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Volume 6, Number 5 May 2007 Home | MBW Index

Table of Contents

Cowper's Bookshelf Dunford's Bookshelf Klausner's Bookshelf

Laurel's Bookshelf Shelley's Bookshelf Shirley's Bookshelf

Taylor's Bookshelf Vogel's Bookshelf

Cowper's Bookshelf
Oahu Revealed
Andrew Doughty
Wizard Publications, Inc.
PO Box 991, Lihu'e Hawai'i 96766-0991
097172797X, $15.95 www.wizardpub.com

Now in an updated second edition, Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond is a thorough, user-friendly guidebook to everything that makes the Hawaiian island of Oahu unique and exciting. Full color photographs, 20 specially created maps with access to even the most remote beaches, landmarks, hiking trails, web sites with links to every business, restaurants, resorts, and symbols to identify recommended sights fill this practical guide, written by Oahu resident Andrew Doughty with wit and charm. A "must-have" for any Oahu business traveler or vacationer!

Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2007
Douglas Ward
Lande Communications
PO Box 979, Spring House, PA 19477
9812469842, $24.95 www.berlitzbooks.com

Douglas Ward's has 40 years of cruise expertise and is president of the Maritime Evaluations Group, and independent international agency that rates cruise ships worldwide. In Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2007, Ward offers independent assessments of 276 cruise ships, advice for getting the best value for one's money, specific tips for singles, honeymooners, families, and the physically challenged, full-color maps of principal cruise destinations, a number of color photographs, and much more. From the "Big 7" cruise lines to smaller ships, to recommendations for what different cruises cater to which interests, to health and safety concerns, to at-a-glance comparisons of major cruise lines for cabin facilities, food and service, Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2007 is an extensive and thoroughly recommended "must-have" for anyone contemplating a business or pleasure cruise.

Orleans Embrace With The Secret Gardens Of The Vieux Carre
T. J. Fisher & Roy F. Guste, Jr.
Morgana Press
828 royal Street, #514, new Orleans, LA 70116
Blanco & Peace Enterprises Ltd. (publicity)
359 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60610
0977351475, $50.00 www.MorganaPress.com

No ordinary coffee table photography book, "Orleans Embrace With The Secret Gardens Of The Vieux Carre" is a 388-page memoir of the New Orleans French Quarter featuring 49 historic black-and-white photographs and 320 full color illustrations. While the overall book draws from the previous work of Roy F. Guste, Jr., the photographs by Louis Sahuc are bonded with a personal and compelling narrative text by T. J. Fisher. Readers will encounter a work originally intended to be of local interest, but in a post-Katrina world, has emerged with universal attraction as a memorial and a motivation to restore a once great American city to its unique and original glory. Enthusiastically recommended, "Orleans Embrace With The Secret Gardens Of The Vieux Carre" will prove to be of immense interest to several categories of readership including: gardening enthusiasts, historians, architects, photographers, and anyone who has every walked along the avenues and admired the parks, gardens, and buildings of the New Orleans French Quarter.

Eldorado Ink
PO box 100097, Pittsburg, PA 15233
www.eldoradoink.com 1-800-783-6767

Eldorado Ink has just released 'Learn to Play', an impressive six volume series of musical instrument instruction books designed by Frank Capelli to help beginning players from grades 6 and up to play specific instruments. The series consists of "The Violin" (1932904174, $25.95); "The Clarinet" (1932904123, $25.95); "The Flute" (1932904131, $25.95); "The Guitar" (193290414X, $25.95); "The Piano" (1932904158, $25.95); and "The Trumpet" (1932904174, $25.95). Each of these 112-page, step-by-step, instructional volumes is enhanced with some 50 color photographs, numerous chord diagrams and exercises, a timeline, internet resources, a glossary of terms, and an index. Thoroughly 'student friendly', each of these outstanding and highly recommended 'how to' manuals are available individually, but school and community libraries are urged to acquire the entire series for their collections. Sturdily bound for extended shelf live and multiple student usage, the 'Learn to Play' series is attractive, detailed, and replete with 'Tips" to help even the most novice beginner to methodically acquire skill and expertise in playing their chosen instrument whether performing solo or as part of an orchestra.

Faces Of Life
Quint Studer
Covenant Hospice
5041 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32504
9780979110306, $29.95 www.covenanthospice.org 1-800-541-3072

A hospice is a place dedicated to provide terminally ill men and women as dignified a living space and as peaceful a death as possible. The basic premise of hospice care is that even in life's final moments there is meaning. "Faces Of Life" is a project of the Covenant Hospice based in Pensacola, Florida, where more than forty hospice patients were interviewed, profiled, and are here presented with their photographs. Their stories are presented in brief vignettes and reveal how their experience in hospice care affected not only their final days, but touched, and even inspired, the lives of their families and friends as well. Published in celebration of National Hospice Month in November of 2005, "Faces Of Life" is especially recommended reading for anyone facing hospice care for themselves or a loved one, and would make an especially appropriate community library Memorial Fund acquisition selection.

Mary Cowper
Reviewer

Dunford's Bookshelf
The Logan Topographies
Alena Hairston
Persea Books
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
0892553294, $13.95 www.perseabooks.com

Written by English professor Alena Hairston, The Logan Topographies is a poetry collection set in the coal-mining town of Logan, West Virginia. The Logan Topographies speaks especially for generations of African American miners and their kin, chronicling their work ethic, their destitution, their heartbreak, and their indomitable spirit. At times affecting free verse, and at other times delving into stream-of-consciousness style, The Logan Typographies is an evocative glimpse into dedicated lives and the cultural fabric of hardworking people. "Despair is a thing of time, a commodity of idleness or wealth. If there is room / for it here, then it is not known by its name. Life lives on any track: its taking / willed, its giving silent. Bottomers do not always look up, for what is up / has already been down, is bottom-up."

Other Fugitives And Other Strangers
Rigoberto Gonzalez
Tupelo Press
PO Box 539, Dorset, VT 05251
1932195491, $16.95 www.tupelopress.org 1-800-283-3572

Literary critic and award winning poet Rigoberto Gonzalez's latest collection of strongly recommended and descriptive verse comprise the pages of "Other Fugitives And Other Strangers", providing an appreciative readership with a compendium of his lyrical poetry and prose that is best characterized by its intellectual intensity and emotional integrity. Writing with a dedication to candor and the power of language to communicate with precision, each poems is a true gem that will linger in the mind and in the emotional responses of the reader long after "Other Fugitives And Other Strangers" has been released and set back upon the shelf. 'Breads That Hunger': I make love to a man with a button fetish. Correction: a man makes love to my shirt. He yanks each piece of plastic with his teeth and swallow sit, then inserts the cusp of his tongue into the buttonhole. I slip out of the sleeves and off the bed and he scarcely notices. Later, he comes looking for me; my shirt slumped across his shoulder. It looks as if I have shed my skin – the fantasy of meeting the train on the rusty tacks comes to life. Buttonless, I have been stripped of everything that holds me together. He tells me he can replace the shirt. I tell him he can keep me.

Spiritual Fitness
Caroline Reynolds
DeVorss
0875168094, $14.95 www.carolinereynolds.com www.devorss.com

Written by international speaker and spiritual counselor Caroline Reynolds, Spiritual Fitness: How to Live in Truth and Trust offers a simple, seven week procedure for fostering purpose and sacredness in one's everyday life. Chapters cover how to detox one's soul, learn to meditate, seek one's role in life, and embrace the sacred aspect of relationships. Written in plain terms to be accessible to lay readers, Spiritual Fitness is a welcome repository of good counsel for emotional and spiritual health. "Soul level forgiveness is not about condoning or absolving someone's outrageous behavior. It means escaping from the painful zone of dealing with them only on an earthly, fear-based and limiting level. To forgive truly you must lift up your thinking to a soul level. Somehow you can find a present-day gift in this memory."

The Christian Combat Manual
Dan Story
AMG Publishers
6815 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Veritas Communications (publicity)
PO Box 761, Sandpoint, ID 83864
0899570372, $17.99 www.amazon.com

From its founding as a collection of British colonies, down through the cold-war years of the 1950s and 60s, the United States has been a nation whose culture, values, judicial, educational, ethical, and social behavior were all shaped by an essentially Christian perspective. But in the last few decades, a secular humanism and the rise of 'counter-culture' values has altered public attitudes giving rise to increasingly popular behaviors that most Christians feel range from the vulgar to the immoral. Written by Christian apologist and author Dan Story, "The Christian Combat Manual" is intended to help practicing Christians counter this 'counter culture' influence utilizing the Socratic method of dialogue and inquiry, along with many other tools. Highly recommended reading for all Christians regardless of their denominational affiliation, "The Christian Combat Manual" covers the historical accuracy of divine revelation, the theory of evolution, the demonstrated existence of God, the person of Jesus Christ, and the contemporary issues and secular postmodern doctrines facing Christians today in the broader and mainstream American culture. Also very highly recommended reading for concerned Christians are Dan Story's previous three books: "Defending Your Faith"; "Engaging The Closed Minded"; and "Christianity On the Offense".

Michael Dunford
Reviewer

Klausner's Bookshelf
The Importance of Being Dangerous
David Dante Troutt
Amistad
c/o Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0060789298, $24.95 www.simonsays.com

In the early 1990s, thirty something single mom Sidarra detests how the "Board of Miseducation" promotes unqualified white coworkers while ignoring her much more skillful efforts. Public Defender Griff Coleman is bone marrow tired of defending the pathetic poor in a system that simply wants to lock away his mostly black clients; however worse is the attitude of his investment banker spouse Belinda, who acts superior to him in every possible way. Computer Programmer and wannabe comedian Yakoob Jones wants to make it in a white-only power structure that prefers he quietly do his menial chores hidden in a basement.

The three of them learn of the Cicero Dean Investment Club, whose vision is to offer opportunities for humiliated middle class blacks to make money like the whites do via capital investment as a group. The three disillusioned Harlem residents invest in the company. However, they learn the truth about their investment club when drug dealer Raul joins as the Club's pyramid scheme of laundered money, stolen assets such as credit-card fraud and identity theft, and dummy corporations collapses leaving the trio feeling even more disheartened and disenfranchised.

This is an interesting look at middle class ambitions blacks who want to make it, but feels the system rejects their efforts by de facto selecting less qualified whites. When the story line swings into romance (between Sidarra and Griff), it loses much of the stinging momentum as the plot stops exposing the hypocrisy of racial prerequisite only at the higher levels of the economy in spite of decades of EEO. Still this is a strong sharp expose of not making it in America.

No Mortal Reason
Kathy Lynn Emerson
Pemberley Press
P O Box 1027
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
0977191346, $17.95

In 1888, there are many newspapers competing for the large New York City market, but few “girl” reporters work as journalists. Widow Diane Spaulding is one of the few as she has worked for the Independent Intelligence newspaper.

She and her fiance Dr. Ben Northcote take the train to rural Liberty, New York before finishing her journey in even more rustic Lenape Falls where they will stay for a few days before continuing to his family in Maine to marry. In Sullivan County, New York, Diana meets relatives that she never knew existed until recently when her cold Denver based mother for the firs time mentioned aunts and uncles. However, as she becomes involved in the lives of the Grants and Torrances, she worries that a con artist is setting up her relatives in a scam to make their family owned hotel into a Saratoga Springs-like resort. That pales as Diane uses her snooping skills to prove her Uncle Howd the artist is not a killer but the sheriff thinks he murdered the victim, whose bones were just found ten years after the homicide occurred.

The terrific look at Upstate New York in the late nineteenth century makes NO MORTAL REASON feel more like a historical novel especially through much of the first part of the novel; the whodunit subplot enhancing the period piece. The cast is as strong as Diana’s relatives, other townsfolk, a seemingly shyster hotelier, a nasty goat and the corpse make for quite a family reunion for the heroine and her beau. Once Diana begins the investigation, the story line switches gear from a historical family drama into a cold case murder mystery. Fans will have NO MORTAL REASON not to enjoy this Kathy Lynn Emerson’s fine tale of a woman who holds her face up with pride.

Forge of the Gods – The Last Night
Eric Fogle
Breakneck Books
PO Box 122, Barrington, NH 03825
0978655141, $14.99

During the 20th Eternity, the end has begun as time has stopped moving yet the godly residents of the Eternal Heavens suddenly paradoxically are aging. Though deities, none knows what caused both effects though the assumption by most is that the unexpected aging was an effect of the stoppage of time. Whatever reality was is no more; unless they can somehow restore what once was before, Armageddon is now. Four heavenly souls are chosen to destroy this still unrecognized unknown menace apparently to be found on the mortal plane; the theory of the gods is killing the cause will bring back normalcy to the celestial realm.

As the stunned Gods begin their Hail Mary desperation move, squire Areck of the Bre'Dmorian Knighthood begins to display odd powerful skills beyond anything seen in the realm before. In fact, his seemingly innate abilities prove to be beyond that of the deities as Eternal Heaven takes notice and ponders if he is the key. They consider killing him by destroying his mortal plane of existence even though that means eradicating a species. The four heavenly champions focus on Areck as they bring the apocalypse to his earthly realm.

Apocalypse fantasy readers will fully appreciate this deep exhilarating thriller though the audience will struggle with the overly packed chapter one that occurs in 1999 AD (After Devoid) as the upcoming confrontation between God, man and Areck is established. The story line never looks back as the Apocalypse begins in 2020 AD with seemingly no turning back on the mortal plane if the Eternal Heavenly plane is to move forward once again. Eric Fogle provides a deep complex look at the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as the only one who might prevent the end of the world is the one person they feel they must kill if they are to prevent the end of Heaven.

Nomad's Land
Susan Kathleen
Outskirts Press
10940 S. Parker Rd. - 515,Parker, Colorado 80134
1598008188, $10.95

In Chicago twenty something Catrin "Cat" Moran seems to have it all as she enjoys her work at an advertising firm and lives in a posh condo. However, Cat is unhappy because she has no role model in her life though that is not a new experience for her as she was raised by a lesbian with no male about though she knows mom loves her.

Regardless of when she attended school or since she started working, Cat has had many dates, but none she wanted to bring home to meet mom. She even wonders if she is comparing every dude to her imaginary father that no male could ever measure up to. Cat feels she may have met the one in Danny, a comedian who brings her into a SST lifestyle until that burns out leaving her to wonder what next after one more drink.

What makes NOMAD’S LAND so good is that though the description above sounds somber, Susan Kathleen pulls off her deep character study with a deft humorous touch. Readers will laugh with the witty and intelligent heroine who understands her pratfalls very well and makes mistakes but bounces right back because she knows as that Frank Sinatra’s 1966 song That’s Life says “Each time I find myself flat on my face I pick myself up and get back in the race”. This is a fabulous deep look at a woman who understands That's Life “as funny as it may seem some people get their kicks stompin' on a dream, But I don't let it, let it get me down 'cause this fine old world, it keeps spinnin' around”.

Autumn Blue
Karen Harter
Center Street
c/o Warner Books, Inc.
1271 Avenue of the Americas, Room 913, New York, NY 10020
1931722617, $12.99 www.twbookmark.com 1-800-759-0190

Single mom Sidney Walker raises three children alone on her insurance agent salary, but her current concern is her teenage son Tyson, who is in trouble with the law. She does not understand Ty and worries that her concentration on him leads to neglecting her two daughters. Sidney believes a husband to serve as a father is what the family needs, but marriage tastes insipid especially since her ex husband deserted t! he fours ome years ago and her former boyfriend Jack who wants to get back with her does not feel right.

Sidney gets some help from her elderly neighbor Millard Bradbury, a former teacher who tries to help Ty. A desperate Sidney turns to Jack, but wants tough cop Deputy Sheriff Alex Estrada, who seems to loathe her. She assumes that he condemns her as being a bad mother. As Ty gets in even deeper trouble, a frantic Sidney turns to God for help.

This is a terrific family drama that provides a powerful look at dysfunctional broken families through mostly the mind of the beleaguered matriarch. Ty is a terrific teen character with psychological troubles, but this is clearly Sydney’s story as she still dreams of a future quite different than the present for her and her three offspring.

Cruel Poetry
Vicky Hendricks
Serpent’s Tail
3A Exmouth House, Pine Street, London, EC1R 0JH
1852429275, $14.95

In Miami Beach if you are male and can crawl let alone walk, you are attracted to the happy hooker Renata. Men cannot help themselves when it comes to this charming siren who has mesmerized even Pepe her snake and her pimp Francisco knows he should keep his hands off the merchandise, but cannot. Even women are intoxicated by this femme fatale. Client Professor Dick is beyond infatuation for her as he has a permanent wet spot whenever he comes to see Renata; make that even when he thinks of his Renata, which means he is diligently wet 24/7. Next door is Jules the writer who hears her sexcapades through the thin walls when she entertains clients, but is frustrated so he settles for fantasy time with her.

Rennie is not a nasty person though she can be tough. When Francisco wants more of her time with him, she calmly tells him they need her income to have any time together. When Richard vows to obtain a divorce and quit his job to be with her, she diligently tries to convince him his family needs him for then her. When Jules desires much more from her; she tries to persuade her they both need their friendship more than becoming lovers. However some men cannot be reasoned with using logic as they make decisions with their lower head in charge. Thus trying to make their fantasy come true, Richard and Jules will do anything including murdering her clients, family members, and perhaps the partner to get Rennie out of her occupation and permanently into their respective lives.

Though this character driven thriller rotates perspectives between Rennie, Dick, and Jules, the story line centers on the prostitute as much as of what the others do and think about her. The story line is fast-paced as sexual fantasy becomes homicide nightmares. Fans of Florida Noir will enjoy this sex and murder thriller in which blood flows more freely than scum.

Belonging
Ron Butlin
Serpent's Tail
3A Exmouth House, Pine Street, London, EC1R 0JH
1852429151, $14.9 5

At Les Montagnes Blanches ski resort on Mont Blanc, twenty-nine years old caretaker Jack McCall and his thirty-two years old housekeeper girlfriend Anna enjoy the good life of the affluent though they are middle class in earnings and outlook. Their upscale lifestyle occurs because they drift from one vacant apartment to another, making use of the amenities left by their absentee owners. Jack and Anna enjoy expensive food, champagne, dips in the Jacuzzi, and satin sheeted beds. Life is good as Jack and Anna know the rich are not the only ones living affluently especially since no one, not even the nearby villagers of St. Ciers, ,have been by in a fortnight as a particular nasty blizzard has isolated the resort. Still Anna wants more from her lover though she knows Jack is commitment shy.

However, two people manage to make it through the adverse weather; a couple obviously here to share a tryst. When “M. Ferrari-Penthouse” falls to his death slipping off an icy balcony, his lover Therese is the only witness. She insists a tragic accident happened, but Jack has his doubts as Therese is not even slightly shook up. Unable to take charge of the situation, Jack finds himself instead thinking of sex with Therese even as his ogling upsets Anna, who stubbornly reminds him they have a corpse to deal with.

This is a terrific refreshing character study that focuses more on Jack’s inability to take charge of the situation as he prefers to avoid the displeasure that the death of “Ferrari” causes him. Instead of the typical amateur sleuth tale, readers get a reluctant male pushed by two women in differing directions as Anna wants him to engage while Therese wants him to disengage. Ron Butlin provides a fascinating suspense thriller as fans and to a degree Anna will realize we don’t know Jack.

The Twilight Hour
Elizabeth Wilson
Serpent’s Tail
3A Exmouth House, Pine Street, London, EC1R 0JH
185242477X, $14.95

In 1947, in a freezing still bombed out London, Dinah Wentworth finds the corpse of surrealist painter Titus Mavor. Not wanting to reveal any reasons for being at the Mayor’s apartment and heeding advice, she fails to inform the cops.

Not long afterward, the police arrest family friend and film-making business partner Colin Harris, who had a vitriolic public shouting match with the deceased over the immediate future of England. Dinah knows Colin is innocent, a victim of circumstantial evidence compounded by his being a Communist as the Cold War begins to heat up. Over the objection of her husband Alan, who tells her the film partnership was over before Harris’ arrest so they owe him nothing; Dinah needs to prove the innocence of Colin as she believes someone is filling in the blanks to finish framing him for the murder.

The amateur sleuth tale is well written, but takes a back seat to the period piece as London, still recovering from the bombings, suffers through a freezing winter as the Cold War begins. Dinah is a fascinating character as she wants the freedom men has, but besides her spouse and the males who dominate the fledgling English film industry keeping her down, her own limitations also holds her back as she accepts as gospel those limitations because she is a female. We’ve come a long way. Fans of historical tales with a mystery subplot will appreciate THE TWILIGHT HOUR more so than pure whodunit buffs as the incredibly vivid look at the era (readers will shiver with the cold) supersedes the solid investigative subplot.

Vineyard Stalker
Philip R. Craig
Scribner
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
0743270452, $24.00 1-800-223-2336

Though he loves his wife and kids, retired Boston cop J.W. Jackson looks forward to some quiet time at home in West Tisbury on Martha’s Vineyard. However his spouse’s friend realtor Carole Cohen begs J.W. to help her brother. Apparently, someone is harassing Roland “the Monk” Nunes, a Vietnam vet who owns choice property where he lives by himself. Carole believes this unknown adversary wants to frighten Roland into selling his land cheaply.

J.W. agrees to investigate. As he looks at the motive Carole provided to him, J.W. wonders if a cousin Sally Oliver or the neighbor Melissa Carson and her financier fiance Alfred Cabot are behind the threats. However, his inquiry takes a nastier turn when murder raises the stakes.

The latest Martha's Vineyard Mystery is a fresh investigative tale that spins into a murder case. J.W. is at his best as the clues point towards suspects who know the reclusive Monk and include the person who “hired” him. The homicide spin is a terrific twist that affirms how good Philip R. Craig is as a writer. Fans of the series already know that; newcomers will be searching the dunes for previous Jackson thrillers.

The Last Enemy
Grace Brophy
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
1569474591, $23.00 www.sohopress.com

Her father, an American GI, met her Italian mother while stationed in Italy during WWII. Over the objections of her parents, they married, went to the United States to live in Brooklyn, and had a daughter. Years later, the child, now a school teacher Rita Minnelli, mourns the death of her mom so decides to travel to Assisi, Italy to meet her maternal relatives.

Count and Countess Casati do not welcome the foreigner even if she shares their blood. They become chagrined when they realize she plans to stay. Not long afterward, Rita’s welcome ends when she turns up dead in the family vault while the entire town including the Casati clan celebrate Easter Week with the Penitente parade. State Police of Umbria Commissario Alessandro Cenni investigates the homicide even as the Casati crowd refuses to help his investigation; instead they use their political connections to prevent a deep inquiry.

This is a terrific Italian historical police procedural in which Cenni finds that every step he takes there are official roadblocks and a dysfunctional family that makes his teeth hurt. The story line is fast-paced and never slows down even after the audience knows the identity of the killer for there remains a case to prove. Grace Brophy provides an entertaining whodunit.

The Oak Leaves
Maureen Lang
Tyndale House Publishers
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
1414313454, $12.99 www.tyndale.com 1-800-323-9400

Talie Ingram finds her great-great-grandmother’s journal written in the 1800s. Initially fascinated by her find, she begins to read the entries until she comes across an item that frightens her. She realizes what her ancestor called "feeble-minded" that ran in the family is actually a genetic disorder.

Overwhelmed and frightened that she, her daughter and her sisters might have Fragile X Syndrome, she wants to throw away the ledger without finishing it. However, for the sake of her child and to inform her sister in an intelligent manner, she must find courage to learn more from the journal and other sources including God.

This is a deep family drama that focuses on Fragile X Syndrome and its impact on people. This reviewer never heard of this particular genetic condition until Maureen Lang’s powerful character study that grips the audience from the moment that Talie begins to understand her family Victorian Era history and its implications today. Empathy will go out to her as she struggles with accepting a terrifying prognosis that her son has this condition while wondering why God allows bad things to happen to good people. Extremely deep and haunting, Ms. Lang provides a tale from her soul to ours.

Halfway to Half Way
Suzann Ledbetter
Mira
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0778324508, $6.99 www.mirabooks.com

In Missouri, Valhalla Springs Retirement Community resident operations manager Hannah Garvey knows she should be looking forward to her marriage to her beloved Kinderhook County Sheriff David Hendrickson. However, although she loves the law enforcement official and sneaks off the premises to sleep with him, Hannah has some doubts about quitting her job to move in with David.

David is busy investigating the murder of Sanity well-regarded resident Beverly Beauford. Thus he fails to notice that his fiancee is suffering from cold feet. Meanwhile, as everyone is stunned by the murder, Delbert Bisbee and his geriatric sleuths search for a missing husband that even the wife ignores his vanishing. Life is normal at the retirement home.

As always with this wonderful lighthearted romantic mystery series, the cast is over the top so that the readers obtain an amusing tale filled with twists and turns. Fans will enjoy the latest caper of the senior sleuths that drives Hannah crazy as she tries to keep Delbert and the posse out of trouble. Readers of the series will enjoy Suzann Ledbetter’s peculiar bran of humor that is just on this side of sanity.

The Arrangement
Suzanne Forster
Mira
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0778324265, $6.99 www.mirabooks.com

Law enforcement assumes Andrew Villard killed his wife Alison while they were at sea on their yacht. To prove his innocence, he feels he must find Alison; miraculously he does alive on a reef. She suffers from amnesia and bad facial battering. He has her visage reconstructed back to a picture of her.

However, Andrew knows someone from her family wanted him dead although he is unsure who. So six months later he persuades Alison that it is time to reconcile with her mom and brother, who cut her off when she married. Alison agrees but fears what her family will see as her memory is coming back to her. At the same time FBI agent Tony Bogart investigates the disappearance of Marnie Hazelton, who he believes killed his brother; the clues take him to Alison and her extended family.

This exhilarating Hitchcockian noir stars no truly likable character as everyone has a nasty grudge that overwhelms every other emotion even that of Alison and Andrew falling in love. The story line is filled with twists as nothing is quite what it seems though everything is in plain sight. Readers who appreciate a gripping well written dark thriller will enjoy learning the truth, nothing but the truth.

Shelter Mountain
Robyn Carr
Mira
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
077832429X, $6.99 www.mirabooks.com

Former Marine John "Preacher" Middleton works as a cook at the restaurant owned by his former commanding officer Jack Sheridan in remote VIRGIN RIVER, California. Preacher lives a quiet life with no women and a few social events with the other vets from his former unit.

Soaked to the bone Paige Lassiter enters the restaurant carrying her three years old son Christopher. She is on the run from her abusive former spouse, but Preacher assumes it is his scary looks that frighten winners of tough men contests are the reason she is so terrified. However, he also knows he likes her calling him John and somehow her waif like bruised condition reanimates something Preacher thought was dead as he vows to keep and her child safe from that SOB of a “car door” if he ever arrives in the Redwoods. As she works in his kitchen, Paige falls in love with the gentle giant; he reciprocates and includes her son in his heart. When the enemy arrives he will find his ex-wife’s protector is a formidable adversary.

Robyn Carr shows her talent with the second Virgin River tale as this exhilarating thriller stars the enigmatic Preacher and the domestic abuse victim. The story line is driven by their slowly changing relationship as she brings out the obvious protectiveness in John but also a “romantic” side while peeling potatoes. The suspense comes late as it should in this superb sequel.

The Southern Comforts
Luanne Jones
Mira Books
c/o Harlequin
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0778324222, $13.95 www.mirabooks.com

In Orla, Arkansas at the Aunt Farm, Charma Deane George Parker believes life is tough and then you die especially since one of childhood friends, her fifty year old cousin Bess just died not long after their reconciliation (see HEATHEN GIRLS). She enjoys her relationship with Guy Chapman, but believes it is limited and like everything will go wrong as it once did before; the laughter died with Bess.

Charma’s other close cousin Minnie loves her relatives, but would enjoy a moment alone as she lives with her Aunts Shug and Fawnie, and the ghost of Bess, whose recent death brings home her own mortality. However she will learn to appreciate what she had after Charma Deane's son Johnny and her daughter Abby arrive to stay awhile with complications. The Aunt Farm is returning to normal as life goes on filled with laughter.

THE SOUTHERN COMFORTS is an absorbing family drama in which the death of a key member impacts the survivors especially her two cousins. The reactions by Charma and Minnie to Bess’ death is realistic as readers will sympathize with them. The invasion of the extended family to the Aunt Farm is zany playing a frolicking counterpoint to the grief. Fans of character driven tales with limited action will want to read Luanne Jones’s fine reflection on life goes on somewhat painfully until you regain the laugher.

Feels Like Family
Sherryl Woods
Mira Books
c/o Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0778324362, $6.99 www.mirabooks.com

In Serenity, South Carolina, she muses that perhaps it is seeing the happiness of her two best friends (see STEALING HOME and A SLICE OF HEAVEN) but divorce attorney Helen Decatur suddenly feels alone. Her work always was enough, but now at forty two years old that reaction formation no longer works as even her biological clock has abruptly set off alarms. She decides to have a child, but has no one in her life to sire the infant.

If she was to choose, Helen would want pastry chef Erik Whitney as the father of her offspring. The attraction between them is palpable as her buddies can sense it as well but he seems to ignore hisr feelings. She begins a scheme to seduce the chef, but when she falls in love she realizes she wants to raise a family with him; Erik has personal reasons from his past to reject the love she offers him.

The final Sweet Magnolias tale is an enjoyable contemporary romance as the readers will enjoy the often amusing witty repartee between Helen and Erik, who both have serious issues that surface as their relationship simmers before boiling. The story line is entertaining due to the antics of the lead couple encouraged by her best friends and their beloved men returning from the previous novels. Readers will agree that “Serenity will never be the same” after this charming trilogy.

The Jericho Pact
Rachel Lee
Mira Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0778324168, $6.99 www.mirabooks.com

The world is shook when the assassin killed the German chancellor. Other threats to world leaders, especially in Europe, and to the people have surfaced as riots break out throughout the continent including what turns out to be the final straw at the Grande Mosquee de Paris. Fearing for Muslims, the European Union leadership moves all Muslims into "protection zones".

Office 119 supervisors realize they do have the manpower to prevent some of these events from happening, but which ones to stop before Europe and the world explodes into a war with ethnic cleansing as a catalyst remains the question. While Office 119 Agent Renate Bachle struggles to uncover the mastermind behind the cleverly devised orchestrated assaults, Father Steve Lorenzo and his bodyguard protect a sacred ancient codex. However, the prime puppet-master sees he can use this biblical codex to further the hostilities, plunge a naive suspicious world into open warfare and ultimately chaos so that this master manipulator will arise out of the ashes of civilization as the global ruler.

This Office 119 thriller is an exciting suspense laden tale in spite of the audience knowing relatively early who the villainous WILDCARD is and the use of coincidence to solve much of the investigation by Renate and cohorts. Still this is a fine entry as an unknown Machiavelli manipulates religion to foster a modern day Crusades in which he will be the only victor. Renate’s fans will appreciate her efforts to prevent a religious world war III.

Virtually His
Gennita Low
Mira Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0778324486, $6.99 www.mirabooks.com

To be the chosen one meant successfully competing against your peers, the elite of the elite. The winner will become a super-soldier, but unlike the late Captain America of comic book fame, this person will be real and working operations so top secret and dangerous that only a handful of government management agents and the chosen one’s handler will know of mission impossible. The training is two years just to prepare to be selected for the final most risky phase before becoming fully operative as the most dangerous person in the world.

COS Command candidate Helen Roston is the final survivor; she has reached the last segment of her metamorphosis in which she received a special serum to enhance her mind and to ease the link between her and now her virtual reality trainer. His virtual caresses and kisses have her coveting more, but even before she began the training, she preferred to be on top so Helen plans to control her responses as she trusts no one. Her mission is impossible, selected by those whose candidates lost to her so want her to fail so their chosen one can be the second guinea pig. Schools out for real.

VIRTUALLY HIS, the first Helen Roston super-soldier story, is an interesting complex science fiction thriller. The story line, especially at the beginning, takes its time purposely to set the environment by focusing on the technology and training of the chosen one learning to use virtual reality and performance enhancing serums (sounds like steroids) to enable out of body “remote viewing” and other widening of the senses way beyond normal capabilities. This makes the novel a difficult book to read but worth the time. Those fans who appreciate an entertaining well written deep espionage science fiction thriller will enjoy Gennita Low’s opening saga if nothing else but to learn who Helen’s monitor is (kept this reviewer up late).

Blood Ties
Judith E. French
Love Spell
c/o Dorchester Publishing Company
200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016
0505527146, $6.99 1-800-481-9191

When Archeologist Abbie Chingwe Night Horse travels to Tawes Island in Chesapeake Bay County, she combines work and pleasure. The trip enables her to spend time with her mom while also investigating a Native American burial ground in which several artifacts have been recently found.

However, not long after the drowning death of a boy, someone murders Abbie’s mother. Police Chief Buck Davis investigates the homicide and the drowning. He struggles to find a motive, in the murder, but has begun to have doubts about the lad’s death being an accident. While the townsfolk insist it is the curse, Buck falls in love with Abbie, but knows he is an islander and she is a mainlander. However solving the case comes first.

This romantic suspense police procedural will grip the audience from the moment that Abbie’s mother is killed and never slows down until the final confrontation. The fast-paced story line keeps readers somewhat off balance as the curse of disturbing a Native American burial ground begins to look more like the cause behind the deaths instead of a mortal killer. Though the killer seems a stretch, readers will appreciate this terrific tense thriller.

Immortals: The Calling
Jennifer Ashley
Love Spell
0505526875, $6.99

Adrian is one of five immortal brothers created at the dawning of time to protect mankind from those who will use dark magic to destroy life magic. Although much of humanity has forgotten this powerful quintet of warriors, a few life magic practitioners still believe they will come if the world needs them.

Thus when someone possessing incredible levels of magic goes rogue, Adrian, whose brother Tain vanished seven centuries ago, begins a quest to stop this maverick from eradicating humanity; his fear is that Tain turned. Adrian meets life magic witch Amber Silverthorne, who seeks the demon who murdered her sister for no apparent reason. Adrian and Amber are attracted to one another and make love whenever they can, but the quest comes first. As they receive aid from paranormal and mortal individuals, the duo treks from Seattle to the Arctic with points in between hunting a killer and trying to learn more about THE CALLING.

This is an interesting opening saga starring an immortal who uses his superpowers especially mind control to get what he wants; in this case he wants Amber. However, for the most part Amber can thwart his mental efforts to force her to do his bidding. Though sidebars to establish a contemporary earth filled with magic and supernatural beings take somewhat away from the prime theme of the Immortal and the Witch making love in between the latest good vs. evil war, this s a spellbinding and enchanting tale.

Jail Bertie and the Peanut Lady
Dolores J. Wilson
Medallion Press, Inc.
1020 Cedar Lane, No. 2N, St. Charles, IL 60174
1933836113, $24.95 www.medallionpress.com

In Sweet Meadow, Georgia, tow truck driver and mechanic Roberta “Bertie Byrd” Fortney prefers the town council cut the tree down that blocks vision at the Oak and Haverford intersection, but takes action when they don’t; she is arrested for tree cutting without a license. Avoiding the anger of the tree-huggers she wants a traffic light installed at that intersection that has kept her busy with accidents. However, she is willing to settle for asking for an automated counter to validate her case that a light is needed. However, there is no money unless the town council reprograms funding from their Christmas party, which is heresy. Instead they order Bertie to tally the traffic and provide a report of her findings to them. Stunned by their lack of priorities, Bertie and council member Bob Bord heatedly argue her request until he dies of a heart attack, leaving an opening on the council.

Bertie runs for the vacancy against Booger Bailey and his renowned barking goats making her chances of winning doubtful as everyone knows not to compete against animal stars. It is virtually impossible for her to gain the seat that most people believe her tirade opened up, her opponent has incredible financial backing from a mysterious “redneck mafia” benefactor while she runs her campaign on peanuts.

Bertie is at her delightful best as she tries to do what she believes is right for her town. Although the lighthearted story line amusingly focuses on small town living in rural Georgia where a debate over a traffic light can become extremely heated and lethal, Bertie owns the tale. Readers will appreciate Bertie’s latest antics and escapades as she drives everyone around her to distraction in her latest romp (see BIG HAIR AND FLYING COWS).

My Lady’s Treasure
Catherine Dean
Medallion Press, Inc.
1020 Cedar Lane, No. 2N, St. Charles, IL 60174
1932815783, $6.99 www.medallionpress.com

In 1192 England, Lady Faye Rivellaux meets with Brant Meslarches, who demands silver in exchange for the safe return of her ward eighteen moths old Angeline. She instead offers him “God’s Holy Blood”, gold cup. Brant is stunned as his employer Lord Torr Lorvais insisted the widow had nothing of value to buy back the brat. Faye clings to her goal--to rescue the kidnapped child she vowed to protect. However, he takes the cup, but before he can leave she falls and hurts herself. Having no choice he takes Faye and the cup that proves of Celtic King Arthur exists, as his murdered brother insisted.

Brant feels caught between a rock and a hard place as he would prefer to return the infant to Lady Faye, but cannot. On the other hand, he believes she is his hope for redemption although he loathes hurting the Lady who is beginning to mean more to him than his reputation. Still he must be careful because his liege has plans for her.

MY LADY’S TREASURES is an enthralling medieval romance due to the heroic efforts of Lady Faye to keep little Angeline safe. Brant is the more fascinating lead character as he struggles between honor and loyalty to a liege who he distrusts as being dangerously and dismissively dishonest vs. his admiration for the courage of Faye; all that aside from his love for her. Though Torr comes across as having no redeeming qualities going so far to use a baby as an expendable pawn to get his selfish way, sub-genre fans will enjoy this fine character driven twelfth century love story.

The Three Motives for Murder
Michelle Perry
Medallion
1020 Cedar Lane, No. 2N, St. Charles, IL 60174
1932815805, $6.99 www.medallionpress.com

For years ago the car accident destroyed several families living in Coalmont, Tennessee. Three of the teens were killed, one crippled, another needs pain killers, and driver Natasha “Nat” Hawthorne is carrying around a load of guilt. The tragedy that never left anyone’s thoughts is back as a wrongful death civil suit is in court.

Only twenty-three years old, Brady Simms is selected as the town police chief in a controversial decision because of his age. Ten minutes on the job and he gets a call that his beloved Nat who dumped him following the accident has reported the murdered corpse of her boyfriend Bobby McBee and barely escaped the masked killer. As he investigates the past and present, his supporters fear that he is letting his heart rule over his 147 IQ brain, but a wave of revelations make him wonder if what everyone thought happened four years ago actually occurred that way and whether the current killer is not a revenge seeker as everyone else thinks, but an avaricious amoral person seeing a chance to make a fortune with the upcoming wrongful death suit.

Though at least one prime finding seems too convenient, THE THREE MOTIVES FOR MURDER is a wonderful police procedural romantic suspense. The story line focuses on the homicide investigation while interwoven into the murder inquiry is a second chance at love if Brady goes for it. Michelle Perry provides readers with a fine tale as Brady’s biggest supporters fear his love for Nat supersedes his reasoning.

The River Queen
Mary Morris
Henry Holt & Company
175 - 5th Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10010-7725
0805078274, $24.00 www.henryholt.com 1-888-330-8477

In Brooklyn, travel author Mary Morris was mourning the death of her father as her daughter was going off to college when she decided the walls of her empty nest abode was increasing her anxiety caused by these recent reminders of her mortality. The travelogue writer needed something different to occupy her middle age thoughts as pictures from the 1920s of her father makes her feel she must do something to honor his memory and to get her out of the doldrums. She hires a Mississippi River houseboat the River Queen owned by Captain Jerry to take her down the great river starting in Wisconsin with plans to reach Hannibal, Missouri home of Twain and her dad, who told her and her brother many river tales.

The memoir is at its best when Ms. Morris observes the “mallization” of the river towns that make places like Dubuque different than what she describes in her dad’s vivid images and metaphors. Also fun is when Jerry teaches her how to steer their vessel though she is not a grade A student. When Ms. Morris goes introspective the travelogue turns muddier than the Mighty Mississippi especially when she rages about her dislikes. Still this is a fine memoir that is entertaining when Ms. Morris brings to life the changing upper river basin especially in the latter half of the journey as if the river eventually cleansed the visitor’s hurting soul.

Helpless
Barbara Gowdy
Henry Holt & Company
175 - 5th Avenue, Suite 400, New York, NY 10010-7725
0805082883, $24.00 www.henryholt.com 1-888-330-8477

In Toronto, single mom Celia Fox works two jobs while raising her beautiful mixed race daughter nine year old Rachel. Celia works at Tom’s Video and plays jazz and blues at Casa Hernandez Motel. As protective as Celia is of her daughter, she is unaware of the impact her exotic looking offspring has on men, but begins to comprehend when a child model agent wants to hire Rachel; Celia has doubts, but Rachel sees a chance to earn money that she and her mom could use. However, mom is unaware that repairman Ron has seen Rachel and fallen in love.

Ron wants to save his beloved from poverty and maternal neglect and abuse. When a blackout occurs, Ron realizes he has the opportunity to save his Rachel so he abducts her for her own good. He enlists his girlfriend Nancy to help him “protect” the child, but finds his needs for her beginning to overwhelm his reasoning. As the police search for the missing preadolescent and Celia fears the worst, the media turns the abduction into a circus.

This is a deep psychological study that looks into the minds of the key cast members especially mother, daughter, kidnapper, and accomplice. The story line is totally character driven with the suspense coming from the subtle changes in attitudes of the prime quartet. Celia suffers from guilt and doubt as she deals with a caring mother’s she worst nightmare; Rachel begins to change her attitude as the Stockholm Syndrome begins to take affect. Nancy begins to have doubts that they did the right thing for the little girl as she realizes that Celia is not a terrible abusive mother. However, it is creepy Ron who makes the tale as he begins to conclude his pristine reasons are not pure. This is a frightening insightful suspense thriller that never lets the readers pause for a moment.

Cleansing Hunt
Greg Park
Bladestar Publishing
1499 North 950West, Orem Utah. 84057
0978793196, $24.95

It has been twenty years since the Dread Lord Throy Shadon was defeated by the combined armies of the Nine Nations, but now he has returned refleshed with his soul in a dead man’s body. His cult in Melek, mostly followers of Maeon the Evil One plan to invade another Kelsa. The Agla’ Con steal the Ta’Shaen from the Earthsoul so they can defeat the followers of Elderon the Creator of All Things while those who worship Elderon are given to those that are worthy freely. The Malek King saves Gideon Dymas, a warrior prophet who was imprisoned in a dungeon but his two son’s were killed. Gideon is one of Kelsa’s last hopes to defeat Maeon.

The Earthsoul, the spirit of the planet, is dying and a firstborn son of Elsa must use a Talisman of Elsa to rejuvenate it otherwise their world will end and Maeon will rule. Jase Farimor, a nephew of the king of Kelsa o can wield the Talisman of Elsa when one can be found in its original resting place. Word arrives that just such a Talisman has been found so Jase and his cousin Eldin journey to get it along with Gideon and a large army. They split up when they learn the Talisman is stolen by an Agla’ Con and Jase’s mother has been kidnapped. Gideon vows to recover the Talisman while Jase goes to rescue his mother, but both fear that events seemingly out of control will force Jase to turn Agla’ Con if he can’t learn to control his darker emotions..

AS the Nine Kingdoms awaken to the danger facing it, brave warriors surface to try to save their world but wonder if the means is as critical as the end. CLEANSING HUNT is a brilliantly written epic fantasy in the tradition of Tolkien and Brooks, but also contains realistic characters who struggle in an environs filled with gray choices, not black and white ones. The heroes especially fear they may have to employ fire to fight fire, which means they must kill without turning to the dark side. There is plenty of political intrigue as battle preparation occurs, but the backbone of this fine saga is Jase, who fears he can not pay the price to save the Earthsoul. Readers will be parked for hours enjoying this entertaining epic.

Goblin Hero
Jim C. Hines
DAW Books, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0756404428, $6.99 www.dawbooks.com 1-800-847-5515

The mountain is riddled with tunnels created by magic that go anywhere and everywhere and are home goblins, hobgoblins, and ogres. Before his adventures with Straum the dragon and the Necromancer, Jig the Goblin was the runt of the litter, picked on by everyone and considered the weakest of the weak. That was then; now he is called Jig the Dragonslayer and has the power to heal which makes him valuable to his species.

The Goblin leader Kralk wants Jig dead by stealth means so she asks for the Goblin’s help. Something magical is killing the Ogres and they are helpless to prevent it. Kralk sends Jig, moronic Brof, and Grell the oldest to confront the culprit. As they begin their quest they meet Veko, a wannabe wizard, who begs to join their mission. They soon find pixies from another realm whose queen plans to take over the entire mountain unless Jig and company can find a way to defeat a seemingly invincible foe.

Jim C. Hines has an uncanny ability to make his magical species co-existing inside a mountain seem plausible including residing there. With no human in sight, his characters are unique with none more inimitable than Jig. The pixies are alien (odd to use that term when the focus is a goblin) and 200 proof evil as they do cruel things including a painful death to their enemies. The three goblins are quite the heroic trio as they battle adversaries in which Jig seems happiest when cornered and the other two want to run. GOBLIN HERO is a wonderful fantasy quest tale with humor and wit normally missing with the sub-genre’s normal Tolkien grave save the universe quests.

The Spirit Stones
Katherine Kerr
DAW Books, Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0756404339, $24.95 www.dawbooks.com 1-800-847-5515

Some of the Horsekin have civilized themselves and settled in cities but that hasn’t abated their thirst for war. They need more lands for their heavy horses to have more pastures and they believe their goddess wants them to have it. The dwarves, the elves and the humans of Deverry are planning to attack Zakh Grel, the fortress they built to stage their battles from. As the men make ready to go to battle, people from 983, over one hundred years ago who have been reincarnated in the present all have a role to play.

Nevyn the herbmaster was a powerful wielder of Dweomer (magic) found the woman he and then her lost to a magic wielder’s poor judgment. In the present he is known as Neb a scribe married to the Lady Bronna once known as Morwen. Both possess Dweomer and are ready to defend the borders. Friends and enemies from 983 are all alive in the present and have a role to play in the upcoming war. In the past Gwairyc was a lord who looked down on commoners but in the present he had to earn his lordship and is a great leader of men. Lez Maj, an outlaw in the present was a pedophile in another past incarnation while Mella, now Sidro, an ex-priestess who is Laz’s lover. Maj’s lover is fascinated by the black and obsidian pyramid made with magic in 983. As the forces of good and evil begin to march, nobody knows what the outcome will be, not even the seers.

The latest Deverry novel contains an epic high fantasy plot that is absolutely spellbinding. The tale is divided into two parts, 983 and the present and the various players who have reincarnated in the present are believable characters taking their personalities from one era and transforming them into something else in this incarnation. Filled with wondrous creatures like talking dragons who are allied against the Horsekin speaking animals and heroes who will fight and die for a cause they believe is just, THE SPIRIT STONES is a wonderful and exciting tale.

Yellow Eyes
John Ringo and Tom Kratman
Baen Books
PO Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
1416521038, $26.00 1-800-223-2336

The Monroe Doctrine has never been challenged like what has happened throughout Latin America. The reptilian Posleen aliens have conquered everything without much resistance except in Panama where American soldiers, especially former expatriate vets, join a local resistance to battle the alien horde while all the strategic thinkers agree on the outcome that if the Canal is lot it means the starvation of North America.

Though unable to send troops as the military is needed to defend the continental United States, the countryside enables the humans to use successful guerilla tactics against a powerful foe who sees the enemy as lesser beings in the food chain. However, politicians make deals that would shame Neville Chamberlain with a willingness to sacrifice the freedom fighters as expendable pawns. Still the human militia takes the fight to the lethal Posleen.

This entertaining fast-paced military science fiction thriller grips the audience from the first page action until the final battle. Interestingly the superpower aliens seem more humane than the cowardly politicians who sell their soul (and some lives) to remain in power, albeit a much weaker command. Fans of the series will enjoy the latest Human-Posleen War as the action moves from a WATCH ON THE RHINE to Latin America.

Russian Amerika
Stoney Compton
Baen Books
PO Box 1403, Riverdale, NY 10471
141652116X, $24.00 1-800-223-2336

In 1989 in Czarist Russian controlled Alaska, Naval Captain Grisha Grigorievich detests the de jure and de facto prejudice that he suffers from just because he is a half breed. Less competent with less success officers have been promoted before him. However, even worse in his mind is the true-blood theory of law in which a Cossack purebred can invoke Czarist control on half breeds or Native Alaskans; it galls Grisha when a lightweight uses his heritage to order him about like a slave.

Grisha learns how far his lack of status goes when he is accused and convicted of murdering a government agent. Without any chance of repudiating the accusation, he is taken to a prison labor camp with no hope of exoneration or for that matter freedom; no one escapes the internment camps. However, not long afterward, Native American Alaskan separatists attack the confinement complex freeing Grisha. The freedom lovers plead with Grisha to join their cause, but he has plans to kill those whose lies led to his incarceration.

Alternate history fans will relish this superb thriller whose basis is that Russia never sold Seward’s Folly. The concept and the subsequent dominoes that occur from that opening historical alteration seem reasonable. However, what makes for a delightful thriller is the “current” time scenario as Stoney Compton interweaves the key events from the past in the present. Perhaps the best scene in the novel and one of the best of the year is the revolutionaries (insurgents?) and the Czarists battle in the cold regions where climate is a deadly weapon. This is an excellent alternate historical saga.

The Screaming Room
Thomas O’ Callaghan
Pinnacle
c/o Kensington Publishing Corp.
850 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022-6222
0786018127, $6.99 www.kensingtonbooks.com 1-800-345-2665

Six years ago NYPD homicide commander Lieutenant John Driscoll lost his daughter to a drunk driver. His beloved wife stayed in a coma in their home all that time before she passed away. Now Driscoll, a grieving widower, is ready to plunge into work to forget his private demons.

His case begins when a series of tourists are killed by blunt forced trauma to the head, their heads scalped, their bodies placed in famous tourist attractions like the Ferris wheel in Coney Island, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Bronx Zoo and many other places. DNA evidence at the scene of the crimes shows that they are dealing with two killers, a male and a female both identical twins. The killers Angus and Cassie are the victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and their victims are no innocents. Complicating the case is one of the victim’s fathers Malcolm Shewster has put a multi-million dollar bounty on the twins. He doesn’t want them arrested; he wants them killed so the secrets they know or could come out by other means would be taken to their graves. Both Driscoll and Shewter are racing each other to find the twins which is not easy to do since they are very clever and in a city of nine million they have a lot of places to hide.

Thomas O’ Callaghan follows up his debut novel the BONE THIEF with a chilling thriller. THE SCREAMING ROOM shows the depravity the human race is capable of especially where it concerns innocent children. Although readers will be horrified by what they endured as children, the twins elicit no sympathy because of what they do in the present. This is horror of human of the human kind and it is more terrifying then any Stephen King tale because it is based on reality.

Late Night Talking
Leslie Schnur
Atria Books
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0743288246, $22.00 www.simonsays.com

Following her all night talk radio show Sterling Behavior, Jeannie Sterling enjoys walking home. Jeannie has two things she obsesses over; first to end rudeness especially in Manhattan and second to find a love forever. On her way home, a stud driving a Hummer almost hits her. She calls him a turkey even as he steps out of the vehicle. They have a confrontation before she scratches the Hummer.

He thinks she is a kook, Jeannie rants about him on her radio show until she realizes he is zillionaire Nicholas Moss. Since he listens to her show as a fellow insomniac he realizes that this hostess calling him a pig is a righteous prig who considers herself the arbiter of right and wrong. She assumes he inherited wealth when instead his parents were East Village working stiffs. His goal is get even with Jennie by buying the radio station WBUZ. Thus as her seventy-five years old dad Lou arrives to stay in her apartment with his companion Mouse the dog and her beloved reporter friend Tommy Whitney returns from overseas, Moss buys the station. Soon a new format of Jeannie and her sidekick Luce working rudeness on the street leads to a TV show even as she begins to wonder what is right for her professionally and personally.

The concept of talk radio comes across as a winner as Jeanie is an interesting humorous host whose tales are realistic and sadly amusing as we all have done some of the rudeness she rants against. The support cast is strong as each enables the audience to better understand the lead characters especially Jeannie. Although, as characters like Luce point out, Jeannie’s incessant rants can become irritating, contemporary fans will enjoy this romance over the air waves.

Thrown a Curve
Sara Griffiths
Bancroft Press
PO Box 65360, Baltimore, MD 21209
1890862495, $2.95 1-800-637-7377

In New Jersey, her mother deserted her father, her two brothers, and her when Taylor Dresden was a baby; she has no memories of the woman that she can say are her own. When Taylor was seven, her dad would rotate taking her brothers to Yankee Stadium, but never her. When she was eight, her brothers played little league and she decided she wanted to do so too. Taylor became a pitcher, but the only female player. Her father watched her siblings play, but never her. When she overhears him mention that he is embarrassed that his daughter is a better thrower than the boys, Taylor quits.

Now fourteen, her only friend Justin gets her to show off her pitching arm at a carnival. Later she gets drunk for the first time in her life and throws a brick through the school window. Guidance counselor Mr. Sacamore saw her and gives her an ultimatum. She tries out for the all boys baseball team or he goes to the cops. She makes the team die to her wicked curveball, but no one except Sacamore and Justin wants her on the team and her dad especially wants her off the team. Still as she shows grit and talent, the softball team girls adopt her as one of them and her teammates except for superstar Rick realize she can make them a winning team. Can Taylor adjust to success and friendships, both new in her life even as her only pal wants to be more than just friends?

This is a fabulous young adult character study starring a teenager who believes life has thrown plenty of curves at her and a few beanballs in the mix. Baseball is her confident builder as she learns that the strong don’t just survive, they thrive. A secondary message involving her dad’s failure to communicate that he loves and is proud of his daughter makes her assume he hates her adding to a fine character study.

Glitter of Diamonds
N.J. Lindquist
That’s Life Communications
PO Box 487, Markhan, Ontario, Canada, L3P 3R1
0968549594, $24.95

When Cuban Ricardo “Rico” Velasquez made it to North America, the Toronto Matrix baseball team signed the extremely talented pitcher to a lucrative deal. Starting pitcher Armando Santana was demoted and was called on to play when a mop up pitcher was needed. Money and fame went to Rico’s head and he turned into an egomaniac, a real “bad boy” who was not a team player. He was especially on the case of Armando, constantly deriding him and calling him a has been.

Sports talk show host Stasey Simon notes Rico’s attitude and says on air someone should take a bat to him to knock some sense into him. That is exactly what happened on the night when Rico’s wife Alita, who just arrived from Cuba, met the press at a party at the Diamond Dome where the Matrix play ball. Detective constable Jacqueline Ryan and inspector Paul Manziuk are the lead police officers on the case and are under a lot of pressure to bring the case to a close. Before they find the killer, one innocent is murdered, another person is beaten with a bat and lies comatose in the hospital and Rico’s girlfriend was given a Mickey Finn.

Sports fans and readers who like police procedurals will want to read GLITTER OF DIAMONDS where famous baseball players are shown to be ordinary people with the same stress and problems as anyone else. The investigation is fascinating to watch as the police follow the clues and eliminate suspects one by one. N.J. Lindquist is a fine writer who tells an exciting baseball whodunit.

The Overlook
Michael Connelly
Little, Brown & Company
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0316018953, $21.99 www.twbookmark.com 1-800-759-0190

Retirement didn’t work out for LAPD Harry Bosch so he went back to work for the cold case unit. Now he is working for homicide special and he is called out at midnight to the overlook above the Mulholland Dr. Somebody has been murdered execution style with two bullets to the head. When Harry and his new partner Iggy (who he is breaking in to the job) arrive on the scene he finds out that the victim is Dr. Stanley Kent. When he calls the information in, the FBI quickly arrives on the scene. Dr. Kent had access to Cesium, the fusion of uranium and plutonium.

The FBI warned the victim last year to be careful and to take protection to make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. When they arrive at Dr. Kent’s home, they find his wife tied up. She tells them two men dressed in black and wearing ski masks did this and took a picture of her. Both Harry and the police learn that they sent the picture to Dr. Kent saying that if he doesn’t give them a quantity of cesium they will kill his wife. The radioactive material has been stolen from one of the hospitals that the doctor uses and the race is on to find it. The FBI tries to shoot Harry out of the case but he isn’t listening because there is more to the case than meets the eye.

Harry Bosch is one of the most irascible, stubborn and bullish police detectives to ever grace the pages of a police procedural. He is also determined to see justice done which gets him in trouble with other agencies and his superiors yet he is resolute to do things his way which is usually the right way. THE OVERLOOK has plenty of action and chase scenes so that readers never stop reading the book until the final astonishing climax.

Body Surfing
Anita Shreve
Little, Brown & Company
1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
0316059854 , $25.99 www.twbookmark.com 1-800-759-0190

Stunned by the sudden death of her second husband due to an aneurism, twenty-nine years old Sydney feels lost and unanchored. To pass time quietly in a serene locale while she silently grieves about life’s ironies, Sydney accepts a tutoring position at an ocean front cottage. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards hires her to teach their eighteen years old daughter, intellectually challenged but artistically brilliant Julie, who is a disappointing underachiever compared with her thirtyish older brothers, Boston realtor Ben and MIT political science professor Jeff.

Julie suddenly runs away with Mrs. Edwards blaming half-Jewish Sydney for putting dumb ideas in her head. As Jeff and Sydney search for the missing sibling, they fall in love. However, when Julie reappears relatively safe in Montreal with a lesbian lover twenty-five year old Helene, Mrs. Edwards deems her middle child will not marry the Jewish upstart and Ben is outraged by the proposed nuptials.

Mostly told through the perspective of Sydney, fans obtain a fascinating family drama as readers observe the impact of the tutor on the Edwards clan though it takes a final shocking watery twist to understand Ben’s reaction to the engagement. The key cast members seem real even through Sydney’s filter. However this is the heroine’s tale as she learns that life is a roller coaster in which one ride ends with a death of sorts while the next spin begins. This is a fine contemporary tale as expected by Anita Shreve.

Ghost of a Chance
Amy Patricia Meade
Midnight Ink
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN, 55125-2989
073871092X, $13.95

In 1935 Ridgebury, Connecticut is holding its annual carnival sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church and one of the big attractions is the Ferris Wheel. When the seat holding the last person on the ride opens the man flops to the ground. At first they think he died of a heart attack but mystery writer and amateur sleuth Miss Marjorie McCelland finds a dart near the wheel. She and her friend, British aristocrat Creighton Ashcroft bring it to the medical examiner. Tests show the man died of curare poisoning and the dart contained blood that matched that of the victim.

Marjorie’s fiancee, police detective Robert Jameson informs her that the victim’s name is Alfred Nussbaun and his wife Josie identifies the body. She doesn’t seem upset and it isn’t too long before they find out he was a bigamist with a wife and two children in Boston. They also learn that Josie is also married to someone else and is running a scam to part Alfred from his money with her husband’s approval. Suspects abound with motives aplenty but the identity of the killer will shock everyone even a clever mystery writer.

Amy Patricia Meade has written a very charming amateur sleuth and police procedural mystery. The author has a way of creating characters that make them seem like the neighbor next door and even the killer will elicit reader sympathy. The triangle that develops between Creighton, Marjorie and Robert is very well developed and adds an extra dimension to the plot. Romance readers will definitely like this Depression Era regional mystery partly due to state of forensic science and the relationship between Creighton and Marjorie.

Swapping Paint
Joyce and Jim Lavene
Midnight Ink
2143 Wooddale Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125-2989
0738710202, $12.95 www.midnightinkbooks.com 1-800-843-6666

Glad and Ruby have a very good and happy marriage although he is a generation older than her. Glad retired as a detective from the Chicago PD and with his pension and sound investments has more than enough money to travel around the country following the NASCAR circuit.

They are in Concord, North Carolina to watch the Coke Cola 600 and attend the pre-event galas as her brother Bobby is one of the racers driving for the Massey team. A tragedy occurs when one of Massey’s other drivers Ricky Sanders is found dead in his racing car. Bobby is the prime suspect because he is the last known person to have sent he victim alive; his prints are on the murder weapon; and his racing outfit is stained with blood. On top of the already damning evidence is the family feud between the kin of Bobby and Ricky. The police charge Bobby with the homicide that his sister and brother-in-law firmly believe he did not do as he could not hurt a fly so they look to prove that he is innocent.

SWAPPING PAINT, told in the third person from the perspective of Glad, is a madcap comedic whodunit that engages the audience due to the antics of the lead duo as he gladly prefers to watch the goings-on while she takes the wheel at speeds that NASCAR drives envy. Thus Glad’s love for his take the hill spouse shines through, as he undertakes actions for her and only her. Fans of racing and mysteries will enjoy this speedy turn around the track as Joyce and Jim Lavene provide a superb racing thriller.

A Fiery Secret
Diane Craver
Samhain Publishing
512 Forest Lake Dr., Warner Robbins,Ga.31093
1599983699, $14.00

In Park City, Ohio, editor in chief and owner of the Messenger Jane Gibbons informs her small staff including investigative reporter Catherine Steel that she is expanding the popular sports section and bringing in Jake Michaels as the sports editor. Catherine is unhappy with Jake coming home because he failed to show up to escort her to the prom when they were seeing one another in high school.

Jake never got over Catherine and wants to start over; Catherine never forgave Jake or any boy and chose virginity until she says I do. However having Jake around makes her choices difficult as she still loves the rat. Meanwhile in between supplementing her income writing fluff for women’s magazines and fantasizing about Jake while avoiding him, Catherine investigates the recent death of high school janitor Max Hartman, officially ruled an accident, but she has found some contrary evidence that begins to imply homicide.

A FIERY SECRET is a wonderful small town journalistic investigative mystery starring two likable protagonists and a horde of eccentric Midwesterners. The whodunit is fun to follow as an over-worked Catherine begins to uncover long held secrets that culminated in her mind with the janitor’s murder though law enforcement believes au contraire. Her relationship with Jake is fascinating as they knew each other back then, but find refreshing surprises about each other. With a great cast, a strong final twist, a delightful investigation, and two fine prime time stars lead to a terrific entertaining romantic mystery.

Elementary, My Dear Watkins
Mindy Starns Clark
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
0736914870, $12.99 www.harvesthousepublishers.com 1-800-547-8979

While her boyfriend Danny is in Paris on Scene It magazine business, Jo “Tips from the Tulip” remains home in New York recuperating from some injuries. Jo looks forward to Danny’s return because the couple plans to marry soon afterward. However, not wanting to worry Danny or worse have him abort his photography internship work in France to come home, Jo hides from her fiance her simple assertion that someone wants her dead.

Resolute and having solved some recent mysteries, Jo decides to investigate with the help of her grandmother, who she believes is somehow involved; at least the amateur sleuth thinks so. As Jo begins to uncover clues to motive and hopefully the identity, Danny has some difficult decisions to make that affect both of them.

The third Smart Chick mystery is like its predecessors (see BLIND DATES CAN BE MURDER and TROUBLE WITH TULIP) a delightful suspense thriller starring an intrepid heroine with health and household issues even before someone threatens her. The story line is fast-paced as Jo deals with her life threatening problems while across the ocean Danny struggles with his life choices. With plenty of suspects even family members, red herrings, and wit, chick lit mystery fans will immensely enjoy this entertaining amateur sleuth tale.

Tribulation House
Chris Well
Harvest House Publishers
990 Owen Loop North, Eugene, Oregon 97402-9173
0736917411, $11.99 www.harvesthousepublishers.com 1-800-547-8979

Mark Hogan reflects on the steps that lead to his killing Reverend Daniel Glory. He thinks back and Mark realizes how good he had it with a great paying job that he liked; a loving family who adored him; and even the regard of the embers of The Last Church of God’s Imminent Will where he is a key participant. In fact Mark had everything he desired except a 2008 Bayliner 192 boat.

When Reverend Glory announces the Rapture is coming on 17 October at 5:51 AM, Mark reacts as any American would that time is running out on him to buy the boat of his dreams. Like everyone else in town, Mark believes in the word of the Reverend so he borrows money from the mob knowing that he will never make remittance. However, one minor problem as just like Jesus, Reverend Glory does not know when God will start the Rapture. On 17 October after 5:51 AM has long past, Mark realizes he owes a lot of money to some dangerous individuals who plan to collect one way or another as they have their own end of days plan.

Using humor and satire, Chris Well provides a powerful cautionary tale that warns readers to be careful with prophets (both genuine and false) as God would expect people to keep on living pious normal lives. The story line focuses mostly on Mark’s reaction to the end of times, but also to a degree that of the townsfolk and the mob. Christian readers will appreciate this intelligent look at the end of times that never began as TRIBULATION HOUSE is a wonderful inspirational thriller.

When I Fall in Love
Lynn Kurland
Jove Books
c/o The Berkley Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
0515142964, $7.99 1-800-847-5515

Manhattan concert violinist Jennifer McKinnon feels she will never meet and marry her soulmate though she admits the potential pool of perspective suitors is wider than most single females. Her maternal heritage includes mating with a beloved from a different time period than their own. These otherworldly relationships are taken for granted by Jennifer and her kin.

Unbeknownst to lonely Jennifer, the ghost-side of her family believes they have the ideal spouse for her. They plan to hook her up with and married to Nicholas de Piaget, even if he is a thirteenth century knight and she is a twenty-first century musician. Her matchmaking kin send Jennifer through a time gate to Nicholas’ era where each finds the strings of their respective heart stirring. As they fall in love, this duet has a problem that time cannot heal as she wants to go home.

This is an interesting romantic fantasy starring a likable couple who obviously belong together, but whose time may not come to pass. Interestingly there are no villains as everyone wants the musician and the knight to come together. Jennifer has a problem because she wants her Starbucks and her Nicholas. Though somewhat muted, fans of time travel romances will enjoy this ghostly enhanced tale of two chronologically impaired people falling into a love that will be forever.

Grave Illusions
Lina Gardiner
ImaJinn Books
PO Box 545, Canon City, CO 81215-0545
1933417951, $14.00 imajinnbooks.com

Though part of NYPD, Jess Vandermire feels all alone; as far as she knows she is the only vampire with a soul. Her mission in life is to stop her soulless cousins from feeding on humans. Her quest has recently become extremely difficult as an ancient genetically altered one has taken control of the vampire horde and organized them into a smooth fighting force.

John Brittain feels his life is over ever since he lost his police job following his killing of his partner Randy during a dispute between them. A reluctant Jess, knowing she needs help even if that goes against her fight alone nature, asks Britt to join her top secret team as a full member of NYPD, but provides no further info except people will die. With his former boss at the meeting encouraging him, Britt accepts. However, he will soon learn how dangerous their mission is when evidence surfaces that Jess’ war ties in to his partner’s death. As they work together, they fall in love, but he is human and she is vampire.

The lead couple is a fascinating pair who finds their world suddenly turned upside down and not just because they fall in love. She is a loner who suddenly becomes a police lieutenant running a NYPD black ops team; he is an alcoholic who suffers from depression who suddenly is back on the force he loves after having no hopes for any future. Together, along with other recruits, they make a formidable team as they battle killer vampires using a dangerous drug Sunshine to enhance their prowess. Though the story line starts a bit slow while Britt makes up his mind whether to join or not, fans will appreciate the adventures of Jess Vandermire, vampire hunter.

Touch of Night
Carin Rafferty
ImaJinn
PO Box 545, Canon City, CO 81215-0545
1933417226, $15.00 imajinnbooks.com

Ariel Dantes tried to talk her twin brother Armand from visiting with self proclaimed warlock Lucien Morgret, but failed to persuade him as he believes there is something beyond the mundane existence while she is the ultimate non-believer. Armand met with Lucien in a seedy bar the Witches' Brew in a downtrodden Philadelphia neighborhood. However, Armand never came home or contacted his sister afterward.

Terrified for what might happened to her sibling, Aries goes to the same bar that is the last place she knows Armand went to; there she plans to accost Lucien, the last person she knows of who spoke with her twin before he vanished. Though attracted to one another, Lucien refuses to get involved with her brother’s potential plight as he insists Armand is an adult. Despondent, Ariel returns home not sure what to do next while also berating her self for wanting the so-called warlock. However, something must have happened because Lucian suddenly appears out of nowhere in her home agreeing to rescue Armand, but Ariel must accept all his stipulations starting with sacrificing her soul. Ariel wonders if her biggest fear is not for her brother or even her soul, but for her heart as Lucien frightens in ways no man has ever before.

This is fantastic romantic fantasy starring two terrific protagonists. Perhaps antagonist might be a more suited definition of their early relationship as the heroine distrusts the warlock, does not believe in paranormal powers, and wonders if he harmed her twin even as she falls in love with her “adversary”. The story line is action-packed while Rafferty’s realm sees plausible. Still the tale belongs to the changing relationship between the cynic and the warlock with souls and hearts on the line.

Magdalen Rising
Elizabeth Cunningham
Monkfish Book Publishing Company
27 Lamoree Road, Rhinebeck, New York. 12572
0976684322, $24.95

On the Shining Isle Tir na mBan of the Otherworld, Maeve is sired by the God Manannan Mac Lir and mothered by eight warrior witches. The women raise her with love and affection until the wise ancient one Cailleach insists the girl’s destiny is in the mortal realm. Reluctantly the despondent octet sends their beloved ward to attend the Druid College on Mona. There she hopes to meet the Mysterious one who haunts her dreams.

Instead she meets Esus of Jerusalem, who becomes her best friend and rival as they argue over everything and anything. However, it is her power that stuns the Druid faculty and her peers as Maeve is able to heal the dying by placing her heated hands on them. No one quite has her skills, which seems to be a cross between witchcraft and druidism. Maeve begins to believe that she and Esus are offspring of the Gods and soon feels they belong together amidst the mortals. He disagrees, but this is only the beginning of their relationship at a time when Lovernius the Druid is fasinated by both of them.

MAGDALEN RISING is a stupendous prequel to the insightful THE PASSION OF MARY MAGDALEN. Readers will appreciate the young Maeve and equally youthful Esus as they constantly debate. The story line provides insight into Ancient Celtic mythology and makes an obvious connection to the early days of both protagonists in their pre Christianity days. Readers will enjoy the delightful discussions between them as night and day while wondering what Lovernius plans for the pair even as the Romans are coming. This is a superior Christian historical tale.

The Mind Parasites
Colin Wilson
Monkfish Book Publishing Company
27 Lamoree Road, Rhinebeck, New York. 12572
0974935999, $14.95

In 1994, Archeologist Gilbert Austin returns home after providing a lecture at the Middlesex Archeological Society. Before going to sleep he returns the call of three decades old friend Karel Weissman only to learn from his associate’s secretary that he committed suicide.

Stunned as they stayed in contact and having no idea what motivated Weismann to take poison, Gilbert is further shocked upon receiving the final working research papers of his colleague. Weissman had insisted that mind parasites lived by feeding from the minds of human consciousness. Wanting to ignore what seems absurd; Gilbert soon begins to believe in the Weissman theory as there is obvious proof once you accept the validity of the underlying concept surfaces. At an archeological dig in Turkey he realizes that humanity is in a war of survival that has been ongoing for several centuries. Humanity just did not know it. Gilbert and a colleague Reich struggle to save humanity but they realize it may be too late to fight back as no weapon of sorts can be found that will not destroy the host.

The tale seems more like a memoir with much of the story line being passive and introspective, yet extremely deep. Colin Wilson uses the MIND PARASITES as a horror-parable to explore the complex concept that a few can control the many in terms of thoughts. The WMD fiasco and the subsequent Bushie spins support the author’s premise although the book was written before the recent communication revolution that enables a select few to manipulate communication to the many. Not easy to read, fans of cerebral reflective science fiction will appreciate the Big Brother horror portrayed by Mr. Wilson’s look at the collective consciousness of the masses manipulated by the brazen minority.

The Woods
Harlan Coben
Dutton
c/o Penguin Putnam
375 Hudson Street, 3rd floor, New York, NY 10014-3657
0525950125, $26.95 1-800-847-5515 www.penguinputnam.com

At a summer camp, with their counselors preoccupied with one another, four teenagers snuck into the woods at night never to return. Two were found dead (Doug Billingham and Margot Green); two vanished, but are assumed dead (Gil Perez and Camille Copeland); all victims of the Summer Slasher serial killer. No one was caught as two families mourned their loss but were able to obtain some closure with funerals; the other two families didn’t even have a body to inter.

Though the guilt lingers as he was one of the counselors, two decades later Paul “Cope” Copeland has somewhat moved past the loss of his sister Camille, whose body was never found because of another tragedy. The Essex County prosecutor mourns the loss of his wife to cancer, but more important he is a single father raising a six-year-old daughter Cara. However, the past returns when a murder victim in Manhattan turns out to be the male missing teen Doug. Cope needs to know the truth even as he works a high visibility rape case. He meets up with the other neglectful counselor from that fateful night, his first true love Lucy Gold, who also feels the guilt of failure.

Though very exciting as the audience wants to know whether Camille lives and if yes why did she fail to contact her family, there are too many distracting side-plays involving the lead couple that takes away from the prime suspense. The story line is action-packed and will hook readers who will want to know where Harlan Coben is taking them. With a final slam dunk twist that will stun and please readers, THE WOODS is an exhilarating investigative thriller.

Burning Bridges
Laura Anne Gilman
Luna
c/o Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0373802749, $4.95

The Cosa Nostradamus is the magical community consisting of three major groups; the council of mages, the lone jacks who are independent operators, and the fatae, the non-human species. Wren is a Retriever, a thief who uses her talent magic to steal things that her clients want. Her lover Sergei is a null (no magical talent) who left the organization of the Silence, a group who protect humans from larger darker forces to become an entrepreneur.

Both are loners but in the present climate, Wren can no longer stay on the sidelines. For years the fae were attacked and the lone jacks did nothing and now a vigilante group founded by an unknown organization is killing lone jacks. The fatae and the lone jacks for the first time in history along with the council organize a truce to find out who the enemy is and neutralize them. When a target is killed, by nulls and those who have talent, the truce is broken and the council withdraws. However the fatrae and the lone jacks are united in their determination to strike out at the enemy while Wren and Sergei are lovers fearing every step they take will make matters worse. A confrontation is coming and when it happens it will change alliances.

Laura Anne Gilman writes some of the best supernatural fantasy on the market today. BURNING BRIDGES is a fantastic urban fantasy thriller with loads of action, protagonists that are likeable and understandable and a conspiracy that hides in the shadows using disposable minions to further its aims. Wren is a strong willed person while Sergei is a tortured soul who is tugged between two opposing groups who have claims on his loyalties. Readers will await the next installment in this series to see how the coming war bears out.

Coyote Dreams
C.E. Murphy
Luna
c/o Harlequin Books
225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, ON, Canada, M3B 3K9
0373802722, $14.95

Twenty-something Seattle Police Officer Joanne Walker finds her law enforcement world and her tyro shaman realm (her birth name is Siobhan Walkingstick) turned upside down. Much of the police force is down with some form of the "blue flu" although perhaps the “blue sleep” would be more descriptive. Even Joanne’s superior officer, Captain Michael Morrison, who never takes a sick day, is missing in action.

Jo has her own sleep disorder as she keeps having weird dreams filled with vivid scenes from her past. Initially she assumed her spirit guide, Coyote, was transmitting visions to her as part of her Shaman apprenticeship, but he stopped making contact so she has some doubts about whom the sender is. Jo realizes her two worlds have collided due to the wormhole projects of Navaho twins, quantum physicists Barbara and Mark Bragg. They have opened a portal that has allowed evil butterfly demons and a Navajo god to go through into Seattle. Only she has the Mojo to stop the blue sleep plague and close the wormhole door, but she is a Shaman in training without her mentor around to guide her.

COYOTE DREAMS, the third Walker romantic fantasy (see THUNDERBIRD FALL and URBAN SHAMAN), is a delightful paranormal mystery in which the heroine struggles with preventing a widening disaster. The fast-paced story line grips the audience from the onset as a bewildered Jo begins to figure out the cause, but not the solution. Readers will enjoy her efforts to save Seattle as the reluctant URBAN SHAMAN is forced to travel the mystical path to save those she cares about in the mundane realm.

In Secret Service
Mitch Silver
Touchstone Books
c/o Simon and Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, 14th fl., New York, NY 10020
1416537945, $25.00 1-800-223-2336

When Yale University Professor Amy Greenberg learns of the safety deposit box her late grandfather leased, she travels to Dublin to obtain the contents. Inside is an alleged memoir manuscript written by James Bond author Ian Fleming.

However, the book, apparently written in 1964, is not a spy novel, has never been published and allegedly contains a terrible secret that the late renowned author said he had kept since WWII. Fleming insists that King Edward VIII after abdicating the throne had a relationship with Adolph Hitler that jeopardized Great Britain. As a stunned Amy affirms much of the contentions through other documents, she wonders what to do with the Fleming expose. However, the choice may not be hers as adversaries, who have killed at least one famous royal and probably others, are willing to murder her and her boyfriend to gain possession of the nonfiction pages.

IN SECRET SERVICE will fascinate readers with the question whether Mitch Silver has written a historical fictional account of real occurrences because the key players in Fleming’s “memoir” including him are genuine persona and so are the prime events. The story line is fast-paced especially when the plot focuses on the past while the present seems more typical of a cat and mouse drama. Fans will enjoy this fine thriller that connects major twentieth century Englishmen and women even when Mitch Silver’s connecting of famous incidents seem far-fetched rather than a historical slam dunk tenet.

Christopher's Ghost
Charles McCarry
The Overlook Press
141 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012
1585679143, $25.00 www.overlookny.com 1-800-743-1312

In 1939 Berlin sixteen year old Paul Christopher struggles with the Nazis control of much of society. However, his American novelist father and his German aristocratic mother warn Paul to be careful as the SS do not mind abducting and torturing intellects especially those who do not hide their disdain towards the Fatherland’s mistreating the Jews. Paul learns this fist hand from vicious SS officer Major Stutzer who enjoys irritating the half breed teen. Paul falls in love with a Jew, which places him further in the abusive sphere of Stutzer. However, as war explodes on the continent, Stutzer personally deals with the Jew SS style leaving Paul with a bitter need to one day avenge his beloved though WWII and the Cold War prevented his opportunity.

In 1959 CIA operative Paul Christopher works an undercover sting in East Berlin to prevent a Soviet plot to gain leverage in the Middle East. Studying closely the Suez fiasco that alienated much of the Arab world, the Soviets see opportunity to gain footholds in the Middle East; they hire former SS Officer Stutzer to train their new allies. Christopher and Stutzer will soon meet with a two decade score to be settled that leaves the needs of both their countries on the back burner.

This is an exciting early entry in the Christopher Cold War espionage tales (see THE LAST SUPPER and TEARS OF AUTUMN). The story line is action-packed as 1939 and 1959 Berlin come to life with both eras sharing the commonality of bleak dangerous scenarios. That similarity adds a powerful haunting feel of life at the center of two distinct related wars. Paul is fabulous while his lethal sadistic adversary is somewhat a stereotype of the SS Officer, but also shows how well this group adapted in defeat. Charles McCarry is at his espionage best with this salad days thriller starring his long time protagonist, but Berlin steals the show.

The Edict
Bob Cupp
Alfred A. Knopf
c/o Random House
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
0307266451, $24.95 www.randomhouse.com 1-800-726-0600

In the fifteenth century, golf has become the national pastime of Scotland with only raiding matching it with intensity. So popular is the sport, raiding is halted during the annual tournament at St. Andrews while betting on the players is hot.

The favorite to win the St. Andrews tourney in 1457 is shepherd Caeril Patersone. However, a noble panics when he realizes he made a stupid bet. To insure that Caeril fails to win the event, he writes off a debt in exchange for beautiful Eta to distract the favorite. If that fails, he still has his ace in the hole of appealing to King James II to ban the sport and consequently the tournament because he has proof too many soldiers hit the links instead of the archery range.

THE EDICT is a delightful sports historical thriller based on a real event that occurred in Scotland when the King outlawed golf on March 4, 1457. Readers will root for Caeril, who in spite of being the best golfer in the tournament, is a decided underdog because the fix is in. Historical readers and golf aficionados will believe that Bob Cupp is a masterful author as he makes birdies and eagles with this ace of a fifteenth century sports saga.

Cat in a Red Hot Rage
Carole Nelson Douglas
Tor/Forge Publicity
1403 Flatiron Building, 175 Fifth Avenue,New York, NY 10010
0765314010, $24.95 1-888-330-8477

In Las Vegas, Electra Lark volunteers to work security at the Red Hat Sisterhood convention. However, someone proves to have too much zest when an under fifty Red Hat apprentice Pink Lady Oleta Lark is strangled with a purple scarf. The police suspect Electra killed her as witnesses claim she helped the victim set her scarf just right and the women were ex-wives of Elmore Lark.

Electra begs her tenant public relations specialist and renowned amateur sleuth extraordinaire Temple Barr to prove her innocence. With Temple’s feline owner Midnight Louie and his Midnight, Inc partner Midnight Louise leading the way, the trio investigates the Red Hat Sisterhood to determine who killed the Pink Lady.

The latest Midnight Louie whodunit is a terrific tale of the fur as, the two cat sleuths work the murder investigation and keep Temple safe. The story line is fast-paced and amusing as the heroes aided by an assortment of cats and people seek to prove Electra’s innocence by uncovering the identity of the killer among a horde of aggressive middle age red hatted females and felines. However, as always in Carole Nelson Douglas’ cat capers that feline Noir Midnight Louie owns the story.

Conversations with the Devil
Jeff Rovin
Tor Books
1403 Flatiron Building, 175 Fifth Avenue,New York, NY 10010
0765307030, $24.95 1-888-330-8477

In somewhat isolated Delwood, Connecticut, two hours on back roads to any major city, the Delwood Academy, affectionately known as “Delac”, is considered a pipeline to Yale. Though she never attended the school, psychologist Sarah Lynch works with some of the students who go there as many suffer from isolation with where they live as they have virtual choices re the Internet.

Still when Sarah learns that one of her Delacian patients, Fredric Marash committed suicide she is despondent and wonders how she failed him. Rationalizing that she will not make the same mistake twice, she looks at what turned Fredric into a Satanist and if that worship of the Devil led to his taking his life. Sarah lost her faith in God years ago after the Lord failed to heed her desperate prayers during a tragedy. However, the cynical rationalist is unprepared for Mr. Devil to visit her at her office. The glib visitor spins a different take on the bible and the war between him and God but conceals that the latest battleground is Sarah’s soul as he seductively offers her the choice of happiness while he claims his adversary demands kneeling in total adulation.

Once the Devil makes his initial appearance that occurs just after the opening set up of place, time and catalyst, readers will not be able to put down this fascinating “dialogue”. Sarah is terrific as she has doubts about God in spite of her best friend who is a nun. Her friend tries to counter what Sarah sees within herself, her family and with her patients. When the slick Devil arrives he smoothly provides her choices that look so much nicer and freer than what God commands of the faithful. Who will win the latest war between Heaven and Hell not fought as End of Days universe-wide Armageddon, but instead one soul at a time?

In War Times
Kathleen Ann Goonan
Tor Books
1403 Flatiron Building, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
0765313553, $25.95 1-888-330-8477

In 1941, enlisted soldier Sam Dance enjoys playing the saxophone, but the Army notices his inclination for math and science so they think he might make an ideal code-breaker; the brass assigns him to attend college level classes. While his Physics Professor Dr. Eliani Hadntz seduces him, she also informs him of her concept to tie physics and the human mind so that she will be able to rescue Europe from the Nazis. At about the same time, Sam’s older brother dies when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.

Sam and his jazz playing friend Wink work on the Hadntz device that shifts the realities of the space-time continuum. By doing this, he and Wink see the worst of Hitler, but make progress until they begin to place their machines around the world praying that this time they have seen the war to end all wars by preventing humanity’s basic mob trait tendency towards abuse and violence.

Using a comparison between the evolution of jazz and science starting in WW II through JFK and beyond, Kathleen Ann Goonan provides a powerful exciting science fiction thriller that calls for an encore. Sam is terrific as the star performer holding the tale together on both counts; all that jazz and physics. The story line is fast-paced as the hero dances to a different beat once he meets Dr. Hadntz, but saving JFK brings other consequences. Alternate history has never been better than IN WAR TIMES.

The Ninth Talisman
Lawrence Watt-Evans
Tor
0765310279, $25.95

After the Swordsman killed the Dark Lord of the Galbook Hlls, a Wizard Lord gone rogue, he returned to his small community of Mad Oak and became part of the farming community. He is one of eight Chosen, men and women who are granted special magical powers so that a Wizard Lord can be taken down if he doesn’t rule benevolently over all the people of Barokan. The new Wizard Lord is having roads built throughout the country connecting towns and cities and thus making it easier for trade goods to be transported all over the empire.

Swordsman travels to Winterhome to see the new Lord Wizard and is shocked to find a former Chosen, a traitor, is one of the chief advisors is the new Wizard Lord Artil. Artil tells him that the time for magic has passed and that people usingnon-magical skills will bring peace and prosperity to the land. While Swordsman thinks about this restructuring, Arti’s soldiers find wizards and interrogate them about THE NINTH TALISMAN before killing them when he doesn’t get the answers he wants. The eight champions meet to decide what to do about Artil and his plans and wonder if he may have gone to the dark side.

This is second book in the Annals of the Chosen and one doesn’t have to read the prequel THE WIZARD LORD to understand THE NINTH TALISMAN. The Swordsman is patient and willing to observe what the Wizard Lord is all about and that makes this book more of a character study than an action packed fantasy. The ending is very ambiguous so there is at least another book to the series. Readers will enjoy this novel so much they will recommend it to their friends who like sword and sorcery fantasy.

Beyond the Gap
Harry Turtledove
Tor
0765317109, $24.95

The Raumsdalian Empire has expanded slightly northward for centuries by occupying the tiny bits of land freed by the retreating great glacier. However, Bizogots’ clan chieftain Trasamund comes to the capital Nidaros to report new phenomena. Apparently, for the first time as far as anyone knows, a narrow opening into what has always been a solid unassailable mountain ice has occurred.

The city is excited with the news and the opportunity for courageous somewhat crazy risk-takers to explore the other side of the ice that legend insists leads to the Golden Shrine of the gods. Though normally the two cultures clash as one is urban and the other is nomadic, Count Hamnet Thyssen joins Trasamund to lead an expedition to trek through the crack in the ice cap to see what is there.

This is a fantastic Bronze Age saga that compares two rival cultures battling for supremacy yet united on the mission to see what is on the other side. The story line is filled with action, but most important insures that the audience feels they are at a time just a couple of millennia since the Ice Age ended. The cast especially the explorers (and not just the intrepid two leaders) is solid as they add to the sense of time and place. Fans of Harry Turtledove will enjoy this opening prehistorical thriller in which the anticipation is to learn what is on the other side.

Falling Upwards
Kassandra Sims
Tor
0765355817, $6.99

Neva Jones is in Wales on a business trip when she meets the enigmatic March. From the onset she thought he was different though she is not sure why except that he seems to live in this world and somehow outside this world.

In sweet home Alabama, curious and attracted to March, Neva suffers from hallucinations that frighten her. Still she develops a hypothesis to overcome the limitations of her mind. On the other hand, March believes Neva is the woman who can lift the curse that has left him with one foot in a realm of dreams and one in the mortal plane. As Neva begins to believe that there is more to the universe than the physical plane starting with the metaphysical feelings of falling in love, she struggles with reality vs. illusion as she enters a realm in which her only realism anchor is March.

FALLING UPWARDS is a sort of modernizing of Alice Through the Looking Glass. The story line starts a bit slow and disjointed as Neva and March meet in a Welsh pub, but once she crosses over into a fantasy realm, the story line turns fast-paced and exciting as the heroine ponders whether reality means insanity. Fans who dive into that Alabama pond with Neva will enjoy her quest once she steps out of the water to meet fantasy species, talking animals and of course March.

Mother of Lies
Dave Duncan
Tor
0765314843, $24.95

On the dodecahedral shaped orb Dodec, Werist worshipper Bloodlord Stralg Hragson uses his austere kingdom of Vigaelia as a base to expand his rule. Using his barbarian horde and clairvoyant seers, Stralg has traversed the icy mountains to conquer much warmer Florengia where he forced the locals to worship his war god Weru and abducted the four children (Dantio, Orlad, Fabia, and Benard) of the ruling Doge Piero as hostages.

However, Stralg proves too successful in converting the Florengian when Werist rebels led by Marno Cavotti begin to kick the northerners out of their realm until only Hragson’s sister Saltaja, a follower of the death goddess Xaran, remains a threat. Seer Dantio, Werist Orlad and closet Xaran worshipper Fabia agree to go home to prevent Saltaja from destroying Florengia while each, along with their sculpturing sibling they left behind in Vigaelia, wonder who will rule the country once the conquerors are gone and their sire dies.

MOTHER OF LIES is an exciting action-packed tale, but it is more thriller than fantasy as much of the magic of the Gods provided to the mortal and extensively used in the first novel (see CHILDREN OF CHAOS) is underutilized in the second saga. Thus a two edged sword surfaces as the audience can see deeper into what are the key motivators of the principal players especially the offspring of the Piero and the sister of Stralg. Still the second Dodec fable is a fast-paced fantasy as the “empire” strikes back.

The Silver Sword
David Zindell
Tor
0765316749, $25.95

While much of the large island landmass Ea has fallen under the evil spell of the Lord of Lies Morjin, King Kiritan of Alonia selects Prince Valashu "Val" Elahad to begin a quest to obtain THE LIGHTSTONE Cup of Heaven before Morjin finds it. Val carefully heeds the prophecy in order to prevent Morjin from freeing the Lord of Lies. This seventh son of the ruler of Mesh successfully assembled his magnificent seven and retrieved the Sword of Fate Alkaladur (see THE LIGHTSTONE).

Val and his team begin the second trek of their quest which is more dangerous as they must enter dark lands under Morjin’s malevolent control. Using the Alkaladur’s glowing gelstei magical gem as a guide, the magnificent seven fight the enemy horde until they reach their second major stop, the Library of Khaisham, where they learn the location of the Lightstone. To his consternation and fear, Val realizes that the journey ends in the darkest place in the island, Morjin’s underground city of Argattha; he expects to confront the evil face to face with only one leaving alive in possession of the Lightstone. He does not yet understand that dead has an entirely different meaning when the Lord of Lies is the power behind the throne as allies are traitors and war between the Kingdoms of Ishka and Mesh is imminent.

The action picks up in the second Lightstone saga as the magnificent seven’s quest takes them behind enemy lines. However, the increase in daring deeds comes at the cost of the fascinating sidebars that made the first tale unique such as the minstrels’ ballads providing the history of the island and the words of the ancient prophecy. Still Val and his crew display their valor as the escapades never stop. David Zindell's sequel is a terrific good vs. evil fantasy with a fabulous finish.

Memory and Dream
Charles De Lint
Tor Orb
c/o Tor Books
1403 Flatiron Building, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
0765316781, $15.95

In Newford, former art apprentice to cruel genius Vincent Rushkin, Isabelle Copley learned she had an uncanny skill to paint images that seemed so real, they became animated. Isabelle brought to life those who reside in the spirit realm with her art. However, she became frightened of her skill and fled her talent and her town.

Five years ago, writer Kathy Mully tragically died. From the beyond, she warns her friend Isabelle that her creations from two decades ago are causing harm and that she must confront what she wrought. Unable to deny Kathy as she knows too deeply what happened to her friend, Isabelle begins the catharsis of truth. Native American John Sweetgrass, also a friend of the late Kathy, helps the artist who must confront her evil former master by accepting her love for John, the star of many of her drawings.

Shifting viewpoints and eras, Charles De Lint provides an excellent Newford thriller that will persuade the most skeptical that the small northern town not only exists, but also contains powers from beyond the mortal plane. The cast drives the exhilarating plot as Isabelle must confront what she has denied of her past. Readers will enjoy this fine thriller as Mr. De Lint writes a tremendous horror fantasy.

The Broken Kings
Robert Holdstock
Tor
0765311097, $27.95

As Merlin temporarily resides inside fortress Taurovinda, he is worried as the Shadows of Heroes leave the other realm to claim the Kingdom of Cornovidi as their own. His concern is not with these Shades, but the unknown adversarial puppeteer that enabled them to enter the realm of the living and apparently guides them.

Meanwhile, High King Urtha Pendragon of Cornovidi seeks a diplomatic solution while his heir Prince Kymon wants to go to war. His daughter Princess Munda foresees the future lies with Jason’s sentient ship Argo, who has returned battered but ready to confess a dark secret to Merlin only at the right time. The mage knows as he traverses time with the Argo that he must find the truth in his past to save the kingdoms from the horde of dead, but it is up to Jason to prevent the latter’s offspring from usurping Urtha’s rule so that the envisioned glorious future can occur.

This is a complex blending of several myths that is difficult to pick up even with gimmicks telling the back story of the first two novels (see CELTIKA and THE IRON GRAIL). Readers will appreciate the intricate series The Merlin Codex much more so by starting with the first book. Merlin tells the exciting tale that fans of Camelot and Greek and Celtic mythologies will enjoy; just set aside plenty of time as this is a rich multifaceted fantasy.

The Silver Ship and the Sea
Brenda Cooper
Tor
0765315971, $25.95

The planet Fremont was considered a dangerous place for colonization due to its odd lethal flora and fauna as much as from the meteorites that crash on its surface and it’s volcanic and quake activity. However, in spite of a need to cooperate twelve years ago war exploded between the original human settlers and the second group bioengineered to fit the orb.

Near Artistos, the only town on the planet, is the deadly Grass Plains and in its center lays the single silver spaceship that humans fear. Six altered children left orphaned by the hostilities and unwanted by the purebreds except as slaves, dream of freedom. Abetting their hopes is the last altered adult Jenna the crazy woman as Chelo Lee leads the other five on a quest to find either escape from the planet via the abandoned ship or establish a new home where they can live free.

This coming of age science fiction is a fun lighthearted read. The story line focuses on the children as they seek their own way in hostile environs made worse by rampant prejudice towards their kind. However, though fun to follow their exploits in search of freedom, Chelo and her comrades fail to show the impact of being raised by people who fear them while wanting to use (and abuse) their altered gifts. Still this is a fine tale of six courageous youths on a quest for freedom.

Expiration Date
Tim Powers
Orb
c/o Tor Books
1403 Flatiron Building, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010
0765317524, $15.95

Los Angeles is a city filled with beings not pumping gas or parking cars. Instead L.A. is a ghost town loaded with otherworldly spirits, some souls with a foot in the grave and the other on the freeway, and humans seeking to extend their LAST CALL on earth. Life and after life are competitors to obtain immortality.

In this weird 1990s Los Angeles, eleven years old Koot Parganas is raised by parents who worship dead Mahatmas and has been warned not to touch certain artifacts. However, the preadolescent ignores his parental warning to stay away from sacred items and breaks the bust of Dante. Inside is a glass vial that contains the preserved ghost of Thomas Alva Edison; Koot steals the container and the spirit inside. However, ghosthunters and ghost addicts can “see” the bright lit spirit of the late inventor. They want it and are inspired because for no perspiration on their part they can gain incredible power. Sensing dangerous Hurricane Weather in which he is the eye of the storm, Koot flees with mortals, semi paranormals, and a canine chasing after him.

This is an exciting paranormal thriller that grips the audience once Koot disobeys his parents and never slows down as he finds many of the residents (not all living) want what he holds. The story line is fast-paced with many eccentric characters but Koot owns the plot. Readers will appreciate his L.A. “joy ride”.

The Quest for the Trilogy
Mel Odom
Tor
0765315173, $25.95

After Grandmagister Edgewick "Wick" Lamplighter vanished while searching for rare books and fighting off evil doers, his assistant recently promoted Grandmagister Juhg wants to stay home studying how to establish schools throughout the realm. However wizard Craugh directs him to continue Wick’s quest so Juhg searches for three encrypted journals that belonged to the missing Grandmagister.

Upon completing the first leg of his literary quest by finding the journals, Juhg reads the Wick entries of seeking three magical weapons lost after the battle of Fell's Keep. Craugh says these artifacts are needed to stop an evil person from employing a weapon of mass destruction. As he goes into the field on his quest, Juhg also battles the malevolent Goblinkin who care little that the world is in peril.

This is a terrific entry in one of the best fantasy series on the market today (see LORD OF THE LIBRARIES). The story line is fast-paced even when the plot pays homage to libraries. Especially fascinating is Juhg “reading” Wicks’ journals as if he is Wick (that segment is worth the price of admission). Fantasy quest fans will appreciate Mel Odom’s latest thriller in which once again the hero hopes to prove that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Breakaway
Joel Shepherd
PYR
59 John Glenn Drive, Amherst, NY 14228-2197
1591025400, $15.00 www.prometheusbooks.com 1-800-421-0351

Cassandra “Sandy” Kresnov is a G.I., a synthetic as opposed to organic person created in the League’s laboratories. She has intelligence and morality and she defected from the League to the Federation because she felt that she would be treated as a person on the planet Callay. After saving the president from an assassin, she has been awarded citizenship, which angers some politicians and people who see her as the killer that was part of the League’s army.

Sandy works black ops for the CSA but is technically attached to a swat team under the auspices of her best friend Vanessa. Trouble is brewing on Callay as article 42, a provision to be voted on to succeed from the Federation, is up for referendum. If approved, the heads of corporations believe this will allow them to use biotech, the science that created Sandy. The SIB harasses Sandy causing her to lose her job and citizenship because they believe she is a killing machine. Still Sandy does her best to do her job even as the upcoming vote on article 42 leaves her in a void status while even something more radical is percolating.

It is ironic that the heroine feels more at home in the Federation where the science that created her is outlawed. Readers who have read CROSSOVER, the first CASSANDRA Kresnov novel will find BREAKAWAY is just as good. The tale contains great characterizations especially the heroine, a cultural look at an advanced civilization, and plenty of political intrigue. All this contributes to make Breakaway a one sitting reading experience.

A Thousand Splendid Suns
Khaled Hosseini
Riverhead
c/o Penguin-Putnam
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
1594489505, $25.95 www.penguin.com 1-800-847-5515

In Herat, Afghanistan in 1959 Nana was a housekeeper to Jalil, an affluent businessman with nine legitimate offspring and three wives. When Nana became pregnant, Jalil exiled her. She gave birth to Mariam, a harami (illegitimate) baby, who she raised by herself with scorn for the child and the father. When Mariam turns fifteen, Nana hangs herself. Jalil marries his illegitimate daughter to forty something shoe maker Rasheed. Thus she moves to Kabul to live with her husband. Rasheed enforces traditional values in his young wife and over the years he gets very angry with Mariam blaming her for her numerous miscarriages.

In the 1980s, the Soviets rule with an iron fist, which ironically allows women some freedoms they never had before the occupation. However, by 1992 the Soviets are gone and the Taliban turn women back into slaves. In Kabul, Mariam’s teenage neighbors Tariq and Laila make love just before he leaves for Pakistan; soon afterward, Laila’s parents die. Rasheed brings the fourteen year old into his household with plans to make her wife number two and give him the heir he deserves. Laila gives birth to a worthless female, but Laila worries that soon her new elderly husband will know this is not his offspring.

This is a fantastic novel that looks at Afghanistan over a four decade period through mostly the eyes of Mariam. The story line is character driven as Jalil, Nana, and Rasheed vividly represent one generation; Mariam the sandwich generation; and Laila and her newborn the younger generation. Fans will see the ironies of what happens to women under Afghan, Soviet, and Taliban rule. Khaled Hosseini provides a great saga that will have readers lining up for more tales as A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS will be on most short lists for novel of the year.

Always
Nicola Griffith
Riverhead
c/o Penguin-Putnam
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
1594489351, $26.95 www.penguin.com 1-800-847-5515

Norwegian Aud Torvingen was born into a life of wealth and privilege. The former police officer gives back to the community by teaching women self-defense. The new women in her latest course cross all social and financial lines so that a southern society belle is on an even footing with a housewife. The women savor each other’s triumphs until one day one of them has to put into practice what she learned.

After dealing with officials following the woman’s act, Aud flies to Seattle where she owns property that she must clean up as her property manager violated OSHA and EPA rules. The woman was stealing from Aud’s account pretending to fix things while pocketing the money and forcing tenants to move out quickly. Aud tries to buy land on either side of her warehouse. Her warehouse is currently rented by a movie company that is plagued by incidents threatening to bankrupt the company. As Aud cleans up the mess caused by fraud, she finds the perfect person for her, but obstacles stand in their way.

As ALWAYS Nicola Griffith provides a classic noir heroine who sees herself as strong and capable. ALWAYS is as much a crime thriller as it is a woman coming to terms with her vulnerabilities making for a deep character study of the self-assured lead female and to a degree the support cast. Aud is terrific as she recognizes her shortcoming of gullibility, but plans to correct her error personally while still trusting those deserving of it. The two separate subplots rotate chapters with Aud the furious female fury as the link to a fine character-driven thriller.

Abandoned in the Maze
Michael Berg
Bedside Books
PO Box 65624, Salt Lake City,Utah.84165
1589823001, $22.00

In the United States, abortion is illegal, which has led to a further split in the classes. The affluent upper class send their pregnant daughters to Europe where they obtain a legal (in Europe that is) prescription for the abortion pill. Those less fortunate Americans give birth, obtain illegal abortions or perform dangerous self-abortions. Thus the prison industry is booming with women incarcerates, mostly with minorities who make up much of the poor.

Cheryl Cobb raises her two daughters, seventeen years old Irene and twelve years old Rita by herself. She works full time as a waitress and as liaison at the women’s civil rights group Pop-Con. When Cheryl is arrested and handcuffed in front of her children as a dangerous lawbreaker for her Pop-Con work, her daughters are forced into the state run Trench Center where they are separated and retrained. Irene never sees momma or Rita again as she is treated as a state prisoner, who must be drugged at all times because the facility makes more money for medicated than non-medicated. Irene’s only hope is when she turns eighteen; the state will dump her on the street as human waste.

This is not an easy book to read as Michael Berg extrapolates the position of the pro-lifers by going after the mothers rather than the doctors. Using the current jurisprudence system that cannot arrest people for a “crime” performed in a country where it is legal, Mr. Berg makes the case that outlawing abortion will mean only the poor will be punished. The story line also assaults the state run social service systems that make decisions based on money not need as the child once born becomes ABANDONED IN THE MAZE by those who claim life is sacred. Readers will squirm throughout this well written realistic satirical fictionalized social commentary.

Cactus Heart

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