest. Articles
all address the progressive role that the Russian Military had in introducing enough change to
allow for nearly five centuries of Russian national survival and growth. Growth from one of the
weakest states on the peripheral margins of Europe at the start of the period to the position of
great power up to its demise with The October Revolution of 1917.
In order to drive the maxim benefit from this collection of articles it is essential to carefully read
both the preface to this volume. One needs to contextualize it within the broader goals of the
fourteen-volume History of Warfare Series under the general editorship Kelly Devries and its
introduction to "The role of Warfare in Russian Society," by its editors Eric Lohr and Marshall
Poe. Their introduction integrates the twenty-two articles into the theme of this volume. Each of
the contributors is a respected scholar within their areas, doing cutting edge research within their
area of specialization as their research moves from the broadest scope of an emergent Muscovite
national identity to specific nationalities. This progression involved the incorporation of a number
of other nationalities within its structures, according to the findings in Donald Ostrowski 's Troop
mobilization by the Muscovite grand princes (1313-1533). For example. At the level of specifics,
the actuarial data is presented on the granular level of the number of pistols shipped from the
Netherlands to Russia in 1662 in Richard Hellie's "Costs of Muscovite military defense and
expansion. "
While time and space and energy do not allow me to summarize all of the articles in each section,
Peter B. Brown's "Tsar Aleksei Mikhailovich: Muscovite Military Command, Style and Legacy,"
gave a modern cast to the leadership competence of the father of Peter the Great. Brown
presented him almost as a precursor to U.S. Grant in the clarity of instruction he offered his
subordinates while functioning as a twenty-five-year-old field commander during the "Thirteen
years war".
Section II also had a number of fine articles, among them John P. LeDonne's "Grand strategy of
the Russian empire, 1650-1831" LeDonne makes a convincing argument for an evolutionary
grand strategy which moved from a "Fortress Russia " operative system after 'The Time of
Troubles', in the early 17th Century to a "Fortress Empire" by the dawn of the middle third of the
19th Century. One cannot help but wonder if the historical forces which drove Russia during this
one hundred and eighty one year period are still driving her in the early 21st Century. It has
always seemed to me that Western perception of Russian foreign policy has been at least as
important as that policy itself as historical Russia appears to arise phoenix-like from crushing
defeat after crushing defeat.
John W. Steinberg's "Imperial War Games (1898-1906)," was also of interest to me because it
highlighted a number of difficulties encountered by Imperial Russia in implementing changes after
the disastrous results of the first Russo- Japanese War Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905. This war
dictated that war games must have an instructive purpose on all levels of command, and not
simply function on a historically symbolic level. This article brought to mind a quip by an
eighteenth century general who remarked that he hated war because it messed up the order and
beauty of the army.
Gregory Vitarbo's "Military Aviation, National Identity, and the Imperatives of Modernity in Late
Imperial Russia" is first among equals in quality of articles. It is my favorite because I see the
antecedents of many of the great Communists' successes in the Second World War and the
Korean War evidenced in this article. I believe it was former S.A.C. commander, General Curtis
LeMay who noted that the North Koreans equipped with Russian Mig-15s (and probably Russian)
pilots were able to put an end to day American Strategic using B-29 Bombers.
David Schimmelpenninck van der Oye. -- "To build a great Russia Civil Military Relations in the
Third Duma 1907-1912 ", is a fascinating piece of scholarship focusing on liberal reform and
parliamentary involvement in the restructuring and transformation of the Russian Military during
this crucial period. However he rightly states that this same movement toward reform was
instrumental in dragging Russia into the Great War. I would add that perhaps it was that same
liberal leadership, which came to power in the interim between the fall of the Tsar and The
October Revolution that lead an exhausted and decimated Russia into the disastrous Kerensky
Offensive in the summer of 1917 under the leadership of the Liberal Socialist Russian
Government. One might argue that Lenin followed a more traditional Russian policy by getting
out of the war. For that matter, ten years later, Stalin's policy of Socialism in one country seems
very traditional Great Russian indeed, as does his Non-Aggression Pact with Hitler in 1939 which
lead to a fourth partition of Poland in Sept 1939, and a fifth Russian partition of Poland after the
end of The Second World War.
The articles in Section III: "Patriotism, Nationality, Religion, and the Military," were all up to the
high standards of the first two sections. But, realizing I must leave something to the reader, I will
focus on two of them. Alexander M. Martin's "Response of the Population of Moscow to the
Napoleonic Occupation of 1812," is fascinating to me because of my childhood images from the
1956 production of Tolstoy's "War and Peace," staring Henry Fonda, Audrey Hepburn, and Mel
Ferrer. That film had almost iconographic status to post Word War II American Generation that
was coming of age at that time. I was twelve. Martin using first hand accounts from contemporary
sources makes it clear that "The ideology of The French Revolution was not carried into Moscow
at the points of The Grand Army's Napoleonic bayonets. I was also quite interested one might be
called the thought experiment aspect of Martin's article in that he treats Napoleonic occupation of
Moscow in 1812 as a variable which we can measure other aspects of the structure and stability of
Imperial Russia at the onset of the 19th Century. *** David Goldfrank 's Holy Sepulcher and the
origin of the Crimean War throws new light on the origins of The Crimean War since it contests
the idea that the Crimean War was simply a result of break down in communication among the
belligerents. David Goldfrank links the origins of Europe's most destructive war in the period
1815- 1914 with the idiosyncratic personality of Nicholas I. This premiss at least evokes images
of Imperial Germany's William II in immediate pre- World War One Europe. Some have argued
that Imperial german-National policy objectives became entangled with the needs of his
personality. It is also interesting to note that both leaders had a kind of reverse Midas touch in the
ability to build coalitions against themselves.
The Military and Society in Russia: 1450-1917 is a priority item for college university and
research libraries, and for that matters think tanks whose purpose it is to fathom the depths of
change in the 21st Century. My only regret is that a collection like this was not available when I
took my diplomatic history and foreign policy seminars in the late sixties at University of
Wisconsin Madison, where the Late Michael Boro Petrovich would compare Imperial Russia to in
the 19th to very a powerful 240 pound fourteen year old teenage boy with asthma, I wish
professor Petrovich could have lived to see the end of the cold war and see history repeat
itself.
Philip Kaveny
Reviewer
Klausner's Bookshelf
Black
Ted Dekker
W Publishing
ISBN: 0849917905 $19.99, 400 pp.
Multi-billionaire Valborg Svensson craves becoming the most powerful person on earth. To
accomplish his objective, he finds a serum that will kill its human host in three weeks if left
without a vaccine. Valborg plans to release this weapon of mass destruction on an unsuspecting
world. Any nation that fails to capitulate to his demands will die for the vaccine will be limited to
those who bow down to Valborg. Wannabe writer Thomas Hunter learns about Valborg's
terrorist plot to gain global supremacy. He tries to take control of the vaccine, but Valborg's
agents attack him. As he flees a bullet grazes his head knocking him out. When he awakens,
Thomas remembers in deep detail his fleeing from Valberg's thugs, but he is in some alternate
realm running for his life from demonic creatures while looking for his beloved Rachelle. That
night he goes to sleep only to awaken to a realm in which Valborg wants him dead and Rachelle is
part of his dreams. He questions his sanity as each time he goes to sleep in one world, he wakes
up in the other. BLACK starts off as a medical thriller, but quickly spins into an exhilarating
science fiction tale that spans two worlds reminiscent of Piers Anthony's THE APPRENTICE
ADEPT trilogy, but with more of a psychological hook. The story line is action packed on both
worlds as Thomas struggles with what he perceives is reality vs. a dream fantasy. He is the hero
who makes the duality work as his enemies on both globes seem snidely cartoon characters. Fans
will appreciate this exciting thought provoking novel that shows how precarious reality is when
worlds collide.
Chip and Die
Arlene Sachitano
Zumaya
ISBN 1894942353 $19.00, 288 pp.
Harley Spring is a supervisor at Sil Trac, a Washington state based Manufacturing Corporation
that makes computer chips. They are due to have a certification inspection in four days and the
numbers are not matching up right. One of her team leaders Mike took the papers home and is
working on the problem. When he is due in to work, his brother calls telling the company Mike is
sick. Harley knows there is a problem because Mike has no brother. His girlfriend Rebecca, who
works at the same company, calls Harley to tell her Mike is dead. When she arrives at Mike's
home, the two women sneak out the company papers and a picture of the Black Madonna. Two
more people who work at the company are killed and Harley and the police don't have a clue what
is going on until her genius son and his equally intelligent friend figure out what is happening at
the factory. Now all the authorities and Harley have to do is identify the ringleaders are and catch
them in the act. CHIP AND DIE is an upbeat amateur sleuth mystery that readers will find
amusing, and refreshingly original. The heroine is a delight, beset by problems but still manages to
get the job done. Arlene Sachitano is a terrific writer who excels at characterizations and plotting.
Harley is an intelligent, in-your-face character who does what she wants which is helping the
people she comes to care about deal with their problems. It is hoped that there will be more
novels starring this complex and enchanting character.
The Lady and the Unicorn
Tracy Chevalier
Dutton
ISBN: 0525947671 $23.95, 250 pp.
In 1490, having purchased his way into the aristocracy, French nobleman Jean Le Viste, feeling
self-important, tries to further impress the King and his court on how worthy a person he is. He
commissions artist Nicholas des Innocents to design tapestries for Le Viste. Jean's disappointing
spouse, a failure for begetting three girls and no male heirs, wants unicorns as the stars. However
Nicholas finds his patron's daughter Claude as the inspiration for the work as he and she fall in
love. However, her social climbing father would never allow his daughter to have anything to do
with an artisan. Jean takes the drawings to Brussels where the drawings are converted into six
lush six tapestries depicting a Lady and the Unicorn. On the surface THE LADY AND THE
UNICORN seems like a repeat of the invigorating GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING that used a
masterpiece to tell the story of the model that posed for the painting, but that is not really the case
here. Though Tracy Chevalier uses the real tapestries hanging in the Museum of the Middle Ages
in Paris, she paints a different story. This time a fabulous romance for the ages serves as a
backdrop to an in-depth look at life in Paris and Brussels for the aristocracy and especially the
artisans and a delightful look at the fifteenth century tapestry industry struggling to meet a tight
time line with a quality product as Ms. Chevalier has done with her pioneering of a historical
sub-genre that does to the arts what Stoppard did to Hamlet.
The Burglar on the Prowl
Lawrence Block
Morrow
ISBN 0060198303 $24.95, 320 pp.
He owns a second hand bookstore in Manhattan and has an antiquarian business on the side but
the job he loves best is the one that is against the law. He's a burglar with a heart of gold who
doesn't believe in violence and even has a policeman, who knows he breaks the law, as a friend.
Over lunch, Marty Gilmartin asks Bernie to rob plastic surgeon Crandall Roundtree Mapes
because his girlfriend dumped him for the doctor. Always happy to do a favor for a friend Bernie
agrees. A couple of days before he plans to break into Mape's safe, Bernie has the urge to pull off
another burglary but before he is through with the job the resident and her date come home.
Bernie hides under the bed while the man is raping the woman who is under the influence of
Roofies. The next day, his policeman friend Marty comes to his store and tells him he was spotted
on security cameras in the area and a block away, a doorman and two tenants of the building were
killed, their safe standing open. There's not enough evidence to hold Bernie and he goes back to
his bookstore where a man pays $1300 for a book that is only worth a few dollars. When he runs
into the street to give the man his money, a car comes along and kills the man and the driver steals
the book. Not long after that Bernie's house is tossed, the thieves obviously looking for
something. Bernie, with the help of a few friends decides to find the perpetrator and bring him to
justice, hopefully without getting killed. What makes THE BURGLAR ON THE PROWL so
exciting is that every crook knows what is being hunted except for Bernie. The protagonist
honestly loves the rush of robbing people but he never uses violence and even during a heist
doesn't take everything that is valuable and transportable. Readers can't help but love Bernie a
criminal with a heart of gold who goes out of his way to help his friends.
Whisker of Evil
Rita Mae Brown & Sneaky Pie Brown
Bantam
ISBN 0553801619 $24.95, 350 pp.
In the small central Virginia town of Crozet, animals speak to each other and understand what
humans say even though those dumb Homo Sapiens can't understand the animals. Mary "Harry"
Haristeen loves her two cats Mrs. Murphy and Pewter and her dog Tee Tucker who she treats as
if they were her children. They feel the same way about her and many a time they saved her life
when she was in the middle of a homicide investigation. One day while Harry is taking a walk in
the woods she comes across horse breeder Barry Monteith, moments away from death, his throat
ripped open. Mrs. Murphy has a feeling that danger is coming. A few days later, Harry is looking
over the crime scene and accidentally walks in the nearby creek and finds a gold ring that
belonged to a horse breeder who disappeared over a quarter of a century ago. The autopsy
reports that Barry had rabies but a human agent cut out his throat. Not to long after these
revelations Barry's partner also dies from rabies and Harry is determined to find out what is really
going on in her once peaceful town. Change is in the air for Harry at work and in her personal life
and she acknowledges to herself that she must make some radical descisionss in her life. Readers
will want to read WHISPER OF EVIL to find out what these changes are and how she once again
finds out who the killer really is. Rita Mae Brown and her co-writer have written the purrfect
who-done-it complete with red herrings and unexpected curves in the storyline.
The Bride Hunt
Jane Feather
Bantam
ISBN: 055358619X $6.99, 400 pp.
While their oldest sister Lady Constance is on her honeymoon, Siblings Prudence and Chastity
Duncan continue to publish The Mayfair Lady. They do so to honor their deceased mother,
founder of the paper, and to bring in money to cover their father's wastrel ways. However,
Falstaff, Harley and Greenwold law firm sues the anonymous owners of the Mayfair for
defamation of character having slandered their client Earl of Barclay. Needing a barrister to
defend them, Pru as the paper's business person, dresses to hide her beauty, visits attorney Gideon
Malvern. He informs her she deserves the libel suit. Angry at his dismissal, Pru lashes out at
Malvern, who sees the beauty and brains hidden behind the spinster garb. As the lawyer and the
client fall in love, he tries to get the case tossed out without the court seeing any of the Duncan
sisters, who cannot afford the scandal of being the authors of the Mayfair. Like the first novel (see
Con's tale, THE BACHELOR'S LIST) the second Mayfair sibling romance is a fun tale starring
delightful assertive females walking a thin line. Malvern is a wonderful protagonist and the trio of
females ganging up on aristocratic England is pleasure to follow. As their father becomes aware
of the fiscal mess he caused, readers will gain immense pleasure from this charmer (in spite of the
back stabbing abhorrent Barclay) and look forward to Chastity closing out the so far terrific
trilogy.
When the Last Magnolia Weeps
Mary Saums
Silver Dagger
ISBN 1570722625 $13.95, 186 pp.
After she was widowed, Willi Taft never thought she would love again but when Sam Robbins
came into her life, she knew he was her second chance. When he died while working a case, he
left Willi his business and in honor of his memory she studied to be a licensed private detective.
She doesn't want to get involved with a man again but when her friend Luanne persuades her to
be David's date at a charity gala, she reluctantly agrees and finds that she is very attracted to him.
David and Luanne's date Ian are giving a concert sponsored by Children First and all the proceeds
will be donated to the Good Shepard Center. Father Michael McDennehy is present to represent
the charity and accept the donation. After the concert, Father Mike works the room while Willi
and David get acquainted. In the middle of the festivities, Father Michael's murdered body is
found outside and the police are leaning towards Ian as the suspect. Willi knows Ian couldn't
murder anyone and she does her best to prove his innocence and almost gets killed by a very
ruthless murderer
Mary Saums has written a delightful private investigative novel that gives readers an inside
glimpse of Nashville. The heroine surprises herself when she finds herself attracted to a man who
is only going to be in the country for a few days but she is even more shocked with what her
investigation of Father Mike reveals. WHEN THE LAST MAGNOLIA WEEPS is a good old
fashioned who-done-it that readers will enjoy immensely.
Jilted By Death
Lynette Hall Hampton
Silver Dagger
ISBN 1570722661 $23.95, 186 pp.
Associate Minister at the First United Methodist Church in Liverpool, North Carolina Willa
Hinshaw is delighted with her new posting because she thinks she will learn a lot under the
tutelage of Reverend Phillip Gallaway. The church is hosting the wedding of Lee Ann Poole to
Claude Renigan until the parents of the bride inform the Reverend and Willa that the nuptials are
cancelled as their daughter eloped with mechanic Justin Swanson. Since Lee Ann comes from a
wealthy family, her father was very much against the match. Lee Ann calls Willa and asks her to
come to the motel where they are staying but by the time the associate minister arrives, the couple
has vanished. A ransom note is delivered to the Pooles supposedly from Justin but a handwriting
comparison proves he didn't write the note. Willa starts asking questioning, but receives a
threatening phone call to butt out and someone keeps breaking into her apartment and looking at
her papers. When Lee Ann's car is found with her and Justin's blood all over it, people start to
give up hope but Willa is sure that they are alive and intends to prove it by rescuing them.
JILTED BY DEATH is an exciting amateur sleuth tale with a very unusual protagonist. She is a
female pastor breaking new ground in a very conservative town but she stays true to her personal
values. Willa is so helpful, kind and selfless that she is winning over the townsfolk as well as the
audience rather easily. Reader's who like a colorful tale without the red of gore well find Lynette
Hall Hampton's who-done-it a pleasant reading experience.
In the Midnight Hour
Brenda Jackson
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312989970 $6.99, 320 pp.
Five years ago US Marine Captain Sandy Carroll died while on a rescue mission in Haiti. Her
beloved Drake Warren never recovered as he takes on impossible CIA missions that psychiatrists
would say were death wishes. His latest endeavor in Tikrit, Iraq ends with him evacuated
seemingly close to gaining his wish as he totters near death in Bethesda. That night an angel
pretending to be a doctor visits him encouraging him to live. Miraculously Drake recovers. After
being lectured for her nocturnal visit, CIA Agent Tori Green must stay away from Drake, the man
she loves Drake since she barely survived that explosion in Haiti. She knows that Drake and drug
lord Solomon Cross blame each other for the deaths of their respective loved ones and she would
become a pawn if she surfaced on her cherished one's arms. However, five months later, Tori and
Drake are paired off on an assignment, which stuns him because he is attracted to his partner,
which means Solomon will return. IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR is an exhilarating romantic
suspense tale that also includes elements from a second chance at love tale. The story line is
fast-paced, but belongs to the two males who detest one another, but a "new" female pawn in
Tori ups the stakes to such a degree that the audience knows the final confrontation between them
will leave one dead. Though the logic of keeping Tori and Drake apart for their safety seems
strange, fans will enjoy this terrific tale of intrigue.
The Wedding Night
Barbara Dawson Smith
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312982305 $6.99, 352 pp.
In 1816 Samuel Firth, illegitimate son of Marquess George Kenyon who spawned him and his
mother, buys fifteen year old Lady Cassandra to be a bride. He chose Cassandra because she is the
perfect blue blood to help him engineer his vengeance against his sire, but he also selected her
because he was hooked when he saw her making angels in the snow. Samuel pays off the
enormous debts that Cassandra's father accumulated. On their wedding night, Samuel expected a
somewhat reticent wife, but he found a frightened child with no idea what to expect waiting in
bed with him. Instead of forcing himself on her, Samuel leaves. He travels the globe for the next
four years looking at his business interests while waiting for his spouse to grow up. Samuel
returns but Cassandra is now an intelligent beautiful woman who has a circle of men paying their
respects to her though she is not a flirt. Samuel informs her he will take his dividend soon, but
instead they fall in love. However, a secret admirer plans to do anything to gain her hand
including murder and abduction. THE WEDDING NIGHT is a fine Regency romance that
showcases the skills of Barbara Dawson Smith to use multiple settings for her tales. The story line
is fun to follow as Samuel and Cassandra battle for "supremacy" in their relationship, a skirmish
that neither can win solo, but both can triumph if they choose to win-win together. Though the
villainous subplot adds suspense and provides a final impetus to bring the heroes in concert, it
takes away from a powerful love story between two obstinate charmers.
Kiss of the Night
Sherrilyn Kenyon
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312992416 $6.99, 384 pp.
Half Apolloite Cassandra is with her friends and her bodyguard when the Daimons arrive. They
recognize her and go after the kill because they believe that her death will free them from the
curse that has forced them to either die or become vampires. However, Wulf a dark hunter arrives
and kills the Daimons. Afterward he and Cassandra kiss, but he leaves because his curse is that no
one except his blood remembers him five minutes after he leaves. Cassandra forgets Wulf until she
shares exotic dreams with him. She begins to remember the dark hunter who saved her life and the
advice of her deceased mother to avoid that deadly species. To his chagrin the first person outside
his nephew and his peers who remembers him is from a species he has pledged to kill. Making it
worse is that this duo falls in love sharing not only their respective species, but the gods of several
Pantheons. Sherrilyn Kenyon's latest Dark Hunter tales is a superb romantic fantasy that has the
extra twist of the hero's plight that is great for one night stands, but very lonely. The story line is
the ultimate star-crossed lovers theme as a warm loving relationship between the lead couple will
probably result in the wrath of Gods. The support cast, especially his nephew and his New
Orleans based peer and her Amazonian bodyguard, add depth to a fine story. Those sub-genre
readers tasting their first Dark Hunter novel will seek the previous winners.
The Spy
Celeste Bradley
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312987846 $6.50
In 1813 London, James Cunningham trusts no one ever since his lady love Lavinnia Winchell
kidnapped him to learn the names of the Liars Club members, troublemakers to her patron
Napoleon. James feels guilty because he revealed those names and much of the group died. He
seeks evidence to implicate Lavinnia, but she insists it was a love tryst that went wrong. Phillipa
Atwater remains unsure what to do as she does not know what her missing father Rupert meant
with the missive "watch out for James Cunningham". Dressed as a man, she arrives at James'
home seeking the job of tutor to nine years old Robbie. She hopes to find a clue that will elucidate
her dad's note and rescue him from the French who abducted him. She introduces herself as Phillip
and obtains the position. James goes to the Liar's Club to discuss Rupert, who once was a
cryptograph member, but now turned traitor and is working for Napoleon. They seek his missing
daughter who might break Napoleon's latest codes developed by Rupert. She falls in love with her
employer, but he believes she is "Flip", a weak male though he finds himself looking strangely at
"him". Fans of the Liar's Club novels (see THE PRETENDER and THE IMPOSTER) will
appreciate the return of delightful characters as they add depth to the exciting story line. The lead
female protagonist is a courageous individual whose dilemma of safety vs. falling in love makes
for fun reading. She/"he" make the novel. Though the resolution of James' "guilt" allows the
cleansing of his soul and the tough evil villainess is pathetic, this is a fun tale as the audience will
enjoy the often amusing adventures of Flip.
Best Murder of the Year
Jon P. Bloch
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312301111 $13.95, 288 pp.
For the seventh year, Hollywood gossip columnist Rick Domino hosts a live pre-show broadcast
of the Academy Awards. Rick has mixed feelings about this year's show because his lover actor
Shane Kirk is up for a Best Actor award. He is proud that Shane received the nomination, but
disappointed that his beloved refuses to come out of the closet and acknowledge that he is gay let
alone in a relationship with Rick. Adding to that insult is the fact that Shane is keeping a straight
image by escorting best actress nominee Tara Perez to the ceremony. Though Rick has to share
the spotlight with predator Mitzie McGuire, their show goes over relatively smoothly though Rick
does less clothing dissing of the attendees than usual as he mopes over Shane. Afterward Rick
looks for Shane only to find his beloved near the corpse of Tara. The police arrive as Shane
shouts his innocence and Rick is nearer to the corpse and holding the murder weapon that he
picked off the ground. Though the police arrest Rick, homicide detective Terry Zane thinks things
are too pat. He and Rick investigate the Hollywood scene as only a veteran police officer and a
catty gossip columnist could do. The who-done-it is fun to follow as the obviously gay Rick and
his new partner the straight Terry make a humorous team who uncover a lot of Hollywood secrets
during their investigation. However what makes THE BEST MURDER OF THE YEAR so
enjoyable is not the homicide or the inquiries, but the satirical look at Hollywood at its most
pompous and even more subtly strips the invincibility of the mystery genre fictional superstars.
The movies that the nominees star in are hilarious and worth the read by themselves. Fans of a
tongue in cheek (not saying which one) will want to read the adventures of Rick Domino in the
world of make believe.
Vertical Coffin
Stephen J. Cannell
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312304250 $24.95, 400 pp.
Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff Emo Rojas is handing out a routine warrant when Vincent Smiley
kills him. Cops kill Vincent, but that is not the end of the story. The Sheriff's Department is
outraged not because one of them was gunned down. With the amount of ammo stored inside
Smiley's abode, they believe that the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Tobacco knew what their
deceased comrade was walking into, but provided no warning. Not long afterward, AFT Special
Reaction Team member Billy Greenridge lies in a coffin with his compatriots convinced that this
was payback for Emo's death. The only major neutral law enforcement group in Southern
California is LAPD. The brass assigns Sergeant Shane Scully to keep the peace between the
hostile armies by solving the second homicide. Shane alienates not only both bellicose sides but
his wife and other superiors as he defies everyone by investigating Smiley, but not as a "suicide by
cop" victim as his superiors including his wife believe. The latest Scully tale is the best to date as
the key players from both armed camps, several criminal elements, LAPD especially the hero's
wife, his temporary Internal Affairs partner, and Shane seem so real. The tempers flaring make
Shane's endeavor that much more difficult, but as a consequence that is more fun for the audience.
Stephen J. Cannell is at the top of his game with this powerful police procedural that has the Blue
Knights ready to war with one another unless Shane can prove in a rapid response that
Greenridge's death was caused by a third party.
Crave
Darnella Ford
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312304072 $13.95, 320 pp.
Michael Morgan craves love without strings as her only goal in life. She grew up in a household in
which Mama Bear expected her to be perfect and her dad Papa Bear seemingly ignored his wife's
tirades until he broke, got drunk, and died in a DUI. Michael's only friend over the years is Molly
Wood, who has spent more time in rehab than in her home. Still when it comes to a men or
masturbation, Michael prefers males and freely goes into each relationship naively believing this is
the one. When Lorenzo left her pregnant, he offered sympathy, but nothing else as he fits the
norm of the men in her life. They leave and her heart breaks. She thinks Eddie will have staying
power, but he too dumps her. This hurts more than most as she has no idea what she did wrong.
On the positive side, Michael is beginning to look within perhaps because she is prepared to give
up on her quest to find a lasting love. This is an interesting psychological character study of an
individual in trouble due to her selection in men. Michael's childhood haunts her as she believes
only by behaving "perfectly" can she receive love, but her definition and the men in her lives
definition do not match so they leave like her dad did. Molly is a form of comfort candy, but also
adds to the destructive nature of Michael as they need each other, but are not good for one
another. Superb work by Darnella Ford provides the audience with an intense drama.
What's Wrong with Dorfman?
John Blumenthal
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312311885 $12.95, 280 pp.
Life is collapsing for Los Angeles screenwriter Martin Dorfman. In his mind the end of days have
arrived as the signs are obvious since film producers ignore his efforts and his agent refuses to
answer his calls or return them. He feels like death as a mysterious disease attacks his body;
neither his doctor, other physicians, an herbalist nor a New Age "chiropractic allergist" can
identify the illness let alone cure it. After paying out thousands of bucks his mentally aching
spouse thinks Martin is a hypochondriac and suggests he visit a psychiatrist. Martin agrees to try
her more radical solution to his physical woes by seeing a psychiatrist. The shrink's diagnosis is
that Martin suffers from screenwriter neuroses bordering on psychosis. If he wants to be cured he
must find new employment. Psychosomatic illnesses may cause pain, but not as much as not
writing scripts even if rejection seems the norm right now. WHAT'S WRONG WITH
DORFMAN is an intelligent very amusing tale starring an intriguing protagonist whose one-liners
would make the novel fun to read, but also provides a serious undertone that catalogues the book
as a not to miss tale. The support cast adds jocular "sincerity" as they stereotype their treatment
of Dorfman. The tale cleverly reflects on inheriting ancestral mental baggage such as Dorfman
knows he has all types of diseases because his father the doctor described the symptoms to him
when he was a child. Fans of an amusing look at childhood environmental impact on the adult will
appreciate WHAT'S WRONG WITH DORFMAN. One warning: don't run to see your doctor
because what Dorman has is contagiously funny.
The Confession
Olen Steinhauer
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312303289 $24.95, 304 pp.
Now turning thirty, seven years has passed since an idealistic Emil Brod joined the police force as
a Comrade Homicide Detective, but now by 1956 he is like his peers, grim and ever looking over
his shoulders at the KGB representative. Emil has learned survival means trust no one and
gingerly investigate whenever the Party is involved. Meanwhile Police Officer Ferenc Kolyeszar
prefers to be a novelist, but in this small Communist nation getting anything published is
controlled by the Party. Though Ferenc has talent his r‚sum‚ shows one paperback. Now he
writes a book about the depressing world of artists representing Everyman behind the Iron
Curtain. Any creativity typically leads to work camps that even in the post Stalin era remains
dehumanizing and deadly. Besides the censorship that haunts Ferenc, he suffers remorse over a
recent assignment involving college students. As he investigates the murder of a party bureaucrat,
KGB agent Kaminski watches Ferenc looking forward to destroying the wannabe author. This
1950s Communist police procedural is a terrific tale that provides the audience with insight into
life inside a Soviet satellite country just after the death of Stalin. The strong story line surprisingly
relegates the hero of the first novel (BRIDGE OF SIGHS) to a cynical secondary role. This
allows comparison to Ferenc, a tragic Shakespearean character who knows that his latest case will
personally cost him dearly; yet he cannot adapt to the party line especially after he carried out a
recent assignment to bash the heads of protesting college students. This is a great Eastern
European Communist historical police procedural that should provide Owen Steinhauer a strong
fan base.
An Intimate Ghost
Ellen Hart
St. Martin's
ISBN 0312317476 $24.95, 320 pp.
In Evergreen High School in Minneapolis, student Cullen Hegg pulls out a gun in the middle of a
history class but his teacher Alden Clifford manages to talk the sophomore into letting the rest of
the students leave. When it's just the two of them, Alden tries to talk Cullen out of using the gun
but the despondent boy kills himself. The teacher is lauded by the media, the faculty and the other
students from preventing even more bloodshed, but Alden doesn't think of himself as a hero and
avoids publicity. Several months later Jane Lawless, owner of the Lyme House Restaurant and
Pub, caters the wedding ceremony of Alden's son Nick and Lauren Bautel.. However, someone
placed hallucinogens into the food leading to Nick diving into an empty swimming pool and
winding up in Intensive care. Jane identifies the culprit who flavored the food finally makes
contact with him. Jane agrees to meet him at the hotel where he is hiding out. When she arrives,
he is already dead and the murderer got away which means Jane is going to have to approach the
problem from a different angle without getting herself killed. Ellen Hart has written a very
complex and fascinating amateur sleuth novel that has many sub-plots that tie back seamlessly to
original theme. Through the use of flashbacks, readers gradually realize how the crimes of three
decades ago are the catalyst for the dangerous felonies that are happening today. The heroine
gradually pieces together the motivations for the death of her employee and the sprinkling of
drugs in the food at the wedding buffet. INTIMATE GHOST deserves a Lambda Award
consideration.
Desert Spring
Michael Craft
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312320809 $23.95, 272 pp.
She was a famous Broadway director, well known and respected, who took a sabbatical to write
her own play Traders which won a Tony and was nominated for an Oscar when it was made into
a film. At age fifty-four, she was recruited by Glenn Yeats, who founded and is now president of
Desert Arts college, two hours north of LA, to be the chair of the theatre department. One day
when she went to get her car tinted, she met twenty-six year old Tanner Griffin and immediately
saw his star potential. While she coached him in acting they become lovers and together they put
the college on the map. On the last day of the production of Traders, Claire hosts a cast party and
a going away party for Tanner who has signed up to act in a movie in Hollywood. The party is a
smashing success but when most of the people call it a night, Hollywood producer and
screenwriter Spencer Wallace is found dead in Claire's swimming pool. Tests show he was
poisoned and probably was pushed into the pool and circumstantial evidence points to Claire as
the suspect although there were many other people at the party who wanted him dead. On her
own Claire once again starts her own investigation with the stakes being the restoration of her
good name and finding out who the perpetrator is who is trying to frame her. Michael Craft, the
author of the fascinating Mark Manning series has another winning, although totally different in
tone and content, series to his credit. Claire Gray proves you're never too old for romance or a
career change. She knows her strengths and there is no false modesty about her yet the audience
will notice that at rare and unexpected times, she has moments of vulnerability which makes the
reader like her all the more. DESERT SPRING is a sophisticated and entertaining amateur sleuth
novel.
Deeper Than Desire
Cheryl Holt
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312992823 $6.99, 384 pp.
In 1813, though she detests the deception and that the target is a much older man, twenty-three
years old Olivia Hopkins knows her extended family needs her to marry Edward, the Earl of
Bristol. While in the Earl's library late at night, Olivia finds an erotica book that entices her until
she is caught by Edward's wrong side of the sheet son Philip Paxton. As her stepmother pushes
Olivia towards Edward, Olivia and Philip have an affair taking pages out of that reference tome
she had found. Soon Olivia falls in love with Philip, but he sees her as a means of revenge for his
sire hiding him from anyone who matters. However, Philip finds revenge is not as sweet as the
love he feels for Olivia, but will the couple find a path to change their illicit affair into a warm
lasting legal relationship? Though the stepmother is too crazy to even heed anything she says,
Regency romance fans will enjoy this erotic tale of forbidden love that feels and is right. The story
line is fun to follow especially when the lead couple is hiding their tryst from everyone especially
his father and her loony stepmother. Readers will enjoy the moment that Philip realizes that his
love is DEEPER THAN DESIRE for vengeance. Cheryl Holt turns up the heat with this superior
historical.
Dream On
Beverly Brandt
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312994842 $6.99, 352 pp.
Because he wanted to say hello to his mom while touring with his rock and roll star girlfriend, she
dumps country singer Bradley Nelson on the streets of Reno in front of a gorilla. A few seconds
later, all hell breaks loose with casino boss Dickie Swanson chasing after Bradley's mom Harriet
with a gun. She grabs her son and the gorilla. The trio flees the scene. The gorilla is Delphine
Armstrong who knows she lost her job while Bradley's mom explains she stole three million
dollars from the mob who failed to report it on their income tax. Her plan is to give the loot and
evidence to her former boss in the Philadelphia office of the IRS. On the journey east, Bradley and
Delphine fall in love, but the mob follows planning to take back their cash and silence the fleeing
trio. DREAM ON is a wacky romantic suspense that the audience will enjoy due to the antics of
the Nelsons (no comment on mom's name or that the son should have been Rick) and Delphine.
The story line keeps the tension high and the humor lofty, but the book never loses sight that it is
a romance first and foremost. As she did with RECORD TIME, Beverly Brandt will have her fans
dancing to the beat of her wild garden party road show romp.
Deep Pockets
Linda Barnes
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312282710 $24.95, 320 pp.
Boston area private investigator Carlotta Carlyle noticed the mark trailing her throughout Harvard
Square. She pulls a magician's trick and accosts her tracker. He insists he was not stalking her, but
instead working up the courage to consult with her in a professional capacity. He explains that
"his friend" is being blackmailed and paying failed to end the nightmare. Tenured Harvard
Professor Wilson Chaney admits he had an affair with a freshman student Denali Brinkman.
Realizing that revelation of his taboo indiscretion would end his career Wilson hires Carlotta to
uncover the identity of his blackmailer so he can persuade the person to stop. Though Carlotta
literally (only slightly that is) and figuratively (totally) looks down at her client especially over the
age of his lover, she accepts the case. Carlotta digs deep into the background of her client and his
former teen lover. She searches for threads at the University and in Wilson's personal life, finding
a vehicular death link. Unable to resist, Carlotta goes down the side path that this death takes her
not realizing how dangerous her detour will soon prove as there is much more to this case than
simply a blackmailed cheating husband
In her tenth appearance, Carlotta remains an invigorating private investigator. Her latest case
DEEP POCKETS is a fabulous detective story that starts rather differently, but quite
exhilaratingly before turning into a suspense thriller. Carlotta deals with ethics issues throughout
the tale beginning with her odious client and continuing when she chose a lane that might not be in
the best interest of the professor. This six foot one former police officer still kicks butt as one of
Boston's finest.
Under a Lucky Star
Diane Farr
Signet
ISBN: 0451211707 $6.99, 352 pp.
In 1803, a bored Derek Whittaker wanders around the theater when he meets Lady Cynthia
Fitzwilliam. He rescues her from her suitor Sir James Filey and the two soon share a delightful
kiss before she returns to her family's box. A few days later, Cynthia, the daughter of an Earl,
snubs Derek, a landless secretary. Not long afterward her parents announce that Cynthia and
James will marry. Three yeas later, Derek now owns property. He travels to visit his pregnant
sister, but is distraught to find Cynthia and her mother there. Since James died before she married
him, Cynthia's new target is a young wealthy lord. However, Derek realizes that he still loves
Cynthia and believes she feels the same way. Now if she would only show the backbone to rid
herself of her family of leeches that blame their poverty on her not their gambling father. Regency
romance readers will delight in Diane Farr's UNDER A LUCKY STAR. The story line stars an
atypical female protagonist who seems to reflect the era more than the usual fiery independent in
your face heroine. Instead Cynthia is under the thumb of her mother and is responsible for taking
care of her family by marrying money. Only love and the desperate urging of Derek and her best
friend give Cynthia the courage to go after what she desires while providing sub-genre fans with a
great treat.
Wedded Bliss
Barbara Metzger
Signet
ISBN: 0451208595 $6.99, 352 pp.
During the Napoleonic troubles, widower Viscount Rockford earned the reputation as a great
diplomat, but he will need all his honed skills with his two sons that he rarely sees as he is too
busy saving the country and besides he doubts he even sired either of them. He becomes quite
upset to learn that Alissa Henning, a widow with two children of her own, has kidnapped his five
year old son William. He races to his home from London to rescue his younger child only to find
the lad is quite happy living with Alissa and her family after being neglected in Rockford's home.
Rockford sees Alissa as the solution to his personal problem as a mother to his two boys as he
plans to bring his oldest the ailing twelve year old Hugo home. Alissa has a secret counter plan as
she agrees to marry the Viscount since she needs protection and money to raise her children and
to support her seventeen year old sister. Her strategy is to win his heart so that their extended
families are raised in a sea of love. This is a fun Regency romance due to the lead female
protagonist who teaches the hero that international diplomacy is important, but so is taking care
of family. Readers will feel for Rockford's two sons raised away from him until he brings Alissa
into his life. Though somewhat by the genre rules, readers will find Barbara Metzger's latest
historical simply bliss.
Murder Can Botch Up Your Birthday
Selma Eichler
Signet
ISBN 0451211529 $5.99, 272 pp.
She can really use a high profile, lofty fee case but when sixteen year old Vicki Pirelli comes to
her office begging for help, New York Private Investigator Desiree Shapiro can't refuse her
heartfelt request. Ten years ago her father was sent to prison for killing his mistress but after
getting knifed by an inmate, he tells Vicky in a deathbed confession that he was innocent.
Sometime between the moment he walked out following a fracas with his girlfriend and returned
after taking a walk to cool his temper, someone sneaked into the apartment and killed her. Vicky
wants Desiree to clear her father's name and if at all possible find the person responsible. Desiree
is so moved by Vicki's need that she takes the case even though she doesn't intend to bill the girl
or the family who doesn't want old wounds reopened. Desiree finally manages to find the real
perpetrator but she has no evidence and the culprit denies everything leaving the sweet private
investigator stymied. The protagonist of MURDER CAN BOTCH UP YOUR BIRTHDAY is
short and pudgy but she is comfortable with herself and doesn't let other peoples' opinions of her
bother her. Selma Eichler always writes a lighthearted, funny and upbeat private investigative
novel where the heroine relies on brain power instead of violence to solve the crime. Watching
Desiree in action is a treat not to be missed and the audience will look forward to reading more
about this very special sleuth in the next installment of this long running series.
Mrs. Malory and the Silent Killer
Hazel Holt
Signet
ISBN 0451211650 $5.99, 256 pp.
The small English village of Taviscombe is usually a peaceful place where everyone knows their
neighbors. One of the residents Sidney Middleton is liked and respected by everyone who knows
him; they also feel sorry for him because his son David is trying to push him into a nursing home.
The whole village mourns when Sidney passes away and is shocked to discover the cause of death
was carbon monoxide poisoning. Someone deliberately murdered him by tampering with the
chimney. Stella learns at Sidney's funeral that he wasn't the good hearted, generous person
everyone thought he was. Instead he pretended to be a nice soul. Brian Thorpe tells Mrs. Mallory
he's glad that Sidney is dead as the paragon cheated on his wife with Brian's mother but then
cruelly dumped her. His mother had a nervous breakdown from which she never recovered.
Another resident learns that Sidney was responsible for the death of his brother in WWII. Stella
begins to hear other ugly stories about the man everyone respected and for once, she does not
investigate, half-hoping that someone does get away with murder. MRS. MALORY AND THE
SILENT KILLER is the quintessential English village cozy mystery. Readers are entertained by
the who-done-it because there are many suspects all of whom were hurt by Sidney and had a
motive for killing him. It is impossible to figure out who the actual killer is until Hazel Holt
unmasks the perpetrator. The heroine is very likeable and believable, the sort of person one wants
as their granny.
The First 48
Tim Green
Warner
ISBN: 0446531448 $24.95, 318 pp.
Washington Post investigative reporter Jane Redmond uncovers a very complex abuse and
corruption scam that leads back to US Senator Michael Gleason, the same man who destroyed
her father Tom. Years ago Tom was a hot shot prosecutor, but powerbroker Gleason smashed his
career. Though revenge would be sweet, Jane knows that her story is much more important.
However, someone kidnaps Jane while she is jogging. Tom realizes someone abducted his
beloved daughter. He knows from his law enforcement days that THE FIRST 48 hours matter in
a rescue because after that the victim is dead. So Tom and his partner Mike Tubbs knowing it is
late in the fourth quarter take what they believe is the shortest route to her, kidnapping and
torturing Gleason. Will he inform them what happened to Jane and where she is or will the
senator hold out until time expires? Though typical of a Tim Green suspense thriller, fans will
enjoy this terse tale due to an interesting cast. The delightful dynamic duo makes the novel hum as
ethic aside they know that the means is irrelevant when the clock ticks on life and death matters.
Jane is courageous as she tries to escape her abductees and "Deep Throat" is an interesting
character who is a show me the money soul. Though Gleason is too odious and nasty villain and
there is a leap of major acceptance, suspense thriller fans will appreciate this exhilarating Potomac
quest and counter-quest.
The Promise of a Lie
Howard Roughan
Warner
ISBN 0446529435 $23.95, 358 pp.
He has an afternoon opening that Samantha Kent grabs up because she urgently needs to talk to
psychologist Dr. David Remier. She confesses to him that she wants to kill her husband because
that is the only way she can escape her marriage and keep her son. David tries to talk her out of it,
but soon after their second session she calls him to tell him she killed her spouse. He rushes over
to Samantha's apartment but only finds the murdered body of her spouse. Neither Sam nor her son
is anywhere to be found and the police have a difficult time believing his story. When the police
search David's apartment, they find one of his kitchen knives missing and that the remaining
knives match the murder weapon found near the crime scene. Perhaps the most shocking aspect is
that the woman who called herself Samantha Kent was an imposter. David is arrested and his
lawyers must find a way to make sense of this incredible scenario since nobody besides David has
seen the mystery woman masquerading as Samantha. THE PROMISE OF A LIE is an excellent
legal thriller. The courtroom scenes are full of drama and excitement and there is a surprise twist
that halts the trial temporarily. The protagonist, who tended to see the best in people, learns to
never again take anything at face value again; trust remains to be seen (not so subtle hint to the
author). Howard Roughan has provided so many twists, turns and shocking developments in his
latest crime thriller that readers will be unable to stop reading until the last page is turned.
Five for Silver
Mary Reed & Eric Mayer
Poisoned Pen
ISBN 1590581121 $24.95, 258 pp.
In Constantinople in 542 Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora rule. John the Lord
Chamberlain faithfully serves his emperor but even he cannot do anything about the plague that
sweeps the land. The aristocrats flee the city for their country estates and the once teeming city is
a ghost town where carters pick up the dead bodies off the street and move them to a central
location so they can be burned. At the moment, John is trying to help his elderly servant Peter
who swears he had a vision in which an angel came to him and said three words "Gregory,
Murder, Justice" When John checks the nearby hospice, he finds Gregory's body but the man did
not die of the plague. He was murdered with a knife that went through his heart. John discovers
that the man witnessed an oral will with six other people whom are mostly dead. John follows the
money trail hoping to find the perpetrator so Peter will have Justice for his friend. Every historical
that Mary Reed and Eric Mayer write is better than the one before as impossible as that sounds.
Readers obtain a good understanding about a city under siege by a plague and how the populace
copes with it. The hero is an honorable man who goes the extra mile for the servant who has
served him faithfully for so many years. FIVE FOR SILVER has moments of humor that adds an
extra texture to a mystery that is gothic in nature. It is fascinating to see how Christianity is
becoming the state religion, forcing the pagan parishioners underground.
Interrupted Aria
Beverle Graves Myers
Poisoned Pen
ISBN 1590581113 $24.95, 296 pp.
He never understood why he was taken away from his family in Venice and sent to the
conservatorium San Reno where he underwent surgery that turned him into a castrato. For years
he was given music lessons so that his beautiful soprano voice would repay the conservatory for
his lessons. In 1731, Tito Amato returns to Venice to sing at the Teatro San Stefano, an opera
house owned by Venetian nobleman Domenico Vivani. Tito's friend Felice Ravello accompanies
him hoping to get work at the Teatro San Stefano as a violinist because despite the surgery that
made him a castrato, his voice changed anyway. Tito becomes friendly with the star of the opera
house Adelina Belluna, Domenico's mistress. She encourages him and becomes his mentor so that
on opening night, he will become the toast of Venice. This comes to pass but tragedy occurs
when Adelina is poisoned and Felice is charged with her murder. Tito and his assorted allies have
less than a week to find the real perpetrator before his friend is executed. INTERRUPTED ARIA
is a fascinating historical mystery that takes the reader into a world of intrigue, a place where
people wear masks to hide their true intentions. Venice in 1731 is a city-state that operates like a
business corporation, a fascinating place to read about and the who-done-it is cleverly devised to
keep the audience attentive and alert. However, it is the feelings of the castrato protagonists that
makes Beverle Graves Myers' novel stand out in the crowd. Hopefully Tito will be featured in
other works by Ms. Graves Myers.
Honolulu Play-Off
Keith Miles
Poisoned Pen
ISBN 1590580710 $24.95, 266 pp.
After the new San Diego golf course he designed is built, world famous golfer Alan Saxon has no
plans but to have a nice vacation catching up with friends and relaxing at the beach. When fellow
duffer Donald Dukelow asks him to come to Honolulu to be a witness at his wedding to Zanne
Kaheiki he agrees to change his plans He goes on to tell him that his mother and his first wife are
joining him at his wedding. He needs Heidi and Alan there because Donald is marrying out of his
race and he needs help convincing the Kaheiki family that he loves their daughter.. Since Donald
is paying for the expenses, Alan agrees to go to give his friend moral support. The bride's family is
not thrilled that she is marrying a Caucasian. The night of his bachelor party, Donald gets very
drunk and Alan has to put him to bed. The next morning Alan goes to wake his friend up, but he
finds him dead. the victim of a murderer. By the time Alan convinces the police he was an
innocent bystander, he finds himself threatened by various people who want him to quit trying to
figure out the identity of the killer. No matter whether he goes by the name of Conrad Allen,
Edward Marston or Keith Miles, this author can always be counted on to write a book that draws
the audience into the storyline. In HONOLULU PLAY-OFF the protagonist is a delightful
character who once he sets his mind to do something, he carries it through no matter the risk to
himself. The action is non-stop so that the readers never are able to take a breath for fear that they
will miss something crucial.
The Last Cut
Michael Pearce
Poisoned Pen
ISBN: 1590580672 $24.95
Attempted sabotage to blow up the Barrage's Manufiyah Regulator that controls the flood waters
of the Nile River shakes up the elite of Egypt, whether they are Egyptian or British citizenry.
Because of the importance of this matter, the Mamur Zapt Gareth Owen as the Chief of the Secret
Police investigates who tried to incapacitate the system. Gareth quickly learns what a regulator is
and that this is the last year for the Cut that starts the annual irrigation process as the ebb and flow
is undergoing a modernization. He wonders if the Lizard Man as many reported as the culprit
really tried to destroy the regulator so that no more "gates" would interfere with his beliefs. Still
Owen has some doubts as this strange Lizard Man, without his assent, could easily be used as a
front to hide someone else's identity. The case turns nastier when the murdered body of a young
female is found that may be a ritual killing, but more likely is simple murder. No one brings to life
a bygone era inside a mystery better than Michael Pearce does with his Mamur Zapt Egyptian
historical tales. The series vividly describes early twentieth century life in Egypt with insight into
the varying cultures as few books can. THE LAST CUT is a great tale that showcases Egypt
during a previous period filled with change. Owen remains a strong figure walking a thin line of
trying to keep the Brits, the Egyptian hierarchy, and several religious groups at bay yet have all
satisfied with his efforts. Another powerful historical tale from a magician who sends readers on
time travel treks.
Family Claims
Twist Phelan
Poisoned Pen
ISBN 1590581105 $24.95, 252 pp.
Ever since she was a young girl, her father ignored her sending off to boarding schools and a
college in the East. Her sister Shelby, a brilliant effervescent glamour queen, despises her but the
ties of blood are too deep for Hannah to completely sever. She returns to the family law firm of
Dain & Dain in Arizona hoping that she can develop relationships with her kin, but all her efforts
fail. She plans to moves back to Boston where she has a job offering at a respectable firm. Before
she can tender her letter of resignation, her client Eddie Keen calls saying his land deal fell
through. Instead of handing her father a $600,000 check and leaving in triumph she has to prove
criminal wrongdoing on the part of the seller and his associates so she and the family firm will not
be held responsible. By the time, Hannah figures out someone wants to destroy the Dains, her
paralegal is killed, Eddie is in danger, and her sister is kidnapped. Readers will like FAMILY
CLAIMS because the characters ring true. Heather's father and sister are not villains but the way
they treat Hannah is terrible even though they think they are justified. The protagonist is afraid of
emotional commitment and has tried so hard that she's given up being a member of the Dain
family. The motive of the perpetrator is tragically sad as a Dain did something wrong that resulted
in tragedy and the victim wants revenge. Twist Phelan is a talented author and this reviewer
cannot wait for her next book to come out.
Weeping
Shelly Reuben
Justin Charles
ISBN: 1932112200 $13.99, 312 pp.
As a teenage babysitter, Fritillary Quilter was involved in a nasty blaze in which afterward she is
accused of accidentally starting the inferno. She denies it, but officialdom points the finger at her.
That is until arson expert Ike Blessing proves her innocence. She never forgot her hero and
decided to be just like Ike, a caring fire investigator. Years pass with Tilly gaining experience as
an arson investigator. Her hero has no idea that she joined his field or how much his actions a
decade ago influenced her life. That is he was unaware until they are assigned to work together on
a deadly fire. Angry spinster Faith Browning is filing a wrongful death suit against seemingly the
world over the demise of her actress sister Dorsey in a fire. Ike feels that the fire was used to
cover up a murder, which the subsequent autopsy proves correct. As Tilly performs under Ike's
tutelage the assignment she has dreamed of for ten years, she does not lose sight of the objective.
She interviews those involved with the victim in a production of Our Town and other associates
outside the theater to try to learn who wanted Dorsey dead. Surprisingly the investigations seem a
bit slow when compared with the terrific forensic dialogues between the lead protagonists.
Readers will feel their enthusiasm as they discuss the latest techniques and share war stories more
from Ike who is on a pedestal in Tilly's eyes. Though the murder mystery is fun to follow, it
clearly is not on a par with the delightful dissertations from Arson Investigation 101 and 201.
Starting from Square Two
Caren Lissner
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373250525 $12.95, 320 pp.
In Astoria, Long Island, Gert Healy met her future husband Marc over a college math course.
They exclusively dated one another for three years until they married. They remained together for
the next five years until he tragically died. Eighteen months later, she remains in mourning for her
loss, but her two best friends Erika and Hallie drag Gert out on the town. At Art's Bar, Gert
meets train conductor Todd stunning her two friends that Gert meets a man and they failed to do
so. As Gert and Todd see each other, she hides her widow status from him because she feels
guilty that would close the book on Marc. She also realizes she is better equipped to understand
men and their canon of cool than her two buddies. Erika still grieves what she gave up when she
dumped happily married Ben to the point of considering stalking and Hallie plays games that
males refuse to join in so they never come back. As Gert helps her pals, she wonders how Todd
will react to know that the love of her life rests in a cemetery. Fans of chick lit and deep character
studies will enjoy STARTING FROM SQUARE TWO. The story line primarily focuses on Gert,
but also provides insight into the failed relationships of her two best friends. Gert is a great
protagonist whose optimism contrasts to the losing attitudes of Erika and Hallie. Readers get
insight into Marc through rose colored memories that terrific Todd must compete against though
he has no idea that he even as a rival for Gert's affections. Caren Lissner furbishes a strong
contemporary drama.
Slightly Settled
Wendy Markham
Red Dress Ink
ISBN 0373250479 $12.95, 320 pp.
Tracey Spadolini left her family in a small upstate town in New York to be with Will in the Red
Apple. They were together for three years and she was hoping he would ask her to marry him but
instead he dumps her for another woman. She gets so depressed that she starts seeing a
psychiatrist who prescribes anti-depressants for her, causing her to lose close to fifty pounds.
Now she is slender with an eye-catching figure with no one to share it with. At the office
Christmas party she meets Jack and the two of them hit it off immediately. After the party, they
go to her apartment where they make love all night long. Her friends don't think she should get in
a deep relationship with Jack because she's still on the rebound from Will. As time passes, Will
turns into a bad memory and Jack is still waiting for her to get over her insecurities. Aside from
the opening chapter where the protagonist has a one night stand with a man she met while very
drunk, Tracey is very easy to like with her bundle of insecurities and her doubts that she is
attractive. This is a delightful chick lit story about a woman looking for Mr. Right and when she
finds him she fears he will turn into a toad like her previous boyfriend. Wendy Markham delivers a
lighthearted romp that turns up the body heat on a cold winter's day.
Rescuing Rose
Isabel Wolff
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373250487 $13.95, 448 pp.
As she closes in on forty, advice columnist Rose Costelloe felt lonely until she met Ed. They had
an incredible two month courtship that led to marriage. Seven months later Rose is tossing
expensive china and other things at Ed as he never could cope with her Agony Aunt career.
Considering what Rose does for a vocation, her publicly embarrassing break up does not foster
job security. Adding to her woes is someone seems to be stalking Rose. That unknown person
apparently has information that she does not know pertaining to her birth. She is a bit nervous that
this individual refuses to come forward, but drops hints. With her finances also in the red, Rose
heeds the advice of her friends to share costs with a roommate. Accountant and amateur
astronomer aficionado Theo moves in, but soon Rose finds her dreaming of her nerdy mate who
seems to desire her too. Will she heed her own advice and go for the heavens with Theo or will
she consider once burned? Though the stalking and the birth story seem unnecessary, fans will
enjoy this British Agony Aunt romance. The story line is fun to follow from the moment Rose
tosses Wedgewood just inches from Ed's head until the final letter that explains all. Rose is a
delightful center of the plot as the audience obtains a deep look into her psyche cleverly through
her column. Two parts amusement, two parts angst, but totally engaging, readers will remarkably
regard RESCUING ROSE.
Speechless
Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373250495 $12.95, 320 pp.
In Toronto Libby McIssac is legendary for catching bridal bouquets having caught twelve over
the past two decades starting when she was eight. Libby knows she has a tall advantage being six
foot five in three inch heels, but even when she does not try she makes the play as every wedding
she ahs attended she has caught the bouquet. Libby obtains a job at the Ministry of Recreations as
a political speechwriter for Minster Clarice Cleary. However, the job stinks as her immediate boss
and the Minister barely acknowledge that she breaths and blithely informs her that they will let her
know when she can think for herself. The positives are Tim Kennedy, who she met at a wedding
when she easily caught the bridal bouquet, and a male friend willing to end the bouquet curse. On
the other hand a scandal shakes up the Ministry and people like Libby are considered mass
sacrifice fodder. Even though the heroine's angst is bigger than her basketball physique and can
become disruptive, Libby still makes this chick lit pleasurable through her often amusing
perspective of the worlds of dating even much shorter males, weddings and politics. The story line
is for the most part humorous (think of a penis of a peninsular), but also has a serious undertone
involving workplace culpability (the buck stops below management). Readers will enjoy Libby's
lament just don't try to crash the boards against her.
A Quarter for a Kiss
Mindy Starns Clark
Harvest House
ISBN: 0736912932 $10.99 333 pp.
In the North Carolina Mountains, Callie and Tom spend three weeks together becoming
acquainted in person with one another after only meeting over the telephone due to work. Tom is
the philanthropist behind the J.O.S.H.U.A. Project while Callie investigates non-profit groups for
grant suitability. Tom introduces Callie to his favorite hobby, mountain climbing while Callie does
likewise with canoeing. Both feel something special connects them. As their time together draws
to a close, Stella Gold calls to tell them that her spouse, Eli the man who brought Callie and Tom
together has been shot. They rush to Cape Canaveral to visit Eli in the hospital. The ailing Eli asks
Callie and Tom to find out who shot him. The duo would refuse nothing if Eli asked so they begin
investigating and soon find themselves in danger in the Virgin Islands from someone who wants
certain truths to remain hidden. The fourth Million Dollar Mystery' is a fantastic story that moves
the series forward on a personal level as well as providing the audience with a delightful
who-done-it. The relationship between Tom and Callie evolves beautifully as each finds they are
falling in love with the other, but has baggage holding them back. The amateur sleuth inquiries is
cleverly handled because of Callie, who though she is not a detective, her work makes her
something more than an amateur. Mindy Starns Clark keeps the suspense going from the moment
the dynamic pair reach Florida until the final confrontation in St. Johns and the romance
blossoming from the first wall climb to the closing discussion making the upcoming half dollar tale
something to look forward to reading.
Your Money or Your Life
Dr. David M. Cutler
Oxford
ISBN: 0195160428 $25.00, 158 pp.
Forty million Americans lack health care insurance and costs leap three and four times the
inflation rate yet few Americans feel the system provides adequate care. Harvard economics
professor and health-care expert Dr. David M. Cutler believes that the problem lies with the
inability for most people to understand opportunity costs based on choices that may not lead to an
improved life quality. The government and medical leadership exacerbate the problem with saving
money as their solution, ignoring effectiveness. He makes a strong case on how much health care
has dramatically improved over the past five decades as dramatized by longer productive life
spans. Dr. Cutler believes that more money should be spent on further medical advances and that
universal coverage for all needs should be implemented so that the present day uninsured can
afford care rather than drain at a more costly rate the system. The key is to change from a system
that economically encourages doctors to choose techniques that are not always the best for the
patient factoring in cost and life quality to a system that reimburses doctors for quality service
(not as hard as it first sounds). Though at times the medical supply and demand is difficult to
grasp, YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE makes a powerful well written argument to reengineer a
system in which political band aids fail everyone. The case for quality and the explanation of
choices are well done and surprisingly easy to follow while offering a seemingly radical but
compellingly logical approach to fixing the broken American health system.
Alger Hiss's Looking-Glass Wars
G. Edward White
Oxford
ISBN: 0195153456 $30.00, 286 pp.
May of those attending college in the 1950s and 1960s felt that Alger Hiss was a victim of
McCarthyism and Nixonism. Though there is no connection to Hiss except through Nixon,
Watergate actually strengthened the belief that this distinguished diplomat was an innocent victim
to an overzealous individual whose ambition made that of Lady Macbeth seems like a schoolgirl.
This belief probably still holds somewhat in spite of Allen Weinstein's powerful condemnation
investigation to the contrary because Mr. Hiss appeared so compassionately honest while insisting
on his deathbed that he was innocent. G. Edward White provides the readers with a tremendous
biography that gives insight into the life and times of Mr. Hiss. Besides the fascination of what
made this man tick, Mr. White also describes how Mr. Hiss made a living as a self created martyr
who staunchly perpetuated the fabrication of denial. To show how good Mr. Hiss was at
propaganda (long before Hilary he made the case of the right wing conspiracy), this reviewer had
doubts to his guilt until yesterday, but not anymore. ALGER HISS'S LOOKING-GLASS WARS
is a tremendous biography that reads some what like a true crime book, but is much more as the
Cold War era is extraordinary depicted in the background. It is easy to read except that the
fascination will hook the audience into a one sitting experience. G. Edward White clearly makes
the case that any rational individual will believe that Mr. Hiss committed treason as a Soviet spy.
This reviewer is converted. This is a great work worth reading for its clarity on an intriguing
person and period.
Inventing Memory
Anne Harris
Forge
ISBN 0312865392 $25.95, 336 pp
In 2300 B.C. Sumeria, Shula is a slave girl in a wealthy merchant's house until the goddess Inanna
chooses her to serve in her temple. As a naidato she is to keep herself chaste and obey the wishes
of the goddess. When she finds out she is pregnant from her owner's son, he refuses to believe it is
his child and leaves her to the mercy of the temple guards who punishes her to the point of death.
She survives, but loses the child and has no option but to follow the road Inanna travels. In the
present, after a thoroughly unpleasant time in middle school and high school; Wendy Cherento
finds true love with Ray Mackie who leaves home because he hates his abusive father. Wendy is
working on a doctorate proposal concerning the existence of matriarchal societies in Ancient
Sumeria while Ray is supporting both by scamming credit card companies. When one of Ray's
partner's is busted, the gang disperses and he has to leave town. Wendy refuses to leave her
studies and her feminist friends but the time will come when the lives of Roy, Wendy and Shula
converge. INVENTING MEMORY is original and compelling, a tale that leaves readers
wondering how the two protagonists living millennia apart are linked. Anne Harris writes a
feminist manifesto using fantasy and science fiction elements to make her point. Readers maybe
turned off by the characters who believe men are the oppressors who want to keep women in their
place. Shula, Ray and Wendy are characters and archetypes, a combination that works as long as
one believes in feminism and its rule in society both past and present.
Nano
John Robert Marlow
Forge
ISBN: 0765301296 $25.95, 381 pp.
During a press conference an assassin kills multibillionaire Mitchell Swain just prior to his
announcing some incredible technological-scientific breakthrough that allegedly would change
humanity forever. Technology reporter Jennifer Rayne saw the murder first hand. She decides to
investigate the murder and learn what Mitchell was about to reveal. Jennifer's inquiries take her to
a weird recluse, scientific inventor John Marrek, who quietly received funding for his projects
from the dead Mitchell. However, others including the government follow the same clues that led
Jennifer to John. These groups want the journalist dead and the recluse captured or dead, but his
work stolen. However, John uses his invention, a self-replicating nanotechnologically based
machine that destroys his foes on the molecular level. As John and Jennifer flee, the government
follows because they want to use his invention as the ultimate weapon while he wants to help
mankind. Though the tale may seem to pre-Governor Schwarzenegger, fans will be hooked by
this action-packed thriller that never slows down until the final confrontation. The characters
except perhaps John are two dimensional, but no one will care as the story line is the key to this
exciting tale. Surprisingly, within all the killings, John Robert Marlow provides an undercoating
cautionary reminder (emphasized in an afterwards) on the pros and cons of nanotechnology.
NANO just takes the reader on one heck of a fast-paced ride.
The Love of a Stranger
Anna Jeffrey
Onyx
ISBN: 0451411366 $6.50, 352 pp.
Former Los Angeles police officer Doug Hawkins relocates near Wolf Mountain, Idaho. His first
day in the nearby town, a bargirl takes him to an exclusive location. However, before anything can
happen, a screaming banshee smacks the fender of his new truck and tells the duo to leave as they
are on her property. Doug later learns that the beautiful maniac is Los Angeles based realtor Alex
McGregor. Alex and Doug formally meet in the office of their mutual friend Forest Service
Ranger Ted Benson. When a fire on her property kills her former husband Charlie, Ted, who is
leaving town to work a different fire, asks Doug to watch over Alex. As logger Kenny Miller
forces an access road through Alex's property with the support of the locals who need jobs, she
and Doug begin to fall in love. However, he suspects foul play in the death of Charlie and she was
burned once as a wife leading to the probability that this relationship will quickly turn to ashes.
Though Kenny seems to inane to pull off the PR needed to gain the easement to log, fans of
romantic suspense novels will appreciate this warm contemporary tale. The story line is fun to
follow on several levels. Obviously the love relationship is cleverly devised so that Girl meets and
hates boy until girl and boy fall in love. However, the deep look at the jobs vs. the environment
issue makes THE LOVE OF A STRANGER a delightful solid novel as Anna Jeffrey leans
towards the tree huggers, but understands the wages issues so as to provide a balanced tale.
Into the Fire
Jessica Hall
Onyx
ISBN: 0451411307 $6.99, 304 pp.
The frontrunner for Governor of Louisiana, Creole Marc LeClare donates an empty warehouse in
New Orleans to Isabel "Sable" Duchesne to open a community center. At the warehouse, Sable
finds Marc dead and someone trying to kill her, but she escapes. Police Lieutenant Jean-Delano
"J.D." Gamble leads the investigation. When J.D. sees the eye witness, he behaves like a man
possessed. Ten years ago, J.D. and Sable fell in love at Tulane, but he thinks she deserted him
while she feels her he used his Creole friends to dump the Cajun in the swamp. Though he plans
to keep her safe, J.D. thinks Sable knows something about Marc's death. He cannot believe they
were having a tryst, but wonders what their connection was. He also needs to know why she left
him a decade ago. Sable wants to mourn the loss of Marc in private, but she is the latest media
candy frenzy. She wants to stay away from J.D. who is marrying an equal and not a half Cajun
like her. However, he refuses to let her vanish again especially with a killer wanting her dead.
Sable hiding the identity of the killer from the police seems dumb as she is the target, but romantic
suspense fans will enjoy this terse thriller built off of a previous generation's Romeo and Juliet
love. The taut story line keeps tensions high with the police investigation and the sexual stress
caused by love between the lead couple. Jessica Hall owes the audience sequels starring his
brother and partner in one and his former fianc‚ in another for these three strong supporting
characters deserve stardom.
The Seductive Imposter
Janet Chapman
Pocket
ISBN: 0743486293 $6.99, 384 pp.
In Puffin Harbor, Maine, Rachel Foster is unhappy to learn that the owner of Sub Rosa, the
seaside mansion she and her father designed, is coming to take up residence. Rachel knows that
the mansion is the place where tragedy ended in the murders of her mother and their parents' best
friend by their father who committed suicide right afterward. However, she learns that her father
and his former pal had been art thieves stealing millions and her dad has left it up to her to rectify
the situation anyway she wants. The new owner Keenan Oakes and his five male disciples arrive
as Rachel sneaks into the building. He catches her, but she temporarily escapes. Kee forces the
issue of Rachel staying with him and his men allegedly to help them open up the state of the art
technological house, but in reality he wants to keep an eye on her and not just because he does
not trust her. As Rachel and Kee fall in love, he has kept secrets from her while she fears that
once he learns her deepest concerns involving her father he will end their relationship. This is an
engaging romantic suspense that has several late surprising twists that will keep readers guessing
on who did what to whom. The story line is at its best when Kee and Rachel battle even as they
fall in love with one another. Hopefully, future tales starring the disciples and her sister will be
coming soon as Janet Chapman seduces her audience with enjoyable tale.
Fourplay Dance of Sensuality
Brenda L. Thomas
Pocket
ISBN: 0743477278 $12.00, 272 pp.
In Philadelphia, Sasha Borianni and her partner Michael Taylor run Platinum Media, a public
relations firm that provides spin control for its clients whether it is a Pastor, a politician, a banker
or an NBA great. Sasha tends to mix business with pleasure though she knows better having lost
a fianc‚ for doing just that. Still she cannot resist the charm of handsome banker Jordan Ashe, her
firm's latest client even as her former lover and employer NBA superstar Phoenix Carter
desperately needs her help as word in the media is that he shaved points. International trader Lyor
Turrell meets Sasha at a gala and soon sends work her way. They make love, but he has a hidden
agenda involving Phoenix, stolen gems, and the murder of his older brother Barry. Finally, her
fianc‚ Trent Russell, rising New jersey politician, wants her back in his life as he has never
stopped loving her though he broke it off two years ago due to her infidelity. With her father
ailing and her adult son and his wife and children returned from California, Sasha still finds the
time to hop in a few beds even as she provides top of the line PR service to her clients. Though
the promiscuousness of the lead protagonist will bother some readers, fans will appreciate this
warm character study. The story line takes a more serious tone than typical chick lit tales as
Sasha's PR work is fascinating to follow, which is when the story line is at its best. The delightful
FOURPLAY DANCE OF SENSUALITY provides a deep look at the complete life of its
star.
Out of the Blue
JoAnn Ross
Pocket
ISBN: 0743464745 $6.99
In New Orleans, someone shoots band member Danny Murphy when he and lead singer Lark
Stewart were going to a club. As Danny nears death, Lark's Aunt Zelda calls former FBI
sharpshooter Lucas McCloud from the middle of nowhere to tell him Lark is in danger and needs
his help. Used to hearing the witchery of Zelda, Luke travels from their hometown of Highland
Falls, North Carolina to protect the woman he loves, but left behind years ago. Lark realizes that
she still loves Luke and would prefer he not be here, but heeds his advice especially when he
mentions that her stalker Dr. William Quest escaped jail. The assumption made by Luke and the
police is that Quest saw Lark with her close friend Danny so he tried to kill him as the deranged
man believes that the singer is his wife. As Luke protects Lark from the psychopath Quest and
from her angry ex husband Cody, their love blossoms. However, she expects he will leave once
she is safe and so fears giving him her heart again. Though the final twist may seem OUT OF
THE BLUE, readers will enjoy this second chance at love romantic suspense thriller. The story
line is action-packed but driven by Lark who courageously contends in differing ways with the
five men impacting her life. Fans will appreciate the middle book of the Stewart sisters' trilogy
(see OUT OF THE MIST for the first novel).
A Deal with the Devil
Liz Carlyle
Pocket
ISBN: 0743470036 $6.99
In 1829 the Earl of Walrafen learns that someone shot and killed his crusty Uncle, retired Major
Elias Lorimer at the remote Castle Cardow. Though he never goes up there he decides to pay a
visit and also meet the housekeeper Catriona Montford who has humorously tortured him through
correspondence. Walrafen arrives and quickly wonders if Catriona may have killed his uncle as
hints fly from the staff that she must have done so. Still he finds her efficient, beautiful, and a liar,
but cannot fathom what she is really hiding besides the fact that she is obviously quality and so is
her young son. As they battle one another, they fall in love, but what will occur to them if he
learns the truth of her criminal past and what really happened to his uncle. This is an exhilarating
historical romance starring two wonderful protagonists. The key to the tale is the relationship
between the lead couple, who must confront two major issues if they are to share a loving trusting
relationship. Readers will take immense pleasure with this delightful late Regency romance though
the clean-up performed by his best friend Max seems too abrupt and easy.
Penny's Gift
Edna Ventre-Auerfeld
Pocket
ISBN: 0743482069 $6.99, 384 pp.
Penny Cheney is a stay at home mother of four year old twin girls and a baby boy while her
husband Hal works at International Supplies. However, Penny becomes ill and keels over in her
kitchen. Hal rushes her to Southlawn Hospital where she is placed in the intensive care ward in a
comatose state with no hope of recovery. While Penny remains near death, miracles begin to
happen in the hospital. Reporter Louis Klotz whose asthma is cured realizes that Penny is the
center of incredible miracle worker of individuals dying from incurable diseases. His article brings
the world to this small hospital. When Penny regains consciousness she tells Hal that she was
given a choice of entering the light or returning to her family with a healing gift not seen on earth
in two millenniums. Penny will soon learn that her gift is also a curse as the demands on her
become unbelievable with some people willing to endanger her loved ones to force her hand.
PENNY'S GIFT is an incredible thought provoking tale that focuses on the impact on a divine
miracle worker who just wants to be a good loving mother and wife, not a save the world second
coming. The story line starts like a typical family drama, but quickly turns into a fabulous parable
from the moment Penny receives Hobson's Choice until the climax of dealing with an endless
demand. This is a great insightful tale of sacrifice from an author who has quite a future if this
"daydream:" is any indication of her talent.
Hot Nights in Ballymuir
Dorien Kelly
Pocket
ISBN: 0743464591 $6.99, 384 pp.
Chicago blue blood Jenna Fahey relocated and opened up a restaurant in Ballymuir, Ireland in the
historic Muir House that she hopes to own one day. After two years there renovating the place
while serving meals, Jenny worries because London realtor Devlin Gilvane has arrived in town
with plans for Muir House. Jenna needs an infusion of fast cash to buy Muir House before her
rival does. Worse she feels attracted to the one person who could destroy her dream as he has the
loot to make a bid for Muir House. However, though business wise he knows he should tender
the proposal, his feelings for Jenna keeps him from completing his assignment. Anyone who
peruses the opening line will be hooked to read this tale, the previous one (see THE LAST
BRIDE IN BALLYMUIR), and the upcoming tale (hopefully starring the sister of the first novel's
hero). The story line lives up to the fabulous opening as the audience obtains a fine contemporary
romance starring two likable lead characters. The support cast is solid, but Jenna and Dev make
the tale as their goals place them in opposition to the desires of their respective hearts.
After Glow
Jayne Castle
Jove
ISBN: 0515136948 $7.99, 352 pp.
On the planet Harmony, seven months ago parapsychologist Lydia Smith's life collapsed when she
was lost in the catacombs beneath the city. She blames her lost weekend in which she remembers
nothing on the ghost hunters whom she believes deserted her, but they say she made an
unauthorized dangerous move without their protection. Now instead of a rising career, she works
at Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors and ironically loves her roommate Emmett London, a
ghost hunter. Emmett wants to marry Lydia in a convent marriage, but does not tell her how
much he loves her because he fears her bias towards ghost hunters will thwart his dreams. When
his biological father, Mercer Wyatt, head of the local ghost hunter guild, is almost killed and is
hospitalized, Emmett takes over the leadership. He is unaware the danger he places himself and
his beloved in and that her lost weekend and a colleague's final warning in death are tied to a
threat that wants him out of the way. Fantasy romantic suspense fans will fully appreciate Jayne
Castle's latest HARMONY tale that lives up to its title by leaving the audience with a contented
AFTER GLOW. The story line is loaded with action as the lead duet struggles with understanding
the forewarning message hidden in a milk container while unraveling a conspiracy involving local
guild. The romance between Lydia and Emmett adds depth as readers obtain more insight into
the social customs of a wonderfully magical place.
The Sherbrooke Twins
Catherine Coulter
Jove
ISBN: 0515136549 $7.99, 368 pp.
In 1830 Lord James Sherbrooke, older than his twin brother Jason by minutes, thinks that though
she is eighteen, Corrie Tybourne-Barrett is a pest and has been all his life. Corrie dresses like a
boy as she wildly rides throughout the countryside. James' parents decide that Corrie needs a
season and his dad Douglas will select the wardrobe her. When James sees Corrie in a dress he
first needs to recover from the shock that she has breasts before he can catch his breath as she is
beautiful. Meanwhile Jason races home after a visit from the Virgin Ghost that warns him that his
beloved parents are in trouble, which proves prophetic when someone shoots their father. As they
try to keep dear old dad safe, James falls in love with Corrie who loves him back and Jason falls in
love with Judith McCrae who he met at a gala. However, the family remains unsafe as someone
wants Douglas dead and the plan is a perfect snake in Eden scheme. This is an exciting late
Regency romance starring two fabulous antagonists who turn into loving protagonists though his
early on spanking of her seems inappropriate. The story line starts off like a typical sub-genre
entry, but turns into a terse suspense once the first attack occurs and goes even tauter when
treachery places the family and Corrie in danger. Catherine Coulter has provided a wonderful tale
that hopefully will lead to a fabulous sequel.
The Instinct to Heal: Curing Stress, Anxiety, and Depression without Drugs and without Talk
Therapy
David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., PHD
Rodale
ISBN: 1579549020 $24.95
With millions of Americans suffering from stress, anxiety and depression, Dr. David
Servan-Schreiber offers seven holistic alternatives to the usual chemical-baring the soul solution.
Using his work as a Doctors without Borders participant where economics forces non cost
solutions, Dr. Servan-Schreiber provides other possibilities that he has observed work. Though
anecdotal and the author agrees greater scientific testing should occur, he combines his
observation with data in an easy to follow and even easier to use format. Readers learn about Qi
(acupuncture), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, dawn simulation, heart
coherence and nutrition, etc. As in the third world nations, economics plays a vital role in
American as Dr. Servan-Schreiber feels many of these stand-ins are not given a chance because
there is not a lot of money to be made on them. Adding a chapter on the importance of and
improving personal communication in any relationship (including with one's self "to thine own
self be true"), readers receive a terrific constructive and effective reference book that offers help
to those who find drugs and chit chat failing.
The Queen's Fool
Philippa Gregory
Touchstone
ISBN: 0743246071 $15.00, 500 pp.
In 1553 Hannah de Verde and her father flee Spain following the Inquisition burning her mom at
the stake for being Jewish. With the help of the Carpenters, they open up a London bookstore
changing their name to Greene. Their sponsors and the Greenes hide their Jewish traditions behind
a Christian fa‡ade. Teens Hannah and Daniel Carpenter are betrothed to marry when she turns
sixteen. Scholar John Dee and Lord Robert Dudley arrive at the bookstore seeking books from
the early ages of Christianity and Hebrew antiquity. Hannah, garbed in boy's clothing, mentions a
third person with them that excites John as he realizes that God gave Hannah the gift of sight. She
describes an angel. Hannah delivers their purchases to Whitehall Palace. Robert introduces her to
the ailing teen King Edward who names her his Holy Fool. She sees death lingering near Edward,
but says nothing. Robert's father threatens to expose her and her father as Jews if she refuses the
position. She accepts though Daniel is unhappy. Now her adventures amidst the royal intrigue
begin over the next several years as Mary reigns. The solid depiction of real 1553-1558 historical
figures provide an in-depth look at an era of transition from an ailing King Edward through the
short reign of Queen Mary to the point of ascension of Queen Elizabeth. That serves as a double
edged sword as at times the story seems to go tediously on. Hannah is a strong protagonist who
enables the audience to look closely at the royals and some key aristocrats while depicting the
plight of the Jews in Western Europe. Historical readers will devour this deep look at England's
mid sixteenth century monarchy.
Smallville City
Devin Grayson
Aspect
ISBN 0446613622 $5.99, 257 pp.
In 1989, a meteor shower hit Kansas changing the landscape of Smallville. The Kents found the
toddler they adopted and named Clark and concealed his spaceship among the meteorites on their
farm. At sixteen Clark Kent knows he is different from every other being on the planet but he still
tries to fit in. His friend Lex Luthor, who lost his hair in the meteorite shower, invites Clark to
take a trip to Metropolis with him. A scientist who had a psychotic breakdown thinks he's Agent
Green. He believes an alien lives in Kansas and it is his duty to capture him. He bugs the room
that Clark and Lex are temporarily residing in. While he spies on them, the Yakuza (the Japanese
mafia) kidnaps Lex in order to blackmail his father into paying the money he owes them. Clark
knows he must help his friend escape from the Yakuza and the fake government agent without
revealing his powers because as much as he likes Lex, he does not trust his pal. One of the best
features of the Smallville series is that Clark is just as confused and unsure of himself as most
sixteen-year-olds are. There is plenty of action in SMALLVILLE CITY but the best parts are
when Clark questions his role in life and why he was sent to earth in the first place. His pondering
about himself and those around him makes him seem real. His relationship with Lex is fascinating
and it would be interesting if Lex remains a true friend (comic book aside) when an adult Clark
becomes the superhero he is meant to be.
Deadlier Than the Pen
Kathy Lynn Emerson
Pemberley Press
ISBN 0970272766 $23.95, 266 pp.
In New York City in 1888, there are many newspapers competing for the largest audience and
very few female reporters working as journalists. Widow Diane Spaulding is one of the select few.
She needs her job on the independent Intelligence, so says nothing when assigned to dig up a
scandal on horror writer Damon Bathory who is on a tour giving readings from his latest book.
When they meet for the very first time, both acknowledge an attraction neither wants but cannot
deny
Diana, reeling from the betrayals of her late husband, is determined to keep their relationship on a
business level especially when his boss tells her that in three cities that he gave readings, critics
who panned him were murdered. With the help of her husband's former acting troupe, Todd's
Touring Thespians, Diana is able to follow him up to Maine where he lives and see what secrets
he is keeping from her. That decision puts her life in danger and the only one who can save her is
the man she loves but does not trust. Diana Spaulding is a descendant of Susanna Appleton, star
of Kathy Lynn Emerson's Elizabethan series; and she has many of the Face Down protagonist's
traits like stubbornness, independence and the determination to get the job done no matter what
the price. DEADLIER THAN THE PEN is the first installment in what looks to be another great
historical mystery series. Ms. Emerson's sense of place and the complexity of her characters make
this novel standout in the crowded bookshelves.
Edge of Twilight
Maggie Shayne
Mira
ISBN: 0778320227 $6.99, 400 pp.
In 1959, Edge being the oldest and most experienced of the Gang of Five serves as a surrogate
farther to his four fledglings. The youngest returns home to tell them how she drank blood from
some stud that peed in his pants before she took his Rolex and wallet. Edge leaves to locate one
of his children who failed to return home. When he comes back alone, he finds his four vampire
children dead and the watch missing. Edge vows to kill Frank Stiles, the man who peed in his
pants. Forty years later Edge still hunts down Frank though he previously killed this hated human.
He learns that Frank comes back to life due to something involving the "Child of Promise" that
Frank once held prisoner. Edge believes that this "Child", the only known half human and half
vampire in existence can lead him to Frank. When the legendary "child" Amber Lily travels to
assist a human friend dying from cancer, she runs into Edge. As they become acquainted they fall
in love though she knows he is using her. Neither understands that their agendas match, as she
needs Frank who used his experiments on her to learn how to cheat death. EDGE OF
TWILIGHT is an engaging vampire romance starring two exceptional protagonists. The support
cast is a delight as each one wants to keep Amber safe in a cocoon and none including the heroine
trusts Edge. Though the timeline seems inexplicable as to why Edge failed to kill Frank in the first
three decades plus after the fledgling murders occurred and before he kidnapped Amber, fans will
appreciate this engrossing supernatural romantic suspense.
Mortal Sin
Laurie Breton
Mira
ISBN: 0778320251 $6.50, 384 pp.
In Revere, Massachusetts, sixteen years old Kit Connelly runs away from her warden of an Aunt
Sarah because she feels the restrictions are too binding. Sarah worries about her niece when Kit
fails to return home. She knows Kit is used to doing whatever she wants as the teen's father failed
to discipline her once the kid's mom died twelve years ago. Unable to cope with raging hormones,
Kit's wastrel dad dumped his daughter on his sister. Josie Porter who works at Sarah's bookstore
recommends her employer Father Clancy Donovan for help since the police are unable to provide
manpower to search for a runaway. Clancy suffers a crisis of faith because he feels the antiquated
church refuses to accept reality of life on the street. He runs a halfway house to help teen
prostitutes start over. When Sarah asks for his help, he readily agrees but paints a pessimistic
picture. As they search for the missing teen, Clancy suffers a more difficult crisis of faith as he and
Sarah fall in love. MORTAL SIN is an entertaining romantic suspense tale due predominately by
the actions of Clancy who is frustrated with the Church's leadership and soon has an even deeper
frustration hammering at his soul. He seems so very real though he also serves as a symbol of the
priest crisis in America. Kit is a realistic teen unable to cope with rules and discipline after being
allowed total freedom as a preadolescent. Sarah is a worried mother hen fearing her ward will
make the mistakes she made as a teen including one particular unnecessary biological twist to a
strong urban drama.
A Useful Affair
Stella Cameron
Mira
ISBN: 0778320200 $6.99, 400 pp.
Lord John Elliot knows that he and his six year old second cousin Chloe are lucky to be alive
unlike the misfortunate little girl's parents. Wealthy elderly merchant Bernard Leggit arranged for
them to die. Only the intercession of a smuggler Albert Parker, who placed the pair inside a coffin,
saved them from death. That followed up by Albert's beloved Snowdrop's actions got Chloe and
"Uncle" John past their killers. John takes up residency at a family estate in Bath. He plans
revenge via seducing Bernard's young trophy wife Hattie. However, after meeting her, instead of
using the young lady, he finds himself quite attracted to her especially when John sees how crass
and verbally abusive Bernard is to his spouse. Soon John falls in love with Hattie and she
reciprocates, but she belongs to the odious Bernard who would never allow any of his possessions
to get away from him. Though Bernard is too nasty and too obsessed as the villain, Regency
romance fans will welcome this delightful tale due to several wonderful characters. The lead
couple makes the tale hum as he realizes that the pawn in his quest for vengeance has become his
most cherished beloved and she understands the mistakes she made by acting alone against her
spouse (for a change the parents are not held culpable though they arranged the match). Little
silent Chloe adds an element of empathy so that the audience hopes for what seems the
impossible: that of the lead couple together with Chloe forever.
Dead on the Dance Floor
Heather Graham
Mira
ISBN: 0778320278 $24.95, 352 pp.
Having attained first prize in every ballroom competition that she competed in, everyone agrees
that Lara Trudeau is the dancing queen though all agree that the Prima Donna is a detestable
nasty egomaniac. Currently, she is expected to triumph again as she vies for the trophy of the
Universe of Champions event. However, this time during one of her classy moves Lara abruptly
dies fittingly on the floor where she reigned as the monarch of dance. Quinn O'Casey heads the
investigation into the ballroom dance queen death that seems so suspicious. However, he goes
undercover to learn what he can about the regulars, employees and owner of the Moonlight
Sonata Dance Studio. His deepest interest is in the owner Shannon MacKay, but he is not sure if
he wants to handcuff her as a criminal or as the woman he is falling in love with. Police procedural
romance readers will take great delight with the terrific DEAD ON THE DANCE FLOOR. The
story line hooks the audience from the first step until the final pirouette. Because Lara is
universally loathed, Quinn has too many suspects to contend with, but Shannon is the most
obvious of all. Adding to his tension is he wants to not only believe in her innocence he wants to
dance with her preferably in the bedroom not the ballroom. Shannon is his ideal partner so that the
audience obtains a fine story that in many ways feels like a modernization of the classic film
Laura.
Pandora's Star
Peter F. Hamilton
Del Rey
ISBN 0345461622 $26.95 768 pp.
It is the golden age of humanity thanks to Nigel Sheldon and Ozzie Isaac, the two scientists who
developed the math that made wormhole technology possible. Mankind travels between the six
hundred colonized worlds by using wormhole generated vessels. Rejuvenation is available to all so
everyone can live as long as they want. If they are killed, a clone is created of that person and
their stored memory chips are inserted into the neural network so they can be the same person
they were before they died. When the Second Chance spaceship travels the solar system Dyson
Alpha to observe the force field that surrounds it, the barrier suddenly disappears. The crew sees
hundreds of ships using nuclear missiles on each other. The Second Chance leaves before it is
spotted even though they have to leave two crew men behind. A second expedition to Dyson
Alpha discovers that the warfighters have wormhole technology and will launch an invasion into
commonwealth territory. The government authorities authorize the creation of a navy but to find
out if it will be effective, readers will have to wait for JUDAS UNCHAINED to be published.
Imagine using a train to travel to a different world, living for as long as you want and picking the
planet of your choice to make a home. It sounds like heaven, so when hostile aliens threaten the
peace, humanity, who has not known war for three centuries, has a lot of catching up to do but
they are hindered in their quest by unknown enemies who have the powers-that-be in their pocket.
Peter F. Hamilton has written a powerfully compelling space opera in the tradition of Robert
Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke.
The Collected Short Fiction of C.J. Cherryh
C.J. Cherryh
Daw
ISBN: 0756402174 $23.95, 642 pp.
This is an interesting collection that is divided into three categories: Sunfall, Visible Light, and
other stories. Fans of the author will appreciate that her talent with short stories matches that of
her novels. Newcomers will gain a wonderful taste of one of the best speculative fiction authors of
the past two plus decades. The Sunfall tales were mostly published in the early 1980s collection
with one new one never seen before this addition. These nine fabulous stories focus on life in the
cities as the sun begins to cool. The eight wonderful tales that make up the Visible Light
anthology were released in the mid 1980s. These delightful stories focus on individuals who in
many cases could be you or me overwhelmed by external conflict often outside their control. The
other section is more of a potpourri that contains fifteen interesting contributions, but though each
one is well written, they also feel like fill-in material at least in this anthology. Even the strongest
tale of the book, Pots in which archeological truths fail to stand up to political realities, seems out
of place. To overcome that feeling of displacement, this reviewer read the collected short fiction
as if there were three short story books. Each one provides plenty of enjoyment to readers.
Alta
Mercedes Lackey
Daw
ISBN 0756402166 $24.95, 384 pp.
The war between Tia and Alta continues because of the Jousters and their dragons, the first line of
offense on the borders. Although Tia has more Jousters and dragons Alta has the magi which
sends bad weather into Tia so that the dragons cannot fly. Kiron, a former serf made dragon boy
to jouster Ari and his dragon Keshet discovers that he is the only one who besides Ari who does
not have to drug his dragon to get him to obey him. In a daring move, Kiron steals an egg,
empresses the dragonet when it hatches, trains it and flies back to Alta to try to end the war. He
believes he can show the Altan Jousters a better way of fighting with the undrugged cooperation
of their dragons even though his country men have less trained jousters. Kiron is accepted on to
Altan training grounds and has eight youngsters impress their dragons and the nine become one
wing united in their love for their dragons. There is a powerful shadow group in Alta who doesn't
want the war to end and will use horrific methods to achieve their goals. Kiron and his followers
must prepare for the day that the enemy will want the Jousters dead. In JOUST, the prequel to
ALTA, readers are shown the culture of Tia and how the ongoing war affects the conquerors, the
serfs and the Jousters. ALTA shares the viewpoint from the other side and how one escaped serf
gives hope and a plan of action to the demoralized Jousters. Mercedes Lackey, one of the great
fantasists of our time, writes a coming of age story that is memorable and enjoyable.
Fire and Sword
Simon Brown
Daw
ISBN 0756401755 $6.99, 560 pp.
Before she died Queen Usharna gave each of her children a Key of Power in the hope that they
will work together to keep the kingdom of Grenda Lear prospering. She could not know that
upon her death, conspirators would kill her successor King Berayma and make sure Prince Lynan
would be wanted for the deed. The new Queen Areava declares her half-brother, who she dislikes
because he has commoner blood, a traitor. Lynan escapes before he can be killed and the two
masterminds behind the conspiracy hold very important posts in the Queen's government. Lynan
flees to the Chetts in the Sea of Grass and forms an alliance with Queen Korigan of the White
Wolf Clan. Everyone knows for Lynan to return to Grenda Lear, he must come as a conqueror
with an army at his back. He unites all the clans of the Chetts under his banner and he turns them
into a fighting force second to none, but before he marches on Grenda Lear, he must defeat two
mercenary armies. One wants him dead while the other wants to use him as a figurehead to
conqueror his homeland. Simon Brown's latest Sword and Sorcery novel is exciting, enthralling
and spell binding. Both the queen and the prince believe they have very good motives for their
actions but while the Prince freely makes his own choices the Queen is manipulated into making
decisions others want her to make. Judging by the loose ends, there will be at least one more book
in this epic series and anyone who tastes FIRE AND SWORD will anxiously wait for it to be
published.
Moonlight Rendezvous with a Vampire
Marianne LaCroix
Amber Quill Press
ISBN 1592791778 $TBA
In 1800 the three preadolescent children serendipitously creep towards the house of the hermit
Mr. Mikhailovich, rumored by some to be a vampire. Though eight years old Angelina would
prefer to skip this test, her companions Kevin and Josh insists she must complete the quest if she
wants to join their club. The mysterious stranger catches Angelina and warns her to never come
back but whispers "someday". Fifteen years later, Angelina has erotic dreams of the alluring tall
dark and handsome man she met on that initiation trek, which is why she has had five London
seasons without a match. In her sixth season, Count Roman Ivanovich meets Angelina, but she
knows he is the living flesh of her dream man. Roman has patiently waited for his beloved to
mature. Now he wants his soulmate Angelina to willingly turn into his beloved vampiress for an
eternity, but he must keep her safe from a vampire hunter who has no scruples and would use a
young woman as an expendable pawn. MOONLIGHT RENDEZVOUS WITH A VAMPIRE is a
remarkable Regency supernatural romance because the three prime players make the novella work
as the audience sees what motivates each one of them. Interestingly the means is perhaps more
critical than the end as how you arrive at the destination determines the scope of one's true
humanity as rationalization of a greater good is inadequate if one takes the low road to achieve it.
Fans will appreciate Marianne LaCroix's tale and look for her Descendents of Darkness
works.
Crimson Dreams
Margaret L. Carter
Amber Quill
ISBN: 1592798780 $15.00
Recently turned eighteen, Heather Kinkaid was heading home with her date when she saw what
seemed to be a man on the lonely mountain road. That night the first visit of her "dream-beast"
occurred in her dreams. The creature came on other occasions too until her concerned parents
returned with her to their year round DC home. For the next six years, Heather never returned to
the family summer cabin and during that time no visitations happened. With her mom dead from
uterine cancer and her dad killed four months later in a vehicular accident that she knows was
suicide, Heather struggles with her grief. However, she returns to the cabin to prepare it for sale.
Almost upon arrival, she begins to see the telltale signs of her dream-beast. The next day
someone tries to run her off the road, but a bird that changes into her dream-beast saves her. As
she gets to know Devin, someone wants to use her as an expendable pawn to kill him. She would
do anything just like he would to keep her beloved from harm, but she also wonders can a
vampire and a human cross species even when love blossoms between them? The lead couple not
only makes vampires seem like a realistic humanoid species struggling to survive against the
overwhelming Homo sapiens population, but also provides a relationship that is fun to follow.
Though the villain once exposed seems weak, the story line is very exciting as love and danger
become the norm. This terrific tale will send supernatural romance readers seeking other works by
Margaret L. Carter (see DARK CHANGELING or www.amberquill.com).
Descendents of Darkness: Alonso
Marianne LaCroix
Amber Quill
ISBN: 1592791786 $TBA
In New Orleans, Alonso the Vampire lives a lonely life of despair and damnation desperately
seeking to find his soulmate so that they can share an eternity of bliss together. After six centuries
of playing solitaire, Alonso knows his biological clock is ticking for if he fails to find his beloved
soon, the darkness will engulf him. Adding to his despair, Alonso realizes that his creator, Lucius
the demoni seeks his lifemate too. Jolie the fortune teller has a premonition that something major
will change her life shortly. This proves correct when Lucius meets Jolie; she does not have to see
the future to comprehend how dangerous this individual is to her. She silently prays for a
miraculous rescue when Alonso arrives. He knows she is it and she feels safe with the vampire at
her side. However, the dangerous Lucius will never allow his "child" to usurp him with the
woman he believes belongs to him. Alonso is the first of four vampire tales and if this novella is
any indication, sub-genre fans will have some treat to look forward to. The key to the tale is that
the participants in the bizarre romantic triangle seem real whether they are a mortal with ESP
abilities or a vampiric going towards the dark side. New Orleans is portrayed as exotic and sinister
yet in all that foreboding a glimmer remains in the hopes and prayers of four creatures of the night
that somewhere out there she lives. This is a great stand alone tale and start up of what looks like
a terrific quartet of tales that will shine a deserved light on talented Marianne LaCroix.
Destiny's Seduction
Isabo Kelly
LTD
ISBN: 155316119X $5.00
Ironically as Arlana Von Fordin grows up and her sorceress powers develop and mature, she
increasingly yearns for a life of normalcy filled with love. Instead she sadly knows that destiny has
chosen her to become the most powerful sorceress ever in order to save the world. The price is
loneliness as everyone (that includes her parents) shows wariness towards her. She begins
dreaming of a dark haired male whose visage remains blurred, but at least during her sleep he
offers her love. As the First Protector, Lord Commander Oric of Browan has been trained since
he was a ten years old to insure the prophecy occurs. The time has come so he must safely escort
the sorceress to his country where her destiny awaits her. Oric resents being the chosen protector
though he will do his job. Oric changes his mind when he meets the great savior for he sees Arlana
the woman he can love, not a sorceress he needs to keep safe until she completes the prophesy.
The underlying premise of DESTINY'S SEDUCTION is cleverly built upon the fantasy principle
of individuals with unwanted responsibilities heaped on them by fate with innocent lives at stake.
Isabo Kelly takes that concept and adds a love element to the mix so that the audience feels the
internal conflicts of the two delightful protagonists. Both want to vanish into the night with one
another, but they have a job to complete. The enemy would desire nothing less than to fulfill the
dreams of this pair by not having them execute the prophecy. Great villains, wonderful heroes,
and a terrifically designed dangerous trek lead to a fascinating romantic fantasy that will send
newcomers seeking the prequel THIEF'S DESIRE.
Heroes in the Dust
Jennifer Macaire
Jacobyte Books
ISBN: 1741001307 $TBA
King Darius of Persia abducted Paul, the infant son of his enemy King Alexander of Macedonia in
order to swap children as the Macedonian has the Persian's adult daughter Stateria. Unbeknownst
to Darius, Alexander married Stateria who is pregnant with his child. Paul is the son of
Alexander's third wife, Ashley, the journalist sent back by the Institute of Time Travel from three
millenniums in the future to interview the Great monarch, but she is for now stuck in the past.
When the Persians lost the Battle of Persepolis, Darius gave Paul to Bessus, Satrap of Bactria.
However, before fleeing for his remote region, Bessus assassinates Darius. Alexander pursues
Bessus. Ashley accompanies Alexander and his army on the quest. She loves her hero, but also
feels very melancholy because she knows when he will die and there is nothing she can do to
change that. Just her weird presence as an outsider not believing in Oracles or fate may lead to
subtle modification of the time stream, but interference is dangerous. Instead, Ashley takes what
she can even sharing her beloved with two other women and a male lover Plexis. Book two of the
Iskander series is an exhilarating historical fictionalized account of Alexander the Great. The
picturesque fourth century BC world of Alexander is fabulously intertwined with a deep look at
an ancient army on the march as well as an engaging glimpse at relationships. Ashley being from a
different time with different values provides a contrast that enhances the Ancient culture.
Sub-genre fans will appreciate this delightful series and agree that Ms. Macaire must be an
employee of the Institute of Time Travel for this has to be her first hand account.
The Princess Masquerade
Lois Greiman
Avon
ISBN: 0060571454 $5.99, 384 pp.
In 1817 on the Isle of Teleere, Viscount Nicholas Argyle notices a young woman whom looks
exactly like Princess Tatiana "Anna" Rochenau ruler of his home country Sedonia. Before he can
talk to her, she hits him with a bottle, steals his watch, and disappears. Six months later, Nicol
searches for the woman who stole his watch when he finds "Sparrow" working at a bar. He asks
her for his watch, but she denies ever meeting him. Nicol offers her money, three meals, and an
education if she is willing to impersonate the princess while the royal negotiates an alliance. If not,
he will see her at the gallows as befitting a thief. She reluctantly accepts his terms. He teaches her
how to behave like a royal, but Meg drives him crazy. The switch is made. Her performance as
the princess over the next few days is perfect and Nicol soon admires and loves Meg, but she
believes he remains infatuated with Anna. Meg takes charge of the council discussions on how to
pay the debt and realizes she loves her mentor. However, she knows that when the real Princess
returns her love will abandon her. Loosely similar to The Prince and the Pauper, THE PRINCESS
MASQUERADE is a wonderful historical romance due to a strong spirited lead female character,
a bewildered hero, and a solid support cast. Though the fall of the villain is too abrupt and Meg's
adjustment from barmaid thief to princess feels too easy, the terrific story line hooks the audience
who root for the heroine. Lois Greiman furbishes a fabulous novel that will elate her sub-genre
fans.
Babe in Toyland
Eugenie Seifer Olson
Avon
ISBN: 0060570563 $13.95
In Philadelphia, graphic instruction artist Toby Morris works at the Toyland Toy Company and
shares an abode with her platonic roommate Michael. A college friend Jenna informs Toby that
she has a job as news graphics at WPHX. A jealous Toby watches the news to see how well Jenna
performed in her behind the scenes job. However, Toby forgets about Jenna when she see
weatherman J.P. Cody. She never has had a crush before, but now she is very attracted to J.P.
Toby starts writing silly poems and shocks herself by mailing them to her heartthrob. A drunken
Toby informs Michael she sent poems to J.P and sends a new missive to J.P asking him to wear
his blue check tie if he likes her poems. J.P. replies asking Toby for a picture. She responds
immediately. He next asks her for information about herself and she answers promptly again. J.P.
asks to meet with Toby, who is feeling ecstatic while Michael is upset at Toby. BABES IN
TOYLAND contain a strong lead character who serves as the center of the tale and a solid
support cast that propels the story line forward through their actions and reactions to the heroine.
The main plot is a chick lit theme, but the story line contains several other subplots widen the
scope into a relationship drama yet smoothly return to the main theme as everything works
through Toby, the focal point of the novel. Though a final relationship comes out of nowhere,
fans will enjoy Eugenie Seifer Olson's Philadelphia joyride.
England's Perfect Hero
Suzanne Enoch
Avon
ISBN: 0060543132 $5.99, 384 pp.
Lucinda Barrett, Georgiana Haley, and Evie Ruddick are tired of the misbehavior of the
aristocratic males with money. Each one agrees to select a lord as an object of lessons on proper
deportment towards ladies. Shockingly Georgiana (see THE RAKE) and Evie (see LONDON'S
PERFECT SCOUNDREL) have married their "students". Now it is Lucinda's turn to tutor her
target. Lucinda thinks Geoffrey Newcombe would be perfect not so much because he needs
instruction, but because she believes he would make a perfect spouse for her. As she makes her
play, Lucinda thinks a lot about Navy Lieutenant Robert Carroway. She finds herself falling in
love with Georgiana's brother-in-law instead of the object she selected. However, Robert suffers
from some form of post battle syndrome and cannot compete for the affections of Lucinda with
the dashing Geoffrey. The third and final novel in Suzanne Enoch's delightful "Lessons in Love"
trilogy is a fun tale starring an intrepid heroine, a "perfect" object, and a brooding hero with
mental war injuries. The story line moves quickly forward as Robert wants Lucinda, but feels his
injuries from the Napoleonic War makes him unsuitable for the woman he loves. Lucinda on the
other hand believes that the perfect paragon Geoffrey is her ideal though her dreams keep telling
her to follow her heart not her brain. Though a final character twist seems unnecessary except to
expedite the decision process, fans will appreciate this wonderful ending to a fine Regency
series.
Legendary Warrior
Donna Fletcher
Avon
ISBN: 0060538783 $5.99, 384 pp.
In the sixteenth century Ireland, Reena Callen grew up hearing tales about the "Legend" from her
father. Now a young adult, Reena worries that her village will starve to death due to the
malevolent treatment of the new Earl Peter Kilkern. When a villager John challenges the edict,
Peter has his arm sliced off and has other townsfolk killed. Reena dresses up as a lad and travels
to the estate of the Legend to gain his help. She displays courage as she asks him to defend her
villagers in exchange for her precise mapmaking skills. The Legend Magnus accepts her terms.
They journey to her village where he relocates everyone onto one of his estates vowing to keep
them safe and warning Peter to stay away from them. As Reena and Magnus become acquainted
they fall in love, but first must deal with the vile Peter who feels he has been slighted by the
relocation of his villagers. Though there is some confusion over the age of the hero, this delightful
sixteenth century Irish romance is a fun tale that feels more like a medieval story. Fans will admire
the courage of Reena and the loyalty of Magnus' best friend, but mostly appreciate the strength
and responsibility shown by Magnus. Though Peter is so malevolent that he offers not one
redeeming quality so that fans will want him to receive his just award, LEGENDARY WARRIOR
is a fine historical that transports the audience into the past with an ease that reflects on the
author. More works like this and readers will call Donna Fletcher the legend.
A Wild Pursuit
Eloisa James
Avon
ISBN: 006058124 $6.99, 384 pp.
Her dad disowned his oldest daughter Beatrix Lennon when she was caught half-naked with a
nude stud at a ball. The Ton winked at the male, but condemned Beatrix as a promiscuous
woman. Her godmother Arabella takes Beatrix under her wings as a chip off the old block and the
younger woman flourishes though as scandalous as ever. At small party hosted by Arabella's
friend Esme Rawlins, known for her scandals too, Beatrix meets Lord Stephen Fairfax, who has
pushed for reform in Parliament for the past decade. Stephen is tired from his failures in politics,
but wonders why the blatant Beatrix pushes a married woman at him. Though he wants to reject
the licentious female and her shoving of Helen Godwin at him, he finds himself unable to stay
away from Beatrix as the upright moralistic aristocrat and the wanton fallen woman find
themselves falling in love. This is not the Regency romance that your mom read, as the story line
is more of a historical erotic tale that is fun to read due to the brassy, independent fiery women
who openly embrace sex. The story line may turn off some fans due to the promiscuity of the
female characters, but is well written and serves as a mechanism to display the gender hypocrisy
of the age that still exists today. Not for everyone, James smashes barriers with her enlightened
tale of love and sex among the early nineteenth century aristocracy.
Facing Fear
Gennita Low
Avon
ISBN: 0060523395 $5.99, 384 pp.
As the Chief of Operations for the CIA Tiara Task Force Two, Ricardo Harden knows that
Internal Investigations (Eyes) will look closely at his activities since arresting his superior Gorman
for treason. Though he is innocent, he realizes he will be the fall guy and probably deserves to be
so as he ignored signs of sedition so he could be the safe bureaucrat. Nikki Taylor is assigned to
investigate Rick, but not for "Eyes". Admiral Madison wants to know if Rick would make a good
chief of Tiara. Nick is stunned because Nikki looks like his wife who vanished during an operation
ten years ago. As they make love and fall in love, he hides a secret about his wife that ended his
career that he will never reveal while she has even more clandestine confidential information about
who she really is. FACING FEAR is an engaging espionage romance that emphasizes the internal
politics of protecting your butt when scandal happens. The Agency looks bad as it prefers to
ignore a potential monstrous flaw in its process in order to find a scapegoat so that the higher ups
in government remain untainted (perhaps that is why the real life leak of the agent's name last
Spring still remains unresolved in spite of the President's public desires). The story line contains
major twists that will shock readers yet seems apropos because the lead couple make it believable.
Fans of terse internal affairs CIA tales with a strong romantic underpinning will enjoy soaring with
Gennita Low's fine taut thriller.
In My Heart
Melody Thomas
Avon
ISBN: 0060564474 $5.99, 384 pp.
Lady Alexandra Marshall dedicated her life to becoming a highly regarded scientist, a feat that is
rarely accomplished by a female. However, her dedication, devotion and deeds have made the
male dominated scientific community take notice. Of course she has no other life to speak of, but
Alexandra does not care. As she attains the epitome of her lofty goal, burglaries place her success
at risk and even worse, a secret she thought buried has surfaced that if exposed will ruin her
regardless of her achievements. Sir Christopher Donally wants the past left buried and thought
with his wealth and position he could do just that. He, like the female scientist, learns that
sometimes the past refuses to remain interred. He must deal with past problems that could destroy
him. Soon he and Alex will re-cross paths that both thought hidden including the resurfacing of
their love for one another as the only hope to overcome the pains that threaten both of them. Fans
will enjoy IN MY HEART, an engaging second chance at love mystery that keeps the audience
not only hooked with the romance, but guessing on what is going on and why. The lead couple is
a delight as their mutual past rears up to bring them together though neither is prepared for nor
want reconciliation. Fans of historical romantic suspense tales will appreciate this fine tale of love
lost and regained if the protagonists can reach out for one another before both are destroyed.
The Not-so-Perfect Man
Valerie Frankel
Avon
ISBN: 0060536683 $13.95, 352 pp.
Only thirty-five, Widow Frieda Schast, owner of a picture frame store, still feels the loss of her
husband Gregg, who died from cancer thirteen months ago. From the deathiversary day that
Gregg was interred, Frieda's older sister Ilene has felt it is her quest in life to travel from
Manhattan to the Brooklyn frontier to find her sibling a husband whether Frieda is interested or
not. Her latest find entomologist Professor Roger O'Leary can only be the "Two" since Gregg will
always be the "One". Ilene's husband Peter Vermillion wants her to stop matchmaking her
younger sister. Ilene counters with wanting the overweight Peter to watch what he eats especially
that extra cannoli. As she does with Peter, Ilene nags until Frieda is on a date with Roger the
Bugman, but Frieda does not even make much of an effort. While Frieda's other sister spinster
Betty may have finally found a man who turns up the juices of her body, actor Sam Hill enters the
widow's shop to have a review article of a play he performs in framed. Frieda finds the youngster
(not even thirty) quite exciting as he offers a sexual healing with no commitment strings. THE
NOT SO PERFECT MAN is an interesting character study that looks deep into the varying woes
of three New York City siblings, the men in their lives, and another couple. The myriad of
subplots offer insight into eight living people and the late Gregg is well written, but contains too
much baggage to keep track of who suffers from what. Still Valerie Frankel provides a fine
relationship tale that showcases love hurts, but anything less is loneliness.
The Dim Sum of All Things
Kim Wong Keltner
Avon
ISBN: 0060560754 $13.95, 344 pp.
Third generation San Franciscan twenty something Lindsey Owyang is a Chinese American wage
slave earner working the menial tasks at Vegan magazine though she might be considered by
much of the staff as an evil invader. She likes red meat, wears make-up and even has a bit of
rabbit fur on a sweater no doubt heresy at Vegan. Lindsey has no identity crisis as she knows
who she is. Any Asian who can quote the dialogue of the Brady Bunch, but could not cite one
word from the Han Dynasty is obviously a Twinkie, yellow on the outside; white on the inside.
However, having been raised on Spaghettios and not rice, Lindsey seeks a stronger tie with her
heritage and would not mind finding the love of a lifetime too. Caucasian males need not apply
because she does not trust the obsession many have with female Asians. Still Miles Olin a closet
carnivore at vegan does look good for a white man, but any office romance with him will interfere
with her quest for cultural awareness
Though the heroine is third generation Chinese-American, any ethnic adjective would fit the bill as
America has the tendency to assimilate the third generation, who is more McDonalds than old
country. Lindsey is a great protagonist whose attitude immensely differs from her mother that is
as wide as the Atlantic and from her grandmother which is as long as the Pacific. She is the center
that keeps the tale from becoming a soggy noodle as Lindsey seeks to merge the dim sun culture
of her heritage with her fast food childhood.
The Ideal Bride
Stephanie Laurens
Avon
ISBN: 0060505737 $22.95, 384 pp.
By 1825 everyone in the know believes that the future in Parliament is bright for rising luminary
Lord Michael Anstruther-Wetherby. His sister's marriage to the influential Cynster clan only
enhances his superstar status in politics and in the ballroom. Aristocratic mothers know Michael is
quite a catch and his arrogant confident manner makes all the unmarried and a quite few with
spouses desire him. Michael understands that politics at the top tier in England requires the
perfect wife to serve as an ornament. His sister's marriage to the Devil compels him to find a
compliant pretty spouse who knows how to host galas, but passion and love are not perquisites
for the position. His paragon is Elizabeth Mollston, but Michael finds his heart and other bodily
parts rebel instead seeking his chosen one's Aunt Caroline, a diplomat's widow. Caro knows first
hand the odious life of a politician's candy wife and wants love for her niece. She persuades
Michael that an experienced woman would further his career more than a virgin would. Michael
agrees as he wants Caro at his side in Parliament and more so in the boudoir, but she rejects the
notion that happiness and politics are compatible bedfellows. The latest Cynster tale uses the
extended family of an in-law to continue the series. Though Michael is not a pureblood, he
behaves in the same haughty compassionate manner as all Cynster males that DNA testing should
be required. The concept of convenient relational marriages is cleverly drawn within the fiery
romance between the delightful lead couple. Fans of the Cynster series will enjoy this entry as
THE IDEAL BRIDE is a chip off the old block.
Three Nights
Debra Mullins
Avon
ISBN: 0060561661 $5.99, 384 pp.
In 1810 Cornwall, Aveline Stoddard begs Lucien DuFeron not kill her father. Lord Chestwick lost
a lot of money gambling to Lucien and then accused him of cheating. Lucien asks remittance on
her father's gambling bill and will throw in the loser's life in exchange for three nights of sex with
Aveline. Both are stunned by how much they enjoy the tryst, but on the final morning they depart
with nasty words. A few months later she sends him a note informing him she is pregnant, but his
best friend responds telling her to have a nice life. Not long afterward, Lucien is assaulted and
impressed leading to five years at sea. When he returns home he goes after Chestwick blaming
him for the abduction, but the man is a shell having suffered a stroke. He meets five-year old
Chloe, recognizes her as his daughter, and marries Aveline. He refuses to take her father with
them to his estates so she refuses to have sex with him. When her father's gambling debts threaten
Chloe, Lucien cleans up the mess. Aveline realizes her husband is honorable and they make love
though she feels he is wrong about her father, but someone did betray him. If not her dad, who?
This entertaining Regency romance stars a delightful lead couple that seems perfect together
especially during the three delectable nights. They later provide a Lyistrada-like morality battle
when they reunite. Still both protagonists wear blindfolds when it comes to not seeing
mountainous flaws of loved ones; this appears out of character for either of the strong duo.
Award winning Debra Mullins furbishes a wonderful historical that the audience will relish.
Anything You Say Can and Will Be Used Against You
Laurie Lynn Drummond
Harper Collins
ISBN: 0060561629 $23.95, 272 pp.
Five Baton Rouge female police officers wear their badge with honor, courage and pride. Here
are their poignant and fascinating stories that will have a profound affect on the reader. Kate
killed a man in self-defense and that action always haunted ger. She learned how to deal with
death, to use her senses to give her an edge and taught her the skills she would need to survive on
the streets. Still she and her police officer husband die in the line of duty. Liz remembers every
moment of the gruesome traffic accident in which a vehicle plowed into her, ending her career and
leaving her with a permanently injured leg. Mona sees too much domestic violence but one case
really gets to her when brother kills brother. Both were abuse victims, which remind her of her
drunken violent dad. Mona's anger affects her work and her husband and child to the point she's
ready to eat her gun. Cathy first worked for Victim Services. Her first solo case involved a
woman who woke up with a knife stabbed deep in her chest and a man attempting to rape her.
The lead detective on the case believes the injury was self-inflicted. Cathy becomes a police
officer and marries that detective. Years later the case is reopened. Cathy is the lead officer and
believes that her husband was wrong. Sarah works on a torture, mutilation, rape and murder case
that affects her and her friends so deeply that they cross over the line. Sarah can no longer cope
so she quits her job, and works as a UPS driver. Sarah soon learns that she can't out run her
memories.
Dead Witch Walking
Kim Harrison
Harper
ISBN 0060572965 $6.99, 432 pp.
On an alternate Earth a bioengineered weapon escaped from a lab, spread around the world killing
off a quarter of the world's population. Beings of myth and legend known as Inderlanders because
they were immune to the disease held civilization together until the germ died out. Local
enforcement was dissolved and the Federal Inderland Bureau was formed to monitor the actions
of the Inderlanders. The I.S. was created by out of work Inderlander law enforcement officials to
police the supernatural beings. Rachel works for the I.S. but every case she is sent out on results
in failure. She knows her boss Denon hates her so she decides to quit and go freelance. Her friend
Ivy, a live vampire, also quits much to Demon's dismay and he calls for Rachel to be assassinated
for luring Ivy away.. The earth witch is no match for the creatures he sends against her so she
decides to find the evidence that will convict Congressman Trent Kalanack for trafficking in
Brimstone. If she is successful her contract with the IS is nullified and she is a free woman but
Rachel almost gets killed in her attempts to expose the congressman. Fans of Laurell K. Hamilton
and Tonya Huff and Charlaine Harris are going to love DEAD WITCH WALKING, a
supernatural action adventure novel set in what feels like a fantasy realm. The gutsy and
honorable heroine goes through a lot of perilous adventures to gain her freedom, but uses her
earth magic powers as a defensive weapon that won't permanently injure or kill those attacking
her. Kim Harrison has the magic touch to enchant her audience with her storytelling while placing
a spell that requires reading future books in this series.
Write Away: One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life
Elizabeth George
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060560428 $24.95, 288 pp.
For wannabe authors, best selling writer Elizabeth George provides an easy to follow step by step
guide to writing predominantly novels. The tips seem logical and readers will have no problem
employing them. Ms. George states that the key element self-discipline is necessary; many
potentially talented authors do not take the time to write away, seemingly expecting a divine
intervention. Instead Ms. George provides guides with specific examples and from her own
journal how to overcome frustrations. Since this reviewer has no urge to write a book (not out of
fear that Harriet Klausner will stop reading before fifty pages are completed or give it three stars,
but out of realism that those who can't write review), I did not test the techniques offered to guide
the tyro. WRITE AWAY: ONE NOVELIST'S APPROACH TO FICTION AND THE
WRITING LIFE appears logical and includes in depth all the key elements needed especially in
authoring a novel (characters, prime and supporting plots, background, perspective/voice, and
dialogue). This is a solid self help guide for those who want to write a novel and other forms of
literature, but Ms. George points out that all the instruction in the world cannot provide discipline
and passion. If you don't have the fervor to write or the discipline to sit down and write, this
reference book will not provide that elixir, but if you do.
The Conquest
Yxta Maya Murray
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060093595 $24.95, 288 pp.
Sara Rosario Gonzales works as a rare-book restorer at Los Angeles' Getty Museum. Her current
assignment is to mend a sixteenth century manuscript, the story of "Helen" an Aztec woman
Cortez sent as a present to the Pope. Upset in her personal life as her marine boyfriend is going to
marry someone else because she failed to commit, Sara buries her unhappiness inside the
restoration project. She soon believes that the story of the Aztec female is authentic, but everyone
else insists its fiction. She begins researching clues to this Helen, her baptized name the Aztec
received in Rome. For the first time in her shallow life, Sara commits to something with her heart
as she seeks the truth whether Helen the Aztec really existed and had these wonderful adventures
in Europe. The contrast between Helen and Sara is startling as the former lives life to the fullest
and the latter avoids life to the least degree yet both share in common a feeling of displacement.
Obviously Helen's is easier to observe, but Sara's Latino heritage makes her feel out of sorts also.
Sara's search for the truth links the two subplots neatly together. Though at times the tale slows
down, fans obtain an intriguing character study that compares how two people living centuries
apart share the same feelings of not belonging.
The Greater Good
William Casey Moreton
Atria
ISBN 0743456572 $24.00, 352 pp.
The president and the vice president of the United States knew what they had to do to get elected
and they gladly paid the price. During their sixth year in office Vice President James Ettinger can
no longer live with the guilt so he makes a video tape and sends it to a television news producer
and then sends a cryptic letter of apology to his brother. Shortly after the video tape is mailed,
James is killed by skilled assassin Olin St. John who makes a clean getaway. The people behind
the assassination don't know that the vice-president recorded his dirty dealings until the tape is in
the mail. Using his fianc‚e Megan as a pawn, they force St. John to track down the tape and kill
anyone who gets in his way. While Megan is held hostage, a worker at NBC watches the tape and
knows she is being hunted. She must elude the killers until she can figure out how to get the tape
into the right hands so the truth will come out about the presidential election. In the case of THE
GREATER GOOD, most of the plot is laid out in the first few chapters but that doesn't detract
from reader enjoyment because one key point is left out to the end but long before that the
whirlwind plot draws the audience into the storyline. This is William Casey Moreton's debut novel
and it is an excellent political crime thriller on a par with the works of Tom Clancy, Tom Grisham,
and Dan Brown. No telling what one may find in Wal-Mart as this author will definitely be one of
tomorrow's superstars.
Blood Hollow
William Kent Kreuger
Atria
ISBN: 0743445864 $24.00, 344 pp.
In Aurora, Minnesota, seventeen years old Charlotte Kane vanishes after being seen at a New
Year's Eve Party. A search led by Sheriff Wally Shanno of the Northwoods in frozen January
turns up nothing. Four thawing months later, the daughter of wealthy recluse Dr. Fletcher Kane is
found dead. The locals have no confidence in Shanno and his staff solving the hideous homicide
so many encourage former sheriff turned hamburger establishment owner Cork O'Connor to
investigate the crime. While Shanno leans towards Ojibwa Solemn Winter Moon, whom the
victim romantically toyed with, Cork sees several possible other suspects with stronger motives
and opportunities. He beings questioning Charlotte's father and Catholic Father Mal Thorne as the
former law enforcement official tries to do what he perceives is the right thing, justice for the dead
that no longer can obtain such on their own. BLOOD HOLLOW is a strong private investigative
tale with obvious police procedural elements involved due to the official inquiry and the hero's
background. The story line brings home the unbearably cold and desolate landscape (keep the heat
on) as few novels can so that the background makes the investigation seem even bleaker yet also
shows the strength of character of some of the cast especially Cork. Though he makes progress in
his family relationships, he sees a bit too ideally perfect unofficially wearing his old sheriff's hat,
but fans will appreciate a moral outstanding citizen seeking resolution for someone who is beyond
caring what happens.
One for My Baby
Tony Parsons
Atria
ISBN: 0743456645 $24.00, 352 pp.
Language teacher Alfie Budd leaves Hong Kong after several years there to return home to
London fueled by grief for a lost loved one. However, London may swing, but no where near the
way Alfie remembers the town. Everything is different, but mostly his parents act strangely. Alfie
thought they shared a loving relationship, but now his father piteously discos with a foreign au
pair younger than his son while his mother has a love affair with her rose garden. Stunned, Alfie
fears he will never capture what he once had in Hong Kong so he wanders through meaningless
sexual encounters with his students (once a taboo, but more acceptable in this amoral 1993
London). As Alfie wonders about living without love, he descend deeper into a cesspool of
immorality that gives him no solace except through the wizened teachings of Mr. Chang. Alfie is a
solid center of this well written character study that leads to fans feeling empathy towards the lead
protagonist still suffering from his loss and coping through hollow encounters. The secondary cast
enables the readers and Alfie to see that life without love is empty. ONE FOR MY BABY raises
philosophical issues of how to live (not just survive) and forge or keep relationships after a loved
one dies yet the entertaining story line fails to truly respond to the concerns posed by Tony
Parsons; thus readers will ask what's it all about Tony? Such a Girl
Karen V. Siplin
Atria
ISBN: 0743475542 $23.00, 320 pp.
Nine years ago at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Kendall Stark heeded the advice of
her friends by ending her two year relationship with Jack Sullivan because everyone insisted he
was a loser. Now, Kendall is a thirty-one year old single living in Brooklyn, working as a
communications operator at a popular luxurious Manhattan hotel, and having a nowhere affair
with a married man. Kendall feels contented until she sees Jack, owner of New England's very
successful Sullivan Brewery who is staying at the hotel. Kendall handles herself reasonably well
during the encounter, but as he leaves his look back is filled with disappointment that shakes her
to the core of her essence. Kendall realizes what she lost when she stopped being Sullivan's Ken;
she decides she must try to win back his love. However, Jack not only has to forgive, he wonders
if she desires him because he is a success? As CLUELESS DID TO Jane Austen's EMMA, SUCH
A GIRL provides the same delightful treatment to the author's PERSUASION with Ken being
Anne Elliot and Sullivan is retired naval officer Frederick Wentworth. The enjoyable second
chance at love story line reflects a realistic social order that though the plot takes place in the
twenty-first century could have easily been in the early 1800s. Sullivan is a wonderful protagonist
as he wants his Ken back in his life, but doubts he can trust her with his heart. Ken regrets the
error that shaped her life, but shows courage as she decides to prove she is his significant other
forever. Together they make an intelligent and witty tale.
Bike Week Blues
Mary Clay
IF
ISBN 0971042977 $14.95 274 pp.
The DAFFODILS (Divorced and Finally Free of Deceitful, Incentive, Licentious Scum) are in
New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Leigh is living in Penny Sue's father's home rent free, working
part-time, and trying to recover from being dumped for a bimbo her daughter's age. Ruthie plans
to attend a metaphysical seminar and Penny Sue has followed her boyfriend down here so they
can spend some time together during festivities of Bike Week. The first couple of days are great
for Penny Sue and Rich, but one day out of the blue he dumps her. Shortly thereafter, a dead body
is found near Penny Sue's car and she knows that the dead man was hanging around with Rick.
The police want to bring Rich in for questioning but he has disappeared with the criminal Vulture
and his girlfriend who deals drugs and are wanted for other assorted activities. Penny Sue cajoles
Mary Beth and Leigh into helping her find Rich before the police do and what follows is one of
the funniest capers this reviewer has had the privilege of reading. Mary Clay has the right touch
when it comes to writing a mystery that will appeal to fans who like something funny, witty, catty,
and filled with plenty of action. Penny plays Lucy to Leigh's Ethel and Ruthie is the voice of
reason. The plotting is well done, all the characters (villains, odious ex male mates, and heroines)
feel real and readers will find themselves reading BIKE WEEK BLUES in one sitting.
Pink Slip Party
Cara Lockwood
Downtown
ISBN: 0743457544 $13.00, 336 pp.
In Lakeview, Illinois, art designer of office supplies like pink slips, Jane McGregor learns by email
she is being indefinitely laid off. Jane never saw the pink slip coming because she felt safe as she
was dating the Vice President of Midwest Division of Maximum Office Supplies. When she asks
why, she is told that her boyfriend Mike Orepheus euphemistically furloughed her and kindly
follows that up by ending their relationship. Jane knows she offers few marketable skills, but
needs money rather quickly to pay the rent and to pay of her maxed credit cards. The card debts
bother her because she bought a new wardrobe so that Mike would be proud of her. As she
struggles with unemployment, her father joins her in the ranks of the unemployed and her brother
nags her to look for work. Only family friend Kyle Burton seems to be of any help, but how will
Jane react when she learns his secret agenda is that he is in love with her and has been for a long
time. Though at times the lead female's alibis and laments can leave the reader bushed (this
reviewer agrees with her sibling), this amusing chick lit tale pokes fun at the economic recovery
(except in Illinois not Ohio). The humorous story line is mostly Jane's muses about the woes of
her world as she struggles with her bills and the men in her life, not necessarily in that order.
Sub-genre fans will say I Do to Cara Lockwood's latest comical contemporary caper.
Drive Me Crazy
Kate Angell
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525593 $5.99
In Florida, as Cade Nyland, whose family owns national Action Auto parts, is backing his vintage
Sting Ray into a spot, TZ Blake opens the door to her classic Mustang. Both learn that two
objects cannot share the same space. She gives him a card to get his vehicle fixed at All Tune and
Lube where she says she has a running account, but fails to tell him she owns the place. At
Chugger Charlie's, TZ enters the tight butt competition because she needs the first prize cash to
keep her garage open. Cade is one of the judges. Cade offers TZ 20K and part of the winnings if
she agrees to be his mechanic-navigator because he needs someone to ride with him on the
SunCoast Run race. He refuses to let her explain that she cannot read a map. Nothing goes right
during the drive yet Cade and TZ somehow remain competitive with a solid chance of winning.
As they bounce along the Florida coast, they fall in love. Neither expects a relationship once the
road rally ends that is if they ever finish the obstacle course. This contemporary road rally
romance is a fun drive due to a fine lead couple and a delightful support crew (except for one
unnecessary embezzler who makes the race impossible). TZ's navigator skills are so bad that they
could just as easily end up in the Carolinas, but her wrench turning skills are A+ gender bending
delight. The love between the driving lead couple entertains the audience as does a seemingly
doomed romance between a wonderful secondary driving pair. Kate Angell takes the checkered
flag with this fine romantic race.
The Ride to Dinah's Wedding
Ann Kline
Love Spell
ISBN: 050552581X $5.99, 368 pp.
Nurse Dinah Lee needs a cure for a broken heart when her fianc‚ Woody Monroe fails to appear
at their wedding ceremony. Woody's irate cousin Seth wants to find his useless relative because he
lent him five thousand dollars for the wedding and since no I do occurred he wants his money
returned immediately. Dinah thinks Seth's road show search is the elixir for her blues; she
successfully begs Seth to let her accompany him because she needs to know why her betrothed
dumped her after she pounds theheck out of Woody. The avenging duo travels from Jacksonville
to Oklahoma on the trail, but along the way pick up separately the hitchhiking Tripp and Bayou
Addie, with the former armed and the latter on the lam. From Oklahoma to Spokane this
foursome spend a series of wild dog nights seeking Woody, but as they enter the final leg, they
owe the wanderer more than just a pounding because true love has blossomed during this crazy
cross country trek. Take IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT and place it inside the zaniness of IT'S A
MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD and one will understand the jocular madcap road show of
THE RIDE TO DINAH'S WEDDING. The story line is a series of running jokes driven together
by love found on a lonely highway. Readers get a prejudicial taste of Woody mostly through his
condemnation by a seething Seth and a dizzy Dinah. Ann Kline shows a delightful comedic touch
that will send those readers who appreciate a lighthearted romp to go along for the wacky
ride.
Master of Ecstasy
Nina Bangs
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525577 $6.99, 384 pp.
Ganymede provides vacation services that are a bit unique as one would expect when he runs a
firm. He escorts customers on tours of the past. Currently, Ganymede and his feline pal Sparkle
take a twenty-fourth century based tour group back to 1785 MacKenzie Castle in Scotland.
Vampire Darach MacKenzie is not a happy bloodsucker when the futurists arrive at his clan's
castle. He realizes that the two guides are a bit more powerful than humans, but he plans to rid his
family estate of them and their minions. Everything changes when he sees Ecstasy, Inc. employee
Blythe amidst the "guests" because somehow she makes his blood boil. Believing he has found his
soul mate, Darach wants to snack on her neck, but she has to prove to her employers that she can
do more than just turn on every man's lust even if his fangs look so temptingly alluring. Is there
any author who does humor, horror and romance in one blending better than Nina Bangs does it?
The key to Ms. Bangs' clever facetious novels is the cast never does what the reader expects; even
a simple vampiric neck snack becomes a hilarious exchange between two attracted individuals
separated by species and several centuries. MASTER OF ECSTASY combines vampires, time
travel and that nutty Ganymede accompanied by as daffy Sparkle into an amusing romance that
will lead the audience to read in one enchanting bite.
Crosswinds
Cindy Holby
Leisure
ISBN: 0843952792 $6.99, 368 pp.
Though she knows she is being selfish, Catherine Lynch Kincaid desperately wants her husband
Tyler to return from the war as she not only misses him, but more so wonders if she will ever
become the mother of his children. Catherine prays everyday for Tyler's safe return as his family
plantation home is lonely. Tyler wants only to hold his beloved wife Catherine, but feels
responsibility to his friends and relatives who have joined him in the fight for the Southern cause
against Northern aggression. He feels his duty is to try to get as many of his comrades home alive
as the War Between the States looks futile to Tyler as he anticipates the Confederacy losing. He
prays every night that his darling Catherine waits for him assuming he makes it home still
breathing. CROSSWINDS is more a historical tale than a romance as the audience receives a
terse vivid description of the costs of war at the front and the anguish for those waiting at home.
Catherine is a delightful lead character struggling not to feel she is being selfish with her desires,
but still yearning for her spouse to return to her. She represents the adage that there are no
atheists amongst loved one waiting for a soldier at risk. Tyler is heroic though he would deny that
as he wants to leave, but desertion would dishonor him and more critical hurt those people he
cares about. Though too many subplots make it difficult to follow at times, CROSSWINDS is a
sweeping Civil War tale that brings to the front the horrific mental impact on everyone associated
with war.
Savage Trust
Cassie Edwards
Leisure
ISBN: 0843950536 $6.99, 384 pp.
In 1874 Bostonian Yvette Davidson travels west with her father by rail planning to start over in
the Wyoming Territory. However, on the trek a savage kills her father and a terrible derailment
accident leaves Yvette unconscious. Cheyenne Chieftain Cloud Walker finds and rescues the
comatose blond with whom he surprisingly feels an immediate bond. When Yvette awakens she
fears being a prisoner of this powerful Indian who may have killed her dad. Still he fosters her
with kindness, but she plans to escape because she does not want to learn what he has in mind for
her. As he continues to nurture her, they fall in love, but both know that each of their respective
peoples will frown on such a forbidden relationship. Will love prove strong enough to overcome
his tribe's single women all wanting to be his wife and her race distrusting these savages? Fans of
Cassie Edwards will enjoy her umpteenth "Savage" novel starring two fine star-crossed lovers.
The well written story line is typical Ms. Edwards (must have the copyright) as the lead couple
fall in love at first sight though neither trusts the other and both know it is taboo in their
respective societies more so in hers. Right out of her usual cast, Ms. Edwards' readers will enjoy
her latest Indian romance.
Take a Chance on Me
Karen Rose Smith
Harlequin Special Edition
ISBN: 0373245998 $4.75
In Portland, attorney Jared Camby visits Adam Bartlett, the CEO of successful software maker
Novel Programs, Unlimited to ask a favor. Jared informs the twenty-seven year old that he is his
biological father having impregnated a girl in high school. He offered money to abort the child,
but Olivia Maddison refused the cash or anything else to do with him. She died in an accident, but
not before she gave birth to twins. Adam learns he has a sister and three half-siblings with the
youngest seven years old Mark desperately needing a bone marrow transplant or he dies. Adam is
the last hope. Though he hates hospitals since his adopted sister died years ago, Adam agrees. He
goes to Portland General Hospital to take the test. Pediatric Oncology Nurse Leigh Peters is
assigned as liaison between Adam and the Cambys. A decade ago when they were teens they fell
in love; under pressure from her mother, concerned for the future of both teens, Leigh left him a
note ending their relationship. As they fall in love again, Adam wonders if she will leave him to
follow her mother's dream. Though the angst level would fuel a trip to Mars, fans of
contemporary dramas will appreciate this powerful family tale. The adult love story is engaging,
but what makes the tale is the secondary cast relationships. For instance Jared wants a relationship
with his oldest, but has no idea how to go about it as Adam unlike his twin trusts no one so
cannot reach out to him. Readers will appreciate this warm relationship drama with several
personal issues superseded by Mark's health problems.
Back in the Bedroom
Jill Shalvis
Harlequin Temptation
ISBN: 0373691629 $4.25, 219 pp.
In La Canada, California, she was doing a favor for her boss when she agreed to house sit his
posh abode. However, no one warned Tessa Delacantro how dangerous house sitting can
become. Armed robbers invade the home leaving a frightened Tessa stuck in a frozen room with
her only potential warmth being the other prisoner, her employer's son CPA Reilly Ledger.
Sharing a small bed and a need for warmth leads to the most passionate evening either ever had.
Former CIA agent Reilly manages to get Tessa out of the potential hostage mess. Afterward, both
agree the cold and the moment brought the heat to equatorial levels, but that was last night in the
wrong bed and this is freedom and the morning after. Still, neither can forget the best night of
their respective lives in spite of the danger, but Reilly believes that a good woman like Tessa
deserves a more grounded and safer person than someone like him guarding her heart and still
trying to mentally come in from the cold. BACK IN THE BEDROOM is a heated humorous
romance with some early suspense that readers will fully enjoy and be tempted to search for Jill
Shalvis' back list (worth the effort). The story line is fast-paced as the enchanting duo sing "I'm
Not In Love", but cannot get enough of the other. Torrid funny fun for contemporary fans.
Legally Mine
Kate Hoffman
Harlequin Temptation
ISBN: 0373691637 $4.25, 219 pp.
After being dumped, hunk Will McCaffrey talks to his neighbor Jane Singleton how he hurts and
that if he is not married by the time he is thirty he will propose to her. Jane loves her friend, but
hides her feelings from him because a stud like Will would never date let alone wed a plain Jane
like her. Only Breakfast at Tiffany's serves as her sole romantic adventure and her personal
George Pepperd (pre A-Team), Will, does not know how she feels about him and never will
proposal or not. Several years later Will informs Jane he was not joking when he told her he
would marry her. Though she expects to be shattered she agrees to move in with him on a trial
basis if he provides an engagement ring. He does, but she never expected him to want her in his
bed too. To test him, Jane makes dishes that a normal person would avoid like the plague, but
Will eats every bite and then devours Jane next. Finally she so feminizes his home, no male would
want to stay there; bujt he tells her he loves her. LEGALLY MINE is an amusing contemporary
romance starring two charming lead protagonists. Though the four year gap seems weird (wild
oats?), fans will enjoy the antics of Jane applying the Pygmalion Effect to prove her theory that a
hunk at Pepperd's level would never remain with anyone less than an Audrey Hepburn. This is a
fine time for the contemporary crowd with this romantic romp.
Arm Candy
Jo Leigh
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 0373791267 $4.50, 249 pp.
At Geller and Patrick, Inc knowing her married boss Owen McCabe is a sexual predator,
marketing genius Jessica Howell decides she needs a hunk to serve as "arm candy" to keep him
off of her while they work together on her campaign for a new cosmetic line. A mutual friend
arranges for sexy Dan Crawford to serve as Jessica's escort. He agrees because he learns she has a
brilliant mind that interests him while she realizes he is perfect because he offers more than a
pretty face as he understands discretion. Dan enjoys spending time with Jessica even when he
shares her with others at parties, media events, and other galas. He looks forward to the displays
of affections and kisses, but especially without an audience. The only problem is that he wants it
to be real not the sham that Jessica seems to insist on even when she admits to herself this is the
bests ex she ever had. ARM CANDY is a fun contemporary romance starring two lead
protagonists who heat up the sheets. Readers will appreciate Jessica's woes with occupational
sexual harassment though her solution to the odious Owen is unique. Though the topic is serious
and the story line avoids the depths of the issue perhaps with too much humor, fans will enjoy this
delightful bedroom meets boardroom love story.
As You Like It
Lori Wilde
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 0373791275 $4.50, 248 pp.
Judd Thompson, president of Pegasus, sends Marissa Sturgess to New Orleans to persuade
software designer Beau Thibbedeaux to create a new video-game that enables couples to realize
their sexual fantasies. Beau finds the gung hole take that hill at all cost Marissa, a brigadier
general's daughter, amusing but admits to himself he would desires that the passion she puts into
her work be sent his way. He makes her his stimulator. As Marissa and Beau play their own
version of boudoir antics, the Big Easy heats up hotter than a summer night in the French Quarter.
Soon the duo falls in love, but what will happen once his torrid video game is complete and she
goes back to her aspirations that do not include a rascally rowdy rousing programmer. AS YOU
LIE IT is a wild bedroom romance starring two delectable lead characters who seem so opposite
on first look, but readers will realize they both share a passion for life. Marissa is a no nonsense
workaholic while Beau enjoys frolicking as much as programming. However when it comes to
Marissa virtual reality seems shallow as only reality in his bed is what he wants if he can only
persuade her not to delete their growing love for one another. This blazing romance that fans will
enjoy.
The Midwife and the Lawman
Marisa Carroll
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373711824 $5.25, 297 pp.
Devon Grant planned to never return to Enchantment, New Mexico as her memories of the place
are not fond ones. Her grandmother made decisions that still hurt, but not as much as the betrayal
of Miguel Eiden, who left her heart shattered. Sill honor and responsibility impels her to come
home to care for her ailing grandmother and to run The Birth Place for her. Devon uncovers a
secret that leaves her wondering what to do and who to trust. She would like to turn to the Chief
of Police, but he is the one man in the world that she would never rely on as Miguel occupies that
job. Still to protect three preadolescent children she consciously would break the law if necessary
and even turn to Miguel for help though he is the last man on the planet she would want to see
because he can still break her heart. This is a solid tale that combines a second chance in love with
a bit of intrigue. Though the relationship between grandmother and granddaughter adds tension it
also takes away from the dynamics of the key relationship between the lead couple. As Devon
must decide whether she can trust the man she still loves with more than just her heart, fans
receive a fine intriguing story of love may not be enough.
Operation: Second Chance
Roxanne Rustund
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373711859 $5.25, 296 pp.
He spent five years behind bars for a crime he did not commit. His career as a special agent is only
a distant memory. Perhaps what hurts the most is he lost five years of watching his precious
daughter grow. Starting life over is not enough for former special agent T. J. Cauthen. He is
obsessed over finding out who set him up to take the fall before he finally retrieves his daughter
from his brother. In Silver Springs, Wyoming, T. J. goes undercover as Joe Coughlin taking a
room at Abby Hilliard's boardinghouse. He believes that his beautiful landlady is where to start in
unraveling who destroyed his life as her late husband remains the key. To his shock he finds Abby
and her little charge interesting. He hopes that the woman who has given him a reason to live
leads him to the Ricardo Torres gang, but is also an innocent bystander because once he tells her
the truth that he used her as a pawn to achieve vengeance, he fears how she will react. This is an
exciting second chance at love romantic suspense though the intrigue elements enter late. The
story line is fun to follow as Abby blows away all of preconceptions that T. J. had of her before
they met. Though love blossoms between the lead couple, he is wary of any relationship and she
was the victim of a terrible marriage. A precocious five year old adds insight into the lead
protagonists especially the heroine. Contemporary readers will enjoy Roxanne Rostand's fine tale
of redemption through love not vengeance.
Three Little Words
Carrie Alexander
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373711867 $5.25, 299 pp.
In Alouette off of Lake Superior, librarian Tess Bucek lets her imagination run wild when
enigmatic Connor Reed enters the library where she works. She pictures him as either the hero or
villain in every detective book she ever read. When he looks at a book on Lighthouses, she
assumes that the handsome stranger is a Canadian smuggler or a pirate. Tess sighs as she knows
that growing up in limited environment with a single depressed mother led to her runaway
imagination. Connor is actually escaping the nasty taint of his role in a New York City media trial
event. He selected Alouette as his haven because he spent summers as a child here with his
grandfather and his elderly relative resides in a nearby nursing home. After watching her work
with children, he shocks her when the thirty-nine year old visitor asks Tess to teach him to read,
but he clears the mix-up as he wants her to actually help his grandfather learn to read. As Connor
and Tess become acquainted they fall in love, but he is big city and she is small town making a
relationship impossible except perhaps the impetus of a crusty matchmaking geriatric who loves
both of them. THREE LITTLE WORDS is a fun contemporary romance starring two wonderful
lead characters and charming residents of a small Michigan town. The story line is relatively
simplistic yet entertaining as neither Tess nor Connor expected love, but both relish and fear it as
compromise seems impossible to find. The teaching to read to an adult adds depth to Carrie
Alexander's fine tale that sub-genre readers will find quite pleasant.
Forbidden
Helen Kirkman
Harlequin
ISBN: 0373836295 $6.50
When the hunk in chain on the auction block stops Eadward the King's Reeve of Lindherst from
using his knife on him, wealthy aristocratic widow Rowena notices. She especially liked the way
the slave made Eadward not only pauses, but show fear for the first time. Rowena buys the thrall
planning to use him as a tool of vengeance on the odious tax collector whom she knows killed her
spouse. Rowena offers her new penal slave Wulf his freedom in exchange for his killing Eadward.
Desperate to escape bondage, Wulf accepts. However, even before she bought the proud Wulf,
Rowena and he shared an attraction, but both thought it must be A MOMENT'S MADNESS.
Now those feelings are blossoming into love, but a lowly slave and an elitist noblewoman could
never share a relationship beyond that of servitude and his mistress, could they? FORBIDDEN is
an enjoyable historical romance that grips the audience with the almost helpless feelings that
Rowena and Wulf display regardless of their social position. The story line is action packed, but
really driven by the lead couple. Though Eadward is too vile to offer any positive rivalry,
sub-genre fans will root for love to serve as the mechanism that Rowena and Wulf use to
overcome a societal taboo that the villain cleverly exploits for his personal use.
Life According to Lucy
Cindi Myers
Harlequin Flipside
ISBN: 0373441843 $4.50, 218 pp.
Tired of his tenant's checks bouncing "all the way to San Antonio", Mr. Kepetsky evicts Lucy
Lake. Though a bit embarrassed to see her worldly possession curbside, Lucy refuses to take the
blame as it was not her fault she lost her job when the software company shut down and she spent
more than she should shopping at the mall to cure her unemployment blues. Gardener Greg
"bronzed muscles" Polhemus volunteers to help her move her stuff, but Lucy rejects his offer that
leads her to reminiscences about her deceased mom always providing her advice. Her dad comes
by and asks Lucy to come home and live with him. At her father's home, two things quickly add
to Lucy's feel of failure. Her dad's social life is so much greater than hers and her mom's garden is
withering away. Lucy decides to get expert advice on the garden that she plans to save. She goes
to Polhemus Gardens where she meets the owner Greg. He works in the dirt with her to save her
mother's beloved rose garden and solves her other problem as they begin to fall in love. Though
Lucy is a flit, chick lit fans will enjoy this amusing contemporary romance as the heroine is likable
and the hero is a knight in shining armor promising his beloved a rose garden. The lighthearted
romp never quite takes itself seriously so that the audience will chuckle at Lucy's lament and value
her remembrances of her cherished mom. Dad adds depth to a fun facetious farce.
Hung Up on You
Holly Jacobs
Harlequin Flipside
ISBN: 0373441835 $4.50, 219 pp.
In Philadelphia Adrienne "Ari" Kelly knows stress as she is proud that her thesis "The Effects of
Telephone Answering Systems on Psychological and Physical Well Being" was published by
Psychology Forum. The paper centered on the stress caused by phone-answering systems that
leave customers in frustrating loops and make it easier to gain an audience with the Pope than talk
to a human. Her family and the family business add extra pressures on Ari besides two years of
hard work obtaining her advanced degree. Popular Rag Magazine distorts Ari's paper with an
article on "If the Wait Doesn't Kill You The Answering System Will. This causes Simon
Masterson's stress level to go stratospheric when the influential Financial Journal picks up the
story and wants to interview him on the impact of his firm's computerized telephone answering
systems have on people's stress level. Simon, owner of SimonSays, demands she backs her
findings with data or retract her article. She explains to him how Rag distorted her paper and the
Rag followed up by making matters worse. Ari's stress is to the moon with her new job on hold,
her fianc‚ ending their engagement, and her libido making her want to study her lust for Simon.
HUNG UP ON YOU is an amusing contemporary romance with an intriguing serious tone
involving external stress inducers that readers will empathize with. The story line is fun to follow
as Ari's life collapses starting with the Rag's abuse of her thesis. Though her lunatic family takes
away from the prime plot starring a delightful mismatched pairing, the audience will enjoy this
wonderful tale.
Winning Sara's Heart
Mary Anne Wilson
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750099 $4.75, 251 pp.
In Houston at the Lennox Caf‚, waitress Sara Flynn delivers food to a table when the customer, a
prominent lawyer, stands up knocking everything off her tray. Her boss screams at her until
another customer intercedes causing her to get an even bigger warning from her supervisor.
Things turn brighter when another customer Mary Garner, who runs the LynTech day care center,
offers Sara a part-time job there as well as a place for her child Hayley to stay gratis while mom
works. LynTech is sponsoring a charity ball that Sara is working on. EJS Corporation President
E. J. Sommers, the caf‚ customer who tried to help Sara with her boss, finds his father
volunteered his services for the event. When Sara and E.J. meet again, he realizes he desires her
like no woman he ever met. As they fall in love, he wants her and her daughter permanently with
him, must put her suddenly interested ex husband in his place and explain to his beloved that he is
multimillionaire. Though interesting in a Cinderella way, the tale loses some credibility with the
manner E.J. tries to evade Sara's attempts to know him until he offers her a day care position in
his firm. Sara rings true as a serious minded, worried single mother struggling to make end's meet
on a daily crisis basis. Fans will feel for her dilemma as life has not been pleasant until E.J. enters,
but he holds back so much of himself she wonders if men are fickle. This solid contemporary
romance with a realistic portrayal of a working poor single parent besieged with just every day
survival is both realistic and poignant.
The Wedding Rescue
Dianne Castell
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750110 $4.75, 250 pp.
Alaskan bush pilot Tanner Davenport lands his Cessna on Charity MacKay's horse farm claiming
he was low on gas and needed to talk to her. She informs him that his family farm is bigger and
that she knows nothing about Alaska and flying and he knows less about race horses in spite of
growing up with them. Tanner has come home to Bluegrass Ridge, Kentucky for the marriage of
his brother Nathan to her sister Savannah. In fact Tanner has come home not to attend a wedding,
but to stop the marriage as he believes his sibling is making the error of a lifetime, which he makes
clear to Charity. Trying to keep his interference to a minimum, Charity tags along side of Tanner,
but the attraction between them heats up the Bluegrass State. As she also works a potential Derby
contender, Charity knows he is Alaska and she is Kentucky making anything permanent between
them more than just a minor commute. Though the interfering in marriage theme is a trite topic,
Dianne Castell makes her intelligent romance feel like the first novel to use this theme due to a
deep wonderful cast. Tanner and Charity are a fine pair struggling against a deep attraction that
neither wants. Their family members augment the tale with a feel for horse breeding country and
insight into the lead duet. Fans will want to ride (either by plane ore horse) along side the dynamic
duo as they attempt THE WEDDING RESCUE that could easily boomerang.
Want Ad Wedding
Neesa Hart
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750080 $4.75, 249 pp.
Reporter Molly Flynn wrote the want ad as a joke and a way to release some frustration. She
never meant for it to go public especially placed in her boss's newspaper, the Payne Sentinel, but
sometimes sh*t happens. Thus a personal ad asking for a "confident woman to mend" the
behavior of her arrogant boss of six weeks Sam Reed is not a good way to start the day. Molly
writes her letter of resignation in lieu of his firing her. However, Sam, already under pressure
from his family since his brother Ben married to settle down, punishes Molly in a worse manner
than simply canning her. After reminiscing about paper routes, he asks her to dinner as he offers
her the opportunity to meet the ad's requirements. Molly seeing a new side to her employer
agrees. While investigating local corruption, they fall in love, but his silver spoon past has demons
that make anything permanent seem doubtful. WANT AD WEDDING is a fun journalistic
romance that fans will enjoy due to the lead couple. Molly and Sam are a fine pair sharing a love
for newspapers and each other. Though the corruption subplot never fully pans out, contemporary
readers will report that this novel consists of plenty of heart.
The Deadly Trade
Ken Morris
Bancroft
Fax: 410-7641967
ISBN 1890862355 $25.00, 366 pp.
A year ago Tim Mack lost his wife and child because of a drunk driver and went on a bender that
lasted for a long time. After regaining his sobriety, he left New York where the memories were
too strong and moved to San Diego where he joined the investment banking company of
Atterberry-Stanton as a research analyst. All Tim wants is peace but he becomes involved in a
situation where his life and many others are on the line. One of the company's clients Isotopic
Research blows up and two of the men who escaped injury died from an exotic disease that have
the doctors stymied. Three homeless men are found in a deserted area with the same symptoms
that are on the Isotopic survivors. A policeman links the homeless men to the two deaths and tries
to start an investigation but is taken off the case by his superiors. Tim, who has access to
knowledge, is targeted by the perpetrators to be killed. With the help of some friends, Tim baits a
trap that could stop the perpetrator before the deadly weapon gets in the wrong hands. If even
one quarter of what Ken Morris says about biological weapons is true, THE DEADLY TRADE is
scarier than any horror novel. The protagonist is still grief stricken over the deaths of his wife and
child but he proves himself a hero when he puts his pain aside and works towards solving a
dangerous situation that has international repercussions. Mr. Morris is a superb writer who knows
how to entertain his audience.
A Time to Die
Mickey Zucker Reichert
Five Star
ISBN: 1594101979 $25.95, 248 pp.
By 2030 the Moralist Party rules supreme in the United States after decades of showing the
hypocrisies of the two former major political parties and pushing Christian principals in support of
life. Death is outlawed as machines keep people alive regardless of the illness or injury. In Des
Moines, Dr. Patricia Jewett deals with the end of death as a medical practitioner at the Chronic
Care Facility of the C. Everett Koop Memorial Hospital. Patricia somewhat stays detached until
her mentor Dr. Shobert arrives paralyzed and apparently brain dead from a vehicle accident.
Machines keep him alive. When Shobert convulses, Patricia wants to observe the symptoms, but
Nurse Krystal Fantalla forces a confrontation. The next day Patricia finds Krystal dead in
Shobert's room. Homicide Detective David Scott investigates, but wants to date Patricia and
mostly needs to keep her safe as someone with plenty of power wants her and her comatose
patient dead. This is an exhilarating futuristic science fiction police procedural. The story is at its
best when the Moralistic Party's posturing are viewed and when hints of the past like naming the
hospital for Dr. Koop or even the use of Morse Code gives a decades in the future feel to the tale.
The mystery is fun to follow as is the relationships between Patricia and her surgeon boyfriend
SOB Kaign and a kind David though the contrast between the two males is too extreme. The
who-done-it is a delight and how the conspiracy is solved is clever to observe. Readers will
appreciate Mickey Zucker Reichert's skills to make the future seem now.
The Sicilian Amulet
Jo Manning
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141819 $26.95, 300 pp.
In 1990 Art History major at Vassar, Jane Holland journeys to Italy with her two friends. Before
leaving, her mother warns her to stay away from Sicily especially their relatives. However, Jane
feels an urge to continue her journey after departing from her friends so she goes to Palermo
where her mom's best friend Claudia Donzini and her spouse Baron Aldo take the American into
their home. On her first evening at Claudia's villa, Jane attends a party where she meets Prince
Lorenzo Bighilaterra. They recognize one another from the day before when both visited the
Segesta on the mainland. He gives her an amulet of which only two were made. The other was
given by his grandfather to a peasant woman he loved but their relationship ended in tragedy. Jane
learns that the peasant was her great aunt and she believes she is falling in love with Lorenzo. Is
history repeating itself with a new tragedy or is history correcting itself through the love between
Lorenzo and Jane? Only time will tell what is their ultimate fate. With paranormal elements
abounding throughout the plot, fans receive a delightful otherworldly romance that will keep the
audience guessing as to what really is happening to Jane. The story line moves a bit slowly at first,
but once the supernatural happenings begin, the plot goes into hyperspeed even as the lead couple
falls in love. Fans will wonder if this is reincarnation, a dastardly scheme, fate, or some other
mystic occurrence as Jo Manning cleverly never fully reveals all until the final climax.
Sanctuary
Sharon K. Garner
Five Star
ISBN: 1594140979 $26.95, 206 pp.
Children's book illustrator Emily Noble takes a leave of absence from her work with Tot Press to
travel from Upstate New York to the cerrados region of central Brazil. Her half brother
international engineer James King is missing with his only message being to seek former
mercenary Christovao Santos, owner of Abunancia Farm. However, she becomes his prisoner as
he does not trust her, believing she is an agent out to kill him especially since his friend James
never mentioned a sibling. Christovao and Emily talk. She explains the attacks on her brother and
he confirms he too has been assaulted. He also explains that he thinks the incidents and her
vanished brother are linked to a mission that went bad. As they fall in love, Christovao and Emily
face danger form an unknown assailant who wants him and James dead and will use her as pawn
to accomplish that quest. Though there has been an abundance of missing relative stories of late
but fans of terse romantic suspense tales will appreciate this exciting tale. The story line never
slows down from the moment Emily is captured by Christovao until the final confrontation with
the villain. SANCTUARY is a terrific thriller that will garner the author plenty of new
readers.
Heart of a Tiger
Marlys Rold
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141134 $26.95, 222 pp.
Interior Designer Kelly Griffin travels to Bangladesh in hopes of finding her lost brother
photographer Jeff. However, the only person who would be worth serving as her guide into the
dangerous Sundabans region, home of the man-eating tigers, is the half-drunk American Sam
Tanner. He tells her that her sibling is dead and she needs to go home. When an earthquake
devastates the area, Sam helps Kelly and others to safety. Fearing she will turn to a nasty person
to escort her on her search, he takes her to the Sundabans, a place where his best friend just died.
As they search for her sibling and elude hungry tigers, they fall in love, but neither expects the
other to survive the quest. HEART OF A TIGER is an entreating romantic suspense in which the
vivid exotic locale in many ways takes on a character of its own. The lead couple is a delightful
duo who initially seems out of the African Queen, but the audience will soon realize that neither
Sam nor Kelly is really a close match though both are delightful protagonists. Fans of concise
plots in an interesting rarely written about location will want to ride this wonderful tiger.
Nightmare Logic
Larry Segriff
Five Star
ISBN: 1594140375 $25.95, 222 pp.
Computer guru Jonathan Hayes loves his wife Joan with his soul and cherishes their two children,
four years old Katherine and four moth old J.J. Perhaps the only negative factor in his idyllic life is
Joan's crazy ex-husband Barry who surfaces every few years with pleading for his "wife" to come
home to raise their son Merle who died at birth. Jonathan's life falls apart when the police arrest
him for raping and murdering a teenage girl and for having killed two federal agents a few years
ago. Police Captain Johansson lets him go when she learns the FBI report was a fake. Still the
police harass Jonathan and the next day re-arrest him for a second murder, but his lawyer proves
that he has an air tight alibi as the cops hassled him for the past twenty-four hours. When Joan is
murdered Jonathan turns to a special program that takes users beyond virtual reality into magic
reality. He plans to confront Barry, who he believes is the culprit as well as a wizard trying to
bring life to Merle. NIGHTMARE LOGIC is a strange tale that for two thirds of the novel is a
crime thriller with a seemingly high tech methodology behind the troubles facing Jonathan, but
abruptly the story line takes a left turn without a signal into urban fantasy. Though readers will
need to adjust to the twist and overcome the use of wizardry to easily explain Barry's skills, both
parts come together so that the audience receives an exciting different tale that stays at supersonic
speed until the final skirmish between the hero and the villain.
Bad Trip South
Billie Sue Mosiman
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141053 $25.95, 224 pp.
North Carolina police officer Jay Anderson knew he was doing wrong, but could not stop himself
from beating up his wife Carrie. To help him with his anger management, Jay was seeing police
psychiatrist Frank Hawkins, but in the middle of their sessions, he tells the shrink that he, his wife,
and his ten year old daughter Emily were taking a vacation in Missouri over the concern of Frank.
On the trip Jay learns that Carrie plans to leave him for fear he will start abusing their child. They
stop at Long Horn Caverns near St. Louis where Emily who can hear thoughts notices two evil
people. Her father is preoccupied and ignores her warning. When the leave the caverns, Crow,
who just escaped from Leavenworth and his girlfriend Heddy who abetted his escape, carjack the
Anderson vehicle with the family taken as hostages. On the murderous trek to Mexico,
relationships change as double crossings occur. None of the five seem like they will walk away
and if by some miracle if one does he or she will be haunted by this deadly road trip forever.
Though a crime thriller, BAD TRIP SOUTH is also a deep character study through Emily's adult
like perspective. The story line is action-packed, but will feel strange as readers hear what Emily
hears inside the heads of the other four people. Fans will be shocked by what happens, yet believe
what happens could have occurred (just not expecting it), but will also appreciate this well written
protagonist driven dark suspense thriller that never slows down until the final confrontation.
A Blood Red Rose
Jerry Buck
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141045 $25.95, 269 pp.
TV producer and host of the series Murder! Clark Kester hires mystery screenwriter Pete Castle
to solve a homicide that will be the feature of this year's debut program. Pete is to identify who
murdered movie swashbuckler Jock Newhall following the wrap party of the filming of Love's
Lonely Quest. The homicide occurred four decades ago and no one has solved it yet, but on the
positive side the key players still live. On the negative side, no one wants the investigation opened
and Clark has been threatened. As Pete makes inquiries questioning the prime cast members, his
father (head of security at Pacific Studios at that time) comes under suspicion. Pops refuses to
talk about what happened the night that someone murdered Jock. Soon a copycat murder occurs
as the culprit, probably the same person who killed Jock, murders Clark, making it imperative that
Pete identify the killer(s) before someone else is dead. The cast makes A BLOOD RED ROSE an
intriguing who-done-it as the hero struggles with his concern that his beloved Pop is intricately
involved in at least a cover-up or worse. The story line hooks the audience with readers
wondering how Pete will solve a case that is frozen. Though a punk's attempt to run the hero over
with a forklift seems out of place, Pete makes the tale move at a fast clip. His interviews of the
key players who starred in the ill fated film, the victim's granddaughter, the cop who investigated
the homicide, his reluctant dad, and a medium claiming to speak with Jock's ghost leave readers
with a fine mystery.
Fade to Tomorrow
Stephen Mertz
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141061 $25.95, 232 pp.
This collection consists of a new novel and new short story starring "industrial consultant" Steve
Madison in both; the other short story from the 1970s contains as its leading light a Madison
prototype. All three tales are well written, filled with suspense, and star interesting lead
protagonists. "Fade to Tomorrow". Retired Army Ranger Steve Madison lives in an isolated
section of mountainous Colorado with no human contact for weeks on end. He comes out of his
roost to do 3-4 jobs a year requiring a special clean-up in which he expedites a musical hotshot
from trouble. His client Arn Shapiro knows the ropes of dealing with Steve. Arn hires him to help
music superstar Johnny Willow out of a bad spot. Drummer Eddie Chase runs cocaine and has
something on Johnny to keep him silent. In St. Louis as Johnny prepares for a comeback, all will
come to a head. "A Hit for the New Age". Arn hires Steve to investigate the locked dressing
room murder of agent George Kodopolous. The police lean towards rock star Tony Jardeen, but
this case is going to hit home a lot closer to Steve as the musician's travel companion is Carolyn
Gentry, a woman that Madison loved, but left behind. "The Death Blues". Record producer Carl
Hensman hires private detective O'Dair to determine whether blues great Stomper Crawford
reported dead eight years ago still lives. However, as he searches for the facts, someone wants the
truth to remain obfuscated and is willing to stomp on O'Dair to insure that happens.
Cibola
James Cobb
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141088 $25.95, 228 pp.
United Nations Marshal Gain Chandry and his partner outside cyber citizen Lobo work a lunar
technology theft case with no cooperation from so called law officials on the moon or within the
earth based Hindi Confederacy. The two agents resolve the fiasco by their usual way of tossing a
brick through a glass window when diplomacy fails. Their superior inside cyber Lilith applauds
the solution that has embarrassed the Hindi Confederacy. Though normally agents coming in from
the cold receive an R&R, Lilith assigns Gain and Lobo to the Cibola Project. Johannesburg
United Metals Combine, noted for asteroid catching, plans to grab the cometary Cibola because it
appears to be a rich noble rock filled with precious metals not found amidst the asteroids.
Someone easily broke through the company's security to attain the navigational plan. Fearing that
a fanatic will use Cibola to cause Armageddon on earth, Gain and Lobo are assigned to ride the
comet safely home. In some ways this tremendous futuristic tale is two novellas connected by the
United Nations staff. The action packed story lines are terrific as James Cobb uses the Hindi
Confederacy subplot to initially paint his universe so that the audience can vividly see this space
sector in a century or two and follows up with the Cibola tale to augment the view. The key
players that transcend both plots are a delight whether they are cyber or human and the villains are
either fanatics or avaricious. Fans of action-packed space adventure science fiction with powerful
characterizations will want to read Mr. Cobb's hyperspeed novel.
The Moon Runners
Mary Lennox
Five Star
ISBN: 159414107X $25.95, 356 pp.
In 1350 BC, Melanion thinks back to his death bed pledge to his dying mother that he would
protect her homeland Thessaly from his father King Kryton of Macedonia without hurting his sire.
However, the time to act on his vow has arrived as the King's High Commander Polymus plans to
invade and plunder Thessaly, killing anyone in his way. Artemis names Thessaly Princess Atalante
as her war leader by placing her sign on the human's visage. The beautiful princess has never seen
the scar as Artemis forbid her to see her own reflection. Thinking she must have an ugly face,
Atalante compensates by turning to war activities normally the domain of men. She becomes the
swiftest of runners and the greatest of archers. When Melanion and Atalante meet, he knows she
is his soulmate and she loves him very much, but she cannot accept that any man can desire her.
Besides her doubts there remain their respective fathers to consider and the whimsy of Artemis so
that the probability of anything permanent between these two so in love individuals seems nil.
THE MOON RUNNERS is a tremendous Greek mythological tale that readers will deeply
appreciate due to a powerful story line and a fine lead duet. The principal duo is stars of a pending
tragedy as even love offers no escape from forces pulling at their strings. The Olympus and
Underworld pantheons seem genuine as if Mary Lennox has a residency on the Mount as proven
by this fantastic five star fantasy.
Repentances
Annette Meyers
Five Star
ISBN: 1410401871 $25.95, 298 pp.
In 1936 many Europeans flee to America where they hope to make money to bring loved ones
over. In New York City, former Polish medical student Nathan Ebanholz left behind his wife and
baby in the old country so that he could earn money for their passage. He accepted an orderly job
at Willard Parker Hospital where he met Nurse Stella Zweikel. Though he feels guilty, he has sex
with Stella, who informs Nathan that her spouse Martin brings over Jews for a fee. Nathan hires
him. Martin learns that anti-Semitic Poles killed his client's wife and daughter. Apparently Stella
knew but collected the final fee anyway. When Nathan learns the truth especially that Stella knew,
he kills her. He leaves the hospital taking a sick infant with him and heads to his sister Anna in
Jersey claiming the child is his. Anna learns the truth about her in-law and niece, Nathan's "child"
and her abusive father Topinski and her brother's probable murder of Stella, but decides Rosa (as
they call her) is better off with them. A half crazed Martin believes Nathan killed Stella and stole
their child; Topinksi seeks his child to inflict more pain on his daughter. REPENTANCES is an
intriguing historical crime thriller that hooks the audience with the insight to the Jewish plight.
The events seem like dominoes as hitting one topples the next one and so forth. Though the
murder and abduction appears oddly correct reactions for am insane person, making Topinksi so
vile allows easy rationalization for the kidnapping. Fans will appreciate this deep look at an era
when the American government and charities ignored the plight of immigrants leaving behind
family in unsafe conditions.
Dead Heat
Caroline Carver
Mysterious
ISBN: 0892967781 $23.95
Georgia Parrish returns home to Nulgarra in Far Northern Queensland, Australia to attend a
funeral. Knowing that the townsfolk detest her and struggling with keeping calm against the
constant verbal assault of her temporary bunkmate, Georgia decides now that the funeral is over
to leave where she is not welcome. She heads to the small airport hoping to gain a seat on a flight
out though she knows that is doubtful. She picks up two stranded people also heading to the
airport. Luck is with her as someone fails to show up for the flight. Luck deserts Georgia as the
plane crashes killing two people. Georgia learns that the plane was sabotaged and the no show
was found dead on a nearby beach. Not trusting local law enforcement to seek the truth, Georgia
investigates only to find Chinese thugs believe she was partners with the dead passengers, who
include a research scientist on the brink of an antibody breakthrough potentially rivaling that of
penicillin. Her deadly foes abduct Georgia's mother because they demand to know what she
knows or else. DEAD HEAT lives up to its title as fans will feel the torrid tropical climate of
Northern Queensland especially when the corpse count rises and the crocodiles dominate the local
quagmire population. The picturesque background is so compelling at times the view overwhelms
a strong thriller starring a terrific protagonist. Though the villains seem more out of a 1930s Fu
Manchu tale, readers will appreciate this powerful sweltering tale of murder and survival in the
remote Australian swamps.
Demon's Gate
Stephen White
Baen
ISBN: 0743471768 $24.00, 277 pp.
As the heir to the Dhulon throne, Valdar, accompanied by warrior Khaavorn, is sent to Schaerisa
to diplomatically pass on good wishes to Tarhynda on his ascension to Emperor. However, inside
the city, the elderly sorcerer Nyrthim accosts the visiting duo. Valdar knows Nyrthim as a wise
teacher so he and his companion follow his former mentor to a hidden locale where they cans
safely talk. Nyrthim warns the pair that demons threaten mankind's existence due to the
machinations of a demon-worshipping cult headed by the Empress and includes Khaavorn's half
sister married to the top general. His final revelation is that the newly crowned Emperor is a
demon leading the genocide scheme. Demons once ruled the world before being exiled into a
nether realm. Now they are coming back to regain what they lost. Only Valdar and his
compatriots stand in their way, but can they shut the DEMON'S GATE when the original sorcery
that locked these beasts away has been lost for millennia. Failure means the demise of humanity.
DEMON'S GATE is a delightful merging of horror elements inside a classic style sorcery fantasy
tale that hooks the audience from the moment the wizened old man intercepts his former student.
The plot moves at a fast-pace with action and adventure at every turn of the page. Stephen White
makes his key players including a demon or two seem genuine so that fans receive a terrific story
starring epic heroes and vile villains that never slow down until the final confrontational adventure
occurs.
A State of Disobedience
Tom Kratman
Baen
ISBN: 0743471709 $22.00, 314 pp.
By 2060, whether terrorism is real or used by politicians to control the masses, several laws
including the Patriot and Victory Acts curtail individual rights for the collective security of the
nation. The current President Wilhelmina Rottemeyer is establishing a dictatorship after "stealing"
the election. Now she begins to use the military to further her attempts at consolidating control in
a police state. In Waco, Texas, the military assaults the Del Gloria Mission killing twenty-six
children among others. Texas Governor Juanita Seguin is horrified at the wanton unnecessary
death and destruction. She concludes that more is coming from DC unless leaders like her lead the
fight back. The second war of independence has begun in Austin. Though conceptually quite
interesting and overall well written in spite of a bungee jumping plot, this cautionary tale simplifies
the conservative vs. liberal debate in this country by making everything on the right acceptable
and everything from the left evil. Thus the President apparently is that malevolent incarnate Hilary
destroying freedom while the Governor seems like the Greatest American hero George saving
democracy. Ignoring that the Patriot Act was passed by a right wing Republican controlled
House, equal sided Senate and signed by a right wing Republican President, the novel does raise
issues of security vs. freedom in an exciting thriller. Though the fear should be of both extremes
(shocking but Ruby Ridge occurred during the Bush the senior administration), Tom Kratman
makes a strong case in this gripping futuristic political military thriller for when is it acceptable to
go beyond civil disobedience to outright revolt against the government.
The Myth of Magic
Adam Cole
Nuncici
ISBN: 0738808245 $34.99 401 pp.
Over the centuries as the nation of Queensland expanded, the common regard towards magic and
its practitioners withered. In the present those who practice the obsolete art are considered at the
lowest rung of the food chain. Perhaps the only more debased than membership in the Magicians'
Guild is to be an apprentice magician just ask Lemyth and Boye of Barnady village. Summoned to
Melwyn the Scope, the Primary Landowner of Barnady, the beloved Wedna Aedynathan, leaves
for a trek of several day across the vast country. The townsfolk are concerned that they must lose
their "essence" for so long especially on Wedna's birthday. After Wedna departs with her caravan,
the Mayor investigates the Magicians' Guild and begins shouting conspiracy. He plans to ban the
Guild with only those two ennui apprentices in his way. As their masters throw out Lemyth and
Boye for violating the magic commandments, they try to save their Guild, but uncover an even
darker plot that could destroy Barnady and more if they fail to stop the odious endeavor. The
Myth of Magic is a coming of age tale, but that would oversimplify the parable that is the heart of
the novel. The intriguing story line uses symbolism and stereotyped characterizations to create a
strangely different type of magic in which powers cannot alter the world of physics, but enhance
the feelings of individuals in a manner similar to the ritual use of music. Adam Cole's allegorical
fantasy blows away dogmatic religions and governments (the American Constitution as the strict
words of a bible and the Founding Fathers as a Mount Olympus like pantheon) fostering the
obsolete at any cost in his remarkably mentally invigorating metaphor.
Polished Off
Barbara Colley
Kensington
ISBN: 1575668777 $22.00, 245 pp.
In New Orleans, Charlotte LaRue, owner of Maid for a Day cleaning service, feels really good
that her "favorite" (and only) nephew Daniel married her best worker Nadia and plans to adopt
the young son of his new wife as his. Only, Daniel's mom Madeline acts irate over the elopement.
When Maddie fails to hide her odious opinion, Charlotte becomes angry with her sibling, who
never has a good thing to say about anyone. At the mansion of client Patsy Dufour, workers drop
a large urn revealing human bones inside it. These are the remains of Nadia's former boyfriend and
father of her son Ricco Martinez. The NOPD immediately go after Nadia as the prime suspect
because Ricco was abusive and sired her son so eliminating him got him out of the way for her to
marry Daniel. Charlotte does not believe for one nanosecond that Nadia POLISHED OFF her
odious ex. Since the police refuse to look elsewhere, she begins her own inquiries. The latest
Charlotte cleaning service amateur sleuth tale is a fine story that fans of the series and the
sub-genre will enjoy due to a strong cast headed by the heroine, her less cantankerous neighbor
and her extended family. The story line reads like a clean cozy with Charlotte retaining herms.
Clean label who tidies up deaths by murder as only a maid can.
The Secret Life of Bryan
Lori Foster
Kensington
ISBN: 0758203381 $14.00, 304 pp.
Widow Shay Sommers uses her wealth to help rescue child prostitutes. As a storm rages the
Preacher notices Shay in a bad neighborhood looking like a prostitute. He offers her residence in a
safe house, which she accepts. She says she is not a prostitute so he asks if she is slumming before
going into a tirade about rich society dames "helping" the down trodden like the "Crown Princess
who rejected a victim. Shay defends the "Crown Princess" as that is her. She decides his safe
house is ideal for her to help others and get to know her knight. Bryan, a widower bounty hunter,
wonders how his twin brother Bruce the Preacher puts up with these women of the street. He
switched identities with Bruce, who was hospitalized after an assault, to catch the SOB, but lusts
over the newest hooker Shay. She feels very attracted to him and wants to know him. As they fall
in love, Brian tries to avoid Shay while she worries how he will react to her true identity.
Meanwhile someone is willing to kill to stop the Preacher's help to hookers. THE SECRET LIFE
OF BRYAN is a powerful romantic suspense that spotlights the impact of prostitution on the
supplier. The tale contains strong lead characters and a solid support cast that all seem genuine.
Though the villain once revealed near the end seems too weak throughout the tale to be the
antagonist and his actions during the final confrontation seem out of character, fans will enjoy this
walk on the dark side of the streets.
Fortune Cookie
Joanne Meyer
Kensington
ISBN 0758202628 $12.95, 320 pp.
After living in France for two years with Jean Paul, Rosie realized that he was cheating on her and
only needed her for financial support. She returns to New York, goes back to school, and for the
last four years, she has worked as a legal assistant for well renowned lawyer Grace Osborne.
Rosie is a clairvoyant who wakes up with the feeling that there is trouble on the horizon. When
Rosie gets to work Grace, who is always at the office first, fails even to show up. This never has
happened before and Rosie has visions of Grace tied up in the basement of a house. She calls the
firm's private investigator Mike Bartel for help and he accepts her worries and psychic powers,
taking them very seriously. The ex-NYPD detective files a formal missing person's notice and has
Rosie find out who might have had a grudge against Grace. There are plenty of suspects from a
client's ex-husband to a former lawyer friend but even when they save her, the case is not over
because the culprit remains free and gunning for her two rescuers. Combine a paranormal amateur
sleuth mystery with a humorous chick lit romance and one will understand what the FORTUNE
COOKIE is all about. The thirtyish protagonist learns how to trust again thanks to the sexy
private detective and declares her independence from her mother who wants to see her married.
The mystery itself is well structured and complex enough to keep readers guessing whom the
villain of the piece really is. Joanne Meyer has written a refreshingly original who-done-it with no
lemons. It has cross-genre appeal and readers will walk away from this book very happy.
Love's Sweet Assassin
Angela Verdenius
Wings ePress
ISBN 1590881826 $TBA 346 pp.
Six men in three years tried to kill Argon ruler Kiile, but each assassination attempt failed. Now
her master sends Katina to murder Kiile though she has never done anything remotely like this
before, but the person who holds her contract decides a female might succeed whereas males
proved futile. Dressed as a dancing girl at Kiile's birthday bash, Katina becomes the seventh loser
when Kiile reacts to her knife slash and her accomplice mistimed the support. Kiile's men capture
her. He sees an opportunity to learn who is behind the endeavors to kill him. Kiile as an Argon is
legendary when it comes to sex and plans to use that prowess to obtain the truth from his
prisoner. However, she fails to react to him like all women do. He learns that she received a sex
suppressant to insure she would not just lay down her arms to be in his arms. Alas he will have to
be patient to seduce the facts from his cute little pixie, but the hold her master has on her might
prove stronger than his most sensual skills. LOVE'S SWEET ASSASSIN is an exhilarating sword
and romance science fiction thriller that never slows down until the final confrontation between
the hero and the villain. The story line is action packed whether the subplots are intrigue or
romance. As always in Angela Verdenius' great novels, the lead couple enchants the audience and
the support cast brings to life various races and worlds. If you have not tried a Ms. Verdenius
book, you are missing out on a sure thing.
Are You There Alone?: The Unspeakable Crime of Andrea Yates
Suzanne O'Malley
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743244850 $25.00, 281 pp.
The Andrea Yates's murders of her five children and the subsequent trial are graphically described
by Suzanne O'Malley, a reporter who followed the case for TV and magazines. Not fascinating in
any sense as Ms. O'Malley does not hold back in her details and her interviews. Most readers will
struggle to get past the explicit details of a mother drowning her children. However, what makes
this true crime story that sounds more like a horror novel remain above the sensationalism is that
the author makes the key players seem real and human. Andrea Yates does not come across as a
maniacal psychopathic monster, but instead someone suffering from mental illness, court ruling on
competence aside. Not easy to read due to the horror of the crimes, Ms. O'Malley makes the case
as stated by a neurologist that Ms. Yates "fit the definition of legal insanity-even in Texas." This
strong look at the psychological issues of mental illness that makes justice so difficult to insure
provides more than a ghastly look at perhaps the most hideous personal crime of the decade.
The Prisoner of Vandam Street
Kinky Friedman
Simon & Schuster
ISBN 0743246020 $24.00, 228 pp.
While drinking at the Corner Bistro with his friend McGovern, Kinky Friedman starts shaking,
mumbling and goes from hot to cold in an instant. He blacks out and comes to in a hospital. At
first Kinky thinks McGovern slipped him a Mickey, but the symptoms continue. The Kinkster
knows he is sick but it takes the doctor a while to figure out what is wrong with him. He suffers
from a virulent form of malaria picked up when Kinky worked for the Peace Corps in Borneo. His
friends, the Village Irregulars offer to nursemaid him so the doctor discharges him with the
provision that he stays in his apartment for six weeks. During one of his moments of lucidity,
Kinky looks out the window and sees a man beating a woman until she starts bleeding. When he
calls 911and the police go over to investigate they find an empty and unused warehouse and
nobody on the second and fourth floor heard anything. Kinky is determined to prove that he is
right and he uses the Village Irregulars as his eyes and ears with some very hilarious results.
Kinky Friedman is irreverent and witty as usual, insulting everyone and everything using blue
humor so he doesn't sound like a racist (which he isn't). It's touching to see Kinky's misfits and
society's rejects gather round in his hour of need and no one can doubt them for not believing
Kinky since half the time he is hallucinating. The real star of THE PRISONER OF VANDAM
STREET is the cat whose displeasure at the invasion of his territory by an occupying force is
shown in a very definite way.
Civilization and Its Enemies
Lee Harris
Simon & Schuster Free Press
ISBN: 0743257499 $26.00, 232 pp.
These are well written essays that will have readers debate several of the prime conclusions
(America is the last bastion for civilization to fend off the barbarians and America hid in the sand
as if it had no enemies until the 9/11 wake up call). CIVILIZATION AND ITS ENEMIES
postulates that recent presidents especially the enemy of the state Clinton failed to understand that
the world was and is an unsafe place with many villains ready to destroy "civilization"; 9/11
warned us that the barbarians had crossed the Rubicon. If you accept that the Cold War was
nonexistent and that Reagan, Bush the father and Clinton never sent troops to Panama, Kuwait,
and Bosnia than this book is easier to follow even with its bias towards America as the last hope
to save civilization (The Ugly American Syndrome). The discussions on Greece, Plato, Rome, and
Dune are very interesting. On the other hand the Al Qaeda snippets describe the enemy, but fail to
balance the picture of kids receiving three-square meals, a place to sleep, an education, and a
reason to live while civilization makes oil deals. One sided as an Emperor Bush cheerleader, Lee
Harris raises several interesting questions on what is civilization, what is its future, and indirectly
who knew and failed to act before 9/11as he draws generalizations that lead to those in the middle
and to the left wondering who was Nero's scribe? Kindred Spirits
C.B. Scott
ImaJinn
ISBN 189389634X $13.95, 284 pp.
Wealthy businessman Marcus Van Buren is honeymooning with his new bride. His personal
assistant Rufus Sinclair along with parapsychologist professor Thaddeus Bookman has a very
unusual assignment. They have to somehow persuade the ghosts of his ancestors James, Jonas and
Izzy to move on to the next plane and stop haunting Laguna Vista. Jonas, who admitted the
mistake he made in his mortal life, is free to move on but he is waiting to go with his siblings. Izzy
is keeping something hidden and when he tries to force her to tell him what it is a whirlwind sends
him back to 1923 to the home of the Van Buren siblings. Izzy, a free spirit, takes one look at him
and wants to jump his bones. She intends to make Rufus husband number three but he is more
interested in her best friend Grace a barnstorming stunt pilot who doesn't want to have anything
to do with love. With her attitude and Rufus's mission it will be a miracle if these two people can
forge a lasting relationship. KINDRED SPIRITS is a light-hearted time travel romance that is a
witty and very enjoyable reading experience. Trapped in the past, with his only connection to his
present a cell phone that can span the decades and allow him to talk to the Professor, Rufus is
constantly sidetracked from his main mission by his growing feelings for Grace. Although Izzy is
frivolous and a bit promiscuous, she provides much needed comic relief when the relationship
between Grace and Rufus threatens to overheat.
Dream Traveler
J.A. Ferguson
ImaJinn
ISBN 1893896897 $13.95, 240 pp.
The kingdom of Gayome is at peace now thanks to the Tira Nerienne and her husband the
dreamsinger Durgan Ketassian. When the Elasians invaded Gayome, the people gathered under
their monarch's banner until the enemy was forced out of the country. The land is returning to its'
former state and the ruling couple's child Dariana is First Daughter able to use the life stones she
wears around her neck to heal people. She doesn't feel worthy of being First Daughter because
she can't dreamsing like her father or believe she can rule like her mother. One day everyone that
Dariana knows disappears and Relezar Vare informs her that she must talk to the hooded stranger
to know what happened. She learns that the evil Cha'Kwain once banished from Gayome in the
Beginnings has attempted to return by twisting the time thread to change Dariana's present and
future. It will be a place suitable to these evil beings so the First Daughter and Relazar Vare must
travel into the past and stop the Cha'kwain at the moment the time tear is supposed to happen.
Both accept the mission knowing it could mean their lives. The Gayome of Dariana's time is a
beautiful pastoral place that will remind the reader of an Eden without the serpent. The
Cha'Kwain in this world represents the serpent that was banished in the beginning. Their attempt
to return to Gayome can only be successful if the people give in to the darkness and the two
protagonists are the only ones who can foil their plans. There is a lot of symbolism of the creation
myth in DREAM TRAVELER, a fantastic fantasy written by a very talented writer.
Vampire Apocalypse II: Apotheosis
Katriena Knights
ImaJinn
ISBN: 1893896692 $13.75, 248 pp.
Julian Cavanaugh has a vision that involves the vampire community he guards with ferocious zeal.
The eight-hundred-year-old vampire wants to give his peers the choice of remaining a vampire or
becoming mortal. He has hopes that those who chose to remain immortal can do so without
drinking blood. He wants the children, pre-adolescents who were changed to have the choice of
becoming mortal once more. All these things are possible or will be in the future thanks to the
research of Dr. Jared Greene, a hematologist whose work with blood will open many doors to the
vampire community. The problem is they are running out of time because Ialdaboth, a creature
millenniums old has turned to the dark side and uses his vampires to sow terror and chaos in the
world. His goal is to eradicate humans, which means Julian must fight him to the death. A trip to a
cave in Italy allows Julian and his forces to retrieve the bones of a four thousand year old vampire
who, once he becomes whole, will hopefully provide Julian the information he needs for a chance
to triumph in the upcoming battle. Katriena Knights has created a very different vampire mythos
that rivals the works of Anne Rice, Tonya Huff and Charlaine Harris. Julian is a natural born
leader with a protective nature, a being who is able to walk in the light and be the nexus between
two worlds. There is plenty of action in this supernatural novel most of which takes place miles
under Manhattan and in another dimension with portals leading to the surface. This vampire novel
is a definite keeper.
Witch Island
Stephanie Bedwell Grime
ImaJinn
ISBN 1893896951 $13.75, 224 pp.
After three years of trying to make her web designing company solvent Roxanne Geritt believes
that only a miracle will keep her from going bankrupt. That miracle comes in the form of a check
for one hundred twenty five thousand dollars from a Mr. Aidan Nevan with a stipulation. She will
earn the fee by buying him computer equipment and then come to his home to teach him how to
use it. Although Roxanne is a little leery since she had no contact with the man except by courier,
she accepts the contract. Her feelings of unease increase when she is taken to an island in the
middle of a lake. The only building on it is Aidan's home which is surrounded by a ring of trees.
On her first day there, she hears some strange things in the woods and the vines seem alive as if
they want to tie her up. She tries to put it down to be a vivid imagination but more bizarre
happenings occur. Aidan levels with the woman he loves. Instead of being frightened by what he
reveals, she resolves to help him break the curse that binds him to WITCH ISLAND. Fans of very
creepy paranormal Gothic novels will want to tour WITCH ISLAND that is so graphic it would
make an excellent movie. Aidan and Roxanne are reminiscent of Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre so
readers will find it very easy to sympathize with their plight and hope for a happily ever after
ending as Stephanie Bedwell Grime's tortured hero seeking redemption will affect readers deeply.
This superb paranormal romance is a treat not to be missed.
Miracles
Mary Kirk
ImaJinn
P.O. Box 545, Canon City, CO 81215-0545
ISBN: 1893896935 $13.75, 240 pp.
During a nasty storm off Lake Superior, nurse midwife Kate Morgan breaks her ankle. Barely able
to walk while trees come crashing down near her, she gingerly limps into a stranger. He surprises
her by easily lifting her and her heavy bag and carries her to safety in his cabin. Kate's ankle is
broken. As she rests in his cabin, she notices how Sam Reese her savior keeps giving her odd
glances as if he finds her attractive. Kate has never had a male in Bourner's Crossing, Michigan
look at her like Sam does when he thinks she is not observing him. In fact the townsfolk especially
her five younger siblings think of Kate as everyone's dependable big sister healer. Over the next
few days Kate offers friendship, but Sam the recluse seems to want to say no. However, he cannot
control his growing attraction to her that she reciprocates. Sam came to hide and heal, but to Kate
his behavior is not that of a hermit as he appears to always provide a helping hand to everyone
even as weird happenings are occurring in this Upper Peninsular town as if love is causing
MIRACLES. This is a reprint of a great inspirational romance released in 1990 and still as
powerful, beautiful and as original as ever. The story line is character driven as Sam and Kate find
needed healing nurturing one another. The support cast brings out the isolation and beauty of the
area and insight into Kate's character and indirectly Sam's as well. Readers will appreciate this
warm tale that answers the question Do You Believe in Miracles? Readers will answer with an
astounding yes.
Circle of Desire
Keri Arthur
Imajinn Books
ISBN #1893896927 $13.75
Something is kidnapping children. Gwen and Kat Tanner found two of them, but their souls were
ripped out of their bodies. The police think someone mortal is to blame but Gwen and her
granddaughter Kat, believe it is an evil spirit known as a mara. In its spirit form, it is invulnerable
but when it takes the shape of a human, it can be killed like a regular vampire. Kate and Gwen,
members of the Damask Circle, are more than capable of killing the mara because they are shape
shifting psychic witches. One of the missing children is the niece of Ethan Morgan, a police officer
who is also a werewolf. He intends to stay with the Tanner women until they find Janie. Kat and
Ethan are immediately attracted to one another but he thinks that is only moon fever because a
werewolf can only love once and he gave his heart away years ago. As the two shapeshifters
battle the evil forces mara throws at them Kat finds herself believing that Ethan is her true love
even if he denies it. Action, romance and magic, all that and more can be found between the pages
of CIRCLE OF DESIRE. Keri Arthur is one of the bright shining lights in the paranormal genre
and each book she writes is fascinating, seductive and spellbinding. Her latest is no exception and
the fact that her two lead proponents are both shifters makes the romance that much more
interesting.
Goofy Foot
David Daniel
Dunne
ISBN: 0312323492 $23.95, 288 pp.
In Lowell, Massachusetts, Paula Jensen hires private sleuth Alex Rasmussen because she has not
heard from her daughter Michelle in two days. Paula explains that Michelle was visiting her father
Ben Nickerson in California, but should have been home by now even with Ben breaking their
agreement and driving her home cross country, but they should have arrived already. Alex makes
inquiries and quickly learns that the seemingly perfect family paragon of the Jensen household is a
fake. Michelle's sister Katie insists that her sibling has a strained relationship with her mom and
especially her stepfather Ross. The local Police Chief Delcastro feels there is nothing to
investigate as two bickering parents are involved and the teen will show up. Besides Michelle
missing, Ben also seems to have vanished. When the last known person to admit to seeing Ben
alive suddenly dies in a dubious car crash, Alex knows that his client's teenage daughter in danger,
but anyone who might be able to help seems lethargically reluctant to get involved. In some ways
this delightful private investigate tale reads more like a cozy as the cast led by the hero is passive
to the extreme of wondering if anyone is breathing in Massachusetts. Thus anyone seeking brawls
inside a suburban noir should look elsewhere. However, readers who appreciate a solid leg work
sleuth tale starring an amiable protagonist will enjoy David Daniel's cold footed detective story
that is no warm day at the beach.
Scarecrow
Matthew Reilly
Dunne
ISBN: 0312289588 $24.95, 368 pp.
The intelligence report claimed that Islamic terrorists took control of the Krask 8: Penal and
Maintenance Installation Siberian submarine repair base and with the seizure possess nuclear
missiles. US Marine Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield and an elite Delta Force race to stop the
terrorists before they can use or sell their cache of mass destruction. However, instead of Islamic
enemies, Schofield and company are caught in a deadly trap set by teams of bounty hunters
competing in a contest to kill Delta Force soldiers at over $18 million-per scalp. The Majestic 12,
consisting of a dozen male multibillionaires who inherit the seat via primogeniture, has drawn up a
hit list that includes Scarecrow at number 12 among fifteen targets for elimination. This group has
been in the way of good business decisions to buy and sell presidents and other heads of states. In
deep trouble as he escapes the nuclear reactor for the nuclear waste, Scarecrow and company
battle a seemingly endless supply of mercenaries, who want to collect the bounty. Is the novel
unreal? Yes! Is the conspiracy unbelievable? Absolutely! Are the characters two-dimensional? No
doubt! With all that, readers will conclude who cares. Fans of non-stop, action packed thrillers
will want to read this delightful tale even if the body count seems endless. This terrific novel never
allows the audience a chance to catch its breath as it rockets from one scenario to an even more
dangerous situation sort of like the opening scene in an Indiana Jones movie, but continuing for
two hours without respite.
Splendid Omens
Robley Wilson
Dunne
ISBN: 0312321678 $23.95, 274 pp.
While traveling to Maine to attend the fourth wedding of his long time best friend painter Webb
Hartley, retired literature professor Alec Thompson reflects back on his only marriage that lacked
passion and was filled with abstinence until Harriet died a decade ago. At Webb's farmhouse, Alec
learns that his pal suffered a heart attack and died. Webb leaves behind a grieving stunned Pru and
their small daughter. He also left a request for Alec to inform his first wife Jenny Grant that he
died. Alec would prefer not to as Jenny was his only true love. Decades ago in Baltimore, Alec
caught Webb and Jenny in a compromising position. He fled before his roommate and his beloved
could explain. Reluctantly Alec honors Webb's wish traveling to Jenny's Santa Barbara horse
ranch to break the news to her. A saddened Jenny tells Alec that he was her only love and that
what he saw was his best bud consoling her following her discovery of a corpse. He will learn a
lot more about their triangle and life. Though well written, this reviewer could not understand
why Alec and Webb remained friends and why if they were best buds didn't Webb force Alec to
listen to the truth. Once fans accept that relationships seem unnatural, SPLENDID OMENS is an
intriguing tale as each key person and several secondary players met on Alec's quest seem real and
add depths to the plot. Alec the narrator is the center of the morality tale as he ponders what
could have been if he handled the pivotal moment of his life differently.
I'm a Believer
Jessica Adams
Dunne
ISBN: 0312321074 $24.95, 307 pp.
Though he has seen loved ones die before, London junior high school science teacher Mark
Buckle struggles with the tragic death of his girlfriend Catherine in a car accident. He has no one
to share his loss with except to a degree his gay seemingly always dunk fellow teacher Felix. Mark
worries that he is losing his mind because everywhere he goes he senses Catherine is there.
Rationally he knows he used her bubble bath and why her perfume permeates his apartment.
However, when the radio always plays their song, he wonders if she is reaching out to him.
Following the funeral, Catherine appears in Mark's bedroom to help him find someone else.
Meanwhile born-again Christian Tess Blake is half in love with Mark. He begins to notice her as a
desirable female, but guiltily laments about unfaithfulness while wondering if Catherine is pushing
him in that direction. This first person (for the most part) account is two subplots brought
together by the lead protagonist. The first segment of the book is Mark's harangue and grief over
his loss accented by Catherine's appearance. Readers will wonder if she is a ghost or is he losing
his mind. The second part deals with Mark trying to rejoin the living assisted by Felix, but really
with Tess at Catherine's urgings. The audience will wonder whether Catherine is playing spiritual
matchmaker or is the hero moving on. Though the two sides feel in some ways like separate
novellas tied together by Mark, fans will appreciate the droll self deprecating soliloquies that
make for a fine tale and turn readers into Jessica Adams believers, ghost or not.
Untimely Graves
Marjorie Eccles
Dunne
ISBN: 0312307535 $22.95, 240 pp.
The preadolescent two boys went fishing at the flooded Kyne River when one of them reeled in
the bloated corpse. Though reluctant to tell anyone since they ware not supposed to be there, the
younger lad confessed all to his mom. The police arrive to begin an investigation into a murder,
but the fingerprints failed to match any in the National Index and no one in the next few days
comes forth to identify the "Mystery Woman". Detective Superintendent Gil Mayo and his
assistant Inspector Abigail Moon are ready to cold case the inquiry without even identifying Jane
Bull when someone murders Charles Wetherby, the bursar at Lavenstock College. Though the
murders have no apparent link, a former student, Cleo Atkins working for Maid to Order cleaning
the mess caused by the flooding finds the connection by accident, which places her in jeopardy if
the wrong person learns what she knows. The latest Gil Mayo British police procedural is an
exciting tale because of the frustration the cops feel when their initial investigation goes nowhere.
The twists and turns of the two cases that finally merge through the amateur "joining" their team
is fun to follow as Gil and Abigail find neither murder investigation progressing until Cleo
discovers the missing link. Though the motive for the first homicide seems weak and the
"cover-up' by the second victim appears illogical, sub-genre fans will take delight in Marjorie
Eccles clever who done it to whomever she is.
Black Creek Crossing
John Saul
Ballantine
ISBN 0345433327 $25.95, 368 pp.
Fifteen year old Angel Sullivan has no friends and is tormented by her peers. Her father drinks too
much and has been fired from so many construction jobs nobody in town who will hire him.
Marty's wife Myra loses herself in religion as a way of coping with her unhappy home life. When
her sister Joni calls and informs her there is a perfect home that they can afford in Roundtree,
Massachusetts, they buy it because Myra's brother-in-law gives Marty a job. Angel loves her new
home on Black Creek Crossing and believes she will make new friends at school but instead the
students start tormenting her. The only person who befriends her is Seth Baker a pariah like
Angel. Both teens notice inexplicable happenings in the house and a black cat with a definite
agenda. He leads them to a place on the basement stairs where a book is found in a hidden panel
and then he makes them follow him to a camouflaged cabin in the woods. There they open the
book and what they find between the pages allows them to finally get revenge on their enemies.
Drawing on the Salem Witch trials and the folklore on haunted houses, John Saul creates a tale so
vividly chilling and horrifying that readers will want to sleep with the lights on. BLACK CREEK
CROSSING is not the typical haunted house story nor is it a modern day retailing of the Salem
witches but an amalgam of the two. The protagonists draw reader sympathy from the very
beginning which is why the ending is such a shock. Mr. Saul has written another gothic horror
novel that is unforgettable.
The Alpine Pursuit
Mary Daheim
Ballantine
ISBN 0345467159 $22.95, 288 pp.
It's been two years since Tom died in Emma's arms and the owner and editor of the weekly Alpine
Advocate still grieves the loss of the only man she ever loved. She pours all her energy into her
newspaper, her rivalry with the owner of the local radio station becoming friendly. The latest
story Emma covers is the melodrama that the Alpine Council Dramatic Club is performing. The
narrator, radio owner Spencer Fleetwood is terrific in his role with his beautiful speaking voice
but otherwise Emma thinks the whole affair is amateurish. At the end of the play when the villain,
played by Dean of Students Hans Berringer, dies and the audience applauds the lackluster
performance; one of the actors realizes that Hank in fact did die because the bullets in the gun
were real. Nobody was watching the prop box so anyone could have switched the bullets. Emma
immediately starts snooping around to find out who switched the bullets and she finds out that
most people disliked Hank with a passion and many of them had motives. THE ALPINE
PURSUIT is as much a mystery as it is a woman coming to terms with a traumatic loss. This is
Mary Daheim's hardcover debut and she deserves it because her well written tales involve real life
situations and social issues while entertaining her audience. This book has many layers all
involving people in emotional pain and how they cope with the hand life dealt them. By the end of
the novel, one gets the feeling that the heroine is starting to heal and that makes the reader feel
good because it is impossible not to like Emma.
Flashpoint
Suzanne Brockmann
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345462327 $21.95, 400 pp.
Agency computer specialist Tess Bailey helps field agent Jimmy Nash expedite his partner
Lawrence Decker from a potentially deadly scene. That night Jimmy and Tess make love, but he
leaves for Mexico without looking back. Not long afterward, Jimmy and Deck quit the Agency
and when Tess learns she will not get a field job, she leaves too. Tom Paolitti of Troubleshooters,
Inc (see Out Of Control and Gone Too Far) hires Deck and Jimmy. He assigns Deck as the lead
with Jimmy and three other people to go into Kazbekistan to retrieve the laptop of a reportedly
dead terrorist Sayid. K-Stan has been closed to the West and is the most dangerous pit around,
but an earthquake has devastated the capital and western relief workers are in country giving the
team needed cover. However, a computer specialist is needed badly and Tess is the only available
one. Because of circumstances, Tess and Jimmy are to pose as newlyweds. Since the attraction is
great that should look realistic though Jimmy fears his feelings. As the danger mounts, the love
between Tess and Jimmy blossoms, but he believes he is not good enough for her. FLASHPOINT
builds up the suspense slowly but grips the reader from start to finish. The key to the tale is that
the "good guys" contain distinct characteristics so that the audience can delineate them. The
earthquake scenario is realistic (Iran proves that). Though the hero insists too often that he is a
bad guy in spite of his actions of doing nice things for innocent people, fans will enjoy this taut
tale and hopefully Ms. Brockmann will follow with a romance between Deck and the woman he
rescued.
Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom
Catherine Clinton
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316144924 $27.95, 272 pp.
THE ROAD TO FREEDOM is a superb account of the American "Black Moses", Harriet
Tubman. The book actually opens with Ms. Tubman's last major public endeavor surprisingly (at
least to this author) occurring in 1908 long after her famous role as an engineer of the
Underground Railroad. The bio then shifts back to the early nineteenth century as Ms Tubman is
born during ironically the "Era of Good Feeling" as a slave in Maryland. It follows her as she
marries John Tubman, flees to Canada without him, joins John Brown, works as a Civil War nurse
and spy, and of course the Underground Railroad.. Of interest is that Ms. Tubman not only
advocated racial freedom, she championed women's suffrage. Ms. Tubman's salad days lack
insightful personal information due to her slave status and a 1850s fire. Therefore Ms. Clinton
provides a general look at conditions for slaves in Eastern Shore, Maryland. This generalization
enables the audience to infer how Harriet probably lived in her early years. Deeper insight is
provided to her middle and later years this is a suburb account that biography readers will
appreciate because it is well written, easy to follow, and loaded with plenty on interesting detail
about a genuine American hero. Though the author too easily accepts the "legendary" Tubman as
gospel, HARRIET TUBMAN: THE ROAD TO FREEDOM is an endearing educational and
entertaining book that history buffs and biography aficionados will enjoy.
A Question of Blood
Ian Rankin
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316095648 $22.95, 406 pp.
His superior DCI Gill Templer thinks he did the crime. His partner Siobhan Clarke is certain he
did the crime. The evidence is circumstantial, but DI John Rebus had a motive as the victim
Martin Fairstone was stalking and harassing Siobhan. John's severely burned fingers and hands
that he claims came from scalding water, could have easily come from the fire that engulfed
Martin. When DI Bobby Hogan needs help on the investigation of the murders of two teens in
South Queensferry, John persuades Siobhan to chauffer him there. One victim is the son of a
judge while the other is a second cousin to Rebus. The third dead person at the scene is the killer,
former SAS soldier Lee Herdman. The only survivor is the wounded son of a Scottish MP who
takes advantage of the tragedy by spouting anti-gun propaganda to the media. As the SAS
interferes with the case, other seemingly peripheral matters to include a new stalker of Siobhan
complicates this strange homicide investigation in which motive fails to surface. Though
interesting, this Rebus is not quite on the par of excellence of most of Ian Rankin's police
procedural tales. The handicapped John on drugs to ease his pained hands shows little impact
except some physical problems like driving as he gets around too easily with this level of burn.
Still Rebus remains one of the best and his efforts to prove he did not commit arson and murder
while trying to look beyond the obvious in what appears to be an open and shut case, makes for
two fine inquiries that will satisfy the author's vast readership.
Hard Revolution
George Pelecanos
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316608971 $24.95, 384 pp.
In 1968 Derek Strange joins the DC Metro Police Department even as his two best pals from his
childhood, the Dominic and Angelo Martini accuse him of selling out to the man. While his soul
brothers make a living with stealing and scoring with easy women, Derek struggles to stay on the
legal high road while unrest grows in the black community. Avoiding being an Uncle Tom yet
doing what he feels is right becomes even more difficult for Derek when his older brother Naval
Reservist Dennis is addicted to drugs while encouraged by homicidal Alvin Jones and his cousin
Kenneth Willis. As the Reverend King leads peaceful civil disobedience rallies that eventually lead
to his assassination and rioting in the cities, Derek has doubts that he chose the right path almost a
decade ago when as a teen he decided to go straight. This prequel is an interesting deep looks at
life in the ghetto especially on African-Americans before and after the King assassination. The
story line is incredible when it showcases the criminal element planning and conducting robberies
with the civil rights movement in the backdrop. Though the days before that fatal moment in
Memphis seem disassociated with the King murder, the aftermath is brilliantly described as crime
becomes the norm and anarchy rules whether it is a killing machine like Alvin or a straight shooter
like Derek Strange. This is a fabulous work that brings home a bygone era through a sociology
lens in which George Pelecanos is at his best painting the characters living in the traumatic
landscape.
In The Kingdom of Mists
Jane Jakeman
Berkley
ISBN 0425195120 $23.95, 368 pp.
When a woman of quality is fished out of the Thames River in London, the police are quick to see
that she was murdered, a knife wound through the heart. A second woman is taken out of the
Thames also with a knife wound through the heart and the police are eager to keep these killings
quiet. Both women had professional abortions before they were killed The year is 1900 and
Londoners have not forgotten the Ripper murders and if they know a serial killer is on the loose,
panic would ensue. Oliver Craston, who is just beginning his career as a diplomat in the Foreign
Office, found the body. He tells the police the only reason he was kept on after calling attention to
himself is his friendship with the painter Monet who has contacts with radicals living in England.
Inspector Garrett is in charge of the case but although he has some clues to the killer's identity, it
is Oliver who can break the case wide open if he has the courage to go against his superiors and
risk his job. It is the start of a new century and Jane Jakeman expertly captures the atmosphere of
England as she engages in the Boer Wars. The hero of IN THE KINGDOM OF MISTS is Oliver
who always tries to do the right thing even though the repercussions for him might be costly, both
financially and emotionally. Some of the scenes are told from the point of view of the killer and
his perspective makes for a chilling historical police procedural.
Undead and Unwed
Mary Janice Davidson
Berkley
ISBN: 042519485X $5.99, 288 pp.
In Minnesota, Elizabeth "Betsy" Taylor has had a week that only the damned would understand.
First she arrives at her clerical job at Hamton & Sons to be handed a pink slip on her birthday.
When she returns to her home she finds Giselle her cat missing. With an April snow making the
roads treacherous, Betsy notices Giselle in the street. She goes to rescue that darn cat, but a
driver sees Betsy too late and kills her. Betsy awakens in a coffin dressed in an ugly pink suit and
her wicked stepmother's throw away shoes. Apparently when she was assaulted a few months
ago, she became bitten and converted to a vampiress. The minions of her undead world believe
Betsy is the Queen. While all she wants is to remain dead in nice garb, shoes, and hairdo, the
vampiric crowd covets sex with her to solidify their power. Only the tall, dark, and handsome Eric
Sinclair offers to mentor her on things she needs to know about vampirism, but was afraid to ask.
Readers who enjoy something different will not want to leave the hilarious satirical UNDEAD
AND UNWED unread. The story line spoofs the chick lit, fairy tale, and supernatural romance
sub-genres leaving no icon unbitten. Betsy holds the tale together as she wants nothing to do with
her new life (death), but has no choice with an addiction to ruby colored liquids and scoring a lot
more as a dead person than she did when she was alive. This is a terrific tale that cleverly
lampoons everything and anything in its path.
Jinxed
Beth Ciotta
Medallion Press
ISBN: 0974363944 $6.99
Afia St. John feels her life is JINXED with three funerals in seven years to include her father and
her two nice elderly husbands. However, her life collapses when her mother's selected finance
manager Henry Glick embezzles her money. Afia's godfather high powered attorney Harman
Reece insures her he will catch Glick and offers her a place to stay, but Afia declines feeling she
needs to take charge of her life. After being fired twice on her first day at jobs, Harman pays
private sleuth Jake Leeds to hire Afia as his office assistant while his sister is on maternity leave.
Jake takes Afia with him on surveillance to fool her and his client's target Anthony Rivelli. As the
sleuth and the unlucky society dame fall in love, he ignores her plea that something is not right
with their client because his attention is on how his beloved will react when she learns he was paid
to baby sit her. JINXED is an enjoyable private investigative romance that has the feel of the
1930s Hepburn-Grant madcap comedies. The story line is fun to follow as Jake does not know
whether he needs to lock up or kiss Afia. Though the spin the intrigue takes seems unnecessary,
fans of screwball romantic romps will enjoy the love tale of the socialite and the sleuth.
Lady Dragon
Jewell Mason
Medallion
ISBN: 0974363952 $6.99
In 1324 an angry Lord Devon de Grenfeld visits one of his holdings Ambellshire to meet with the
local laird Edmund Brystowe whose behavior places his loyalty at question. Edmund ignored a
summons insisting he must protect the keep from marauding Scots. Devon doubts the alibi as the
Scots have not raided in a decade. Devon arrives in time to see a pitched battle. Before he can talk
with Edmund, one of the lads knocks him out with a sling shot. That night he hears more excuses
from Edmund's uncle Charles and sister Celeste why the laird is unavailable. Something is not
right, but the strangest thing is how Celeste, whose life he once saved, treats him with scorn. Still
she detests herself more as she feels attracted to her liege though she knows she must hide the
truth that Edmund died several years ago and she masquerades as him. Adding to her troubles is
Devon's detestable uncle comes courting the woman that Devon now loves. Though it takes a
chapter or two to straighten out who is related to whom, Scottish historical romance readers will
gain immense pleasure from LADY DRAGON. Celeste is a great female protagonist trying to do
the right thing for her people at a time when depression seems the order of the day. Devon is a
solid hero who thought he would never love again after a previous betrayal, but finds a greater
love if he can overcome Celeste's negative perceptions of him. A secondary couple adds depth,
her uncle is a charming worrywart, and his uncle is a nasty loser. Thus the strong cast starring in a
wonderful story line makes for a terrific tale.
The Piano Teacher
Lynn York
Plume
ISBN: 0452284775 $13.00, 304 pp.
In 1980 in Swan's Knob, North Carolina, Miss Wilma Mabry teaches piano and plays the organ at
special events like the wedding of Lily Mae Strong. Though living by herself since her spouse
Harry died fifteen years ago and her daughter married and relocated to New Mexico several years
ago, Wilma likes her life in the small town. Though she admits she could do without the nuisance
of wealthy Roy Swan, who wants the widow as his ever since he tasted her sponge cake. Molly's
quite lifestyle ends when her daughter Sarah and her granddaughter Starling arrive at her home to
stay for an undefined while. Not long afterward, Sarah's artist spouse Harper Chilton appears on
the same night that someone murdered Police Officer Clem Baker. The police arrest New Mexico
drifter Jonah Branch, who rode with Harper from the southwest. Both men want Sarah in their
respective lives. However, currently murder is what Harper and Jonah must contend with, but so
does Miss Wilma who is drawn into their fiasco. THE PIANO PLAYER is an entertaining
southern village cozy starring an interesting group of players led by the title character Miss
Wilma. The story line moves at a leisurely pace so that the audience gets a taste of life in Swan's
Knob. This enables the reader to understand how various people think especially the heroine, her
wannabe beau, her daughter, and her daughter's two wannabe beaus. The police procedural
elements take a back seat to a deep look at small town southern life on the brink of the Reagan
Era.
Weekend in Paris
Robyn Sisman
Plume
ISBN: 0452284902 $13.00, 336 pp.
Raised by a single mother in a small town England, Molly Clearwater thought her career in
London as a Marketing Officer would be the delightful first step towards greater things. Instead
six months as a glorified office gofer at Phipps Lauzer Beryman Pharmaceutical leaves Molly
disillusioned. She especially detests her nasty womanizer boss Malcolm Figg, who treats her with
contempt and sarcasm. However, her spirits picks up when Malcolm informs her she will
accompany him to Paris for a major weekend business conference. She walks on cloud nine until
she overhears two office gossips discussing her as Malcolm's latest weekend fling. Angry, Molly
quits. Shockingly for someone who never left England, she takes the train to Paris anyway.
Finding a cheap room, she meets Alicia a wild Aussie who takes her on a crazy tour of the city
where she meets people that includes a tryst and a stranger at the pharmaceutical convention who
will shake up her world once he and she realize who the other is. Though twenty-one years old,
Molly stars in a coming of age tale that changes her previously narrow outlook on the world.
Molly is a great center holding the story line together, but it is the secondary cast that includes her
Paris lover, Malcolm, the stranger at the convention and especially courageous Alicia who make
gay Paris light up as few novels succeed in doing. Though the connection with the stranger at the
convention is a stretch, readers will enjoy this delightful character study that hooks the audience
the moment Molly learns why she is going to Paris until the final goodbyes.
Drop Dead, My Lovely
Ellis Weiner
NAL
ISBN 0451211170 $23.95, 288 pp.
When he wakes up in the hospital, Pete Ingalls thinks he's a private investigator and talks like a
gumshoe out of a forties film. He has no memory of being a mild mannered hermetic bookstore
clerk who had an accident when a pile of books fell on his head. His friend thinks he is putting him
on but when he leaves the hospital, he opens up a PI office, places an ad in the newspaper, prints
some business cards, and hires a secretary who wanders if her boss is legitimate or crazy. Actually
Pete has two walk in cases that he eagerly grabs up. The first one involves Celeste Vroman who
wants Pete to find her lover Jeff Litman who seems to have disappeared. He finds Jeff hiding at
his office avoiding Celeste because he started an affair with Olivia Cartwright. His second case
involves Catherine Flonger who thinks her TV reporter husband is cheating on her and wants
proof. Neither case goes smoothly. Jeff disappears, Olivia is found murdered and Pete has a
quickie with Catherine in a women's dressing room. It goes downhill from there. What makes
DROP DEAD, MY LOVELY an outstanding reading experience is the hero is suffering from
amnesia yet effortlessly becomes a private investigator modeling himself on tough PI's like Same
Spade and Spencer. There is plenty of action because Pete manages to get himself in a lot of
trouble while working on cases yet the best part of Ellis Weiner's novel is the dialogue. Pete
sounds like an anachronistic Phillip Marlow clone in a twenty-first century context and that makes
for a hilarious novel.
What a Girl Wants
Liz Maverick
NAL
ISBN: 0451211146 $12.95, 272 pp.
In San Francisco, no one in the office noticed for twenty-four hours or more that senior coy editor
Fred Leary died in his cubicle. His work neighbor twenty something Hayley Jane Smith though
Fred was impolite when he failed to respond to email and her calling his name before finally
confronting him only to find a corpse. SFPD Lt. Grant Hutchinson has a hard time accepting no
one noticed the odor or that Fred failed to respond to any form of communication. When he
interviews Hayley four feet from where the corpse resided, she jumps him and they start making
love before the word maggots from the next cubicle bring them back to earth. On the advice of
her Girlie Brunch pals, Hayley asks for the raise due her, but instead her boss fires her. Also
heeding one of her pals, Hayley goes to a bar where she has a revelation about men. Now with the
help of her friends she seeks employment and quality time spent with the "Big Dick". Though the
fearsome foursome felines seem a bit ditzy, they are a fun group. Hayley is an interesting
individual as she struggles with death, unemployment, and the hots. Her three mates add
understanding of her and her desires so that the audience receives a fun chick lit tale that never
takes anything even death seriously. Readers wanting an offbeat amusing contemporary will enjoy
this maverick of a tale and look forward to what appears to be the story of another brunch
member, sexy Suz.
The Bookman's Promise
John Dunning
Scribner
ISBN 0743249925 $25.00, 384 pp.
After getting a little heavy handed with a suspected criminal in his custody, Denver Police officer
Cliff Janeway leaves the force to become an antiquarian book dealer. His friendship with rare
book collector Judge Leighton Huxley led him to bid and win at auction, PILGRIMAGE TO
MEDINA AND MECCA by Richard Burton for just under thirty grand. He's very satisfied with
his purchase until Josephine Gallant, an elderly frail woman claims that his new purchase and the
whole library of Burton's books were originally hers until the Treadwells conned them out of her
late husband. As she lies dying Janeway promises to find the collection and donate it to a library.
She gives him a Richard Burton book to be split between him and Denise and Mike Ralston who
took care of her in her final hours. Shortly after Josephine dies Denise is murdered, a homicide
that Janeway thinks is linked to the Burton book collection. The bookman's search leads him to
Koko in Baltimore who used to visit Josephine in the nursing home. Her life is in danger for what
she knows so she accompanies Janeway to Charlotte where he intends to learn why Denise had to
die and Koko's house torched. John Dunning can always be counted on to give his audience a
wonderful reading experience and THE BOOKMAN'S PROMISE is no exception. Readers learn
a lot about legendary explorer Richard Burton and the exhilaration a collector feels when they find
the book they consider a treasure. The protagonist's search for answers takes him on a long and
winding road that circles back to the starting point. This special book will be enjoyed by mystery
and readers of mainstream fiction
Aunt Dimity: Snowbound
Nancy Atherton
Viking
ISBN: 0670032786 $22.95, 226 pp.
Being the mother of four year old terror twins, the holidays wore out Lori Shepherd, who looks
forward to the post Yuletide blues with elation. Needing time alone, Lori takes a solo hike in the
nearby woods on a warm winter's day. Suddenly out of nowhere the weather changes and an
underdressed Lori is caught in a blizzard with no chance of getting home. She finds shelter at
Ladythorne Abbey, residence of the recently deceased maniac Lucasta DeClerke. At the Abbey,
Lori is un-welcomed by the eerie caretaker, but also meets stranded American backpackers Jamie
Macrae and Wendy Walker. It appears to Lori that Wendy plans to steal a valuable heirloom from
their refuge. She also wonders about the agenda of the charming Jamie. However, it is the
caretaker that truly frightens her. With spectral Aunt Dimity at her side, Lori tries to uncover the
missing links that guiltily connect the threesome with the late Lucasta. The key to the Aunt Dimity
supernatural cozies is the cast, not only the title character and her niece, but in SNOWBOUND,
the four other players (including Lucasta). The mystery is a bit soft, but fans of the series will
enjoy it anyway as Lori guided by Aunt Dimity finds her sanctuary not feeling safe as she is wary
of the caretaker, concerned with a possible theft, and warding off a seducer. This is the usual fun
tale in which the audience not only believes that Aunt Dimity exists, but would want their own
Aunt Dimity to advice and guide when the snowball picks up momentum into an avalanche.
The Well of Lost Plots
Jasper Fforde
Viking
ISBN: 0670032891 $24.95, 384 pp.
Literary detective Thursday Next requests R&R not to recover from assignments like saving the
ending of Jane Eyre, but suffers from morning sickness having become pregnant by a dead
Crimean War veteran. Thursday applies for a vacation assignment in the Character Exchange
Program, which is approved. She travels to THE WELL OF LOST PLOTS, the sub-basements
beneath the Great Library. There she will replace Mary Jones, a detective's Friday in the
unpublished police procedural Caversham Heights. Thursday feels she has a quest when she learns
how much plot and character selling goes on in the black market beneath the Great Library. While
she tries to do the right thing and assist her Noir-like partner without landing in the Text Sea,
UltraWord is launched as the "Last Word" in Story Operating Systems. Here in the subterranean
world of terrible plotting, pathetic characters, and stolen dreams, the idealistic Thursday realizes
that the book world and its anti-matter opponents are as ruthless as the recycled protagonists sold
on the black market. Although not for everybody, the third Thursday Next tale is a delightful
satirical fantasy that tears into anything and everything. The story line is the usual bewildering
confusion that is so much fun to follow. The side plots add irony as wrong turns might be sold on
the literary black market. Jasper Fforde is at his lampooning best as nothing is sacred for readers
who appreciate sharp slapstick syntax-slaughtering stories and will want to get LOST IN A
GOOD BOOK.
Empress Orchid
Anchee Min
Houghton Mifflin
ISBN: 0618068872 $24.00, 336 pp.
In the middle of the nineteenth century, seventeen years old Orchid accompanies her aristocratic
clan to Beijing to inter her deceased father. Meanwhile the Emperor Hsien Feng decrees that he
seeks a wife who must have royal blood so that the offspring are purebred Manchu. Though
related to the Manchus, her family faces poverty until Hsien surprisingly selects Orchid. As her
clan's situation improves considerably from the Emperor's gifts, Orchid resides in a boring
luxurious lifestyle in the Forbidden City in which she can trust no one. Beginning to understand
how to secure her tentative position, Orchid becomes determined to birth the heir, which she
cleverly accomplishes. As the western imperialists carve up China, Hsien dies leaving his five year
old son begat with Orchid as the Emperor, but he is too young to rule. His mother is his only hope
to survive in a Machiavellian sea of duplicity and changing loyalties in which no one can be
trusted. This is a vibrant fascinating historical fiction tale of China's last Empress. The story line is
over-loaded with so much detail that fans who appreciate intrinsic depth into a bygone era will
want to read the EMPRESS ORCHID. However, the profundity of each elaborate description of
court life and the Forbidden City in the late 1800s also tends to slow down the action in which
intrigue and executions are the norm. Those who enjoy historical sociology as the prime theme
will cherish Anchee Min's tale, but those who want to swim in the shark infested pool will find this
first person account too slow.
The Charmed Sphere
Catherine Asaro
Luna
ISBN 037380203X $13.95, 471 pp.
When the King and his retinue came to Jacob's Vale searching for mages, Chine tried to hide since
she didn't want to leave the family orchard and go to Castle Suncroft. Della No-Cozen, the
mage-mistress immediately saw how much power she had and persuaded her to come to the castle
to learn how to use her abilities properly. The king's nephew and heir, Prince Muller is expected
to marry Chine, but he doesn't want to wed anyone nor become king. Chine also doesn't want to
be queen and the thought of marrying the prince is ludicrous until she comes to know him. Muller
quickly falls in love with his betrothed but Della finds Iris, another mage more powerful than
Chine and Iris locates Javid the king's grandson thought to have died fourteen years ago. Muller
and Chine are both chagrined and happy to realize they won't be monarchs but they still have a
very important role to play in the kingdom. King Varquelle of Harsdown plans to invade and
annex the land of Aronsdale with the help of his powerful mage, Anvil and it will take the special
powers of Chine and Muller to stop them if they can learn to control their magic. Readers will
love this epic romantic fantasy that reads like an adult fairy tale. There are two couples who must
overcome many obstacles before they can admit their love for one another and it is fascinating
watching them slowly mature into heroic figures to be admired. This is a very different kind of
work than Catherine Asara's science fiction novels involving the Skalian Empire, but this novel is
just as engrossing and enthralling.
Darkness Calls
Caridad Pineiro
Silhouette Intimate Moments
ISBN: 0373273533 $4.75 298 pp.
Though the link of the last two victims is a nightclub, the serial killer has frightened much of New
York City, especially Manhattan. The FBI assigns Agent Diana Reyes to go undercover to ferret
out the murderer. Club owner Ryder Latimer meets Diana and they are instantly attracted to one
another. However, he is has been a vampire since the Civil War and knows first hand the fleeting
life of mortals and though he desires the cop he wants to end their relationship before it begins so
neither gets hurt. Diana deduces that there is something special and different about Ryder when
she begins dreaming of him in gory environs. She wonders if she gave her heart to a killer of
women. However, will the truth prove kinder to Diana and if so can they truly make THE
PERFECT MIX NOW AND FOREVER? DARKNESS CALLS is a superb blending of a police
procedural with a vampire tale. The story line works because the lead couple, her partner, and
several club employees and customers make the Manhattan scene including a vampire and a serial
killer seem genuine. Fans who enjoy a well written but different type of novel will want to read
Caridad Pineiro's sensational supernatural FBI investigative romance.
Unforgettable Lady
Jessica Bird
Ivy
ISBN: 0345458958 $6.99
The past year has been the hardest year of Grace Hall's life. The year began with promise as she
married a Count just like her beloved father wanted her to wed, but went down hill since. Her
father suddenly passed away and she is divorcing her spouse. She is also being challenged as the
CEO of her father's legacy, the Hall Foundation by the board and her dad's right hand man who
felt he earned the head position. To make her year more miserable, someone is killing six women
who made a magazine's notable list. Two are dead and Grace is on the murder roll. Desperate, she
reluctantly hires John Smith, head of Black Watch, Ltd. as her bodyguard. He is an expert at
hiding his feelings, but Grace seems to get inside his skin as occurred when they first met and
kissed before the initial homicide. As they fall in love, he rejects the notion of forever because she
is glitter and he is mud, yet he will willingly die to keep his beloved safe from a serial killer who
has easy access to victims living behind secure walls. UNFORGETTABLE LADY, the sequel to
HEART OF GOLD (which introduced Grace), is an exhilarating romantic suspense novel that
sub-genre fans will enjoy. Though the villain seems odd, fans will enjoy the action, not just the
serial killer subplot as the tension between the delightful lead duo grips the audience as well. Fans
will demand more stories from those alpha Black Watch hunks and hopefully a hunkette too.
The Ultimatum
Nancy Moser
Multnomah
ISBN: 1590521447 $12.99, 418 pp.
In Steadfast, Kansas, Annie and Cal McFay love each and their eight year old daughter Avi, but a
man has come between the two adults. Annie has found Jesus while Cal shuns anything religious.
Frustrated with her piousness, Cal informs his wife that he loves her but will not compete with
Jesus for her affection. Before Annie and Cal can come to a head over his ultimatum that she
tapers her religious fervor, Jinko Daly and Jered Manson take the McFay family hostage to elude
the law. Annie finds strength in Jesus and even influences the feelings of the young distraught
Jered who cannot fathom how he allowed things to so quickly fall apart. As Jinko makes his break
needing one hostage to take with him, Annie volunteers because she fears that if something goes
wrong Cal is damned for not finding Jesus. Though Jinko shows no redeeming quality even if he
took Jered off the street, fans will feel awe for the sacrifice of the heroine willing to die so her
spouse has time to find redemption. Along with risking her life, Annie's forgiving nature and inner
strength buttressed by her belief in Jesus makes her an individual that readers will admire. The rest
of the cast plays key roles in the drama, but they pale next to the heroine who stays steadfast in
her beliefs refusing to surrender her soul.
What Others Know
L.C. Hayden
Top
ISBN: 1929976267 $14.95
In Las Vegas, investigative reporter Dan Springer is working on an article that will expose the
extent of the drug dealing, other illegal crimes, and corruption that has tentacles gripping the
entire city. Threats fail to deter the idealistic journalist from completing his quest. However,
instead of a Pulitzer, Dan is left a widower as someone retaliates by murdering his wife and
abducting his newborn daughter with the not so veiled menace to Diana's safety if he prints the
article. Seven years later, Dan still has not found Diana. However, an opportunity to recover his
daughter finally surfaces with the kidnapping of the son of a local mob boss. Dan, using his
journalist credentials, manages to rescue the son, but the plan goes awry afterward. Instead of a
joyful reunion, he has jeopardized Debbie Gunther, the woman he loves, as much as he
endangered himself and the trail remains elusively meandering away from his daughter. WHAT
OTHERS KNOW is an engaging tale that focuses on one of a parent's worst nightmares, the
abduction of a baby caused by the adult's actions, which in this case was done with good
intentions. The story line grips the audience from the start as readers will feel Dan's frustrations in
his inability to track down Diana. The secondary characters are solid, but the suspense belongs to
Dan, who shows little emotion until the angst ridden climax because L.C. Hayden has drawn him
as coldly obsessed with regaining his lost child at any cost. The only flaw of the hero is that his
love for Debbie fails to come across until the ending. The audience will appreciate Ms. Hayden's
exciting thriller.
Angel Seeker
Sharon Shinn
Ace
ISBN 0441011349 $23.95, 480 pp.
The settlers on the planet Samaria designed it so that the population would be divided into two
races: mortals and angels. Just by singing the angels can cause the weather to change and have
medicines fall down from the sky. In most cases an angel can only mate with a mortal otherwise
the chance of birth defects is increased dramatically. For most women the highest honor is to give
birth to an angel child and angel seekers flock to where they live in hopes of catching their eye.
Elizabeth, a poor relation in her cousin's home, runs away to Cedar Hills where the angels are
constructing a new community. She hopes to catch the eye of an angel, give birth to his child, and
live the rest of her life in luxury. Rebekah, a member of the nomadic Jansai tribe, isolated from the
males not of her family, stumbles across the injured Obadiah in the desert and nurses him in secret
back to health. Although they fall in love, Rebekah refuses to give up her way of life and family
for an angel but both she and Elizabeth learn that what they think they want is not really their
heart's desire. For readers who follow the Samaria novels, ANGEL-SEEKER should be read after
ARCH ANGEL and before JOVAH'S ANGEL'S. The Jansai will remind readers of gypsy clans
crossed with women living in Purdah in the mid-east. There is enough romance in this novel to
appeal to fans of this genre without disappointing those who prefer a solid science fiction tale.
Sharon Shinn is a talented storyteller who makes world building seems so graceful and easy.
Burden of Proof
John G. Hemry
Ace
ISBN: 0441011470 $6.50, 304 pp.
An explosion occurs on the galactic cruiser USS Michaelson, killing Chief Petty Officer Asher and
destroying much of the Forward Engineering section. While repairs are made, an inquiry into the
accident occurs. The investigation team concludes that Asher violated regulations by working
solo. However, legal officer Lieutenant Junior Grade Paul Sinclair hears rumors from distraught
sailors that they not only mourn the loss of a peer, but they have lost confidence in the leadership
as it seems to the crew that a big cover-up happened. Everyone insists that Asher followed orders
given by rising superstar Lieutenant Scott Silver the son of a very powerful Rear Admiral. Paul
knows that the BURDEN OF PROOF is on him. However, all the JUST DETERMINATION in
the galaxy could lead to the destruction of his own career and the end of his relationship with the
woman he loves, the daughter of the head of the investigation team because if Paul succeeds it
will embarrass the officer he wants as a father-in-law. John G. Henry has pioneered a new
sub-genre with his superb space ship military legal thrillers. As with the first tale (JUST
DETERMINATION), BURDEN OF PROOF is more a tour of duty than an action packed tale as
the plot focuses on relationships on an outer space vessel. The story line cleverly enables the
audience to ride along with the crew and taste the pressure of the vastness of space inside
relatively tight quarters, the seemingly endless stretches of time, and the protocol of rank. The
legal aspects are brilliantly intertwined within a fantastic relationship military science fiction drama
that should promote Mr. Hemry to a best selling admiral.
God's Concubine
Sara Douglass
Tor
ISBN 0765305410 $27.95, 512 pp.
The Minotaur Asterion wants nothing more than to make sure that the Labyrinth stays destroyed
for it is the only thing that can control him and prevent him from doing evil. When Troy fell,
Brutus and his wife Cornelia traveled to the world now known as England where he met the
mistress of the Labyrinth. They almost succeeded in rebuilding the TroyGame and completing the
Labyrinth where they will gain immortality. A jealous Cornelia killed her rival Genvissa with the
help of Asterion. Brutus and Genvissa must wait for another incarnation to complete the Game
and achieve Immortality. For millennia Asterion has prevented them from being reborn but unable
to find the six gold bands of power, he is forced to allow them to come back into the world so
Brutus can lead him to the rings. King William of Normandy is Brutus. The Saxon King Alfred's
wife Caela was once known as Cornelia. She is also the sister of Harold, once known as Col, the
Saxon Earl who will be the next king of England. He is married to Swanne, the woman Cornelia
once killed. Asterion knows who the players are, who they once were and is guiding their
movements like a puppet master. The story of Alfred the Confessor and the war between Harold
and William is given an original twist in this alternate world fantasy GOD'S CONCUBINE. This is
primarily a reincarnation fantasy story whose characters are reborn to learn lessons they missed in
their last incarnation. The elements of history, romance and fantasy blend together to make Sara
Douglass's work a compelling reading experience.
Gridlinked
Neal Asher
Tor
ISBN: 0765307359 $26.95, 426 pp.
The technician enters the runcible gate to star transport to the planet Samerkand, but something
goes astray and his arrival ignites a nuclear explosion that kills at least ten thousand people. Earth
Central Security legend Horace Blegg assigns his top gun veteran agent Ian Cormac to investigate
the GRIDLINKED Samerkand disaster. Blegg also warns Cormac that his GRIDLINKED
cybernetic implants that tie him into the AI network are destroying his brain. To save his mind he
must delink, but can he survive without the technology he has relied on like a drug for three
decades? While Cormac struggles to adjust to an unplugged existence, he makes inquiries into the
explosion. However, Arian Pelter and thugs working for him want Ian dead because Cormac
killed his sister while working a separatist's case. As Cormac acts and reacts clumsily, Arian
becomes self-assured that he will assassinate his enemy soon. The technology is cleverly designed
so that the reader can sense this futuristic galaxy has some unique gadgetry yet all the gizmos are
interwoven into the terrific action-packed plot. The investigation subplot into whether an accident
or sabotage occurred is exciting and hooks the reader even while the death count dramatically
rises. However, the key to Neal Asher's fabulously complex science fiction is Cormac and Pelter
whose cat and mouse contest makes for an engrossing and entertaining futuristic science fiction
novel that runs at hyperspeed.
Daughter of Exile
Isabel Glass
Tor
ISBN 0765307456 $24.95, 400 pp.
When it was suspected that Lord Challo Hassan was part of the conspiracy to overthrow the king,
he and his four-year-old daughter Angarred were banished from court for fourteen years. Lord
Hagar plotted to find a way to get back in the graces of King Tezue, but before he could
accomplish this, he was assassinated in the forest while on a hunt. When someone tries to kill
Angarred in her home, she travels to the capital city of Pergodi to seek the king's justice. When
she arrives at court, she learns that the king is under the spell of the magician Alkarren, the heir
Prince Norue is plotting with the Takeke and Princess Roddarren is mad. The giants are on the
move to conquer Pergodi while the princess escapes the city and tries to gather up an army to
overthrow the heir. Angarred realizes that someone is controlling all these events and she, along
with the magician Matthewar as an ally try to find the pieces of a magical artifact said to contain
the power of many sorcerers to learn who the puppet master is and stop him. DAUGHTER OF
EXILE is a very complex entertaining romantic fantasy with so many twists and turns that it is
impossible to predict what will happen next. The heroine changes over the course of this novel
from a naive innocent to a brilliant strategist and warrior; she always seeks peace for her
homeland without sacrificing her morals at court. This is Isabel's Glass's debut novel and it ranks
with the works of Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey.
Berserker Prime
Fred Saberhagen
Tor
ISBN: 0765306255 $25.95, 386 pp.
The inhabitants of the twin planets Prairie and Timber feel euphoric having defeated the Huvean
invasion. However, as Plenitpotenary Gregor prepares to have the Huvean prisoners executed
over the objection of his granddaughter Luon who loves a Huvean, the Berserkers invade the
twin-planets. The Twins do not know much about these robots except that they are ancient
construct killing machines. Ironically, only the Huvean might be able to stop the raiders, but they
are prisoners with death awaiting them. Will the Plenitpotenary negotiate life for life or will he
remain stubborn in face of the Berserker assault that means with no help certain Twin pandemic
genocide? Fans of the Berserker series will enjoy this solid but typical ninth book. The story line is
fast-paced and filled with plenty of action and the usual Cecil DeMille-size cast. Though the
valiant good guys without thought are willing to die for the Twin-Huvean cause, the Berserker
robots are as malevolent as ever. An interesting underlying theme throughout the plot is Fred
Saberhagan's Laws of Robotics: (1) a simple output is better generated by machine; (2) situations
when values should determine outcomes, humanity needs to supersede computers. Though quite
predictable as a normal Berserker entry, this still remains a prime space opera.
Earth Logic
Laurie J. Marks
Tor
ISBN 0765309521 $25.95, 400 pp.
When the Sainnites left their homeland and marched into Shaftal, they came as conquerors,
believing that the barren, mostly cold kingdom would be easily taken since it had no standing
army. Battles were fought, lives were lost and after thirty five years the Sainnites believed they
were in control of the land. The Palladin force consists mostly of Shaftal farmers that are not
strong enough to destroy their enemy especially since at heart they are a peace loving people.
Although the Sainnites believe they have destroyed the mages and it no longer exists, it has just
been hidden waiting for the right time to surface. Karis the new G'deon is an earth witch who has
the power to heal the land but she chooses to stay in the background, helping her people in small
ways until the right moment comes to make a stand. Even then the Sainnites must be willing to
live in peace with the Shaftal and that will take a miracle since they see no need to lay down their
arms to a conquered people. Aside from the talking ravens that let Karis and her group spy on the
Sainnites, the magic in EARTH LOGIC is muted because it would just get in the way of trying to
find a way to peace. Karis is a good leader, a smart technician who is approachable to those close
to her but keeps others at a distance so readers don't really feel like they know her. Laurie J.
Mark's fantasy novel is exciting because of the clash between two different cultures and this
differentiation makes this book a fascinating look at a world in flux.
The Last Light of the Sun
Guy Gavriel Kay
Roc
ISBN 0451459652 $24.95, 512 pp.
The kingdoms fight each other and within each realm; feuds are the order of the day. The Erlings
of Vimmark are feared for their vicious naval raids done due to a barren and cold land for much of
the year. In Cyngael, the clans are constantly feuding and raiding while Anglcyn is a land that is
growing stronger and larger thanks to the leadership of King Aeldred. When sibling Princes Dai
and Alun are caught in an Erling raid, Alun sinks into a depression. The cleric of Cyngael, Ceinion
of Llywerth, accompanied by Alun, decides to travel to Anglcyn and the court of King Aeldred.
While there, mercenary troops start raiding,. They are led by the man that killed Alun's brother.
The attempt is foiled but the killer escapes and persuades the mercenaries to travel to Arberth to
kill Brynn and retrieve a valuable sword. Aeldred's son Athelbert, Alun and an Erling in service to
Brynn's wife prepare the villagers for the coming battle. THE LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN is a
very special fantasy novel that will be read in one sitting because readers will find it impossible to
put down. Guy Gavriel Kay is a fantastic world builder drawing on facts from the Middle Ages
including the Vikings, Anglo Saxons and Celts. Though it is difficult to keep track of the exploits
of the various characters (just read the two paragraphs above for a rudimentary idea), the key cast
members feel genuine, three dimensional and at least the good guys are very likeable even with
flaws. This is a world one would want to revisit to see how the sun rays reflect on the next
generation.
The Last Light of the Sun
Guy Gavriel Kay
Roc
ISBN 0451459652 $24.95, 512 pp.
The kingdoms fight each other and within each realm; feuds are the order of the day. The Erlings
of Vimmart are feared for their vicious naval raids done due to a barren and cold land for much of
the year. In Cyngael, the clans are constantly feuding and raiding while Anglcyn is a land that is
growing stronger and larger thanks to the leadership of King Aeldred. When sibling Princes Dai
and Alun are caught in an Erling raid, Alun sinks into a depression. The cleric of Cyngael, Ceinion
of Llywerth, accompanied by Alun, decides to travel to Anglcyn and the court of King Aeldred.
While there are a mercenary troops stars raiding, led by the man that killed Alun's brother. The
attempt is foiled but the killer escapes and persuades the mercenaries to travel to Arberth to kill
Brynn and retrieve a valuable sword. Aeldred's son Athelbert, Alun and an Erling in service to
Brynn's wife prepare the villagers for the coming battle. THE LAST LIGHT OF THE SUN is a
very special fantasy novel that will be read in one sitting because readers will find it impossible to
put down. Guy Gavriel Kay is a fantastic world builder drawing on facts from the Middle Ages
including the Vikings, Anglo Saxons and Celts. Though it is difficult to keep track of the exploits
of the various characters (just read the two paragraphs above for a rudimentary idea), the key cast
members feel genuine, three dimensional and at least the good guys are very likeable even with
flaws. This is a world one would want to revisit to see how the sun rays reflect on the next
generation.
Harriet Klausner
Reviewer
Laurel's Bookshelf
Factoring Humanity
Robert J. Sawyer
Tor
www.tor.com
ISBN 0765309033 $14.95 350 pp.
Sci fi writer Robert J. Sawyer has won both the Nebula and Hugo Awards, and is nominated
again this year. Factoring Humanity is the fourth book I've reviewed by this author, and each one
is exceptional. Sawyer excels at putting a human face on technology and breathing soul into
scientific data. This sci fi thriller is a prime example.
Heather Davis is a Psychology professor at the University of Toronto. Her husband, Kyle Graves,
experiments with Artificial Intelligence and quantum mechanics at the same university. Their
marriage has been strained by tragedy, and shattered with their youngest daughter's allegations of
sexual abuse. Both are devastated by loss and throw themselves into their work. Heather's project
is particularly intriguing.
Every 31 hours and 51 minutes like clockwork, a new data message is received from space. Its
origin, a planet orbiting Alpha Centauri A. Heather and her colleagues around the world work at
translating the messages without success, until one day she stumbles onto the key. Quantum
physcs, mathematical equations, and parallel universes play a part in the mystery. First Heather
and then Kyle is drawn into the conundrum with world changing results. Will the messages from
space unlock the mysteries of the human mind? And will they be a path to healing or total
annihilation of the human race?
As in every novel by this author, the underlying technology is first rate and the characters well
defined. Long time fans of Sawyer will love Factoring Humanity, and new readers of his work will
understand why he wins Hugo and Nebula Awards.
Bulletproof Soul
Steven L. Shrewsbury
Black Death Books
www.khpindustries.com
ISBN 0974768006 $18.00 257 pp.
I'm not a fan of Steven Shrewsbury's chosen genres, but have become addicted to reviewing his
books on a regular basis. The hero of Bulletproof Soul - Dack Shannon - has helped win me
over.
Dack Shannon is a flawed man beset by inner demons. He has a soft spot for children, war
veterans, and innocent folks at risk. But God help the bad guys who cross his path. Dack is a
larger-than-life character, intriguing and unusual. Abandoned at birth, he was raised in a Catholic
orphanage and holds few things dear to his heart. As a black ops specialist, his allegiance is to
Majestic Services and his mysterious superior, Hank. Dack is an albino, 6'5" and skilled at rooting
out and killing those who are deserving of such ends. He operates outside the law, accountable to
no one as he fulfills each grim assignment. Dack does the dirty work, and in most cases law
enforcement gets the credit as he fades into the night.
In these twenty related tales, Dack Shannon and his compadres take on evil doers in their quest
for justice. Whether it be drug dealers, NSA spooks, a demented arsonist, or Goth grave robbers,
no criminal prevails for long. The strength of this anthology is the author's vivid imagination as a
story teller. His characters have depth and charisma. Steven L. Shrewsbury is making a name for
himself, one book and one distinctive character at a time.
The Sentinel
James P. Moss M.
www.starshinepublications.com
ISBN 1412013534 $21.95 270 pp.
To those of us who use our computers as work horses - to write, crunch numbers, or
communicate - The Sentinel will introduce the darker side of cyberspace. Between these covers
you will find an erotic thriller, a haunting murder mystery, and high tech savvy most of us cannot
imagine.
Jack Pond learned at his father's knee to take care of business and "get it done". That work ethic
has fed Jack's success and made him a very rich man. When Jack meets Lisa, it's love at first sight.
They commute by plane to steal precious time with each other, and when that is not possible they
fuel their relationship in cyberspace. What could it hurt? They are both consenting adults and
everything is protected by encrypted passwords, right? Wrong. During a romantic
cyber-encounter, Lisa is brutally murdered as Jack looks on. From that night, he isolates himself in
high tech luxury and has nothing left to live for but the hunt for Lisa's killer.
Jack's prey is pure voyeuristic evil, taking perverse pleasure in forcing friends and lovers to
witness each victim's demise. Technology easily tracks committed lovers amd casual pleasure
seekers as they fulfill sexual fantasies online in supposed safety. Lisa is the killer's first victim, but
not the last. Numbed into celibacy for several years, Jack wades through the sometimes unsavory
cesspool of private chat cams in search of clues. One suspect after another is examined and
eliminated. No one is safe.
The Sentinel is a tidy thriller. You won't know the killer until the end. Not recommended for
young teenagers or sensitive readers due to mature subject matter and strong sexual content.
The Clear and Simple Way
The Angel Lessons
Judith Ann Parsons, MSW
www.dandelionbooks.net
ISBN 1893302431 $18.95 238 pp.
When Judith Ann Parsons was murdered, angels protected and comforted her back to life. That
began her quest to help others, resulting in this book. A recent study states that humans think
negative thoughts 80% of the time. How can we find positive strength and security in an insecure
world? The front cover of Ms. Parson's book states, "Simply by reading these 24 lessons, you will
imbibe the wisdom, love, and compassion of the angels." What lies between the covers of The
Clear and Simple Way delivers as advertised.
What the human mind sees as complex, angels know is clear and simple. These lessons about
angels and their interaction with humans evoke a sense of human worth as it is in God's eyes and
should be in ours, ideally. Readers may learn to be gentle and compassionate with themselves and
others by book's end. Following is the meat of several lessons:
Think of angels as the sound of God's laughter.
The truth of tears is better than the pretense of smiles.
The very gift we need will arrive when we need it.
Blessings may find us in the midst of desolation and despair.
Life is an evolutionary path that leads to God.
Accept what is and be open to all possibilities.
If we allow them to soak into our heart and spirit, Ms. Parson's lessons can transform the mind
and energize the spirit. The upshot of her message is that we are not doomed to darkness and
regret. Whatever happens can be turned to beautiful results.
Reap the Whirlwind
Tracy Kiewel Sutterer
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1431702171 $21.95 265 pp.
In her second romantic suspense novel, Tracy Kiewel Sutterer hits her stride. Like her first novel,
Reap the Whirlwind draws the reader in with strong characters and star-crossed lovers threatened
this time by an evil stalker.
Kelsey Kline's life has never been easy or pleasant. Her history is one of loneliness, rejection, and
a foster care system that was not always nurturing or loving. Through sheer will and hard work,
Kelsey educates herself. With Dr. Buckley Tayor as mentor, her scholastic life seems promising.
Taylor is handsome, respected, and influential. That public persona hides a demented madman
whose dark side is revealed to Kelsey with shocking results.
With a doctorate in English Literature under her belt, Kelsey moves to South Dakota to escape
her past. When she meets fellow professor Collin McNally, their attraction is immediate and
powerful. Collin has forsaken a life of wealth and privilege to pursue his education. His initial
chemistry with Kelsey is rapidly transformed into explosive, unconditional love. As her hidden
fears and nightmare past reveal themselves, Collin loves her more instead of abandoning her. In
Collin and his family, Kelsey Kline finds the nurturing and acceptance she's been seeking all her
life.
And then the haunting phone calls and disturbing mailings begin. A voice and presence from her
past sets out to finish his obsession with the only victim who ever escaped his snare. The McNally
clan rallies to protect Kelsey, but will their efforts save her from a wily and determined madman?
You'll have to read the book to get the answer. And be prepared. You won't want to put this one
down!
Seasons of Love: 31 Everyday Devotionals
Jan Hoffbauer
Boroff Publications Services, Inc
164 Riverside Dr., Tiffin OH 44883
jani@bright.net
65 minute audio CD at $10 + 2.75 s and h
In this audio CD, Jan Hoffbauer shares her Christian faith through every aspect of life. With key
scriptures, meaningful object lessons, and heartfelt prayers, Seasons of Love provides rich insights
into God's love for everyone.
Love of family, supportive friends, seasonal changes in weather, and the beauties of nature are but
a handful of the topics covered by Ms. Hoffbauer. Taken as a whole, Seasons of Love is
encouraging, uplifting, comforting, and hopeful. It would make the ideal gift for any Christian
believer, or those simply searching for a deeper meaning to their lives.
Seasons of Love delivers a simple, understandable message that is appropriate for any age.
Interviewer's Note: A friend and fellow writer recently introduced me to a website featuring one
of his short stories. This website TheScreamOnline is stylish and elegant, visually stunning.
Art, Photography, Literature, Film, and Poetry are featured. Stuart Vail is the editor-in-chief of
TheScreamOnline. I chose to interview him because his website content is excellent in every
way.
LJ for MBR: What gave you the idea to create your website, and when did you have it up and
running?
Stuart: In many ways, the name had a lot to do with the magazine's inception. "The Scream"
began back in the early 1980s as an idea to publish in print form what I am now doing online. I
knew a lot of artistic and literary talent that needed (was screaming for) a venue, yet the cost to
produce such a venture proved too daunting. At the time, I had too much on my plate and the
"grand idea" was limited to only a few prototype copies. One of the items it contained was a call
for submissions for art inspired by Edvard Munch's "The Scream," a painting that rather sums-up
the horrors of seeking legitimate representation not to mention getting published as an artist
or writer. The premier issue (June 2001) has a rather bizarre drawing for what could have been
my entry. The magazine started out bimonthly, but after three issues I decided that it had to be
quarterly. January 2004 is issue #12. The magazine's global popularity has gone beyond my
wildest dreams, in that I receive fan mail from Pakistan, Iran, Israel, China, Japan, Australia,
Africa, and all over Europe and the U.S. My favorite was a note from someone in an Internet caf‚
in Nepal. To touch someone in that manner is mind-numbing.
LJ for MBR: You say TheScreamOnline reflects your "ethics and sensibilities as a writer and
artist." Expand on that statement by defining those ethics and sensibilities.
Stuart: Everything in the magazine the art, photography, literature, and music represents
what interests me, reflects my taste. I love the quirky side of human nature, stories that can rip my
heart out, synchronicities, the traditional and the modern. The first couple of years had lots of
humor and even a category called the Strange & Bizarre. My world of interests is big, and it's
enormously gratifying to see that what I like is embraced by so many. I also have to keep in mind
that the culture of my readership is diverse, the magazine read by everyone from teenagers to
grandparents. I don't condone trash, and I love stories that have positive messages. A work can
deal with the "gutter of life," the horrible under-belly of human nature, but if there is nothing
redeeming about it, why bother?
LJ for MBR: The art and photography "splash pages" that introduce each volume are sensational
and appealing graphics. Who chooses the artists and photographers represented in these splash
pages?
Stuart: My wife, Joanne Warfield, serves as my Design Consultant for the magazine and is the
principal photographer of the Splash pages, all of which can be seen in the Splash Page Gallery.
She has an unerring eye and impeccable taste. Joanne was a gallery owner for many years and is
now a professional photographer (she was featured in August 2001). In fact, she's my new
Photography Editor. The images for both the Splash and Contents pages are very important and
each comes to us in a different way. Once we were in Morro Bay, California, standing in front of
a large field of red ice plant, and I said, "This has to be my next Contents page," because the
image and the resultant commentary all sort of came together at once (Jan. 2003).
One of my favorite Splash pages is for the October 2002 issue, titled "The Great L.A. Flood of
Aught-Two." Joanne took the photo from the car driving past downtown L.A. on the I-10. I have
received mail from people saying, "I had no idea L.A. had a big flood then." The photo is a hoax.
I simply flipped half the image vertically and blurred it a bit to look like water. I've had similar fun
here and there, but I'll just leave it at that. There are also hidden images, if you are one to explore.
I've even thought of creating another world within the magazine like a parallel universe that
only the enlightened or adventuresome know how to access. But I digress....
LJ for MBR: The literature, commentaries, and poetry published in each edition are exceptional.
What is your decision-making process when choosing poetry or prose?
Stuart: Thank you, and thank you on behalf of my wonderful writers. I have not had any sort of
system at all in how the writing for each issue comes together, although I'm sure that that will all
change since I have taken on three new editors for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Maybe they will
teach me a thing or two. There seems to have been a lot of serendipity in how each issue has been
formed, with some pieces coming to me within days of publication. I can turn something around
very quickly, but I do need a bit of time to post the item for the author to approve and
communicate any necessary edits. I'm not like other editors I insist on authors being 100%
satisfied with how their features appear.
I love the written word. In fact, I have been working on a novel about alchemy since 1989, and it
is still very much alive and well. The Internet is a visual medium, and an analysis of traffic
indicates that most people like to look at images and move on. But it's my love of writing that
makes me insist doggedly on including the gems of prose and poetry, the ideas and commentaries
of those that I have been so fortunate to display.
LJ for MBR: Before our readers barrage you with a mountain of submissions, I should say
that publication in TheScreamOnline is by invitation only. No unsolicited material. Who invites
writers, poets, artists, or photographers to submit?
Stuart: Again, what you see is what interests me. I have material for many issues to come just
from those whom I know, and that is what the magazine is all about. My own people recommend
great talents that they know, and it's through those recommendations that some of my most
talented writers have "come into the fold." There have been cases where I featured someone I
heard in concert, or at a reading, or I saw the individual's work on the Internet. The possibilities
and resources are limitless, but the work has to appeal to me.
I once found a great little piece about a war that was almost caused by a postage stamp in a 1938
issue of Coronet that I bought at a used bookstore. It was irresistible. There were poets I read
about in the newspaper that intrigued me or I saw their work in a book so I contacted them
and invited them to be in TheScreamOnline. The ultimate criterion is my own taste.
Everyone has been thrilled to be associated with the magazine you can't beat the publicity. In a
sense, I am creating a free website for them that will stay up for as long as the magazine is around
(all back issues are online). There have been successes as a result of being featured. Artists have
sold paintings, poets have been published, and one writer secured a Hollywood agent. Netsurfer
Digest said that "this quarterly is the closest thing we've seen to an online coffee-table magazine."
Since I charge nothing, the next step is to somehow generate an income from all this effort, so I
will attempt to secure private funding from someone willing to finance a quality art publication. I
want to keep the magazine free for the readers, but I really need to hire a full-time staff. I can
expect only so much out of my loyal volunteers.
LJ for MBR: I particularly enjoyed the "Epiphanies" and "Time Line" segments of your website.
Give us details about their inclusion and purpose.
Stuart: With regards to Epiphanies, let me start with a description from the magazine: "These true
stories chronicle moments of synchronicity, self-discovery, and insight that appear to those who
are in the right place at the right time. Also, we may pay tribute to unique individuals who have
lived, loved, performed, and created in planes of existence that are far beyond normal human
experience." My wife and I each had a story published in Phil Cousineau's Soul Moments:
Marvelous Stories of Synchronicity Meaningful Coincidences from a Seemingly Random
World. We both have experienced some rather amazing occurrences in our lives. I once found the
other half of a specifically patterned rock that my mother had found on a beach ten years earlier
an unheard of phenomenon which the U.S. Geological Survey called "a gift from the earth"
and so I am very tuned in to stories of great moments, insight, and meaning. Those cannot be
manufactured. They are the hardest to come by. The written word can forever alter one's life, and
it is my hope that the positive elements in these stories will leave the reader in a better place.
I have always loved Time Lines. When I was a kid, my mother used to make her own to show
who were the artists and key moments in certain times in history. For a family reunion in 2000 I
spent almost two years researching my genealogy on my father's side. I was able to create in great
detail our tree back to an ancestor in 1640 England. In doing so, I became very interested in what
was happening in the world for each generation. Not only are the major events of the day
important to know, it's also the common, everyday things that really give flavor to any time
period. For example, when my tenth-generation ancestor was born, Cheddar cheese was first
made, Isaac Newton invented the reflecting telescope, watches utilized new "minute hands," the
first studies of geology began, the Paris Op‚ra was built, and Japan's Mitsui Bank was founded.
That information to me is thrilling, and it puts a "face" on the people I researched, instead of
merely seeing names on the page.
I created the Time Line as an appendix item for my study, which was then distributed to all the
family, but I then realized that my readers might be interested as well. The information applies to
most of the Western world, and I say that because the original focus was on my English ancestry.
Had my intent been more general and my resources more extensive, I would have attempted to be
more inclusive with regards to the Far East, Australia, Africa....
LJ for MBR: It's obvious from your website that you are a man of many talents. Artist, writer,
photographer, and poet. You are also employed in the film industry. Give us an overview of
Stuart Vail, the man.
Stuart: I first started teaching at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, then moved to L.A. and
worked as a music arranger for such people as Andy Williams, Donald O'Conner, and a little bit
for Woody Herman and Cher. I wrote for and conducted a church choir for 10 years, wrote a lot
of chamber music, was one of the composers for Batman: The Animated Series, and I am now in
the process of writing music for my son's first feature film, which is still in post production. I
work as an orchestrator for composers who write film scores and I also supervise a crew of music
copyists at Universal Studios. We transcribe each line from the composers' scores to create parts
for the musicians in scoring the films.
I was raised by two artists and was immersed in the world of photography and art, doing perhaps
every form of art imaginable, so I really missed all that when I went into music full time.
Illustration was my favorite art medium and I have always kept that up the cartoons in the
Humor section are all mine. Over the years I have done a number of painting commissions, but
producing TheScreamOnline has become my surrogate participation in the Arts. I really love
it.
LJ for MBR: Is there any question you wish I had asked, or any other bit of information you'd like
to share with our readers?
Stuart: I have been very disturbed with the course of world events, and it has been a challenge to
keep the magazine from turning into a political soapbox. I try to maintain a constructive tone in
the editorials sometimes even being tongue-in-cheek. But I must speak my mind about issues
that concern me, and I also provide room for writers who are more knowledgeable than I in
certain areas to address those issues. The Literature part of what TheScreamOnline is all about
includes essays and commentaries on current events, so I would hope that those who may
disagree with any ideas put forth in the magazine can see them as discussions worthy of
consideration, not as rants against the system.
LJ for MBR: Thank you for agreeing to this interview, Stuart. I encourage our readers to visit
your website at http://www.thescreamonline.com
Laurel Johnson
Reviewer
Shelley's Bookshelf
Dark and Tangled Threads of Crime
William B. Secrest
WordDancerPress
1831 Industrial Way #101, Sanger, CA 93657
ISBN: 1884995411 $15.95 CAN $24.95
A native of Fresno, California, William B. Secrest lived in the San Joaquin Valley. A veteran of
the Korean War, he returned home to earn a B.A. in education. He served as art director for a
Fresno advertising firm for many years. His interest in history was a sideline, but as his knowledge
grew he began researching and writing his own articles in the 1960's. He eventually began writing
about California history, and has produced hundreds of articles; monographs on California
themes; and finally began publishing books. He has at least six titles to his credit besides his
history of Isaiah W. Lees.
Isaiah W. Lees (1830-1902) was the Sherlock Holmes of California. He had a career which
spanned almost fifty years with the San Francisco police department which began at its inception
and finished with his titles of Chief of Police and, finally, Police Commissioner. Lees was attracted
to California during the famous Gold Rush, during a time when the city was filled with
troublemakers, adventurers, con-men, outlaws, and desperadoes. Lees was one of the chief
innovators and left behind an impressive rogues gallery of daguerreotypes which he paid for out
of his own pocket. He was a contemporary of Mark Twain, and their paths crossed in sometimes
unexpected ways as Twain tried his hand at being an in-depth reporter...not his forte:
"Lee must have smiled. There was some truth to what Twain wrote, of course, yet so much he
didn't know. Certainly there was an inept element on the force, and there always would be so long
as politics were involved in police affairs and appointments. And wouldn't the soon-to-be-great
humourist have been delighted to learn that Chief Burke was a paid agent of the French
government, charged with preventing recruiting efforts in San Francisco against Maximillian's
Mexican government?"
Including fascinating pictures from the actual rogues gallery, Secrest does a superb job of putting
together the threads of Isaiah W. Lees' career. Each chapter includes endnotes describing Secrest's
exhaustive research. His writing is not boring, either, as he brings Lee's life and exploits of
derring-do. He doesn't neglect Lees' home life, as he captures the essence of the private man
behind heroic feats and unassailable logic. A rare treat from a talented historian.
Beginner's Luck
Cheryl Ritzel
Tolling Bell Books
5430 Jimmy Carter Blvd., Suite 111, Norcross, GA 30093
ISBN: 0974058327 $12.00
Cheryl Ritzel is a Middle School teacher who writes as an avocation. She has a background in
Politics and Psychology.
Paul Grey's wife, Lindsey, is running a campaign for the Senate. Her uncle is Allan Puckett, who
is Atlanta's fortieth-district Senator. Allan has been grooming Lindsey to step into his shoes. But
Allan is found dead in his bathtub of a gunshot wound to the head and everyone assumes it's
suicide. Paul Grey begins a personal investigation that also involves the art deal Ralph Meeker,
who has also been found dead. What do an art dealer and a senator have in common? Stolen
art:
"When I saw it I knew for certain it was hot. On the back of the canvas was a mark that said
'Property of Weider Private Collection.' I immediately asked him if it was indeed stolen. He
laughed, saying what on earth did I think? Did I really think I could get an original Metcalf
legitimately? I was livid. I shouted for him to get out. He just shrugged and left claiming that he'd
be seeing me."
Of course the police think that Allan Puckett is behind the murder...everyone is in agreement
about the stolen art. It is up to Paul to track down and interview all persons who attended a
campaign party for his wife. He knows that one of them has the answer to the riddle.
Ms. Ritzel does a nice job of weaving a tangled web of deceit in this amateur sleuth thriller. She is
intent upon keeping the audience in the dark right up to the end and succeeds. She also handles
her male protagonist with panache, which isn't always easy to do. Paul Grey isn't too wimpy, or
too macho. He's just an ordinary guy trying to help out his wife's family, and he and his wife have
a wonderful give and take relationship. Paul manages to get himself into a dangerous denouement,
but even that is handled with lots of finesse.
Beginner's Luck is an entertaining whodunit written with a large audience in mind...it's not too
risque, yet the usual tension is there. A good effort by a writer with lots of skill and verve.
The Sixteenth Man
Thomas B. Sawyer
iUniverse.com
ISBN: 0595145442 $16.95 U.S./$27.95 CAN
Having topnotch credentials certainly helps in the writing biz, and Thomas B. Sawyer ranks
among the best, having been a former writer and producer of "Murder She Wrote." Sawyer brings
his considerable talents to his first mystery, and folks, it's a humdinger! Mr. Sawyer also
co-authored PLOTS UNLIMITED and is co-librettist of JACK, an opera about who else but John
F. Kennedy. Sawyer has both Edgar and Emmy nominations under his belt.
Packard, as he is referred to during most of the story, is an archaeologist whose "dig of a lifetime"
has eluded him. Bored and discouraged, he goes for a dangerous joyride on his new Suzuki and,
of course, takes a big dive. In the process he stumbles upon an old cave filled with bones and
skeletons that look to be the find of the century. But there is something else there...a skeleton
with modern day fillings which sets it off from the rest:
"He'd been staring at nothing in particular. But then he saw it. Another skull somehow different
from the first one. Packard reached down, brought it up to eye-level, dusted the rear surface.
'Okay, I'm examining another cranium. This one doesn't appear to be as wait a minute...' He had
turned it so that he was looking into its face. 'This one, there are a few hairs attached. And the
teeth Christ, they got SILVER fillings.'"
And that's just the beginning. Mr. Sawyer skillfully juxtaposes the modern day story of Packard
investigating the Kennedy-era story of who the skeleton is to come up with a gripping and
thoroughly plausible tale, replete with larger-than-life characters, a plot that transports the reader
to the scene, and a denouement that makes the reader squirm with pleasure. There is romance
galore, a touching family story, and general page-turning scenes.
Several words come to mind which easily apply to this novel: blockbuster; a story that absolutely
must be made into a film (with Viggo Mortensen as Dr. Packard); a tragedy that fits in with the
assassination of JFK; a historical mystery; the list goes on and on. Mr. Sawyer is a master who has
graced us with a thriller/mystery that is eminently entertaining. I didn't want it to end, and can
only hope he continues with this genre.
Edge of Tomorrow
Wolf Wootan
iUniverse, Inc.
2021 Pine Lake Rd., Suite 100, Lincoln. NE 68512
ISBN: 0595298796 $28.95
Wolf Wootan is a man of many talents himself, having worked for forty years in the computer
industry, including publishing documents and books for clients in the government. He is also a
former Air Force fighter pilot. He lives in Southern California.
Sydney Steppe is a woman for all seasons. Having earned a Ph.D. at Harvard, she speaks many
languages, has been a member of MOSSAD, the intelligence for Israel, where she carried out
assassinations of a terrorist group that was responsible for the death of her parents in a bus
explosion. Sydney is in Florida, trying to forget the dangerous part of her life, but the terrorists
are there to try to make her remember. She attracts the attention of Hatch Lincoln, himself a
former CIA assassin who has made billions by forming his own intelligence company. Little does
he know that Syd will figure in his future and come in handy in a fight:
"'Good shooting, Syd! Or should I say ANNA? Shadow-4 is in the air. They should be overhead
in a minute. Let's try to take him alive, see who sent him. We can guess who, but I would like to
verify it,' answered Hatch. 'This could provoke me into some very lethal action, and I want to be
sure who the target is.'"
Put together a sexy professor and a "hunk" of a spy and you get the connection between Sydney
Steppe and Hatch Lincoln (and all his aliases). Their talents leave audiences jealous; their looks
are everything the reader could hope for; and their missions are of the highest caliber.
Edge of Tomorrow is a gripping and entertaining spy story with nods to James Bond and Tom
Clancy. It is a touching love story of two people who have been forced to live on the edge and
have lost loved ones. Finally, it is a rip-roaring and bawdy tale of excitement and adventure sure
to keep the reader's nose stuck to the book. Wolf Wootan knows whereof he speaks. He has a
great sense of humor; real knowledge of weaponry and special ops; ties in his experience with
computers for a humdinger of a denouement; and has enough lovely sex scenes to make a nun
blush. His description of exotic locales where the action moves is superb. Wootan is a great writer
who should keep it up in this genre...no pun intended!
Shelley Glodowski
Reviewer
Shirley's Bookshelf
Mingled Blood
Elaine Palmer-McGill
EMC Books
www.emcbooks.com
P.O. Box 742233, Riverdale, GA 30274
ISBN# 0974193503 $14.95 226 pages
I am not one to truly enjoy stories of slavery. I have found that no one ethical group has the
patent on that hideous history. Slavery through time has taken many victims, black, white, yellow,
young and old, it crosses all lines and has not limits. It is found in all Countries, in mansions and in
the ghetto's, for slavery is the disrespect for human life of all ages and colors.
Although I feel we should never forget the crimes of our past, still at times writings only stir up
the hatred for a new generation that had no control of their fore-fathers affairs. It is a delicate line
we must walk, keeping always in our memory the mistakes that were made, yet forging forward
to uniting as human beings, praying that the lesson has been learned. That said, let us continue
with our review of this book.
Mingled Blood is an outstanding work. I was drawn into the story immediately and finished the
book in several days, a feat which I rarely accomplish. It is the story of a young girl named Lena
who is stolen from her Country and her family and brought to America to do the bidding of a
cruel task master named Charles Dickenson. Alone and afraid, this young girl quickly learned
what her purpose was to be, but she never lost her dignity nor her spirit of survival. Birthing
several children, whose father was her master, she instilled in them her fortitude of survival and
the ever present hope of freedom. You travel with her as her life proceeds. You taste her sorrow,
her despair, her fears and even her pride in her children and her roots.
After her death you follow the lives of her sons as Master Dickenson transports them to another
plantation. Unable to sell them, unable to look upon their faces, for in doing he sees his own, this
was his only recourse. You hold your breath in anticipation of what beholds these young
men.
The author does an outstanding job with her characters. She allows you to know their thoughts,
understand their actions and visualize their dreams and frustrations. However the author adds
something different to the norm on books about slavery. She brings to light the love that Master
Dickenson had for Lena, the forbidden love that he desperately tried to kill. You wonder how
many times this has happened in history and you shake your head in sorrow. A wonderful novel,
deep rooted in one of our Country's saddest hours. A story that takes you from the masses to the
heart of one little soul who was stripped of all life had to offer her. Heartbreaking and stirring!
Well done Ms. McGill! Excellent!
I Want It Now!
Na' Kisha Crawford, M.Ed
Pathway Publishing
9849 Foothill Blvd, Suite A, Rancho Cucamenga, CA 91730
ISBN# 0974476900 $13.95 138 pages
"I Want It Now" is a book about change, but it's a book about choices as well. The author takes
her life experiences and shares them with you, the reader, showing how she was able to find the
positive and use this as a stepping stone to success. In a way, she shows us that the ball is in our
court, as far as our life goes. We are the deciding factor, choosing either to be beaten down by
circumstances or using them for growth and accomplishment.
She does this in an encouraging, positive way, causing you to rethink many of your past failures
and re-evaluate where you are now and the choices you can make for a better tomorrow. I liked
the exercises she gives after her chapters, making you take the time to think about what you have
just read, how it applies to your life and circumstances, and also helping you to make necessary
changes where needed. You do have possibilities and opportunities that will bring you to a
brighter tomorrow, you just have to be willing to reach for them. This book will help you do that.
Very interesting read.
My First Christmas Board Book
Dawn Sirett
DK Publishing
375 Hudson Street, New York, N.Y 10014
www.dk.com
ISBN#0789447355 $6.99 36 pages
Colorful and educational are the two words that would best describe this delightful Christmas
book for the little one. Each page brimming with full color pictures of such things as, Animals at
the Stable, including the camel, sheep, donkey, dove and cow. Adorable. Another page is filled
with tree decorations, such as tinsel, bows, a star and ornaments.
This is a great little book to introduce your child to many of the traditions of Christmas. It is
sturdy, colorful and chock full of learning information. A very good read to share with your child
as you pass along the many wonders of the Christmas Season.
Tommy's New Bed
Pnina Moed-Kass
Turi MacCombie, illustrator
A Golden Book
Western Publishing Company Inc
Racine, Wisconsin 53404
ISBN #0307101339 $2.95 24 pages
It is always an experience when your child is ready to advance from his baby crib to the new 'big
boy' bed. A sense of joy that your child is growing fills your being, yet a trickle of sadness rests
within you as together you take that step. You know your child is apprehensive and you try to
calm their fear and encourage this next step in growing up. "Tommy's New Bed" is a sweet story
of doing just that. Not complicated, but simply told, a story that will encourage and calm the fears
in your little one as they take that next step.
I Can Help, Mommy
Winifred Rouse Simpson
Patricia Mattozzi, illustrator
Concordia Publishing House
3558 S. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis MO 63118
ISBN # 0570091128 $5.99 24 pp.
As always, it is a delight to read a book that instills into the little one good character as this book
does.
Dede learns the importance of helping others and she learns how much joy it can bring to
everyone involved. The love of Jesus is taught in a tender gentle way. The illustrations are
colorful and help to bring the story to life. A very good Christian teaching read.
Recommended!
The Day Of The Saints
Dr. Bill Hamon
Destiny Image Publishers, Inc.
P.O.Box 310, Shippenburg, PA 17257-0310
ISBN 0768421667 $14.99 http://www.destinyimage.com
I don't believe I have ever read a work that has given me so much knowledge about the
history of the church and the different movements that we have experienced as this one has.
Dr. Hamon details each one of these movements, explains their importance in the timetable of
God's plan, points the way towards the next move of God and finally to the climax of mankind's
destiny - "The Day of The Saints." What an exciting time that will be! Never have I read it
explained in such detail, nor understood the importance of each move that God planned for the
Church.He writes in an easy to understand manner, not condescending but clear and pointed,
leaving you with the knowledge of knowing the why's of God's movements and their importance
for mankind's destiny.
I have to admit that I must shift my thinking some and get it in line with what the Lord is about to
do; however this is of course what the work is about isn't it? Helping the Body of Christ to know
where we have been, where we are and where we are going! This is an outstanding study book; it
would be wise to keep it handy to help explain to others where we are on God's timetable. It also
is a great witnessing tool to generate excitement for those whom you are trying to reach for the
Lord. Share with them the future and show them what part they can play in the drama of God on
earth.
Very highly recommended reading for all Christians and a real wake-up call to our destiny. Thank
you Dr. Hamon!
The Eternal Church
Dr. Bill Hamon
Destiny Image Publishers Inc.
P.O. Box 310, Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310
www.destinyimage.com 1-800-722-6774
ISBN# 0768421764 $14.99 367 pages
Do you enjoy a book that takes you on a journey? Are you interested as a Christian about our
history as a church and what the future holds? If you answer yes to these questions, "The Eternal
Church" is a must read for you.
The author, Dr. Bill Hamon is a respected prophetic voice to the Body of Christ, which adds to
the creditability of the information he presents to the reader. Taking you on a journey of the
church from the first century, through the Middle Ages to the present and beyond, you will
understand what happened and may be more important, why, as Christ works to bring His church
into maturity. The book answered questions for me as a Christian and helped me to understand
my history as a believer and gave a glimpse of where the Lord's church is going.
All in all, this is a very informative work, recommended for the Body of Christ, helping us to
understand the works of the Lord, and the role we all play in bringing the drama to victory and
the blessed return of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Pods
Richard P. Tanos
Publish America
Baltimore, Maryland
www.publishameria.com
ISBN# 1413705677 $16.95 193 pages
Some books give you nightmares because of fantasy monsters, aliens that fly by night, or abusive
adults that prey on innocence; Pods will give you nightmares because the truth of what could so
easily happen is laid bare before your eyes. A nightmare that you will never wake up from.
The Albegoti terrorist group has a mission, that mission is the destruction of the American way,
the downfall of the free world. Masterminded by Shakir Omer, a man who has learned the
attributes of patience, you cringe at his determination to achieve his goal. Surrounded by those
who share his hatred for liberty, as we know it, the group begins their 10 year plan that will lead
to the downfall of the level of life that we now enjoy. I loved the writings of this book, but hated
the truth that it held. How easily could the world we know be crushed before us, I shudder to
think.
Mr. Tanos has taken the fear that lurks in all of our minds after the hideous attack on our Country
on 911 and has penned them into a story that we can only pray will never become a reality. As
always his writing is superb, his characters alive through his descriptive words and his storyline
brilliant! Pods, a wake up call in a fantasy read? You decide!
Murder In Metropolis
Lonnie Cruse
Quiet Storm Publishing
PO Box 1666, Martinburg, WV 25402
www.quietstormpublishing.com
ISBN# 0972881956 $22.95 203 pages
Sheriff Joe Dalton has a problem, namely finding the murderer of his best friend Jack Hatfield,
whose decapitated body was hung neatly over the landmark Superman statue in front of the
courthouse. Things like this don't happen in his town and certainly not to one of his old
schoolmates. This case was personal and if it took him his entire life he would find out who did it;
the quest beings.
I have read a lot of murder mysteries, some have been grisly, some have kept me sitting on the
edge of my seat, some have bored me to tears, but this one was different. The author weaves the
storyline around in a way that you very quickly feel you are a member of Sheriff Dalton's town.
He does this by bringing in personal aspects of different town members lives, their hopes, dreams,
fears and shortcomings. They no longer are just story characters in your minds eye, but through
the author's words they are alive. The murder victim Jack, his sister and brother, the Mayor and
even Dalton's wife become your neighbors and friends and you find yourself just as determined as
the Sheriff is to find the culprit of this crime. The only problem is that it is your very friends and
neighbors who become the prime suspects as two more bodies turn up, a newborn baby and Big
Ed, the town drunk and possible witness, who may have been able to shed some light on the
crime. How does the baby figure in all of this? You have to know.
Murder In Metropolis is not a fast paced read, but one that draws you into the lives of the
suspects, allowing you to search them for motives and making you part of the crime
investigation. I enjoyed that, it was a lot of fun trying to figure out, "Who done it!" The motives
for the murders and the ending I promise will surprise you. Very well done. Who would have ever
thought! A delightful reading experience.
Final analysis: A well thought out mystery drawing the reader into the very lives of the
townspeople, the suspects and the victims themselves. Written in a way that allows you to
participate in the investigation, but let me warn you, no matter how much you think you have it all
figured out, the ending to this one will surprise you. Excellent read, highly recommended.
INTERVIEW WITH CLINT GAIGE - "QUIET STORM PUBLISHING"
All of who read my column know I love to interview publishers. It is not always easy to find a
publisher who is willing to be interviewed, and at times when they do consent to one it is like
pulling teeth to get any information of use from them.
Some are arrogant and rude, and I wonder why they even consented in the first place. Some
consent but never answer the questions that I send to them! I want to sing that old song with a
few changes to the words, "Oh where oh where has the publisher gone, oh where oh where can he
be?" Others become concerned that after the interview, they will be flooded with more queries
then they had before. I want to say, "HELLO!" Isn't it the writer that is keeping you in business?
Without their work you would not have a job! However, I hold my tongue and hope that I can get
enough information that may be useful for you, the soul of any publishing house. Did they forget
that fact? But then there are times( proving there is a God) when I come across a publishing
house that is different and special. I don't know how I know this, call it a gut feeling or whatever,
but I just know.
Quiet Storm Publishing is one of those houses. Clint Gaige is a publisher that actually cares
about his authors and their work. I sense to him it isn't all about turning a profit, although all
concerned certainly hope this will happen, but it's about the craft of writing, the joy of reading and
merging the two making it a wonderful experience. Upon my first contact with him he wrote me
these words, and I quote,
"I feel that publishing is a partnership...if you don't enjoy the process what was the point. I've
been told by our authors it helps that I am one of them...I am also an author (crime fiction). So, if
they run into stumbling blocks, so do I. "
A publisher that truly cares? Interested? I certainly was, let's begin.
SPJ: Thank you Clint for allowing me to do this interview with you, I know I am excited to hear
all that you will share with us. Would you please tell us about your company background
information. When it was started, what the vision is behind it and your mission statement.
CLINT: I had been planning the publishing company while I was still working in radio for the last
few years. I was saving capital and planning. After the death of our son in December of 2000, my
wife and I decided that it was time to quit talking about it and actually do it. If for no other reason
than to make his life mean something. So, we took our working capital and began to plan the
company out, right down to how we would handle remedial details like mail flow. Planning is the
first step towards success, in my opinion.
SPJ: I am very sorry to hear that you suffered the pain of losing a child, my heart goes out to you
as I am sure all of our readers feel the same. Would you please tell us your position in your
company and what your duties are?
CLINT: My name is Clint Gaige and I am the President of Quiet Storm Publishing. I handle all
acquisitions. I am the primary contact for our authors (if they have any questions, they come to
me and I get the answer). I also deal with bookstores and libraries. I also produce most of the
cover art for our books. I have been doing less and less of that since discovering a handful of
talented artists like Dustin Evans, Sara Lindley and Kathi Anderson.
I have been here since it was an idea. My duties are vast and vary from day to day. I am not afraid
to get my hands dirty. I have even been known to format a book from time to time. Whatever the
team needs, I do. Its not very glamorous, but that isn't really the point.
SPJ: You have told me that you are also an author. Would you tell us a little about your writing
experience and your works?
CLINT: I tend to move back and forth between mainstream fiction and crime fiction. I have
always loved a good crime story. I also feel a need to tell everyday stories so somewhere in the
mix the two halves of my writer brain meet.
My second novel, "A Kerouac Christ", is fictional biography. The main character, Chris, is
struggling for identity and meaning, so he attempts to emulate his "savior", Jack Kerouac. He
goes on a journey that mirrors Jack's trip in many ways. The goal is to find out how to live his life,
the answers aren't so clear. Some of it is very truthful and other parts have been fictionalized
for the story's sake. I enjoy when people try to guess what part was true.
My third and latest, "Two Bits", is crime fiction. I started writing this one-day while I was signing
copies of "A Kerouac Christ". Inevitably, every mainstream writer has heard this; someone came
up to me and said, "man, I'd buy one if you only wrote a good (insert genre)." So, I thought about
it and had written my share of crime fiction short stories and figured, why not? The result was a
lot of fun. I am working on the sequel, "Two Words" due to demand from readers and my
editor.
SPJ: You certainly have a lot of talent and your books sound great! You sound as if you love to
write and I believe that is what is should be about. Thank you for sharing with us.
Would you please tell us what is the hardest part of your job and why?
CLINT: Turning down good books. Every Publisher has an intangible quotient that has to be met.
For some that intangible is defined by genre. For example, some publishers only want cozies and
they define that intangible by degrees. We work to keep a balance with our list. I have been
pitched great stories that just didn't fit and would have tipped the balance. So, turning down good
books is the hardest part of my job.
SPJ: I certainly can understand that. What part of your job makes you smile?
CLINT: Getting thank you notes from authors or readers. There is nothing quite like opening up a
letter to have a reader tell you that one of our books was the last thing they shared with a dying
loved one. Or, that one of our books was important in bridging a communication gap between
parent and teenager. Of course, its also great to have an author sell well, get their first royalty
check and thank you for making their dreams a reality. I have a great job.
SPJ: It is a dream come true to have a job that you actually enjoy doing, sounds like you are
blessed Clint! Would you like to share anything about your fellow workers and the jobs they do at
"Quiet Storm?"
CLINT: We have two amazing editors Sean Meiers and Liza Marshall. These two are so talented.
There are not enough words to tell you how much of themselves they put into each book. Both of
them have called me in the middle of the night to talk about a book. They are incredibly dedicated.
Any editor that is going to lose sleep over a manuscript is okay in my book.
We have some talented artists that have freelanced for us; Dustin Evans, Sara Lindley, Kathi
Anderson and Jeff Soper.
Our other team members tend to shy away from the spotlight. So, I'll just say that I love working
with them.
SPJ: Let's get to the meat of the interview, the questions that all authors want me to ask.
Let's talk about submissions. Must the authors query first? How many queries do you receive in a
given month?
CLINT: Yes. A query tells me A LOT. Misspelled words in a query tell me that an author's
attention to detail is lacking. Too many "I's" tell me a bit about the ego of the author. Promises
that cannot be delivered also annoy me; nothing irritates me more than a query that guarantees
sales numbers. So, a query is an important step for me, it allows me to get to know you a bit.
We receive, on average, 150 queries a month and it has been increasing.
SPJ: Thank you, I certainly agree with your one statement, "Promises that cannot be delivered!"
That annoys me as well. Now, let me ask you this, when you receive a query do you realize that
you have an author's hopes and dreams in your hands?
CLINT: Of course, however, I would remind authors that I am making decisions based on
business needs. They need to put on a thick skin and realize that when a publisher turns them
down there can be a number of reasons; the writing is only one of those possible reasons.
SPJ: Authors, let me throw this in here. You WILL need to have 'thick skin'. The reason
publishers are in the business is to make a living, one of the reasons, and I know with writers it is
only one of the reasons, you want them to publish your book is to have a return for your
work.
Try not to take rejections personal, I know that is hard but if you can overcome that it will help
you a lot in your quest for a publisher. Clint, would you please tell us what type of books you
publish.
CLINT: Primarily mystery. We also release a balance of sci-fi\fantasy. We are testing the waters
with Young Adult and Graphic Novels this year.
SPJ: What do you look for when a submission comes in, what catches your eye?
CLINT: Knowledge. Does the author understand that this is a business and their job just got
started? Does the author have unrealistic expectations? How is the story crafted? Do I see
quirks that just won't fly with our editors? Are the characters detailed and do they have depth? Is
the mystery a mystery? There are so many things we look for. It's hard to answer this because
there isn't a checklist. When it comes right down to it, picking a book is subjective, what does my
gut tell me?
SPJ: I think we all understand what you are saying about a 'gut' feeling. Would you give one tip
that might tilt the scale and help the author's work to be accepted.
CLINT: Attention to detail. Have a marketing plan or ideas for one in your letter. Let me see that
you know your audience. Don't tell me what writers you compare to, just tell me what you and I
can do together to build your own audience.
SPJ: How long is the wait before the author will know if their work is accepted and do you take
simultaneous submissions?
CLINT: That can vary so much. The longer it takes me the more I like the work. We try to have
submissions answered in 3-4 months. I try to have queries answered in 2-4 weeks. Again, the
longer it takes me to reject, the more we're bouncing it around the office. If an author emails or
calls and puts me on a deadline, then the answer is, no. I don't want to make a decision like that.
Because of our slow schedule, I have no problem with simultaneous submissions. If you can get
your book out elsewhere, more power to you. I don't want to hold anyone back. I don't believe
authors, or publishing companies are in competition with each other. Our competition comes in
the form of a Playstation, or a movie. Competing with ourselves is wasted effort, so if an author
can get a book published that is absolutely great.
SPJ: That is a great way to look at it, thank you for that comment. How many books do you
publish in a year and is that a set figure?
CLINT: This year we have slots for 2 new hardcovers and 2 trade paperbacks each month. All of
those slots are filled for 2004.
SPJ: Where can your books be purchases? Are they stocked in bookstores and do you have a
return policy. (this may seem like a strange question but is a real concern for authors with some
publishing houses)
CLINT: Well, with any small press, I can't guarantee our books will be on shelves nationwide. We
aim to get our books carried regionally for our authors. We have several indie bookstores that do
carry a number of our titles. We do have a return policy. Books can be returned to us through
whichever channel a bookstore orders them through. So, if a bookstore orders through Ingram,
they can return to Ingram. If they order directly from us, they can return them directly back.
We've never refused a return.
SPJ: Now a question that all authors would like to know; how are writers paid? Do you give
advances and do you work with a standard contract?
CLINT: We pay authors a royalty, no advance. We do have a standard contract. We have had
lawyers review it for fairness to both parties. Publishing is a partnership; both partners have to get
something out of the relationship.
SPJ: Publishing is a partnership; I like that! What type of promoting do you do for your authors
and what is required of them?
CLINT: I host an hour-long radio show on BookCrazy Radio (www.bookcrazy.net). We run
advertisements for our books on that show. We purchase full-page ads quarterly in Futures
Mysterious Anthology. We purchase full-page ads in Small Press Review. And, we tend to buy
ads in convention programs where our authors are attending.
As for what is required of them. I am not a dictator. I don't make demands of the authors.
However, if an author wishes to be successful in this industry they have to get involved. The days
of waiting for your publisher to sell your books for you is over, even in New York City.
SPJ: It sounds as if you do a great deal to help your authors, that is wonderful! If the author's
work is accepted, what is the amount of time from acceptance to print?
CLINT: Oh, now that REALLY varies. Different manuscripts have different requirements. Some
manuscripts were really well written and need very little. Others need more time with an editor. I
could also make an offer on a manuscript further from an available opening; they would know that
before they signed.
SPJ: Let me ask you this, where do you see your company in 5 years?
CLINT: Bigger. We have a lot of plans. We are looking into sponsoring a book convention in
West Virginia. We want to expand to include a physical Quiet Storm bookstore. I have also been
approached by a Northern Virginia Cable Company to take the radio show to television. The
Publishing Company is headed into its third year and gaining steam. We reached 98% of an
aggressive sales plan in 2003, which was exciting. We have a great group of authors and I foresee
a number of them moving on to greener pastures and to NY contracts. I wish I could keep them,
but I don't want to hold anyone back.
SPJ: Please tell us about your Graphic Novels.
CLINT: Our graphic novel line is in the testing phase this year. We were lucky enough to stumble
onto a handful of talented artists, Dustin Evans and Marcus Lawrence. I wrote both of the graphic
novels we are releasing this year, but we have original works by other writers in the works. The
first one is titled When Madness Consumes, which is a modern retelling of Hamlet in a Mafia
setting with artwork by Marcus Lawrence. Dustin Evans is busy adapting my novel into graphic
novel. Both artists are spectacular and we're pleased to be working with them.
SPJ: Is there a question you wish I had asked that I did not, if so please use this space to give that
information.
CLINT: Not really. I think we've covered quite a bit. Of course, once this is in print, I'll think of a
million things. I would add one thought, if I may, keep focused and remember that finding a
publisher is as much about the intangibles as anything else. Don't sign a contract just because they
said, "yes." Sign a contract with a publisher you feel comfortable with. The Publisher is the one
person who will have as much to say about your book as you do, don't take that too lightly. Do
your homework when looking for a publisher. Buy a book or two; get a feel for the quality of
work they put out.
SPJ: Please write any closing words that you would like to leave with our readers, about yourself,
your company, or publishing in general.
CLINT: I think it's important for authors to remember that this is a business. They need to think in
terms of a business and remember that their publisher is a partner. If both parties work together,
the rewards are infinite.
I believe that it is important that Quiet Storm Publishing knows its place in the food chain. We're
not looking to compete with the larger houses, which would be foolish. But, do not confuse our
understanding with acceptance. We are always looking for ways to sell books and to promote our
authors.
And, my final thought is this; a successful writing career is a marathon, not a sprint and no matter
what happens, enjoy the run.
SPJ: Thank you for such wonderful comments and information! I don't know about you readers,
but I certainly have enjoyed sharing with Clint and learning about "Quiet Storm!" I believe if you
can get your work into this publishing house you will indeed have a publisher that is one of the
best.
I want to thank Clint Gaige for consenting to do this interview with me and I certainly look
forward to reading and reviewing some of the work that comes from this publishing house.
I extend the very best to Clint, his fellow workers and his authors. May all your dreams come
true! I am sure they will!
Shirley Johnson
Reviewer
Stephanie's Bookshelf
Spidered Web
Hertzan Chimera
Cyber-Pulp
13430 Whitchurch Way, Houston, Texas 77015
http://come.to/cyberpulp
$14.00 166 pp.
Normally when I read an interview I observe the standard questions and focus mainly on what the
"interviewee" has to say. That's the way it has always been done, right? This is certainly not the
case in Hertzan Chimera's Stoker nominated book, "Spidered Web". Picture Barbara Walters
being strapped in an insane asylum with violent waves of electricity being forced through her
skull, then getting up to conduct an interview with some of the most incredible minds in horror
fiction.
"Spidered Web" starts out with Mr. Chimera in a dreamlike world, which only an author like
Chimera could imagine, standing at the gates of Heaven and sizing up a statue of female
proportions. Next to him stands the fake author Jack Ketchum. They exchange words, then the
real Jack Ketchum busts in, who seems a bit bewildered by Chimera's style of interviewing.
After informing Chimera that he prefers directness to Chimera's odd style of interviewing, he goes
on about writing, the sixties, Elvis and everything in between.
Digging further into the book, Chimera sets the scene at Tom Piccirilli's home, the two of them
gathered around the dinner table with Chimera's brother, Jack, watching as he devours his own
brain. Later, while travelling down a cobblestone back alley, Chimera discovers author Alex
Severin in a gutter and ends up with a sword to his throat while she demands his bloodshed. Then,
Chimera makes a call to author Amy Grech and finds himself sitting in his own feces and
slaughtering a poodle. And mixed in with all of the insanity, there is much insight on the authors
being interviewed.
Also on the Chimera interview roster are:
Charlee Jacob
Michael A Arnzen
Kurt Newton
Christina Sng
John Lawson
Queenie Tirone
John Turi
MF Korn
Monica J. O'Rourke
Polycarp Kusch
Destiny West
DF Lewis
And my favourite interview of them all, Ed Lee, whose long rant about writing, the Yankee's, not
being rich, lizards, blurbs and Family Dollar clam chowder tossed me into a hysterical frenzy.
This wild group of interviews is an amazing mix of fiction and the reality of today's most
intriguing horror writers. If standard questions had been used, sure, it would have still been
interesting, but Chimera's gore savvy style has taken the standard interview, sliced it into shreds
and put the author in an entirely new light, showcasing their own creativity along with their
everyday lives and opinions. He has the ability to pull a reader from their reading area and straight
into the story, or in this case, interview, so the reader can feel as if they are witnessing the bizarre
world he has created with their own eyes.
Next time you watch Barbara Walters bring someone to tears on the television screen, keep in
mind Chimera can make them bleed with the simple flip of a page.
United States
Hertzan Chimera
Double Dragon Publishing
www.double-dragon-ebooks.com
ISBN:1554040485 $4.99 270 pp.
Reading the writings of psycho erotic horror author Hertzan Chimera is a lot like being shot up
with a potent mixture of morphine and ecstasy. It was almost as if I was feverish and in the middle
of a nightmare, trying to break free from it while thrashing around in sweat soaked sheets. And
no, this isn't a bad thing. Chimera's second novel "United States" is an incredible, grim look into
the sick reality which is life, sex and mid-eighties insanity.
It starts off with the first half, "The Founding Fathers", which is filled with a variety of characters
all sharing last names taken from the US' fifty states. In between the sexy, pain packed paragraphs
an evil plan is in action resulting in the murders of innocent and not so innocent people, the
disappearance and deaths of infants and strange sexual encounters leaving some people dead and
others physically changed like pleasurably prodded guinea pigs.
"The Bill of Rights" finishes off the 80,000 word novel with a bizarre, first person ride through
the dream-like world and life of an insane man who has no sex organs or thumbs. Like the first
half of the book, it is crammed full of sexual horrors, but is painted with science fiction and
shape-shifting monsters.
"United States" is definitely a mad mans' crack- the kind of book you could find yourself addicted
too, but have to be crazy to stomach, or not very timid. Chimera's words are relentless, bold and if
he wasn't so damn intelligent some people would call the book disgusting trash because they don't
know how to separate their reality from their fiction. I don't suggest ordering this book for your
teenage children or your weak hearted grandmother. But if you like them sick, have a set of tough
guts and want a page to page high that will make your stomach twist and every part of your body,
including your fingertips, perspire, I suggest you get high on Hertzan.
Interview with author Hertzan Chimera
1) You are well known for your over-the-edge tales of psycho-erotic horror. Your writings are
outrageously wild, extremely horrific and some people have even gone as far as calling you a
madman. I have to ask, would people say you were also a strange child? If so, what was the
strangest thing you were ever caught doing?
I have never been caught, though I have sometimes admitted to certain indiscretions.
2) The human body is described brilliantly in "United States" and mentioned many times. Your art
also focuses a lot on the human body. Why do you have such a fascination with it?
Human bodies taste real good and smell real good, too - especially the recently dead ones. I jest,
but in reality, I love the human body, I love how it feels, how it grows, how it dies and everything
in between. I love kisses. I love body language. I like the way every part of the human body is
written with the same biological formula. If you look at a gorgeous mouth, you could be looking
at an anus - same mechanism. If you're looking at an eye, side on, you could be looking at the
wrinkled opening to the vagina. A near resembles a foetus in the womb. Muscles grow by ripping,
the split fibers grow. It's a fascinating organism.
3) I noticed a lot of controversial venting in your writing. Do you use your characters to vent
your own views and if so, why all of the anger?
I am a very relaxed person, nothing like the crazy fool who writes Hertzan Chimera fiction.
However, I do use my characters to air my rather extreme views on life, the universe and rice
pudding - they are a corporate mouthpiece for a dissatisfied loner. Everything in my books is real.
It has all happened to me or around me in one way or another, I have merely refigured and
reflavoured it for the reader as entertainment.
4) God: friend or foe? Why?
God - the universe don't need the burden of a god to run. God for me is the way an atom spins,
the force behind why the universe pulls together to form the atoms, God is everything in the
universe. God is exceptionally happy that the universe continues to pull into itself in every
direction. That is God. The problem arises when THE BIBLE (a book written by some possibly
madand/or drug-crazed scribes back in the annals of history from spoken stories of the fantastic
and reinterpreted many times since from language to language) claims that God made the Earth
and everything on it. People take this to mean, he constructed our planet, period, to me it means
that function and structure of Universal Equilibrium forced the earth to cool from the embers of
our proto-sun. What.e.v.e.r.
5) Have you ever found yourself in an erotic scenario like you have described in your writings?
Writing is writing. Erotic scenarios are the backbone of the creative urge. For what are we but
romantics about the rutting act?
Without art (and writing) the world would be full of schoolyard bullies and political agendaslike
oh, so many of the horror writers who are spilling their baby-ish attitudes and prejudices all over
the net of late.... the amount of messageboards that are failing because of jealousy. If only we
could learn tocollaborate more in the creative field instead of all trying so desperatelyhard to
protect our precious little piece of the market. We need more lovers, and less fighters.
6) What other passions do you have aside from writing?
Absolutely nothing else matters, I live only for writing. I used to be a figurative artist for ten years
and I was totally into that such that myweight fell to nine and a half stone (and I'm 5 ft 10 inch
tall). I was doing about two hours of karate training a night, too in that frantic time.I was
uncontrollable, mood swings up and down, a really horrible person to be near - very nasty. Now I
live and breathe only the creativity of the nextdelicious phrase, the next verbal outrage. My times
of craziness are not at an end but they have subsumed into another less-physical form, a new
realm of undo. In my spare time (between my job as a 3D artist in computer games and fiction) I
write alternative and foreign reviews for video and dvd site Video Vista.
7) Okay, icky industry question: What are your thoughts on the following:
Self publishing - the coward's way out.
Small press - the only place where the balls are cast iron.
Big publishing houses - eyes on last year's P&L figures.
8) If you could be any type of animal in the world what would you be and why?
I always thought I was a cheetah. That's how it is, Chimboy the cheetah.
9) If I followed you around with a camera, what would I witness? What is a typical day in the life
of Hertzan Chimera like?
You would see a man you do not recognise as Hertzan Chimera getting older and no wiser. You
would feel conned. You would wonder where the Mister Hydeof Doctor Jekyll lives. You may
even ask people if I really was Hertzan Chimera and they would go, "I dunno. Has anybody even
seen a real Hertzan Chimera? What shape is it? Is it fixed or unreal?" You would eventually point
your camera in another direction to capture something that was really interesting.
10) You have recently released "Spidered Web" through Cyber-Pulp, which isa warped series of
interviews with authors from the horror genre. What wasit like shooting the sh** with such
incredible writers?
Interviews are a total brain killer. Real tedious filth of a chore. The idea with the Spidered Web
interviews was to explore the writer. Not by asking him a list of boring questions, but by setting
the interview IN THE WORLD OFHIS/HER WORDS. Turn the table on the writer and make
him by reference directly responsible for his output. Allow his true nature to come face toface
with the nature of his creativity. They were meant to be hard wrok forthe interviewees, true
creative collaborations rather than simple question & answer box ticking.
11) You live in the UK, the place where some of the greatest bands ever were formed. What
could we find you listening to?
I have ecclectic tastes in all things, and music is no exception. I worshipMarilyn Manson,
Bauhaus, Asalah, Mozart, Arabian music, Aphex Twin, Billie Holiday, Slipknot, Radiohead (a
local Oxford band), The Beatles, The Stones,Brian Eno, Michael Nyman, David Bowie, Bjork, JS
Bach, Nick Cave, Metallica, Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes, Tchaikovsky, Debussy, Slipknot.......
ecclectic,you see?
12) Do you have any interesting writing habits- nail biting, brain slurping,coffee chugging- while
you type?
Music is a great inspiration. I sometimes fugue out on a track just for the hell of it, letting the feel
of the piece carry the word melange onto crazier and crazier rythms and melodies. I did once
write, edit and have accepted by THE URBANITE a story called SHE GIVES ME THE FEAR in
the spaceit took for the Mechanical Animals CD to loop twice. I am a 'sober writer' needing help
from no drugs whether narcotic or alcoholic to really let ripand forget that boundaries ever
existed - I owe this to history, this literal freedom.
13) What have you got stewing right now and why do we have to wait so long for "Chimeraworld
2"?
Double Dragon Press, publisher of my ebooks, have just released my ANIMAL INSTINCTS
collection in fully-illustrated oversized paperback version and let me tell you, it is stunning, Mitch
Phillips, the illustrator, is gonna be a big name in the future. I have just finished my third novel
Yoroppa and already Hellbound Books has read it several times withgreat enthusiasm and will be
publishing it in Q1, 2006. Cyber Pulp recentlybrought out my Chim & Her collaborative
collection, written with eight ofthe worlds most stunning female writers: Charlee Jacob, Alex
Severin, Amy Grech, Destiny West, Dawn Andrews, Brutal Dreamer, Queenie Tirone and
Christina Sng. It and Chimeraworld #1 (which I edited) came out the dayafter Valentine's day,
15th Feb 2004. As well as editing future editions of Terror Tales, finishing off the male collabs
CHIM + HIM written with Mark McLaughlin, DF Lewis, MF Korn, John Edward Lawson,
Vincent Sakowski, Simon Logan and (subversive site Suspect Thoughts' editor) Greg Wharton,. I
have alot of interest from a publisher for my full-colour illustrated cyberseries F*** STAR, I will
be reading for Chimeraworld 2 through September of 2004only. There just aren't enough hours in
a millennium.
14) Any last words?
Octopus shrivels in a black soup of disguise.
Stephanie Simpson-Woods
Reviewer
Vicki's Bookshelf
Grass Angel
Julie Schumacher
Delacorte Press / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 038573073X $15.95, 208 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens
Frances Cressen is set to enjoy an ideal summer at Camp Whitman with her best friend Agnes
until her mother decides that a trip to Mountain Ash, a spiritual retreat, is a better idea. Frances
manages to wiggle her way out of bible camp, but then has to live with her crazy Aunt Blue for
the summer when her mother and brother leave for Mountain Ash without her. With her mom and
brother gone, and her house rented to a stranger, Frances begins to wonder what's become of her
splintered family. Middle grade readers will empathize with Frances' emotional struggle as she
learns to deal with separation and understand the truth about change. Touching and suspenseful,
"Grass Angel" will resonate with readers age 10 through 14, long after the final chapter ends.
Lionboy
Zizou Corder
Dial Books for Young Readers
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014-3657
ISBN 0803729820 $15.99, 288 pages, www.penguin.com
What do you do when you come home one day and discover that your parents have been
kidnapped? In this riveting first story of a major new trilogy, young Charlie Ashanti goes in search
of his scientist parents who happen to have made a miraculous discovery: a cure for asthma. No
less remarkable is 10-year-old Charlie's ability to speak the language of cats (ever since a leopard
scratched him as a young child). Charlie recruits the stay cats of London and later, lions of a
floating circus to help in his search. When it comes time to leave the floating circus, it is the
lions, in fact, that aid his escape. From an unusual mother/daughter writing team, this captivating
adventure is full of heroes, villains and astounding events. Set in a near future that blends the
familiar and the new in unexpected, intriguing ways, Lionboy is an exhilarating, suspenseful
whirlwind of a novel. Recommended for ages 8 and up, and especially, for fans of "Eragon," "The
Amulet of Samarkand" and "Inkheart."
Hummingbird Nest
Kristine O'Connell George, illustrated by Barry Moser
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0152023259 $16, 48 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com
Subtitled "A Journal of Poems," Hummingbird Nest is Kristine O'Connell George's latest poetry
anthology, and is one of her most serious works. It centers around real-life observations she made
while witnessing a family of hummingbirds nest on a backyard tree. Soon eggs were laid, and the
family anxiously awaited and watched the birth of baby birds, their feedings and daily flight
practice. Each brief poem is a simple observation, feeling, or character narration; George even
voices interior thoughts of the family dog and cat which are forced to reign in their normal actions
in order to protect the little nesters. For instance: "I'm locked in jail/ can't go outside / (I certainly
tried.) / I'm a prisoner -- / because of a bird./ How absurd." To augment the reading experience,
the story-poems are followed by an informative note about the poet's experience with the birds,
and a collection of hummingbird facts. Recommended spring reading for ages three to seven.
My House Is Singing
Betsy R. Rosenthal, illustrated by Margatet Chodos-Irvine
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0152162933 $16.00, 32 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com
Sure to be a popular new choice for April's poetry events, "My House Is Singing" is a lovely
collection of (mostly) non-rhyming poetry told from a child's perspective. Individually and
collectively, the elegant nuggets celebrate the things that make a house a special place. Some, like
" Worn Out," are simple thoughts presented similarly to haiku: Faded by the sun/ coming
unraveled / out front mat is tired / from welcoming so many feet." Others are more detailed
assessments of things like trying to shout over the roar of a vacuum cleaner, a stubborn back
door, and how a garage becomes filled with things. Still others take a more playful attitude,
flirting with concrete poetry tricks with creative type layout. It's a wonderful auditory treat when
read aloud, and an equally enjoyable solitary read, thanks to Margaret Chodos-Irvine's beautifully
distinctive art.
The Stories of Hans Christian Andersen
Edited by Diana Crone Frank and Jeffrey Frank
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Ave. So., NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0618224564 $27.00, 294 pages, www.hmco.com
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales have been beloved the world over for more than 150 years.
For this new collection, "The Stories of Hans Christian Andersen: A New Translation from the
Danish," editors Diana Crone Frank and Jeffrey Frank have researched Andersen's life and work
to create the most accurate view possible. The Franks' new translations are perhaps the truest
English-language versions yet, presenting a faithful take on Andersen's colloquial Danish. The
compilation includes Andersen's most famous stories, such as "The Little Mermaid," "The Ugly
Duckling," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Match Girl," as well as many lesser-known
stories, such as "Auntie Toothache." The 22 tales are presented chronologically, with an emphasis
on those from the 1830s and 1840s, when Andersen published what are now his most celebrated
works. The stories are accompanied by the charming drawings of Vilhelm Pedersen and Lorenz
Frolich, both of whom illustrated for Andersen during his lifetime. A beautifully produced classic
for all ages.
The Trial
Jen Bryant
Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0375827528 $14.95, 176 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids
In 1932, the baby son of aviator Charles Lindbergh was snatched from his crib, leaving the sleepy
town of Flemington, New Jersey, and all of America, shocked to the core. First-time young adult
novelist Jen Bryant a native of Flemington tells the suspenseful story of the "Trial of the
Century" in her unusual new novel, "The Trial." Written in lyrical poems, it employs the voice of a
12-year-old narrator, Katie Leigh Flynn, who transports readers to the chaotic trial of Bruno
Richard Hauptmann, and reveals the real-life figures, their startling fates, and the many faces of
justice. The young POV gives the story emotional depth and a you-are-there ringside seat. Each
poem delves deeply into the Depression-era mentality and brilliantly demonstrates how Katie
Leigh, and the town, is transformed. An appeal read for historical fiction fans -- girls in particular
-- ages eight through 12.
Rosa's Room
Barbara Bottner, illustrated by Beth Speigel
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 1561453021 $15.95, 32 pages, www.peachtree-online.com
Rosa and her mother have moved into a new house, and Rosa knows just what she needs to feel
at home in her new room: clothes in her closet on Monday, treasure box in place on her desk on
Tuesday, and a poster on her wall on Wednesday. But for some reason she feels that the room is
missing something. "More," her cat seems to say. So Rosa checks out five books from the library,
and draws a picture of her view out her new window. That's when she sees a girl playing outside,
and figures out what she needs to make her room feel just right: a new friend. The simple,
sensitive picture book story will be as comforting as a warm blanket to young readers
experiencing similar feelings about their own new explorations outside their tiny world. Equally
soft are the pastel watercolor and ink illustrations, that make "Rosa's Room" a friendly place.
Shadow of a Doubt
S.L. Rottman
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 1561452912 $14.95, 172 pages, www.peachtree-online.com
For 15-year-old Shadow Thompson, life ended seven years ago on the night his older brother
Daniel ran away from home, taking Shadows piggy bank and his trust. That's when Shadow
stopped depending on other people and turned inward, relying only on himself. But now Daniel is
back and is accused of murder. Shadow is overwhelmed with anger and guilt at his family's failure
to cope with problems and each other. But as he begins to open up to new friends, he slowly
learns to trust again, and finally, to forgive, giving the Thompson's a second chance at being a
family. The emotional story tugs at the heartstrings as it depicts the complexity of human
relationships. Another serious dramatic work from the author of "Hero," "Head Above Water"
and "Rough Waters" for sophisticated middle grade and high school readers age 12-15.
Matter
Darlene Stille, illustrated by Sheree Boyd
Picture Window Books
5115 Excelsior Blvd. Suite 232, Minneapolis, Minn. 55416
www.picturewindowbooks.com
ISBN 1404802460 $21.26 (list), $15.95 (school/library), 24 pages,
Dusty or wet, stretchy or soft, matter is all around us. Even air is made of matter! This
educational non-fiction picture book for ages five to 10 shows and tells how solids, liquids and
gases change form. Subtitled "See It, Touch It, Taste It," this subject "Matter" is part of the
publisher's "Amazing Science" series along with other new titles about air, motion and
temperatures. The simple series is aligned with the curriculum standard "The Living Environment:
The Flow of Matter and Energy" as required by the Benchmarks for Science Literacy Project
2061. Recommended for classroom and library use for grades K-4.
Think, Think, Think: Learning About Your Brain
Pamela Hill Nettleton, illustrated by Becky Shipe
Picture Window Books
5115 Excelsior Blvd. Suite 232, Minneapolis, Minn. 55416
www.picturewindowbooks.com
ISBN 1404802460 $21.26 (list), $15.95 (school/library), 24 pages
This educational title is a smart kindergarten through third grade introduction to the brain, the
wonderful organ that controls all of our thoughts, feelings and movements. Using bright and bold
illustrations, this attractive picture book is on in a new series of fun narrative primers called "The
Amazing Body." The simple, engaging text effectively captures young minds while the friendly
illustrations both diagrams and scenes of kids doing everyday things draws them in like good
storybooks. The series is aligned with the standard, "The Human Organism: Basic Functions," as
required by the National Standards for History. Recommended for classroom and library use for
ages 5-9.
Betrayal at Cross Creek
Kathleen Ernst
Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
ISBN 1584858788 $6.98, 166 pages, www.americangirl.com
In the mid-1700s, in the deep forests of North Carolina's Cape Fear River Valley, thousands of
Scottish immigrants settled, hoping to find a peaceful home after decades of political turmoil in
Scotland. One of the immigrants is 12-year-old Elspeth Monro, an orphan who lives with her
grandparents, both of whom bear the scars of the long wars in Scotland. Though the dark forest
and the English townspeople of nearby Cross Creek seem very foreign to Elspeth, she is slowly
beginning to feel at home in North Carolina, with a new friend and a weaving apprenticeship she
loves. The brewing Revolution feels very far away to her and her Scottish neighbors, until
someone starts to threaten her family, trying to force them to join the rebels. When the men in the
family join the battle, Elspeth is left alone to protect her grandmother, and to figure out who is
putting her family in danger. The latest novel in the "History Mysteries" series is a pleasant read
for historical fiction fans ages nine to 12.
Micro-Minis
Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
ISBN 1584858729 $17.95, 48 pages, www.americangirl.com
Based on one of American Girl magazine's most popular crafts, the "Micro-Minis" book kit
contains 200 wood pieces, beads, foam shapes, and other crafty items for girls to create itsy bitsy
furnished rooms. The book provides step-by-step instructions, and colorful photos give styling
ideas for little living tooms, bittsy bedrooms, kitchy kitchens and more. Tucked inside the book's
final pages are sheets of patterned paper to use as rugs or wallpaper to give dioramas a finishing
touch. A fun and novel gift item for crafty girls age nine and up.
The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln
Mike Reiss, illustrated by David Catrow
Price Stern Sloan / Penguin
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0843102713 $10.99, 32 pages, www.penguinputnam.com
Life isn't easy for eight-year-old Benjy. He looks just like Abraham Lincoln, right down to the
wart and beard. He gets stovepipe hats for every birthday. He has to play Lincoln in every school
play whether he's part of the story of not. And the teasing never stops. But then he spends a
summer at Camp What-Cha-Ma-Call-It: The Camp for Kids Who Look Like Things. There,
amongst kids who look like frogs, toasters, bowling balls, and even the backside of a horse, Benjy
learns some important lessons about himself and the things that make a person truly special. It's
no accident that this hilarious picture book is a cartoonish send-up: author Mike Reiss won four
Emmys for his work on "The Simpsons," was president of "The Harvard Lampoon" and penned
kids books like "The Great Show-and-Tell Disaster." Artist David Catrow is equally demented,
and that's a very good thing when called upon to create sympathetic drawings of such an oddball
bunch. Although it is virtually impossible for picture book age children to understand the book's
final twist, the joke is guaranteed to give adult readers a good belly laugh. A tip of the hat also
goes to the publisher for producing such a slick picture book at a reduced cover price.
Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye
The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid
Cat and Mouse in a Haunted House
I'm Too Fond of My Fur
Four Mice Deep in the Jungle
Geronimo Stilton (fictional alias)
Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439559634 (Lost)
ISBN 0439559642 (Curse)
ISBN 0439559650 (Cat)
ISBN 0439559669 (Fond)
ISBN 0439559677 (Jungle)
$5.99, 122 pages each www.scholastic.com
Scholastic marks a brilliant return to monthly publishing with four titles in a new paperback
chapter book series from newspaper writer and editor Geronimo Stilton. It bears noting that Mr.
Stilton is not only the fictional author starring in each adventure, but is also a mouse with a
whiskered nose for news stories. He runs a newpaper in New Mouse City, but really wants to
write adventure tales, so ends up on one exciting excursion after another. In "Los Treasure of the
Emerald Eye," Geronimo's sister, Thea, discovers a map revealing a treasure on a faraway island,
and so off they go on a treasure hunt. "The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid" takes Geronimo to
Egypt, where he interviews a famous archaeologist. Bur after crossing the desert on a crabby
camel, Geronimo becomes lost inside the Great Cheese Pyramid where he discovers the secret of
the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Mouse World. Geronimo gets lost again in "Cat and Mouse in
a Haunted House," where he stumbles into a spooky castle filled with killer kitties. If that's wasn't
dangerous enough, next, Geronimo is kidnapped by a Yeti in "I'm Too Fond of My Fur." In the
newest saga, "Four Mice Deep in the Jungle," our rodent protagonist is off to the jungle for a
daunting survival course. Full of action and humor, the fun Geronimo Rat series is a welcome one
appealing greatly to boys and girls ages 7 to 10. Interestingly, this is the latest translation of the
series which originated in Italy where they've outsold Harry Potter before becoming a
worldwide hit. The American edition has been given a slick, colorful and creative treatment that
will adds tremendous enjoyment for readers, and a particularly good value for buyers. New
adventure coming soon: "Paws Off, Cheddarface!"
Mister Monday
Grim Tuesday
Garth Nix
Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439551234 (Monday), 364 pages
ISBN 0439551234 (Tuesday), 328 pages
$5.99 each www.scholastic.com
Seven is the significant number at the heart of the latest fantasy series by the accomplished Garth
Nix, author of "The Seventh Tower" series, among others. "Mister Monday" is about a man of the
same name: the first of seven people 7th grader Arthur Penhaligon must search for in the
Kingdom. He inherited a key (from a will broken into seven pieces) to a strange and dangerous
house, and must summon all his courage to unlock the secrets of the world he finds. He's soon
meets the stranger named Mister Monday, his avenging messengers with bloodstained wings, and
an army of dog-faced Fetchers who will stop at nothing to get the key back. Desperate, Arthur
ventures into a mysterious house to unravel the secrets of the key and discover his true fate. The
dark tale continues another day with "Grim Tuesday," another fast-paced series of scares in which
Arthur must return to the sinister house. A new day brings new challenges and a new enemy,
Grim Tuesday. Arthur finds that he must steal a Sunship, survive a weird work camp, befriend a
bear-like spirit, and fight the void Nothlings. The adventure is as intriguing as it is frightening and
intense. Nix's storytelling skills reach a fevered pitch time and time again, and keep the tension
taut as the minutes of the clock keep ticking. Fans will be marking their calendar for the next five
"daily" installments.
Clorinda
Robert Kinerk, illustrated by Steven Kellogg
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689864493 $15.95, 32 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
Life on the farm is everything a cow like Coriinda could want. But one election day, while up at
dawn to travel to the city to cast her ballot, Clorinda mistakenly stumbles into a performance of a
classical ballet. She is enchanted by the magic of dance, and decides to become a bovine ballerina
despite her size and two left hooves. Soon she heads for the big-city stage to start her career. Her
motto -- "Be bold and imaginative! Shoot for the sky!" buoys her dream, but will it be enough
to help her overcome the obvious obstacles in her way? The picture book's witty verses, bubble
dialog, and warmly comic illustrations combine seamlessly to jumpstart Clorinda on her beautiful
moo-sical career.
Rising Stars of Manga Vol. 2
Tokyopop
5900 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., CA 90036
ISBN 1691822246 $9.99, 224 pages, www.tokyopop.com
This graphic novel anthology is the second in a series featuring Japanese manga-styled comic
stories by American artists and writers. The 11 action-adventure-sci-fi-comedy stories here are the
result of Tokyopop's latest Rising Stars contest, which seeks the best of amateur submissions
from this side of the pond. The winners here were selected from hundreds of entries, and are
surprisingly slick. Less surprising is that most clearly imitate existing characters, offering few new
twists on the genre. Most manga sub-genre styles are covered here, from shojo angst to shonen
fury, and goth ennui to kawaii cuteness, but don't think this is all kids's stuff; as usual, the
publisher's self-rating system grades this as appropriate for teens but parents are likely to disagree.
The editor's decision to include judging panel notes is quite interesting, and gives an eye-opening
peek into what it will take for these young talents to make good on their "rising star" status.
Lonesome George The Giant Tortoise
Francine Jacobs, illustrated by Jean Cassels
Walker & Co.
435 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0802788645 $16.95, 32 pages www.walkerbooks.com
In this amazing picture book story, George is the last of his kind, the last Pinta Island tortoise,
genetically unique from all other tortoises in the Galapagos Islands. He alone stubbornly survives
while his natural environment is destroyed by the intrusion of humans. His discovery, long after it
was thought that Pinta Island tortoises were forever extinct, is a miracle. Because George is such
a unique creature, scientists hope that he will at least mate with a similar tortoise. But to this day
he remains a steadfast batchelor, earning him his nickname "Lonesome George." Readers will
greatly enjoy how the story's scientists wink that George had better hurry up as he more than 60
years old and probably has only 90 more years to find a mate. A wise and wonderful animal true
story that also teaches important lessons about habitats and our earth's precious resources. An
excellent choice for kindergarten through third grade classroom use in conjunction with natural
science curriculum standards.
My First Sing-Along: My First Princess Songs
My First Sing-Along: Silly Old Bear Songs
Walt Disney Records
350 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-6230
ISBN 076342109X (Princess)
ISBN 0763421103 (Silly Old Bear)
$6.98, 16 pages, 1 CD, www.DisneyRecords.com
"My First Sing-Along" is Disney's newest series for the toddler set, and they're sweet as can be.
Each "My First Sing-Along" title features an audio CD with three children's favorites, plus an
18-paged chunky board book with extra-thick cardboard pages and large type. The books contain
lyrics to the CD songs, and colorful illustrations featuring diminutive Disney-related characters.
The first release is "My First Princess Songs" which strangely features the non-princess-related
songs "How Much is that Doggie in the Window?," "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and "Part of the Heart
of the Sky." The Winnie-the-Pooh themed "My First Sing-Along: Silly Old Bear Songs" makes
more thematic sense by featuring the "Winnie the Pooh" theme song, "Little Black Rain Cloud,"
and a Pooh poem. Each CD and book is on the skimpy side, but so is the reasonable suggested
retail price.
Vicki Arkoff
Reviewer
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
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