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Cynthia Penn's Bookshelf
Turn Me On
Kristin Hardy
Harlequin Retail Inc
ISBN 0373791526 $4.50 256 pages
Winner of the WordWeaving Award for Excellence
Eight years ago an unfortunate hot tub incident ended the romance between Sabrina Pantolini and
Stef Costas. He might have been her best kisser ever, but he did not have the trust in their
relationship that it took to endure a Hollywood world. After their breakup, Sabrina abandoned her
dreams, dropped out of film school and made a career out of partying for three years. Then she
approached her uncle and offered hard work for training, becoming an excellent producer. Now
she
wants to put her hard earned skills to the test, filming a pilot made for cable called True Sex, an
expose on the more risqu‚ side of middle America's sexuality. When her director gets a better
offer,
Sabrina's uncle calls in a favor and gets her none other than Stef Costas. Stef has serious
misgivings
about Sabrina's project. He does serious documentaries about espionage in the American War of
Independence or the Industrial Revolution. Now caught between projects and waiting for funding,
he is not eager to help Sabrina, especially when he learns her documentary includes strippers
teaching lap dancing classes or the country's most daring private sex club. Despite his misgivings,
however, Stef agrees to work for her, but vows to leave their personal relationship where it
belongs
- in the past. However, sensuality has a way of encouraging chemistry, and soon Sabrina and Stef
cannot deny the heat between them. But when the smoke clears, they still face virtually
insurmountable challenges to their relationship. Author Kristin Hardy burst onto the romance
scene
several years ago with scintillating tales certain to turn up the heat, but she has truly outdone
herself
in TURN ME ON. A racy, titillating, daring read that juxtaposes the rowdy with the tender, the
daring with the gentle, TURN ME ON will turn readers every which way but loose with its
exciting,
fantasy inducing prose. Hardy boldly explore the most wild and risqu‚ possibilities of sensuality
with
grace, creating a background of heat and daring that absolutely dazzles. But beneath a story filled
with glitz and glitter are a heroine and a hero that capture the reader's heart and imagination with
their boldness and with their vulnerabilities. Most importantly, while readers always anticipate a
happy end with series romance, Hardy offers enough tantalizing originality to make every page a
treasure. Keep your eyes on this talented author, it won't be long until she joins the ranks of
Harlequin's rising stars. TURN ME ON earns the WordWeaving Award for Excellence.
Snoops in the City
Darlene Gardner
Leisure Love Spell
Dorchester Publishing
276 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
ISBN 0505525860 $6.99 339 pages
Very highly recommended
Desperate to pay her rent, twenty-five year old Tori Whitley accepts her cousin Eddie's job offer
to
become a PI. A few chapters of an Idiot's Guide for the Private Eye and she is ready to pursue her
quarry. Tori's contact insists on calling her Jane Bond, and is rather reticent regarding her motives
for having Grady Palmer followed. Unfortunately, she cannot conceal herself when she tales the
hunky businessman, yet her brazen attempts unexpectedly land her the opportunity to investigate
Grady up close and personal. All she needs to do is determine if Grady has any shady deals going
with the city officials of Boca Raton, Florida. Meanwhile, Grady cannot resist the beautiful
woman
who so ineptly follows him. When he confronts her, Tori claims irresistible attraction, but Grady
cannot decide if she is part of the corruption he investigates, or if she has her own agenda. Instead
of
being angry or trying to slip away, Grady invites her to accompany him. Surprisingly, Grady
invites
Tori to accompany him, giving him the opportunity to observe her closely. Hanging out together,
Tori and Grady quickly realize that their fierce attraction may lead to consequences neither
bargained for. Darlene Gardner has long proven her talent for penning quirky, amusing prose that
keeps fans coming back to series romance. SNOOPS IN THE CITY proves that this multifaceted,
multitalented author certainly has the sass and pizzazz to make the leap mainstream romance. Her
unmistakable flair for outrageous situations and memorable characterizations keep the pages
irresistible turning. Secondary characters likewise sparkle, including a scene-stealing cat. Quirky,
amusing and charming, SNOOPS IN THE CITY comes very highly recommended.
Lady Justice
Vicki Hinze
Bantam, A Division of Random House, Inc.
1745 Broadway, New York, New York, 10019
ISBN 0553583530 $6.50 448 pages
Sequel to Lady Liberty -- Very highly recommended
As the group only known as the Consortium targets the United States economy, only Special
Detail
Unit Agent Gabby Kincaid has enough knowledge to piece together their threat. Posing as a judge
in
the small town of Carnal Cove, Florida, Gabby investigates a connection between the local lab and
several businessmen. Then a Global Warrior attacks her, exposing her cover. Dutifully, she marks
herself for extermination rather than risking the lives of untold numbers of field agents. Her
superiors choose her partner Max Grayson to kill her. Max arrives in the midst of a storm
prepared
to carry out his duty, but not before he extracts crucial information from Abby. Before he can
learn
what she has discovered, a lab accident leads Abby to exposure from a particularly virulent form
of
encephalitis. When treatment causes amnesia, Max uses the opportunity to put off duty for the
sake
of possibly recovering information from Abby. His continued investigation leads to the discovery
that Abby has connected with a group of local women who are subject matter experts for his own
organization. With their help, Max hopes to discover the identities of the local members of
Consortium before the virus spreads through the swamps of Florida and across the nation. Author
Vicki Hinze once again demonstrates an extraordinary talent for penning exciting romantic
suspense
with LADY JUSTICE. Conspiracy theorists have long warned of groups that could target the
United States economy, bringing the country to its knees, and Hinze portrays this threat in tale
both
thrilling and compelling. Gabby shift from her reputation of a woman known as "Queen Bitch" to
something more will strike a strong chord of sympathy with readers even as her red hot partner
struggles between duty and love. Corruption , greed and love combine in this fast paced read that
readers will find difficult to put down, and even more impossible to forget reading. LADY
JUSTICE
comes very highly recommended.
Women for Hire: The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job
Tory Johnson, Robyn Freedman Spizman and Lindsey Pollak
Perigee Books, The Berkley Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014
ISBN 0399528105 $15.95 302 pages
Very highly recommended
While we have often heard that net-working is the key for job hunting, women have traditionally
underestimated the value of self-promotion. From finding the perfect job to negotiating a raise,
WOMEN FOR HIRE offers practical solutions to getting a job. In a society that encouraging
self-effacement, self-promotion can prove quite a challenge for the job hunter. Learning to present
ourselves with confidence, without sounding egotistical has become the edge women need to
succeed in the current job market. With WOMEN FOR HIRE, women can get ahead in their
careers. From resumes and cover letters, to conversations and interviews, women can learn to get
the job, raise or promotion they deserve. Complete with exercises that help turn responsibility to
an
accomplishment, WOMEN FOR HIRE is practical way to capitalize on previous achievements.
Although stuck in my review pile for months and months, WOMEN FOR HIRE drew my eye
recently as I began yet another job search. An unexpected lay off had sent me scurrying for
advice,
suggestions and hope, all of which I discovered in this remarkable book. Written for the every day
woman, WOMEN FOR HIRE confronts the challenges of job hunting with both optimism and
practicality. Inspired by the reminder that perhaps a change of careers might be in order, I
followed
the books advice regarding networking and self-promotion. Within a month networking led to
gainful employment with a company that offers great possibilities! A must have tool for any
women
searching for her first job or the next step in her career, WOMEN FOR HIRE comes very highly
recommended.
Cynthia Penn
Senior Reviewer
Donovan's Bookshelf
Maximum Healing
Ark Dana Mincolla, Ph.D.
Pennroyal Press
0963281127 $19.95 Pennroyalpress@maxhealing.com
The 'new medicine' blends Eastern and Western techniques and studies, and Mark Mincolla's
survey
of natural health is organized by easy chapters from 'earth' and 'water' to 'fire' and 'wood', linking
case histories and medicinal insights with both Eastern and Western medical philosophy. Mincolla
has worked as a nutritional therapist for over 16 years, and his practice lends plenty of real-life
examples to MAXIMUM HEALING.
Revenge
Ellen Von Unwerth
Twin Palms Publishers
PO Box 10229, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1022
No ISBN, $TBA
While Ellen Von Unwerth's black and white 'novel with photos' of S&M and bondage are not for
every collection, it will appeal to the art library collection interested in unique photographic essays
peppered with little text. REVENGE tells a story of capture, domination and sex which is graphic
and artistic simultaneously: its inclusion in a college-level art library collection will educate
readers
on the power of the photographic essay.
Noble Purpose
Barry Heermann
QSU Publishing
3975 University Dr. #230, Fairfax, VA 20030
1932191046 $19.95 www.qsuonline.com
It's very difficult to summon purpose, and without purpose lives often prove futile: that's the
message in Barry Heermann's NOBLE PURPOSE, which advocates a return to discovering
self-wisdom and meaning in life, and using that to guide the way through work and play.
Organizational consultant and Team Spirit developer Heermann's program has been used in major
businesses around the world and its practical applications makes it much more than a light
theory.
Hadeda
Van Zyl, Van Der Spuy & Vennote
Bowline Music
No ISBN CD www.rhythmrecords.co.za
Envision two English-speaking South African Afrikaans songwriters who blend lyrics in
Afrikaans,
Zulu and English; add the spice of African percussion and poetic overtones, and introduce
guitarist
Nibs from Durban and you have a gorgeous blend of styles and tracks hard to define, from the
folky
and appealing Hadeda sung by Shawn Phillips to Shezi, the drum-backed calypso-style
celebration.
There is no unifying theme here: they were all recorded/played as unrehearsed as possible with
one
or two takes only and come across as fine works-in-progress. It'd be intriguing to see another mix
with the polished results of these excellent songs.
Fula Flute
Bailo Bah
Blue Monster Records
429 Pacific St., Brooklyn, NY 11451
No ISBN CD www.fulaflute.net www.bluemonsterecords.com
The Fulani flute or tambin is unique to West Africa and FULA FLUTE is a unique focus on the
sounds of the tambin. Picture a deep-toned, haunting flute enhanced further by the player's actual
vocal injections from breaths and you have a rich sound indeed. FULA FLUTE is not for the
casual
listener, nor for the classical flute enthusiast: what sets this instrument apart is the ability of a
master
player such as Bailo Bah to inject wailing vocals into the flute sound itself. Further, West African
fans will note the repretoire represented here is not Fulani: Bah comes from the Fouta Jallon
Mountains where this particular flute reigns, learned to play from family traditions, and blends the
traditional music of the Manden with the Fulani overtones. A unique sound evolves to delight the
specialty listener of West African or tambin music.
Deadly Distractions
William Manchee
Lean Press
1932475028 $13.00 www.leanpress.com
The latest Stan Turner thriller revolves around a client accused of killing an IRS agent involving
Stan in the middle of a fight between the FBI and a citizen's committee and his best friend's
disappearance. With more than a single crime in his pot, Stan must uncover many hidden truths in
this fast-paced adventure.
GBC Audio
Four new audio cassette packages are fine picks, and hopefully will be packaged in covers which
are
spicier than these plain white cases with paste-on program notes. All are available on both
cassette,
cd and print formats. MONTANA MOON LADY (0971268134, $19.95) by Gina Beth lark
comes
alive in audio, depicting romance and the early West pioneer experience as it tells of a young
widow's hardships trying to help two stepchildren with the loss of their father. Clark's
HANNAH'S
QUEST (0971740801, $19.95) also provides a strong narrative novel of a young woman's
pioneer
experience. Hannah's life from the age of five living with her aunt and uncle in the wake of her
pioneer parents' departure west to Wyoming makes for a coming of age story filled with courage
and
a search for missing roots. Clark's ARTY, THE LOVE ANGEL (0971268118, $19.95) blends a
rollicking cross-country car romp with the story of an engineer's invention of the ultimate
recreational vehicle which comes up against gun runners and dope peddlers in New Mexico.
CURSE OF THE RUBY ROOD (097126816, $24.95) tells of one Jean, who loves many women
but none less than Kinnessee, whose legacy of a family gold cross involves generations with a
search
for life's meaning. Intriguing stories, all.
Scholastic Inc.
557 Broadway, New York NY 10012
www.scholastic.com
Abby Klein's two new 'Ready, Freddy' readers ($15.95 each) are perfect introductions to reading:
each presents zany plots which are fast-paced, spiced with black and white drawings by John
McKinley, and filled with fun. TOOTH TROUBLE (0439555957) tells of a boy who's the only
one
in class who hasn't lost a tooth yet. The class bully is calling him a baby, and Freddy is at the point
of
forcing a tooth out to be in with the crowd even if it means soliciting a punch in the face! In
THE
KING OF SHOW-AND-TELL (0439555973), Freddy faces another big problem: he never has
anything cool to bring for show-and-tell. This week his best friend has brought an alligator head:
how can Freddy beat him? A hilarious result keeps kids reading. Daniel Kirk's REX TABBY,
CAT
DETECTIVE (0439452864, $9.95) presents the 'world's best detective' in form of a cat and a
bunch
of kitty criminals who challenge his detective skills. Ma Manx and her kittens are nothing but fish
thieves, and it's up to Rex and his partner Si Meeze to catch the gang, with zany black and white
drawings enhancing the action and story line throughout.
What the Industrial Revolution Did for Us
Gavin Weightman
BBC Books
c/o Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
0563487941 $32.50 1-800-423-4525
Between 1750 and 1840 the Industrial Revolution changed the lives of British people forever,
advancing science and technological discoveries and their application to daily lives. Gavin
Weightman is a noted historian and Dan Cruikshank presents the TV series on the topic: together
they use the TV show as a starting point and foundation for examining the Industrial Revolution's
lasting impact on modern times.
The Tudors
Richard Rex
Tempus Publishers/Trafalgar Square, dist.
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
0752425889 $35.00 1-800-423-4525
Richard Rex is Director of Studies at Queens' College in Cambridge and the author of numerous
papers on Tudor England, so his introduction THE TUDORS comes from a richly researched
background, making it a 'must' for in-depth English history collections at the college level. The
public and private lives of the Tudors of England's 'golden age' are examined in a guide which
considers how dukes and kings influenced one of the greatest ages in English history.
Living's the Strange Thing
Carmen Martin Gaite
Harvill/Trafalgar Square, dist.
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.tafalgarsquarebooks.com
1843430371 $15.95 1-800-423-4525
A middle-aged woman has just lost her mother and struggles to find a new life and role, turning to
an unfinished doctoral dissertation studying a mysterious 18th century explorer. Unfinished
business
soon turns to a series of strange links to her own past, bringing Carmen Martin Gaite's LIVING'S
THE STRANGE THING to life.
Beyond the Limits
Ranulph Fiennes
Little Brown UK/Trafalgar Square Press
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
0316857068 $24.99 1-800-423-4525
Sir Randolph Fiennes has been called the 'world's greatest living explorer': he's spent thirty years
circumnavigating the globe, broken many exploration records, and has had both high and low
moments in the process, so it's little surprise BEYOND THE LIMITS provides such a fascinating
memoir and examination of these points. Ranulph Fiennes's lifetime of adventures is documented
in a
vivid series of lessons: add color photos and you have an outstanding achievement.
Newspapermen
Ruth Dudley Edwards
Secker & Warburg/Trafalgar Square, dist.
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com
0436199920 $40.00 1-800-423-4525
Hugh Cudlipp and Cecil Harmsworth King met in 1935 and already had years of journal
background
between them even at their young ages. Opposites in most respects, they still enjoyed
complimentary
concerns and talents, and NEWSPAPERMEN provides an evocative biographical sketch of the
lives
of each and their associations in the 'glory days of Fleet Street'. Together the two became the
'Barnum and Bailey' of journalism, creating a publishing empire which evolved to become the
largest
in the world. Their controversial and unconventional relationship is revealed in all its nuances and
conflicts in NEWSPAPERMEN, a lively treatise.
Film Posters of the 1930s
Tony Nourmand & Graham Marsh, eds.
Aurum Press/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarepress.com
1854109383 $24.95 1-800-423-4525
Take a gathering of classic movie posters from the Reel Poster Gallery collection, narrow the
focus
to film posters of the 1930s for maximum exposure, and cover films which helped alleviate the
miseries of the Great Depression, then packaging it in an oversized paperback and you have Film
Posters of the 1930s: The Essential Movies of the Decade, a work of art in and of itself. Over a
hundred pages provide full-color reproductions of said posters, creating a book which excels in
attractive presentation and reproductive quality.
Diane C. Donovan
West Coast Editor
Harold's Bookshelf
For Sure! For Sure!
Hans Christian Andersen
August House
PO Box 3223, Little Rock, AR 72203
ISBN: 0874837421 $16.95 29 pp.
A traditional Hans Christian Andersen story translated by Mus White, "For Sure! For Sure!" is the
story of what happens when a simple comment is overheard and passed along by gossip. After a
feather falls out of a chicken she notes that she looks "gorgeous". Another chicken overhears it
and
with a slight embellishment passes it along. The owls overhear it and pass it along to the pigeons
who pass it along to the bats, etc. At each stage it changes so that when it comes full circle back
to
the original chicken she doesn't even know it was about her and she in turn also passes it along to
the newspaper. A humorous story that children will love it also provides the opportunity to
discuss
the problems of gossip. "For Sure! For Sure!" is recommended for the young reader or as a read
aloud book for parents.
Readings in the Greek New Testament
Jonathan T. Pennington
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310253225 $19.99 2 Audio CDs
"Readings in the Greek New Testament" is a welcome addition to the library of anyone studying
New Testament Greek. While there are several excellent books on learning to read New
Testament
Greek (Koine Greek) but they all have the limitation inherent in any book about learning another
language. No matter how well the author describes how to pronounce a word, where to put
emphasis, or how to deal with diphthongs it is not the same a hearing it. On these two audio CDs
Jonathan T. Pennington reads various passages in Koine Greek including the Sermon on the
Mount,
and the entire book of 1 John. If you have William Mounce's book "A Graded Reader of Biblical
Greek" you will find all the passages mentioned there read aloud on this CD. While nobody is sure
exactly how Koine Greek was pronounced, Dr. Pennington uses the most commonly accepted
Erasmian pronunciation, which keeps the student in line with the majority of scholars. "Readings
in
the Greek New Testament" is highly recommended for anyone desiring to learn New Testament
Greek and a great companion for anybody using William Mounce's book.
Zondervan 2005 Pastor's Annual
T. T. Crabtree
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310243645 $18.99 376 pp.
For the busy pastor the "Zondervan 2005 Pastor's Annual" contains a full year of planned services
for morning, evening and midweek. Each service has a text for the sermon, scripture reading,
introductory information, outline with important points detailed, and a conclusion. The Sunday
morning services information also includes appropriate hymn selections and an offertory prayer.
At
the end of the book are several services for other activities where a minister officiates. For
example,
there are messages on the Lord's Supper, messages for children, funerals, and weddings. Although
designed for the pastor this book should not be considered only for that role. Youth ministers and
camp counselors would find it very useful for beach services or camp services. Those away from
their church traveling or on missions would find it useful as a way to receive a daily message for
meditation and strength. Besides being for the pastor it gives you a way to take a pastor with you.
I
find it useful for services when camping or otherwise in the wilderness either by myself or with a
group. The "Zondervan 2005 Pastor's Annual" is highly recommended for pastors, youth leaders,
any anyone else who may want or need access to a full year's worth of sermon ideas.
Dear Judge: Kid's Letters to the Judge
Charlotte Hardwick, compiler
Pale Horse Publishing
PO Box 1447, Livingston, TX 77351-1447
ISBN: 158747008X $15.00 130 pp.
Filled with short letters from children to the judge, "Dear Judge" will at times make you laugh and
at
times make you believe in the family court system, but mostly it will point out the ways the court
system and parents fail to take a child into consideration. When a young child has a question they
generally turn to their parents, but when the parents say they can't take them somewhere, or see
them more often, or otherwise satisfy the needs of the child because the court system constrains
them they have to take other measures. These children took their pleas to the judge. Encouraging,
disheartening, and enlightening, "Dear Judge" should be read by judges, parents, and attorneys
alike.
Phillips' Treasury of Humorous Quotations
Bob Phillips
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
ISBN: 1414300549 $12.99 279 pp.
A wonderful and witty collection of humor, Phillips' Treasury of Humorous Quotes provides a
quote
for any occasion. The quotes are organized by subject and arranged alphabetically so you can find
an
appropriate one quickly and easily. Fun to read through just for pleasure and a great source for
quotes for a speech or any other similar need, Phillips' Treasury of Humorous Quotations is a
recommended purchase.
Pig Pigger Piggest
Rick Walton
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
ISBN: 158685318X $6.95 32 pp.
In a loose retelling of the story of the Three Little Pigs, author Rick Walton provides a romp
through the world of superlatives. Join Pig, Pigger, and Piggest as they build their homes from the
mud, muddier, and muddiest places. Of course there are the mean witch, witcher, and witchest,
who
seek to bring trouble into the lives of the pigs, but in a surprise ending everything turns out for the
best for everyone. A fun book that is sure to keep children entertained Pig Pigger Piggest gets a
high, higher, highest recommendation.
Why the Banana Split
Rick Walton
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
ISBN: 0879058536 $15.95 32 pp.
Filled with puns that are sure to keep children laughing out loud, this is the return of the book that
is
just plain fun to read. With illustrations as humorous as the puns themselves it is an opportunity to
celebrate the joy of silliness with your children. Why the Banana Split is a highly recommended
purchase for young children.
The New Inductive Study Bible
Harvest House Publishers
1075 Arrowsmith, Eugene, OR 97402
ISBN: 0736900160 $42.99
A different approach than most study Bibles, The New Inductive Study Bible provides a wealth of
information but minimal interpretation. The purpose is to give you the materials and let you
discover
the truth for yourself. You won't find pages of doctrinally influenced information, but will find
plenty
of maps, charts, graphs, historical notes, detailed grammatical notes, illustrations, and a
concordance. At the end of each book is an "At a Glance" page. You can fill in the chapter themes
and other notes. The translation used is the updated New American Standard Bible. For a
doctrinally
neutral study Bible that can be recommended and used by any denomination very few rise to the
level of this one. The New Inductive Study Bible is a highly recommended study Bible.
Herd of Cows! Flock of Sheep!
Rick Walton
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
ISBN: 1586851535 $15.95 32 pp.
After a very long workday Farmer Bob falls asleep and tries to get some rest. Unfortunately there
is
an emergency and all the animals try to wake him up, but Farmer Bob wants to get his sleep. In
addition to an entertaining story, the book teaches an age appropriate lesson in the various words
used to describe different groups of animals. With detailed, colorful illustrations to keep the
attention of young children, Herd of Cows! Flock of Sheep! is a highly recommended read.
Full Verse Cross Reference Bible
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
ISBN: 0842356169 $29.99
If you are one of those people who likes to look up the cross references in your Bible and read the
related verses then you will be delighted with the Full Verse Cross Reference Bible. Instead of
giving you a reference that you have to go flipping through your Bible to find and read, this Bible
gives the entire text of any verses cross-referenced. You know right away if the verse is relevant
to
your current study and save tremendous time by not constantly looking up verse after verse. The
Bible uses the New Living Translation (1996) and includes a basic concordance in the back along
with a few maps. With a two-column format at the top of the page for the primary text and
three-column layout for the referenced verses at the bottom of the page, the additional
information
of the complete verses does not clutter the page at all. The Bible still has a clean and easy to read
format. The Full Verse Cross Reference Bible is highly recommended for anyone who is tired of
constantly breaking up the flow of their study by continuously searching out cross references.
Down Girl and Sit: Smarter than Squirrels
Lucy Nolan
Marshall Cavendish
99 White Plains Road, Tarrytown, NY 10591
ISBN: 0761451846 $14.95 64 pp.
One of the difficult changes all children go through is when they move away from picture books
to
their first chapter style book. To make this transition easier it is important to have a book where
the
storyline is very strong and keeps their interest. Down Girl and Sit: Smarter than Squirrels fits this
bill perfectly. Writing from the point of view of a dog (Down Girl) the author is meticulous about
never getting out of character. This perspective makes the book both humorous and fun.
Everything
a dog does is examined from a totally different point of view that will leave children spellbound.
Not
just for children it is a fun and entertaining read for adults too. Open your mind, enjoy some
creative
thinking, and just have some plain old-fashioned fun. Down Girl and Sit is highly
recommended.
Bullfrog Pops!
Rick Walton
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
ISBN: 0879059036 $15.95 32 pp.
What happens when one very hungry frog comes to town and starts eating everything he can?
From
pizza, to watermelon, to bread and anything else he finds, nothing is safe. A fun story with
well-done
illustrations, it is sure to be popular with all children. One of the things that make this title unique
is
the way the author ends the page with a partial sentence purposely designed to mislead the reader
until they turn the page and read the rest of the sentence. For example one page ends with,
"Bullfrog
was surrounded. He began to shake..." The following page begins with "... the tree. Down fell the
apples." This anticipation and leading off onto the wrong track makes the book even more fun to
read. "Bullfrog Pops!" is a highly recommended children's book.
Harold McFarland
Senior Reviewer
Klausner's Bookshelf
Who Slashed Celanarie's Throat?
Maryse Conde
Atria
ISBN: 0743482603 $23.00, 232 pp.
On the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, someone leaves an infant with a slashed throat in the
garbage and Dr. Jean Pinceau takes the lifeless infant to his office. There he reattaches her head to
her body and brings the baby back to life. He and his wife adopt Celanarie, but nothing goes
smooth.
Celanarie uses a feral canine to kill Jean's spouse and later has him exiled a broken man when she
lies
about Jean sexually accosting her. With a scarf to hide her neckline scars, Celanarie travels to the
Ivory Coast where she opens up a school for illegitimate children. Though highly regarded, the
school also serves as a brothel. Those who complain, Celanarie either seduces or kills. After a
time,
she leaves Africa for South America and eventually returns to her Caribbean home where she
plans
to find her biological parents and learn why they wanted her dead before planning to kill them and
others who abetted them. The truth will become even more dramatic than the sacrificial lamb she
once was. This is a dark thriller starring an unlikable deadly heroine who seeks vengeance on
those
that harmed her, but unbeknownst to even her, she is driven by internal demons. Though the
opponents of the "heroine" never quite come across as full blooded, they make Celanarie's more
disturbingly journey interesting in a purposely murky way as part of the gloomy setting. Fans will
appreciate the terse blending of history (the tale is even based on a real event) with Caribbean
mysticism as they keep on reading to learn WHO SLASHED CELANARIE'S THROAT?
The Dog Walker
Leslie Schnur
Atria
ISBN: 0743482077 $23.95, 312 pp.
In New York City, thirty-five years old dog walker Nina Shepard loves a client she has not met in
person except through his canine Sid the Weimaraner and snooping in his apartment when she
picks
up Sid. Based on her in depth probe, Nina believes that thirty-two years old Daniel Maguire is
perfect for her although she has some doubts about his owning purebred Sid. Desperate to meet
the
love of her life, Nina ponders how to achieve her objective for she is sure that once Daniel meets
her, they will forge a forever. When fate throws Nina with the object of unrequited love,
moonlight
over the Hudson takes hold although Daniel is not quite what she fantasized. As Daniel falls in
love
with Nina, everything seems perfect except that she begins to wonder if she should tell him the
truth
about her probe into his life and he ponders how to inform his beloved that he is not Daniel, but
his
twin Billy. Though the use of twins feels ancient, fans, especially dog fanciers will enjoy this
Manhattan romantic romp. Nina is an interesting protagonist who feels strongly life has passed her
by while she walks a motley crew of canines with varying temperaments and personalities. The
human secondary characters are a bark short of the dogs, but add angst as Nina cannot help but
getting involved. THE DOG WALKER feels like an adult matchmaking for herself. This work
feels
like Clueless transferred to Manhattan though some of the amusing bite is lost by doubling the age
of
the star. Still this romantic canine caper is humorous and fun especially for those walking their
mutts.
Hissy Fit
Mary Kay Andrews
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060564644 $24.95, 419 pp.
In Madison, Georgia, interior decorator Keeley Rae Murdock lives her life in accordance with her
profession down to the tiniest iota. The twenty-eight year old feels everything is perfect until she
finds her fiance Andrew Jackson "A.J." Jernigan and her maid of honor Paige Plummer having a
go
hiccups and all during the wedding rehearsal dinner. Keeley has a HISSY FIT that every local
resident heard about, but especially comes to the attention of wealthy newcomer Will Mahoney.
Will
decides that Keeley is perfect for restoring the dilapidated mansion he purchased that he plans to
use
to court the woman he desires that he has never met in person only on TV. Keeley prefers to
reject
Will as a client as it seems impossible to decorate a home with no idea of the benefactor of her
work,
but her ex and his banking family are trying to destroy her business so she accepts the assignment.
This dark comedy will keep readers' attention as southern small town secrets begin to surface
including one involving Keeley's vanished mom. The story line offers an intriguing look at home
furnishing mostly through the discerning eye of the heroine. Though much of the support cast is
one
dimensional especially that asinine jerk A.J. while Will's woman is kept somewhat shadowy on
purpose, fans will appreciate Keeley's HISSY FIT that hooks the audience expecting more
outbursts
from this steel magnolia.
Whirlwind
Joseph R. Garber
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060596503 $24.95, 320 pp.
Security failed at the New Mexico base when two generators exploded. The blasts enable Russian
spy Irina Kolodenkova to obtain a top secret disc and an even higher classified block of the
deadliest
weapon ever made, Whirlwind. Irina flees for her country's San Francisco embassy so that the
seventy pounds weapon of mass destruction can be sent to Moscow. Sam, the National Security
Advisor knows that this incident could hurt national security, but worse derail his plans to run for
the Oval office. He recruits his best dirty jobs person, former CIA Agent fiftyish widower Charlie
McKenzie to "save the country" by recovering the disc and the block; use any means including
murder to stop Irina from delivering the weapon in exchange for $20 million. Charlie rejects the
patriotic cry because he spent two years in prison as the sacrificial lamb protecting the
administration
especially his bosses from taking falls from grace, but grabs the loot. Charlie catches up to Irina,
but
Sam's second agent Johan Schmidt catches up with both of them with the intent of killing the duo
and retrieving the disk and the block. This is an exciting action-packed espionage thriller that
focuses on a series of chases in which Charlie is either the pursuer or the pursued, which makes
him
seem more like an athletic late twenties stud. Except for Charlie, whose ironic wit makes him
human
albeit super spy, much of the rest of the key players seem cartoonist. Still fans who take delight in
a
wild spy vs. spy vs. spy etc. (Chinese and corporation too) adventure will want top join Charlie on
his quest.
Into The Volcano
Forrest DeVoe Jr.
Harper Collins
ISBN 0060723769 $22.95, 320 pp.
Hired by the Consultancy, Van Vliet is in Istanbul where he believes that the Club Europa is being
built as a cover for something else. Before he informs Gray, the head of the Consultancy, a
profit-making black-ops organization, he is killed in his shower by a head that emits flame instead
of
water. It is 1962 and the cold war is fought by the Consultancy who the CIA hires to find out
what
is going on in Istanbul. Gray sends his two best operatives, Jack Mallory and Laura Morse to
Istanbul where they learn that their old nemesis Anton Rauth hired mercenaries to kill them. Still
alive, the duo find an earth digging machine in the cellar of the Club used to construct a tunnel
into
the Turks equivalent of Ft. Knox. Jack and Laura are sent to the volcanic island of He' Konau
where
Rauth has his base of operations inside the volcano. There assignment is to gather intelligence but
they are caught snooping and only a miracle will save their lives and that of millions of people
when
Anton unleashes his master weapon. No doubt about it, the team of Mallory and Morse are the
equal
of 007 and other spy heroes that graced the pages of the spy thrillers of the 1960's. There is
action,
action and more action but like James Bond there is much tongue in cheek humor that lessens the
tensions when it threatens to become overwhelming. Forest DeVoe Jr. has written an excellent
spy
drama and one can only hope he writes more starring the intrepid protagonists Mallory and
Morse.
Days of Magic, Nights of War
Clive Barker
Harper Collins
ISBN 0060291702 $24.95, 512 pp.
Beyond the realm of Earth lies the archipelago of Abarat where every island is a different time of
day. Candy Quackenbush, originally from the Midwestern town of Chickentown is brought for
reasons she doesn't quite understand to this new world where magic works. What she does know
is
that Christopher Carrion, the Lord of Midnight, wants her brought to his home in Gorgossium, a
place where monsters obey their lords' bidding and night never ends. He sends his minion the
Criss-Cross man to bring her to him but he dies trying. Carrion and his grandmother Mater
Motley
plan to bring war to Abarat so that darkness will reign forever over the land and the champions of
light will be defeated. They fear that Candy and her allies will stop them but Carrion has another
reason to capture Candy, one that he doesn't understand himself until he recognizes who she really
is. While evading Carrion's minions, she has plenty of hair raising adventures on the various
islands
but always she is forced to move on or be caught in her enemy's web. Clive Barker has made his
mark as one of the best fantasy writers of young adult tales since C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of
Narnia.
This book contains 125 illustrations that raise the bar of excellence even more. Candy
Quackenbush's adventures can be compared to a magical version of The Perils of Pauline. Candy
doesn't know her purpose for being in Arabat is to avert a war but she does her best to help
people
who are victimized and manages to find a little time to have some fun. DAYS OF MAGIC,
NIGHTS
OF WAR is a fantasy worth reading by high school students as well as adults.
A Moment on the Edge: 100 Years of Crime Stories by Women
Elizabeth George (editor)
Harper Collins
ISBN: 0060588217 $24.95, 560 pp.
This twenty-six short story collection pays homage to some of the great female mystery-thriller
writers of the past century and showcases how brilliant women are at authoring crime tales. The
anthology is set up in chronological order starting with the 1917 "A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan
Glaspell and ending with a pair of works published in 2001. Most of the works occur in the
second
fifty years with most of those in the final quarter. Only two entries are pre WWII and in addition
only two others comprise the first fifty years. Either Editor Elizabeth George is not familiar with
the
pioneers or women have come a long way in a quantity sense as the number of distaff authors has
exponentially grown since the World War I-Great depression eras. The quality of the compilation
is
top notch as Ms. George has provided a virtual who's who with some of their best shorts included
in
this book. Fans of stories that run the gamut of the mystery-thriller genres but share in common
taking the reader to "A Moment on the Edge" (and in some cases over the edge) will appreciate
this
terrific deference to the ladies of crime.
The Vote
T.D. Patterson
Five Star
ISBN: 1594142394 $25.95, 372 pp.
The polls agreed that Republican challenger Carl Wardlow would win the White House from
Democratic incumbent Benjamin Forsyth. However, the prognosticators proved wrong because
Independent candidate Marshall Young took Maryland and Maine. The results are a dead heat in
the
Electoral College and twenty-four states each for the two prime candidates although the popular
vote went to Wardlow by a 53 to 45 percent margin. The election will be decided by the House
for
the first time in two centuries. Everyone accepts that the forty-eight states that went Democrat or
Republican will adhere to the wishes of their voters or lose their office. Thus the election hinges
on
Maine and Maryland. Forsyth's key advisor and campaign manager Arch Longstreet will do
anything
including illegal surveillance and blackmail to insure his man remains in the Oval Office. His prime
target is influential Maryland Congressman Trey Stone. Arch's thugs have caught the seemingly
clean married Trey in a rendezvous with a friend Laura Weddington although he met with her as a
favor only. Now he must decide between having the courage to stand up to his convictions on
what
is right or allow a do nothing president to use blackmail to continue to not run the country. This
exciting political thriller comes on the heels of the wild 2000 election and the potentially even
wilder
upcoming 2004 race. The story line is at its best when all the president's men try to strong-arm
and
sweet talk Trey into supporting Forsyth. Though a subplot involving Trey, his wife, and their
daughter adds suspense; that premise also takes away from the powerful look at a tie leading to a
House vote on who will become the next president.
Beautiful Rage
Sandra Scoppetone
Five Star
ISBN: 1410402010 $25.95, 320 pp.
In Snowden County, Virginia, forty-three year old Sheriff Lucia Dove works a missing teen case.
Apparently, good girl Julie Boyer came home from school and vanished not long afterward. The
only clues are her Internet romance with Floridian Lyle Taylor. Lucia works closely on the
investigation with Lieutenant Jack Fincham assisting her. The two cops have the hots for one
another, but hide it as he is unhappily married to an alcoholic in denial and has a child. Lucia had a
child out of wedlock, but she died in an accident. Jack's wife apparently commits suicide, but FBI
Agent Mike McQuigg, Lucia's nasty ex-husband, thinks murder occurred. He legally searches
Jack's
home only to find a razor with DNA evidence linked to two other female teen homicides in the
area.
Lucia believes that Jack is being set up and wonders why Mike got involved in the case starting
with
the missing Julie. She begins her own inquiries not sure where it will take her, but when she gets
there she is in for quite a shocker. This solid police procedural contains an interesting lead
protagonist who struggles with any wrong doing to children because of her daughter's death even
if
she agreed with the official ruling of accident. The story line is fast-paced and the simmering
desire
between Jack and Lucia is hotter than the Arizona desert in summer. Though the identity of the
serial killer will stun the audience who may think that it seems too way out, fans will appreciate
this
tense thriller.
Haunting for Justice
Kathy Vollmer
Five Star
ISBN: 1594142459 $25.95, 234 pp.
Martin and Belinda Alexander move from Seattle to Hope Springs, Oregon so he, a doctor, can
start
over following a malpractice case that led to his being fired from a hospital. Belinda soon learns
that
their new home, the Old Erickson place, was the setting of a 1958 murder suicide. She finds three
five year journals starting in 1943 written by the alleged murderer Martha, who supposedly killed
her
womanizing husband Albert and then herself. Belinda begins to make inquires and searching for
the
missing last journal She believes an injustice occurred and that important people want the deaths
of
four decades to remain as is. As her spouse pressures her to drop her obsession, she falls in love
Bobby Lassiter, son of the town's icons and the only one willing to help her learn the truth that
might
free Martha, but could lead to Belinda's death. HAUNTING FOR JUSTICE is an intriguing
amateur
sleuth tale starring a delightful champion who turns from a need to know the truth to an obsession
to
provide peace to the deceased maligned Martha. Bobby is her gutsy equal having to defy his
beloved
father and a close family friend to help Belinda on her quest. Her spouse is pathetic, no
competition
to Bobby and is brushed aside too easily. Still Kathy Vollmer furbishes a solid investigative
contemporary tale with a historical haunting hum.
The King of Ice Cream
Robert Wayne McCoy
Five Star
ISBN 1594141487 $25.95, 409 pp.
When Luke Yeager returns to college in Mill Run, Kentucky, he notices changes have come to
the
town with two new malls, one of which houses Ice Cream Dreams. Luke senses something evil
about the store and the men who run it and does his best to avoid it. People who eat the
strawberry
ice cream change, subtly at first, until they turn totally to embrace the dark. Luke knows these
things
because he is a Paladin, an order sworn to fight the demons and fallen angels that prey upon
mankind. Mill Run is the place where the second fall of angels plans to make their stand, seducing
most of the town into obeying them. This is a special place where the oldest cathedral in America
was built; a site where the leader of the fallen angels rests and waits for his minions to do the
necessary work that will awaken him so they can proceed with their plan; if successful they hope
to
reunite with God in heaven. From the very beginning readers know that there is something wrong
with the town. Places on campus are closed to man and nobody is seen entering or leaving those
closed rooms. An orange fog permeates the town but the majority of the townsfolk pay no
attention
to it. The smell of strawberry permeates the area, a sign of evil that is on its way. Robert Wayne
McCoy has written an apocalyptical thriller that is spellbinding, enthralling and memorable, a
work
that uses archetypes from the Judeo-Christian system, but could just as easily used them from any
religion where the forces of good and evil fight the eternal battle.
Family Matters
Justine Wittich
Five Star
ISBN: 1594142343 $26.95, 274 pp.
In Donhaven, children's book illustrator and painter, Jenny Tyler notices her neighbor's overflow
of
mail. Though not much more than acquaintances, she goes to check on Dolan, but notices his cat
Choc acting weird. Jenny rings the bell, but receives no response. She notices the door is
unlocked,
enters and finds Dolan dead. Police Chief Pierce comforts her when troubleshooter Gabe Daniels
arrives on the scene. Gabe works for the DEA and corporate CEO Sterling Thomas. He bullies
Jenny, but she mostly ignores him. When Dolan turns out to be embezzler DeWitt and his house is
blown up, Gabe worries that Jenny is in peril especially when assailants break into her home. As
they
become better acquainted Jenny and Gabe fall in love, but she has a history with the mob and he
trusts no one not even his grandfather. This is an intriguing police procedural romance that
ironically
showcases in a twisted way that FAMILY MATTERS. Gabe and Jenny are solid protagonists
while
Pierce and to lesser degree Thomas are the elderly statesmen. Fans will find DeWitt quite
fascinating
as he stole millions, hardly spent any of it, and still needed the thrill of playing in another illegal
activity. The falling in love subplot takes a back seat to a bewittiching strong suspense story.
A Dangerous Dance
Pauline B. Jones
Five Star
ISBN: 1594140987 $26.95, 294 pp.
The Louisiana state politicians all want the endorsement of Dorothy Morgann Merlinn for
Governor
as they know she has some influence being the only daughter of Magnus "Wizard" Merlinn though
he was assassinated ten years ago. However, Dorothy has returned to the family estate Oz
because
she knows the time is right to learn who paid recently killed Verrol Vance to pull the trigger. Talk
radio host Remy Mistral visits Dorothy, who has never forgotten that he contemptuously wrote
her
off as a nothing just before and after her dad was killed. Dorothy offers Remy a proposition that
she
supports his run in exchange for he being the target of the assassin as she expects an attempt on
anyone she might support. He agrees with the stipulation that they marry, which adds depth to her
so-called support of him. As Remy runs for governor as an outside reformist with Dorothy's
support, they fall in love, but her plan works too well and both are in jeopardy from an unknown
assailant. Up front L. Frank Baum is not the killer as Pauline B. Jones pays homage to the great
author's terrific Oz novels with obvious references. The political romance story line is exciting as
Dorothy knows that one of her father's "allies" killed him, but which one. Though there a couple
of
twists too many, fans will appreciate this Bayou romantic suspense in which the daughter of the
deceased Wizard of Oz seeks justice but finds love instead.
Overstars Mail
Roberta Gellis
Five Star
ISBN 1594142289 $25.95, 265 pp.
In the far distant future, the Free Traders are the only group that provides order within the chaotic
Empire, which is in trouble due to the fighting of the Emperor and the Empress. Cyn Lystris is not
interested in interstellar politics but in keeping himself safe which is why he transferred out of
Free
Trade to take a job with OVERSTARS MAIL. He believes that he will not be shot at, kidnapped
or
left for dead on a route that has had no causalities in years. Of course now three mail ships have
disappeared without a trace and the powers that be send a security agent on Cyn's ship to find out
whether he knows what is going on, which he doesn't. On the trip he has six passengers, one of
whom is going to challenge the emperor for his position. Neither Cyn nor the security agent
knows
who that person is but they realize someone knows that person is on the ship and wants to blast it
out of the "air" before a challenge can be made. No matter what genre she writes in be it historical
fiction, romance, fantasy or science fiction, Roberta Gellis always produces an exciting original
bestseller. Between action scenes, there is a sex kitten who is always trying to get a man in bed
even
if he is not willing; this makes for many amusing moments. OVERSTARS MAIL is the first in
what
looks to be a fantastic space opera series.
Found Wanting
Joyce Lamb
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141800 $26.95, 348 pp.
In Colorado, her mom arrives to see her vanished daughter Alaina Chancellor for the first time in
nine years. Not long afterward, Alaina's former lover and now brother-in-law Addison shows up
and
tries to rape her, but her mother intercedes. As Alaina flees again with her son Jonah (from her
"interlude a decade ago with Addison), her mother dies in a car crash. Five years later in Chicago,
private detective Mitch Kane, retained by Addison, easily finds Alaina, who he believes is a nasty
piece of work for running off with his employer's son. However, he begins to change his mind as
he
observes the love between mother and child and when incidents occur to innocent people. He
realizes that his client played him for a fool using his own feelings towards his ex-wife as a tool.
As
Mitch falls in love with Alaina, he vows to keep her and her son safe from a killing wolf in lamb's
clothing. This is an exhilarating romantic suspense starring a wonderful female protagonist and a
born again admirer of the courage of women. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with action
especially as Addison's thugs do their assignment. Though how no one could see past Addison's
outer shell to the ambitious violent killer inside seems stretched even for a clever sociopath villain,
fans of taut thrillers will want to read FOUND WAITING.
Broken Glass
Weyman Jones
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141851 $25.95, 246 pp.
In Suffolk County, New York twenty-five years ago, a high school junior Freddy fell from the fire
escape of the Falcon Nest Hotel during a "club" initiation. Freddy remained in a coma for a few
years as his family fell apart in their grief before Freddy finally died. Over the years though she
married and divorced one of them, Freddy's sister Angela suspects four people were involved in
the
incident though none of them were seemingly impacted by it as her family was. At a high school
reunion she informs Michael, Sam, Jock and Hap that she is suing them in the wrongful death of
her
sibling. Stunned, social worker Sam is further dismayed when Michael's son Mike is caught in a
stairwell with an underage client; instead of filing the report he allows history to repeat itself by
hiding the truth. However, when someone murders Angela, Sam with the help of his girlfriend,
concludes he must face up to his role in the tragedy confronting his three friends. BROKEN
GLASS
is an intriguing crime thriller starring a beleaguered protagonist struggling with doing the right
thing
as for the second time in his life, loyalty to his friends comes in conflict with what he knows he
needs
to do. The terrific ensemble brings depth then and now, but the conscience and center of the tale
is
Sam. His dilemmas as a teen and as an adult make for a fine moral thriller, which asks when does
one blows the whistle on a friend, family member, etc.
A Cold Summer Night
Trystam Kith
Five Star
ISBN 1594142246 $25.95, 309 pp.
The Sheriff of Nottingham, Hugh deSteny listens with dread to the account of how a crofter
family
died with only small punctures on their necks. He has fought these creatures on Crusade in the
holy
land. He fears they have arrived on England's shores and have made their base of operation
Sherwood Forest, a dark and foreboding place where the sun never shines. Sir Gui de Gisbourne
who has placed deSteny in his position doesn't give credence to the sheriff's belief but deSteny
sends
messenger to inform Prince John of the dangers of this infestation. Hugh is ordered to travel to
Arundel to bring Lady Marian De Beauchamp to her betrothed Sir Gui. However the vampire
leader
Robin Hood and his men including Little John, Will Scarlet and the Red Friar kill the guard but
take
Lady Marian to Hood to her satisfaction because he treats her as are equal. Hugh with Sir Gui's
approval sets a trap to bring the vampires out into the open where they can be destroyed. A
roaming
minstrel romanticizes Hood and his followers in ballads and a legend is born. A COLD SUMMER
NIGHT is an original rendition of the vampire myths and Robin Hood legend. Trystam Kith's
vampires are evil and under the domination of Robin Hood but they still remember to mourn the
loss
of their humanity. They know they are damned and intend to put off the moment of reckoning as
long as possible. Prince John comes across as a caring leader who is trying to do what is right for
his
country by helping deSteny destroy the vampires in his country. This dark fantasy comes highly
recommended.
Chocolate Magic
Karen Sandler
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141002 $26.95, 251 pp.
In Seattle, Kat Roth is the CEO of Roth Confectionary while her former husband Mark Denham
heads up rival Denham Candy Company. Mark's cousin Fritz informs Kat that her father hired him
as
a community affairs advisor and he plans to get right to work though she asks him to cool his jets.
Kat knows that Fritz is a walking disaster and hopes to get rid of him without hurting the well
intended man. Fritz persuades Mark and Kat to co-host a charity event, Kandy for Kids, by
playing
the rivalry between the two like a concert pianist. As Mark and Kat work on the charity
campaign,
their love that never died resurfaces. However, will Mark, who has missed his Kat since she
dumped
him two years ago, convince her that they belong together? A "betrayal" will make it even more
difficult to achieve his objective. This anti-Atkins contemporary romance should not be read on an
empty stomach because the audience will suffer from sugar attacks. The second chance at love
story
line stars two wonderful characters and a horde of eccentric support characters who lovingly
interfere with the lead duet. Sweet caring Mark will melt readers while bitter tart Kat receives less
empathy. Yet together, fans will enjoy the tasty dessert headlined by the combating candy
CEOs.
Donna Rose and the Slug War
Norma Tadlock Johnson
Five Star
ISBN: 1594142203 $25.95
In Cedar Harbor, Washington, retired school teacher Donna Galbreath enjoys working her garden
and clam digging at the nearby beach. Though a member of the water board, she detests the
meetings and thinks her fellow associates are a collection of idiots especially her next door
neighbor
cranky Cyrus Bates. Donna's favorite pastime is slinging slugs from her property onto that owned
by
Cyrus. While walking the beach early one morning, Donna finds the murdered body of Lyle
Corrigan, owner of Corrigan Hardware and chair of the Water Board. She calls the police. Chief
Billy Donniker, who was in Donna's sixth grade class and was an idiot than and now is a bigger
moron, accompanied by Jake Santorini investigates the crime scene. Not long afterward, Donna
without thinking of the consequences of her action interferes with the case by failing to inform the
police that she recognized a newcomer as Lyle's daughter. Unable to stay out of the investigation,
Donna and Cyrus go sleuthing, seeking who had an economic reason to commit murder, but they
also finds a link to sexual abuse incidents from two decades ago. The slug war between the
sleuths
leads to new catapult equipment. This small town cozy is a fun tale due to the wonderful cast that
makes for a fine story. The who-done-it (official and amateur) sometimes takes a back seat to the
antics of the residents of Cedar Harbor. Fans who appreciate a warm comfy murder mystery with
limited action beyond slug droppings will enjoy the teaming of natural enemies Donna and Cyrus
seeking to learn who killed Lyle.
The Stone Prince
Gena Showalter
Harlequin HQN
ISBN: 0373770073 $6.50
In Dallas, six foot amazon Katie James enjoys running her firm James Real Estate in which she
buys,
restores, and sells old houses. Her latest acquisition is a dilapidated Victorian with a garden that
contains seven statues displaying both genders getting it on. To Katie's chagrin, she is attracted to
one particular carving, but on the other hand is pleased that he is stone as she feels men are
annoying
especially her older brothers. However, she feels she goes off the deep end because she believes
the
statue whispers to her to kiss it. Unable to resist, Katie locks lips with stone only to find a giant of
a
flesh and blood male appear. Jorlan en Sarr explains that he was from another world who was
cursed
by his sorcerer half-brother Perlen de Locke but also magically transported to earth for his safety
by
his mother. As Katie helps Jorlan adapt to his new planet, he worries that Perlen's curse goes
deeper
as the person who freed him must willingly give her heart to him or he returns to stone
permanently.
THE STONE PRINCE is a wonderful romantic fantasy that sub-genre fans will appreciate
because
of the strength of the heroine who takes no gruff from her siblings or the hunk from another
planet.
Jorlan actually starts off as an overbearing chauvinist who believes a woman's role is to only
pleasure
a man; Katie persuades him that a man's role is to pleasure a woman while also proving a female
can
protect his back. Some readers may detest the use of profanity and feel Katie needs a timeout,
however, for the most part the foul language fits this charming story line.
The Butler Did It
Kasey Michaels
Harlequin HQN
ISBN: 0373770065 $6.50, 400 pp.
Five years ago, Lord Morgan Drummond lost his temper over an insult to a lady love and fought a
duel of honor. Afterward, when he reflected back on his stupidity he thought he almost killed
someone over nothing or he could have died as his father Mad Harry had when he was young.
Feeling ashamed that he could have left his mother mourning and all alone, Morgan exiled himself
from London to control his temper and make things right. Now Morgan feels ready to return to
high
society so he travels to London only to finds his home has been invaded by strangers. He tries to
toss these weirdoes out, but instead is blackmailed by an elderly lady to allow these squatters to
remain. Morgan cannot believe he is a hotelier to lunatics who belong in Bedlam. However, the
worst of the lot of maniacs is Miss Emma Clifford, seeking a husband amongst the Ton. Morgan
decides that if he finds her a spouse, he rids himself of her and her pesky kooks until he realizes he
loves Emma and wants to play host to her and her brood permanently. This amusing Regency
romance feels like a historical British You Can't Take It With You or the Adam's Family joins
early
nineteenth century aristocratic London. The story line never takes itself seriously as Morgan plays
straight man to a bunch of nice nutty folks. Even the romance plays second fiddle to the top
banana,
Kasey Michael's humorous historical escapades.
Hot & Bothered
Kate Hoffman
Harlequin Temptation
ISBN: 0373691882 $4.50, 216 pp.
After years away due to an estrangement by refusing to follow in his father's footsteps, realtor
Trey
Marbury returns home to Belfort, South Carolina to settle his late father's estate. Though twelve
years have passed since he was last in town and he has had plenty of women since, he still
remembers making love with Libby Parrish, now a cooking show host. Libby has never forgotten
the
only man she loved Trey. When he comes to say hello, she cannot stop herself and keep her
distance.
They fall into each other's arms; hugs lead to kisses and finally to making love. However, Libby
expects Trey to leave once he finishes his business here so she hides part of her heart from him.
When the spinster matchmaking Throckmorten sisters decide that Trey and Libby are perfect for
one
another, they send her a steamy note allegedly from him. Libby drops all her reservations until she
learns Trey never wrote the note of love; although that is how he feels, he must persuade her that
he
wants her with him forever. HOT & BOTHERED is a torrid contemporary romance that stars
two
individuals who need a push (from the delightfully interfering elderly siblings) to realize love is
forever. Although at times Libby and Trey act as if they are the stars of Temptation Romance
101,
readers will appreciate that this nice couple belongs together and root for them to get their act in
gear in Kate Hoffman's fine small town romance.
Underneath It All
Nancy Warren
Harlequin Temptation
ISBN: 0373691874 $4.50, 219 pp.
Wealthy executive Darren Kaiser loves the perks of single life living in the exclusive part of New
York until he is named Manhattan Match of the Year by Matchmaker Magazine with a national
audience of millions. Not long afterward every female from eight to eighty wants apiece of this
hunk
so Darren, sick of the stalking, decides to go into hiding. Darren goes from the island's most
eligible
bachelor to computer geek Dean Edgar living in a lower middle class tenement. However, he finds
one positive besides avoiding the female horde when he clumsily meets his neighbor hair dresser
Kate Monahan and her younger brother Huey. As Dean and Kate fall in love, her worries how she
will react to the truth especially when she believes that Kaiser is a wastrel playboy.
UNDERNEATH
IT ALL is a fun contemporary romance starring two delightful protagonists. Darren as a
beleaguered
Dean makes the tale hum as he escapes the female army only to fall in love as his alter ego and
confused by feeling he wants the working class Late to Love the nerd as much as the hunk. Fans
will
think of Maid to Order when they have a good time with Nancy Warren's fine tale.
Turn Me On
Kristin Hardy
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 0373791526 $4.75, 256 pp.
Highly regarded documentary filmmaker Stef Costas finds he lacks proper funding for the one
project he always wanted to direct. A friend offers funding if Stef agrees to direct his niece's pilot
"True Sex"; Stef agrees until he finds out that the niece is Sabrina Pantolini, who broke his heart
years ago. When Sabrina learns that Stef is the director, she has doubts about working with the
man
who broke her heart years ago. Still he is her only hope so she accepts the situation. However,
the
college attraction between Stef and Sabrina remains strong although both blame it on the
documentary. As they fall in love again, each has doubts that the other will be there once the
filming
ends and neither wants to lay their heart out in the open for fear of cardiac arrest caused by
anticipated rejection. Fans of hot contemporary romances will be turned on by this enjoyable tale.
Readers will feel their fingers burning from the passion generated by the lead couple even when
they
fear a dej… vu involvement with one another. The weekly meetings of the Sex and the Supper Club
introduce the next lead stars, but they will have quite a temperature to scale to meet the
Venusians
levels of Stef and Sabrina.
Wicked
Tori Carrington
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 0373791496 $4.75, 256 pp.
In Ohio, ER Dr. Will Sexton feels a bit put out when his girlfriend informs him that she is a born
again virgin. Adding to the British doctor's uneasiness is running into his neighbor Renae
Truesdale
whose belly dancing costume leaves little to the imagination and to the very British Dr. Sexton he
can fantasize the removal of the garb. Seeing scantily clad Renae every morning is a better wake
up
than coffee (make that tea). Separately every evening Will and Renae visualize what a fling
between
them would be like. Renae is attracted to her sexy Brit, but he tries to keep his distance as he
remains loyal to his girlfriend though that is not an easy achievement. As Will gets hornier by the
page, he tires of remaining faithful to his suddenly untouchable girlfriend, he and Renae start to
share an intimacy and an attraction. Renae wants a few nights to quench her desire while Will
desire
the return of circulation to his upper head. However, the thirst of desire keeps growing until love
blossoms, but both have "secrets" that once revealed will probably end their relationship before it
can go anywhere meaningful beyond the boudoir. Tori Carrington satirizes their own heated
romances with an amusing tale that is fun because of Will. His conflict between desire and loyalty
leaves him in a state of desperate disarray mindful of Harry Reems' terrific character Dr. Young
from
Deep Throat (the Lovelace movie not any of the president's men). Renae may not have a throaty
tingle, but every night she dreams of Will tickling her tingle. Tori Carrington tickles contemporary
readers with this enjoyable torrid tongue in cheek (and elsewhere) tale.
Most Wanted
Jean Brasher
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712197 $5.50, 299 pp.
In Austin, FBI Hostage Negotiator Jesse Montalvo tries to keep fifteen year old Delilah Butler
and
her mother from becoming victims during a hostage standoff. Only his voice keeps the teen from
cracking. However, the local SWAT Commander refuses to wait and storms the facility. Delilah
survives but her mother dies. Jesse slinks out of town feeling like a failure while Delilah knows the
Voice of her hero who saved her life. Twelve years later, the Violent Crimes Task Force requests
Jesse lead a team trying to stop a serial killer who abducts young women. Delilah, now a
detective,
is on the team. As they work together both feel a bit shy to discuss what happened that connected
them a dozen years ago as he feels guilt and she feels hero worship. Soon their divergent feelings
converge into love, but the killer has Delilah in his eyesight but this time Jesse plans to not fail
her.
Though exciting and well written, the police procedural subplot takes a back seat to the "Deep in
the
Heart" love story between two people connected by a tragic event in which they interpret the
outcome quite differently. The story line is fast-paced as the duo struggle to stop the serial killer
with Delilah becoming the bait over the objection of Jesse. Fans will appreciate this wonderful
romance in which the hero has many doubts including does she love the statue on the pedestal
hero
she has painted of him or the bleeding hurting real flesh?
Daddy's Little Matchmaker
Roz Denny Fox
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712200 $5.50, 299 pp.
In Ridge City, Tennessee, widower Alan Ridge, CEO of Windridge Distillery, worries about his
nine
year old daughter who severely injured her back in the car accident that killed his wife. Louemma
has successful surgery, but shows no signs of healing and her doctors insist her problems are
psychosomatic. Divorced from an alcoholic spouse, weaver Laurel Ashline has moved to her late
grandmother's home in Ridge City. She provides weaving therapy to patients who need help for
their
arms and wrists. Alan's grandmother decides that Laurel is perfect to help her
great-granddaughter
and forces Alan to agree to the therapy. As Laurel reaches inside to Louemma beyond the loom,
she
learns the guilty secret that has incapacitated the child even as she falls in love with the two
Ridges.
The weaving therapy apparently has been around since the end of World War II with plenty of
success is enlightening and quite interesting. The relationships between Louemma and the three
prime adults in her life are touching as everyone wants the best for this hurting little girl. On the
other hand Laurel's doubts due to her ex being a drunk and her beloved owning a distillery seems
insignificant when compared with Louemma's needs, their love, and the heroine's understanding of
personal responsibility as well as anyone. Still contemporary audience will find themselves praying
for Louemma and wanting to see the permanent coupling of the lead pair.
No Ordinary Summer
Linda Barrett
Harlequin Super Romance
ISBN: 0373712189 $5.50, 298 pp.
Pilgrim Cove Realtor Bartolomew Quinn rents Sea View House to people in relational need as the
abode has somehow magically brought people together. Bart is as enchanted as the house and he
knows who the right people are for Sea View to weave its spell on. Bart leased the upper floor
rents
to Harvard Law Professor widower Daniel Stone and his dog, Jessie. The first floor belongs to
divorcee Boston schoolteacher Shelley Anderson and her two kids, Josh and Emily. While Shelley
remains emotionally battered from her former spouse's philandering and a nasty divorce, Daniel
still
mourns the accidental death of his wife. Although this couple has no reason to relate, an attraction
springs up from the moment they meet. As they heal each other and her hurting children over the
summer of love, her odious ex-husband Carl needs his old wife and children back to run for
Congress on a family values platform. He blackmails Shelley with the threat of taking her to court
over custody of the kids he ignored since their marriage dissolved. Only this time she has Daniel,
her
kids, a magical house and the Pilgrim Cove locals to help her do battle. NO ORDINARY
SUMMER
is an entertaining second chance at love paranormal (or perhaps just Bart's instinctive skills)
romance. The lead couple is a fine pairing of two souls deserving of a lot of love. The support
cast
to include Sea View adds eccentricity, nurturing, and a wonderful mystic spin to the fine tale.
Though Carl is an obnoxious opportunist oaf, the latest Pilgrim Cove tale is a fabulous read.
Bulletproof Billionaire
Mallory Kane
Harlequin Intrigue
ISBN: 0373227892 $4.99, 250 pp.
New Orleans Confidential leader Conrad Burke knew he needed a master of disguise who in
daytime
is a leading professional whom would feel comfortable amongst the wealthiest of the city; at night
undercover and as at ease amidst drug dealers. He recruits Seth Lewis to pose as an international
multibillionaire business mogul. The objective is to bring down Jerome Senegal, head of the Cajun
Mob by seducing widow Adrienne Deblanc, owner of the Cajun Perk coffeehouses that serve as a
front for Senegal's illegal drug peddling activities. Seth meets Adrienne and finds her nothing like
the
cool, aloof female he expect; instead she seems frightened and lonely, bringing out his protective
feelings. Still he wonders why she does the mob bidding not realizing the threat of the "Knife" to
her
mom. As they fall in love, neither trusts the other though they share common goals of destroying
Senegal, extracting Adrienne from the mess, and love. If they continue to hide truths because they
remain suspicious of one another, they will fail. Inane title aside, BULLETPROOF
BILLIONAIRE
is an exhilarating romantic suspense that takes off from the moment Seth's siblings help prepare
him
for his assignment and never lets up until the final confrontation. Adrienne is a delightful Perils of
Pauline heroine though the menace to her mom by the thug the Knife seems unnecessary as
Senegal
could get a hundred cooperative replacements in a flash. Fans of romantic suspense will enjoy the
second New Orleans Confidential and seek out the previous book, UNDERCOVER
ENCOUNTER
by Rebecca York as this reviewer will do and look forward to next month's entry by Joanna
Wayne.
Renegade
Diana Palmer
Harlequin
ISBN: 0373770049 $16.95, 304 pp.
In Jacobsville, Texas Police Chief Cash Grier goes to New York to see Tippy "Georgia Firefly"
Moore, the famous model turned actor. Cash and Tippy recently met in his hometown (see
LAWLESS) but Tippy has mixed feelings about the lawman who wants to see her because she is
very attracted to him, but fears intimacy since her stepfather raped her as a teen while her drugged
out mom did nothing. In fact once she escaped she rescued her abused younger brother nine year
old
Rory from that hell although their "parents" use him to blackmail her for drug money. Cash picks
up
Rory at his Maryland military school and takes him to his sister in the East Village. The attraction
between Cash and Tippy could ignite Manhattan, but both remain wary as neither trust easily; she
due to her stepfather and he due to his former fiancee's rejection in which she labeled him a cold
killer after telling her about his military black ops work. However, druggies linked to her
stepfather
target Tippy and Rory as easy money, but they failed to factor in Cash, who loves both of them.
This
engaging romantic suspense is more of a character study of two walking wounded rather than the
police procedural love story of LAWLESS. Tippy and Cash have issues involving trust and
intimacy
as both have been hammered by the darkest side of humanity. Rory is a terrific "matchmaker"
although his adjustments seem too easy. The "parents" are poster adults for why having children
needs licensing more than marriage between two consenting adults. RENEGADE is a deep look
at
the healing power of love.
Suddenly Single
Millie Criswell
Harlequin Flipside
ISBN: 0373441959 $4.50, 218 pp.
Unable to cope with her husband's snooty family and his inability to be more than a wimpy mama's
boy, Lisa Morelli walks out on Alex Mackenzie to return to her family. Her sister and mother
object
because they fear the twenty-seven year old is heading to spinsterhood and to give up a hunk like
Alex is lunacy. Stunned by the collapse of his marriage in record time, Alex misses his wife and
decides to follow her in order to court her so as to re-win her hand. Alex shocks Lisa by showing
up
as she figured his mama would want an annulment to rid the Morelli taint from the Mackenzie
elite.
She is further stunned when he removes his banking suit for a leather jacket and switches from a
classic car to a motorcycle as Alex will do anything to regain Lisa at his side forever. This is an
amusing contemporary romance due to the desperate turn around by Alex to prove to his beloved
that she is first in his life, not his mother; Lisa is an independent individual who cannot understand
why mama has so much influence on the intelligent Alex so she decides to go the single route.
Though readers will wonder whether the effort Alex makes is worth the time, fans will laugh out
loud by this comedic romp.
Plain Jane's Secret Life
Cathy Gillen Thacker
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750331 $4.99, 243 pp.
Chicago sportscaster Dylan Hart returns to his hometown Holly Springs, North Carolina to attend
his sister's wedding. Mechanic Hannah Reid meets Dylan at the Durham airport to drive him to
the
wedding. Dylan considers Hannah as a tomboy little sister though she thinks he is hot. Still she
has
never been able to get him to see beyond her greasy garb that she wears as part of her owning and
working at a classic car repair shop. However, this time Hannah plans to turn into a girlie girl to
get
Dylan's attention that she is the one for him. Dylan loses his job and Hannah is short funds for her
renovation project. They agree to help each other, but Dylan never expected "plain Jane" to be so
pretty. Dylan wonders if Hannah could reciprocate his new found love for her. The latest Brides
of
Holly Springs is a solid contemporary romance between two nice lead protagonists. The
"mystery"
that Dylan partially overhears between his brother and Hannah seems weak and the ease at which
the
couple helps the other appears too easily accomplished, yet the star duo and the support cast
makes
for a fine read.
The Last Time We Kissed
Ann Roth
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750358 $4.99, 249 pp.
Ten years have passed since then married couple Amy Parker and Sam Cutter set infernos in and
out
of the boudoir. However the blaze outside the bedroom destroyed their marriage as neither could
cope with the heated fights. In Forest Hills, Washington Sam is watching his niece eight years old
Mariah Carson while her parents are away enjoying a three week cruise. He takes Mariah to the
Amy Parker School of Dance where she is one of the most enthusiastic student "pearls". There he
and Amy see each other for the first time since their marriage went up in flames. Both remain
attracted to one another, but Amy fears combusting if she begins to see Sam. However, Sam
knows
that he still loves Amy and that he will anything to persuade her that he has changed from when he
burned her heart. Readers will enjoy this fabulous second chance at romance between the ballet
school and hamburger joint owners. Along with a delightful support crew mostly made up of
middle
and grade school gems, fans receive an often amusing hot tale of love better with maturity.
A Scandalous Situation
Patricia Frances Rowell
Harlequin
ISBN: 037329316X $5.50
In 1807, Widower Lord Rob Armstrong heads home to his isolated estate Eyrie when he sees a
carriage containing a young woman trapped in snow. He offers to help, but she points a gun at
him.
Still, he rescues her and her lame horse just prior to an avalanche. Rob takes wary Iantha Kethley
to
his home just before a blizzard hits. He explains that there are no women present at this time as he
just returned from India. After a few days in his abode without a chaperone, Rob takes Iantha
home
where her worried family greets her in love. Rob asks her father for her hand in marriage, but her
dad explains that six years ago Iantha was raped by masked aristocrats. Perhaps because his own
child died, Rob still insists they wed and vows to Iantha that he will go slowly with her until she is
comfortable with his touch. As Rob and Iantha fall in love and his kindness touch her soul, she
begins to feel at ease, but her worst nightmare is back. Regency romance readers will appreciate
this
strong tale of a wonderful nurturing champion who helps his beloved recover from the horrors of
rape. The story line is at its best when Rob gently heals Iantha's soul with his tenderness. Iantha
makes the story line succeed as the audience can understand her fears of anyone but a child's
touch
and her need to control her situation including carrying a weapon. Though the villain's return adds
suspense and a chance at his comeuppance, this confrontation takes away from the beauty of a
fabulous historical that accentuates the healing power of love.
The Lake
Richard Laymon
Leisure
ISBN: 0843954507 $24.00, 384 pp.
As a teen, Leigh was a rebel protesting the Viet Nam War so her parents decided she needed a
change of scenery sending her to her uncle an aunt's home in Wisconsin where she met studmuffin
Charlie Payne. Leigh chased after the shy man who was intimidated by his mother until she finally
caught him. They made love in an abandoned house, but as Charlie was leaving he fell through the
floor, hit his dead, and died. His mother claimed Leigh killed her son, but the police ruled it an
accidental death. She returned home pregnant. Eighteen years later Leigh's daughter Deana is on a
date with Allan when a man carrying a cleaver and wearing a chef's hat chases after them and kills
the lad. The culprit is the former chef at Leigh's restaurant, who was recently fired. Macer, the
detective in charge, becomes romantically involved with Leigh. When the police catch Allan's
killer,
Leigh feels safe, but she soon will learns she is wrong because someone is coming for her and her
daughter. Richard Laymon is a Bram Stroker award winning horror novelist who proves he can
switch genre gears by writing a fantastic thriller as well. From the very beginning, the action
explodes and just accelerates beyond warp speed and yet allows for a strong believable
relationship
between mother and daughter even when stress threatens to destroy it as both want to protect the
other. The story line is loaded with surprises so that the audience never knows what will happen
next. This totally absorbing crime thriller will have readers enthralled and unable to put it down
until
the last page is turned.
Luke Ashcroft's Woman
Elizabeth Clarke
Leisure
ISBN: 0843953918 $5.99
In the 1880s, Charlotte Duncan accompanies her husband as they plan to head to California with a
wagon train. Also making the journey is Charlotte's sister and her spouse. However, Charlotte's
husband is accused of stealing and immediately hung. Stunned, the mourning widow refuse to
believe her spouse was a thief. Charlotte joins the wagon train under the protection of her
brother-in-law. However, her real protector is scout Luke Ashcroft, who is attracted to the feisty
widow and tries to keep her safe from her extended family. As the trek continues, Charlotte feels
guilty because she falls in love with Luke. However, neither plan to act on their feelings as each
wants to achieve their own dream not understanding their respective goals are identical. This deep
graphic look at the trail will remind gamesters of the Oregon Trail games as the trek displays the
hardships of the journey and the cruelty as opposed to the more common image of camaraderie
between wagon train participants. Because of this immense depth and details, readers will taste
the
climatic conditions and feel other natural and man-made problems as if traveling alongside Luke
and
Charlotte. This makes the plot seem more like a historical tale especially in light of the villain who
seems pale and inane in comparison to the real danger, the trek across the country.
The Moon Pool
Max McCoy
Leisure
ISBN: 0843953667 $6.99, 374 pp.
In homage to the mythology's Persephone, every twenty-eight days, he captures a red haired
beauty,
takes his victims underwater to the ruins of Mineral City, and at the full moon completes the circle
by killing his prey. An official missing person's investigation has led to the need of a specialized
expert so underwater crime scene investigator Richard Dahlgren leads the inquiries. Bodies
suddenly
turn up at an alarming rate and a pattern amidst this serial killing chaos forms that the murders
have
been going on for years. Richard, haunted by his own tragic failure a decade ago, hopes he can do
better with the abducted Jolene and with the Goddess seemingly filling his head he might succeed.
She meanwhile knows Richard is her only chance of surviving so naked and wearing only a cross
she
prays that she somehow survives the ordeal rather than become the latest victim in a long running
Greek tragedy. This deep intelligent thriller takes the time to introduce readers to several subplots
using scientific and technical vernacular, but worth the energy of those who appreciate a strong
tale.
The cast is solid whether they are the hero, the victim, the villain, the mythological figures or
other
support players. The various subplots cleverly merge over the course of the exciting story line in
which the circles of murder and mythos overlap so that fans will treasure diving into the
invigorating
THE MOON POOL.
Devil's Bargain
Jade Lee
Leisure
ISBN: 0843953721 $5.99, 359 pp.
With the death of her father, a poor country parson, Lynette knows her impoverished family is in
deep trouble. The Earl of Songshire visits Lynette suggesting a way out of destitution for her and
her family. He gives her the address of Baroness Huntley, who runs a thriving business arranging
marriages to wealthy elderly aristocrats. A desperate Lynette meets with the Baroness, who takes
her on as a client and assigns her to her notorious nephew Viscount Adrian Grant to prepare her
for
her "mature" spouse in a marriage that should not last more than a decade. Adrian trains his latest
pupil in how to behave as a willing biddable bride, but the intelligent Lynette keeps shocking him
with her curiosity and her questions unlike his previous students. As he teaches her how to excite
a
man, even an old one, he finds the kisses and caresses and more stimulate him as no one has ever
done before. Adrian suddenly knows he has a heart and that organ (and another) belongs to his
pupil
who has taught him to love. This exciting erotic romance will heat up fans of Regency tales as the
tyro Lynette teaches the professor Adrian the difference between sex and making love. The story
line focuses on the debate between these two protagonists as the innocent Lynette believes love
and
that her sex mentor deep in his soul wants someone to simply love him while Adrian insists it is all
about lust as love does not exist. Readers will appreciate the hands on philosophical debate that
Jade
Lee presents her audience.
Tagged for Murder
Elaine Flinn
Avon
ISBN: 0060545801 $6.99, 304 pp.
Her husband ruined her sterling reputation by selling fake antiquities before leaving for parts
unknown with his young bimbo leaving Molly Doyle financially ruined, She now runs her friend's
antique shop in Carmel, California. She is recovering financially and making new friends when her
sister Carrie whom she has not seen in fifteen years arrives with her twelve year old daughter
Emma.
Carrie is job hunting and asks Molly to watch Emma. Not long afterward, a letter given to Molly
from Emma informs her that Carier is leaving the country and wants Molly to raise Emma. While
Molly reels from her sibling's callousness, she learns that her friend Trudy Collins did not die from
a
heart attack; instead was murdered by someone who knew she was allergic to aspirin and hid a
tablet
in her soda at an antiques gala. While going through her pal's belongings, Molly realizes Trudy
was
selling fakes and Carrie was part of the operation. The more she digs, the more Molly
comprehends
her sister broke several laws and leaving the country was the only way to avoid arrest. Molly's
snooping frightens the killer so much that he or she tries to murder her and her niece on a fog
shrouded road. Molly is a likable and intelligent heroine who falls in love with Emma from the
moment they first meet and takes her home with her without a second thought. She accepts that
her
sister is a felon and the best thing Carrie can do is stay away from her family. Emma steals the
hearts
of readers as a precocious child (they always seem that way in fiction) who has more common
sense
than most of the adults she knows. Elaine Flinn provides a beguiling amateur sleuth tale that
readers
will love.
A Dose of Murder
Lori Avocato
Avon
ISBN: 0060731656 $6.99, 320 pp.
While she is trying to get a sick boy's mouth open, Pauline Sokol concludes she just does not
want
to remain a nurse any longer. After twelve years she is burned out. Her gay roommate Miles gets
her
a job at an insurance agency as a fraud claims investigator. Her first case is to prove that Tina
Macaluso, receiving injury compensation, never injured her back on the job. Pauline knows zilch
about how to conduct an investigation; sexy Jagger offers to teach her if she will assist him on a
case
he works involving a group of doctors committing Medicare fraud by filing false claims. He wants
Pauline to apply for a job as a temporary nurse since Tina is on medical leave. Jagger's source
inside
the office is murdered while Pauline stumbles across the corpse of the billings clerk leading her to
wonder why she is doing the job she detests even undercover and could get killed doing it. The
heroine finds herself in several crazy situations that leave readers at times chuckling out loud and
often concerned whether she can extricate herself from her perils without revealing her true
purpose
for being in the medical office. The quirky support cast adds humor to this wonderful debut
mystery.
Lori Avocado provides a solid who-done-it, chick lit style.
The Return of the Earl
Edith Layton
Avon
ISBN: 0060567090 $5.99, 384 pp.
In 1800, Sir Gideon accused Lord Geoffrey Sauvage and his twelve year old son Christian falsely
of
stealing. Geoffrey and Christian are convicted and placed on the Retribution, heading to the South
Seas. Geoffrey provides strength to his son and two other boys Amyas and Daffyd as they set sail
as
convicts. However, because of Geoffrey's skills to make money for his clients honed as an
aristocratic working class soul, he makes a fortune for himself and his three charges. Fifteen years
later, Christian arrives in England to claim the Earldom from his cousin Hammond, whose future
in-laws are irate. Christian points out the so-called accidents that have eliminated the last five earls
and plans not to be number six. Hammond sends for Julianne Lowell, sister of Christian's best
childhood friend now dead, to identify whether he is the real thing. As Julianne and Christian fall
in
love, she is not sure though he looks somewhat like the person she knew in childhood. Whether
he is
or is not does not matter to someone who plans to add the upstart to the list of dead earls. This is
an
enjoyable Regency romantic suspense that will remind readers of the movies The Return of Martin
Guerre and Somersby as Julianne is not certain if the man she loves is an imposter or the real
Christian. The story line action-packed, but the characters make the tale with many containing
negative feelings towards others. Fans will enjoy this delightful tale in which the earldom is
apparently the most dangerous position in England in spite of the Napoleonic War.
Taming Tessa
Brenda Hiatt
Avon
ISBN: 0060723785 $5.99, 384 pp.
In 1816 England Lord Anthony Northrup, owner of the Odd Sock Club, a hunting club, is riding
his
horse while escorting a second nervous steed home when the new horse panics. A woman races
past
Anthony and gains control of the runaway. She calms the horse down. Anthony tells his three
friends
what happened and soon identifies the woman as Tessa Seaton of Wheatstone. The four pals visit
Wheatstone where they meet Tessa's father wheelchair bound George crippled by a hunting
accident,
her Uncle Mercer and Cousin Emery who trains the horses. At a hunt Anthony quickly affirms
that
Tessa, a rare female participant, is the expert with a heavenly touch with horses while Emery is a
brute. As Tessa and Anthony fall in love, he must persuade her that her odious relatives have lied
to
her about the fragility of her father's health if he wants to marry her. This engaging Regency
romance stars two nice protagonists who readers will care about as each wants to do the right
thing
for family, friends, and loved ones at the expense of their own happiness. Anthony is a caring soul
and his three pals share his best traits of championing the underdog like an abused horse, a taken
advantage of young lady, or even a stalwart fox. Tessa is his perfect counterpart as her love for
her
dad makes her sacrifice her desires. Though why she trusts her odious uncle and repugnant cousin
when it comes to the health of her father and their stable is hard to accept. Still in spite of two
villainous losers, the lead couple and their friends make for a fine fox and hounds historical
romance.
The Prodigal
Beverly Lewis
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764228730 $12.99, 320 pp.
With her beloved mother dead for seven years, Amish Leah Ebersol raises her two younger
siblings
who consider her their mom. Her sister Sadie has come home as a widow having married in Ohio;
she must prove herself to the community especially the Bishop, after being shunned for an affair
with
an English person that led to a stillborn child before she fled town. Leah is concerned that her nine
year old sibling Lydiann will choose the wrong path having made close friends with a Mennonite
child her age. Jonas Mast resides on Ohio where he still reflects on what could have been if his
beloved Leah was not married. However, unbeknownst to him, a misconception and a
misfortunate
event caused by Sadie, who feels guilty for doing what she did, has kept him away from Leah. If
he
only had known she was single things would have been much different. Soon a letter never
reaching
its destination will bring these two together, but is it enough to keep them together for she has
two
siblings who need her. The third Abram's Daughter tale, THE PRODIGAL, is an engaging look at
life in an Amish community during the Eisenhower administration. The story line invites the
audience
to follow the daily living, which also enables the reader to admire Leah's strong faith though she
has
taken some blows in her life; she believes that God works in mysterious ways, but needed her with
her family for the sake of her brother and sister. Though there is no action, Beverly Lewis writes
an
appealing and inspiring glimpse at a 1950s Amish community.
The Silent Harp
Gilbert Morris
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764227610 $12.99, 320 pp.
During World War I wealthy Sharon Winslow believes she has met the love of her life, Buffalo's
Robert Tyson, while both try out for parts in an opera. Though her parents are a bit disappointed
that she chose someone from the working class, they love and support Sharon's choice. The
lovebirds become engaged, but agree to hold off on marriage and the conjugal bed until he returns
from the war. However, he dies in combat. Sharon falls into a deep into depression to the point
that
her parents worry about her mental health. She vows never to marry. During the depression
grungy
Temple Smith rides into her life. Her parents and her younger brother Clayton find Temple
unacceptable as an uncouth pauper, but reconsider their impression as they see he has brought
back
the spark of life to their beloved daughter who had not shown any vigor since her fiance died.
While
Temple must overcome her pledge to his ghostly rival and her parents' belief he is beneath her,
Sharon is concerned with her family firm nearing bankruptcy. THE SILENT HARP is an engaging
first half twentieth century historical family drama that follows the exploits of the Winslow family
from World War I through just before the onset of World War II. The story line mostly
concentrates
on Sharon, but also contains subplots involving her much younger brother Clayton as well as her
parents. Although the action is limited as this is more of a character study, Gilbert Morris cleverly
uses the backdrop of major events like the war to end all wars and the Great Depression to
showcase a perceptive Americana tale.
At the Scent of Water
Linda Nichols
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764227297 $12.99 (trade), 416 pp.
In Asheville, North Carolina, Dr. Samuel Truelove enjoyed his work as a highly regarded heart
surgeon, cherished his beloved wife Annie and treasured their daughter, but never allowed family
to
get in the way of surgery. When he blew his daughter's diagnosis, a wedge formed between Annie
and him. Reconciliation failed as Annie finally gave up on Sam and left for her sister's home when
he
chose surgery over her. His idyllic life collapsed further when pride drove Sam to perform an
emergency operation when he was in no condition to do so, resulting in tragedy. Annie fled her
husband to work at the Seattle Times and ultimately she obtained a job with the Los Angeles
Times.
She hoped to gain some solace in her work, but a headline forces her to return to the place of her
greatest sorrow, her hometown where Sam, seeking redemption for his sin of pride at a clinic, has
prayed everyday for five years for a second chance as he needs her now more than ever. AT THE
SCENT OF WATER is an intriguing inspirational relationship drama that stars a prideful modern
day Job, who had everything, but lost it all in a series of appalling errors that cost lives and his
family. The story line is character driven mostly by Sam, but to a degree by Annie who has given
up
on him, love, and in many ways God because she ponders why bad things happen to good people.
Though the action is limited readers who cherish a powerful insightful look at two lost souls
seeking
solace and redemption will want to read this moving tale.
Innocent Libertine
T. Davis Bunn and Isabella Bunn
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764228587 $12.99 (trade), 320 pp.
In 1814 and though her wealthy American expatriate family has become part of London's high
society, eighteen years old Abigail Aldridge feels she must help those less fortune than herself.
Abigail sneaks out with her cousin at night to tend to the needs of the residents of the Soho slums
when Reverend Derrick Ames finds her wandering the dangerous alleys. While her cousin flees for
home, Derrick and his friends escort Abigail to the Soho Square Church. When a raid of the
church
occurs, Abigail is arrested and taken to Newgate along with others. Her parents use their
contacts,
influence and affluence to gain her release. However, the subsequent scandal forces Abigail to
return
to the United States. Though stunned by the reactions of the Ton to her good intentions, Abigail
plans to continue her efforts to help the poor chaperoned by the Countess Lillian Houghton, who
seeks solace from her own woes. INNOCENT LIBERTINE is a vivid early nineteenth century
character study that looks deeply into two women (more so Abigail than Lillian) as they adapt to
new lives trying to tend to the poor. Abigail and Lillian have learned what paves the road to hell
(or
at least "colonial" exile), but both courageously move on with hopes of helping the impoverished
as
they feel all good Christians should do. Fans of inspirational Americana tales will appreciate this
fine
look at an expanding nation through the eyes of the two brave females and Abe, a brilliant
intellectual who helps them find the path even as he and Abigail fall in love.
Secrets
Kristen Heitzmann
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764228277 $12.99, 384 pp.
In New York, Nonna Antonia suffers a stroke and is unable to speak, but manages to ask her
grandson Lance Mitchelli to go on a quest to find something, but he has no idea what it is. He
travels to Liguria, Italy where Nonna's cousin Sister Anna is in a nunnery and she sends him to
Sonoma, California in search of his Nonna's SECRETS in the villa she once lived in years ago.
Rese
Barrett needs to prove to her deceased father that she can renovate the old villa into a B&B as
well
as any man could. Lance obtains a job as a cook/maid at the villa hiding his relationship to Nonna,
a
previous owner. As Rese and Lance work together, he searches for the SECRETS, but tries to
hide
his growing attraction to his employer who feels the same way. As they fall in love, he worries
how
she will react to his quest with each looking for heavenly intervention. SECRETS is an engaging
contemporary romance starring two wonderful lead protagonists (though Lance is too adept at
seemingly everything) and a fine somewhat eccentric support cast. The story line is character
driven
as Rese and Lance do not want love, but cannot stop the feelings between them. Nonna's
SECRETS
will intrigue the audience as like Rese fans will become obsessed to know what she truly wants
and
hope he delivers it without hurting or losing Rese. The underlying message is simply with God
and
love even an antihero can become a champion.
No Dark Valley
Jamie Langston Turner
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764227300 $12.99, 400 pp.
When Celia Coleman was fifteen, a DUI killed her parents in what the family forever called the
"clothes dryer" day. Celia moved in with her dirt-poor pious grandmother. They did not get along
as
the younger felt God abandoned her while the older remained a fanatical believer. Celia leaves for
college in Delaware and afterward becomes a South Carolina gallery art director, goes home to
Dunmore, Georgia for the first time in fourteen years to attend her grandmother's funeral, but
remains embarrassed by her roots. After the funeral, Celia finds a new family moved in next door
to
her. She is attracted to her new neighbor Bruce, but she will not act on it because besides he is
married. Bruce reciprocates the feelings, but has his own demons to contend with including caring
for his sister and his niece. Celia concludes that her sour puss grandma was content with her life
while she is not. She begins to seek solace with God even as heavenly matchmaking skills assist
her
and Bruce to relate starting with a toilet plunger. NO DARK VALLEY is an intriguing character
study that looks deep into the soul of a woman who lost all faith in the Lord when her parents
were
killed. The story line bares open Celia so that the audience can see her discontentment. The
secondary characters furbish further insight into what Celia feels as some condemn her while
others
offer rejected sustenance. Though there is little action, Jamie Langston Turner provides her
audience
with a deep look at the impact of survivors when bad things happen to good loved ones.
Northern Lights
Nora Roberts
Putnam
ISBN: 0399152059 $25.95, 576 pp.
Baltimore Police Officer Nate Burke is in the dumps due to the break up of his marriage so his
partner Jack takes him on a night on the town. When they are ready to go home, they see a drug
deal going down so they go to arrest the perpetrators, but Nate is shot and Jack is killed. Feeling
guilty and unable to cope, Nate quits the force and heads to Lunacy, Alaska to become police
chief.
Lunacy is a small quiet town in which Nate deals with traffic incidents and minor misdemeanors.
From the first time he sees bush pilot Meg Galloway, Nate feels he has returned to the living.
When
a frozen male body is found inside a cave on No Name Mountain, Meg identifies the corpse as her
father, who she and the townsfolk felt walked out on his family eighteen years ago. Not long
afterward, newspaper publisher Max commits suicide leaving a note that he killed Meg's father.
Nate
thinks a second homicide is covering up a two decade old murder. NORTHERN LIGHTS is an
electrifying romantic suspense that will please the myriad of Nora Roberts' fans. The hero is a
wounded warrior who runs as far away from his hometown as he just about can to bury himself in
the tundra. Instead he finds a new home, a satisfying job, and a woman that heals his soul. The
support cast is eccentric and likable (Nora Roberts' trademarks) with anyone and no one capable
of
committing murder. Thus the readers will enjoy a solid police procedural that they will want to
solve
(not an easy mission) alongside a strong romance heading to the New York Times bestseller
list.
Melancholy Baby
Robert B. Parker
Putnam
ISBN 0399152180 $24.95, 304 pp.
Boston private detective Sunny Randall goes into an emotional tailspin when her ex-husband
Richie
tells her that he is getting remarried. Even though she divorced him she never stopped loving him.
She just couldn't be married or live anyone else except her bullterrier Rosie. Unable to cope with
the
pain of Richie's remarriage, Sunny visits psychiatrist Dr. Susan Silverman. Although she doesn't
know it, Susan is the girlfriend of the famous Spencer. Needing something to occupy herself,
Sunny
takes on the case of Sarah Markham, a twenty year old college student, who wants her to find out
who her real parents are. When Sunny talks to the Markhams they insist that they are Sarah's real
parents; Sunny catches the husband in a lie about where he worked when Sarah was conceived.
Two
thugs beat up Sarah, telling her to drop the investigation or else. The same musclemen come after
Sunny who meets them with her gun and some backup. The information she gets from these two
goons leads her to the people who hired them. By the time the case is finished, two men are dead,
one person is going to prison, Sarah learns who her biological mother is and Sunny is beginning to
understand her fears of marriage. Robert B. Parker's Sunny Randall series is not a female version
of
Spenser. She is a troubled woman who seeks help to regain her mental health as s she shows her
emotions more than Spenser does and her methods of investigation are quite different as is her
circle
of friends. MELANCHOLY BABY is one of the author's best works with its stark prose,
eccentric
cast and a climax it is impossible not to love.
Forced Mate
Rowena Cherry
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505526018 $5.99, 320 pp.
Prince Tarrant-Arragon of the Tigran Empire always gets his way; so when he selected his bride,
he
expected nothing less than her capitulation. If she refused, he would take her anyway because the
future of his empire rested on his mating with the last known virgin Djinni. Djinni-Vera is the
daughter of Tarrant's rival, Djetthro-Jason (earthlings call him J. J.) and an Englishwoman. Her
sire
has raised her to detest Prince Tarrant-Arragon. What he fails to tell his daughter is that he J. J.
has
plans to usurp the throne from his cousin Tarrant, the rightful prince. Tarrant abducts Vera as a
tool
to accomplish his objective of solidifying his hold on the empire and thwarting his enemy, J. J. To
his
shock, he finds he likes his defiant Forced Mate. To Vera's even greater jolt, her new husband is
arrogant but kind and caring; and his retinue, instead of fearing him, seems to like and respect
him.
She is torn between believing her father, the head of the noble Saurian Knights, and her husband
as
to whether Tarrant is savior or tyrant. Forced Mate is a terrific science fiction tale that uses humor
to forward the exciting plot. The story line includes elements of a suspense thriller and romance
but
never loses its essence as a galaxy empire tale. Still, the key to Rowena Beaumont Cherry's fine
story is the believability of the cast. Fans will believe in these seven-foot (non-NBA) hunks from
space and wish the best for the delightful "half-breed", Djinni-Vera. This excellent romantic sci fi
thriller calls for a sequel or two as several other players deserve to have their story told.
Still Life
Melanie Jackson
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505526085 $6.99
Ghostalker and dreamwalker Nyssa searches for information to fill the vast gaps of what she
knows
about her past. Nyssa is almost obsessed with finding out who she is and what her connection to
hobgoblin Qasim is. Cop Jack Frost becomes concerned with Nyssa's probe reaching the attention
of
those who would use and abuse her or others who will kill her. To keep her safe from the FBI and
goblin goons, he dispatches the entity Abrial, but initially she refuses his help. That changes as the
Feds and the goblins begin to give chase. Travelers on the run with no hope of dispatching a
courier
to Jack, the two outsiders Nyssa and Abrial fall in love. However, their relationship means new
groups who would not want a merger between a ghostalking dreamwalker and a night entity for
fear
of what the next generation will bring. The latest walk on the "Wildside" is a wonderful romantic
fantasy that adds new elements that brilliantly fit and enhance the existing Jackson mythos. The
action-packed story line is filled with mythological creatures, who along side of government
agencies make Wildside seem real. However, the crucial component that invigorates STILL LIFE
is
the love subplot between two souls who know they should not, but could not prevent their
feelings
from showing even with danger mounting from seemingly everywhere.
Lauren's Eyes
Norah Wilson
Love Spell
ISBN: 050552600X $5.99
Veterinarian Lauren Townsend ignored the first vision of murder until she learned that she had
seen
the victim before the homicide occurred. When the second vision occurs, feeling guilty, but not
trusting the cops would accept her as "reliable" she decides to act on her own. In her last vision
Lauren saw a matchbook cover for Foothills Guest Ranch and immediately books time there as a
guest. At the ranch she meets owner Cal Taggert who hopes to save his near bankrupt cattle
spread
with a guest section. Cal and Lauren are instantly attracted to one another. When his ex-wife
Marlena appears, Lauren recognizes her as the upcoming victim. She begins to wonder if Cal,
who
she has fallen in love with, could be her killer as the hostility between the pair is cutting.
LAUREN'S
EYES is an engaging paranormal romantic thriller that makes readers believe that the gift or curse
(responsibility is quite frightening) is a skill that the heroine possesses (even Randi the Great
would
become a true believer). The story line is character driven though the plot is loaded with action
and
suspense. Lauren at times seems vulnerable like Bergman in Suspicion as she wonders whether
her
heart could betray her. Sub-genre fans will keep an eye on Norah Wilson following this strong
tale.
The Winds of Change
Martha Grimes
Viking
ISBN: 0670033278 $25.95, 407 pp.
Superintendent Richard Jury had thought nothing could be worse than his last case as he almost
died
(see THE BLUE LAST). However, looking down at the murdered little girl lying in the London
streets makes him realize he was too optimistic. At about the same time, Police Commander Brian
Macalvie investigates the case of a Jane Doe found murdered in the gardens of Declan Scott's
estate.
Three years ago Brian failed to resolve the abduction of Declan's stepdaughter, four years old at
the
time Flora. Her mother Mary died not long afterward and Declan still mourns thoselosses. The
girl's
autopsy reveals the five year old had sexual activity. Richard talks with pedophile unit Chief DI
Johnny Blakeley who says the victim was abused by a ring owned by financier Viktor Baumann.
The
other killing also connects to Viktor as Flora was his child and Mary his first wife. The three
coppers
work together to prove that Viktor is a murderer and pedophile ring owner. However, the dots
fail
to connect instead seem to twist away from the prime suspect. The latest Richard Jury police
procedural is an entertaining tale due to the usual crowd of eccentrics including a Plant on Scott's
estate that assists the Superintendent on his inquiries. The story line seems a bit convoluted as the
three cases appear to tie together through the odious Baumann, but takes a long time to actually
begin to fit as one coherent plot. Still Martha Grimes provides a fine entry in her wonderful long
running series in which the jury of readers will appreciate the aptly named WINDS OF
CHANGE.
Something Rotten
Jasper Fforde
Viking
ISBN: 0670033596 $24.95, 385 pp.
After two years in the Well as the head of Jurisfiction, Thursday Next decides to go home
although
she literally will miss some of her compatriots. She travels to Swindon with her son Friday and
that
indecisive fickle Hamlet, who is unable to decide or not to decide. While Hamlet tries to
understand
the real world better so that he can improve his decision process in the Shakespearean realm,
Thursday learns that the Goliath Corporation, who deleted her spouse Landon, have begun a faith
based system. They believe she is the Chosen One and plan to choose her whether she wants to or
not. Meanwhile outlaw Fictioneer Yorrick Kaine plots havoc so he can become dictator while the
Merry Wives of Windsor show Hamlet to err is human, but they are divine. Only Thursday can
clean
up these messy subplots, but she is not sure what chapter or verse will follow. As
President-for-life
Formby is missing and the world will end in a whimper if the Swindon Mallets fail to win the
croquet
Superbowl, all she seeks is good childcare. A usual with a Thursday Next novel, literary giants are
shredded and "exposed" as Jasper Fforde takes characters like Hamlet with his foibles and places
him in the real world. The latest adventures are wild, over the edge, and very amusing. Fans need
to
set aside time because they will be LOST IN A GOOD BOOK literally sharing SOMETHING
ROTTEN affair with the heroine as she tries to keep the myriad of lost plots straight. Once again
nothing is sacred as Jasper Fforde satirizes with humorous word play literature and real
icons.
Babes in Captivity
Pamela Redmond Satran
Downtown
ISBN: 0743463552 $13.00, 304 pp.
The four Homewood, New Jersey women are best friends living the American dream of raising a
family in suburbia. They meet regularly to share their disasters (child or spousal related), but for
the
most part they seem contented with their lives. The contented illusion ends when Deirdre informs
her cell mates that she hates her nice spouse Paul. She explains to her amused pals, who think
Paul is
the poster boy for the perfect husband that she wants to restart her singing career with her former
Berkley lover. Nick "Mr. Sexy" Ruby who has relocated fifteen miles to the east in New York.
Finally she laments that she has had no passionate orgasms since Ruby. Her confessions lead to
two
of the others moaning their desires. Juliette wants another child, but her husband Cooper hesitates
since their son Trey suffers from Asperger's syndrome. Anne wonders if she should leave her
philandering spouse filmmaker Damien. Supermom of four, Lisa refuses to reveal to her buddies
or
her too busy husband Tommy her desire to write a book for fear they will laugh at her "How to
Live" tome. This is an interesting look at family life in suburbia starring four wonderful women,
who
share fears, disappointments, and dreams with one another that they find difficult to disclose to
their
spouses. The story line rotates the lead role between the four women using alternating chapters so
that fans receive four subplots that tie together through their friendship. BABES IN CAPTIVITY
is
not a lighthearted chick lit romp, but instead is a fabulously deep character study that
compassionately captures the ambivalence and conflict of motherhood and marriage vs. personal
dreams.
My Favorite Mistake
Beth Kendrick
Downtown
ISBN: 0743470346 $13.00, 304 pp.
A decade ago, Faith Geary fled her small Minnesota hometown with no plans to ever return and
has
kept to her vow until now. Her sister Skye hysterically calls saying her world has collapsed as she
is
about to file for bankruptcy as the "The Roof Rat" bar that Faith invested in and managed by
Skye's
philandering spouse Bob is failing, and divorce from her cheating husband is imminent. Neither
moves Faith though her life savings could vanish if the bar goes into arrears as she co-signed the
mortgage. Still she has spent a lifetime with the Skye falling calamities of her sis so she decides to
help from a distance. Her former lover Patrick Flynn calls Faith next to inform her that Skye is
pregnant. Knowing that she is walking into landmines, Faith comes home. Skye shows no
maturity
as if the last ten years, the bar, and marriage never happened. Worse Faith still feels a deep
attraction
to Patrick, who remains angry with her for leaving him yet still wants her because he never
stopped
loving her. The story line is often amusing but contains a serious undertone on actually
responsibility
for one's actions (and not just saying so as seems to be the norm). Faith is a fine lead character
who
upon her return quickly realizes why she escaped the insanity in the first place. Patrick furbishes
realism as he displays anger while wearing his heart on his sleeve until he realizes that his beloved
will leave again without resolving their feelings if he remains irate. With the eccentric support cast
adding humorous depth, contemporary romance fans will appreciate this you can go home
tale.
Upgrading
Simon Brooke
Downtown
ISBN: 0743477626 $13.00, 384 pp.
Working at media sales for the Guardian, Andrew Collins detests his tedious job, which fails to
pay
for the lifestyle that the handsome lad believes he deserves. Fearing he will turn into a "Wanker",
Andrew seeks money that equates to happiness. Andrew answers an Evening Standard ad for
male
escorts, hoping to land a "Sugar Mama". Andrew escorts the wealthy, decadent and older Marion.
She and her nasty friends turn him into her boy toy. He likes the expensive cars he now drives, the
excess "green" he carries, the weekend flights across the Atlantic, and the other trinkets she buys
him, However, he soon feels his esteem battered when he meets shop assistant plain Jane. She
likes
the potential she sees in him, but is disappointed in how weak he is by allowing the Rolex crowd
to
buy his soul. To his shock, Andrew cannot get Jane out of his head and realizes he must decide
whether he wants love or money. Andrew will remind readers of Alfie as he seems as shallow and
morally void yet somehow empathetic and understandable. His struggle to select between
debauched
luxury and love leads the audience to hope he will properly choose, but not wait too long because
Jane will not sit around moping. There is a vast contrast between Marion and her jet set minions
who contain no redeeming qualities as opposed to the nurturing be all you can be Jane. This
extreme
also keeps the options simplistic as it boils down to selling your soul vs. loving another's soul.
This is
a terrific character study that if Marion was a wee nicer could have been UPGRADED into quite
a
complex tale.
The Vanished Priestess
Meredith Blevins
Forge
ISBN: 0765307804 $23.95, 320 pp.
Widowed after only a few years of marriage, Annie Szabo inherited her gypsy mother-in-law
Mina,
who was not pleased when her son married an outsider. Over time the two combating women
found
a way to co-exist at a distance with one another. Though they would never admit this to anyone
even their maker, they respect one another. Annie is unhappy when Mina comes for an extended
visit for a large dose of the woman will drive her crazy. However, Annie's concern over her failing
mental health as there is no end state to Mina is diverted by someone shooting her neighbor
Margo
Spencer in the back; circus friends of the victim discovered the body. Margo owned and operated
a
new age circus that funded a shelter for battered and abused women. When Annie's daughter Abra
arrived bruised, Margo brought her to the shelter and the Szabo women closed ranks against her
abusing spouse Rory. At the same time that Margo was killed, her lover Lili disappears. To get
her
mind off of all the negativity that floods her soul, Annie investigates the homicide. An Annie
Szabo
mystery is always a special treat due to the eccentric Szabo clan that play powerful secondary
roles
especially driving the heroine nuts with their loyalty and other shtick that she reciprocates 100
percent. Meredith Blevins applies a wicked sense of humor, at times edgy, but never quite over
the
edge, as the conversations between characters especially the cross purpose discussions between
Annie and Mina, are fabulous. Amateur sleuth fans will love THE VANISHED PRIESTESS.
Blood Retribution
David and Aimee Thurlo
Forge
ISBN 0765304422 $23.95, 272 pp.
He is a nightwalker, a Navaho vampire who because he is only half Nosferatu has the strength not
to
succumb to the allure of the dark side of his nature. He is a New Mexico state police officer who
is
often teamed up with beautiful FBI agent Diane Lopez who not only knows what Lee Nez is but
accepts him for his good heart. Right now they are trying to infiltrate a smuggling ring made up of
skinwalkers (Navaho witches) who can shape shift at night and still retain their ability to think like
a
human. These smugglers known as the Silver Eagles go to Mexico in animal form, meet with their
suppliers, and return with silver and turquoise for jewelry suppliers who get their products at
black
market prices. The two cops seek to arrest humans who are part of the smuggling ring and kill the
shapeshifters so they no longer can carry out their evil plans. While Diane and Lee stalk the Silver
Eagles, they are hunted by a vampire who wants to kill them because they murdered her nest
including her husband and brother. They remain on guard at all times because beside each other
they
don't know who they can trust. Once again the Thurlos provide readers their interpretation of the
vampire mythos unique to the Navaho culture. Lee can stay in sunlight provided he uses sun block
while his speed, strength and night vision make him a better police officer. In the Thurlos world,
skinwalkers are unredeemable evil creatures who must be killed; a variation on the hapless victim
werewolf legend. BLOOD RETRIBUTION is a fantastic horror thriller that readers of both
genres
will want to read.
The Sultan's Harem
Colin Falconer
Crown
ISBN: 0609610309 $22.95, 452 pp.
In sixteenth century Turkey Sultan Suleyman has three hundred women in his harem. Of all these
beautiful females his favorite is Gulbehar because she has given him a son. However, truth be told,
the weight of empire building and international relations plays heavily on the weary Suleyman so
he
has little interest in the inner goings-on inside his harem as long as the ladies do not disturb him.
The
omega entry in Suleyman's harem is the newcomer the Russian Hurrem, who resents being a slave
and worse being the runt amongst a pack of subservient succubae. Her plan to be first in line
immediately is to use her body to seduce Suleyman and her wiles to defeat these jackals that
surround her. Thus, the ladies of the harem who previously understood their place in the queue
now
battle for supremacy in a scheming arena of intrigue, blackmail, and homicide. Hurrem is the ruler
magically seducing Suleyman over time so that even some of his supporters in the royal court
consider emulating the queen of mean to take control of the empire. THE SULTAN'S HAREM is
an
intriguing historical work of fiction that highlights four decades in the inner court of Suleyman
the
Great during the first half of the sixteenth century. The tale crafts a comprehensive (somewhat
exhausting) vivid look at the mores of the harem and to a degree the royal court especially the
intrigue, treachery, and strange bedfellow politics, but fails to place any of this on the bigger stage
of
momentous events. Readers who appreciate an interesting solid diligent glimpse at pebbles with
no
boulders will enjoy the regal intrigue of Suleyman's harem.
Indelible
Karin Slaughter
Morrow
ISBN: 0060567104 $24.95, 360 pp.
Georgia pediatrician/medical examiner Sara Linton visits her former husband Grants County
Police
Chief Jeffrey Tolliver at the station house when two thugs arrive with guns blazing. The duo
precisely kills or wounds several cops and other people at the station house including visiting
children on a class trip. The pair lays siege to the building with Jeffrey being the target of their
attention. Sara reflects back on her life with Jeffrey wondering who would want him dead. She
thinks back to twelve years ago when they made an impromptu stop in his hometown of
Sylacauga,
Alabama in spite of his vows to never go there. Jeffrey's friend Robert a cop, who lived next door
to
Sara's then mother-in-law, apparently killed an intruder. The wife Jessie was bewildered and
unable
to provide information, but Sara knew that Jeffrey altered the crime scene and refused to explain
or
give her any information as if he was covering for a fellow blue knight. Thus a major clink in their
relationship occurred as trust became an issue. Could that event caused today's episode? This
exciting tale actually occurs before BLINDSIGHTED and enables readers to see how the
relationship between Sara and Jeffrey evolved the way it has. The storyline contains two subplots
as
the present crisis provides plenty of action, but also uses flashbacks to describe the pivotal
incident
in the lead couple's past. Though some minor questions nag such as why the side trip to Alabama
while heading to Florida occured, Karin Slaughter writes a fast-paced thriller starring two
wonderful
lead characters who love one another, but both knows that is not enough.
Fall Guy
Carol Lea Benjamin
Morrow
ISBN: 0060538996 $23.95, 272 pp.
Detective Michael Brody informs private investigator Rachel Alexander that she is the executor of
Timothy O'Fallon's will which perplexes her because she doesn't know anyone by that name. By
the
time she meets with Detective Brody, she remembers that Timothy attended a post-traumatic
stress
group. She and her therapy dog Dashiell provided assistance to the attendees. What puzzles
Rachel
is that he only spoke one sentence to her and she never thought Timothy was the type who would
have committed suicide. Brody warns her that Parker Bowling, a man Timothy took into his home
to help him out and make a new start in life will contact her to get his things out of the sealed
apartment. He's a liar, a con man and a thief according to Brody so Rachael should watch him at
all
times. When they finally meet, he tells Rachel he is staying at his aunt's house, the same relative
the
police later find floating in the river. When Rachel and Dashiell pass a dumpster, the dog's training
kicks in and Rachel knows she's going to find a dead baby in it. She's right; the dead person is one
of
Timothy's siblings. Rachel now believes Timothy was murdered by a ruthless person who set
Parker
up to be the fall guy. It's been a long time since a Rachel Alexander mystery was published but
she's
back and better than ever. The heroine never understands why she was made the executor of
Timothy's will but she's glad he did it to because she was able to prove he didn't commit suicide.
FALL GUY is a well written cerebral mystery where characterization is more important than the
action scenes of this complex and multi-layered crime thriller.
The Adventures of Charlie Tooth
L. B. Richards
Vortex
ISBN: 0843951362 $9.95, 320 pp.
Charlie Tooth of the Tooth family (or should that be Teeth family?) believes his Connecticut
neighborhood is safe and familiar. Thus when one minute he is in the school cafeteria and the next
he
is at a party, Charlie is a bit surprised because the attendees are different species including a few
not
even humanoid. Everyone present believes Charlie is the Squire of Grimfir Boldrock, an intelligent
reptilian who speaks several languages fluently. The would be squire comes to the attention of the
magician Onnser the Semi-Magnificent when the teen opens his carriage door by stretching and
manipulating his fingers to undo the magical locks. Onnser takes on Charlie as his apprentice,
teaching him the tricks of the trade in hope that the lad will defeat the Orphans Lords Dix and
Dax
who hold the world of Nivlag in an iron grip. Charlie may not have resolved how he got where he
is,
but believes he must end the reign of terror or his new friend will die. THE ADVENTURES OF
CHARLIE TOOTH will appeal to the fans of all ages of Harry Potter. The protagonist is a
bewildered lad who has no idea where he is or that he possesses magical abilities. Initially he just
wants to return to his home as a Connecticut Yankee, but as he comes to know some of the
people
of Nivlag, he realizes he needs to help his new friends even though that means risking his life. L.B.
Richards has written a delightful fantasy that has the vigor of youth spellbinding the
audience.
The Sleeper
Christopher Dickey
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743258770 $24.00, 273 pp.
In Westfield, Kansas on September 11, 2001, Kurt Kurtovic turned on the TV to see his world
collapse along with the Twin Towers. He knows that was just the beginning as the terrorists have
further plans because he was once one of them and knows how they think. Part Muslim and
working
in the Special Forces, he was drawn into the Arab propaganda when he fought in Bosnia. Kurt
even
met Bin Laden before returning home carrying a weapon that would kill many Americans.
However,
he no longer believes in the Jihad as he relishes his tranquil life with his wife Betsy and their
daughter Miriam. However, he knows Al Qaeda is coming again gathering all their cells and
operatives to help with the next attack. Kurt meets with old contacts and learns that ships are
coming with weapons to kill many Americans. Arrested and flown to Guantomino Bay, he serves
as
a mole providing Intel until his release back to his family so that he could be the bait to lure and
trap
the deadly leader THE SLEEPER. The protagonist believes he made many mistakes in his youth,
but
when he realized his errors he refused to join the mass murdering of innocents. Because he was
one
of them, he understands how they think and more important how they feel; he becomes an unsung
hero willing to take them on in his town to stop the plots. THE SLEEPER is an enthralling thriller
that takes plausible concepts as stated by Homeland Security and puts them into a fabulous
frightening story.
Hark
Ed McBain
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743250354 $24.95, 293 pp.
"Sonny Sanson", an alias he used for this job to mean "I am without sound" has the gun pointed at
the heart of his former associate Gloria. He demands she give to him whatever is left from the
illegal
drug sale. Gloria apologizes for her betrayal of him and cooperates, but Sanson is disinterested.
Quoting Macbeth he shoots her twice in the chest before tying her to her bed just as she did to
him.
The Deaf Man is back and has begun his quest for vengeance. Next target is the 87th Precinct
specially Steve Carella, but others will do. This time he taunts his opponents with Shakespearean
citations or anagrams that have the cops struggling to decipher. Steve knows that this cat and
mouse
game is going bad for the police who do not know whether their dangerously brilliant opponent is
even deaf. If he only had to stop a delusional homicidal genius Steve would be okay, but he also
must pay for the double weddings of mom and sis, which is why he is in a panic. The latest Ed
McBain police procedural is the usual delightful tale that mixes the personal troubles of the
members
of the 87th with minor cases and a major investigation. The story line is fast-paced as the cops
misinterpret many of the Deaf Man's clues and there are many personal insights into the characters
as the audience observes goings on such as Steve having cardiac arrest over weddings more so
than
his deadly chess opponent and the continuation of Fat Ollie's book as well as other wonderful
subplots that fit perfect together in Mr. McBain's latest winning police procedural.
The Cajuns
Gus Weill
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743249798 $24.00, 292 pp.
In 1956 Richelieu, Louisiana the local Cajuns love eating gumbo and gossiping about sexual
scandals, political corruption and kickbacks. In fact most residents are proud of those who get
away
with cheating, which has made State Senator Papoot Gaspard a graft legend. Everyone in town
knows that if it ain't broke leave it alone; graft is a way of life and not considered broken so keep
the
chats away from outsiders or become alligator bait. Former resident New Orleans reporter Ruth
Ann
Daigle comes home to care for her dying father, the owner of the Richelieu newspaper.
Investigating
is in her genes and so she breaks the golden rule of minding ones business and makes inquiries
into
the death of tenant farmer Ti Boy, who killed himself while cleaning his gun. Although Sheriff
Bobby Boudreaux as Papoot's son-in-law knows how he got the job and not to alienate the hand
that
feeds him, he considers joining Ruth Ann on her investigation partially because he finds her
beautiful
and intelligent while his spouse is an obese queen. This historical mystery provides a powerful
look
at 1950s Bayou country with a host of local eccentric characters who turn from benign to deadly
as
the investigation begins to close in on what happened, something the leaders want buried. The
story
line is at its strongest as a period piece than as a crime thriller that loses some momentum with a
second suicide. Still a pinch of voodoo mixed in with an interesting glimpse of the past starring
solid
casting leads to a fine tale though the uncovering of the truth seems anti-climatic just prior to the
Billy Cannon era.
The Destruction of the Books
Mel Odom
Tor
ISBN: 0765307235 $25.95, 384 pp.
Dweller hero, Jugh, is apprentice librarian to the Grandmagister of the Great Library, Edgewick
the
Lamplighter. However, Juhg finds his work tedious and ennui is a prob;em for him as working
inside
the Vault of All Known Knowledge is boring for an adventurous ROVER like him though he
admits
to himself that his mentor the grand Wick seems contented in his role. Juhg goes on a sea voyage
when he hears rumors of a book in the possession of Goblins, a race that would never possess
anything written except to use as fuel. He decides to take the tome from the goblins and Juhg
succeeds. He brings the book to his learned Grandmagister, but when Edgewick and the wizard
Craugh inspect it they open a magical portal that enables Dread Riders, Blazebulls, and
Grymmlings,
to enter their realm. Juhg, Edgewick, and Craugh battle the book's evil spell, but destroy much of
their library and even if they succeed they have just started the quest because they will need to
trace
back to the source who might be a powerful malevolent Goblin Wizard Aldhran. This is an
engaging
epic fantasy that reaches out to a wide range of readers with its amusing often ironic humor
(especially satirizing Mel Odom's own works). The story line is action-packed with many of the
typical genre elements, but also contains characters that seem real so that Mr. Odom's various
species appear as genuine. Set in the same universe of his previous works (like ROVER); Mr.
Odom
provides a terrific opening gamut of a series that will please the young teen crowd as well as aging
boomers.
The Fort at River's Bend
Jack Whyte
Tor
ISBN: 076530905X $14.95, 351 pp.
Caius Merlyn Brittanicus fears that the next assassin sent by his family's enemy Ironhair might
prove
successful and kill his nephew, eight-year-old Arthur Pendragon. He decides the future leader of
his
beloved Camulod must be kept safe until he is ready to rule. Merlyn takes Arthur north to
Ravenglass, a haven across the sea from Eire where he can expect sanctuary from King Derek and
several friends. Still even with Merlyn ready for seemingly any contingency in what should be a
haven, another attack is averted by the sorceress Shelagh. Derek provides the Camulodians an
abandoned Roman fort that they can easily defend from assault. Inside the fort over the next few
years, Arthur learns how to be a warrior- soldier using a blade made from the Skystone with an
Excalibur symbol etched on it, a military strategist and tactician, and a nurturing but firm ruler of
all
the people. The trade paperback version of the fifth Camulod Chronicles, THE FORT AT
RIVER'S
BEND, is a deep historical piece that showcases in incredible layers the post Roman ancient world
of British Cambria. The story line has plenty of intrigue, but the action is on a smaller scale as
there
is no epic battle, but more a coming of age tale. The secondary cast is an interesting group though
Arthur seems a bit too perfect during the years in training for a preadolescent teen. Still fans of
the
series will appreciate Jack Whyte's intense look at a bygone era.
Behemoth: B-Max
Peter Watts
Tor
ISBN: 0765307219 $24.95, 300 pp.
Five years have passed since a vengeful cyborg Lenie Clarke released Behemoth on the world
destroying everything in it path as the microbe is eating up matter. Digital monsters add to the
pandemic devastation using Clarke as a rallying cry to devastate survivors through what is left of
the
Internet. Meltdown Madonna cults dedicated to Clarke pledge mass suicide as they rule alongside
deadly war lords on the surface. However, on the ocean floor, Lenie Clarke has learned the truth
that her grudge was built on a false premise. As the altered rifters and the technoindustrial
corporate
executives hide in fear in Atlantis on the ocean floor of the Midatlantic Ridge, the grim reaper
comes
for them. Only Lenie Clarke can save the few, but first she must face the consequences of what
she
wrought for she knows she can never achieve salvation as she can not wash the blood from her
hands even with water everywhere. As with STARFISH and MAELSTROM, BEHEMOTH:
B-MAX is an ultra dark and gritty action-packed thriller yet the tale as with the first two books is
character driven especially by Lenie. The story line moves forward at a current faster than most
science fiction novels, but contains irony throughout as Lenie learns the truth and like Lady
Macbeth
cannot simply wash the blood from her hands. Though B-Max is book one of a two book
conclusion
, this is a well written gripping entry, but fans of post apocalypse thrillers would be better served
by
waiting a few months for the release of the climatic novel and then read all four books in
succession.
Kindling
Mick Farren
Tor
ISBN: 0765306565 $27.95, 416 pp.
Weary of his abusive stepfather Herman Kretch, Argo Weaver considers killing him while he
sleeps
before fleeing his East Virginia home prior to the Mosul occupying force arresting him.
Concerned
over leaving his mother and two sisters without protection from the oppressors, instead of
murdering him he lets Kretch live while the teen flees to the north for the freedoms of the
beleaguered Kingdom of Albany. Albany aristocrat Cordelia Blakeney is more fashion conscious
as
she paid a seamstress to alter her military uniform to make it look just right as befitting a Lady in
the
Royal Women's Auxiliary. When she rides a dirigible with a lover that crashes, she is caught by
the
forces of Teutonic Colonel Phaal, ally of the Mosul. In camp she meets Phaal's sex slave
Jessamine.
Meanwhile crossing the ocean from Spain is Raphael Vega, a draftee whose unit is expected to
make
a suicide run in the first Mosul invasion of Albany. These four must become the magical The Four
to
counter the supernatural allies of the Mosuls or the last vestiges of freedom will be trampled. This
exciting alternate history fantasy is filled with adventure, four delightful protagonists, fully
developed antagonists, and numerous humorous takes on the late twentieth century real
bombastic
rich and famous people. The story line is action packed even when Mick Farren introduces the
quartet of champions as each has a "destined" path towards one another to merge in battle against
supernatural foes. Though the climax leaves too many threads dangling ending with fantasy
readers'
most dreaded phrase: "to be continued", fans will appreciate this strong tale.
Sinner
Sara Douglass
Tor
ISBN 0312870469 $26.95, 464 pp.
In the land of Tencendor, peace was finally won when Axis destroyed the monster Goragael and
the
power of the Acharites (humans) was broken. Their land of Achor is now a part of Tencendor and
the people pay homage to Caelum SunSoar, Axis's son. Axis and his wife want on to be with the
Sun
Gods, the next step in the evolutionary process for immortals. On the surface, humans, the Avar
(tree people) and the lcarii live in harmony but ugly undercurrents flow in this paradise, ones that
Caelum is not aware of because he is closed up in his castle unaware of his subjects' desires. The
humans want their own King and self rule and they rally behind Zarad, the Prince of the North as
their leader. Civil war breaks out and many lives are lost but there is a bigger threat to the realm
and
the leaders of the civil war temporarily put aside their differences in the hope of finding a way of
preventing evil beings from entering Tencendor through the Star Gate. If they fail, life in
Tencendor
will become unbearable. Sara Douglass has written another great installment in her Wayfarer
Redemption series. There are enough loose threads dangling that readers are assured of at least
one
more book in this magnificent saga. Magic is a way of life in the land and it is a part of everyday
life.
The two sub-plots of the civil war and the invasion are interwoven so that it merges into one
storyline. SINNER is a powerful epic fantasy that fans of Tanya Hoff and Mercedes Lackey and
of
course Ms. Douglass will love.
The Green and the Gray
Timothy Zahn
Tor
ISBN 0765307170 $27.95, 446 pp.
In 1928, extraterrestrials that looked human went through Riker's Island to become citizens of
their
new home. The Greens were chased off their home world by the Grays in a war that started over a
simple misunderstanding. The Greens did not know that the Grays, in order to escape the Others,
followed the Greens to earth. For decades neither group knew of the other's existence until a boy
from one group and a girl from the other became friends. Their elders found out since both live in
New York City; the Grays try to shove the Greens off the island until they agree to a truce if the
Greens kill Melantha Green who can destroy the city with her mental powers. Innocent bystanders
Roger and Caroline Whittier take Melantha try to hide her when someone from the group hands
her
to them but she disappears and they don't know which group got her. The Whittiers are
determined
to save Melantha and their city yet also somehow forge a truce between the opposing camps.
There
are many aliens who live among us in science fiction stories such as the Men in Black, but
Timothy
Zahn has a unique and original way of taking a tribe plot and turning it into a fantastic storyline.
This
is an action oriented story where it is almost impossible to figure out the characters motives and
nobody knows who is a friend or an enemy. This makes for a lot of suspense and the onus is on
the
reader to figure out who is friend or foe. There's a surprise twist at the end of the story that makes
THE GREEN AND THE GRAY a very exciting work of speculative fiction.
Murder of Angels
Caitlin R. Kiernan
Roc
ISBN: 0451459962 $14.00, 352 pp.
Niki Ky and Daria Parker have not made peace with the events that happened in Spider's
basement
in Birmingham, Alabama. Daria is a famous rock star who uses liquor to drown out the memories
while her lover Niki is a schizophrenic seeing things and people no one else does and getting
through
the day on drugs. These "imaginary" figures are becoming more real to her until her former lover
Spyder finally persuades her to jump off the Bay Bridge. Niki passes through a portal to another
world where she is known as Hierophant, a sorceress with the magic to fight a dragon that wants
to
destroy this realm and the world Niki is now in. Daria still has a role to play as she must bring the
ball bearings that Niki left behind that are now needed to help the Hierophant against an enemy
that
will see her dead on either orb. Readers who enjoyed SILK will enjoy the MURDER OF
ANGELS,
a cutting edge tale of worlds on the brink with an interesting champion, a troubled female who is
unable to separate reality from nightmarish fantasy because the latter is genuine. Caitlin R.
Kiernan
provides a dark, foreboding and surreal novel along the lines of Poppy Z. Brite, but unique in its
own way.
Master of None
N. Lee Wood
Aspect
ISBN: 0446693049 $14.95, 389 pp.
In the distant future, mankind has colonized many planets, but it is the Nine Families of Vanar that
control the worms, artifacts made and abandoned by an ancient race that enables female pilots to
fly
to three hundred systems reducing interstellar distances. The Vanar take other ships with them as
they traverse the universe with their monopoly. On the planet itself the women citizens are the
ruling
class while the men are slaves needed to help produce the next generation females. Ambitious
botanist Nathan Crewe convinces a space pilot to take him to Vanar where he plans to pick
specimens to prove his theory. The authorities catch him within an hour of landing and inform him
he will never leave. Nathan is adopted by one of the powerful Nine Families and is forced to
marry
into one of the Nine Families. Although he is less than chattel, Nathan feels Vanar is home and
begins a legal fight to make changes to the social caste system. MASTER OF NONE is an in
depth
look at a society in which women hold all power while men need permission to simply leave the
house, are unable to attend university, or hold a job beyond breeder. Nathan coming from the
outside thinks initially the planet is backwoods, but begins to change his mind as he gets to know
people. Could he be suffering from the Stockholm syndrome or just believe that Vanar is home?
He
wants to make change so that his gender has rights paralleling much of the civil rights movement.
Women on Varna are not evil or deliberately cruel; instead they have been raised to believe they
are
superior. This is a masterful science fiction tale that cleverly spotlights social inequities.
The Journal of Mortifying Moments
Robyn Harding
Ballantine
ISBN: 034547628X $21.95, 320 pp.
In Seattle, Kerry Spence sees a psychiatrist to help her get over the loss of her boyfriend Sam the
hunk, who shows up periodically when he needs a tryst in her bed. Finding no satisfaction with
her
boring job at Ferris and Shannon Advertising and even less in her personal life, Kerry takes her
doctor's advice and begins to write a journal of her most mortifying moments, all of which involve
males. While going over her dysfunctional exploits, she starts when she was a preadolescent and
was
rejected for a kiss by a truth or dare game by a boy she desired; this memory makes Kerry feel
even
more pathetic. However, Nick of Shooting Star seems to want the real her, but she refuses to
believe anyone would want the eccentric soul she hides behind a mask of cool aloofness. Nick
vows
to release the inner wonderful person he has seen in private and has fall in love with, but Kerry
expects one more mortifying moment to add to her diary of embarrassment. This is an intriguing
chick lit romance tale starring a wonderful protagonist whose confidence in herself proves
negative
numbers exist. Kerry has lived a series of rejections and humiliating embarrassments whenever she
allows her true personality to surface so she has buried herself in a frozen tundra epidermis to
keep
the hurts away. Like Sam, Nick has glimpsed the warm soul of Kerry, but unlike the hunk, who
could not care less, he likes what he observes. Though Kerry's lament can become irritating,
Robyn
Harding paints an amusing portrait of a woman seeking love, but not believing she is worthy.
Paradise City
Lorenzo Carcaterra
Ballantine
ISBN 0345410971 $24.95, 336 pp.
At fifteen, Giancarlo Lo Manto attended his father's funeral, knowing that the men who killed him
acted on the orders of the head of the Camorra, the Neapolitan version of the Mafia. A few years
after his father's death, his mother moved the family back to Naples where Lo Manto became one
of
the best police officers in Italy. He waged a one man war against the Camorra, making a dent in
their
operations on both sides of the Atlantic causing them to place a price on his head. The head of the
New York family Joe Rossi kidnaps Lo Manto's niece in order to lure the Naples police officer
onto
his turf. He is determined that Lo Manto will be killed just as Giancarlo is sure that he will be the
one to take Rossi down. Even after uncle and niece are reunited, Lo Manto stays in New York
doing everything in his power to find a way to get Rossi to act openly so he can be put in a cage.
What he doesn't count on is his feelings for his partner Jennifer Fabini who cares enough about
him
to risk her life so that he has a chance to survive the inevitable meeting with Rossi and his men.
Both
the protagonist and the antagonist are mirror images of each other as Rossi could have made a
great
police officer and Lo Manto could have been a fine Don. The way they were brought up
determined
what side of the law they walked on. PARADISE CITY is a fantastic crime thriller, filled with
plenty
of action, a touch of romance and great character development.
Suddenly Sexy
Linda Francis Lee
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345462718 $6.99, 384 pp.
In El Paso, Jesse Chapman and Katie Bloom were close friends as he kept her safe from bullies
and
an indifferent mother while she simply loved him in spite of his bad boy image. When Jesse left the
city to become a golf pro, Katie was devastated. KTEX TV news anchor Kate learns that viewers
doubt that a pedantic woman can do this demanding role. The station's owner Julia Boudreaux
and
its manager Chloe Sinclair decide their friend needs an image rework so they put together a live
show, "Getting Real with Kate". The debut show centers on cooking, but Jesse arrives as a last
second replacement chef for the guest who failed to show up. Julia blackmails a panic stricken
Kate,
who still loves Jessie, into letting him stay in her guest cottage as he hides from the media just
before
the PGA Championship. Jessie quickly realizes that he never forgot his Katie, but before he can
explore his feelings, his high school girlfriend Belinda shows up with twelve years old Travis
claiming the boy is his. The opening tale of the "Sexy" trilogy is a fine tale starring two delightful
protagonists who prove you can go home if love is there. The lead couple is a delight while the
email
exchange between the three TV female friends is amusing. Belinda makes no sense as she rushes
off
to Vegas to start a career leaving her son that she hid from his father for twelve years behind;
Travis
is the ace of the tale as an "adult" preadolescent who understands women better than his former
womanizing dad does.
King's Ransom
Jan Beazley & Thom Lemmons
Waterbrook
ISBN: 1578567785 $13.95
Hitler returned to Bulgaria the farming and grazing lands of Dobrudja, which had been taken
away
from the country when the victors carved up Europe just after World War I. He also gave to
Bulgaria's Tsar Boris III, Thracia and Macedonia to control. More to the point through
diplomacy,
Bulgaria avoided invasion although Boris understood the tightrope he walked on as he had to
pacify
his ally Hitler while not making an enemy of Russia. When the laws regarding the Jews were
implemented, Tsar Boris was forced to apply them to maintain the peace with Hitler. Bulgarians
in
his government enthusiastically carried out the laws forcing Jews to wear the star. When Jews
were
rounded up to place in camps, Boris said no as he needed them to work in Bulgaria, saving lives.
His
final stand was refusing to join Germany in the war with Russia. Not long afterward Boris died,
but
to this day Eastern Europeans remember his courage and actions saved a beleaguered race at least
in
his nation. This is a wonderful fictionalized account of a ruler who balanced the threats of Fascist
Germany and Communist Russia in order to keep the devastation of war from destroying his small
nation. His courage surfaces when he refuses to send the Bulgarian Jews to the concentration
camps
in Poland. He died a beloved remembered hero.
The Return of Nightfall
Mickey Zucker Reichert
Daw
ISBN: 0756402018 $24.95, 464 pp.
Once he was known as Nightfall, a man feared by sane people. Now he is the Lord Chancellor
Advisor to the King of Alyndar. To his surprise, Sudian as he is now known, likes King Edward
and
even regards the monarch as a friend. The King and Nightfall journey to Schiz to meet Burke
Varasch so that Edward can make restitution for breaking out of prison after vowing to his jailer
that he would reside there until matters involving his daughter were resolved. Before they meet
with
the aristocrat, Nightfall assists a mage in finding out whether a child has a natal talent. When he
returns to the inn where he left his monarch, Nightfall finds dead guards and the king missing.
Thinking Edward is held hostage for ransom, Nightfall returns to Alyndar where the King's
Council
proclaim him a murdering traitor responsible for the death of King Edward. He is incarcerated,
but
escapes with the help of Captain Volkmeir, pledging his life to find and free his friend. Nightfall is
one of the best antiheroes in years as he is baseborn and spent much of his life as a feared master
criminal until he befriended the king and fell in love with Lady Kelryn. They brought about his
redemption by seeing beneath the criminal outer layer to the honorable decent soul inside. The
terrific action is fast-paced hooking the audience from the start, but the heart of this novel is the
characters who keep readers riveted to learn what is happening to each of the significant players
as
Mickey Zucker Reichert proves this author is a first class world-building fantasist.
ReVISIONS
Julie E. Czerneda & Isaac Szpindel
Daw
ISBN: 0756402409 $6.99, 312 pp.
This fifteen short story collection contains what if alternate history tales that will delight genre
fans.
Each tale takes a key scientific or technological element and changes when it occurred so that it
either intersects at an earlier pivotal moment in history such as the Sumerians inventing the
printing
press in BC or never materialized such as Galileo fails to release his findings. The tales are all well
written and the explanation of the REVISION point is fun to follow to ascertain whether the
reader
agrees with the author's logic. Intriguing are those with a modern aspect to include Tesla
inventing a
laser in the nineteenth century, Livingstone bringing AIDS out of Africa in the nineteenth century
and the government pushing aquanauts over astronauts and banning the Internet. Mindful of the
Marvel Comics What If series, this terrific collection will have the audience thinking of new ones
such as what if an underpaid over paid book reviewer was given a guitar instead of Narnia?
The Ninefold Key
Rebecca Brandewyne
Mira
ISBN: 0778320030 $6.50, 464 pp.
In 1835 Malcolm Ramsey watches a stranger kill his father and uncle. Malcolm, his mom, his aunt
and his two cousins escape. The family splits up to keep the children safe with his mom and aunt
each taking a special crucifix with them. Elizabeth and Marcus travel to London where they
change
their name to Blackfriers. In 1848 junior journeyman mapmaker Marcus sells three maps of the
Castle Dundragon area. He mentions to his mom what he sold and she says that the current owner
killed his father and uncle thirteen years ago over a lost scarab stolen from Egypt by a late
seventeenth century ancestor. She gives him her crucifix as a key to finding the lost scarab. In
London, Marcus saves Ariana Levesque from a runaway coach. They like each other, but he has
no
title except the dangerous Ramsey link and that seems futile. Still Ariana and Marcus begin
meeting
in a nearby park. As they fall in love, their pasts, which intersected until 1835 surfaces. Both
know
something must be done to unravel the secrets behind the NINEFOLD KEY and its scarab that
has
destroyed Marcus' ancestors since Viscount Ramsey took the scarab in 1669 Egypt. Fans of
historical romantic suspense with a touch of Egyptology will appreciate THE NINEFOLD KEY,
a
fascinating work that keeps reader interest starting from page one because the audience wants to
know more about the scarab and the "nine keys". The ensemble cast contains numerous
interrelated
but unique players. Though the lead couple appears to be first cousins and the final battle seems
weak, readers will treasure this action packed thriller that has a fantastic romance as a major
sub-plot.
Dead Easy
Olga Bicas
Mira
ISBN: 0778320766 $6.50, 384 pp.
In Newport Beach, California, Harbor College fires Literature Professor Ana Kimble. Not long
afterward, brilliant student Rachel Maza persuades Ana to accompany her to the Caribbean so she
temporarily can escape from her older brother Gunnar, CEO of Phoenix Pharmaceuticals. Rachel
is
irate with Gunnar who demands she uses all her energies on the "Neuro-Sys" program that will
unlock compounds without the cost of extensive fieldwork; Gunnar went so far as to remove
Rachel
from her poetry doctorate as a waste of time and money. At the airport, Ana sees a hunk and
fantasizes over her imaginary heroic "Raoul", but the real guy simply knocks her on her butt. Ana
and Rachel go to Pointe a Pitre with Gunnar sending Ana's former spouse Norman Fish to retrieve
his recalcitrant sibling. In town, Ana meets Raoul, who's really Nick Travis, working undercover
with his target being Rachel. As Nick and Ana fall in love, Rachel vanishes with everyone seeking
her program for their personal benefit and not for the good of humanity. Though the cold blooded
reactions of Gunnar and Norman seem too over the edge and a subplot involving a devious
experimental clinic appears too infrequent to matter, romantic suspense fans will immensely enjoy
this exciting tale. The story line moves rather quickly from the moment Rachel decides to flee
Southern California and never slows down until the final debilitating confrontation. Rachel is an
intriguing protagonist who deserves her own story, albeit a few years into the future; the lead
couple
is a fine pairing even if his secrets may make their romance a flash in the pan.
Julia and the Dream Maker
P.J. Fischer
Traitor Dachshund Books
ISBN: 0974428701 $13.95, 290 pp.
In the not so distant future, move people have migrated from the countryside to the cities because
water rationing makes irrigating farms impractical. Many folks choose to reside in virtual reality
and
AI has become an accepted life form with legal restrictions outlawing the making of mutations or
a
new life form. There are stiff jail sentences related to breaking these laws, but genius Steven
Sumter
is not concerned as he is not planning to do that. All he wants is enough money to publish his
dissertation and to enable him and his girlfriend Eli to use their discoveries for the benefit of
mankind. To obtain money, Steven creates a AI rabbit with human DNA and real skin and pretty
soon it becomes sentient. The couple and their friend Bennie feel under siege as assailants break
into
their home and their work facility leading to Steven's arrest. The prosecution paints him as
dangerous; he knows he will need every brain cell he has to figure how to get out of this
predicament if he has any chance of becoming free. JULIA AND THE DREAM MAKER paints a
world that is intellectually repressive yet technologically advanced as scientists are allowed to
legally
go so far and no more. Steven is not thinking in terms of the law when he conducts research into
areas never done before and cannot grasp at first how much trouble he is in until the prosecution
egged on by the military wants to cage him for life. Readers will find this fascinating as Dr.
Frankenstein meets big government (except instead of the law it is gold control by providing big
funding grants on selected research).
Be My Baby
Holly Jacobs
Silhouette
ISBN: 0373197330 $4.25, 185 pp.
In Erie, Pennsylvania, at the law firm of Wagner, McDuffy, Chambers and Donovan, Office
Assistant Amelia Gallagher enjoys teasing attorney big shot hunk Larry Mackenzie unmercifully
though she admits to herself he is ever woman's fantasy. Almost all the time Mac walks off in a
huff.
However, Mac has bigger issues than Amelia's taunting as a deceased client named him guardian
to
her daughter Katie O'Keefe. The social worker Ms. Lindsay tries to talk Mac out of taking
responsibility, but he refuses to heed her advice as he insists he will nurture the child until the state
finds a living relative. Once cleared of Ms. Lindsay and the frail elderly foster care mother
considered for baby Katie, Mac knows he needs help. Biting his tongue, he turns to Amelia, who
is
stunned that the egotistical womanizer is caring for an infant. As Katie the tiny matchmaker brings
Mia and Mac together, the adults fall in love with one another and with his charge even as the
hunt
for the perfect family for the baby continues. Having a commitment phobia bachelor be stuck with
a
baby is as old a story line a reader will find yet through her two prime adult protagonists Holly
Jacobs makes it seem like a fresh original concept never heard of before. The lead duo moves
forward the tale as Mac more and more wants the two females in his life forever, but at the same
time believes Katie would be better off with someone else as her dad. Contemporary romance fans
will relish this fine "Perry Square" relationship drama.
As Good As Dead
Beverly Barton
Zebra
ISBN: 0821772198 $6.99, 384 pp.
Socialite Reve Sorrell returns to Cherokee Pointe, Tennessee to learn more about her family
history
and to find out for certain whether local bar owner Jazzy Talbot is her twin though the two look
identical except for minor material things. Jazzy wonders why her beloved septuagenarian Aunt
Sally
would have lied about a sister and perhaps her mother while Reve struggles with being adopted.
Meanwhile a serial killer is murdering redheaded women who look similar to Reve and Jazzy. At
the
same time, the unknown assailant who appears to have killed their mother plans to murder the
siblings having failed to so three decades ago. While Jamie Upton plans to marry Jazzy, Sheriff
Jacob Butler and Reve are attracted to one another although neither wants to admit that having
had
a homicide taint their first impressions (see THE LAST TO DIE). However, both men quickly
realize they must do whatever including risking their lives to keep their respective girlfriends safe
from two different killers. This entertaining romantic suspense closes the Tennessee Mountain
trilogy by answering the lingering questions from the previous novels while also returning many
cats
member. In fact the lead romantic couple of AS GOOD AS DEAD had their "falling out" in the
previous novel. The story line is fast-paced with several subplots that ultimately tie together with
two final confrontations involving the siblings separately. Though one must wonder how a certain
male could miss the signs of who were the killers and their motives, Beverly Barton is as good as
they get when it comes to satisfying sub-genre fans.
Ghost of a Chance
Flo Fitzpatrick
Zebra
ISBN: 0821777505 $3.99
After nine months of touring, Kiely Devlin looks forward to R&R in her Manhattan apartment
when
her worst nightmare her best friend director Lida Rose Worthington informs her Kiely that her
plane
ticket awaits her at LaGuardia to take her to Dallas. LR expects Kiely to perform in a remake of
the
classic "Bad Business on the Brazos", a hundredth anniversary gala event. Kiely almost agrees
until
LR mentions "perfect", reminding her that her pal has matched her to losers every summer. Still
Kiely flies to Texas having been blackmailed with the offer of three meals a day of the best
Tex-Mex
food in the country. Kiely scoffs at the rumor that the East Ellum Theatre is haunted by Don
Muller,
an actor killed on stage, until she meets him munching popcorn. Kiely begins inquiries into what
happened fifty years ago but dangerous occurrences happen to her and not just falling in love with
Rafe Montez, playing Don's role. Although he ridicules her belief in the ghost, he will do anything
to
keep his beloved safe. GHOST OF A CHANCE is a great tale that effortlessly combines elements
of
chick lit, buddy tales, paranormal, and amateur sleuth with a contemporary romance in such a
manner that cross-subgenre fans will welcome a new talent onto their bookshelves. The story line
is
extremely humorous especially when LR and Kiely debate anything as if the former is from Pluto
and the later is from Mercury. The hunks (the ghost may be ephemeral but what a bod) are
fabulous
as they haunt the heroine. Anyone who gives Flo Fitzpatrick's book a chance will appreciate this
amusing tale.
Sinfully Sexy
Linda Francis Lee
Ivy
ISBN: 0345462726 $6.99, 368 pp.
In El Paso sensible plain KTEX-TV station manager Chloe Sinclair attends a party at the Hilton
where she meets a stranger. They almost have sex in women's room as both are immediately
attracted to the other. The next day a mortified Chloe attends a meeting with her two best friends,
her boss Julia Boudreaux and anchor Katherine Bloom, who recently was married (see
SUDDENLY
SEXY). Also arriving is the man from last night accompanied by his amused brother who pretends
to be Ben Tanner instead of Ben Prescott. When a hostile Chloe rips Sterling Prescott, the man
from
last night joins his sibling in masquerading as Trey Tanner who was supposed to attend the
meeting.
Ben bets Sterling he cannot save the station in one month with the two brothers agreeing that for
him to win, Chloe must say he saved the station. As Sterling and Chloe falls in love, he wonders
how
to tell her that he is her most detested person. The second Totally Texas sexy tale is a fun
contemporary boardroom romance starring two intriguing individuals. Chloe is confident in her
work, but not so in her personal life while Sterling is as confident as anyone on the planet until he
realizes he must tell his beloved the truth. Though such a media giant able to hide his identity for
so
long seems a stretch, fans will appreciate the second TV station employee's tale of love.
Shield of the Sky
Susan Krinard
Luna
ISBN 0373802110 $12.95, 400 pp.
The free People of the Shield of the Sky are all women, a self-sustaining community that only uses
males to get pregnant so their community will have fresh blood. The chosen that are selected mate
with the Aliuri, shapeshifters that are children of the Deva spirits of the sky, water, and earth.
Rhena
was not called but went up to the mountain anyway where a shapeshifter permanently scarred her
cheek. When Rhena came down from the mountain she was sent into exile until the powers of the
Aliuri weakens and many of the Devas disappear, leaving the Free People without any protection.
Rhena is recalled and assigned to find out what happened to the Devas and the Aliuri. Along the
way
she meets the seer Tahvo and she rescues the Aliori Cian. They cross paths with Qustis; together
they make Four, a fighting unit that travels to Karchedon, the heart of the evil Arrihidaean Empire
where the worship of the Stone is at its strongest. Each member of the quartet has a different
reason
to go to Karchedon but when they arrive they discover it is their destiny to destroy the evil entity
that is in the stone which seeks to bring all mankind under its domination. SHIELD OF THE SKY
is
epic fantasy unlike other works this author has written as the shapeshifting romances that made
Susan Krinard is only a small start of this work. Four individuals are on a quest to destroy the
stone
and bring down the empire; although they doubt their worthiness, all of them agree to play their
part
even if it means their death. Character driven but with plenty of action scenes, this romantic
fantasy
will give the reader hours of enjoyable pleasure.
The Mountain's Call
Caitlin Brennan
Luna
ISBN 0373802102 $13.95, 400 pp.
She heard the Call of the Mountain but Valeria's mother refused to believe it because in one
thousand years, only men have answered the summons. Her mother warded her so she could not
use
her magic but still Valeria found a way to leave her home and head for the mountain where the
gods
in the form of white stallions live. She travels with a caravan and among their number is Euan
Rohe,
a Caletanni barbarian being held hostage for the behavior of his tribe. The barbarians do not want
to
be part of the Aurelian Empire but for now Evan and his allies work in the shadows, getting ready
to
make their move. Valeria pretends to be a boy while she takes the test to see if she can be a Rider.
The Ladies call her, the stallions accept her but the men reject her once they find out she is a
female
even though she is the most powerful horse mage they have ever seen. First Rider Kerrec takes
her
under his wing but both he and Valeria are kidnapped by Euan and his allies. Valeria sacrifices
herself to save Kerrec but she doesn't believe she can betray the Empire for the love of one man.
Caitlin Brennan is a fantastic world builder who creates a world where magic is an everyday
occurrence. The white stallions are able to work time and fate to see the possible futures that may
happen to the empire. The bond between rider and stallion is comparable to that of dragon and
rider
in Anne McCaffrey's Pern series. There is plenty of action and romance in this spellbinding
romantic
fantasy.
Kicking the Sacred Cow
James P. Hogan
Baen
ISBN: 0743488288 $24.00, 374 pp.
James P. Hogan makes a strong case that much of the scientific interpretation of data pertaining
to a
wealth of subjects is subjective (tainted by the person's assumptions of what to expect or the
community's bias) as opposed to an objective analysis. Using numerous examples to make his
point
like global warming, the expanding universe (big bang, crunch, and all in between), and evolution,
etc., Mr. Hogan evaluates commonly known data but draws radically different conclusions from
them. His point is not to disprove the accepted theories, but to demonstrate that other
interpretations are as valid. At times the empirical data and Mr. Hogan's drill can become quite
complex, which will lead to many readers like this reviewer taking several days and rereads to
follow
the logic on a particular topic. Though not quite as proven, Mr. Hogan believes a major problem
is
the government funding of science often leads to political decisions on grants and tenure.
However,
it is the alternative possibilities that make this an excellent insightful book. No cow remains sacred
even the icons Darwin and Einstein are challenged. Ironically even Velikovsky, a 1950s radical,
who's Worlds in Collision shook the science community, receives a boot or two. Terrific work
that
makes the case that big government spending big money stifles creative thinking with fantastic but
complicated examples.
The Midnight Band of Mercy
Michael Blaine
Soho
ISBN 1569473714 $25.00, 384 pp.
Max Greengrass is a stringer for the Herald getting paid by the column inch and he thinks he has
the
perfect story that will get him a permanent job as a Herald reporter. Someone is killing the stray
cats
in New York City in 1893 and leaving their bodies in a certain pattern beside particular buildings.
He
tracks the cat killings which are taking place all over the city to THE MIDNIGHT BAND OF
MERCY who believe they are treating the starved, feral, and diseased felines in a humane way.
When Max goes to meet an informant who has information about the group he finds the man
dead, a
bullet destroying much of his head. One of the men who were in the bar where the meeting took
place is later found in a barrel, cut up into pieces. Max is sure that there two people weren't killed
over dead cats; he starts another investigation which takes him into the city's worst slums where
he
finds financial predators preying on the city's poor as a way of cutting the undesirables from the
population. THE MIDNIGHT BAND OF MERCY is a riveting historical crime thriller that
captures
the ambience of New York City during the Gay Nineties of the nineteenth century. The
protagonist
is a flawed but heroic figure who wants to right wrongs through his journalistic writings. What
starts
out as a simple human interest story turns into something so depraved and ugly that the hero is
willing to risk his life to make sure his findings sees the light of day. Michael Blaine's meticulous
research makes this work a fascinating reading experience.
The Dragon Man
Garry Disher
Soho
ISBN 1569473560 $23.00
In the Peninsular just southeast of Melbourne, Australia, Detective Inspector Hal Challis and his
police team believe a serial killer is on the loose though only two murder-rapes have occurred, but
a
third potential female victim is missing. The culprit taunts the cops with letters that to Hal's
sorrow
end up on the front page of the Progress, edited by his girlfriend Tessa Kane. Hal pleads with
Tessa
not to publish the correspondence that encourages the killer, frightens people, and enflames
everyone, but she says it is legally correct so she does it. As the media attention to the Peninsular
Highway Killer case widens, the investigation goes nowhere. However, the taunting killer with
eyes
seemingly everywhere turns the inquiries personal when he abducts Police Sergeant Destry's
daughter as an apparent insult to Hal and his police squad. This engaging Australian police
procedural is an interesting serial killer investigation due to the intriguing Hal, who must deal with
a
lot of pressure, some personal, during the case. Hal's wife, who tried to kill him seven years ago,
calls him all the time from her sanitarium home and his dispute with his girlfriend on all the news
that
is fit to print adds internal tensionto the hero whose only escape is restoring of old airplanes.
Though
the sidebars like his spouse's calls take away from the inquiries, they add depth to the hero so that
readers know what haunts him as he plays a deadly game of chess with the Peninsular Highway
Killer.
The Falcons of Montabard
Elizabeth Chadwick
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312332084 $27.95, 473 pp.
In 1120, King Henry's men beat up Sabin FitzSimon for insulting His Royal Highness by having a
tryst with Lora, the regally current favorite. Sabin's bruises are nothing compared to Lora being
killed since she has no noble kin protecting her like the illegitimate Sabin has. Anticipating
repercussions, his aristocratic family arranges for Sabin to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Believing he should have died instead of the innocent Lora as he caused the incident, Sabin
agrees.
Reluctantly Scottish warrior Edmund Strongfist allows Sabin to join his group that includes his
convent "educated" daughter Annais on a trek to Outremer (Israel). Strongfist knows of Saban's
unsavory reputation with women and warns him to stay away from his daughter or die. Still
feeling
culpability over Lora's death, Sabin tries to stay away from the pretty innocent, but admits to
himself
he is very attracted to her. Annais is fascinated with Sabin's dark reputation and womanizing
scandals, but both keep their wary distance until they reach their dangerous destination and begin
to
fall in love as they need each other to survive. This is a strong tale that brings to life the early
twelfth
century Holy Land though the novel also contains a powerful romantic subplot that uses historical
events to further the relationship between the lead characters. The key to the story line is the
secondary players with various backgrounds that enable the audience to obtain a complete vivid
picture of a place almost nine centuries ago. The changing relationship between Sabin and Annais
is
brilliantly handled with this incredible historical panorama so historical fiction and medieval
romance
fans gain a terrific epic.
Saucer: The Conquest
Stephen Coonts
St. Martin's
ISBN: 031232362X $14.95, 352 pp.
After the adventures in SAUCER, Rip Cantrell and his girlfriend Charley Pine donated the flying
saucer to the Air and Space Museum. A bored Charley accepts Pierce Artois' offer to pilot a
space
plane to the moon to bring supplies to the station being built there. While she is on the space
plane,
Charley notices inside a locked compartment an object marked with a radioactive warning label;
nothing on the manifest indicates that anything radioactive is on the ship. On the moon, Artois and
his associates are building a mysterious machine that disturbs Charley. She soon learns that they
are
constructing an antigravity beam that will destroy anything in its path even from the distance to
earth. Artois wants to be emperor of the world and he has a good chance of succeeding. Charley
hijacks a space plane and returns to earth. She and Rip steal back the donated saucer so that they
can try to destroy Artois' fleet leaving him stranded on Luna, rescue his abducted uncle, and
ultimately obliterate the weapon of mass destruction. SAUCER: THE CONQUEST is a rip
roaring
space adventure novel filled with a dashing hero and a courageous female champion, vile villains
ready to commit genocide for power, and numerous space battles that make Star Wars look like a
romance. Rip is a modern day Flash Gordon leaping from one adventure into another while
Charley
is the only person who can out leap Rip yet keep him somewhat on an even keel. Gifted Stephen
Coonts provides an innovative yet in some ways old fashioned space tale that will appeal to
anyone
who enjoys the Star Wars sagas.
Singled Out
Trisha Ashley
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312327129 $23.95, 251 pp.
Popular horror writer Cass Leigh believes that her personal life is an even bigger horror tale than
her
novels. For about two decades Cass had an affair with a married professor; she always dreamed
that
one day she would be his spouse instead of the other woman and raise children with him. Instead
Max has crossed the Atlantic to America with his wife at is side leaving the middle aged Cass with
regrets and sorrows. Already feeling like her poetry writing sister, two brothers, and her parents
are
right that she is the devil's offspring or at least his "Twisted Sister"; matters become worse as men
insist on new roles in her life. Her long term pal Jason suddenly desires her and Dante's past
makes
her past look like heaven. Finally, even the village vicar wants Cass as he wants to matchmake the
former mistress to the highest bidder at a charity slave auction in which Max sans spouse
competes
with salivating Jason and brooding Dante for Cass. This engaging chick lit tale subtly pays
homage
to Jane Austen while offering a solid amusing contemporary story that chick lit fans will
appreciate.
Cass is the center of the novel as all relationships come and go with her whether it is her lover, her
family, or the other men in her life. Trisha Ashley makes her champion a full person who wonders
when and how life had begun passing her by. The rest of the cast provides support but pale in
comparison to the incomparable Cass.
More Than Seduction
Cheryl Holt
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312992831 $6.99, 352 pp.
In 1813 Anne Paxton Smyth, illegitimate daughter of an earl, pretends to be a widow so that she
run
Mrs. Anne Smythe's Healing Spa and Bathing Emporium for women. Lady Eleanor Chamberlin
arrives desperately pleading with Anne to nurture her war wounded brother Stephen back to
health.
Anne says no in spite of the vast sum of money offered. Hopeless, Eleanor leaves Stephen on the
stoop before departing. Anne takes Stephen inside to hide him from her female patrons. When he
acts ugly she returns in kind refusing to let him wallow in pity. Stephen soon finds a reason to live
as
Anne heals his body and soul with her love for him that he reciprocates. However, a nasty patron
uses a local stalker to harm and perhaps kill Anne if necessary with only Stephen and Anne's
assistant trying to keep her safe. This is an entertaining Regency romance that showcases how
love
can overcome battle fatigue syndrome, but not easily especially when physical injuries are also
present. Anne is a terrific heroine, but the anguish of Stephen makes the tale as a veteran who
wants
to die until his angel saves his soul. Treachery adds suspense but feels unneeded as this is a
wonderful character study starring two delightful protagonists enhanced with a second subplot of
love between his sister and his most loyal pal.
Skin River
Steven Sidor
St. Martin's
ISBN 0312329490 $23.95, 256 pp.
The searchers failed to find Melissa Teagles who was held captured and ultimately killed by the
Goatskinner. The police could never find a trace of her until Buddy Bayes, the owner for the last
year and a half of The Black Chimney Tavern in Wisconsin, found her hand while fishing;
searchers
never found the rest of her. Buddy had left Chicago to start over after what happened in Chicago
and he was an upstanding citizen until he found that hand. He believes that the person who took a
contract out on him is responsible for Melissa's death. He doesn't realize that there is a serial killer
operating in Gunnar. When someone abducts his waitress, he rescues her but the sheriff suspects
him
especially since the waitress is in a coma. Buddy devises a plan to make sure that the person who
ordered the hit comes after him in Wisconsin. When his tavern burns down; no one lifts a finger to
help Buddy who they believe is behind the killings. Law enforcement wises up that the
Goatskinner
has operated in the area for years and has at least fourteen kills to his credit, but Buddy and his
waitress already left town determined to start anew. SKIN RIVER is full of stark prose, a
foreboding atmosphere and an anti-hero thief who is not ashamed of his past but doesn't want to
end
up in jail so he tries to go straight. He, like everyone, has good and bad character traits but
readers
will appreciate that he cares about his waitress and is determined to stop the killer from Chicago.
Stephen Sidor has written an exciting debut tale with characters that are sides of grey and happy
endings are just a pipe dream.
Tonight I Said Goodbye
Michael Kortya
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312332459 $21.95, 275 pp.
In the Cleveland suburb of West Olmsted, John Weston hires private investigators Lincoln Perry
and
Joe Pritchard to learn who killed his son Wayne and what happened to his missing
daughter-in-law
Julie and five year old granddaughter Betsy. The police suspect a murder-suicide though they
have
not found two of the corpses while the media insist that Wayne killed his wife and child. John
insists
he just saw Wayne who was too contented to suddenly within forty-eight hours commit the
horrors
the press assert he did. Though reluctant to get in the middle of an on-going official investigation,
Lincoln accepts the case for a larger than normal fee. As he and his partner investigate an
intriguing
money trail that leads to gambling and South Carolina, several divergent parties threaten to kill
the
two sleuths if they do not drop the case; others try to hit home runs using the heads of Lincoln
and
Joe as baseballs. Still the increasingly dogmatic detectives dig deeper. The dual mysteries of
murder
and missing people are cleverly handled so that readers accompany the sleuths as they follow the
clues and antagonists in turn pursue them. The suspense increases by the moment with threats to
harm or kill Perry and Pritchard if they fail to back off. Although an excellent investigative plot,
the
key that supports why TONIGHT I SAID GOODBYE won the 2003 St. Martin's Press Best First
PI Novel award is the cast. Lincoln especially is fully developed but the prime support players
including Joe, the deceased and his family, some media and police, and the villains seem genuine.
Michael Kortya makes an impressive debut.
All the Man I Need
Tamara Sneed
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312987307 $6.99, 336 pp.
In Georgetown, public relations guru and social climber Lana Hargrove notices the man following
her; since she took a self defense course, a confident Lana confronts the stud demanding he
explains
why he follows her. Justin Larkin tells her he is an art thief like her father who hired him to keep
her
safe. Lana rejects his rationale because her father Frank deserted her twenty years ago when she
was
just a child. When someone tries to kill Lana, she realizes that Justin is telling her the truth. They
flee
the DC area. As the duo hide together, Lana and Justin fall in love. However, he knows that when
she learns the truth that he is a partner in Baxter & Baxter Investigations using her to catch Frank,
who stole an obelisk from a museum, Justin expects their relationship to end. ALL THE MAN I
NEED is an engaging romantic suspense tale that readers will enjoy due to the warm fully
developed
lead couple and her father who is a suave yet lonely felon. The story line obviously focuses on
Justin's growing dilemma between his love of Lana and his honor to catch her father the thief.
Readers know they can always count on Tamara Sneed for a strong entertaining read, as this fine
tale bears out that truism.
Radiant
James Alan Gardner
Eos
ISBN: 0060595264 $23.95, 374 pp.
EXPENDABLE Explorer Third Class Youn Sue is trained to handle the most difficult, dangerous
and deadly assignments as expected of a member of the Explorer Corps. She and her Explorer
peers
are disposables enabling a detached mankind to rationalize their deaths without any emotional
attachment, remorse or guilt for who cares that an "Ugly Screaming Stink Girl" like Youn dies.
The
Pistachio space ship Captain Cohen sends Third Class Youn and her partner Second Class Tut to
Zoonau on Cashling to save innocent lives from the highly intelligent (much more than humans)
Balrog. The duo are assigned to work with legendary Admiral Festina Ramos as the Balrog has
just
begun a chess game in which this sentient knows the opponents' plans while other beings have
started their own cat and mouse deadly diversions with genocide as a possibility unless the
disposable trio finds away to stop two devastating threats.. The latest expendable Explorer Corps
tale is an exhilarating outer space thriller that takes off the moment Youn receives the assignment
and never lets up until the final altercation. The action is faster than the speed of light, but the key
characters make the story line more than just another adventure tale. Youn is a wonderful star as
she
is filled with psychological woes from her youth (this time you can blame the mom); Tut is a
likable
nut; finally the renowned admiral is real and different from the mythical legend. Even Balrog
comes
across as alien, but a complete ET. SF readers will appreciate this tale that shows one must
honorably take responsibility (not just lip service) for one's actions.
The Locus Awards: Thirty Years of the Best in Science Fiction and Fantasy
Charles N. Brown and Jonathan Strahan (editors)
Eos
ISBN: 0060594268 $15.95, 528 pp.
This strong tome provides readers with a delightful sampling of some of the winning shorts and
novellas over the last thirty years. The collection is balanced as four entries represent the 1970s;
six
from the 1980s; five from the 1990s; and three from the 2000s. The contributors are a who's who
of
the two genres (not surprising since this prestigious award is selected by a vote of Locus
magazine
readers) to include greats like Harlan Ellison, George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, Gene Wolfe and
Ursula K. Le Guin, etc. Each selection is well written, but some of the tales, surprisingly
especially
from the 1990s, feel dated; incredibly, the seventies and eighties hold up quite well and besides a
bit
of nostalgia remain terrific entries. Readers, especially those of the magazine, will appreciate the
eighteen selections that make up "thirty years of the best in science fiction and fantasy".
Like We Care
Tom Matthews
Bancroft
ISBN 1890862363 $23.95, 272 pp.
Seventeen year old Joel Karstan hopes to go to college on a baseball scholarship but he takes an
unexpected time-out from playing when his jaw is broken when he is hit by a ball. After six weeks
of
having his jaw wired shut, the popular teen is hanging out at the Happy Snack convenience store
when he realizes that the managers treats him and the other teens like garbage. With the help of
his
friend Todd Noland he organizes a boycott that grows bigger every day and finally attracts the
attraction of television executive Annie McCullough. She works for a rock Cable music station
that
makes gangsta rap seen like lullabies. She finds Kyle charismatic and believes he and his protest
would play very well on her television station. Joel and his boycott grab the attention of teens
across
the nation who start boycotting stores that exploit teenagers as a demographic group. Todd and
Joel's next project is getting their black history teacher elected to the white city council by getting
the 18-23 age group to come out and vote. They prove that teenagers can make a difference. Tom
Matthews takes sacred cows and satirizes thing in a way that is simultaneously funny and sad.
LIKE
WE CARE is a story of two wise arse students who know how to play the system and make it
work
for them. Annie goes from executive flunky to detached observer to active participant. If
teenagers
ever truly organized they would have plenty of economic and political clout. This is a refreshingly
original work that has a very special appeal to the younger crowd and anyone who remembers
Wild
in the Streets.
The Duke's Scandalous Secret
Connie Lane
Pocket
ISBN: 0743462874 $6.99, 352 pp.
The Blades want to bet the Dashers that they can learn the dark secret of the Duke of Ravensfield
before their rivals. The Dashers are uninterested in finding out why Thomas Flanders rusticates
for
long stretches of time. However, Dasher Lynette Overton has loved Thomas from the first
moment
she saw him and thinks this is the right time to gain his love by arriving unannounced in a state of
peril. Without informing her friends, Lynette travels to Ravensfield where Thomas is unhappy to
see
her. He tries to get rid of her because he does not want her to know his secret that he writes
gothic
romances under an alias. She is keeping him from his work that is needed to pay bills. As Lynnette
refuses to leave and shams illness, her efforts to learn who set up her late mother to be called a
thief
and treated by the Ton as a pariah leads to her peril as someone wants that kept secret. With
Lynnette in danger, Thomas realizes he loves her and will keep her safe although it means not new
novels at least at this time. THE DUKE'S SCANDALOUS SECRET is a solid Regency romance
that will provide readers with plenty of pleasure. The story line has two subplots with Lynette in
the
middle of both. The resolution of stopping the villain who destroyed her mother and wants to do
likewise with Lynnette is clever as it ultimately intertwines the tale into a delightful cohesive novel
starring two fine protagonists.
Tempting the Highlander
Janet Chapman
Pocket
ISBN: 0743486307 $6.99, 384 pp.
In Pine Creek, Maine, Robbie MacBain tries to catch the person raiding his henhouse but fails
when
the young woman outruns him though he is a warrior in great shape. His four teenage
"delinquent"
wards tease him. Father Daar tells Robbie the guardian that the spell that brought the ten Scottish
warriors with him from eight hundred years ago forward in time thirty five years ago is expiring.
The
survivors will return to their biological time. Robbie needs to steal the spell book of a rival wizard
so
that Daar can perform an extension spell. Robbie learns that his thief is Catherine Daniels a
woman
with two young children who is divorced from Ronald who spent three years in prison for spousal
abuse. Robbie goes back in time seeking the spell book. However, he fails and is wounded
severely
so he returns home. Catherine and her frightened children find him injured. Robbie offers
Catherine
the job of housekeeper; she reluctantly accepts. Cat follows Robbie up the mountain. When the
storm arrives, Cat and Robbie are back in the thirteenth century, but she thinks it is a dream. Cat
tells Robbie she loves him. Robbie marries a stunned Cat before telling her he loves her too. The
latest Highlander tale is an exciting story enhanced by a wonderful support cast including those
returning from previous novels and the six youngsters. Fans will appreciate the heroine who vows
to
watch Robbie's back and feel for her frightened children. Though two major confrontations
(present
time and eight hundred years ago), turn out to be anticlimactic, fans will enjoy this delightful
entry.
Cry Last Heard
Hannah Nyala
Pocket
ISBN: 0743451724 $6.99, 350 pp.
It has been two years since Tally Nowata returned from Australia to the Grand Tetons in
Wyoming
with a baby, but without her beloved Paul who died in the desert at the hands of Earl J. Foy. Tally
works as an expert search and tracker ranger. In a blinding storm, Tally and her partner Laney
"Lanes" Greer goes to rescue a climber, but when they reach their objective no one is there. They
continue to search the mountain, but someone hunts them. Lanes is wounded and unconscious so
an
injured Tally rushes to get them help. New rangers arrive, but Lanes is missing, but they do find
the
body of Lanes ex boyfriend who Tally detests. The Sheriff believes Tally killed this victim and
Lanes. Tally knows otherwise and plans to prove so once she finds her missing partner only to
find
her enemy has someone else ever dearer to her to hold as hostage to her behavior. The heroine is
a
courageous person who acts like a mountain lioness protecting her cubs as she goes
single-handedly
to rescue her child. The beauty of this National Park is so visibly described that the audience will
feel
they are climbing the peaks. Though an action thriller, CRY LAST HEARD enables the audience
to
get inside the minds of several key players including the star so that readers learn motives and see
what is going on through each main character. Hannah Nyala's latest thriller is keep shelf material
to
be reread for the pleasure of a fine tale.
In the Prince's Bed
Sabrina Jeffries
Pocket
ISBN: 0743477707 $6.99, 384 pp.
To his surprise, Alexander Black inherits an Earldom, but to him it is more important that he now
knows why his late father hated him as Alex was sired by the Prince of Wales not the man he
disdainfully called father. He meets with two other illegitimate offspring of the royals, his
half-brothers Draker and Byrne and the three musketeers forge the Royal Brotherhood of
Bastards.
Alex's reputation of a notorious rake because of the way he supposedly spent his decade on the
continent amuses Alex who knows he spent his time mostly at his aunt's house in Portugal
receiving
beatings from his martinet uncle. Alex seeks a wealthy spouse and chooses Katherine Merivale.
After her father's scandalous behavior, Katherine looks for a reputable husband; leaning towards
her
childhood friend Sir Sydney Lovelace. Everyone knows they are almost engaged yet Alex courts
her
with passionate eyes screaming seduction and desire, blackmailing her to dance, and his fiery
moonlight kisses enflame her. Still she covets love and respectability, neither of which either of
them
believes Alex provides her although those kisses have tattooed his heart. This first of the three
Royal
Brotherhood tales is an exhilarating Regency romance that simply uses the classic but overused
theme of a rake wooing a respectable innocent. The story line is character driven as the romantic
triangle Sydney's friend create a fine tale as the poet "competes" with the wicked for the hand of
the
respectable. Vegas bookies would make Sydney the overwhelming favorite until they look how
Alex
overtly and shamelessly displays his desire for Katherine, which is why Sabrina Jeffries' opener is a
strong fun tale.
The Mistress of Trevelyan
Jennifer St. Giles
Pocket
ISBN: 0743486250 $6.99, 384 pp.
In 1873 San Francisco, Ann Lovell is still mourning the recent loss of her beloved mother. She
finds
an ad in McGuire's Bookstore for a tutor. She applies for the job, but is told males only by the
butler
and by the employer Benedict Trevelyan. However, her reaction to his rejection makes Benedict
reconsider and he hires Ann, without formal credentials, to serve as governess to his two children,
seven year old Justin and five year old Robert. Trevelyan Hall is an unhappy place. Robert does
not
understand why his mother Francesca never comes home. Justin expects people like his mother to
leave. Their Aunt Katherine ended her relationship with her beloved fiance just after Francesca
died.
Their Uncle Stephen fled in self pity while blaming Benedict. Francesca's sister Constance hides
her
loss. The children's grandmother blames Francesca for causing the split between her offspring and
fears Ann will do likewise. Finally Benedict hides his heart towards everyone including his two
children. Boldly stepping into this emotional cataclysm, Ann investigates whether Francesca killed
herself or was pushed, while falling in love with her two charges and their brooding father. This is
an
engaging gothic romance with all the classic elements to include the mansion, the dark brooding
hero, a Mary Poppins like heroine in peril, and several viable suspects including Benedict. The
story
line will touch readers when the family members overtly display deep and painful feelings; for
instance, the children's visit to Francesca's grave. Though the "who-done-it" slightly pulls the plot
away from a fabulous historical family drama, readers will want to visit Trevelyan Hall while also
hoping a sequel will follow.
You Slay Me
Katie MacAlister
Onyx
ISBN: 0451411528 $6.99, 352 pp.
Working for her uncle at his Seattle-based firm Bell and Sons, Aisling Grey delivers a six hundred
year old golden aquamanile dragon statue to customer Aurora Deauxville in Paris. However,
instead
of making the exchange nothing goes right as Aisling finds Aurora dead with a demon circle
nearby.
Drake Vireo, the Wyvern head of his Sept, arrives and steals the package before leaving. The
police
arrive just after Drake leaves and suspect Aisling killed Aurora. Aisling decides to prove her
innocence and regain the stolen artifact. She knows all roads lead to Drake and soon begins a
journey to the underground otherworld of Paris. However, the path is similar to that of Alice
down
the rabbit hole as Aisling learns she is a guardian and Drake insists she is his mate. As a guardian
she
calls for a demon, getting Jim the dog and though she heats up with Drake's kisses in dreams or
his
bed, Aisling insists they are not mates for eternity as she thinks he is the killer who stole the
artifact
and ended her courier job. This is an amusing romantic fantasy amateur sleuth tale in which
somehow Katie MacAlister never loses sight of her key player Aisling. The story line is
action-packed as Aisling goes from one out of control scenario to another. Drake is her delightful
counterpart while Jim provides comic relief sort of like the canine in Men in Black II as the
heroine
wonders how she let this dog out of hell. Fans will appreciate this warm humorous tale that slays
readers with laughter.
Dead Guilty
Beverly Connor
Onyx
ISBN 0451411501 $6.99, 400 pp.
After suffering some trauma in South America, Diane Fallon accepts the job of director of the
River
Trial museum in Georgia. She was also forced to house a forensic lab in the museum and be in
charge of it otherwise the powers that be would tax her museum out of existence. To her surprise,
Diane likes both jobs. One night she assists the sheriff with three mummified bodies' dressed alike
hanging from ropes tied to trees. The fingers are cut off so there is no immediate way of
identifying
them. A fourth rope was found tied to a tree but no body was attached to it. Forestry students
Chris
Edwards and Steve Mayberry found the bodies and shortly thereafter Chris was murdered and
Steve
was nowhere to be found. Someone is calling Diane, and sending her e-mails and the police think
it
might be the killer. Diane can't get him to talk to her but he does break into her apartment and
smashes her car with her inside of it. The killer is looking for something that Diane has and he is
willing to kill her to get it. Readers will find Beverly Connor a dynamic and dramatic writer on par
with Patricia Cornwell and Kathy Reichs so it easy to predict that Ms. Connor is a sure shot
superstar because she appeals to a wide range of mystery and thriller fans. The protagonist is
vulnerable after losing her daughter in South America but she has the strength and resiliency to
make
a new life for herself that readers will admire her for. The mystery is complex, multi-layered and
impossible to solve which makes it a great reading experience.
A Whole Lotta Love
Donna Hill, Brenda Jackson, Monica Jackson and Jessica Francis
Signet
ISBN 0451210905 $6.99, 384 pages
"Over the Rainbow" by Donna Hill. Ray Morgan, owner of a Harlem soul-food restaurant, always
provides extra portions to customer, model photographer Russell McDaniel because she would
like
to make it with him. Russell offers Jessica a plus size modeling job, which she accepts though that
means he remains off limits to her as company policy disallows fraternization between workers..
"Tempting Fate" by Brenda Jackson. Full-figured lingerie model Justice Manning and top
photojournalist Blake Savoy find they want one another as they work on a sexy shoot. However,
Justice has doubts about any relationship after growing up in a household filled with battles and
Blake doubts he wants to make any efforts anyway. "When Wishes Come True" by Monica
Jackson.
For her thirtieth birthday, singer Topaz Sinclair wishes for true love. When her school boyfriend
Ray Gaines returns into her life, she thinks it is kismet, but ignores his pal Jon Bynum, who has
loved her forever. "The Wright Woman" by Francis Ray. In Dallas, size 20 Stephanie Wright
works
as an assistant manager of a boutique when Michael Dunbar enters the store searching for his
shopaholic mother. Michael is stunned to find he has an instant attraction to Stephanie, but
believes
women only want him for his wealth. A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE is a delightful anthology starring
four feisty plus sized African American women who offer their hunks love handles with confident
demeanors. The entertaining tales star charming protagonists though none of the big babes seem
to
have the slightest esteem problem as they lift themselves and easily their chosen mates to A
WHOLE
LOTTA LOVE.
Early 8
L.T. Fawkes
Signet
ISBN 0451212851 $5.99, 272 pp.
After drinking too much, busting up a bar and hurting some people Terry Saltz went to prison;
when
he was released he vowed never to take another drink and get his act together. He works at
Smitty's
Bars and Eats and has a second job as a carpenter. He's friends with his ex-parole officer and
shares
a double wide trailer with his pal Danny and police officer John Garvey. He and his friends have
annoyed Alan Bushell because they have solved some homicide cases. At a pool tournament,
Terry
notices Gwen Hunter dissing one man while flirting with another. The next day while working on
a
carpentry assignment, he hears a woman screaming and when he runs over to see what is the
matter,
he finds Gwen dead in her cart, a piece of yellow rope tied around her neck. The same night that
Gwen is killed, Terry's friend Bud is upset because his buddy Ernie was killed in a car accident.
Tests prove that he was murdered; Terry and company believe the same person killed both Gwen
and Ernie and investigate with Terry's brother as one of the suspects. L.T. Fawkes takes mysteries
to
a whole different level in large part to his characters who are blue collar working stiffs who hang
together and are friends in a way not typically portrayed by writers. What makes Terry and his
friends so special is the way they support each other and are not afraid to reveal their emotions to
one another. The who-done-it is fascinating because there is no character in this book that the
reader
would like to be guilty.
This Magic Moment
Patricia Rice
Signet
ISBN: 0451212649 $6.99, 384 pp.
In the latter half of the eighteenth century, as a second son Lord Harry never expected to inherit
the
estate, but when his father and his older brother die in a brutal accidental fall, he becomes the
duke
of Sommersville. He also is bequeathed with a large debt and the probability that the estate will go
to the major marker holder the odious Carthage. A desperate Harry knows that his hedonistic
lifestyle is over and he must marry his long time fiancee the lovely, wealthy, but odd Christina
Malcolm Childe if he is to save the estate. Christina can see ghosts and read auras. She is horrified
that her beloved Harry has gone from the wonderful happy yellow and purple to the detestable
brown and blue. She agrees to wed Harry, but insists he give her time to adapt because she plans
to
find the Harry she loves not this angry shell. As she begins to save Harry's soul and he recognizes
how much he loves Christina, treachery will leave both on the brink of death unless Harry heeds
her
advice received from his loved ones in the beyond. THIS MAGIC MOMENT is an exhilarating
paranormal Georgian romance starring a hurting venomous male and a fabulous heroine risking all
for her love. Though the villain seems unlikely, Christina makes the tale with her ESP skills and
her
heroics. Fans of Ms. Rice's "magical" tales know that this awesome author always provides all a
reader wants in a novel.
Under Apache Skies
Madeline Baker
Signet
ISBN: 0451212827 $6.99
Ridge Longtree is a highly regarded gunfighter, but is weary with no place to call home. Marty
Flynn allows him to spend the night in the bunkhouse while she and her sister Dani worry that
their
father has not come home. When they find blood on her dad's horse, Marty hires Ridge because
she
believes their neighbor Victor Claunch bushwhacked her father. Ridge finds her dead dad. Victor
tells Ridge he will be unemployed once he marries Marty, who writes a letter to her estranged
mother that her husband is dead and Dani needs her. Victor informs Marty she will marry him, but
she avoids the topic by saying that her dad just died. That night Dani meets her beau Cory. Nettie
arrives, but Marty fails to welcome her. They realize Dani is not home. Ridge figures out that
Apaches have taken Dani and Cory. Apache Sanza speaks English with Dani who he decides he
will
make his wife. Ridge and Marty follow. The Indians recognize Ridge from when he lived with
them.
He and Marty go to the Apache camp. Ridge tells Marty that Cory is dead. Sanza proposes
marriage
and Dani accepts. Ridge proposes to Marty who accepts, but first they must prove Victor killed
her
father and their mother feels she can. The lead couple is a fine pairing that readers will enjoy
because
their growing love provides different types of redemption for them. The insight into the Apache
relationship between in-laws is quite interesting. The villain is obviously sneaky which leads to
readers wondering why townsfolk think highly of him. Though the estranged mother seems too
innocent while the deceased father too guilty, fans will enjoy this exciting western romance.
Falling Off Air
Catherine Sampson
Mysterious
ISBN: 0892968133 $22.95
London based TV news producer Robin Ballantyne takes maternity leave to raise her infant twins
Hannah and William while the father of the children Adam Wills flees from the three females in his
life. However, Robin quickly realizes how much she misses the news room when she watches her
neighbor Labour Party MP and social arbiter to the nation Paula Carmichael fall to her death.
Robin
asks Maeve Tandy, Chief of the Current Affairs/Documentary Division for her old job back, but is
offered a loser's position as ethics editor. Doing an end around, Robin attends a ritzy awards
ceremony attended by broadcasting leaders including that ship deserting rat Adam. He demands
visitation rights to see his daughters, but the next day is run over by Robin's BMW. The media
goes
frenzy with one of their own in the hot seat as they see her vehicle as the weapon, her meeting
with
the victim as the opportunity and her inheritance of his estate as the motive. No one cares that
Adam
was filming a documentary about Paula and sharing much more. Robin realizes her peers and the
police have convicted her; she must prove otherwise. This engaging British amateur sleuth tale is
kept fresh by the beleaguered heroine who finds her own community ready to devour her as a
wounded piranha. Though two lovers and the media feeding turmoil are old hats, having an
insider
caught in the headlights provides newness as Robin struggles between motherhood, prime
suspect,
media hanging, and investigator. Fans will appreciate Robin FALLING OFF AIR as she tries to
save
herself from drowning in the media spotlighted fishbowl.
Good Morning, Darkness
Ruth Francisco
Mysterious
ISBN: 0892968079 $23.95, 305 pp.
Anyone who knows Laura loves her; her admirers range from the Mexican fisherman to the police
detective who teaches her self defense. However, no one cherishes Laura as much as Scott
Goodsell
does. The realtor awaits the right moment to propose to his beloved, but before he does she ends
their relationship. Scott refuses to accept her no and stalks her until she obtains a restraining
order.
An arm with an engagement ring on a finger washes up on Malibu Beach; the Mexican fisherman
who found it believes this is Laura's limb. At the same time Scott closes Laura's apartment, writes
a
note in which she claims to be going back east to care for her ailing mother. He places her stuff in
storage and forges her signature to pay her bills. The detective investigates the arm with its ring
and
finds out it belonged to Scott. He believes Scott killed Laura, but now has to prove it. GOOD
MORNING, DARKNESS is an exciting Hitchcock like crime thriller in which the audience knows
from the beginning that the antagonist has committed crimes including murder. Friends of Laura
believe he did her in too and work hard to find the proof. Even with Ruth Francisco ceding all this
from the onset, the author still provides plenty of surprises to this powerful dark side of love
tale.
Scandal Takes A Holiday
Lindsey Davis
Mysterious Press
ISBN: 0842968125 $24.95, 332 pp.
In 76 AD Rome anyone who has a country home goes there to get away from the summer in the
city. The gossip columnist of the state run Daily Gazette is missing. Dicclep, who goes under the
pseudonym of Infamia told people he was working while visiting his aunt in Ostia, but when he
doesn't sent copy back, his bosses hire informer (private investigator) Marcus Didius Falco to find
him. Falco discovers that the aunt died last year and Diccles rented a shabby room near the port.
Among his belongings he finds tablets with writing on them and the name Damagoras, who might
be
a pirate. When Falco confronts Damagoras, the wily wealthy foreigner admits knowing the
columnist and says he was going to write a book about the seaman's adventures. Although Falco
doesn't believe the man is not a former pirate, he finds that their definitely are pirates are working
in
Ostia, kidnapping young women and demanding a ransom from their wealthy fathers. When the
pirates realize the interest Falco and the authorities are taking in their lucrative kidnapping
business,
they decide to kill him. It is always fun to read a new Marcus Didius Falco mystery and this novel
is
no exception. While trying to solve the case, Falco has to deal with his children, his wife, "his
wife's
family" and his own eccentric relatives who providing comic relative to a very complex storyline.
Lindsey Davis makes the reader feel as if they have time traveled back to Ancient Rome because
her
descriptions of day to day living are so vivid and visual. This is an exciting historical mystery that
doesn't glamorize Rome but shows it as it really was warts and all.
High Druid of Shannara: Tanequil
Terry Brooks
Del Rey
ISBN 0345435745 $26.95, 368 pp.
The dark creatures of faerie were banished to Jarka Ruus otherwise known as the Forbidding
which
is warded by the Elven tree the Ellcrys to prevent the creatures from coming into the world of
Shannara. Grianne Ohmsford, the rightful High Druid of Paranor, was betrayed by a Druid who
coveted her power position. With the help of Sen Dunsidan, the Prime Minister of the Federation,
the traitor opened a portal and sent Grianne into the Forbidding. Shadea, the new High Druid is
using Druid magic to become the ruling force in the Federation. Shadea's ally Sen is using the
same
tactics to become the ruling power in the land. Grianne must come back to bring peace to a
troubledworld and the only one who can find her and bring her home is her nephew Pen
Ohmsford.
To enter the Forbidding he must find the sentient tree the Tanequil and persuade it to give him a
branch so he can finish a dark wand that will allow him to enter through a portal at the Druid
home
of Paranor. Time is running out because Grianne is turning back into the Isle witch in order to
survive the evil that surrounds her. Terry Brooks has once again created a fantastic fantasy set in
the
world of Shannara as well as in its evil twin the Forbidding. The contrast between these two
worlds
is the difference between dark and light with each a fascinating creation from the author's creative
imagination. Terry Brooks is a brilliant world builder who is one of the premier fantasists around
today with protagonists that claim a unique place in the reader's heart.
The Language of Power
Rosemary Kirstein
Del Rey
ISBN 034546835X $14.95, 389 pp.
Every two decades, the Guidestar performed a Routine Bioform Clearance sending out massive
heat
rays in lands past the outskirts that would destroy dangerous creatures and poisonous flora. This
can
no longer happen because the Guidestar fell out of the sky which means the outsider tribes
couldn't
move east and would have to travel to the Inner lands to survive. Rowan the steerswoman
discovers
that the Guidestar was deliberately knocked out of the sky by the use of magic. The wizard who
did
this is Slado; Rowan and her friend the Outskirter Bel desperately needs to find him and make
things
right or war will break out between the two groups. In the port city of Donner, Rowan and Bel
are
looking through the steerswoman archives and talking to people trying to find Slado, who
apprenticed to a wizard who died under strange circumstances. Slado disappeared and the new
wizard prevents the dragons from overrunning the town. They meet Will, the wizard Corvus'
apprentice and together they devise a plan to enter the wirzard Jannik's house and use his
belongings
to find out why Slado is moving the world towards war. This installment of the Steerswoman
Saga
moves the reader one step closer to finding out what the unseen antagonist is doing and why he is
doing it. The protagonist shows the townsfolk that wizards are not invulnerable and they can
work
in secret groups to throw off the repressive yoke of the wizards. Rosemary Kirsten is a powerful
storyteller who has created a series in which each book can stand alone although it is part of a
larger
saga. THE LANGUAGE OF POWER is a fine work of speculative fiction where the lines
between
science and magic constantly blur.
Good News Bad News
David Wolstencroft
Dutton
ISBN: 0525947949 $23.95
British Security Services Agents twenty-seven years old Scotsman Charlie Millar and almost fifty
George Shaw separately receive good news that their next respective assignments will be their last
ones for each of them. The cover for their final assignment is a shabby photo-processing booth,
where each must hide his real identity from the other, while awaiting their final mission orders.
However, the bad news is that those final assignments are to assassinate the other. Quickly,
Charlie
and George realize something is not right as the cover is really for one person. When they learn
each
other's assignment, they agree to flip a coin with the loser on the run, but first want to learn why
their employer would use such a drastic means to terminate them. As Charlie and George work
closely together, the good news is that they make headway; the bad news is that treachery runs
very
high in their agency that wants them and others dead immediately. The good news for readers is
this
is an exhilarating espionage tale reminiscent of F/X as Charlie and George trust no one except
somewhat each other; the bad news is that the audience needs to set aside several hours to finish
in
one sitting. The tale hooks the audience once George explains to Charlie in their photo lab section
that he is retiring because his cousin's aorta was too tiny to handle the stress. The plot never slows
down though it is often amusing with comparative observations on spying and modern life by the
delightful George and Charlie until a final explosive confrontation in North America.
Slow Kill
Michael McGarrity
Dutton
052594799X $23.95, 278 pp.
Santa Fe Police Chief Kevin Kerney flies to Bakersfield, California so that he can buy quarter
horse
breeding stock at the Double J Ranch near Paso Robles. When fellow guest septuagenarian
Clifford
Spalding is found dead, San Luis Opiso Sheriff's Department Sergeant Elena Lowery finds it
interesting that the victim and the visiting cop have ranches in the Santa Fe area. She believes this
is
an unlikely coincidence especially when one considers that Clifford's much younger spouse
Claudia,
could easily know and ride horses on a New Mexico range with Kevin. Other questionable items
also surface. Knowing he is a person of interest and seeing the path the official investigation is
going, Kevin makes inquiries into the history of the victim and learns that Clifford's first wife
Alice
believes that their son did not die in Vietnam three decades ago. Kevin believes her and wonders
why the son was hidden from his mother. He seeks a link between then and now. Elena concludes
Kevin is innocent; they join ranks as both suspect the current wife and someone else, a local cop
most likely, tampered with the victim's medicine, but to prove homicide will be difficult. The latest
Kerney police procedural refreshingly takes him out of New Mexico (and not just California as he
also goes east on this investigation), makes Kevin a suspect, and has the less experienced Lowery
lead the inquiries. The story line is fast-paced as the current case points towards murder and a tie
in
to events from thirty years ago. Fans also see Kerney prepare for retirement (hopefully not for a
dozen or so more books) as he buys his first breeding stock. Michael McGarrity will receive
accolades for this brisk investigative tale.
Dragon's Treasure
Elizabeth A Lynn
Ace
ISBN 0441011969 $23.95 336 pp.
The Crimson Dragon Karadur Atani rules Dragon Keep with a fair and even hand. The peasants
respect him because they know peace in a world at war and believe he can keep his dragon side
under control so no innocents gets hurt. A bandit family lives on his lands. When they kill a farmer
he burns them and their house out of existence except for their leader Treion and one of his
friends.
Only Maia is left of her family; she becomes a herbalist to his people. Treion becomes a bandit and
draws other to his banner but when he is caught and claimed by Lord Sarnia because he killed the
man's mistress; much to his own surprise Karadur rescues him and punishes him. He offers him his
freedom if he works for him for one year. He also takes Maia as his mistress and only she can lift
him up from a depression when a trusted friend leaves his service for reasons unknown to him.
Elizabeth A Lynn, a master fantasist, has written a beautiful adult fairytale starring a dragon who
lives much of the time as a man and interacts with humans more than he does his own kind. The
nature of the bond between Karadur and the outlaws is one that will probably be examined in a
future book because there are relationships that need to be revealed. Karadur is the main
protagonist
who spends his time killing his enemies, avoiding war coming to his territory and trying to insure
his
tenants are treated fairly. Maia who loves him dares much to make him whole again. DRAGON'S
TREASURE is a priceless treasure.
Heroics for Beginners
John Moore
Ace
ISBN 0441011934 $6.99, 256 pp.
The Prince of Rassendas, Kevin Timberline is in the kingdom of Deserae to spy for his
countrymen
and to find a way to persuade Princess Becky's father to allow him to marry his daughter. They
are
both in love but the survival of the Kingdom takes precedence over true love and it is Prince
Logan
who is picked to head the armies to fight and defeat Lord Voltmeter whose Fortress of Doom lies
in
the town of Angst. The king of Deserae is warned because Voltmeter stole Artifact Model Seven
which when combined with the Diabolic Device becomes a weapon of mass destruction. Prince
Kevin is determined to marry his true love and sneaks out of the palace and goes to the Fortress
of
Doom posing as a ventilation shaft cleaner. Princess Becky follows him to act as his comic
sidekick,
but she ends up in the dungeon needing him to free her while he also must find the artifact before
his
rival arrives to claim it and Becky but first they must find away of neutralizing Voltmeter. This is
an
excellent tongue in cheek parody fantasy that pokes fun at all the elements of a sword and sorcery
novel. The humorous HEROES FOR BEGINNERS takes sly shots at archetypical heroes of the
genre and fans will appreciate how the laughs do not detract from the seriousness of the storyline
and will find they want to read more books by John Moore, an author mythically reminiscent of
Robert Asprin.
Death at La Fenice
Donna Leon
Perennial Dark Alley
ISBN: 006074068X $13.95, 270 pp.
Internationally renowned German conductor Helmut Wellauer was performing La Traviata at
Teatro
La Fenice when he failed to come out for the second act. A few minutes past the warning gong,
someone ask if there is a doctor in the house? Dr. Rizzardi enters the maestro's dressing room to
find Helmut dead. Being Venice, the police arrive by boat rather quickly. Police Commissario
Guido
Brunetti leads the investigation into who would use cyanide poisoning, a painful way to die, on
the
conductor. Suspects abound from the victim's seemingly aloof spouse to musical peers and rivals.
Soon Brunetti learns that Helmut was a Nazi sympathizer and once destroyed the careers of a
singing trio. With no help from his martinet boss or from the two idiots assigned to assist him,
Brunetti turns to his family especially his wife Paula for assistance on solving a homicide which
has
several viable suspects. DEATH AT LA FENICE is an engaging Italian police procedural that
showcases the city of canals as much as it does the investigation. Brunetti is a terrific protagonist
struggling to solve a difficult case because several viable individuals with different but powerful
motives wanted Helmut dead and seemingly would perform the act if the opportunity allowed so.
Sub-genre fans will appreciate the investigation as Brunetti deals with the brass and his
incompetent
help, but as with many of these tales (see the recently released DOCTORED EVIDENCE, it is
Donna Leon's aria to the city that she loves that ahs the audience riding the canals on the police
boats guided by the author.
Jump Start
Gary Carter
Publish America
ISBN 1413701930 $19.95, 177 pp.
Ready to quit if nothing comes of this field trip with his students to Death Valley, Jacob Malfusco
and his team uncover what appears to be the bones of a flying dinosaur, but not like a pterosaur as
the wings are different. Jacob feels crazy but tells his students it looks like the remains of a
mythological dragon. In Ayers Rock Australia, archaeologist Marsha Kimbrough hopes to salvage
her dying career by proving that ancient astronauts came to earth. Her daughter Tricia
accompanies
her on the trek, but instead of studying cave paintings, they uncover the top of an Egyptian
pyramid
buried for centuries under the Australian sand. In Mount Palomar, California, senior astronomer
Papalov Darringer announces that millions of meteors are on a trajectory towards earth and will
hit
within a year. Pappy also states that these "rocks" all appear to be the identical size. These three
events seem to have nothing in common yet they do for what is coming to the earth has not
existed
on this orb in almost two millennium. The planet, in spite of technical advances, has no defenses
unless Jacob, Marsha, and Pappy can find a way to save their species from extinction. JUMP
START grips the reader from the very moment that a depressed Jacob finds that first rib, remains
at
that pace through the next two discoveries, and then accelerates into a faster than light alien
invasion
tale. The action-packed story line contains solid key characters as Jacob and Marsha know failure
in
relationships and at work while Pappy feels every minute of his sixty-eight years. Gary Carter
deserves accolades for this Von Daniken meets HG Wells in a modern retelling of George and the
Dragon.
The Mask of Red Death
Harold Schechter
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345448413 $24.95, 308 pp.
In 1845, the Raven and several scathing reviews in newspapers have brought fame to Edgar Allan
Poe He relocated to Manhattan accompanied by his fragile spouse and his mother-in-law.
However,
the city is in an angry uproar as someone is killing and scalping people. The locals believe that
Indian
Chief Wolf Bear, working in P.T. Barnum's sideshow, is the serial killer and a lynch mob forms.
However, Kit Carson arrives in time to prove that Chief Wolf Bear is innocent and that the
reprehensible John "Liver-Eating" Johnson is the killer. Joining ranks Kit and Edgar follow the
deadly trail that includes a mysterious albino client of the author. While Edgar would prefer to say
NEVERMORE and Kit believes a big city is HUM BUG, both know they must stop this vicious
murderer before he adds more to his scalp collection. The obvious comparison between the writer
and the frontiersman is a delight and much of the historical tidbits add a sense of mid nineteenth
century New York to the historical mystery. Johnson, who ate the livers of his victims, comes
across
as macabre and authentic as the real person he was. .However, the flashbacks that provide much
of
the period piece also take away from the suspense building to a final confrontation between the
mountain man serial killer vs. the amateur sleuth writer and his western scout partner in the
canyons
of New York.
Dime
Babs Lackey (Editor)
Quiet Storm
ISBN: 0974960861 $15.95, 268 pp.
This anthology contains numerous short and extremely short tales (did not count and until now
never realized the value of a table of contents as none was provided) that run the gamut of the
mystery-suspense-thriller orbs. Readers should envision overlapping logic circles sort of like the
Olympic rings but three not five sub-genres. The tales for the most part are well written and
contain
a surprising, sometimes paranormal twist reminiscent of the half-hour non science fiction twilight
Zone episodes so keep the lights on all night. Though some of the contributors like Michael
Bracken
are well known, most are not. Thus this exciting well written compilation provides readers with an
opportunity to meet and taste the works of new authors that they might miss otherwise. Anyone
looking for the next Phillip Marlowe need not look much further as this is a wonderful anthology
with a few B&W cartoons that enhance the book. Readers will appreciate these fine tales and the
additional information including links to author pages and a listing of other writings by the authors
as DIME is no one read "quiet storm".
The Resort
Bentley Little
Onyx
ISBN 0451212800 $6.99, 400 pp.
Located in the heart of the Arizona desert, The Reata Hotel offers cheap rates to its customers in
the
summertime when it can't attract any rich vacationers. Lowell Thurman, who wants to avoid his
school reunion, agrees to let his wife Rachel and their three sons (Owen, Curtis and their youngest
Ryan) stay at the resort for five days of luxurious pampering. When they first glimpse the resort it
looks like a rich man's paradise with luxeries very few could afford. At the end of their first day at
the hotel complex, all the Thurmans share the feeling that something evil permeates the place. The
Thurman teens see a dead body at the bottom of the pool that turns into a dark spot once they
leave
the area. Rachel sees a face of evil in the sky; while Lowell swimming alone in pool feels hands
clutching his body. There is a deserted ruin of another resort at the end ofa trail and as the Reata
starts to deteriorate, the ruins turn into a new version of The Resort. Guests are now trapped
there,
helpless to fight the evil that is the Reata hotel. There are very few horror writers who can write
as
consistently well as Bentley Little. His writing is on a par with the greats such as Stephen King,
Clive Barker and Peter Straub but he has a unique voice and a way of turning ordinary
circumstances into a person's worst nightmare. THE RESORT is his best work to date as fans will
think twice in a Jaws-like manner of where they vacation.
Family Sins
David Compton
Onyx
ISBN 0451411455 $6.00, 352 pp.
As a police officer Michael Driscoll saw man's inhumanity to man and left the profession to join
the
priesthood. He is familiar with organized crime because his relatives, the Driscolls in the United
States and the O'Driscolls in Cork County Ireland are powerful mob families. Father Michael's
only
regret is that he loved the church more than he loved Lydia Jellioe. She stayed in Ireland and had
a
child with Michael's brother Brendan. Lydia calls her former lover,Fathere Michael because she's
afraid for her life and scared for her son who is missing. Michael rushes to Ireland where
neighbors
inform him of Lydia's death. He identifies the body and is treated like a suspect in the murder.
When
Daniel's body is found in a dumpster, Michael vows to bring down the killer of the only woman he
ever loved and the son he discovers he sired. Meanwhile the families on both sides of the Atlantic
are putting aside their differences to fix the numbers in Powerball to win a pot that will keep
everyone in luxury. The scheme causes the deaths of many Driscolls and O'Driscolls while
Michael
seeks justice and is willing to die trying to bring down the killers. Although Father Driscoll is a
good
priest, he has the blood of killers running through his veins and knows how to settle scores against
those who killed his kin. This is a very dark gritty and gory work that shows how two related
crime
families work against each other when they are supposed to be working together to make the big
score. David Compton has written a exciting crime thriller where the hero walks on both sides of
the
law. The compelling crime thriller is a powerful reading experience.
Melancholy Baby
Robert B. Parker
Putnam
ISBN 0399152180 $24.95, 304 pp.
Boston private detective Sunny Randall goes into an emotional tailspin when her ex-husband
Richie
tells her that he is getting remarried. Even though she divorced him she never stopped loving him.
She just couldn't be married or live anyone else except her bullterrier Rosie. Unable to cope with
the
pain of Richie's remarriage, Sunny visits psychiatrist Dr. Susan Silverman. Although she doesn't
know it, Susan is the girlfriend of the famous Spencer. Needing something to occupy herself,
Sunny
takes on the case of Sarah Markham, a twenty year old college student, who wants her to find out
who her real parents are. When Sunny talks to the Markhams they insist that they are Sarah's real
parents; Sunny catches the husband in a lie about where he worked when Sarah was conceived.
Two
thugs beat up Sarah, telling her to drop the investigation or else. The same musclemen come after
Sunny who meets them with her gun and some backup. The information she gets from these two
goons leads her to the people who hired them. By the time the case is finished, two men are dead,
one person is going to prison, Sarah learns who her biological mother is and Sunny is beginning to
understand her fears of marriage. Robert B. Parker's Sunny Randall series is not a female version
of
Spenser. She is a troubled woman who seeks help to regain her mental health as s she shows her
emotions more than Spenser does and her methods of investigation are quite different as is her
circle
of friends. MELANCHOLY BABY is one of the author's best works with its stark prose,
eccentric
cast and a climax it is impossible not to love.
A Murder of Justice
Robert Andrews
Putnam
ISBN 0399150390 $24.95, 284 pp.
Nobody mourns the shooting death of drug supplier James "Skeeter" Hodges or the wounding of
his
friend Tobias "Pencil" Crawford in a black DC neighborhood. The drug dealers were sitting in a
car
when eight or nine bullets went through the window almost taking the Skeeler's head off and
injuring
Pencil. Nobody grieves Skeeter's death because he turned a nice Washington D.C. neighborhood
into a war zone. Police officers Frank Kearney and Jose Phelps are assigned the case but their
superior captain Randolph Emerson is more interested in closing cold cases connected to Skeeter
than catching the killer. The investigation heats up when it is discovered that the murder that
killed
Skeeter also killed Congressman Frederick Rhinelander's chief of staff Kevin Gantry. The
department is publicly embarrassed because Kevin's case was signed off as an administrative
closure.
Now Frank and Jose have to find the killer or lose the confidence of the public. Robert Andrews
has
written a brilliant police procedural with a dire social commentary. Once the public loses
confidence
in its police force, the country is one step away from anarchy. It is the belief in the police and the
legal system that keeps this country functioning and the author makes that very clear. The two
protagonists on the case are the heroes because they believe in the law and justice and doing their
best to bring honor to the badges they carry.
Trace
Patricia Cornwell
Putnam
ISBN 0399152199 $26.95, 436 pp.
Kay Scarpetta and Benton Wesley were planning a two weeks vacation in his Aspen cottage but
at
the last minute he cancels because he is counseling Lucy's girlfriend Henri who was attacked and
almost killed while in bed in Luc's home. Someone is stalking one of the ladies, leaving a picture
of
an eye on her on her outside door and planting a bomb in her mailbox. Lucy is busy hunting down
the maniac. In the meantime Kay is called back to Virginia by the new Medical Examiner because
outside forces wants a highly renowned ME to examine the body of fourteen year old Gilly
Paulson.
During the autopsy, Scarpetta discovers some bruises that proves she was killed while laying on
her
back while somebody's knee press her into her pillow so she couldn't breathe. In the burned house
across the way from Gilley's home, Henri and Marcus find mortuary magazines addressed to Kay's
old work address in Richmond. Fingerprints show that the culprit is the same person who killed a
child and almost murdered Lucy's lover but finding that person will take all the resources at their
disposal. TRACE, like BLOW FLY, is told in the third person so readers have many viewpoints, a
plot device that lets the audience know what Kay, Benton, Lucy and the killer are thinking. Kay is
her usual brilliant self, ignoring anyone who gets in the way of finding the truth about the killer
and
Lucy is working extra hard to find the stalker before the perp strikes again. Patricia Cornwell
writes
the best crime thrillers on the market today and readers will find TRACE a work that is one of the
author's best.
Love and Death in Brooklyn
Glenville Lovell
Putnam
ISBN: 0399151974 $23.95, 310 pp.
Several years have passed since the "friendly fire" bust nearly cost the former NYPD
African-American Officer Blades Overstreet his life. He became so acrimonious in his thirst for
vengeance his beloved wife Anais fled across the country to California. His friend Noah helped
Blades release some of his anger, but what helped most was winning his lawsuit against the
NYPD
last year for 2.5 million and getting Anais and their preadolescent daughter back living with him in
Brooklyn. Much of the bitterness has left Blades though he can still taste some bile. Blades
attends
Noah's sixtieth birthday party held at a South African restaurant when Ronan, the son of the guest
of
honor, arrives in spite of a rift wider than the Grand Canyon between father and son. The joy is
short-lived when thugs appear and kill Ronan in front of the ecstatic party attendees. Perhaps he
has
a compulsive personality that makes Blades obsess over the homicide and makes inquiries, but
soon
finds his life and loved ones threatened by the Brooklyn-based Russian Mafia. Ignoring the police
warning him to stay out of this and driving Anais crazy, Blades continues his private investigation.
LOVE AND DEATH IN BROOKLYN uses the same theme of a fanatical angry Blades seeking
resolution but driving his wife crazy and the police confrontational as he did in the wonderful
TOO
BEAUTIFUL TO DIE yet the plot is wrapped around an entirely different delightful plot. While
Blades stays true to character, the fast-paced story line takes readers throughout Brooklyn. The
delightful secondary ensemble enables readers to see inside Blades and his co-star, the largest
borough, to the heart and mean streets in a terrific urban private investigate tale.
Dead Easy
Olga Bicas
Mira
ISBN: 0778320766 $6.50, 384 pp.
In Newport Beach, California, Harbor College fires Literature Professor Ana Kimble. Not long
afterward, brilliant student Rachel Maza persuades Ana to accompany her to the Caribbean so she
temporarily can escape from her older brother Gunnar, CEO of Phoenix Pharmaceuticals. Rachel
is
irate with Gunnar who demands she uses all her energies on the "Neuro-Sys" program that will
unlock compounds without the cost of extensive fieldwork; Gunnar went so far as to remove
Rachel
from her poetry doctorate as a waste of time and money. At the airport, Ana sees a hunk and
fantasizes over her imaginary heroic "Raoul", but the real guy simply knocks her on her butt. Ana
and Rachel go to Pointe a Pitre with Gunnar sending Ana's former spouse Norman Fish to retrieve
his recalcitrant sibling. In town, Ana meets Raoul, who's really Nick Travis, working undercover
with his target being Rachel. As Nick and Ana fall in love, Rachel vanishes with everyone seeking
her program for their personal benefit and not for the good of humanity. Though the cold blooded
reactions of Gunnar and Norman seem too over the edge and a subplot involving a devious
experimental clinic appears too infrequent to matter, romantic suspense fans will immensely enjoy
this exciting tale. The story line moves rather quickly from the moment Rachel decides to flee
Southern California and never slows down until the final debilitating confrontation. Rachel is an
intriguing protagonist who deserves her own story, albeit a few years into the future; the lead
couple
is a fine pairing even if his secrets may make their romance a flash in the pan.
Hidden Honors
Anne Stuart
Mira
ISBN: 0778320650 $6.50, 384 pp.
Baron Osbret thinks women are useless especially his only daughter Elizabeth, who avoids
beatings
by hiding her intelligence and spirit from her sire and her chip off the old block brothers. Since his
too tall daughter has failed to marry, Osbret sends her to the Shrine of St. Anne to become a nun.
Elizabeth travels with Prince William, illegitimate son of King John, who is going to the shrine as
a
penitence for killing a noble lady during a sexual encounter. In fact William is disguised as a monk
to
keep him safe while Brother Peter pretends to be William. On the journey, "William", known for
his
cruelty, is kind to Elizabeth. However, before she can understand why he is being nice, "outlaws"
attack their party killing many monks. Peter and Elizabeth escape the massacre. As they elude the
real William's men who attacked the travelers, they fall in love, but Peter has made a vow due to
an
atrocity he participated in during the Crusades that make any relationship between him and his
beloved impossible. The real William knows Peter will select saving his soul over a female.
HIDDEN HONOR is a fabulous medieval romance that showcases the plight of women as not
even
secondary citizens in a male dominated realm. The fast-paced story line focuses on two romances
with Peter and Elizabeth serving as the prime while another survivor and a kept older woman also
fall in love. The depraved William is an odious villain who arranged the massacre of pious monks
just so he would not be inconvenienced as he traveled to his royally ordered penitence. The deep
cast makes this a fine historical romance.
Hot and Bothered
Susan Anderson
Mira
ISBN: 0778320219 $6.99, 384 pp.
In Colorado Springs, Ford Hamilton thinks his two children from different women are major
disappointments. His oldest Victoria got pregnant with some nameless jerk and refused to abort;
instead she raises her daughter Esme by herself. His teenage son Jared is an angry loser with a
history of trouble with the law. Ford's feelings towards his offspring end when someone stabs him
in
his heart with his letter opener. The police believe that the missing Jared killed his father following
a
public brawl, but Victoria cannot believe her sensitive half-brother would harm anyone. She hires
Semper Fi Investigations to find her missing sibling and to determine who killed their father. John
"Rocket" Miglionni visits his firm's new client only to receive the shock of his life when he sees
Tori.
They met on vacation, but she left on an emergency and never returned honoring his wishes of
just
the moment between first names. John receives a greater shock when he meets his daughter five
years old Esme. John wants in his child's life, but also realizes he needs her mother too, but first
must solve the homicide and the disappearance, which both seem easier than persuading his Tori
that
they belong together. This exciting private investigation romance hooks readers the moment John
sees his client and explodes when he meets his child. Though coincidence plays a minor role, the
action-packed story line moves forward on two paths (the relationship between the two stars and
the
homicide- missing person inquiries) that eventually converge when the life of the lead female is in
jeopardy. Readers will gain pleasure from this quality romantic suspense thriller.
White Horses
Joan Wolf
Mira
ISBN: 0778320979 $6.50, 384 pp.
In 1813, Earl Colonel Leo Standish is assigned to escort a Rothschild purchased gold shipment
from
Brussels to Portugal, needed since the Peninsular merchants refuse paper money as remittance for
goods and services. Leo is to masquerade as the husband of Gabrielle Robiscon, part owner with
her
two younger brothers, of Cirque Equestre, a traveling horse troupe. Gabrielle has agreed to
deliver
the gold out of love for her recently deceased father, a royalist. Leo and Gabrielle meet and he
behaves like a pompous aristocrat though he "obeys" her orders to better fit in with the traveling
show. As the French seek to steal the gold, Leo is forced to perform as the ringmaster so that he
does not stick out anymore than he already does. Sharing a moving boudoir platonically and great
danger at all times, Leo begins to admire and respect his "wife", who teaches him life's lesson that
love is everything. Regency romantic suspense fans will enjoy this rousing tale of love between an
arrogant lord and a horse trainer-performer amidst the danger of Napoleon's forces seeking to find
and kill them. Though the choice between lifestyles by the lead couple seems too easily resolved,
the
changes in Leo are believable and deftly handled. The audience will agree with his estrange
mother
"God bless Gabrielle" as she makes the action-packed tale unique, refreshing and exciting.
Suddenly Sexy
Linda Francis Lee
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345462718 $6.99, 384 pp.
In El Paso, Jesse Chapman and Katie Bloom were close friends as he kept her safe from bullies
and
an indifferent mother while she simply loved him in spite of his bad boy image. When Jesse left the
city to become a golf pro, Katie was devastated. KTEX TV news anchor Kate learns that viewers
doubt that a pedantic woman can do this demanding role. The station's owner Julia Boudreaux
and
its manager Chloe Sinclair decide their friend needs an image rework so they put together a live
show, "Getting Real with Kate". The debut show centers on cooking, but Jesse arrives as a last
second replacement chef for the guest who failed to show up. Julia blackmails a panic stricken
Kate,
who still loves Jessie, into letting him stay in her guest cottage as he hides from the media just
before
the PGA Championship. Jessie quickly realizes that he never forgot his Katie, but before he can
explore his feelings, his high school girlfriend Belinda shows up with twelve years old Travis
claiming the boy is his. The opening tale of the "Sexy" trilogy is a fine tale starring two delightful
protagonists who prove you can go home if love is there. The lead couple is a delight while the
email
exchange between the three TV female friends is amusing. Belinda makes no sense as she rushes
off
to Vegas to start a career leaving her son that she hid from his father for twelve years behind;
Travis
is the ace of the tale as an "adult" preadolescent who understands women better than his former
womanizing dad does.
On Thin Ice
Cherry Adair
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345475798 $19.95, 304 pp.
Montana Veterinarian Lily Monroe thought when she married Sean that her husband was a nice
guy.
That changes from the moment they honeymoon as he turns out to be a shady character
committing
atrocities. When Sean became ill, Lily nursed him until he died. Rancher Derek Wright fell in love
with Lily before she married, but stepped aside because he thought that she would be better off
with
Sean. He plans to marry her after they complete the Iditarod. Lily thinks the wealthy Derek is
womanizing when he goes on frequent trips. She does not know is that he is not a skirt chaser
since
he met Lily and he works undercover for the federal Terrorist Force Logistical Assault Command.
The Alaskan climate is not the only thing attacking the two as someone tries to kill Lily. Derek
believes that he is the cause of her woes as a deadly terrorist has been reported in Alaska.
Unbeknownst to him Lily may be in danger because of what she knows involving a fake breeding
of
a bull. What Derek does know is that he will risk his life willingly to keep his beloved Lily safe.
ON
THIN ICE is an enjoyable romantic suspense that uses the Iditarod as a backdrop, but the vividly
descriptive race does not supersede the intrigue and the romance. The lead couple is a delightful
pairing as Derek will move Mount McKinley if it means that Lily is his partner forever, but he also
needs to overcome her concept of him. The attempts on her life add suspense, but the race serves
as
the center of a fine second chance to find love that eluded them the first time around.
Putting on the Dog
Cynthia Baxter
Bantam
ISBN 0553586424 $6.99, 368 pp.
During the month of June, Jessica does a favor for a fellow veterinarian by managing the "Ask the
Vet" booth at the society fundraiser to raise money for the SPCA in the Bromptoms, a rich
enclave
on Long Island. Since her office is a large trailer, she will also treat pets as well as offer advice.
She
is staying at the guest house of famous movie star Shawn Elliot who shows that he is interested in
her even though her boyfriend Nick, a private investigator is staying with her. She also meets
paparazzi Devon Barnet the most hated person attending the fundraising because he has no ethics,
stalking the celebrities to take embarrassing photos of them to sell to the tabloids. When an ice
sculpture falls on and kills Devon, the police conclude it is an accident, but Jessica thinks it is
murder. The ice sculpture was held to the gazebo with strong wire and she doesn't believe that the
wire could come loose by a dog bumping into it. She starts her own investigation to prove
someone
got away with murder and she intends to find out who it is. Jessica is PUTTING ON THE DOG,
especially her own pets who she loves beyond measure and are an integral part of the plot. She
has a
tailess Welter and a one eyed Dalmatian who she lavishes with love; this endears her to any
readers
who has an animal companion. The mystery is simple but hard to crack because the victim had so
many enemies with a motive to kill him. Cynthia Baxter knows how to write a good who-done-it
complete with red herrings and enough twists and turns to keep the reader's interest.
Light
M. John Harrison
Bantam
ISBN: 0553382950 $16.00, 336 pp.
In 1999, research scientists Michael Kearney and Brian Tate work to encode data in quantum
events. Recent results are not what they expected, but look more promising than they imagined
when they started. However, Michael is turning psychotic, as an internal essence pressures him to
commit murder. In 2400 New Venusport, Ed Chianese daily struggles to survive with his only
solace
being virtual reality escapes unlike his former glory days of surfing black holes. However, his
woes
turn bleaker with no escape available when it seems as if half the city wants a piece of him because
he owes money to the wrong lenders. Several years since the Golddiggers of 2400 AD, White Cat
Captain Seria Mau Genlicher is linked directly to the mathematics of her spaceship as if her mind
is
the vessel's AI. On the run, she has problems with her new woman body and her tailor Uncle Zip
offers little help. The woes of these three and other losers will "merge" in a quantum realm at the
"Beach", a segment of space abutting the impenetrable Kefahuchi Tract. Here nothing works
properly and space debris and the occasional treasure exist, many from before the beginnings of
time. Ironically LIGHT is a dark gritty tale told predominately on three fronts. The story line is
not a
Star Wars action thriller (even with plenty of violence), but instead a complex cerebral and
gloomy
science fiction with prime players seemingly doomed to tragic lives. Paradoxically Michael (and
Tate) is recognized four centuries later as the fathers of interstellar space. Not everyone will enjoy
this tense multifaceted novel that contrasts the intricacies of life past, present, and future.
Lady Justice
Vicki Hinze
Bantam
ISBN: 0553583530 $6.50, 448 pp.
Being female and steely tougher than any man, Senior Secret Service Agent Gabrielle Kincaid of
the
Special Detail Unit not only relishes her nickname as the "Queen Bitch", but thrives to enhance it.
She believes that cold iron cerebral decisions keep an agent like her working undercover to
counter
terrorists alive. Currently, she works a case in the Carnal Cove, Florida area where biological
contamination of crops has killed over forty people here and in Texas. When a Global Warrior
attacks Gabby, she realizes that her cover that enabled her to infiltrate the group is probably
blown.
Her superiors in DC assign her partner Max Grayson to kill Gabby because they insist no one
must
know that the SDU exists. Gabby must stay alive to stop a viable threat using Eastern Equine
Encephalitis infected mosquitoes and a test virus that could kill millions while doing this she finds
the answers lead to high level corruption and greed. This is an exhilarating action-packed
anti-terrorist thriller that hooks readers from the July 4th start at various North American locals.
The
fast-paced story line accelerates when Gabby becomes the prey that if assassinated could lead to
pandemic disaster. Making matters ironically worse is that Max is the only person she loves and
she
knows he will perform ACTS OF HONOR for his country over his feelings. Though the federal
conspiracy has been done many times before, readers will enjoy the terrific LADY JUSTICE.
Absolutely Brilliant in Chrome: Phobos Galaxy
Keith Olexa (editor)
Phobos
ISBN 0972002634 $14.95, 351 pp.
This is a solid ten collection anthology by seven individuals (Daniel Conover, Carl Frederick, and
James Maxey submitted two tales each) who have won Phobos Fiction contests and considered by
editor Keith Olexa as some of the future breed of superstars. The tales range the gamut of science
fiction from Justin Stanchfield's terraforming deep space to earthly satire and all points in between
as
the only "Meeting of the Minds (besides Gerald Gross' contribution) is that this is an outstanding
compilation. The formats also differ from a series of correspondence (Rebecca Carmi's "Letters to
a
Sister"), Matthew Rotundo's extreme sports "expose", all the way to a humorous biting tale by
Mr.
Maxey focusing on a fetish for the latest cosmetic fad Skintex. Any anthology that has aliens
arriving
for a KISS concert is an indication of the solar and earthly lunacy of this absolutely brilliant short
story compilation worth reading just to "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?"
The Casebook of Doakes and Haig
Patrick Welch
Twilight Times Books
ISBN: 1931201145 $15.50, 188 pp.
"A Small Matter of Murder". Sean Doakes sells the delicious sweetener cooked by Haig the
leprechaun to pleased customers. They leave the kitchen and the shop to investigate what
happened
to likeable client. Mrs. McLeary, who was recently murdered. "Savage Customs". In 1953 Clarice
Stills hires Doakes and Haig, Criminal Consultants, to prove that Motimwa, the American
colonies
"savage" is innocent of the charges of murder with a tomahawk. "Murderous Obligations".
Alosyius
Leek hires Doakes and Haig to solve a murder that has not yet occurred as the frightened client
expects a leprechaun to kill him. "Fatal Impressions". Margaret Thalan hires the duo to investigate
who murdered her banker husband in a highly publicized case several months ago. Margaret
refuses
to believes that their son, though estranged from his father, would kill him as the police insist
happened. "Cat's Moon Rising". Widow Sylvia Moritz comes to the shop to hire the pair to
recover
her catnapped Egyptian Mau, Cleopatra. Haig becomes concerned that Maus have been
cat-abducted as he knows what the repercussions mean. "Golden Talons". Inspector Amberlee
who
the sleuths (at least Doakes) met on the "savage" case asks the duo to help the crown by going to
the United Native Nations based on a request from Smythe (the "savage") to find The Lost City
of
Gold. Doakes and Haig cross the Atlantic to New Amsterdam on the fastest transportation
known, a
wind wooden ship that takes two weeks. In the colonies, they begin the quest. These five short
stories and one novella are delightful tales that combine mystery with fantasy in an alternate
universe
while readers meet Sean and that seventy-year old leprechaun Doakes.
Jerome and the Seraph
Robina Williams
Twilight Times
ISBN: 1931201544 $15.50, 171 pp.
Slipping on the icy ground of the cemetery, Brother Jerome smacks his head against the
gravestone
of Father Aloysius. His peers gave him a nice funeral but ironically buried him at the site in which
he
died. When he first died, he briefly meets Aloysius who apologizes to Jerry, but that seem like a
lifetime ago as Jerome finds the afterworld is void of anyone even angels except for Leo the friary
cat, who is alive and well back in his former residence. Jerome is confused as there are no cherubs
or
angels with harps. Leo explains to Jerome that his real name is Quantum, but he can call him
Quant
and that it is easy to cross between the land of the living and the dead, which is why he resides
here
and at the friary. Simply Jerome must modify his belief system so that he can see and soon other
spirits and doors to dimensions will be there. Of course coordinates are critical or else one can
become the star of a painting or a branch of a tree. JEROME AND THE SERAPH is a simple
entertaining book that ironically connects complex topics (the afterlife, mythology, and quantum
physics) into a wonderful fantasy that hooks readers from the moment Al and Jerry exchange a
few
words. The tale never lets go until Brother Jerome completes his journeys though Quant steals the
show. Fans who appreciate an amusing with serious undertone adventure tale will appreciate
Jerome
Through the Looking Glass guided by Quant the Cheshire cat.
Prophecy: The Awakening
A.M. Scott
Twilight Times
ISBN: 1931201323 $15.50, 171 pp.
In reaction to the balance between dark and light heavily tilting in favor of the darkness, ancient
gods create a force to fight the ultimate battle by making eight individuals immortal with magical
powers. At the same time that the gods intercede, the Nameless One awakens, awaiting the
moment
to capture the gate keeper as a key step to destroy the light. The gods awaken Kryla, She who is
Protector of the Spiritual Planes so she can unite with a mortal host, Andrea as these two separate
essences share one body with the goal of finding the other chosen. Kryla trains Andrea to use her
extrasensory powers and become spiritually aware, but the mortal also has mundane issues
relating
to her spouse and four teens. However, her prime directive is to find and "awaken" the other
seven
knowing she must help them cope with their psychic skills and their fears of their responsibilities,
the
gods and the dark for their chosen life will never be the same due to magical forces at work. This
opening gamut combines mythological elements with a coming Armageddon that will thrill readers
of fantasy. The story line is action-packed yet balances the key awakening inside of the mortals
especially Andrea whose coping with the mundane and the fantastic seems so realistic as she
doubts
she has the right stuff. With strong characterizations (including the mythological) inside a
powerfully
descriptive tale of good battling evil, this reviewer prophesizes that A.M. Scott and her New Age
series will receive strong acclaim. This first tale is a refreshing triumph in the age old theme of the
light trying to stop the growing darkness.
Red Diary
Toni Blake
Warner
ISBN: 0446614866 $5.99, 432 pp.
In Clearwater Beach, Florida, Nick Armstrong blames his family's misfortune on his father's
business
partner of two decades ago, Henry Ash, who took advantage of a grieving man (Nick's mom had
just died). Henry swindled Nick's dad out of his share of their business. Nick's father became an
alcoholic, his brother became mentally unbalanced and his sister gave up her plans to attend
college.
Nick worked like a dog to keep the family alive and recently his Horizon Painters firm has had
success. Henry's daughter "Princess" Lauren hires Nick's firm to paint her house. Nick's first
reaction
to seeing her highness is that she is the prettiest woman he ever saw, but assumes she is a shallow
man-eater. As he works on her home, he finds her RED DIARY in which she fantasizes about
lovers
similar to that of her loose best friend. Nick decides the best way to avenge his family is to give
Lauren everything she asks for in her diary. However, as he succeeds in his quest, he falls in love
with his victim and fears how she will react to the truth. This enjoyable contemporary romance
focuses on a deep message that destructive negative emotions by one person have a downward
impact on other family members. Henry's collapse takes his children down with him in different
way
with the plot predominantly looking at Nick, who has a cancer inside him until Lauren's love
begins
to heal him. Lauren is a wonderful protagonist, perhaps too good for Nick even with her
therapeutic
love saving him from himself. Still Toni Blake makes it quite clear that revenge harms the culprit
as
much, if not more, as the intended target.
Wedding for a Knight
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Warner
ISBN: 0446613819 $5.99, 384 pp.
In 1332 Scotland, Amica MacLean and Magnus Mackinnon marry by proxy. For Amica this is
what
she always wanted as she has loved Magnus since she was a little girl. However, when Magnus
arrives two weeks later still in shock and feeling guilty for surviving the Dupplin Moor massacre.
He
is furious to learn what his father did. He becomes irate, insisting his new bride go home as he will
annul the marriage that he has no plans to consummate. Amica realizes that her spouse is suffering
from more than just battle fatigue syndrome as he also feels culpable for living and has no plans to
do so. As she begins to heal him, she works her way into his heart. However, an unknown
assailant
does not want this marriage to work as that individual wants the two clans at war, which would
leave this miscreant as the only winner. This engaging fourteenth century Scottish romance stars a
fascinating lead male protagonist who simply has given up on living due to feeling guilt from the
surviving carnage of his countrymen. Amica is a fine patient person who believes she can nurture
her
beloved back to health. Though the serpent in Eden subplot adds intrigue, the strength of this tale
is
the coupling of a feisty female curing through love her hammered hunk.
Absolute Instinct
Robert Walker
Berkley
ISBN 0425196933 $23.95, 377 pp.
Laura Graham caught her seven-year-old son Giles drinking the fluid and eating the marrow of
her
beloved cat's spinal column. When he reached adulthood he graduated to dining on the spine of
humans while they were still conscious and after drinking the fluid and eating the marrow he made
the spine a part of his sculpture. In Portland Oregon, a black man was found guilty of killing his
white wife and hiding her spinal column. FBI agent Darwin Williams doesn't believe that the man
sitting on death row, Robert Towne is guilty. When Giles takes the spine from a woman in
Milwaukee, the M.O. is the same as two other homicides including the one in Oregon. Darwin
calls
on Dr. Jessica Coran to prove that all these crimes were performed by the same man so an
innocent
person can be released from prison. When Jessica is finally convinced by the evidence, she talks to
the governor for a stay of execution but the racist governor insists he needs more proof. Jessica
has
Darwin and the death row inmate devise a daring plan to free the prisoner while she offers herself
up
in a cat and mouse game with Giles who wants to make her his next victim. This action packed
thriller starts off at light speed and only gets faster but the heart of ABSOLUTE TERROR lies
with
the characters each in their own way going extraordinary lengths to find a way to free a man three
days from his date with the needle. Jessica is her usually feisty self, taking daring chances to save
an
innocent man she does not know. Robert W. Walker is at his absolute best with ABSOLUTE
INSTINCTS.
Shem Creek
Dorothea Benton Frank
Berkley
ISBN: 0425196089 $22.95
Linda Breland flees New Jersey to come home to the Carolina Low Country because she worries
about her two teen daughters and a cash shortage that would improve with a lower cost of living.
It
does not hurt her to also leave behind her former spouse Fred who she divorced five years ago
and
who is remarrying a younger woman. Linda told her two children that they are going to her
hometown area on a vacation failing to say that it is a permanent move. She figures she can deal
with that problem after they settle in the area. Her older child Lindsey has fewer issues probably
because she is going off to college in the fall. Her younger daughter Gracie struggles with the
environmental change from the Exurbia wrong crowd that she hung with to rustification that is
until
she meets Alex, the son of Linda's boss. SHEM CREEK, the latest Low Country drama is an
enjoyable character study that predominantly looks deep into a mother and daughter relationship
as
each struggles to adjust to a radical change in lifestyle. Linda is an interesting lead protagonist as
she
is a steel magnolia with some northern brass; Gracie makes the tale with her Jersey Girl attitude
crashing against the gentle Carolina sod. Though the action is limited, series fans and anyone who
enjoys a slice of life family drama style will appreciate Dorothea Benton Frank's current Carolina
comfy caper.
Goddess of Spring
P.C. Cast
Berkley
ISBN: 0425197492 $6.99, 384 pp.
In Tulsa, her accountant explains the error and the choices facing Carolina "Lina" Santoro and her
Pani Del Goddess Bakery that she spent twenty years insuring the quality and trendiest of
products.
Still she owes the IRS much more than she can afford, but she detests her accountant's options.
When she has a problem, Lina bakes so that is what she does, but with a new recipe she found in
an
Ancient cookbook. When she follows the instructions including a prayer, Lina ends up in Olympus
where Demeter offers her a deal in which the Goddess' daughter will switch places with her.
Persephone will save the bakery while Lina brings spring to Hades and his underworld, but must
not
reveal the agreement or her true identity. However, Lina never expected to fall in love with Hades
though she refuses to allow her feelings and future happiness to interfere with her charter of
springtime for Hades and his minions. Deals aside as going to Lina's perceived Underworld rather
than selling her bakery seems inane, fans will take immense pleasure with this retelling of the
classic
mythological love story as casted by one of the top romantic fantasy mythologists today. The
entertaining story line is brisk and filled with characters that seem real whether they are a sloppy
accountant, a baker, a Roman God/Goddess, or a minion. The growing love between Hades and
Lina is well designed with the complexity being her honesty split in opposite directions. However,
the key to GODDESS OF THE SPRING as it was with GODDESS OF SEA is the locale feels as
if
we readers are witnessing the events as they unfold.
Wife of Moon
Margaret Coel
Berkley
ISBN 0425198146 $22.95, 288 pp.
The murders begin in 1907 on the Arapaho Wind River Reservation when photographer Edward
S.
Curtis convinces the Indians to reconstruct a village and have warriors attack the tribe. During the
shooting with blank bullets, Bashful Woman, the daughter of Chief Sharp Nose, is killed by a real
bullet. Her Anglo husband Carston Evans testifies that he saw the Indian Thunder kill his wife and
his two Native American friends were adding him in the attack. His testimony was enough to
convict
and hang the trio. In the present, Denise, a descendant of Sharp Nose is murdered and her
husband
J.T. Painted Horse is the FBI's number one suspect until he is tortured and killed by men who
were
looking for something on the same night Denise died. Christine, the curator of the Arapaho
Museum, disappears and her home is ransacked. Lawyer Vicky Holden and Father John O'Malley
investigate the homicide from different directions, but reach the same conclusion. Vicky tries to
convince the authorities who she believes is behind the murders while Father John tries to protect
the last remaining witness. Through the use of flashbacks readers learn what really happened on
that
day in 1907 and how justice was thwarted. The Arapaho still seek justice for Bashful Women in
the
present but they are up against high powered politicians who will use any means at their disposal
to
erase the proof of what happened almost a century ago and they will kill anyone who has
knowledge
of that event. WIFE OF MOON is an exciting who-done-it that will appeal to fans of Tony
Hillerman and David and Aimee Thurlo thrillers .Margaret Coel provides a deep look at the
Arapaho
culture wrapped around a fabulous mystery.
Sweetheart, Indiana
Suzanna Simmons
Berkley
ISBN: 0425197794 $6.99
Three years ago Sam Law fled his Manhattan practice because he detested the lack of morality in
the
legal system. His fiance ended their relationship refusing to accompany him as he opened a
practice
in his hometown, Sweetheart, Indiana. However, upper crust Manhattan is coming to his town as
socialite Gillian Charles needs to take up residence for six months to inherit her grandfather's "last
gift", which includes owning Sweetheart. She will meet the will's stipulations simply because she
would do anything for her beloved grandfather. Sam is stunned from the moment Gillian arrives in
town as she nothing like the pompous spoiled brat he expected; instead she is amusing and
friendly.
Even his anti-female dog Max dumps him for Gillian. Ginny receives anonymous nasty letters and
a
dead bird warning her to leave but most of the townsfolk like her and believe she is his former
fiancee and that she and Sam belong together. As Sam and Gillian fall in love they try to find out
what Jacob meant by his "last gift" and how to share "water from the moon" as he is small town
and
she is big city? This fabulous contemporary romance is awesome as Gillian slowly is
"sweetheart-ized" as proven by the clever usage of postcards and grandfather's "last gift" will
keep
the audience wondering until readers learn what Jacob truly bestowed on his beloved. Though the
threat to Gillian adds superfluous suspense, fans will appreciate visiting SWEETHEART,
INDIANA
starring two people who seem so opposite that their metaphor of a duck and fish falling in love is
apropos.
Undead and Unemployed
MaryJanice Davidson
Berkley
ISBN: 0425197484 $5.99, 304 pp.
In St. Paul, the vampire minions consider Betsy Taylor as their Queen, but she wants to be left
alone
so that she can indulge in her shoe fetish. Rather than join Sinclair, the royal stud, who converted
her three months ago, Betsy seeks employment. However, she quickly learns the first lesson from
Remedial Vampirism 099 that using the glamour spell on a government bureaucrat never works as
a
civil servant must be officious to protect their butt. Next Betsy goes to Macy's where she scores a
job selling shoes. She appreciates bureaucratic ineptitude as she figures SSA will not realize that
the
employer of a dead person is making payments. Bloodsucking visitors (not customers, but other
vampires) keep arriving at the shoe department. Sinclair, who to Betsy's chagrin heats her blood
though she detests how he failed to warn her that he is more dangerous than cigarettes, demands
she
join him. Her subjects demand she find out who is killing the Twin Cities vampires and stop that
culprit. She feels it is unfair because she is the newest of the brood and all she wants is a new pair
of
shoes besides a bite or two with Sinclair, who she needs to help her with the inquiries. This sequel
to
the wacky UNDEAD AND UNWED, UNDEAD AND UNEMPLOYED is an amusing vampiric
chick lit amateur sleuth tale worth sinking your teeth into as MaryJanice Davidson satirizes the
three
sub-genres. Betsy is a unique protagonist obsessed with expensive shoes while Sinclair is her
perfect
counterfoil. The rest of the cast enhances the comedic romp that takes a bite out of the acceptable
norm of excesses that make up several fictional sub-classifications.
Let There Be Blood
Jane Jakeman
Berkley
ISBN 042519812X $12.00, 208 pp.
He fought in Greece against the Turks but returned to his English mansion Malfine to heal from
the
wounds he received in Crete. His face is scarred and he is a recluse unable to deal with his
tenants,
the landed gentry or women for fear of frightening them to death. Unfortunately Lord Ambrose is
not allowed to stay apart from the affairs in his corner of the world. A gypsy is accused of killing
the
male Crawshays and the tenants want to personally to punish him. Lord Ambrose refuses to allow
vigilante justice to prevail and he takes the gypsy into his own custody, putting him in the
dungeons
beneath his mansion. When the local men try to rape the gypsy's wife, Ambrose takes them to a
place where they will be safe; in return she tells them a secret about one of the women living in
the
Crawshay house. At first, Lord Ambrose thinks Mrs. Crawshay and the governess Elisabeth
Anstruther played a part in the men's murders but when a strong sturdy farmer set to guard the
woman is killed, Lord Ambrose thinks he misread the evidence. England in 1830, months after the
death of King George, is a gloomy place with Edward on the throne and the workers rioting
because
they are losing their jobs to machines. The hero is scarred both physically and mentally but the
mystery of the deaths of the Crawshays brings him back to life. He once again becomes a
commanding figure who through force of will becomes a leader. Jane Jakeman has written an
exciting historical mystery with so many viable suspects readers won't be able to figure out who
the
killer is.
The Jasmine Moon Murder
Laura Childs
Berkley
ISBN 0425198138 $19.95, 240 pp.
Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop in the historic downtown district of
Charlotte,
South Carolina, agrees to cater the "Ghost Crawl" society tour of the Jasmine cemetery sponsored
by Charleston's Medical Triad. The host is Dr. Jasper Davis, the uncle of Theodosia's boyfriend
Jory.
Uncle Jasper and his team developed the Novalaser, a less invasive way of performing
angioplasty.
All of a sudden Dr. Davis keels over and is dead; Theodosia finds a syringe near the body. Jory
asks
his girlfriend to investigate his uncle's death since she has a history of solving homicides. She
plunges
into the investigation with plenty of enthusiasm and everyone who knows her believe she is on the
trail of the killer. When she is out horseback riding, someone tries to shoot her and shortly
thereafter
somebody throws a rock through her window warning her to stop her inquiries. Theodosia
becomes
even more determined to find the killer since she doesn't let her fear interfere with keeping her
promise to Jory. The latest Tea Shop Mystery is a delectable and delicious amateur sleuth mystery
with mouth watering recipes that are worth the price of the book. The description of tea and the
meals that The Indigo Tea Shop serves will make readers salivate. The heroine out does herself in
this homicide investigation because she is investigating homicides without empirical evidence.
Laura
Childs serves up a delightful tea and murder mystery.
Wishful Sinful
Tracy Dunham
Berkley
ISBN 0425198871 $6.50, 304 pp.
Two years ago Tal Jefferson was a high powered attorney at an influential law firm where she
made
partner. Her life fell apart when the court appointed her to defend Parnell Moses, but she lost the
case because she didn't prepare properly for her day in court. She stands by him through the
appeal
process but in the end he gave up and eventually was put to death by lethal injection. Unable to
live
with the guilt she returned to her hometown of Wynnton, Georgia. She drank herself into oblivion
and spent her few sober hours fixing up her grandmother's house until the local judge appointed
her
to represent Crystal Walker who is accused of killing her ex-lover because he stopped paying her
utilities and electric bill. Crystal is prepared to go to jail for life as long as her daughter Desiree is
safe but Tal is not about to make the same mistake twice and is prepared to give her client a more
then even chance of being acquitted. This is Tracy Durham's debut novel and she strikes a home
run
her first time at bat. The protagonist is endearing and underneath the surface layer of self-pity she
is
a steel magnolia, leaving no stone unturned in her quest she see her client freed. WISHFUL
SINFUL
is a charming regional mystery that provides insight into the good ole boy network while
showcasing
Ms. Dunham's talent. This is a must read for lovers of new and good mystery series.
Mind Game
Christine Feehan
Jove
ISBN: 0515138096 $6.99, 384 pp.
Dr. Whitney had experimented on Dahlia La Blanc when she was four years old resulting in
amplifying her psychic gifts and her inability to relate to people. Part of Dahlia's people disconnect
is
due to her realization as a young child that adults feared her as a powerful mental freak, but also
because she absorbs their emotional charges that she can only release through a violent discharge.
Years later, Dahlia has recovered stolen intelligence information for the Feds, but for the most
part
lives a hermit's existence avoiding people because excitement on her part leads to dangerous
infernos. Someone assaults her swampy home and kills her caretakers, but has not attained the
final
objective yet when Nicholas Trevane of "ghostwalkers" arrives at the battlefield seeking Dahlia;
he
too is a by-produce of the Whitney experiments. They must work in tandem to uncover who
amongst their teammates has turned traitor, but the attraction between Dahlia and Nicholas is so
great, she fears she will combust and take a city with her. MIND GAME is an exciting paranormal
romance that not only stars two delightfully unique characters with an interesting relationship
dilemma (sort of like Ladyhawke) and the return of the stars of SHADOW GAME enhance the
action. The non-stop action hooks the reader as the ghostwalker world of Christine Feehan seems
real even with danger, treacherous intrigue, and romance with a fabulous paranormal twist.
The Guardians of Eternity Book 1: Rogar of Hamun
Belinda Palmer
Wings ePress, Inc.
ISBN: 1590886658 $12.95
The Faerbrarean of Relga creates entire worlds including native life; these immortals send their
reincarnated mortal offspring partnering with another to reside on these orbs so that they can
learn
the meaning of life. When the child dies, the spiritual essence returns home. For many
incarnations,
Elesa of Relga and Rogar of Hamun partnered, but she always commits murder-suicide, obsessing
over her unrequited love for him. When the play is repeated once again, Rogar is tired of the
insanity
as she is incapable of learning since she cannot control her deadly emotions. On Relga, disgruntled
Rogar encounters an unknown foe in a seemingly endless battle until his enemy exhausts him and
he
is defeated. Fatigued beyond anything he ever felt, Rogar stumbles to the Immortal Chavva who
calls for Elesa to help heal him. Rogar recovers with new powers and a desire to have Elesa at his
side. As they mate in love in Mortal Heaven, Elesa is dying, yet no one has ever died in Mortal
Heaven before. The key to this terrific reincarnation romantic fantasy is that the varying worlds,
the
key cast, and the scenarios seem plausible especially when the audience begins to understand the
intent of the serpent in Mortal Heaven. The story line is action-packed but takes a few major
twists
that propel the audience to keep reading to see where Belinda Palmer is taking them; alas before
the
reader knows it the book is finished and a thirst for the next one will linger. This is a terrific tale
that
deserves sub-genre visits to the cleverly crafted Palmer Universe.
Through Violet Eyes
Stephen Woodworth
Dell
ISBN: 0553803379 $6.99
The Violets are people who can communicate with the dead and let their spirits inhabit their
bodies.
They are allowed to testify in court with the dead spirit inside them accusing the perpetrator of
murder. A SoulScan is an instrument that shows the Violet being possessed by the spirit that the
Violet called using a touchstone. Not many Violets are born in each generation so the government
of
each country puts them under their "protection". In the United States, the North American
Afterlife
Communication Corps is the umbrella organization of the Violets and those people who don't
choose to join them are harassed, their lives are made miserable by a bureaucracy that wants to
keep
a tight reign on them. Someone is killing the Violets and the government officials have no clue
who
is doing it as they leave no evidence behind. FBI agent Dan Atwater is assigned to protect Violet
Natalie Lindstrom who attended the same school as the victims. Dan is afraid of what Natalie can
do
because she can contact a ghost from his past, one he wants to avoid at all costs. Gradually the
barriers between them are breached and the unlikely duo fall in love, but there is no guarantee that
they will live long enough to celebrate their deep feelings. THROUGH VIOLET EYES is not a
religious thriller because the premise of the Violets is based on scientific fact. This work reads like
a
fabulous urban fantasy in which spirits inhabit the bodies of the Violets as a last way to hang onto
life. The fantasy element is very strong and Stephen Woodworth's work is nothing short of
remarkable.
Summer in the Land of Skin
Jody Gehrman
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373250665 $12.95, 320 pp.
In San Francisco, twenty-five-year-old Anna Medina is stunned following the death of her father,
renowned for the guitars he created for some of the legends like Garcia. Though she rarely
connected with him, she feels a deep need to learn more about him. Her obsession over her dad
leads to Anna unable to show up at her meaningless data entry job so her boss at After Hours fires
her. Her relationship with Derek for the past five years is in a death watch rut so with the groovy
encouragement of her Aunt Rosie, Anna decides to track her sire starting with his partner, Elliot
Bender in Bellingham Bay, Washington. Part of Anna's goal is to learn the trade secrets that her
dad
and Eliot have horded as well as discovering the essence of who her father was. In Washington
State, she soon hears a guitar sound similar to that of her father when she hears Arlan perform.
She
moves in with Arlan, but has some doubts about the company he keeps including the members of
the
band; they do drugs and interfere with her relationship with her beloved, but they also befriend her
at
a time when she needs friends. This character study focuses on identity as Anna feels lost from
more
than just her loss and seeks solace in following her illustrious father's footsteps. Her relationships
with her dad's partner, Arlan, and his friends provide the audience with even more insight to her
longing to belong even if it means gin and drugs. Fans will cherish this deep look at one woman's
emotional return to the living following spending a SUMMER IN THE LAND OF SKIN.
The Sex Was Great But
Tyne O'Connell
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373250673 $12.95, 336 pp.
On top of her boyfriend Ted's revelations about her to Star, "Her Voice" magazine acclaims that
makeover show host Holly Klein has been voted the "shallowest woman in Hollywood". When
she
goes to run some errands, people curse her and someone steals her pursue. Homeless Leo
Monroe
recovers her purse, diaphragm and all. Holly's producer and perhaps only real friend Nancy Catkin
thinks Leo is perfect to provide a make over to Holly's battered image. The plan is to give the
street
hero a make over on her program. Leo reluctantly agrees thinking that this might be his ticket
back
to England and besides it will gives him a few weeks of luxury in her elite home with a pool.
Neither
anticipated an attraction between the glitter star and the pauper, but the sex deserves its own
square
on the Walk of Fame as even Holly wonders whether the relationship deserves decades beyond
her
show. Chick lit fans will appreciate this lighthearted Hollywood romp between the "Princess" and
the Pauper. Though the plot seems inane yet amusing on the surface, the story line has a serious
undertone involving the homeless that works well because of Leo contrasts the two worlds,
minutes
apart yet zillions of lifestyles away. Thus Leo undergoes a physical makeover, but the shallowest
person on the planet is actually the one that changes as he and his misfit associates touch the
untouchable heart of Holly.
Witch Hunt
Ian Rankin
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316009105 $19.95, 400 pp.
They call her Witch because of her abilities to change her identity, "seduce" her opponents and her
victims even without meeting them, and completing the kill; she is the ultimate cold blood
professional assassin. This "Cassandra Chameleon" is so good at her trade, she is a legend. New
Scotland Yard investigates the sinking of two ships in the same night near Folkestone and off
Calais;
several counterintelligence agencies worry that the incidents parallel events in other places over
the
past few years that culminated with assassinations. MI5 fears that the sinking is the calling card of
the magical Witch in England to kill a VIP. As the cops follow clues, espionage agencies in
Britain
and France struggle to cooperate to stop the ingenious femme fatale assassin who obviously
targets
some worldly figure or why else hire the best? However this time Witch knows she must be even
more cautious to avoid mistakes because besides her hefty fee this job is personal, which means
emotions could hamper judgment. WITCH HUNT is an exhilarating espionage thriller that hooks
the
audience once the key cast is introduced and fans get over the fact that Rebus is not here. The
story
line moves quickly forward with several plots tied together through the Witch link in a sort of
Sink
the Bismarck kind of way as several groups independently give chase. Separately these various
counterspy agencies and police force know they will fail, but if they can bury their jealousies and
work as a team, together they might succeed; that is the timely message that Ian Rankin furbishes
in
his action-packed multiple perspective Sink the Witch thriller.
Counting To Infinity
J.L. Abramo
Dunne
ISBN 0312326505 $22.95, 240 pp.
San Francisco private investigator Jake Diamond is forcibly persuaded to meet Max Lansdale for
a
job he can't refuse. Max wants Jake to find Harry Chandler who was reported dead in a shoot-out.
Max says that a private investigator reported to him that he ran into Harry. The reason Jake is
chosen for the job is that his mentor and associate Jimmy Pigeon reported that Harrison died. Max
believes that the mantle has passed to Jake. Max wants to find Chandler because he killed Max's
brother Randolph. When Jake returns to San Francisco his trusty associate Darlene tells him that
Max is connected to the mob. Jake buys time to figure out how to handle the situation because
Max
has threatened Darlene and his ex-wife and lover if he doesn't get results. When he finally meets
with
Chandler, an unknown person kills Harry. Soon after a bomb goes off in Jake's apartment, killing
Sally and injuring Jake. When he recovers Jake and his friends put into motion a plan to bring
Max
down. COUNTING TO INFINITY is a dark and gritty urban noir thriller that starts off at light
speed and quickly gains even more momentum. This is not a book for the faint of heart because
there are some violent scenes but they are necessary to make the plot feel realistic. Readers will
feel
empathy for Jake who loses someone he loves dearly and will admire him for trusting his friends
to
formulate a plan that will take care of Max while working with the boundaries of the law
including
not murdering him. J.L. Abramo has written a very special crime thriller.
A Meeting of Minds
Clare Curzon
Dunne
ISBN: 031231874X $22.95, 224 pp.
Just back from a family vacation in warm Madeira, Detective Superintendent Mike Yeadings
realizes
the cold is inside his bones proving he has not adjusted to winter, which remains a month away.
At
least the naked corpse except for the fur coat was not found in the river, but instead in a pub yard
in
Henley on Thames. Mike and his team arrive on site to determine whether a crime was committed
or
a sad natural death occurred. Detective Sergeant Rosemary "Z" Zycynski immediately identifies
the
dead person as her Ashbourne House neighbor, Sheila Winter. Z explains to Mike that elderly
Beattie Weyman recently bought Ashbourne House and converted it into luxury apartments. She
also says that the victim owned a garden centre and shared her flat with her mother. As far as Z
knew Sheila had nothing else in her life. Concluding murder occurred Mike and his Thames Valley
team investigates the neighbors to uncover what happened to Sheila. The Thames Valley CID
mysteries are excellent British police procedurals with this entry being the usual superb
investigative
tale. The brisk story line takes off once the freezing Mike arrives at the crime scene and never
decelerates until the case is solved. Mike is a terrific protagonist, but Z plays the centrist role as
the
victim was her neighbor and she more or less knows the other residents of Ashbourne House. An
intriguing sidebar is the motive behind why Beattie converted the house as this lonely senior with
the
victim brings a message that everyone needs companionship. Ms. Curzon's latest tour of the
Thames
is a winner.
Backstabber
Tim Cockey
Hyperion
ISBN: 0786867132 $21.95
In the Baltimore area, Sisco Fontaine has a slight problem. Lying on the kitchen floor is the
murdered corpse of Jake Weisheit with a knife protruding from his back. Sisco has been sleeping
with Jake's spouse Polly and recently in a public display of ire he threatened to kill Jake.
Obviously
the cops can back up with evidence that Sisco had motive, means, and apparently opportunity
making him the prime suspect in what appears to be a murder of passion. A bit upset, Sisco
knows
only one person who works with the dead, former classmate mortician Hitchcock Sewell. He calls
Hitch, but all he wants from his newly rediscovered buddy is to dispose of the body as he knows
what will happen to him if the police investigate the murder. Hitch refuses, but puts aside the
other
bodies, a horde of females wanting to share a coffin, and the formaldehyde high to determine
whether Sisco is a BACKSTABBER. The fifth Hitchcock amateur sleuth investigation is a solid
entry in a series a bit off the norm, but always fun to read. As usual, once the audience accepts
Hitch
as an expert crime investigator, which takes a bit of acceptance, fans will have the usual good
time.
Hitch is the center of the tale as he keeps it glued together whether he prepares a corpse for a
funeral service or making inquiries that lead to the local police wanting to bury him for his
interference. Tim Cockey provides an amusing look at the art of dying from the two perspective
approaches that one of Baltimore's finest protagonists brings to those who dearly departed.
Death Duties
Janet LaPierre
Perseverance Press
ISBN 188028474X $13.95, 288 pp.
Thirty years ago, in Port Silva, California a young girl was raped and killed putting the whole
town
on edge. A few days later, two anonymous calls were made stating that Edgar Larson, thought to
be
an upstanding citizen, was seen molesting children. Although the police tried to keep his name out
of
it while they investigated the charges, pretty soon all of Port Silva Knew about the anonymous
calls.
Unable to cope with the loss of his reputation, Larson committed suicide. The tragedy is that soon
after he died, a drifter was caught molesting a young child. Edgar Larson's granddaughter
Christine
Larson hires Patience Smith, Investigations to find out who the miscreants were that placed those
phone call to the police and eventually drove her beloved grandfather to suicide. While Patience
and
her daughter Verity Mockeller interview people who were living in Port Silva at the time of the
tragedy, they also take the case of eighty year old Ruth Ellis who wants them to find out what
happened to her only living relative, her niece Toni. Both cases almost get Verity killed by a
perpetrator who wants certain skeletons to stay buried. This small town private investigative
mystery
is reminiscent of the British Village mysteries. It is filled with eccentric characters, helpful
neighbors
and a police department that reluctantly gets some evidence needed to solve a case from the
proud
investigative team of Patience and Verity. They are both strong women who respect each other so
much that they are able to happily co-exist in the same house as friends. Janet LaPierre writes
novels
that the audience wants to read.
Tropic of Murder
Lev Raphael
Perseverance Press
ISBN 1880284685 $13.95, 216 pp.
Although he doesn't have tenure, Professor Nick Hoffman teaches in the English, American
studies
and Rhetoric Department. The group is tense with in fighting over whom the next chair will be.
The
provost appoints a new head and makes other reorganization changes without getting feedback
from
the group. Sick of the anxiety and angst the announcements brings, Nick and his lover Stefan
decide
to get away from their worries and pack up to go an a vacation to Caribbean island Serenity, a
Club
Med resort. While there they met someone they know, Peter de Jonge, a graduate student who
wants Nick to investigate his wife, father-in-law and his assistant because their activities are very
strange. They used to own the island but depleted fortunes forced them to sell it. The Club Med
manager wants to write a book about the family and the island but they refuse. When Stefan and
Nick take a walk at night they find the dead body of the manager floating in the water. Nick
intends
to prove murder occurred, having solving many homicides in the past. It has been much too long
since a Nick Hoffman but was published but fans of the series will be elated that he is back more
mature and less anxious. Lev Raphael has written a delightful and charming mystery that takes
place
in a tropical Paradise but the murder makes it seem like the snake entering Eden. TROPIC OF
MURDER in a cerebral who-done-it that stimulates the readers to figure out who the killer is
before
the hero does. There is subtle humor imbued throughout the storyline and the audiences will find
themselves chuckling out lout at unexpected moments.
The Castlemaine Murders
Kerry Greenwood
Poisoned Pen
ISBN 1590581172 $24.95, 248 pp.
Unable to please her father and fit into 1928 English society Phryne Fisher makes her home in
Melbourne, Australia with her two adopted daughters and her faithful friend Dot. Her sister Eliza
is
banished from England and sent by her father to live with Phryne, but acts snooty and above it all.
To get her out of the house, she takes her entire family and her Chinese lover Lin Chung to the
Luna
Park amusement park. While she is riding the ghost train, she touches what she thinks is a paper
made ghost only to learn it is a mummified body almost eighty years old. While Lin Chung tries to
find the 400 ounces of gold that was stolen from his family in 1858, Phryne inquires into the
identity
of the corpse. Someone is trying to stop her investigation by sending her harmless letter bombs
with
warning notes inside. Her search takes her to Castlemaine, the former gold camp when Lin Chung
and her await the answers to the mummy with a bullet hole in his head, but danger by some very
ruthless individuals also is there. Everybody who reads a Phryne Fisher mystery will adore the
heroine, a free spirited individualist who lives life by her own rules. Both the protagonist and her
lover have their own individual mysteries to solve involving family honor. Readers quickly get
caught up in the who-done-it because it is exciting and a great reading experience for historical
armchair travelers.
Gudrun's Tapestry
Joan Schweighardt
Beagle Bay Books
ISBN: 0967959136 $24.95, 269 pp.
In the fifth century Attila the Hun leads his invading horde against the collapsing Roman Empire,
which offers little resistance. Used to taking charge and care for her family and desperate to save
her
people, the Burgundians, Gudrun decides she must stop Attila before he destroys Burgundy. She
devices a simple plan similar in a sense to the Trojan Horse as she guesses on what makes Attila
tick. Disguised as Ildico, she gains entrance to Attila's terrifying hometown. Then she does the
impossible she meets the brilliant war strategist and offers him a special present. Gudrun presents
Attila with a war sword, but fails to tell the warrior that this weapon is cursed to bring adversity
and
tragedy to whoever possesses it as she knows from first hand experience. Attila incarcerates
Gudrun, but also makes her one of his wives to the chagrin of his loyal second-in-command,
Edeco,
who has fallen in love with the foreigner. GUDRUN'S TAPESTRY is a fantastic historical tale
with
a touch of romance and a coming of age backdrop. There is much more than just the above
paragraph, as readers see flashbacks into Gudrun's life in Burgundy including her family woes and
her love for Sigurd the warrior. The audience also receives an incredible look at what motivated
the
great warlord as Joan Schweighardt provides deep insight into Attila interwoven throughout the
exhilarating story line. Ancient times historical readers will appreciate this copious insightful and
thrilling fifth century saga.
Flat Crazy
Ben Rehder
St. Martin's
ISBN: 031232135X $24.95, 320 pp.
Blanco County, Texas has had it shares of BUCK FEVER and BONE DRY lunacy as game
warden
John Marlin can testify, but the latest craziness makes Texas tall tales seem small. The locals
believe
that the vampiric chupacabra has killed an outsider due to a fang bite wound in his neck. John
assumes a human killer committed the homicide and plans to prove that before hysteria turns
everyone FLAT CRAZY. The chupacabra tale leads the tabloid reporters to overrun Blanco
County
and interfere with John's inquiries because a fang related unsolved killing makes provocative
headlines through innuendos. Seeing an opportunity to get rich, good ole boys Red O'Brien and
Billy
Don Craddock take advantage of the local fears, but wind up only messing up the investigative
trail
that John tracks involving phony buck trophies. Adding to the confusion is the invasion of the
Chinese dwarfs from Hollywood as Wang, Hung, Lo, etc. are making a film and wrecking clues.
To
John, all this is another "normal" investigation unlike those CSI types working pristine crime
shows.
This third wacky Blanco County mystery is as crazy and fun as its predecessors are (kind of like
moving those Southern Florida wild tales to Texas). Once again John plays straight man to a cast
of
eccentrics and wacko opportunists, who are over the edge into slapstick at times. Though readers
know who the killer is and why from almost the start, the fun is observing John work through the
lunacy, trampled evidence, and the unintended red herrings caused by nutty secondary characters
to
try to solve the case. Ben Rehder continues to display a unique freshness with his marvelous
mirthful
Marlin mysteries.
Breathe
Anne-Sophie Brasme
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312331533 $9.95, 128 pp.
Nineteen year old Charlene Boher has been in prison for two years now for murder. Everyone
seems
to need to know whether she feels any remorse for killing, but Charlene feels nothing inside
except
the loneliness that has eaten at her for most of her life. With so much time, she decides to write an
autobiography to explain why she feels no regret and there for must be inhuman. Reflecting back
to
her lonely preadolescence Charlene remembers her room was her sunny castle until school when
she
met Vanessa, but that friendship ended when Vanessa's family moved; her room once again
became
the castle of Charlene the hermit. The fights between her parents when she was seven
consequently
led to the destruction of her family. Sharlene feels all alone until as a teen she met Sarah, who
shockingly befriended her. Four years later, they meet Maxime leading to an argument and
homicide.
BREATHE is a fabulous work of fiction that enables the audience to observe the range of
negative
emotions that obsessed individuals emit. Charlene is an incredible character as she serves as the
poster teen of what could go wrong when a family and a community fail a child. She gives no
excuses or blame for her actions, as taking a life is ho hum. Charlene never received any positives
until Sarah so a friendship obsession is no stretch. This terrific insightful tale will encourage
readers
to ponder what we are doing to the next generations.
Blind Alley
Iris Johansen
Bantam
ISBN 0553803417 $25.00, 336 pp.
Usually Joe wants Eve to ease up on her workload as a forensic sculptor but this time he is
pushing
her to work as fast as she can. She understands when the sculpture is the face of Jane their
adopted
daughter. It seems that a serial killer is murdering women who look like Jane, thinking they are
Cira,
a woman who died in Herculaneum when Mt. Vesuvius blew. Coincidentally, Jane dreams of
being
Cira and fighting to get out of Herculaneum through the tunnels aided by her ex-lover Antonio.
Mark Trevor uses guiles and lies to ingratiate him into the search for Aldo because he has a score
to
settle with the man. Aldo has targeted Jane as his next victim believing he has finally found the
reincarnation of Cira. Her policeman father Joe, Eve and Trevor bait a trap that will hopefully
bring
Aldo out in the open so he can be captured if he doesn't kill them first. Some of Iris Johansen's
best
books feature Eve Duncan and company and Blind Alley is no exception. This exciting action
thriller
involves Jane who is older than her seventeen years and the feeling that springs up between her
and
Trevor are appropriate because Trevor doesn't act on them. Although nothing can come of it
because she is too young, she is determined when the time is right they will be together. This
suspense laden thriller features many of the characters readers have come to care for in the Eve
Duncan series as this exciting and powerful work propels fans to want to read more of the
fabulous
works of Ms. Johansen.
The Summer of Us
Holly Chamberlin
Kensington
ISBN: 0758201451 $12.95, 403 pp.
Gincy Gannon, Danielle Leers and Clare Wellman share little in common except knowing that
their
next birthdays mean they turn into thirty year old geezers. Each decides to spend their last
youthful
summer in the Cape rather than become ancient spinsters in overheated Boston. They turn up late
at
a room matching session at Oak Bluffs so the threesome by default become summer roommates
though they never met before. Gincy comes from a small New Hampshire town that she left
without
a look back. Currently she works as a senior editor with Boston PBS. A loner, she has doubts
about
roommates. Danielle comes from a wealthy Manhattan family. She knows she is pretty, intelligent
and deserves the happiness and love of an upper crust husband that she plans to catch this
summer.
Clare is engaged to attorney Winchester Carrington III after a decade together. She has major
doubts about becoming Mrs. the third. This summer solace she seeks to find the "vanished" Clare.
Roommates do not necessarily mean friendship. However, a support group bond forms as each of
these turning geriatric women search for their inner essence while hoping to find love in the
dunes.
Chick lit fans will take pleasure in THE SUMMER OF US due to the strong characterizations.
The
three lead protagonists, who rotate first person narration, learn over the most wonderful summer
of
their lives that they have much in common. Each of these slightly flawed but feisty protagonists
seeks fulfillment, love and happiness, which leads to a camaraderie. Holly Chamberlin's delightful
buddy tale contains depth much deeper than the surface sunburn that the sub-genre often furbishes
to readers.
Jingle Bell Bark
Laurien Berenson
Kensington
ISBN: 1575667584 $22.00, 304 pp.
In Greenwich, Connecticut, Melanie Travis is a special needs tutor at the posh private Howard
Academy. She enjoys her work there, but her passion is showing and breeding French Poodles.
Her
son Davy enthusiastically helps her with the canines when he can. When she takes her son to the
school bus, Melanie is surprised that Henry the long time driver has been replaced by Annie. She
visits Henry to see if he is okay only to learn that he recently died from a heart attack. Melanie
sees
Golden Retrievers inside of Henry's home so feeling compassion and not wanting the dogs to
mourn
alone, she takes them to her Aunt Peg, a professional breeder and canine lover. The two female
relatives learn through the grapevine that Henry was poisoned. His two daughters arrive planning
to
sell their father's animal companions on E-bay. They also refuse to leave town until their father's
killer is caught. Peg wants these coldhearted adult children be gone so she investigates the
homicide
to expedite their departure, not realizing the danger her decision poses to her and her niece.
JINGLE
BELL BARK is a delightful tale that amateur sleuth fans will enjoy especially the canine caper
crowd. Laurien Berenson enables readers to glimpse inside the world of dogs through the loving
way aunt and niece nurture their beloved barking family members. The audience, like Peg, will
find it
impossible to determine who the killer is because suspects abound with motives and opportunities.
This leads to a surprising climax as Peg and Melanie try to take a bite out of crime before they are
nipped permanently.
Diamond Eye
Arthur Rosenfeld
Forge
ISBN: 0765309092 $14.95, 320 pp.
The United States Postal Inspection Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency, but also
the least known. The public rarely if ever hears of it while postal employees mostly figure fat bald
trolls in suits watching from the ceiling insure they do not steal a first class stamp. That is a
function
of the department, but the USPIS also investigates "external" crimes like mail fraud and letter
bombs. Max Diamond is one of the USPIS finest working in Southern Florida. Currently Max has
picked up a case from a recently killed in action peer. Max watches tapes of kiddie porn sent
illegally
through the mail in hopes of finding the distributor until he sees the life of a female participant is
snuffed out on a tape. His boss Wacona Smith insists it is an amateur production not a murder,
but
Max proves otherwise with additional snuff films that he tracks back to a South American
connection. He believes that Miami's crime boss O'Burke is behind the deadly videos; Max
investigates although he could become the star of his own picture filmed in a Little Havana post
office. DIAMOND EYE is a terrific Southern Florida law enforcement tale starring a warm, witty
fortyish unique investigator. The story line is fast-paced as Max makes his inquiries. The support
cast either is antagonists or enable the audience to see what motivates Max although the latter is a
duel edged sword as prime secondary characters fall off the pages without regard. Still fans will
appreciate dedicated Max of the USPIS as he struggles with a deadly case and in his relationships
with his grandma, his boss, and his "Phayled" love life.
Cobo's Quest
Elizabeth A. Merz
Quiet Storm
ISBN: 0974408425 $27.95
Golden eyed Ver dala Ven Cobo loves Jishni, but she married his brother Bail as state obligations
compel her to acquiesce to the previously arranged marriage. Cobo and Jishni continue their
taboo
tryst until she says her vows to Bail. Jishni gives birth to a gold-eyed boy that means Cobo sired
the
lad as only a golden eyed Betnoni can procreate a golden-eyed child. Although Bail knows the
truth, he accepts the infant as his own son. Unable to see his beloved with someone else, Cobo
flees
to the forbidden Shodalum in spite of his sibling's noble act and his own duty as this generation's
Ver
dala Ven. In Shodalum, Cobo becomes a farmer and "adopts" a desert native Gella as his "chosen
sister". However, visions creep in his mind that his adult son though raised in a caring household
lacked the training that only a Ver dala Ven could provide the next generation magical user. Evil
surrounds Taen tainting him. With Gella accompanying him, Cobo reluctantly heads home to help
Taen find the proper path and complete his own destiny of uncovering the singing spirit guide the
Masing Star. The second "Last Gate" tale is an exciting action-packed fantasy that moves forward
rather quickly yet insures that key cast members are believable and fully developed especially
Cobo
and Taen. The duality of the complex story line ingeniously converges at key pivotal moments
similar to the DNA helix until complete merger occurs as Cobo's homeland has quite a subplot
too.
Though reading book one BETNONI'S PROPHECY will expedite understanding motives,
COBO'S
QUEST is a strong tale that will send fantasy readers not so quietly storming their bookstores for
the first novel.
Tijuana Straits
Kem Nunn
Scribner
ISBN: 0684843056 $25.00, 306 pp.
His dilapidated property, inherited from his homicidal father, resides near the TIJUANA
STRAITS,
but loner Sam Fahey never goes surfing at the renowned locale as he had when he was a teen.
Instead the former jailbird earns a pittance as a worm farmer who cannot leave his land for the
anxiety attacks cripple him when he tries. Sam, tracking wild dogs, finds a battered Mexican
woman.
Though he prefers to avoid humans, Sam brings the assaulted female to his trailer. He learns that
his
"guest", twenty-three years old Magdalena Rivera, is an environmental activist working for a
Tijuana
attorney developing cases against major polluters. However, it is not her paying job that has
placed
Magdalena in danger, but her volunteer work at a clinic where she helped a severely abused
woman
with an abortion. This led to her drug-crazed husband Armando Santoya, wanting to kill her.
Though his offspring was a victim of the pollutants that foul the border; he blames Magdalena for
the loss and only Sam stands in the way. Known for his surf Noir tales, Kem Nunn widens the
horizon with this taut border thriller. Readers learn through flashbacks what turned Sam from a
highly regarded surfer into a panic attack hermit; the audience finds out why Magdalena is a rabid
clean air and water activist (the hypocrisy that America worries about free trade agreements
leading
to pollution is ironic); finally what motivates Armando to obsess over killing Magdalena. Though
there is unnecessary violence (that seems to symbolize the writer's beliefs of the lawlessness of the
California-Mexico border), the author shows he is second to none when it comes to readers riding
a
suspense laden crest.
Stir of Echoes
Richard Matheson
Tor
ISBN: 0765308711 $12.95, 223 pp.
Returning to his home in Hawthorne from working at the North American Aircraft plant in
Inglewood, Tom Wallace sees the car of Philip, his brother-in-law a psych major at Berkley. That
night Tom, his pregnant wife Anne and Phil go next door to attend a party. Phil offers to
hypnotize
any volunteers, but no one steps forward so he informs "brother man" that he is the chosen victim.
Phil successfully hypnotizes Tom. That night while unable to sleep, Tom begins hearing voices of
people he knows and impressions in his dead culminated with a ghost in his living room.
Suddenly,
Tom's middle class American dream lifestyle seems meaningless as the hypnosis has aroused
psychic
abilities that he never knew he had. He hears the intimate most confidential thoughts of those
around
him and learns secrets that shake his existence, but worse is the visits from the murder victim
demanding he help her find her killer. This is a reprint of a 1950s thriller (and a one degree Bacon
movie) that combines an amateur sleuth subplot within a fast-paced paranormal story line
containing
a ghostly element and psychic abilities. Tom is a terrific protagonist as readers observe the
contrast
between his lifestyle and his new ESP abilities. The support cast adds depth to Tom's travails as
he
tries to solve a homicide and regain his former existence without "hearing" the thoughts of others.
Richard Matheson shows why he is one of the masters of the thriller genre as this "historical"
piece
ages nicely.
Blind Switch
John McEvoy
Poisoned Press
ISBN 1590580958 $24.95, 290 pp.
When Jack Doyle is downsized from his corporate Chicago job, a friend tells him he can make an
easy $25,000 on a horse race. He accepts the job and the fix is totally successful but the FBI has
an
idea what he did even though they have no evidence to convict. The agents "convince" him to
gather
evidence that rich and powerful Harvey Rexroth is having his horses killed for the insurance
money.
One of Rexroth's employees, manager Aldous Bolger reports his suspicions to the FBI. Bolger
agrees to help Jack get hired by Rexroth and Doyle but finds he likes and respects the man who
loves the horses as if they were his own. The FBI believes the leader of the horse killing ring is
former jockey Ronald Montvedt, a stone cold killer who will do anything for money. When
Bolger
catches him trying to kill a stallion, the ex-jockey maims Bolger. Doyle is now determined to take
Montvedt and Rexroth down, no matter what methods he has to use. Fans of books of the late
Dick
Francis will thoroughly enjoy BLIND SWITCH, a novel about horses and people who care for
them.
The protagonist undergoes a metamorphosis as he stays in contact with the beautiful animals and
goes from being a shady character to a person who wants to see justice done. John McEvoy has a
unique voice that will win him a place with many fans and BLIND SWITCH deserves to win an
award for best new talent.
The Manor
Scott Nicholson
Pinnacle
ISBN 0786015802 $5.99, 320 pp.
The North Carolina Arts Council awarded a grant to Mason Jackson to work on his sculpture for
six
weeks with free room and board at the Korban Manor that once belonged to Ephraim Korban.
Parapsychologist Anna Galloway has dreamed of Korban Manor for a long time and now that she
is
dying, she goes to the place that has haunted her. Anna is amazed that her dream was about an
actual place and from her first day on the property she sees ghosts, the shades that Korban
controls.
At first nobody realize that Korban is neither dead nor alive but lives in the walls and the glass of
the
home he loved so much. Miss Mamie, who runs the manor, is really Korban's wife Margaret; she
remains young due to the power that her husband possesses. Everyone on the property who is not
a
guest is a ghost for Korban to use as fuel to sustain his existence. On the night of the blue moon,
if
all goes according to plan, Korban will live once again and only Anna and Mason can stop him if
they dare. Fans of Bentley Little and Peter Straub will love this old fashioned ghost story that will
scare readers half to death out of fear Korban will turn them next. From the beginning the
audience
is aware that ghosts roam THE MANOR and the outside property but they don't have a clue what
Korban's ultimate goal is or why each room has a fireplace that is always lit or why a picture of
Korban that is highly prominent in each room gives the viewer a chill. Sooth Nicholson has
written
an edgy and frightening ghost story that readers will thoroughly enjoy.
Harriet Klausner
Senior Reviewer
Laurel's Bookshelf
Waltzing With the Captain: Remembering Richard Brautigan
Greg Keeler
Limberlost Press
17 Canyon Trail, Boise ID 83716
www.limberlostpress.com
ISBN 0931659930 $15.00 plus $3.00 s & h 168 pages
Greg Keeler today is an accomplished musician, poet, writer, and teacher of English at Montana
State University. But he was a still-wet-behind-the-ears transplant from Oklahoma when he first
met
Richard Brautigan in 1978. Brautigan was a best selling author, world traveler, and counter
culture
legend-who counted among his friends John Lennon, Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda, Jimmy Buffet,
Rip Torn, and Francis Ford Coppola. For reasons Keeler can't explain, Brautigan took a liking to
him and thereby hangs the tale.
Despite rubbing elbows with icons of the film and popular music culture, Brautigan was a
common
man, salt of the earth. He circulated with the rich and famous, or fished and bent an elbow with
locals in and around Bozeman with equal enthusiasm. Keeler's recollection of their friendship is at
times hilarious or poignant, but just as often disturbing and sad. That they were friends in the
truest
sense is evident in every line.
Brautigan was larger than life, like his hero Hemingway before him. He was a man of "wonderful,
scary, craziness", a big, funny, quicksilver man given to zany pranks and heavy drinking. He loved
a
hearty joke or play on words, but was prone to paranoia once he'd reached a certain stage of
inebriation. It wasn't always easy maintaining a friendship with Brautigan. He was often
deliberately
cruel, especially to his friends. But those who might think Keeler stuck with Brautigan for money
or
favors would be far off the mark.
With priceless chapter titles, such as my favorite, "Night of the Living Borscht", Keeler shares his
memories of Brautigan. The result is a complete picture of this flawed and complicated man
who salved insecurity, loneliness and sorrow with rage, humor, and massive doses of alcohol.
Keeler
painted his friend as a man who lived with "a huge hole in his chest" after his wife divorced him.
That huge hole was replaced with a smaller hole in his head in 1984 when Brautigan committed
suicide.
To Keeler, his friend Brautigan represented an unpredictable, idiosyncratic and charming addition
to
his otherwise normal life. Brautigan considered the art of writing as mining gold from the air or
loading mercury with a pitchfork. He would be proud of what his friend Greg Keeler has written
because he has, indeed, mined gold and loaded mercury to perfection.
There may be other books out there about Brautigan and his life, but I suggest you start with this
one. There can be no truer portrait of the man than one written by a friend who loved him, warts
and
all.
The Caldera: Carver 2 - High Mountain Adventure
iUniverse
www.iUniverse.com
ISBN 0595324827 $12.95 153 pages
C.H. Foertmeyer excels at spinning adventure yarns blended with fantasy, friendship, and poetic
justice. His eighth novel, a sequel to his first, creates a sense of wonder that builds from first page
to
last.
In 1968, Kevin Reynolds was convicted of a horrible crime, was eventually executed, taking
important information to his grave. The Caldera begins in 2003 when Mitch Reynolds shares a
recently discovered secret with his lifelong friend Spence Doogan. Spence is dubious, until Mitch
offers proof that may explain the tragic happenings in 1968. The teenagers enlist another friend,
Kody Coates, to investigate new information about the tragedy. Kody also has a vested interest in
discovering the truth about what happened at the Oriel Peak Caldera so many years ago. A
Coates
relative was murdered back then, and to this day what happened there has never been explained.
The
three friends devise a plan to search for answers.
Even scenic vistas of the glorious Montana Rockies can't disguise the sense that all is not right in
the
Caldera. Time and place become distorted. Maybe Indian magic gone awry explains it, or perhaps
Heaven is righting earthly wrongs by leveling the playing field? Whatever the explanation, the
three
friends soon find themselves embroiled in a far larger mystery than they expected. Sam Elliott, the
ancient mountain man from another era, stalks them with his Sharps. Or is it really Sam? Odd
winds
blow across the caldera, accompanied by violent rumblings in the earth. When all three boys go
missing, Sheriff Casey Jeffries and retired Deputy Stan Phillips search for answers and find much
more than they anticipated. Will past wrongs be righted and final justice prevail? You'll have to
read
the story to find out.
In each novel, C.H. Foertmeyer always presents an intriguing concept for readers to consider. His
characters are believable and well developed. Wilderness descriptions add richness to each story.
The Caldera is exceptional in that respect. Past, present, and future become living entities as
powers
beyond human comprehension work to solve a long hidden mystery. This book is suitable reading
for adults and young adults.
Epiphany at Goofy Gas
Greg Keeler
Clark City Press
PO Box 1358, Livingston MT 59047
ISBN 094443925X $9.95 115 pages
I first read work by Greg Keeler while reviewing his recent novel, Waltzing With the Captain,
about
friend and fellow writer, Richard Brautigan. A colleague said, "If you like Keeler's writing, you
should read his poetry." I followed through on that advice. Keeler's book of poetry, Epiphany at
Goofy's Gas is a gem.
Greg Keeler wears a lot of hats. Musician, lyricist, writer, poet, satirist and educator are among
his
accomplishments. As poet, his work is never predictable or trite. I laughed out loud at his
humorous
sleight-of-hand one minute, and found myself blinking back tears the next.
Keeler excels at sly humor. His"Memo to Blue Gnats" is priceless:
We are writing to request
a thorough and precise
accounting for this behavior
since, under standard procedures,
you are supposed to be dead.
Ditto his "Memo to The Hornets":
Those of you who happened
to be away at 10:00 A.M.
will notice that your nest
and your colleagues are missing.
I was still contemplating the memoes while reading his seven part anthem, "The Meat." Believe
me,
this is social commentary and satire on the highest order. A hint regarding content can be found in
the first three lines:
Once more the meat converges on
Atlantic City for the annual selection
of the meatiest of the meat.
But Keeler's work is more than simply caustic satire and sly self-examination. He also provides
moments of rare beauty, as found in two lines of a poem about his dying grandmother in
"Grandma
Wulz":
...there is more grace in this flesh than death
could possibly know....
And the musings of a lonely woman in "The Fisherman's Wife" brought a crush of empathetic
understanding:
Don't think of the garden unplanted
or the stars unseen when dawn comes.
I've trailed my footprints
like obsolete currency
down the sand
where you left me so often.
In between the laughter and lumps in the throat, Keeler dangles clear cut visions of joy then
snatches
them away via contrasting moments of reality. I've heard it said the mark of a good wordsmith is
that their words haunt readers long after the book has been read. Greg Keeler's work more than
qualifies if Epiphany at Goofy's Gas is an example.
Computer - End Program
Argile Stox
Publish America
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1413724965 $24.95 324 pages
Do you ever wonder about the homeless people you see in your daily travels? This is your chance
to
walk a mile in their shoes and experience their lives. Citizens and politicians can pretend the
homeless problem does not exist, but those thrown into the situation don't have that luxury.
Computer - End Program is one man's story. Argile Stox is a pseudonym.
In the wake of 9/11, the life of Argile Stox is rather swiftly deconstructed. Economic downturns
in
the New York City area make his job obsolete. Jobs paying enough to maintain even his frugal
lifestyle are hard to find, if not impossible. His savings are depleted first, then he loses his vehicle,
and finally after several months his apartment. A quiet, unassuming man who always paid his own
way is left standing on the street with everything he owns stuffed in a rolling duffel bag. He turns
to
the Salvation Army and finds housing in an all male homeless shelter until he can regroup. His
hopes
for the future are high. He's intelligent and capable, after all, and surely this will be a temporary
setback.
Although he isn't a drug addict, alcoholic, or convicted felon, Argile is placed in a shelter
warehousing such men. Life in the shelter is structured by hard rules and domineering overseers.
Newfound friends make life bearable, but Argile soon begins to suffer from his losses. The once
productive self-sufficient member of society is plagued by anxiety and fear of the unknown.
Exhausted in body, mind, and spirit, he struggles to gain needed health care, permanent housing,
and
a paying job. When Argile is transferred to a homeless shelter for honorably discharged veterans,
he
trusts that life will soon turn in his favor. What he discovers there is danger from violent residents
and cruel, injust treatment at the hands of those paid to serve the homeless. Overwhelmed
caseworkers try to distance themselves from the hopeless souls they should be serving. Psychiatric
teams have as their only goals maintaining power and control. Suffering from bleeding ulcers and
contemplating suicide, Argile leaves that second shelter in desperation. Even life on the street is
preferable to injustice and harassment.
With dignity and scathing honesty, Argile writes his story on the laptop purchased in his
pre-homeless life. Writing is a purgative and calming exercise. The message he delivers is clear:
Don't take for granted the small pleasures and blessings in life because millions of decent
Americans
are one or two paychecks away from homelessness.
In closing, I must stand in agreement with points made retrospectively by the author. America has
lost the war on drugs, poverty, domestic violence, mental illness, and homelessness. Until our
elected officials turn their attention away from funding problems overseas, they cannot address
dire
social problems within our borders. This book is a sobering commentary on social problems
existing
long before 9/11 and the current economy. I suggest you read this book, if you have the
courage.
Sam's Diary
H.L. Bailey
iUniverse
www.iuniverse.com
ISBN 0595317634 $13.95 179 pages
H.L. Bailey has chosen a rather unusual premise for her first book, and perfected it most
effectively.
Sam's Diary is an absorbing chronicle of family relationships and the daily lives that mesh together
to
form a loving unit.
The Evers are a typical American family. Father Brian is quiet, a good provider for his wife and
children, slyly humorous and loving. Mother Helen is feisty and outspoken, adoring of her
husband
and supportive of her children, laying down her rules with sardonic wit. Son Dean is a loner who
is
into country music and competitive sports, a good student who has no steady girlfriend as the
book
begins. Daughter Samantha - Sam - is a typical teenage girl who questions life, worries about her
looks, and records her thoughts and hopes in a diary. Life for the Evers family is not always
perfect.
There are the usual clashes between mother and daughter, occasional financial concerns, and
tempers flare from time to time. Still, they function beautifully as a family unit and underlying
every
argument or misunderstanding there is a sometimes unspoken germ of love and respect. Close
friends add a rich reality and humor to their lives.
Sam's thoughts, written in her diary, are the central focus as her mother reads each entry years
later
and adds her comments to the mix. The results show a clear picture of how the Evers family
interacts and works together towards solutions to each problem. Far from being mundane, the
entries and comments are often hilarious or profound. The language is often graphic. Each
character
immediately becomes a person readers care about. Sam addresses the occasions most meaningful
in
her life -- drivers ed, first permanent, first date, first period, her jobs, shopping at the mall -- and
does so with a starkly charming honesty.
It's rare to find a book that stuns me to silence. Sam's Diary accomplished that. About three
fourths
of the way through I was happily reading along, enjoying myself immensely, when Ms. Bailey
took
me by complete surprise. It will take me awhile to recover.
I'll say no more, and not divulge the secret of Sam's Diary. I recommend you read it for yourself.
Despite the sometimes graphic, honest language, mature teenagers and adults - especially parents
-
will be entertained and enlightened by this book. Good job, Ms. Bailey.
The Sultan
T.J. Koll
Winterwolf Publishing
PO Box 1373, Westerville OH 43086-1373
ISBN 097527113X $14.95 267 pages
My first impression of this fine book was positive, thanks to the spectacular cover art. Ancient
warriors in battle, horses at a gallop, stand out in colorful relief against a faded map of Arabia.
That
cover sets the tone for The Sultan, so T.J. Koll's skill as writer came as no surprise. From page
one,
I was hooked.
The ongoing troubles in Israel, Desert Storm, 9/11, and now the war in Iraq -- via TV -- have set
our national perspective on the Arab world in stone. T.J. Koll takes us back in time, brings to life
a
new, enlightened picture of the Muslim people and their struggles. With honesty and compassion,
the author shows us both sides of a battle that has raged for centuries and will likely never end.
The
Sultan may be fiction, but to this reader at least every word rang true.
We meet Youssuf Salah al-Din when he is a youth, watching his warrior-father die in battle at the
hands of Christian Crusaders. Youssuf is Syrian, a Kurd, who vows revenge on the red haired
knight
who killed his father. Youssuf is a peaceful man who tries to live by the Qu-ran. He despises
butchery and battle but is forced by circumstance to become a warrior. Ferocious in battle and
blessed by Allah with a canny intelligence, Youssuf soon earns grudging respect from the
Christian
Knights occupying his homeland. They call him Saladin.
Bloody skirmishes are fought with crossbows, scimitars, swords and spears. From Syria, to
Egypt,
and finally Jerusalem, Youssuf proves his skill and cunning against superior Christian forces.
Jerusalem is the prize coveted by both Muslims and Christians. Youssuf must deal with politics
and
treacheries as both sides posture, quarrel and grapple for dominance. The Europeans understand
that
dividing ancient Arab foes will weaken their enemy. They play Egypt and Syria against each other
as
a means of furthering Vatican interests. Youssuf understands this and labors to maintain unity
between the Arab nations.
Along with realistic depictions of bloody battles, Koll beautifully describes the quiet of holy places
and the sting of desert sand. His characters are richly developed and believable. The best and
worst
of both sides is honestly detailed. All knights are not blinded by hatred. All Muslims are not bent
on
killing every Christian. There are men of honor on both sides. Both Youssuf and a sympathetic
knight he befriends -- Count Tripoli -- have a clear understanding of the fight between two faiths:
Neither God nor Allah have a part in the miseries inflicted on humanity in their names. Man alone
must bear that responsibility.
T. J. Koll's first book is a winner. His writing style is a joy to read. It has my highest
recommendation.
Laurel Johnson
Senior Reviewer
Shelley's Bookshelf
CN (Cyanide)
Maurice & Leigh Thompson
Profound Quality Resources, Ltd.
1-843-577-8937, meht@comcast.net
ISBN: 0974059315 $19.95
Leigh and Maurice Thompson (Leigh is the husband; Maurice the wife) are two high-powered
professionals who have had impressive careers in medicine, publishing, editing, and historical
preservation. They are also cranking out mysteries at an astonishing rate: MURDER IN
SPOLETO
was published in January of 2003. CN is their second, published in May 2003, and the
METHUSALAH PROJECT is expected soon.
The Thompsons take on today's biggest challenges in CN. Al Quada and bin Laden are the enemy,
with Saddam and a host of other minor but deadly terrorists committing mass murder for blood
money. Their methods are evil and designed to inflict the most damage on the world, using
cyanide
to poison a deluxe luxury liner; ricin in a brewery; injecting prions in meat to produce mad cow
disease, and their final assault: a three-pronged attack on the East Coast. But even as they are
congratulating themselves on killing the infidel, the United States is marshaling its resources to
catch
the lunatics:
"That even the CIA pumped a soporific gas into Fahid's bedroom, penetrated the house and
photocopied the card and its fingerprints, and implanted a number of transmitters in his shoes,
jackets, and briefcases. Their colleagues in Zurich approached the UBS CEO the next morning
and
wished details on account: 8B3-K49-23A-N6P. After reviewing their credentials with his security
chief, the CEO very politely provided the current balance and the news that there had been no
withdrawals."
Although the plot includes Saddam as part of the unholy trio, the ideas presented in this
up-to-date
mystery are well-researched and frightening. CN features a decisive president who finds the top
people in various areas to outwit the terrorists. The hunt is logical, full of explicit detail, and
comes
to a very satisfying conclusion. The Thompsons are a duo who combine the facts with a credible
plan for the downfall of terrorists and a scenario where the world can get back to being a place
where fear is not the driving force. CN is a finely wrought mystery that combines an incredible
amount of information to present a possible solution to not only the plot, but to our current woes.
Well done!
The Dragon Man
Garry Disher
Soho Press
853 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
www.sohopress.com
ISBN: 1569473560 $23.00
Gary Disher is a native Australia and presently lives on the Victorian Coast. A lifetime writer, he
was a fellow in Creative Writing at Stanford in 1978. He has written and published novels, short
stories, writing how to's, the Wyatt crime thrillers, the Personal Best anthologies, and children's
books. He has been short-listed for several awards and was nominated for the Booker Prize in
England.
Detective Inspector Challis lives a modest life, but is known as the "Dragon Man" to his officers.
His
"beat" is the Peninsula, a piece of seaside land east of Melbourne, and he is a veteran homicide
investigator. He has a thing going with Tessa Kane, the local newspaperwoman, and they both
wonder if they even like each other. As the tale begins two girls are found murdered, a week
apart.
Someone is torching mailboxes, and it seems that there is human misery all around, from the cop
who has been seduced by a woman in the Witness Protection Program to the new female cop who
has a crush on a surfing instructor. It seems that all involved are only human, even Challis
himself:
"It was a clumsy insult, delivered with a grin of Christmas cheer. Challis wanted to say that some
people had all the luck but let it go. People underestimated him, he knew that, and didn't care.
They
thought that a policeman who liked to restore old aeroplanes and had a wife who'd tried to have
him
shot was a man who would allow things to happen to him. A man destined to remain stuck where
he
was in the force, detective inspector, no higher."
The Dragon Man is a character-driven psycho-mystery that is as much about the policemen and
policewomen themselves as it is about a murdering psychopath. Challis is an every man type of
character who is likeable because of his expertise and self-knowledge. He keeps his crew calm,
even
as they each go through life's tribulations. He certainly has much to contend with, but the little
mini-vignettes that Disher throws out intertwine with a plot that has many tentacles. Disher bites
off
a lot with this dark mystery, but manages to pull everything around to a great denouement and
satisfying conclusion. This tale is a great thriller to read during rainy weather all wrapped up in a
blanket by the fire with a dog or kitty nearby to render comfort.
Penelope Passes
Joan Coggin
The Rue Morgue Press
87 Lone Tree Lane, Lyons, CO 80540
ISBN: 0915230615 $14.95
The Rue Morgue Press brings back vintage mysteries from between 1900 and the 1960's. Joan
Coggin was primarily a writer of books for teenage girls, under the name of Joanna Lloyd, but
took
a brief foray into the world of mystery. Lady Lupin Lorrimer Hastings, the daughter of an earl,
who
is now married to Andrew, a vicar of St. Marks Parish in Glanville, Sussex, is the heroine and
scatterbrained sleuth in Coggin's mysteries. There are four in all, and PENELOPE PASSES is the
third of the series, first published in 1947. Coggin herself was the granddaughter of Edward
Lloyd,
founder of LLOYD'S WEEKLY LONDON NEWSPAPER. She graduated from Wycombe
Abbey
in 1916 and worked as a nurse under 1930, when her writing career began. She was an epileptic,
and
a woman of class.
Lady Lupin and her husband, Andrew, now have two children and have seemed to settle down
into
life at the parish in Glanville. But it seems that wherever Lady Lupin goes, murder follows. This is
a
most unusual case, since Penelope Stevenson is a most beloved 39 year old, who has always taken
care of her father and brother. The trouble is, her brother, Dick, is married and has just had a new
baby. When their father dies, Dick thinks that Penelope will now be free to marry the man who
has
loved her for herself for the past twenty years. She has refused him once again, and suddenly there
seems to be a big mystery surrounding her death and who she truly was in life. Therein lies the
true
puzzle, and it seems to be up to Lupin to solve it:
"What on earth was she to do? What she wanted to do and what common sense told her to do
was
to go home tomorrow. She would take Christopher with her and there would be Andrew and
Peter
and Jill! It wasn't as if she could do any good here. Or could she? Was there anything left for her
to
do? Surely Mr. Borden would be able to clear up everything. She probably made things much
worse
with her cockeyed notions. Lady Deering, for instance! One could hardly imagine Lady Deering
strolling into the garden on a Sunday evening, shooting Penelope and returning to the hall to sit at
the head of the dinner table, looking charming in gray chiffon."
PENELOPE PASSES is an exquisite mystery, and Lupin is endearing. A great read!
After The Facts
Vincent M. Lutterbie
Elderberry Press
1393 Old Homestead Drive, Second Floor Oakland, OR 97462-9506
ISBN: 193085921X $19.95
Vincent M. Lutterbie is a dentist by profession and a writer by hobby. He has extensive
experience
with disabled clients, since they make up the majority of his client base. He lives in Missouri with
his
wife and three children, and the occasional visiting child.
After Coffman was born in Brooklyn to a missing dad and a sorry excuse for a mother. His name
was a mistake made by a hasty nurse when his mother said, "let's name him after Bob." After is
beginning his career as a private investigator and opens an office at the back of an antique store
run
by a man who has many irons in the fire. He is staying at a rooming house run by Mother Teresa,
who has a cat named Soot who dive-bombs After's room, and who cooks fabulous meals which
figure prominently in the tale. After's first case involves a missing person, and within a week of
taking a $100 retainer, his client is killed. After is off and running, and of course gets involved
with a
shady woman named Felicity who quickly ingratiates herself with After and his gang:
"All was fine with our repast. Mother enjoyed having a young lady there, Paul cleaned his glasses
to
have a better look, then grinned stupidly every time Felicity opened her mouth. Hal was on his
best
behavior, but I noticed that he managed to sit closest to her. I didn't mind as I sat across from her
and studied her closely. Yes, her healthy looks were beginning to appeal to me, I felt myself being
reeled in. As for her, all of her conversation was a little on the ditsy side, but delightful. She
charmed
everyone in the house."
After is an unlikely but endearing hero in this action-packed mystery. The poor guy is constantly
being beaten up and attacked, but he has the intelligence and grit to weather his first case. He has
no
end of fools and con artists to deal with, and he manages to work his way through and make a
few
friends along the way. AFTER THE FACTS is an entertaining mystery written by a guy who likes
food, the underdog, cats, and the girls. Lutterbie does a great job on this premier mystery. He has
much to offer and manages to bewitch the reader with a charismatic and breezy writing style. A
wonderful first effort!
Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer
Shirley's Bookshelf
Faith, Hope and Charity
Ginny McBlain
Awe-Struck E-Books
http://www.awestruck.net
ISBN# 1587494698 16 Chapters $3.99 Download
Kirsten Hansen, the main character of our story, is a woman that perhaps years ago few of us
would
have known, but now could well be the lady next door. Her past, colored and full of rebellion has
left her with emotional scares that only the intervention of a loving God could heal.
Ignored and discarded by her parents, Kristen was raised by a loving sister who had tried
desperately
to fill the void in this young girls life, but this love was mistaken by Kirsten as control. Kirsten,
thrust herself among people that only sucked her deeper into the world of darkness, finding
herself
pregnant and alone and losing her baby at birth shocked her into attempting to gain control of her
roller-coaster life.
As fate would have it we find Kirsten renting a home across the street from her sister's church, a
home that is owned by the church. The Reverend, Michael Holliman, is a widower with a small
two
year old daughter to raise. Kirsten, unlike her faith-filled sister and family, knows little of the love
of
God, nor is she particularly interested in finding out. However, God has another plan for this
woman
and this faithful Pastor, and He has a ministry that only someone who has experienced the horror
that Kirstin has could fill.
In this tender read, we watch love blossom under the crafted hand of God. Through trials and
tribulations we see two people so alone being joined to become a family. We chuckle at the
always
present 'church busybodies', who are ever watching every move their Pastor makes and judging in
their own 'righteousness.' And we smile as we see the Lord deal with such as these as only He
can. A
wonderful read, showing how a loving God can turn tragedy and pain, into triumph and joy.
Recommended.
The Gift of Pain
Barbara Altemus
Berkley Publishing Group
375 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014
http://www.penguin.com
ISBN# 0399527788 $14.95 210 pages
I believe we have all experienced pain in our lives. We may try to dodge it, ignore it, bury it, but
alas
it still seems to creep into our everyday existence. I have heard all the old additives that without
pain
we would not know we were hurt, of course I would rather just not know myself, but that is not
the
way of life.
In Ms. Altemus's book she tells her story of pain and shares how she turned that pain into a
positive
aspect in her life. She also incorporates stories from such people as Goldie Hawn, Martin Sheen
and
many others. They share tales of their pain and how it became a turning point in their lives. Each
one
tells of the force that they clung to and how it helped them to overcome. Whether it be God, a
person, an idea or a belief, and they share how they used this focal point to turn their pain into a
positive.
If you are hurting, or have been hurt, and haven't we all; you will find encouragement in the
words
of this book. The stories of those who have not given into the pain but have used it to transform
their lives will help you to overcome your own pain and lead you to a path of healing.
Dying For Redemption: A Callouse Novel
Chris Freeburn
Quiet Storm Publishing
http://www.quietstormpublishing.com
ISBN# 0974960853 $14.95 244 pages
It seems our main character in this high rolling mystery is dead. How is that for a beginning to a
read? What an ingenious idea; I loved it right away, and I was anxious to dig my teeth into this
one.
Callous was murdered, and is now living in Limbo along with others who also were murdered,
and
must stay there long enough to get their questions answers. At that time they would either go to
Heaven or Hell. Yikes! This was getting good; I read on; I had to know how the author was
going
to write a murder mystery with dead people being the main characters. Talk about a
challenge.
In life, Callous was a PI and he was killed during an investigation where he was searching for a
missing girl. He has been in Limbo for over 50 years and has opened a PI office, where he helps
those who are there find out who killed them so that they can move on to wherever they are
going.
Creepy!
The story takes you to the house of his great-grandniece who is now in college and is doing a
paper
for her class. She has decided to investigate the murder of her great uncle and someone had to
stop
her, the truth could not be told. She is murdered and ends up in Limbo with her uncle. They team
up with several other colorful characters that were murdered as well, to solve all of their
mysteries.
What a group.
I loved the character Callous. I enjoyed his wit and enjoyed watching him work through many of
his
own inward struggles. The moving between the living and the dead kept this reader on her toes
and
kept my interest high, as the author weaved the story of several murders neatly throughout the
read. Yes, this kept you guessing until the end, with all the normal questions of the who's what's
and
why's with each case.
To me this novel was like a breath of fresh air. It reminded me a little of the old movie "Topper",
and the idea of a dead PI doing investigations was so intriguing that you just couldn't put the book
down. I have to highly recommend this read. Different, ingenious and attention grabbing. Don't
miss
this one.
The Prophet
Kahlil Gibran
Alfred A. Knopf Publishers
ISBN# 0394404289 $15.00 128 pages
If I have ever read a book that is timeless, other than the Word of God, it would have to be this
one.
Although I may not have agreed with every word written, so many of the words of wisdom within
these pages brought peace and comfort to me. I read this book many, many years ago. I quoted
from
it at times and thought of it often. The words seemed to wrap themselves around your heart and
spring out in times of need. There are not many books that can stake that claim, and I have read
many. A classic in my opinion and a book that will never be outdated.
The Richest of Fare
Phyllis Strupp
Sonoran Cross Press
8912 East Pinnacle Park Road, Suite 604, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255
ISBN# 097467270X $24.95
It isn't often that you can get lost in the beauty of a book, this was the case with "The Richest of
Fare." Words crafted skillfully to describe the life and beauty of the Sonoran Desert weave their
way
into your heart and make you yearn to be part of its majesty. Accompanied by colorful pictures,
your spirit senses the pure spiritual side of this part of creation, as the author shares pictures of
landscape and creatures that merge to make this desert what it is. The Richest of Fare is more
than a
book, it is a spiritual awakening to what has been before us since the world began. It is a reminder
that truly our Maker speaks to us in all that He has created. Well worth your time.
Out Of Town
Ed Lynskey
Books For A Buck
BooksForABuck.com
No ISBN $1.00 168 pages
"Out Of Town," is a collection of short stories telling of different cases that PI Johnson is
involved
with. You travel with him, not just across the country, but at times across the world on his
assignments; this was quite a different swing and I liked it. Frank Johnson is a PI, with a flare like
none other. Tough as nails on the outside, you are surprised as this character begins to grow on
you
and you wait with anticipation of his next case and the adventure and mystery it holds
This is a good work, as the author does a great job in bringing PI Johnson to life. I actually was
saddened when he had to investigate the deaths of his sister and cousin, and felt this brought a
personal element into the read. The characters are well developed and each case that PI Johnson
solves has a mystery all its own, at times you are truly surprised at who the murderer was. In
some,
outcomes could almost stem on a little 'weird,' but that's why I give this book a high
recommendation.
If you want great characters, mysteries that are not the norm, and a work that draws you into the
storyline, you will want to read this book. Good job Mr. Lynskey; I look forward to reading more
of
your work in the future.
The Guardian
Denise Fleischer
Port Town Publishing
601 Belknap Street, Superior WI 54880
ISBN# 0974083380 $9.95 369 pages
I have to admit I am not one that will seek out a book on paranormal adventure, but at times I am
pleasantly surprised, as was the case with this read.
Author, Denise Fleischer, won my attention from the first chapter of this work and held it
throughout, which is the mark of a good writer.
This is the story of a challenge, given to Crusader Lea Netera, a challenge against evil that we
could
never imagine, an evil that could change our world forever. Lea is given the task to make sure this
does not happen and one wonders, as they are reading, just how she will accomplish this against
such immense odds.
The author takes you on a supernatural journey, mixed with history and morsels of romance in
this
one of a kind novel.
The storyline is intense, giving you battles between mortals and demons, good and evil; and the
character development brilliant causing you to actually feel as if you are one with them as they
continue on with their quest. Good job!
The supernatural side of the work truly grabbed my attention and made me scratch my head with
the
question of how this author came up with all the characters and places that she did, and was able
to
merge them together keeping the storyline flowing. Outstanding job.
If you love Science Fiction, romance, adventure and history, you will love this book. A real
page-turner and one you will not be able to put down.
Musings, Meditations, and Memories Of One Slightly Dysfunctional American Family
The Harper Kids
Publish America
http://www.publishamerica.com
ISBN# 1413729150 $19.95 177 pages
I suppose all of us could look back at our lives and our families and feel that our experiences
would
make a great book. The memories that made us smile, brought forth tears, increased our faith, and
made us a family are so precious to us.
However, the question always is there, whether others will enjoy sharing what is so deep within
our
hearts. It is a gamble, but one that I feel this family has won.
This is a collection of stories about real people and their travels in life, told in their own words,
sharing with the reader in a deep personal way.
As I read the different stories and adventures, the memories and the heart of these siblings; I was
drawn into their world. I found they openly shared their emotions with stark honesty. Whether it
was fear, quiet trust in God, anger and hurt over broken relationships, heartbreak of death, or the
sweet fragrance of victory in life; they wrote words from the voice of their spirit to share, and I
feel
perhaps help another soul along the journey of life.
Throughout the work you sense their deep trust in a loving Creator; and you understand the
commitment that is within this family towards each other, even if happenings have for a moment
tried to sever that joining.
If you want to read a work that has words from open hearts and deep convictions, this is the one
for
you. You will smile, shed a few tears, and realize that no family is perfect, no life is without
challenges, but you will know that it is through these experiences that you become a family.
Sharing
life is what a family is all about; this work is a sweet reminder of that. Very highly
recommended.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
Vicki's Bookshelf
A Smart Girl's Guide To Starting Middle School
Julie Williams
Angela Martini, illustrator
American Girl / Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
ISBN 158485877X $9.95, 96 pages, www.americangirl.com
One of the hardest things girls experience when starting middle school is not knowing what to
expect about homework, teachers, lockers, classrooms, new social issues, and everything in
between. "A Smart Girl's Guide to Starting Middle School" is a handy bible of sorts, addressing
the
big questions girls have about adjusting to a new school, new teachers, new friends, and other
changes middle school brings. Filled with expert advice, been-there tips, and interactive quizzes,
this
is a practical and friendly guide to helps girls approach the start of middle school with confidence
and enthusiasm.
Witchhunt: Mysteries of the Salem Witch Trials
Marc Aronson
Antheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689848641 $18.95, 272 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
What really happened in Salem Masschusettes in 1692? In a plain meetinghouse, a woman stood
before her judges. The accusers, girls and young women, were fervent, overexcited, and just on
the
edge of breaking out in convulsions. The accused was a poor, unpopular woman who had her first
child out of wedlock. As the trial proceeded, the girls began to wail, tore at their clothing, and
screamed that the woman was hurting them. Some exposed wounds, showing pins that appeared
as
if by magic. Were the girls acting, or were they really tormented by an unseen evil? Whatever the
cause, the nightmarish witch trials in Salem claimed 25 lives, shattered the community, and
forever
shaped the American social conscience. Award-winning historian Marc Aronson sifts throught the
facts, myths, half-truths, misinterpretations, and theories around the notorious Salem witch trials,
to
resent a vivid narrative of one of the most compelling mysteries in American history. Terrifying
and
revealing.
Yellow Submarine
The Beatles
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763624403 $17.99, 40 pages, www.candlewick.com
Far away, 80,000 leagues below the sea, lies a colorful land of song and laughter: Pepperland, a
musical wonderland where Sergeant Pepper's Band plays on forever. Until, that is, the
music-hating
Blue Meanies overrun Pepperland, leaving it a colorless, silent wasteland. But out of the darkness
shines a light Camptain Fred managers to escape the Meanies in a yellow submarine and sails to
Liverpool, England, home of the Beatles. Ringo taks pity on him, and with a little help from his
friends John, Paul, and George they set off on a magical adventure to bring music and love
back
to Pepperland. Babyboomer parents can't help but love the books's original story and pop-art
images
form the 1968 animated film featuring the voices and music of the beloved Beatles. An unusually
excellent film adaptation
Jane Goodall
Lola M. Schaefer and Wyat Schaefer
Capstone Press / Pebble Books
151 Good Counsel Dr., P.O. Box 669, Mankato, Minn. 56002
ISBN 0736820833 $15.93 (list), $11.95 (school/library), 24 pages,
www.capstone-press.com
Jane Goodall is just one in the four latest, high-interest subjects of The First Biographies Series
introducing young readers to great historical figures using early-intervention program techniques.
The clean format follows educational guidelines by using repetitive, controlled sentence structure,
close picture-text match, and lots of sight words from a carefully leveled vocabulary. Content
covers
major life events from childhood to adult years, and a time line captures key details, one event at a
time, culminating in a complete summary on the final page. Features include full-color and
historical
photographs and illustrations, table of contents, glossary, bibliography, index/word list, library
binding, and extended glossary definitions. Other new titles in the series are "Eleanor Roosevelt,"
"Florence Nightengale," and "Marie Curie." For Pre-K through grade 2.
The House on Falling Star Hill
Michael Molloy
Chicken House / Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439577403 $16.95, 378 pages, www.scholastic.com
There is something odd about the village of Enton. Tim Swift feels it the moment he arrives with
his
dog, Josh. Who is the weeping woman who wandes the streets at midnight? Why do no flowers
grow? And what are the secrets of the mysterious house on Falling Star Hill? The mystery
depends
when Tim meets the brooding owner of the house and an extraordinary girl named Sarre who take
him into a world far stranger than anything he could ever have imagined. Together they plunge
through a "starway" into Tallis a fantasy realm haunted by ghost armies, wild children, and an
inventor from the past where a brutal duke will stop at nothing to gain more power. There, all
the
secrets of Enton will be revealed and Tim will find his destiny. An sharp new fantasy novel from
the
author of "The Witch Trade," "The Time Witches," and "Wild West Witches."
The Firekeeper's Son
Linda Sue Parks
Julie Downing, illustrator
Clarion Books / Houghton Mifflin
251 Park Avenue South, NY NY 10003
ISBN 0618133372 $16.00, 40 pages, www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
Sang-hee knows why his father climbs a mountain each evening and lights a fire. It's a signal to
the
firekeeper on the next mountain to light his fire, and so on from one mountaintop to the next, all
the way to the king' s palace. When the king sees a fire on the nearest peak, he knows all is well in
the land. If there's no fire, that means there is trouble, and the king will send soldiers with swords.
Sang-hee knows that the fire is important, but he wishes he could see the king's soldiers just once.
Set in Korea in the early 1800s, this story of a young boy's moment of decision is gracefully and
suspensefully told by Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park and illustrated with radiant paintings by
Julie Downing.
Fish
L.S. Matthews
Delacorte Press / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385731809 $14.95, 192 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens
Tiger's life is turned upside down when severe drought and violent wartime conditions force his
family out of their village. As they prepare to escape home, a small fish in a dirty puddle of water
catches Tiger's eye. Realizing that this fragile creature has remarkably survived in the midst of
disaster, Tiger brings the fish along. Through a treacherous journey across borders and
mouintains,
with no guarantee of food each day, Tiger carries the fish in a bucket. Each passing day brings
further hardship and danger, and yet miraculously, the fish stays alive. When it seems impossible
for
the family to survive, the fish brings Tiger hope and the strength to remain committed to living.
"Fish" is an inspiring, subtle, and timely tale about the will to survive and the strength of the
human
character.
E.encyclopedia Science
DK
375 Hudson St., NY, NY, 10014
ISBN 0756602157 $19.99, 384 pages, www.dk.com
Excellence in reference meets excellence in search engines for the second time. DK Publishing and
Google have again joined forces to create the new edition of their novel e.encyclopedia, a
reference
work that links a conventional book with an Internet resource: a website enhanced by Google.
Keywords on each subject entry in the print encyclopedia direct young researchers to the
exclusive
website, where they are connected to information from a pre-selected range of sites. When using
the
book and web resource together, children will expand their research capabilities with just one use.
The creators are quick to promise safety, pledging that children will not come across
inappropriate
material while online and will not be directed outside of the dedicated e.encyclopedia site. The
web
connection also hopes to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information: something that
print
editions simply cannot do. For many readers, the print data will be research enough, with
gorgeous
photos and detailed information on eight core sections: Matter and Materials, Forces and Energy,
Electricity and Magnetism, Space, Earth, Plants, Animals, and Human Body. E.encyclopedia
Science
is a practical and appealing solution for many, particularly parents wary of letting their children
roam
unsupervised in their on-line research quests.
Eyewitness Photography
Alan Buckingham
DK
375 Hudson St., NY, NY, 10014
ISBN 0756605423 $29.99, 72 pages, www.dk.com
Thirty years ago DK publishing created "Eyewitness Books" as an innovative, attention-grabbing,
and boldly designed reference series for children. No less than a publishing phenomenon, the
series
grew to include more than 130 titles, and has sold more than 50 million copies in 88 countries,
printed in 36 languages. This summer, 40 of the best-selling titles in the series have been
republished
with revamped cover art and eight additional pages of new material. And three new titles have
now
joined the series, namely Eyewitness Mars, Eyewitness World Series and Eyewitness
Photography.
The later title offers a colorful look into the history of photography, starting with the camera
obscura and zooming in on the latest digital camera phones. This evolution of the art form is given
a
highly-visual treatment, naturally enough, generously providing hundreds of illustrative photos to
show how photos are taken on the surface of Mars, inside a volcano, or miles at sea. Also
covered in
engaging detail: classic studio portraiture, photojournalism, how a negative can be made into an
infinite amount of prints, and the art of freezing events in time to preserve history. With thorough
and engaging presentations such as this, it's no mystery why DK Publishing's Eyewitness Books
series is such a success. It is perplexing, however, that DK ungenerously continues its bad habit of
banning author credits from the series front covers and spines. Eyewitnesses want to know
why.
The Little Cat Baby
Allan Ahlberg
Fritz Wegner, illustrator
Dial Books for Young Readers
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014-3657
ISBN 0803730128 $10.99, 32 pages, www.penguin.com
What a little charmer this petite picture book is. Once there was a man and a woman who wanted
a
baby, the quirky and quaint fantasy begins. So off they went to the Baby Shop, which was how it
was done in those days. And of all the wonderful babies in the shop, the most wonderful was a
little
cat baby. They took her home, and oh, what a topsy-turvy, helter-skelter, happy life she would
lead.
Told in a handful of story vignettes, and illustrated in detailed black ink, "The Little Cat Baby"
creates a most wonderful and whimsical family.
Useful Idiots
Jan Marks
David Fickling Books / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385750234 $15.95, 410 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens
Set in a futuristic society, the land previously known as the United Kingdom has become flooded
by
gradual climate changes. The study of archaeology has become a lost science as it's blamed for
stirring up cultural differences and provoking nationalism. So when a violent storm unearths a
human skull, Merrick, a young graduate student, finds himself on an unexpected archaeological
adventure to discover its origins. He is led to the Inglish, a group of Aboriginal people who
inhabit
the marshes near a beach, and soon becomes entangled in their bizarre, fantastical experiment. A
darkly funny and fast-paced novel for teens that will appeal to sci-fi fans and "what if" realists
alike.
Written by one of the United Kingdom's most celebrated authors for young people, "Useful
Idiots" is
a particularly believable and compelling look at what futuristic England could eventually be.
Happy Haunting, Amelia Bedelia
Herman Parish
Lynn Sweat, illustrator
Greenwillow Books / Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060518936 $15.95, 64 pages, www.harperchildrens.com
For the latest edition in popular easy-to-read series about the mixed-up maid, Amelia Bedelia, her
employers Mr. And Mrs. Rogers invite readers to a Halloween party. But be careful, because
Amelia
Bedelia is also invited. Unfortunately, she has been so busy with the children's Halloween
costumes
that she's forgotten all about the party! Imagine her surprise when she arrives at her bosses' home
to
discover creepy bats handing over the door, spooky jack-o-lanterns in the window, and messy
cobwebs everywhere. As always, Amelia Bedelia handles the situation with her own tricks and
treats. Unlike a few weak titles in the long, crowd-pleasing series, this one provides more than
enough scenarios for Amelia to get into funny trouble with. The larger format is another added
bonus for storytelling sharing with reading groups. Sure to be a holiday hit for ghosts and goblins
age six and up.
Give My Regrets to Broadway
Bruce Hale
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101 15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0152167005 $14.00, 126 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com
Chet Gecko, the wisecracking fourth-grade gecko, is back with puns galore in his ninth series
title:
"Give My Regrets to Broadway." At least on thing is no mystery to this private eye: he can't sing,
can't dance, and can't act. Heck, he can't even act normal. So why is he playing the lead role in
Mr.
Rattnose's all-singing, all-dancing, all-cooties musical extravaganza "Omlet, Prince of Denver"?
The
original leading man has vanished, and Chet and Natalie Attired are on the case. Has someone
kidnapped the missing thespian to sabotage the play? Did the third-act l smooch with Shirley
Chameleon scare him off? Or did he flee the ghost who haunts the production like an overdue
homework assignment? One thing is certain something smells rotten at Emerson Hicky
Elementary
(besides the play, that is) and this caper won't be over until the fat gecko sings. Terrific, punny fun
that will continue to amuse Chet's growing elementary school fan base.
Pinduli
Janell Cannon
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0152046682 $16.00, 32 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com
Bugs, bats, snakes, oh my! Janell Cannon has a soft spot for creepy creatures, and has a true gift
for
making some of nature's least liked animals heartwarmingly lovable characters. Her latest
protagonist is the normally-reviled hyena. Pinduli's mama has always told her that she's the most
beautiful hyena ever. But Dog, Lion, and Zebra don't think so. Why else whould they make her
feel
so rotten about her big ears, her fuzzy mane, and her wiggly stripes? Pinduli just wants to
disappear,
and she tries everything she can think of to make that happen. Yet nothing goes her way. Nothing,
that is, until she triggers a surprising chain of events. After sidestepping with the ecological
Fuzzhead tales, Cannon is back in prime form with this endearing tale about creatues of the
African
savanna, and how a few tiny words bad or good can create something emormous.
Airborn
Kenneth Oppel
HarperCollins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060531800 $16.99, 368 pages, www.harperchildrens.com
Set in an imaginary past where giant airships rule the skies, Airborn is the story of Matt Cruse, a
15-year-old cabin boy of the 900-foot luxury ship Aurora, who fearlessly performs a dramatic
rescue
to save an old man from his crippled hot-air balloon. Before the old man's death, he manages to
whisper to Matt strange tales of mysterious winged creatures he has seen flying through the
clouds.
Matt thinks this fantastical story is the ramblings of a delusional old man, but when Kate de Vries
shows up on the Aurora a year later, determined to prove the story of the winged creatures true,
Matt finds himself caught up in an alarming and mysterious journey. Airborn is a swashbuckling
adventure, a mystery, a tale fo growing up and acceptance all rolled into a fantastical, cinematic
story.
My Weird School: Miss Daisy Is Crazy!
My Weird School: Mr. Klutz is Nuts!
Dan Gutman
Jim Paillot, illustrator
Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
www.harperchildrens.com
ISBN 0060507004 (Miss Daisy) $3.99
ISBN 0060507020 (Mr. Klutz) $3.99
After selling more than a quarter of a million copies of the popular "Baseball Card Adventures"
series, Dan Gutman returns with a funnybone-tickling new middle-grade seires, "My Weird
School."
Wacky humor is the name of his new game. The series stars A.J., a second grader who hates
school,
and soon discovers that his teacher hates school too, and his principal wants to climb to the top of
the flagpole. Weirdness is everywhere. The second grade teacher, Miss Daisy, doesn't know how
to
add or subtract. The principal, Mr. Klutz, kisses a pig and wants to bungee jump off the roof
dressed
as Santa Claus. Kids will love the mixed-up school and the crazy antics of its odd inhabitants. For
ages 7 to 10. .
A Pocketful of Cricket
Rebecca Caudill
Evaline Ness, illustrator
Henry Holt & Co.
115 W. 18th St., NY, NY 10011
ISBN 0805075240 $18.95, www.henryholtchildrensbooks.com
Forty years after its original publication, this charming Caldecott Honor book from 1964
continues
to capture the fresh imaginative world of a child. Its sensitive story begins one afternoon in late
August, before the start of the school year when Jay finds Cricket. Cricket fits just right in small
spaces like under a tea strainer or in Jay's pocket and Crickt makes the most wonderful sounds.
But what happens when it's time to go to school? Will Cricket come too? Rebecca Caudill's
gentle,
ample text and Evaline Ness's artful woodcut and line-drawing images remains as engaging as
ever,
and is especially comforting in a noisy contemporary picture book world.
Madam President
Catherine Thimmesh
Douglas B. Jones, illustrator
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Ave. So., NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0618396667 $17.00, 80 pages, www.hmco.com
When Abigail Adams asked her husband to "Remember the Ladies," women could not vote or
own
property in America. Seventy years later, when Elizabeth Cady Stanton wrote, "To vote is the
most
sacred act of citizenship," the government of the United States still did not treat women as equals,
having yet to grant them the right to vote. But 64 years after that, Geraldine Ferraro declared,
"We
can do anything," and became the first American woman to run for vice president on a major
party
ticket. Today, surely our country is ready for a leader who, as Elizabeth Dole said, " will call
America to her better nature." "Madam President" illuminates this bravery and tenacity of these
and
other women who paved the way in politics. With an engaging, conversational narrative,
fascinating
quotes, and rich illustrations, the book shows how far women have come, and reveals the many
unsung roles women have played in political history. Women profiled include Hillary Rodham
Clinton, Condaleeza Rice, and Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as Benazir Bhutto and Margaret
Thatcher.
A particularly timely book, "Madam President: The Extraordinary, True (and Evloving) Story of
Women in Politics" is most welcome eye-opener this election year. For ages 10 and up.
My Kindergarten
Rosemary Wells
Hyperion
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
ISBN 0786808330 $16.99, 96 pages, www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com
The latest book by award-winning children's author and illustrator Rosemary Wells is a special
place
to start for parents to help their children succeed in school. Beginning in September on "The
Night
Before the First Day of School," "My Kindergarten" is organized by month until June and by
specific
subjects. Wells' familiar and lovable animal characters Emily and her friends experience a full
year's
kindergarten core curriculum, including math, community, science, art, language and holidays.
The
96- page book touches on universal themes that every child will find in traditional kindergarten
classes. Including making friends, learning the alphabet, and back-to-school night. Combining
accessible and easy-to-read short stories, poems and tidbits in her signature childlike voice with
bright full-color watercolor and collage artwork that creates a kindergarten mosaic, Wells has
created a virtual kindergarten "textbook" which parents and teachers will find to be a valuable
resource.
The Singer Of All Songs
Kate Constable
AAL / Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439554780 $16.95, 298 pages, www.scholastic.com
Set in an original world where enchantment is worked by singing, "The Singer of All Songs: Book
One in the Chanters of Tremaris Trilogy" hopes to stand out from the choir of new fantasies with
the
warmth of its vision and the beauty of its voice. Australian writer Kate Constable's first novel puts
its own unique spin on the fantasy realm. Calwyn has lived all her life among chanters and
priestesses, secluded within the walls of Antaris. She spends her days tending her bees and
dreaming
of the mysterious world beyond the Wall. As "The Singer of All Songs" unfolds, Calwyn
discovers a
man lying unconscious within the Wall. His name is Darrow, and he tells her of the fear and hatred
that hold sway in the Outlands, where chanters are hated for their gifts. Together, they journey to
cities of golden stone and seas ruled by blood moons, gathering other chanters as they go for it
will
take unprecedented unity to stand in the way of Samis, a ruthlessly ambitious sorcerer who seeks
to
become Emperor of all Tremaris.
The Cricket In Time Square
George Selden
Listening Library / Random House Audio Publishing
1745 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
ISBN 0807204757 $14.99, 3 CDs, 2 hours, 45 minutes
In the more than 30 years since "The Cricket In Times Square" was first published, it has become
a
classic for a all ages, passed from generation to generation. George Selden's whimsical tale of a
little
Connecticut cricket named Chester, whose entrapment in a wicker picnic basket leads him to
never-dreamed-of adventures in Times Square, becomes a pleasant, simply-produced audiobook,
performed by Rene Auberjonois. After Chester lands in the Times Square subway station, he
makes
himself comfortable in a nearby newsstand. There, he has the good fortune to meet three new
friends: Mario, a little boy whose parents run the failing newsstand, Tucker, a fast-talking
Broadway
mouse, and Tucker's sidekick, Harry the cat. Follow the lively and humorous escapades of these
four
friends as they find happiness in bustling New York City.
Dragon Rider
Cornelia Funke
Listening Library / Random House Audio Publishing
1745 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
ISBN 1400090903 $33.00, 7 cassettes, 11 hours, 35 minutes
From Cornelia Funke, the best-selling author of "The Thief Lord" and "Inkheart" comes "Dragon
Rider," and enchangint story about adventure, faith, and the true meaning of home. Firedrake,
Ben
and their furry friend, Sorrel, are in search f the mythical place where dragons can live in peace
forever. Together they embark on a journey that takes them to magical lands where they meet
marvelous creatures and a ruthless villain. Along the way they discover allies in odd places,
courage they didn't know they had, and a hidden destiny that changes everything. Narrated by
Brendan Fraser, this unabridged production is simultaneously released with the Scholastic
hardcover
edition.
Chestnut
Constance W. McGeorge
Mary Whyte, illustrator
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 1561453218 $16.95, 30 pages, www.peachtree-online.com
Chestnut works for Mr. Decker, pulling a delivery wagon. Every day, people wait eagerly for Mr.
Decker and Chestnut to arrive. Early one morning, Mr. Decker hitches Chestnut to the wagon and
fills it with packages for an important birthday party. Today is the birthday of Jenny, the Mayor's
daughter. Exhausted, Mr. Decker sits down to rest for just a minute, but falls fast asleep. How
will
the baker get the flour to make Jenny's birthday cake? How will the dressmaker get the bow to
finish
Jenny's birthday presents? Mr. Decker's devoted and resourceful horse Chestnut finds a way.
"Chestnut" is a charmingly traditional picture book tribute to the hardworking horses of
yesteryear.
Eager
Helen Fox
Wendy Lamb Books / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385746725 $15.95, 288 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids
Just like a human, EGR3 has emotions. He feels wonder, excitement and sadness. And when he
makes mistakes he feels remorse. Bur does this mean he is alive? In her debut novel, "Eager,"
British
author Helen Fox examines the addictive power of technological advancement, its endless
possibilities and its sometimes dangerous repercussions. The Bells live in a not-so-distant future
where fuel is scarce, and robots cater to humans' every need. When their beloved robot Grumps
breaks down, the family takes on a secret, experimental robot named EGR3. Dubbed "Eager" for
his
unique desire to learn (all other robots come preprogrammed), the new robot both endears and
disturbs his new owners. The children would rather have the sleek new BDC4 model like their
rich
friends, but when the BDC4s start behaving suspiciously, the Bells know something is wrong.
With
the help of Eager, they discover that beneath the advertised perfection of the new BDC4s lies a
bizarre technological conspiracy. Blending philosophical inquiry with fast-paced sci-fi adventure,
Eager creates a thought-provoking examination of the world's growing reliance on machines.
Recommended for readers age 8 through 12 eager for forthcoming sequel.
How I Live Now
Meg Rosoff
Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385746776 $16.95, 196 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids
Told in the subversive and witty first-person voice of 15-year-old Daisy, How I Live Now begins
when she is sent from Manhattan to an English farm to visit her aunt and cousins, whom she has
never met. Daisy's Aunt Penn goes away on business soon after Daisy arrives, and the next day
bombs go off as London is attacked by an unnamed enemy. As power and systems fail, the farm
becomes more isolated. Yet despite the war, the farm seems like paradise, with no adults in
charge
and no rules, a place where Daisy's uncanny bond with her cousins grows into something rare and
extraordinary. Daisy falls in love with her cousin Edmond, but their incestuous yet loving
relationship ends abruptly when the gruesome, raging war penetrates the farm and tears them
apart.
With war everywhere and nowhere to hide, Daisy and her cousins are separated and must survive
starvation and enemy-fire while clinging to the hope that they will one day re-unite. With
surprising
tenderness and bits of humor scattered throughout, this deeply affecting story tells us how we live
now, in the age of terrorism. A brilliant debut from an authentic and original new voice in young
adult fiction.
Fly High Fly Low
Don Freeman
Viking / Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0670036854 $16.99, 58 pages, www.penguinputnam.com
They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Don Freeman's quiet Caldecott Honor tale as rich
with
warm detail, as it is long in wordcount and pages. Harking back to early children's literature when
picture book publishers didn't blink at manuscripts twice as long as the average picture book
today,
Fly High Fly Low takes its sweet time telling its simple story, soaring along for 58 pages. If
today's
children truly have the short-attention spans that children's book publishers now claim, this slow,
meandering story would certainly fail in the current market. How wonderful that it does not.
Freeman's tale still soars as it relates the small story of Sid the pigeon and his quest for a safe nest
to
call home, and a like-mind to call his mate. Set in the magnificent city of San Francisco, the story
has
a wonderful sense of place while it tells a universal story. A lovely nostalgic reissue with
contemporary value.
Stella The Star
Mark Shulman
Vincent Nguyen, illustrator
Walker & Co.
435 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0802788947 $16.95, 36 pages www.walkerbooks.com
Stella's parents are so excited. Her teacher wants her to be the star in the school play. So her
parents
take her sopping for new shoes and a new dress, get her haircut at a fancy salon, and buy a new
video camera to document the show. After all, only the best will do for their star. After a great
deal
of anticipation, the adorable Stella makes her stage debut as the show's star alright, but it's not at
all
what her star-struck parents expected. The picture book's slight story has its twist, but does little
to
build interest or suspense, and unfortunately pulls its punch in teaching the parents a lesson. More
expressive character sketching could have gone a long way to save this unimaginative
production.
Vicki Arkoff
Senior Reviewer
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: mbr@execpc.com
e-mail: mwbookrevw@aol.com
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