Reborn
Louise Morgan Runyon
iUniverse, Inc.
2021 Pine Lake Road, #100, Lincoln, NE 68512
www.LouiseRunyon.blogspot.com
0595309488, $12.95 www.iuniverse.com
A poet, a dancer, a choreographer, a practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method of somatic education, and a former steelworker, Louise Morgan Runyon draws upon her many years of diverse life experiences in her poetry and by doing so infuses it with a very special perspective that will resonate within her reader's mind's eye. Chronologically organized "Reborn" is a selected representation of her work and will aptly serve to introduce Runyon to an audience of appreciative readers. The poems are organized into four major sections: Early Poems: 1980-1988: the Steel Plant and Other Poems; Recent Poems 1999-2003: Nature; Recent Poems: 2001-2003: Love Poems; and Recent Poems: 2002-2003: Poems of Renewal. As fluid as any dance movement, "Reborn" is a body of free-verse prose poems that is confidently recommended to any and all poetry enthusiasts. 'New York Rain': I am deep in dusky/New York rain this morning,//This dark, rainy morning/in the South.//It seems New York is always/dark and rainy evenings,/nights or afternoons.//When I think of childhood,/I think/of North Carolina summers.//But in my sleep dreams, I dream/New York/and dusky rain. Also very highly recommended and memorable reading is Louise Morgan Runyon's latest volume of published poetry, "Landscape: Fear & Love" (9780615167558, $16.44, www.lulu.com).
Style Your Dream Wedding
Susie Coelho
Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
YC Media kim@ycmedia.com (publicity)
9781591862574, $49.99 www.thomasnelson.com 1-800-251-4000
A customized and memorable wedding is the aspiration of most women. Now lifestyle guru and designer Susie Coelho draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to provide a cornucopia of illustrated ideas and examples of wedding elements that can transform this very special occasion to reflect the bride-to-be's individual personal style. By taking the Style Your Dream Wedding Quiz and the applying the results to every aspect of the event, success is guaranteed. Bridal options are organized and presented in eight distinct style categories that include Classic; Beach; Contemporary; Countryside; Garden; Fanciful; and Exotic. Best of all, the ideas and examples are adaptable to any budget, and can be modified for those aspiring brides who wish to 'do it all' themselves. Every aspect of the wedding is covered from dresses and cakes, to settings and accessories, to invitations and the reception. Superb browsing, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "Style Your Dream Wedding" is the perfect instruction guide and ideas resource for planning any and every wedding.
The DIY Bride
Khris Cochran
The Taunton Press
63 South Main Street, Newtown, CT 06470
9781561589647, $19.95 www.taunton.com 1-800-477-8727
In addition to dispensing advice on how to personal, customize, and craft a wedding on her popular DIYBrid.com website, author and wedding expert Krhis Cochran also teaches craft classes in the San Francisco Bay area. Now she draws upon her many years of experience and expertise to compile "The DIY Bride: 40 Fun Projects For your Ultimate One-of-a-Kind Wedding", a 218-page compilation of ideas, advice, tips, tricks and techniques for insuring that the do-it-yourself wedding arrangements go off with a minimum of fuss, confusion, expense, and stress. Of special note are Cochran's 'Top Ten Tips for a Fabulous, One-of-a-Kind Wedding' that begin with starting early, using high quality materials and tools (even on a small budget), and not being afraid to try new things, to foregoing perfection and simply enjoying the process from beginning to end. Nicely illustrated throughout, immanently practical, and thoroughly 'user friendly', "The DIY Bride" covers every aspect of creating and implementing a customized wedding from invitations and thank you's, to jewelry and accessories for the bride, to the wedding ceremony itself, to the reception afterwards, to favors, gifts and goodies, to saving and savoring the memories of that unique and very special day in a woman's life. If it's time that you (or someone you love) needs to plan for a wedding day, then "The DIY Bride" will prove an invaluable, indispensable, and enthusiastically recommended resource and instructional reference!
Cute Stuff
Aranzi Aronzo
Vertical, Inc.
1185 Avenue of the Americas, 32nd floor, New York, NY 10036
9781934287095, $14.95 www.vertical-inc.com
In "Cute Stuff", crafts expert Aranzi Aronzo presents patterns and step-by-step instructions for a wide variety of colorful, interesting, and, well, 'cute' do-it-yourself crafts projects ranging from matching purses, tissue holders, and key rings, to hair bands, eco-friendly bags, and card holders. "Cute Stuff" is comprised of some 79-pages of crafts project in a 'how to' collection offering diversity of specific, fun, projects complete with a list of necessary materials, methodical construction instructions, and a full page color photograph of how they will look when completed. Of special note is are the little introductory commentaries that preface each project. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Cute Stuff" is highly recommended for the novelty of its individual crafts projects, and the many, many hours of personal pleasure and sense of accomplishment they will afford.
Mary Cowper
Reviewer
Dunford's Bookshelf
Building Better Communities
Charles E. Hartsoe, editor
Sagamore Publishing Company
804 North Neil Street, #100, Champaign, IL 61824
9781571675323, $50.00 www.sagamorepub.com 1-800-327-5557
Public parks and public recreation areas are to be found in every American community from colonial times down to the preset day. In 1980 The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration was founded as a non-profit service, research, and education organization for the purpose of promoting the importance, significance, and value of parks and recreation areas to the well-being of the general communities in which they are found. compiled and edited by Charles E. Hartsoe (an academician and a Life Trustee of the National Recreation and Park Association) "Building Better Communities: The Story of the National recreation Association 1906-1965" is an illustrated history of how public parks and recreation areas were conceived and promoted, followed by chronological chapters through the years of World Wars I and World War II, the post-war years of the 1940s, then 1950s, concludes with the 1960s. Enhanced with an Epilogue, a Bibliography, and seven substantial appendices. A model of specialized and specific American history, "Building Better Communities" is a unique and highly recommended addition for academic and community library collections.
Duke's Handbook Of Medicinal Plants Of The Bible
James A. Duke, Peggy-Ann K. Duke, Judith L. duCellier
CRC Press
c/o Taylor & Francis Group
6000 NW Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300, Boca Raton, FL 33487
0849382025, $89.95 www.crcpress.com 1-800-272-7737
Both the Old and New Testaments are replete with reference to plants ranging from manna to mustard seeds. "Duke's Handbook Of Medicinal Plants Of The Bible" will prove to be of immense interest to medical practitioners, ethnobotanists, biblical scholars, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in this fascinating subject. This 528-page handbook is replete with beautifully executed full color illustrations of individual plants. Each individual plant entry includes not only the illustration, but also its family line, synonyms by which it is known, notes, common names, activities, indications, dosages, natural history, and more. "Duke's Handbook Of Medicinal Plants Of The Bible" also provides readers with an evidence-based scoring system for the cited herbs, compares and contrasts citations from different versions of the Bible, covers the dosages that have been used historical for various ailments, and presents multilingual nomenclatures providing both the historical and geographical roots for each entry. A seminal contribution to the field of ethnobotony, "Duke's Handbook Of Medicinal Plants Of The Bible" is an important work of impressive scholarship from beginning to end -- and a core addition to academic library reference collections.
An Endless Harvest
Betty Levine
Manorville Publishing
235 Manorville Road, Saugerties, NY 12477
9780979156801, $15.95 www.anendlessharvest.com
Featuring black-and-white line drawings by Emanuel Schongut, "Endless Harvest: Preserving And Using Fruits, Vegetables, And Herbs" by Betty Levine (Manager of a Community Supported Agriculture group in Woodstock, New York) is a basic introductory 'how to' manual for non-specialist general readers with an interest in raising and consuming their own garden produce for optimal nutrition. "Endless Harvest" provides essential and practical information on how to take care of harvested fruits, vegetables and herbs so as to insure their optimum freshness and nutritional value for as long as possible. Methods for effective long-term storage are also presented to help gardeners and kitchen cooks to extend the 'shelf life' of fruits, vegetables and herbs. "Endless Harvest" also provides more than 200 recipes and a descriptive explanation of the growing Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) movement. Informed and informative, thoroughly 'user friendly', and superbly organized in presentation, "Endless Harvest" is especially recommended as an instructive reference for those concerned with sustainable living, as well as preserving and cooking a garden harvest of their own.
Handbook Of Meat, Poultry & Seafood Quality
Leo M.L. Nollet, et al.
Blackwell Publishing
2121 State Avenue, Ames, IA 50014-8300
9780813824468, $239.99 www.blackwellpublishing.com 1-800-216-2522
The health and safety qualities of America's meat supplies, foreign and domestic, has been a consistent and headline issue for a number of years now ranging from massive recalls of beef products, to ecoli contamination alerts, to mercury contamination of fish supplies. Assisted by a team of eight associate editors, Leo M.L. Nollet (Professor of Biotechnology, University College Ghent, and a member of Ghent University, Belgium) has drawn upon some of sixty of the finest and most accomplished researchers and academicians, industry experts and governmental agency authorities in their fields to compile and edit the "Handbook Of Meat, Poultry & Seafood Quality", a 719-page compendium of information covering every aspect of fresh, frozen, and processed muscle foods. All aspects and factors of meat, poultry and seafood are covered including additives, contaminants, moisture, packaging, shelf-life, texture, aroma, flavors, mouthfeel, safety, stability, water activity, color, microbiology, nutrition, sensory attributes, and tainting. Of special note is the 'List of Contributors' that identifies and provides contact information on all the men and women whose writings and commentaries were drawn upon. Another special note is the appendix 'Standards for Meat, Poultry and Seafood in the United States by Y. H. Hui. The "Handbook Of Meat, Poultry & Seafood Quality" is a seminal, timely, and urgently recommended addition to professional, governmental, food industry, governmental agency, and academic library reference collections and supplemental reading lists.
Michael Dunford
Reviewer
Greenspan's Bookshelf
The Scenic Route
Frank and Katrina Basile et, al
Indiana Historical Society
450 W. Ohio Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
9780871952592, $8.95 www.indianahistory.org
The Scenic Route: Stories From the Heartland is an anthology of stories gathered from the twentieth anniversary of Storytelling Arts of Indiana, an organization founded to promote the art and wonder of storytelling in daily life through its annual festival, concerts, workshops, programs, and other events. A diversity of authors contribute their slice-of-life impressions written with earthy realism and flavored with dashes of wit, wisdom, irony, and enigma. "In adulthood, I learned the real Crockett was a man of mixed qualities - an ambiguous fellow. The old Disney movie showed Davy going down in glory, swinging Old Betsy at the attacking forces of Santa Ana. In reality, he was among a small group taken alive. Likely he tried to talk his way out of the predicament, but he failed. Like him, I, too, met my Alamo. Unlike him, I lived to prevaricate another day." Highly recommended.
Toola
Moddathir Aboul Wafa
Nesma Music
Solfeon, S.L. Vallehermoso, 64, 28015 Madrid, Spain
CD $18.99 www.nesamusic.com info@nesma.es
Cairo-born composer, Arabic Music Institute teacher, and player of the Egyptian oud (a traditional stringed instrument), Moddathir Aboul Wafa and associates present Toola, a CD of classical Arabic music celebrating the rich legacy of great Egyptian composers past. An album that evokes the very essence of Egyptian history, Toola offers five pieces steeped in classical Egyptian culture and a sixth piece that dares to fuse Arabic instrumental performance with other genres. Enthusiastically recommended for anyone curious about the fine experience of Egyptian music. The tracks are Mawkeb El Nagham (9:02); El Leil Wel Nil (7:26); Al-Qahira El Adima (10:06); Fi Samaa Al-Musika (7:39); Samaa Hos (8:32); and Samba Toola (6:55).
Lost Canyons
Scott August
Cedar Mesa Music
PO Box 691522, West Hollywood, CA 90069
The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
CD $15.99 www.cedarmesa.com
Lost Canyons is a music CD resurrecting the haunting echoes of the Anasazi flute, an instrument lost to human ears for over a millennium. Musician Scott August evokes the essence of the sacred canyons of the American Southwest through his memorable performances on location in seldom-visited canyons. The tracks blend traditional native-style wood flutes, clay flutes such as those used in ancient Mexico, and "tribal-techno" background instrumentation. An unforgettable album especially recommended for armchair travelers and anyone interested in the listening to the legacy of ancient winds. The tracks are Morning Star (5:03); Raven Dance (6:33); Desert Skies (5:24); Where Spirits Dwell (6:47); Swallows & Nighthawks (3:53); Thunder on the Mesa (5:42); Thermals (2:52); Lost Canyons (8:33); Huukyangw [Wind] (6:30); Chasing the Sun (6:28); Twilight Canyon (5:45); and Evening Star (3:39).
The Lost Dream
Jamie Craig
Craig Sound Productions
PO Box 1246, Birmingham, MI 48012 JamieC5361@aol.com
The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
CD $13.97 www.myspace.com/craigsounds
Musician, composer, and keyboardist Jamie Craig presents The Lost Dream, a music CD album of modern instrumental music that embraces rock 'n' roll elements over those of traditional new age or jazz. Embracing the rush of a solid bass-line and full drum-kit that propels a solid beat instead of moody ambience, The Lost Dream incorporates sound from keyboards, synthesizers and computers to generate a full band sound - up to and including eight different bass guitars, all synthesized. Other instruments added to the mix range from acoustic steel guitar to flute, organ, congas, French horn, and more. The result is highly recommended as a fine balance between new age and the instrumental passages of progressive rock, sure to enliven the listener's day. The tracks are The Lost Dream [Radio Mix] (4:11); The Steel Wheel (3:44); Stereo Five (4:47); The Power & Glory (4:20); Movement Z (6:29); Contemplate All (3:49); One Thirty (4:22); The Lost Dream (4:59); Did You Have To Ask? (4:20); Our Lost Dreams (6:07); and Take the High Road (4:15).
Able Greenspan
Reviewer
Klausner's Bookshelf
The Sudoku Puzzle Murders
Parnell Hall
Dunne
9780312370909 $23.95
In Bakerhaven, Connecticut, Cora Felton, the nationally recognized Puzzle lady, is standing in the parking lot when Japanese publisher Hideki Takiyama comes up to her and introduces himself. He says she is famous in Japan and he wants to write a Puzzle Lady Sudoku puzzle book. She refers him to her niece Sherry Carter who negotiates all her contracts. Later Sherry goes to sign a contact only to learn she signed with Hideki's rival Aoki Yoshiaki who is married to the lovely Reiko.
Cora is at the sheriff's office when a call comes in that there has been a murder. At the crime scene, Cora sees a man with his face sliced in half and it becomes obvious he was dumped here. They find out he was a private investigator from New York. A few days later, Cora sees Sherry's ex following Aoki and Reiko who are followed by another investigator form New York. The second New York private investigator is found dead very near where his predecessor was dumped with a samurai sward in him. The sheriff asks Cora to help him figure out what is going on; since she loves a puzzle, she agrees to assist him.
The fun of the Puzzle Lady mysteries starts and finish with the aptly nicknamed heroine who never takes herself seriously. She is a smart-mouthed sassy broad who does her own thing regardless of what others think. Her antics and asides bring humor into a serious complex whodunit that leaves readers spinning in admiration.
Murder of a Chocolate Covered Cherry
Denise Swanson
Obsidian (Berkley)
9780451223685 $6.99
In Scumble River, Illinois it is time for Grandma Sal's Soup-to-Nuts Cooking Challenge. School psychologist and police consultant Skye Dennison reluctantly enters the competition along with her brother and honoree uncle because her mother May wants to win this year and her family is using recipes she created. Mrs. Cherry Alexander is getting on everyone's nerves with her caustic commentary and her dirty tricks, but no one expected her to be murdered for her nasty personality.
Skye is asked by her boyfriend Police Chief Wally Boyd to help on the case; she hesitantly agrees. She is also concerned that one of her students Ashley is missing. She had an unauthorized article written in the school paper that claimed she had sex with the entire male basketball team. Everyone insists that Xenia who wrote the article kidnapped Ashley. Skye works both cases unaware they are linked to one another.
Denise Swanson has written a wonderful small town cozy. The eccentric locals provide much humor yet that enhances the seriousness of the two investigations by bringing a reality of distance from the homicide and missing teen case. Skye wears two hats that she normally balances, but this time they overpay as trouble has come to idyllic Scumble River.
She is a graphologist forensic handwriting expert whose clients range from business people who want to check out job applicants to police who use Claudia Rose as an additional tool in their crime investigations. Both divergent groups agree she is always on the money with her assessments.
Claudia and her friend Kelly attend the funeral of their childhood friend Hollywood publicist Lindsey Alexander, who allegedly committed suicide leaving behind an explanatory note written in block letters. Her business manager Ivan does not believe Lindsey killed herself and hires Claudia to prove it. The handwriting is suspicious since Lindsey always wrote in cursive not print although the deceased's sleazy brother gives Claudia photos to prove otherwise as Lindsey printed on them. The pictures do make it quite clear that Lindsey was a victim of child sexual abuse. Ivan is going to makes an out of town trip and finds some incendiary evidence amidst Lindsey's belongings. He asks Claudia to come over to his house to look at them; she does, but when she arrives she find him lying dead. She takes the flash drive lying under him home to find it contains a spread sheet of high profiles people into kink. Claudia learns Lindsey was blackmailing them so now has a motive for homicide, but whom. Soon someone shoots at her and her house is broken into and is somewhat trashed. Obviously an unknown adversary wants the case dropped.
Claudia is a strong willed independent person who persists even while skeptics scoff at her profession as being voodoo forensics. The romance between her and the lead detective adds a personalized dimension to the story line without intruding on the inquiry. Among Lindsey's clients are DC and California politicians and Hollywood superstars with the power and money to hire a pro to make it look like a suicide, but who remains just out of reach.
Unknown Means
Elizabeth Becka
Hyperion
9781401301750 $22.95
Cleveland Medical Examiner Evelyn James knows her life is full between work and her personal relationships. A single mom Evelyn struggles not to murder her glowering teenage daughter Angel and tries to separate her romance with homicide detective David Milaski from their work together.
The current case involves the murder of twenty-eight years old affluent Grace Markham in her locked apartment inside a secure building. Not too long after the homicide, Metro General Hospital ER Doctor Bailey calls her at two in the morning because someone assaulted her friend Marissa Gonzalez, who lives in the same building as Grace did. Another similar homicide occurs. Evelyn, David and his partner, Bruce Riley investigate trying to find the link between the victims at a time the case load starting with the Lake Erie underwater explosion affirms to Evelyn that twenty-four hours is not enough time in a day.
The anti Kay Scarpetta (personality that is), Evelyn holds this strong police procedural together. The story line is fast-paced from the onset as Evelyn and the police team look for clues at the Markham crime scene and never slows down even when she investigate the Lake Erie explosion while almost crapping in her underwear out of fear. Readers will like this forensic police tale and seek Evelyn's previous appearance (see TRACE EVIDENCE).
Forgive Me
Amanda Eyre Ward
Random House
9780345494474 $13.00
Thirtyish international journalist Nadine travels the hot spots of the globe in pursuit of the story. However, when she journeyed to a small village outside Mexico City to interview the parents of twelve recently murdered young boys, two thugs battered her breaking ribs and more. When Nadine regains consciousness she finds herself in the Cape Cod B&B owned by her estranged father and his fiancee. Dr. Duarte provides her needed medical care.
Nadine feels this is the last place she wants to be while healing. She reads in the paper an article on a local couple traveling to Cape Town, South Africa to attend the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings. The pair needs to hear why a black woman killed their white son in 1988. Nadine feels a deep need to cover the story so without official backing, she flies to Cape Town, a place where she lost the love of her life. She meets grieving Americans; who give her their late son's boyhood journal.
FORGIVE ME is an interesting morality drama starring an interesting protagonist who believes the story comes before her safety although her Mexican incident has left her with doubts. The tale cleverly uses the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings to spotlight Apartheid, but could have been any prejudicial ism especially state sponsored. The journal that the parents give Nadine leads to her reflecting back on her failed relationships with her father and her soulmate. Although some spins feel forced and false, fans will appreciate Amanda Eyre Ward's deep look at motivation of individuals and countries.
The Blue Star
Tony Earley
Little, Brown
9780316199070 $23.99
In 1941 in Aliceville, North Carolina seventeen year old high school senior Jim Glass loves fellow student Chrissie Steppe, but can do little about his attraction. Chrissie has a boyfriend, Jim's buddy Arthur "Bucky" Bucklaw who joined the navy; complicating matters for Jim is her family owes his family a lot of money. Still he vows to one day make Chrissie his girlfriend.
He turns to his paternal models for advice; his Uncles Coran and Zeno coach Jim on winning the heart of a girl. However, everything abruptly changes December 7, 1941 in which his quest seems childish when compared to Bucky being stationed on the USS California which was hit by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor. For that matter Jim, like many of his peers, wonders if staying in school to play baseball until he graduates is more important than fighting for his country immediately.
Seven years have passed since the adventures of JIM THE BOY (not read) as he has matured from a precocious ten yea old to a still growing up high school student in love when WWII intercedes. Patriotism becomes a key theme as an odd triangle forms. Readers will appreciate the true sacrifice (not the DC pandering) the military makes to serve. However, it is the impact on Jim and his high school peers who are of an age to join and feel the need to do so that makes the sequel a strong look at America going to war.
Simply Perfect
Mary Balogh
Delacorte
9780385338240 $22.00
Claudia Martin, owner and headmistress of Miss Martin's School for Girls, has had a rough day starting with one of her teacher's unable to provide French and music lessons due to a headache. Things got worse after the auspicious start and now the ultimate has arrived, in the person of a Marquess. Joseph says that close friend and teacher Susanna Osbourne, married last year to Viscount Whitleaf, sends her best regards (see SIMPLY MAGIC).
Joseph offers his carriage to take Claudia to London when she leaves in two days. She finds no excuse to say no, but does not trust his title or his friendly demeanor; deep down she writes off her attraction as inane as she is too old for such nonsense. After visiting his parents while his father recovers from an illness, the thirtyish Joseph knows he needs a wife and an heir. He had been leaning towards Lady Portia Hunt although her airs could freeze the Thames in summer, but now finds he is falling in love with the intelligent caring spinster.
The apropos title says it all as Mary Balogh provides another superb Regency romance. The lead couple is complex as each comes into the relationship with preconceptions that prove false when it comes to their beloved. The return of characters from previous novels like Susanna strengthen the plot as sub-genre fans will enjoy knowing what has happened to them since their tale was told. This is simply another great novel in an outstanding series (see SIMPLY LOVE, SIMPLY UNFORGETTABLE and SIMPLY DANGEROUS).
Trouble the Water
Nicole Seitz
Thomas Nelson
9781595544001 $14.99
Forty something Honor believes her life is over as her marriage is history and she is unemployed. Deep in her psyche, Honor believes she deserves both and worse as she now feels there is something lacking in her that makes her contemptible not fit to be loved by anyone. Even knowing she cannot run away from herself, she flees to St. Anne's Isle off the South Carolina coast.
Honor attempts suicide, but the islander Gullah nannies intercede and prevent her from succeeding. They nurse her back to physical health and shower her with love that brings emotional contentment. Honor moves in with another somewhat wounded adoptee Duchess. Soon she begins to paint and contacts her sister Alice. When Honor informs Alice she has cancer, the younger sibling reassesses her successful life that looks like a failure next to her dying sibling's recent lust for life.
The three females (Honor, Duchess and Alice) rotate perspective so the audience gets to understand what motivates each of them. Adding to that insight is the back and forth major highlights of each of their lives over the past eight years. However, there is too much happening with each of these females so that none of their problems to include loneliness, physical and mental abuse, depression, and suicidal tendencies is looked at as profoundly deep as the well written TROUBLED THE WATER should. Still fans who appreciate a look into a troubled person trying to find a life preserver will enjoy this fine inspirational tale.
The Dark Lantern
Gerri Brightwell
Crown
9780307395344 $24.95
In 1893 London, housemaid Jane Wilbred obtains a position with the Bentley family by forging a glowing letter of reference and concealing that she is the daughter of an infamous murderer. Jane's new home at thirty-two Cursitor Road is filled with plenty of shenanigans and intrigue since the matriarch is dying; however the newcomer plans to be a mouse hiding as much as possible underneath the stairs and even from her peers.
There is a harsh rivalry upstairs between the two sisters-in-laws. The older brother Henry's wife claims her spouse died in a drowning incident while en route to England after years in Bombay; no one knows this widow, a total stranger. The younger brother Robert's wife Mina Bentley plans to be the matriarch and objects to the outsider or returning to Paris where she and Robert lived for several years. Robert ignores the war between the sisters-in-law as his interest lies with gaining official police recognition of the science of body metrics, anthropometry. He tests his theory when the house is robbed by an intruder claiming to be him, but soon spins into something deadlier.
This is an excellent Victorian mystery as Jane steals the show with her astute observations honed by being a maid although she is very young. The story line is fast-paced once the robbery occurs and Robert begins his inquiry. Fans of historical mysteries will enjoy THE DARK LANTERN as this is a very bright well written thriller starring a strong cast especially Jane.
The Sinner
Petra Hammesfahr
Bitter Lemon
9781904738251 $14.95
Police commissioner Rudolf Grovian decides to conduct an inquiry into the Cora Bender homicide case. In a park filled with people who witnessed Cora knife to the death n apparent stranger while her stunned husband Gereon tried to stop her after she slit the victim's throat. Although the local cops arrest Cora as the case is obvious with so many including her child and spouse seeing her do the act, Rudolf is fascinated by the culprit's behavior.
He interviews Cora trying to understand her motive for killing an apparent stranger. Instead Cora explains her family dynamics; not with Gereon who she loves and owes a debt of gratitude for allowing her to escape; instead with her blood family. Her mother hates her for being born and destroying her lifestyle with her birth; her disabled sister totally depended on Cora for everything. Still the cop struggles to comprehend why even as Cora explains her sexual obsession inside a religious fanaticism which bewilders him further.
This is a deep psychological crime thriller in which the audience learns the demons that haunt and obsess Cora. The story line rotates first and third person perspectives but that works quite nicely as the first person enables the reader to get inside Cora while the third person keeps the investigating exciting. Sub-genre readers will appreciate the character driven THE SINNER from the opening sequence when Cora almost kills Gereon with her powerful legs during a sexual moment until the final revelations that shake up Rudolf (and the audience).
The Chinaman
Friedrich Glauser
Bitter Lemon
1904738214 $14.95
In Bern, Switzerland James Farny's corpse is found lying on top of the recently buried wife of the poorhouse warden; the doctor pronounces it is suicide due to a self inflicted shot into the heart. The Bern police brass is content with supporting the "official" ruling.
However, Bern Police Sergeant Jakob Studer notices some odd anomalies starting with no bullet hole torn through the victim's clothing though he is fully clad and yet shot in the heart. Studer also recognizes Farny as a person he remembers seeing several months ago in the tiny village of Pfrundisberg because the man predicted his demise to his associates. As Studer investigates while his superior fumes but knows better than to interfere with his best and most frustrating cop, clues lead Studer to realize the prime suspects in what he believes is murder reside at the poorhouse, a horticultural college, and the Sun Inn where he first "met" Farny.
The latest translation of a Studer police procedural (see IN MATTO'S REALM, FEVER and THUMBPRINT) is a fabulous tale in which the intelligent dedicated cop works out the homicide by analyzing the interrelationships motives between the victim and those at the three locales and their potential motives for committing a murder. Although Studer's technique has been used quite often since THE CHINAMAN was first released in the late 1930s, the vivid look into Swiss society with Hitler beginning to spread his Third Reich vision across the continent makes the tale feel like a fresh historical whodunit.
What Looks Like Crazy
Charlotte Hughes
Jove
9780515144239 $7.99
Clinical psychologist Kate Holly feels her world is imploding as her newest client Kevin Bosley threatens to jump off the roof while she asks affluent psychiatrist Thad Glazaen who sent him to her for help what the problem really is. Thad asks her to describe her underwear. Kate is also counting down the days before her divorce from fire captain Jay Rush becomes legal; she still loves Jay, but his work frightens her as her dad died fighting a fire. Finally her mom and her aunt, the renowned "junque sisters", plant in cement a naked statue that has angered her neighbors especially Bitsy Stout.
Her wealthy secretary Mona Epps assists Kate with all her woes by insisting that sex is what she needs. However, the only man she wants to share her bed and his is Jay. Kate knows WHAT LOOKS CRAZY is crazy as Jay insists her work is much more dangerous than his.
WHAT LOOKS LIKE CRAZY is an entertaining character study of a psychologist whose life feels out of control. Kate is a delightful center holding the plot together while an eccentric wild bunch of secondary players pulls her in a zillion different directions. Although somewhat a meet the crazies (including Kate) tale, fans will enjoy this humorous zany opening act due to the antics of that crazy cast.
Blasphemy
Douglas J. Preston
Forge
9780765311054 $25.95
Physicist Gregory North Hazelius sold the concept of creating a humongous forty billion dollar "superconducting supercollider particle accelerator" based on finding a new source of energy. He knows not to tell anyone about his personal secret agenda behind why he pushed the Isabella project as it is called; he plans to duplicate the Big Bang of creation in order to speak to God.
The Navajo Indian Reservation in the southwest is chosen as the locale for Isabella. Work begins inside the five-hundred-square-mile Red Mesa tableland. However, the project falls behind schedule disturbing DC politicos who bet on its quick success. Presidential science adviser Dr. Stanton Lockwood sends former CIA operative Wyman Ford to investigate why the delay and is there any way to propel the project back on schedule. At the same time, others strongly oppose Isabella fearing the wrath of God. Televangelist Reverend Don Spates claims scientific blasphemy challenging heaven; Navaho shamans share Spates' fears that the world is coming to an end. These two diverse groups plan to destroy the evil scientists and their blasphemous Isabella before the Armageddon Big Crunch occurs.
This is exciting thriller in which science and religion clash; in many ways the tale is a modernizing of Frankenstein as Isabella is considered the monster by the evangelists and the Navaho while Dr. Hazelius (and twelve other scientists) is the zealous creator. The story line starts slow as the cast is set, but once everyone converges on the southwest, the plot is faster than an atom flying around a supercollider. Fans will enjoy Douglas J. Preston's entertaining action-packed tale.
An Irish Country Village
Patrick Taylor
Forge
9780765316240 $25.95
In the 1960s having decided to practice medicine in Balleybucklebo, Northern Ireland, (see AN IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR) Barry Laverty begins his "apprenticeship working for Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, a local legend. He finds the wide range of patients with their diverse problems fascinating and keeps him attentive. Barry also quickly learns why his mentor is a superstar amongst the working class and he admires the grumpy Fingal. This is not so much due to his medical healing but more because he gets involved in the social affairs of the villagers.
Currently Fingal battles the council who want to change the Black Swan pub from a popular local establishment into a touristy thing to bring in more money. Barry also finds his attraction for engineering student Patricia Spence growing even as he fears yet hopes she will soon go to Cambridge. Finally he faces a malpractice lawsuit from a widow whose husband he misdiagnosed.
This warm sequel to AN IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR is an entertaining tale that brings to life a small village in the 1960s. The storyline is character driven as the eccentric locals bring time and place to the foreground. Dr. Fingal is somewhat the stereotype of the grumpy caring aging doctor, but no one will care as he brings extra heart to the mix. Fans will enjoy the continuing saga of Dr. Barry Laverty as he holds the insightful tale together while growing into the heir apparent to the village doctor.
Gambit
Karna Small Bodman
Forge
9780765319289 $24.95
Computer scientist Dr. Cameron "Cammy" Talbot has little time to sit on her laurels following the CHECKMATE technology she and her team created that prevented war between India and Pakistan. Recently a terrorist has developed a missile system that has shot down commercial aircraft; Mr. President, Vice President Jayson Keller, and their top National Security advisor Austin Gage wants her and her Bandaq Technologies team to create an antimissile gizmo to place on planes so that the cock pit can be aware of a deadly incoming and destroy it.
She visits her associate Dr. Wen Hu at MIT for assistance, but soon afterward someone kills him and destroys his lab. She realizes that she is next and a few somewhat amateurish but potentially lethal assaults occur. Cammy turns to her former lover, Special Assistant to the President for Arms Control and Strategic defense Lieutenant Colonel Hunt Daniels for protection while few fly and more die who do.
More a romantic suspense (even the VEEP wants Cammy) than a thriller, readers will enjoy this race against the clock each day means more deaths and less air traffic. The story line grips the audience as the enemy technology seems plausible. Although the romantic subplot is well written it feels out of place as the excitement is with stopping the adversaries soonest.
The Magdalene Chronicles
Suzen Wuerth
Outskirts
9781598007398 $9.95
The French law firm of Troute, Flangette et Bronsaurd inform American archeology student Maddy Whitaker that her grandmere died leaving her with an estate in France. Maddy is stunned as she was unaware of this grandmere who gave birth to her mom Beatrice, but sent the child to the Sanders of Savannah, American relatives, to raise the child as their own.
Maddy travels to her late grandmere's house in France. In the attic she finds an old trunk containing an old leather bound book that was crumbling with her touch. She reads about her de Brissac maternal ancestry who apparently revered Mary Magdalene. Further exploring finds ancient relics, hidden passageways and the knowledge that the house lies on top of sacred ground as a convent was once there. With help from her American friends and her new French amies, Maddy investigates her family tree back two millennium and begins to unravel a secret society plot to rule the world.
With a nod to the Da Vinci Code, THE MAGDALENE CHRONICLES is a terrific look at the infancy of Christianity through Mary Magdalene's perspective interwoven inside a modern day amateur sleuth conspiracy thriller. Everything ties nicely together as the ancient diaries written allegedly by Mary Magdalene are included inside the contemporary story line. Readers will obtain their money's Wuerth with this fine tale that sets up the next entry in The Followers of the Magdalene saga.
The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara-Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide to Life
Kathy L. Patrick
Grand Central
9780446695428 $13.99
Born and raised in Kansas, Kathy Patrick became a licensed cosmetologist and soon a book publisher's representative. When she lost her position in the publishing industry due to downsizing, she decided to combine her two experiences. Kathy opened Beauty and the Book, which likes its title implies combined a salon with a bookstore. With the encouragement of her customers who debated the merits of books they read, Kathy soon created The Pulpwood Queens of East Texas reading group that took their literature seriously, but the meetings as a time to let down one's hair (hard to do wearing a tiara).
Her well written autobiography is a terrific inspiration as she has become one of the diehards trying to get people literate and reading as Ms. Patrick believes this is a way to bring the world to anyone as well as a means to making strong friendships. The tiara wearing sisterhood anecdotes make this "Guide to Life" worth reading as these ladies will inspire the audience to join clubs.
No Second Chance
Maggie Toussaint
Wild Rose Press
1601541627 $10.99 http://www.thewildrosepress.com
In Maryland, Hope Farrier, owner of horse rescue Second Chance Farm, sees the "Suit" and knows that denotes something bad is about to happen to her. The Suit Devlin Temple, acting CEO of Temple Equine Supplements, informs her that his firm will no longer donate supplements to her rundown operation; they will change their charity to the fancier Homes for Ponies. She pleads with him to give her more time so he allows her three weeks more of deliveries.
Devlin is worried about the firm that his dying mom made so successful; as someone somehow is stealing funds. He assumes his rival for the CEO position cousin Ray, who married Devlin's fiancee Claire, is the culprit, but so far has not proved it. His mom informs her son, Hope and the board of directors that she is giving her stock to Hope and also placed the horse farm owner on the TES board in lieu of her. She asks Devlin to fix Hope's financial problems. He agrees to all because he would do anything for his dying mom. However, as Devlin and Hope fall in love, someone, most likely Ray, sabotages her operation almost killing the horses.
NO SECOND CHANCE is a fabulous contemporary romance with an intriguing social issue involving the rescue of horses; in fact the book proceeds are being donated to the real Dead End Farm Horse rescuing mission. The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down until the final confrontation. Although the clever diabolical villain proves unbelievably insane during the final altercation, readers will appreciate this strong tale as Maggie Toussaint provides a deep character driven drama.
Touch of Magic
Carin Rafferty
ImaJinn Books
P.O. Box 545, Canon City, CO 81212
9781933417356 $15.00
Depressed to her bone marrow because of her overwhelming feeling of loneliness compounded by the celebration of Samhain, witch Shana Morland decides to use a prohibited ancient cursed Tarot deck to see if there is a hunk in her near future. Shana assumes the violation is a minor offense as she considers how bad the curse can be without fully understanding the ramifications. Shana will learn rather quickly as the Tarot deck is actually a magical detention cell containing evil witch Moira; anyone who foolishly uses the deck will free her at the cost of their liberty.
However, Moira's jailers understanding human nature, especially witching human nature, included a caveat that Moira's rescuer must be in love to switch places. Shana knows she is okay as she has no one. That is until Ryan Alden crashes his Harley right in front of her. She is stunned as she wants the unconscious stranger with feelings like nothing she ever felt before. However, if he is her true love as she suspects, Shan's price is the curse.
This is an exhilarating one sitting paranormal romantic suspense novel. Readers assume from the moment out cold Ryan lays at Shana's feet, he is the one who will instigate the switch. The heroic lead couple is a delightful pairing of a seemingly doomed duet as they battle a more powerful foe. Moira disarms them by negatively using the power of love so she can live Shana's future while her savior occupies her incarceration time. Carin Rafferty imparts a compelling tale in which love is the curse.
Water witch Mariamne Niege cannot believe how much her world and that of her two best friends Theo Morgan and Elise Nicholson have changed since the Circle of Light sent Watchers Hansen and Dante crashing into their lives (see DARK WATCHER). However, she knows there is no going back for any of the trio although she dreams of her idyllic mousy academic days; but they have become Guardians in a war with the evil Dark.
Her visions are becoming ever stronger and increasingly frightening. The worst is her seeing her Watcher Hansen killing Guardian Theo. Mari's roommates fear and loath Hansen who has taken over the couch to insure his charge, who he knows by touching her is his soulmate, remains safe. When Rossini the gargoyle sends her research writings by her former mentor Suzanne, forces of the Dark break into her home killing her roommates. Hansen knows the Dark craves taking his beloved, but he does not understand how far they will go to achieve their goal; the earthquakes are their first assault, but Mari thinks Hansen is involved.
The second WATCHER romantic fantasy is a terrific tale starring two fascinating lead characters. Elise may love Hansen, but she fears and distrusts him too; Hansen may love Elise, but his pre Watcher days make him feel he is unworthy of her. Readers will appreciate the irony as they need each other not just as soulmates, but to survive; if they fail to overcome the negatives the Dark will triumph. Lilith Saintcrow provides an exciting tale that sub-genre fans will relish.
Dark Watcher
Lilith Saintcrow
ImaJinn
0975965328 $13.75
The Circle of Lightfall assigns Dante the Watcher to protect healing Lightbringer Theodora Morgan. Upon seeing her for the first time at her shop the Magick Cauldron bookstore, Dante informs his peer Hanson that he cannot understand why the Dark would attack this green witch, two other witches (Elise Nicholson and Marianne Niege), and their teacher Suzanne; Hanson explains the enemy is on a Crusade and these three naive Lightbringers and their ignorant mentor are a beacon in the Dark that the other side wants snuffed.
Dante quickly realizes that Theo is his witch by simply being able to touch her as he knows a Lightbringer's touch brings pain to a Watcher due to part of their nature that includes a Dark element except if she is his. However, he also learns she is ignorant about the whole war and her being a Lightbringer surrounded by the forces of the Dark. Instead she just gently wants to heal him from his mental anguish although he frightens her.
DARK WATCHER is a fascinating paranormal romance that opens the Watcher saga. The story line is fast-paced once Dante enters the bookstore to talk to Theo with the other three females hovering protectively near her especially Suzanne. Whereas Theo is a gentle healer, readers never see Dante's dark side even while battling deadly adversaries although that is referenced too often so that he seems incomplete. Still fans will appreciate Lilith Saintcrow's paranormal modernization of the Crusade.
The Portland, Oregon police especially Detective Ebony Hamilton take seriously any visions that high school student Samantha McGregor has as the teen has helped on recent cases (see BAD CONNECTION, PLAYING WITH FIRE and BEYOND REACH). Ebony, who was her late dad's partner, and Sam believe her visions are a gift from God to help people.
However, recently she has had three seemingly separate sets of visions. The first involves her mother's new boyfriend Steven, whom Sam does not like; the second entails a terrorist act at a gala that she thinks is a prom; the other line of visions is the bullying of a teem by his peers. Sam talks with Ebony about all three. The cops and Sam attend local proms hoping to avoid a disaster. Meanwhile her mom complains about missing money from her accounts while Steven apparently has vanished. The three sets of visions will soon become clear hopefully not too late; as Sam requires the patience of Job with the understanding that faith in God even when she does not comprehend why the Lord does what he does is the key to life.
The fourth Secret Life of Samantha McGregor is an entertaining inspirational paranormal crime caper. Readers will appreciate Sam's dedication and caring as she tries to prevent harm to people as her three visions indicate. Although in real life one cannot thank the Lord too much, in a novel it becomes irritating as readers know of Sam's strong belief and gratitude. Still, this is a fine entry with a fabulous final twist and filled with moral issues like dealing with teen bullying, identity theft, turning the other cheek, failing to save a soul, and throughout the series the belief that God's way is the only way.
Missing
Karin Alvtegen
Felony & Mayhem
9781933397863 $24.00 http://www.felonyandmayhem.com/index.html
In Stockholm, Sweden, thirty-two years old Sybilla Forsenstrom is the daughter of affluent but cold parents; after an undesirable pregnancy, she fled from her life of wealth. Now almost fifteen years later, she is a professional homeless person who knows all the tricks of the trade to get a hot meal, a hot shower, and a warm room when the city is freezing.
She pretends to be a businesswoman in Stockholm staying at the Grand Hotel. There she meets Jorgen Grundberg whom she cons into paying for her meal and a room. However, the next day he is found murdered. Soon after that another male is killed in the same MO including mutilation. The police believe Sybilla with her wig and more is the killer; she has become public enemy number one. Fearing that her homeless state means guilty, she eludes the cops with some help and begins investigating the homicides.
The woman on the run plot is intermingled with flashbacks to Sybilla's childhood especially the late teen years when she is forced to give away her son; her parents are icy pips. Thus readers understand her motives as a street person. Her inquiries are entertaining as she sees the clues differently than the cops. Newspaper clippings on the serial killings insure the heroine is the most sought after person in Sweden. Interestingly if this reviewer read this book before fairy tale stories claimed as true by the media but ultimately deblogged as made up, the clippings would feel wrong lacking official police sources yet now seem very accurate. Fans will enjoy this fine Swedish amateur sleuth tale.
Killer Heat
Linda A. Fairstein
Doubleday
9780385523974 $26.00
At the sight of a badly decomposed body in which the stench is so overwhelming, it will psychologically linger for weeks, NYPD Detective Mike Chapman lights up a Cohiba; he hands the cigar to Manhattan ADA Alex Cooper to take a "few hits" in order to give the brain a different olfactory memory. The tortured dead woman is the first homicide of a serial killer. Six more females with apparent military connections will soon die while Mike, Alex and others hunt the predator.
At the same time, Cooper argues with defense attorney Gene Grassley in front of Judge Lamont over the retrial of sixty-one years old Floyd Warren; accused of rape three decades ago, but the jury was hung and he skipped town before the second trial. Grassley says his client is too old to commit a violent crime while Cooper points out that does not matter as he should do the time even though he will probably die behind bars. Cooper contends he became a serial rapist while Greeley insists he was never arrested. Adding to the circus of the Judge having to apply the ridiculous 1973 statute is cronies of violent convicted rapist Pablo Pasano sit in the courtroom to harass Cooper, who put him behind bars.
The serial killer investigation is a terrific subplot that would normally carry a novel; however, it is the legal issues involving the Warren trial complicated by the Pasano presence that makes the latest Cooper thriller one of the best sub-genre entries of the year so far. The story line is action-packed from the cigar onset and never slows down as the audience feels they are traipsing around the Big Apple during a sever heat wave.
Torrent Falls
Jan Watson
Tyndale
9781414314730 $12.99
In 1888 widow Copper Brown Corbett returns to her home in Troublesome Creek, Kentucky accompanied by her almost two years old baby Lilly Gray. Her daddy deeded Copper his rundown farm; she plans to turn it around and make a home for her and her daughter as she seeks solace after the tragedy that sent her home.
Her neighbor John Pelfrey wants to court Copper as he has always loved her; they were once sweethearts but she gave her love to another and believes she will never love again. Copper readapts to the hilly countryside providing midwife services to the nearby women. Her faith in the Lord keeps her strong as she thanks him (and their Mammaw) for sending two young siblings Dimmert and Darcy to help her on the farm. John remains persistent, but as she begins to fall in love, Copper realizes he hides something from her that once she knows the truth will end their relationship.
The third Troublesome Creek Americana tale (see TROUBLESOME CREEK - read and WILLOW SPRINGS - not read) is an interesting look at life in the late nineteenth century in the Eastern Kentucky hill country series. The story line focuses on Copper as she proves she can take care of herself and her daughter while tending to the ill and working the farm. She is a terrific character while John provides a tangled strong love interest. However, the tale is stolen by the two farmhand siblings and their horde of others D siblings plus Ezra ("not Dezra") as they vividly bring out the locale. Readers will enjoy the latest entry in a strong historical saga.
Dead Heat
Joel C. Rosenberg
Tyndale
9781414311616 $24.99
President James MacPherson is on his way to Los Angeles to give a speech at the Republican National Convention at the Staples Center. His intelligence team killed a terrorist they have been hunting for years but in his computer they find a map of the Staples Center. They think the terrorists are targeting the president but are confident that they have him protected. The Secret Service is proven wrong when container ships launch scud missiles with nuclear warheads at D.C., Seattle, Manhattan, and Southern California killing the president and many others.
Vice President Oaks is now the president and he and his advisors are in a bunker deep underground. He intends to make the country who launched the bombs pay for killing millions of Americans but he has no idea what country it is. North Korea is prepared to invade the South and could have done it as they had the means. The new president of Iraq who makes Saddam Hussein look like a choir boy hates the Americans and is in league with the U.N. Secretary-General. He is prepared to go to war to prevent the Kurdish providence from succeeding and joining the new Kurdistan. Israel builds the Third Temple to the consternation of other nations. It looks like intelligence is needed to figure out who killed America and since the infrastructure is destroyed, the US must depend on its allies and what little intelligence they have from contact with the field.
Joel C. Rosenberg writes a political thriller think is based on today's headlines and most of the events in DEAD HEAT could conceivably happen. The action is non stop from the very first page and the politicians and elected officials feel lifelike. It is interesting to see what happens when a first strike hits America and how the country reacts to most of its land made wasted. Mr. Rosenberg is fantastic writer whose chilling and exciting novels make him one of the best thriller authors writing today.
In Bloomington all the extended families of the Baxters gather at the hospital where Ashley gives birth to Sarah, who died a few hours later. Although everyone knew the baby would not survive, they all grieve their loss and turn to God for solace. Patriarch widower John Baxter decides to propose to Elaine Denning who has brought much to his life even as he still loves and reveres the memory of his late first wife. However, he fears the reactions of his adult children.
Three weeks after the funeral that still haunts everyone, John's son Hollywood actor Dayne Matthews and Dayne's wife Katy travel to different countries to film movies. However, on location the tabloids have a field day with Dayne caught in a compromising position that could destroy his marriage. Luke Baxter also seems to have wandered away from his vows while John and Elaine end their relationship.
Fans of the series will mourn the death of the newborn as the Baxters especially Ashley and her spouse Landon struggle to understand why God would allow such a tragedy. There will not be a dry eye in the house especially when Ashley, the inspirational moral fiber of this tale, begins to believe in the miracle of Sarah. Although an affair seems out of place, readers will enjoy this warm tale as Ashley knows that SOMEDAY she and Sarah will be together looking down to help future Baxter descendants find the Lord.
On Sparrow Hill
Maureen Lang
Tyndale
9781414313467 $12.99
England's National Trust constantly makes job offers that would pay much more and provide greater prestige, but Rebecca Seabrooke prefers to remain manager of Hollinworth Hall. Part of it might be her lingering crush on the owner Quentin Hollinworth, but much is because she needs to prove to herself she can run the best historical site in the country without dependence on her father. Her efforts are paying off as the manor has received a prestigious nomination from the Featherby Education Award although she hopes that proves enough to keep his mother from having him shut the place.
An email arrives from West World Genealogy (WWG) in which they claim an American family wants to contact their English Hollinworth cousins as they possess an original 1852 diary belonging to Cosima Escott Hamilton, an ancestor of Quentin. Intrigued they visit the vault to find letters from that period written by Beryl "Berrie" Hamilton to Cosima. Meanwhile Dana Walker responds to Rebecca's email via WWG; she claims she possesses Cosima's journal brought to America by the Englishwoman's youngest son Kip whom Dana says she is his descendent. As Rebecca and Quentin work on understanding his ancestors and hers who have serviced Hamiltons for twelve generations, they admit their love for one another, but his mother objects; besides Rebecca believes Lady Caroline is more suited for her employer.
Once again as Maureen Lang did with the deep family drama that focuses on Fragile X Syndrome and its impact on people (see THE OAK LEAVES), the author provides a powerful tale of two families during the Victorian and contemporary eras. In both periods the key characters seem genuine as comparisons of the aristocracy and their servicing class then and now between the times make for a fascinating drama. Whether it is Berrie opening up a school for the mentally retarded or Quentin's mom grieving the coming extinction of the aristocracy due to McDonalds and the Internet, readers will appreciate the well written poignant ON SPARROW HILL.
The Opposite of Love
Julie Buxbaum
Dial
9780385341226 $25.00
The night before twenty-nine years old Yale law graduate Emily Haxby dreams of slicing and dicing her boyfriend into Mu Shu Andrew; the next day just before he appears ready to propose she ends their relationship. Her friends are stunned as they thought Emily and Andrew were the perfect couple. More confusing to them is that Emily cannot explain why except that it is her not him. Her best friend tells Emily that she is a masochist.
Emily also worries about her beloved Grandpa Jack, who seems to be fading rapidly; he is everything to her unlike her icy relationship with her father, lieutenant governor Kirk Haxby who wants her to follow in his footsteps by becoming a Manhattan attorney defending big corporations from lawsuits. Instead she escapes the Big Apple, her job and her relationship pressures to spend time with her Grandpa Jack and his best friend at the retirement home. There she learns what life is all about as THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE is not hate; it is a soulless emptiness, but Emily struggles to understand how to refill the void once it has become a vacuum.
This is a fascinating look at a woman who seems to have everything yet feels her life is vacuous as she believes she has nothing worthwhile except for Grandpa Jack; once he dies Emily assumes that except for her memories, she turns empty. Emily is a terrific protagonist struggling with the meaning of life. Although the climax seems too perfect, readers will appreciate Julie Buxbaum's deep look at THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE.
The Liar's Diary
Patry Francis
Dutton
9780452289154 $14.00
Forty something violinist and composer Ali Mather joins the staff of Bridgeway High School as a music teacher. From her first enthusiastic good morning, the newcomer brings a zest for life as well as the need to be the star whenever she is not alone. Ali lists her marital status as separated. The students are also caught up with this dynamo when she initially tells them to call her Ali, but after a visit to the principal's office she winks and says make that MRS. MATHER.
Observing Ali's antics is thirtyish school secretary Jeanne Cross, a plain looking reticent woman married to a hunk orthopedic surgeon; their teenage son overweight, dyslexic Jamie attends the school. Surprisingly opposites Jane and Ali become friends as the newcomer sleeps with much younger shop teacher Brian Shagaury and car dealer Jack Butterfield. Ali keeps a detailed diary that includes her belief that someone is stalking her including entering her home; soon her lust for life in the spotlight clashes with Jeanne's trinity of mother, wife, secretary.
Told from Jeanne's perceptive, THE LAIR'S DIARY is a fascinating psychological character study that looks deep into the souls of the two female friends and to a lesser degree their family members. Jeanne's story telling is perfect for the tale as she adds no energy, fitting her personality. Although there are seemingly important moments that get shorted because of the concept of having Jeanne tell the story in her monotonous tone, readers will enjoy this psychological look at opposites converging at a point of no return to what was before.
Dead Time
Stephen White
Dutton
9780525950066 $25.95
Years ago, a group of college students hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon; one morning at the bottom, they met Nicholas Paulson who was looking for his girlfriend Jaana Peek, who was in the United States on a Visa. She had disappeared so the group searched for her with three of them leaving the Canyon including Eric and Lisa who could not participate in the rescue effort. Years later Lisa agreed to be the surrogate mother for Eric and his fiancee Meredith, former wife of psychologist Dr. Alan Gregory.
Meredith turns to Alan when Lisa disappears with her fetus growing inside her. Alan, who is recovering from his DRY ICE escapade, is in New York with his stepson Jonas, prepared to take him back home if his visit with his dead mother Adrienne's estranged family proves too traumatic. However, he agrees to help his former wife and starts with a friend's daughter who was part of the Grand Canyon incident years ago. Every clue from the past that he uncovers proves very relevant to the present, but Alan remains ignorant that someone is watching his progress to insure he never learns the truth; before that occurs this stalker will do to Alan what happened to Jaana.
The latest Alan Gregory thriller is an exhilarating action-packed tale in which a dark past spreads its tentacles into the present. The protagonist is just starting to get his life together as he deals with a new stepson whose uncle protests his having custody of his nephew and a shaky marriage. However, when Meredith asks for his aid, his conscience makes him say yes. Although the plot moves at light speed, it is the strong characterizations that make this a special read.
House of Cards
C.E. Murphy
Luna
978037380263 $14.95
There are paranormal species who share the world with humans including dragons, djinns, vampire, selkies, and gargoyles. They exist in absolute secrecy as they fear the overwhelmingly large numbers of humans whose encroachments into other habitants has led to extinction. Lawyer Margrit Knight knows of the existence of these sentient rivals having met them on an adventure (see HEART OF STONE) with Alban Korund. They both felt the intimacy between them, but Alban believes Margrit deserves a life in the human realm regardless of how she feels.
Margrit owes Janx, the dragonlord and an underworld criminal with a powerful empire, a favor. He calls it in when he asks her to watch over his second in command Malik the djinn. Alba, who is back in Margrit's life, watches Malik during the night because during day he turns to stone. Margit observes the djinn in daylight. Having been bitten by the vampire Daisani, Margrit heals quickly. Alba knows that if she drinks a second time, she will be long lived and perhaps give her and her star-crossed lover a chance at a relationship but he is too afraid. Margrit attends a party in which she brings the head of each species together. They discuss the applicability of their laws in the twenty-first century while some want her removed or better dead especially Malik who wants nothing detouring him from his goal of supremacy; Alban risks his life to keep Margrit safe.
C.E. Murphy writes a great urban romantic mystery fantasy that contains an interesting mythos that will remind the audience of the works of Laurel K Hamilton. The protagonist is a strong willed person who does not fear dealing with the Old Races as she sees herself as a mediator helping settle disputes. Her feelings for the gargoyle feel genuine though they have a lot of issues dividing them starting with his daylight HEART OF STONE. HOUSE OF CARDS is a magical tale that readers will appreciate.
It is 1935 and the nation remains buried in the Great Depression, but author Marjorie McClelland and her rich fiance Creighton Ashcroft barely feel its effects. They are making wedding plans when an interruption comes in the form of a knock on the door. Elizabeth Barnwell, who read about this couple solving two murders (see GHOST OF A CHANCE and MILLION DOLLAR BABY), begs them to find her missing husband Michael who vanished two days ago. They agree to help her; she tells them she found a mysterious key and a piece of paper with an address on it in a pocket of one of his pants.
They go to the address and find the butchered body of a woman whose face is smashed in, and her four extremities cut off. The house belongs to Ronnie Carter and a witness describes her lover as that of Michael. Marjorie and Creighton find him at his parents'' home where he proclaims his innocence. He is taken to jail. Marjorie learns that the victim's lover before Michael, Trent Taylor, is now a widower who made a fortune collecting a life insurance payout on his wife's death. Before she died, Ronnie accused Trent of poisoning his spouse; an autopsy proves his late wife had a deadly amount of arsenic in her system. Case closed except Marjorie thinks someone else has set up Trent, but her sleuthing almost gets her shot.
Since everyone in Ridgebury, Connecticut wants to get involved in the wedding, Marjorie buries herself into the investigation to avoid dealing with definitive decisions that people demand of her. Readers will feel like they are in the middle of a Tracey-Hepburn movie to include campy dialogue, misleading assumptions, and plenty of action. SHADOW WALTZ is a thoroughly enjoyable historical mystery that takes its audience dancing into a bygone era.
The Case Against My Brother
Libby Sternberg
Bancroft
9781890862510 $19.95
In 1922 recently orphaned Polish Catholics teen brothers Carl and Adam Matuski move from Baltimore to live with their impoverished uncle in Portland, Oregon. Still grieving the death of their mother, the boys worry about the anti-immigrant campaign to push the Oregon School Law that would outlaw Catholic schools.
The affluent parents of Adam's girlfriend accuse him of stealing jewelry from them. Carl believes his older brother is innocent and recommends he hides rather than go to jail while Carl, whose plate is full with school and two jobs, investigates. The neighborhood police officer Miller thinks Catholics but especially Polish Catholics are thieves. He tries to trip up Carl as to the whereabouts of Adam, whose behavior worries his younger brother. Carl's inquiries lead to his witnessing a murder with the killer wanting the teen dead too.
This is a superb young adult historical mystery that brings to life an interesting era in which local prejudice using de jure discrimination attacks a particular religion especially those worshippers from a specific nationality. Miller has ethically profiled Catholic Polish-Americans deep in his brain so he also represents a de facto form of discrimination. However, the insightful exciting story line is owned by the fifteen year old hero who tries to prove his older brother's innocence, but as Carl crashes up against bias, he also begins to wonder if Adam stole the jewels. Libby Sternberg writes a terrific tale that hopefully will lead to sequels.
Back Creek
Leslie Goetsch
Bancroft
9781890862527 $19.95
In 1975 in Virginia, eighteen years old Grace Barnett has just graduated from high school and looks forward to attending the University of Virginia in the fall. However, her world collapses starting on Memorial Day when she witnesses a boating accident on a nearby creek that looks like a suicide. On the day of the funeral for boating incident victim Tommy White, Grace's pregnant older sister Lillian returns home after being away for several years; while their mother quietly leaves without a word. Serving as the referee between two combatants, Grace is yanked on one side by Lillian and the other by their alcoholic father.
Grace continues through the summer in the middle trying to mend the rift between her two loved ones. With only the romantic classics of Austen and the Bronte sisters as solace, a desperate Grace turns to their neighbor Cal, the owner of the boat in which Tommy died; Cal has recently returned from serving in Vietnam. However, he suffers from neurosis caused by battle fatigue syndrome and is little help. Even more anxious as she finds no answers from Jane Eyre, Grace travels to North Carolina intending to bring her mom home, but instead returns to Virginia alone as a powerful hurricane hammers BACK CREEK.
This is an interesting coming of age historical tale starring a teenage forced to grow up seemingly over night. Grace is fabulous as she holds the tale together with her perspective on her family, neighbors, and herself. Unlike her sister who fled to New York, Grace has doubts about leaving this BACK CREEK, but this summer of discontent shows her she has inner strength. Young adult readers will identify with the heroine while their parents will root for her to make it.
Close Call
John McEvoy
Poisoned Pen
9781590584958 $24.95
Former boxer failed advertising account executive Jack Doyle is euphoric with his new position as the public relations director for Monee Park thoroughbred racetrack outside of Chicago. However, Jack also knows the job may prove fleeting as the track struggles financially with bankruptcy a very strong possibility. Besides liking the job, Jack is also attracted to his employer, Celia McCann, whose husband suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease.
Celia's hopes of saving the track that she and her cousin Niall Hanratty co-inherited from her Uncle Jim reside with the legislature that is considering allowing Monee Park to install video slot machines. However, Niall wants to sell the property to developers. He hires hooligans to disrupt and impair the track. Jack believes he must protect Celia anyway he can.
Jack Doyle remains an interesting lead character (see RIDERS DOWN and BLIND SWITCH) as he tries to keep his employer safe from her cousin, keep the race afloat, and keep his hands off the married dedicated woman he desires. The story line is action packed as thugs sabotage and threaten Celia. However, the milieu of a racetrack is underplayed as CLOSE CALL never digs deep into world of thoroughbred racing like its predecessors did. Still fans who enjoy a damsel in distress thriller will find John McEvoy's latest a winner.
Seven for a Secret
Mary Reed and Eric Mayer
Poisoned Pen
9781590584897 $24.95
In mid sixth century Constantinople, the lord chamberlain to Emperor Justinian, John the Eunuch, has found a confident whom he shares his concerns and issues though she does not speak back to him. Instead she is a young girl painted on a mosaic on his wall. He calls her Zoe.
One day John is stunned as he sees his Zoe on the street. He introduces himself and she says her name is Zoe and that she was the model for that mural. John is stunned by her revelations and has doubts about her name; he ponders who overheard his discussions with the wall Zoe. However, before he can confront the woman, someone brutally murders her. John assumes to silence her so he investigates not realizing his past and the Empress Theodora are intermingled with the death of Zoe.
John's investigation is clever and fun to follow, but like the previous six numbered tales, it is the insightful look at ancient history that makes SEVEN FOR A SECRET (and its predecessors) a great reading experience. John is at his best as each step he takes is dangerous and increasingly personal as he begins to unravel ties back to himself. Ancient historical mystery readers know the John the Eunuch tales are one of the best series on the market; and though the verse is finished with SEVEN FOR A SECRET, hopefully Mary Reed and Eric Mayer will write number eight for their fans.
Waterloo Sunset
Martin Edwards
Poisoned Pen
9781590584415 $24.95
Liverpool attorney Harry Devlin is stunned when he receives a newspaper notice announcing his death; he assumes it is a practical joke albeit a poor one. However, over the next few days, someone sends him menacing messages. He knows his career has left him with many enemies, but he considers who would actually intimidate him and probably act on the desire to see him dead.
He narrows his focus to two unsatisfied former clients; violent prone Tom Gunter and easy to anger Aled Borth. Whereas vicious Tom blames Harry for failing to defend him; Aled holds the lawyer responsible for losing his homicidal negligence suit against the nursing home where his mother died. Regardless of who it is; Harry will do what he always does: confront this stalker face to face once he identifies the culprit.
Although Harry is a lawyer and his previous caper ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE a legal thriller, WATERLOO SUNSET is an excellent investigative thriller. The story line is fast-paced and at times over the top, but grips the reader as Harry puts his face into someone else's visage, quite often. Fans will enjoy this cat and mouse caper with Harry seemingly one step away from confronting his tormentor.
Unraveling of Violeta Bell
C.R. Corwin
Poisoned Pen
9781590585023 $24.95
For over three decades septuagenarian Maddy "Morgue Mama" Sprowls has run the information library at The Hannawa Herald-Union. Her preference is to hide in the morgue where she helps the reporters obtain what they need to do a story; she never offers a story to the editors.
However, Maddy notices four female senior citizens using a taxi to go to garage sale hopping. She thinks their travels would make a wonderful warm human interest story. So after rarely stepping into the newsroom, Maddy enters to offer her idea. To her glee, the story runs highlighting the treasure hunting of former antique dealer Violeta Bell, retired stripper Kay Hausenfelter, realtor Gloria McPhee, and philanthropist Ariel Wilburger-Gowdy. However, not long afterward, someone murders Violeta. Maddy plans to hide in the morgue, but feels guilty wondering if her article led to the homicide. She begins to DIG for clues.
The fun in this fine amateur sleuth is observing the changing reactions of Maddy during the story line especially as she feels come culpability so reluctantly investigates only to learn she is enjoying the sleuthing; she hides that from everyone who sees the irritable and kvetching Morgue Mama. The four garage sale hoppers are unique eccentric protagonists. Violeta insists that she is the rightful queen of Romania; Kay's willing to perform an exotic dance; Gloria is ready to show off a house at any time except garage sale time; and Ariel wants to save the world one garage at a time. Fans will enjoy Maddy's inquiry into this elderly quartet (starting with the deceased) and other suspects, as this is an enjoyable Morgue Mama murder mystery (see THE CROSS KISSES BACK and DIG)
The Silver Swan
Benjamin Black
Holt
9780805081534 $25.00
In 1950s Ireland, Billy Hint sees his old college crony pathologist Garret Quirke. Since they have not seen each other in quite a while, Garret is bit surprised by the visit until Billy asks a favor. He begs Garret not to perform an autopsy on his late wife, Deirdre.
The law requires an autopsy when foul play seems possible; in this case it is probable as Deirdre's naked corpse was fished out of Dublin Bay though indications seem suicide as the most likely cause. However, Garret is stunned by the request as Billy beseeched him to drop the medical investigation. Instead he conducts a quiet inquiry into Deirdre's last days not knowing what to expect, but totally unprepared to uncovering her alias Laura Swan co-owning the beauty salon Silver Swan with Leslie White and a blackmailing scheme that includes his estranged daughter.
This sequel to the superb CHRISTINE FALLS is an excellent investigative thriller that grips the audience from the moment Billy begs and never slows down until the stunning final confrontation. The story line is fast-paced and in spite of 288 pages is a one sitter read. The terrific hero is likable, as he learns one thing leads to another, but deception is part of each step he takes. THE SILVER SWAN is a great Irish whodunit.
Sleeping with Ward Cleaver
Jenny Gardiner
Love Spell
9780505527479 $6.99
Claire Doolittle wonders what happened to her life. She and her architect spouse Jack are raising five kids, but in the last few years he has become a drill sergeant instead of a loving partner starting with his honey-do list. She looks back fondly at spontaneous sex anywhere, but now allows him access to her once a week as his bossy Ward Cleaver no longer appeals to Lumpy Claire even if she still loves the martinet.
Claire receives an email from her former boyfriend Todd and she fondly remembers having fun with him before he broke her heart. She replies and they begin exchanging emails. Jack needs to go to Miami on a business trip, he plans to take his beautiful office associate Julia with him. Her in-laws offer to watch the five kids so Claire can join Jack in Florida, but he rejects her coming with him. Upset, Claire follows Jack to Miami to see if he is cheating with Julia after seeing them together at an office gala in which her spouse acted like her old Jack, but not for her.
This is an engaging look at a middle age marriage as the two lead characters have become cemented in their ways and spontaneity no longer exists to unite them in fun. Interestingly marriage did not burn the lifestyle of either Claire or Jack though some comprise and change led to an overall consensus; kids nuked their lifestyles. Claire is fabulous as she wants more than being Mrs. Cleaver mother to five, but her Jack expects her to meet his list of demands, keep the kids in line, and take care of his needs; he no longer seems to care about hers. SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER is a deep look at marriage as the relationship goes into the phase of raising children.
Dragonborn
Jade Lee
Love Spell
9780505527547 $7.99
The emperor has outlawed dragons and dragonborn ordering them killed though he has bonded with a dragon. Natiya is the surviving daughter of two dragonborn whom the emperor had murdered. She dreams of avenging the deaths of her parents while hiding the queen dragon egg she is carrying hidden in plain sight as a naval jewel; one day that Unhatched dragon will live in a sacred bond with her.
The emperor's dragon hunter Kiril believes that dragon hatching destroys the human essence as happened with his cousin. He believes killing the host and parasite is critical to save humanity from this insidious bonding. Then he meets and begins to fall in love with Natiya, but believes she is concealing something probably connected to her dragonborn parents. At the same time the emperor knows a threat exists to his century long reign and plans to snuff it out before it can incubate. His efforts lead him to Natiya.
This is a superb romantic fantasy starring a coming of age heroine who is learning the hard way that with power comes responsibility and accountability. She is a fundamentalist who is beginning to understand there may be other valid opinions. Natiya and Kiril are natural enemies as she has a grudge and needs to avenge her parents and he has a grudge to avenge his cousin; perfect enemy combatants falling in love. As always in a Jade Lee tale, her world of enchantment seems real to the delight of her grateful readers.
Pandora's Box
Natale Stenzel
Love Spell
9780505527523 $6.99
Pandemina "Mina" Avery dreamed of a loving family, but instead had a cheating boyfriend; soon after that relationship ended, she lost her job. Life seems to be going down the toilet bowl with her only asset being a rock box she just inherited from an unknown relative.
However Mina thought her world has been rocked before; she finds out those were minor nuisances when she tries to open her rock box. Inadvertently, she liberates Puca shapeshifter Robert "Riordan" Goodfellow, who was incarcerated for what he did to a druid's daughter. Too late Mina knows now that she is the latest sentinel of the rock box. As she struggles to fully free Riordan who drives her crazy whether he seems human, a steed or a mutt, builder Jonathan Teague is attracted to Mina.
This lighthearted romantic fantasy will have readers laughing out loud with the antics of Riordan, the asides of a frustrated Mina, and the good intentions of a bewildered Jonathan. Few triangles have been so much fun to follow and her ratty ex wants a second chance. Sub-genre fans will relish PANDORA'S BOX as Mina ponders what happened to her simplistic wonderful life.
Bangkok Laws
Jim Michael Hansen
Dark Sky
9780976924319 $13.95
Recent law school graduate twenty-five year old Page Alexander passed the Colorado Bar and is now certified as a lawyer. However, she learns that in Denver, firms are not doing a lot of hiring of newbies especially those ranked in the middle of her class. She earns money as she did in school at Sam's Eatery. She drops dishes that shatter into pieces; a beautiful stranger helps her clean up the mess.
The woman Ja'Von Deveraux hires Paige explaining that she was sold into sexual slavery in Bangkok and thirsts for vengeance. Although horrified with what Ja'Von tells her, the rookie attorney agrees to work with her. They begin looking into who is behind the abduction of young women in the Mile High City with Ja'Von doing the sleuthing and Paige studying international law.
At the same time that Denver Police Department Homicide Chief Detective Bryson Coventry is struggling with an ugly case involving missing young blond females and corpses from apparently the same nasty gang. The first female he found dead he pledged to her that he will find her assailants, but so far the case has not been going well as more females vanish and both genders suffer homicides. He meets Ja'Von and is half way in love at first sight while both work the same case.
The cast makes the latest Coventry police procedural into what should be considered one of the best investigative tales of the year as the white sexual slave market seems genuine due to the secondary characters; many of whom are the bad guys. Ja'Von is terrific as she lives for vengeance whereas her idealist attorney is the "Mouse that Roared" especially when she is almost swallowed up by a corrupt international law firm; criminal suits prove as deadly as killers although one abuses the law as a weapon of choice while the other uses a gun. BANGKOK LAWS is a superior thriller that showcases the talent of one of the genre's better authors.
Windswept
Ann Macela
Medallion
9781933836348 $7.95
His beloved late granddaddy Edgar Jamison before he died told Davis to "Protect the records". Granddaddy also selected history professor Dr. Barrett Browning to classify the documents that go back to the early nineteenth century and write from them the definitive papers on Windswept Plantation in St. Gregoryville, Louisiana.
Davis hesitates handing over documents that potentially expose their antecedents to scandal, but he heeds his late granddaddy's words that "She's the One" while his cousin Lloyd vocally objects feeling skeletons should remain buried. However, Davis, a successful venture capitalist, owns the boxes of papers as his grandfather trusted him to do the right thing; he decides to go with the professor who admits she hopes her work on Windswept leads to tenure. However, attracted to one another from the first meeting in Houston, Barrett and Davis fall in love even while she uncovers a dark truth in 1830 journal amidst the papers that apparently Lloyd wants buried at all cost.
WINDSWEPT is an engaging romantic suspense thriller that highlights 1830 plantation life in the Bayou through several journal entries weaved throughout the narrative. The key to the well written story line is the romance is for the most part kept on the back burner to slowly simmer into love; that enables the deep look by the professor into the Jamison family tree to serve as the prime plot. Although a late suspense seems a bit over the top; fans will enjoy this fine comparative look at the past and present residents of WINDSWEPT.
The Pajama Girls of Lambert Square
Rosina Lippi
Putnam
9780399154669 $24.95
Two years after he arrived in Amarillo, Texas where John Dodge bought the failing business WordPlay Books and turned it profitable before recently selling it; as he always does. His sister worries about John's inability to settle down in one place, but John starts anew in Lamb's Corner, South Carolina. He bought Scriveners stationary from retiree Robert Lee Cowper with the stipulation that he keeps the two employees on board for two years.
When he arrives at Lambert Square where his store is located, he begins his efforts to fit in as best as an outsider can. He gets on with seemingly everyone, but it is the president of the Merchant's Group, Julia Darrow who he finds he desires, a feeling alien to him. She runs and owns the every popular Cocoon that sells exclusive linen and other bedroom paraphernalia, which she and her three employees advertise as THE PAJAMA GIRLS OF LAMBERT SQUARE. Whereas he is falling in love, she mistrusts that emotion having run from Chicago knowing that a dog is a woman's best friend. Now John has someone he wants to settle down with, but Julia rejects his advances though his kisses make her reconsider; as the townsfolk matchmake them wondering who will retreat and surrender.
This is an entertaining warm regional romance starring two likable protagonists fleeing differently from their respective pasts. Whereas John lives up to his surname dodging commitment like a rolling stone; Julia buried her past settling for eccentricity and dog rescuing in one remote place. An eccentric support cast wants both to stay as they have brought life to a dying small South Carolina town. Fans will appreciate Rosina Lippi's wonderful contemporary that affirms "home is where the heart is".
The Third Circle
Amanda Quick
Putnam
9780399154843 $24.95
Dressed in men's formal attire, Leona Hewitt sneaks into Lord Delbridge's home while he hosts a party for his male friends and their courtesans. Leona works with the energy of crystal helping heal troubled souls; she currently is seeking the Aurora Stone that belongs by rights to her family although it has been stolen periodically for its alleged power. When she finds the museum room, Leona sees a man looking at the body of a dead woman lying on the floor. Thaddeus Ware also looks for the Aurora Stone, which he intends to return to the Arcane Society as the gem is as much a healing tool as it is a deadly weapon.
Leona finds the stone but Thaddeus takes it; triggering a poison that will drive him insane and eventually kill him. Leona saves his life by using her Aura Stone to heal the hypnotist. Delbridge plans to retrieve the stone because that is his entrance ticket to the THIRD CIRCLE of the Order of the Emerald Table, a cabal within the Arcane Society, a group dedicated to finding the Founder's formula that will enhance paranormal powers. His desire places Leona in danger because she is the only person who can safely use the Aurora Stone; Thaddeus understands her value to the Third Circle and vows to keep her safe even if she rejects his protection.
THE THIRD CIRCLE is Amanda Quick at her mesmerizing best with an enchanting historical romantic suspense that contains a rousing romp, an intriguing mystery, and a touch of the fantasy that come together nicely in a cleverly crafted story line. The quirky cast is fully developed with a couple of the support players seemingly capable of carrying out their own adventures. However, Leona owns this tale as she defies the rules of society to do what she believes is right.
Black Widow
Randy Wayne White
Putnam
9780399154560 $24.95
Four women (a bride to be and her three bridesmaids) take a vacation getaway from wedding madness at Saint Arc Island in the Caribbean. They meet three men and after drinking alcohol and smoking pot, they had an orgy. When they arrive home an email attachment arrives with a clip of what they were doing in the pool. The bride knows her fiance will never marry her if he finds out what she did. She asks her godfather Dr. Marion Ford to make the exchange of money for the tape, which he does.
He warns her that this might not be over if they made another tape; sure enough another blackmail e-mail arrives. One of the bridesmaid's husbands sees the clip and the note and goes into a rage. His wife overdoses on pills and alcohol and is rushed to the hospital. Shay follows the ambulance but also ends up staying at the hospital after she crashes into a tree. The women want revenge and Doc is determined they will have it. When he returns to the island he realizes what was done to Shay was done to others; as this is an ugly cottage industry. Tapes used for blackmail purpose with three starring studs and another hiding while filming is big business. Doc seeks the director and the hidden filmmaker so that Shay and others will have peace of mind. He is up against malevolence so evil with so many followers that it will take a miracle for him to survive.
Randy Wayne White is one of the best thriller authors writing today. There is action in every chapter, chase scenes galore and the way Doc wiggles out of imminent dangers makes James Bond seem like a pale imitation of the true secret agent. Doc is bored out of his skull since he was allowed to retire from his agency which is the reason he agreed to take charge of this operation. His adversaries are over the top psychopaths who feel no rules apply to them especially when it comes to their cash crop, but Doc understands their "rules".
The Wedding Machine
Beth Webb Hart
Thomas Nelson
9781595541994 $14.99
In Jasper, South Carolina the four women met and became close friends starting with a purloined watermelon while attending high school. Over the years they married and had kids of their own, but that sister bond remains tight even in their middle age. Each belongs to the All Saints Episcopal Church and as a unit has become known as "The Wedding Machine". The all for one and all for four musketeers agree that it time to find spouses for their loved ones.
However not all is perfect in their world; in fact life is a series of disasters in which marriage is just one of them. Elizabeth "Sis" Mims uses pills to dull the ache of losing her loved one; she is considering going out with their church minister, but feels guilty for contemplating that. Ray Montgomery is upset that her daughter is thinking of marrying her fiance the son of a preacher in his father's tawdry strip mall church. Hilda Prescott remains reeling from a divorce. Finally a worried "Kitty B." Blalock struggles with her husband's illnesses.
Readers will enjoy this Steel Magnolia sisterhood of yo'all "Dolly Levy" types, who believe southern hospitality and etiquette are the keys to life. Each face personal crisis in their middle years, but with the support of the other Wedding Machine members they confront their issues with strength. Although at times the story line turns too mint julep, fans will appreciate Beth Webb Hart's warm regional character study.
In 1849 twentyish educated and wealthy Anne Tracy loathes the stifling lifestyle of an affluent southern belle as her late father, Macon's second mayor, prepared her for a grand world tour, but he died before they went. Anne enjoys her hometown, but perhaps it is her daddy's Connecticut Yankee roots that battle with her Georgia peach momma's blood, but she also detests her social position requires her to marry as that is all a woman can hope for.
Her family arranges for Anne to wed self-made wealthy businessman William Butler Johnston, who is over two decades, her senior. In 1850 they travel to France on their honeymoon and continue on to Italy. When the pair returns to Macon, they are in love, but hide their feelings from one another. They are also determined to build an Italian neo-Renaissance style mansion in the heart of Georgia. The construction begins in 1855, but soon after its completion, the Civil War intrudes as every male is drafted to fight for the Confederacy even someone in his fifties. Anne prays everyday he comes home to her so she can confess to William how much she loves him; something she neglected to tell him before he left for war.
SUNRISE is based on the true story of the marriage between Anne Tracy and William Johnson; in fact their mansion Hay House is called the "Palace of the South" and is on the historical register. Fans of historical biographical fiction will enjoy this interesting tale based on the genuine mid nineteenth century romance whose legacy remains a strong part of Macon.
Black Ships
Jo Graham
Orbit(Little Brown)
9780316068000 $14.99
Following a chariot accident that left her crippled, Gull is sent to the temple of the Lady of the Dead. However, almost immediately upon entering this holy place, Gull displays an ability to foretell the future starting with a vision of BLACK SHIPS leaving behind a burning city. The newest Oracle realizes that she has seen the Trojan Prince-warrior Aeneas lead his people by sea from the destruction of their city Wilusa (Troy).
The lame Gull leaves the sanctuary of the temple of the Lady of the Dead to find Aeneas and tell him what she has seen. She explains her vision to him and he believes her. Feeling responsible to his people yet before seeing her helpless and hopeless, he teams up with the Oracle with renewed vigor seeking the few who survived the ordeal of the burning of Wilusa. They hope to find others who escaped and dream of establishing a new home city.
Combining Virgil's epic poem The Aeneid with accepted historical facts, Jo Graham provides an exiting epic tale of what happened to the surviving Trojans. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action starting with the vision and never slowing down as the Oracle and the warrior seek their people and a home for those who still live.
Biting the Bullet
Jennifer Rardin
Orbit
9780316020589 $12.99
The CIA assigns its top operative Vayl the vampire and his crew including Jaz Parks to team up with a special ops unit headed by Jaz's twin brother Dave to stop deadly vampiric necromancer the Wizard. The squad will need to stealthy penetrate Iran where the adversary hides while performing seditious terrorist acts against the United States and its allies.
The straightforward but difficult case proves much more complex because the fundamentalist Reavers hunt Jaz, as she was recently demonized. Worse someone on their joint team is giving away battle plans to the enemy; allowing the Wizard to constantly be ahead of them. Jaz's spirit guide Raoul is acting more like a blithering idiotic Oracle while Vayl seems uninterested in their mission as he focuses on what appears to his top aid and bodyguard. Unless something dramatic or miraculous occurs like exposing the enemy from within, Jaz knows their mission will fail and they easily could be permanently dead.
In her third CIA chick lit urban fantasy (see ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST and ONCE BITTEN, TWICE SHY) Jaz Parks is at her cheeky amusing yet exhilarating best. The story line told from her mocking viewpoint is fast-paced as she manages to make the paranormal elements and species seem genuine and the mission essential and dangerous. Fans will appreciate her latest tale as she argues with her spirit guide to get with the program, battles with her superior to stay focused, and debates with her brother who's in charge. About the only thing she is not arguing is who's on first because she knows that's her as she struggles with completing the mission and staying alive.
The Accident Man
Tom Cain
Viking
9780670018499 $24.95
In 1997 free lance assassin Samuel Carver receives money and instructions to perform a hit on a dangerous terrorist that must look like an accident. On the night of 31 August he sets up his operation to occur in a Paris tunnel. A speeding black Mercedes enters the tunnel only to have the driver seemingly lose control and crash into a supporting pillar. A passenger dies in the wreckage.
Tom feels good not because of mission accomplished but a nasty killer is dead. However, his euphoria ends immediately when a Russian assassin tries to kill him. He escapes barely even as he knows those who hired him wanted him dead, but cannot fathom why until he learns the identity of the deadly terrorist he killed. Samuel murdered Princess Diana. Stunned by the set up and feeling remorse, he also knows they will keep coming after him to silence him because an accident not a homicide must be the official finding in the death of the Princess. Carver realizes how difficult it will prove to find out who wanted Diana dead and him out of the way as he works for several espionage agencies, but though they will cover their aholes, he vows to find and kill the mastermind.
This is a fascinating concept that works due to the lead protagonist who in spite of his occupation as a hit man feels remorse once he realizes who he killed; he only goes after killers. The story line is at its best when Samuel struggles with his efforts to investigate the top espionage agencies who hire him. A romantic subplot between the hit man and a Russian operative seems out of place, as the hero has enough to contend with. Still thriller readers will appreciate the exhilarating THE ACCIDENT MAN.
The Seven Days of Peter Crumb
Jonny Glynn
Harper
9780061351488 $13.95
In London Peter Crumb has recently begun listening to the other voice's recommendations. The conversations between Peter and the other Peter center on whether to rape and murder his neighbors. The other Peter insists he will be dead in a week anyway so forget the societal dictates of thou shall not kill and just have fun doing whatever you want to do.
Peter begins brutally killing his neighbors and raping prostitutes. As he completes one act, his voice tells him to do another. He begins to self analyze the two Peters and realizes that one is amoral while the other feels guilt but is cowardly. The amoral Peter continues to rule as THE SEVEN DAYS OF PETER CRUMB comes closer to ending at least in one of his egos with much of London in shock by the viciousness of a new serial killer rapist.
Readers will find the debate and discussions between the two Peters fascinating in a macabre way; similar to gawking at a car accident. His multiple personality disorder contains a remorseful but weak Peter and an amoral strong Peter who wins every argument as one kill leads to another. Even more interesting is how numb the audience feels towards the dual Peters graphically describing his methodology employed in his kills in the three decades since John Carpenter directed Halloween.
Names on a Map
Benjamin Alire Saenz
Harper
9780061285691 $14.95
In 1967 El Paso, insurance salesman Octavio Espejo is happily married to Lourdes as they raise three children together. However, the blight in his mind to his American lifestyle is his Mexican roots; Octavio has not been back or seen his family ever since he was ferried across the Rio Grande as a child.
However, his children begin to reconsider their national identity. Teenager Gustavo has received the certified "Greetings" letter directing him to report to basic training; which in the Chicano border communities means tours of Viet Nam. He does not want to go as he is becoming aware of freedom fighting in America not Southeast Asia. His twin sister Xochil still struggles to overcome her anger and acrimony over being raped when she was twelve years old. Both wonder if America is where they belong.
This is a strong timely historical character driven thriller as Benjamin Alire Saenz enables the reader to look deep into the Espejo family whose members each struggle differently with assimilation at a time of women's liberation, civil rights especially the growing Chicano awareness, and cutting across all is Nam. NAMES ON A MAP is insightful as the children reconsider and resist Americanization understanding the nightmare while their parents have doubts but embrace the dream.
Deep Dish
Mary Kay Andrews
Harper
9780060837365 $24.95
Thirty years old Chef Gina Foxton is an expert on Southern style cooking, but with a healthy approach. She is highly regarded with her own cooking show Fresh Start on Georgia Public Television. However while filming her latest show, she notices a new crew who provide substitute products like Cheez-Ease. She goes berserk claiming it is "artificial cheese made out of recycled dry-cleaning bags"; her anger is because her reputation is built on healthy recipes. However her show becomes history when the CEO of the prime sponsor Tastee-Town Foods Wiley Bickerstaff III pulled out. Gina is stunned because Wiley has been her biggest supporter, but learns the truth that her producer and boyfriend E. Scott Zaleski was caught sleeping with Wiley's wife.
Gina knows the Cooking Channel is seeking a new show. They are undecided between Gina's Fresh Start and Tate Moody's Vittles. To choose the brass decides a reality show cook-off contest between Gina and Tate will bring in viewers. However, under the TV lights, the two cooking spectrum opposites begin to simmer with an attraction that boils into love.
Although the romance comes in the latter half of the tale, readers will adore this amusing kitchen war. The story line is fast-paced as Tate and Gina compete through food fights and other embarrassing scenarios; the humorous plot stews between healthy and grill it. Readers will agree with Gina's sister that this pair has chemistry, but there is only room for one in the kitchen even if Tate wants to take Gina on the table.
Deluge
Anne McCaffrey & Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
Del Rey
9780345470065 $23.95
On the sentient planet Petaybee, the Company Corps has made a serendipitous landing, hoping to catch the natives off guard so they can round them up easily and send them to the prison planet Gwinnet. They arrive to find an empty village, the inhabitants hiding in the communal cave where they speak to Petaybee. The Corps is trapped in their ship by a terrific storm the planet sent their way.
The Selkie twins Ronan and Muriel have convinced the ship changing aliens who usually take the form of sea otters, to use their city-ship and take them to Versatile Station owned by their influential friend Marmie. She has been sent to the Gwinnet prison planet by corrupt officials bringing false charges against her. The twins want to contact Marmie's influential friends to talk to them about her imprisonment and the invasion of Petaybee. They can't use Petaybee's com because of bad weather conditions. They reach the station ahead of the Corps and they send a message just before the Corps takes over. They and the inhabitants of the station are taken to Gwinnet where the twins old enemy professor Mabo is waiting to conduct painful experiments on them to figure out how they change into seals when in water
DELUGE wraps up the Twins of Petaybee trilogy and all the questions are answered and all the loose ends are sewn up. Readers will thoroughly enjoy this fantastic space opera with its fast pacing, action scenes and the interaction of humans and shape-shifting life sentient aliens. There are plenty of villains from corrupt prison officials to power hungry men and women of the Company Corps to a mad professor; readers will thoroughly enjoy the tale in hope they get what they deserve, especially those that are irredeemable.
In the Chicago area Abbey Shore works hard renovating houses in order to pay for college where she hopes to study architecture like her late dad did before his fatal accident. She is on the job and tired when a wall crumbles revealing a hidden room behind it. Inside is an odd object that suddenly begins to rotate. Before she knows what happened in what seems like a blink, Abbey is one century into her future.
There she sees Dr. Shane Maddox, whom she met in her present at the Sacred Heart Emergency Room when she needed stitches due to an on the job injury. He holds her culpable for his becoming what he has become when an alien stalking her over a hundred years ago took him instead. These aliens have since destroyed humanity but with the arrival of Abbey he has renewed hope.
Told from Abbey's perspective, TWIST is a superb apocalyptic thriller that from the moment her karate class is canceled until the final Tick never slows down as the heroine confronts one crisis after another in a future devastated by pandemic disease and a nasty predator. Abbey is terrific from the onset as time never stands still or moves linear; instead Colby Hodge asserts its one TWIST after another until the circle is either broken or complete.
The Last Twilight
Marjorie M. Liu
Leisure
9780843957679 $7.99
CDC sends highly regarded virus hunter Dr. Rikki Kinn to the Congo to investigate an alleged outbreak of the plague. However, mercenaries attack the convoy she is traveling with in attempt to kill her and prevent her from learning how lethal their new strand is. Roland of Steele & Dirk sends cheetah-shapeshifter Amiri and Eddie from San Francisco top Zaire to protect Rikki; they save her life.
Amiri has not returned to his home continent since the Consortium abducted and experimented on him. He has only come back to Africa where he used to run like the wind because his brothers in arms Dirk & Steele asked him to keep Rikki safe. He believes that the Consortium is behind the plague and the efforts to kill the virus hunter. As he tries to keep her safe and she tries to learn all she can about the new strain to keep the world safe from a pandemic, they fall in love, but he trusts his heart with no one ever since the Consortium ripped out his soul.
The Dirk & Steele series seems to get better with each romantic suspense thriller; which is amazing when fans consider how strong the opening act is. This seventh book is action-packed from the onset and never slows down until the climax. Yet with non-stop African adventures in which their lives are in jeopardy and countless others if they fail, the tale belongs to the lead couple as both have reasons not to trust anyone. Readers will relish Marjorie M. Liu's excellent Dirk & Steele saga.
Distracting the Duchess
Emily Bryan
Leisure
9780843958706 $6.00
At twenty-five years old, the Duchess of Southwycke Lady Artemisia has been a widow for two years. Because of her Bombay childhood in which a female could be publicly active Artemesia runs a business; but to avoid becoming the Ton pariah, she uses the alterego of Mr. Bennington. Only her brilliant assistant James Shipwash knows otherwise and understands a key part of his job is to hide his employer's gender.
When her father Angus recognizes that he is losing his mind, he sends a last note to Home Office Secret Service operative Lord Trevelyn Deveridge that says succinctly "Beddington holds the key". Trevelyn begins to search for the elusive Beddington, but no one seems to know who he is and Shipwash is vague and uncooperative. A desperate Trevelyn travels to Southwycke estate to see if Angus' daughter can help interpret the message. Immediately attracted to one another, she assumes he is the male model she hired to pose naked for her next painting. As they fall in love, someone else seeks the key that Beddington holds, but Artemisia has no idea what her father meant.
This a much more complex historical espionage romantic suspense than that described above as there are several more key subplots that all converge into a fabulous tale. The fast-paced story line hooks the audience the moment that Artemisia mentally strips Trevelyn who almost immediately takes it off and never slows down until the final confrontation with some bad dudes. Fans will appreciate this exciting thriller as the adventures keep on coming.
River Nymph
Shirl Henke
Leisure
9780843960112 $7.99
On the Mississippi Delilah Raymond wins the floating bordello The River Nymph from professional Clint Daniels in a game of cards. However, she hopes to turn respectable with no cards or hookers to manage. Instead she wants to convert the River Nymph into a cargo ship.
To accomplish her objective she needs a partner so she considers Clint, who faced the added humiliation of having to strip after losing a side bet with Delilah. He reluctantly accepts her offer. As they travel the river together with her cargo, they begin to fall in love. However, they face trouble from amoral competitors using hitmen and other dangerous criminals; her only hope to achieve her goal lies in trusting him and his relationship with the nearby Sioux, who revere him as venerable Lightning Hand.
Readers will obtain a feel for nineteenth century Life on the Mississippi with this vivid historical romance. The lead couple is a fascinating duet who gambles on cards, cargo, and love. Though the bad guys contain no redeeming quality, the fun story line is fast-paced from the moment Delilah stuns the cardsharp and never slows down as he risks his life to help her dream come true.
Calumet City
Charlie Newton
Touchstone
9781416533221 $14.00
It has been almost two decades since Patti Black ran from her foster home in Calumet City. Her life with her foster parents was torturous, a chamber of horrors; that led to her drinking as a teen to forget the atrocities. After running away she eventually got her act together and has been a Chicago police officer. She is the most decorated cop in the city and in line to a promotion to detective. Her world starts to implode when she and her crew enter a gasoline soaked apartment where she finds walled inside the ruins the remains of her foster mother.
State Assistant District Attorney Richard Rhodes is a former foster child raised in that nightmarish home. Soon it is discovered that the mayor's wife owned the house where Patti's foster mom was "buried". Too many clues lead back to Patti. CPD crime investigators and Internal Affairs, and the FBI want to interrogate Patti, but she is not talking to anyone. Instead she is on the road seeking her foster father who she thought was dead before he can find their son.
This is a dark gritty police procedural in which the protagonist is haunted by demons from her past despite putting on a tough presence in front of her peers or gangbangers. There are plenty of action and chase scenes, but the tale is owned by the fully developed Patti. Readers feel as if they know her yet lingering doubts persist re her innocence while also rooting for her to finally confront the demons that are devouring her mind.
Killing Fear
Allison Brennan
Ballantine
9780345502711 $6.99
Seven years ago club owner and exotic dancer Robin McKenna's testimony somewhat helped convict serial killer Theodore Glenn, who defended himself but could not overcome the DNA evidence at the murder scene. He and one other person know the forensic proof that caught him was not left at the scene by him; someone probably the dumb detective framed him. That is if you can call a frame when he did commit the homicides. She assumed she would never see the vile psychopath who killed her roommate Anna ever again though he vowed vengeance against those who sent him to prison.
An earthquake shakes the Bay area damaging San Quentin. During the turmoil, Glenn escapes. He plans to kill those who convicted him. At the top of his list is Detective Will Hooper. Not only did the cop arrest him and probably framed him, he had the gall to have a tryst with Robin who Glenn believes belongs to the perfect man: him. In fact he considers each new homicide as a gift to Robin. . Glenn is obsessed with Robin and thrills to the pain each new murder causes her. Glenn even leaves several hints that Anna still lives after all this time. Robin and Will relook the evidence though they doubt Anna survived her ordeal, but they begin to think the possibility exists. Will knows that Robin is on Glenn's list so he must stop this maniac before anyone else dies.
This is an exciting serial killer cat and mouse game in which Glenn is as brilliant and amoral as a person can become as he only feels pleasure when he provides immense pain climaxing in the death of others. The story line is fast-paced once the triangle is set with his escape and never slows down as readers anticipate a final "perfect" confrontation. However before getting there Allison Brennan takes her audience through spins and twists that add tension to the strong suspense storyline.
To Pleasure a Lady
Nicole Jordan
Ballantine
9780345494597 $6.99
In 1817 the oldest Loring sister Arabella feels it is her responsibility to inform their new guardian the Earl of Danvers that neither she nor her younger siblings (Rosalyn and Lillian) need a babysitter as all three are in their twenties. She goes straight to his home to make sure he understands that the siblings are independent and strong enough to take care of themselves. Marcus Pierce is already irate that the late earl turned him into a "procurer" of matrimony for his three daughters. However, expecting the worst he is stunned when he meets Arabella as he believes he has fallen in love at first sight; the only problem is that the target of his affection loathes him.
They argue, fuss and fight until a frustrated Marcus bets Arabella that he can charm her into his bed in two weeks; if he fails she will be left a spinster to run a finishing school or whatever shelf she sees fit to accomplish. She accepts his daring wager. As he educates her in the seduction of love, Arabella feels divided as she has fallen in love with her guardian, which could cost her the independence she values.
The first Courtship Wars is a great often amusing gender battle between two protagonists who want to win their sexual contest at all costs. The story line is fast-paced as Marcus wonders if love is worth the Taming of the Shrew while Arabella considers whether total independence from male domination is worth a broken heart. Fans will receive immense pleasure from this terrific Regency romance.
Symphony of Secrets
Sharon Hinck
Bethany House
9780764202827 $12.99
When Amy Johnson became pregnant she dropped out Julliard to raise her child; her daughter's father wanted nothing to do with either her or Clara. Amy moved to Minneapolis to raise her daughter, taking music teaching jobs to feed them. Her dreams of being a concert flutist are gone with some lingering regret, but her love for her now fifteen year old Clara makes it worth it.
Amy's best friend harpist Lena tells her the Minneapolis Symphony is seeking a second seat flutist. Though extremely nervous she tries out and gets the position. As she rehearses and performs under the guidance of new conductor Peter Wilson, someone seems to be sabotaging the symphony targeting concertmaster Stefan Kronenberg. As she investigates because she loves solving a whodunit even when there are none, Amy has concerns with Clara who has committed two faux pas in her mom's mind; she has become a cheerleader and is going to church.
Combining music with an amateur sleuth investigation and a light welcoming inspirational religious touch, readers will want to attend the symphony. The story line opens with Clara debunking her mother's latest criminal solution and shocking her with her being a cheerleader mom. Sharon Hinck conducts a wonderful tale starring a terrific heroine, who does not want to be a cheerleader mom or attend church, but for Clara will try both.
Winter Haven
Athol Dickson
Bethany House
9780764201646 $18,99
Siggy was fifteen years old when he left home; his sister Vera Gamble blames herself for his disappearance. She believes she suffers from hallucinations, but outgrows them as she got older because she no longer thought of her vanished severely autistic brother who only spoke in biblical quotes. One day while she at work she receives a call that Siggy's body washed up on the Maine barrier island Winter Haven.
As she approaches the island by boat, the fog that engulfs it gives Winter Haven an eerie appearance. When the constable shows her Siggy's body, Vera is shocked as he has not aged at all; he still looks like the teen who left home years ago. When she mentions this to the constable, the cop refuses to allow Vera to take the body home. Vera rents a room at a B&B and explores the island. She hears strange thumping noises like an axe splitting wood and sees with her peripheral vision a dark figure who disappears before she can fully focus. In town it rains black stones on her only and she hears hissing sounds that no one else seems to hear. Vera wonders if she is going crazy or is there a logical explanation to the happenings.
WINTER HAVEN is a good old fashion gothic mystery complete with a brooding love interest for Vera even though her landlady warns her against getting involved with him. Vera is a fine character who believes she is ungodly and part crazy. Life on a small island is vividly described especially how the residents thrive on their isolation, which adds to the eerie atmosphere. Fans will enjoy stopping at Winter Haven as long as Athol Dickson guides us.
My Heart Remembers
Kim Vogel Sawyer
Bethany House
9780764204937 $16.99
In 1886 New York City, the tenement fire killed Ma and Da Gallagher, leaving their three offspring orphaned. The oldest eight year old Maelle has no time for grief as she watches adults split the trio into different families. She gives the new parents of baby Molly the family bible; and she gives her brother Mattie the family photo. She vows to them to one day find them even as everyone calls her Mike as her short haircut leaves her looking like a boy.
In 1902 Louisiana, traveling photographer Mike Watts continues her search for Mattie and Molly. Mattie has spent a lifetime being discarded by one family after another as he currently lives in Texas. Teenaged Molly was too young to remember the fire, her siblings, her biological parents, or even her birth name as the only family Isabelle as she is called ever had was the Standlers of Kansas City and they just died; but her older Standler brother scornfully informs her who she truly is.
Although the plot device of having siblings separated via the orphan trains with one eventually seeking the others has been used a lot, Kim Vogel Sawyer refreshes it in MY HEART REMEMBERS by rotating the story line between the three lead characters. Thus the audience obtains a deep look at what happened to the trio a decade and a half after the fire radically changed each of their lives. Historical fiction fans will appreciate the saga of the three Gallaghers.
One More Sunrise
Michael Landon, Jr. and Tracie Peterson
Bethany House
9780764203626 $13.99
In 1941 Kansas, Joe Daley dreams of becoming an Army Air Force fighter pilot. However he never achieves his aspiration when he fails his physical. He settles for being a dust cropping pilot. However, he never moved past his failure, which has permeated his life and his marriage to Meg.
In 1958, Luke Ramsey, who courted Meg in high school, offers a lot of money to the local farmers as the Vanguard corporation he represents wants to buy up all the land; Joe has doubts that the big farm firm cares about the locals and decides to oppose the venture. Meanwhile his plane hits a large bird and begins to dive towards the earth; Joe thinks of Meg and their two kids as he prays for a chance for ONE MORE SUNRISE with them.
This entertaining inspirational historical fiction enables the reader to fully understand the hero who lost his zest fro life when he failed the military physical. Between his passion to prevent the Vanguard takeover and realizing the failure of his life is not that physical but his relationship with Meg and his kids as his plane falls, Joe prays for a second chance with his family. Fans will enjoy this fine redemption tale as Joe finally moves on, but it appears too late for him to tell Meg, Danny, and Christy.
A Lady of Hidden Intent
Tracie Peterson
Bethany House
9780764201462 $13.99
In 1850 in Bath England, Catherine Newbury has lived a luxurious lifestyle without a care in the world. Her idyllic life ends when she learns the police are coming to arrest her father Nelson for co-owning a slave ship. Knowing he is innocent, Nelson refuses to run. However, he wants his beloved daughter safe while he corrects the mess.
Five years later in Philadelphia, Catherine is a popular dress designer who desperately needs to find a way to prove her father is innocent and get him released from prison; only her belief in God keeps her going. American architect Carter Danby, whom her dad introduced to her on her last party night in England, sees her when he escorts his mother and sister for a fitting, but does not recognize her. Still he desires her and wants to help her as he believes by her demeanor that she is carrying a dark mystery, but though she finds him attractive, she refuses to reveal her secret as she trusts no one except God since her father was incarcerated falsely.
A LADY OF HIDDEN INTENT is an entertaining inspirational Victorian romance. Catherine holds the story line together as she changes from pampered debutante to self sufficient designer while never losing sight of her objective or her faith in God not man. Sub-genre readers will appreciate this fine heartening historical.
