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Cynthia's Bookshelf
Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal
Eric Schlosser
Perennial
ISBN 0060938455 $14.95 400 pages
Very Highly Recommended
When a friend called to recommend that I read FAST FOOD NATION, she warned that I would
find it virtually impossible to work in the industry again. She was right. Author Eric Schlosser
presents an in-depth account of the companies and people who make double cheeseburgers
possible.
However, readers beware. After reading FAST FOOD NATION, you will never again be able to
pull through a drive through with casual oblivion to what you eat or who servers you.
While Schlosser presents an excellent account of the stresses of working in fast food from the
slaughter houses to the back line assembly, the one thing he fails to emphasize is the stresses on
the
managers of fast food. In Hardee's, for example, restaurant managers only get their salary if they
work fifty hour weeks. Since managers are required to wear headsets while on duty, that means
fifty
hours of the drive through dinging in one's ears, even while serving customers at the front
counter.
Since fast food also makes up its labor out of management, that also means that the restaurant
manager is either bagging food or working the drive through in addition to the rest of her
responsibilities. Indeed, one manager and one cook (a total of only two employees) can run the
entire restaurant for ten hours a day. Nevertheless, Schlosser does mention a pizza manager who
makes $22,000 a year for a fifty-hour week. That's about the average pay scale, including
bonuses,
for restaurant managers (not general managers).
Perhaps the most traumatic accounts of the fast food industry do not lie, however, in the endless
drudgery of drive through, but in the slaughterhouses across the Midwest. As independent
ranching
practices give way to major corporations, the displaced lives seldom find voice. Schlosser does an
excellent job of combining the facts with the faces that makes this tragedy real. From men who
have
given their lives or their health out of company loyalty or the need to feed their families, to the
women who have sharpen their carving knives while preparing the family dinner, each account
springs vividly from the pages.
FAST FOOD NATION is a must read for everyone. With the mobile lifestyle most of us have
adapted, eliminating fast food from one's diet would be virtually impossible. However, if
consumers
are going to continue to eat those delicious cheeseburgers and calorie defying meals, then they
should be aware of what they consume and at what cost. Knowledge is power, and the necessary
changes that must come to this industry will only occur if we educate ourselves and make the
appropriate demands for ourselves as consumers. Extremely well written, well presented, and
impossible to put down, FAST FOOD NATION comes very highly recommended.
My Favorite Mistake
Stephanie Bond
Harlequin
3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325, Buffalo, NY 14269
ISBN 0373791739 $4.75 250 pages
Very Highly Recommended
A tax audit brings Denise Cooke and her ex-husband Redford back together. Three years were
not
enough to make her forget his logic defying effect, and she fears that seeing him again will once
again awaken her best-forgotten wild side. Certainly their brief time together in Los Vegas was
proof enough that she was incapable of maintaining her ordinary logic where Redford Demoss is
concerned. While their marriage lasted long enough to file taxes together, their subsequent
annulment prevented any further contact until now.
Denise has never told current boyfriend about her first husband. While their relationship lacks the
vivid spark that characterized her relationship with Redmond, it is stable, comfortable and
predictable. After two years of mild courtship, she accepts his proposal just before she must see
Redford again. And while the conclusion of this story might seem rather inevitable given the
genre,
the humor, levity and delight of the journey makes MY FAVORITE MISTAKE a delightful
read.
Author Stephanie Bond pens a vividly refreshing romance in MY FAVORITE MISTAKE.
Perhaps
her own past corporate world lends the fabulously entertaining heroine her convincing charm.
While
Ms Bond's background is computing and Denise Cooke's is financials, the commonality of the
carefully controlled office experience lends the novel a crisp reality while sensual temptation gives
Denise an even more convincing edge. From the running of the brides and Denise's ongoing eBay
bid to get her dress back, to the sensual temptation of the hunky former marine, Ms Bond's deft,
first
person narrative departs from Harlequin's usual narrative style. Indeed, MY FAVORITE
MISTAKE
certainly illustrates the author's gift for weaving original, brilliant romance that readers find
impossible to put down. MY FAVORITE MISTAKE comes highly recommended.
Cynthia Penn, Senior Reviewer
http://webpages.charter.net/cindy_penn/
Donovan's Bookshelf
San Francisco's Market Street Railway
Walt Vielbaum, Philip Hoffman, Grant Ute, Robert Townley
Arcadia Publications
www.arcadiapublishing.com
0738529672 $19.99
While intended for the San Francisco history buff, SAN FRANCISCO'S MARKET STREET
RAILWAY, is sure to be relished by any urban traction fan: packed with clear vintage black and
white shots of various incarnations of the Market Street Railway, chapters provide a wonderful
overview of San Francisco's transit challenges over the decades. From central Market Street
outward, changes from additions to subtractions of San Francisco and surrounding city trolley
lines
are detailed, with each photo receiving not only a descriptive sentence, but explanation of why it
was
important, expanded or discontinued. It's these extensive notes, tied to the vintage shots, which
make for such an important coverage: this, and the attention to including historically significant
yet
clear, sharp photos.
Admiral Sir Henry Morgan
Terry Breverton
Pelican Publishing
1000 Burmaster St., Gretna, LA 70053-2246
1589802772 $14.95 1-800-843-1724 www.pelicanpub.com
Welshman Henry Morgan began as a naval officer, but made his reputation as a fierce pirate - a
reputation challenged in the first libel lawsuit brought into protect a book about him published in
1684 claiming he was a terror of the high seas. In fact, he'd been commissioned to help the British
navy fighting enemies of the crown and proved his worth as a military strategist on the high seas,
and Welsh history expert Terry Breverton provides this full account of Morgan's myths and
realities
in his lively biography ADMIRAL SIR HENRY MORGAN: KING OF THE BUCCANEERS.
Chapters review his leadership, his heroic struggles, and his ability to plan attacks which would
ensure British supremacy abroad. An unusual, lively read.
Discovering Lewis & Clark From the Air
Joeph A. Mussulman & Jim Wark
Mountain Press Publishing Company
PO Box 2399, Missoula, MT 59806
087842489X $24.00 1-800-234-5308 www.mountain-press.com
So many Lewis and Clark books have appeared in celebration of the anniversary that it's initially
difficult to see the need for yet another - that is, until you open the pages to discover aerial
photographer Jim Wark and history buff Joseph Mussulman have provided a very different view.
The Lewis and Clark expedition route is followed from the air, accompanied by step-by-step
discussion of their route choices and explorations in a fascinating, visually pleasing survey.
HarperCollins
10 E. 53rd St., New York NY 10022-5299
www.harpercollins.com
Students of plague history, whether it be from a social or a medical perspective, receive a
hard-hitting history which stands out from other studies on the subject in John Kelly's THE
GREAT
MORTALITY: AN INTIMATE HISTORY OF THE BLACK DEATH, THE MOST
DEVASTATING PLAGUE OF ALL TIME (0060006927 $25.95) . In 1347 the plague literally
sailed into Sicily, and would change the face of Europe and Asia, introducing an unprecedented
killer disease affecting not just people, but animals. From its beginnings in central Asia to its
movement across Europe, the Black Death seemed to destroy virtually any living thing it touched
-
and the drama and are captured in a vivid narrative which brings the facts to life in THE GREAT
MORTALITY. Rosemary Gong's GOOD LUCK LIFE: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO
CHINESE
AMERICAN CELEBRATIONS AND CULTURE (0060735368, $14.95) is the first to delve into
Chinese rituals and beliefs, and the insights to be had from Chinese holidays and celebrations.
Facts,
legends, foods and planning guides cover all holidays and rituals year-round and pack in recipes
for
many specialty items. A fun title, GOOD LUCK LIFE is especially recommended for any planning
a
special Chinese celebration.
O'Reilly & Associates
1005 Gravenstein Highway N., Sebastopol, CA 95472
www.oreilly.com
These outstanding desktop references should not only be standard public library acquisitions, but
should be in the home libraries of every avid computer user. David A. Karp, Tim O'Reilly and
Troy
Mott's WINDOWS XP IN A NUTSHELL: A DESKTOP QUICK REFERENCE (0596009003,
$29.95) appears in its second updated edition to provide both an in-depth and quick desk
reference
to the Windows operating system. So what's there to know about it? Everything, from configuring
Service Pack 2 to understanding special commands and utilities and custom configuration options
for the XP system. But, the information doesn't stop with a system review alone: tips on how to
build a wireless home network, connecting to the Internet using various options, and more make
WINDOWS XP IN A NUTSHELL an outstanding reference choice. Ditto Mark H. walker 7
Franklin Tessler's OFFICE 2004 FOR MACINTOSH: THE MISSING MANUAL (0596008201,
$29.95): here's an Office 2004 for Mac user's guide which isn't the authorized book - and which
therefore offers candid assessments of the pros and cons, ins and outs of using a Mac system with
Office 2004. Advice ranges from fine-tuning the system for optimum performance to getting
around
common frustrations, and understanding which features are fluff and which are truly valuable.
Jesse
Liberty's PROGRAMMING C# (0596006993, $44.95) is a recommended technical pick for any
developing applications on the .NET platform: such users will find this fourth edition of C#
provides
professionals with all the details needed to absorb the language, concepts, and applications. From
objects and interfaces to handling strings, expressions and bugs, C# users receive a foundation of
hard facts which lend to building a solid C# platform - and all text has been updated for Visual
Studio 2005, .NET Framework 2.0 and C# 2.0. Two Linux operating system guides are also
essential programmer references. Administrators will welcome Tony Bautts, Terry Dawson and
Gregor N. Purdy's LINUX NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR'S GUIDE, 3RD EDITION
(0596005482, $34.5), a guide packed with the basics important to network and system
administration. Networking hardware and software, utilities, and new coverage of Apache, Samba
and other services provides the latest details on wired and wireless applications, from initial
configuration to troubleshooting. Jonathan Crobet, Alessandro Rubini and Greg Kroah-Hartman's
LINUX DEVICE DRIVERS (0596006903, $39.95) also appears in its third updated edition to
provide the latest update for any who wish to run new hardware under Linux. Linux kernal
programming is at the heart of a title which reveals the basics of Unix system calls and C - but
users
needn't be hardcore programmers to find useful topics such as driver debugging, memory
management, and driver models. Bonnie Biafore's QUICKBOOKS 2005: THE MISSING
MANUAL (0596009011, $29.95) presents all the ins, out, and oddities of the latest Quickbooks
version. Chapters show how to make unattended, automated backups, how to customize
inventory
and purchasing forms, how to reconcile accounts and track time - basically, how to fine-tune the
entire QuickBooks experience. Preston Gralla's WINDOWS XP HACKS: TIPS & TOOLS FOR
OPTIMIZING YOUR OS (0596009186, $29.95) appears in its second updated edition to cover
SP
2, revealing both wireless hacks and Firefox, MSN desktop search and more. Everything from
encryption to using email is covered. Customguide's WORD 2003 PERSONAL TRAINER
(0596009364, $29.95) uses interactive simulation software (included with the book) to replicate
the
experience of using Word 2003. From working with graphics and tables to creating outlines and
performing a mail merge, all the bells and whistles of Word are revealed in a course designed for
Word users who wish to refine their skills set. Organized in a 'workout' fashion, the software
training
guide will find many a classroom application as well as individual study value. Fine references,
all.
Orchard Books
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
www.scholastic.com
For an old-fashioned story of yesteryear, tune in to James Mayhew's KATIE'S SUNDAY
AFTERNOON (0439606780, $16.95), following young Katie's visit to an art museum on a hot
summer day, where a painting of a group of swimmers in a cool river prompts her to dive - right
into
the painting. The ensuing flood could ruin the art museum unless Katie can take quick action.
Boys
will appreciate Alexander Zane's WHEELS ON THE RACE CAR (0439590809, $14.95),
following
the chaotic action on an animal-driven racetrack which matches a classic rhyme with uncommon
action. Real race car drama is captured with zany animal racers in a whimsical, fun story.
Elizabeth
Swados' THE ANIMAL RESCUE STORE (0439554764, $16.95) receives fun drawings by Anne
Wilson as it tells of tough tabby cats, snooty llamas, and frightening tarantulas: all hard creatures
to
rescue, and all given their own rhymes by Swados along with colorful drawings. Jeff Brumbeau
and
Gail de Marcken's THE QUILT MAKERS JOURNEY (0439512190, $17.95) tells of a young girl
who leaves home in search of the meaning of happiness outside her village. Instead, her search
shows her there are less fortunate people in the world - and that she can help them. A lovely fable
which will benefit from parental read-aloud - as will Philip Pullman's ALADDIN AND THE
ENCHANTED LAMP (0439692555, $16.95), illustrated with many full-page drawings by Sophy
Williams and requiring good reading skills or parental assistance as it tells of a poor
mischief-maker
and lazy boy whose encounter with enchantment changes his life. Caroline Jayne Church's ONE
SMART GOOSE (0439687659, $16.95) is an easy reader requiring little adult assistance as it
tells
of a sneaky fox who chases all the geese except one. What's the lonely little goose's anti-fox
secret?
Paeony Lewis' NO MORE COOKIES! (0439683327, $16.95) receives Brita Granstrom's fun
drawings and tells of the bottom of the cookie tin - and a girl and her stuffed monkey's plans to
get
more cookies. Florence invents zany ways to get more; but her mother has eually zany lesson
plans.
Jon J. Muth's ZEN SHORTS (0439339111, $16.95) will require some reading skills or parental
assistance but provides an engaging, unusual story of a giant panda who moves into the
neighborhood and tells amazing stories. Lovely watercolors accompany a host of engaging tales.
Jane Wattenberg's NEVER CRY WOOF! (0439216753, $16.95) retells a tale of bragging,
boasting,
and lying, reviving an Aesop fable with new puns, rhymes, and dog photos mixed with fun
reflections. An excellent and fresh new treatment of an old fable. Richard Jesse Watson's THE
MAGIC RABBIT (0590479644, $15.95) tells the winning story of an unusual rabbit who
discovers
a hat can be powered by his own imagination. The rabbit becomes a magician and the hat becomes
a
flurry of activity in this fun tale of magic exploration. Nancy Tafuri's GOODNIGHT, MY
DUCKLING (0439398819, $16.95) tells of a mama duck who leads her tired kids home for the
night. One feisty duckling lags beyond to play with the pond animals, only to find he's been left
behind: how can he catch up? THE RED BIRD by Astrid Lindgren and Marit Tornqvist
(0439627966, $16.95) comes from the creator of PIPPI LONGSTOCKING and provides a fine
picturebook story of two children who live with the sternest farmer in the village. The kids are
overworked and friendless until a lovely red bird leads them to a beautiful haven: they can stay
forever, if they make a terrible choice. Good reading skills required from grades 3-5 for
appreciation
of this complex yet winning tale.
'Visual Dictionary' titles
Jean-Claude Corbell & Ariane Archambault
Firefly Books
4 Daybreak Lane, Westport, CT 06880
1-800-387-5085 www.fireflybooks.com
Yes, you've seen visual dictionary titles before: but not like these. Bilingual users will find these
exceptional references for both home and library alike, packing in thousands of terms in English
and
other languages accompanied by clear color photos. THE FIREFLY SPANISH/ENGLISH
VISUAL
DICTIONARY (1552979512, $29.95) provides over three thousand color pictures illustrating the
meaning of 28,000 Spanish and English terms, its FRENCH/ENGLISH VISUAL DICTIONARY
(1552979504, $29.95) does the same for French, showing what other dictionaries can only
describe
with more limited language; and the amazing FIVE LANGUAGE VISUAL DICTIONARY
(1552977781, $49.95) packs in over 35,000 terms in English, Spanish, German, French and
Italian
for maximum coverage. All are outstanding, highly recommended references linking visuals to
words.
Greenwood Press
PO Box 5007, Westport, CT 06881-5007
1-800-225-5800 www.greenwood.com
Greenwood's references are highly recommended picks for both high school and college-level
libraries: they cover major religious figures, offer comprehensive histories of movements and
religions, and are solid and in-depth references suitable for reports and study. Holdings strong in
Catholic studies have three references to choose from among Greenwood's latest publications:
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF CATHOLIC LITERATURE (0313322899, $199.95) analyzes over 70
major
works from around the world, using two volumes to survey male and female writers, minority
writers, and any major contributors to exploring Catholic experiences. Each entry includes a brief
biography, plot summaries of major works, in-depth critical surveys and an overview of the
work's
importance in Catholic writings. Author Mary R. Reichardt is a professor of English and Catholic
Studies at the University of St. Thomas, and hers is an essential encyclopedia for any Catholic
reference library holding. CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED STATES edited by Thomas
C.
Hunt, Ellis A. Joseph and Ronald J. Nuzzi (1573565326, $175.00) will appeal to college-level
holdings strong in education or Catholic education: the 2-volume set provides over three hundred
entries by over 35 contributors on all aspects of Catholic education, from academic organization,
indoctrination, discipline and learning styles to issues of sex education and church/state
connections.
Traditions of Catholic principles of education are covered in depth. Meg Greene's biography
MOTHER TERESA (0313327718) provides an excellent biography suitable for high schools and
public collections alike. Mother Teresa's beliefs, her noted humanistic works, and her vision to
live
and work among the poorest in the world are reviewed in an excellent work filling a reference gap
for comprehensive yet readable biographies. Timelines and photos round out the coverage. Two
other excellent guides are recommended reference picks: Richard G. Olson's SCIENCE AND
RELIGION, 1450-1900 FROM COPERNICUS TO DARWIN (0313326940, $65.00) tels of the
influence early Christianity had on scientific concepts and discoveries. From Jesuits who helped
develop experimental science during the Scientific Revolution to 18th century interactions
between
theology and scientific principles, SCIENCE AND RELIGION, 1450-1900 FROM
COPERNICUS
TO DARWIN is an excellent, comprehensive survey. Eugene V. Gallagher's NEW RELIGIOUS
MOVEMENTS EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA (0313328072, $55.00) joins others in
Greenwood's
'American Religious Experience' series, focussing on new religions and their interactions with
accepted major religious groups. The Nation of Islam, Wiccans, Church of Scientology and more
are
surveyed in the course of probing how the new religious movements operate and interact in
American culture.
Trains to Yosemite
Jack A. Burgess
Signature Press
11508 Green Rd., Wilton, CA 95693
1930013140 $65.00 1-800-356-5687 www.signaturepress.com
Yosemite's natural history and wonders had become well known by the mid 1850s, but few
tourists
wanted to travel to the remote historic valley via horse: enter the train in 1907, which allowed
visitors to reach the park in less than a day, fostering an increase in park appreciation which
continues to this day. Yosemite Valley Railroad expert Jack Burgess began his study of the
railroad
in the mid-1960s as he searched for an appropriate prototype for his model railroad layout: his
interest in modeling led to much more than a casual probe of the Yosemite Valley Railroad
system,
as the 400 black and white vintage photos, maps and illustrations packing detail into TRAINS TO
YOSEMITE proves. Rail buffs will find well over 300 pages of detail pack in not just history, but
very specific train details, from switching routines and classification lamps to relocated lines and
bridges. It is this depth of information which is the mark of the model hobbyist - and which lends
so
perfectly to a complete, comprehensive coverage of the real thing. Yes, TRAINS TO
YOSEMITE is
a specialty item for rail transportation or California-specific collections: but such holdings will find
it
essential.
Morning Sun Books Inc.
9 Pheasant Lane, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
www.morningsunbooks.com
Train buffs and libraries strong in transportation holdings won't want to miss these two excellent
train guides. James Sandrin's TRACKSIDE AROUND ST. LOUIS 1952-1959 WITH JIM
OZMENT (1582480397, $54.95): St. Louis was one of the train gateways to the West but was an
under-photographed hub until native Jim Ozment captured the last of the steam era and the
introduction of diesels in the 1950s. His outstanding photos pack the pages of James Sandrin's
TRACKSIDE AROUND ST. LOUIS, packing in action shots of trains in motion, train yards,
close-ups of PCC cars, and much more. Just about every type of train running in Saint Louis
during
this period was captured by Ozment's camera, creating an outstanding collection of in-depth
images.
Lou Schmitz and Robert J. Yanosey's UNION PACIFIC OFFICIAL COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
BOOK II (1582480052, $54.95) is a recommended pick not just for specialty train collections,
but
for the general library holding. The Union Pacific was prolific in its advertising and color
calendars,
and extensive in its services: here's a history and photo-packed showcase of the Union Pacific's
routes, trains and heritage. Train views from annual reports, calendars, and action shots display
the
best of the Union Pacific's units, providing comparison photos, posed and live shots, and many
more. Add report covers and other illustrations from Union Pacific archives and you have a
valuable
keepsake history.
Diane Donovan
West Coast Editor
Harold's Bookshelf
Programming Ruby: The Pragmatic Programmers' Guide, Second Edition
Dave Thomas, Chad Fowler, Andy Hunt
The Pragmatic Programmers, LLC.
P.O. Box 293325, Lewisville, TX 75029-3325
ISBN: 0974514055 $44.95 862 pp.
Ruby is an increasingly popular cross-platform, object-oriented language. With 98 standard
libraries
and the ability to access Windows native APIs it is a very powerful way to write programs where
you might have used CGI, XML, or SOAP before. The book contains an excellent tutorial, a
language reference, and documentation on all built-in classes, modules, and methods.
As you would expect, the authors cover installing the software as well as practical examples to
help
learn the programming techniques. With over 350 pages of documentation and references just on
classes and libraries, the coverage is extensive and detailed. This is a very practical guide on how
to
use Ruby effectively and efficiently. Programming Ruby is highly recommended to anyone who
needs a more flexible and powerful programming system than Perl, XML, CGI, or SOAP.
Moo Who?
Margie Palatini
HarperCollinsPublishers
1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019-4703
ISBN: 0060001054 $15.99 40 pp.
This is just what most children want in a favorite book; a humorous story and hysterical
illustrations.
Hilda Mae Heifer lost her moo, how can she discover the sound she is supposed to make? This is
the
story of how she lost her moo, her attempts to find out what sound a cow is supposed to make,
and
how Hilda Mae Heifer got her moo back. "Moo Who?" is highly recommended for a laugh out
loud
time with your child.
The Layman's Desk Reference Set
George Knight and W. Ray Rayburn
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Barbour Books imprint
PO Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
ISBN: 1593102143 $24.97 352 pp.
This book set consists of three small hardcover books - a Bible Dictionary, Quick Reference
Concordance, and a Bible Handbook. The Quick Reference Concordance does an excellent job of
finding the middle ground between the small concordance typically found in the back of a Bible
and
an exhaustive concordance such as Strong's. It not only lists individual words but also key phrases
and where to find them. This is a very nice and intuitive concordance that is both useful and
user-friendly.
The Bible Dictionary contains thousands of entries with both a definition of the entry and a
reference
to specific verses where it occurs. Also included are several small black-and-white
photographs.
The Bible Handbook contains a short introduction to each book of the Bible, a summary of the
book, and various notes in the form of sidebars. This is a very well done small handbook. I
especially
like the summary of each book of the Bible. The author takes a section of the book that is related
to
a particular theme or event, lists the particular verses, and then provides the summary of that
theme
or event. This way you know not only what is happening but also the specific verses if you want
to
go back to the Bible and read the whole text.
Although the books are small they are packed with accurate, useful information. This desk
reference
set makes an excellent gift for your favorite pastor, Bible teacher, or Bible student. Easily one of
the
most useful and user-friendly sets for the average Bible student, The Layman's Desk Reference
Set is
highly recommended and an excellent resource for Christians.
The King James Study Bible
Barbour Publishing, Inc.
Barbour Books imprint
PO Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683
ISBN: 1557487456 $34.95 1614 pp.
The King James Version of the Bible is one of the most popular translations available. Some like
it
best just because of tradition, some because of the poetic flow of so much of the text, and others
for
a wide variety of other reasons. If the King James is your favorite version then this is one of the
few
Study Bibles available for that translation.
I read through many of the notes on the bottom of the pages and found them to be both useful
and
relevant. Although many of the notes cross-reference other verses, historical information, or
similar
items, some represent specific doctrinal beliefs. Those readers with a conservative belief system
will
find the notes much more to their liking than those with a more liberal approach. For example, the
notes to the creation account in the beginning of Genesis support only one position - there was an
original earth that was destroyed and then recreated again with the Garden of Eden. This will
cause
a lot of fundamentalists great distress and even many conservatives view this as only one of the
possible interpretations of the first few verses. The reason for this is because this Study Bible
presents the viewpoint of C. I. Scofield with no presentation of any alternatives.
One of the really great features of the book is the material included in the back. For example,
instead
of just a concordance it contains a real subject index, glossary, index of proper names, topical
study,
concordance, and an alphabetical listing of the teachings of Christ. This makes it a great book for
looking up items by subject instead of having to know specific words contained in the verse or
what
verses are related to the subject. If you are a fan of Scofield (and there are many) then The King
James Study Bible will be one of your favorites. If you are not particularly a fan of Scofield you
will
still find it a useful resource due to the excellent study and research resources included. The King
James Study Bible is highly recommended as a solid study Bible.
Key Word Commentary
Mark Water
AMG Publishers
6815 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
ISBN: 0899574408 $34.97 1207 pp.
In this outline style commentary each chapter of each book of the Bible is given its own single
page,
which is organized into ten divisions. The ten comments about each chapter are (1) Before and
After, (2) Analysis of the Chapter, (3) Key Verse, (4) Key Word or Phrase, (5) Key Event, Person
or Theme, (6) Key Thought, (7) Key Thing to Look For, (8) Key Bible Cross-reference, (9) Key
explanation, and (10) Key Quote. Most people think of a commentary work examining and
explaining verses, particular word use, customs of the time, or similar. This book contains no
commentary of that nature. Instead it is a chapter level examination of the bible. If you are
interested
in a key thought summary of each chapter of the Bible this is just what you are looking for. If you
are looking for a word and verse level commentary you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if
you are looking for a high-level summary and outline of the Bible the Key Word Commentary is
recommended.
I Love My Daddy
Sebastien Braun
HarperCollinsPublishers
1350 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019-4703
ISBN: 0060543116 $12.99 32 pp.
I Love My Daddy focuses on the many things a father and child do together and celebrates the
loving relationship between them. With a single short sentence on each page it is simple enough
for
the beginning reader and yet profound enough to emphasize and strengthen that relationship. I
Love
My Daddy is a very highly recommended children's early reader book and great for father and
child
to sit down and enjoy together.
GNU/Linux Application Programming
M. Tim Jones
Charles River Media, Inc.
10 Downer Avenue, Hingham, MA 02043
ISBN: 1584503718 $49.95 465 pp.
Written for application developers, this book is a great source of information on working with the
GNU/Linux architecture and process model. If you know something about programming but want
to
know how to use those skills in the GNU/Linux environment this is one of the best books
available.
The coverage is thorough and filled with coding examples to illustrate the concepts. To make
your
life easier it even has all the coding examples included on a CD in the back of the book. Areas
examined include the GNU compiler, automake, shells, scripting, creating and using libraries,
named
pipes, semaphores, sockets, and shared memory. The book wraps up with a section on debugging
and testing your application. GNU/Linux Application Programming is an excellent source of
information for the new to intermediate GNU/Linux programmer and highly recommended.
Easter, Easter, Almost Here!
Kathleen Long Bostrom
Zondervan Publishing
Zonderkidz imprint
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310708001 $6.99 24 pp.
"Easter, Easter, Almost Here!" is a small board book that looks at Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on
Palm Sunday. Nice illustrations, rhyming words, and pages that are easy to wipe clean make
"Easter,
Easter, Almost Here!" a recommended board book for the very young.
Delta, My Beloved
Nick Castanis
American Literary Press, Inc.
8019 Belair Road, Suite 10, Baltimore, MD 21236
ISBN: 1561678694 $14.95 208 pp.
As a general rule I don't particularly like biographical books unless they are about a historically
significant person or do an exceptional job of bringing the reader into a historical period. This
book
falls under that second criteria. The book draws the reader into the social, military, and personal
life
of the author during World War II. Delta, My Beloved is a finely crafted autobiographical story
that
reads like a well-written fiction novel and is a recommended read.
The Classical Music Experience
Julius H. Jacobson II, M.D.
Sourcebooks, Inc.
PO Box 4410, Naperville, IL 60567-4410
ISBN: 1570719500 $39.95 306 pp.
Taking full advantage of the ability to bind a CD into a book, The Classical Music Experience
offers
and opportunity to read about classical composers and listen to appropriate example of their
works.
The book portion covers all the composers that you would expect in a work on classical music.
These include Palestrina, Bach, Handel, Hayden, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Berlioz,
Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Chopin, Schumann, Strauss, Liszt, Wagner, Smetana, Bruckner,
Brahms,
Bizet, Bruch, Musorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak, Grieg, Rimsky-Korsakov, Elgar, Mahler,
Debussy,
Strauss, Sibelius, Vaughan, Schoenberg, Ives, Ravel, Orff, Bartok, Stravinsky, Prokofiev,
Gershwin,
Poulenc, Copland, Shostakovich, and Bernstein.
For each composer the author gives information on their history, most important pieces, and an
analysis of their work as well as several examples on the CD. Each time they are discussing a
track
on the CD it is clearly identified as such in the text and the specific CD and track listed so you can
easily find it and listen while reading that section.
This is as fine of an introduction to the world as classical music as you are likely to find anywhere.
A
thoroughly enjoyable education in classical music, The Classical Music Experience is highly
recommended.
Boomer to the Rescue
Peter Parente
Tree of Life Publishing
PO Box 421004, Summerland Key, FL 33042
ISBN: 0974505234 $15.95 28 pp.
Following on the success of his earlier book Peeper the Kinkajou, Peter Parente has somehow
come
up with an even better book with Boomer to the Rescue. It is the story of Boomer, a lavender
skunk, who has a problem with friends at school because he is so different. But when problems
arise
it is Boomer to the rescue as he saves everyone. Filled with bright colorful illustrations, Boomer
to
the Rescue is highly recommended, fun, and a delight to read.
All Around Cats!
Dolly Viscardi
T&N Children's Publishing, Inc.
NorthWord Books imprint
11571 K-Tel Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343
ISBN: 1559710721 $15.95 32 pp.
All Around Cats! is a short book filled with illustrations of cats engaged in common cat activities.
Whether stalking, jumping, prowling, sneaking, or napping they are just all around cats. The
illustrations point out the wide variety of features among cats including various colors, tail shapes,
and fur types. All Around Cats! is a good choice for children learning to read, and especially so if
they love cats.
Alien Invaders
Lynn Huggins-Cooper
Raven Tree Press, LLC
200 S. Washington St., Suite 306, Green Bay, WI 54301
ISBN: 0972497390 $16.95 32 pp.
Written in both English and Spanish, Alien Invaders is a look at the world of insects. If there are
aliens on the earth then perhaps they are insects with their bizarre appearance and habits. This is a
look through a young child's eyes at how insects could be viewed as aliens. I really like the books
of
this series that have complete English and Spanish texts so a child can build their vocabulary in
another language easily. Alien Invaders is a highly recommended children's book with wonderful
illustrations and a real pleasure to read.
101 Complaint Letters that Get Results
Janet Rubel
Sphinx Publishing
PO Box 4410, Naperville, IL 60567-4410
ISBN: 1572483636 $18.95 179 pp.
If you have ever tried to write a complaint letter and did not receive satisfaction or even a
recognition of your complaint you know the importance of getting it worded correctly the first
time.
Now attorney Janet Rubel has put together a collection of the standard complaint letters she uses.
To make it even more convenient all the letters are also on the included CD. No matter what your
need, if you want to write a complaint letter then you will find one in here that will give you the
format that gets results. 101 Complaint Letters that Get Results is a recommended resource for
everyone.
Harold McFarland
Senior Reviewer
Klausner's Bookshelf
The Ruby Ring
Diane Haeger
Three Rivers (Crown)
ISBN: 1400051738 $12.95, 384 pp.
In 1520 Rome, before he died beloved artist Raphael Sanzio arranged for his beloved Margherita
Luti, the model for his Madonna paintings, to safely stay at Sant'Apollonia. However, as the
adored
painter rests at the Pantheon for all to see, the Mother Superior informs Margherita's escort
Signor
Romano that the powerful vindictive Cardinal Bibbiena wants her living on the street. Romano
succeeds in getting her into the convent by offering three hundred florins and THE RUBY RING
that Margherita still wears. Margherita reflects back to when she, the daughter of a local baker,
met
the love of her life six years ago when Raphael was the Pope's favorite. He asked her and her
father
for her to model. Her father urged her to accept and she did. The rest is history as he found his
Madonna in her and as Romano says she made him a better person. How she wonders can she
give
up the most valuable keepsake from the man she loves; but can she survive constant harassment
from the Church. THE RUBY RING is a terrific historical fictionalized account of Margherita
Luti
and the great artist Raphael Sanzio. The story line hints at a bittersweet ending although the tale
mostly occurs during the six years of shared love between the artist and Margherita. Diane Hager,
who is one of the best at providing fictionalized accounts of great historical love stories (see THE
SECRET WIFE OF KING GEORGE IV), provides a fantastic glimpse at the Italian Renaissance
to
include the artistic rivalries and jealousies (though a different era and place reminded me of the
movie Amadeus), especially the underbelly of decadence from the sponsoring Vatican and secular
rulers.
Prime
Poppy Z. Brite
Three Rivers (Crown)
ISBN: 1400050081 $13.95
Backed silently by celebrity chef Lenny Duveteaux, two years ago John "call me" Rickey and
Gary
"G-man" Stubbs opened up Liquor in New Orleans with a menu containing expensive alcohol as a
major ingredient in all their repasts. The reviews are favorable and the two young gay chefs gain a
loyal following including tourists stopping for a meal. Popularity takes a hit when Humphrey
Wildblood writing in the free biweekly Cornet implies sinister criminal activity by Lenny. As
Liquor
loses patronage, the chef-owners want to buy out their silent partner to save their restaurant, but
need cash accentuated by an equipment failure. With G-Man's urgings, Ricky accepts a menu
consulting offer in Dallas. At the same time, G-Man learns that Wildblood is a pseudonym used by
the son of District Attorney Placide Treat, who arrests Lenny; the DA wants to defuse any real
opponent in his reelection bid with Lenny's attorney being the likely opposition and Liquor being a
victim of political callous collateral damage. PRIME is an interesting culinary thriller that takes
the
usual heterosexual family style dining approach and cleverly turns the sub-genre upside down by
expanding the definition of family to be a lot more inclusive. The story line is wacky due to the
interactions of the key cast members to include the lead couple, their silent partner, the DA and
his
son (talk of political incest), and the two Texans. Fans of the author will brighten up with this fun
tale that shares much in common with her previous works in terms of zaniness and intriguing
characters (gay and otherwise), but also recognize that the recipe is quite different.
Blood Ties
Lori G. Armstrong
Medallion
ISBN: 1932815325 $6.99 302 pp.
Julie Collins left her well paying job in Minneapolis to take a position in the Bear Butte County
Sheriff's Office in the hopes of finding the person who killed her half-brother Ben Stalking Elk.
Over
the last five years five Native Americans like Ben have been murdered, but his is different as he
was
the only one whose throat was slashed to death; the others were drowned though his corpse was
also found like the other victims in Bear Butte Creek. The body of a sixteen years old girl with her
throat slashed is found in Rapid Creek. Julie's friend private detective Kevin Wells was hired to
find
out where Samantha went after her father kicked her out of their home following her mother
confiding to both that she was sired by a rapist. A few days later, Samantha's mother is found
dead
in her car, supposedly a suicide. Kevin and Julie investigate together believing that the killer is one
of the men who raped her mother, but he intends to keep that secret concealed and he will do
whatever it takes to make sure it stays buried. BLOOD TIES is a fantastic small town thriller with
a
protagonist who acts tough because she feels she must do so to solve her quest and has no one to
call a friend except Kevin. Her need almost obsessive to bring justice to Samantha and her mother
serves as a temporary replacement and solace for failing to do so for Ben. Lori G. Armstrong
provides a fabulous mystery starring an intriguing protagonist with a climax that will stun the
audience.
A Thousand Tomorrows
Karen Kingsbury
Center Street
ISBN: 0446529672 $18.95, 238 pp.
Champion bull rider Cody Gunner uses brashness to hide his heart from everyone except his
younger
brother Carl, a Down syndrome person. Cody detests his former NFL great father who he
worshiped
until dad walked out on his family once he concluded that his youngest son was defective. He
loathes his mother for allowing her hurt caused by her spouse's abandonment to interfere with
raising
her two children especially the handicapped Carl who needed more from her. When he was eight
and
dad left, Cody vowed no one will ever get close to him again. Though horse riding champion Ali
Daniels must hold her breath for the eighteen or so seconds she competes, she refuses to quit
although she knows the dust and related ilk is cutting into her life span, which already is shortened
by cystic fibrosis. Still she refuses to quit, riding with passion dedicated to her deceased younger
sister. Because of her illness, she has no plans for a lasting relationship. When Ali and Cody meet
and reluctantly share their inner demons they fall in love. Although both want to flee from the
previously unwanted emotions, they embrace their feelings, providing one another with healing
solace while understanding that they probably will not share A THOUSAND TOMORROWS
together. This is a fine inspirational romance starring two interesting individuals who choose love
although they know how limited their mortal time together will be. The story line grips the
audience
from the start and never lets up until the final soliloquy. The plot especially the ending is obvious
because of the realistic portrayal of CF; fans who appreciate an uplifting somewhat melancholy
tale
will appreciate Karen Kingsbury character driven inspirational.
Memories of World War II and Its Aftermath: By a Little Girl Growing Up in Berlin
Inge E. Stanneck Gross
Island In The Sky Publishing Co.
PO Box 139, Eastsound, WA 98245
ISBN: 0976032864 $23.95 301 pp.
On August 25, 1940 five years old Inge hears the most frightening thunderstorm of her young life.
The next day the Berlin resident learns from her friend six years old Reinhard Engel that the
thunder
was caused by a British air raid on the city, the first of many to come. From those roots of war on
the home front, Inge Stanneck Gross provides a first hand account of growing up during World
War
II in Berlin and the surrounding areas (her mother relocated them to avoid the constant
bombings).
Ms. Gross provides a deep account of starvation and fears of death during the war and the decade
following the end of the combat. The biography stops in 1954 when the nineteen years old Inge
moves to America (a second volume picks up from there). MEMORIES OF WORLD WAR II
AND
ITS AFTERMATH: BY A LITTLE GIRL GROWING UP IN BERLIN is a terrific
autobiography
that brings insight from a person looking back to her childhood in war wracked Berlin. The
numerous black and white pictures add depth to the period. Inge E. Stanneck Gross provides a
different perspective, that of a frightened innocent residing amidst the tragedies and atrocities of
the
war. Her viewpoint has been ignored for the most part, but the author brings home the inability of
civilians including children to escape war's deadly tentacles. World War II aficionados will
appreciate this unique look back while the strong tome should be required reading for courageous
DC chicken hawks to see the real cost of war.
In Dahlia's Wake
Yona Zeldis McDonough
Doubleday
ISBN: 0385503628 $23.95, 292 pp.
In the months since their seven-year-old daughter Dahlia died podiatrist Rick and schoolteacher
Naomi Wechsler have grown apart rather than finding comfort with one another. Neither can
explain
to the other how they feel; as each day passes, the estrangement widens. Overwhelmed with
obsessive grief and ignoring Rick's censure, Naomi quits teaching to volunteer at the Holy Name
of
Jesus Hospital where Dahlia died. Unable to obtain solace from Rick because she holds him
culpable
since he was driving when the accident that killed Dahlia occurred, Naomi turns to Dr. Michael
McBride for consolation; he informed the couple that their child died. Rick feels guilty over
Dahlia's
death, but also believes that Naomi blames him for the death. Needing comfort, he turns to office
assistant single mother Lillian whose ex has let down their eleven year old son again; Lillian finds
warmth and understanding in his arms. Remorse over cheating on top of his feeling guilty for the
death forces Rick to confess his affair; this drives Naomi further over the edge as she considers
philandering with Michael. Will she cheat or forgive? IN DAHLIA'S WAKE is a deep look at
grieving an unexpected loss of a beloved preadolescent child by her parents. The lead couple has
been close since college handling rough situations like Naomi's miscarriages as a team, but
Dahlia's
death is different. They mourn their loss in dissimilar manners, which cause a schism that feeds on
the other's personal grief. Although an unnecessary improbable final spin occurs and several
pivotal
moments seem contrived to make infidelity to easy an option, family drama fans will appreciate
this
strong look at loss.
The Mourning Sexton
Michael Baron
Doubleday
ISBN: 0385513267 $23.95
David Hirsch was a managing partner in a prestigious St. Louis' legal firm, but cocaine and
extramarital affairs resulted in David waking up in a dump in East St. Louis with a prostitute dead
from an overdose sharing his bed. He was convicted for her death; his family cut all ties with him;
his
law license was revoked; and later he lost a major sexual harassment suit brought on by his female
staffers. David spent seven years in prison reading Don Quixote, playing the harmonica, and
rediscovering his Judaism. Last year the Missouri Supreme Court issued David a provisional
license
to practice law under the supervision of Seymour "Pancho" Rosenbloom. David services
bankruptcy
clients while volunteering as the sexton at a declining synagogue where meeting the minimum
minyan requirement of ten males is yeoman's work. An Alzheimer's congregation member Mr.
Shifrin wants David to obtain justice for his daughter law clerk Judith who died driving Judge
Brendan McCormick in an SUV during a snowstorm; Mr. Shifrin blames the design of the SUV
for
her death. With the help of legal technician Dulcie Lorenz, Hirsch uncovers something more
sinister
than a "nuisance" death. He soon battles those who he once considered equals when he was at the
top of the city's legal hierarchy. THE MOURNING SEXTON is an exhilarating legal thriller
starring
a fully developed individual trying to obtain redemption for his previous transgressions when he
abused his wealth and position. The support cast augments the deep look at the born again
crusading
David who reclaims the ethics he once scorned. Although the Shifrin case spins into a somewhat
shaky reality of a Goliath turned David against his former Goliath peers, sub-genre fans will
welcome this entertaining character driven entry.
Mad About Max
Penny McCusker
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750676 $4.99, 251 pp.
Third grade teacher Sara Lewis moved to Erskine, Montana six years ago. She fell in love with
her
neighbor rancher Max Devlin and his young son Joey now eight years old. However, Max only
sees
her as his klutzy younger sister. Sara still feels like an outsider even though she is a major subject
of
local pool betting at Ersk Inn where people wager on when her next accident will occur. Only
Sara
and her best friend Janey Walters knows that her clumsiness only happens when Max is near.
Realizing she needs to move on even after he proposes a marriage of convenience for Joey's sake,
Sara knows she will miss the townsfolk and her beloved. But Max closed his heart when his
former
wife Julia walked out on him and Joey. MAD ABOUT MAX is an amusing Big Sky
contemporary
romance. Sara's antics will keep the audience laughing as little things seem to happen to her like
breaking the glass pane window of the founding father that turns it into a big money maker since
it
now seems pornographic. Readers will have no patience for Max although he is a nice single
father
and good neighbor but this is a romance and he needs to get with the program. Still fans of slap
stick
contemporary tales will enjoy this humorous Montana romance.
Keeping up Appearances
Jennifer McKinlay
Harlequin Flipside
ISBN: 0373442130 $4.50, 217 pp.
Though a successful Manhattan ad executive, Hailey Fitzwilly hated the envy jokes of her peers
and
the commute from Fairfield, Connecticut. When she lost her cools during a bid for a big campaign
due to the antics of a colleague, she knew it was time to switch jobs especially since her career
went
down the toilet. Hailey becomes partners with Madeline in a yoga studio. She fears telling her
mother, dynamo Selma. Her mother also thinks Hailey will marry pediatrician Dr. Burke
Masterson,
but they already broke up; Hailey fears her Mother's reaction to her not having this wealthy
children's doctor from a prominent family as her son-in-law. Her brother Jack and Madeline insist
she tell her mom the truth about her life changes, but Hailey feels like a wimp unable to do that or
say no to Mother. For instance Mother assigns Hailey to get a chopper donated to sell at the
Children's Hospital charity auction. She visits The Chop Shop where she meets tough Kid
Cassidy,
who takes her for a ride to the center of her heart if she can just tell her Mother. KEEPING UP
APPEARANCES is an amusing contemporary suburban romance starring two likable
protagonists
and a fine support cast. Although the audience will find it difficult to reconcile the Type A
advertising queen with the Connecticut wimp and become tired of Hailey's failure to stand up to
her
Mother, readers will also enjoy her avoidance antics that borders on obsessive phobia. Kid is just
the
impetus she needs to change from wimpy Hailey to tasty tart Peaches.
Born to Be Bad
Crystal Green
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 0373791836 $4.75, 249 pp.
Weekly Gossip reporter Gemma Duncan dreams of winning a Pulitzer while writing for the New
Orleans Times-Picayune although she figures her chances of either occurring is about as great as
she
performing an ice skating triple axel. Still when interviewing psychics for a living, Gemma knows
not to use her real name so she reports stories like love with Tarot cards as Duncan James just in
case she has a chance at a real newspaper. Gemma overhears an interesting though angry
discussion
between city golden boy Damien Theroux and business mogul Lamont over illegal gambling
debts.
Lamont accuses Theroux of cheating as some avenging angel who apparently milks the rich to
give
to poor causes. Thinking she might have a chance for that Pulitzer and her real name as a
reporter,
Gemma decides to go undercover to learn the true nature of Theroux's illegal dealings. She takes
a
waitress job at one of his restaurants, but when she and Damien meet, an attraction rises between
them. As they play wild sex games, she finds the information to expose her beloved's wrong
doings
even if he does them with good intentions; Gemma must choose between her ambition and her
love.
Undercover romance readers will enjoy this interesting but unique tale of love between an
idealistic
reporter and a skeptical punisher. The sex scenes are graphic so be prepared for some torrid
encounters. Though the audience might have problems with Damien, who is more demon than
angel,
he seems realistic. Fans will enjoy the relationship between the cynical Damien and the virginal
Gemma reminiscent of Guys and Dolls.
The Cowboy Way
Candace Schuler
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 037379181X $4.75, 248 pp.
In Texas rancher Jo Beth Jensonhas two rules when it comes to sex. Never participate near home
and even more important never with a cowboy. She still feels the hurt when the man every one
including her thought would marry her came home with a bride that was not Jo Beth. Still at the
wedding of her friend Roxanne (see GOOD TIME GIRL) Jo Beth met champion bull rider Clay
Madison and deep inside her brain knows she would love to have the rodeo star ride her, but
never
ever a cowboy remains her mantra. Recovering from an injury and having not forgotten the maid
of
honor at the nuptials of his pal Tom six months ago and seeing that vision skinny dipping, Clay
tries
to persuade Jo Beth into sharing his bed. Though attracted to Clay, Jo Beth says no to the
cowboy.
He refuses to accept her stereotype and begins a campaign to win her over, but soon wants more
than a healing fling as Clay has fallen in love with Jo Beth; she feels the same way but distrusts
cowboys with her heart. THE COWBOY WAY takes secondary characters from a good time hot
Blaze and brings them together in an amusing torrid tale of their own. The story line is humorous
as
the cowboy tries to convince the anti-cowboy to join him in heated fun. The lead couple makes
the
ranch romance work as they prove support cast can star in their own adventure. Candace Shuler
provides a jocular contemporary gender war that fans will appreciate.
The Trick to Getting a Mom
Amy Frazier
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712693 $5.50, 296 pp.
In Pritchard's Neck, single dad Sean McCabe worries about his eight year old daughter Alex,
suspended from school for fighting and for carrying a weapon. The principal Ms. Simmons tells
Sean
that his daughter struggles between reality and fantasy; Sean knows that he is doing his best but
failing at his death bed promise to his now deceased wife Jillian to take care of their child. Kit
Darling returns to Pritchard's Neck, the town that forced her to flee almost a decade ago due to
the
amoral femme fatale antics of her mother. To pay off her late mom's debts, Kit sells items that her
mom collected mostly to horrify her neighbors before she turned to young men. Alex arrives
seeking
Seafaring Cecil books, which stuns Kit because she is the author. Sean comes to collect his
daughter, but fails to recognize Kit though they attended school together and she knows his eyes.
Alex likes Kit who treats her with respect and intelligence and decides she is perfect for her and
her
dad. Though Alex is too precocious, fans will enjoy this amusing contemporary romance starring
a
delightful lead couple and his matchmaking daughter. The antics pulled by Alex to bring her
favorite
author and her beloved dad together are humorous as more often than not the tricks fail. As the
adults fall in love over the objections of his family except his child, Kit has lived the life of a
wanderer and doubts she can settle down in place especially this place. Amy Frazier provides a
jocular tale filled with laughs to counter well examined serious issues making for a super
romance.
Meet Me in Texas
Sandy Steen
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712715 $5.50, 299 pp.
Thirteen years ago in Crystal Creek, Texas, FBI Special Agent in Charge Del Rickman led the
rescue effort to save the life of then twelve years old Allie Russell when the culprit used the kid as
a
means of vengeance against her stepmother. Allie was rescued and Del loved the Hill Country.
Dissatisfied with the direction of police work, Del leaves the Feds and decides to relocate to the
Crystal Creek area though he is unsure he will be welcomed by the locals even if they considered
him a hero. In Crystal Creek, to his shock Del finds himself attracted to Allie though she is almost
two decades younger than him. She reciprocates, but he assumes it is some form of hero worship
rather than a deep abiding attraction plus the townsfolk frown on their relationship so he
discourages
her. However, even as he tries to think of her as little Allie, subconsciously his heart insists this
adult
is Allison. The return to Crystal Creek brings back two solid support characters from a 1994
Sandy
Steen entry (see SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN THE NIGHT) as the lead pairing that will elate
series fans to see how much Del and Allie have changed since her ordeal. Allison believes that her
feelings for Del goes way beyond the knight in shining armor rescuing her while Del struggles
with
believing he is too old and that she confuses her immense gratitude for love. Though he works
through his issues to easily, readers will appreciate this fine romance.
Little Night Magic
Liz Jarrett
Harlequin Temptation
ISBN: 037369220X $4.50
Chicago attorney Dani Karlinski hires her friend private investigator Travis Walker to prove that
her
grandmother's love spell could not have worked and placed a curse on anyone as her beloved
relative is being sued. Travis makes inquiries and follows the threads, but every clue he finds
affirms
that the spells of his client's grandmother work. Unbeknownst to the skeptical lawyer and the
astonished sleuth, grandma has cast a love spell on them. Though they met and liked each other
since high school, now the couple finds an attraction growing into a deep abiding love although
Dani
is moving to New York with a great career opportunity. However, neither can accept that
grandma's
spells work though under oath Dani and Travis will have to admit their love has blossomed ever
since her relative cursed them or face perjury for lying about their respective hearts. LITTLE
NIGHT MAGIC is a whimsical contemporary romantic romp in which readers will enjoy learning
whether grandma can curse someone with a love spell. The story line is lighthearted as the
audience
will find amusing the antics of the lead couple especially the granddaughter though in denial re are
grandma's "skills" and love, as every step she takes is towards believing in curses and Travis. Liz
Jarrett furbishes an amusing tale.
Your House or Mine
Cynthia Thomason
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712685 $5.50, 299 pp.
Orlando resident Meg Hamilton learns that her beloved nonagenarian Aunt Amelia Ashford has
been
placed in a home as she recovers from a fall and shows signs of dementia. Since her aunt already
quit
claim deed her Mount Esther house to Meg, the younger woman decides that relocating with her
ten
year old son Spencer might be good for them as the Colonial Auction House business that she
owns
with her irresponsible brother Jerry is floundering. In Mount Esther, Meg meets Deputy Sheriff
Wade Murdock, a former New York cop. Wade informs Meg that he paid 20K as a down
payment
on the home. Apparently Amelia has spent much of it buying all sorts of stuff, mostly still
unopened,
from catalogues. As Meg and Wade struggle with ownership problems and trying to do the right
thing, they begin to fall in love. However she distrusts males ever since her former husband
deserted
her and Spence; he still feels guilt over his wife's death and how much that has shaken his
daughter
Jenny. YOUR HOUSE OR MINE is an amusing contemporary romance with a serious undertone
and a touch of intrigue. The lead characters are terrific as they learn how difficult it is to court
someone with kids hanging around. The children are solidly drawn as they have abandonment
troubles caused by a desertion and a death respectively. Amelia is a fabulous soul who brings to
life
the aging crisis that affects the sandwich generation. Throw on top of that legal problems at the
auction house for selling stolen goods and Amelia's deceased uncle's buried treasures from his
scams. Fans will enjoy this fine tale.
Discovering Duncan
Mary Anne Wilson
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750668 $4.99, 249 pp.
In Los Angeles at the offices of Bishop International, Duncan Bishop and his father CEO D.R.
argue
over destroying a family friend Gary Tellgare. The son tells his father if he fails to back off he will
leave without a look back. However, the senior refuses to budge. Duncan walks out leaving
behind
his only family member, a multimillion dollar business, and his girlfriend who dumped him for his
actions. Six months later, D.R. hires Sutton Agency to find his son. He informs their private
investigator Lauren Carter that if she gets Duncan to come home willingly, he will pay for her to
attend law school and more as she has dreamed of doing. Lauren decides to start in Duncan's
birthplace as many people go home when upset as he apparently was. In Silver Creek, Nevada,
Lauren finds Duncan and soon they fall in love. However, she needs that bonus for more than just
law school or even for herself, but also knows once he knows the truth he will never trust her
again.
This fine private investigative romance is a solid contemporary tale due to the dilemma
confronting
Lauren between her beloved and her client, but made fuzzier by a late altruistic twist that seems
too
conveniently available to make Lauren seem less avaricious. Duncan is a delightful counterpart as
he
shows that sometimes the acorn falls far from the tree yet is as stubborn in his way as D.R. is.
Mary
Anne Wilson provides a fine story that readers will wonder which way the heroine will go.
Seeking Miss Scarlet
Natalie Stenzel
Harlequin Flipside
ISBN: 0373442122 $4.50, 218 pp.
Eight years as a Chicago cop and now a private investigator have not prepared Jack Harrison to
deal
with Valerie Longstreet, owner of a mystery theater. While she vamps him in an effort to form a
partnership where she would pay him among other incentives to serve as a consultant to her
guests,
he hides his attraction to her behind a scowl and refuses her tantalizing offer. When he receives a
note announcing her murder, he rushes across the street, sees her on the floor, and panics as he
thinks she is dead. When he realizes she is performing, Jack angrily accuses her of crossing the
line.
Valerie reminds him that she has been in his face with different offerings so why would she use the
not so subtle writing histrionics. Jack admits to himself he likes the outrageous Miss Scarlet as she
calls herself and the even kookier Aunt Lillian who insists they have three ghosts residing in the
theater including a kleptomaniac spirit. When Val becomes involved in a real case, Jack gets
involved in more than just the case as he tries to keep her safe, but his fee is that Miss Scarlet is
his
alone as he loves Val. SEEKING MISS SCARLET is an amusing private investigative romance
with
a touch of the paranormal that will keep the audience laughing yet has a serious mystery to liven
the
plot. The story line is character driven especially when Val vamps her neighbor, which she does all
the time as she knows Jack desires her. Her aunt and the ghosts along with the who-done-it add
depth to a fine funny tale.
Wednesday's Child
Gayle Wilson
HQN
ISBN: 0373770391 $5.99
In Johnson County, Mississippi, Sheriff Adams informs Mrs. Richard Kaiser that her spouse died
in
a car accident apparently several years ago when his vehicle went off the road into the Escatawpa
River. The SUV with the body inside was only just discovered. Mrs. Kaiser is stunned, but does
not
correct the sheriff in that she divorced Richard almost seven years ago when he vanished with
their
child Emily. Using her maiden name of Susan Chandler, she has hopes that Emily still lives as no
other corpse was found in the vehicle. Susan travels to Linton, Mississippi where she finds a room
at
Lorina Bedford's B&B. Lorina's great nephew Jeb is hostile towards the guest until her inquiries
lead
to her being run off the road. Jeb, a Delta Force soldier on medical leave from injuries sustained in
Iraq, helps Susan investigate based on why her ex spouse would have left the interstate here; their
logic being car trouble or medical help as they try to figure out who has suddenly had a toddler.
As
they follow the cold trail, they fall in love, but neither trusts the other with their respective heart.
WEDNESDAY'S CHILD is a strong amateur sleuth romance with the emphasis on the suspense
more so than the love subplot. Susan is a terrific protagonist who by being honest is treated with
scorn by law enforcement officials starting with her believing Richard would never harm Emily.
The
romance between Jeb and Susan is handled in conjunction with the investigation they conduct.
Fans
will appreciate this powerful glimpse of a mother's worst nightmare nearing closure, but seemingly
not attaining it.
Enemy Mine
Lindsay McKenna
HQN
ISBN: 0373770790 $6.50, 384 pp.
US Marine Corps helicopter pilot Kathy Trayhern wants vengeance on South American gang
lords
Carlos Garcia and his son Guillermo for all the hurt they have caused her family. However, she
realizes that her assignment in South America of inserting SEALs and marine recon teams into hot
spots do not allow her to make the needed drop. She also believes the Garcias see their assaults
on
the Trayhern family as striking out at their nemesis Morgan family patriarch and head of the CIA's
Perseus Group. Kathy believes she has her opportunity when she is assigned to rescue a KNR
(kidnap and ransom) victim, a seven year old girl snatched in Peru by the Garcias. As she
infiltrates
the criminal ring, she meets helicopter pilot Mac Coulter, who works the drug trade for the
Garcias
as a cover for his AFT efforts to infiltrate the gang. Though attracted to one another, neither
trusts
the other as they each believe the other works for the vile kingpin. The Latest Trayhern thriller is
at
its most exhilarating best in the Peruvian jungle as Kathy and Mac want one another, but both
distrusts the other because of whom they perceive their soulmate works for. When the story line
provides flashbacks especially through the eyes of Kathy to support what she feels she must do,
the
tale slows down to give readers a chance to relax from the high level of tension. Lindsay
McKenna
provides a taut thriller that stars two delightful protagonists who need one another to survive yet
doubts linger as the senses rejects the instincts of their respective hearts.
A Breath Away
Rita Herron
HQN
ISBN: 0373770308 $5.99, 384 pp.
In Crow's Landing, Tennessee eight years old Violet Baker considers Darlene Monroe her best
friend. When Violet envisions someone assaulting Darlene, she turns to her father to help her pal,
but instead he sends her away to live with relatives. Darlene is murdered and Violet feels she
failed
her friend. Two decades later Violet returns to Crow's Landing because she has been seeing things
that she feels will solve the cold case murder of Darlene. Local Sheriff Grady Monroe, Darlene's
half-brother, wants Violet to leave because he somewhat blames her for his sibling's homicide and
does not trust her "second sense"; deep in his heart he also fears his attraction to Violet. As she
begins to follow her visions, he needs to protect her from someone who targets her as his victim
not
so much to keep his secrets hidden, but because of an obsession. A BREATH AWAY is a terrific
supernatural police procedural romance. Violet is an interesting protagonist as she sees visions,
suffers guilt over failing her best friend though she was only a child at the time and falls in love
with
someone who seemingly wants her to leave town because he blames her for his sister's death.
Grady
knows he is unfair to hold Violet culpable, but cannot help himself. Falling in love with her feels
right but comes with guilt. Though the motive of the killer appears weak, readers will appreciate
this
tense romantic suspense propelled by the lead duo.
To Tame a Wolf
Susan Krinard
HQN
ISBN: 0373770472 $6.50, 384 pp.
In 1881 Cochise County, Arizona Territory widow Tally "Tal" Bernard enters Tombstone dressed
like a boy in search of her missing brother, Andre; He left their ranch to purchase livestock, but
should have returned a few days ago. She learns that her sibling gambled away their money and
fled
into the wilderness. Simeon "Sim" Kavanaugh offers to help the lad find her brother for a small
fee;
reluctantly Tal accepts. Sim knows from the start that his employer is a female in disguise, but
says
nothing to her. Instead he struggles with restraining his attraction to Tal as he believes a mortal
could never accept his half-breed heritage. Still when danger confronts Tal who he knows is his
soulmate, Sim must free the beast to save her, but expects to pay the price once she learns his
secret
and rejects his werewolf side. TO TAME A WOLF is a superb action-packed paranormal
historical
romance that never slows down once the "male" Tal enters Tombstone until the finale when Sim
risks his life and his love by getting with his werewolf side to attempt to keep her safe. The lead
couple comes across as genuine, which enables the audience to believe in the supernatural in a
western setting. Susan Krinard's fans will howl (full moon or not) with her latest wolf
romance.
Sleeping Over
Stacey Ballis
Red Dress (Harlequin)
ISBN: 037389516X $12.95, 352 pp.
In Chicago it has been two years since the five young single women held a "circling up" to discuss
men and other problems. However, now that Jess has returned home from two years overseas
with
the Peace Corps, the quintet agrees it is time. Jess wants to talk about her platonic relationship
pediatrician Harrison who she lives with platonically but wants to make it more. Robin cherishes
her
friendship with her boss, restaurant owner Michael, but fears exploring what she really wants from
him. Lilith enjoys the performing arts more than she does her businessman boyfriend Martin.
Sisters
Beth and Ann have opened up a clothing store, but the former has Jeff while the latter has Chris;
two
men coming in the way of their loving sibling camaraderie. Five friends struggling to spice up their
relationships with the men in their respective lives, but will it mean the end of Circling Up. Fans of
relationship dramas will appreciate this fine character driven tale that provides unique protagonists
approaching similar male issues in radically different manners. The story line is more a series of
vignettes as the focus switches from one woman to another. Though Stacey Ballis does a
remarkable
job of keeping the personalities of her Circling Up stars different yet consistent, readers will find
the
switching perspective difficult to keep track of anyway. Still sub-genre fans will appreciate this
female Friends tale because the women seem real and their loneliness woes and fears feel
genuine.
Flyover States
Grace Grant and PJ MacAllister
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373895216 $12.95, 304 pp.
Doris Weatherall comes from Brooklyn and Veronica Williams from California to attend
Langsdale
University in Indiana. Though one woman is African-American while the other Caucasian, and
they
compete for the same summer teaching position the coastal females become best friends. Ronnie
becomes upset when, without her permission, she is a diversity initiative brochure's centerfold
aimed
at minority recruitment. Doris gets the teaching position but finds high school seniors uninterested
in
what she tries to do; Ronnie works in a factory. Both want a man in her life. However, Ronnie
doubts she will find a brother in the conservative section of the Hoosier state while Doris sees her
poetry professor although he is allegedly gay. These two independent intelligent women turn to
one
another to survive their self imposed exile in the Midwest. This is more a character study than a
chick lit tale though readers get the chick lit viewpoint from the coastal females. The story line
centers on two individuals coming from opposite poles converging in the hinterland like fish out
of
water. Ronnie and Doris become friends as they share ideals while feeling isolated on the campus.
Fans will enjoy this deep look at ethical blue state individuals struggling with red state moral
values.
Sex, Murder and a Double Latte
Kyra Davis
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373895194 $17.95, 304 pp.
San Francisco mystery thriller writer Sophie Katz is euphoric as Hollywood producer Michael
Tolsky has optioned her last novel, Sex, Drugs, and Murder. However, to her shock someone
kills
Michael, but the modus operendi parallels a movie the victim made. Sophie seems to be the only
one
who sees connection to Silent Killer. Sophie soon realizes that someone is emulating scenes from
Sex, Drugs, and Murder. She learns that besides Michael a rapper was killed right out of his
lyrics.
She believes a celebrity serial killer has targeted her, but the police reject her theory as an overly
active imagination though she shows evidence of being stalked and her property vandalized. She
refuses to sit back and wait; instead she follows her heroine seeking to uncover the identity of a
murderer. The storyline blends a who-done-it within a chick lit, but though fun to follow and filled
with laughs with the antics of the likable amusing protagonist, the plotting seems off kilter since
Sophie is dealing with murder and a belief she is on the list. Sophie is a delightful protagonist who
figures that since she writes mysteries, she should easily solve mysteries (a positive spin on the
genre's mantra that those who can't sleuth write sleuth stories and those who can't write sleuth
stories, review sleuth stories). SEX, MURDER AND A DOUBLE LATTE is a fine droll
detective
chick lit tale, but the emphasis is on the latter although the heroine is in peril.
Seven Sunny Days
Chris Manby
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373895208 $12.95, 352 pp.
Her two best friends Carrie Ann Murphy and Yaslyn Stimpson take engaged Rachel Buckley on a
final fling before she says I do. The trio goes exotic Club Aegee in Bodrin, Turkey seeking males
to
pamper them for a week. Her buddies make sure that Carrie, a senior manager at Office Angels, is
in
a festive mood from the start when they slip a vibrator into her luggage only to have customs see
it.
At the resort, Rachel realizes her pals have issues. Yaslyn fears commitment though her boyfriend
back home wants for them to move to the next level in their relationship. Carrie Ann has just had
her
divorce legalized and so is down on marriage and men except as disposable boy toys. As the trio
shares a room for partying and all night binges the vast chasm on male relationships surface in an
ugly manner; Rachel wonders whether adding a husband means subtracting her two best friends.
Much more a relationship drama especially between the three friends than a chick lit tale though
the
narration is from the latter 101, fans will enjoy the escapades and deep look at the complexities of
human interaction. The three females are a delightful fully developed characters and the support
cast
brings out the best and as often the worst in each of them. Though the subplots can become
overwhelming (flow charting will not help) that just emphasizes the baggage people bring to
multifaceted interactivities.
Love Like That
Amanda Hill
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373895186 $12.95, 304 pp.
In Southern California, twenty-five years old assistant events planner Dalton Moss is stunned
when
her boyfriend Roman Duquesne gives her an engagement ring before he goes on a six month trip
to
Cameroon as a member of the International Center for Relief and Advancement. Dalton agrees to
wed Roman when he returns to Los Angeles. Although engaged, Dalton continues to see her
other
boyfriend the irresponsible roguish Jeremy Flowers, the total opposite of the dependable caring
Roman. She knows she needs to move on, but enjoys Jeremy's hedonistic attitude even if he has
another girlfriend. She knows she will have to choose when Roman comes home, but for now
girls
just want to have fun and Jeremy is where that is at. LOVE LIKE THAT is a solid contemporary
chick lit tale that takes a little time to get moving as Amanda Hill provides the background to the
Southern Cal singles lifestyle. The wait for the plot to take off is worth it because the audience
can
better understand Dalton's dilemma as she is confused between two lovers pulling her towards
totally opposite lifestyles. Fans will wonder whether she will choose commitment, wilding or
perhaps she will find a third road somewhat in between the extremes of her boyfriends.
Lisa Marie Takes Off
Susan Hubbard
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373895178 $12.95, 272 pp.
With the dreaded thirtieth birthday coming soon symbolized by two unwelcome gray strands,
distraught American Advice Columnist Lisa Marie Marino goes to London to spend time with her
boyfriend Robert McCallister. He is in England researching for a novel on Lady Jane Grey. Lisa
Marie believes Robert is lovable, dependable, and trustworthy until she catches him with his
beautiful editor Felicity Ashford-Foxcroft sneaking into a hotel; Lisa Marie assumes that Robert is
the other type of guy, a promiscuous cad. Lisa Marie leaves Robert to Felicity and moves in with
her
new friend Grace. She begins to Americanize the British culture though Grace's Aunt Pru tries to
Anglicize the Yank. However, in spite of Lisa Marie swinging in the upper reaches of London's in
crowd, she misses McCallister. Her dreams of spending a lifetime with him remain in the center of
her heart. This is a fun chick lit tale though the tension between Lisa Marie and McCallister seems
unnecessary if she took the time to talk to the man she loves (and previously trusted). Still in spite
of
the lack of any seemingly real conflict, Lisa Marie swinging through London makes for an
amusing
novel. Lisa Marie and McCallister are likable lead characters and though Felicity is colder than a
corpse, much of the support cast enables readers to see a glimpse of London albeit filtered
through
the eyes of the invading colonist. Sub-genre fans will fully appreciate Lisa Marie's real female rival
for the affections of McCallister in this fine romp.
Gossamyr
Michelle Hauf
Luna (Harlequin)
ISBN 037380220X $13.95, 411 pp.
The world of faery has known peace for a very long time but now the realm's very existence is
threatened by the Red Lady, a faerie banished to the Otherside (the mortal realm). She is stealing
the
essence of faeries who stay too long in Paris controlled by English King Henry and his soldiers.
Shinn, leader of Glamourseige knows that Gossamyr, the half mortal-half faery, is the only warrior
who can defeat The Red Lady because as a female she is not susceptible to the lure of the
succubus.
Although she lacks wings and contains only the glamour from her years of living in faery, she
crosses to the Otherside with the help of Shinn. She meets Ulrich who participated in a fairy
Dance
and lost two decades. His wife remarried and a dragon killed his daughter. He hopes to bring her
back to the mortal world because he has an alacorn (a unicorn's horn) and when he gives it back
to
its owner he gets one wish. The pair teams up, helping each other when one gets into trouble.
When
she learns the truth about her origins that Shinn kept from her, Gossamyr's priorities change
although she remains determined to save faery by defeating THE RED LADY. GOSSAMYR is a
beguiling fantasy that blends elements from many genres to produce a work that will enchant
readers
who will place it on their keeper self to reread when they want an uplifting experience. The
protagonist is an amazon warrior in a besieged Paris who battles a succubus, her ex-lover, and
wins
the heart of a mortal who is on a quest of his own. Michele Hauf has the magic touch that she
imbues in her storyline.
Urban Shaman
C.E. Murphy
Luna
ISBN 0373802234 $13.95, 324 pp.
As the plane lands, passenger Joanne Walkingstick sees a man with a knife, a pack of dogs and a
woman running. Joanne grabs a taxi to head to the spot where she saw the crime take place. She
finds Maria D'Ambra who tells her she was being chased by Cernunnos a Celtic god and leader of
the Wild Hunt. She is a banshee who can tell when someone is about to die making her invaluable
to
the Wild Hunt who collects the souls of the dead. The metaphysical is not in Joanna's world view
until Cernunnos runs her through with a sword and while near death her spirit guide Coyote tells
her
how to heal herself. She also learns she is a shaman with the power to heal. When she goes to talk
with Maria, she finds her murdered in the same way five other shamans were killed in recent
weeks.
Not much later, the killer attacks schoolchildren in their classroom murdering some and injuring
the
teacher. He is Herne a demigod who was once mortal and has his own plans for the world and the
Hunt. Unless Joanne can grow into her powers to send Cernunnos and Herne back to where they
belong Earth is doomed. The relationship between Cernunnos and Herne is familial but there is an
enmity that exists between them because of their different goals with mortals caught in their cross
fire. Joanne accepts the metaphysical work and her shamanic powers a bit too easily but she has
the
strength and determination to use them in order to fight the two gods. C.E. Murphy has written a
spellbinding and enthralling urban fantasy in the tradition of Tanya Huff and Mercedes
Lackey.
Silver's Bane
Anne Kelleher
Luna
ISBN 0373802226 $13.95, 406 pp.
The goblin hordes who feast on flesh threatened humans and Sidhe with extinction. To contain
them
in the wastelands, a silver Caul was made with faery magic by a mortal silversmith. Now, due to
the
treachery of a mortal who betrayed the Sidhe prince he made a deal that enables Cadwyr, heir to
the
Duke of Gar, to possess the Caul. The Goblins roam the mortal realm, eating on human flesh and
Cadwyr has no plans to stop them. He kills the Duke and claims the title but the dowager duchess
Cecily flees and plots to overthrow the traitor and become queen if the people will accept her. In
the
land of the Sidhe, the goblins are coming and the land is dying. The people, mortal and Sidhe,
must
find a way to UNnmake the Caul otherwise both the human and faery realms will cease to exist.
SILVER'S BANE, the sequel to SILVER'S EDGE, is a fantastic fantasy that leaves no questions
left
unanswered or threads left for any other sequel though a prequel in which the making of the caul
is
told in SILVER'S LURE which is coming in 2006. There are many heroes and heroines in this
book
who band together to fight the goblin horde praying to end the threat that Cadwyr poses. Anne
Kelleher has written a memorable spellbinding work.
Countdown
Ruth Wind
Silhouette Bombshell
ISBN: 0373513526 $4.50
Athena Academy graduate Kim Valenti of NSA is terrific in breaking codes and has helped other
agencies' staff like FBI bomb expert Alexander Tanner with her skills. Though they never met,
Kim
and Alex have a thriving email repertoire with hopes that one day Windtalker2 and Lex Luther as
they respectively sign their electronic correspondence will meet. That day occurs when both are
assigned to a joint task force looking into Q'rajn terrorist group activities tied to Berzhaan. They
are
to work together to determine whether known terrorist Fathi bin Amen Mansour or apparently
clean
Professor Hafiz abu Malik Abd-Humam is planning an attack on western soil. Though Fathi has
used
his Oxford educated chemical engineering skills to enact revenge for the deaths of his mother and
brothers, he holds the west culpable and Hafiz has only written articles demanding the west leave
his
country, the two Federal agents know either or both could be the suspect and are assigned to take
out the right one. The Athena Academy graduates continue to provide action-packed romantic
suspense thrillers that grip the audience from start to finish. Kim is a fabulous alumni as she works
with and falls in love with Alex, who reciprocates having been three quarters in love just on their
email exchanges. The terrorist aspects are handled with dexterity so that the audience receives a
fast-paced tale in which a mistake could cost more than your life; it could cost the lives of
numerous
innocents. Fans will want to know which way the wind is blowing during the COUNTDOWN to a
terrorist attack with Kim and Alex trying to abort it.
Secret Admirer (The Fortunes of Texas: Reunion)
Ann Major, Christine Rimmer, and Karen Rose Smith
Signature Collection
ISBN: 0373285191 $5.99
Prologue. An anonymous person sends a love letter to the Red Rock Gazette. "Secret Kisses" by
Ann Major. Shy Jane Snow wonders if Matt Harper did it, but she fears pursuing this as he
humiliated her back in high school. Besides they are competing for the same job as Director of
Market research at Fortune, TX LTD. "Hidden Hearts" by Christine Rimmer. Police Officer Greg
Flynn sees Annie Grant more as a younger sister rather that the life time lover role that she wants.
When she sees the letter, she prays that Greg wroite it, but it will take a hostage situation to open
up
his eyes that his love for Annie is radically different than that of a sibling. "Dream Marriage" by
Karen Rose Smith. When her spouse Garth Manning runs off on business in Tokyo, Laura decides
enough is enough as he always chooses work over her. She wants children and is deciding to be a
single mom though she runs a business. She knows Gareth back in Texas wants to reconcile and
wonders if he placed the love letter in the local newspaper as part of baring his soul. These are
three
fine interrelated novellas start off with a misconception involving the letter and takes off from
there
as somewhat comedic contemporary romances starring likable protagonists in which the woman
knows what she wants.
Her Sister's Keeper
Victoria Pade
Silhouette Signature Select
ISBN: 0373285183 $5.99, 324 pp.
Twin sisters Nia and Trina Molner agree to come home to Elk Creek, Wyoming to attend the
annual
Founder's Day Centennial. Nia hopes this will get her sibling out of the depression following a
difficult divorce. However, Trina sneaks into town six weeks earlier to see if she can score with
her
first love, media giant Clay Heller, but instead he is not in town, but she meets his brother rancher
Cole. They make love before she leaves town to catch up to her sister. However, Trina becomes
pregnant from her tryst. Nia and Trina arrive for the gala. Nia and Clay meet and are attracted to
one another, but she is used to being HER SISTER'S KEEPER and believes that Trina wants him
and is carrying his baby. Trina loves Cole, but has doubts about marriage following her recent
debacle although she also worries about being a single mom. These fine contemporary romances
between two pairs of siblings with a touch of misunderstanding is a fun read especially because
the
Molner sisters lack confidence when it comes to the men they respectively love. The story line
centers on a comedy of errors as Nia for the first time in her life wants to put herself first instead
of
her twin, but has trouble ignoring a couple of decades of habit. Though the studs could have used
more muscle, fans will enjoy Victoria's Pade's ranch tale and seek out TALES FROM ELK
CREEK:
COWBOY'S LADY COWBOY'S LOVE.
Show Her the Money
Stephanie Feagan
Silhouette Bombshell
ISBN: 0373513542 $4.50
Senior manager Jane "Pink" Pearl testifies at a senatorial hearing that the memos she had were
stolen
along with all the backup disks except one. She vows to regain possession of the last set that
proves
Marvel Energy intended to commit fraud. The last set was inside a box sold to a family neighbor
Mrs. Bohannon at a yard sale; Mrs. Bohannon is away on vacation. Senator Santorelli tells Pink
to
bring the evidence or else face prosecution as a chief auditor who hid the accounting scam. Pink
returns to her hometown of Midland, Texas even as physical threats rise from the Doo Dog
Stalker
and others, and rumors abound of her sleeping with Santorelli. Her mother, who wants her to
drop
the case, provides her work as the only person who would hire her. She also gets her a new
lawyer,
Ed, who successfully sued Marvel Energy, and strongly encourages Pink to tell the truth. Ed and
Pink start with respect that turns into love but her life is on hold until she can exonerate herself at
the senate hearing. This intriguing whistle-blowing romance taken from the headlines is a fine tale
that grips the audience from the moment that Pink, trying to do the right thing, is treated as a
pariah
by Congress, the media, her former peers and associates, and the public. Many conclude she is a
loose woman who performed the illegal acts or just a traitor to her employers. Thus the story line
centers on Pink's struggles. The romance with her second lawyer Ed takes a back seat to the
whistleblower treated like a criminal by almost everyone.
Sexy Lexy
Kate Moore
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505526239 $6.99, 324 pp.
When fitness expert Lexy Clark authored the bestseller Workout Sex: A Girl's Guide to Home
Fitness, she never anticipated males would assume she is loose. All she wanted to do was help her
recently married friends enjoy needed exercise within their committed relationships. National TV
host Stanley Skoff tries to embarrass "SEXY LEXY" with his handpicked testosterone audience
and
fitness stud. Instead Lexy walks off the show cutting short her fifteen minutes of being a national
joke, albeit a wealthy one thanks to the hot sales. She travels to Drake's Point, north of San
Francisco only to arrive in time for rutting season with literally a stag sniffing for females. A
stranger
rescues her from the big deer by pressing his body onto her until "Rudolph" left. Since Lexy
informs
Sam Worth she is not a tourist, he assumes she is running away and hiding in "Brigadoon" as he
calls
Drake's Point. Sam and Lexy are attracted to one another, but she distrusts anyone with the Y
chromosome and he wants nothing to do with the famous once tasting that bitter brew. SEXY
LEXY is an amusing contemporary romantic romp starring two affable lead protagonists ably
supported by a horde of eccentric characters exposing the newcomer to Northern California chic.
Sam is worth the cost of the novel as he is a caring hunk who wants Lexy, but fears she is one of
the
vile famous. Lexy is a fine protagonist who has traveled the road of good intentions, but some of
her
actions at the inn she purchased seems off kilter for her. Still the audience will appreciate this
lighthearted frolic and want Moore Drake's Point tales.
Stargazer
Colby Hodge
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505526271 $6.99
Being the daughter of a murdering Circe witch who killed her father has hurt Lilly as much of
upper
society starting with her uncle blames her from the moment of her birth almost as much as her
mother though Lilly was born after the homicide. Two decades later her uncle, Sovereign
Alexander
of Oasis still holds her culpable for his brother's death due to her mother's actions; still he assigns
Lilly as his representative to the senate with war beckoning that could destroy the world.
Ravigans
attack her ship and her bodyguard Krebb is killed. Desperate she frees a cyro-prisoner Phoenix,
whom she already held a telepathic chat with, from his frozen cell that stated "Do not revive
without
authorization". The prisoner was to be dumped in the deepest known hole for murdering five
Senate
soldiers. He sees his actions differently as he was avenging the murder of his parents. He is an
anomaly as an unprecedented male surviving descendent of the Circe witches, but agrees to
protect
Lilly. As they fall in love, they have doubts about the underlying reasons for the upcoming war
and
investigate how he survived the Circe witches when they kill male infants immediately.
STARGAZER is an exciting action-packed science fiction romance in which the worlds
envisioned
by Colby Hodge seem so real the audience will believe she is an ET from one of them. The story
line
hits hyperspeed immediately and never decelerates until the climax. The mystery of Phoenix adds
depth on a personal level to this fabulous outer space tale that in some ways feels like a medieval
historical tale as love and war are enhanced by trust and betrayal respectively.
A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court
Marianne Macusi
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505526336 $6.99
Twenty-nine years old La Style associate fashion editor Katherine "Kat" Jones detests ruining her
shoes traipsing in a field in Upstate New York rather than attending a Village event or relaxing in
her Connecticut home. However, her boss has sent her to attend King Arthur's Faire in order to
write a five hundred word article on the medieval clothing fad in today's fashion world. Her
photographer Chrissie Haywood forces Kat to have her palm read by a fortune teller. Kat is
obnoxious to the woman, who curses her. Suddenly Cat finds Chrissie is gone and so is the faire.
Instead she is in Camelot dressed in high twenty-first century fashion with no hospital or latte in
sight. Lancelot du Lac defends her, but though she wants to seduce him, she assumes he belongs
to
Queen Guenevere. Then there is the evil prince who wants to use her to destroy the kingdom; and
finally Merlin informs her not to change history or is that the future even if she only wants to
introduce the cashmere sweater to the ladies. This is an amusing chick lit goes Camelot tale in
which
the Knights of the Round Table except Lancelot agree that Kat needs to be shipped back to her
birth
time and place, 2005 Brooklyn. The story line is fun although initially readers will find Kat's
whining
at the faire and in Camelot irritating. However, when she tries to save the kingdom without
gourmet
coffee, not change history, and ruins her shoes in the process, fans will root for Kat to have at
least
one life with Lancelot. Mark Twain would enjoy this distaff version of his classic.
Lips That Touch Mine
Wendy Lindstrom
Leisure
ISBN: 0843955066 $6.99
In 1873 in Fredonia, New York Widow Claire Ashier has had it with the Pemberton Saloon
across
the street from her boarding house. The noise spilling into the street has driven out her last patron
and Claire needs her lodging to thrive in order to survive. She informs saloon owner Boyd
Grayson
that he needs to shut down or else. Though attracted to the courageous woman, Boyd tells her no
he
cannot afford the loss of business on a Saturday night. The Sheriff is on Boyd's side of the dispute
though he insists that his being the saloon owner's brother has nothing to do with his decisions,
but
asks the two of them to peacefully work out their differences. She persuades him to escort her to
church where she hopes he understands the nastiness of liquor when he hears the sermon. As
Boyd
and Claire begin seeing each other encouraged by his traitorous canine's visits to her, they fall in
love; however she has vowed that "lips that touch mine will never have touched liquor" having
suffered from the alcoholic abuses of her first husband. The third Grayson Post Civil War
historical
romance (see THE LONGING and SHADE OF HONOR) is an absorbing late nineteenth century
tale due to the contrast between the personalities of the lead couple. Much of that difference was
caused by Claire being a spousal abuse victim with no avenues to turn to except the church
whereas
Boyd, besides being a big man, knows his loving family especially brothers are there for him..
Wendy
Lindstrom provides a strong tale driven by the protagonists who seem so opposite yet so in
love.
Lady's Choice
Winnie Griggs
Leisure
ISBN: 084395521X $5.99, 342 pp.
It is 1894 and only for Judge Madison would irate Adam Barr baby sit three easterners on a trek
to
Texas from Philadelphia. Adam is bitter at the irony that he was imprisoned for six years for a
crime
he did not commit while his three charges were guilty of felonies that should have locked them
away; instead the Judge has handed them a chance to marry his granddaughter. The Judge has
issued
an ultimatum to his granddaughter Wild West photographer Regina Nash to marry Everett,
Mitchell
or Chance, or lose custody of her nephew Jack. Reggie does not want any of these losers, but also
refuses to lose Jack who she has raised as her own. She behaves like a frontier hoyden to run off
the
naive easterners, but Adam recognizes the masquerade, but is shocked because he desires her.
Reggie thought that Texas would cleanse her of her teenage crush for him when he was out of
reach, but instead she still knows deep down she loves Adam. Unable to resist Adam enters the
competition, not realizing he was sent as the Ace that Judge Madison thought is perfect for his
granddaughter. LADY'S CHOICE is an entertaining and amusing western romance that fans of
the
sub-genre will appreciate especially when the suitors fail to adjust to the Wild West of the heroine
after visiting the "luxurious" Philadelphia home of the manipulating Judge. Adam is an interesting
protagonist framed by a close friend and needing to prove his innocence while Reggie feels her
Jack
should never feel the shame of a convict father. Though the tension between seems forced,
readers
will enjoy this fine nineteenth century Americana tale.
Rabid Growth
James A. Moore
Leisure
ISBN 0843951729 $6.99, 323 pp.
Eighteen year old Chris Corin is having a very bad year. After his mother's death, he became the
legal guardian for his fifteen year old sister Brittany who is going through puberty and challenging
his authority every chance she can. His maternal grandmother, who he has never met and who his
mother never talked about, challenges him for custody of Brittany. He is the winner of millions of
dollars in the lottery but with al the paperwork that has to be taken care of, he barely has enough
money to buy food. There has been an enormous increase in the homeless population and the men
are violent. One of the men who became extremely violent is taken to jail where he dies. The
police
lose the body and later Chris sees him walking the streets. Chris' friend Jerry, as well as other
people
in town, who were affected by the events that took place last year (see POSSESSIONS) are
changing, becoming something other than human. Chris tries to help his friend while trying to
prevent being killed or worse by the others that have changed into something alien. James A.
Moore
is one of the best new horror writers of the twenty first century as he can hold his own wilt the
greats including Clive Barker, Bentley Little, Stephen King and Robert Mccammon. Be advised
that
this book should be read with all the lights on and they should not be turned off even when the
reader goes to sleep. The story starts off in a mundane fashion but changes so subtly readers will
feel
they are in the Twilight Zone without an idea of how they got there.
Gypsy Lover
Connie Mason
Leisure
ISBN: 0843954620 $6.99, 384 pp.
In 1785 England, a gypsy woman dies in childbirth, but the boy Dante, sired by an aristocrat,
survives. His grandfather the Marquis of Alston hides the birth of Dante from his son, Alex, the
lad's
biological father and pays the kid's maternal grandparents to raise him. Lord Alston regrets his
decision of three decades ago; his son died ten years ago with no other heir and his nephew Calvin
is
a gambling wastrel. Alston knows that if Calvin becomes Marquis, the proud name will quickly
dissolve into bankruptcy. A desperate Alston modifies his will recognizing Dante as heir with the
stipulation that he marry Lady Esme Harcourt within six months of gaining the title. Dante wants
nothing to do with his paternal grandfather and his title. However, when someone kills Lord
Alston,
Dante accepts this as a blood debt; he needs the title to walk in the exclusive circles he must step
into to complete his quest of bringing the killer to Romany justice. Dante accepts the rider that
Lady
Esme be his wife especially since he has previously tasted her lips though he loathes that she is a
purebred aristocrat; in turns Esme scorns gypsies. This solid Georgian amateur sleuth romance is
loaded with action but it is the lead couple who makes the tale so much fun to read. Dante and
Esme
may love each other, but each is loaded down with the heavy chains of prejudice. He detests the
upper crust while she disdains the Romany. As they fall in love, Dante's investigation leans
towards
Calvin as the prime suspect but he has new concerns when he places his beloved Esme in danger.
Fans will enjoy Connie Mason's delightful landlubber historical tale.
Fire Me Up
Katie MacAlister
Signet
ISBN: 0451214943 $6.99, 368 pp.
Not to long ago, Aisling Grey was just a courier making her first delivery in Paris when she meets
Drake Vireo, part man part green dragon and totally insisting she is his wyvern's mate. She
somehow conjures up her own demon, who turns out to be a loud mouthed Newfoundland canine
who speaks English in public. She reluctantly accepts that she is the Guardian/Keeper of the Gates
to Hell but has no idea what to do. She travels to Budapest to attend the 238th convention of
supernatural beings the GODTAM (Guardians, Oracles, Diviners, Theurgists, and Mages) seeking
a
teacher. To her chagrin except for the elation of her traitorous feminine parts, Drake is also
staying
at the Thermal Hotel Danu on Margaret Island. As Drake calls her "Mate" and a Diviner makes
her
drop fruits on her breasts, someone steals the amulet her uncle assigned to her to deliver. Since
she
cannot afford to give up her day job and unable to find a mentor to live long enough to teach her
Guardian 101, like any tyro Guardian amongst these professionals, Aisling searches for the
purloined
amulet. The sequel to the fun fantasy thriller YOU SLAY ME is a delightfully amusing tale. The
feisty American star is in Hungary seeking to find her Yoda so that she can learn how to use the
force, but sidetracked by her need to recover the amulet and by her Mate who can fire her up with
one glance. Fans will enjoy this fine tale as Aisling realizes she is now one of the weird, but
struggles
with being identified as a Guardian and as the Mate.
Seeing Red
Jill Shalvis
Signet
ISBN: 0451215028 $6.99, 336 pp.
In Ocean Beach, teenager Summer Abrams barely survives a warehouse fire that kills her father.
Feeling she failed her dad, Summer flees town. Joe Walker loves Summer, but feels betrayed
when
she left without a look back. She misses Joe, but considered him as her best friend. Twelve years
later a second warehouse fire occurs, which Summer plans to ignore. However, her mother needs
Summer so she leaves her job as an adventure tours guide to come back to her hometown. As the
Fire Marshal, Joe investigates the fire. He is concerned that Summer is back in town as he still
loves
her though he vows not to allow her to hurt him again. However, this time around Summer does
not
want to just renew their friendship as she finds her teen buddy quite attractive. As she falls in love,
someone wants the couple to fail at uncovering the arson source and is willing to kill to remain
hidden. If they survive that culprit, their chances of a permanent relationship remain nil as
Summer
also has commitment phobia issues fostered ever since she felt she failed her dad. SEEING RED
is
an interesting romantic suspense starring two likable heroic protagonists struggling with a
murderous arsonist and their own feelings. The who-done is cleverly designed so that the
audience
will appreciate the amateur sleuth investigation that forces the fire marshal to allow Summer to
join
his official inquiries because he fears for her safety. The gender bending switch of having the
female
struggle to commit while the male is reluctantly willing having been burned once before provides
an
added touch to a strong romantic mystery.
Dangerous Depths
Kathy Brandt
Signet
ISBN 0451214935 $6.50, 272 pp.
Police underwater diver and homicide investigator Hannah Sampson went down to the British
Virgin Island as a favor to her boss who wanted someone on his team nearby during the inquiries
into the death of his son there. Hannah loved it so much that she quit her job in Denver and went
to
work as a detective in BVI in Tortuga. After a year of living there she has a lover, good friends
and
a houseboat where she can look out at the sea every day. One day she is awakened by an
explosion
and sees the Caribbe on fire and sinking into the water. She dives and brings up her friend Elyse
Henry who lapses into a coma. Evidence points to the incident being an accident because she left
her
propane stove on, which apparently sparked and caught fire. Hannah's instinct tells her somebody
was trying to murder her friend. In defiance of her boss' orders to leave the case alone, the
determined Hannah tries to prove her instincts are correct, but almost gets killed in the process.
DANGEROUS DEPTHS is an exciting police procedural set in an exotic setting. What makes the
attempt on Elyse's life interesting is that she didn't have an enemy with a motive to murder her; so
readers keep wondering why as they seek along aside the heroine to find out who the killer is.
Armchair travelers beware! Once you read this book, you'll want to hop at plane and visit the
unspoiled British Virgin Islands.
Better Read than Dead
Victoria Laurie
Signet
ISBN: 0451215583 $6.99, 304 pp.
Though he won the lottery and retired from the Royal Oak, Michigan police department, Milo
Johnson works part-time helping the understaffed police with solving crimes. Currently, he is
working on the case of a serial rapist. At the same time psychic Abby Cooper warns a client not to
procrastinate when she shops; Cathy Shultz is disappointed in the reading until she delays her
shopping that night and becomes the latest rape victim. Abby's friend Kendal calls in a favor so
she is
working with him at the Kapordelis wedding when she sees a hitman's aura; the family of the bride
is
a mob family. Abby works with Milo to stop the rapist, but neither piece together her latest clue
leading to a rape-homicide. Andros Kapordelis demands she help him choose which of his sons is
best to carry on the business after he dies from cancer. Meanwhile her main squeeze Dutch Rivers
is
an FBI agent in training is embarrassed that his Abby is a psychic. All three of Abby's situations
come together in one final reading that could leave her joining her crew on the other side. This
reviewer foresees a long run for ABIGAIL COPPER, PSYCHIC EYE as her second tale
BETTER
READ THAN DEAD is a fabulous paranormal detective thriller with Abby yanked by both sides
of
the law as well as her disillusionment with Dutch. Abby keeps the plot focused whether she is
jealous or fighting with Dutch, talking with the crew, helping Milo solve the case, or accepting an
offer she can't refuse. Victoria Laurie provides a lighthearted entertaining psychic amateur sleuth
novel that will entertain the clairvoyant cozy crowd.
The Intelligencer
Leslie Silbert
Washington Square (Atria)
ISBN: 0743432924 $24.00
In New York, London-based forensic accounting wizard Cidro Medina meets with former English
Renaissance scholar turned sleuth Kate Morgan to discuss the corpse he found in his home. A
thief
broke into Cidro's home to steal a leather-bound volume of 16th-century intelligence reports
written
in cipher, but was trapped by cops so he chose poison instead of prison. Kate who is a deep
operative for a United States Intelligence Agency investigates the sudden interest in the tome. In
England Kate begins breaking the book's code and finds herself on the verge of not solving today's
mystery, but a cold case involving the sudden death of Elizabethan most popular playwright
Christopher Marlowe in 1593. She learns that Christopher lived a double life using his writings as
a
cover for his undercover espionage work to expose smuggling. Kate is also asked to look into an
eleven million dollar art deal that triggered alerts of a possible black market sale. Billionaire art
dealer Luca de Tolomei sold an antiquity to Iranian senior intelligence officer Hamad Azadi.
Unbeknownst to Kate, she is the pawn of revenge by a person targeting her father, U.S. Senator
Donovan Morgan. Though the story line is all over the place, THE INTELLIGENCER is a fine
thriller that rotates chapters globally mostly in the present, but also includes stops in the late
sixteenth century. Because of the constant shifts of focus, the story line takes time to develop;
thus
the action-packed thrill seekers might find the secondary plotting tedious while those in the
audience
who appreciate insightful filler will enjoy the sidebars. Leslie Silbert writes an interesting tale with
a
wonderful premise that is overloaded but fun to follow.
Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: A Son Remembers
Sean Hepburn Ferrer
Atria
ISBN: 0743268865 $23.00, 230 pp.
The approach to this biography from Audrey Hepburn's' obviously adulating son Sean Hepburn
Ferrer is to tell about his famous mother through the perspective of those who knew her rather
than
the usual crash and burn titillating Hollywood bedtime tales. Instead, Mr. Ferrer displays respect
for
his mom and indirectly her husbands. Other contributors like Henry Mancini provide insight, but
once again offer respect. The interesting aspects of the bio is when Mr. Ferrer takes his audience
outside of Hollywood to his mother's childhood in war ravaged Belgium that shaped her
adulthood
morality and the importance of family values in a meaningful way not some politician's sound bite.
This belief led Ms. Hepburn to volunteer at UNICEF. There will not be a dry eyed reader when
they
"hear" Sabrina give a speech at the UN in 1989 pleading for the millions of children dying from
malnutrition, lack or bad water, and diseases that the western world eradicated. When people
scoff
at Hollywood morality, they need to remember real heroines like Ms. Hepburn. Three hundred
plus
photographs augment a wonderfully upbeat look at "an elegant spirit" whose author pays the
ultimate homage to his mother as the Audrey Hepburn Children's receives the proceeds from the
sales.
This Time
Margaret Johnson-Hodge
Sutton Place Publishers
2774 N. Cobb Parkway, Suite 109, PMB 180, Kennesaw, GA 30152
ISBN: 0975402609 $16.95
Not too long ago Rick Timmons chose his now five years old daughter Kanisha rather than the
woman he loves Dajah Moore after his beloved forced him to choose because she insisted "no
more
madness" following the nasty behavior of the mother Gina Alexander. Dajah left, but Rick is back
and wants a second chance. Now twenty-three Gina apparently has turned her life around with a
job
at a Jamaica, Queens library and is making efforts to regain the friendship of a close pal, but she is
also getting back with the pot. So once again her actions jeopardize their daughter and a second
chance with Dajah even if she agreed to one. While Rick struggles with what is best for his
daughter,
Dajah meets Jeff Gingham, who wishes he was younger as he sees his eight years as being too
much
a gap. A couple of weeks later, Jeff's dog Kelly runs from him when he notices Dajah. The dog
runs
to greet her. Jeff follows. Jeff and Dajah start to see one another, but she has doubts following the
disaster of her last relationship and he firmly believes she needs someone her age, but a
matchmaking
canine thinks otherwise. As expected from Margaret Johnson-Hodge, THIS TIME is a terrific
urban
relationship drama that brings to life Queens New York through the actions and reactions of an
ensemble cast. The key to this fine tale is that the prime players and their particular angst seem
real.
Readers who appreciate a deep character study that looks closely at the desires, needs, and
consternations of four individuals and to a lesser degree two others, go no further than Ms.
Johnson-Hodge; she is one of the best.
Falls The Shadow
William Lashner
Morrow
ISBN 0060721561 $24.95, 432 pp.
Leesa Dube was shot in the chest in her own home, the picture of her estranged husband Francois
clutched in her hand. The couple was in the middle of a bitter divorce fighting for custody of their
daughter. In his home they found a bloody towel and a blood spot on his boot, a perfect match to
Leesa's blood. A jury convicted him of murder and sentenced him to life in prison. Three years
after
his conviction Francois hires attorney Victor Carl and his partner Beth to get his verdict
overturned
and to obtain a new trial. To Victor's surprise he finds suppressed evidence that earns the con a
new
trial. While preparing for the legal battle of his life, the courts appoint Victor to work pro bono
representing four year old Daniel who is taken out of his home because of his mother's neglect.
Weaving throughout Victor's life is his dentist Bob, who has a Messiah complex and works in the
shadows to right the world's wrongs. Victor is not sure whether Bob is a Good Samaritan or a
master manipulator with adulating followers who carry out his desires whether they are good or
evil.
Anyone who has a dental phobia will never want to visit a dentist after reading about Dr. Bob and
the lengths he will go to in order to make the world a better place even if the methods he uses
turn
out to be illegal. Victor tries hard to remain uncaring and cynical but his nurturing nature propels
him to lend a helping hand when he is needed. Readers will admire him and more so William
Lashner
who is one of the best writers of legal thrillers on the market today.
Wildcat Wine
Claire Matturro
Morrow
ISBN: 0060567074 $23.95, 304 pp.
When farmer Dave comes to Sarasota lawyer Lillian Belle Rosemary Cleary with a truckload of
Muscadine wine, he meets her legal secretary Bonita and her son Benny. Since Lilly is working,
he
takes Benny to look for jaguarundi in the Myakka River State park. The trip ends with Dave and
his
friend Waylon arrested for stealing the wine from his employer. Lilly hires Phillip Cohen to
represent
him and he makes it clear that he is interested in her. Benny tells Lilly that they found a corpse and
a
bag of money when they were in the park. Lilly goes to Dave's employer to ask him to drop the
charges and does not say anything about the dead man or the money to the police. A few days
later,
Dave's employer is found dead in a homicide intended to look like an accident. Kenneth, a partner
in
the firm where Lilly works, harasses Bonita who is related to Dave's employer's wife; Lilly has no
idea what his motivation could be. Shortly thereafter Kenneth is killed. Lilly knows the three
murders are linked, but trying to learn how could make her the next victim. WILDCAT WINE is
a
fast moving, action-packed crime thriller in which the attorneys break the law as often as the
criminals do. Readers are going to love the obsessive compulsive protagonist who believes
cleanliness is next to nervousness as she does a lot of cleaning when anxious. Still Lilly goes to
amazing lengths to prove her friends are innocent although these eccentrics also drive her crazy.
Claire Matturro provides a light hearted chick lit mystery that grips the reader from the first page
and keeps them laughing until the final cleaning spree.
Improbable
Adam Fawer
Morrow
ISBN: 0060736771 $24.95, 403 pp.
Columbia statistics Ph.D. candidate and teacher David Caine is a compulsive gambler, always
believing in the odds. However probability fails him when he loses while holding a near perfect
hand.
He owes a Russian Mafioso big time. At the same time he struggles with his dangerous debt,
David
also receives experimental treatment for his temporal lobe epilepsy. However, the treatment
provides
David the ability to enter the everywhen, where he "witnesses" countless futures in which he
selects
which one he wants for himself. Soon, the Feds and the Russians seek David for their own
purposes.
With his just out of the asylum schizophrenic twin Jasper and CIA killer Nava Vaner as his allies,
David calculates the odds of survival in spite of probably turning into Laplace's Demon
mathematically calculating the future. IMPROBABLE is an enjoyable action-packed thriller
starring
an intriguing antihero whose gambling is as out of control as an itchy edge in his blood. Having
someone like that able to see the future is a delightful twist because the fever is in the paying not
the
winning (though David does not want to lose). Adam Fawer provides fabulous insight into the
mathematics and physics that serve as the background to everywhen, but that also slows down the
plot and feels awkward when killer Nava joins the fray. Though mindful of the Professor Q books
of
Trevor Hoyle, but with more of an espionage mob ring than the historical take of the latter, fans
will
appreciate this interesting thriller, which probably means an educated dedicated fan base.
The Body in the Snowdrift
Katherine Hall Page
Morrow
ISBN: 0060525304 $23.95, 256 pp.
Caterer Faith Fairchild is not looking forward to all the Fairchilds getting together at Pine Slopes,
a
Vermont ski resort. Her husband's family threatens to emotionally overwhelm her and on her first
day at the resort she finds the body of local lawyer Boyd Harrison who invested quite a sum of
money in Pine Slopes. Everyone thinks he had a heart attack since Boyd felt chest pains and
reached
into his pocket for his medicine. However, someone substituted the nitroglycerin with mints.
Shortly
after his death, the head chef John Forester disappears without giving anyone advance notice.
Faith
thinks it is strange because he has been at the resort for years and loved his job. Malicious pranks
like a lifelike blow up doll painted in red to look like blood floating in the pool and the sabotage
of
the ski lift convince Faith someone wants to bankrupt the resort. When John's body is splattered
all
over the mountain because someone pushed him into the snow making machine, Faith investigates
only to walk into a trap set by the killer. Though the fifteenth Faith Fairchild mystery, the series
retains the freshness and originality of the very first book which won the Agatha Award. The
heroine
is drawn into the Fairchilds' problems, getting into arguments with her sister-in-laws and trying to
keep her nieces and nephews safe and happy in spite of their mother's obsessive compulsion need
to
regiment their lives. There are many people who could have killed the victims but Faith has to find
a
motive compelling enough for someone to eliminate the chef and the investor. Katherine Hall
Page
has written an exciting down to earth amateur sleuth mystery.
Not A Girl Detective
Susan Kandel
Morrow
ISBN 0060581077 $23.95, 294 pp.
Cece Caruso has made a career writing biographies of dead mystery writers and while researching
her last book (I DREAMED I MARRIED PERRY MASON) she solved a homicide. An
obsessive
Nancy Drew fan, she is now writing about the pseudonymous Carolyn Keane who was really a
succession of ghost writers contracted to write under that name. Her focuses is the picture of
Nancy
Drew, the model Grace Horton. She meets fellow Nancy Drew collector Eagar Edwards who
shows
her a picture of a natural Grace Horton painted by Russell H. Tandy. The two hit it off so well
that
Edgar offers to let her and her friends stay at his Palm Springs home while she give a talk to the
Nancy Drew Chums at their annual convention. Shortly after she arrives there, she finds his body
with a bullet in his head. Somebody searches her home and her car looking for something making
Cece determined to find out who that person is and why he killed Edgar even if it means placing
her
own life in danger. Readers will be reminded of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum when they read
Susan Kandel's Cece Caruso capers as both are funny, plagued by romantic problems and once on
the scent of a killer, keep tracking like obsessed bloodhounds. There are many suspects who
could
have killed Edgar but what really keeps the reader interested is the urge to know what the killer is
looking for. This is a very special amateur sleuth tale that will be a hit with readers who love a
good
puzzle to solve.
The Serpent on the Crown
Elizabeth Peters
Morrow
ISBN: 0060591781 $25.95
The war to end wars has been over for a few years so that by 1922 it is relatively safe for
Egyptologists to return to excavations especially in the Valley of the Kings. Foreign archeologists
back in Egypt include Amelia Peabody and her spouse Emerson working with their son Ramses
and
daughter-in-law Nefret at Deir el Medina. Author Magda Petherick arrives with an ancient gold
artifact figure of an Egyptian king that she insists is cursed; the owner dies rather quickly once
possessing the statuette as occurred to her spouse, a known collector. Magda pleads with
Emerson
to return the blighted relic to its tomb before someone else dies. However others disagree with
Magda and want the statuette as the gold alone is worth a fortune. This crowded field includes
Emerson, his friend Cyrus, the victim's two adult children, and a host of others that would make
DeMille proud. The ethical Amelia wants to do the right thing so she begins retracing the ill-fated
steps that Magda's spouse Pringle took when the widow vanishes and is later found dead. Amelia
plans to expose the culprit. Though the family interrelationships seem somewhat tedious in the
seventeenth Peabody historical tale, the mystery and the Egyptology in the Post WWI era make
for a
fine time for fans of the series. The story line is action-packed yet provides a deep look at how
1920s archeologists looked back to ancient civilizations. The death of Pringle is cleverly crafted to
make it appear as if a brother curse to Tut's exists and the who-done-it is fabulously designed so
that
the reader will want Amelia to find the culprit. This is a solid entry in a fine series.
Wildcat Wine
Claire Matturro
Morrow
ISBN: 0060567074 $23.95, 304 pp.
When farmer Dave comes to Sarasota lawyer Lillian Belle Rosemary Cleary with a truckload of
Muscatine wine, he meets her legal secretary Bonita and her son Benny. Since Lilly is working, he
takes Benny to look for jaguarundi in the Myakka River State park. The trip ends with Dave and
his
friend Waylon arrested for stealing the wine from his employer. Lilly hires Phillip Cohen to
represent
him and he makes it clear that he is interested in her. Benny tells Lilly that they found a corpse and
a
bag of money when they were in the park. Lilly goes to Dave's employer to ask him to drop the
charges and does not say anything about the dead man or the money to the police. A few days
later,
Dave's employer is found dead in a homicide intended to look like an accident. Kenneth, a partner
in
the firm where Lilly works, harasses Bonita who is related to Dave's employer's wife; Lilly has no
idea what his motivation could be. Shortly thereafter Kenneth is killed. Lilly knows the three
murders are linked, but trying to learn how could make her the next victim. WILDCAT WINE is
a
fast moving, action-packed crime thriller in which the attorneys break the law as often as the
criminals do. Readers are going to love the obsessive compulsive protagonist who believes
cleanliness is next to nervousness as she does a lot of cleaning when anxious. Still Lilly goes to
amazing lengths to prove her friends are innocent although these eccentrics also drive her crazy.
Claire Matturro provides a light hearted chick lit mystery that grips the reader from the first page
and keeps them laughing until the final cleaning spree.
Improbable
Adam Fawer
Morrow
ISBN: 0060736771 $24.95, 403 pp.
Columbia statistics Ph.D. candidate and teacher David Caine is a compulsive gambler, always
believing in the odds. However probability fails him when he loses while holding a near perfect
hand.
He owes a Russian Mafioso big time. At the same time he struggles with his dangerous debt,
David
also receives experimental treatment for his temporal lobe epilepsy. However, the treatment
provides
David the ability to enter the everywhen, where he "witnesses" countless futures in which he
selects
which one he wants for himself. Soon, the Feds and the Russians seek David for their own
purposes.
With his just out of the asylum schizophrenic twin Jasper and CIA killer Nava Vaner as his allies,
David calculates the odds of survival in spite of probably turning into Laplace's Demon
mathematically calculating the future. IMPROBABLE is an enjoyable action-packed thriller
starring
an intriguing antihero whose gambling is as out of control as an itchy edge in his blood. Having
someone like that able to see the future is a delightful twist because the fever is in the paying not
the
winning (though David does not want to lose). Adam Fawer provides fabulous insight into the
mathematics and physics that serve as the background to everywhen, but that also slows down the
plot and feels awkward when killer Nava joins the fray. Though mindful of the Professor Q books
of
Trevor Hoyle, but with more of an espionage mob ring than the historical take of the latter, fans
will
appreciate this interesting thriller, which probably means an educated dedicated fan base.
Reluctant Spiritualist: The Life of Maggie Fox
Nancy Rubin Stuart
Harcourt
ISBN: 0151010137 $25.00, 393 pp.
This is an intriguing biography of Maggie Fox who along with her sister, Katy, started the
spiritualist
movement that talked with the dead during the middle of the eighteenth century in Hydesville,
New
York. Nancy Ruben Stuart makes a sound argument that teenage Maggie bored with the small
town
after living in Rochester created the weird knockings that she and her sibling claimed were
deceased
people communicating through them. The word of what the Fox sisters could do spread and
people
came from miles around for a reading. Married sister Leah saw a chance for them to make money
and soon a movement spread across the country. However, at nineteen years old Maggie fell in
love
with Arctic explorer Dr. Elisha Kent Kane, who demanded she stopped what he considered a
nasty
hoax, spiritualism. In her sixties she confessed that spiritualism was a fraud although she
continued
to give seances. This biography is fascinating as it provides a deep sense of time and place
(upstate
New York was a hot bed for cult activities) as well as a powerful look at Maggie and her family.
The author contends that spiritualism still has a hold on people in the twenty-first century with
New
Age movements like the psychic hotline. Readers will appreciate this strong glimpse at a teen who
shammed a nation.
A Good Man
Judith Henry Wall
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0684873885 $13.00 304 pp.
In Lamberton, Texas Rhonda, Holly and Gina Kay were best buddies attending high school
together.
Rhonda had one foible: her obsessive love for her boyfriend Terry Robertson, an heir with a
suicidal
attitude. Her parents forced Rhonda to leave Terry to attend college; eventually she became a
lawyer. In high school Holly fantasized of becoming a famous fashion designer, but instead runs a
successful wedding-gown business. Gina Kay was impoverished with an ambulatory mother until
she
won the Miss American Teenager beauty contest that included a college scholarship. The
friendship
between the three buds ended when Terry eloped with Gina Kay. The threesome is together for
the
first time in two decades at Terry's ranch now owned by his widow Gina Kay following his
funeral.
After numerous attempts to kill himself and passengers by vehicular suicide, Terry lived up to the
mantra of if at first you don't succeed try again. With the object of their schism interred Rhonda,
Holly and Gina Kay head to Manhattan to exorcise his ghost find reconciliation, and start new
adventures with Russian immigrants in Brighton Beach. This profound character study looks deep
inside the three amigas and through them at the late Terry. The story line hooks the audience who
want to know more about Terry and his relationships with the trio. Though the streets of
Manhattan
and Brooklyn enable further glimpses at the lead protagonists, that sidebar takes away from the
critical essence of how a male can break up the strongest sisterhood bond (explained via well
designed flashbacks). Judith Henry Wall paints a powerful family drama although the childhood
friends are not related by blood, they act like siblings.
No Place like Home
Mary Higgins Clark
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743264894 $25.95, 368 pp.
When she was a child, Liza Barton accidentally killed her mother and severely injured her
step-father; she was acquitted of the homicide based on the grounds that she tried to protect her
mother from her stepfather who her mother kicked out of the house. Still the townsfolk felt Liza
was
a bad seed and rejoiced when a distant relative adopted her. She changed her name to Celia Foster
and following the death of her wealthy husband, Celia married lawyer Alex Nolan. She and Alex
seek a home for themselves and her four year old son from her first marriage.. Alex surprises
Celia
when he buys a house in Mendham, New Jersey; the same home that Celia killed her mother in.
The
realtor Georgette Grove never revealed the infamy of the house to Alex, and Celia remains silent
too
because she vowed to her late spouse on his deathbed to conceal her past. Not long after the
family
moves in, Georgette is murdered with the police suspecting Celia. Already in trouble, a betrayal
could lead to her death and that of her son.. There are very few authors who write suspense as
well
as Mary Higgins Clark does; there are even fewer writers who can use an improbable coincidence
and make it seem plausible. The police and the ambitious prosecutor (who is thinking of becoming
governor) struggle with the present day crimes that send them relooking the Barton homicide.
Celia
is a good role model who has overcome plenty to become a solid citizen, a nurturing mother, and
a
loving spouse. Her strength enables her to survive almost all of life's below the belt blows. Ms.
Clark
provides an entertaining thriller that displays her storytelling skills.
Savage Garden
Denise Hamilton
Scribner
ISBN: 0743261925 $22.00, 336 pp.
In Los Angeles the opening day curtain call is in one hour for the play Our Lady of the Barrio by
gangbanger Alfonso Reventon; however the leading lady, explosive actress Catarina Velosi has
not
shown up at the playhouse. Since Alfonso is a childhood friend, Silvio Aguilar asks his girlfriend
Los
Angeles Times reporter Eve Diamond to accompany him to Catarina's apartment where they find
her
dead. The police wonder if Alfonso who worshipped Catarina and wrote his play for her killed her
in
a passionate rage or Silvio whose entrance to the crime scene with a perfect witness might have
covered up evidence that he was previously there. Eve, accompanied by African-American
reporter
Felice Morgan, conducts inquiries into those who knew the volatile diva to determine who had the
opportunity because several people besides the two prime suspects which include Alfonso's wife,
the
victim's drama teacher, and a Hollywood big shot, along with a seemingly cast of thousands had
motives. The latest Eve Diamond investigation is refreshed by Felice who brings a youthful
(annoying to Eve) vigor to the case even as the veteran reporter wonders if her "protege" is a
racial
quota Blair clone or the real thing; either way she does not want a partner. The who-done-it
cleverly
makes Eve seems more real than her previous appearances because of her resentment of having a
tag-along and how personalized this homicide is with the ties to her boyfriend. Though the racial
quota vs. talent issue is never fully explored, fans of Southern California artsy mysteries will agree
that Denise Hamilton has scored with this Ace of Diamonds journalistic investigative novel.
Controlled Burn: Stories of Prison, Crime, and Men
Scott Wolven
Scribner
ISBN: 0743260112 $22.00
These insightful thirteen tales takes a deep look at mostly men considered by society as
undesirables
(the most positive rank) or throw-away the key dangerous cretins and a few women support
characters whose hearts petrified years ago. The anthology is broken into two sections: The
Northeast Kingdom (the prison population impacts election districts so without further delay
needs
politically to remain high) and The Fugitive West (justice is a fictionalized eastern term). Though
seemingly different in austerity, the two sections share in common life in prison although some of
the
jails are not state or privately outsourced facilities, but segregated from the norm by alcohol or
drug
abuse or personal violence. This isolation from positive family values lead to replacement
anti-values
from an opposite pole predator peer pack. Even the good guys become tainted by the
overwhelming
subtractive nature of this sub-populace that Scott Wolven stars in his short stories. Perhaps the
three
strikes your out crowd should spend time with some of Mr. Wolven's creations, antagonists who
will
show the outcome not the output of understanding what crime is worth incarceration. These
thirteen
stories are deep, thought provoking and exciting as Mr. Wolven touches a nerve with a strong
series
of lead losers who you want to avoid even though the reader can't forget them.
Vineyard Prey
Philip R. Craig
Scribner
ISBN 0743246772 $24.00, 256 pp.
J.W. Jackson moved his family to Martha's Vineyard to get away from big city life and crime
although at times the island resembles the mean city streets. As an ex-city policeman, Jackson
takes
care of himself which is why Joe Begay, his sergeant when they served in Vietnam, comes to him
when he needs help. Jackson smuggles Joe back onto the island after he leaves it and meets up
with
him at a designated place in Cape Cod. Joe works for one of the black ops organization and he
and
five other members of a trade delegation were able to kill two terrorists code named Rudolph and
Scarecrow. The Easter Bunny got away and since that mission three of the group has been killed.
Begay believes the Easter Bunny is coming after him and Kate, the other surviving member of the
mission. Kate left her home after finding poisoned needles on pillows in her home. She came to
Martha Vineyard's to work with Joe in taking the Easter Bunny down. Unfortunately Jackson
becomes involved in their mission because the killer has linked him to Kate and Joe, putting all
three
of their lives in danger. VINEYARD PREY is an exciting and fun reading experience because the
protagonist keeps getting pulled into a situation that he really wants no part of all the while
protesting. He is happy to stay out of the fiasco and just go on with his life. Phillip K. Craig's
latest
work is more action-packed than usual and it is so easy to become absorbed in the plot that the
everyday world fades away.
A Venom Beneath The Skin
Marcus M. Villatoro
Justin Charles
20 Park Plaza, Suite 209, Boston, Ma.02116
ISBN 1932112375 $24.95, 230 pp.
After taking down Minos, Romilia Chacon, a Nashville Police Department detective is offered a
job
with the FBI in Los Angeles, which she accepts. In LA she has an affair with Special Agent
Samuel
"Chip" Pierce. The relationship ends when he wants more from her than she can give; they go
their
separate ways until one night he calls her to see if they can start anew since he is retiring. As much
as she cares for him, she can not marry a man she doesn't love. That night a man breaks into
Chip's
home and murders him. The evidence, markings on his chest and a poisoned dart injecting venom
into his system, suggests that drug trafficker Tekun Uman, killed him because of the former
agent's
involvement with the woman he loves. After reviewing Chip's files and other evidence Romilia
concludes that Tekun Uman isn't Chip's killer, but made to look like he did it. She has no idea
who
would kill Chip and why and how Tekun Uman fits into the scenario. Who is behind Chip's death
and the murders of several drug traffickers and why he wants them dead is the core of one of the
most exciting storylines in a police procedural in the past year. It is hard to tell the heroes from
the
villains in A VENOM BENEATH THE SKIN because all wear masks to hide their true faces.
Marcus M. Villatoro is a talented writer who hopefully will create more Romilia Chacon
novels.
Windreaper
Charlotte Boyett-Compo
Amber Quill
ISBN: 1592799477 $TBA 389 pp.
Kaileel Tohre, leader of the Dominion, mentally and physically including sexually abused Conar
McGregor as a child, but the prince's spirit and ultimately the love of Princess Liza saved his soul.
However, Kaileel finally apparently has triumphed in deleting the human aspects of Conar when
he
dumped the Prince inside the Labyrinth where for years without the tender love of his wife and
their
children and the support of friends, he became more animal than human with survival his only
goal.
Six years have passed since he finally escaped from the lunacy of the Labyrinth imprisonment, but
instead of seeking loved ones Conar has turned into the Dark Overlord assaulting and stealing
from
the Dominion. Already concerned about Conar actions against them, the Dominion panics when
they
learn he decides to visit his wife who is no longer his spouse. Already insane, he will find a castle
is
not a home, his child not his son, and a puppet king bowing to the depraved Kaileel. Conar
McGregor reaps a bitter harvest resulting from years of horrific experiences in the fifth installment
of
the captivating WindLegends Saga, the super THE WINDREAPER, perhaps the darkest of this
dark
fantasy saga so far. Dark psychological overtones provide depth and complexity that makes this
hero
human understandably flawed though ironically his humanity has been stripped away. Conar
survived
atrocities that would destroy other people, but his obsessive desire for revenge threatens to lead
him
down a path of destruction. Charlotte Boyett-Compo's masterful storytelling takes the seemingly
forbidden love of Connor and Liza to memorable, haunting, and tragic depths that readers will
need
tissues, miss sleep, and yet demand more.
Signs in the Blood
Vicki Lane
Dell
ISBN: 0440242088 $6.99
Over two decades ago, Elizabeth and Sam Goodweather moved to Ridley, Branch in the North
Carolina Appalachian Mountains. Five years ago, Sam died, but Elizabeth had their two daughters
to
raise so had no time to mourn her loss though she missed her partner. Now Rosemary lives and
works in Chapel Hill and Laurel in Ashville so the empty nest widow, in spite of her herb and
flower
shop and her nephew nearby, feels lonely especially with the recent death of her best friend who
adopted her and Sam when they first arrived. A concerned Miss Birdie asks Elizabeth for help
because she feels something bad has happened to her adult child Cletus Gentry since his pup came
home alone with his bag. The sheriff ignores the concerns of the two women insisting that Cletus
with the mind of a child has wandered off for days before even reaching the Tennessee line. While
Elizabeth tracks Cletus' path, Miss Birdie's fears prove correct when a kayaker finds Cletus'
corpse.
However, Elizabeth's search places her in jeopardy by a soulless avenger who cleanses
transgressions of others by dispatching them to the afterlife. SIGNS IN THE BLOOD is a terrific
regional amateur sleuth mystery starring an interesting protagonist who keeps the plot focused
and
several eccentric secondary characters who provide an anchor to the area. The story line insures
that
the mountains and the heroine are fully developed before turning into a serial killing cozy (strange
combo). Vicki Lane writes a top quality woman in peril tale that fans will like and want more
treks
up the Appalachia.
Premeditated Murder
Ed Gaffney
Dell
ISBN: 0440241944 $6.99, 336 pp.
In Northampton, Massachusetts a big black man Calvin Thompson waited next door for the right
moment to kill six men. He fired 120 bullets at them and received two back. District Attorney
Fran
O'Neill feels he has a perfect case for premeditated murder and plans to prosecute Calvin under
the
newly enacted death penalty law. Attorneys Terry Tallach and Zach Wilson defend Calvin, who
confessed he carried out his plan and killed the six. They see little hope of getting an acquittal so
they lean towards an insanity plea as the legal team prepares for septuagenarian Judge
Cottonwood,
whose bench bias against alleged criminals is well known since his mother was raped and
murdered.
Instead of a straightforward case, Zach and Terry uncover a terrorist plot in which the six dead
men
were participants and a seventh member is still going ahead with destructive plans for
Independence
Day that ties in to a war in Africa that involves the White House. This is a deep legal thriller that
at
its best in the court scenes and when the lawyers meet with their client. The media reaction is
prejudicial as the Boston Post displays a picture of a bloody terrorizing looking Cal whom their
headline calls Monster. Though the story line seems a bit over the top with the ties to the Oval
Office the audience will not care as along with Terry and Zach fans will want to know the truth
before the spin maestros twist it beyond comprehension. Ed Gaffney writes a fabulous tale that
grips
readers from the moment Judge Cottonwood shows his bench bias and never slows down until the
confrontation with number seven.
Stuffed
Brian M. Wiprud
Dell
ISBN: 044024188X $6.99
Manhattan taxidermy collector fortyish Garth Carson is touring New England looking for
treasures.
He stops in Vermont where he purchases an albino crow that he plans to give to his girlfriend
Angie
for her birthday. As he leaves the store, a young man wearing a Portland College sweatshirt
accosts
him claiming the "raven" is his. A few moments later, the younger man Bret Fletcher collapses at
Garth's feet. The local constable arrives and reluctantly allows Garth with his New York plates
and
the stuffed bird to drive away. Angie thinks the crow is a remarkable one of a kind item though
she
teases her beau that he only gives her dead things. Not long afterward, Jim Kim enters Garth's
taxidermy collectibles store insisting he has friends in the market for an albino crow. Soon others
follow with each new player seemingly more dangerous than the previous one, which include the
Feds. Garth has no idea what he wrought when he bought this present as this gift is for the birds.
As
with PIPSQUEAK, STUFFED is a wild insane thriller starring a white crow in a jar, but kept
together by the bewildered Garth who cannot understand why the Feds, thugs, and crazy
"collectors" want Angie's birthday present. The story line is amusing and wacky as Garth receives
offers from daft souls some of which he delicately better take careful consideration if he refuses
them. Brian M. Wiprud provides a terrific thriller STUFFED with the zanies that showcase a
likable
collector who proves he is no PIPSQUEAK.
Suicide Squeeze
V¡ctor Gischler
Delacorte
ISBN: 0385337256 $23.00, 288 pp.
In Florida, Connor Samson is a could-have been who never was as his sure shot major league
baseball career never panned out. Now he is broke, drinks beer and watches sports on color TVs
that have become black and white or fuzzy gray when they work. Connor hits an all time low
when
he is called out on strikes because his check for brews at Salty's Saloon bounces higher than a
bouncing rubber donut. Knowing he better pay his tab if he wants bar beers, as the Floridian dives
share information better than national security organizations, he asks his friend Gulf Coast
Collections Ed Odeski for work. Connor is assigned to repo the Electric Jenny boat from Teddy
Folger, who has fled to Pensacola, Florida after burning down his Mobile, Alabama comic book
store in an insurance scam. Inside the vessel, Connor finds a Maz (World Series game seven walk
off
home run) as Terry left behind an extremely valuable Joe DiMaggio card that contains the
autographs of the Yankee Clipper, Marilyn Monroe and Billy Wilder. However, American
memorabilia collector Japanese billionaire Ahira Kurisaka demands ownership of the card. He
sends
his thugs who use bats to bash heads to squeeze the card out of Connor. SUICIDE SQUEEZE is
a
zany southeast caper starring an intriguing loser with a chance for a grand slam if he survives long
enough to swing the bat. As expected from a Victor Gischler thriller (see THE PISTOL POETS
and
GUN MONKEY), the crazies are out in force seeking fellow lunatic Connor. Desperate to try a
SUICIDE SQUEEZE though bunting is not his forte; Connor hopes to live past the seventh
inning
stretch of a wild game.
The Hamptons
Linda Dominique Grosvenor
Sadorian
http://aalbc.com/writers/sadorian_publications.htm
ISBN: 0974171425 $19.95, 148 pp.
Following her divorce from her philandering spouse, cosmetic dentist Arnez, Joelle Sinclair quits
her
job as an arts events organizer although her latest work at the Whitney is a testimony to her skills.
Joelle leaves Manhattan to move into the home of her sister Stephanie in the Hamptons; because
of
her excellent references and work history, she obtains a position at the Kenneth Oberlin Gallery.
Joelle plans the end of the season gala for the rich, famous, and influential. Meanwhile Manhattan
attorney Jabari Mitchell meets and desires Joelle although she insists she is into male abstinence.
However, he is persuasive and soon both agree to a summer fling as he is big city and she is
determined to be Long Island. As three days of bliss go by Joelle begins to reconsider her
rustification plan. She also refuses to make the same mistake she made with Arnez, who had a
drug
problem before their marriage that she was unaware of until after they wed. Joelle hires a private
investigator to make sure that her beau is who he claims he is. Linda Dominique Grosvenor
provides
readers with a wonderful breezy summer read with a story line that is fast-paced and character
driven predominantly by Joelle. Readers will suppose this is a summer romance that might
continue
into the fall and beyond until the author cleverly reveals a stunner of a twist that works well with a
spin that comes from nowhere yet is believable and will shock the audience. Beach readers will
appreciate this fine story with perhaps the only drawback is losing oneself in the novel so that
sunburn is a threat.
Original Cyn
Sue Margolis
Delta
ISBN: 0385337345 $12.00
In Dublin, likable and sweet thirty two years old junior copywriter Cyn Fishbein enjoys spending
time with her friend almost forty gay hair stylist and wannabe writer Hugh, who believes his
biological clock is ticking. Cyn also likes visiting her wacky family, which she does frequently
never
forgetting as a child mom defeated cancer. The nice Cyn learns that job rival for a promotion
Chelsea Roggenfelder, daughter of an American advertising giant, is out to eliminate the
competition. Chelsea absconds with Cyn's ingenious concept for a low fat donut ad campaign. So
when her work enemy is hospitalized, Cyn poses as her adversary in order to prove to the donut
folks that she, not Chelsea, developed the campaign. Meanwhile, a guy named Joe joins the same
therapy group that Cyn belongs to and soon they break the rules with a romance. Though the sex
is
great, Cyn becomes disenchanted when she learns how Joe used a phony ploy to join, which
reminds
her of what she did at work. This work force political tale uses the interesting premise that inner
office competition can be destructive to the participants and their business. The story line focuses
on
innocent Cyn seeking to gain recognition and a modicum of respect for what she did and had
stolen
by the sleazy Chelsea. Cyn is delightful as she knows that two negatives don't make a positive
except
in Algebra, but still feels she must fight back. Though the support cast is two dimensional, fans
will
appreciate this look at a lack of ethics in the work place (that seems increasingly an
oxymoron).
Just Peachy
Jill Winters
NAL
ISBN: 0451215060 $12.95, 336 pp.
In Boston, bubbly optimist creative consultant Peach Kelley enjoys being little miss sunshine; her
friends and co-workers think she lives a charmed golden life as she always sees the cup filled. Her
upbeat outlook on life makes her popular with her peers at Millennium Gift Baskets. She is
especially good at assisting others with blind dates although her own social life is nonexistent at
least
when it comes to men. Peach arranges a blind date for sad sack office accountant Dennis
Emberson,
a single father with a teenage daughter. She anticipates "Pig Pen's dad" to have the time of his lihe
and perhaps even fall in love and looks forward to the post game report, but Dennis apparently
vanished. Peach accompanied by the new network administrator, hunk Adam Quinlan begins
investigating the disappearance. However, someone wants her to back off and threatens to harm
her
if she persists. Worse she finds more danger with Adam at her side as she is half in love with him
although he has his own woes to deal with even if he is very attracted to the animated pain in the
butt and heart Peach. Jill Winters latest fruity tale (see RASPBERRY CRUSH and PLUM GIRL)
is
an amusing romantic suspense with the emphasis on the humor and the romance. The lead
protagonist is much more than JUST PEACHY as she keeps the fine tale together. Her
counterpart
Adam raises her hormone level while also making her concerned for breaking office fraternization
rules and more so potentially her heart. Though Peach's Pollyanna outlook is too difficult to
handle
before caffeine, fans will enjoy this amateur sleuth chick lit combine that proves this is an author
for
all seasons.
Sanctuary
Mercedes Lackey
Daw
ISBN 0756402468 $25.95, 320 pp.
For years the magi, a magical evil organization, has worked in the shadows to gain power; now
they
have come out in the open with the Eye of Light, a weapon of mass destruction. The war between
Alta and Tia goes on because the magi feed off the essence of the dying and become even more
powerful. Those with psionic powers, the god touched are being drained of their power to feed
the
insatiable hunger of the magi. The magi believe that the fighting force of the Jousters and there
dragons are dead but in the desert city of Sanctuary, far from the magic of the magi, a dragon
wing
survives led by Kiron who once was a serf and a dragon boy in Tia. Sanctuary welcomes all the
refugees who are fleeing the magi. The magi plan to use the Eye against the Tia army that is
invading Alta; Kiron must rescue the woman he loves and rally the people so that when the
earthquake hits as a byproduct of using the Eye, they will be able to evacuate in an orderly
manner
so that some of Alta will survive. Book three of The Dragon Jousters" is a fantastic finale to an
excellent fantasy trilogy. Kiron has grown from a subservient serf (lower than a slave) to a man
who
leads a mighty force that can take on the magi and save thousands of people. Much of the novel
takes place in SANCTUARY as the people make a dead city come alive. The dragons have a
special
bond based on love and trust with their humans and fans of Anne MacCaffrey's Pern series will
want
to read this very special series.
Migration
Julie E. Czerneda
Daw
ISBN 0756402603 $24.95, 464 pp.
Man has colonized many planets and belongs to the Interspecies Union who fixed The Transect
that
enables ships to get from Point A to Point B in an instant. Brymn, a seven foot seven blue alien
Dhryn, informs the government and Norcoast Salmon Research Facility's Dr. Mac Connor that a
hostile race the Ro is coming to destroy Earthlings; nobody will be aware of it because of a
unique
stealth technology they use. Trusting Brymn, Mac travels to the Dhryn home world where he and
species transform into feeders, devouring every planet that is in their path. Back on Earth, Mac
wants to forget the horror she witnessed first hand. Unfortunately she is the only one who can
read
and speak Dhyrn and is needed at a top secret conference of the Interspecies Union. The leaders
of
the Union want Mac to figure out why the Dhyrn turned from allies to carnivorous predators.
Mac
who specializes in the migrations of salmons thinks that the Dhryn are acting on a similar
biological
impulse. She finds evidence that though the Ro can deal with the Dhryn, they are not the saviors
of
the IC or earth but their enemy. Mac must convince the powers that be who is the foe and who is
the
ally. Book two of the Species Imperative saga is a fascinating, action packed work that brings
together believable sentient beings working together for a common cause. Mac is a terrific heroine
who though she fears the Dhryn is willing to work with a captured one in order to figure out why
they changed and devoured three planets, leaving them barren of all life. She is the heroic thread
that
brings a fabulous science fiction thriller together.
Heartwood
Barbara Campbell
Daw
ISBN 0756402905 $6.99, 432 pp.
The tribe of the Oak has suffered tremendous losses due to plague but they still intend to observe
the
midwinter ritual where the Oak-Lord and the Holly-lord battle. Oak defeats Holly so that spring
will
arrive. Darak the hunter is not looking forward to this ritual because his beloved brother Tinnean
will become Tree-Brother, apprenticed to the Tree father and will owe his allegiance to his master
instead of his family. When it is time to travel to the dimension where the First Forrest lives,
Darak
refuses to join them and witness the loss of the brother who will be part of yet separate from the
tribe. Something goes wrong at the ritual and the Oak and Tinnean disappear. Tinnean's body is
inhabited by the Holly-Lord while the Oak and Darak's brother are in the land of Chaos, put there
by
the spirit of Morgoth, the evil Tree-Father, who held the position before Strauth killed him. Darak
and his allies prepare to do battle to bring Tinnean back into his body and finish the rite so spring
will return. Think Jean Auel and Judith Tarr and readers will have some idea what
HEARTWOOD is
all about. The setting feels prehistoric with magic an everyday occurrence. Darak is a strong
stubborn man who loves deeply and wants to keep those he cares about close to him safe; when
his
brother is in danger he is willing sacrifices himself to free his sibling from the enemy. Barbara
Campbell creates characters readers will care about and produces a storyline that grabs reader
interest.
Opal
Lauraine Snelling
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764222201 $12.99, 348 pp.
In 1886 Dakotah Territory, fourteen-year-old Opal Torvald finds school boring and taking time
away from working on the ranch of her brother-in-law. Cutting class, Opal goes swimming in the
nearby Little Missouri River with little on when a drifter threatens her. Her friend Atticus Grady
fights the stranger. In Pennsylvania, Minister Jacob Chandler feels remorse over Melody who
when
she arrives at his home ailing informs him she no longer can take care of their seven year old son
Joel before leaving the child behind with Jacob. Unable to face his flock Jacob accompanied by
Joel
head west getting off the train in the Dakotah Territory when they run out of money. He finds
work
as a ranch hand though he is not very competent at it. Meanwhile the drifter incident has had
repercussions with Atticus being beaten badly and a neighbor killed. Opal's sister sends her to
attend
a New York school where she hopes the tomboy learns to behave more like a lady and to get her
away from the drifter. A sad Opal wonders when she will be able to return. Book three in the
Dakotah Treasures series, OPAL, is an interesting Americana fiction that brings to life a bygone
era.
Readers who want a better perspective of two key secondary characters will be better off perusing
the first two tales (see RUBY and PEARL) although this novel can stand alone. Opal better at
ranching than the average male seems a stretch until the reader compares her to teenage golf and
tennis sensations like Wie and Sharapova. Her trouble adapting to New York City and Jacob's to
ranching make for a fine taleand sets up another novel.
The Hope Within
Tracie Peterson
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764227726 $12.99, 400 pp.
1886 fire burns down the Diamond V ranch house and several other facilities forcing the Selby
family to relocate to nearby Virginia City, Montana Territory. Dianne Selby hates living in town,
but
her spouse Cole keeps delaying their return with one pretext after another. Cole learns that his
father
Hallam is dying so he, Dianne and their children travel to Kansas to say their last respects starting
with his dad meeting his wife and grandchildren for the first time and helping his mother Mary
cope
with her loss and work the farm. Upon completing the trek, Mary sets the tone greeting Dianne
about never visiting when her spouse was healthy. After Hallam dies, Mary pressures Cole to run
the
family farm he inherited while remaining nasty towards his wife and children; Dianne decides to
end
her cruelty to her grandchildren by taking them with her and going home though it means
deserting
her husband. The final inspirational historical novel in the Heirs of Montana quartet, THE HOPE
WITHIN, is a terrific family drama that vividly portrays late nineteenth century life on the Great
Prairie especially in Montana and Kansas. The story line is character and geographical-climatic
driven as the audience obtains a taste of the era through simple interwoven into the plot nuances;
for
instance Cole's parents and his wife and children never met before implies distance
(communication
and transportation). Fans will cherish the finale as the extended cast provides depth and Dianne
sees
hope that her husband will come back to her and their children as THE HOPE WITHIN her
remains
strong because of her belief in God.
A Table by the Window
Lawana Blackwell
Bethany House
ISBN: 0764224727 $12.99, 400 pp.
In San Francisco, twenty-five year old Carley Reed, an English literature teacher at the Emerson
Preparatory School catches four of her students plagiarizing. Her boss wants her to drop it
because
the grandfather of one of the pupils is the school's top donor. That night private investigator
Dennis
Wingate informs Carley that her grandmother Cordelia Walker passed away three months ago.
Carley is sad feeling all alone and wishing she had met the woman, but her late mother insured
that
never happened. Shockingly, Carley learns she inherited a home in Tallulah, Mississippi. Angry
with
the school's cavalier treatment of cheating in which they try to make her feel guilty, Carley resigns
from the school and heads south. In Mississippi she meets her Great Aunt and other relatives who
she never knew existed. Carley also wants to help heal a new friend, who is still grieving from a
hit
and run death of a loved one that happened six years ago and never was solved. However, an
unknown person pressures her to back away from the Gweneth Brown vehicular homicide. This is
an inspiring tale that focuses on the human need for nurturing, belonging and actualization from
friends and family something that Carley never received from her mom or anyone else until she
came
to Tallulah. The hit and run mystery adds suspense that Lawana Blackwell blends nicely into the
prime theme, but also takes away from Carley's efforts to adapt to a reengineered world in which
people care about her and if she can learn to accept that she would never be alone again. Ms.
Blackwell provides a deep character driven novel on the importance of being loved.
The Scent of Lilacs
Ann H. Gabhart
Revell (Bethany House)
ISBN: 0800730801 $12.99, 320 pp.
In 1964 Hollyhill, Kentucky, the owner of the Hollyhill Barrier David Brooke knows why he can
only be an interim pastor at the Mt. Pleasant Church because the congregation expects its leader
married. Thus David works the newspaper to feed his extended family and the church out of love.
Seven years ago, David's wife Adrienne left without a look back taking their older daughter then
thirteen years old Tabitha with her. She left behind their other child then six years old Jocie.
David's
septuagenarian Aunt Love lives with them, but he feels more like a referee between his two
female
relatives than their kin. Jocie wants to know about her family to what made Aunt Love into a
preaching stoic spinster who is turning senile except for her biblical citations and why her mother
left
especially without her. She would also like to see her older sister who turn twenty shortly. As
Jocie
investigates her recent roots, secrets some would prefer left hidden begin to surface; she learns
more
about her aunt, her parents, and even the newspaper pressman. THE SCENT OF LILACS is a
well
written Christian historical family drama that sub-genre will deeply cherish. Jocie is a great
inquisitive young teen struggling to understand the dynamics that engulf her in a shroud. The
totally
in black Aunt love will surprise readers when they learn alongside Jocie about her past. Finally,
David is split apart as suffers guilt over his broken marriage and loss of a child and finding solace
tending to his flock so that secularly he feels broken while spiritually connected. Ann. H. Gabhart
provides an inspirational family drama.
The River House
Margaret Leroy
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316741574 $23.95, 320 pp.
Westcotes Clinic psychologist Ginnie Holmes feels out of sorts that so her colleague asks if she
suffers from burnout. Ginnie is concerned that her daughter Molly is leaving the nest to attend
Oxford, but still has Amber at home and her spouse Greg. Perhaps it is her client seven years old
Kyle, who she suspects has suffered a major trauma that leaves her uneasy, but mostly when she is
honest with herself it is her affair with Detective Inspector Will Hampden that she treasures yet
feels
guilty about. During a rendezvous with Will, Molly looking out a window notices a man running
in a
downpour. Will insists the guy is a jogger or just trying to get out of the torrent, but Molly insists
he
did not have jogging clothing on and had no reason to be in this isolated spot. Not long afterward,
the media announces that a murdered female corpse has been found near the spot where Will and
Molly last met. She believes she saw the killer and should come forward with her information, but
to
explain why she was there means the destruction of her family including the disdain from her
daughters. THE RIVER HOUSE is a deep psychological suspense thriller that slowly builds the
suspense with a close look at an already troubled Molly before she witnesses the probable killer
fleeing the crime scene. Once Molly realizes she must choose between losing everything perhaps
even her lover or remain silent and letting a murderer remain free, fans will feel her internal
torment
that rips asunder her guts. This tense character driven tale along with POSTCARDS FROM
BERLIN displays Margaret Leroy's skill at a person's mental collapse.
The Closers
Michael Connelly
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316734942 $26.95, 400 pp.
Three years ago Harry Bosch retired from the Los Angeles Police Department after a quarter of a
century of service, but has returned to active duty. The LAPD Chief warns him that things are
different from his previous stint and he is "not to break the law to enforce the law" or he will be
back
into retirement. Harry understands that the FBI is looking over the shoulders of LAPD and will
adhere to the law as he works the Open Unsolved cases. Among several cases, Harry and
"partner"
Kizmin Rider look into the 1988 murder of sixteen year old Rebecca Verloren that the detectives
ruled as probable suicide by a 45 semi automatic that shattered her heart. Though their report
makes
it appear that the Devonshire Division cops went the extra mile, Harry realizes that the autopsy
proved murder occurred and the department reacted slowly. Harry and Kiz begin making inquiries
and soon learn closure has not occurred for the parents and his fellow blue knights want them to
back off making him wonder if he was set up to fail. With Harry back on the force as a Closer,
this
long running series is refreshed as he deals with bureaucratic roadblocks and unwillingness to
cooperate with his efforts. A reference to Gibson's Lethal Weapon adds a sense of time as well as
insight into Harry. The investigation is cleverly handled with Harry struggling because key peers
and
superiors want him to fail. Michael Connelly provides a terrific Harry Bosch police procedural
that
grips the audience from the moment the Chief lectures him about behavior and never lets up until
the
final revelation.
Love Her to Death
Linda Palmer
Berkley
ISBN: 042520295X $6.50, 326 pp.
Morgan Tyler, the head writer for the daytime drama Love of My Life, is promoted to
co-executive
producer. On her very first day on the job, one of her female stars Cybelle Carter is worried that
she
is going to be on the cover of Time. She fears the exposure might kill her. Cybelle confesses that
she
is married to a mysterious rich person Philippe Abacasas who is somewhere always surrounded by
bodyguards and who has in his possession multiple passports. When Morgan gets a call that a
dead
body was found in Cybelle's apartment, she immediately thinks that her star is dead. She goes over
to the apartment and identifies the body as that of Jeannie Ford, Cybelle's stunt double. She meets
the mysterious Abacasas who warns her to beware of Cybelle and her brother. He also tells her
that
his wife stole two rare Greek coins from him before she disappeared. Attracted to the man
Morgan
doesn't know who to believe but she is determined to get some answers even though someone is
going to incredible and fatal lengths to stop her. The heroine can be summed up in one word,
spunky. She deals with a stress related job with total calm. Works overtime to find a murderer
going
the extra kilometer to do so and juggles two sexy men after a five year drought including a one
night
fling with Cybelle's husband. Readers are going to like this mystery which is rich in
characterizations
and action and short on gore. Linda Palmer proves with this fine cozy that she has what it takes to
reach the top of her profession.
Embroidered Truths
Monica Ferris
Berkley
ISBN: 0425203018 $23.95, 288 pp.
In Excelsior, Minnesota, Betsy Devonshire wonders where her best friend and shop manager of
her
needlecraft store Crewel World Godwin "Goddy" DuLac is as he is never this late. Goddy
eventually
shows up unshaven and wearing yesterday's clothing. His wealthy lover John Nye tossed him out
of
the house. Betsy helps Goddy cope with his personal crisis though being tossed is a recurring
theme.
The two men make up when Goddy takes his lover to Mexico for fun and sun although he maxed
his
credit to the limit and a shade beyond that. Not long afterward, John throws Goddy out again.
Quite
depressed, he moves in with Betsy, but this time there is no reconciliation. Someone murders John
with Excelsior Police Sergeant Mike Malloy arresting the deceased's former lover, who had the
means, the opportunity, and the motive. Betsy knows Goddy could not hurt a fly so she
investigates
who actually killed John. A stitch in time saves nine seems apropos as Betsy puts aside her
needlepoint to prove Goddy is innocent, risking her life to do so. The story line is fast-paced with
several cross stitch twists that will please amateur sleuth fans. Though the murder comes towards
the middle of the tale, fans will understand the need to display indirectly the relationship between
the
gay couple as one becomes the victim and the other the prime suspect. Monica Ferris stitches
together such a fine who-done-it that her readers will appreciate it and newcomers will seek the
CREWEL WORLD backlist.
Murder on Lenox Hill
Victoria Thompson
Berkley
ISBN: 0425202607 $23.95, 304 pp.
Just back from delivering a baby boy, widow midwife Sarah Brandt returns home to the tenement
apartment she shares with Maeve and four year old Aggie. Maeve informs her that a respectable
looking older gent came by and left her note. Mr. and Mrs. Linton of the Upper East Side
Manhattan neighborhood Lenox Hill would like her to visit them at her convenience. Sarah takes
the
elevated train and a street car to the Lintons' home where they ask her to determine whether their
beloved teenage daughter Gracie, who is mentally a young child, is pregnant. Sarah confirms that
the
teen is six months pregnant, but neither parent can understand when it could have happened
because
the child is never alone. Sarah asks her friend police detective sergeant Frank Malloy to
investigate.
Though no crime has been committed and no payment for his services will be remitted, Frank
reluctantly agrees. However, someone poisons the minister of the congregation that the Lintons
belong to. Frank and Sarah believe there is a link between the homicide and the pregnancy, but
everyone connected seems so respectable. Though a Gaslight era mystery, the events of
MURDER
ON LENOX HILL could have come out of recent headlines. The story line is fast-paced with a
strong intrepid protagonist and a powerful deep secondary cast including real figures like
Commissioner Teddy Roosevelt. Readers will appreciate the "innocence" of Gracie and root for
Sarah to learn who impregnated her and when since she already ruled out the obvious, fatherly
incest. This is a tremendous entry in one of the best historical series on the market today and
investigating her spouse's murder from four years ago may be next.
Wicked Nights
Nina Bangs
Berkley
ISBN: 0425200329 $14.00, 320 pp.
Cosmic troublemaker Sparkle Stardust is drawn to Galveston, Texas where she targets three
immortal beings; the owners of the Castle of Dark Dreams the main attraction in the adult theme
park, Live the Fantasy. Her first stud is Eric McNair, a vampire who melts chocolates with one
leering stare. Talk show host Donna Nolan reluctantly leaves Houston to conduct interviews at
the
Castle of Dark Dreams. Sparkle thinks she is the perfect person to shake Eric as these two
opponents would be better than watching a heavyweight championship fight. When Eric and
Donna
meet, sparks fly high enough to light up the state of Texas. However, another vampire, holding
Eric
culpable for the death of his sibling, sees Donna as the bait to enact vengeance. Eric willingly risks
immortality to save his beloved. WICKED NIGHTS is a typical Nina Bangs paranormal romance
filled with humor and sex at times together with the right touch of suspense. The story line is
action
packed as Sparkle gets her wish, a bloodsucking hunk and a mortal battling one another and their
attraction for each other. Readers will enjoy this wicked tale and look forward to novels starring
Eric's siblings, a demon and an immortal warrior, that will surely sparkle with fun.
Goddess of Light
P.C. Cast
Berkley
ISBN: 0425201961 $6.99
Artemis feels bad for her brother Apollo moaning over losing a mortal to Hades, but she has no
idea
how to help her sibling get out of his doldrums. That is until their father Zeus opens a portal to
Vegas. Though knowing Sin City is Bacchus' personal playground, Artemis convinces Apollo that
a
trip there would do him good. Interior designer Pamela Gray is in town decorating the home of
author Faust when she gets involved with Artemis. Apollo tries to help his sister, but finds himself
attracted to Pamela. To the interior designer's shock, she reciprocates having never met anyone
like
this hunk built like a Greek God. However, the Gods have toyed with mortal females forever, but
Apollo sees this time is different as he is in love but he has to persuade Pamela that the universe is
not black and white, but many shades of colors including his favorite hue, the gray that he
treasures.
P.C. Cast continues her unique brand of delightfully mixing a modern day romance with a
mythological legend. The story line is fast-paced led by two wonderful lead protagonists. The
support cast adds depth so that the audience will believe that this is an Olympus invasion of Las
Vegas to rival only the Tarkenian years. Fans of mythological contemporary romances will
appreciate this creative well written tale.
Pawleys Island
Dorothea Benton Frank
Berkley
ISBN: 0425202712 $24.95
On idyllic PAWLEYS ISLAND, outside of food not much excites fifty-five years old Huey
Valentine, but the works of newcomer Rebecca Simms does. He displays her paintings at the
show
of another artist and sells some of them. Rebecca admits to Huey's social companion, retired
matrimony attorney widow Abigail Thurmond that her spouse Nat obtained a divorce in which
she
was proclaimed an unfit mother and has custody of their two children. Huey's octogenarian
mother
goes berserk when she hears this injustice and demands her son and Abigail fix it. Abigail agrees
to
represent Rebecca in court although this is her first case since her spouse died a few years ago not
long after their son passed away. She begins making inquiries into what happened, the behavior of
Huey, and whether the city of Charleston committed a major faux pas as she plans to prove her
client is the one fit to raise the kids, not her ex who has custody. Along the way, Abigail regains
her
lust for life. Dorothea Benton Frank's latest South Carolina low country character study is an
engaging tale that starts at a leisure pace as readers meet the prime players. Towards the middle
of
the book, the plot changes into a legal thriller in which Nat learns the hard way about women
scorned. Though Nat is an extreme loser between pornography, a bimbo, and offering to pay for
"enhancements" for his daughter to have twin edges when she tries out as a Clemson cheerleader,
contemporary fans will enjoy this trip to Charleston and Pawleys Island.
Master of the Moon
Angela Knight
Berkley
ISBN: 0425203573 $6.99, 336 pp.
Verdaville, South Carolina city manager and part time police officer Diana London uses her
werewolf nature to help fight crime at night. However, her efforts fail to prevent a homicide from
occurring. As she works on the investigation team, King Llyr Galatyn ruler of the Cachamwri
Sidhe
enters the mortal realm to fight an influx of rogue vampires nesting in Verdaville. Llyr thinks his
brother King Ansgar, monarch of the Moreven Sidhe, who wants to commit fratricide, is behind
the
murder and attacks in the small town. Llyr is stunned when he meets Diana, a magical creature
like
him. It is not her magic or her kind use to help humans that shakes his core. He is attracted to her
but also knows her as his siren from his erotic fantasy dreams. Diana shares his deep regard as he
has
been the star of her evening respites. They team up to rid the town of the vampires and uncover
the
identity of the supernatural killer that Llyr prays is not his sibling. MASTER OF THE MOON, the
sequel to the delightful MASTER OF THE NIGHT, is a wonderful tale that continues the
previous
tale, but has the strength to stand alone. The story line combines a torrid paranormal romance
with
an exhilarating police procedural. Fans of romantic fantasy will not find anyone better than Angela
Knight who serves up a one sitting keeper.
Deepkill
Michael Kilian
Berkley
ISBN: 0425203514 $7.99, 464 pp.
Gabor Turko knows his terrorist cell of Pakistani is running late in their assignment to blow up
the
Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The homeland Security Advisor to the White House is on the case but
what
he is unaware of is that his team was involved in a car accident and fled the scene just before a
minor
explosion occurred, killing a family, but not the target. Coast Guard Admiral DePayse assigns
Investigative Service Agent Warren Officer Erik Westman to the joint investigative team. Not
long
afterward, a guilt laden near death former Air Force pilot Burt Shilling confesses that he and his
crew dumped a nuclear bomb into the DEEPKILL off the Delaware coast. Though official DC
leaders insists this is the rambling of an ailing man, Turko and his associates want to see if this is
true
and if they can retrieve the bomb. If this takes place, , a weapon of mass destruction will be in the
hands of a terrorist who wants to destroy America. Not willing to take any chances Westman tries
to
stop the terrorists who believe they have nothing to lose. DEEPKILL is an action thriller that
grips
the audience from the very first page up the until the final battle. The fast-paced story line moves
rather quickly as the Air Force remains in denial while terrorists take a chance that a bomb was
dropped off the eastern seaboard. Erik is a terrific hero, but it is Gabor who captures the reader's
attention with his cavalier nonchalance over killing innocents to reach a target. Fans of tense
mano
vs. mano thrillers will appreciate Michael Kilian's hyperspeed novel.
Knit One, Kill Two
Maggie Sefton
Berkley
ISBN: 042520359X $6.99
CPA Kelly Flynn feels alone when she learns the stunning news that her beloved Aunt Helen, who
raised her, was murdered in her home in what the police declared a "burglary gone bad. Kelly
accompanied by her dog Carl heads home to Fort Connor, Colorado for the funeral and to deal
with
the estate. Her aunt's lawyer Mr. Chambers shocks her with the fact that frugal Helen borrowed
$20,000 against her home, but has no idea what she did with the money or why she needed it
since it
never went to Kelly. The accountant also sees other discrepancies with the official books on the
case
as she knows her feisty aunt would have put up a fight if it was a robbery; since she did not she
knew her killer. In town, her aunt's friends adopt Kelly and make her feel at home. They needle
her
into joining their knitting circle, which meets at Mimi Shafer's shop, the former barn of Kelly's
aunt.
As the circle converts her into a dye-in-the-wool scarf knitter, she investigates what happened to
her
aunt because the bottom line fails to add up correctly. This is first stitch in a new needlepoint
amateur sleuth tale starring a likable accountant and a host of eccentric townsfolk. The story line
neatly knits together a murder pattern that the police failed to see. Amateur sleuth fans who
appreciate Monica Ferris's Betsy Devonshire tales will want to read this Rocky Mountains'
cleverly
crafted who-done-it.
The House of Storms
Ian R. Macleod
Ace
ISBN 0441012809 $24.95, 416 pp.
On an alternate earth, the fifth form of matter, aether is discovered. This element is used in magic
spells to run machinery and electricity and just about anything else one can think of. The guilds
control the supply of aether and no one is more powerful than Alice Meynell, the
Greatgrandmistress
of the Telegrapher's Guild. Her only son Ralph is dying and she takes him to Invercombe on the
west coast of England in the hopes that exercise and clear air will cure his consumption. While
there
she visits Einfell where people are no longer human because they were changed by the overuse of
magic. When she returns, her son Ralph is cured so she leaves him at Invercombe while she
returns
to London to set in motion plans that will give more power to her and her son. The result of her
scheming leads to a civil war that will affect the lives of everyone living in Victorian England. This
is
a thick and juicy alternate history novel that is set in a Victorian England where everyone is
dependant on magic like oil is in our world. Alice does what she must to get and keep her position
no matter who she hurts. Her only weakness is her son who turns out to be under his mother's
thumb when he takes over the position of Greatguildmaster once held by his dead father. Ian R.
Macleod continues to fascinate readers with his special blending of sorcery and alternate
history.
We Few
David Weber and John Ringo
Baen
ISBN: 074349881X $26.00
While marooned for eight months (and three books) with the Empress Own marines on Marduk,
Roger Ramius Sergei Alexander Chaing MacClintock learns to survive the hard way while
watching
most of his comrades die. Death turns Roger from hedonistic "Playboy Prince" to leader of the
Bravo Company; his troops would die for him as many already have as "The Basik's Own". Freed
from Marduk, he learns that his biological father and Prince Jackson Adoula of Kellerman
overthrew
his mother Empress Alexandra, killed his siblings and her grandchildren, blamed Roger for the
murders, and use the former ruler as a puppet. Roger and his unit of twelve soldiers supplemented
by a few hundred Mardukans, a ghost and a few other people need allies. However first he must
prove he is innocent before they can confront Adoula and his sire, and hopefully rescue his
mother.
Yet those he needs on his side are apt to kill him before he can say one word to persuade them
that
he did not kill his siblings or others of his kin and that he is worthy of their support as he is no
longer
the Playboy Prince, but instead a fighting leader with a cause. The latest Prince Roger fantasy is
an
action packed tale with the freshness that the playboy is back ready to perform as heroic rescuer.
Roger's metamorphous seems genuine and the support cast is superb especially his parents,
Adoula,
the ghost, and the hero's pet. Although newcomers would be better off reading the previous
novels
as references refer to those tales, WE FEW can stand alone as a stirring military continuation of a
terrific saga.
The Hidden Queen
Alma Alexander
Eos
ISBN 0060765704 $6.99, 400 pp.
At the Battle near the Ronval River, the king of Roisinan, Red Dynan is killed and the general
leading the troops is injured and near death. Command falls to Fodrun who feels unequal to being
a
leader for men to follow so he tells Sif, Dynan's baseborn son that if he will take command, he will
help him in his quest to gain the crown from the rightful heir, nine year old Anghara. After a
ceremony proclaiming her queen, Anghara leaves the castle with the Royal Seal and a document
proclaiming her queen by the council. The capital city falls to Sif and he becomes king declaring
Anghara dead with her mother during the battle to take the castle. Anghara is sent to her mother's
kin where she is taught to use her sight (psionic powers) but an incident forces her to flee to
Castle
Bressne, a traing school for the sighted. A betrayal alerts Sif to where Anghara is hiding and he
destroys the school but not before his half-sister escapes. Sif initiates a pogrom against all the
Sighted while Anghara flees from her homeland to the desert kingdom of Kheldrum. There she
hopes to learn enough to take back the crown. Fans of Jennifer Fallon, Sara Douglass and
Elizabeth
Hayden will find THE HIDDEN QUEEN an extraordinary fantasy. During the course of the tale,
the
audience sees Anghara grow from a royal child to a mature woman ready to battle her
half-brother
who is wantonly hurting innocent men, women and children killed just because they are sighted.
This
is an action-packed novel that is rich in characterization and death-defying adventures.
Gravity Wells
James Alan Gardner
Eos
ISBN: 0060087706 $15.95, 368 pp.
This anthology is a must read for science fiction fans as each of the fourteen tales are incredible
yet
different in content and format. The tales display how talented award winning James Alan
Gardner
truly is as he runs the gamut whether it is an ordinary little girl explaining how things work or the
media rewriting history as they "neutrally" observes events or just a simplistic debate between
science and faith following the invention of the microscope. Genre fans will want to read this
collection soonest and once started feel compelled to complete GRAVITY WELLS in one sitting
with several tales rereads immediately as Mr. Gardner is at his RADIANT best with this fabulous
compilation.
Self-Incrimination
Randy Singer
WaterBrook
ISBN 1578567777 $13.99, 400 pp.
Trish Bannister is beaten up by her drunken abusive husband; later she takes a sleeping pill and is
passed out when her sixteen year old daughter Tara is also beat up by her step-father. Unlike her
mother, Tara doesn't like his abuse and admits to shooting him when the cops question her. She
swears it was in self-defense because she feared for her life. Trish hires Leslie Connors to defend
her
daughter who is nervous because this is her first murder case and the prosecution wants to try the
teen as an adult. While she is trying to come up with Tara's defense, the scientific evidence doesn't
corroborate the teenager's story. Leslie is busy making plans to marry the firm's founder Brad
Carson, but puts her wedding plans on hold when she finds out she has a heart condition that
needs
surgery and fails to tell her beloved driving a wedge in their relationship. Randy Singer has written
an exciting legal thriller that rivals the work of John Grisham. Readers learn how lawyers work to
present a case that will exonerate their client while the defense attorney in charge of the case
balances her health issues and her relationship with the man she loves. Both Brad and Leslie
should
be continuing characters in their own legal series if SELF-INCRIMINATION is any
example.
A Land of Sheltered Promise
Jane Kirkpatrick
WaterBrook
ISBN: 1578567335 $13.99, 400 pp.
Part 1 Faith. In 1901 Oregon seventeen years old Eva Bruner is exhausted even before the
outcome
of the murder trial that her husband sheepherder Dee faces. He admits to killing Tom Reilly so the
guilty verdict does not surprise her as he is sentenced to life in prison. Alone on their station on
the
Muddy Ranch to raise their infant son, everyday Eva prays for a miracle. Part 2 Hope. In 1984
devout Episcopalian Aussie Cora Thompson arrives in Oregon planning to abduct her six years
old
granddaughter Charita nee Charity because Cora's daughter Rachel, now called Ma Razi, is an
active
leader in a cult. While Cora enters the communal compound on the site of the Muddy Ranch, the
INS indicts leaders on violations and a new form of intimidation at least in America, salmonella
bio-terrorism, shakes the area. Part 3 Charity. In 1995 though she preferred staying in Portland,
Jill
Hartley accompanies her husband on a visit to the Bartletts who were like parents to her Tom.
The
Bartletts show Jill the abandoned despised Muddy Ranch where they dream of a place where the
Young Life Christians from around the world can attend camp. Almost two years later a skeptical
Jill makes the dream come true. These three novellas connected by the Muddy Ranch in Oregon
and
based on real stories are terrific tales that star courageous women willing to sacrifice for the good
of
another while turning to God and Jesus to help them. The parable of using the land receiving a
second chance ties together these well written stories that inspire the audience to believe in Jesus
and that good deeds matter.
Road Blog
Robert Elmer
WaterBrook
ISBN: 1578567521 $5.99, 128 pp.
Worried about his preadolescent son Austin spending every free moment on the Internet, Tom
Webster decides on a family trip to the same spot he "enjoyed" as a two year old. Thus Tom his
wife
Evelyne, their two children Austin and Ashley, and their niece "Aunt" Jessi (same age as their
kids)
leave Normal, Illinois to drive to the Lost Lake Resort in Upper Michigan. At the same time,
Raven
"Mr. Z" Zawistokowski and his boss Mattie Blankenskrean discuss keeping the Webster kids out
of
the net and cleansing websites; for instance, just visit a site on Paul's journey from Damascus with
sunglasses. Their plan is to catch the kids when they go in line and take away their computer that
seems to enable them to do so. The three pre-teens notice the net has been acting strange lately.
However, this time they visit live Austin's web site with their parents along for the first time
followed by Mr. Z tracking them. Though Mattie has warned him not to harm any of the
Websters,
Mr. Z believes the best solution is Alt-Ctrl-Del and if that fails to cleanse the problem, delete the
Webster quintet. The sixth entry in Robert Elmer's wonderfully creative Hyperlinkz tales, ROAD
BLOG is a delightful entry starring the intrepid trio, the two villains and in a more active role the
Webster parents. The story line is fast-paced as readers visit Lewis and Clark and other websites
along side Austin, Ashley, and Jessi. Middle school kids will appreciate this exhilarating stand
alone
thriller though has links to the previous novels that newcomers will want to read too.
Worlds Collide
Alison Strobel
WaterBrook
ISBN: 1578567939 $12.99, 384 pp.
Actor and a Top 25 People magazine hunk Jack Harrington and his wife Grace hire celebrity
biographer Jada Eastman to write their story that has had the public salivating for quite a while,
with
him ailing they feel they have a message to get out. Jada knows that behind the glitter of
Hollywood
stars, there is always grit, dirt, and worse; in this case she happens to have had a high school crush
on Jack so has a personal stake. Still Jada will spend the next six months with this Cinderella pair
to
learn how they overcame their perceived radically different lifestyles at least when they first met.
Jack was already on his way to fame and fortune in Hollywood when a car accident introduced
him
to fifth grade teacher Grace Winslowe. Jack and another person did not have a scratch, but Grace
was hospitalized. Attracted to one another from that moment their worlds collided, Jack and
Grace
swim in different seas with plenty of major differences to overcome to forge a relationship.
Perhaps
the biggest distinction is not Hollywood, but religion as Grace has always been deep into
Christianity
while Jack has been a hedonistic agnostic bordering on the atheism. This work of fiction rotates
perspective between the Hollywood couple so that the audience can best understand their love
and
their dissimilarities especially religion. Past the half way point the fine story line focuses in on
whether Jack embraces Jesus or not. This is well written tale, blending a soap opera fantasy of a
loving relationship between a schoolteacher and a movie star with that of a Christian
contemporary
tale starring two likable protagonists.
The Poet's Funeral
John M. Daniel
Poisoned Pen
ISBN: 159058144X $24.95, 250 pp.
In 1977 Guy Mallon wanders into a used bookstore wheere he finds a signed copy of Kerouac's
first
book, which he hides. He buys the store and sells the Kerouac book at auction. Not long
afterward,
teaching assistant Heidi enters his store and persuades him to hire her, have sex with her, and
publish
her poetry though she has not written anything yet and he is not a publisher. In 1990 Guy and his
beloved partner Carol Murphy attend the American Book Association (ABA) convention in
Vegas.
He finds a dead Heidi on the Elvis bed apparently form an overdose. Guy is shocked, but has
doubts
that someone as egotistical as Heidi would do drugs. Carol wonders if her too short (she is eight
inches taller than he) and too young (five years younger) cherished Guy still carries the torch for
Heidi. When LVPD Detective Plumley closes the case as accidental due to drugs, Guy is unable to
resist investigating Heidi's death. This is a tongue in cheek amateur sleuth who-done-it that
readers
will enjoy. Perspective changes with a different participant taking center stage with each chapter
although Guy is consistently in the forefront and ergo the focus of the plot. The story line is
amusing
and contains several cameos from the famous and though the death occurs toward the middle, the
inquiries are handled deftly so that the audience obtains a solid mystery. The big Guy and his
woman
are a dynamic duo and the support cast enables the reader to obtain a deep look at what happens
at
an ABA convention. THE POET'S FUNERAL is a unique super tale.
Thicker Than Blood
Penny Rudolph
Poisoned Pen
ISBN: 1590581482 $24.95, 310 pp.
In Los Angeles, Rachel Chavez lives in the parking garage that she owns across the street from
her
best customer the Interurban Water District. Rachel knows how important it is to keep the
management of Interurban happy with her service; for instance she changed the flat tire on the
vehicle of General Manager Jason Karl and has allowed late working water engineer Hank
Sullivan a
few extra minutes past lock up. Rachel notices that one of the Interurban cars parked in her
garage
has a bad scratch, a busted fender, and what appears to be blood on it. Not long afterward, Rachel
hears on the news that Jason died in a hit and run accident. She wonders if she has the murder
vehicle parked inside her facility. Fearing to tell the cops as she is a former addict and drunk
convict,
she is encouraged by a cleaning crew manager and an environmentalist who rescues her from a
mugger. She begins to wonder if Hank, who she likes, killed his boss over a water dispute.
Though
Rachel illogically does not seem street wise, readers will take immense delight in the latest
Southern
California water war mystery. The story line is character driven by the heroine's conscience as
Rachel ponders the ethical question of telling the authorities knowing that means trouble for her.
Interestingly and what makes the novel, she does not turn into super amateur sleuth, but instead is
dragged along the way and learns the truth when the culprit decides to cleanse her. Readers will
compare positively Rachel with Jake Gittes (see CHINATOWN and THE TWO JAKES) in this
twenty-first century tale in which water is becoming more like oil.
Flesh Wounds
John Lawton
Atlantic Monthly
ISBN: 0871136988 $23.00
World War II ended fourteen years ago, but London still shows the ruins. For Russian descendent
Chief Superintendent of Scotland Yard Freddie Troy, the conviction of crime kingpin King Alf
should be a time of elation. Instead the war years have returned; his former lover Kitty Stilton is
back in town but unavailable since she is married to American presidential hopeful, Calvin
Cormack,
another person from Freddie's espionage past. Private investigator Joey Rork is in town to insure
that Kitty behaves while in England. However, while London swings with Kitty as its biggest
swinger, a war seems imminent to take over King's Alf's crime syndicate and American gamblers
and
crooners are in the middle of the action. When Rork and others are violently killed, Freddie leads
the
inquiries that take him back to 1944 when he was recovering from a bullet courtesy of his mistress
and the antics of his family especially his promiscuous sisters and his brother, who has present day
(1959 that is) ambitions. There is also links to when he was Sergeant Freddie Troy. Still, in spite
of
his efforts London with Ike coming is filling up with mutilated corpses. FLESH WOUNDS is an
exhilarating British historical police procedural that binds events and real persona or obviously
disguised persona between World War II and 1959. The story line is overloaded with several
subplots that at times may feel overwhelming, but not only come together but enables readers to
compare 1944 and 1959 London. Freddie is terrific in both eras as he is the string that keeps the
multitude of subplots tied together. Fans will appreciate this deep but dark look back to two
distinct
Great Britain's only fifteen years apart within a fine Noir.
The Queen's Fencer
Caitlin Scott-Turner
Five Star
ISBN: 1594143021 $26.95, 303 pp.
In 1597, Will Trevallon is the Queen's fencing master; his twenty-one years old daughter Ardys is
perhaps is best rival. They are happy until Will while in a tournament collapses and dies. Ardys
grieves more than just the loss of her father and teacher; she has lost her best friend. As Ardys
tries
to move on in her life, Queen Elizabeth sympathizes with her loss, but though the young woman is
capable of being THE QUEEN'S FENCER, a female in what the nobles recognize as a male
position
would cause too much trouble. However, Desmond Kirkconnell has his own plans for the lass; he
abducts her taking her to Ireland. As she falls in love with her rogue pirate, a rival Francois de la
Roche abducts Ardys to use as a pawn to trap and destroy Desmond, who risks death to rescue
his
beloved. Elizabethan romance readers will want to take the plunge into this intriguing tale. The
lead
couple is a wonderful intrepid pairing though it seems the competent Ardys is too easy a victim.
The
story line is fast-paced whether the action occurs in England, Ireland or the High Seas. Elizabeth's
court and other secondary protagonists provide a late sixteenth century feel to the fable, but it is
Ardys the fencing master who makes the tale hum.
Dying for a Blue Plate Special
Beth Kalikoff
Five Star
ISBN: 1594142971 $25.95 228 pp.
In Tacoma, Jewel Feynmann worries that her business Blue Plate Catering is failing; if she goes
bankrupt she does not want to go back to the Jewish epicenter of metropolitan New York where
her
family awaits the return of the prodigal child. Helene Moore, who met Jewel over fried ice cream,
offers the caterer work at Commencement Bay University better known as Zoo U. Because of an
accidental death in the kitchen, the school needs an outside caterer. Jewel accepts the job because
she needs the money. However, everything goes wrong when the Zoo U Dean Matthew Mulcahy
dies from food poisoning served by Blue Plate. As Homicide Detective Ben Hartsock investigates
the murder, he also tries to date Jewel, who wonders if there might be a non-kosher conflict of
interest even if his kisses are tasty. Still with her company in jeopardy Jewel conducts her own
investigation into the murder. DYING FOR A BLUE PLATE SPECIAL is a delightful amateur
sleuth police procedural who-done-it starring a likable Jersey transplant. The story line is
lighthearted in terms of the heroine's jewel of an investigation and much more professional in a
support role when Ben makes inquiries. Fans will enjoy this fine Washington State blending.
Scrambled Eggs
Boris Riskin
Five Star
ISBN: 1594142912 $25.95, 275 pp.
Turning sixty and retiring as a Shakespearean professor, Jake Wanderman looks forward to
spending his golden years with his beloved wife of twenty-fives Rosalind. However, to his shock,
Rosalind walks out on Jake without an explanation insisting he should know why. Not long
afterward, Jake attends his childhood friend Morty Adler's party in the Hamptons where he meets
Cynthia Organ. She tells him that Morty said that Jake would help. She explains further that her
spouse Boris just died and in his secret closet in their home, she found gold bars and six Faberge
eggs. Apparently the Russian mafia claims they belong to them and law enforcement from both
countries wants the stolen gems. Unwittingly, Jake is involved in an international incident with
murder as a calling card when all he wants is his wife back. SCRAMBLED EGGS is a delightful
amateur sleuth tale starring a bewildered hero, who spouts Shakespeare at any given moment
especially when he is nervous. The story line is fast-paced, but held together by the likable
professor
who wonders what happened to his anticipated idyllic lifestyle that has gone out of control.
Sub-genre fans will enjoy this tale told by a bard filled with fun and fury.
The Alphabet Sisters
Monica McInerney
Ballantine
ISBN: 034547953X $13.95, 432 pp.
When they were children growing up together in Clare Valley, Australia, they sang as a trio
dressed
in identical garb called THE ALPHABET SISTERS, but being best friends also ended three years
ago. The youngest Carrie and the fiance of the middle Bett announced they were in love and were
going to be married. The threesome has not talked to one another since. The oldest Anna hides
behind the needs of her spouse and four year old daughter in Sydney; Bett fled to London where
she
writes music promos; Carrie married Matt, but stayed in her hometown. Grandmother Lola, who
lovingly raised the girls, wants her granddaughters reconciled. She invites them to come home to
celebrate her eightieth birthday knowing she is the only person that each of THE ALPHABET
SISTERS would show up for. However, each sibling arrives with emotional baggage. Anna's
husband is having an affair while their daughter remains scarred from a canine attack; Bett detests
living alone; Carrie and Matt have separated. Lola masterly manipulates her granddaughters to
perform together a musical she wrote to encourage the reconciliation the trio wants for they miss
one another, none will risk that critical first step. This is a terrific relationship tale that avoids
turning
into a tear jerker until a late twist involving cancer is used as a possible reconciliatory catalyst.
The
story line is at its best when it concentrates on the three sisters especially their desires and darkest
secrets; by extension through the trio, readers obtains somewhat of a glimpse of their extended
families. Though that final spin makes it too easy to choose and seems so unnecessary, readers
will
take immense pleasure with this deep Australian family drama.
Soapsuds
Finola Hughes and Digby Diehl
Ballantine
ISBN 0345470826 $23.95, 384 pp.
When British actress Kate McPhee learns that her live in lover was cheating on her with her best
friend, she needs to get away from them. She accepts a job on the soap opera Live For Tomorrow
and quickly realizes that daytime programming is nothing like the theatre work she did back
home.
She quickly learns to avoid diva Meredith Contini who has been on the show since its inception
and
refuses to let an actor or actress upset her. Kate also learns how to cope with the fans who have
taken her into their hearts. She has the unique experience of attending a soap opera convention
where anything goes; she is paid extra to be interviewed on radio and television shows where she
has
to be careful of what she says concerning future plots. Kate also gets used to fans believing she is
the lesbian detective she plays in a storyline involving vampires. After a major adjustment she
realizes that the group is her American family and she belongs there. Finola Hughes, who
originated
the role of Anne Devore on General Hospital and All My Children, takes readers backstage so
they
can see how a soap opera is produced and how much of the character belongs to the star. The
actors
work long hours under grueling conditions because they need to work, not just for the money but
because of the desire to perform. Kate McPhee is a charming chick lit lead protagonist who feels
that California, especially Hollywood, is an alien planet. Soap opera fans will wonder if the
characters are based on actual people and if so, who and on what show.
Rage
Jonathan Kellerman
Ballantine
ISBN: 034546706X $26.95, 384 pp.
In Los Angeles, the call surprises Dr. Alex Delaware because he had no idea that Rand Duchay
was
God forbid free; a frantic Rand pleads with Alex to see him immediately. Alex agrees thinking
back
eight years when then thirteen years old Randolph and his friend almost fourteen years old Troy
Turner abduct and killed twenty-five months old Kristal Malley. Alex was the psychologist who
dealt with the teen murders. Not long afterward someone at the Chino CYA camp for juvenile
defenders killed Troy. Alex arrives at the meeting place, but Duchay fails to show up. Surprised,
Alex, who is to meet his beloved in New York tomorrow, informs Police Lieutenant Milo Sturges
about what happened. The cop mentions a murder victim who turns out to be Rand. Is this a
revenge killing perhaps the baby's father whose rage was obvious when the state cut a deal with
the
defense, an idle act, or someone insuring the truth of the infanticide never surfaces? RAGE is a
terrific Dr. Delaware thriller that grips the audience when Alex recalls (in a flashback) the heinous
crime and the reactions of the two teens who committed the murder. Alex is super in this novel
especially his asides such as fearing Rand will find another dominant personality to coax him along
for a deadly ride. The who-done-it is well designed so that readers know that everyone involved
just
about believe Duchay deserved death including to a degree Milo and Alex, but they overcome
their
personal disgust while seeking the killer. Fans of the series will be elated with Jonathan
Kellerman's
latest tale.
No Reservations Required
Ellen Hart
Ballantine
ISBN: 0449007324 $6.99, 320 pp.
One year ago, Twin Cities businessman Ken Loy was driving while talking on a cell phone when
his
vehicle blindsided that of Valerie Fabian, killing her. Although the woman ran a stop sign, her
spouse Minneapolis Times Register columnist Bob blamed Ken for not paying attention. Ken
remains shook up with the accident bringing him close to his two twin daughters raised by his
ex-wife and whom he neglected previously. He rides his bike every evening to gain some relief,
but
this time he stops to check a construction site thinking he might buy a condo there. Someone
arrives
and executes him. Valerie's brother Sonny informs Bob that he provided justice to their beloved's
killer. A stunned Bob calls 911, but Sonny, feeling betrayed, kills him too. Minneapolis Times
Register restaurant critic Sophie Greenway learns that the victims who were murdered within an
hour of one another were killed by the same gun. No one can figure out the motive that ties both
homicides although the link to Valerie is obvious. Sophie cooks up a storm that does not match
the
recipe for murder that will shake her inner essence. Readers will want to make reservations for
this
fabulous amateur sleuth thriller that provides strong twists that the reader will never see coming
especially the ending that will blow away the audience. Sophie is the terrific main ingredient while
the support cast provides depth to a darker than usual story line. Ellen Hart bakes a winner with
her
eighth Greenway culinary mystery.
The Smoke Room
Earl Emerson
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345462904 $24.95, 320 pp.
Twenty-four years old Seattle firefighter Jason Gum and others from Engine 29 race to the scene
of
what has been described as an explosion at the home shared by forty something Iola Pederson and
her daddy. Jason helps get Iola out of the house while daddy had already evacuated the house.
Investigators conclude that the "bomb" was an award winning hog "jumping" from a plane at an
estimated 11,000 feet. Three weeks later Iola visits the fire station to personally thank Jason for
her
rescue. She seduces him in the back room while his team goes out on a fire call without him. His
mate Ted Tronstad leaves behind Gum's gear so that the firefighter can arrive on his own and thus
lesson the dereliction of duty penalty. Ironically Gum becomes a hero though the couple he
rescues
fails to survive. Not long afterward, Tronstad has sacks filled with bearer bonds that he pulled
from
a fire. Tronstad, driver Robert Johnson, and Gum argue when Captain Sears catches them with
the
loot and threatens to expose them. Now they must rid themselves of Sears, but Johnson hesitates
while Gum wants no part of the bonds except Tronstad blackmails him into either participating or
at
least remaining silent. THE SMOKE ROOM is an exhilarating suspense thriller that twists and
turns
in ways readers will never suspect until the spin occurs as Jason understands but seems to never
learn that his using the wrong head is destroying his morals. Readers will wonder what the key
firefighting characters and Iola will do next and how likable Gum, who narrates the tale, will
extract
himself from his spiraling out of control woes. Earl Emerson provides the audience with a five
alarm
winner.
Oh My Stars
Lorna Landvik
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345472314 $24.95, 400 pp.
In Mount Crawfiord, Kentucky Erlene Mathers abandons her daughter Violet to be raised by her
spouse Judd, a terrific mechanic but an abusive ugly drunk with no quality time for his wallflower
giraffe of a child, dubbed Olive Oyl by her peers. In 1935, Miss Eugie Dodds hires the lonely
almost
sixteen year old Violet to work the night shift at the Marcelline Threads factory. The shy unhappy
teen, whose first name is apropos, finds acceptance and a feeling of belonging for the first time in
her
life. However, on her sweet sixteenth birthday, a machine accident amputates her arm. Once
released
from the hospital, Violet concludes she has nothing but bad memories in Mount Crawford so like
many others takes the bus to California, but a crash in North Dakota strands Violet and others.
Musicians Austin Sykes and Kjel Hedstrom rescue everyone. Violet likes the kind black Austin,
but
is quite attracted to Kjel and joins the duet, who hopes to pioneer a new style of music to a still
somewhat depressed America as the show has just begun. OH MY STARS is a terrific look at the
mid 1930s in America. Fans will appreciate the metamorphosis of Violet from her belief that she is
the ugly duckling into a confident swan symbolizing America coming out of the Depression. The
cast is fantastic as the audience will believe they are traveling with the heroine and others as
readers
discover the wonders of the country while Violet seeks her groove. Lorna Landvik provides a
delightful Americana tale that will elate historical readers with its depth of characterizations to
include the land.
Enchanted, Inc.
Shanna Swendson
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345481259 $12.95, 320 pp.
Over the fears of her family, Katie Chandler relocates from small-town Texas to Manhattan where
she sees first hand the weirdoes walking the streets and riding the subways such as Miss Airy
Fairy
with wings or the chicken guy. At work her boss Mimi displays the Dr. Jekyll personality, which
obviously means she had a wonderful weekend with her wealthy boyfriend. However, Ms. Hyde
can
show up and often does without warning or reason. She would like to escape the evil Mimi, but
needs the money to pay her bills. By email, Rodney A. Gwaltney, Director of Personal at MSI,
offers Katie a job; she deletes the email as spam. That night Katie and her female roommates hit
the
Village when the dude she noticed on the subway this morning comes over to meet Katie; he says
he
is Rod Gwaltney. Katie thinks her first stalker offers her a job. When Mimi goes over the top
again,
Katie accepts Rod's latest employment email not realizing that seeing elves, gnomes, gargoyles
and
an assortment of unnamed creatures makes her valuable and unique. Of course she never expected
Merlin and other magicians interfering with her love life when she accepted the position. Fans will
appreciate this creative humorous chick lit fantasy occurring on the weird streets of Manhattan
similar to city scenes in the Men in Black. Katie is fabulous as she assumes everyone can see
fairies
or an elf, as this is New York City so what else is new. Fans will appreciate this lighthearted romp
with, though the time and place differ, readers too old for Bush's personal accounts will think of
THE WIZARD IN SPITE OF HIMSELF and those younger the Dresden Files.
A Stroke of Midnight
Laurell K. Hamilton
Ballantine
ISBN 0345443578 $23.95, 367 pp.
The attempted assassination of Princess Meredith of the faerie Unseelie Court failed and the coup
to
unseat the Queen of Air and Darkness, Andais was thwarted. The princess gives a press
conference
in the sithen (faerie mound) because a human policeman under the spell of a sidhe (faerie) had
attempted to kill her and that has to be explained. After the conference is over, Merry and her
harem
of sexy and beautiful guards found a dead photographer and a sidhe, both the victims of murder
by
one of more of the sidhe. Merry convinces her Aunt to let the police into the sithen because the
reporters know one of their own is missing. Anais agrees but intends to conduct her own
investigation. Merry and her guards are the focus of another assassination attempt and while they
struggle to stay alive, Merry's presence in the sithen brings it to life recreating features that have
withered away centuries ago. Merry also gives back the powers the sidhe lost when they were
allowed entry to this country by President Jefferson. This makes the queen jealous because Merry
can do what she can no longer perform and when a predator is angered, anything can happen. The
latest entry in the Princess Meredith series is a fantastic and enthralling adult fairy tale complete
with
a beautiful princess, a host of archetype princes " who act as Merry's guards and the wicked witch
(in this case the evil faerie queen). There is a lot of exotic sex and action IN A STOKE OF
MIDNIGHT and very visual descriptions of the reawakening of the sithen. Laurell K. Hamilton
scores another bestseller heading for the New York Times bestseller list.
Heartbreak Hotel
Jill Marie Landis
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345453301 $23.95, 352 pp.
Six months ago her spouse Glenn Potter suddenly died leaving his thirty three years old widow
Tracy broke and alone raising their preadolescent son Matthew and trying to help her
stepdaughter
Chelsea pay her college tuition. The only assets the IRS could not take away was the nineteenth
century run down Heartbreak Hotel, overlooking the Pacific as that was in Matt's name and a
trust
fund her grandparents left her. A desperate Tracy and Matt move into the hotel with Chelsea
residing with them when she is not attending school. Since the Twilight Cove Historical Society
got
the Heartbreak Hotel listed as a historical landmark, Tracy cannot sell that is if she could even
find a
buyer. Using her trust fund, she begins renovations when Wade Johnson arrives and asks to spend
the night paying with cash. Needing the money she agrees; that one day stay turns into a week.
Wade and Tracy are attracted to one another, but he knows nothing can come of it as long as he
must hide from his fame, his past, and mostly his dreams that inspire the words that frighten him
to
hole up in offbeat places. HEARTBREAK HOTEL is a strange, very interesting contemporary
romantic thriller with a gothic feel to the plot. The story line is character driven by the lead couple
and enhanced by a solid cast including her son and the source of the dreams. Wade will intrigue
the
audience as they will wonder if he is the romantic hero or a dangerous person on the lam perhaps
from himself and ponder whether he harmed others. Jill Marie Landis keeps the suspense and
romance high as fans will contemplate which will ultimately win out.
On the Right Side of a Dream
Sheila Williams
One World (Ballantine)
ISBN: 0345464753 $12.95, 240 pp.
In Columbus, Ohio, disgusted with her three adult children, fortyish Juanita Louis ran away from
her
family and gave up her job as a nursing assistant. She got off the bus in Paper Moon, Montana
where she became a cook at Jess Gardiner's diner and soon Jess became her boyfriend (see
DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF). After a year in Big Sky Country enjoying her new
life and lover and in spite of family pressure to return home, Juanita joins a local friend Peaches on
a
tour of the southwest. In Los Angeles, she temporarily becomes a chef no longer a cook at fancy
Yancey's restaurant before continuing to Arizona to run a New Age B&B. She learns that her
beloved elderly friend Millie Tilson died bequeathing her Paper Moon B&B to Juanita. Heading
home to Montana, a grieving Juanita plans to make the B&B the best in the state while deciding
what to do with the kind Jess, a gentle man so opposite her abusive ex spouse. This sequel stars
one
of the most realistic protagonists in recent years. Juanita appears quite human as she continues her
lust for life touring the southwest. Fans from the first tale will mourn the death of feisty
independent
Millie almost as much as Juanita misses the fiery senior. Sheila Williams is a terrific author of the
contemporary scene with real women walking away from untenable situations often abuse, her
latest
is worth reading as her tales touch the soul of the audience through a finely developed eccentric
cast
especially the likable star who shows there is life to live to the fullest even following dark
moments.
Dancing on the Edge of the Roof
Sheila Williams
One World
ISBN: 034545930X $12.95, 227 pp.
In Columbus, Ohio forty-two years old African-American Juanita Lewis is disappointed with her
two sons and daughter. Rashawn is a drug dealer; Randy is doing time; and Bertie does the clubs
ignoring her baby. To flee from her belief that she failed at parenting 101, Juanita escapes into
romance novels where she fantasizes of a different life for her and her family, and when she is
honest
with herself, just her. Unable to cope with the latest disenchantment and encouraged by her
novels,
Juanita quits her nurses aide job and takes a bus to escape from her dismal home life. The name
sounds romantic and her bus companion mentioned it, so she gets off in Paper Moon, Montana.
At
the local diner Juanita defeats owner Jess Gardiner in a cook off by providing a simple menu
rather
than his upper crust bill of fare for the patrons. Soon everyone wants to eat at the diner. Juanita
enjoys rustication even conversing with her landlady's cats. Jess begins courting her and they fall
in
love. DANCING ON THE EDGE OF THE ROOF is a fantastic contemporary romance with an
insightful family drama that actually comes alive though the perceptions of the heroine. Though
the
metamorphosis of Juanita from nurturing care-taker to strong "I am woman" seems impossible yet
Sheila Williams makes it believable as if Juanita "snapped" in a positive way as she realizes that
there
is got to be more to life than this and decides to find it. The story line is amusing with its serious
message to respect yourself while the J duet fuss, fight, and fall in love within this fine second
chance at life.
The Overnight
Ramsey Campbell
Tor
ISBN: 0765312999 $24.95, 400 pp.
American based Texts Bookstores opened up a superstore in Fenny Meadows Retail Park in
northern England. However, the store has failed to live up to expectations. Yank Woody Blake,
who
has successfully turned around stores in New Orleans and Minneapolis, is sent to fix the English
shop built on the fens. During closing hours, books jump from shelves even landing in the discard
pile and the fen reclaims the store every night leaving inventory wet, oily and yucky. With the
suits
arriving to inspect his progress, Woody orders an all-nighter to get the store ready. However, he
and
his employees learn first hand who the anti-bibliophiles are. Slimy blobs come out of the fog that
has
engulfed Texts Bookstore and the electricity blacks out. The outside doors are locked by some
other
force with no way to exit and Woody is further sealed in his office that might be his tomb as the
store is sinking just like whole villages have vanished here before. Fans of Ramsey Campbell and
anyone who has worked at a bookstore will appreciate this tongue in cheek horror tale that grips
the
audience the moment readers grasp that this is not just another retail establishment. Woody is a
fabulous protagonist who serves as the focal point holding the thriller together (someone has to -
try
pinning jello blobs to a wall). He and his staff portray working at a bookstore so well and his
transformation from save the store ultra-energy to trapped mouse is cleverly handled as in
between
he sees all sorts of the nasties occur to his staff. Mindful of Poltergeist but with humor, Mr.
Campbell provides a delightful tale that will ironically leap off the bookshelves.
Windwalker
Natasha Mostert
Tor
ISBN: 0765349299 $6.99
To obtain the job, photographer Justine Calloway had to lie about being married and that her
spouse
would join her. When the offer to become the caretaker at remote Paradine Park happens, Jane
accepts, needing the change of scenery to escape her feelings of guilt and remorse. Though for the
most part alone and aware of the tragic history of Paradine, Jane is comfortable there as if she
always belonged there. Thus where she had been indifferent except how it might impact her
employment, Jane now detests the plans to convert the almost decade empty sprawling English
estate to a spa. In Africa, Adam Buchanan sees a picture of the new caretaker in a magazine. He
is
stunned as he has seen the woman in the photo in his dreams. He knows that Justine is his
soulmate,
but to claim her he must return home, the place of his worst nightmare. The bitter memories of
the
tragedy almost a decade ago at his family home Paradine Park wash all over him. Adam knows he
must confront his worst nightmare, the murder of his brother Dickie in the gardens in which
everyone figures he did it especially since he fled England after looking at his dead sibling on the
ground. WINDWALKER is an intriguing tale that is an atypical paranormal romantic suspense.
The
story line grips the reader with its rotating first person viewpoints that enable the audience to see
what makes Justine and Adam tick, especially the fears that motivate much of what they do. Fans
who appreciate something radically different in their literature will want to read Natasha Mostert's
intriguing yet unique and odd thriller.
Mists of Everness
John C. Wright
Tor
ISBN: 0765313332 $25.95
For a millennium, the Waylock family has served as vigil guardians at the dream gate Everness to
insure that evil never enters this world. However, the malevolent forces are mounting their
strongest
assault in centuries with the goal to take over the reality world of those awake. The current gate
guardian Galen Waylock, who was forced too young to take over when his father abandoned his
post, has fallen into a coma (see THE LAST GUARDIAN OF EVERNESS). In the Pentagon,
Azrael de Grey, who is an important government official, performs summoning rites as part of his
plan to take control first of the Everness gate, next the evil forces of the dream world beyond the
gate, and ultimately both planes. The evil begin penetrating into this world with an epic sea battle
rivaling World War II in the Pacific as the US Navy skirmishes with wraiths and krakens.
Apparently, in spite of Galen's sire returning to aid his son, Azrael has succeeded in bringing
apocalypse now. MISTS OF EVERNESS, the sequel to the fun THE LAST GUARDIAN OF
EVERNESS, is an amusing epic fantasy with religious overtones. The satirical story line
concentrates on spoofing the Books of Revelation and Daniel. This serves as a two sword of
Damocles with plenty of humorous exciting scenarios, but none of the characters except
somewhat
Galen's cousin (a wheelchair bound Nam vet POW of the evil forces) fully developed. Instead the
key players are ironically overwhelmed by the lampooning of converging religion and fantasy. Still
well written and thought provoking, John C. Wright provides an interesting tale for fantasy
readers
who enjoy cutting edge satire starring flatlined heroes and villains.
Shadow of the Giant
Orson Scott Card
Tor
ISBN: 0312857586 $25.95
The Battle School graduates had merged their skills enabling Andrew "Enders" Wiggin to lead
their
forces to victory against the insectoid invading Buggers. However, the threat is over, but now the
problem is what to do next with the armies and who should lead. Civil war between former allies
seems imminent unless the Battle School grads can come together as they did against the Buggers
perhaps under Peter the Hegemon, Ender's older sibling, who wants to bring a Pax eternal to
earth,
but may need war to achieve this. Meanwhile one of the key heroes in the Buggers War Julian
"Bean" Delphiki is dying from the genetic alteration that turned him into a previously unheard of
level of genius. He and his spouse, former Battle School peer Petra desperately want to find their
eight stolen embryos/children before he dies. As the mortality clock ticks away, their task looks
more hopeless by the minute. Orson Scott Card is at his award winning best with the SHADOW
OF
THE GIANT, the incredible finale of the Shadow Quartet (see ENDER'S SHADOW, SHADOW
OF THE HEGEMON, AND SHADOW PUPPETS). The story line can actually stand alone
though
better comprehension will happen if the audience has read the previous novels because reference
to
them and to a lesser degree to the Ender's Quartet occurs. Mr. Card brilliantly contrasts the epic
(world peace or war) with the micro (finding one's misplaced "future" so that the audience
understands the importance of both the enormous and the small. However, what makes the tale is
the author's take on relativity in which every dispute seemingly has "enderless" interpretations as
partisanship and personal agendas are reality.
The Gypsy
Steven Brust and Megan Lindholm
Tor Orb
ISBN: 0765311925 $23.95, 272 pp.
In Lakota, Ohio, someone murders a liquor store clerk for the sum of $179 and change. Police
Officer Mike "Step" Stepovich arrests the Gypsy, a street wanderer who can't remember anything.
However, the police are forced to release the Gypsy. Not long afterward, someone kills an elderly
female fortune teller in a dumpy hotel; near the crime scene Step notices the Gypsy. Taken off the
case by his superiors and over the objections of his partner Durand, Step continues his inquiries
trailing the Gypsy. Soon Step finds clues that do not rationally appear logical, but lead to the
enigmatic Fair Lady. She spins webs to "capture" people for her evil use; Step's teenage daughter
Laurie and her friends seem caught by her alluring spell. Knowing he is out of his depth as the Fair
Lady reaches beyond the normal, Step has no idea how to stop her. Only three brothers (the
Raven,
the Owl and the Dove) working in concert can, but they are nowhere in sight. Instead Step turns
to
an ancient drunk the Coachman, who knows what must be done when he is sober, a rare event.
THE
GYPSY is an interesting urban police procedural horror tale that will remind readers of Stephen
King's earlier works as the story line contains seemingly supernatural elements within the
who-done-it. The gritty investigation is cleverly done especially when Step keeps following a trail
of
death that appears illogical to him as if he investigates homicides in the Twilight Zone. Though
the
Gypsy and the Fair Lady passages remain vague and unconnected until late into the tale, readers
will
appreciate this tense collaboration that asks the audience to ponder what are life and death.
Chainfire
Terry Goodkind
Tor
ISBN: 0765305232 $29.95, 672 pp.
Hit by an Imperial Order soldier's arrow, Richard Lord Rahl nears death until Sorceress Nikki
uses a
"Subtractive Magic" spell to save his life. When Richard recovers he learns that his wife Kahlan is
missing, but in spite of his insistence and need to find her, his companions insists that he has no
spouse. The Subtractive Magic eliminated Kahlan from the minds of everyone except Richard.
While
Richard struggles with his personal dilemma, his enemy Emperor Jagjang has sent his armies to
destroy cities previously liberated by Richard's forces. At the same time that the prophecy books
that
predict a Last Battle where only Richard might save the world, it now contains blank pages as if
the
future reality shifted because of the erasure of a pivotal item. Finally the Emperor has conjured up
an
invincible blood beast to destroy Richard. Using magic to try to locate Kahlan enables the beast to
find him. Desperate for information, Richard visits a Witch Woman who gives him little
information
and after seeing his grandfather, he worries whether he has lost mind and consequently his way.
CHAINFIRE is a terrific entry in the Sword of Truth series as Richard struggles with personal
doubts and difficult selections involving Kahlan vs. saving lives that probably will die once he
leaves
them anyway. The story line is action-packed and filled with strong female warriors and a
fabulous
killing monster, but Richard and to a lesser degree the Emperor remains the center of the tale as
their decisions impact often fatal others. Though some fans will balk at loose threads, epic fantasy
readers especially of the long running saga will appreciate this fine entry that showcases how
multifarious ethical principles truly are.
Gulliverzone
Stephen Baxter
Starscape (Tor)
ISBN: 0765349418 $5.99
February 7, 2027 is World Peace Day celebrating two decades of people embracing give peace a
chance as espoused by the World Peace Movement. Globally people look forward to galas to
attend.
Sarah has many events to choose from, but what she looks forward to is that the greatest web
based
theme park GULLIVERZONE is free. She looks forward to spending the day playing there
though
she expects to suffer from websickness from spending too much time in the specially designed
web
suit, but gladly will put up with the nausea and headache she anticipates having. However, instead
of
the good time that her father insists she share with her younger brother George alias Byte, Sarah
finds their lives in danger from the Empress of Lilliput. Sarah accidentally learned that the evil
Empress has tinkered with the web theme park's computer program with viruses manifesting and
evolving into living beings that further her agenda; only Sarah is in the way and she must be
deleted.
Though the sibling rivalry is over-killed, young readers will appreciate this delightful fantasy that
looks at "reality" inside the web. Sarah is a terrific young heroine while her foe is as malevolent as
they come. The story line is fun for the older audience too as award winning Stephen Baxter (yes
that Baxter) provides a fascinating thriller mindful in some respects of Robert Elmer's fine young
adult web tales.
Cat in A Hot Pink Pursuit
Carole Nelson Douglas
Forge
ISBN 0765313995 $24.95, 384 pp.
In Las Vegas, anything goes and usually does. A new reality show is coming to town Teen Idol, a
program that involves teens competing in two age groups to become queens of their respective
divisions can be picked. Unknown to Lieutenant Carmen Molina of the Las Vegas Police
Department, her daughter Mariah entered the teen competition and made the cut. Molina
reluctantly
allows her daughter to go for the two weeks in house event but worries because someone is
mutilating the advertising posters and a girl was killed on the site where the audition occurred.
Molina asks Temple Barr to go undercover and enter the contest as a teen so she can watch over
Mariah; she agrees because Max is nowhere around and hasn't been in quite some time. Her friend
Matt is in Chicago looking for some clue that will lead him to the identity of his biological father.
A
serious of mischievous threats culminates in the murder of the contest's dietician. Temple with the
help of her feline companion Midnight Louis investigates to stop the killer from murdering others.
Carole Nelson Douglas always keeps her series fresh by taking her characters in different
directions
and CAT IN A HOT PINK PURSUIT is no exception. For long time fans, secrets are finally
revealed and the heroine makes a life alternating decision. The story is told in the third person
point
of view except when Midnight Louis is on stage and he gives his first hand perspective. This
writing
technique is deftly handled by Ms. Douglas so that this charming and entertaining mystery is a
must
read for people who like creative and riveting amateur sleuth tales told mostly by one with a
tail.
The Innocent
Harlan Coben
Dutton
ISBN: 0525948740 $26.95, 416 pp.
Nine years ago Matt Hunter tried to break up a fight between two college cronies when he
accidentally killed one of the combatants. Matt spent four years in prison for involuntary
manslaughter. Over the next five years, Matt rehabilitated his life, becoming a paralegal and
getting
married to Olivia, who loves him and is pregnant with his child. Olivia calls on her video phone to
enable Matt to see her wearing a blonde wig in a strange hotel room with an unknown man. Not
long afterward that male stranger begins calling Matt, mocking him about his inability to keep his
loving wife and snidely asking who is the father of the unborn Olivia carries is . While Matt
struggles
in disbelief that his treasured Olivia could have been playing a game of affection to abet in
destroying
him other seemingly unrelated incidents happen. Matt tries to become the predator rather than a
scurrying rodent in a dangerous cat and mouse game. Harlan Coben's aficionados always
appreciate
his hairpin twists, but this time might need more than JUST ONE LOOK at this fabulous thriller
as
the plot takes turns and detours that will shock everyone at the cost of believability but no one
will
care. The story line moves forward at a frantic pace with a beleaguered Matt wondering if he has
NO SECOND CHANCE for what seemingly was a wonderful life that now seems so illus- ional.
Readers will feel for the shell-shocked Matt, but enjoy every traumatic twirl that happens to him
while rooting for him to successfully fight back. Wild and weaving all over the place, fans will
take
immense delight with this out of control serpentine plot.
The Sunborn
Gregory Benford
Warner
ISBN: 0446530581 $24.95
Two decades have passed since married astronaut scientists Julia and Viktor landed on Mars and
discovered we are not alone when they found the living huge Marsmat (see THE MARTIAN
RACE). Over the subsequent years, they learned a lot about the strange, anaerobic natives to
include
their seemingly weird abilities involving magnetism. However, a new exploration opportunity has
surfaced with a chance to go to Pluto, which has suddenly for no reason has begun heating up
though still way below zero Fahrenheit and data shows the forming of an atmosphere. Julia and
Viktor leap at the prospects to be part of the expedition exploring the coldest known planet in the
solar system. Shockingly, a previous expedition led by Captain Shanna has found life, the
humongous intelligent zand, on the frozen orb that can communicate with humans. The zand warn
that the dangerous mechanical Darksiders are coming on "iceteroids," from the Oort cloud. This
sequel contains a wonderful story line on the vast possibilities of alternate life forms in the solar
system. However, the human members of the cast seem shallow. Julia and Viktor have not seemed
to have aged in spite of the harshness of their work although twenty years have passed and can do
no wrong. Shanna at times is a genius and at other moments a jealous chick lit bimbo instead of a
courageous brilliant explorer (the next generation Julia). Other characters are one dimensional
unless
they happen to be a Marsmat, a zand, or the Darksiders. The scientific discussion that underlies
the
novel is superb and highlights Gregory Benford's ability to simplify without dumbing down
extremely complex theories and do it inside a strong story line that overcomes the prime
players.
In the Dark
Marliss Melton
Warner
ISBN: 0446614920 $6.50, 336 pp.
Navy SEAL Lieutenant Luther Lindstrom and his team are stunned that the Naval Criminal
Investigation Services holds their leader Gabe "Jaguar" Renault in custody instead of weapons
stealing Commander Edward Lovitt. The one person who could prove Lovitt is guilty is DIA
Agent
Hannah Geary, who has vanished and presumed dead by the SEAL until FBI Special Agent Rafael
Valentino informs him otherwise. Rafael says that Hannah was abducted by the Individual, who is
Lovitt's boss. He wants to bring this mastermind down before taking out Lovitt. He assigns the
SEALs to rescue Hannah. However, Hannah is barely alive while being held prisoner in Santiago,
Cuba by General Pizon. When the odious revolutionary starts to rape Hannah, she kills him. She
tries to escape with Pizon's soldiers shooting at her when Luther and his cohorts complete her
quest
for freedom. As Luther and Hannah fall in love, he and his men try to keep her safe while Rafael
attempts to bring down the Individual. This action-packed sequel to FORGET ME NOT will keep
the audience on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next as the tale is as much a
suspense thriller as it is a romance. The story line is non-stop from the moment Hannah tries to
escape her Cuban incarceration until the final altercation leaving the audience to ponder whether
the
duo will earn T-shirts stating "accomplished the mission" as much as wondering whether love is
enough to keep Luther and Hannah together. Marliss Melton provides a strong thriller that leaves
readers wanting more IN THE DARK type novels.
Maybe Baby
Lani Diane Rich
Warner
ISBN: 0446615781 $6.50, 304 pp.
Six years ago when minor accidents frequently occurred just before her wedding to Nick James,
Dana Wiley saw them as an omen; she jilted Nick thinking maybe she should not marry at this
time.
Dana goes to explain to her former fiance her feelings, but instead catches him with half naked
Melanie Biggs, her nemesis since high school. She flees to her Upstate New York winery. When
the
grapes become diseased, Dana is forced to shut down the winery.. She takes a job as a secretary
at
the Rosemont Home of Central New York in Syracuse. There she wonders if she made a mistake
when she dropped Nick who she still loves and wonders if maybe she should reconsider. With the
grapes okay, but needing money to reopen, Dana journeys to Manhattan to ask her dizzy mom
Babs
for the capital. There she sees Nick who is assisting Babs with a charity event by stealing a
valuable
bird a kakapo for her. Upon seeing Dana, Nick, who quit his bartending job at Murphy's to head
to
California has no maybes, he still loves her and decides to make one last try to win her trust.
Though
Babs can drive the Ancient Mariner and readers to drink, fans will appreciate this fine
contemporary
romance starring a commitment phobic female and the dude who still loves her though he has
struck
out twice with her. The amusing story line contains a serious element involving failure to
communicate, but that is overwhelmed by the antics of the cast. Fans of offbeat romantic romps
will
enjoy MAYBE BABY, but wonder in an age of communication why the lead couple failed to talk
to
one another.
River Rising
Dorothy Garlock
Warner
ISBN 0446693944 $12.95, 386 pp.
April Asbury leaves a big city hospital where she worked as an emergency room nurse to work in
the small town of Fertile as Dr. Forbes office nurse. On the surface Fertile seems like a serene
little
town where neighbor helps neighbor survive the Great Depression. She meets Joe Jones when her
car breaks down forcing her to walk until she finds herself in a field with a bull. Joe rescues her
and
takes her into town where she rents a room at Mrs. Poole's and starts work in Dr. Forbes office.
She
begins to sense that the postcard prettiness of the town masks secrets that people want kept
hidden.
Dr Forbes is in love with a woman most people would consider black and is not allowed to legally
marry her. Mrs. Poole's brother Fred spies on April when she is naked in her room and Mrs. Poole
is
going through with a diabolical plan that could destroy innocent lives. April is afraid to give her
heart to Joe because she thinks he is a flirt while Joe thinks April would not want to get involved
with a poor farmer. When the river threatens to flood the town many secrets and feelings finally
see
the light of day. Dorothy Garlock is the queen of Americana tales and RIVER RISING is a
perfect
example of her superior writing talent. The romance of April and Joe plays out against the
manipulations and actions of the secondary cast who are drawn very realistically. There are
multiple
sub-plots that all tie to the main storyline that enables readers to feel what it was like in small
Missouri town during the Great Depression.
The Rose Red Bride
Claire Delacroix
Warner
ISBN: 0446614424 $6.99, 448 pp.
In 1421 Scotland, Alexander, Laird of Kinfairlie, feels euphoric about his marriage auction that
worked so well in spite of the objection of the bride, Madeline the oldest of his sisters. Alexander
blithely ignores all that went wrong as he keeps thinking all's well that ends well as Madeline, who
previously refused to marry, is happily wedded to Rhys Fitzhenry. The successful brotherly
matchmaker turns to Vivienne though Alexander plans to improve the process since the Madeline
caper (see THE BEAUTY BRIDE). He thinks he found the solution when Nicholas Sinclair, the
man who broke Vivienne's heart years ago, arrives to court his beloved as he can offer a home
since
his older brother Erik has been disowned. Nicholas insists he bed her in her tower where she
awaits
his return so that she has no choice but to marry as he needs a bride and heir rather quickly to
deflect
any estate challenges. Rationalizing he needs the coins for the other sisters, Alexander agrees.
Vivienne and her beau enjoy the night together until morning light reveals cynical Erik as her mate
and he insists she will begat him a legitimate heir. Though similar in design to the first Kinfairlie
medieval romance, THE ROSE RED BRIDE has a flavor of its own because Vivienne and
Madeline
have different personalities. The story line is fun due to Erik's denials that he loves her while
vivacious Vivienne believes they were destined together, but rejects his cold insistence that she is
an
heir breeder. Fans will enjoy Alexander's latest matrimonial fiasco and look forward to the next
jewel
Snow White in the fall.
Lord of the Isles
Amanda Scott
Warner
ISBN: 0446614610 $6.50, 400 pp.
In 1370 Scotland, Hector "The Ferocious" Maclean races home with information to share with his
brother when the storm gets so bad he needs shelter. He chooses Castle Charlamine, home of
widower Murdoch Macleod of Glenelg. Hector arrives in time to rescue the beautiful seventeen
years old Mariota from receiving a terrible burn. Besotted with the teen, he asks her father
Murdoch
for her hand in marriage; Murdoch says no as he believes that if any of his eight daughters wed
out
of chronological birth order, his clan will be cursed. Instead he offers his oldest child Cristina.
Hector insists on Mariota and finally Murdoch apparently acquiesces. At the wedding reception,
Murdoch gets everyone drunk and substitutes Cristina as the bride. When Hector awakens in the
morning and realizes who he married, he lives up to his nickname roaring annulment. Cristina
stays
calm and persuades him for their individual reputations they need to leave together. Not long
afterward, he flirts outrageously with Mariota, but becomes irately jealous when he thinks his wife
is
seeing someone else because he loves Cristina who loved Hector even before she became his
substitute bride. Hector seems to have calmed down as if he is on Ritalin compared to the prequel
(see HIGHLAND PRINCESS); still he remains a viable force that one does not mess with if they
want to remain healthy. With that calling card, the duplicity of the superstitious Murdoch and
Cristina's courage to face him make for a fine fourteenth century romance. Though Mariota is
spoiled to the degree of a caricature and deserves her fate, fans will appreciate this tale of
marriage
starring the wrong bride.
Mission Irresistible
Lori Wilde
Warner
ISBN: 0446615153 $6.50, 368 pp.
Cassie Cooper hopes one day soon she will work at the Smithsonian, but for now she must handle
the garbage Phyllis Lambert, her boss at Fort Worth Kimbell's Museum, tosses at her. Currently,
the
Kimbell hosts an Ancient Egypt exhibit because noted Egyptologist Dr. Harrison Standish got
permission from the Mubarak government to host an exhibit that includes a priceless artifact in the
states so he chose his home city. Phyllis warns Cassie if anything goes wrong she will be fired.
During an Ancient Egypt masquerade gala at the Kimbell, the lights go out; when they come back
on
a man in a mummy suit is dead and part of the amulet is missing. Additionally guest of honor,
Harrison's half-brother Dr. Adam Grayfield has failed to arrive. Phyllis blames Cassie, but
shockingly
Harrison defends her innocence. As Cassie and Harrison work together seeking the missing half of
the artifact, the nerdy Dr. "Standoffish" and the bouncy flirtatious nut fall in love, but first an
amulet
must be found though the kisses send shivers up both their spines. The sequel to CHARMED
AND
DANGEROUS is a fun romantic amateur sleuth tale starring two likable seemingly opposites. The
pairing sort of reminds this reviewer of what if the Professor and Ginger made it except instead of
an
isolated overly visited island the background is Egyptian artifacts. The story line is humorous and
fast-paced never taking itself seriously. Fans who appreciate a breezy lighthearted romantic
suspense
reminiscent of Romancing the Stone will enjoy reading the adventures of the wilder Cooper
twin.
Over Her Dead Body
Kate White
Warner
ISBN: 0446531766 $24.95
In a Greenwich Village cafe, Gloss magazine editor Cat Jones informs her human interest-crimes
contributor Bailey Weggins that they no longer want her services as the publication is going to
concentrate on bliss not buzz. Desperate, Bailey asks her friend Robby Hart, senior editor at Buzz
magazine, if he has any leads for a job. To her amazement he hires hire to provide articles on
celebrity crime. Bailey is taken aback at Buzz when she first encounters the big boss Mona
Hodges,
who yells, curses and demeans her staff before eating her chicken salad sandwich and then goes
back
to yell, curse and demean her staff again. Not long after Bailey starts, Mona stunningly fires
Robby.
Soon after that, Bailey finds Mona's battered corpse late at night in the office. The police suspect
Robby killed Mona in a fit of unemployment rage. Bailey knows her friend could not harm
anyone,
so using her journalistic investigative skills; she begins her own inquiries into who killed the she
devil
boss. OVER HER DEAD BODY is an entertaining journalistic investigative tale starring a likable
heroine (see 'TIL DEATH DO US PART, A BODY TO DIE FOR and IF LOOKS COULD
KILL).
The story line is fast-paced at first in a breezy manner but quickly turns into a dangerous sleuthing
endeavor for the intrepid reporter. Mona is a stereotype of the "queen of mean" so that everyone
within her circle of ugliness wants her dead. Thus Bailey efforts to prove someone other than
Robby
committed homicide seems overwhelming for her, but not for series fans who will enjoy Kate
White's latest tale refreshed by a new magazine cover.
Forcing Amaryllis
Louise Ure
Mysterious (Warner)
ISBN: 0892960094 $23.95
In Tucson, Arizona, Jessica Marley, owner of Marley & Partners Trial Consultant informs
employee
Calla Gentry she will consult on a criminal case since one of their associates did the unfathomed
misdeed of giving birth three weeks early. Calla objects as she only does civil matters, but Jessica
overrules her. Calla needs this job to pay for the care of her comatose sister Amaryllis, a victim of
rape and assault seven years ago; her sibling's attack is why Calla detests criminal cases. Attorney
Kevin McCullough explains to Calla that the state accuses his client wealthy Raymond Cates of
sexually assaulting and killing Lydia Chavez; but he has an alibi, a family ranch hand Salsispuedes
affirms they were drinking at the time of the attack. Calla thinks the Chavez rape-murder is similar
to
that of her sibling; when she meets Cates, he wonders if they met before and she notices his cut
off
finger. She ponders could he have confused her for her sister and the finger fits the little her
sibling
mentioned before going into a coma. Though there is a conflict of interest, Calla makes inquiries
with private investigator Anthony Strike who ishelping her. FORCING AMARYLLIS is an
awesome legal thriller that showcases how the rich can afford a high priced specialized defense
team
(think of the OJ case) as specialists like Strike, Gentry, and a DNA expert are not cheap;
attorneys
are not enough. The story line digs deep into what goes on behind the scenes of a defense team
while also following Calla's amateur sleuth investigation. Reminiscent of Rankin Fitch's squad in
RUNAWAY JURY, FORCING AMARYLLIS is a fabulous look at the cost of American justice
that like most things can be bought.
Midas
Russell Andrews
Mysterious
ISBN: 0892967919 $24.95
Bordering on the wealthier side of the Hamptons, East End Harbor has become an in spot for the
rich. However, the idyllic Long Island beach community is shattered when Bashas Shabaan enters
Harper's Restaurant during the lunch hour with a briefcase filled with explosives killing everyone
inside. Among the dead is Sheriff Jimmy Leggett. His grieving widow Marjorie demands new
Sheriff
Justin Westwood learn who was really behind what authorities concluded was a suicide bombing.
A
small plane departs from East End Airport. Almost immediately the plane crashes killing the pilot.
Justin feels quickly out of his element when the pilot has no identification and eerily left no
fingerprints on the debris. Although everyone screams vengeance on the Middle East for the
Harper's tragedy, the new Sheriff sees a weak link between that and the plane, which implies ties
to
DC. His theory is further fostered when two more restaurants are blown up by suicide bombers
made to look conveniently at least to him like foreign terrorists did the deed. This is a terrific
police
procedural (unless you are a die hard supporter of Bush's corporate state) that at times reads more
like a thriller than an investigative tale. The Guantonimo Bay segue is frightening as Russell
Andrews paints quite a rendition of what might be happening there. Justin is a fabulous
investigator
who has a tragic personal history, filled with doubts that he knows what he is doing and becomes
unsettled when he bumps up against federal laws that prevent his efforts to learn the truth.
Although
over the top with its warnings about corporatism conspiracy, fans of action-packed tales will
appreciate this exhilarating novel.
Who Mourns for Majik
T.P. Norling
iUniverse
ISBN: 059575175X $35.95
In 3651 C.E. someone murders Anjelica Briggs, the former wife of Terran Defense Directorate
Captain Daniel Briggs. Law enforcement, following millenniums of tradition, looks at the
ex-husband as the prime suspect. Adding to that belief is that Daniel has fled making him look
even
more suspicious. A manhunt of mammoth proportions begins. Daniel tries to hide in the mean
streets
the capital city Boomtown eluding the cops and seeking the truth that will prove his innocence.
Used
to the adverse conditions of a warrior with off planet combat experience, Daniel realizes that the
decadent streets of Boomtown contain predators much more dangerous than any of the
extraterrestrials he fought against. As he inches closer to learning who killed Anjelica and why,
Daniel struggles to stay alive in this alien world relatively close to his home while knowing that
the
hunters are closing the net around him. Fans of amateur sleuth science fiction will appreciate this
strong tale starring a fabulous protagonist. Though military honed and containing paranormal
skills,
Daniel struggles against the street, an unknown enemy, and the law. The key to this delightful
futuristic who-done-it is believability in the settings especially Boomtown and the short
background
"History of the World", but especially the desperate hero. WHO MOURNS FOR MAJIK is a
fabulous blending of a fine mystery within a solid speculative fiction environs.
Alibi
Joseph Kanon
Henry Holt
ISBN: 080507886X $26.00, 415 pp.
By 1946 still horrified by what he has seen, former U.S. Army war crimes investigator Adam
Miller
travels to Venice to see his widowed mother Grace. To his surprise the city is like a beautiful
oasis
in war ravaged Europe unscathed by the horrors that Adam has seen especially in Germany. Adam
meets Italian Jew Claudia Grassini at a party. They fall in love and begin an affair. However,
Claudia
spent time in the Fossoli concentration camp, leaving her feeling guilty that she lived while so
many
others died. While Adam courts Claudia, Grace is seeing a pre war lover aristocratic Dr. Gianni
Mangion. Adam does not trust Gianni sensing something sinister perhaps involving the Fascist
years.
He begins investigating his mother's lover and soon murders occur ultimately leading to the good
soldier Adam choosing between justice and the law with either selection further devastating his
already weakened inner soul. ALIBI is a terrific historical tale that uses war crimes, a murder
mystery, and a romance to tell the tale of Post WWII Venice. The story line is fast-paced and
action
packed never slowing down for a moment. However what makes this thriller so chilling and
thrilling
is the deep cast. Adam, Grace, Claudia, and Gianni, supported by the grand city and residents
trying
to heal, are fully developed characters that bring home the era. The audience receives a fantastic
novel that showcases Joseph Kanon's skills.
My Abnormal Life
Lee McClain
Smooch (Dorchester)
ISBN: 0843954663 $5.99, 181 pp.
Homeless fifteen years old Rose Graham was caught shoplifting or else her plight and that of her
Downs Syndrome sister Danielle would have remained unknown. The social workers at St.
Helen's
Home for Girls separate the two siblings though it is obvious that Dani relies heavily on Rose.
Dani
is placed with the Johnsons where teenager Brian detests the fact that another "Little Orphan
Annie"
is coming into his family home. Rose is sent to the McGraws whose daughter is a perky freshman
cheerleader at Penn State. Rose struggles to adapt to school and not having Dani depend on her.
However although feeling some guilt her most difficult adjustment is Brian, a hunk that makes her
dream of desires she never had before except that he seems nasty to her and somewhat to Dani.
This
is an intriguing story line starring an affable nurturing homeless teen struggling with the demands
of
a nice foster family, school, sibling separation when she is the caretaker, and a teen hunk. The
story
line is at its best when it centers on Rose's life. When she plays the computer game Altlives, Rose
enjoys MY ALTERNATE LIFE using the game to cope with the recent changes, but though
interesting to watch her rationalize that also takes the plot away from an even more fascinating
reality. Young adults will enjoy the insightful MY ABNORMAL LIFE.
A Bird, a Bloke, and a Boyfriend
Sally Ogders
Smooch
ISBN: 0843954655 $5.99, 198 pp.
After spending time in America, Sarah returns home to Australia, but she has changed as puberty
arrived. However, during the time she spent in the northern hemisphere, everyone has changed
Down Under also especially as all her female friends have boyfriends. She picks her best male
buddy
A.J. to be hers, but he seems reluctant to make his pal "Little" his and besides he is seeing
Clemmie.
So Sarah makes a perfect boyfriend Clay. Sarah expects a great relationship with her paragon
Clay,
who does everything right and makes her imperfect friend A.J. look pathetic; although deep down
in
her teenage heart she would like A.J. to be more than friends. However, Sarah soon finds how
difficult it is to have a relationship with someone who is perfect; she is beginning to appreciate the
flaws of kindhearted A.J. Will she give up her model of the ideal boyfriend for the flesh and blood
A.J.? Interestingly, readers will come to the same conclusion that Sarah reached that Clay is so
perfect he is boring though he is the paragon of a boyfriend at least in Sarah's mind in spite of her
heart saying otherwise. The pleasant story line with a touch of the paranormal is fun for the
younger
teenage chick lit crowd who will appreciate Sarah's lament between blokes and boyfriends. Not
intended for adults, thirteen to fifteen years old female readers will want to choose for Sarah
between the clumsily nice with flaws and tediously nice perfect.
Hot Stuff
Flo Fitzpatrick
Zebra
ISBN: 082177753X $5.99
Translator Tempe Walsh is in Hot Harry's Bar in Bombay working for client Ray DeCore who is
negotiating with Himali Khan over purchasing Shiva's Diva statue. Tempe is translating to and
from
Hindi and English. The deal is struck when Tempe notices the statue is a fake. All hell breaks
loose
with bullets flying everywhere. Ray is dead, but Tempe survives due to her gymnastic skills and
her
Wonder Woman like earrings. Briggan "Strider" O'Brian, who speaks Gaelic, escapes with Tempe
and the original statue. Everyone in town seems to be after Brig and Tempe. Needing a place to
hold
up, the beleaguered couple chooses a Bollywood set, which turns out to make it even more
difficult
to decide who is the hero and who is the villain though Tempe likes Brig's kisses an awful lot.
This is
a tongue in cheek romantic suspense that takes off from the moment Tempe opens her mouth
about
the statue and never slows down until the final altercation. The story line combines plenty of
humor
with excitement the rogue and the language expert dodge danger within a movie production and
fall
in love although Tempe has doubts that she will ride off with the hero as her beloved is to much
the
imp even if he is her champion kind of like the Douglas role in Romancing the Stone. Flo
Fitzpatrick
provides an amusing romantic adventure.
What She Can't See
Hunter Morgan
Zebra
ISBN: 0821774018 $6.50, 384 pp.
The four college students are nasty to the workers in the China Garden restaurant calling the
waiter
a faggot among other abominable behavior. After leaving, Drew Palmer, son of a senator, drives
too
fast and they crash. Gas is all over the place with the students trapped inside the vehicle when a
Good Samaritan stops to help. The newcomer takes and ignites Drew's lighter before tossing it
inside the Jeep. The police assume that a tragic vehicular accident occurred as there is no contrary
evidence. Still since a senator's son was involved, the FBI takes a close look at the incident.
Agents
Adam Thomas and M.K. Shaughnessy conclude no foul play happened. A second similar death of
a
Chesapeake Bay student occurs. While M.K. wonders if a serial killer is on the loose, Adam
thinks
the college crowd is just being stupid. His daughter Liza Jane is writing an editorial for the college
newspaper agreeing with M.K. Pushed by the two women in his life, his daughter and his partner,
Adam reluctantly agrees to dig deeper not realizing that if he ignores his instincts these two
females
he cherishes could be the next victims. Fans of romantic police procedurals will take immense
pleasure in the exciting action-paced WHAT SHE CAN'T SEE. The story line is fast-paced but
insures the heroic trio is full figured characters while providing glimpses of the culprit. Though
the
final explanation of motive seems like a tidying of the investigation, fans will welcome Hunter
Morgan's fine thriller and want more "She " tales like this one and SHE'LL NEVER TELL from
this fine author.
Mostly a Lady
Lisa Manuel
Zebra
ISBN: 0821776495 $5.99
In a heavy rainstorm, Lord Dylan Fergusson comes across the disheveled and soaked woman who
had remained inside the broken coach for the most part for two days waiting for assistance. She
informs her rescuer that she is the wealthy Lady Elizabeth Mendoza de Leone and that her
companion and driver, respectively Eliza and Nathan Kent lie dead nearby. The woman feels
guilty
because she is Eliza, the recently hired help, but she sees this masquerade as her only means to
save
her life. Dylan takes Elizabeth to the home of his sister, Charity in nearby Wakefield. There he
believes he found the woman he wants to spend his life with in Elizabeth, but though she secretly
reciprocates his feelings of love, she refuses his kisses. She knows that she owes him the truth, but
that would end his trust of her and ultimately his feelings. MOSTLY A LADY, the third "mostly"
historical romance (see MOSTLY MARRIED and MOSTLY MAYHEM), is a fine tale starring
two
amiable protagonists and the return of support players from the previous stories like the hero's
sister.
The concept behind the well written story line, the masquerade, is two edged, as it makes for a
fine
comedy of errors compounded by love, but leaves the reader to wonder too long why Eliza
needed
to hide behind Elizabeth's identity that kept this reviewer thinking of a nineteenth century WHILE
YOU WERE SLEEPING. That is minor as sub-genre fans will appreciate this fine courting
caper.
Love is All Around
Lori Devoti
Zebra
ISBN: 082177865X $3.99
Patsy Lee Clark knows that her hometown of Daisy Creek, Missouri is dying. Although a fan of
history especially local, Patsy Lee plans to leave town before the wake announces the end of
Daisy
Creek. St. Louis and employment is her destiny. Will Barnes made millions from the Internet
boom,
but having all the money in the world and a beautiful fiancee has not made him happy. In fact he
has
not enjoyed life except for establishing his Net business which turned into a laborious task before
he
finally sold it and as a child growing up in Daisy Creek in the Ozarks. He ends his engagement,
leaves Chicago, and comes home to recapture the magic of life that he somehow has lost. Will
feels
renewed with his homecoming as he begins plans for a new internet business and renovating his
fixer
upper Victorian mansion. He especially enjoys the women led by the Clark females, but the one he
wants most Patsy Lee insists she is heading to St. Louis. Will thinks that won't happen if he,
assisted
by her aunt and granny, has any say. He hopes love will keep her with him in breathing life in this
dying town. This humorous regional romance contains a serious social issue involving dying small
towns. The story line takes the future of Daisy Creek quite seriously, but uses zany eccentrics to
make the romance into an amusing counterpoint to the grim aspects of can small towns survive in
today's megalopolis world without condemning big cities. Patsy Lee and Will make a fine couple,
but it is the wild bunch led by the lead female's unconventional relatives that spice up this well
written contemporary tale.
Twice Upon a Wedding
Jean Stone
Bantam
ISBN: 0553586866 $6.99
In West Hope, Massachusetts, Jo, Lily, Sarah, and Elaine formed Second Chances, which
successfully hosted a wedding for Jo's mom. The group caters to people marrying for the second
time. Single father Andrew Kennedy has joined the team, but hides his day job as a columnist for
Buzz magazine from the females especially fearing Jo's reaction as he has fallen in love with her.
Feeling a bit guilty about duping the women and knowing he needs to confess to Jo, Andrew tests
the water by informing Elaine. However, before he admits his secret to his beloved, Jo reads Buzz
and recognizes that the man who has given her a second chance at believing has lied by omission.
Will a distraught Andrew persuade a devastated Jo that she can trust him if she gives him a
second
chance? The concurrently published sequel to the delightful middle age women's fiction ONCE
UPON A BRIDE, TWICE UPON A WEDDING, will provide the audience with double the fun.
The story line concentrates on Elaine's efforts to redo herself into something better and on
Andrew's
attempts to tell the truth and make it with Jo. Though reading the first book helps as it provides
much of the baseline for this tale, contemporary women's fiction readers can enjoy this tale as a
fine
modern day relationship drama.
Bad Guys
Linwood Barclay
Bantam
ISBN: 0553803867 $22.00
After finding the burbs worse than Tom Hanks (see BAD MOVE), super worrier Zack Walker
returns to the inner city with his wife and their two teenage children. He lets his paranoia over the
safety of children get a grip on him when his eighteen years old daughter Angie fails to come
home
by curfew. He stalks the home of her date "Pool Boy" only to be caught and learn his daughter is
sleeping in her bed. Now his daughter is being stalked by apparently Trevor Wylie, a friend of her
younger brother Paul, but she wants dad to stay out of it. Meanwhile the Metropolitan reporter is
working graveyard stakeouts accompanying private detective Laurence on trying to prevent
robberies. However, a peer who shares work with Laurence, Diamond is murdered on a
concurrent
stake out. As Zack investigates the homicide, he also stealthy tries to stop the stalker bothering
his
daughter; all this and more fears without taking medication. Zack is as nutty and paranoid as ever
over the safety of his family as he sees bad doers under every rock. The humorous story line grips
readers once they realize how foolish Zack takes things (never dawned on him to check whether
his
daughter was home) and never slows down until he places himself at risk from a killer and the
stalker. Linwood Barclay provides a wonderfully jocular Noir starring a sympathetic Don Knotts
like
lunatic who no one understands. His wife threatens to use a pillow on him while he sleeps if he
does
not back off from his driving his family crazy over their wellbeing.
Countdown
Iris Johansen
Bantam
ISBN 0553803425 $25.00 405 pp.
Jane MacGuire, the adopted daughter of forensic sculptor Eve Duncan, is almost kidnapped and
her
friend is murdered before her eyes. The roommate who betrayed them is killed in a suspicious hit
and run. Trevor, who she hasn't seen in four years since they caught a serial killer in the ruins of
Herculaneum, the ancient city destroyed by Mt. Vesuvius' eruption, brings them to the castle he is
renting in Aberdeen, Scotland. Dr. Reilly, a brainwashing specialist, wants Jane who is the mirror
image Cira, a slave girl who escaped with a treasure when Herculaneum was destroyed. He also
wants the gold and coins that she smuggled out the day Vesuvius blew. Grozak, a hate filled racist
who detests the United States is prepared to go to any lengths to kidnap and delver Jane and find
the
gold and coins and bring them all to Reilly if he will brainwash people into becoming suicide
bombers for an attack on the United States that will make 9/11 seem small in comparison. Trevor
who cares about Jane is determined to protect her just as he intends to stop Grozak from carrying
out his plan. Jane joins the mission to stop the man knowing it might coast her everything if they
fail.
COUNTDOWN is a fantastic action-packed thriller where the stakes are high and failure could
result in the death of millions. Over the course of the Eve Duncan forensic thriller series Jane has
evolved from a street wise delinquent into a beautiful headstrong adult who will do whatever it
takes
to save her country. Trevor, an ex-mercenary operating on both sides of the law, meets his match
in
Jane and their relationships promises to intensify in future novels. Iris Johansen has written
another
winner that is heading for the New York Times bestseller list.
Lead a Horse to Murder
Cynthia Baxter
Bantam
ISBN: 0553586432 $6.99
On Long Island's Gold Coast, veterinarian Dr. Jessica Popper goes to Heatherfield Estates to tend
to
an injured polo horse Braveheart. Though the barn manager, Johnny Ray is nasty, Jessica checks
the
leg and concludes the steed suffers from inflammation. Jessica explains this to owner Andrew Mac
Mackinnon when they hear a scream. They look outside to see a rider on the ground near a horse.
Everyone races outside to find polo star Eduardo Garcia from Argentina dead. Though she goes
about her business tending to ailing animals, Jessica has concerns over the death of one of the
"Argies" as he was too good a horseman to fall like that especially since she saw how Eduardo
and
his horse seemed like one creature. She begins to make inquiries not realizing that a vet can get
into
deep trouble when they play sleuth. Jessica is a terrific lead character and fans will appreciate the
descriptions of her work with animals, for instance helping King the dog with bloat or getting her
two canines to heel (this reviewer is envious as my two dogs get me to heel). However, on the
other
hand, readers will question her lack of horse sense by getting involved in the homicide though the
aesthetic seamless perfection of steed and rider she witnessed before Eduardo fell motivates her.
Still
LEAD A HORSE TO MURDER is a fabulous veterinarian amateur sleuth tale that the sub-genre
audience will immensely enjoy while seeking out Cynthia Baxter's delightful previous works (see
PUTTING ON THE DOG and DEAD CANARIES CAN'T SING) as this is a pure gold
mystery.
Freedom's Apprentice
Naomi Kritzer
Bantam
ISBN 0553586742 $6.99, 336 pp.
After Alexander dies, the Empire went into a decline until Penelope the first weaver learned how
to
control the djinn. Using their magic, they reconquered the countries that broke away from the
empire, most learned to live with the Greeks as their rulers. Lauria, a free woman in service to
Kyros
the commander of the military garrison in Elpisia, as part of her job brings back runaway slaves
who
find refuge with the Alashi, a nomadic warrior group who remain free of Greek rule. After
infiltrating the Alashi, Lauria sees how wrong she was to return runaway slaves and vows to free
them from their masters. A runaway slave recognizes Lauria and exposes her deception. The
Alashi
exile her leaving her with no home but even more determined to free the slaves she captured. With
her friend Tamar who accompanies her on her quest, the two women free the slaves who are
scattered all over the empire. Both women know if they are caught, the penalty for their crimes is
a
tortuous death. This is the second book of THE DEAD RIVERS trilogy but it can stand alone
because the storyline doesn't rely on the first book FREEDOM'S GATE. The use of djinn in the
political and military arena is taken for granted and people see magic in their everyday life as
something normal and natural. There is plenty of action in FREEDOM'S APPRENTICE as the
heroine undoes the harm she caused to the runaway slaves. Some of the method she uses to find
and
free the slave are ingenious and will win her the admiration of the audience. Naomi Kritzer's world
where the Greek Empire never fell and is the ruler of most of the known world is exciting and
believable.
Dark House
Theresa Monsour
Putnam
ISBN: 0399152903 $24.95
In the remote Iron Range section of Minnesota, though at least ten years older than her, Professor
Serene Ransom picks up early twenties "Catch" Clancy, a bartender at Maggie's Red Door though
he is slightly older than her usual boy toy. Catch fails to lock up when a snowmobile rider enters
the
place with a shotgun. Serene distracts the killer with her pistol while Catch hammers the robber
with
a bottle of Daniels. Serene's "pink" voice coaxes Catch into shooting the intruder and she fires
also
killing the robber. Though she says it self-defense, he says they would not be believed. After
disposing of the body, Serene takes Catch to her St. Paul home. The local sheriff believes that
Catch
killed the snowmobile rider before fleeing with a blond. He wants to question Catch so he asks St.
Paul Police Department to find him. Homicide Sergeant Paris Murphy is assigned to track him
down; she quickly connects him to Serene, but lacks CLEAN CUT evidence. Though concern for
her father following his heart attack keeps her from fully concentrating, Paris uses herself as bait
to
catch a dangerous murderous pair led by a female sex predator. DARK HOUSE, the terrific third
Paris police procedural is a fabulous tale as the audience sees the fugitives more often than the
cops.
Readers gain incredible insight into the minds of Catch, who is a mix of innocence (nickname from
his days as a hockey goalie) and hardened soul (accidentally killed his father and lives with busted
up
ankles), and the macabre Serene. Surprisingly Paris takes a back seat to this duo, but still provides
her usual sleuthing skills and voluntarily plays the mouse to the two dangerous cats.
Lie By Moonlight
Amanda Quick
Putnam
ISBN 0399152881 $24.95, 400 pp.
In the latter part of Queen Victoria's reign, Miss Concordia Glade accepts a position at Aldwick
Castle as headmistress to four teenaged orphan girls. She gradually becomes aware that her
employers are up to no good especially when she overhears them talk about auctioning off the
girls.
The place is well guarded making it almost impossible to get away but Concordia and her wards
build and set off explosives that cause a diversion so that they can get to the stables. Once there
they
are caught by one of the guards but inquiry agent Ambrose Wells appears in the stables and helps
them flee to his townhouse in London. He was hired to find out who killed Nellie Taylor. His
investigation leads him to crime lord Alexander Larkin who is behind the auction that will soon
take
place. Ambrose intends to keep Concordia and her teenagers safe while he also seeks evidence
that
he can take to the police. Concordia, who believes she is the equal of any man, helps him until one
of
the perpetrators concludes she knows too much and must be gotten out of the way. Amanda
Quick
can always be counted on for quirky characters that don't fit into society and as a result are freer
than most of their peers, but also find ways to get in trouble. While working together the two
protagonists realize they are attracted to one another while the teen quartet play matchmaker
nudging them along until one of them proposes marriage. LIE BY MOONLIGHT is one of MS.
Quick's most charming and entertaining historical romantic investigative novels that she has ever
written.
Out of Range
C.J. Box
Putnam
ISBN 0399152911 $24.95, 320 pp.
Game Warden Joe Pickett who is based in Saddlestring, Twelve Sleep County in Wyoming is
shocked when he hears that fellow game warden Will Jensen committed suicide. Joe's supervisor
asks him to temporally take over Will's territory Jackson in Teton County; although it is not a
good
time to leave his wife and two daughters. He agrees to the temporary assignment in the hopes that
he will obtain a better position and more income. Before he leaves, he asks his friend Nate
Romanaski to watch his family because they are getting some strange calls that could prove
dangerous. A spark ignites between Joe's wife and Nate one that they both try to ignore.
Meanwhile,
in Jackson, Joe is trying to deal with an ambitious supervisor ,an outfitter who doesn't adhere to
the
law and a developer who needs Joe approval to get his project off the ground. In an ominous turn
of
events Joe is exhibiting the same symptoms that Will experienced before he committed suicide and
he begins to suspect that he and Will were set up by a dangerous and ruthless enemy. C.J. Box has
written some pretty spectacular books over the years but OUT OF RANGE is by far his best
work
to date. This literary and lyrical thriller is memorable and will be considered a classic. The
protagonist is an everyman that people can identify with him even when he finds himself attracted
to
another woman but like his wife chooses to ignore it. The plot is Byzantine, dark, gritty, almost
gothic in tone and will appeal not just to mystery fans but to anyone who loves a good book.
Black Fly Season
Giles Blunt
Putnam
ISBN: 0399152555 $25.95, 352 pp.
Near Algonquin Bay, Canada, the patrons are enjoying their drinks at World Tavern when the
woman entered. Black fly bites were all over her body and she flitters from one table to the next.
When locals try to pick her up starting with asking her name, she says she has no idea. They call
her
"Red" for obvious reasons. However, another patron local cop Jerry Commando takes the baffled
woman to City Hospital. Doctors quickly realize the cause of her perplexity and amnesia has
nothing
to do with frying her brain on drugs; instead the docile woman was shot in the head as there is a
bullet lodged in her brain; she does not remember the incident. Homicide Detectives John Cardinal
and Lise Delorme head the investigation that includes keeping Red safe because both law
enforcement officials believes that the person who injured her shot to kill and once he or she
learns
she still lives will be back to correct their mistake. The return of Cardinal and Delorme (see THE
DELICATE STORM AND FORTY WORDS FOR SORROW) bluntly means a great time for
police procedural fans. Their latest entry is as terrific as usual starting from the moment Red
enters
the remote local's bar, through a medical procedure to remove the bullet, and continuing as the
two
detectives know that she is a target, but to insure her safety may have to us her as bait. The
motive
for the attempted killing will chill the audience much more than winter in Ontario as it is based on
real cult murders on the Mexican-United States border. BLACK FLY SEASON is a complex
chiller
that will shake the audience with its art imitates life premise.
Hitler's Peace
Philip Kerr
Putnam
ISBN: 0399152695 $26.95, 464 pp.
In 1943, the leaders of the Third Reich conclude that they cannot win the war against the allied
forces. Hitler wants to negotiate a peace different from the first World War in which Germany is
left
with dignity; Roosevelt demands unconditional surrender. Various plans offered by the Germans
to
the American fail to convince the President that the Russians will turn against the allies when the
Communists feel the time is right. Philosopher Willard Meyer works for OSS as a German analyst
when Roosevelt selects him to scrutinize the Third Reich allegations against the Russians. Once a
diehard communist who spied for the Russians against the Germans, Willard is now a super
American patriot, who plans to learn the truth about reported German-Russian atrocities.
Meanwhile
German patriotic General Schellenberg plans to kill The Allies leaders in order to save the
hinterland
from further destruction in a losing cause. Philip Kerr returns to World War II Germany, the
setting
where his stupendous Berlin Noir trilogy took place, with an exciting heart pumping alternate
history based on allied and axis leaders making different decisions at key moments. Interestingly
General Schellenberg and Willard Meyer share a similar zealousness for their respective country,
willing to kill or die if necessary for their homeland. There is plenty of action in this exciting
thriller,
but the characters, real and fictional, drive the plot into a believable what if scenario told by
altering
perspectives.
Broken Prey
John Sandford
Putnam
ISBN 0399152725 $26.95, 400 pp.
The first body that of Angela Larson was found in a posed position, her body scourged, her neck
sliced open, and ligature marks on her hands. The second corpse Adam Rice is found in the same
manner with his young son killed as an afterthought. Lucas Davenport, who was at both crime
scenes, concludes that the same person did the killings. When the news leaks to the media, parole
officer Mark Fox Calls Davenport and tells him he thinks his parolee Charlie Pope, who was just
released from St. John's mental institution for raping and strangling a woman was the perpetrator.
Charlie is nowhere to be found. His trailer is deserted, he failed to show up for his job and the
electronic surveillance bracelet he was forced to wear was cut open. He gets in contact with
newspaper reporter Russell Ignace of the Star Tribune and tells him that he has a third victim that
he
will kill next. When Lucas learns of this, he leads a massive search to find the perpetrator but he is
too late. Now Lucas really is determined to do whatever it takes to find and cage the killer. John
Sandford writes the best police procedurals on the market today. The killer is playing a diabolical
game, constantly shifting the evidence so it falls on the wrong person and Lucas doesn't catch on
to
the scheme until three innocent lives are lost. Even when he figured out what is happening, there
is
so many viable suspects that he and the readers will find it near impossible to identify of the killer.
This who-done-it is one of the best Lucas Davenport tales in this long running series.
Last Witness
Jilliane Hoffman
Putnam
ISBN 0399152458 $24.95, 368 pp.
It has been almost three years since a serial killer terrorized the citizens of Miami and it was
largely
due the brilliant prosecution of assistant state attorney C.J. Townsend that William Rupert
Bantling
was found guilty and sentenced to the death penalty. An anonymous telephone call had a police
officer stop his car and open Bantling's trunk where the cop found the body inside. They had
enough
cause to get a warrant to search his home where plenty of evidence from his other fourteen
victims
was also found. C.J. knew going in that the officer didn't have probable cause to search the car
but
she wanted to try him and find Bantling guilty because he raped her continuously for four hours.
Everyone who knew about the tainted evidence entered into a conspiracy of silence but now there
is
a new serial killer operating in the Miami area and his victims are linked to the trial of William
Rupert Bantling which means C.J. is in danger. Jillian Hoffman's thriller is on a par with the works
of
Patricia Cornwell, Nancy Taylor Rosenberg and Barbara Parker. C.J. has never gotten over the
assault and rape that occurred three years ago and it is affecting her relationship with Special
Agent
Dominick Falconetti of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It takes the protagonist a
while
to figure out what is happening but she lacks the evidence and doesn't have a clue who is behind
the
murders. LAST WITNESS chillingly demonstrates what is wrong within the justice system.
Dreams of Stardust
Lynn Kurland
Jove
ISBN: 0515139483 $7.99
Doing his cheap father a favor was the first mistake, but Jackson Kilchurn IV delivers the papers
to
Gideon Piaget of Artane Enterprises, but not before being mugged in the parking lot. Jake's bad
day
turns worse when Gideon informs him he will need to obtain the signature of his father at Artane.
Already feeling a weird deja vu pull by the castle and somewhat excited that he will see a jewelry
vault as he designs and creates jewelry, Jake reluctantly agrees. Near Artane Castle, Jake has an
accident. Jake regains consciousness in a dungeon. Adjusting to his circumstances, he persuades
his
hosts, the dePiagets that he was mugged, but gets a bigger shock to learn that somehow he was
knocked out in 2005 but awakened in 1227. Meanwhile Amanda dePiaget must select a spouse.
She
finds Jake whose fashion is odd and his beliefs weird refreshing especially since he seems oblivious
to her wealth. Jake falls in love with Amanda, but realizes he offers nothing to her unless he
returns
to the twenty-first century to pick up his gold and then somehow comes back to his beloved.
DREAMS OF STARDUST is a terrific time travel romance that readers will appreciate due to the
likable lead couple. The story line insures fans will believe that Jake went back in time because of
his
struggles to adjust to the era yet his ability to accept his lot. Having the hero wearing strange
modern clothing and spouting odd social and philosophical notions stun his hosts and excite his
beloved add to the feel that he is out of time (literally and figuratively). Lynn Kurland provides a
fine
tale that proves she is a skilled timekeeper.
The Girlfriend Curse
Valerie Frankel
Avon
ISBN: 0060725540 $12.95, 292 pp.
Peg Silver is tired of finding men, getting them interested in marriage, and having them wed
someone else as her last boyfriend Paul Tester, her seventh failure in less than a decade, just did.
She
concludes that she needs a full body lifestyle makeover, starting with a change of scenery as she is
sick of someone else gaining the fruits of her labors. Peg decides it is time to leave the asphalt
jungle
of New York where she has resided for her entire thirty two years of living and rusticate
elsewhere,
just not the burbs because that would be too much of a fall. During the grueling seven hour train
trek to White River Junction, Vermont, Peg receives an accidental poke in the eye when she tried
to
be Good Samaritan and then meets womanizing Ray Quick who climbed on board in Hartford.
She
decides to delay her search for an organic male to join him at the Inward Bound retreat In
Manshire,
Vermont where he is going to attend a seminar on curing neurotic dating patterns. At the retreat,
Peg finds herself still attracted to Ray, but also pulled towards the facilitator Linus Bester. THE
GIRLFRIEND CURSE is a strong chick lit tale that focuses deeply on relationships mostly
through
Peg's troubles paraphrasing her thoughts that she can make men come, but not stay. The deep cast
turns the tale into a powerful insightful look at why relationships work or fail. Peg is gold as the
center of the novel while her two male competitors bring out the best and worst in her.
Relationship
drama readers will receive immense pleasure from this perceptive contemporary fiction
novel.
Return of the Warrior
Kinley MacGregor
Avon
ISBN: 0060565438 $6.99, 384 pp.
In the Kingdom of Taagaria, Queen Adara worries that the neighboring monarchy Elgedera, ruled
by
the Regent Selwyn, will force her to acknowledge that his nephew her spouse Prince Christian is
dead and she must marry his son Basilli. Desperate she needs her spouse and demand he either
come
home to rule over both lands, make her pregnant or allow her to divorce him and marry someone
else. Adara's cousin Thera agrees to pretend to be her temporarily. A few months later, a naked
Adara meets Christian in England hoping to claim him as hers. Although tempted, he rejects her,
but
is shocked when she proves they were married as children. She pleads with him that she needs him
to secure her country's borders from his uncle and cousin and that his uncle killed Christian's
parents
and left him for dead in the monastery. After a few attempts on their lives, Christian concludes he
must take Adara home and become king, but not stay or begat a child into this dangerous ugly
world. She has the Europe crossing to persuade him that love beautifies the world. The second
Brotherhood historical novel (see A DARK CHAMPION) is an engaging medieval romance
starring
a strong lead couple and ably supported by a solid secondary cast especially the mysterious
Phantom
and the Fool. Although the villains fail to live up to their reputation and it is doubtful that so many
foreign soldiers could wander England without an alarm being raised, the story line grips the
reader
as danger accompanies the crossing. Fans will take immense delight with RETURN OF THE
WARRIOR and want Phantom's tale soonest.
The Seduction of an English Scoundrel
Jillian Hunter
Ivy
ISBN: 0345461215 $6.99, 384 pp.
In 1814 London, Nigel Boscastle jilts his bride Jane Welsham who stands stoic at the altar by
herself. As Nigel's cousin, host Grayson Sedgecroft knows he must do something to make this
right
as he admires Jane's butt that he has had a delightful look at for hours and her strength of
character.
Grayson offers his sympathy to Jane who knows that Nigel has eloped with his governess Esther.
Grayson vows to make this right. While he sends his brother Heath to find the hiding groom,
Grayson vows to make Jane acceptable in polite society by escorting her around town and fake a
courtship so that others will follow his example. Still he cannot resist kissing her and both lose
some
control. Grayson begins escorting Jane not just because of noble intentions as he finds her
intelligent
and desirable. She reciprocates but worries once he learns the truth of her involvement with her
fiance's elopement. The cast of this fine Regency make for a delightful romance as the lead couple
is
a strong duo and the superb support characters, mostly their respective families, bring depth and
insight to the protagonists as well as fun to the tale. To Jillian Hunter's credit, the entertaining
story
line contains no phony pretensions of late suspense, but instead satirizes that technique. More
information about Esther would have clarified her age as she seems much older than he since she
was his governess. Still that is minor while THE SEDUCTION OF AN ENGLISH SCOUNDREL
is
a straightforward pleasant story.
One Night of Sin
Gaelen Foley
Ivy
ISBN: 0345480090 $6.99
In 1817 London half Russian half English Earl Prince Kurkov sends four of his best Cossack
soldiers
to capture his cousin Rebecca Ward before she can reach her late grandfather's friend and political
adversary the Duke of Westland. Becky watched Kurkov kill in cold blood, has learned about his
anti-Tsar plot, and knows he plans to use and abuse her. After four days of little to eat and no
rest,
Becky reaches London with the Cossacks closing in on her. A storm sends her seeking shelter
under
the portico of Lord Draxinger's home where she falls asleep. Drax and three friends, Rush, Fort,
and
Alec Knight arrive for a night of cards when they see her and assumes she is a whore. Rush tries
for
a kiss but takes a knee in the family jewels; Drax follows but receives an elbow knocking out a
tooth. Becky flees, but Alec pursues her. He persuades her to come to his home where they make
love. The next morning she leaves and he realizes she was a virgin. He follows her and soon kills
two Cossacks attacking her. As they struggle to stay alive and raise the alarm about the anti-Tsar
plot, they fall in love. ONE NIGHT OF SIN is a tense romantic suspense thriller that brings to life
an
interesting historical footnote, England's adulation of Tsarist Russia following the Napoleonic
Wars.
The characters make for a fine story line with the lead couple's inability to compete with Kurkov's
charm to sell himself to Westland (and his daughter). Fans will enjoy this fine Regency that would
be
folly not to read.
Bleedout
Joan Brady
Touchstone
ISBN: 0743270088 $24.95, 376 pp.
In Springfield, Illinois, someone murders blind lawyer Hugh Freyl in his firm's law library. The
police
suspect former con David Marion as the killer though motive seems elusive except for his having
been convicted for killing his abusive foster-father and foster brother as a teen; Hugh got David
freed from incarceration. In fact adulation would be more apropos; besides with the help of his
assistant Stephanie Willis getting the inner city young man freed, he mentored David over the
objections of his socially conscious upper crust family led by the apt conducting of his mother.
However, David has an iron clad alibi that proves he could not have killed his teacher though the
victim's mother harangues the police and local politicians to arrest him as her son's killer.
Knowing
that the cops still will not look much beyond him, David and Stephanie begin to investigate
Hugh's
brutal murder starting with some seemingly financial wrongdoings at the law firm. Suspects with
motives appear all over the city, but who would turn to murder remains difficult to solve. The
insightful description of David's time in prison starting at fifteen will have even compassionate
conservatives screaming for reform as Joan Brady makes no pretensions on where she stands on
the
subject. David and Stephanie are fabulous lead protagonists; through them and the victim's mom a
complete picure though sharp differences rise of Hugh comes into focus. Though much of
Springfield to include the shrilling mommy dearest, the police, and the scions of society seem one
dimensional, the amateur sleuth investigation conducted by two strong characters into the life of
another well drawn player provide a fabulous who-done-it with a deep message.
Fatal Flaw
Ginna Gray
Mira
ISBN: 0778321657 $6.99, 379 pp.
In Mears, two recent murders of women have caused some growing apprehension amongst the
townsfolk. A third killing occurs, but this time a witness Alfred Denner saw the woman shot as
she
raced to his pickup truck. The media and the politicians get all over law enforcement to solve the
case to stop an apparent serial killer and a task force is formed to stop him or her. Meanwhile
Lieutenant Bradshaw of the Mears Police Department assigns Detective Casey O'Toole to lead its
inquiries into the three female homicides while working closely with the task force. Soon Casey
and
her partner Broncos former linebacker Dennis Shannon link the dead trio to plastic surgeon Dr.
Mark Adams. Initially the prime suspect, he is taken off the list, but still the killings and any future
murders somehow focus on him as does Casey's heart. FATAL FLAW is more a police
procedural
with a romantic subplot than a romantic suspense. Ginna Gray provides fantastic insight into a law
enforcement investigation especially through the efforts of strong characters Casey and Dennis.
The
attraction between Mark and Casey is deftly handled so that this subplot enhances rather than
interferes with the serial killer investigation. Sub-genre fans will appreciate this exhilarating
thriller.
Double Down
Tess Hudson
Mira
ISBN: 0778321789 $12.95, 304 pp.
Having learned to double down before she knew her times table, Skye McNally grew up in a
bookie's household as her father was and still is one of New York's leading bet takers. Skye
resides
in Vegas where she tries go straight (not a poker hand) by joining Gambler's Anonymous.
However,
the casino siren calls for her so she falls off the wagon until she decides to flee into the nearby
Nevada desert where no cards, dice, wheels, or slots can tempt her. In the seemingly middle of
nowhere trying to detox off of gambling, Skye meets New York Mustangs superstar quarterback
Mark Shannon who vanished recently. The duo share a royal straight flush and fall in love, but his
handlers have a million dollar item in the Big Apple's Golden Boy and they will never allow a
bookie's tainted daughter to devastate that image. DOUBLE DOWN is an interesting look at
gambling addiction starring a likable female protagonist. Skye drives the intriguing story line with
her need to wager seemingly part of her DNA make-up although some of it is obviously caused by
nurturing. Her need will remind readers of Altman's California Split with the two compulsive
gamblers never satiated even with the big score. Once her addictive personality decides to bet that
Mark is her sure thing big score, no one will stop her pursuit of him except if he punts her out of
his
life as his advisors insist he must.
Runaway Mistress
Robyn Carr
Mira
ISBN: 0778321746 $6.99, 384 pp.
Wealthy Nick Noble takes his mistress Jennifer Chase with him to Las Vegas. Jennifer enjoys her
stay until she overhears a fight between Nick and his wife Barbara who is irate that he chose his
whore over his spouse. Jennifer sneaks away for a couple of hours, but returns in time to overhear
Nick tell his men to take care of the bimbo. She sees blood all over the place and Barbara's
corpse.
Jennifer flees Vegas, cuts off all her hair, flushes her colored contacts down the toilet, and
changes
into army surplus. Jennifer stops in Boulder City, Nevada where she accepts a job as a waitress at
a
local cafe using the name of Doris Bailey. Five days later she reads a newspaper account that
reports
she is missing along with money and jewelry. Nick will use the cops to find her for him. As she
hides, Jennifer falls in love with her next door neighbor, Las Vegas police officer Alex Nichols,
who
reciprocates her deep feelings. However, Nick's thugs arrive in town devastating her dreams of a
picket fence, kids, and Alex. Though readers will have problems reconciling the seemingly
materialistic Florida-Vegas Jennifer with the caring from the onset Boulder City Doris, fans will
appreciate this tense romantic suspense as the heroine keeps looking over her shoulder. Once she
realizes that she is in love, Jennifer knows she must clean up her previous life if she is going to
have
a future especially when her past arrives in town. Robyn Carr provides her fans with a fine tale
held
together by a brave heroine, whose past, present and future converge in Boulder City.
Final Justice
Jasmine Cresswell
Mira
ISBN: 0778321401 $6.99, 400 pp.
The secretive quasi government agency Unit One works on destroying criminal masterminds
within
the United States though they never appear in court handing over arrests to the FBI. Completing
a
sting, Agent Melody Beecham is shot; this upsets her partner Nick Anwar who loves her. He
informs his superior he no longer wants to team up with Melody because he cannot control his
emotions. That changes when suddenly someone tries to assassinate Melody several times in
different locales. Many people have motives to eliminate Melody who has insured numerous
criminals tasted justice. Nick defies orders and is willing to die to keep her safe, but knows they
must lure the culprit out into the open with Melody as the bait, but a personal spin makes the pair
more likely to meet their maker rather soon. Though some doubts about the legality of this
Mission
Impossible covert Unit One team lingers in the backdrop, fans of action-paced romantic suspense
will appreciate this fabulous thriller. The story line is fast-paced from the opening sting to the final
altercation, but it is the lead couple who makes the plot work. The support cast, especially their
boss
grooming Nick as his replacement if he proves not to be a fanatic, augments the insight into the
duo
and enhances the scenarios. Readers will appreciate this complex tale with a final incredible
spin.
Black Ice
Anne Stuart
Mira
ISBN: 0778321711 $6.99, 384 pp.
Chloe Underwood left the North Carolina Mountains to live in Paris. She scored work as a
translator of children's books at Les Frere Laurent due to her promiscuous roommate Sylvia
Whickham. When Sylvia has a chance to spend the weekend with wealthy sixty-seven years old
Henry, she coaxes Chloe to replace her in translating English to and from French. Chloe arrives at
Mirabel, which has security tighter than Fort Knox has. At the locale, Mr. Hakim leans towards
sending Chloe home and several participants object to her presence speaking in Italian to hide
what
they say about her from her; the translator understands perfectly what they communicate, but
pretends otherwise. When her clients learn that Chloe has found out that they are arms dealers,
they
must kill her. Her only hope of survival is one of the attendees, Bastien Toussaint, a man with at
least a dozen identities. Compromising his undercover mission that he has played at for eleven
months, he flees with Chloe, but she wonders if she is safe with him as she knows her heart is not.
Though why Chloe insisted on staying when her employer stated he did not need her seems off,
readers will obtain plenty of pleasure from this taut romantic suspense thriller. The story line
moves
quickly once Chloe chooses to hide her ability to speak and comprehend Italian and never slows
down until the climatic battle between Mr. Hakim's thugs and the heroine and her antiheroic
champion. BLACK ICE is a tremendous thriller that showcases the skills of an author worth
reading.
Peach Cobbler Murder
Joanne Fluke
Kensington
ISBN: 0758201540 $22.00, 292 pp.
In Lake Eden, Minnesota, two Georgia peaches, Shawna Lee Quinn and her wealthy widowed
sister
Vanessa open up the Magnolia Blossom Bakery across the street from Hannah Swenson's The
Cookie Jar. Because Vanessa inherited a fortune from her late elderly spouse, the siblings can
afford
low prices for fancy food in a chic locale that easily undercuts the competition. Hannah is losing
business rapidly and faces bankruptcy if the trend continues, which seems certain as her rivals
even
give away free lunches. Hannah's break occurs, though it was not what she wished for, when
Shawna Lee gets killed. Everyone would have suspected Hannah murdered her competitor except
that at the time of death she was at St. Peter's Catholic Church attending the wedding of her
partner,
Lisa Herman to Sheriff Herb Beesman. However, she notices that one of her steady dates, Mike
Kingston failed to show up at the ceremony and he spent time across the street. Needing to know,
Hannah investigates the murder of Shawna Lee. The latest gourmet delight baked by Joanne Fluke
is
a fine amateur sleuth tale that provides an interesting look at market forces when wealth can force
a
mom and pop operation out of business. Though why Hannah had to investigate a murder seems
inane and she resolves red herrings too quickly, PEACH COBBLER MURDER is a fun entry as
the
heroine leaves the bakery following the bread crumbs. As is always the case with a Ms. Fluke
culinary mystery, don't read it on an empty stomach; you will gain ten pounds just by perusing the
tasty recipes. Ms. Fluke's fine tale is feisty and fun.
Sullivan's Justice
Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
Kensington
ISBN 0758206194 $24.00, 325 pp.
Ventura County probation officer Carolyn Sullivan has an uncanny knack for getting prisoners to
confess to her whey they won't speak to anyone else. She uses what they say to insure the judge
gives them the maximum amount of prison time. Her latest subject is Raphael Moreno who was
convicted of second degree murder in the deaths of his mother, sister and a family of five, one of
which was a six month old baby. She plans to talk to him but her boss conducts the interview
instead
and winds up hospitalized. Carolyn gets sidetracked by her brother Neil, who saw the body of
Laurel
the woman he loves and planned to marry floating in his pool. The police think he killed her by
lethal
injection but Carolyn knows he couldn't hurt anyone. Another woman in the neighborhood was
also
killed by the lethal injection containing the same chemicals used to kill Laurel. When tests are
done
on her brother's car, blood is found that matches that of Raphael Moreno. The police want to find
the link between the two men and ask Carolyn to talk Moreno again, a situation that almost leads
too costing the probation officer her life. There are many mystery and thriller writers that this
reviewer admires for the work they produce with Nancy Taylor Rosenberg at the top of the must
read list. Her latest tale is superb. There is plenty of action, the storyline is fast paced and there
are
enough suspects that readers have a good time wondering who the killer might be including
considering the sibling. The heroine, who first appeared in SULLIVAN'S LAW, is a valiant
warrior
in the fight against crime.
Hello Gorgeous
MaryJanice Davidson
Kensington Brava
ISBN: 0758208049 $14.00
Nine days apparently have passed since Minneapolis hair salon owner Caitlyn James tragically
died
in Florida on her twenty-fourth birthday in a limousine crash. However, the heavenly afterlife is
not
someone doing her hair, but a top secret government agency brings her back to life using
nanotechnology to turn her into a cyborg. Caitlyn is okay with being a borg just as long as she can
get back to running her salon, however her "saviors" have other plans for her to complete first.
Someone is killing the egghead geeks. They demand that Caitlyn use her new superhuman bionic
powers to uncover the identity of the serial killer and stop him preferably by bringing the rogue to
the agency. The prime suspect is the other cyborg loose on an unsuspecting populace, Dmitri
known
as "Wolf". Ironically Wolf believes Caitlyn is the killer who he must stop. When they meet they
suspect one another, but also are incredibly attracted to one another. MaryJanice Davidson's
unique
brand of zaniness makes this science fiction romance a must read for fans who appreciate a
humorous out of this world tale. The story line is fast-paced and filled with zingers, but both
cyborgs
seem genuine and the serial killer who-done-it is cleverly devised to provide a fun mystery as well
as
a means to keep the distrust level high between the lead couple. Though the relationship between
the
cyborgs seems a bit on the nano side, readers will appreciate Ms. Davidson's not so subtle
response
to a boomer nostalgia question: what would happen if the bionic woman and the six million dollar
man mated? Now we just need to know whether their offspring is an android or human.
Murder in the Hamptons
Amy Garvey
Kensington Brava
ISBN: 0758210418 $14.00. 288 pp.
Manhattan designer Maggie Harding accompanies her friend Lucy at a Hollywood stars gala at
Paige Redmond's Hampton Estate. However, her stomach turns upside down when she sees Tyler
at
the event. Five years following her boyfriend "Terrible Tom" ending their relationship via voice
mail
she met Tyler in the Keys; they exchanged first names and had three incredible one-night-stands
before Maggie fled in the morning light. Tyler has looked for her ever since. Maggie hopes to
sneak
away as she fears how deep Tyler touched her then and how much she wants him now. Tyler
plans
to never let her go as he knows she is the one. She tries to slip back to Manhattan, but a corpse
on
the lawn has led to the proverbial don't leave town by the police. While Maggie concludes she
must
uncover the killer to escape from Tyler, he mounts a campaign to win her heart. This is a fun
amateur sleuth romance starring a likable hero who knows who he wants for life and a confused
chick lit like individual who sees solving the case as her escape from her heart. Converging on
Maggie, the two subplots keep the reader entertained as Tyler pursues a running away Maggie
while
she chases after the killer. MURDER IN THE HAMPTONS is a fine tale.
I Hunger for You
Susan Sizemore
Pocket
ISBN: 0743467442 $6.99, 336 pp.
Los Angeles SWAT leader Colin Foxe gets ready to lead his team on an assault to free hostages
when he receives a mental message that one of the victims is angry. He telepathically tells her to
stay
calm; she replies that she is. As his team charges into the room, freelance writer Mia "Karate Kid"
Luchese has already overcome the criminals. Colin and Mia argue over safety. Six months later,
Colin, a Prime of Clan Reynard vampire, thirsts for Mia and even follows her at night. This
evening
he intercedes when the rival Tribe vampire attacks her. Afterward, he admits he is a vampire and
she
confesses that she comes from a long line of vampire hunters. As they fall in love, they must
overcome their respective heritages and a deadly threat from the brazen Tribe vampire colony.
Susan
Sizemore will make readers believe that colonies of vampires thrive amongst us mortals with her
delightful supernatural romance I HUNGER FOR YOU. The relationship between Colin and Mia
is
wonderful to follow as the alpha vampiric male struggles with his feelings for the independent
mortal
female. There ancestry adds a Romeo and Juliet twist to the mix. Vampire romance readers will
hunger for more works like this one and the previous thrillers like I THIRST FOR YOU and I
BURN FOR YOU from Ms. Sizemore.
Blue Mercy
Illona Haus
Pocket
ISBN 0743458087 $6.99, 384 pp.
Fourteen months ago, Homicide Detective Kay Delaney and her partner Spence knocked on the
door of Bernard Eales' home to question him in the deaths of three prostitutes. When he opened
the
door, he is high on meth and beats Kay so badly he puts her in the hospital and gets her gun and
kills
Spence. There is evidence in his home that place all three women there but he tells the police that
he
doesn't remember killing them because he has blackouts. He is in a state prison awaiting trial and
Kay has finally returned to duty when she catches a call about a woman dying in a fire. This
woman
is the witness Kay found and befriended who saw Bernard dump one of the dead prostitutes. On
her
chest is the same carvings as the other three victims. Everyone but Kay thinks it's a copycat killing
but when two more deaths occur in the same manner as all the previous murders, Kay convinces
her
new partner Finn that either Bernie had an accomplice or another man killed the prostitute. When
Bernie learns about this, he confesses to the first three killings making Kay wonder who he is
trying
to protect. Think Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, Christine McGuire and Leslie Glass and readers will
have some idea just how good BLUE MERCY really is. There is plenty of action in this novel but
embedded in the storyline is the heroine's recovery after a brutal physical and emotional trauma.
There are many suspects that Kay and Finn figure could be the perpetrator but they have
absolutely
no evidence linking anyone to the killings. Readers will want to read more Kay police procedurals
in
future books.
Close to You
Christina Dodd
Pocket
ISBN: 074345619X $6.99, 400 pp.
Marilyn and Skeeter Montgomery are elated to adopt the ten month old Caitlin. However, both
have
doubts about the man handling the deal, Pastor Wright and his adoption agency. Still Marilyn calls
her new daughter Kate so as not to confuse the toddler and she is nurtured in love. Twenty-three
years later Kate Montgomery reports on the air from Galveston on a hurricane when Evelyn, wife
of
State Senator George Oberlin, recognizes her as Lana Prescott dead for over two decades. Not
long
afterward the TV reporter gets a job at KTTV in Austin where she meets George, who is very
nice
to her. When someone tries to run her off the road, her station hires Teague Ramos to keep her
safe.
As they become acquainted with each other, they fall in love even while her biological siblings,
Hope
(see JUST THE WAY YOU ARE), Pepper (see ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE), and Gabriel
continue to search for baby Caitlin and also try to uncover the identity of the person who
murdered
their biological parents twenty-three years ago. Christina Dodd closes her delightful Prescott
trilogy
with a terrific romantic suspense that answers all the questions from the previous two tales. The
story line is action-packed and fast-paced as the culprit will not allow Caitlin or her siblings to
learn
the truth. The reuniting of the Prescott brood adds a touch of sentimentality that is handled deftly
and allows the novel to include a touch of a homecoming with the return of Hope, Pepper, and
Zack. However, it is the two plus decade old murder mystery with an eerie chance of reoccurring
that makes this a strong intrigue.
Exes and Ohs
Beth Kendrick
Downtown
ISBN: 0743470354 $13.00, 320 pp.
Six months ago following the wedding rehearsal dinner, Dr. Dennis Schell informed his fiancee
child
psychologist Dr. Gwen Traynor that he "needs Lisa". Though hurt by the jilting, Gwen has moved
on and has since met Alex Coughlin, a new trustee on the children's clinic board at the mental
health
clinic where she works. Gwen and Alex start seeing one another and begin to fall in love.
However,
her newest child client Leo is the son of soap opera actress Harmony, who dated Alex at one
time.
Leo turns out to be Alex's son that he never knew he had. Gwen backs out of the relationship so
that
Harmony can reestablish one with her son's biological father. However, Leo and Harmony turn to
Gwen to help them with Alex. This is a fabulous relationship comedic-drama that will grip the
audience the moment that Alex recognizes "Gwen Taylor" and never slows down until the final
Elvis
consideration. The story line contains a multitude of complex relationships to include the
foursome
mentioned above and the delightful best friend Cesca (whose Aretha rendition of
R-E-B-O-U-N-D is
a classic example of irony); yet somehow Beth Kendrick keeps them consistent and personalities
unswerving. Part satire mixed with a serious message, fans will give "A" to the sharp EXES AND
OHS.
Crime Trade
Simon Kernick
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312340591 $24.95
Stegs Jenner and Paul Vokerman are undercover cops working a drug deal near Heathrow with
the
Colombians. Stegs steps out promising to return within ten minutes while Vokes nervously waits
with two of the Cali Cartel when they receive a call. Without a reply to the caller, Manuel
"Manolo"
Lopez executes Vokes. Stegs returns in time for the police to attack. Others die as all hell breaks
loose in the final phase of Operation Surgical Strike. Nearby at about the same time, the informant
who set up the deal Slim Robbie and his mother are murdered. DI John Gallan and his partner
WDS
Tina Boyd lead the inquiries and quickly find out that DCS Noel Flanagan who headed the police
sting blames Stegs for the fiasco. Stegs is angry over the death of his partner and needs to avenge
Vokes' death while Gallan and Boyd try to learn what went wrong and how to rein in the loose
cannon before Stegs causes a third deadly incident. The return of Detective Inspector Gallan and
several of his cronies is always a thrill for British police procedural fans, but his third appearance
is
his best yet (see the BUSINESS OF DYING and THE MURDER EXCHANGE). The story line
predominantly moves on two major subplots that follow the actions of either Gallan or Stegs.
Interestingly, Gallan provides a first hand account of what is going on so the audience sees behind
the scenes of the police investigation; on the other hand Stegs stars in a third person account,
which
leaves readers to wonder which side is he really on. This duality works tremendously as Simon
Kernick provides a fabulous exciting thriller.
36 Yalta Boulevard
Olen Steinhauer
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312332017 $23.95, 320 pp.
In 1966, Major Brano Sev is sent from his Communist nation to Vienna to uncover Code Name
Gavrilo, a traitor leaking information to the West. However, the State Security Officer, who has
replaced the murdered Kristina Urben, wakes up with amnesia in a park. He learns that the
mission
was accomplished, but upon disembarking the plane he is arrested for turning traitor too as his
assistant Lochert painted quite a spin on what really happened in Vienna. Brano lives due to the
interactions of his former superior, Colonel Cerny. After six months in a factory, Cerny assigns
Brano to visit his hometown of Bobrka to interrogate a possible defector Jan Soroka. Welcomed
home by his mother, but no one else as everyone knows what he does for a living, Brano becomes
the prime suspect in the murder of Jacob Bieneck. He does little to defend himself against the
frame
as he assumes this is his cover to enable him to learn the truth. Instead he finds himself back in
Vienna wondering who besides Lochert betrayed him and why, but he believes that it is probably
too
late to prove he did not commit homicide. This Cold War espionage thriller will remind the
audience
of the early works of LeCarre although the key protagonist is an Eastern block spy. Brano is a
terrific protagonist as he follows orders to such a degree that he jeopardizes himself as he never
considered that he was being set up until his forced return to Vienna in spite of Lochert's
devastating
misinformation campaign. Olen Steinhauer writes another fantastic tale. If you have not read him
you are missing quite a suspense treat (see THE CONFESSION and BRIDGE OF SIGHS).
The Borgia Bride
Jeanne Kalogridis
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312341385 $14.95, 544 pp.
Seventeen years old Princess Sancha de Aragon, the illegitimate daughter of Naples King Alfonso
II,
is forced to marry into the powerful Borgia family to Jofre, a man younger than her. As such she
leaves her home to live in the Vatican where Jofre's father is Pope Alexander VI. However, she is
shocked to observe the depravity of the papal court including her new spouse who beds women
including several at the same time with an insatiable lust yet ignores his new bride. Stunned and
disillusioned Sancha befriends first Jofre's sister Lucrezia and then his older brother, the seemingly
caring Cesare. Not knowing yet how Lucrezia eliminates anyone interested in her brother Cesare,
they have an affair until she concludes he is as debauched as his father and two siblings. With
nothing to lose as life is worthless in the Borgia pit, Sancha vows to destroy her spouse and
in-laws
before they obliterate her loved ones back in Naples. This Borgia era historical fiction is an
insightful
look at late fifteenth century politics mostly in Rome and the Vatican, but somewhat in Napes that
makes the Congressional ethics questions of Congress seem like an elementary school spitball
fight.
The story line brings to life real persona in which the depraved Borgia brood was violent
predators.
Fans of Roberta Gellis especially her work LUCREZIA BORGIA AND THE MOTHER OF
POISONS will appreciate this powerful historically detailed novel.
Still Rover
Harry Hunsicker
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312337876 $23.95
In Dallas, Vera Drinkwater visits her friend from high school former Special Forces soldier turned
sleuth Lee Henry Oswald III to hire him to investigate what happened to her half brother Charles
Wesson, who vanished less than twenty-four hours ago. Hank, as the private investigator prefers
to
be called, quickly learns from his client that Charles has had a drug problem having been to detox
twice. He also works at Callahan Real Estate. Though he informs Vera that her sibling probably
fell
off the wagon he takes the case. Hank visits his mentor Ernie Ruibal, who is in the hospital
ironically
dying from liver cancer. Ernie asks Hank to do him a favor by keeping an eye on his niece Nolan
O'Connor who is processing papers on a nasty person tonight. Hank agrees helping Nolan
succeed.
She soon joins him on his case in which he has been tailed, thugs accosted him, and now threaten
to
kill him if he fails to back off from Wesson. Apparently Hank has the attention of South Dallas
drug
kingpin Coleman Dupree and his enforcer Jack the Crack. This is a strong urban noir starring an
intriguing character with the wrong name for this city (sort of like A Boy Named Sue) who is a
martial arts expert and not afraid to use it to defend himself or those he cares about. The story line
is
fast-paced as a minor case turns into a life threatening war with Hank caught in the crosshairs.
Sub-genre readers will welcome Harry Hunsicker into the fold as his champion is a fabulous
protagonist making the rounds of the underside of the city.
The Companion
Susan Squires
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312998538 $6.99, 384 pp.
In 1818 English gentleman Ian Rufford is sailing when pirates attack his ship. He is taken to
Africa
as a prisoner and eventually sold to beautifully cruel Asharti, who abuses him in every sense of the
word turning him into a feral animal. He eventually escapes. Elizabeth Rochewell has enjoyed
working and living with her father as he leads archeological digs across Africa. However, when an
over four millennium old pillar crumbled, crushed, and killed her beloved father, Elizabeth's life
died
too. She returns to England as a single white woman who cannot survive alone in Africa. When
Ian
and Beth meet on the vessel from Africa heading to England they find a commonality in Africa
and a
need to return as they find the aristocracy boring and suffocating with prohibitions on acceptable
behavior. As they fall in love, they realize they must battle an evil that may possess Ian and
threatens
humanity. THE COMPANION is a fantastic Regency paranormal romantic suspense that grips the
audience from the moment that Ian is kidnapped and never slows down in Africa or England until
the final confrontation with a malevolent vampiric villain. The story line is action-packed but the
audience will feel deep empathy for Ian's plight even after he frees himself from bondage as he still
has not liberated his mind and for Elizabeth who was used to total freedom assisting her dad, but
now feels choked by the unfathomable rules. Susan Squires provides a terrific historical thriller
with
a supernatural turn that avoids an overbite when she twists the plot into the paranormal.
To the Edge
Cindy Gerard
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 031299091X $6.99, 352 pp.
In Palm Beach, Florida, renowned wealthy businessman Darin Kincaid has always feared for the
safety of his TV news anchor daughter; Jillian on the other hands thinks he is overly worried but
caring. Darin wants Jillian under the protection of a bodyguard twenty-four hours a day since she
began receiving nasty email and phone calls but she resents the intrusion into her privacy
rationalizing that a sick harmless prankster is at work. Darin hires E.D.E.N. security to protect
her
without telling her. His siblings Ethan, Dallas, and Eve assign their reluctant brother Nolan
Garrett,
former U.S. Army Airborne Ranger, the job. He breaks into her high security apartment to prove
she
needs his services. She becomes irate with his "grandstanding" while he believes she is spoiled. As
they spend time together, he realizes she is a strong intelligent person refusing to hide from her
unknown stalker. Though he loves her, Nolan knows that a drunken broken soldier has no chance
with a winner like Jillian; she wonders how to reach the soul of the man she loves. TO THE
EDGE
is a fantastic romantic suspense that moves quite nicely along two parallel paths, the attraction
between the lead couple and the stalking of the villain, before converging into strong finish.
Darin's
siblings (who will star in their own novels in the future) and her father add depth as each in their
unique way worries about one of the prime players. The relationship between the two stars is a
delight to follow as their feelings evolve from loathing to admiration to love. The stalker is
handled
deftly throughout the plot leaving the audience with a fine opening gamut in the Kincaid siblings'
saga.
Tin City
David Housewright
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312321511 $23.95, 288 pp.
In Norwood Young America, wealthy former St. Paul cop Rushmore "Mac" McKenzie's elderly
neighbor Mr. Mosley tries to hand to him three dead honeybees, but Mac refuses to touch them;
Mosley calls him a wimp. Mosley further explains that last year he lost a fifth of his bee
population
and so far this year a third. He wants Mac to determine what is killing his bees. Mac will do
anything
for the man who served with his dad during the Korean War except touch bees. Mac and Mosley
visit the only new "neighbor" Frank Crosetti, who greets them with a shotgun. Yesterday he fired
at
a visiting University of Minnesota coed who was taking soils samples seeking evidence of an
insecticide Sevin XLR Plus, which apparently is killing the honeybees. A "Suit" tells the two
visitors
they are trespassing and must leave. Not long afterward, Crosetti rapes Mac's friend Susan
Tillman
and threatens her daughter next if Mac fails to back off. At about the same time Mosley takes two
bullets to the head. Law enforcement and friends blame Mac who finds Crosetti is gone, but not
forgotten. Mac searches the dregs of the Gopher State to bring Crosetti to justice if he does not
kill
him first, but also wants to know the reason why all this happened. TIN CITY is an intriguing
private investigator (though Mac is unlicensed) tale that will keep fans hooked yet struggling to
figure out Crosetti's motive. The story line is action-packed taking off from the moment of the
first
visit and never slowing down as cops hunt for Mac while he hunts for Crosetti. In his second Mac
mystery (see Hard Ticket Home), David Housewright provides a fabulously dark Minnesota
Noir.
Resurrection Road
Kathryn R. Wall
St. Martin's Press
ISBN 0312337930 $23.95, 304 pp.
On Hilton Head Island, "Inquirey' Agent" Bay Tanner and her lover Interpol Operative Alain
Darnay
notice a car is following them. Darnay maneuvers it so they catch the teen and rough him up a
little
before bringing him to Bay's house to see why Cart Anderson was following them. They tell them
he
wants to know why Bay killed his father. Although Bay did not murder his dad, he was involved
in a
criminal scheme that went bad and he died in an accident. After they let Cart go, he fails to appear
at
his grandmother's house and soon a missing person's report is filed. When Cart's car is found near
Fort Fremont on Land's End, they visit the area and are welcomed by Minnie Maude Bleaker, the
only person who lives in the isolated area. She hints that she knows what is going on, but is found
dead on her living room floor before she talks. Bay and Alain become the prime suspects in her
death and Cart's disappearance. Trying to find out who is behind the effort to frame them almost
costs Bay her life. RESURRECTION ROAD gives the reader a taste of what it is like living in the
modern day (with especially the mint julep crowd) good ol' boy network and the migration of the
Northerners. This is an excellent who-done-it with a real puzzle trying to figure out who was
trying
to frame the heroine and why. There are many viable suspects, including a police officer from the
North so readers will find the story line totally fascinating. Kathryn R. Wall is a talented writer
who
is becoming a bright star in the mystery horizon.
New Mercies
Sandra Dallas
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312336195 $23.95, 320 pp.
In 1933 Nora Bondurant leaves her hometown of Denver to take over the pre-Civil War Avoca
mansion that her recently murdered Aunt Amalia left her. Interestingly Nora did not know of the
existence of her aunt as her parents never mentioned that her father had a sister or that she came
from Natchez. Nora first learned of Amalia when a lawyer sent her a letter informing her she of
her
inheritance. In Natchez she learns that Amalia was killed by a courting neighbor in a murder
suicide.
Nora finds the change of scenery welcoming as she hides from feelings of guilt caused by her
divorce
from Tate and subsequent death of her ex spouse back in Denver. Simultaneously, she also feels
somewhat like an outsider since no one will share much about her aunt, her lover who allegedly
killed her, or their relationship. For that matter she knows little about this side of the family and
no
one is forthcoming with information. Still Natchez begins to feel like home due to Ezra, Aunt
Polly,
and others including the goats. The story line provides an intense perusal of Depression Era
Mississippi especially "slaves" through the eyes of a Rocky Mountain expatriate. The
murder-suicide
adds interesting suspense as Nora wants to know more about her previously unknown aunt, but
that
takes a back seat to the deep scrutiny of 1930s Deep South relationships. Fans will cherish this
powerful historical fiction and seek other works by Ms. Dallas (see THE PERSIAN PICKLE
CLUB
and BUSTER MIDNIGHT'S CAFE).
A Detective at Death's Door
H.R.F. Keating
Dunne
ISBN: 0312342063 $23.95
Detective Superintendent Harriet Martens was sunbathing sipping a drink while her husband John
Piddock was relaxing nearby when she suddenly turned icy cold and her tongue tingled before she
collapsed. John, an avid Christie fan, recognized the symptoms as aconite poisoning, having just
read
that scenario in an Agatha tale. He reacts quickly and when Harriet next awakens she is in a
hospital
room, the first victim of the Birchester Poisoner. Others did not have a Christie expert nearby and
died. Harriet is on sick leave recovering from her ordeal, but still tries to help Detective
Superintendent Pat Murphy solve the case before more die. When the Birchester Poisoner
expands
his or her area of operation to London, the National Crime Squad (NCS) takes charge of the case.
Though no longer welcomed, Harriet develops a profile from what knows and a letter the
Birchester
Poisoner sent to the media demanding one million pounds. While the NCS ignores her, Harriet,
over
the objections of a concerned John, conducts her own investigation. A DETECTIVE AT
DEATH'S
DOOR is a solid entry in the Martens British police procedural series but the focus is more on the
health problems and related doubts of ever being the HARD DETECTIVE again rather than the
investigation. The audience feels for the slowly recovering Harriet who must "flow" every step in
normally taken for granted simple tasks that takes time away from the NCS official inquiries and
the
ailing sleuth's solo investigation. This also leads to questioning how Harriet could do any complex
police work like profiling. Her disabling health problems make her more human, but less likely to
solve the case so that readers wonder who will.
Nothing like the Night
David Lawrence
Dunne
ISBN: 031232880X $24.95
Suffering from nightmares of dead babies, Detective Sergeant Stella Mooney gets the call late at
night waking up her live in lover George Paterson. Stella quickly heads to West Kensington to
look
over the crime scene of a murdered woman. In Notting Hill Gate, Stella learns that someone
murdered Janis Parker apparently over a week ago; the body was found when the downstairs
neighbor felt bodily excretions leaking on him from his ceiling. Stella notices the overwhelming
odor
before seeing the cut up corpse that means a frenzied crime of passion or a killer toying with their
victim. Janis' roommate Stephanie James is missing so Stella wonders if she is dead too. At Imago
Magazine where Janis worked, Stella learns that Stephanie's boyfriend Mark Ross took a too a
drunk Janis home from a party last week making him the prime suspect. However, when they find
Mark dead with cuts and abrasions all over his body, Stella and her team know they are
confronted
with a deadly killer who seems to take immense pleasure with playing with his mice. This
interesting
British police procedural will grip the audience due to its terrific protagonist struggling with a
nasty
case and even nastier dreams from previous cases. The investigation is methodically conducted so
that the audience follows the police as they sift for clues. Stella's personal life adds depth into her
personality including inner turmoil and disturbances that would bring down a less person yet
impacts
her official inquiries. Sub-genre fans will appreciate this exceptional tale and want to read the
eerie
THE DEAD SIT AROUND IN A RING, David Lawrence's previous work.
Street Fight
Bill Kent
Dunne
ISBN: 0312328834 $23.95, 304 pp.
In Philadelphia, Paulie Small is an accountant who knows how to move money around to get
what
the movers and shakers want done. He knows where all the bodies are buried as does his
co-worker
and lover Teal Cavaletta, who cares about the man and not his connections. One day while Paulie
is
outside Teal's home, he is beaten and dies at the hospital. Shep Ladderback, the obituary writer at
the Philadelphia Press, wants to write an obit about Paulie, but he is met with a wall of silence.
Junior reporter Andrea Cosicki tells Shep that Teal, the mother of her friend Lucia knows
everything
there is to know about Paulie. Before he can question her, someone beats her up and leaves her to
die. While Andrea and Lucia try to find out who did this, Shep takes a different approach because
he
believes the murder and the beatings is linked to a fraudulent real estate venture. Their joint
investigation ends in a conflagration of violence that sends two people to the hospital in critical
condition and reveals the identity of the killer, a person who nobody would guess is the
perpetrator.
A bit slow moving at times, STREET FIGHT is a clever investigative mystery featuring two
journalists, one nearing the end of his career and the other just beginning hers. The steps they take
to
solve the crime and get the story is logical, believable and therefore very interesting. Bill Kent is a
talented writer who focuses more on characterizations than action scenes.
Four Courts Murder
Andrew Nugent
Dunne
ISBN: 0312327587 $22.95, 240 pp.
The most detested person in Dublin's judicial system is Justice Sidney Piggott. Police Inspector
Denis Lennon would agree that the Four Courts judge is a nasty person, but how widely disliked
the
man is he has no idea until someone murders His Honor. Denis heads the investigation with an
assist
from Sergeant Molly Power, but the list of suspects from Piggott's employment circle with motive
seems like much of the city. The two cops have one potential lead; several individuals mentioned
that an unknown young man hung around the courtroom while Piggott worked on a particularly
minor case. No one could say who this person is or why he would want to observe a tedious trial.
Could he have waited for the right moment to kill Piggott? Denis plans to find out. This is a
fabulous
Irish police procedural in which the audience sees different perspectives; These include those of
the
two cops and interestingly the negative muses of the missing man who seemingly stalked the
victim
and is now undecided whether he dreamed or actually killed Piggott. The story line grips the
audience as the case widens beyond Dublin to the Irish countryside where another related death
occurred. With a fully developed support cast enhancing the official inquirie, readers will enjoy
this
powerful who-done-it.
Stage Fright
Christine Poulson
Dunne
ISBN: 0312340745 $22.95
While on maternity leave from Cambridge University and with her husband away handling a legal
matter in Los Angeles, Professor Cassandra James meets her neighbor actress Melissa Meadows
and
her spouse Keith Kingleigh. Melissa and Cassandra share an affinity since both recently gave birth
prematurely. Kevin is going to direct a production starring Melissa. He asks Cassandra to adapt
the
Victorian drama East Lynn, which she agrees to do. As opening night beckons, Cassandra notices
the cast seems extra nervous. Later an anxious Melissa calls Cassandra believing that someone is
stalking her. Cassandra tries to calm her down. The next day Melissa fails to appear for a
rehearsal
so Cassandra goes to visit her. Melissa is gone without a word, but abandoned her six month old
baby that she had shown so much love. With her own fussy infant at her side, Cassandra wonders
what happened to her new friend while unable to contact Stephen, dealing with the abrupt arrival
of
her first husband, and Detective Sergeant Vickers suspecting the professor killed the actress.
STAGE FRIGHT, the second Professor James tale (see MURDER IS ACADEMIC), is a
fabulous
amateur sleuth mystery that builds up the suspense slowly so that the reader like the heroine
suspects
everyone's motives. Either foul play occurred or Melissa had played the role of a loving mother,
but
Cassandra cannot find a motive for either scenario while the evidence points towards her so that
even the audience will believe she harmed or murdered the actress. This is a fantastic English
mystery in the Christie tradition.
The New World Order
Ben Jeapes
David Fickling
ISBN: 0385750137 $15.95, 448 pp.
The civil war between the forces of Oliver Cromwell and King Charles II has devastated the
countryside, but by May looks like it's nearly over with the monarch barley escaping recently with
his life. However, in the middle of battle, a third force has emerged with weaponry much more
powerful than that of either combatant even combined. Observing a battle, John Donder
recognizes
the rifle that has not been invented for another two plus centuries. The Holekhors are influencing
the
war on land, at sea, and for the first time fighting from the air. John having been stranded here
before seeks the woman he loves and left behind years ago though he knows time and space are
linear when he first fell through a portal. Now in the present of mid seventeenth century England,
a
late nineteenth century army led by General Dhon Do has invaded the countryside, but learning
that
he previously sired a child before his earlier timely departure has shocked and awed him. This is a
terrific alternate history tale with a powerful science fiction cut that changes English history at a
pivotal moment with time traveling aliens. The story line is action-packed, but also brings to life
the
reality of the era by comparing it to later weaponry and tactics and through some of the key
historical figures. Though targeting a teenage crowd, Harry Turtledove fans will appreciate Ben
Jeapes brilliant novel of THE NEW WORLD ORDER.
Cast of Shadows
Kevin Guilfoile
Knopf
ISBN: 1400043085 $24.95
In Chicago fertility Dr. Davis Moore mourns the brutal rape and murder of his seventeen years old
daughter, Anna Kat. He finds no closure when the police fail to break the case symbolized by
returning his child's stuff to him. However, amongst Anna Kat's items is an inadvertently left vial
of
sperm that Davis knows must have come from the culprit. Though once ethical, Davis breaks the
law by using the DNA of a live person to impregnate Martha Finn so that her child would provide
the visage of his daughter's killer. A few years later Davis depressed wife has committed suicide
while he uses software to see what the cloned child Justin will look like as an adult. He also
informs
his peer Joan Burton that he broke the law by using a live person's DNA. She joins him as they
follow clues that lead to a Windy City serial killer the Wicker Man, but no proof that Anna Kat is
one of his victims though Justin feels an affinity to this sociopath. This exhilarating medical thriller
grips the audience who will wonder if Davis is looking at the face of his daughter's killer when he
stares at Justin and whether he created a chip off the old block in a Frankenstein way. The story
line
is action-packed, but has several subplots that add suspense but seem like unnecessary detours
that
husks the reader away from the prime theme. Still Kevin Guilfoile cooks up an extremely exciting
tale with several intriguing moral questions that would make even the Kansas AG pause before
demanding information.
Bio Rescue
S.L. Viehl
Roc
ISBN 0451459784 $22.95, 311 pp.
On the planet K-2 the native life form is aquatic/amphibian humanoids but for the most part they
need to stay in the water to survive. There is a war going on in the galaxy between the Alliance
and
the Hsktst in which a brave group of natives have become SEALS (surgically enhanced/ altered
life
forms); their mission is to patrol their quadrant of the galaxy to make sure the Hsktst don't return
or
give warning if they do. Different species of colonists live on land, the majority of which are a cult
of
the Skartesh whose world was destroyed by the Hskskt. Leading the Skartesh is Shan who is
looked
upon as a messiah by his people because they believe a sacrifice on his part will restore their home
world. Dair, the half native - half human leader of the SEALS, risks her life to find thousands of
Skartesh that have vanished but uncovers a conspiracy that targets a take over of all the inhabited
worlds in her sector. S.L. Viehl is a terrific world builder who takes the mermaid legend and
integrates it into a very serious space opera. The heroine, different since birth due to the surgeries
and the human DNA in her system, is a natural leader and though people follow her into battle,
xenophobics fear her and the colonists look upon her as someone who doesn't belong. She has the
strength of mind to ignore their prejudices and save their lives when an enemy threatens them and
in
doing so finds that she belongs wherever she chooses to be. BIO RESCUE is another great work
by
a gifted writer.
Nebula Awards Showcase 2005
Jack Dann (editor)
Roc
ISBN: 0451460154 $15.95
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America chose what they considered the year's best that is
2004, from both genres. An interesting short introduction by the editor emphasizing we've come a
long way baby sets the tone of this fine anthology. Extracts from Neil Gaiman's winning novella
CORALINE and from the triumphant novel THE SPEED OF DARK by Elizabeth Moon (as is
the
case each year) highlight the collection. Each of the seven short story nominees including the
victorious WHAT I DIDN'T SEE by Karen Joy Fowler is included. Finally the novelette winner,
Jeffrey Ford's THE EMPIRE OF ICE CREAM and three of the four other entries are provided.
Included is a well written essay honoring new Grand Master Robert Silverberg followed up by his
work "Sundance". An intriguing series of essays on movements in both genres will delight fans.
Finally lists of films (the winner of course is LORD OF THE RINGS) and of the Rhysling Award
for
SF poetry winners round out a fabulous compilation that showcases the SF and Fantasy
genres.
Dead Beat
Jim Butcher
Roc
ISBN: 0451460278 $23.95, 400 pp.
Chicago's only paranormal wizard-detective listed in the phone book, Harry Dresden shares a
basement apartment with vampiric half-brother Thomas, who feeds on beautiful women but never
kills or turns them as Thomas is a member of the White Court. Though once literally losing her
head
to Harry, Mavra the vampire Black Court affiliate blackmails him through the woman he loves,
Chicago Police Department Special Investigations Unit Chief Karrin Murphy. Mavra has proof
that
Karrin killed an evil person, which makes her act a homicide and she could face life in prison or
the
chair. Plus Mavra has a worse hold, some of Karrin's lush blonde hair. To not use her evidence
Mavra orders Harry to find and give her The Word of Kemmler spell that will make the evil
vampiress the most powerful essence in the Midwest
Harry learns from Bob the talking skull that Kemmler the malevolent necromancer caused WWI
and
has been killed twice by the White Court and that the Word of Kemmler is his most dangerous
and
deadly necromancy book. The Dresden Files is one of the best recurring detective fantasies on the
market today; each of the seven novels (counting this one) has been excellent with an exciting
investigation or two within a different type of Chicago. In DEAD BEAT Harry must save his
beloved yet cannot provide the necromancer's handbook to the villainess. Whether he battles dead
cops or has fairies clean his apartment, fans will fully enjoy this superb amusing seventh wild ride
starring an excellent sarcastic character at his peak in a superior unique series.
Tale of the Thunderbolt
E.E. Knight
Roc
ISBN: 0451460189 $6.99, 341 pp.
By 2070, almost five decades of the Kurian Order has occurred since the vampiric alien Kur from
the Interworld Tree and their minion (Avatars and Reapers) turned the earth and its human
population into a global harvest. Reapers feed on human essences that are sent back to the Kur
puppet-masters. Most human resistance has failed with harsh repercussions. Some humans,
assisted
by the Lifeweavers, who once lost a war against the Kur, have proven to be more successful in
fighting the Kur. Especially successful has been David Valentine of the Cat spy force, who some
might say is more animal than human. While in watery New Orleans, David learns of a weapon
with
the potential to defeat the invincible Reapers. He poses as an enemy sailor on the gunboat
Valentine
with a longshot plan to hijack the vessel and take it to Haiti where he hopes to obtain more
information on the whereabouts of this savior weapon somewhere in the Caribbean. Reapers and
Avatars are ready to kill him. Earth's savior becomes a bit distracted when he meets the beautiful
Mali. Three years have passed since the events that make up the CHOICE OF THE CAT, but
conditions of the inhabitants being used for human fodder have not gotten better. The Resistance
in
some ways is stronger, but psychologically the warriors have become weaker as the cause seems
increasingly futile. That is the underlying key to TALE OF THE THUNDERBOLT, as the hero
understands the importance of the weapon. Though reading the fine previous novels would
provide
increased understanding, E.E. Knight insures this tale stands alone as the sense of dreaded failure
hangs over David, Malia, and their associates while the "Vampire Earth" becomes more in focus
to
the audience.
Harriet Klausner
Senior Reviewer
Laurel's Bookshelf
South of Everywhere
Randolph Bridgeman
Shadow Ink Publications
1209 Milwaukee Street, Excelsior Springs MO 64024
ISBN 1932447377 $5.00 plus s & h 40 page chapbook
One of the pleasures I derive from reviewing is discovering new voices. Shadow Poetry
chapbooks
are of consistently high quality, featuring poets from around the world. Mr. Bridgeman, for
example,
is a widely published poet and recipient of the Edward T. Lewis Poetry Prize for most promising
emerging poet. That honor is upheld by the work found in this chapbook.
Between these covers, Bridgeman muses on relationships, family, unanswered questions from his
youth, the commonplace and rare. In "Junk Dealer", the poet shares a retrospective of his
grandfather:
He arrived with prairie dust in
the cuffs of his overalls, with
a pocket watch to his name and
a farm boy's education.
Life during hard times must be endured by tough people. This excerpt from "Homecoming"
reveals a
bit about Bridgeman's father:
I loved my father for what he wasn't,
a liar,
a cheat,
a quitter.
To love him for what
he was would have been
self-destructive.
Further thoughts of his father emerge in "The Tree":
I watched from a backyard
oak as my father's pickup slipped
into the driveway as lethal
as a knife between my ribs.
"Sister" details a stunning subject in a quietly powerful way:
I keep his hands locked in a
closet his knuckles winter stiff
scraping the curves of my emerging
breasts, trampling through the
open "Y" of my thighs,
my pulse flapping like the wings of
departing swallows.
This poet's use of metaphor added power and precision to his subjects. In "Landlady", the
mundane
life of one woman shines, thanks to Bridgeman's use of words. In old age she is "a woman
strangled
by memories." In youth, she came from her homeland and "chained herself to a husband's
dreams."
In her final years, "Cancer thickened in her." But true to the determination of a lifetime "She kept
dying in the pocket of her frayed apron..."
In every book of poetry reviewed I have a favorite. There are many excellent poems to choose
from
in this chapbook, but "Abraham's Tour" -- this poet's gentle treatise on war and warriors -- was
my
pick. I quote one verse from this long poem:
These mountains harbor
tongueless caverns,
stone sepulchers piled
high with the bleached
bones of Jihad.
But not every poem is deadly serious. There is humor borne of love in "Love Poems":
In writing your love poems
please remind me of your
hair pin on our crumpled bed
sheets, the one that stabbed
me in the ass.
Randolph Bridgeman has moved beyond being a promising emerging poet. He's emerged.
Alibi
Joseph Kanon
Henry Holt and Company
115 West 18th Street, New York NY 10011
ISBN 080507886X $26.00 416 pages
Joseph Kanon is the best selling author of Los Alamos and The Good German. Critics have
compared his writing style to le Carre, Greene, and Orwell, but I found Kanon's prose to be more
provocative and accessible.
Adam Miller is weary of his work. As a U.S. Army war crimes investigator in post war Germany,
he's systematically separated the truly evil Nazis from citizens who merely closed their eyes to
fanaticism gone beyond their control. When his tour of duty ends in 1946, Adam visits his
widowed
mother in Venice. She has returned to familiar surroundings in hopes of being happy again.
Venice
initially appears to be untouched by the war, but destruction takes many forms. Bombed out
buildings are not always the worst aftermath of war.
At first, Adam is at loose ends. Memories of death camps leave him sleepless and disoriented. He
wanders the canals and alleyways in hopes the city's beauty will provide solace or at least energize
his spirit. His mother is engaged to Dr. Gianni Maglione, a betrothal he suspects is for her money.
Old family friend Bertie Howard practices a forced gaiety, which Adam finds improbable. A
wintry
Venice with its cold rains and creeping fogs depresses Adam, until he meets Claudia Grassini.
Making love in secret, seedy hideaways brings delight at first, a fleeting comfort as awful truths
unravel. Wherever Adam turns, nothing is as it appears to be.
People do things to survive they wouldn't consider under normal circumstances. They bend,
ignore,
pretend. And no one has perfected the art of surviving better than those who live in Venice. Adam
suspects Dr. Maglione may be more than a fortune hunter. He may be a Nazi sympathizer, or
worse.
And Claudia has her own secrets to protect. One unexpected act of violence smothers passion
until
remaining lovers becomes nothing more than an airtight alibi for Claudia and Adam.
Kanon's writing style is personable and seductive. His characters are real and human, fully
developed. Venice becomes a living entity and the winter weather a chilling accomplice to tragedy
because Joseph Kanon is a skillful wordsmith. Established fans will enthusiastically embrace Alibi.
Readers not familiar with Kanon's work should be converted rapidly to devotees.
Artificial Lure
Clayton A. Couch
Effing Press
703 W. 11th Street #2, Austin TX 78701
No ISBN $5.00 40 page chapbook
Artificial Lure is my first experience with speculative and experimental poetry and Effing Press.
The
chapbook itself is well-presented, printed on high quality paper utilizing clear fonts. Cover art and
interior illustrations by Janice M. Bostok enhance the mystique of Couch's poetry.
At first glance, my initial impression was Couch's penchant for fragments, snatches of thoughts
that
on the surface follow a flight of ideas pattern. "Restaurant" details random thoughts, sights,
memories that are obscure at first, then form a concrete whole with these lines:
...I've no more thoughts that have not been reduced to imps
today my self is a golem lost without commands where's the alchemist
"Sentenced Fragments" reveals a similar pattern with words and bits of thoughts that come
together
in a flow of orchestrated movement towards the payload:
with this wring you tie a knot
..........I can't have you sleeping here now
"Cause and Effect" is a more conventional free form poem with it's own internal rhythm:
What brings us closer is the lack of story,
which is indicative of some infernal character
flaw, don't you think? You think, perhaps event
following event is off limits. That which grows
from tilled soil will surely prosper, or at least
present the illusion of prosperity. This trick
is not lost on trees with malnourished branches.
Couch skillfully inserts lines ripe with metaphorical images. I quote lines here from several
poems:
...a coliseum paranoid with bruised dialogue.
...bold pavenents ridicule branches
...spring proves to be a topographic talisman
...Couldn't ovoid be perfect flex of cube?
I often read poetry out loud while contemplating my reviews. Couch uses sounds in cunning ways
for those, like me, who appreciate such nuances. I quote here several random lines from two
poems,
where he repeats certain letters and sounds to interesting effect:
...where Catullus at last gets his lines...
...That old pretense of putting phrases...
...Stopped up sensory deception...
...of bone-lovin' cannibalistic tourists in Kennebunkport.
...another sol solar system seventy some light years far away
The wonder and intrigue of poetry is that it can become whatever the wordsmith wishes or
imagines.
In Artificial Lure, readers are allowed to wander, slowly meander, or race from line to line,
carried
along by Couch's words. Those familiar with experimental poetry may already appreciate the
work
of Clayton A. Couch. Novices, like me, can expand their poetical horizons, beginning with this
chapbook.
Happy: a Molding Series CD -- #1
Bob Watkins, Terry Thomas, Eric Watkins, John Wheeler and Friends
Eric Watson -- Molding Music
c/o George Carpenter
5451 Socialville-Foster Rd., Mason OH 45040
www.moldingmusic.com
Purchase ID -- M-001, $10.00 plus s & h, 11 Tracks
Happy is the first in a series of CDs that have a long and interesting history. Bob Watkins and
Terry
Thomas were members of the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies, a band that had a huge following in
Europe. One Wheelies song, "Groove Me", was featured as background on HBO's hit series The
Sopranos. When the Wheelies disbanded, Bob and Eric Watkins, along with talented family
members
and friends, continued to revise and perfect the Molding series. This is an accomplished and
diverse
group of song writers, musicians and vocalists, equally adept at raunchy rock and roll, bluegrass,
jazz, or tender ballads. Turn up the volume and hang on tight because the sound quality is
awesome!
Happy is a CD rich with surprises. "Rock and Roll", for example, features hard core rock and roll
coupled with tenderly rendered vocals. "Dragon Park" is fun, whimsical, but punctuated with a
bluesy harmonica that is in turn plaintive or cheerful. "Of Solar Squash" is a Klyd Watkins poem
spoken and sung to a penetrating rock back beat and psychedelic-sounding accompaniment.
"Jason
Lafarge" with its delightful vocals features bluegrasss fiddles and a penetrating rock sound. The
afore mentioned "Groove Me" is haunting, dangerous, and stylishly sexy. And "The Adventures of
You and Suzie" is a funky meringe tune that is both entertaining and pleasing to the ears. There
are
two versions of "The Scratch Sympathy Waltz." The second with its down home bluegrass sound
and gentle vocals was my favorite.
Each track has a distinctive sound, thanks to imaginative instrumentals, vocals, and arrangements.
Each song tells a story worth hearing This group of musicians out of Tennessee deserves an
enthusiastic and devoted following. Are you listening Nashville?
In Dahlia's Wake
Yona Zeldis McDonough
Doubleday -- a division of Random House
www.doubleday.com
ISBN 0385503628 $23.95 304 pages
Prose crafted with intelligence, intensity, and a distinct syle set this novel apart from page one.
Personally, I couldn't draw comparisons to other authors while reading this fine work because
McDonough's voice is purely her own. In Dahlia's Wake unfolds through the eyes, thoughts, and
hearts of each individual character. Line by line, chapter by chapter, through each intimate
moment,
I lived this memorable story.
Dahlia Wechsler is a child of willful spirit and fiercely expressed emotions. She is the only child of
Rick and Naomi Wechsler, the only child Naomi was able to carry full term after several
miscarriages. Dahlia is adored and indulged for seven years, then suddenly taken away in a bizarre
accident. The void of her absence leaves both parents floundering in grief and shock.
Naomi Wechsler is self enclosed, withdrawn, coldly dissociated from an unacceptable reality. Her
way of dealing with Dahlia's loss is to quit her job as a teacher and volunteer in the Pediatric ward
at
Holy Name of Jesus Hospital. At Holy Name she can make a positive contribution, and can think
of
her dead child without falling apart. Naomi needs a reason to hope again, and searches for that
hope
in the person of Dr. Michael McBride.
Rick Wechsler was driving when Dahlia died. He smothers sorrow in his work as a successful
podiatrist. The thought or sight of children irritates him. He simply can't comprehend why his wife
would volunteer at Holy Name, where Dahlia was pronounced dead. Naomi's cold withdrawal
from
their bed isolates him further. He's emotionally destroyed, struggling to hold onto his humanity
through a torrid sexual affair with his office manager.
Dr. Michael McBride is the Head of Pediatrics, the man forced to break the news of Dahlia's
death
to her parents. From that awful moment, he's been inexplicably drawn to and quietly obsessed
with
Naomi. When Rick confesses his infidelity to Naomi, she turns to McBride for comfort. McBride
is
a devoted husband and father, but is convinced he can make Naomi smile again. The Wechslers
complicate their grief and emptiness through infidelity and, in the process, bring destruction to
McBride and his family.
Estelle Levine is Naomi's mother, now living in a nursing home. A stroke left vacant places where
her memories used to be. Pieces of her mind still work, but not in tandem. Estelle vaguely
remembers better days of privilege and wealth. Prized possessions and designer clothes are a lost
fragment of her past. Now her clothes are shabby, the nursing home life disheartening. She often
exhausts herself trying to pull wandering thoughts together, but one day forms a goal and purpose
to
transform her world. She remembers Dahlia, and sets out to rediscover hidden memories of the
child.
In Dahlia's Wake is unforgettable. Each character is adeptly drawn, each nuance of their thoughts
and personality revealed in first person from the character's perspective. Estelle Levine, in
particular,
with touching courage and irritating stubbornness, becomes the linchpin that holds shattered lives
together.
This book goes way beyond being simply genre fiction. McDonough is a stellar wordsmith. My
highest recommendation.
Passing the Baton: The Norman "Joe" Hirsch Story
William J. Hirsch
PublishAmerica
PO Box 151, Frederick MD 21705
ISBN 1413728944 $29.95 496 pages
From one generation to the next -- despite life's trials and sorrows -- the baton of hope is passed.
This author does a remarkable job of illustrating that point as he tells the story of one family. But
Passing the Baton goes far beyond being simply a memoir.
Jerry Rekned, as family friend and witness to their lives, shares the Hirsch family story in first
person. The author, through Jerry, is an extraordinary story teller. His intimate recollections of life
in
Brooklyn during the first fifty years of the 20th century draw readers into the story immediately.
Each generation of Hirschs come alive in many large and small ways. The effect is touching,
humorous, sad, delightful, and real.
Joe Hirsch's ancestors came to America from czarist Russia to escape religious persecution. As
Russian Jews, even initial poverty in Brooklyn was preferable to the brutal pogroms experienced
in
their homeland. Despite racial, religious, and ethnic segregation, the Hirsch family grew and
thrived
in their new land.
Norman "Joe" Hirsch is the amazing central character of this story. As a boy he is the likeable,
sensible, athletic and self reliant hero to his younger brother Billy. Joe, Billy, and friends grow up
in
Brooklyn during the 20s and 30s. Through them we get a close up view of what life was like for
them day to day. And through older members of the family we experience the socio-political
climate
of early 20th century America, and their concerns about yet another war festering in Europe.
Joe and Billy Hirsch both enlist in 1942. Like most American boys of the time, they hold an
innocent, idealistic world view. For certain, none of them could imagine the horrors they would
see
in battle. Through letters home, Jerry's commentary as related through family members, and Joe's
diary entries, we see what they saw. Basic training, flight school, and realistic accounts of
bombing
runs under heavy fire are harrowing. Through their words, we live the war with them, feel the fear
and experience the sorrow of losing comrades in foreign lands. When Lt. Joe Hirsch is shot down
with his crew over Germany in 1944, he is only 21 years old. We grieve with his family and
friends,
feel that loss as surely as if he were one of our own. But the war does end, and the baton of hope
is
passed to a new generation of Hirschs by story's end.
Passing the Baton is more than a memoir, more than just a charming, well written book. It's living
history, rich and alive on every page. My compliments to the author for a book exceedingly well
written, entertaining, and educational. This book gets my highest recommendation.
Poems From My Bleeding Heart
David Rehak
PublishAmerica
PO Box 151, Frederick MD 21705
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1413705588 $19.95 163 pages
David Rehak's novels are compelling, sometimes shocking, and always written in his own distinct
voice. His work is often daring, skating along the edges of familiar literary concepts. This book of
poetry comes from the same place in Rehak's psyche. Nothing is too sacred or profane to be an
object of his Muse. Whether rhyme, free verse, or prosaic processes, his poems run the gamut
from
sweet to solemn, erotic to irreverent, laced with generous doses of humor.
"On the Death of a Friend" was one of my favorites because of its offset rhyming words and the
sound of it when read aloud:
Death has coiled you round him too soon
In arms as dark as the hours of the moon,
In his soft, oblivious,
cozy cocoon,
Just to prove that flesh is never impervious.
"Deceitful Age" is another favorite because of the different spin and varying poetic styles Rehak
uses
to make his point:
In this deceitful age,
Even liars elude shame;
And where is the public outrage
When the wrongdoer escapes blame?
Political leaders, you are failed saviors!
Political analysts, you are gloom-and-doom prophets!
Citizens, you are gullible victims!
And the world keeps spinning on its axis,
And Time keeps on ticking in the brain of its clock.
"A Noble Savage" is this poet's contemplation on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley:
O noble savage
Of a twisted science!
You remind us of dangers
Like genetic engineering;
When man tampers with nature,
He pays an unaffordable price!
Rehak's thoughts are often morbid as he contemplates his death or the death of others. Sometimes
he finds a disconcerting humor in the misbegotten misfits of a hypocritical society. And every so
often lovers of poetic metaphor will be delighted, as in this excerpt from "At the Beaches of
Normandy":
as soon as we hit soil, the bullets hit us,
we were like wasps in the winter
of this furious flurry of fire.
Or in this excerpt from "Autumn Rain":
And branches fearfully waved
Their every red-clad hand
Under teary-eyed clouds
And the pounding fist of thunder.
David Rehak takes readers on a whirlwind tour of his world in Poems From My Bleeding Heart.
These are sometimes ribald and rollicking messages of bleeding pleading or poignant observations
of
hope and despair. It's David Rehak, as he is and how he thinks, as man and poet.
5,000 Bells
Charles Fishman
Cross-Cultural Communications
239 Wynsum Ave., Merrick NY 11566-4725
www.crossculturalcommunications.com
ISBN 0893047848 $10.00 + s & h 40 page chapbook
Charles Fishman is a Pulitzer-nominated poet with impressive credentials and an international
reputation. He has authored numerous full length poetry books, chapbooks, and translations in
addition to editing an award winning anthology. He currently serves as Director of the
Distinguished
Speakers Program at Farmingdale State and Poetry Editor of New Works Review. By any
measurement you choose, Charles Fishman is a scholar, and yet his poetry has always been
accessible, sensitively written, and easily understood by all who read it. 5,000 Bells is the latest
example of his articulate work, dedicated to a subject he holds dear -- the Holocaust. From the
beautiful front cover photograph by Reva Sharon to the poetry between the covers, this chapbook
is
first rate.
"Ghosts" introduces us to Fishman's heart, tells us in simple terms why his private moments are
often
spent mourning the lost and forgotten who died in ditches decades ago:
I've heard it said that lives
are valueless as smoke,
that only God survives
the poisoned drink of Death.
And yet I count these ghosts
and think of one who died
with a young child at her breast,
unnoticed and unmourned.
"Mengele" defines the essence of an inhuman monster. I quote this poem in its entirety because to
do
otherwise would dilute its chilling message:
He had the charm of a Chinese emperor
and loved to mingle with the victims
and stood, invincible but mincingly,
ready to divide them, mongrel from mongrel,
his arm raised and potent as the staff
of Moses. Those he permitted to linger
in the anterooms of death, he could mangle
or heal as desired, yet his wand picked them out
with the delicacy of a watercolorist's brush
and rarely swooped or slashed: the symphony
he conducted required restraint, a deft elegance,
balletic dash. Each transport he ministered to
mastered him: a Mongol conqueror transformed.
He would change a whole people into ash
and absence, into silence and smoke.
In "A Child Survivor", a Jewish child is rescued from Warsaw. She's loved and nurtured by her
rescuers, but always there is the awful truth, that other life she escaped:
.....Yet that other world
remained unapproachably distant --
the dark side of her private moon --
Fishman grieves, not only for the millions lost but also for the survivors. The Holocaust was six
decades ago. Its survivors face advancing age in "The Survivors are Dying":
What is a fire without a witness?
What is the smell of death
without the gift of witnesses
without the histories written
in their blood?
The Nazis thought they could silence God by destroying synagogues and hiding Torahs, and
eliminate an ancient culture by killing Jews. "Souls of the Torah" is a triumphant four-part poem
that
proves the Nazis wrong on all counts because such voices and their history will never be
silenced:
Let us who come after purify this place
whose fate was not to be destroyed
.....The temple
will have a Torah; instead of emptiness
and silence, a history and a voice.
"The Ballad of Ravensbruck" is a sentimental favorite of mine. Ravensbruck was a concentration
camp for women, a camp about which little is written. Women who resisted Nazi occupation were
sent there with their children and starved, maimed, sterilized, or killed outright. 90,000 died; less
than half that number survived. This poem memorializes a group of survivors on a visit to the
place
decades later:
Ravensbruck refused them drink,
refused them food and pride;
it forced them to divorce their hearts
from their souls and minds
Yes, here is Bella who moans like a ghost
and Chana who mourns like a bride
and this is Ilsa who kneels in the dirt
where her twin daughters died.
Charles Fishman's words are rich with metaphors. He weaves poetic tributes to a past that cannot
be
allowed to fade. He calls such memories "hieroglyphs the lens saves." His poems become a
substitute of sorts for the Jewish woman praying with a lace handkerchief on her head -- "a frail
membrane of grace" for those of us whose hearts and minds he hopes to reach.
This book is highly recommended.
Into India, Out of Africa
Alistair Caldicott
PublishBritannica
PO Box 151, Frederick MD 21705
ISBN 1413741088 $24.95 292 pages
Most of us will never have the opportunity to travel the world. We will be forced by circumstance
to
travel via armchair from home. My advice is to let Alistair Caldicott take you to glamorous,
exotic
and exciting destinations and leave him to deal with the disturbing, uncomfortable and dangerous
because he copes so well and lives to tell us all about it. This book is not a travel guide. It's more
personal than that, chatty and well written, and an all around good read in every way.
Our brave traveler begins in India. Through mind sapping heat, he shares every step with his
readers:
grand palaces, staggering poverty, beautiful people and places, and sickening squallor. We
experience the river Ganges, a holy river so polluted that oxygen can no longer live in it. He hikes
the Himalayas while fighting bouts of altitude sickness and diarrhea, introduces us to Sherpa
strongholds and yak caravans in Nepal and Tibet, and climbs pristine blue glaciers. And just when
you think it could not possibly get more exciting, he heads for Australia via Bangkok and
Singapore.
I've always been curious about Australia. Caldicott taught me more about "down under" in this
book
than I've learned in a lifetime of movies and books. He soaks it all in like a sponge and takes his
readers with him. From one end of Australia to another, he travels dusty outback roads, gapes in
awe at ancient cliffs and Aboriginal rock paintings. We feel the blistering heat and the incessant
swarms of flies that buzz at every human orifice demanding entry. And we share his wonder at
sleeping under night time skies so inspiring that he fights off sleep to watch them.
New Zealand is a land of charming contrasts: tropical vegetation, volcanoes, boiling mud pools
and
geysers, mist shrouded craters, ancient water caves, glaciers, fjords, and an unexpectedly mild
climate. If I were Caldicott, I would have tarried longer in New Zealand, or spent my entire
sabbatical there, but he was cracking to reach Africa.
Africa is a beautifully diverse continent in ways most of us will never see. Caldicott describes it as
a
raw, challenging, enthralling, rewarding continent, then sets out to show us exactly what he means
by that statement. From the southernmost tip of Africa he treks, sometimes painfully, to his final
destination, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Along the way we visit rubbish infested cities in decline, learn about
apartheid and other political injustices, and walk pristine beaches. We accompany the author as he
snorkels with whale sharks in the Indian Ocean and hikes the Khyber pass. He introduces us to
oasis
pools in the world's oldest desert and hidden gems not yet discovered by tourists. We rough camp
in
the bush surrounded by wild animals, go white water rafting on the Zambize River, and suffer
with
the author through a frightening bout of malaria. And finally we struggle with him through the
crowning achievement of his travels -- climbing Kilimanjaro.
This is an exhilarating book, a thoroughly satisfying read from beginning to end. If you are at all
curious about the world and its wonders, I suggest you buy this book then lean back and let Mr.
Caldicott take you on a journey of the mind. Allow him to stimulate your senses through his
words.
Highly recommended reading for High School age and up.
Uncle Dubya's Jihad Jamboree: a graphic chronicle featuring "Kidd Millennium"
Ron Callari, author
Jack Pittman, illustrator
Howling Dog Press
A Brave New World Order Book
PO Box 853, Berthoud CO 80513-0853
ISBN 1882863569 $14.95 144 pages
Ron Callari and Jack Pittman describe themselves as "two '60s sympathizers who have traded in
their peace signs for Florsheims but still want to give peace a chance." Callari writes the
commentary
and Pittman creates the illustrations. Together, thanks to their fertile imaginations, they take
political
commentary, irony and satire to new heights. The star of their joint effort is Kidd Millennium, a
sly,
wisecracking, bediapered baby who delivers "platitudes with attitude." Callari, Pittman, and Kidd
have a devoted international following and it's no wonder. But I suspect the politicians skewered
by
this feisty Kidd and his pals are less than thrilled by Callari and Pittman's war of words and
images.
If this book does not make you smile or make you mad, or both, nothing will.
Both commentary and illustrations are excellent so I had trouble choosing review content. A few
of
the highlights for me included the following commentaries:
the electoral college -- where party cronies elect the president and not the voters; continuity of
government -- better known in the beltway as the Shadow Government -- where only Republican
members of the Executive Branch are allowed to survive to govern in a post-apocalyptic America;
zealots in training -- whose families are paid because their loved one agrees to martyr himself or
herself in the name of jihad and Allah; strange bedfellows -- the evildoers who are anathema today
are the "informers" the U.S. paid handsomely for information and favors yesterday; All the
illustrations were equally thought provoking, but among my favorites were:
a parody of Men in Black, with the President wiping out our collective memories of past missteps,
with the kidd asking "How do you think he's maintained his popularity rating?"; the President
reprising Swarzenegger's role as the Terminator, starring as "the Preemptinator". The critics gave
this debut two big thumbs up, but as Kidd Millennium astutely pointed out, they did not say up
where; a poignant and powerful illustration of Kidd Millennium comforting a weeping Statue of
Liberty after 9/11; the President in an Iraqi foxhole asking "Is it still a standoff?" with Kidd as his
lookout saying, "No. Rumsfeld has successfully transferred his high level blame to low level
prison
guards." Most of us already know our government plays fast and loose with taxpayer money. It
also
comes as no big surprise that we are shut out of the decision-making loops and circles in D.C.
Despite that, Callari and Pittman shed new light on the Iraqi war while educating and entertaining.
Sun Tzu, as the originator of "shock and awe," said several thousand years ago that the best way
to
win a battle was not to fight it. In Uncle Dubya's Jihad Jamboree, Callari and Pittman wonder how
we got that message wrong, and question all the many reasons why.
The Death of Sardanapalus and Other Poems of the Iraq Wars
David Ray
Howling Dog Press
PO Box 853, Berthoud CO 80513-0853
ISBN 1882863550 $14.95 trade $21.95 collector edition, 240 pages
Early reviews of this book extol David Ray's poetry. Among the accolades are: "relentlessly
devastating"; "the master work"; "a visionary blessing"; and "exquisitely beautiful." The Death of
Sardanapalus goes far beyond those words of praise. From the breathtaking cover and art work to
David Ray's words, the entire presentation is of the highest quality. As a reviewer, I must struggle
to
do this fine work justice.
From ancient times, when Persians, Greeks, and Romans plagued the world with wars, poetic
voices
have been raised in protest. It requires as much courage to protest as it does to take up arms.
Through the ages, dissenters have been shunned, persecuted, or killed in an attempt to silence
them.
Each war to end all war is made to seem heroic and patriotic by those in power at the time. David
Ray looks to past wars and long dead civilizations, drawing disturbing correlations to the powers
waging war today. He does not spare himself or readers the lingering sorrow and horror of 9/11.
Nor does he sidestep the sticky politics involved with the Iraqui wars. You'll find no politically
correct drivel here. This poet shines a penetrating light on smokescreens and enlightens as he
educates. It shocked me to comprehend, for example, that what our political powers call
"collateral
damage" today was labeled ethnic cleansing in the days of Hitler and Stalin.
Although I know it is naive, perverse, and infantile,
I cannot stop thinking of the children of Baghdad
who will soon be dealt with as if they are no more
than dust of the street, clay figurines to be shattered.
The crux of our present deterioration within America's boundaries can be boiled down to its
essence
in one poem, titled "Congress":
A few good women
spoke up
and a few good men.
The others voted
Gung-ho for war.
And then gave more
billions every time
they were asked although
we cannot afford
such luxuries as
health care, clean air,
or voting machines
that will guarantee
an honest election --
the last thing desired
in our unique democracy.
Weapons of mass destruction haunt our world and this poet's thoughts. Americans watch the
news
for warning signs that air or water have been targeted by terrorists. Meanwhile, in "WMDS
Anew",
David Ray presents a view that many of us may have missed:
On the freight siding
the cars of DuPont and Dow
stand ready to serve.
Tax paying citizens, going about their daily lives, have responsibilities too. Regrettably, America
lost
her innocence long before 9/11. Ray makes that clear in this excerpt from "A Vision
Emergency:
.....Peasants are fleeing
our planes, and we who fund a war
machine, even the gentlest among us,
are no longer the good people even
in our own eyes. Fear gathers around
towns and cities all over the earth
and we are what is feared, as Rome
once was.....
It's been said that poetry is man's way of expressing the inexpressible. In The Death of
Sardanapalus
David Ray weaves the inexpressible into every word, each poem, clearly and without the usual
disguises. His work is shocking, thought provoking and sad because he has not given up on hope.
Not entirely. He still hopes poetry can make a difference.
We looked forward to a clean millennium,
free of murder. But imagine our naievete!
Yet I praise our futile efforts, our going down
with our words the way soldiers fall in battles.
My compliments to David Ray and Howling Dog Press for this amazing book. If there is any
justice
left in the world, it will be a modern classic.
This Eternal Hubbub
Joe M. Ruggier
Multicultural Books
Richmond Gardens, 307 Birchwood Court, 6311 Gilbert Rd., Richmond BC, V7C3V7
ISBN 0973330147 $36.95 275 pages
Joe M. Ruggier is an internationally recognized writer, poet, and scholar, born in Malta and now
living in Canada. This Eternal Hubbub is the third revision of a work that's been in process twenty
years. My overall impression of this work is reminiscent of beautifully conceived classical tomes
predating the 18th and 19th centuries. It has been written and printed with a loving and precise
attention to detail. The careful choice of fonts and color art reproductions add depth to Ruggier's
poetry and prose.
The poets of antiquity believed poetry and poetic prose were acts of intelligent, dedicated service
to
humanity. Ruggier carries on in that tradition with his skillful blending of classical poetry and
commentary. He believes poetry is most potent when it treats a universal theme with genuine
dignity. The greatest and most memorable classic works were written with love. For example, he
states that biblical scriptures have tremendous impact and yet are written with eloquent
simplicity.
The author proposes that Art is a basic human need, one often lost in the hubbub of modern
society.
Before technology, humankind could see and hear the poetry of existence in the world around
them.
Today, humans are lost and floundering, isolated from beauty and peace by war and the pursuit of
money. Ruggier contends that humans can regain their humanity and focus through the Arts --
classical poetry and prose, paintings and music of the Masters. The reading and writing of poetry,
for example, is a peaceful pursuit that helps us rediscover wonder. In a stunning and thought
provoking comparison, Ruggier states Jesus of Nazareth was an effective Artist because he
restored
to humanity their lost dignity. Jesus Christ was a world class artist, sharing his philosophy of love
as
every Artist has throughout time. In this way, upheld as the epitome of excellence through the
purity
of his message, Jesus joins the ranks of Shakespeare, Beethoven, Tennyson, Keats, and other
classical Artists.
It's not possible to adequately condense this fine book into a review. I'll simply say that Ruggier
demonstrates an astounding range as poet, essayist, and wordsmith. This Eternal Hubbub is a
scholarly work, complete with informative and enlightening footnotes. The author writes from the
perspective of an Artist and lifelong Catholic. And yet he brings a valid message to readers of any
age, religious practice, or level of education.
A Stone Blessing
T. Luis Cox
Uccelli Press
PO Box 85394, Seattle WA 98145-1394
www.uccellipress.com
ISBN 0972323147 $14.00 101 pages
The poetry of T. Luis Cox has been creating a stir online for some time now. His work has
appeared
in The Pedestal Magazine, The Three Candles, and has favorably impressed the Poetry Editor at
New Works Review. Mr. Cox is an educator who practices Tibetan Buddhism. His poetry is often
transcendental, taking readers beyond the mundane to dreamlike visions of pure beauty.
"This Journey" is a prime example, written in memory of the poet's father:
Does it slip away, too,
like the body back
into its original element,
or is that what we are,
a moment slivering itself
in layer after layer, in space
at our fingertips, always
the same yet not?
Cox gives us "...the sound of whispers boiling in a dying light..." as his meditative spirit expands
to
draw us in. In his hands, words become a praise song, as "In Praise of Bodhicitta":
Paper springs from my oak
pencil faster than a wren's dash,
night thick
with her dreams...
The solitary life of every man, each poet, is transformed into a stark memorial in "A Parable for
Yama:"
...Poetry is the death of belief in sanctity,
an end toward which I'll strive for sleep
fully awake, an incurable insomniac who's lost
his faith in parables alone.
In "The Wind of the Aran Islands" he shows us Gaelic tombstones, chilling winds, penetrating
cold
and fogs, compelling beauty through the eyes of a pilgrim:
...How had I arrived at so forlorn
a hilltop, with its slabs of granite and formidable cairns
leaning with me toward sunlight? How bright it'd become!
I recalled the twelth century ruins of a teampall
I'd climbed over stone-mortar walls to get to, its roof
flown into another century, caught in a draft,
no doubt, stronger than any faith contained by walls
decaying under the weight of a pastor's sermons.
His travels are both figurative and literal, sharing a sense of who Cox is and who he aspires to be
as
human. One poem I found most touching was "Morning at Chochise Stronghold":
Such a monument to the mortared dead, this stone
with its commemorative plaque, this cool
once-upon-a-time chiseling
a strange pastime for the eye;
He yearns to understand the ancient ways, and finds his evidence through distinct primordial
rhythms, as in "The Story of Asanga":
...to know again the way his hands held
a cave's walls, lifting himself to unsteady knees?
...his own eyes fluttering when he saw thousands
of years flooding through his mind's unequivocating eye...
"I Wish I Were a Hay", written in memory of Lucas Cox, is a hopeful anthem celebrating spirit's
triumph over death. I found an awesome power in Cox's simple paean:
Only you are gone,
Lucas, "bringer of light,"
in whose luminous shadow
I now stand,
bereft.
These few excerpts from T. Luis Cox's book are faint offerings of what treasures might be found
between two covers. This poet's fan base is growing, and the work in A Stone Blessing will no
doubt add to his following.
The Anguish of the Blacksmith's Forge
Larry Jaffe
Troubador Publishing Ltd.
9 De Montfort Mews, Leicester LE1 7FW UK
www.troubador.co.uk
ISBN 1904744567 $15.00 74 pages
Often the finest discoveries come about inadvertently, by chance. Such is the case with Larry
Jaffe's
poetry. As poet and otherwise, Jaffe's credentials are impeccable. He is the International Readings
Coordinator for the United Nations Dialogue Among Civilizations through Poetry Project. He
co-founded Poets for Peace. His work has been translated into many languages and is read around
the world. Long time fans celebrate the release of a new book by Larry Jaffe. I regret not
discovering him sooner.
So where to begin with a review? Poem I is a good start:
A woman
materializes
from the sea
he risks
all hope
on a smile.
Simple. Clearly expressed in a way that both characters come to life before our eyes. Minimalist,
perhaps, but not minimizing, as in a following poem that is almost haiku-like in its design:
They speak
with fingers
A teared
cheek smiles.
Jaffe writes of love -- its deepest pains and grandest blessings -- as in this excerpt where a loving
encounter:
replaces
his emptiness
baptizes his body
with her own...
And when love goes wrong, sorrow smothers out every other aspect of life:
she works
goodbyes
into his
emerging
scars.
Despite the bereft lover's sorrow, there is a wonderful humor in his thought processes:
He sings
her name
in bed
every night
like an old
rock and roll
song.
This lesson
in forgetting
is not very
practical.
Jaffe describes the poems in this book as "minimalist." I found his poems to be simple but
eloquent,
rich with meaning and easily understood. Anyone who ever loved or needed love should read
these
poems. They're forged from Larry Jaffe's heart.
On the Right Side of a Dream
Sheila Williams
One World / Ballantine / Random House
1745 Broadway, NY, NY 10019
ISBN 0345464753 $12.95 240 pages
While reading a book, I often try to envision what the author must be like in real life. In Sheila
William's case, I imagined her to be warm, engaging, blessed with humor and hope, just like her
personal writing style. This is the sort of book that warmly welcomes readers into the story and
makes them feel a part of it.
Juanita Lewis is forty-something, stuck in a mundane life and wishing for some reason to rejoice.
For longer than she can remember, life hasn't moved forward for her and she's been afraid to look
back. When dealing with a manipulative daughter finally sparks a meltdown, Juanita breaks loose
from her Ohio roots and heads west. She lands in Paper Moon, Montana, finds unconditional love
and acceptance, and that is just the start of her journey. But this land of wondrous earth and sky
delivers more than simply awesome scenery and a man to share her life.
Juanita's Montana friends are priceless characters, brought to vibrant life through Ms. Williams'
skill.
It's through these fascinating people that Juanita learns more about the world than she could have
imagined. Peaches Bradshaw, for example, drives a purple Kenworth fondly known as "the purple
passion." Juanita accompanies Peaches on a trip cross country to California where she sees the
ocean for the first time. They stop off in Arizona on the return trip, and there Juanita juggles
crystals, channels positive energy, and discovers new capabilities. Thanks to her time in Arizona,
she
dares to dream of educating herself and finding a new career.
In Paper Moon, Juanita finds a worldly mentor in the eighty-some year old Millie Tilson. This
lively
senior citizen has a 70 year old "boy toy" and a penchant for Victoria's Secret lingerie. She grabs
life
by the horns and hangs on tight, no matter how wild the ride. Millie is instrumental in daring
Juanita
to spread her wings and grow in ways she never imagined.
And then there is Jess Gardiner. Jess is a quiet spoken, hard working man, owner of the local
diner.
After a life of hard knocks, Juanita finds a loving home with Jess and experiences unconditional
love
for the first time. No matter where she goes or how long she stays while pursuing her dreams,
Jess
lets her know in clear terms that she always has a home and love with him.
The beauty of this book is how the author tells Juanita's story in first person. She shows us each
new
location, lets us meet each new friend with wide eyed excitement as she builds Juanita's
confidence.
Readers will love this beaten down woman who courageously transforms herself into a soaring
eagle
by book's end.
When the Bough Breaks
Matt Mason
Lone Willow Press
PO Box 31647, Omaha NE 68131
lonewillowpress@aol.com
No ISBN $7.95, 35 page chapbook
When a Lone Willow Press chapbook arrives in the mail, I prepare to be surprised. Regardless of
the
poet's age or home state, I know the poetry will be distinctive and deliver a memorable reading
experience. Matt Mason's intimate recollections of his father are, indeed, memorable.
Matt's father was a hard working product of the Heartland. This husband, father of seven children,
and respected businessman died of AIDS. No one knows how he got this disease but that is not
the
point of Mason's memories. In When the Bough Breaks he simply pays his father honor, an honor
the elder Mason earned and deserves.
Two of my favorite poems were "The Sin of Sodom" and "One Little Coffin." I choose not to
quote
from either in this review because their power is too stunning to adequately reduce to an
excerpt.
This excerpt from "When a Parent Dies" explains death's universal heartbreak in terms we can all
understand:
A friend's mom passed last week,
so I'm sitting with a blank card spread open,
trying to break words like horses.
I know, it's futile.
We can talk about the damnedest issues
with such editorial bombast, such learned flamboyance,
but on these,
we're so small.
Reminded
we are children.
In "Spending Quality Time With Dad", Mason visits his father in dreams:
and it's amazing, the sound of wind through these parchment leaves
is like the ocean but more
eternal, it's the sound of a wave that never crashes
on rock or sand or boat, it never slaps or recycles,
just hushes, always hushes in that same tone, same voice forever.
The Heartland never quite releases its hold on natives of the plains, no matter how far from home
they wander. Matt Mason is a Heartland son who trades memories for metaphors in a wonderful
poem that isn't really about weather -- "Watches to Warnings":
Understand, where I grew up, when a sky soaks
with a pink or orange tinge, when hail starts popping
across the blacktops, you expect sirens,
expect watches will turn into warnings
when you feel your skin bristle.
You won't have to strain and search for meaning in Matt Mason's poetry. He lays himself bare,
shares loss, love, rage and hope in words that alternately sing and soar. Congratulations to the
poet
and to Lone Willow Press for bringing these words to print.
Laurel Johnson
Senior Reviewer
Shelley's Bookshelf
Crimson Moon
Lucha Corpi
Arte Publico Press
University of Houston, 452 Cullen, Performance Hall, Houston, TX 77204-2004
ISBN: 1558854215 $12.95
With a tenure of over thirty years as a teacher in the Oakland Public School Neighborhood
Centers
Program, Lucha Corpi also enjoys distinction as a poet, children's book author, and mystery
novelist.
She has won the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Prize, the Multi cultural Publishers
Exchange Book Award of Excellence in adult fiction, and also was the recipient of a National
Endowment for the Arts fellowship.
Gloria Damasco enjoys her own prestige as the first Chicana detective in American literature. At
the
beginning of this tale of shadows and intrigue, a woman is found after falling down a shrub-filled
cliff. She is in a coma, and it is up to private investigators Justin Escobar and Dora Saldana to
untangle the clues. The story harkens back thirty years to the corruption of two F.B.I. agents; one
of
them now a dying old man. But the second F.B.I.. agent is a rapist, and leaves a trail of despair
and
desolation among the women he attacked:
"'I opened my eyes again the next morning in the hospital. I had been raped, a nurse told me.
Should
she contact the police on my behalf? Did I want to press charges? Back then nurses and doctors
were not required to call the police if they suspected rape. It was up to me. All I could think of
was
what my mother would say if she found out. I said no, no cops. All I could feel was a great
sadness
at his betrayal. Why had he, this man I loved, let that happen to me? I hated him.'"
Lucha Corpi packs this tale with a history of the Chicano movement in the United States and the
struggles of the Chicano brown power group in Denver and the Zapatista movement in Chiapas,
Mexico that took place in conjunction with the Civil Rights movement of the late 1960's and early
1970's. Police brutality was a major concern back then, and from this chronicle that Corpi
provides,
it was even worse for those involved in the Chicano movement.
Corpi writes a matter of fact narrative that underscores the deep passion underlying the events,
both
past and present. Her tale juxtaposes the slow demise of the innocent woman whose life was
shattered by a man who should have been her protector. It is up to her son to see that justice is
finally served, along with the detective work of Justin and Dora, who barely escape alive.
The Scarecrow Murders
Mary V. Welk
Hilliard & Harris Publishers
P.O. Box 3358, Frederick, Maryland 21705-3359
ISBN: 1591330866 $16.95
As author of the Caroline Rhodes mysteries, Mary V. Welk garnered a unusual variety of
accolades,
including finalist in the 1996 Hemingway First Novel competition and a 2000 Readers' Choice
Award for Best First Mystery for A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. Her SOMETHING
WICKED IN THE AIR received a Readers' Choice Award in 2002 as Best Traditional Mystery.
She
has been reviewed by the Chicago Sun Times, Mystery Scene Magazine, Romantic Times
Magazine,
and many others.
Rhineburg, Illinois boasts a terrible college football team with an unusually hot-headed coach; a
college president who is desperate for money; a small town banker with dubious business
practices;
and Caroline Rhodes, ER and college nurse, part-time sleuth, and soon-to-be grandmother. All of
these paths collide when the football team and a rodeo fight over the new stadium. Equipment
clad
football players engage in fights at the local brew pub, which escalates into a gender picket line,
with
the men on one side in favor of the team and the ladies on another in favor of the rodeo. When a
particularly nasty football player is found dead in a bull pen and Caroline's son Martin is the
primary
suspect, she puts her sleuthing talents to work, utilizing her friend Carl the college history
professor
and some of the town's most interesting characters. Of course this all happens during Halloween,
to
set a scene of goblins and mayhem:
"'I lost my hat in the wind,' Carl grumbled. 'I didn't want my head to get soaked, so I put on the
Halloween mask I bought to scare the kids with.' Half way out of his jacket, he stopped to eyeball
the nine women huddled around the table. They were staring at him as if he'd gone completely
mad.
'Hey! I'm not the only crazy one around here,' he bellowed, gesturing at the outfits they were
wearing. 'Take a look at yourselves in the mirror. At least I had a good reason to look
foolish.'"
Mary Welk's folksy, yet well-crafted style of writing makes this a first-rate mystery. She develops
an
unusual and interested plot, includes plenty of well-defined characters, and her use of language
and
circumstance all add up to an griping tale with bulls and bull-headed men running around
everywhere. Caroline is a no-nonsense sleuth with lots of personality.
Power in the Blood
Brenda Robertson Stewart
SterlingHouse Publisher
7436 Washington Avenue, Suite #200, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
ISBN: 1563153653 $12.95
If one travels to Brenda Robertson Stewart's home town of Bloomington, Indiana, one will find
sinkholes, snakes, and some very peculiar religious practices. Ms. Stewart earned a B.A. in
English
from Indiana University. Along with her obvious writing skills, she is also a forensic artist
specializing in facial reconstruction, which gives her a very special perspective on forensic
investigations and the art of doll artistry. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and several doll
artist
organizations.
POWER IN THE BLOOD is the first Lettie Sue Wolfe mystery. Lettie Sue is a widow who has
come back to Indiana to rest after the death of her husband and to work on her hobby
reconstructing
faces from skulls. Her home town is happy that she has returned until one of her reconstructions
turns out to be her best friend Sassy's long disappeared sister Marty. Lettie Sue becomes an
instant
celebrity, and odd things begin to happen. Her special relationship with her elderly neighbors,
Aunt
Mattie and Uncle Jim, who constantly worry about her and warn her of a wolf that Uncle Jim
keeps
hearing, enables her to begin to build her life. But the murderer has other ideas:
"Suddenly I heard violent barking from downstairs. I sneaked downstairs and peeked around the
curtain. The security light was out. After my eyes adjusted to the dark, I saw movement just
behind
the old maple tree. Bailey began to bark hysterically again. I sneaked over to the phone, but it was
dead. Thank goodness I had a backup for the security system. It wouldn't be so easily
disabled."
Ms. Stewart's first Lettie Sue mystery is a barn-storming page turner! She uses the naturally
sinister
topography of her home town to cook up a plot that is as compelling as her relationship with her
elderly neighbors and animals is sweet. This mystery is the best kind of cozy that is appropriate
for
virtually any age group, and is as entertaining as it can be. Lettie Sue is a likable character with
talent, character, and is just nosy enough to constantly get herself into a pickle. Ms. Stewart adds
obvious regional oddballs to give an already excellent tale more credence. POWER IN THE
BLOOD is a good, old fashioned story with love, religious fanaticism, family togetherness, and
healing after the loss of a loved one. Lettie Sue is just getting started.
Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer
Shirley's Bookshelf
In Search Of A Brilliant White Cloud
Simon van der Heym
Ivy House Publishing Group
5122 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, NC 27612
ISBN# 1571974202 $24.95 366 pages
In this book we are introduced to Eric van Polis, a young Dutch boy whose life is about to change
forever. We experience the trauma that is his as his family makes a dangerous escape to
Switzerland
fleeing the persecution of the Jews at the hands of the Germans. The author does an outstanding
job
in bringing you into the lives of Eric and his family, allowing you to feel the inward emotions that
they are dealing with during this traumatic time, their unbelievable horror and the courage each
family member was called upon to give. At the end of this experience you know this family and
have
become one with their hopes and dreams for the future, and the deep heartbreaks they have
experienced.
We follow Eric's life as he struggles to understand why he suffered for being Jewish, why his
relationships fail and why his life seems to have no meaning. We share with him in failed
marriages,
father-child problems, career decisions and life in general. In his journey, Eric battles his emotions,
desperately seeking answers and longing for a peace he cannot seem to find.
Finally after a lifetime of unanswered questions we find Eric at peace with himself, his family, his
past and eternity as he is confronted with the battle of cancer. A gift in disguise, Eric learns as he
is
confronted with possible death, what life is all about.
I found the experience that Eric had with the 'white cloud' fascinating and would have liked to
have
read more details about it. Although I felt the author wrote as much about the experience as he
could, I long to know the mystery behind it. It certainly was a life changing experience for Eric,
and
one that added deep meaning to the read. It is through this circumstance that Eric finally realizes
what is important in life, his past shortcomings in achieving that goal and the realization that it is
within his own ability to reach the peace he has been searching for, for so long.
This work is one mans struggle against the obstacles that life placed before him, his continuing
battles and his final conquest. I believe the author finally found his answers and I hope this work
will
help others to find their peace as well.
Miranda's Vines
Kimberly Kafka
Plume Publishing
www.penguin.com
ISBN# 0452286174 $14.00 272 pages
We are first introduced to Miranda Perry, a young woman with a 6 year old son, who has all
ready
tasted the agony life can bring when she suffered the death of her husband before the birth of her
son. Her life is about to change once more.
Miranda has worked hard to make her way in the world of culinary in San Francisco. Close now
to
owning her own restaurant, again life gets in the way as her father dies and she must return to
Oregon and face the prospects of what to do with his winery, and the beautiful vineyards that
have
been in her family for years. She has worked hard at her new life in San Francisco, yet her heart
seems to be drawing her to her heritage.
We are also introduced to her friend Bridie, a fiery young woman, independent and strong in the
beginning, but soon becoming dependent, despondent and discouraged after a terrible sled-dog
accident. As fate would have it, these two women are drawn together at Miranda's fathers home
where they must face the changes that life has given to them.
The book has many facets to it that I found very good. One was the rich characters and their true
life
struggles against immense odds. I love how the author showed the raw emotions in each one. She
also added some slices of romance to a couple that you did not think would ever taste of it. Very
good.
Ms. Kafka brought to life the world of wine making and the problems they face; I found that to be
very interesting and I love the way she added the often hard living that the migrant workers
endure
day to day.
This was a great read. Life's battles played out and raw emotions dealt with all wrapped up in a
very
good storyline. I recommend this book; I believe you will truly enjoy this read.
Grieving God's Way
Margaret Brownley
Winepress Publishing
Enumclaw, WA 98022
www.winepresspub.com
ISBN# 1579216641 $15.99 314 pages
None of us in this life are allowed the luxury of escaping the loss of someone or something we
love.
If there is life, there will certainly be death. In this exceptional work, Grieving God's Way,author
Margaret Brownley helps us to understand the grieving process and leads us upon the walkway to
peace.
In her writing she is open and frank about our grieving experience, yet she laces each expression
with comforting Scriptures and insightful wisdom from the Lord. She shares topics such as, "the
Healing Power of Prayer, To Hope Again, God The Beacon, and Where Is God?" She takes some
tough subjects and questions that those grieving are certainly screaming out, and gently but with
deep conviction speaks the assuring words that are so desperately needed to be heard.
Grieving God's Way is a book written with a fresh approach to dealing with such a personal,
intimate and unapproachable emotion, grief. In this work, we find hope, encouragement and a
glimmer of peace for the future. I recommend this book and know that the words within it's pages
will help bring healing to many.
A Treasury of American Bottles
William C. Ketchum Jr
A Rutledge Book
Indianapolis, NY
ISBN# 0891040285 $14.95 50 pages
If you are looking for a great book on American bottles, this is the book for you. Chock full of
colored pictures, you will quickly be able to identify if you have a treasure in your
possession.
The author goes into extreme detail on subjects such as how a bottle is made, to the different
times
each bottle was manufactured. Very interesting and very informative.
I found this work to be one of the easiest ones to use. It would be impossible not to recognize a
bottle with the very large pictures that are there for you to view.
This work is definitely a must if you are interested in American bottles. Excellent!
American Antique Furniture
Edgar G. Miller, Jr.
Dover Publications
New York, NY
ISBN# 0486216004 $3.95 500 pages
My sister-in-law has gotten me interested in antiques, something that I never thought would
happen.
While checking out some books in the library, I came across this one. Although it was published
in
1966 the information in it is still very true and the descriptions of American furniture are very
good.
Author Edgar Miller put over 2,000 illustrations in the book which is a super aid in identifying a
piece. This may be an old book, but it in itself is a treasure for the antique furniture hunter. You
can
still purchase it on Amazon and if you are a serious antique hunter you will want this book. I
recommend it.
Heisey Glass
Shirley Dunbar
Krause Publications
New York, NY
ISBN# 0873418859 $26.95 175 pages
In this book author Shirley Dunbar shares with the reader her research on glassware produced by
the
A.H. Heisey Company, from 1896-1924. This book contains page after page of large, full color
pictures of the different pieces. This is always joy to have as it makes identifying your piece so
much
easier. You can also find the market value of each piece which is another great plus.
We are given a history of the Heisey Company and its founder and helpful tips for buying and
caring
for glassware. A well researched book that every collector would want in their library.
Toys & Prices, 1999 6th Edition
Sharon Korbeck
Krause Publications
New York, NY
ISBN# 0873416546 $18.95 928 pages
Are you wondering what to do with all those old toys that are up in your attic? Before you sell
them
at your next garage sale, or pitch them in the trash; I'd recommend that you check out their value.
Toys & Prices is a great book to give you some idea of what treasures you may have in your
home.
The book is packed full of information on the value of toys such as the Match box cars, board
games, coloring books and even lunch boxes. I was amazed at what was collectable and sighed
knowing what I had sold at last months garage sale. I recommend this book, it's full of interesting
information and also has some identifying pictures to help you along. Good treasure hunting to
you!
Bound For The Promised Land
Kate Clifford Larson
One World Ballantine Books
New York, NY
ISBN# 0365456289 $14.95 304 pages
Who is this woman they called "Moses?" and what did she do to acquire this name? In this work
by
Kate Larson we examine the life and workings of Harriet Tubman, a remarkable woman who
risked
her life for others. The author takes us along the journey of Ms.Tubman's life and her battle for
freedom and the freedom of others who were slaves at this time. The author's work shows her
intense research as she carefully outlines and puts together all the pieces of this incredible
woman's
life. Her writing style is factual yet she draws you along in a gentle storytelling manner that keeps
your attention. The pictures that were included added much realism to the read as pictures
certainly
help by putting a face on the character you are reading about. I found this work very enlightening
and certainly learned a lot about an outstanding woman of history and the era in which she
lived.
How To Become A Swamp Creature
David Walks-As-Bear
The Wildland Press
2798 W. Tyler Road, Hart, Michigan 49420
ISBN# 0965615103 $15.00 39 pages
In this absolutely delightful work our author takes us on a learning experience on bow-hunting.
Geared to the young hunter, this book is not only educational but done in such a way that it is
entertaining and attention-grabbing.
In this work our author explains to them the respect they must have for animals and nature; I
found
this to be refreshing and a subject often not addressed in other works on this topic. He tells the
habits of the deer bringing to light that all creatures on this earth have meaning for their existence.
I
learned so much about the deer and their habits that I found myself sharing it with others, and I
am
not a hunter.
David explains about The Swamp Creature, just who is this creature, intriguing isn't it? He then
goes
on to explain why we must have Swamp Creatures, which quieted my spirit concerning hunting,
their equipment, their craft and the code they must live by.
As I said, I am not a hunter and I tend to shun anything concerning that area. However, I found
this
book to be very enlightening and I actually enjoyed reading it. It is packed full of colorful pictures
that help to bring across what the author is wanting the reader to understand; the writing is clear
and
concise, simple yet not lacking in fulfilling the information needed. Good job. All in all this is truly
a
great book, a wonderful learning experience and one that every young hunter should have and it
certainly would be an asset to anyone who has little understanding of the world of hunting. Highly
recommended.
Three Little Kittens
Jennifer Thompson
Picture Me Books
Custom Storybooks, Inc.
5576 Lake Knoll Way, Noblesville, IN 46060
www.customstorybooks.com 317-877-4089
ISBN# 1571515496 $6.95 10 pages
I bought this book for my granddaughter when she was 19 months old. I pasted her picture on the
back and when we shared the read she was thrilled to herself as part of the story. She loved being
part of the other babies in the book and we had a great time of sharing the rhymes together.
Highly
recommended.
Animal Prayer Guide
Niki Behrikis Shanahan
Pete Publishing
P.O. Box 282, Tyngsborough, MA 01879
ISBN# 0972030123 $12.95 59 pages
There are times when as a reviewer and a Christian I know when God touches a certain author to
do
His work in helping to reach his creation. I sense this anointing in author Niki Behrikis Shanahan,
I
sense the hand of God upon her words, within her life. Having had the privilege to read and
review
her first work, There Is Eternal Life For Animals, and acknowledging the spiritual workings
within
that book; I was anxious to read her new work, Animal Prayer Guide. I knew that this work was
done upon the inspiration of our Creator and I hungered to receive the guidance I knew would be
forthcoming.
Our author begins this writing by sharing with the reader the workings of prayer. Ms. Shanahan
carefully explains the right and authority we have as believers to pray, the importance of mixing
our
faith with prayer and the help our Heavenly Father gives to us; taking the time to show you why it
is
acceptable to God to pray for the animals we so love. As always, she backs up her writing with
Scripture and includes deep heartwarming testimonies of answered prayer, that will help increase
your faith to use the mighty weapon of prayer that God has given to you. Certainly by the time
you
have finished reading this section, you are well versed in your authority and in the privilege to
include any animal in your prayer requests.
As we travel on Ms. Shanahan begins to break down the prayers for our animal companions.To
name only a few of the prayers she shares with us, we have; Prayer For Healing, Prayer For Lost
Pets to Return, Prayer For Emergencies, Praying For Pet Shelters and my favorite, Saying Grace
Over Your Pet's Food. I never realized the importance of that. She gives Scripture and a sample
prayer to us for each, which you can change around to your own pets need. Outstanding!
Also included are some amazing experiences with animals and Saints now gone, and some
delightful
photos that will make you smile. Questions answered and backed-up by Scripture, sample prayers
to
help you along the way, and encouragement to never give up can all be found within the pages of
this book.
Animal Prayer Guide is a book that has been too long in coming and I'm glad it is finally
here.
Absolutely packed full of essential knowledge, this work should be kept as a reference book for
all
those who love God's creation; and should be read by all those, to their shame, who doubt that
God
would care about all of His creation. I believe it is the personal touch, the author's heart, that
makes
this book what it is. Do not misunderstand me, it is no nonsense and no wavering as far as
Scripture
is concerned, but the essence of the love of God can be felt in reading each page. A book that is
clear and concise, informative and Biblical, yet folded within the pages is the heart of God, his
love
for you and his love for his creation.
My final words would simply be, "Thank you Niki Shanahan for once more being obedient to the
Lord, for allowing Him to use you to pen the words that will bring hope, peace and healing to the
hearts of many. "
Book Marketing from A-Z
Francine Silverman
Infinity Publishing Company
1094 New Deliaven Street, Suite 100, West Conshohocken, Pa. 19428
ISBN# 0741424312 $18.95 400 pages
If you were to sit and talk with any writer whose work is having success, and ask them what the
main element is that has made this a reality, they would tell you one word, promotion. As a
reviewer, I have read countless books that literally brim over the top with talent and craftsmanship
of writing that will never be read by a hungry audience. Why? Because none knows about these
rare
treasures that would fill them with total ecstasy and pure reading enjoyment. When I am asked,
who
is your favorite author; I always say, the unknown. It is a sad truth, but there is hope at the end of
the tunnel, Book Marketing from A-Z, may indeed give any author a fighting chance in the
competitive world of publishing.
What will you find inside the pages of this excellent work? The heart of your fellow authors,
reviewers, and others that will share with you their trials, tribulations, failures and successes in
book
promoting. Written in a clear concise way; this work is easy to navigate, not filled with fluff, but
with honest ideas to help you achieve your goals. Authors from every genre are represented,
countless stories and valuable tips literally fill each page with their carefully constructed ideas and
plans that have helped to bring them in contact with the reading public. Find out the true answers
to
questions such as; Just how well do contests do to draw potential buyers? Are reviews really that
important? Does having a book signing really make a difference? If you have an unanswered
question about promoting, this book will give you the answer.
As one who hears the heart-cry of countless unknown authors, I cannot recommend this book
highly
enough. This work will be a Godsend to you; an author's Bible that you will refer to time and time
again; one that will help join you with the reader that is awaiting your hidden treasure.
Calypso's Secrets
Isabelle Kane
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052, Casper, WY 82605-1052
www.whiskeycreekpress.com Fax: (307) 265-8585
ISBN# 1593742401 $12.95 238 pages
The beginning of this read introduces us to Skylar Connelly, a young woman about to venture on
a
dangerous journey. We travel with her to her destination, a job for a very wealthy family at Coral
Key, teaching a young boy to swim. However, that is not the real reason Skylar accepted this
position, she is on a quest to find her missing sister Maia, who also had worked for this family and
had not been heard from since.
We meet Luke, the handsome left-hand man of Skylar's mysterious boss. Luke, at first meeting,
seemingly to be a self-centered man, immediately clashes with our young Skylar, yet there seems
to
be an intense attraction between the two. The characters build one by one in this work. The
mysterious teacher, Cole, just what was his relationship with Maia? The master of the house, Mr.
Escalle, who certainly has his hands into many illegal happenings; the matron housekeeper,Lillian,
whose heartstrings are attached to the boss and it appears her loyalty runs deep, despite his
rejection
of her feelings and his never-ending line of girlfriends. His henchmen who expect Skylar to be
receptive to their advances, and the submissive sister of Mr. Escalle, Angelique and her son Chris,
who bow to the every whim of the controlling brother.
As we travel along this delightful read the suspense builds. As Skylar begins to uncover little
secrets
the danger to her life increases and she must try to make a decision, just who is her friend and
who is
her enemy? Murder, attempted murder, mishaps, lies and deceit run ramped as Skylar persists on
her
quest to find her sister, and she must battle the growing emotions she is having for Luke. Guilt
battles with attraction as Skylar struggles with her inward feelings. Could Luke be responsible for
the loss of her sister, as if so why is she being drawn so strongly to him?
This work is packed full of suspense, murder, romance and mystery. It twists and turns and every
time you think you have it figured out the clues take you down another lane. Once I started this
read
I could not put it down until I completed it. The author does an outstanding job at keeping you
guessing and wondering just where is Skylars sister and what is the story behind this mysterious
house and its occupants right to the end. A great read, one you don't want to miss.
INTERVIEW WITH CAROLINE AKERVIK (pen name Isabelle Kane)
author of Calypso's Secrets
I reviewed Calypso's Secrets, and really enjoyed the read. I wanted to know more about the writer
behind the story and I am sure you will as well. Let's begin please.
SPJ: Caroline, thank you for doing this interview with me. Please tell us, what made you decide to
write this book?
Caroline: I was five months pregnant in the middle of another an unending Midwestern winter. I
was
feeling cold, dull, and decidedly unsexy. So, I escaped to the Florida Keys.
SPJ: Ah! Since I live in Florida I can certainly understand your desire to be here in the winter. I
really enjoyed your book, tell me how did you come up with your storyline?
Caroline: I started with the setting and the premise of the missing girl. Then, the search for clues
motivated a great deal of what happens in the story. The yacht named Calypso is a key symbol
and
the lynchpin to the story. Also, the setting and my own memories of a long ago trip to the Keys
led
to some natural developments in the story.
SPJ: Please tell us how you came up with the characters. Are they fashioned after people you
know?
Caroline: When I'm first crafting a character, I use characteristics or aspects of people whom I
know, have seen, or have read about. But, through the process of writing and revising, the
characters begin to grow, change, and develop in unique ways. By the time I'm finished working
on
a novel, the characters are far different from how I originally envisioned them.
SPJ: It certainly worked well Caroline, the characters were colorful and interesting. What, if any
reaction did you receive after your decision to write this book?
Caroline: I've been writing for more than ten years, so no one was really surprised. But as I told
my
sister, who reads everything I write, this time I wanted to produce something fun, exciting,
dangerous, and sexy. Calypso's Secrets is intended to be a delightful diversion, a sort of literary
minivacation.
-SPJ: Yes, I can see that and I think you achieved your goal. How long did it take you to
complete
your book?
Caroline: I'm usually working on several things at once, so I would have to say about nine
months.
SPJ: What was the most difficult part in writing your work?
Caroline: Far and away the most difficult part of writing for me is finding time to do it. I'm a
SAHM
with children, and there are too few hours in the day. Writing is a pleasure and an indulgence for
me.
SPJ: What was the most enjoyable?
Caroline: I got a kick out of crafting Luke White's witty remarks. Whenever I was thinking of
something outrageous for him to say, it brought a smile to my face.
SPJ: Luke is indeed a colorful character. Tell us, did you find it difficult to find a publisher and if
so
what did you do to remedy that?
Caroline: Actually, I wrote this novel for the Harlequin Intrigue line. Harlequin didn't like my
query
letter. One night, I was looking at publishers on the Predators and Editors listing and came across
Whiskey Creek Press. I sent them a query and they requested the book within a week. I got a
contract from them that same month.
SPJ: What advice would you give to authors who are looking for a publisher?
Caroline: I would advise another author to consider smaller press and e-books, while continuing
to
go after agents and the New York houses. You have to get your foot in the door somehow, and
the
process of actually getting a book out and marketing it is an incredible learning opportunity.
SPJ: It certainly is. If you could speak directly to publishers, what would you tell them?
Caroline: I would tell them to continue to look for the diamond in the rough, and not just cling to
the established heavy hitters. There's no question the smaller presses publish works that are edgier
and less mainstream. I worry that the big publishers have an unfortunate homogenizing affect on
literary production.
-SPJ: Do you have an agent? A publicist? How important do you think this is to a writer?
Caroline: I have an agent who I signed with after I had already contracted with WCP for
Calypso's
Secrets. She will represent all my future works. I don't have a publicist, so, for right now, I'm
relying
on my own promotional efforts. And though it's been very time consuming, it has been a rather
fun
game. But it's difficult to balance writing time and marketing time.
SPJ: How important do you think it is to have reviews of your work and how did you go about
accomplishing this?
Caroline: I think it's critical to have a book reviewed, both for the author's benefit, so that he or
she
can continue to grow as a writer, and also for promotional reasons. I looked into the review sights
and periodicals that were most highly respected, like the MBR. I also questioned other authors for
advice and guidance.
SPJ: How much promoting do you do? Any tips for other authors?
Caroline: I'm learning about promotion as I go. I have a very limited promotional budget, so I try
to
promote myself through writing essays and short stories and submitting them various places,
seeking
reviews, participating in chats, and sending out press releases and flyers. I'm not a salesperson by
nature, so this is challenging for me.
-SPJ: I understand how difficult promoting can be. Do you belong to a writer's group?
Caroline: I don't belong to any writer's groups, but I have gotten a lot of support from the other
Whiskey Creek Press authors.
-SPJ: What has writing this work done for you and what do you hope your readers will take away
with them after reading your work?
Caroline: I really enjoyed writing Calypso's Secrets. It was just plain fun. I hope readers will
experience this book as an exciting and entertaining interlude.
-SPJ: How supportive was your family in your writing experience and how important do you
think
this is to a writer?
Caroline: My family is very supportive. My sisters, mother, and father read my works and give me
invaluable input. My husband has encouraged me to persevere despite the rejections and
disappointments. He's always said: "It will happen one day." My kids are proud of my writing,
though they do complain I spend too much time on the computer. Knowing all of them believe in
me
and support me keeps me writing even when I would rather go to bed or read a book.
-SPJ: Do you have any other published works and do you have any other works in progress? If so
in
what genre and when will they be released?
Caroline: I'm a freelance writer and I've had humorous essays on family life published in
magazines
and on e-zines. My agent is working at placing my Young Adult horse story, and my current
work-in-progress is an historical romance set in Poland and Austria in the late eighteenth century.
Both of these works have yet to be sold.
SPJ: I look forward to your future works. How many hours a day do you write?
Caroline: As my children are small and my first priority, I'm thrilled if I get a solid hour to write
each
day. I feel anxious and upset if I don't write on a given day.
SPJ: Is there a special place that you write, one that inspires you? Has there been a special person
who inspired you to write?
Caroline: My computer is set up in the kitchen, so I can watch the kids out in the backyard or
hear
them in the basement. I've never required silence in order to concentrate, which is a major
blessing.
I've written with a baby nursing, a toddler climbing on my back, or with Dora the Explorer on the
TV.
A nun who was one of my teachers in elementary school shared with me her love of books and
reading and ultimately inspired me to write. She gave me C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and
the
Wardrobe. This was the first book that ever really fired my imagination and got me excited about
reading. My grandmother was also very important to me in my decision to become a writer. She
was
an avid reader, and was very excited when she learned I wanted to write. She was always sending
me books about authors and writing, like Stephen King's On Writing.
SPJ: Has having a book published changed your life in anyway and if so please share that with
us.
Caroline: At long last, I feel like I can comfortably refer to myself as an author. But I also know
that
this is a beginning, and that I must continue to learn, grow, and write.
SPJ: Where do you hope your writing career will be in 3 years and what are you doing to achieve
that goal.
Caroline: In three years, I would like to have several books published, some of them by the New
York publishing houses. I would like to have an established readership of people who genuinely
enjoy my writing. On a more pragmatic note, I would like to be able to remain home while also
contributing financially to my family through my writing.
To achieve these goals, I am actively writing, editing, submitting, and promoting.
-SPJ: A question a little off the beaten track, do you read and if so what genre is your
favorite?
Caroline: I read anything and everything. I love libraries and books, which is why I went after and
earned an MA in English. I find reading romance and mystery especially relaxing and enjoyable,
but I
also read more high browed works, including nonfiction, in my book group.
-SPJ: Would you tell us a little about yourself, outside of being a published author?
Caroline: I'm a mom. My kids and my husband are the joys of my life. I'm also a horse trainer, and
have spent many years riding, training, and competing dressage horses. Writing books and training
horses are actually very similar processes; both involve gradually shaping and developing the
manuscript or animal in constant pursuit of an ideal which exists in the author's or trainer's
mind.
-SPJ: Please use this space for anything you would like to share with our readers concerning
publishing, writing or your publishing experience in general.
Caroline: I write to provide people with pleasure and also because I have to write; it's part of who
I
am. There are no special requirements to being an author. One develops the necessary skills
simply
by reading, writing, and persevering. But I cannot overstate the importance of a good editor in
finishing a work. Sometimes as writers we are too close to our work. A fresh eye can provide
invaluable insights.
SPJ: I want to thank Caroline for doing this interview with me. I wish her the best in her writing
future; I'm sure we will be blessed to hear more of her in the future.
INTERVIEW WITH FRANCINE SILVERMAN
author of Book Marketing from A-Z
I think this book is outstanding and will be such an asset for those who are serious about their
writing career. I wanted to know more about the lady who did all authors a great service by
giving
us this work. Let's being please
SPJ: Thank you Francine for doing this interview with me. Your book is great. Would you tell us
why you decided to write this book?
Francine: Thank you, Shirley, for the opportunity to speak about Book Marketing from A-Z and
your kind words about it. As editor/publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, a bi-weekly ezine
for
authors of all genres, I send a questionnaire to each new subscriber. After having read the Q&As
for
almost two years, I realized that their innovative ideas were too good to confine to a newsletter
and
just 1500 pairs of eyes.
Note from Shirley: If you would like to receive Francine's Newsletter, send her an email
(franalive@optonline.net) and she will let you know how you may. I recommend it.
SPJ: What, if any reaction did you receive after your decision to write this book?
Francine: Subscribers were naturally ecstatic that I was compiling a book of their best anecdotes.
Others also thought it was a wonderful idea.
SPJ: How did you decide what authors, and others that you would feature in your book?
Francine: I only chose the best marketing strategies from subscribers. The hard part was leaving
out
subscribers who took the trouble to complete the questionnaire but whose ideas were not
unique.
SPJ: What were their reactions to this book?
Francine: The book came out in mid-March, 2005 so at this point only a few contributors have
ordered and received the book. Those who have seen it, are, of course, pleased as punch. Even a
subscriber who signed up after the book was published but ordered a copy, finds much "value" in
it
and is certain the book will be a "big hit."
SPJ: How long did it take you to complete your book?
Francine: A few months
SPJ: What was the most difficult part in writing your work?
Francine: Coordinating with all 325 contributors. I had to email all of them for their mailing
addresses in order to send a release and in some cases had to remind them to return the release on
time. Also, in some instances I had to e-mail questions about their anecdotes or publishing
information.
SPJ: What was the most enjoyable?
Francine: The fun part was putting each anecdote into a proper category, and placing good quotes
from their Q&As in relevant sections of the book.
SPJ: Tell us, did you find it difficult to find a publisher and if so what did you do to remedy
that?
Francine: After several rejections from publishers, I received an email from a small traditional
publisher expressing interest. However, after holding my manuscript for a few months during the
"editing process," the publisher realized it had another new book with a similar subject and
dropped
mine like the proverbial hot potato.
SPJ: What advice would you give to authors who are looking for a publisher?
Francine: Never give up. Research all the publishers in your field. If one rejects your proposal,
don't
take it personally. If you believe in your project, you will eventually find a publisher who does
too.
SPJ: If you could speak directly to publishers, what would you tell them? This is one of my
favorite
questions.
Francine: I would remind them that authors are their lifeblood and to treat them as such.
Publishers
should respond to their emails on a timely basis, keep them informed of festivals or conferences
they
plan to attend, and do what they can to help promote their authors' books.
SPJ: How important do you think it is to have reviews of your work and how did you go about
accomplishing this?
Francine: It's important to get reviews, if only to have blurbs to add to your promotional materials
and website. Prior to publication, I emailed on-line reviewers I felt would be interested in
reviewing
my book and received 50 positive responses.
SPJ: How much promoting are you doing for this work? Are you using all the wonderful ideas in
your book?
Francine: Thus far, I have only mined the Internet for all its promotional possibilities. Of late, I've
been re-reading my book with an eye toward using some of the ideas of contributors.
SPJ: Do you belong to a writer's group?
Francine: No, although I just joined Publishers Marketing Association (PMA).
-SPJ: What has writing this work done for you and what do you hope it will do for your readers?
What do you hope they will take away with them after reading your work?
Francine: Although I always knew my subscribers had terrific marketing strategies, writing the
book
cemented that belief. My hope is that authors will use the book as a reference guide. My wish is
that
readers who are shy about self-promotion will become inspired to speak up about their works,
and
that publicity hounds will learn new methods of promotion.
SPJ: Do you have any other works in progress? If so in what genre and when will they be
released?
Francine: No. Book Marketing from A-Z is taking all my time these days.
SPJ: Also, do you have any other books published?
Francine: Yes, I am author of two travel guidebooks: Catskills Alive (first edition 2000 and
second
edition 2003), and Long Island Alive (2003), both published by Hunter Publishing.
SPJ: Has having this book published changed your life in anyway and if so please share that with
us.
Francine: Publishing this book has been a fantastic and life-altering experience. The reviews have
been glowing, I've been interviewed for websites, and invited as a guest on tele-seminars and in
chat
rooms. And the book is only out three weeks!!
SPJ: A question a little off the beaten track, do you read and if so what genre is your
favorite?
Francine: I tend to read fiction at bedtime, and books in my field during the day.
-SPJ: Would you tell us a little about yourself, outside of being a published author?
Francine: I am married to my husband, Ron, for 36 years and mother of a 33-year-old daughter,
Amy. Before becoming a published author, I was a newspaper reporter and freelance writer.
SPJ: Please use this space for anything you would like to share with our readers concerning
publishing, writing or your publishing experience in general.
Francine: Authors need to develop a hard shell. Like actors and others in creative fields, rejection
is
an everyday occurrence. My subscribers have taught me that rejection is the other person's
problem
and simply a stepping stone to a re-direction.
SPJ: Thank you so much Francine for allowing me to do this interview with you. I want to tell our
readers that I truly feel this book will be a great help to them in their journey on the road of
promotion. Again, thank you, it has been a pleasure getting to know you better. I wish you the
best
in the future.
Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer
Vicki's Bookshelf
Little Bo Peep Can't Get to Sleep
Erin Dealey
illustrated by Hanako Wakiyama
Antheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689840993 $15.95, 32 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
"Little Bo Peep can't get to sleep/She kicked her blankets in a heap." When Little Bo Peep can't
get
to sleep, her mother suggests counting sheep. But Peep can't count her sheep because she's lost
them. Her brother, Little Boy Blue, who scared off the sheep in the first place, warns Peep she'll
be
in big trouble if she tells Mom and Dad, so it's no wonder Peep can't catch a wink, even when
Humpty Dumpty finds her flock. That tummy ache just won't go away until she tells her parents
the
truth about her missing sheep. From the same winning team who created "Goldie Locks Has
Chicken Pox," this is a sweet and welcome companion.
Tsunamis
Thomas K. Adamson
Bridgestone Books / Capstone Press
151 Good Counsel Dr., P.O. Box 669, Mankato, Minn. 56002
ISBN 0736852484 $21.26 www.capstone-press.com
After hearing about the devastating tsunami in South Asia, the employees of Capstone Press
wondered how they could help. So they pulled together their resources to publish "Tsunamis," a
limited edition title with all the profits to be donated to support the United Nations Children's Fun
(UNICEF) relief efforts. Written at a grades 2-3 reading level, "Tsunamis" focuses on how the
powerful waves form, move, and cause damage, with emphasis on the 2004 disaster. Features
include color photos, maps, diagrams, table of contents, glossary, bibliography, and reinforced
library binding.
Jonathan Swift's Gulliver
Retold by Martin Jenkins
illustrated by Chris Riddell
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763624098 $19.99, 144 pages, www.candlewick.com
First published in 1726, Jonathan Swift's classic adventure story has long been a favorite with
adults
and children alike. This magnificent edition contains all of Gulliver's extraordinary voyages/ Travel
toLilliput, land of the small, and Brobadingnag, land of giants; to Laputa, where inhabitants need
to
be hit on the head with sticks to remind them to talk; to Glubbdubdrib, island of ghosts and
magicians; and finally, to the kingdom of the Houyhnhnms, where horses rule over humans.
Award-winning author Martin Jenkins has skillfully adapted the original novel, remaining true to
its
tone and humor while making it accessible to younger readers. He is brilliantly assisted by Kate
Greenaway Medalist Chris Riddell, who brings to life the people, creatures, and kingdoms of
Swift's
searing imagination in wonderful panoramic detail. A tour de force of illustration and design, this
is a
peerless introduction to one of the most popular stories in the English language.
No Small Thing
Natale Ghent
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763624225 $15.99, 246 pages, www.candlewick.com
When 12-year-old Nathaniel and his sisters, Cid and Queenie, discover an ad for a free pony, they
can hardly believe their luck. But how will they afford to take care of it? And what will their
struggling single mother say? Amazingly, she says yes. And so begins a year of discovery for Nat,
who must deal with his father's absence, look out for Queenie, who is "different," and sort out his
feelings about a rich, pretty girl at school. Life isn't easy, but Nat knows he has his very own pony
waiting for him at the end of every day. Until a fire destroys the barn Poignant yet often
humorous, "No Small Thing" is a lovely story about the search for love and identity in the face of
longing, abandonment, and uncertainty.
The Cry of the Icemark
Stuart Hill
The Chicken House / Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439688281 $18.95, 474 pages, www.scholastic.com
Already a best-seller and media phenomenon in the United Kingdon, "The Cry of the Icemark" is
a
magnificent tale about a mighty cause: the fight for a tiny kingdom led by a beautiful young
princess
who unites armies of animals and extraordinary creatures against an all-powerful invader. Thirrin
Freer Strong-in-the-Arm Lindenshiedl is an intrepid warrior. She is 13 years old and has been
preparing for this moment her whole life. Now, she will look to advisors, forge alliances, and
create
a flawless battle plan. In the name of her father, for the sake of her people, Thirrin must defend
the
kingdom she loves at all costs. This book for ages 12 and up is a story of duty and sacrifice, of
unexpected laughter and terrible uncertainty, and of a young girl's friendships forged in the heat of
the battle. An epic work - the debut from its English author.
Dad, Are You The Tooth Fairy?
Jason Alexander, illustrated by Ron Spears
Orchard Books / Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439667453 $16.95, 32 pages, www.scholastic.com
It was only a matter of time before a picture book by comedic actor Jason Alexander hit the
shelves.
Not because public outcry demands it, of course, but because the commercial appetite of
publishers
seems to never be satisfied. In this rambling story, young Gaby overhears some older kids
saything
that the Tooth Fairy isn't real, and so he goes straight to his father to seek the truth. Gaby's father,
on the other hand, builds upon the myth with a tale of magical creatures: dragons, unicorns,
mermaids and fairies. But how does he answer the important question about the existence of the
Tooth Fairy? And will Gaby choose to keep the faith?
The Loathsome Dragon
Retold by David Wiesner & Kim Kahng
Clarion Books / Houghton Mifflin
251 Park Avenue South, NY NY 10003
ISBN 0618543597 $16, 32 pages, www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com
A lovely princess, a brave prince, a wicked stepmother, evil enchantments, magic rowan wood,
and
an immense, scaly dragon. Favorite fairytale elements sparkle in "The Loathsome Dragon," a
traditional English tale. Majestic, romantic paintings by two-time Caldecott medallist David
Wiesner
display the remarkable artistry and dizzying perspectives his work is known for. Now available
once
again - with several new illustrations, revised text, and a brief source note - this picture book
classic
will delight David Wiesner's many fans.
Carmine: A Little More Red
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Ave. So., NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0618387943 $16.00, 32 pages, www.hmco.com
This new picture book is a fresh yet faithful retelling of a classic tale. With her mother's warning
in
her ears, Carmine sets off on her bicycle with her trusty dog, Rufus. With all good intentions,
Carmine means to head straight for Granny's. But Carmine is a dreamer and painter who's always
in
search of color and always seeks to capture new hues in her drawings. And this new drawing, the
one she begins in the lovely forest clearing, just off the path to Granny's, must be her best yet. But
then, you know how this tale goes. Or do you? A vibrantly illustrated, lively reworking of the
familiar tale with plenty of colorful twists and turns.
Other Echoes
Adele Geras
David Fickling Books / Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385750544 $15.95, 144 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids
This lyrical novel gives young readers a look at one teenage girl's past and how the memories that
haunt her ultimately lead to her recovery. Eighteen-year-old Flora suffers from "nervous
exhaustion"
and is currently rehabilitating in her school sanitarium. While she rests, she starts to recall the time
she lived in North Borneo, and the colorful, lush surroundings that inhabited the tropical island.
But
before her arrival, Borneo suffered many tragedies from World War II, including the creation of
concentration camps there, and Japanese occupation. For many, the results of the war had an
ever-lasting impact, and Flora soon learns this first-hand. Living in Borneo is difficult for Flora.
An
outsider among the other children, and often too fragile to keep up with their play, Flora finds
herself lacking a true friend. Meeting Vinnie becomes her saving grave, even through Flora is two
years her senior. Through Vinnie and her family, Flora learns about the history of the deserted
house
on the hill, and the wartime events that destroyed an innocent family Flora has seen a light in the
house, and thinks that someone must be living there, despite what everyone says. So she stirs up
what little courage she has to ride to the top of the hill and find out the truth once and for all. But
what Flora finds will haunt her for years to come. For ages 12 and up.
Maya Running
Anjali Banerjee
Wendy Lamb Books / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385746563 $15.95, 224 pages, www.randomhouse.com/kids/
This delightful coming-of-age novel from a first-time novelist touches upon the universal themes
of
struggling to fit in and the magic of embracing your true self. It's 1978 and Maya Mukherjee is the
only Indian girl at her small-town Canadian middle school. Born in India, but raised in Manitoba,
Maya somehow doesn't feel she is a part of either culture. She longs to fit in at school, and have
the
local bad boy, Jamie Klassen fall for her, but at the same time she dreams of exploring the Bengal
jungle and speaking Hindi with her Indian relatives. When her glamorous cousin Pinky arrives
from
India with an elephant statue of the god Ganesh, Remover of Obstacles, Maya believes her life
may
finally change. She asks Ganesh to turn things around and lead her to happiness, but as always,
things are never quite as simple as they first appear. What ensues from her wishes is both hilarious
and heartfelt. Maya will end up traveling to the other side of the world to set things straight with
Ganesh and herself. For ages 12 and up.
Light Years
Tammar Stein
Knopf / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0375830235 $15.95, 263 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens
Set between contemporary Israel and the Unites States, "Light Years" is a skillfully crafted work
that offers a highly personalized and emotional account of the ppolitical and soci-economic
climate
of the Middle East today. It tells the story of Maya Laor, a young woman who flees Israel and
comes to the University of Virginia to study astronomy. Attempting to leave her violent and
troublesome memories behind, Maya immerses herself in her studies. She is confronted with the
pressures of building a new life in a foreign land, of opening herself to new friendships and new
experiences. Yet amidst all of this, she remains unable to escape her memories of the past and is
haunted by the images of her boyfriend's violent death, a death for which she feels responsible. As
she navigates her way through the past, she hesitantly moves forward, desperately trying to
reconcile
the pride that she holds for her Israeli heritage with the hope that she harbors for her American
future.
The Boyfriend List
E. Lockhart
Delacorte Press / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385732066 $15.95, 240 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens
Open the pages of E. Lockhart's debut young adult novel, and enter the world of 15-year-old
Ruby
Oliver. Almost overnight, Rudy has gone from scocial butterfly to social misfit, all stemming from
her break-up with her boyfriend and his subsequent new relationship with her best friend. How did
this make Ruby a pariah? Well, let's start with the boyfriend list. It's the cause of her tought week.
Tough month, actually. On top of your average tee angst, Ruby's lost her boyfriend, best friend,
and
ALL of her friends. In fact, virtually no one at Tate Prep is speaking to her these days. If this does
not bring on massive panic attacks, what will? Ruby has already suffered five before her new age
parents send her to see a shrink. When Ruby says they have nothing to discuss, Dr. Z suggests
that
perhaps developing a list of past boyfriends could give them something with which to start a
dialogue. After Ruby throws a messy draft in the trash, how was she to know someone would
pluck
it out of the garbage? No wonder Ruby Oliver has panic attacks. Funny, warm and authentically
agonizing. For ages 12 and up.
Disney Editions
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com
e.guide:Human Body
e.guide: Insect
e.guide: Mammal
e.guide: Rock & Mineral
DK
375 Hudson St., NY, NY, 10014
ISBN 0756610095 (Human)
ISBN 0756610109 (Insect)
ISBN 0756611393 (Mammal)
ISBN 0756611407 (Rock)
$17.99 each, 96 pages, www.dk.com
Following the launch of the e-guide series of books last fall, DK Publishing and Google continue
the
hardback series with homework resources in this new bath of tites: "e.guide: Human Body,"
"e.guide: Insect," "e.guide: Mammal," and "e.guide, Rock & Mineral." The information is brought
to
life with intense color photos, 3-D models, maps, and data boxes. But the book is only half of it.
Each e.guide book also has a corresponding website where children can find in-depth information
on
the book's topic. Every page contains e-inks that bring children to the exclusive, safe and secure
website produced by DK and Google. The website features multimedia content, games and
quizzes,
and downloadable images handy for school reports. The e.guide websites will link users to
age-appropriate, authoritative sites, which DK promises will be checked and regularly updated,
enabling parents, teachers and children to access the best that the Internet has to offer, without
the
worry of encountering inappropriate material. For ages 8 and up.
World History Atlas
DK
375 Hudson St., NY, NY, 10014
ISBN 6466744051 $50.00, 352 pages, www.dk.com
A compelling journey through human history, the "World History Atlas" is a meticulously
researched
portrait of humankind's impact upon the globe from ancient times to the present day. From early
humans to the 21st century this is a panorama of 20,000 years, featuring the latest discoveries
about
our past and the history-defining events that have taken place in key regions around the world.
The
rise and fall of empires, the birth of nations, the growth of commerce and technology, migrations,
culture, language, conflict and religion are all explored in depth through contemplated timelines
and
a detailed glossary. An unsurpassed visual chronology and an invaluable family reference, this
revised and updated edition of "World History Atlas" is a definitive record or humankind's global
story.
Agnes Parker Happy Camper?
Kathleen O'Dell
Dial Books for Young Readers
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014-3657
ISBN 0803729626 $16.99, 156 pages, www.penguin.com
The first thing Agnes Parker and her best friend Prejean learn at science camp is that they won't be
sharing the same cabin. Being apart, Agnes gets an earful of what others think of Prejean calling
her
"Supermodel of the World" and making comments about how beautiful and exotic her longtime
friend is. All Agnes can think is: Good-old-quirts-milk-out-of-her-nose-when-she-laughs Prejean:
a
beauty queen? What if she starts acting like one? And then something happens that makes Agnes
wonder: Has she started already? Fun times, camp pranks, and a very weird bunkmate all play a
role
as Agnes continues to become the girl she hopes to be, and maybe a happy camper after all. Fun
summer reading for ages 9+.
Red Ridin' in the Hood and Other Cuentos
Patricia Santos Marcantonio
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0374362416 $16.00, 186 pages, www.fsgbooks.com
Eleven classic tales are here retold with an injection of Latino culture, providing a twist on the
traditional forms while sustaining a freshness all their own. The title story, "Red Ridin' in the
Hood,"
moves the setting to the barrio, where Red decides to brave dangerous Forest Street in order to
reach her sick abuelita and encounters the menacing wolf in a thumping low-rider Chevy. Some
stories are set in the Mexican countryside. In "Belleza y La Bestia," the beautiful heroine is a
defender of the Revolution and teaches the beast about the righteousness of the freedom fighters.
"El Dia de los Muertos," a retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, takes place in the time
of
the Aztexs and cast Orpheus as the feather craftsman Nochehauatl. These and the other cuentos in
this book are further brought to life by abundant illustrations, both comical and poignant.
So Happy!
Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Anita Lobel
Greenwillow Books / Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060564830 $15.99, 32 pages, www.harperchildrens.com
A magic seed, a little rabbit, a narrow creek, a boy and a storm are the ingredients for a picture
book
about the many ways in which sadness can be transformed to happiness and the ways in which
fate,
chance, nature, and invention affect our lives and world. Profound topics yes, but in the hands of
these two picture book masters, the story that is told is neither somber nor earnest. Rather, "So
Happy!" is a hypnotic, bold and majestically illustrated adventure about a little boy who wakes up
bored and about what happens next. Anita Lobel has taken Keven Henkes words and interpreted
them with characteristic flair to produce vibrant paintings that spectacularly enhance this simple
and
powerful story, which extols the virtues of ingenuity and friendship.
Stuart Little
E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams and Rosemary Wells
Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060282975 $24.95, www.harperchildrens.com
This year, E. B. White's legendary mouse celebrates 60 years of pint-sized adventure! "Stuart
Little"
-- the first children's book by beloved author E. B. White -- is one of the most cherished stories of
all
time and has been made into two live-action films by Sony Studios. HarperCollins Children's
Books
celebrates Stuart's 60th anniversary in print with four editions in elegant new packages that mark
this
milestone birthday. Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in
New
York City with his parents, his older brother George and Snowbell the cat. Though he's shy and
thoughtful, he's also a true lover of adventure. In this classic story, Stuart's greatest adventure
comes
when his best friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her nest. Determined
to
track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for the first time in his life and finds adventure
aplenty. But will he find his friend? The new anniversary editions appear in color hardcover
($24.95;
ISBN: 0060282975), black-and-white hardcover ($16.99; ISBN: 0060263954), color paperback
($8.99; ISBN: 064410927), and black-and-white paperback ($5.99; ISBN: 0064400565). The
color
editions feature Garth Williams's original drawings lovingly colorized by renowned illustrator
Rosemary Wells.
Wolf Brother
Michelle Paver
Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060728256 $16.99, 305 pages, www.harperchildrens.com
This epic journey by first-time children's author Michelle Paver, propels readers back to the
ancient
world of a prehistoric clan society, where a demon-bear is gaining power, and the world's only
hope
is a 12-year-old boy and his wolf-cub companion. Torak's journey takes him through deep forests,
across giant glaciers, and into dangers they never imagined. He is joined by an imaginative cast of
characters as they battle to save their world. The first book in the "Chronicles of Ancient
Darkness"
trilogy.
Summer School! What Genius Thought That Up?
Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Grosset & Dunlap / Penguin Putnam
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0448437406 $12.99, 156 pages www.penguinputnam.com
In the latest hilarious chapter book in the delightful "Hank Zipzer" series, summer school are two
words in the English language that Hank doesn't want to learn. But there's no getting out of this
one
for Hank - summer school, here he comes! Will Hank have to spend the summer bored to death
inside a sweltering classroom, or will he actually learn a cool lesson or two? Terrifically fun
summer
reading that kids 9-12 won't object to.
Boris
Cynthia Rylant
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 015205412X $16.00, 74 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com
In prolific writer Cynthia Rylant's latest book she uses freeform poetry to tell the story of Boris, a
big gray cat. Boris loves sleeping, and playing and exploring and hunting - and his owner loves
him
for all of his simple cat ways. But Boris, typical as he may be, is part of a much larger story in this
moving exploration of love, longing, compassion, and most of all, the continuous give-and-take of
companionship. For ages 14 and up.
A Book About Design
Mark Gonyea
Henry Holt & Co.
115 W. 18th St., NY, NY 10011
ISBN 0805075755 $18.95, www.henry.holt.com
Design is all about the perception of size, shape, and color, and this attractively illustrated book
for
children does a wonderful job demonstrating that fact. Mark Gonyea's colorful graphic images go
a
long way to illustrate the concepts outlined in the spare, conversational text. Complicated design
does not equate good design, he poses by using simple shapes, lines, colors, and a wry sense of
humor. Goyea shows why good design matters, and does a wonderful job opening up the world of
design to make it accessible to young artists and non-artists alike.
Mama Goose: A Latino Nursery Treasury
Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy
illustrated by Maribel Suarez
Hyperion
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
ISBN 0786819537 $19.99, 122 pages, www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com
Alma Flor Ada and F. Isabel Campoy, authors and scholars of Latino literature, spent years
culling
popular and beloved lullabies, jump-rope sons, riddles, proverbs, and more from all over the
Spanish-speaking world. The result is a comprehensive bilingual folklore collection - one of the
most
complete available in this country. Full of charm and humor, rich with the diversity of Latino
cultures, this one-of-a-kind treasury is a warm introduction to Latino folklore for English
speakers,
and a trove of familiar favorites for Spanish speakers.
The Dating Game
Natalie Standiford
Little, Brown and Company
1271 Ave. of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 031611040X $9.99, 220 pages, www.twbookmark.com/children
In book one of the new "Dating Game" series, by Natalie Standiford, we meet high-school
sophomores Holly, Madison, and Lina, the stars of the sexy new series for older teens. When the
girls are faces with a project in thein Interpersonal Human Development class (reade: Sex Ed),
they
design a website survey to find out their classmates' attitudes on dating, love and sex. To their
surprise, the website becomes the talk of school and the three realize it has even greater
potential as a dating service! But even as the three girls become matchmaking masters of the
school, they still have their own problems to contend with. Will Mads get the hottest guy in
school
to notice her? Can Lina really be in love with her teacher? And will Holly squash the rumors that
she
is "easy"?
The Secret Blog of Raisin Rodriguez
Judy Goldschmidt
Penguin
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 1595140182 $12.99, 208 pages, www.penguinputnam.com
Poor Raisin Rodriguez. She was minding her own business, happily living in Berkeley, CA, when
her
whole world was shaken up. Her parents divorced and her mom got remarried to a man from
Philadelphia. Suddenly, she finds herself moving across the country - thousands of miles from her
friends and life in California - where she has to get used to a new junior high, stepdad, stepsister,
and
a cross-dressing poodle named Countess. How will she survive this life-changing move? Raisin
starts
a blog called TwoScoopsofRaisin.com recording EVERY humiliating detail of her new life for her
best friends back home, Pia and Claudia. A girl needs a little support when faced with the trials of
living in a different state, with no friends, and absolutely nothing stylish to wear! And as if her
new
life in Philadelphia isn't miserable enough, her secret blog is discovered and printed out for the
whole
school to read - every mortifying detail!
Lulu Dark Can See Through Walls
Bennett Madison
Penguin
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 1595140107 $9.99, www.penguinputnam.com
Lulu Dark is a teen detective with style and attitude - Nancy Drew for the new millennium. She is
a
chic, tough-talking city girl who never meant to get involved in a mystery. But when her favorite
purse is stolen during a rock concert, Lulu knows she MUST get it back - after all, it was a one of
a
kind and the lead singer's phone number was inside! Lulu dives deep into the fray along with her
friends Daisy and Charlie, and discovers a twisted mystery involving a rock star, a rich socialite, a
loony land-lord, and a serious case of mistaken identity.
Olivia Kidney and the Exit Academy
Ellen Potter
art by Peter Reynolds
Philomel / Penguin
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0399241620 $15.99, 252 pages, www.penguinputnam.com
What is it with Olivia Kidney and ghosts? No matter where she goes, they follow. Even when she
and her klutzy handyman of a father start over in a new brownstone in New York City - owned by
the mad, bad, and dangerous Ansel Plover - there is no escape from the weirdness that is Olivia
Kidney's life. Their new living room is entirely submerged underwater, and Olivia has to navigate
in
a boat past bobbing furniture and snapping turtles just to get to her bedroom. Complete strangers
show up in the middle of the night to practice bumping into walls. And then, of course, there are
the
ghosts. This house holds secrets and lots of them - Olivia can feel it. Why, she wonders, was she
invited to live here? Come enter the amazing world of Olivia Kidney. At once moving and
laugh-out-loud funny, it will forever capture your imagination. Ellen Potter is one of the freshest
voices to come along in fiction since Lemony Snicket.
Friendship According to Humphrey
Betty G. Birney
Putnam
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0399242643 $14.99, 150 pages www.penguinputnam.com
After the long winter vacation, Humphrey can't wait to see his friends in Room 26 again and find
out
what Mrs. Brisbane has planned for the class. But he's shocked by a big surprise on the first day
back - a new class pet. Humphrey offers his paw in friendship, but Og the frog doesn't seem
interested. Plus, the students are so interested in Og, they almost stop paying attention to
Humphrey
altogether. Humphrey doesn't like the MAD-BAD-SAD feelings he's had since Og came, but
luckily
he still gets to go home with different kids on the weekends. He loves helping
Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. deal with a bully, Golden-Miranda get along with her stepsister, and a
new
student feel like she belongs. Friendship can be a tricky business, but if any hamster can become
budies with a frog, Humphrey will find a way. Innocent fun for young readers 8-11.
Doll Jewelry
Pleasant Company
8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, Wisconsin 53562
ISBN 1584859768 $17.95, 32 pages, www.americangirl.com
You don't have to be a fan of the American Girls dolls to enjoy this cheerful craft kit - girls with a
special doll of any kind will greatly appreciate the concept of creting fun and fancy jewelry for
their
favorite companions. A 32-page how-to book gives clear step-by-step directions for several
different
bracelets, necklaces, anklets and more, and seven adjacent compartments contain basic materials
needed. It's all beautifully presented, but the cheapness of the items included is striking: just 3
strings
of colored floss, 2 pieces of memory wire, and one piece of hemp cord, for instance. For the
$17.95
retail price, smart shoppers are better off filling a basket with bulk quantities of the same items
and
finding how-to instructions in crafts magazines.
Boredom Blasters: Rainy Day Edition
Boredom Blasters: Travel Edition
John Lithgow
Running Press
125 South Twenty-Second St., Philadelphia, PA 19103-4399
ISBN 0762422121 (Rainy Day)
ISBN 0762422130 (Travel) $14.95, www.runningpress.com
There's no getting around it, sitting in a car or on a plane for a long time is no fun for kids. John
Lithgow's "Palooza" kits are new collections of activities that take everyday ideas and make
something totally unexpected out of it. Each palooza contained in these interactive kits draws on
your imagination, your unique point-of-view, and delivers engrossing action to really make the
miles
and minutes move. A 64-page book full of paloozas is all the guidance kids will need, and the box
contains most of the items required to do them, including a lanyard wire; 15 chenille sticks; 12
sheets of wipe-off paper; a wipe-away market; a cleaning cloth; and 10 suction cups. Each
palooza is
broken into two sections: one explaining the basic activity, and the other suggesting more ideas
for
taking it to an even higher level of creativity. Creating individual constellations, making up a
family
"fight song," and writing a story about a favorite pet are just a few of the creative time-fillers
housed
inside the tidy gift package.
Fine Art Studio Drawing
Fine Art Studio Painting
Silver Dolphin
5880 Oberlin Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
ISBN 1592233279 (Drawing)
ISBN 1592233287 (Painting) $18.95, www.silverdolphinbooks.com
The new "Fine Art Studio" series is a stroke of genius. "Fine Art Studio Drawing" encourages
budding young artists to explore and examine the works of great artists like Matisse and
Michelangelo. Accompanied by a complete drawing kit with artist's tools including a posable
6-inch
artist's mannequin, textured drawing paper, portable sketchpad, and specialized pencils. "Fine Art
Studio Drawing" offers step-by-step projects to help both novice and seasoned artists to discover
their inner Leonardos. "Fine Art Studio Painting" gives aspiring painters the opportunity to
examine
the works of great painters such as Money and Frankenthaler and to study their techniques
through
the detailed illustrations, photographs, and how-to diagrams and then get hands-on with all the
painter's tools included in the kit.
Shrimp
Rachel Cohn
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689866127 $15.95, 272 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com
If Cyd Charise knows one thing, it's that Shrimp is her true love: the hottest pint-sized
surfer-artist in
San Francisco. "That boy," as her mother called him, was the primary cause of Cyd being
grounded
to Alcatraz, formerly known as her room, and is same boy who dumped Cyd before she left home
to
spend the summer in New York City. Now it's the start of senior year. Cyd has changed, but
maybe
Shrimp has changed too, and maybe Cyd and Shrimp will need to get to know each other all over
again to figure out if it's for real. Can Cyd get back together with Shrimp and keep the peace with
her mom? And can she get a life outside of her all-encmpassing boy radar? This sequel to
"Gingerbread" has all the sharp humor and searing attitude of the original. In "Shrimp," Cyd might
be a little older and a little wiser, but she's still the same irrepressible free spirit determined to find
her own way in the world, on her own terms. For young adult readers.
Girls Can! Make It Happen
Rick Kupchella, illustrated by Marilyn Brown
Tristan Publishing
2300 Louisiana Ave. North, Suite B., Golden Valley, MN 55427
0972650431 $16.95 www.tristanpublishin.com
Written in verse, this sentimental picture book is intended to inspire girls with the well-worn
message that they can do anything, but sets its sights too low. Included are the stories of Sandra
Day
O'Connor, the first woman on the US Supreme Court; Sally Ride, the first American woman
astronaut; and Jackie Joyner-Kersee, an Olympic medal winner in track and field. Though
well-meaning, the enthusiastic "go for it" cheerleading is overly cute and comes up a little short,
especially considering the fact that the women set up as examples here are rare exceptions to the
normal society rule.
Blood Red Horse
K.M. Grant
Walker & Co.
435 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014
ISBN 0802789609 $16.95, 278 pages www.walkerbooks.com
You need three things to become a brave and noble knight: a war horse, a fair maiden, and a just
cause. Will has a horse - a small chestnut stallion with a white blaze in his brow. Ellie is a fair
maiden, but she's supposed to marry Will's older brother, Gavin. And as for the cause, King
Richard
is calling for a Crusade. The Knights of England must go to the Holy Land to fight. Will and
Gavin
will go, blood will be shed, and lives will be taken. But through it all, two things will be constant:
Ellie, and a blood red horse called Hosanna. A magical historical novel for young readers from
first-time author K.M Grant.
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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