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MBR Bookwatch

Volume 3, Number 10 October 2004 Home | MBW Index

Table of Contents

Donovan's Bookshelf Harold's Bookshelf Klausner's Bookshelf

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

Vicki's Bookshelf

Donovan's Bookshelf
The Forgotten Front
Ross Anderson
Tempus Publishing/Trafalgar Square
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
0752423444 $45.00 1-800-423-4525 www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com

The first world war began in East Africa in 1914 and didn't end until 1918: its impact would change a world, and was the largest of its times on African soil yet the East African campaign would remain largely under-stated and nearly forgotten were it not for Ross Anderson's in-depth study THE FORGOTTEN FRONT. Surprisingly, THE FORGOTTEN FRONT is the first full-length history of this campaign, providing in-depth coverage of events and politics as well as military strategy analysis. It is these elements which make for an exceptional history for World War I scholars.

Trafalgar Square Publishing
PO Box 257, Howe Hill Road, North Pomfret, VT 05053-0257
www.trafalgarsquarebooks.com

Students of D-Day events will relish Dan Parry's commemorative account D-DAY: REFLECTIONS OF COURAGE (0563521163, $19.95), published to accompany the BBC/Discovery Channel TV 60th anniversary of the Normandy landings. Packed with color photos and a diary-like descriptive tone, the story of the Normandy landings' planning and execution is told through rare eyewitness and insider accounts, reading with all the drama of fiction and the facts of nonfiction. If it's car racing which captures attention, though, don't miss Michael Schumacher and Sabine Kehm's MICHAEL SCHUMACHER: DRIVING FORCE (009091894352, $35.00): Schumacher dominates Formula One racing, has broken almost every record, yet still remains private and subdued when it comes to publicity, so to have an autobiography written by a very private person is quite an achievement. His descriptions of staying in control at high speed, his philosophy on life, and his passion for learning new techniques and race car methods permeates a powerful insider's story of the Formula One event: a 'must' for any racing fan.

Dover Publications
31 E. 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501
www.doverpublications.com

Dover's constantly expanding their line of affordable reprint classics and at times so many comes that it seems Dover has an exclusive hold on the quality reprint market. These selections represent some of the best of recent acquisitions from Dover's extensive program. H.L. Mencken's IN DEFENSE OF WOMEN (0486433889, $6.95) returns a 1922 Knopf original to print, presenting the American author and critics argument that the average American woman is superior to the Average American male a controversial discussion even in modern times. John Dewey's DEMOCRACY AND EDUCATION (0486433944, $12.95) is no less powerful today than it was upon its initial publication in New York in 1916: his landmark work blends philosophy with a discussion of the social role of education and connections between learning and democracy. Montague Summers' THERE WEREWOLF IN LORE AND LEGEND (0486430901, $14.95) first appeared in London in 1933 and remains the first definitive work on werewolfery today, using a range of historical documents to consider the entire belief system surrounding werewolves in Europe. Charles A. Beard's AN ECONOMIC INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (048643365X, $12.95) returns a 1913 classic to print: Beard's revolutionary discussion analyzed factors determining the American government's structure and choices, questioning the Founding Fathers' motivations in drafting the Constitution itself. Edward Rosen's THREE COPERNICAN TREATISES (0486436055, $17.95) appeared in its second revised edition in 1959 but remains an important analysis of some of the most basic theories in modern astronomy and thus a good choice for any collection seeking classic astronomical works. F.H. King's FARMERS OF FORTH CENTURIES (0486436098, $14.95) is subtitled 'Organic Farming in China, Korea and Japan' and reprints a 1911 Wisconsin edition for modern eyes. The fascinating early study of waste-free methods of cultivation remains just as important to modern readers as it did almost a century ago. GREAT WOODCUTS OF ALBRECHT URER (048643401X, $9.95) receives Carol Belanger Grafton's excellent editing job as it surveys 85 black and white illustrations with captions taken from a 1927 classic. Also important for the art library's holding is DORE'S SPAIN (0486434176, $14.95), presenting all 236 illustrations from artist Gustave Dore's SPAIN. All are affordable, winning reprints modern circulating collections will appreciate.

Movement for Self-Healing
Meir Schneider
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
1932073000 $14.95 1-800-847-5515 www.newworldlibrary.com

Author Meir Scheider was born blind but was convinced his condition was not permanent: as teen he began to work on eye exercises to reverse his blindness and became able to see over time. His primer on self-healing thus comes from experience and is packed with exercises which have had proven results for arthritis, eye problems, back pain and more.

Goal Sisters
Ann Leach & Michelle Beaulieu Pillen
New World Library
14 Pamaron Way, Novato, CA 94949
1577314328 $14.95 1-800-847-5515 www.newworldlibrary.com

What is a 'Goal Sister' but a friend concerned enough about achieving positive goals to nudge another in the best direction. The idea of a Goal Sister who supports one in meeting life's objectives is revealed by Ann Leach and Michelle Pillen, life coaches and mental health researchers who here teach the idea of how a Goal Sister is different from just a friend or close friend. Methods of support groups are used to promote success ideas and supportive structures between friends who are more than casual acquaintances.

Vanishing Point
Richard Tofel
Ivan R. Dee, Inc. Publisher
1332 North Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60622-2632
1566636051 $24.95 1-800-462-6420 www.ivanrdee.com

Fans of true crime and New York City politics alike will be attracted to VANISHING POINT, an excellent survey of one of the most puzzling missing persons cases to hit New York City in 1930. Judge Joseph Crater's vanishing has never been resolved: he disappeared amid political scandal and even business journalist author Richard Tofel's extensive research has not uncovered any new clues but it does build an unusual argument as to what might have happened, and is packed with supportive if not conclusive evidence.

Back from the Land
Eleanor Agnew
Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60622-2694
1566635802 $27.50 www.ivanrdee.com

Many young Americans went back to nature in the 1970s and just as many returned to build lives in the mainstream society they had rejected. Back from the Land : How Young Americans Went to Nature in the 1970s, and Why They Came Back details these visionaries and their movements, using the experiences of a woman who lived her subject and interviewed others in the process. From the early days living in a technological-free zone to returning to a mainstream community to forge new relationships and work, Back from the Land : How Young Americans Went to Nature in the 1970s, and Why They Came Back provides an excellent survey.

Ivan R. Dee
1332 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60622-2694
www.ivanrdee.com

John Weiss' The Politics of Hate : Anti-Semitism, History, and the Holocaust in Modern Europe (1566636000, $16.95) is more than just another holocaust history: it shows how anti-Semitism and racism developed as a major theme of the European political process long before the Holocaust events, charting the emergence of ideas, trends and social bents which led to doom for Jewish peoples in some places and not in others. A fine survey of how the politics of hate actually evolve. Peter Temes' THE JUST WAR (1566636019, $14.95) provides an American's reflection on the morality of war in modern times. More than just a history, Just War : An American Reflection on the Morality of War in Our Time considers the idea of 'just war thinking' from ancient to modern times, probing the philosophy behind justifications for war.

Alfred A. Knopf
1745 Broadway, 17th floor, New York, NY 10019
1-800-726-0600 www.aaknopf.com

Charles Freeman's The Closing of the Western Mind : The Rise of Faith and the Fall of Reason (140004085X, $30.00) charts the rise of faith and the fall of reason in Western society, from the first alliance of church and state after Roman emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity to modern times. Associated themes explored in CLOSING OF THE WESTERN MIND include the rise of the 'divine' monarch' and the origins of opposition to religion and science, making for a ground-breaking work most suitable for college-level readers. Walter Russell Mead's Power, Terror, Peace, and War : America's Grand Strategy in a World at Risk (1400042372, $19.95) comes from a seasoned writer on U.S. foreign policy who here provides a timely analysis of the policy of the Bush administration and its current strategy for the world. Mead doesn't just focus on Bush from the outset: he provides an introductory analysis of America's historical approach to the world, then considers the different political perspective and actions of the Bush administration. An intriguing argument filled with logic evolves. Robert O. Paxton's ANATOMY OF FASCISM (1400040949, $26.00) is a 'must' for college-level collections interested in political histories and analysis: it provides a review of the history of fascism and how it took hold in some countries and not others. The focus on what fascists did in the countries they controlled makes for a fact-based coverage revealing not so much ideology as historical precedent. In piecing together the sequence of steps by which fascists and conservatives together formed regimes in Italy and Germany, Paxton provides a more definitive focus than most.

A Courtesan's Day: Hour by Hour
Cecilia Seigle, et.al.
Hotei Publishing
PO Box 950001, 1090 HA Amsterdam, Netherlands
9074822592 $34.95 www.hotei-publishing.com

A COURTESAN'S DAY: HOUR BY HOUR is the second in Hotei Publishing's focus on famous Japanese prints, gathering notable works by theme and here examining three series: Kitagawa Utamaro's TWELVE HOURS OF THE 'GREEN HOUSES', Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AT SHINBASHI AND YANAGIBASHI, and Toyohara Kunichika's SCENES OF THE TWENTY-FOUR HOURS: A PICTORIAL TROPE. Each uses the hours of the day as a survey for Japanese print artists in sets that present diurnal; activities ranging from courtesans to geishas. The average Westerner would be lost as to the meaning of such prints were it not for the extensive, in-depth and scholarly text provided by various researchers. Especially recommended for Japanese art collections or any college-level holding in Japanese sociology or history.

Diane C. Donovan
West Coast Editor

Harold's Bookshelf
The MAP: Making the Bible Meaningful, Accessible, Practical
Nick Page
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310252393 $14.99 399 pp.

If you are looking for a good Bible Study that doesn't require a Master's degree just to follow along then you won't be disappointed with The MAP. Each Bible book has a quick guide that includes information on author, type of book, purpose, and primary point. Throughout the book are lots of notes, maps, puzzling verses, and details on government and customs. One of the really nice features are the multiple boxes labeled viewpoints. These contain information on different interpretations for particular passages.

This is one of the most complete and accessible study sources for the average Bible student. While it is not a Bible in itself, it is designed to be used in conjunction with your Bible. The MAP: Making the Bible Meaningful, Accessible, Practical is a very highly recommended read for Bible students who seek a solid overview and understanding of the books of the Bible and how each of the stories relate to the other. It is not a deep hermeneutic treatise with detailed word studies, but a solid book that truly makes the Bible meaningful, accessible, and practical for everyone.

The Storyteller's Guide
Bill Mooney, David Holt
August House Publishers, Inc.
PO Box 3223, Little Rock, AR 72203
ISBN: 0874834821 $23.95 204 pp.

If you are new to the art of storytelling or want to move your craft up a notch The Storyteller's Guide could be the advice you are looking for. The authors take 21 of the most common questions about storytelling and provide answers and advice from some of the most preeminent storytellers of today. Some of the questions include "How Do I Get Started?", "How Do I Find the Right Stories?", "How Do I Create Stories from True-Life Events?", "How Do I Create Original Stories?", "How Do I Market Myself?", and "What Are the Copyright Laws Concerning Storytelling?". In addition to the authors' comments each question typically has thirteen or more comments from other professionals. Most chapters also have a list of additional resources and a summary of the important points of the chapter. The Storyteller's Guide is a recommended read for anyone who wants to get started in this art form.

Version Control with Subversion
Ben Collins-Sussman, Brian W. Fitzpatrick, C. Michael Pilato
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
ISBN: 0596004486 $34.95 244 plus multiple appendixes and index

If you develop software of any type you quickly learn the importance of a good revision control system. Sometimes a minor change that fixes a bug at one point causes other portions of the program to have problems. Revision control systems allow you keep various versions of your program and go back to a prior version easily. If there are multiple people working on the project then the ability to commit changes and see what happens but easily get back to where you were becomes even more important. If you are writing a modular program then as each person or group changes their module you may need to get a current version of the project with a prior version of a module. A revision control system handles all these problems easily. Subversion is an open source version control system that can be used on any operating system that supports the Apache httpd server including Windows, Linux, and NetWare.

Version Control with Subversion is a highly useful book written with a slant toward the Linux OS. It is easy to read and understand if you are at least familiar with version control software at a theoretical level and is highly recommended. One really nice feature is an appendix covering the differences between Subversion and the popular CVS software. If you are used to CVS then this appendix makes the switch to Subversion much easier.

St. Augustine's Confessions
Professor: William R. Cook, Ronald B. Herzman
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
Format: Audio CD, DVD, Audio Cassette
Lectures: 24

One of the most famous of religious writings, The Confessions of St. Augustine of Hippo is in turn both deeply personal and deeply philosophical. The first four lectures of this series provide the background information to understand St. Augustine and his writings. The next 19 lectures cover the thirteen books of St. Augustine's Confessions. The final lecture explores how these writings have influenced other writers over the years.

Of the thirteen books in The Confessions, the first ten are often referred to as the narrative portion and constitute the story of Augustine's childhood through his eventual conversion to Christianity at age 31. These books detail his struggles with a tendency toward wild behavior and a preoccupation with sex while seeking direction in his life. St. Augustine discusses his internal struggles as he seeks to find a sustaining faith among the Manicheans and the Neo-Platonists before his eventual conversion. These books have become the favorites of many readers who see their self in the struggles of St. Augustine.

The last three books of The Confessions examine the Genesis creation account from an allegorical point of view. St. Augustine helped originate the idea that the Bible is not only be read literal but also from a symbolical view. Within this part of the Confessions readers will find many familiar prayers and meditations that have found their way into the liturgical practices of many Christian churches.

Although The Confessions were written more than 1,500 years ago Professors Cook and Herzman both do an excellent job of relating them to today. This brings me to the only thing I didn't like about this series of lectures. Many of the lectures consist of both of the professors lecturing together. It is almost like the back and forth banter you would expect in a talk show or a movie review. In fact they reminded me a lot of Ebert and Roeper. These are excellent lecturers that obviously know their field well and are able to deliver that knowledge in an interesting and entertaining manner. I found the back and forth nature of many of the lectures distracting.
St. Augustine's Confessions is highly recommended for everyone interested in his writings, Christian thought, or the Church fathers.

Sacred Selfishness
Bud Harris, Ph.D.
Inner Ocean Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 1239, Makawao, Maui, HI 96768-1239
ISBN: 1930722125 $24.95 343 pp.

This is one of the best books of the self-help genre that I have read in a long time. Living a balanced fulfilled life with a loving and peaceful attitude is possible, but sacred selfishness is required. Everyone needs time to look at their self and examine their life, passions, plans, etc. Sacred selfishness is not selfishness with a negative connotation. It is taking the time to retreat for yourself, taking the time to reclaim balance in your life.

The book is divided into three parts - Breaking the Mold and Seeking a Path, Cultivating Inner Substance, and Cultivating a Life of Substance. The chapter titles also give a good idea of the direction the book takes. Some titles include The Call to Transformation, Preparing for Change, Journaling as Inner Exploration, Beginning the Search for Personal Substance, Befriending Our Dreams, Learning to Love Ourselves, and Relationships of Substance.

This is a book of such substance that I found myself reading a section, stopping to think about it, and then reading another section. For a person who reads a typical book in about an hour it is rare that I find one of such substance that it takes me almost a week to read it carefully so I can be sure to extract all the value out of it I can. Sacred Selfishness is very highly recommended to anyone seeking balance and fulfillment in their life.

Rome and the Barbarians
Professor: Kenneth W. Harl
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
Format: Audio CD, DVD, Audio Cassette
Lectures: 36

The Roman Empire was one of the most advanced civilizations in history. Yet its constant expansion brought regular barbarian assaults on its borders. Whether Celts, Goths, Visigoths, Huns, or Persians, barbarians and their potential for problems remained a constant concern. Part of the problem in studying this era of history is defining who the barbarians were. The Roman political and social system provided a way for these barbarians to become Romanized and fully accepted as a part of Rome. Once a part of the Roman system they were no longer considered barbarians. So, who exactly were the barbarians? To the Romans it was anyone who had not yet become assimilated into the Roman culture. So, by definition it was anyone on the borders of the empire.

Not only does Professor Harl discuss these barbarians who fought against Rome but he also examines the social and political system, emperors like Augustus and Julius Caesar, generals like Publius Cornelius Scripio Africanus, and specific barbarians like Attila the Hun. With a history of so many unsuccessful barbarian attacks or the barbarians successfully being assimilated into the empire, what was different about the ones who were ultimately successful in defeating Roman and eventually bringing down the entire empire? What happened inside and outside the empire to allow this to happen?

Professor Harl addresses these and many other questions as he examines the relationship between Rome and the people on its frontiers. A fascinating study with a professor who speaks to you less like a lecturer and more like an old friend, Rome and the Barbarians is highly recommended to anyone interested in this era of history.

The Savvy Senior
Jim Miller
Hyperion
77 West 66th Street, New York, NY 10023-6298
ISBN: 1401307493 $13.95 249 pp.

More of a resource book than anything else; The Savvy Senior provides advice for seniors in a wide variety of areas. The layout for most of the sections is pretty similar. The author describes the problem, related problems, things you can do, and resources to help. For example if you have vision troubles then you might consider talking clocks, timers, or thermometers, talking blood-pressure monitors, voice-activated phone dialers, etc. The problem is where would you acquire these things since they are often not available in most stores. The resources section has the answers with web sites and phone numbers. This is just one of the many areas the book addresses. Other common problems and areas of concern for seniors that are addressed include: driving and transportation, utility assistance, telemarketing fraud, identity theft, grandparenting, money management, travel, fall prevention, retirement communities, choosing a nursing home, various medical concerns, Medicare, and Social Security. The two most valuable features of this book are the fact that it provides somewhat of a checklist of things you need to consider as you plan for aging and it points you in the right direction to get credible, quality help when you need it. The Savvy Senior is recommended for seniors and those making plans for their retirement years.

Aaaarrgghh! Spider!
Lydia Monks
Houghton Mifflin Company
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0618432507 $16.00 32 pp. Ages: 4 - 8

Aaaarrgghh! Spider! is a humorous read about a spider that just wants to be a family pet. However, he has one small problem. Every time he tries to do something to show how good he would be as a family pet the family screams and he is put out of the house. Written from the spider's point of view it is creative imagination at its best. Aaaarrgghh! Spider! is a highly recommended read for young children and sure to be one of their favorite books.

About Dinosaurs
Sindy McKay
Treasure Bay, Inc.
17 Parkgrove Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080
ISBN: 1891327534 $7.99 48 pp. Ages: 5 - 7

A basic education about dinosaurs for the first or second grader, About Dinosaurs is well written and well illustrated. As one of the We Both Read series the left pages contain more difficult words and background information while the right pages have both smaller and fewer words. This design is so reading can be a family experience with the parent reading the left pages and the child the right pages. The final two pages of the book include a dictionary and a section on word roots. About Dinosaurs is educational while still being fun and a recommended children's book.

Farmer Dale's Red Pickup Truck
Lisa Wheeler
Harcourt, Inc.
15 East 26th Street, New York, NY 10010
ISBN: 0152023194 $16.00 40 pp. Ages: 4 - 8

Farmer Dale is heading for town in his red pickup truck full of hay. Along the way he meets various animals that need a ride and he is more than happy to help. But what happens when the truck is full and more animals need a ride? And what happens when the old truck is not able to carry any more animals without breaking down? A fun read with each animal having their own unique personality, Farmer Dale's Red Pickup Truck is recommended for children ages three through seven.

God's Blessings Story Bible
Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
Zondervan Publishing
Zonderkidz Imprint
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310709326 $13.99 224 pp. Ages: 4 - 8

God's Blessings Story Bible is a collection of the best-loved Bible stories for children. Each story is just two pages long and includes full color illustrations. At the end of each story is a one or two sentence summary of the most significant point and a short prayer related to the lesson. It even includes a ribbon style bookmarker so you can find your place easily for the next story. If you want a quality book of Bible stories to teach your children you can't go wrong with God's Blessings Story Bible.

Lulu's Lost Shoes
Paula Blankenship
Treasure Bay, Inc.
17 Parkgrove Drive, South San Francisco, CA 94080
ISBN: 1891327550 $7.99 48 pp. Ages: 4 - 6

What's a little ladybug to do when the school bus is coming and she can't find her shoes? With the help of her friends she searches everywhere for the lost shoes. With rich colors, the detailed illustrations keep a child's attention riveted to the book. This book is one of the We Both Read series where more detailed reading is on the left side of the page for the parent to read and the child's page on the right has only two or three words in larger type. "Lulu's Lost Shoes" is a recommended children's book for all ages.

Mary Middling and Other Silly Folk
Rose Fyleman
Clarion Books
Houghton Mifflin Company imprint
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10013
ISBN: 0618381414 $16.00 32 pp. Ages: Preschool

Mary Middling is just one of the fun, silly nursery rhymes in this children's book. From rhymes about a person who stood on his head all the time, to a tribute to mice, to a man who painted his dog yellow and pink, there is a lot of fun here for any child. With colorful illustrations on each page Mary Middling and Other Silly Folk is a recommended children's nursery rhyme book.

Unlock the Bible in 30 Days
Colin S. Smith
Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Blvd, Chicago, IL 60610-3284
ISBN: 0802465552 $12.99 161 pp.

Author Colin Smith takes a very high level overview of the Bible story in his book Unlock the Bible in 30 Days. The book provides a view of the Bible as a consistent story with mountain peak highs followed by low valleys. Throughout the book part of the focus is on pointing out a single thread flowing through the Bible. That single thread is a plan of redemption. The book is divided into three parts with part 1 covering the Old Testament, part 2 covering the New Testament, and part 3 dealing with living in the Spirit.

For most people who have been Christians for a long time this is too general a view of the Bible and will provide nothing they don't already know. However, for young Christians or a class for new Christians Unlock the Bible in 30 Days is a recommended read that ties the various Bible stories into a consistent theme.

The Petsitters Club: Where's Iggy?
Tessa Krailing
Baron's Educational Series, Inc.
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
ISBN: 0764106937 $3.95 94 pp. Ages: 9 - 12

The Petsitters Club is one of those rare series where children have a fast paced and exciting book to read while learning responsibility, the importance of friendship, and other positive values. Where's Iggy? is no exception to this pattern. The petsitters take on a job taking care of an iguana while the owner is away for a few days. Unfortunately, only one of the petsitters ends up going over to the house to feed Iggy. When Iggy gets loose and they can't find him everyone gets into the action. The Petsitters Club: Where's Iggy is highly recommended for young children who are ready to move from picture books to chapter books.

The NKJV Greek-English Interlinear New Testament
Editor: Zane C. Hodges, Arthur L. Farstad
Thomas Nelson Publishers
501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214
ISBN: 0840783574 $34.99 918 pp.

When it comes to interlinear Bibles there is generally not a lot of difference between them. However, this one has one particular feature that sets it apart from other ones I have examined. Even with each word translated beneath the Greek word the Greek sentence structure can still make it difficult to correctly translate a sentence. To help with this problem when words need to be reordered so they conform to English rules then the text includes a number by each of the words so you can easily put them in the appropriate sequence. This is a very helpful feature.

In addition to the interlinear translation on the right side of each page is the New King James Version translation for the passages on that page. This makes it easy to go from the Greek to the translation of each word and then to the final translated text.

At the back of the book is a section titled Word Studies, but it is more like a basic dictionary than a true word study. Each entry has the Greek word, transliteration, definition, and a single reference in the New Testament.

While the Word Studies section may be of minimal value the rest of the text is excellently done with idioms also combined and translated. With the sequencing of the words and translation of idioms in addition to the expected word for word translation "The NKJV Greek-English Interlinear New Testament" is a highly recommended purchase for anyone looking for an Interlinear Bible.

Fully Involved: A History of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
Ellie Belew
Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
1069 Adams Street Southeast, Olympia, WA 98501
ISBN: 0975272047 $19.95 224 pp. plus appendixes

Fully Involved is a concise and well-illustrated history of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. Written in a style that brings the reader into the life of the fire fighters as both individuals and a group, it delves into such minor issues as challenging a ruling that they could not eat in their loungers as well as the heroics of rescuing survivors from a burning hotel. While the book will hold some interest to others around the United States, it is more likely to be of greater interest to those of the Pacific Northwest where it is more of a local history.

The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
James Strong, LL.D, S.T.D.
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310233437 $34.99 1854 pp.

How do you improve on the most exhaustive King James concordance in existence? John R. Kohlenberger III and James A. Swanson took on this task and have made several improvements. The first thing they did was to fix several minor errors in previous versions. Then they included words that were italicized in the Cambridge King James Version. This is important because these represent words that were not in the original text but were supplied in translation to help the reader understand the text. Finally, they computer verified the accuracy of the text. Because of this they state that this is the most accurate Strong's concordance to ever be published.

Really nice features include sensitivity to translational problems such as the need to sometimes use multiple words to translate a single word because the destination language doesn't contain a similar word. Because of this problem these multiple words are included as a set and matched against the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek word.

The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek dictionaries have also been updated from previous editions to reflect current Biblical scholarship. At the back of the book are some additional reference materials that are pretty unusual for a concordance. These materials include things like a Hebrew calendar, sacred days listing, weights and measures information, and a harmony of the gospels.

Still the best King James concordance available and the best value for your money The Strongest Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible is highly recommended.

Hurty Feelings
Helen Lester
Houghton Mifflin Company
215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10003
ISBN: 0618410821 $16.00 32 pp. Ages: 4 - 8

This is the story of Fragility, a hippopotamus who, despite her large size, was very fragile emotionally. Even when someone complimented her she managed to reframe it into an insult and was hurt again. So what happens when she is responsible for protecting the goal in the soccer match and the bully of an elephant decides to insult her? You'll have to read the book to get the answer. "Hurty Feelings" is a fun read for children with well-drawn illustrations that are both detailed and humorous, and an excellent message, which makes it a highly recommended read.

Java Cookbook, 2nd Edition
Ian F. Darwin
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
ISBN: 0596007019 $49.95 776 plus index

Anyone who has been involved in programming very long soon comes to realize the value of the various programming cookbooks. The cookbooks are not for the person who wants to learn how to program in a particular language, but are very useful for programmers with a basic knowledge of the language. The idea is simple, take the most common problems people deal with and put the solutions into a book. Simply state the problem and then show the code to resolve it. So, if you need to know how to do something you can look it up, enter the code, and test it.

Some of the chapter subjects include Interacting with the Environment, Strings and Things, Pattern Matching, Numbers, Dates and Times, Object-Oriented Techniques, Directory and Filesystem Operations, Graphics and Sound, Network Clients, Server-Side Java, Database Access, XML, and Threaded Java. Typical of any of the programming cookbooks, it is a quick and easy source for answers. Each item has a short explanation of the problem and then goes straight to the code to demonstrate how it works. A great time saver and required resource for Java programmers, Java Cookbook, 2nd Edition is highly recommended.

Notemaker's Bible
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
351 Executive Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
ISBN: 0842375724 $24.99 1566 plus maps and blank note pages

The Notemaker's Bible is basically a standard New Living Translation (1996) text Bible with one major difference. It has eight blank lines at the bottom of each page and wide margins on the outer side of the page so it is easy to make notes right on the page. This gives you an opportunity to create your own study Bible with the things that are important to you, to journalize your thoughts as you read, or anything else that might be important to you.

The front matter of the Bible also includes the Tyndale Bible Verse Finder which is basically a concise topical index helping you locate a verse not by words it contains but by the subject of the verse. If you like to be able to write notes in your Bible and never really had the room for all the comments you wanted to make then you should take a look at the Notemaker's Bible. It may be just what you need.

Pacific in My Soul
Anne Chadwick
Cypress House
155 Cypress Street, Fort Bragg, CA 95437
ISBN: 1879384612 $29.95 88 pp.

Whether you have been there and want to reminisce or just want to understand the draw of the northern Pacific coast you will enjoy the beautiful photography and personal narrative of Pacific in My Soul. Pelicans, elephant seals, egrets, waves, sea otters, solitude, rhododendrons, herons, tidal pools, gray whales, redwoods, raccoons, ospreys, wildflowers, fog (beautiful picture), sea lions, lily, orcas, butterflies, elk, bald eagles, sunsets and other subjects are addressed in the book. Written as a personal sharing of the author's favorite things about the Pacific Northwest, it is both a beautiful and intimate work. Pacific in My Soul is highly recommended for nature enthusiasts of all kinds.

Guess What? Story Bible
Tracy Harrast
Zondervan Publishing
Zonderkidz Imprint
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310707013 $16.99 192 pp. Ages: 4 8

The "Guess What? Story Bible" is a unique and fun book of Bible stories for children. What makes it unique are the many words hidden in the text. A child can place the decoder that comes with the book over the hidden word and read it. Now reading and learning about the Bible story can be an adventure. Of course the first concern many parents would have is how easy is it to lose the special decoder? The book has a special place for the decoder so it can be returned there and stored securely. However, if it does become lost then a quick trip to the hardware store to pick up some red cellophane and you have a new decoder; maybe not as fancy as the fish that comes with the book, but totally functional. Brightly colored illustrations add to the appeal of the book and together with the adventure of the secret words it makes this a very highly recommended book.

Experiential Storytelling
Mark Miller
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310255147 $14.99 153 pp.

Frustrated with the overall decline of church membership today, author Mark Miller examines the speaking techniques used in most churches and how people respond. After teaching a Sunday School class which started large and declined until it had almost no attendees, he found that experiential storytelling techniques brought people back in droves and allowed him to share the message of Christ in new and innovative ways.

Experiential Storytelling methods allow people to experience the story of Christ instead of sermonizing. This in turn makes the Bible more real to others. While many churches are stuck in a pattern that is hard to change and people in general tend to be resistant, youth groups are generally more open and the techniques in this book could easily be used there or in the Sunday School setting. Then, who knows, perhaps it will move into the primary service. Experiential Storytelling is highly recommended and church leaders should at least be aware of the techniques and potential.

Earth Knack
Bart and Robin Blankenship
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
ISBN: 0879057335 $17.95 192 pp.

If you are looking for a book on basic primitive living skills you will find a goldmine of information in Earth Knack. The broad range of areas covered include making fire, making cordage (from vegetable and animal sources), making tools, tanning, flintknapping, making dyes and colors, baskets, bowls, pottery, food and cooking, soap, music, and clothing.

Each chapter provides everything you need to know to complete a couple of projects of that genre but is hardly a thorough treatment of the subject. For example the food and cooking, animals, and getting dressed sections each could easily consume two or three books and there are many on the market that do. What this book provides is a thorough introduction to the skills and the ability to develop confidence by going through several projects.

Although most areas are not covered in detail, some areas are covered better than any other book of this nature I have seen. For example, fire, cordage, baskets, buckets, and bowls are all treated in detail. It contains an unusually good section on flintknapping and an excellent section on making fire. While the techniques are mentioned in other books this is the first one I have read that provided sufficient information to figure out what you are doing wrong if it doesn't work. For example the first several times I tried to create a fire with friction I only created a glazed effect on the wood. This is the only book that mentioned what caused it and what to do about it.

For anyone wanting a broad introduction of all the basic skills of primitive living, Earth Knack is a highly recommended book.

The Discovery Study Bible
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310927161 $59.99 1726 pp.

One of the unique things about this Bible is the inclusion of eight study courses for church school and small groups. The eight courses are divided into four Old Testament courses (Exploring the Pentateuch, Exploring the Historical Books, Exploring the Books of Poetry, Exploring the Books of Prophecy) and four New Testament courses (Exploring the Life of Christ, Exploring the Ministry of Christ, Exploring Paul's Letters to Churches, Exploring the Other Letters and Revelation). In addition there are 150 "Study Centers" to help you gain a deeper understanding of the passages and broaden your perspective.

Each study center has a full page dedicated to it at the location where the first verses occur. They are all similar in format and include background information, keys to understanding the most important parts of the study, assignments to complete to further your understanding, and a verse that summarizes the spiritual significance of that particular study. The study does not necessarily stay with the order of the Bible. For example, the Psalms have chapters that are related to instruction (1, 19, 119), the Reign of God (2, 72, 93, 95-100, 117, 146), the depths of despair (3, 13, 88, 130), etc. So while the study in the Psalms does not go chapter by chapter it takes the reader along a consistent theme. If, on the other hand, you have a Psalm you like and would like to investigate others that are part of that same study group then you can look at the upper right corner of the page and it indicates the appropriate study center and the page on which to locate it. This is an excellent method of Bible study which I have not seen done in this manner anywhere else.

The Discovery Study Bible uses the New International Version translation and includes many other Bible study tidbits like "Culture Clues" and "Closer Look" that are similar to other study Bibles. At the end are self tests and a dictionary where various word meanings are detailed as well as how they should be interpreted in a particular context.

An excellent study Bible, The Discovery Study Bible is a highly recommended Bible for anyone from teenagers to adults.

Better, Faster, Lighter Java
Bruce A. Tate, Justin Gehtland
O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.
1005 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, CA 95472
ISBN: 0596006764 $34.95 234 plus index

Bravo for a very timely book. One of the advantages of Enterprise JavaBeans and similar approaches to programming is it allows for faster development of code. However, there is a price to be paid for this programming convenience. The price is generally large bloated code. With each line of code the speed of the application slows down, the size of the program increases, and more opportunities for errors are introduced. Better, Faster, Lighter Java sounds the clarion call for better code writing, project management, and maintenance. The authors also include chapters on other open-source products, such as Hibernate and Spring, which can help keep the code clean and build projects using a container model like EJB without all the unnecessary overhead. Better, Faster, Lighter Java is a highly recommended book for Java programmers.

Behind the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation
Editors: Craig Bartholomew, C. Stephen Evans, Mary Healy, Murray Rae
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 031023414X $34.99 519 plus indexes

This book is the fourth volume of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Series. In it the editors make the point that Christianity is a religion that believes in a God who acts in history. Most of the stories in the Bible are set in specific historical contexts and are designed to show God working with individuals and groups in a historical context. Because history is so bound up in the Bible stories it is impossible to read the Bible without addressing the issue of history.

Sometimes the particular historical view that a reader holds affects their interpretation of Bible passages. This is one of the primary areas this book examines biblical hermeneutics with an eye toward the relationship between faith and history and how that relationship both affected how historical events were reported and how biblical events are interpreted.

This is a scholarly collection of articles that is written in an academic style and highly suitable for Bible colleges and Seminaries more than the average reader. Behind the Text: History and Biblical Interpretation is recommended for the serious Bible student.

Religion and American Cultures
Gary Laderman, Luis Leon, editors
ABC-CLIO, Inc.
120 Cremona Drive, PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
ISBN: 157607238X $285.00 967 pp. plus various after matter

This three-volume set is an excellent treatment of religion in America in various social, cultural, ethnic, and historical settings. The first volume examines the various ethnic cultures and their related religious heritage. It includes African American religions, Asian American religious communities, Buddhism in America, Catholicism in America, Hinduism in America, Islam in American, Judaism in America, Latina/Latino religious communities, Native American religions, new age, new religious traditions, orthodox Christianity, and Protestantism in America. This is not a doctrinal exposition on the beliefs of these groups but a scholastic examination of their formation, traditions, and effect on American culture as well as the American culture's effect on the religious practices.

Volume two examines religion from a different perspective. This volume looks at religious thought about the body, piercing, tattooing, pain, death, mourning rituals, roadside shrines, generational aspects of religion, popular culture, political culture, rituals, sacred space, sacred time, science, sexuality, violence and many others areas.

Volume three examines some of the most important historical documents related to our religious beliefs and culture. These include the charter to Christopher Columbus, the Maryland Toleration Act, the writings of Jonathan Edwards, Thomas Paine, John Adams, Sojourner Truth, Henry David Thoreau, Abraham Lincoln, Emma Lazarus, Andrew Carnegie, W. E. B. Du Bois, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr., and many others.

Typical of ABC-CLIO publications this is a series of scholarly articles written at a high school reading level. The Religion and American Culture three volume set is highly recommended for high school libraries, public libraries, and personal libraries as well as for anyone seeking to understand the social and cultural contexts in which the various forms of American religious practice formed and have come to be practiced.

Illustrating Nature
Irene Brady
Nature Works Press
PO Box 469, Talent, OR 97540
ISBN: 0915965089 $25.95 114 plus multiple appendixes and index

A great deal of this art instructional book deals with trying to see things and draw using the artistic side of the brain instead of the analytical left side. Subjects covered include sketching, texture, tone, line art, drawing techniques, design and layout, drawing fur, eyes, and other parts of animals, and botanical drawing. The appendixes include multiple projects, field sketchbook and portfolio creation, and career tips if you want to pursue illustration as a career. In addition to the common techniques you typically find in an art instructional book there are dozens and dozens of field notes specific to nature illustration work in the field. These make the book a best choice for anyone who wants to engage in nature illustration. Illustrating Nature is recommended for drawing in general and highly recommended for nature drawing techniques.

How to Speak Moo
Deborah Fajerman
Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 11788
ISBN: 0764122851 $5.95 32 pp. Ages: 4 - 8

A fun storyline and wonderful illustrations make How to Speak Moo a delight to read. Young children absolutely love trying to moo along in an appropriate style for each illustration. A fun read with lots of opportunities for silly mooing along with your children, How to Speak Moo is highly recommended.

Enabling IP Routing with Cisco Routers
Rajarshi Das, Koel Chakrabarty
Charles River Media, Inc.
10 Downer Avenue, Hingham, MA 02043
ISBN: 1584503351 $49.95 475 plus index

If you want to truly understand a Cisco based network and IP routing you can't do better than Enabling IP Routing with Cisco Routers. For those who are interested in passing the Cisco exams it covers the essential material for the Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks exams. The book starts at the beginning with the OSI reference model and why routers are needed. It then continues with information on the Cisco design philosophy and the layered structure of the Cisco hierarchical design, and then goes through everything you need to know about IP routing. Coverage includes IP Addressing, classes, Ipv6, routing design, Network Address Translation (NAT), static and dynamic routing, Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP), Enhanced Interior Gateway Protocol (EIGRP), Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Intermediate System to Intermediate System (IS_IS), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), and On Demand Routing (ODR).

Part II contains case studies of different protocols to help the reader understand how the information works in a real life situation. The book also comes with a CD containing a large question bank to test your knowledge, copies of all source code listings in the book, and copies of all tables and figures. This is easily one of the best books on IP routing and builds knowledge from the ground up for Cisco routers. No fluff, no filler, just good solid information in a format that is easy to read, easy to follow, and easy to learn. Enabling IP Routing with Cisco Routers is highly recommended.

Anything Can Happen
Roger Rosenblatt
Harcourt, Inc.
6277 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32887-6777
ISBN: 0151008663 $18.00 177 pp.

One of the most talented and witty writers today, Roger Rosenblatt showcases his talent in this series of short essays (one or two pages average). Some of the pieces are just collections of observations, others are the epitome of the craft of writing. Most of the essays have a deeper meaning hidden within the text that suddenly leaps out at you in the final sentences. Anything Can Happen is highly recommended and many of the essays could easily be used in the scholastic setting for how writing of this style should be done.

Through My Ears Into My Soul
Christa L. Bissell
Pine Tree Publishing
137 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca, NY 14850
ISBN: 0974473006 $11.95 102 pp.

With a cover that doesn't attract any attention and a title that likewise doesn't particularly attract any interest this is a book that defies anyone to find any reason to pick it up and read it. That is a tragedy. I reluctantly picked it up to read a chapter or two only because it was sent to me and I have a reputation of at least reading one chapter of all books sent for review no matter how bad.

My first impression could not have been more wrong. Instead of reading a chapter and putting it away I found that I couldn't put it down until I had finished. An autobiographical account of the shattered life of Christa Bissell and a joyous tribute to the triumph of love, it is deeply moving and draws the reader into her private life as a close friend. If I had missed this book I would have missed one of the best autobiographical books I read all year. Through My Ears Into My Soul is highly recommended.

American Ideals: Founding a "Republic of Virtue"
Professor: Daniel N. Robinson
The Teaching Company
4151 Lafayette Center Drive, Suite 100, Chantilly, VA 20151-1232
Format: Audio CD, DVD, Audio Cassette
Lectures: 12

Over time American colonies became more and more convinced of the need to establish themselves as a government separate from England. To establish a foundation for this government they relied on various principles of both ancient and modern governments and philosophers. What were these foundational ideals? How did our founding fathers understand these ideals and how did that understanding affect the various founding documents? Based on this understanding what institutions and protections did they put into place to preserve and promote these ideals?

Unfortunately, the cost of the war with Britain took an immense financial toll on the new country and nearly brought it to financial ruin. If that were not enough of a problem the people were suspicious of the new government and wanted to make sure they did not trade one tyrant for another. As each colony cautiously tried to work toward unity they considered plan after plan. Finally, they decided to try sending representatives to Philadelphia to try to refine the Articles of Confederation. The result of this meeting was the creation of the Constitution of the United States.

Professor Daniel N. Robinson of Oxford University provides revealing insight into these foundational factors and how they all worked together to create the new country. This is a recommended lecture series for those interested in the formation of the U.S. from a political/social/rhetorical point of view.

Cisco IP Routing Protocols: Troubleshooting Techniques
V. Anand, K. Chakrabarty
Charles River Media, Inc.
10 Downer Avenue, Hingham, MA 02043
ISBN: 1584503416 $49.95 399 plus index

If you are using Cisco routers in your network and are in charge of administration then you will want to have this book readily available. Not just a book about troubleshooting, the introductory portion provides a strong education in the Cisco hierarchal approach, the layered troubleshooting approach, and the problem resolution model approach.

This is followed by a solid explanation of protocol behavior and characteristics. Chapter three starts the actual diagnostic mechanisms and Cisco TCP/IP commands. Chapter four then covers diagnostic tools including network monitors, simulation tools, and Cisco IOS diagnostics. The next several chapters involve troubleshooting the actual protocols including TCP/IP, IGRP, EIGRP, OSPF, IS-IS, and BGP. The final chapter involves troubleshooting in a redistribution routing environment.

Some of the strongest reasons for recommending this book include the realistic scenarios for every size network, the straight-forward and efficient troubleshooting methodology proposed, and the thoroughness of the material. The text covers all the essential material tested in the Cisco exam Internet Troubleshooting Support.

Loaded with illustrations so you can visualize what is happening and understand the concepts easily, this is an excellent book for anyone working with Cisco routers. The included CD contains a study program with multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge, the source code for all code in the book, all the tables and illustrations in the book. The index is a little skimpy for a book of this size and type, but even with that shortcoming Cisco IP Routing Protocols is a highly recommended purchase and one of the best books available for anyone working in a Cisco environment.

Be Nice (or Else) and What's In It for You
Winn Claybaugh
Von Curtis Publishing
1278 Glenneyre, Ste. 96, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
ISBN: 0974993999 $23.95 190 plus after matter

In a world where people are experiencing road rage, random outbursts of anger, and other problems, Winn Claybaugh cries out that it is time to stop. The change has to start with each one of us as individuals. Be nice and, as a result, be happy. Not only will you be happy, but others will also want to be around you because you make them feel happier. Being nice is good for everyone.

The ideas and suggestions in the book are not so esoteric as to be unrealistic. Instead it has practical examples of how to become a genuinely nice person. Basically it is an instructional book on how to make kindness a part of your everyday life.

One of the important things at the beginning of the book is a definition of what a truly nice person is and is not. For example, a person who is nice to you but not nice to the waitress is not a genuinely nice person.

The process is a step-by-step method for change. The first step is learning to be nice to your self. Next is boosting your self-esteem. You boost your self-esteem by creating balance in your life professionally, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually.

Be Nice (or Else) and What's In It For You is highly recommended for every reader.

1000 Games for Smart Kids
Teora USA, LLC
2 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 870, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
ISBN: 1594960011 $14.95 371 pp. Ages: 4 - 10

Mazes, counting puzzles, matching, spelling, creative thinking, there is literally something in here for everyone at all levels. From very simple mazes that are appropriate for a four year old through more complex multiplication and division problems more appropriate for the nine or ten year old child. There is something for everyone in the book and a wide variety of puzzles and games so children are sure to find some that they really like. 1000 Games for Smart Kids is highly recommended for hours of fun.

Working on Your Relationship Doesn't Work
Ariel Kane, Shya Kane
ASK Productions, Inc.
208 East 51st St., PMB 137, New York, NY 10022-6500
ISBN: 1888043229 $16.95 277 pp.

Working on Your Relationship Doesn't Work takes a different approach to transforming a relationship or creating a "magical" new one. While there are several books available now on how to live in the present moment and so transform your life, this one takes on a different application of that principle by examining how it applies to relationships. Of course the authors start where all good relationship books should start examine your self first. A relationship involves both people and that means your self.

Using three principles of transformation they seek to show how people can bring about change in their lives and their relationships. One of the most important points they make is that your relationship with your self determines your relationship with others. Some of the other points they examine are recognizing and dealing with your hidden agendas, completing your relationship with your parents, realizing that you are not the story of your life, the art of listening, and choosing to be alive.

This is a well-written book with lots of positive self-affirming directions and is the first of the self-help books about living in the moment that effectively tackles the problem of relationships. Working on Your Relationship Doesn't Work is a highly recommended book with an unfortunate title that doesn't encourage picking it up off the shelf and reading it.

The Unchurched Next Door
Thom S. Rainer
Zondervan Publishing
5300 Patterson SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49530
ISBN: 0310248604 $19.99 248 plus appendixes and index

The Unchurched Next Door is an admirable attempt to understand why people don't attend a Christian church and how best to lead them to a relationship with Christ that includes church attendance. This monumental task was undertaken by surveying people around the United States to get their answers to multiple questions (statistical results are presented in an appendix). From the results of these questionnaires author Thom S. Rainer divides unchurched people into five distinct groups. These groups run the range from those who would attend if someone would invite them to those who are openly hostile to the gospel and people who attend church.

Thom S. Rainer is a dean at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a fact that he reminds the reader of on a regular basis throughout the text. Other than that one minor annoyance, the information is extremely valuable to anyone involved in church growth and outreach. I found some of the numbers to be surprising and some pretty much what I expected. Either way, the analysis was consistently insightful. The Unchurched Next Door is a highly recommended book for anyone charged with growing their church and its influence in the surrounding area.

Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent
131ah, Russ Rogers, Jay Beale, Joe Grand, Fyodor, FX, Paul Craig, Timothy Mullen (Thor), Tom Parker
Syngress Publishing, Inc.
800 Hingham Street, Rockland, MA 02370
ISBN: 1931836051 $49.95 345 plus appendix

Through a series of fictional system attacks and exploits Stealing the Network: How To Own a Continent provides a basic education in network security. More than just what can happen, it details each attack so you learn the purpose of the attack as well as how it is carried out. Each of the chapters provides the fictional account of an individual who takes on a single network attack. What the reader soon discovers is that it is actually a carefully orchestrated chain of attacks with a larger purpose in mind.

One of the things I really liked about the book is that it is not just a dry security book turned into a more interesting novel but it gives the reader a look at the personalities of those who get involved in these things. Each of the attacks involves real tools that can be downloaded or purchased off the Internet as well as real techniques. If you want to know how an attacker thinks and how far they will go to achieve their goals as well as some of the common techniques you can't go wrong with Stealing the Network: How to Own a Continent.

The Purpose of Life: Answers to Life's Greatest Questions
Phil Batchelor
Danville International Publishing Company, LLC
PO Box 3213, Danville, CA 94526
ISBN: 0974852805 $12.95 151 pp.

Author Phil Batchelor had a specific incident in his life that led him to the writing of this book. A friend was dying in the hospital when he called Mr. Batchelor to his side and in fear asked about the purpose of life, where we go when we die, and similar questions. Realizing that people often ask this question as they near the end of life he thought it would be good to share these answers earlier in life so they can better enjoy life. With that as the goal he wrote The Purpose of Life.

Some of the questions he examines include: Who am I, where do I come from, and what is my purpose on earth? Some readers will have problems with his theology and so should read the book before recommending it to others. An example of a position some would have difficulty with is the answer to the question of where we come from. He believes that we existed in heaven with God before we were born and God put us into our earthly body while wiping out our memory of being in heaven. His concepts of paradise and prison at death and Jesus' role there as well as other items represent doctrinal positions that are not held by many Christians. Some groups (Mormons for example) will have very few problems with it and are likely to recommend it; others will have various levels of difficulty with the content.

Security Sage's Guide to Hardening the Network Infrastructure
Steven Andres, Brian Kenyon
Syngress Publishing, Inc.
800 Hingham Street, Rockland, MA 02370
ISBN: 1931836019 $59.95 497 plus index

This is the minimum every network administrator should know about network security and is an excellent guide for administrators at the intermediate level of security knowledge. One of the things I really liked about the book was that it not only tells the reader how to secure their network but also tells them how to test the system using specific techniques and tools. This includes footprinting a network with tools like whois and DNS interrogation, monitoring traffic, and sniffing. The other great feature of the book is that it includes vendor specific attacks and defenses the things the vendor won't be telling you. Some of the vendors mentioned include Check Point, PIX, Microsoft ISA Server, NetScreen, and Novell.

The authors also examine routing devices and protocols, network management and security, IPSec, VPNs, and security software. In addition to the internal network considerations the authors look at the items on the edge of the local network. These items include network switches and routers, including attacks and defenses by brand. They complete the book with a good discussion of internal network design including the importance of firewall selection and placement, Intrusion Detection Systems, and segmentation. Security Sage's Guide to Hardening the Network Infrastructure is highly recommended for people interested more in how to secure a network than how to hack one as well as how to test that security.

Medical Tests That Can Save Your Life
David Johnson, Ph.D., David Sandmire, M.D.
Rodale Press
33 East Minor St., Emmaus, PA 18098-0099
ISBN: 157954732X $14.95 256 plus index

Medical Tests That Can Save Your Life: 21 Tests Your Doctor Won't Order Unless You Know to Ask is exactly what as the title states. Inside are nineteen conditions that are often not tested by doctors. Each of the conditions gives a description of the physical condition, risk factors (separated by those that you can modify and those that you can't), your risk level, and tests you may want to request. After the condition is explained in detail and the appropriate tests suggested, the book ends with a section that describes the tests including what the test checks for, how reliable it is, health risks, and approximate cost. The final part of the book covers the standard treatment for the various conditions once they have been verified.

One of the reasons these tests are often not given by doctors is because they don't show many symptoms until they are well advanced. So how do you know you should request one of these tests? The authors provide some of the circumstances under which you might want to request the test. For example, hemochromatosis is most prevalent in people with a Celtic ancestry. If you have a different ancestry you are unlikely to need to have the exam taken.

Medical Tests That Can Save Your Life is a highly recommended book although I will have to admit that I am somewhat prejudiced. I have several relatives whose lives would have been much better if someone had ordered the test for hemochromatosis earlier in their lives.

101 Things to Do With a Slow Cooker
Stephanie Ashcroft, Janet Eyring
Gibbs Smith, Publisher
PO Box 667, Layton, UT 84041
ISBN: 1586853171 $9.95 124 pp.

I've reviewed cookbooks on slow-cookers before but this one has quickly become one of my favorites. The recipes are divided into various categories including beverages, dips and fondue, soups, and stews, beef, chicken, pork, and desserts.
The book starts with 22 helpful hints for cooking with a slow cooker. The actual recipes follow and there are a lot of really good ones.

For example, I don't generally like pot roast but there is a recipe for cola roast that is really good. It also has some unusual recipes like peanut butter fondue, or Sante Fe cheese soup. Not only are there unusual recipes but many good recipes that one would not normally associate with a slow cooker. For example there are recipes for French Dip sandwiches, Italian chicken and mushrooms, sweet and sour pork, carrot cake, and pineapple upside-down cake.

The only thing that I would like to see is the cooking time put at the top of the recipe with the ingredients instead of buried in the recipe instructions. This is particularly important with slow-cooker recipes because they can require anything from half an hour to twelve hours or more of cooking. It does have a nice plastic cover to make it easy to wipe off and food matter that might get on it. One of the best slow-cooker cookbooks around, 101 Things to Do With a Slow Cooker is highly recommended.

Burpee Gardening Cyclopedia
Allan Armitage, Maureen Heffernan, Chela Kleiber, Holly H. Shimizu
Running Press Book Publishers
125 South Twenty-second Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-4399
ISBN: 0762412119 $9.95 576 plus appendixes

This small format pocket size guide is divided into three parts Gardening from the Ground Up, Plant Portraits, and the Practical Gardener. The first section includes a wealth of information on critical factors for a successful garden. Some of the items discussed include climate, rainfall, wind, sun, soil type, drainage, and garden design.

The Plant Portraits section is by far the largest section of the book and grouped by annuals and biennials, perennials, bulbs, roses, vegetables, herbs, groundcovers, and vines. For each plant the authors include descriptions (height, colors, etc.), tips for growing (when to plant, how to thin, transplanting, etc.), and other useful information. It also has a small section of photographs for several of the more common plants.

The Practical Gardener section primarily covers equipment, pests, and diseases. The pests and diseases portion is good in that it covers characteristics, symptoms, hosts, and controls. While not a very thorough treatment of the pests and diseases it does cover the most common ones. The last part of this section has an excellent listing of plants organized by environmental preferences and uses. For example, it lists appropriate plants for bright sunny areas and for thickly shaded areas as well as ones to use for a cutting garden, for attracting butterflies, etc.

If you are looking for a smaller book that is easy to take along to the garden center but thorough enough to have all the most common information you can't go wrong with the Burpee Gardening Cyclopedia.

New Testament Times
Merrill C. Tenney
Baker Books
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49512-6287
ISBN: 0801012651 $29.99 364 plus bibliography and index

New Testament Times examines the culture, social systems, politics, and geography of the eastern Mediterranean during the time period of the New Testament scriptures. The authors did not limit themselves to just the nation of Israel but also include information on other nations that affected Israel such as Egypt, Syria, and, of course, Rome.

Author Merrill C. Tenney does an excellent job of examining the details of Judaism, Hellenism, and the Roman culture and how the stresses between these systems affected the new church and Christian religion. He also examines the various groups within the Jewish system - Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. To truly understand the purpose of many of the epistles of the New Testament you have to understand the various forms of paganism in the area and how these influenced social and political thought as well as the history, difficulties, leaders, and other situations surrounding the church. The author provides a wealth of solid information about the Jerusalem and Antioch churches as well as how they grew and the doctrine of the early church solidified to become consistent between churches.

The book contains a lot of pictures, maps, and illustrations to help the reader fully understand and appreciate the text. The information is presented in a clear and understandable manner so it brings a solid understanding of the time period to the reader. This in turn brings a better understanding of the scriptures. New Testament Times is a highly recommended title and should be read by everyone desiring to understand the environment of the early church.

The Spam Letters
Jonathan Land
No Starch Press, Inc.
555 De Haro Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94107
ISBN: 1593270321 $14.95 210 pp.

The curse of the electronic age, SPAM eventually forces its way into the life of anyone with an email address. While there are many books and articles about how to reduce this problem, Jonathan Land has taken his own personal war back to the spammers. Instead of just deleting the emails he responds to them. Of course he doesn't respond quite the way the spammers expect. His responses are an attempt at humor and wit that often falls short of the mark, but then again at times is absolutely hysterical.

Particularly funny is his correspondence with people who are naive enough to accept his satirical comments at face value. His correspondence with textile manufacturers and the infamous Nigerian money launderer is brilliant.

With writing that covers the whole range from a poor attempt at humor to laugh-out-loud funny, to bizarre, the reader is sure to find several emails entertaining no matter what your preference in humor. The Spam Letters is a recommended read.

Working on Your Self Doesn't Work
Ariel Kane, Shya Kane
ASK Productions, Inc.
208 East 51st St., PMB 137, New York, NY 10022-6500
ISBN: 1888043040 $12.95 126 pp.

Working on Your Self Doesn't Work is one of the many books in the self-help genre that rely on living in the present as a means of finding happiness and self-fulfillment. In this category it is a very average book. The authors' premise is rather simple psychotherapy and other techniques generally involve years of therapy but you can be transformed quickly and easily if you can learn to live just in the present moment. They go through several pages of important concepts that are critical to transforming yourself and while the information is good as well as accurate, it is also like all the others in this genre. Working on Your Self Doesn't Work breaks no new ground nor does it provide a different perspective than other books in this area and as such it is recommended but only as yet another present moment self help book.

The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln
V. Neil Wyrick
Magnus Press
PO Box 2666, Carlsbad, CA 92018
ISBN: 0972486917 $12.00 104 plus notes

Abraham Lincoln has proven to be somewhat of an enigma for many historians. A person who seemed to embrace the Christian religion he was nevertheless a person who never joined a church. Although some sources state that he never attended church the records of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington show that he attended there regularly during his presidential years. For many the ultimate determination of his religious leanings are based on his actions, his words, and the writings of his close friend Charles Carleton Coffin who states that a spiritual crisis in 1841 was the turning point in Lincoln's life and resulted in his embracing Christianity.

In The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln author V. Neil Wyrick examines this spiritual side of one of our favorite presidents. Lincoln's strong reliance on God's guidance and the Bible shows throughout the book as you read an account of his life that focuses not on politics, but on belief. While some may argue that President Lincoln was not a Christian, very few would argue that he had a deep abiding sense of belief in God that kept him going even in the worst of times. The Spiritual Abraham Lincoln is a recommended read.

Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology
George M. Eberhart
ABC-CLIO, Inc.
130 Cremona Drive, PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911
ISBN: 1576072835 $185.00 690 plus index

This two-volume set is a basic layman's guide to the weird, wonderful world of unknown animals. These are animals whose existence has not been proven at this time. While the idea that there may be animals, including some very large ones, living in the world and we have no proof of their existence might be strange to some people it was during my lifetime that gorillas and rhinoceroses were removed from the category of fables.

For each entry the editors provide information on its physical description, behavior, distribution, possible explanations, significant sightings, and sources. This is a non-judgmental review of the reports from around the world presented in a typical encyclopedic style. Although it contains primarily creatures reported to exist but not proven it also includes some animals like the Dodo bird, which were known to exist and are believed extinct. But, because there have been occasional reported sightings in recent years these animals are included.

ABC-CLIO, Inc. published some of the best educational materials of this type on the market today. As always Mysterious Creatures: A Guide to Cryptozoology is a high quality reference work written at a high-school level and so is accessible to everyone. Mysterious Creatures is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in this area and a recommended purchase for libraries.

Harold McFarland
Senior Reviewer

Klausner's Bookshelf
An Unfinished Life
Mark Spragg
Knopf
ISBN: 1400042011 $23.00, 257 pp.

Ten years have passed since Griffin Gilkyson died in an accident at the age of twenty-one. His "An unfinished life", as etched on his gravestone, has impacted everyone who loved him. His wife Jean has leaped in and out of the beds of four abusive males since she lost her spouse. His daughter Griff never knew him as she is only nine and a half. His father Einar blames his daughter-in-law for Griffin's death, has never met his granddaughter, and wants to die but not before Jean is dead. Finally his best friend, Korean War buddy Mitch would not have been nearly killed by a bear. Living in a trailer with a nasty SOB, Jean worries about Griff and decides she needs to regain control of her life. Her only hope is for her and her daughter to buy time at Einar's home in Ishawooa, Wyoming though she knows her in-law detests her. She believes it is time for Griff and Einar to meet and for everyone to move on though keep the fond memories of the beloved link that ties all of them together. However, can Einar forgive even though he desperately wants to hug his granddaughter, Griffin's only meaningful memory? Though this intriguing family drama is a five tissue box tearjerker that plays on the readers' emotions, Mark Spragg does it so well that fans will call him a virtuoso. The story line is obviously character driven with the quartet containing different personalities. There is a suspense laden twist adds tension which takes away from the real action of four people trying to exist together without relating.

The Love Wife
Gish Jen
Knopf
ISBN: 1400042135 $25.00

His mother hated that second generation Chinese-American Carnegie married "Blondie" instead of a Chinese. In spite of his mother's objections, Carnegie and Janie ("Blondie") seem to get on fine and eventually adopt two Asian children (fifteen years old Lizzy and nine years old Wendy). Fifteen months ago Blondie gave birth to their first natural born child a son Bailey. Before dying from Alzheimer's, mom arranged for the single Lan, a female relative from Mainland China, to join her son's family. The mysterious Lan seems to have captured Carnegie's attention and shares much with the girls. Janie feels more and more like an outside Blondie with her own family. She turns to her infant son for solace as the other three increasingly turn to Lan. This is an intriguing look at modern race relations within a family that seems like an anecdote for society in general as complexity is a way of life. Carnegie is an intriguing protagonist as he rediscovers his roots, but fears that will make him seem ancient in America. Of interest is how clever Lan is in using the insecurities of the adopted children, the fears of Janie increasingly wondering if she is the outsider, and the fascination of Carnegie to manipulate her hosts. Though rotation of the perspectives enables the audience to better understand the individual, that device also makes it difficult to follow the plot as no center holds the tale together. Still this is a poignant look that intelligently argues that racial issues are changing yet remain local.

Hot Blooded
Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly, and Angela Knight
Jove
ISBN: 0515136964 $7.99

"Dark Hunger" by Christine Feehan. Juliette rescues wild animals from a complex when she discovers a caged human. She rescues Riordan from captivity only to learn he is a Carpathian. He realizes that she is his lifemate, but they first must survive a blood eating malevolent monster. Though Riordan is from the Carpathian hunk factory, Juliette provides the freshness of WILD RAIN with her jaguar shapeshifting skills. "Awaiting Moonrise" by Maggie Shayne. In the Bayou, zoologist Jenny searches for an undiscovered species expecting to learn the reason that many locals believe in werewolves. When an animal scratches her, Jenny visits Dr. LeRoque for treatment. They immediately fondle one another. However, he has a secret that if she learns her or her colleagues will certainly reveal and destroy his people. The lycanthropy is exciting and seems genuine, but the couple's sexual activity seems unreal. "The Night Owl" by Emma Holly. In Vermont pastry chef Mariann likes her rustic life though she is concerned about the new owners of the Night Owl Bed and Breakfast that includes her bakery. New B&B owner French vampire Bastien realizes that Mariann is his lifemate, but fears rejection. This is a terrific vampire romance because of the uniqueness of the hero. "Seduction's Gift" by Angela Knight. South Carolina Police Officer Grace Morgan refuses to become a Maja though she has the innate genetic make up to do so. The Majae feel she would make an excellent addition to their "knights of the round table" guardians of humanity. They send hunk Lancelot to convert her by inducing sexual orgasms. Vampires, erotica and Camelot, oh my! These four paranormal erotic novellas live up to the title.

The Devil's Finger
William Ungerman
Jove
ISBN: 051513841X $6.99, 400 pp.

Drug lord Esteban Rios runs the border town of Zapata. He controls the police chief, the city council, and the only bank. He builds clinics and playgrounds while running drugs across the border where he owns and operates brothels. His reign of terror extends to the monthly games; these events enable incarcerated Mexican men an improbable chance of freedom if they remain alive long enough. The only institution not controlled by Rios is the church where a priest has just answered an ad in New Breed magazine. Lon Grainger and Myles Rawlings used to work for Uncle Sam as contract killers, but when the former missed a target the work dried up. They came to Zapata not knowing what is going on, but quickly learn about Rios' stranglehold on the town. They plan to start a mini-war with the objective being to kill Rios and his associates. Rios also prepares for battle because he will never give up his power without a fight. Fans of action thrillers with plenty of gore will want to read THE DEVIL'S FINGER. At first Lon and Esteban seem like identical twins, but the American mercenary has a social conscience and even tries to keep collateral damage to a minimum while his adversary turns good things into evil and does not worry about innocents. Lon seeks redemption in for the accidental death of a child in Zapata he sees the a way to do good. William Ungerman grips the reader's attention with this shoot-em-up magnificent two crime thriller.

A Lunatic Fear
B.A. Chepaitis
Wildside
ISBN 0809500639 $15.00, 191 pp.

After the Killing Times, Earth construct prisons on terraformed asteroids like Planetoid Three to contain and rehabilitate the most vicious killers. Jaguar, an empath uses her psi skills works with the prisoners as a Teacher and she has a phenomenal success rate with even the hard core killers. Her latest case involves three women who went on a killing spree and when she examines their records she diagnoses them as suffering the affects of exposure to Artenis compounds, the by products of moon mining. Moon mining has been suspended for two years pending the outcomes of studies on women who miscarried, hemorrhaged and even killed for no apparent reason after being exposed to it. Lobbyists are trying to get the repeal lifted but Jaguar and her boss Alex can prove that exposure to Artenis compounds caused the women to kill. There are people including one of the administrators of the prison planetoids who are willing to kill Alex and Jaguar to prevent them from making their concerns public. It has been too long since the latest Jaguar Adam's science fiction mystery has been published but it has been well worth the wait. Both the heroine and her wannabe lover Alex get caught up in a criminal conspiracy and it takes the fighting nature of the protagonist that gives them a chance against their enemies in a final confrontation that is explosive. A LUNATIC FEAR has cross genre appeals to fans of science fiction, mystery and romance. B.A. Chepaitis is a terrific world-builder who creates characters readers will root for.

Legacy of the Black Dragon
Julie D'Arcy
Mundania Press LLC.
ISBN: 1594260265 $13.00

King Garrik le Fey of Tarlis strikes a deadly blow to Narokah, his Kingdom's deadliest enemy, the Dark Priest to the god Arahman. However instead of death, the malevolence uses his powers to change into a red dragon. Frantic Garrik orders his sorcerer to convert him into a black dragon with the stipulation that if he fails to destroy Narokah, the sorcerer is to trap both of them inside the ancient magical spell tome, Arkgeld. Eight hundred years later, the two dragons are freed from the prison book, but Tarlis is ruled by a cruel dictatorship and the people believe Garrik is a myth. Besides needing to stop his dangerous foe and deal with the current avaricious leadership, Garrik must employ an Elven ritual to stop his total transformation into the beast. To succeed on that first leg and ultimately to vanquish his deadly opponent, Garrik needs allies, but can he trust the angry vengeful elf, Vellandril or Meggahn daughter of a Low-Lord; for without either of them, Garrik's legend will include failure. The LEGACY OF THE BLACK DRAGON is a terrific epic fantasy that readers will enjoy because the human, Elven, and other mythos societies seem genuine in their medieval setting. The story line is action-packed from the start and never loses momentum even as the eras change. The prime cast, especially the heroic trio, the greedy iron fisted rulers, and the anatomist are wonderful characters as they seem real whether they are purebred human, half dragon, or 100% Elven. Fantasy adventure readers will appreciate this dynamic tale of two powerful beings fighting the good vs. evil war.

The Buck Stops Here
Mindy Stars Clark
Harvest House
ISBN: 0736912940 $10.99, 359 pp.

Several years ago, Callie and her husband Bryan were on the Appomattox River in Virginia, when a drunken speedboat driver killed the latter. The driver James Sparks pleaded guilty and was sentenced to sixteen years in prison. At first Callie did not want to live, but over time with the help of a friend private investigator Eli Gold she regained her equilibrium. Eli got Callie a job as a researcher at the J.O.S.H.U.A. Foundation investigating nonprofit organizations that apply for grants. Though she still mourns her loss, she has a new beau, Tom Bennett, a code breaker for the National Security Agency. Callie overhears Tom tell Eli he loves her and wants to marry her, but must tell her the truth about Bryan. Eli reminds him that would be an NSA security breach. Stunned, Callie later confronts Tom, who claims national security so she begins to investigate her late husband's life and death. Her inquiries take her from her Maryland Eastern Shore home to Louisiana where she seeks the truth although someone is stalking her with murder in mind. The fifth "Million Dollar" mystery, THE BUCK STOPS HERE, is a terrific tale that completes the circle started with the first novel. The story line is electrifying, but character driven as Callie needs to know if her second true love had something to do with the death of her first true love. Callie is the center of this fast-paced plot with her quest to learn the truth even risking a chance at a loving relationship. This stand alone novel and the entire series provides delightful entertainment value and worth the bucks, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies.

The Last Storyteller
Diane Noble
Waterbrook
ISBN: 1578563992 $12.99, 384 pp.

In California, an elated Sam informs his girlfriend Taite that he has received a fellowship to work for one year at the Institute of Neurological Research in Boston. He asks her to accompany him, but she refuses. His news trumps her news as she was going to tell him she was pregnant, but decides not to say a word because she loves him and does not want to dampen his future. Despondent and thinking of an abortion, Taite decides to visit her Welsh grandmother Naini. Her elderly grandmother encourages Taite to look back at her heritage as she tells stories of her past and encourages her to reconcile with her mom and to share the joy-burden with Sam. Will Taite be THE LAST STORYTELLER of a proud family or will she bring the next generation into the world with Sam at her side? THE LAST STORYTELLER is an intriguing contemporary tale that looks at several societal issues to include abortion and stem cell research. Though Diane Noble comes across much stronger on one side of the issues, the author provides the ethical dilemmas so that readers realize that these are complex questions not worthy of thirty second blips as normally tossed at people. The story is told through the three generation of women (Taite, her mom and grandma) so that the audience sees the differences in outlook. Sam is a fabulous protagonist as he works with stem cell research, but wonders about the morality when he does not want Taite to abort their child. This is a strong tale with a powerful look at modern morality.

The Hazards of Sleeping Alone
Elisa Juska
Downtown
ISBN: 0743493508 $13.00, 368 pp.

In her late forties, Charlotte Warren has become increasingly neurotic about life as she is a compulsive worrier. Unable to sleep at night and a bundle of nerves during the day, Charlotte has been divorced for fifteen years from Joe, who she sometimes misses in the lonely darkness. However, her biggest concern besides some imaginary thief breaking and entering her home is her passionate living twenty-two years old daughter who lives life with gusto. Emily arrives home on a visit, but this time has brought with her Walter, the black man she plans to move in with. Charlotte is stunned but has a new reason to panic as she fears her daughter's "alternate living arrangement" selection as mixed relationships are difficult. However, the appearance of Walter and Emily does more than just turn Charlotte into a nervous wreck; that first weekend shatters the older woman's memories as events she buried in the furthest reaches of her mind has arisen like an avenging Phoenix. This is an intriguing look at an individual struggling with a compulsive disorder that keeps her from fully functioning in society. Readers' hearts will go out to Charlotte whose palpitations and fears can be felt on almost every page of the tale. Of interest is how opposite her daughter who lived much of her life with her mother (Joe had visits and ultimately moved far away to Seattle) has turned out; sort of as if she has had a reaction formation to the phobic driven lifestyle of her mother. Though somewhat dark in tone, Elisa Juska paints a portrait of a woman in trouble from demons running amok in her head.

Until the Last Dog Dies
John Laurence Robinson
River Oak
ISBN: 1589190211 $12.99 381 pp.

In the middle of the night Cincinnati private investigator Joe Box receives call from a frantic Little Bit, who says someone is trying to kill the survivors of their Nam platoon. Joe is shocked to hear from a guy he had not spoken with in three decades while also trying to calm the guy down saying it is nonsense. Joe hangs up, but the next day Little Bit's wife calls saying he was electrocuted. Joe is stunned because he knew how afraid of electricity Little Bit was. Joe thinks that too much coincidence is involved as Little Bit had mentioned two other deaths in the last two weeks. With the help of librarian Mrs. Brake, he learns that three other members of his platoon of ten are also dead. As he flashbacks to his time in Nam, he wonders how to stop a killing machine who has made each death seem like suicide or accident before this invincible killer murders he or the other survivors. This is an exhilarating thriller that modernizes Christie's AND THEN THERE WAS NONE by using a Nam platoon as the victims thirty years after they completed their tour of duty. Joe is an intriguing private sleuth who has found strength in God which has given him a reason to live although he still mourns the loss of his beloved who died one year into their marriage years ago. His supportive girlfriend Angela Swain helps, but the tale belongs to the cat and mouse game and the insightful flashbacks to a search mission to kill Charlie the sniper.

Dime
Babs Lakey (Editor)
Quiet Storm
ISBN: 0974960861 $15.95, 268 pp.

This anthology contains numerous short and extremely short tales (did not count and until now never realized the value of a table of contents as none was provided) that run the gamut of the mystery-suspense-thriller orbs. Readers should envision overlapping logic circles sort of like the Olympic rings but three not five sub-genres. The tales for the most part are well written and contain a surprising, sometimes paranormal twist reminiscent of the half-hour non science fiction twilight Zone episodes so keep the lights on all night. Though some of the contributors like Michael Bracken are well known, most are not. Thus this exciting well written compilation provides readers with an opportunity to meet and taste the works of new authors that they might miss otherwise. Anyone looking for the next Phillip Marlowe need not look much further as this is a wonderful anthology with a few B&W cartoons that enhance the book. Readers will appreciate these fine tales and the additional information including links to author pages and a listing of other writings by the authors as DIME is no one read "quiet storm".

Total Silence
T.J. MacGregor
Pinnacle
ISBN 0786015586 $6.99, 384 pp.

She tells fortunes for a living but Mira Morales is a true psychic as is her mother and her daughter Annie. Mother and daughter are vacationing in Asheville, North Carolina with Mira's fiance FBI Agent Shep. Mira has a cold that stuffs up her psychic senses, which leaves her helpless when a woman carrying a gun kidnaps her and shoots at her when she tries to get away. The killer, Allie Curry, also killed five people who were on the property and could have identified her. When Shep and Anne come home, they find the dead bodies in the barn and Mira nowhere to be found. Shep immediately realizes that someone kidnapped Mira to get back at him because as a law official he made many enemies. Allie, a doctor by profession, treats Mira because she wants her healthy so she can kill her on a certain day, the one year anniversary of her brother's death. She believes this is payback for Shep arresting her brother years ago. Readers who like supernatural thrillers that are absolutely fantastic will want to read TOTAL SILENCE, a work that has Dean's ghost aiding Mira in her quest to survive his sister's deadly plan. Good old fashioned detective work, Annie and her grandmother's psychic powers and a friendly ghost are all part of the investigation in which Shep is not too proud to use all the help he can get. T.J. MacGregor has written an outstanding work starring characters that were featured in THE HANGED MAN and BLACK WATER.

World Walker
Melisa Michaels
Five Stars
ISBN 1594142157 $25.95, 342 pp.

World-walkers, using a gatestone, can traverse parallel worlds; and their job is to keep the orbs separate and prevent the use of unauthorized world-walking, which would mean the destruction of all the worlds. The New Worlders do not believe what Central Headquarters enforces. They feel unlimited world-walking would keep the connections that were meant to be viable in order to keep the parallel worlds safe from the destruction that Central in its ignorance is causing. The Other(Jesse) is illegally going from one world into another searching for something that he never had and desperately wants: peace of mind. World-Walker Suli Grail is charged by Central to, contain him or kill him because he is a natural, able to walk the worlds without the stone. His travels change the fate of his doppelgangers in other worlds; musician Jesse Farrell is wanted by the police thanks to the machinations of the Other. Suli gets in the middle of the confrontation and her actions loosen the emotions encased in ice around the Other. Working together, they try to find a way to insure that the Other is free to walk the worlds he chooses thus assuring that the worlds will continue to exist. Melisa Michaels has written a fantastic first rate urban fantasy. The Other and the other Jessies were verbally and physically abused by their fathers and depending on how they reacted to abuse, each Jessie in his own world is a little different from their doppelgangers. The OTHER isn't evil but that doesn't matter to Central who wants to punish him for breaking the rules, not realizing he is the pivot upon which all the worlds rest.

Eye of Newt
Denise Dietz
Five Star
ISBN: 1594140960 $25.95, 344 pp.

In Manitou Falls, Colorado, witch Sydney St. Charles, who does not believe in witchcraft, and her septuagenarian Aunt Lillian, who does, share a home on top of their store Lilly's Apothecary Shop. Currently the town is in an uproar over the murder of Clive Newton of the rock band the Newts as the killer keeps sending parts of the victim's anatomy to the surviving band members. Before his death, Clive purchased a love spell from Sydney. Not long afterward, the band's manager Veronica Sanderson dies in a fire; Sydney is stunned as she sold a love spell to Veronica. Concerned over the link and finding a connection to a journal describing a similar homicide in 1692 Salem, Sydney begins making inquiries. However, she also finds herself distracted with seemingly homeless amnesiac "John Elway" whose only memory is being a Bronco fan. As the attraction grows and she gets closer to the truth, the killer decides to eliminate one nosy witch. This is an entertaining amateur sleuth tale that hooks the audience who will wonder if bewitching spells exist because Denise Dietz casts one on her readers. Fans will enjoy Sydney's struggles with a brilliant murderer who seems tied to her but outside of love spell sales, she has no idea what that is. The Elway and the seventeenth century Salem subplots strengthen a fine who-done-it in which the heroine needs a safety spell to ward off a deadly killer.

Hide and Seek
Amy Sandrin
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141797 $26.95, 234 pp.

At night in Denver Robyn Jeffries, owner of a janitorial service, cleans the United Financial Bank as she does almost every evening. Suddenly all hell breaks loose when someone with a gun stops another trespasser. However, she becomes involved interfering with FBI Agent Killian Hart's efforts to arrest McKnight. Killian and Robyn become hostages of McKnight. Robyn and Killian escape, but once free go their separate ways. However, when he overhears a police radio state that someone tossed her apartment, Killian feels compelled to see that Robyn is safe. As they fall in love, the danger Robyn remains high as the culprit believes she knows where the bank robbery loot was left when McKnight made his hasty escape. This police procedural romantic suspense is an enjoyable tale starring a fabulous heroine who shows her fear, but refuses to succumb to her fright. The story line moves forward rather quickly from the moment that Robyn kicks the gun out of Killian's hand until the climax in which the hero tries to rescue his beloved from the last person he would suspect as the perpetrator. Readers will feel the same way albeit that twist, but still fully appreciate this gripping action-packed adventure.

The Mongol Reply
Benjamin M. Schutz
Five Star
ISBN: 1410402002 $25.95, 334 pp.

Former football player turned Virginia Squires' Special Teams' coach Tom Tully hires attorney Albert "Agent Orange" Garfield as he wants his wife Serena to be punished and left with nothing because he knows she is cheating on him. Tom ignores that he has always cheated on her as he wants her blitzed into total collapse and surrender. Without her presence, Albert persuades the judge that Serena is dangerous to her spouse and their two small children, six years old Tom Junior and four years old Tina. He cuts her off from her home, funds, and friends with a smear campaign. The only setback is the assignment of honest forensic psychologist Dr. Morgan Reece to evaluate what is best for the two children. Reece will find himself in the midst of a brutal precision operation to annihilate Serena regardless of the cost to two preadolescent children. If Tom loses a battle, he could go over the edge killing everyone. This is a dark legal thriller not for everyone. The plot showcases how far a firm will go to spin "facts" in support of their client without regard to what they are doing to innocent children or the truth (sounds like a political campaign). The grim story line also paints a gloomy picture of family values. Tom is violently crazy while Serena is a distraught victim with no options from the assault; Reece is a terrific psychologist struggling to stay neutral, but finding himself more in Serena's corner as much for the kids' sake as for the continuous sacks on her life. He is unaware that by leaning in her direction he jeopardizes his life.

The Deadly Garden Tour
Kathleen Gregory Klein
Five Star
ISBN: 1594141932 $25.95, 260 pp.

After twenty-three years of marriage to Jack, garden designer Liz Clarke divorced him as their plans for the future did not gel; she wanted to settle down spending quality time together while he wanted to see the world. Jack went off sailing while Liz opened up Liz Clarke Garden Designer in Greenwich, Connecticut. Liz's goddaughter, pregnant Melissa Castle frantically calls her that she found a murdered Staci Hooper, chairwoman of this year's garden tours. Liz rushes to the scene only to learn that the stunned Melissa failed to call 911 or the police. Liz calls, but searches for the housekeeper who she finds frightened. When the evidence points towards Melissa, Liz, ignoring the police and the danger to herself, digs into a dirty scenario in which a host of people hate the odious obnoxious Staci. THE DEADLY GARDEN TOUR is a fun amateur sleuth tale that starts a bit slow to introduce the heroine, but once she arrives at the crime scene, the tale and Liz go at top speed. The story line contains a fine support cast that either enhances the small-town environs or provides insight into the protagonist or prime suspect. Fans who enjoy a New England cozy will want to read this solid who-done-it.

Asgard's Secret
Brian Stableford
Five Star
ISBN: 1594142114 $25.95, 271 pp.

Asgard is not a planet, but instead is a man made edifice consisting of a series of shells with spaces called levels between them. Each level contains habitats with their own ecosystem, but no one has found a way to traverse past level five. Levels one through five are for practical purposes dead and no portal to go beyond has been found though various species from across the galaxy have come here seeking the way in to the legendary treasure supposedly at level six and beyond. Mike Rosseau has been on Asgard for more than twenty-five years seeking the access beyond the known levels. Mike's friend Saul has found the key to level six, but before he can mount an expedition he is killed and the newcomer Myrlin he was mentoring has vanished. Star Forces convince Mike to travel through the levels using Saul's book and glyphs as a guide. They seek the death of Myrlin, an android, who, if not stopped, could end human civilization. Asgard is a fascinating place with worlds within worlds and by book's end the exciting story line has barely scratched the surface of the artifact sort of like a contained string theory. There is plenty action that in some ways will remind readers of Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth. Brian Stableford shows why he is regarded as a grandmaster of science fiction with this terrific novel and it is no secret that more treks to uncover ASGARD'S SECRET will follow soon.

A Test of Faith
Karen Ball
Multnomah
ISBN: 1590522656 $12.99

Anne and Jared were elated with her pregnancy though both know of the danger to the diabetic woman. When she is about to give birth, something goes wrong and she is rushed into emergency surgery. Jared prayed to God and felt he was answered as his wife and their baby Faith survive the near death ordeal. Over the years, Anne and Jared raise Faith in a warm caring environs while also believing strongly in God. However, Faith begins to rebel as a teen feeling her mother's smothering her need for independence. Instead of God, Faith wants popularity and soon she and her mother are at odds as Anne feels bitterness that she risked her life to bring Faith into this world. However, as the years pass, Anne becomes weak and ill; Faith shows her love for her mom in many ways as she turns to God praying for a miracle while her mother insists that their reconciliation is the miracle. A TEST OF FAITH is a deep character study that focuses on the relationship between a mother and daughter and how both turn to and from God. The duo has somewhat lost the way when their relationship turned sour, but each learns that in God they can recover more than what they lost. Though Jared seems to be a minor player and the action is sparse, readers who reassure tales that take a strong look at believing in the Lord will appreciate this powerful family drama.

Lone Star Cafe
Lisa Wingate
Onyx
ISBN: 0451411447 $6.99, 320 pp.

A fifteen year career in editing magazines may be in the balance for Laura Draper sent by her bosses from Richmond, Virginia to Austin, Texas to insure that the launch of Texcetera occurs on schedule. Murphy seems optimistic to Laura as even nature and the interstate has played havoc with her timeline and her significant other and her father have nuked her personal life in her absence. With a key bridge down and a hail storm terrorizing her, Laura sits in Crossroads, Texas thinking her former lover Dale is on to Rio for his next assignment and her father is missing without picking up his life saving blood thinner at the pharmacy. Senior welcoming duo Hasselene and Mernelene observe Laura sitting in her car until they decide to meet her and persuade her to relax at the LONE STAR CAFE. There she finds an incredible old fashioned home style TEXAS COOKING and a hunk of a cowboy Graham making her reconsider her lifestyle. She realizes she is at the crossroads of glamorous publishing success, but at the cost of her personal needs or if she stops to help her dad, really make Texcetera work, drink the coffee and kiss the stud perhaps have it all. This is an intriguing look at the rat race meets small town Texas with the winner being readers. The story line is amusing and warm, but contains a serious undertone involving relationships and success. Laura is a terrific star of the tale surrounded by a solid somewhat eccentric cast not just in Crossroads. Fans of contemporary tales will enjoy feasting on Lisa Wingate's delicious repast.

Heat of the Moment
Jessica Hall
Onyx
ISBN: 0451411587 $6.99, 304 pp.

Serial arsonist the Torcher blows up Maskers Tavern in the French Quarter killing the heir apparent son of mob chief Frank Belafini, the wife of the younger mobster, and thirteen other people. New Orleans Police Detective Teresa Vincent is temporarily reassigned from Homicide (until her partner returns from his honeymoon (see INTO THE FIRE) to the Organized Crime Unit. Her new boss Sebastian Ruel assigns her to investigate the Torcher arsons as the man has links to the mob. He especially wants her to look at Fire Marshall Cort Gamble who he believes is the culprit. Because she still loves him although he rejected her following a one night stand, Terri refuses to believe that Cort is the killer although each fire contained a victim linked to the Fire Marshall. As Terri digs deep, Cort, at first in his official capacity and than as a desperate man, tries to prove his innocence against a tidal wave of counterproof evidence. He loves Terri, but worries that the Torcher has targeted his women so she could be next if the fiery killer learns how he feels about her? Though the twist seems improbable as to the identity of the Torcher, fans will appreciate this powerful and exciting romance that never slows down from the moment the first explosion occurs until the final confrontation. Terri is a terrific cop who though she loves Cort will seek the truth even if he proves to be the Torcher. Cort is a beleaguered lead protagonist who sees the obvious ties back to him, but cannot figure out who is using the rope to hang him or why he has a deadly enemy murdering innocent victims.

A Man in a Kilt
Sandy Blair
Zebra
ISBN: 0821777661 $3.99

In New York, estate executor Tom Silverstein, as his family has done dating back to 1408 provides financial and legal advice to the Blackstones. He persuades caterer Katherine Elizabeth Pudding to come to Scotland to look at her inheritance, but hides part of the truth from her. A week later she journeys to Castle Blackstone where the ghostly Laird resides. In Drasmoor, Scotland, trapped between life and death, Duncan MacDonald awaits unhappily the arrival of the heir, a cook from some barbarous realm called The Bronx. Still he prays she is the one to free him from his six centuries old curse. Not long after she enters the castle, he slips a ring on her and they travel back to the fourteenth century. As Beth and Duncan fall in love, she takes over the running of his castle and prays she can free her beloved from the curse that is yet to occur. A MAN IN A KILT is an amusing romance that satirizes several sub-genres to include paranormal, time travel, medieval, and to a lesser degree contemporary. Fans of each classification will laugh at the antics of Beth as she loosely adjusts to running the show although she fails to speak the language and cannot find any of the modern day tools she is used to having; her twenty-first century profession as a caterer and living in the Bronx work quite well in managing a castle. Duncan is the typical brooding hero who need to surrender his heart if he is to avoid the curse. This is a fun time for romance readers.

Reckless
Hannah Howell
Zebra
ISBN: 0821769170 $6.50, 352 pp.

In 1375 her uncle Coln who murdered her father, the laird of clan MacFarlane, sees Ailis as an asset to be bartered in obtaining an alliance with the MacCordys. Coln does not care that she raises the three children of her dead sister Maire, whose father remains unknown and that he selected the abusive Donald MacCordy as her spouse. Alexander, laird of clan MacDubh, learns from his depressed brother Barra that he has three children with Maire that he has not seen in years. Alexander believes the kids should be raised amongst the love of their father's clan. They abduct the three children, their guardian Ailis, and a gentle giant willing to die to keep the four safe. Ailis worries that her clan's enemy will destroy the children, but instead sees them showered in love and even her giant protector treated with kindness unlike how her uncle has handled the children. As Ailis and Alexander fall in love, both knows that the MacFarlane and MacDubh must react, but when and how is still to be seen. Though her uncle and her intended are too odious to be competitive to the caring though brooding Alexander, fans of Scottish medieval romances will receive plenty of reading pleasure with this strong tale. The clever propaganda mechanisms that paint the Macdubhs as bloodthirsty barbarians amongst the MacFarlanes would fit in well in today's 527 ways to say truth during the presidential race. The story line moves forward at a rapid pace as Alexander and Ailis battle with each other and within themselves in a fine historical tale.

Marrying the Marquis
Sara Blayne
Zebra
ISBN: 082176926X $5.99, 352 pp.

In Wells, England, highwayman Black Rose accosts Lady Constance Landford demanding her purse and a family heirloom. Constance recognizes the eyes of the masked thief as those of the Marquis of Vere, Gideon Rochelle. She feels guilty that her father ripped off Gideon when he collected on gambling debts of the latter's sire, barely buried, but refuses to give him the jewel. Gideon takes a kiss instead. The Black Rose stops Gideon's coach and demand he hand over his money. He refuses and the woman posing as the Black Rose copycat challenges him to a duel. Before they start she kisses him. Though she is quite good and would have defeated most men, Gideon disarms her. When he realizes who the Lady Black Rose is he decides she is perfect revenge for what her father did to him and his family. However, he never expected to fall in love with his pawn. MARRYING THE MARQUIS is a fast-paced Regency romance that hooks the audience from the moment that Gideon stops Constance's coach and never lets up until the final confrontation. The lead couple is a delightful dueling duo with Constance's love enabling Gideon to rise above his thirst for vengeance. As expected from Sara Blayne by sub-genre fans, this is a wonderful historical due to the solid repartee between Constance and Gideon.

Pure Dynamite
Lauren Bach
Zebra
ISBN: 0821776312 $6.50, 352 pp.

The storm has caused havoc throughout North Carolina so prison labor helps with the clean-up. Two members of a "chain" gang Adam Duval and Lyle McEdwin escape together. Since Adam orchestrated the escape, Lyle promised that his father and three brothers (ranked 1-4 by the FBI) will hide them. Lyle contacts his brother Nevin who tells him to go to a storage facility in Durham. Lyle stupidly engages in a shootout with an off duty cop. Lyle and the cop are wounded before the two prisoners flee. Lyle needs medical help so Adam finds the Bay Meadow Clinic about to close for the night with only Dr. Renata Curtis inside. Nevin calls and says bring Renata with them to keep Lyle alive. Adam calls his FBI contact Stan to say everything has gone wrong in their efforts to capture Lyle's father Willie. Only Stan and former FBI head Falco know that Adam is undercover. As they follow Nevin's instructions, Adam and Lyle flee with Renata as a hostage. Struggling to keep her safe and complete the mission, Adam and Renata falls in love. The suspense hooks the audience from the start and never decelerates until the final confrontation. Adding to the high tension is Adam and Renata, who both knows that the time and place are wrong, but yet it feels so right. Though treachery adds a surprise terse spin, it feels inconceivable; still readers will immensely appreciate this tight thriller that needs a warning label for its graphic sexual encounters between the stars. This is a great romantic suspense.

Soul City
Toure
Little, Brown
ISBN: 0316741582 $19.95, 184 pp.

Chocolate City Magazine sends journalist Cadillac Jackson on the soul train to write a short piece on the mayoral election in Soul City. Though his assignment is expected to last three days, Cadillac has ambitions that only residents of the City would have; he plans to write the definitive book on the city with more Mojo than any other in the world. In his opinion others have tried to explain the heart of Soul City, but all have failed. Cadillac observes the mayoral race in which the parties serve up their musical platforms, but also sees the undercurrent of antagonism between the rivals in what is the supposed African-American utopia. He sees, hears and tastes the true culture and feels his heart go into palpitations when he meets resident Mahogany Sunflower. However, as Cadillac falls in love, he also realizes evil is undercutting the value of being a black man as thugs, like serpents in Eden, and a billionaire business bogie threaten the well being of the proud black culture tearing at the soul that makes Soul City dance to its own drummer. SOUL CITY is an exhilarating allegorical tale that satirizes racial stereotypes through hyperbole. The effervescent well written story line contains an intriguing comparison of a pure "cornbread" society through the eyes of a white toasted outsider. Ironically, the overstatement jabs the message into the reader's face without the swift subtly of A Modest Proposal, but also hooks the audience with its strong spirit to embrace difference.

Persuasive Evidence
R. Barri Flowers
Leisure
ISBN: 0843954698 $6.99, 368 pp.

Assistant District Attorneys Jordan La Fontaine and Jerrod Wresler compete for the position of Chief, Homicide Division Bureau, but the former believes being a black female works against her while the latter believes that gives her an edge. Jordan currently works the case of a Portland homicide detective killing his former wife. If she gets a conviction she has the promotion. This is an open and shut case because the police officer was found in his ex-spouse's bedroom covered in blood and holding the murder weapon. Jordan's son Trevor is charged with killing two acquaintances. The police have not found the murder weapon, but have an eyewitness who claims seeing the suspect leave the crime scene and a victim's blood is on Trevor's clothing. Others claim he had a fight with one of the dead victims and said the guy was going to die. Defending Trevor in what also appears to be an open and shut case is Simon, former partner of the suspect's dead father and his mother's lover. Unable to remain on the sidelines, Jordan conducts her own sleuthing independent of the official investigation. R. Barri Flowers has written a superb legal thriller that offers the reader an excellent look at the jurisprudence system and how race is a key card. Jordan received the cop case because she and the detective are black; the victim being white apparently is irrelevant. What is interesting is how concealed the race element is yet how significant it effects all aspects of the legal system, but is kept silent for fear of reprisal. PERSUASIVE EVIDENCE will appeal to fans of John Grisham and Linda Fairstein.

Wet and Wild
Sandra Hill
Leisure
ISBN: 0843951591 $6.99, 384 pp.

In San Diego SEAL Ensign Torolf Magnussen is injured saving his mates from what could have been a deadly incident. Physician Lieutenant Alison MacLean treats Torlf, who is given a month off to heal from his injuries. Meanwhile back in 1010 Jutland, Torolf's bored brother Ragnor drowns during a raid. However instead of dying, he arrives in the middle of a watery training exercise that his sibling was forced to skip due to the injuries. Everyone assumes that Ragnor is Torolf although no one can figure out how he healed so fast. However, when Ragnor sees Alison for the first time, he knows she is perfect for him although her brother Ian is the pain in charge of his training. Alison cannot believe that this SEAL desires her and is willing to take the wrath of her protective older brother to make her his mate. Sandra Hill's time travel Viking tales are some of the weirdest wackiest novels on the market that are always entertaining fun to read. WET AND WILD is a terrific story that the audience will enjoy as Ragnor breaks all the modern day rules to persue what he believes is rightfully his. The support cast provides the leagues of depth to a wonderful modern day Viking naval romance that also implies another Viking transplant, hopefully sister Madrene driving Ian nuts.

The Fall
Claudia Dain
Leisure
ISBN: 0843952210 $6.99, 374 pp.

In the twelfth century, fourteen years old Juliane of Stanora marries a man selected by her father. However, before she is bedded her spouse dies. Juliane earns an unfair name as Lady Frost. A few years later, womanizing Ulrich of Caen arrives at Stanora with plans to enhance his reputation by defrosting Juliane "le Gel". However, she considers him a handsome loser, the "Lord of Nothing" as he has no property or anything else. When Juliane's dad becomes ill, he worries about whom will protect his beloved daughter so noticing the attraction between his guest and his child beyond the face of their war, he arranges a marriage between his daughter and Ulrich. However, on the way to the ceremony, Juliane is abducted leaving Ulrich to risk his life to save the woman he loves. Fans will appreciate this fine medieval romantic rendition of The Taming of the Shrew (though Lady Frost is actually a nicer person than Kiss Me Kate is). The story line starts slow until the lead couple turn into enemy combatants. From that moment the tale never looks back as the fine duet turns into Beloved Enemies. Though a late twist adds suspense, the tale belongs to the gender warring warriors.

Texas Glory
Elaine Barbieri
Leisure
ISBN: 0843954086 $6.99, 352 pp.

In 1869 with the death of her beloved mother, Honor Gannon decides it is time to confront her biological womanizing father for ruining her mom and ignoring her. She travels to Logan, Texas where instead of finding a virile aging Lotharios, she meets an ailing Buck and his wife. Even worse than her sympathy towards her dad, Honor is attracted to his new hand Jace Rule. As she obtains work at the Texas Star, she vows not to allow passion or love to cause her the heartache that her mother suffered through when Buck chose to stay with his spouse. However, Jace is quite persistent that Honor will be his. The middle book in the Texas Star trilogy is an enjoyable historical romance starring two magnificent lead protagonists and a fine support cast starting with the ailing Buck. The story line is fun to follow as Jace has his work cut out for him to persuade his beloved that his intentions are honorable as she fears being a chip off the old block. Though less dark and with no major conflict unlike the first tale, TEXAS STAR, Elaine Barbieri provides a solid story built around whether Honor will stay or not with Jace.

Wishes on Water
Dana George
Leisure
ISBN: 0843954493 $5.99

In 1856 after being in Kansas City Samuel "Mac" MacCallister returns home to Lake Okoboji, Iowa after being away for four months. His neighbor and best friend Rowland Gardner informs Mac that he "lent" his cabin to Sadie Pritchard, a widow with a child recovering from smallpox and another small son. Instead of grieving for her abusive husband, with her child recuperating and the other on healthy, Sadie thinks the world is looking good though she knows she will need a home by winter when this Mac returns. However, when Mac arrives he allows Sadie to stay for now while the lad continues to heal, but once he does he expects her to join the next wagon train west. Mac does not trust women since his former wife hurt him, but admits the pretty Sadie is good with her kids and his baby. As they fall in love, a small band of Sioux begin a quest that will lead to bloodshed. WISHES ON WATER is a fine western romance starring two delightful protagonists whose previous respective relationships left each of them with negative feelings towards marriage. The story line contains two major subplots with the romance and intermingling of the families being the prime one while the confrontation between the Sioux-white settlers the other. Though the latter is well written especially from the Indian perspective, that seems more like unnecessary angst and suspense that takes away from the fabulous principal plot. Still sub-genre fans will treasure Dana George's strong historical.

Savage Hope
Cassie Edwards
Leisure
ISBN: 0843950544 $6.99, 372 pp.

In 1880 Bright Arrow, Chief of the Thunderbird Clan of the Makah tribe enjoys his life especially how his people are thriving in the peaceful environs of Washington over looking the aptly named Pacific though the squaws want him married. His calm falls apart when he sees a blond beauty crossing a frozen covered pond that he doubts can hold a child's weight since the heavy rains have begun melting the ice. The lovely vision falls through the ice, but Bright Arrow saves her life. Ballet dancer Kathia Parish knows she is fortunate that the strong Indian saved her life. She feels she owes the handsome Bright Arrow, but has no idea how to pay anyone, let alone an Indian, for rescuing her from certain death. As the twosome becomes better acquainted, they do the taboo of falling in love. Besides her career, though they want to be together, his tribe needs him and her ailing father needs her. Cassie Edwards has provided her most refreshing "Savage" tale in years as the lead couple has issues to deal with rather than the usual odious powerful white male causing trouble. The story line provides readers with a glimpse of Pacific Northwest Indian life in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Although quite descriptive, the key to this tale is the wonderful lead couple; seemingly the only resolution to their dilemma means one of them has to concede a lifestyle as compromise appears impossible. Ms. Edwards furbishes a winner to her myriad of readers.

L'Affaire
Diane Johnson
Plume
ISBN: 0452285631 $14.00, 340 pp.

In Palo, Alto, California, Amy Hawkins made a fortune in the dot-com boom. Feeling she owes for her fortunate life, Amy decides to improve herself before doing good deed. She heads to the Alps ski resort Hotel Croix St. Bernard in Valmeri, France where she plans to learn everything French in two weeks. The good deed surfaces when she pays for the return of dying publisher Adrian Venn, injured in an avalanche to England. Venn's family gathers to carve up the estate with each expecting to trump the other. Amy finds herself in a loony bin as Venn's two adult children and his illegitimate French daughter expect to eliminate their father's young comatose (from the accident) American wife and their infant step-brother from the estate competition before the final battle royal between themselves. Even the solicitors from France and England are skirmishing over who does what to whom arguing which country takes precedence. Finally there are also the outside straphangers ready to take a slice. With all that and bed hopping, romance, and affairs while everyone disparages those damn Yankees Amy Hawkins has learned a valuable lesson that no good deed goes unpunished. The key to this humorous coffin romp is the ensemble cast mourning their loss or celebrating their gain seem genuine as Diane Johnson provides a deep look at values. The story line is a comedy of errors with everyone misinterpreting the actions and motivations of everyone else because they constantly impose their values on how others will behave. Fans will appreciate this intelligent amusing but dark avarice bedroom manners Rape of the Lock.

Tearjerker
Daniel Hayes
Graywolf Press
ISBN: 1555974090 $15.00, 224 pp.

As far back as he can remember Evan Ulmer has wanted to be a writer. After years of receiving rejection letters, he snaps. He abducts New York editor Robert Partnow at gun point. He places his "guest" in the basement of his home in Saxhurst, New Jersey. The basement is contained by a chain link fence and even has a porto-toilet. Obviously Evan has planned this caper for some time. Bob remains incarcerated for forty-five days, but Evan never physically harmed him in anyway and they actually shared meaningful dialogues. Bob believes that if they met in a more acceptable manner, they would have been friends. At the same as the kidnapping, Evan meets Promise, a woman over a decade younger than him who also wants to become a writer. Her optimism grips Evan, who gives away too much information. Promise goes to Evan's house demanding to see the basement. He shows her and she demands he free Bob. Evan will soon learn that there are worse punishments than prison. There is very little action in the TEARJERKER as the story line contains conversations between the three primary players (similar in many way to the Collector).The protagonist cannot explain to himself why he kidnapped Bob, but a lot of what is inside Evan and his prisoner come out during their discussions. This crime thriller is different in tone than most of the sub-genre because of the dialogues and the ironic ending. Readers will like this predominantly passive character study that subtly keeps the audience attention from the moment Evan acts until the final chat.

Good Morning Midnight
Reginald Hill
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060528079 $24.95, 448 pp.

A decade ago a man committed suicide in the Moscow House in Yorkshire. Now his son Pal Maciver kills himself in the same place in the same manner while his spouse Sue Lynn was playing patient-doctor in the bed of her lover Tom Lockridge. Detective Superintendent Andy Dalziel and Detective Chief Inspector Peter Pascal head the inquiries into what is obvious, a locked door suicide. As the police investigate, Andy seems to be thinking with his wrong head as he appears to compromise the case by his relationship with Kay Kafta, widow of Maciver the father and stepmother to Maciver the son. Even stranger is that Andy led the inquiries into the father's suicide. As the international corporate world and government spies intersect the investigation, Peter worries that Andy is covering up the working of a killing feline due to desire for the merry widow. GOOD MORNING, MIDNIGHT is an entertaining Dalziel and Pascal police procedural more for their battling (seem like a married couple) than the actual investigation. Peter is very concerned that Andy has stepped over the ethics line to protect Kay and wonders if the DS did the same ten years ago. This is a terrific British cop series with the investigations always fun to follow, but this time especially pleasurable is when the lead couple fuss, fight, and fume.

Snow-Walker
Catherine Fisher
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060724749 $17.99, 512 pp.

The malevolent Snow-walker Gudrun came from the ice to use the Ragnar patriarch to become the ruler of the realm. She married Lord Jarl Ragnar, who is her puppet unable to independently think anymore. Recently, she sent a blizzard to put down a resurrection by the rightful ruling family, the Wulfings. Using her spouse, she exiles the next generation of Wulfings, cousins Jessa Horolsdaughter and Thorkil Harroldsson, to remote Thrasseshall on the edge of the world. There they will live with her son, rumored to be a monster that no one outside that isolated frozen hold has seen since he was born. Jessa meets Gudron's offspring Kari Ragnarsson, who is a Snow-walker with his mother's powers but is different due to the upbringing of his "caretaker" Brochael Gunnarsson who has showered him with love and understanding. Kari is the only hope to free her people from the icy grip of the evil sorceress, but can he commit matricide and if yes, can those who care for him like her keep him from becoming a chip off the maternal block? SNOW-WALKER combines a wonderful action-packed trilogy into a fabulous single volume fantasy that will thrill middle school readers. The Nordic saga is fantastic because of the cast that are deeper than the snow that is everywhere. The heroes are a superb group while the villain is so terrifically nasty that the audience will shiver as much from her as from the climate. However, the story belongs to Kari, raised in isolation as a "creature", he must decide between his mother's pleas to become her sidekick or the entreaty of those residing in the tundra with him to save the world from her.

Going Postal
Terry Pratchett
HarperCollins
ISBN: 0060013133 $24.95, 384 pp.

He is a thief, a con-man, and an embezzlerand the law finally catches up to Moist von Lipwig when is arrested. He refuses to tell anyone where he hid the $150,000 in ill-gotten gains. He is hung, but awakens in the Patrician Lord Vetinari's office. The despot had the hangman cut off the criminal's air supply so that everyone would think he died and now he has a proposition for Moist. The postal system in Ankh Morpork does not work; if Moist wants to live, he will make the post office a viable enterprise. His parole officer, Pump the golem, makes sure that Moist performs his duties. The post office is a mess piled up with decades of undelivered mail. Then there is the successful rival, the almost instantaneous communication service clacks run by Mr. Gilt, who has let the system deteriorate with many delays while prices have turned astronomically inflated. Mr. Gilt tries to drive Moist out of business, but the felon has become a hero to the common folks. Moist challenges his opponent to a delivery duel to see who can bring the mail faster to a specific spot. Of course this is Moist's game but the antagonist is no ignorant fool when it comes to illegal activity. May the best thief win! This is a fun fantasy that takes the so-called ineffectiveness of the postal service to extremes. Moist finds that he gains as much satisfaction fixing the process as he does running a scam. Terry Pritchett has once again delivered an overnight reading experience filled with hyperbole, an insane setting and wild antics by the fantastic cast. GOING POSTAL lampoons many sacred cows, elephants, and donkeys without offending anyone except postal employees as Mr. Pritchett provides another superb satirical fantasy.

The Jaguar Knights
Dave Duncan
Eos
ISBN: 0060555114 $24.95, 400 pp.

He is the King's Blade, bound to the monarch in a binding magical spell that forces him to protect his liege lord even though Sir Wolf despises the sneaky and untrustworthy royal. King Athelgar sends Sir Wolf and the Inquisitor Delores (a magic practitioner) to the Fortress of Quondom where raiders made off with the regal cast-off mistress Celeste. When the duo arrives they find magic was used to cause genocide and strange ornaments and curios unknown in Chivrial were left behind by the invaders who managed to escape. Even more perplexing is finding a human arm with the claw of a jaguar on it. Delores does not recognize the magic used here, but they learn that the warriors come from the island of El Dorado in the little known lands across the sea. The pair travels there hoping to uncover the secrets of the strange magic and why the assault happened. This quest is not easy because El Dorado is an island at war with Distlain; the islanders have plans to stop them at all costs. THE JAGUAR KNIGHTS is a fascinating sword and sorcery fantasy that takes place for the mots part far away from Chivrial. There is plenty of action and romance as the Blade and the Inquisitor go on their grand adventure together. Dave Duncan's Blade series is an Indiana Jones-Lara Croft action thriller with magic a part of the storyline to add an extra spell on readers. Mr. Duncan continues to raise the S&S bar of excellence that few can achieve.

Marque and Reprisal
Elizabeth Moon
Del Rey
ISBN:0345447581 $24.95, 324 pp.

Captain Kylara Vatta works hard at getting her ancient spaceship ready so that she can make money trading and to learn what happened on planet Lastway where an assault destroyed communications. When her vessel ready, she uses her Aunt Gracie's diamond-stuffed fruitcake to hire mercenaries to protect her and other independent ships as they begin the trek to Lastway. An offensive on planet Slotter Key destroys and kills most of Ky's family and destroys her family's Headquarters; communications are once again devastated. Ky vows to help other Vatta survivors and to learn who the enemy is and why Vatta is the target or is it something even bigger like the ISC monopoly; ultimately she plans to destroy their foes. Ky rescues two Vatta survivors, agent Stella and ship's apprentice Toby, and obtains help from handsome secret agent rogue Rafe Madeston as she confronts another Vatta vessel, but to attack when they may be family or to remain passive when they may be foe is the question; hesitation could mean death yet rashness could mean killing kin. The outer space action on and off planet is incredible as the pace is way faster than the sped of light. Even with the fantastic adventures, the cast is fully developed especially the heroine who faces The Lady or the Tiger dilemma with a wrong choice proving fatal either to her and her crew or to family survivors. The secondary players add depth to making the action believable yet exhilarating as Ky must decide in nanoseconds what to do.

Weapons of Choice
John Birmingham
Del Rey
ISBN: 0345457129 $15.95, 434 pp.

In 2021, a 12,000 United Nations multinational military force gathers in the Pacific to end the ethnic cleansing of Chinese and Christians by the brutal Islamic Fundamentalist regime in Indonesia. However, an experiment goes awry aboard one of the ships, the Joint Research Vessel Nagoya; much of the joint task force is sent through a wormhole to 1942. Most of the vessels end up in the middle of the American fleet heading to battle off Midway Island; however some fall into the hands of the Japanese. The two allied navies struggle to interrelate as the mid twentieth century one is 100 percent white male while the twenty-first century group is diverse and multiracial with a high percent of females on board. When the future force fire power comes into being along with their knowledge of the war outcome, the American navy feels confident until the reality that the crew of the USS Hilary Clinton and others has changed the future. The Japanese now sees the technological means of winning the war with the vessels they have captured. This is an exciting alternate history tale with terrific battles that military science fiction readers will appreciate. The individual cast members are overshadowed by the varying collective attitudes of the future and "present" militaries. The 1940s navy is racist and sexist while the 2021 navy has women and minority in leadership positions. Finally how the futurists see terrorism after two decades since 9/11 is subtly superb with the 1940s crowd unable to envision Twin Towers let alone jets destroying them. John Birmingham opens his Axis of Time Trilogy with a fabulous comparative analysis of then vs. an extrapolated conversion of a future now.

Return Engagement: Book One of the Settling Accounts Trilogy
Harry Turtledove
Del Rey
ISBN: 0345457234 $26.95, 623 pp.

Just less than three decades have passed since The Great War ended all wars though rivalry and hatred persist. North America has had a fragile peace, but resentment grows from those who lost the Great War, but in 1941 America's hope for the future under the rule of Socialist President Al Smith has grown. President of the Confederate States of America Jake Featherston shatters the dream, sending his bombers on a sneak attack of Philadelphia, capital of his northern enemies. Jake expected the Americans and in his mind weak leader would immediate break, but shockingly they retaliate by bombing Charleston. Still the Gray Army blitzkrieg across the USA reaches Lake Erie in a tide of destruction. Meanwhile the Mormons once again try to secede from the Union to forge a theocracy in Utah, fortress Canada supporters demolish the needed rail link, and Northern Negroes led by CSA compatriot Louis Armstrong bitterly scream of genocide to the south. The latest Greatest War has exploded all over the North American continent and even as far away as Alaska under Tsarist rule and is in jeopardy of blood flowing. The first Settling Accounts tale is absolutely incredible as alternate history and military fiction readers will cherish this keeper. The story line is fast-paced and action-packed as the CSA strikes with uncanny assault on an unprepared USA. The repercussions are felt all over the continent and consequently around the world with such leaders like Churchill seeing an opportunity to return England to its sun never sets days of glory. The reaction to the genocide is mindful of Rwanda and furbishes the final ingredient to Harry Turtledove's incredible epic RETURN ENGAGEMENT.

Dating Games
R. M. Johnson
Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 0743244559 $12.00, 310 pp.

In Chicago, with her twin daughters now seventeen and sick of depending on loser males, nurse's assistant thirty-three years old Livvy Rodgers decides to take care of herself for a change after years of struggling to put food on the table by returning to school to become a registered nurse. Her daughter Hennesey, an honor student with a college scholarship supports the decision; her other daughter street wise Aliz, who is going nowhere, detests the decision because she will have to earn a living instead of sponging off her mom. Rafe Collins spent three years behind bars for a crime he did not commit as he protected his friend Smoke. Rafe works as an auto mechanic at Smoke's car dealership, which the latter uses to traffic in drugs. Rafe meets Livvy and they begin to fall in love while mom Livvy meets nice Wade Williams; besides trying to steal Rafe from her sister, Aliz and her street pals make money rolling drunks. However, they chose the wrong target when they mugged Smoke, who takes this as an affront to his manhood and plans vengeance on Aliz and anyone she might hold dear. This is an interesting look at the mean streets as readers compare the twins' diametrically opposite ways out of the slums. Though Hennesey works at it while Aliz seeks shortcuts to the good life, fans will understand the attitudes of both even the latter's selfish yet realistic outlook. Thus the strong story line provides varying perspectives through its solid cast though the ending seems sappy after the flow of blood.

Love and the Single Heiress
Jacquie D'Alessandro
Avon
ISBN: 0060536713 $6.99, 384 pp.

The male members of the Ton are outraged by the impact of the scandalous "A Ladies Guide to the Pursuit of Personal Happiness and Marital Fulfillment by some traitor calling himself Charles Brightmore. Wives are literally jumping the bones of their stunned husbands, who feel that the women need to display more decorum so that they can play with their mistresses instead. Feeling civilization is in peril of collapse, several lords hire Andrew Starter to uncover the identity of this rogue; some even go so far as threaten to kill the scoundrel. Andrew has been in love with wealthy widow Catherine Ashfield long before she even married, but did nothing because of their respective stations. He has decided to pursue the merry widow with a passion that he does not feel in his inquiries into who is Brightmore. As he begins to court his beloved, he also gets closer to finding Brightmore not realizing yet that if he identifies the author he places his Catherine in peril from the angry male aristocracy. This tongue in cheek Regency amateur sleuth romance is a strong tale due to the lead couple. Catherine has no plans to marry again while Andrew has made it goal in life to wed her. The reaction of the Ton to the self help book is amusing as the men are outraged and the women are assertive taking what they now feel is their right. Jacquie D'Alessandro provides a fine tale that sort of stands Lysistrata on its head.

Schooling Carmen
Kathleen Cross
Avon
ISBN: 0060936452 $12.95, 341 pp.

Drop dead gorgeous Carmen DuPre cannot understand why someone as beautiful and connected as she is has to work in the abominable Eastside of Los Angeles rather than the Westside where she feels she belongs. If daddy still lived that "mistake" would never have occurred. Carmen struggles to breath in a sea of Spanish speaking Mexican-American students as a guidance counselor at Overton High School. Spelman never prepared her for these lowlifes. Carmen is stunned when she learns that she has breast cancer that will require deforming her perfect figure. Since her looks is everything to Carmen, she leans towards doing nothing as she figures death is preferable to deformity. Mexican-American automobile mechanic Pedro Camacho works on Carmen's Lexus while trying to get through to this material girl that there is more to living than looks; he knows first hand having lost his beloved son to cancer. Dedicated math teacher Eugene Timms also keeps her off balance, but he is a geek and she only goes with hunks for Carmen sees the world as SKIN DEEP, but if she does not obtain an epiphany soon she will see the world from underground. In some ways the tale wraps up to easily yet fans will appreciate this powerful vigorous look at what matters, which street corner philosopher Pedro knows is obvious yet so many fail to see it. Readers will appreciate the powerful cast even the snobbery of Carmen as she struggles between disfigured living and being perfect until death. Well written and fun to follow, the simplicity of SCHOOLING CARMEN makes for a deep read reminding the audience to remember what really counts.

Masquerading the Marquess
Anne Mallory
Avon
ISBN: 0060587873 $5.99, 384 pp.

In 1823 caricaturist Calliope Minton, using the pseudonym Landis, hates nobles taking great fun out of ridiculing their foibles. To gain access to her subjects, she dons disguises; currently she works as Lady Simpson's companion. Her prime target of late has been Marques James Trenton, who observes her as her behavior gets her fired. She leaves with her head up high and her cane left behind. Not long afterward, Calliope arranges through her mentor Robert Cruickshank to pretend to be a courtesan attached to Stephen Chalmers, who has just come in from the cold. James who works undercover with Stephen immediately recognizes his beautiful companion as Calliope and not Esmeralda as she claims. When someone abducts Stephen, James and Calliope try to rescue him and to uncover the identity of the traitor in the Home Office even though he ponders her masquerades and how they link to the vanishing while the duo also falls in love. This entreating Regency romantic suspense works on several levels mostly because of the relationship that started dysfunctional between the lead couple. The support cast enhances the exhilarating story line in which the espionage elements take off much later than the romantic caricatures do, but quickly picks up speed as Calliope sees a different facet to James and he wonders if her secrets have to with Stephen's disappearance. Sub-genre readers will enjoy this delightful historical treat.

The Beauty and the Spy
Gayle Callen
Avon
ISBN: 0060543957 $5.99, 384 pp.

In 1844 at a party, undercover spy Nicholas Wright seeks a female traitor so he cuts a deal with one of her minions, Campbell. Overhearing the transaction is widow Charlotte Sinclair, daughter of the recently retired spymaster and Nicholas' former boss. Campbell wants Charlotte dead immediately, but Nicholas tells him this is not the place and he will take care of this intrusion. Nicholas and his partner Sam abduct Charlotte to keep her safe. As the plot boils and the danger increases, Charlotte takes risks too feeling she is a chip off the old block having recently read her father's journals. Nicholas finds himself panicking over her safety as he has fall in love with her; she reciprocates his feelings but wonders whose side is he really on? This engaging Victorian romance, the second in the "Spies and Lovers" series, is a fabulous espionage love story that takes readers for quite a ride once Charlotte is discovered. The story line moves at a fast pace as Charlotte tries to escape as she believes her kidnappers will dispose of her at the first convenient moment. Worse to this feisty young woman is that she is attracted to Nicholas though she vowed never again after a brutal marriage. That odd relationship makes for a terrific historical.

Whole Lotta Trouble
Stephanie Bond
Avon
ISBN: 006056542X $6.99, 384 pp.

In Manhattan, Parkbench Publishing Editor Tallie Blankenship has spent nine years at the company that releases romance and mystery novels. When her boss Ron Springer tells her he has to leave town, he also assigns her with handling their top selling writer Gaylord Cooper. At the same time her nutty domestic engineer extraordinaire mom asks her to meet her best friend's son Keith Wages, who turns out to be a cop living in a house in Brooklyn. Keith saves her life when a robber begins shooting at a restaurant where they meet for the first time. Keith likes Tallie and wants to see her, but she is reluctant because she is the polar opposite of her mother as undomesticated as they come. Still, as he investigates a murder of a cohort they fall in love, but will Tallie see he wants her just the way she is. This is a delightful police procedural romance with two wonderful tales of love (Tallie's best friend and mentor, a closet domesticate and a biking messenger besides the obvious lead couple). The story line focuses more on relationships especially between Tallie and Keith rather than the investigation though the latter enhances the fine warm tale of an odd couple falling in love.

His Every Kiss
Laura Lee Guhrke
Avon
ISBN: 006054175X $5.99, 384 pp.

In 1827 three months has lapsed since England's greatest contemporary musician Dylan Moore fell off the horse and suffered a concussion. Now he cannot sleep nor hear the music anymore as a terrible buzzing inside his head drowns out everything. Tired, he grabs a pistol and walks to the Charing Cross Palladium where a violin playing char woman talks him out of suicide. He heeds her advice because for a brief moment he heard the music, but once she left he returns to the buzzing. Five years later, Dylan recognizes the char woman at a party because he can once again hear the music inside his head. He goes up to Grace Cheval and tells her he hates her for getting him to stay alive. As they begin to see one another, she is reluctant to fall in love with an artist as she still remembers the passion of her first husband, a renowned painter that nearly drowned her in its intensity. This enticing late Regency romance stars an intense compassionate artist and the woman that keeps him sane. The story line centers on the relationship between Dylan and Grace as she inspires him to compose terrific music while also having doubts about involvement with another brooding, egotistical, and arrogant artist who believes in the magic of love as she brings the music out of him one loving spoonful at a time.

Hot On the Trail
Jane Isenberg
Avon
ISBN 0060577517 $6.99, 336 pp.

Tenured Professor Bel Barrett carries a full load of classes at the River Edge Community College in Jersey City, but she takes on even more work when she intervenes to teach a memoir writing class at the Senior Center. Her live-in-lover Sol wants her to set a wedding date and start making plans but Bel finds herself putting him off because the thought of planning a wedding exhausts her. As a post-menopause woman, Bel has stopped using the estrogen potion and has trouble maintaining bladder control. While she deals with all these demands, a student in her class Flora Tomaselli tells Bel that fellow student Dom is dead. He went up to the roof in his pajamas, fell down, and froze to death. Flora also thinks her father was murdered by her uncle Emilio who owed him a large sum of money and wants Bel to prove it. Bel who always comes alive during criminal investigations agrees but Emilio has an airtight alibi and there are suspects closer to home. Bel Barrett does for Hoboken what Stephanie Plum does for Trenton. This is an upbeat amateur sleuth tale in which the major characters are in their fifties. Jane Isenberg makes it clear that life does not stop once a person reaches the half century mark; it just gets better. If the heroine is any example that is certainty true because she has a lust for life and an appreciation of it that younger people don't have. HOT ON THE TRAIL is a charming romantic amateur sleuth mystery.

A Date on Cloud Nine
Jenna McKnight
Avon
ISBN: 0060549289 $5.99, 384 pp.

Multimillionaire widow Lilly Marquette reluctantly shops inside the Cloud Nine Adult Shop to purchase a birthday present for her best friend Betsy when the furnace explodes. Lilly ends up in a transition port where two angels inform her that she once again failed to get it right in her latest lifetime. They agree to send her back but to remain she must give away her eighteen million dollars and have a baby by her next birthday. Lilly accepts the terms because she always wanted a child. Jake Murdoch is filling in for his neighbor when the furnace exploded at Cloud Nine. He rescues Lilly. He knows her as he was best man at her wedding to the now deceased Brady and blames her for the destruction of their company. He also fell in love with her at Brady's wedding, but wants nothing to do with her as he believes she betrayed him and the honor of her late spouse. Lilly thinks he is to be her earthly mentor to guide her so will not allow him to walk away from her. As she fosters herself on him, Jake and Lilly fall in love, but the cherished Brady casts a shadow over their relationship. This is entertaining paranormal romance starring two wonderful protagonists and several fabulous secondary players including the two angels. The story line moves forward at a brisk pace, but it is the reaction of people who know Lilly to her seemingly changed personality after the near death experience that makes for a fine time. Fans will appreciate this tale and clamor for a sequel starring Betsy and a cute emergency technician (with or without the angels).

A Lady of His Own
Stephanie Laurens
Avon
ISBN: 006059330X $6.99, 448 pp.

In 1816 Bastion Club member Charles St. Austell feels good for some of his fellow founders that have found love and marriage, but also is impatient for him to find and marry the proper uncomplicated wife. With that in mind and the need to pick his own spouse without matchmaking interferences from well meaning mamas, Charles takes advantage of a Home Office assignment to learn if someone is smuggling secrets out of country near his home. At his house, Charles sees Lady Penelope Selborne sneaking around the home. Unbeknownst to him, Penelope believes that her distant cousin Nicholas is working with the smugglers and seeks the evidence to prove her assertion. As she gets embroiled in danger, Charles tries to keep her safe until he realizes he has fallen in love with an improper complicated woman. Though very similar to the previous tales (see A Gentleman's Honor) fans of Stephanie Laurens' rousing Regency romances will appreciate this latest romance as the lead couple competes to uncover the identity of who is giving away secrets to the smugglers. Charles does not believe Penelope meets his criteria for a wife although he cannot help being there as she faces perils because to his chagrin he loves her. Fans will enjoy observing the restless hyperactive Charles meet his match in the living on the edge Penelope.

Since You Are Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash
Dixie Carter
Avon
ISBN: 0060595361 $5.99, 384 pp.

In Salt Lick, Texas, someone murders wealthy but odious Pearl Ann Carruthers. Because of her nasty haughty ways, most of the townsfolk detested Pearl Ann, but who would go so far as to commit homicide has proven difficult to law enforcement officials. Salon owner Debbie Sue Overstreet figures she can have some solid gossip to share with her customers since her former spouse Buddy is the sheriff and on the case. When Debbie Sue learns that Peal Ann's family is offering a reward of $50K, she decides to do some sleuthing, but knows she must not let Buddy learn what she is doing or he would take a fit. She also knows she must coax him into revealing insider information without his knowing why she is asking him; the latter is simple as he is a man and she can pretend it is for salon gossip. However, as Debbie Sue stumbles about, the killer keeps an eye on her to make sure that she does not get unlucky because she will die if she learns the truth. Dixie Carter provides readers with an amusing Texas amateur sleuth second chance at love romance that will have readers loving every move that Debbie Sue makes. The story line is action-packed as the heroine decides that detective work cannot be that hard as Buddy does it so well, not that she demeans the best former spouse in the world. Buddy is a bewildered flabbergasted straight man to the wild antics of Debbie Sue (who converted a gas station into a hair salon). Sequel is in order for this delightful pair.

Temptations of a Proper Governess
Cathy Maxwell
Avon
ISBN: 006009298X $6.99, 384 pp.

In 1803 Michael Severson accompanied by his blood brother Alex Haddon returns to England after spending a decade in Canada. If not for an honest judge, Michael would have hung for the murder of his actress lover Aletta Calendri; even his family believes he killed her. Now he plans to catch the killer starting with Lord Elswick who went after him with a vengeance; Michael believes Elswick felt his son Henry committed the act so diverted attention from his heir. When a host tries to trick Michael into marrying his teen daughter, the governess Isabel Halloran intervenes, but he begins seducing her instead. Michael does the right thing when they are caught together by marrying her. Initially he saw her as an avenue to get back at her father Elswick even if she is illegitimate. However, Michael soon falls in love with his pawn; she reciprocates, but refuses to believe he cares for her beyond using her as an expendable item. This entertaining Regency romance uses the over-killed theme of vengeance turning to love, but fans will still appreciate the fine story line due to the lead couple's struggles with their relationship and Michael's quest for who set him up to take the murder rap. Readers will admire Isabel from the moment she asks Michael if he killed Aletta and believes him when he says no. The support cast augments the prime plot as most including his beloved and his confident Alex (who has his own quest) think the worst of Michael, which makes the best for sub-genre readers.

A Scandal to Remember
Linda Needham
Avon
ISBN: 0060514124 $5.99, 384 pp.

In 1851, Gentlemen Rogues Secret Agent Andrew Chase hates his current assignment as bodyguard to Princess Carolina of Boratania. He feels he can survive watching the spoiled pampered highness whom he never has met since it is only one month of hell. At a party in her honor, Drew observes Carolina just take over until she slips out to a nearby maze; he follows her and accosts her informing Carolina that he will keep her safe. As they fall in love, assassins try to prevent Carolina from being proclaimed Empress by killing her with her beloved keeping her safe. Besides her official duty ending anything permanent, Drew has a secret that he knows he must divulge, but once he tells her he fears Carolina's love will turn to hate. This is a terrific Victorian romance as Carolina surprises Drew by being anything but a spoiled royal. The conflict between the princess and her bodyguard is cleverly conceived so that readers see Drew slowly change his mind about his dependent until he falls in love with her. Though Carolina is perhaps a too perfect pretty princess, fans will appreciate this tale in which her champion would rather die to keep her safe although he knows nothing can ever come of his deep regard and love for his sweet diamond.

Macumba
J.A. Terry
Aventine
ISBN: 1593301499 $14.95, 250 pp.

Abandoned as a baby in the Louisiana Bayou, Jade Devlin has become a mixed up adult running from one affair to another and one hair-raising adventure after another. To ease the inner torment, her latest escapade, which pays very well, is to break into the computer at Fortune Pharmaceutical, the company owned by Charles Fontaine and download a specific file to give to her client. Her helper is Kitty, Charles' wife and Jade's lover. They succeed, but Jade also later steals a vial containing an unknown liquid. The vial breaks and the go-between who hired Jade, takes her to his client Benito Marcelli who masterminded both crimes. Benito is Jade's lover and is able to make her feel things that never felt before. He brings her into his world of Macumba, a religion practiced by the descendents of African slaves to include helping people through spirit possession. Benito wants to recreate the liquid that Jade lost so that he can go beyond spirit possession to spirit control. Ben is not the only man in Jade's life, but he has been most influential. Still her recent horrible experiences have changed her outlook to live life to the fullest without the destructive habits. MACUMBA is a great paranormal romantic thriller that proves J.A. Terry rivals Bentley Little for tales of paranormal suspense. Ben is not an evil man but his thirst for power makes him do evil things including murder. This is a must read for lovers of the paranormal.

Mafia Chic
Erica Orloff
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373250703 $12.95, 256 pp.

Twenty-six years old Teddi Gallo holds a special spot in the hearts of Mafiosi family. She is the only granddaughter amongst eighteen grandchildren of Don Grandfather Poppy Marcello. Teddi has protection wherever she goes as no one will allow any harm to come her. She and her cousin Quinn co-own Teddi's Italian Restaurant in Manhattan where she doubles as chef while he works the front. Conservative columnist Robert Wharton sees Teddi as an avenue to do an expose on her family; so he begins courting her. Meanwhile FBI Special Agent Mark Petrocelli stalks Teddi as if she holds the key to bring down her mob family. As both men woo her with similar goals, Teddi finds herself attracted to the Fed, but not at the cost of Poppy and her uncles. A boxing bet near the beginning of the tale sets the tone for this lighthearted Sopranos meet chick lit romp. The story line is totally played for laughs even when a serious scenario seems appropriate. Teddi is a terrific center keeping the relatives in line while her suitors behave without regard to her needs though Robert is fingered by her grandfather and Mark told to find new work. Fans who enjoy the Sopranos will appreciate this even lighter crossing of the MAFIA CHIC lit combine.

Girls' Night In
Lauren Henderson, Chris Manby, and Sarah Mlynowski (editors)
Red Dress
ISBN: 0373250746 $13.95, 336 pp.

This twenty-one chick lit anthology is a sub-genre's dream as all the tales are well-written and cross the full gamut of topics from breaking up is hard to do to making up is more fun for two, etc. The locations vary from the office to the home, etc. The authors are a who's who with many successes on their resumes. There is even the return of heroes from previous novels. This reviewer never expected to appreciate a chick lit compilation, but it seems as if the sub-genre is intended for short stories as the fit is perfect. Each tale provides enough insight into the lead protagonist so that the audience obtains strong characters dealing with life's foibles. Finally, as an added incentive earnings will go to War Child, a not for profit organization trying to help young victims of war. Readers will spend several delightful nights in appreciating this fine collection, demand Red Dress follow up with similar tales (such as BIG NIGHT OUT) while supporting the book's worthy cause.

Mean Season
Heather Cochran
Red Dress
ISBN: 037325069X $12.95, 304 pp.

Ten years ago as a young teen, Leanne Gitlin fell in love with soap opera star Joshua Reed. A few years later she became the president of his local fan club. Leanne becomes elated to learn that her hero is filming nearby her hometown of Pinecob, West Virginia. When she meets him she finds he is obnoxious. When she learns he got himself into a legal jam involving a stolen car, a DUI, and an injured cow, she agrees to guarantee his behavior with the court that places Joshua under house arrest at her home. Joshua is a boorish bore as he makes it abundantly clear that he wants nothing to do with her, her home, or her town although the locals and the media have turned his visit into a wild free for all; instead he wants to return to his urban playground. Reassessing where she is and where she is going, Leanne wonders what could have been with her former boyfriend Max Campbell. As Joshua continues to be a pain in the butt, Max returns home because he misses Leanne, who is now a fifteen minute celebrity. This is an entertaining look at fame from the perspective of an idol worshipper who watches her flesh and blood hero behave like an uncaring Prima Donna. The story line focuses on twenty-five years old Leanne who has her dreams fulfilled only to find she has landed in a nightmare as her idol, who she "slaved" for gratis as a local chapter fan club president, is an undeserving jerk. Chick lit readers will appreciate this delightful you get what you wish for tale.

The Wind Off the Sea: A Novel of the Women Who Prevailed After World War II
Charlotte Bingham
Dunne
ISBN: 0312326955 $24.95, 362 pp.

In 1947 England, the euphoria of the victory remains, but is somewhat muted by an icy winter. The bitter cold could be handled better by women if industry had not set them aside so that the men can gain employment. After all they did on the home front to insure victory; many women resent the loss of the jobs they held during the war years. The women of Bexham suffer from a lack of necessities to survive the tundra like weather, but the loss of their jobs hurts as much as the lack of heating fuel and food. When American Waldo Astley arrives at the Sussex fishing village he finds a high degree of frustration and resentment. He provides a fresh outlook as he encourages the women that they have come a long way and should not quietly return to the hearth and stove. The Bexham females have a rallying cry as Waldo brings with him the wind of change from across the Atlantic. This terrific historical tale provides an insightful look at the beginning of the baby boom years, but from the unique perspective of women suffering from a variety of depressing things in the midst of the post war euphoria. The Bexham females struggle with shortages during a brutal winter, have personnel woes that run the gamut from a miscarriage to not knowing your husband, and a deep resentment of being sent back to cook and clean. Historical fiction fans will find Charlotte Bingham's tale an astute entertaining glimpse at the era that pioneered the next generation of women to rise in the workplace.

The Essential Charlotte
Libby Schmais
Dunne
ISBN: 0312311656 $12.95, 242 pp.

Thirty something Manhattanite Charlotte Stiles cannot believe that Corrine (her mother insisted she call by her name) just died. The "Ask the Doctor" research librarian is a bit off but not just because of the death of the only person who loved her (albeit from a distance). It is hard to believe because Corrine was filled with vigor and elan traveling the globe as a nutty but likable artist.

The will shakes Charlotte to the core because Corrine's stipulation for her daughter to inherit her Soho loft, she must live there for one year with her father, whom she thought died over three decades ago. Charlotte cannot even look at him so how is she to live with William LaViolette for one year. One thing is for sure it is not by seeing a hunk of an actor. Her only help lives in San Francisco, but Paul is there for her encouraging her as they talk over the Net; that is not counting her chats with mom. When the tale concentrates on a deep character study of what is THE ESSENTIAL CHARLOTTE, the story line is superb; when the subplot dips into chick lit turf it remains fun but typical candy fare. Overall Libby Schmais keeps her novel at the highest quality levels as readers become acquainted with Charlotte through her activities, discussions with her deceased mom, and the three males (dad, the actor, and Paul) currently in her life. Fans of powerful character-driven dramas will want to read the near perfect tale of how Charlotte finds her groove.

Taking the Wrap
Dolores Johnson
Dunne
$23.95, 256 pp. ISBN 0312321155

While Laura was at the Rendezview Restaurant someone took her coat while she was taking photographs so she borrowed the last coat that was on the rack. In Laura's coat was a role of film she would like to get back and in the stranger's coat is a stamped envelope, a bottle of aspirin and a box of matches. Laura wants her friend Mandy, owner and proprietor of Dyer's Cleaning, to call other cleaners in the area to see if they have her coat. She figures they might be able to identify the other coat owner by tracing the laundry logs. When Laura leaves the cleaning store, a car deliberately hits her, breaking her le:, Mandy rushes her to the hospital. When Laura is released, Mandy goes over to her apartment with some Chinese food to cheer her up only someone in the apartment hits her from behind. Mandy thinks that her unknown assailant is looking for the photos or the coat and starts another one of her investigations that almost gets her killed. TAKING THE WRAP is an upbeat, often funny amateur sleuth mystery due to the heroine's mother's visit to take care of Laura and help Mandy in her investigation. All that does is make a bad situation worse when she tells people things they don't need to know. In between her botched matchmaking efforts, Mandy does the impossible and finds the coat that belonged to Laura's friend who no longer needs it because someone killed her. Two other people who were at the Rendezview also turn up murdered, leaving Mandy to connect the dots and find the perpetrator before Laura joins the morgue.

The Burnt Orange Sunrise
David Handler
Dunne
ISBN: 0312307357 $23.95, 304 pp.

On the surface film critic Mitch Berger and state trooper Desiree Mitry have nothing in common. She is a black Christian and he is white. She is athletically fit while he is a pudgy couch potato. She keeps her feelings inside while he is an extrovert wearing them on his sleeves. In spite of all that and more they share a terrific personal relationship. They even have successfully solved a couple of homicide cases together although murder is the last thing on their minds when they attend a society gala at Astrid's castle in Dorset, Connecticut. The party honors film director Ada Geiger, who broke the gender wall in the 1950s, but had to leave Hollywood due to the McCarthy persecutions. Her daughter Norma and her son-in-law Les own and run Astrid's castle, a hotel that is barely breaking even. The next morning, Norma is found dead in her bed from an apparent heart attack. Not long after that Ada is found also deceased, strangled by a telephone cord. Des believes that Norma was a homicide victim too and with Mitch covering her back and ignoring jurisdiction she investigates who killed the mother and daughter. Mitch and Des are definitely the odd couple, which adds to the charm of this delightful police procedural Connecticut Yankee cozy. In some ways this tale is a twenty-first century version of Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE. This is locked room mystery which makes the case more difficult for the lead duo, but more fun for the fan. David Handler provides a unique voice that uses excellent characterizations to provide a fabulous mystery.

Satan's Pony
Robin Hathaway
Dunne
ISBN: 0312333226 $22.95, 224 pp.

After a misdiagnosis caused the death of a young girl, Dr. Jo Banks quit her lucrative medical practice and tried to outrun her emotional pain. She fled to Bayfield, New Jersey to become the doctor on call to various models in the area. She lives in a suite at the Oakview Motor Lodge and uses a cabin to see private patients. The tranquility ends when the rowdy noisy Satan's Apostle motorcycle gang arrives to stay at the motel. Her first reaction is that the boisterous group consist of criminals and quickly realizes that as a teenager she knew the club leader Pi, an MIT drop-out. She soon realizes these are individualists and even likes a few of them. When a biker dies from arsenic poising, the police suspect Pi killed him. Jo hides him while she quietly snoops for the real culprit. Robin Hathaway her written a great amateur sleuth mystery that gives readers an astute glimpse into the workings of a biker gang, who are a factoid reflection of society as a whole. The protagonist is a good judge of a person's character and is not afraid to follow her hunches although that could get her in trouble with the law. SATAN'S PONY is heavenly reading.

Parting the Veil
Jay Davis
Forge
ISBN: 0765309505 $24.95, 382 pp.

John Creed was driving his convertible when a school bus made an abrupt turn smashing his vehicle. John was clinically dead as his heart stopped beating and his brain showed no activity. His doctors manage to get the heart pumping, but he lived because of a machine. Pull the plug and he would be dead. Ten days later, a miracle occurs when John awakens in the ICU. After a time his memory of his fatal day and aftermath begins to return in vivid detail. Soon he begins to see the pain of other people whose lives seemed desperate. John has gained a gift from his time on the other side. He might be able to provide solace to some who are suffering, but the dark knows about John and plan to use him to shift the balance between good and evil to those of the malevolent. PARTING THE VEIL is an exciting inspirational suspense laden tale of hope that will remind readers of the King work The Dead Zone (book not TV series or Walken's 80s movie) The story line is fast-paced and at its loftiest when John struggles with helping people cope with their problems not an easy task to achieve. When the tale leaves the psychological spiritual life after death environs into a good vs. evil thriller it increases the excitement and suspense, but loses a piece of what makes Jay Davis' tale a unique homage to humanity's ability to win against overwhelming odds.

White Rose
R. Garcia Y. Robertson
Forge
ISBN 0312869940 $24.95, 400 pp.

In the present Lady Robyn Stafford visits England trying to find a way back to 1461 and her lover Edward Plantagenet, Earl of March and Ulster and Duke of York. Her friend Heidi, concerned about Robin, keeps her company. Desperate to get back to her love, Robyn and her friend travel to the backwoods of Wales to plead with her enemy to send her back in time. To Robyn's surprise, Bryn does that but also sends Heidi back with her. They are captured by Owen Tudor and his men in Wales, one of Edward's most powerful enemies. She escapes and meets up with Edward but they are taken prisoner by the Wydvilles who want him to marry one of their daughters because they believe he will be the next king of England. Thanks to Robyn's ingenuity they escape the keep but their troubles are far from over as the French, the Irish, the Welsh and Queen Margaret's supporters force Edward into battles. When it looks like London might fall to enemy forces, Robyn puts out a newspaper rallying the commoners, hoping to buy enough time for Edward to control London. This is the latest work starring Lady Robyn and is by far the best book in this series. Readers see the major battles of the War of the Roses as the author paints a vivid picture of this era. Fans of Roberta Gellis and Sharon Kay Penman will love WHITE ROSE, a grand love story in the tradition of Robin Hood and Lady Marion. The heroine is a feisty spunky independent woman who is more than a match for her beloved Edward.

Crisscross
F. Paul Wilson
Forge
ISBN: 0765306913 $24.95, 414 pp.

Few know that Repairman Jack exists except his pregnant girlfriend Gia, her daughter, and a few other souls that he trusts. People turn to Jack when they need problems solved without the police involved. Jack fixes things for cash only as he has no money or paper trail to follow. Jack seeks a way out of the cold without attracting attention so that he can marry Gia. While he ponders his problem, two cases come to him. Maggie the nun says that someone is blackmailing her with illicit pictures of her with her lover; she wants jack to destroy the pictures before the Church finds out. Maria hires Jack to learn if her son is okay since she lost contact wit him when he joined the Dormentalist Church whose founder Luther Brady believes that burying certain designated pillars in specific locations will fuse this world with its mirror realm leading to paradise regained. Jack destroys the pictures with a little help from a hacker, but when Maggie informs her lover that they no longer have to pay the extortionist, tragedy occurs. Jack learns about the pillars and what will happen once Brady finishes planting them; he must stop the false prophet at all costs to save the world as we know it. Repairman jack novels are always fun to read, but this thriller, though also quite entertaining and exciting, is much darker than usual. He solves the nun's problem, but the results are not what he or she expected forcing him to take an amoral position with the blackmailer. The Brady problem is simply world threatening. For those who know Jack will know that F. Paul Wilson provides another fantastic reading experience.

Star
Pamela Anderson
Atria
ISBN: 0743493729 $24.00, 294 pp.

In Florida, Esther Wood Leigh was dubbed "Star" by her best friend when they learned from a Streisand movie that Esther means star in Hebrew. Star spent her school years hiding her intelligence from her friends acting the cutup though she received straight "A"s in her classes. She works days at Talon's Nail and Tan Spa and nights at Mother Pearl's Steak and Oyster Emporium. Star enjoys her life though she would prefer more time playing volleyball or having wild sex with her boyfriend, but believes something is missing. Star attends a Dolphins game with her friend Brandi and a few other pals. That leads to accompanying Brandi on a photo shoot at Visage Studios. The photographers take shots of Star too because they think she is beautiful. Suddenly over night, a Star is born as she graces the cover of Mann Magazine, ends up with a guest role on the TV show Hammer Time, and finally becomes a sensation on the show Lifeguards. Star wonders if playing the role for her fans and the media as a dumb blond pinup with "no" brains all the way to the bank is worth it? This not so disguised biographical fiction is a well written fun tale that shows not only does Pamela Anderson have the ability to write, but as she did with her series VIP, she satirizes her life as few authors can. The story line is amusing as Ms. Anderson pokes fun at her rise to "fluffy" fame and the media frenzy while also thanking her fans though ironically wondering why her. Chick lit fluff to a degree, but with a wonderful self deprecating humorous bent that will have readers appreciating this STAR.

Little Earthquakes
Jennifer Weiner
Atria
ISBN: 0743470095 $26.00, 432 pp.

Lia thought she had it all with Sam, but tragedy has sent her fleeing Hollywood and him. Popular Chef Becky loves her husband Andrew, but detests her interfering nasty mother-in-law. Kelly works hard so that she and her spouse can live a better life than she did as a kid, but her husband Steve lost his job and seems not to care about anything even her. Reporter Ayinde is married to a basketball superstar Richard who she though was faithful to her, but now knows he is just like every other jock, using the wrong head to break his vows. Lia meets the other three women, who already are friends and pregnant. She joins their circle as she sees sisters with spousal troubles. Can this quartet provide the safety net and support that each one desperately needs at a critical time in their prospective lives? LITTLE EARTHQUAKES is a strong insightful character study that runs along four subplots that rotate between the women, but intersects as each tries to be there for the others. The story line hooks family drama readers from the start as the tales seem real, touching, and somewhat amusing though serious. The key cast comes across as friends and neighbors helping one another cope. Jennifer Weiner furbishes a deep look at varying relationships, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Rivals
Joan Johnston
Pocket
ISBN: 0743454405 $7.99, 416 pp.

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming no one except the families and the Teton County Sheriff Department cared about two missing teens. That abruptly changes when Kate Grayhawk never makes it home as she is the daughter of influential Texas mogul Clay Blackthorne and the granddaughter of his powerful enemy King Grayhawk. Deputy Sheriff Sarah Barndollar, raising three kids alone since her spouse vanished last year, investigates the serial vanishings. Meanwhile the feuding families' hatred for one another interfere with her case because they suspect the other side abducted Kate and set out to prove it. Clay's cousin Drew DeWitt offers a rare dose of sanity, but insists on being part of her inquiries. As they race to save lives, they fall in love, but she is Wyoming wilderness while he is big shot urban. This solid entry in the continuing saga of the Blackthorne family is a fine police procedural romance. The story line moves at a fast clip while readers will shake their heads at the setbacks caused by the family feud. Though a government conspiracy has been used so often that one wonders how any trees remain in the forest, Joan Johnston's latest thriller is a delightful investigative romantic suspense.

My Pleasure
Connie Brockway
Pocket
ISBN: 0743463234 $6.99

In 1805, pragmatic and dutiful Helena Nash works as a companion to pompous Lady Alfreda Tilpot since her parents died four years ago so that she does become a burden to her family. Over her personal concerns, the closet romantic becomes the link between Alfreda's niece Flora and the man she loves and secretly married Oswald Goodwin. She becomes further worried because Oswald is a loser trying to obtain a fortune at gambling because he needs to keep his spouse in the style she has grown up in but he cannot afford. Scottish rake Ramsey Munroe sees Helena sneaking about the streets and assumes she is visiting a lover. He is concerned with her safety because he and two other fellows owe their lives to her father, who died freeing them from the French. As Ramsey and Helena fall in love, he worries for her safety because a serpent wanting to destroy him will use his beloved as a pawn to get at him. Regency romance readers will take plenty of pleasure from the fine middle tale of the Rose Hunters trilogy. Helena learns rather quickly that good intentions is the road to hell as she lands in trouble just because she allowed her romantic nature to open up a can of worms. Ramsey is a wonderful protagonist who feels guilt for the death of her father and further responsibility for bringing the woman he loves in peril from his enemies. Connie Brockway provides an entertaining story that will leave readers waiting for the final novel to complete the passionate miniseries.

Run No More
Catherine Mulvany
Pocket,
ISBN: 0743493834 $6.99

In Half Moon Bay, California acrimonious Ian "Cat" MacPherson lives in a wheelchair because his apprentice Alex Farrell betrayed him when they robbed the O Milagre from the Sodre Mansion in Brazil. While Alex escaped to become wealthy, Cat remained in prison for three decades. Though he lives for vengeance, he considers suicide until he catches young Tasya Flynn breaking into his home. Thinking this is fate, he sees the nimble Tasya as a means of vengeance by teaching her to become a cat burglar, who steals the stone and returns it to its rightful owner. As Cat trains Tasya, they fall in love though both hide their feelings. During the burglary Ian dies while Tasya escapes with the magical healing stone. In mourning she returns the stone to its rightful owners only to learn that the O Milagre can transport someone back in time. If she can go to 1972, she could warn Cat not to trust Alex and save his life, but to do so, she risks all including the man she fears Richard Zane knowing she still lives. RUN NO MORE is a romantic crime thriller with fantasy elements that hooks the reader from the moment that Ian catches Tasya breaking into his home. The tale takes off at a rapid speed and then twists with the shocking death of the hero. Fans will appreciate the desperation of Tasya to find a way to use the O Milagre to try to save the life of her mentor who she loves with all her heart. Catherine Mulvany provides an entertaining action-packed tale with cross genre appeal.

Last Seen in Aberdeen
M.G. Kincaid
Pocket
ISBN 0743467574 $6.50, 320 pp.

Young Matthew Adair was LAST SEEN IN ABERDEEN in broad daylight and then in the twinkling of an eye he vanished. No ransom demand was ever made and a Scottish task force was convened to find the child that caught the whole nation's attention. It was during a traffic accident when a horse trailer turned upside down that Matthews' lifeless body was found, the victim of blunt force trauma to the head. Also, inside the trailer were two dead lambs that belonged to Finovar Castle. CID sergeant Seth Mornay is currently working the case trying to find the boy's killer. The job is not made easier by Deputy Justice Minister Lord Mindo Gordon, who is using Matthew's death to make a bigger name for himself by insisting the police are not working hard enough to find the killer. If that wasn't enough Mornay's father is under investigation for smuggling drugs and Pamela who is carrying his child is in a coma in a hospital while her sister is threatening to sue Seth for custody. Evidence in Matthew's murder seems to implicate the inhabitants of Finovar Castle and in particular David Lockward who refuses to tell the police where he was on the day Matthew was kidnapped. M.G. Kincaid has written a brilliantly plotted British police procedural that stars Seth Mornay who first appeared in THE LAST VICTIM IN GLENN ROSS. Readers gain more insight into the complex character of the hero whose professional and personal lives are falling to pieces. LAST SEEN IN ABERDEEN gives armchair travelers a feel for what life in Scotland is like. This author's star is on the rise.

Wither's Legacy
John Passarella
Pocket
ISBN: 0743484797 $7.99, 496 pp.

In Massachusetts, young Wiccan Wendy Ward defeated the malevolent Elizabeth Wither (and her evil coven of followers), a being that has existed for millenniums leaping from one human body to another (see WITHER'S RAIN). Wendy is proud of her seemingly impossible achievement over an apparently invincible immortal, but looks forward to some needed rest and recuperation. However, Wendy has no time to relax even with Wither dead. Before she died, the evil one set in motion a gigantic monster, who enjoys feasting on human flesh, but along with Wither's curse she also cast a camouflage spell to hide the killing machine inside the body of a human. The cretin has one goal kill and that is to kill Wendy. Once that is achieved the control by Wither will end. Anyone in the path of this monster will die. Wendy accompanied by her boyfriend, the Crone, a shapeshifting preadolescent, and someone tainted by Wither's evil blood prepares for a magical showdown. The third "Wither's" tale is an exciting action-packed horror thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Wendy is a wonderful heroine who will remind readers in some ways of Buffy, but is unique in her own fashion. Her latest opponent, WITHER'S LEGACY, is an incredible killing machine with an obsessive quest that is personal because his personal goal is to break free of the bewitching, but to achieve this he must complete the mission by killing his assigned target; no one lives who stands in his straight lined path to Wendy. This action-packed thriller requires setting aside time with lights left on after completing John Pasarella's terrific tale in one tense evening of reading.

The Closer
Donn Cortez
Pocket
ISBN: 0743476980 $6.99, 384 pp.

One Christmas Eve, struggling artist Jack meets with a potential patron at Jack's warehouse. His client never shows up, but when a disappointed Jack returns home he finds the murdered corpses of his wife, son and parents. His new goal is to kill the person who killed his loved ones, but first he must find out who did the dastardly deed. He teams up with Nikki the prostitute as both shares in common the loss of loved ones due to serial killers. They search for serial killers and when they catch them they make them confess on tape who they murdered and where they buried the bodies. The police dub Jack the Closer because he provides some closure to the victims' families. When Jack and Nikki learn about a secret site for serial killers, they gain the passwords and codes to the Stalking Ground. There he finds his family killer, but who will provide victorious in this cat and mouse game they play. THE CLOSER is an exciting yet odd thriller reminiscent of Bronson's Death Wish but somewhat different because all the characters even the professionals are serial killers. In his pursuit of justice, Jack crosses the line to become the thing that he wants to destroy which turns him into a paradox. Nikki keeps him grounded until he finally goes one step too far for even her and she is forced to walk away. There is plenty of violence in this crime thriller though the plot contains numerous serpentine twists and red herrings as Jack's quest to find his family's killer never stays on a straight path. Those detours make for a solid but intense reading experience.

Let the Church Say Amen
Reshonda Tate Billingsley
Pocket
ISBN: 0743477146 $13.00 277 pp.

In Houston, the congregation appreciates the hard work of their dynamic Reverend Simon Jackson. Since he took over Zion Hill his strong efforts has turned the small congregation into one of the most respected place of worship in the city. His faithful wife Loretta has always supported Simon in his work while raising their three children mostly by herself. However, she realizes that while Simon has done terrific work for God, he has failed his family; their three adult children have personal crisis that their father blithely ignores. Nineteen-year-old Rachel stalks her former lover, the father of her child, though he is ready to marry someone else. Twenty-seven years old bitter David is a thieving junkie with no hope for future since he had blown out his knee. Twenty-three-year-old Jonathan is the heir apparent as he has his act together, but he does not want to become his father's associate pastor. Loretta wonders how to reach Simon that his own house is in trouble when he spends every moment receiving adulations for tending to his flock. LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN is an interesting family drama that focuses on the need to maintain a healthy balance between work, religion, and family. The fabulous Jackson Five are well drawn individualists with each having their own needs something the patriarch fails to grasp though his wife now sees the negative impact of his divine work on the three lost souls in their household. Reshonda Tate Billingsley provides a deep powerful character study with a strong message to do the Lord's work, but to remember that includes keeping one's house in order too.

Unmasked
Kathleen Lawless
Pocket
ISBN: 0743476743 $12.00, 194 pp.

In 1899, grand adventuress Aurora Tremblay rides an air balloon so that she can breech the estate of wealthy Grayson Thorne, who has ignored her attempts to make an appointment with him. However, when the wind sends her balloon away, Aurora is forced to rely on the hospitality of her host who insists he has no one available to take her back to San Francisco. Besides which she knows the opportunity is now to obtain her desires from him, the San Francisco's Gaslight Theater which she wants to have. She was unprepared for the private debauchery party that was taking place on his remote estate. Even more wild is her reactions to Grayson, who seems to know her inner most fantasies and more than capable he carries them out. Soon Aurora and Grayson fall in love, but who will venture first to admit that this is more than just bodies perfectly melding into one; it's a lifetime together carried by the wind everywhere they go. UNMASKED is a fine erotic historical romance starring two nice protagonists who readers will like although both come across as the depraved idle rich with too much time on their hands, which is the power of Kathleen Lawless' interesting tale. The author's skills lead fans to root for this duet to realize they belong together not just in the boudoir, but also following the wind wherever it takes them just like angels in the wind. In many ways fans will admire the courage of the couple for doing what many folks fantasize doing, but consider a guilty TABOO.

The Forever Kiss
Angela Knight
Red Sage
ISBN: 0964894238 $14.00, 316 pp.

Vampire Edward Ridgemont converted Texas Ranger Cade "Cowboy" McKinnon into one of his kind expecting the law enforcement official to obey his commands. Edward and one of his minions Gerhard Hirsch kill the Chase couple, but Cowboy breaks the compelling obsession and refuses to comply with the order to murder the twelve year old daughter Valerie or her babysitter. Thus he saved their lives. As an adult Val still dreams of her heroic savior though she thinks of him as her nightly erotic fantasy lover; Cade shares those same fantasies. No longer under Edward's control, Cowboy learns that his "mentor" plans to harm Val. He will do anything including truly dying for her or even converting her to keep his beloved human safe as Edward and Gerhard are coming for Val. Cade kidnaps Val, who is stunned that her dream lover hero is one of her enemies. THE FOREVER KISS is an excellent vampire romance that grips the audience from the opening sequence until the final confrontation. The action-packed story line works because readers will believe in the supernatural and not just vampires. The heroine is a wonderful protagonist as she struggles with her pedestal savior being a member of the evil species that killed her parents. However, Cade is the reason the audience will appreciate Angela Knight's wonderful tale as he has to persuade his beloved that he may be of a malevolent race but is her champion in the upcoming war with Edward the paragon of evil.

Murder at the B-School
Jeffrey Cruikshank
Mysterious
ISBN: 0892967935 $24.95, 323 pp.

The conservative Harvard Business School is one of the most prestigious learning centers in the world; so no one could imagine a murder occurring there. Yet that is what happened to student Eric MacInnes, a member of a very wealthy family. The lad somehow entered a locked area where a whirlpool was located; someone knocked him over the head killing him. Trying to avoid bad PR and wanting to keep on the good side of the MacInnes kin, Dean Bishop appoints Assistant Professor Wim Verneer as liaison between the college and the family. Wim is shocked to hear rumors that he had an affair with Eric. Police Captain Barbara Bouillard hears the same gossip, which makes Wim a suspect. E-mail proves that Eric and Wim communicated, but the professor denies this ever happened. Things turn worse for Wim when he meets and goes to dinner with Eric's sister Libby; not long afterward she was found strangled to death. Wim knows that someone is framing him. He begins his own inquiries that lead to Upstate New York and Vieques off eastern Puerto Rico. MURDER AT THE B-SCHOOL is a well written exciting police procedural and amateur sleuth tale. At times adversaries and at times allies, the captain and the professor make inquiries from different perspectives, but draw the same conclusions. They make excellent partners, who deserve co-featuring in future mysteries. Jeffrey Cruikshank will keep his fans satisfied with this winning who-done-it.

Shoulder the Sky
Anne Perry
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345456548 $25.95, 352 pp.

In 1915, though they remain in mourning over the vehicular murder of their parents, the Reavley siblings continue to their efforts to help England at war with the Kaiser. Joseph serves as a chaplain in the trench warfare in Belgium and France. Judith works as a driver and translator for General Cullingsford, who leads the English Expeditionary Force fighting in these trenches. Matthew is in London working Intel while trying to uncover information on the mythical power broker Peacemaker, who he believes is the killer of his parents and the broker of a Kaiser King alliance. Joseph finds the corpse of detested journalist Eldon Prince, Cullingsford's nephew, who apparently died at the hands of "friendly" fire. Though he would prefer to ignore this homicide, Joseph investigates, which makes his preaching on God's love more difficult to his already disbelieving flock, who are pleased with Eldon's death. His sister wonders if her employer whom she is in love with could have arranged the murder of his odious relative. SHOULDER THE SKY, the second book in Anne Perry's World War I opus, is a terrific exciting thriller that contains two exciting fronts. Judith and Joseph working a murder investigation with the backdrop of the horrors of war, especially trench warfare, are painting a panorama of horror because conditions are that terrible. In England, Matthew continues his inquiries into the Peacemaker that he previously started in NO GRAVES AS YET. Other family members serve as comparisons between the war efforts and the home. All is not quiet on the western front as Ms. Perry furbishes a terrific historical military thriller with amateur sleuth and espionage elements enhancing the dark sky of war.

Till The End of Tom
Gillian Roberts
Ballantine
ISBN 0345454928 $22.95, 244 pp.

When Philly Prep teacher Amanda Pepper ducks out of the headmaster's speech in the auditorium she finds a man lying comatose on the bottom of the marble stairs. He dies en route to the hospital; Amanda thinks he was murdered because he fell backwards and has an injury to his cheek. She learns that the victim, Tomas Severin, wanted to hire her services as a private detective to investigate threatening phone calls he was getting. Later, Amanda finds a cup of tea in her office that she assumes was Tomas' drink. She gives it to the police to see if there was anything in it. It turns out that somebody put a date rape drug in the tea. Not too much later, Amanda and her fiancee are hired by the social secretary to Tomas's mother Ingrid to find out whether her employer's fiancee who is forty-six years younger than his future bride had something to do with the homicide. Amanda feels needs to solve the case fast because Tomas's son Zach, Amanda's favorite student, confesses to killing his father. Amanda wants to clear Zach by finding out how Tomas really died because she doesn't believe her pupil committed patricide. TILL THE END OF TOM is a very entertaining academic mystery due in large part to the heroine's trying to work two jobs and plan her wedding. This leads to some very numerous scenes and will have any reader who planned their own wedding chuckling out loud. Gillian Roberts is a talented writer whose clever plotting and excellent characterizations make TILL THE END OF TOM a very erudite mystery.

Murder at Union Station
Margaret Truman
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345444906 $24.95, 336 pp.

Writer Richard Marienthal's first book is a true crime expos? that made it to press only because former hitman Louis Russo, now a government informant hidden within the witness protection program, gave him the information he needs; the book is almost a biography of Russo only. Russo has agreed to return from hiding in Tel Aviv to promote Marienthal's debut effort. However besides Marienthal waiting to meet Russo at DC's historical Union Station, someone else looks forward to greeting the aging retired mobster. That other greeter kills Russo. As the FBI, CIA, and local police investigate, Marienthal wonders whether this was a mob hit or something more devious as Russo had exposed an overseas operation he took care of for capital higher ups. The writer's musings turn personal with the epiphany that his book places in peril his fianc?e Kathryn Jalick and those helping him bring it to publication, but also feels trapped as it is too late to turn back the hands of time as his beloved desperately wanted to happen as she saw the ruthless publishing world abduct him with money, adulation, and fame. MURDER AT UNION STATION is a strong Capital Crimes who-done-it with conspiratorial elements that make for quite a tale as Richard finds his life spinning out of control just when he is on the brink of success. He makes the tale work as he goes from euphoric to concern to panic in a realistic manner. The support cast either spotlights Richard's conversion from Lady Macbeth level of ambition to dread of what he wrought onto loved ones and friends or furbish a deep look at the city. Margaret Truman does Washington like no one else.

Murder List
Julie Garwood
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345453824 $25.95, 403 pp.

Wealthy Heiress Regan Hamilton Madison and her two best friends attend a weekend conference sponsored by a rich con man. They hope to find proof to tie their host to the death of a woman who signed all her assets to him. One of the exercises that the attendees perform is drawing up a list of people they would like to see gone. Fed up with the smarmy atmosphere, Regan leaves early and spots a man who threatens her. Regan drops her files including her murder list in panic and drives away. While in her office at her family's Chicago hotel, Regan receives an email supposedly from her assistant. When she downloads the attached file, she sees a picture of a dead male, who was on her list. A fax arrives next with the picture of another person from Regan's MURDER LIST. Detective Alec Buchanan is assigned as Regan's bodyguard and a relationship between them begins while everyone hunts a killer. Almost no one does romantic suspense as well as Julie Garwood consistently does it; her latest MURDER LIST is a bit different for this top rate author as she incorporates the humor that makes her historicals so special into the plot of this thriller. Readers will root for the protagonists to succeed in their professional and personal lives as both are likable. MURDER LIST is a great romantic suspense that is a sure shot to attain New York Times bestseller status and hopefully Regan's three brotherly hunks obtain their respective tale to join this one on the list.

The Murder Artist
John Case
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345464710 $25.95, 448 pp.

International TV news correspondent, Alex Callahan covers all the hot spots around the world becoming immune to cruelty, abuse, and death. His biggest fear is not getting killed, but that his twin six year old sons will not know him as he struggles to see them periodically. That is why Alex enjoys his time with them as they wander a Virginia medieval fair. However, the quality time together ends when he receives the phone call with the voice of a frightened tentative child crying out "Daddy." The police investigation goes nowhere so Alex employs his investigative reporter skills in cesspools to make inquiries. He finds a pattern that a voodoo crazed individual dubbed The Piper has been abducting and killing twins for years as part of a quest to fulfill a dark dream. Alex's only hope is to find a voodoo master hidden away in the backwaters of Bayou country. If he locates the master, Alex will pay a price to obtain help; the cost is being buried alive for a night by someone who might prove to be THE MURDER ARTIST or perhaps the twins' killer. This is an exciting thriller that grips readers from the moment Alex receives the devastating phone call. The story line never slows down as a desperate Alex, filled with guilt even before the abduction, is just about over the edge with a frantic need for penitence by saving his children and stopping the monstrous Piper. Fans will be stunned by the level of tension that grows to an unbelievable crescendo in what is going to be recognized as one of the best thrillers of the year.

Cross Current
Christine King
Ballantine
ISBN: 0345448294 $23.95, 320 pp.

While waiting to tug a boat filled with Haitian refugees, Seychelle notices another vessel out in the gulf and takes her ship the Garda there. She finds a young dehydrated girl named Solange with a dead woman. She rescues the girl and tugs the boat containing the deceased to the dock. Seychelle immediately forms a bond with the Haitian refugee, who says that her father lives in the United States. Seychelle intends to find him so that Solange will not be deported. There has been a recent increase in the smuggling of Haitians into America. Seychelle believes that Solange and the dead woman were on a boat that capsized with fifty Haitians aboard. Solange is not safe as thugs try to kidnap her although neither Seychelle nor she can determine why. Those Haitians that survive have been sold into slavery making it even more difficult for Seychelle to gain their trust so that she can locate Solange's father. Kidnappers abduct Seychelle and Solange taking them to Bimini where they meet the smugglers' mastermind. The criminal tosses Seychelle overboard expecting her to die while he carries out his plansfor Solange. Christine King is a very visual writer who makes the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast come alive to readers. The heroine breaks laws to keep Solange safe from a monster, who sees the child as merchandise. There is a lot of action in CROSS CURRENT, but it is the characters who turn this novel into a superb thriller as Solange is at the mercy of adults with only Seychelle apparently caring what happens to her. Ms. King is a rising queen in the suspense genre.

The Rocky Road to Romance
Janet Evanovich
Harper Torch
ISBN: 0060598891 $7.50

In DC twenty-six years old Daisy Adams brings youthful exuberance to her five minute spot as the "Dog Lady of Snooze" on WZZZ twenty-four hour radio station. To pay her bills including her school loan and to feed her teenage brother, Daisy holds a host of other jobs such as delivering papers, crossing guard, waitress, cab driver and a graduate school counseling internship. When the station's traffic reporter Frank Mencken is injured in an accident, Daisy asks manager Steve Crow for the position. He agrees because he sees this as an opportunity to score with this enthusiastic flake that has cornered his heart and libido not in that order. As he spends time "training" her and feeding her sibling, Daisy accidentally stops a notorious drug dealer from escaping the law. To keep her safe, Steve hires a bodyguard, but she chooses elderly Elsie Hawkins. As the two women butcher the traffic reports to the joy of listeners, Daisy and Steve fall in love, but how to fit him into her busy schedule? Contemporary romance readers will feel they read a plum of a tale with this delightful story starring a likable young woman who holds so many low paying jobs she skews the government statistics on employment. The story line is at its best when it amusingly winks at readers through Steve employing Herculean levels to obtain a few minutes with his beloved while Daisy will tire out most of the audience with her daily routine. The drug dealer subplot adds unneeded suspense, but her brother, Elsie, and a matchmaking canine provide more humor to a fine tale of love if the female protagonist can fit it in her schedule.

A Personal Matter
Karyn Langhorne
Harper Torch
ISBN: 0060747730 $6.50

In Atlanta, a partner offers paralegal Alayna Jackson a promotion if she agrees to work for hot shot attorney Ben "Ice Man" Richards on the Software International case in Alaska. Alayna would prefer to say no as Ben has a reputation for eating associates and assistances for lunch. Still Alayna needs money to pay for her younger sister's college tuition at Howard as she promised her dying mother. Alayna receives a stunner when her sibling Martine informs her she is not going to school as she will marry her boyfriend Jamal Preston, who has no future plans beyond getting a job. As Alayna copes with her sister's devastating decision, she refuses to take crap from Ben. He quickly admires her spunk and tries to be there for her during her family crisis. As they work together, Ben and Alayna fall in love, but interracial relationships let alone marriage is not a way to move up the corporate ladder. This is an entertaining legal romance that moves on several subplots that ultimately tie together through the heroine. The story line provides an intriguing look at a legal firm sort of mindful of The Associates and makes a poignant point on interracial couples. Though the Martine piece is cleaned up to nicely as she has choices to make, fans will appreciate this fine contemporary tale because of the delightful lead couple, flaws and more to deal with as a pairing.

Plains Crazy
J.M. Hayes
Poisoned Pen
ISBN: 1590581326 $24.95, 252 pp.

Benteen, Kansas is a quiet serene place where nothing much happens so when a PBS reality show arrives in town this is a big deal. The show deals with modern day Indians adapting to living like their ancestors did. The first inkling of trouble starts when Michael Spotted Elk leaves the family teepee to make out with Daphne Alights on the Cloud; someone kills him using a Cheyenne arrow. Daphne reports that Mad Dog and Wolf Hailey went past the; Mad Dog becomes the prime suspect until Daphne remembers he was not carrying a bow. The sheriff's wife Judy English tells him they are going to Paris, but if he fails to come with her, she probably will not return to him. He does not believe that he can get away now because bombs and other explosives are going off all over town. A motorcycle rider tries to kill Mad Dog using a bow and arrow. Judy is mistaken for a bank robber because the teller fails to recognize her with her new hair-do. Someone placed something in the night deposit box that turns out to be a bomb with a $10,000 demand note attached which Judy gave the teller which made her think Judy was a bank robber. Nothing seems linked yet since PBS arrived hell has come to drive the PLAINS CRAZY. This is a whacky dazzling ride into lunacy in which the sheriff, unused to bombs exploding, must find a way to defuse the mess. Complicating his professional life is his wife who gives him an ultimatum at a time when he cannot even ponder what to do for her for there is so much craziness overwhelming him. J.M. Hayes has written a wild whimsical yet complicated conspiracy thriller.

Speak Now
Margaret Dumas
Poisoned Pen
ISBN: 1590581210 $24.95, 326 pp.

As she returns from London to San Francisco, Charley Van Leeuwen wonders how her friends will react to the hunk sharing the first class row with her as everyone knows Charley as the "most romantically challenged woman in the Western hemisphere". Charley is bringing with her a husband Jack Fairfax whom she met six weeks ago, but the hunk's eyes hooked the commitment phobic woman. Jack and Charley stay at the Mark Hopkins, but when she goes to turn on the water in the bathtub, she finds a corpse there. SFPD Inspector Yahata leads the investigation, but Charley asks all the questions. The honeymooners go to another room, but Charley's ensemble of friends arrives to interrupt. Converting from single life to married becomes more chaotic as Charley is in the middle of a tangle involving a ransom and bullets aimed at her and Jack. Realizing her spouse is not just the weatherman, Charley takes charge of insuring he, Uncle Harry, other family members, and her friends are safe from kooks, killers and kidnappers while also trying to keep her not for profit repertory theater from bankruptcy. SPEAK NOW is a fabulous screwball mystery that is reminiscent of the zany 1930s Bob Hope movies. The story line is action-packed but with a tongue in cheek manner as Jack comes across as James Bond but "protected" by his theatrical spouse. While Jack and Charley adapt to marital bliss, the ensemble (friends and foes) interrupt their romantic moments. Readers will take immense delight with this solid amateur sleuth espionage thriller that never slows down until the final confrontation with the realtor.

First, Do No Harm
Larry Karp
Poisoned Pen
ISBN: 159058139X $24.95, 274 pp.

An euphoric teenager, Martin Firestone, happily tells his father he has a job as a nurse's assistant at Bellevue and has been accepted at NYU Medical School expecting his dad to be elated. Instead his father, renowned painter Leo Firestone is dismayed and upset. Reluctantly Leo explains to his son that his father was a renowned gifted doctor Dr. Samuel Firestone, who practiced Hobart, New Jersey. In 1943, Leo worked for his dad, but became ill when he observed amoral and illegal goings on from abortions, supplying heroin to addicts and selling babies. Leo relates to his girlfriend actress wannabe Harmony what his father told him, but also adds on that he thinks his dad failed to tell all perhaps he even helped conceal a murder. Martin and Harmony investigate his grandfather's practice, which takes them to Fleischmann Scrapyard in Hobart. Six decades may have passed, but Samuel's enemy Oscar Fleischmann sees in Martin an opportunity to avenge what occurred during World War Two. This teenage amateur sleuth tale is much more as the story line uses the investigation to explore what happened over six decades ago. The tale in some ways feels like a historical, but also has the audience ponder questions of morality and legality as Samuel is either a wizard or a demon depending on whether the reader believes he crossed the line or not. FIRST, DO NO HARM is a terrific character driven cerebral thriller.

The Coffin Trail
Martin Edwards
Poisoned Pen
ISBN: 1590581296 $24.95, 296 pp.

Miranda persuades her lover Oxford historian and TV host Daniel Kind to leave the school that she insists is stifling him and she would quit her detestable job so that they can relocate and move in together. She further convinces Daniel to buy notorious Tarn Cottage in a relatively isolated Lake District Valley. Daniel is familiar with Tarn Cottage once home to Asperger's syndrome sufferer Barrie Gilpin, whom he knew. Barrie was suspected by the police led by Daniel's father of a violent ritual murder, but before he was questioned he fell to his death. Daniel has solved mysteries on his TV show using Holmesian logic and always felt that Barrie was innocent. Additionally, Detective Chief Inspector Hannah Scarlett has reopened this cold case because of a recent anonymous tip. Although Hannah and her team do not want Daniel interfering, he also makes inquiries as he plans to prove Barrie was innocent. The two adjoining investigations upset several residents of Brackdale, who want their dirty laundry left hidden from view. Although coincidence is over-killed to bring the son and the protege in competition, readers will appreciate this fine amateur sleuth police procedural rivalry in which the who-done-it is cleverly devised. The story line is fun to follow as Daniel and Hannah employ similar methods as both learned from his dad. They also share in common the fear that their teacher bungled this case when he bet on Barrie exclusively. Miranda adds just the right additional touch so that the audience obtains a strong mystery that tracks THE COFFIN TRAIL, the path the dead are taken on to leave the isolated valley for burial.

Ring Around My Heart
Pat White
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505526093 $5.99

Wrestling promoter Cosmos Perini needs a hero like the Hulkster was in the 80s if his association is to remain competitive with anything goes including XXX Steel's Outrageous Wrestling. In desperate straits, he hires single mom public relations specialist Alexandra Hayes to a three month contract to change arrogant Luke "Loverboy" Silver from a bad guy to a good guy over the violent objections of the big dude. Alex wonders where she met Luke who inadvertently called her Lexy, a childhood name. As she begins to unravel that secret that he denies exists, he remains obstinate to changing his image. She decides to dig deeper to learn why he refuses to change his image to that of a good guy. She remains unaware that he feels he deserves to be a baddy as he holds himself responsible for not preventing the death of his best friend. While Alex and Luke work closely together in spite of his resistance to changing his image and to her, they fall in love, but will he allow her to pin him permanently? This is an entertaining sports romance that uses an intriguing environ, professional wrestling with its scripts and playbooks that is as much amusing as the wild cast. Luke is a fabulous villain while Alex is a wonderful opponent who refuses to submit to his innuendos, sexual intimidations and other threats until she finally GOT A HOLD ON HIM and makes him say "aunt". Fans will enjoy this tale and hope for another on the mat romance perhaps with a big babe gladiator pinning her man.

Sleep Tight
Laura Marie Altom
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525690 $6.99, 388 pp.

Tooth fairy Belle Moody enjoys her job, but now worries about how she will place coins under the pillows of little children since her beloved Aunt Lila lost all their cash. Needing money, she daylights at a second job by pretending to be a European princess with an unpronounceable name. Her current gig is working for recently widowed Maude Wentworth, who is concerned with the growing darkness that engulfs her son Boone. Maude knows Belle's prime occupation having come from the same fairy land and hopes that the young woman will prove to be the impetus to bring Boone out of his depression. Boone believes that Belle is a fake conning his mother ands her friends. Though he feels he will die soon as he cannot explain the sudden growth of wings on his body, he will not allow anyone to harm his mom. He abducts Belle taking her to his remote ranch. As they spend time together, Belle and Boone fall in love, but he fights his feelings because he does not want a second woman mourning his death. This engaging fantasy romance is a fun tale that starts a bit slow to establish the "reality" of the fairy land cast so that the audience will believe in the tooth fairy and other whimsical species. Once the key characters are established the story line moves forward at a rapid speed and never decelerates until Boone faces the real truth of his delicate condition. Sub-genre fans will go to sleep believing in the magic of Laura Marie Altom.

Come to Me
Lisa Cach
Love Spell
ISBN: 0505525208 $6.99, 352 pp.

For three millennia Samira the Succubus has visited the sexual fantasies of sleeping males; her attitude is that these cretins are worthless greedy fleas who want more than they earn. However, when her actions cause a war amongst mankind, the Queen of the Night sentences Samira to spend one month as a mortal so that she can learn why her people serve humanity. If she fails to grasp the tutorial, she will die. Worse the "teacher" will be Nicolae the Magician who suffered severely from Samira's war. As Samira changes from a spoiled "fe-malevolent" she-devil to caring for Nicolae, the worst that could happen occurs to her; she falls in love with her host. Nicolae begins to heal through the warm tenderness of his "student" and soon they fall in love. Samira has learned her lesson too well for when the month is up she will go back to helping men with their erotic dreams, but what about hers. This is a fun romantic fantasy starring a fabulous magician struggling to regain his life and an incubus cum mortal learning about the ups and downs of being human to include that love hurts yet feels good at the same time. The story line is action-packed and often humorous as Samira struggles with her new life form. However what makes this a superb tale is the transformation of the nasty unlikable Samira into a caring loving soul.

Chances Are
Barbara Bretton
Berkley
ISBN: 0425197964 $6.99, 336 pp.

In Jersey Shore town Paradise Point Maddy Bainbridge and Aidan O'Malley are getting married. The twosome knows that they must also work extra hard to form a family unity that includes her five years old daughter Hannah and his seventeen years old daughter Gina. However, neither was prepared for the nuttiness of her family who are driving Maddy to think of eloping. All this lunacy is occurring in front of PBS as historical journalist Pete Lassiter is doing a series of shows on the town. However, Maddy learns a secret that Gina is hiding from her father. When she informs the teen that she must tell her father, Gina reacts by threatening to run off to New York to take care of business. Worried that the child will be all alone at a dark pivotal moment when she needs love and support, Maddy agrees to hide Gina's secret from her dad even though it costs her the trust of her beloved and potentially the relationship. CHANCES ARE overwhelmingly that Barbara Bretton's myriad of fans will appreciate this solid contemporary sequel to SHORE LIGHTS that continues the second chance at love story of two delightful protagonists. Gina's crisis is a fabulous subplot that strains the relationship of the lovebirds even as Maddy's family adds humor by sending the bride's blood pressure to the stratosphere with their demands and intercession on how the nuptials will play out. Ms. Bretton provides a fine return to the Jersey shore with this warm family drama.

Tempting Danger
Eileen Wilks
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198782 $6.99, 336 pp.

San Diego Police Detective Lily Yu sees the mangled corpse of a big victim who seemed to know how to defend himself, but was ripped apart anyway. She realizes that this is no ordinary killer. Evidence points towards the Nokolai werewolf clan's Prince Rule Turner. When someone viciously assaults his father, the clan leader, Rule concludes he can no longer let the officials investigate the murders that make him the prime suspect. He is fortunate that the lead police investigator is not only open-minded, but smells a frame. Lily and Rule team up to try to stop a Lupi serial killer from murdering more innocent people, but neither realized that their partner is their lifemate though both feel the attraction from the start. Talk about living dangerously, Eileen Wilks takes her novella "Only Human" from the terrific paranormal romance anthology LOVER BEWARE and lengthens it into a fantastic full length novel. The story line contains all the excitement and more as readers gain a greater understanding of the werewolf species and insight into the lead couple. Lily and Rule are a fabulous pairing who must first weed out a rogue killer before they can explore their feelings. Ms. Wilks takes a chance and readers are the winners.

Master of the Night
Angela Knight
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198804 $6.99, 320 pp.

In Avalon, Reece Champion, the Champion of the United States since 1780 just as Arthur is to Britain, learns from Lancelot that a terrorist cult apparently is using a mage, but not one of there's or their rivals the Sidhe. Reece will work with the Feds, as he has done in the past, to uncover and stop the new threat. The Outfit assigns Agent Erin Grayson to seduce businessman Reece Champion; she thinks this assignment will enable her to obtain the revenge that obsesses her. They meet at a business gala and soon are kissing one another. As they fall in love, a powerful malevolent essence captures the duo. This being plans to use the pair as the keys to eradicate the mages and humanity. To defeat their deadly evil opponent, Erin must embrace the paranormal powers she has ignored all her life and use them in conjunction with Reece's vampiric skills or know she went to her death with the culpability of billions joining her. MASTER OF THE NIGHT is a terrific paranormal romantic suspense thriller that never slows down until the final confrontation between good and evil. The action-packed story line moves at a fast clip, but the key to the tale is the believability of magic and other supernatural skills due to the cast, regardless of species and talent, seeming so real. Angela Knight is a rising star in the paranormal pantheon, whose backlist will be sought after this fine tale.

Bound For Murder
Laura Childs
Berkley
ISBN 0425199231 $5.99, 234 pp.

When her rich husband Seamus Meechum walked out on their marriage because he needed his freedom, his sister Glory kicked Carmella Bertrand out of the family mansion. Instead of moping, she finds an apartment in New Orleans' French Quarter and opens Memory Mine, a scrapbooking shop not far from her new abode. Carmella helps Wren Wright decorate for the latter's pre-wedding gala. Wren is engaged to Jamie Redmond, the owner of a profitable bookstore and creator with his partner Blaine of a software program called Neutron that detects bugs and bombs in newly written software code. When Carmella takes a breather she finds Jamie dead. While Wren tries to cope with her finance's murder, Dunbar Des Lauriers pushes hard to buy Jamie's stock in the bookstore. Glory, who holds the mortgage to Jamie's and Wren's home, threatens to call it in if Wren doesn't sell to her. Blaine claims to have sole rights to Neutron and Carmella finds proof that Jamie was engaged to another woman a year ago without telling Wren. Overwhelmed, Wren asks Carmella to find her fiance's killer; her inability to refuse places her in danger from a killer without mercy. Laura Childs is a creative storyteller who grabs reader attention from the time Jaime is murdered and doesn't release it grip until the murderer is found and Carmella is safe. There are numerable suspects with viable motives and readers will have a lot of fun guessing who the real killer is. There are a lot of creative arts and croft tips at the end of the book, a bonus that readers can make use of for the winter holidays. BOUND FOR MURDER raises the bar on amateur sleuth quality.

The Kitchen Witch
Annette Blair
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198812 $6.99, 320 pp.

In Salem, Massachusetts WHCH TV executive producer Logan Kilgarven needs a babysitter to watch over his four year old son Shane; the introverted child was recently dumped on his father by the kid's mother. Desperate, Logan asks neighbor Melody Seabright to baby-sit, but she refuses because she needs to find a job to pay the rent having recently lost her tour guide position for placing a "curse" on a patron. Logan offers Melody an opportunity for an interview with his ice cold boss if she watches Shane; she agrees. Shane and Melody have a great time together as she proves to be a disastrous cook. To Logan's shock Melody gets the job as host of a cooking show though she cannot boil water without destroying the environment. Even more stunning, her show is a success as her bubbly personality as the "Cooking Witch" becomes very popular to viewers. Even more shocking at least to Logan is that she has charmed both male Kilgarvens who love her and want her magic to charm them forever. This bewitching contemporary romance is a fine tale that readers will enjoy as Melody is a delightful protagonist who beguiles the three men in her life (the Kilgarven males and her boss at the station) as much as she does the audience. Although Shane is a bit to precocious for a deserted infant, fans will appreciate his antics anyway. THE KITCHEN WITCH is a bewitching fun tale.

Holy Guacamole!
Nancy Fairbanks
Berkley
ISBN: 0425199223 $5.99, 276 pp.

After traveling through several American states and quite a few foreign nations solving homicides along the way, Caroline finds a murder investigation in her own back yard in El Paso. They are attending the opera seeing a contemporary version of a Macbeth dealing in modern day illegal drug trafficking. Many are appalled at the changes artistic director Vladislav Gubenko made to the Bard's classic. After eating tostados with guacamole, Vladislav leaves for home ignoring his irate critics. The next day his next door neighbor and former vice cop Luz finds Vladislav dead. The police think he choked to death in his vomit, but Luz believes otherwise; she feels a killer used a pillow to smother him. Luz and Carolyn try to learn who the killer is and why he murdered him. In the course of their investigation, they kidnap a Juarez based drug dealer and take him to the States for the bounty, rescue students from white slavery, and get men abusing their authorities by illegally jailing women for personal use. However, the Gubenko killer remains at the top of the list. Many Americans and Mexicans see El Paso as a border town, but to Carolyn it is a cosmopolitan center with many of the good points that large cities contain with the additional influence of the borderland culture. Luz and Carolyn make a great crime fighting team who hopefully will continue to clean the streets from those felonious varmints. Nancy Fairbanks has written a serio-comic who-done-it in which Carolyn's trivial historical sputtering adds humor to the witty and exciting pursuit of a killer.

Wrapped Up In Crosswords
Nero Blanc
Berkley
ISBN 0425199746 $9.95, 160 pp.

Christmas is right around the corner and crossword puzzle construction guru Belle Graham and her husband Private Investigator Roscoe Polycrates are getting into the holiday spirit. Roscoe is a little concerned that three dangerous men broke out of a Boston Prison and might be heading for his hometown Newcastle. Roscoe and his two policemen friends are dressed in Santa suits collecting children's gifts from merchants who used the stores as drop off points. Roscoe and Company are pulled over by the police because they think the Santas are the escaped convicts. The real criminals are in a gun shop getting supplies as they make a run for freedom. Meanwhile Roscoe and Belle and their two canines believe their master is buying two love birds for his wife and their antics to dissuade him are hilarious. At a neighborhood Christmas party, gifts are being exchanged from a grab bag when the third escaped convict (the other two already in custody) breaks in and is brought down by one of the canines. Christmas in Newcastle is a success. Just like the animals in the Mrs. Murphy books by Rita Mae Brown, the animals in Newcastle are able to communicate with one another which make for amusing scenes. Belle and Roscoe are as much in love as ever and both construct puzzles as a means of communicating what Christmas gifts they bought for one another. Nero Blanc has given the perfect Christmas gift for crossword fanatics, the canine caper crew lovers and mystery fans.

Consolation for an Exile
Caroline Roe
Berkley
ISBN 0425198375 $23.95, 320 pp.

In Girona, blind physician Isaac, who lives in the Jewish Quarter and is the personal doctor of Berenquer De Cruilles, the Bishop of Genoa, has a particularly perplexing case. Raimon Foraster has been suffering from insomnia and when he does sleep, he has awful dreams. He begins having stomach cramps and starts vomiting. Isaac cures the symptoms, but he has yet to find the cause of the malady. Recently the addition of Raimon's heretofore unknown baseborn brother Guillem into the household is trying to insulate himself into their good graces. While Isaac is dealing with Raimon's illness, his assistant Yusuf is called home to his family in Grenada when they find out he is alive. When he arrives there, he known as Lord Yusuf and is at the center of political intrigues until someone tries to poison him. The Emir of Granada thinks he should leave until they find out who is behind the attempts on his life. He makes his way to Girona and has some interesting information that sheds some light on Raimon's poisoning and eventual death. This meticulous researched medieval historical mystery brings to life a bygone era thanks to Caroline Poe's visual descriptions of that era. Although Isaac is blind, he is still able to be an excellent physician as he has an astute mind that allows him to conduct a homicide investigation. The two sub-plots involving Yusuf and Raimon interact at one point and that leads to the truth about the homicide. CONSIDERATION FOR AN EXILE is what a great mystery is all about.

Sacred Stone
Clive Cussler, Craig Dirgo
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198480 $15.00, 416 pp.

Archeologist John Ackerman working on a millennium old Vikings excavation in Greenland uncovers a meteorite. He realizes that the stone is radioactive, struck earth around 50,000 years ago, and that Eric the Red and his followers must have buried it in this cave because they must have learned first hand the danger it posed. Two deadly opponents want to possess the Viking meteorite to use in constructing a devastating super- bomb that can wipe out an entire city in a blink. Aleimein Al-Kahlifa and his Muslim group see this as an omen from God to use with a nuclear device stolen in the Ukraine to destroy London; billionaire industrialist Halifax Hickman sees the opportunity to use the material with his industrial know how to destroy Islam. Juan Cabrillo, Chairman of the Corporation, sends his experts to stop both factions from succeeding in their respective plots of mass destruction. As with the first Oregon Files book, GOLDEN BUDDHA, Clive Cussler and Craig Dirgo provide an action-packed thriller filled with incredible amounts of technological elements especially of nuclear and naval factoids. The gun blazing story line never slows down until the final confrontation to include an unnecessary adventure, the return of a second stone (Abraham's Stone) to the Kaaba at Mecca. However, the action to the nth degree oriented story line lacks the deep characterizations of the NUMA novels so that readers never care whether the good guys win. Those fans who do not mind casting in the pits as long as one escapade follows another will appreciate this non-stop thriller.

Beloved Imposter
Patricia Potter
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198014 $6.99, 416 pp.

In 1420 Scotland, Lord MacLean ties his wife Mary to a rock to die when the tide comes in. Nurse Siobhan Campbell curses the MacLeans insisting no woman will ever replace Mary. In 1511 Uncle Ansys Campbell informs his orphaned niece Felicia that the King demands she marry brutal Morreth. She refuses, but acts compliant because she knows her only way out is to flee. Rory MacLean has returned home after years at sea because his clan needs him. His men decide he needs a wife so they abduct a woman they think is Janet Cameron. Felicia realizes what has happened and pretends to be her friend Janet because she does not want to be returned to her uncle. Rory is irate with his men for the kidnapping especially since he has vowed to never marry again since his first two spouses died because he believes of the curse. Felicia works every ruse to stay until she can escape, but soon she and her host fall in love. She knows she owes him the truth that she is a member of his enemy clan while he rejects marriage because he refuses to place the woman he loves in jeopardy. This is an engaging historical romance with a touch of the supernatural or perhaps a belief fostered by coincidence (read to learn which). Rory is a terrific hero who feels like a fish out of water, but finds wanting to become a landlubber. The support cast adds depth, but the fun sixteenth century novel belongs to the courageous Felicia who refuses to let a monarch, a guardian, a stubborn beloved, or a curse stop her from obtaining her desire.

A Hint of Seduction
Amelia Grey
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198022 $5.99

Catherine Reynolds is in London with her much older sister Victoria allegedly seeking a match. Pont in fact Catherine is in town to learn the identity of her real father, as the late kind Sir Patrick Reynolds was not. Instead one of three men rejected by her mother two decades ago is that rogue. Due to a couple of misfortunate incidents, Catherine cons Earl John Fine out of his horse. He already was attracted to her boldness and plans to not only get his steed back but to teach the angelic looking thief a lesson. When they meet again and again, they begin to fall in love and he agrees to help her with her quest. However, he and another suitor Lord Westerland agree to race with the stakes being her hand, something she refuses to accept so she takes control by entering the contest too. The obsession and courage of the lead heroine makes Catherine an intriguing Regency protagonist; on the other hand the lead male is the typical sub-genre aristocratic John Doe with an unsavory reputation falling for a unique bold woman. The story line contains an historical amateur sleuth feel to the fine romantic plot while the support cast especially Victoria and General the thoroughbred impart insight into the lead couple. Amelia Grey provides her audience with another "A" novel.

Incubus Dreams
Laurell K. Hamilton
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198243 $23.95, 672 pp.

On an alternate earth vampires and shapeshifters exist with the same legal rights as mortals. Vampires who break the law can be killed as soon as a federal marshal, who is a vampire executioner, catches them. One of the most feared vampire executioners is Anita Blake, a necromancer whose powers just keep growing thanks to the triumverate she is part of. The other two members are St. Louis master vampire Jean-Claude and Richard the werewolf, who desperately wants to be human again. A group of vampires, one of them a master vamp sneaked into the city unnoticed; they are killing strippers so the Regional Preternatural Investigative Team of which Anita is a member is assigned the case. When Anita is not looking for the rogue master vampire, she somehow forges a new triumverate in which she is the master and the vampire and the shapeshifter add their powers to hers. Richard, Anita and Jean-Claude try again to make the triumverate work because they know the whole is greater than the individual parts. The heroine's life is obviously never boring as she jumps from one lover to another and one crime scene to the next one always knowing this could be her last leap. Anita Blake is one of the most original characters around and she remains as fresh as if this is her first appearance. INCUBUS DREAMS is highly erotic with plenty of sex scenes that add to the plot and the prime player as it enables the audience to see her growing power and its impact on her two lovers. This gender bender will appeal to romance, fantasy, and mystery and of course horror fans.

Through the Grinder
Cleo Coyle
Berkley
ISBN: 042519714X $5.99, 288 pp.

After divorcing her husband Matteo, Clare took their daughter to New Jersey where they went suburban for a decade until Joy accepts a school in Manhattan. Clare eagerly agrees to a job offer by her former mother- in-law in the family owned business The Village Blend so that she can be near Joy. She relocates to a duplex above the store while her daughter and her former mother-in-law hope that is the first step in binging Clare and her ex-husband Matt together. Clare is more interested in monitoring Joy's men rather than meeting any males for herself. During a social gala hosted above the Village Blend, Clare meets and falls in love with Bruce Bowman; he reciprocates her feelings. Clare's friend Detective Mike Quinn warns her to avoid Bruce because he is the prime suspect in the murders of three women that he knew whose deaths were disguised as suicides. Clare refuses to believe Bruce is capable of homicide and with the help of Matt sets out to affirm her belief. THROUGH THE GRINDER is a fascinating mystery mostly because readers see the killer's point of view as he strikes at the victims. Though the logic why Bruce is a lead suspect seems thin, Quinn's jealousy forces him to rationalize his opinion. Though the tale takes a little time to introduce the cast once Clare takes Manhattan, readers gain an engrossing amateur sleuth serial killer that stars a brave, quirky heroine.

Crewel Yule
Monica Ferris
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198278 $19.95, 256 pp.

Instead of working at her stitchery store, Crewel World in a small Minnesota town, Betsy Devonshire and her employee Godwin are in Nashville attending the annual cash and carry market hosted by the International Needlework Retailer's Guild. Their friend Sergeant Jill Larson is also in town attending a police conference. The three friends meet for dinner at the Grand Ole Opry Hotel. However a freak snowstorm strands Jill at Betsy's hotel. Belle Hammermill, co- owner of Belle's Samples and More in Milwaukee, falls off the balcony to her death in the atrium below. Betsy saw the incident and feels a misfortunate accident occurred as no one was in the vicinity of the victim. Jill has doubts and accompanied by Betsy questions people quickly learning that at least three women wanted Belle dead, but which one and how did that person escape eye witnesses accounts of not seeing the culprit perform the deed. There is a sad irony to this entertaining sleuth tale as the victim was an amoral nasty piece of work who some will say deserved what she got while the killer is a beleaguered troubled person who performed the homicide on impulse and regrets her actions. Thus readers will empathize with the killer. Jurisdiction aside, Monica Ferris stitches together a delightfully clever yarn that will get the audience into the holiday spirit.

The Painted Rose
Donna Birdsell
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198049 $6.99

In 1777 with the deaths of his wife Katrina and their child Tessa in a tragic Paris fire in which he felt he could have saved their lives, haunted artist Lucien Delacourte leaves France to tutor an English woman. When he arrives at Whitford, he learns from the locals that his destination Elmsford House is haunted by a veiled phantom. The host Lord James Essington is surprised that someone showed up for the position, but welcomes the newcomer anyway. James abruptly leaves so Lucien wanders around until he sees a mysterious woman wearing veils. He learns she is the earl's sister and his student, Lady Sarah who escorts Lucien on a tour of her gardens. To his amazement she has brought vigor to his life as he enjoys talking with her and needs to see her visage. Lucien learns that she wants to paint her gardening efforts to present as a catalogue to the Royal Botanical Society. Soon he falls in love with her inner beauty though he has yet to see her face. Sarah reciprocates, but knows her beloved mourns his losses. This Georgian romance is a terrific tale because of the deep characterizations of the prime five (including the Earl's dowager Mom) residing at Elmsford House. Readers can compare the differences between James's amoral wife Julia and his sister hiding behind veils due a tragic accident. Lucien is a wonderful protagonist as he struggles with guilt over his deceased wife and child while falling in love with Sarah, face unseen. Fans will enjoy Donna Birdsell's delightful debut and look forward to more historical romances from this talented newcomer.

Snap Shot
Meg Chittenden
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198030 $5.99, 304 pp.

After being shot by a mark that she was investigating, private investigator Diana Gordon quits sleuthing as she is tired of injuries and feeling old at thirty-four. The part owner of G and J Investigations Diana leaves the practice without asking for compensation from her partner, Bradley Jeffers. One year later, Diana has relocated to Port Findlay, Washington where she has opened up a photography practice, the one skill from her previous work that means doing all the shooting and not being shot back. However, Diana has been roped into co-hosting the annual Port Finley Arts Alliance Photography Show with chiropractor Connor Callahan, a widower still "talking" to his beloved late spouse. As someone stalks Diana from her previous life with plans to kill her, she and Connor begin to fall in love. However, she has doubts as she has had one failed marriage and she believes he has room for one woman in his heart, his beloved deceased spouse of fourteen years. SNAP SHOT is an entertaining Pacific Northwest romantic suspense tale that readers will enjoy due to the shy antics of the lead couple when they are near each other. The story line is further propelled by eccentric secondary characters who constantly push the dynamic duo together, but not as matchmakers but for the photography show. The tense intrigue subplot is cleverly developed, but the key to this fine thriller is the personal dynamics between the reluctant yet hopeful prime pair.

The Tale of Hill Top Farm
Susan Wittig Albert
Berkley
ISBN: 0425196348 $22.95, 304 pp.

The inhabitants of Near Sawrey in England's Lake District are agog because outsider Beatrix Potter has bought Hill Top Farm out of royalties she received for her popular books. Beatrix seeks a new start in life because her believed recently died one month after their engagement. While recovering, she also needs to hide from her overbearing parents who see her as a servant and lady of the manor when her mom is ill, which is often. Her first impression of the village is that it is quiet and its residents seem contented. As she becomes acquainted with the villagers, Beatrix realizes gossip spreads faster than the wind so that a newspaper is unnecessary to keep up with the day's happenings. The longer she stays in Near Sawrey, the more Beatrix gets caught up in the daily flow of life here. Soon she tries to figure out where a missing painting, The Parish Register and the School, could have gone and who purloined them. THE TALE OF HILL TOP FARM enables readers to obtain a deep look at the early twentieth century author who wrote the whimsical hopping The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. Ms. Potter's works are similar to that of Rita Mae Brown with animals talking to one another and influencing human behavior. There is a historical essence to the tale so that fans feel they are in a quaint English village circa 1905 with a star breaking the taboo of a woman alone moving in with the locals. Susan Wittig Albert provides a fabulous historical fictional tale.

Mrs. Jeffries Stalks the Hunter
Emily Brightwell
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198855 $5.99, 215 pp.

In Victorian England, Sir Edmund Leggett is so in debt he is marrying heiress Beatrice Parkingtom for her money even with her parents in trade and the chit not wanting to marry him. A woman stalks Edmund hanging outside his home every day and follows him wherever he goes. Afraid that his cash cow will cry off if she learns about the stalker, Edmund announces their engagement at a society gala so she cannot dump him. Later a drunken Edmund heads home; someone he knows shoots him and calmly walks away leaving him dead. Inspector Gerald Witherspoon is assigned the case and finds too many suspects with motives as Sir Edmund played fast and loose with women, abused his servants, and was late paying off his gambling debts. Even his fiancee loathed him and the female stalker is assumed to have been one of the many women he discarded. The inspector worries that this will become a cold case, but his housekeeper Mrs. Jeffries and the rest of his household staff are helping him although he remains unaware of their assistance. The nineteenth installment in this long running series retains its fresh, unique "police procedural" premise due to a terrific who-done-it, the fabulous Witherspoon and his unofficial experts, and a solid secondary cast loaded with reasons to kill Edmund. Although his nasty behavior provides much of London as suspects, perhaps the only weak link is the odious Edmund, who was so nasty and hedonistic that no one cares that he died. However, what makes this well done who-done-it shine even brighter is the vivid look at Victorian England from the perspective of several lifestyles.

On Thin Ice
Alina Adams
Berkley
ISBN: 0425198847 $5.99, 256 pp.

Skating Coach Antonia Wright calls 24/7 Sports Network researcher Rebecca "Bex" Levy to inform her that student is the best young skater in America. Bex sees a great story in the making so she meets thirteen years old Jeremy Hunt. The teen asks her to talk to his father Craig, who does not want his son competing in the Nationals. After watching how magnificent Jeremy skates, she talks with Craig; he blows her off. Later she learns father and son vanished. Deciding on a documentary on past skating greats and where they are now, Bex interviews Robby Sharpton who failed to get a medal in the Olympics. Following the end of his career, Robby went to jail for spousal abuse. His skating partner Rachel Rose disappeared leaving him to pursue a single's career. Bex ponders whether Robbie killed Rachel so she searches for his missing partner, whom she finds in the Pocono's. A few days later Rachel is murdered; Bex believes her story was a factor in the homicide. When she returns to Rachel's home, she shockingly finds Jeremy and Craig live there. Alina Adams, an expert on figure skating, brings the behind the scenes support needed to compete or put on a competition without prettying up the rivalry and pressure; that helps readers to better understand the Harding-Kerrigan incident without excusing the criminality. The protagonist may not be a licensed sleuth, but her work has given her the experiences that enable her to act like she is a professional detective putting together various threads into a cohesive picture. Skating fans will enthusiastically give a 10 to ON THIN ICE, but so will amateur sleuth fans.

The Bad Boy's Wife
Karen Shepard
St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312318960 $23.95, 272 pp.

Though coming from wealthy respected parents Hannah married the local bad boy Cole. They stayed together for twenty years living in the same house for fifteen of them. They had one child Mattie. However, Cole ended their marriage without warning and immediately wed her friend Georgia. Cole and Georgia seem happy together and recently had their first child while Hannah feels discombobulated and out of soughts. The relationships between the trio have taken its toll on confused ten years old Mattie. Everything changes when Georgia is severely injured in a car accident. Cole turns to Hannah to watch the infant Sam. Mattie is even more confused as the relationships between the adults subtly switch again. As the dynamics between Cole and Hannah turn even stranger and Georgia remains in terrible shape, Mattie begins looking backwards because her parents pressure her to choose between them when all she wants is to finish fifth grade. THE BAD BOY'S WIFE is a bittersweet family drama that takes the twist of starting in the present (year 2000) and looking backwards over the through the years to the late 1970s. The reverse plot flow works quite well as the audience receives an even deeper understanding of how far Cole and Hannah fell. Little memory tidbits such as Hannah's recall of standing back to back with Georgia and not clearing the younger woman's nape add the depth to a strong character study of how a relationship collapsed and its impact on the innocent.

He Had It Coming
Camika Spencer
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312323344 $19.95, 212 pp.

Women flock to bestselling author Marcus Brooks. He takes advantages of the bit**es who throw themselves at him, but has a strict rule of twelve hours. He wants them gone and out of his life by then. The only woman who can stay is his deceased mom, whose picture he takes with him when he is on the road. How strict is the rule? Just ask his just fired agent Regis as Marcus derails his ticket to the top by because he dared to criticized Marcus on his treatment of women. In Dallas for an interview, Marcus gets into a dispute with a worker. She accuses him of assault and the police seek to arrest him. He hides, but a reading club (Raylene, Naomi, Thelma, Gwena, and Latice) meet Marcus, who is arguing with an elderly street woman over two bucks. Amazonian Thelma gets into a fight with him and kicks his butt until he turns dirty until the others intercede. They kidnap and chain Marcus to the pipes under Thelma's kitchen sink to teach him a lesson on women, life and love with his host being the most influential. HE HAD IT COMING is an enjoyable character study that is actually different than Misery due to the attitudes of the players. The story line takes the time to introduce the key sextet enabling the audience to better understand the reading group and the author. The tale accelerates about half way in when the women kidnap Marcus to teach him a lesson on life and becoming a love slave, but they also learn a lot about themselves. The use of profanity fits Marcus so that fans will agree that HE HAD IT COMING is a fine read.

What's a Woman to Do?
Victor McGlothin
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312335237 $12.95

In Dallas the three Hampton sisters feel they are close to one another, but each one keeps a major secret or two from their beloved siblings. Middle child Janeen feels she has hit the corporate glass ceiling especially when the board selected an outsider for a position that should have been hers, but it is her personal life that is in shambles. She and her womanizing spouse Ray are near the end as he cannot stop hopping the women and even sired a child with one of them. She now salivates over the FBI hunk investigating Ray. The youngest Janesse, called Sissy, is enjoying the wild side of life running with a rough crowd pulling unethical real estate scams. The oldest sibling Joyce sees Sissy deeply kissing and groping Ray; she feels torn between her beloved sisters as she ponders telling Janeen what she has shockingly observed, which would break her relationship with Sissy; or does she remain quiet, which breaks her bond with Janesse? WHAT'S A WOMAN TO DO is an engaging family drama that looks deep into how close siblings really are when secrets are kept that involves all of them. Sissy as the youngest has gotten away with crossing the line many times; Janeen as the middle sibling feels the squeeze above and below at home and at work; finally Joyce is the oldest who sets the moral tone for her younger sisters, but struggles with what she perceives is her moral role as an paragon for them. Victor McGlothin furbishes a strong, insightful and entertaining character study.

One Day I Saw a Black King
J. D. Mason
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312306199 $12.95, 346 pp.

His fourteen year old mother Mattie died giving birth to him; his maternal grandmother Agnes raised him but never forgave him for the death of her daughter. At fifteen feeling all alone and never tasting affection, John King left his home. He rambles from town to town, takes odd jobs, and never remains around long enough for women to know him. Her mother Charlotte Rodgers abandoned twelve years old Connie and her younger sister Reesy to run off with her latest lover Sammy. The Colorado foster care system separated the kids though Connie was more of a mother to Reesy than Charlotte was. A nice couple adopts Reesy almost immediately, but Connie is bumped from home to uncaring home until she is placed with a foster father who desires things from her no child should even know about. Connie flees to the streets where she meets more betrayal and pain. In Denver John and Connie meet. Neither trusts anyone, but a kindred spirit connects them. As they begin to forge the unthinkable a loving relationship, bitter symbols from their past surface. His grandmother is dying and her sister wants to see her again. This story starts slow so that the audience can fully understand the demons that haunt the lead couple, but once they meet, the tale turns into an incredible relationship drama that showcases the healing power of love. John and Connie hook the audience as both feels strongly the bitterness of rejection and though trust is nonexistent they begin to help one another. Fans of deep character driven plots will want to read this powerful novel that everyone needs a lot of love.

Chasing the Dragon
Domenic Stansberry
St. Martin's
ISBN 0312324677 $24.95, 320 pp.

After working for the San Francisco Police Department for seven years, Dante Mancuso wasn't satisfied the way a case ended up; he pursued it against the orders of his superiors. Internal Affairs booted him out on trumped up charges. The shadowy Company recruited him and has sent him on assignments around the world. His latest is that he should return to San Francisco, go to his father's funeral, and get reacquainted with old friends and his ex-girlfriend. He is to arrange a sting between the Wus (a Chinese family with legal and illegal businesses that use the Mancuso warehouse for temporary storage) and two drug traffickers Mason Wow and Yosek Faton (an ex con affiliated with the Nation of Islam). Dante learns that his father thought someone was out to kill him; he gave the negatives of pictures to his brother Sal who gave them to Dante. When Sal is murdered, Dante thinks it has to do with the pictures of illegal immigrants dead in a case on a ship. These pictures lead Dante back to why he was kicked off SFPD with hopes the truth will finally come out during the sting and its aftermath. The protagonist is a survivor and a man who didn't believe a killer's confession. This led him in to the world of the Company, where rules are made to be broken and operations are quasi-legal. His discovery of the truth about the man's death seven years ago changes nothing and he has to learn to live with his place in the world now. Domenic Stansberry has written an exciting crime thriller where actions are shades of gray and people are not always who they seem.

Scared Money
James Hime
St. Martin's
ISBN 0312331363 $22.95, 320 pp.

Life is supposed to be quiet and tranquil in the small Texas town of Brenham but the criminals are moving out of the cities and into the rural areas. Local drug dealer Lamont Stubbs is gunned down when he gets out of his car to meet someone and the killer then shoots Deidre Brown, Lamont's girlfriend who is waiting in the car. Since the killings involved black people, the sheriff gives the case to Black Deputy Sheriff Clyde Thompson. Clyde thinks that Gutterball Jones did the deed since he did time for drug trafficking and has tries to the Canto drug cartel. On the other side of town former Texas Ranger Jeremiah Spin is ordered by the CIA to help Dallas businessman Mr. Farkas find an accountant who made off with ten million dollars from his company. Farkas was an independent contractor for the CIA and in return for his services they allowed him to enter the United States and become a legitimate businessman. On the surface a dead drug dealer and a missing accountant have nothing in common but when drugs are involved anything is possible. SACRED MONEY is a story about revenge and the lengths people will go to achieve it. This is an action packed crime thriller that doesn't neglect characterizations. The antagonist Mr. Farkas comes across as somewhat sympathetic because he wants vengeance on the men who killed his son and even though he breaks many laws to achieve his goal, he is still a grieving father. The protagonists have to wade through a cesspool of dark motivations to try and achieve justice. James Hime proves with SCARED MONEY he is not a one book wonder.

A Taint in the Blood
Dana Stabenow
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312306830 $24.95, 305 pp.

Over three decades ago in Alaska, wealthy Victoria Pilz Bannister Muravieff was convicted of murdering her oldest son William by setting a fire to their home; her other son Oliver escaped by jumping out a window. At the time of her conviction Victoria insisted she was innocent, but once in jail accepted her lot stoically. Now Victoria is dying from uterine cancer and her daughter Charlotte, who believes her mom is innocent, wants her to come home. Her only hope is to learn what happened on that fatal day. No Anchorage based sleuth will touch the case so she travels to the wilderness to persuade Kate Shugak to find out who set the fire. Kate accepts the job because the fee is too great to refuse. Talking about refusal, Victoria wants no part of the investigation refusing to assist Kate. As the sleuth continues to dig up information, someone else wants Victoria left behind bars until she dies and that person will kill to keep what happened secret thirty-one years ago. Shugak's fourteenth Alaska mystery is an enjoyable tale as every new piece of evidence that Kate finds confirms the conviction and the key "witness" will not help her own cause. The story line also contains a romantic subplot, but that detours the reader away from the prime did she really do it. When Kate stays within the course of her investigation, the audience receives a powerful tale of family secrets to include murder and blackmail and a look back at Anchorage that makes the love subplot pale. Fans of the series will appreciate this solid sleuthing tale.

Blue Moon
Lori Handeland
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312991347 $6.99, 352 pp.

In Mimiwa, Wisconsin, police officer Jessie McQuade investigates a car accident between Karen Larson and a wolf that apparently bit the teacher. As Karen is rushed to the hospital, Jessie searches the woods until she runs into a naked man living in a nearby cabin. He offers her nothing new on her case except a desire to make love with him. Jessie does find a small totem at the accident site. The next day Karen goes berserk at school forcing Sheriff Clyde Johnston to kill her. Jessie realizes that rabies takes three months to incubate in people so wonders what really happened. On a hunch she takes the totem to Mimiwa University where she meets visiting expert Will Cadotte, the naked man from the night before. He is stunned by the totem who says he belongs to the wolf clan that uses these artifacts, but this one is different. It is that of an auwishuk, an evil Manitou. As Jessie struggles with a supernatural evil truth, she and Will fall in love, but as the evidence piles up she wonders if she can trust the professor. BLUE MOON is an exciting werewolf romance starring the ultimate disbeliever and the "perfect" counterpoint to prove that sometimes there are strange phenomena beyond the norm. The who-done-it is cleverly drawn enhanced by deep secondary characters, some of whom are on the wrong side of the American law (who knows what the law is on the other side). Still, it is the match up of the lead duo that makes for a howling time for those who read this entertaining paranormal police procedural romance.

Choke Point
James C. Mitchell
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312315325 $23.95, 272 pp.

A riot broke out at a college football game leaving a Hispanic man dead. The next day April Lennox informs PI Brinker at his Tucson office that the victim was a whistleblower who contacted her about wrong doings in Nogales, Mexico. She asks him to accompany her on a visit to the deceased's mother to see if she can provide some light on what her son knew. Brink says no and not long afterward, April's sexually abused body is found in Nogales. Brink feels guilty that he failed to talk her out of going and not accompanying her. As a former border patrol agent, he has contacts on both sides of the law and borders, which he uses to track April's movements. He learns she was killed in Nogales and her death and that of ten other victim ties to the Mexican factories using cheap labor. Brink's friend visits the mother and finds that her son was pressing for better working conditions at the Amistadt office. Brink feels an obligation to obtain justice for April by capturing a killer and his employer. The protagonist uses a drug dealer and that man's associates in Nogales to assist him in his efforts to provide justice to the victims as Brink believes the end justifies the means. The law means nothing to his unknown enemy so Brink adapts the same game theory leading to quite a border thriller. James C. Mitchell takes his audience on quite an eye-opening borderlands' experience with the action-packed CHOKE POINT crime thriller.

The Charmer
Celeste Bradley
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312999712 $6.50, 384 pp.

In 1813, the Liars Club members train the next generation of recruits to serve as spies to protect the country. Two of the better newcomers, former servant Rose Lacey and aristocratic Collis Treymayne are intense rivals trying to better one another in every test. The leadership is concerned over the rivalry interfering with their progress. So the duo is assigned to a phony scenario to steal a document, but must work together as a team or else. As they fuss over the assignment, they break and enter, but Rose takes the wrong file. Soon the pair finds themselves outside the classroom and in the real world of espionage in which one mistake means death. As the danger mounts, they fall in love, but she is a commoner and he is a nobleman. THE CHARMER is a wonderful Liars' Club Regency romance starring two fabulous antagonists who compete whether it is on the mats or in the classroom. Rose is a fabulous heroine who though she is a top student and can hold her own even in hand to hand combat, still mentally struggles with her reflex reactions to aristocratic males from years in service. Collis is a perfect counterpart as he loves to get Rose's goat, but hates to lose to her even if he has one bad arm. Together as they struggle to uncover a plot against the Regent, they freshen up a series that will send new fans seeking the previous three espionage romances.

Mackerel Sky
Natalee Caple
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312330243 $23.95, 272 pp.

Guy Caple grew up in Montreal amongst a family known for typically being on the wrong side of the law: When he was sixteen, Guy panicked over the pregnancy of his older girlfriend Martine and fled to Boston when Isabelle was born. Two decades later, Guy returns to his hometown to meet the daughter he abandoned at birth and never met. He is a bit shocked to find Martine living with twenty-two years old Harry as she has for the past five years. He soon learns that his former girlfriend, her lover, and his daughter are running a counterfeiting ring. Fearing for Isabel's safety he plans to persuade the two females to stop before they get caught, but instead joins their plans that fall apart as underground thugs want the quartet dead. This is an amusing crime romp that will keep readers laughing and riveted as Guy and company go from one catastrophe to another. The fab four are delightful characters with each containing unique personalities that together make them inefficient and ineffective. The sexual encounters add to the sublime fast-paced Canadian counterfeit caper that never slows down until the final stunner. Fans will take immense pleasure with this fine novel and expect more wild rides from Natalee Caple.

Invitation to Provence
Elizabeth Adler
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312308116 $24.95, 352 pp.

Southern California veterinarian Franny Marten is stunned to learn that her long distance romance with Atlanta based Marcus marks is over as he not only has a wife, he sent her to break it off with her. The spouse Clare and Franny hit it off and the former persuades the latter to take up her Aunt Rafaella Marten des Sauvages' invitation to spend three weeks in Provence at a family gathering although she never even knew this aunt existed. Franny, accompanied by Clare, goes to France where she is shocked by her dysfunctional relatives who seem at war with one another in spite of the warm welcoming from her elderly aunt. Worse someone wants Franny to remain in the dark on family secrets and will go to great lengths to achieve this objective; Franny wonders if her nasty cousin Alain would harm her. However, the biggest emotional roller coaster is Jake Bronson, who she falls in love with, but wonders if she can trust him with her heart and her life though she wants too. No one does travelogues inside terrific contemporary romances better than Elizabeth Adler does. Her latest tour of the Mediterranean is superb as readers obtain a taste of Provence while also reading an interesting family drama. Franny is a wonderful protagonist and the support cast shines a light on her or on the region. As she has done with A SUMMER IN TUSCANY and THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS, Ms. Adler provides a delightful tale for armchair travelers to enjoy.

The Witch's Tongue
James D. Doss
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312317425 $24.95, 320 pp.

All hell has broken loose on the Ute Reservation in the Granite Creek, Colorado area. After physically abusing his wife, Jacob Rattle vanishes in Spirit Canyon (to the joyful relief of his spouse). At about the same time, someone steals coins and cameos that museum owner Jane Cassidy claims is worth millions. Antiques dealer Ralph Briggs tells Ute tribal investigator Charlie Moon about a shady deal when he is shot. At a roadblock to catch the museum thieves, Felix Navarone is "treed" by Officer Jim Wolfe landing in jail. Legal Aide trainee Eddie Ganado visits Felix; who not long afterward is released. . Charlie ignores the mess to work on his ranch but his aunt pressures him to become involved as Jim stole corpse powder from her. Charlie really changes his mind when he meets FBI Special Agent Lia McTeague in charge of the investigation. He is attracted to her and like any male needs to show off his prowess by trying to uncover who is killing people and why. Combining humor with Native American mythos, James D. Doss proves he is a shaman when it comes to providing a terrific mystery. The story line is fueled on two levels with the obvious homicides and other havoc on the one hand and the Charlie-Lia on the other hand. Both ties nicely together as it is the attraction to Lia that coaxes Charlie to need to solve the case. Fans of Charlie (this being his eighth appearance) already know why Mr. Doss' Moon novels are always amongst the genre's best, but newcomers will see first hand the proof of that assertion.

A Watery Grave
Joan Druett
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312334419 $23.95, 288 pp.

In 1838 Norfolk, someone takes a shot at half Maori William "Wiki" Coffin, Jr. before fleeing the area. Wiki next sees the corpse of a woman in his boat. The Sheriff arrests Wiki for murdering Mrs. Tristam Stanton, wife of the expedition's astronomer. However, not long afterward, the Sheriff frees the "darkie" though he has no papers. Instead he believes that the killer is on the ship the Ex. Ex. already sailing on an exploration expedition in the South Seas. Since Wiki is a linguist with the expedition, the Sheriff asks him to investigate the murder on board the vessel. As Wiki catches up to the ship, he also begins making inquiries. However, he finds the crew's bias towards his race and national origin makes it difficult to obtain answers as well as delineate who is simply a bigot from a killer. Still, Wiki persists even as the ship is wracked with blunders, confusion, and dangerous decisions that almost sinks the effort before reaching the destination let alone solve a homicide. This is a terrific historical mystery with the emphasis on real events and relationships circa 1838. The story line contains a fabulous who-done-it, but many of the red herrings are caused by racism that makes an individual seem nasty enough to commit murder. Wiki is a wonderful protagonist who hopefully stars in future South Sea adventures, but the key to this superb tale is the insight into the seemingly doomed real United States South Seas Exploring Expedition of 1838.

What She Doesn't Know
Tina Wainscott
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312984243 $6.99, 384 pp.

French Quarter hotel manager Brian LaPorte and Boston based psychiatrist Rita Brooks meet over the Internet when he showed interest in a dagger she was selling. They exchanged email and started to talk about meeting as the two were falling in love, but Rita delayed this because of her fears of intimate relationships. Not long afterward a car purposely crashes into Rita's vehicle; four days later she comes out of the coma. Rita sends an email to Brian asking why he stopped communicating with her. Instead of a response, Brian's estranged brother Christopher arrives to learn what Rita's relationship was with his sibling, who apparently tried to kill himself by jumping off a ledge. Rita finds out that Brian is in a coma and believes he "visited" her when they both were comatose to warn her and to insist he was pushed. Rita goes to New Orleans with Mardi Gras just beginning to investigate Brian's fall. Christopher joins up with her although he thinks she is lying; neither expected to fall in love nor anticipate the danger from a seemingly safe source. This paranormal romantic suspense is a strong tale that hooks readers with the opening confrontation in "Xanadu" until the final climax. Readers know who pushed Brian and the threat to Rita from the beginning but that just adds tension as the audience worries about the stubborn courageous heroine who has no allies even Christopher although she falls in love with him. Readers will appreciate this dark terse thriller.

Inside Track
John Francome
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312329792 $24.95

Two years ago, jockey Jamie Hutchison drove under the influence and killed fifteen years old Alan Kirkwell. Jamie did not remember the accident or anything else that occurred on that fatal night. The Leeds Court ruled vehicular homicide but not deliberate so he was sentenced to three years in prison. After eighteen months behind bars, Jamie is freed while the Kirkwells still mourn their loss and resent his freedom. As Jamie tries to regain his life, his memory of the incident that shattered several lives begins to surface. Still in spite of a welcome by his track friends, he knows he grew to big to ride horses competitively and needs to adjust to changes in his personal life as the last woman he slept with Vanessa Hartley is marrying a rival. As his recall begins to focus, someone wants him dead or back behind bars; though Jamie thinks it must be Alan's father, someone else prefers the truth to remain buried at all cost. Meanwhile he meets and falls in love with Alan's sister Marie who reciprocates his feelings, but her father has never recovered from the death of his son. INSIDE TRACK is en enjoyable horse racing mystery that will remind readers of the works of Dick Francis. The story line is character driven with the added irony that the audience knows from the start that Jamie's seemingly kind brother-in-law is a dangerous person to cross. The star-crossed relationship between Marie and Jamie provides a fabulous angst to a strong suspense thriller that is wire to wire winner for fans.

Hide Yourself Away
Mary Jane Clark
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312323131 $19.95

At KEY-TV, four interns compete for the position of assistant producer's for the news show KEY to America. The rivals are all in Newport trying to persuade producer, B.J. D'Elia to select them. The least confident, but most needy of the rivals is thirty-two old single mom Grace Callahan. Besides feeling inadequate next to the competitors, Grace feels guilty that she left her preadolescent daughter Lucy behind with her philandering former husband and his wife, especially since they want custody of the child. Almost to the arrival of the news crew is the brutal murder of Madeleine Sloan, whose corpse was found at the bottom of the Forty Steps of the City by the Sea. Locals become concerned because fourteen years ago Madeleine's mother vanished, but now her remains have been found in an underground railroad tunnel. Soon the interns are murdered leaving Grace the job by default; others also are killed while Grace tries to uncover the identity of the serial killer before she joins the rapidly rising count. The Key to the latest news mystery is the beleaguered amazing Grace who serves as an unconfident fine center to the suspense thriller. However, the support cast is stereotyped so that they come from set moulds like the intern rivals regardless of race, national origin or gender seem identical viz a viz Grace. The story line consists of short chapters so that every New Englander seems guilty of the murders, but that hurts the tale as too many souls become suspect and interchangeable. Still fans of Mary Jane Clark will enjoy Grace's efforts to be the last intern breathing.

Revenge
Mary Morris
St. Martin's
ISBN: 0312327927 $21.95, 229 pp.

Andrea teaches at Hartwood College in Connecticut, a small exclusive school plagued by budget problems so that she is unsure of whether she will gain tenure. She often thinks of her father, driving when he was heavily medicated on hypertension drugs and antidepressants; she blames her stepmother for allowing him to drive. Andrea ponders why she never visited him in the hospital when he lied in a coma or why she and her brother were left out of his will. Andrea's neighbor, the internationally famous Loretta Partlow, deliberately cultivates a friendship between them. Over the course of a year, Andrea tells her personal story to the author hoping that she would write a book about it. However Andrea begins to trust Loretta thinking of her as a friend and surrogate mother so that when the writer accomplishes what she originally hoped for by authoring a book, she feels betrayed. There is little action in this novel as much of the tale consists of conversations between the two women. The shock that Andrea feels when Loretta writes a fictionalized account of her life feels genuine as does the anger when the older woman no longer wants her around as she got what she wanted out of her. REVENGE packs an emotional series of punches as the two lives of the two females converge until one like a soul sucking vampire leaves the other withered and dry, but trying to find a new direction without the negativity that has haunted her.

Sugar Cookie Murder
Joanne Fluke
Kensington
$16.00, 352 pp. ISBN: 075820681X

Hannah Swenson owns the Cookie Jar Bakery in Eden Lake, Minnesota. Currently she is working her buns off (pun intended) to get ready for the Christmas party and food competition at the community center. Hannah is compiling a book of recipes that the townsfolk are renowned for. Everyone seems to want to be included in the cookbook so Hannah is struggling not to ruffle any feathers by showing every dish entered at the party. She also looks forward to spending time with her date police investigator Mike Kingston. Hannah knows that Martin's new wife Brandy Wyn Dubrinksi will make his mother Babs and his former spouse Sherry uncomfortable. However everyone gasps when they see Brandy as she is wearing a $25,000 mink coat that Martin just bought her. While Hannah toils in the kitchen she notices that the door to the back parking lot is ajar. She goes outside only to find Brandy dead with her mother's jewel encrusted Regency serving cake knife in the victim's chest. Hannah begins searching for the real killer. There should be a warning not to read this book on an empty stomach because the descriptions of food throughout the novel and the recipes at the end will send the pickiest eater on a gorging frenzy. This warm cozy amateur sleuth tale is well plotted and has a sweet eccentric small town support cast, but the main ingredient remains Hannah as she takes another bite out of crime. SUGAR COOKIE MURDER is a delicious lighthearted mystery.

Crushing Crystal
Evan Marshall
Kensington
ISBN 0758202288 $22.00, 256 pp.

Literary agent Jane Stuart works and lives in Shady Hills, New Jersey and is glad to be away from the crime and troubles of New York City. She has a wonderful nanny Florence for her eleven year old son Nicholas; because of her friendship with Florence she allows her nanny's sister Crystal Ryerson to stay at her home for two weeks. When they move Crystal into her new home, Jane is thrilled to get rid of the obnoxious, meddling know it all busy body. In the short time she has been in town, Crystal complained to Children Services stating that Myrtle Lovesy's daughter, a former drug addict, is not fit to raise her child. She also gets a teacher fired for stealing computers that he categorically denies. Crystal, an assistant director at the public library, arranges a reading group. At the very first meeting the teacher and Mrs. Lovesy are there. When Crystal climbs a ladder to get a book from the top shelf of the bookstore, it falls on her killing her instantly. Florence ask Jane, who has solved five homicides, to find her sister's killer; she agrees to help her friend not knowing that she is putting her life on the line. CRUSHING CRYSTAL is a fantastic cozy and a delightful amateur sleuth tale all rolled up into one terrific package. The protagonist is intelligent and loyal willing to go the extra mile to help her friend. Evan Marshall has written his best mystery to date because there is a subplot involving a missing beautiful high school girl that seamlessly returns to the main story line. This delightfully charming mystery is definitely deserving of an award nomination.

Killer Blonde
Laura Levine
Kensington
ISBN: 0758201621 $22.00, 234 pp.

Though she would prefer to say no to Beverly Hills socialite SueEllen Kingsley, THIS PEN FOR HIRE writer Jaine Austen needs the money so that she and Prozac the cat can eat in the style that Ben & Jerry recommend. She knows if offered she will accept the ghostwriting of an insipid mess. Before meeting SueEllen, Jaine meets her client's stepdaughter fifteen years old overweight Heidi, who warns her that within a week she will quit because no one survives the queen of mean. The interviews starts out strange as SueEllen resides in a giant bathtub and Jaine cannot get her eyes off of the perfect boobs that apparently was a present from her plastic surgeon husband. Jaine sits on the toilet while SueEllen dictates her memoir At Home with SueEllen. Quickly she considers quitting and giving up 3K a week instead of trying to fix a book that has recipes that start with the maid and the cook doing the work. Someone else gives her assignment its LAST WRITES as SueEllen is electrocuted in her tub by her hairdryer. The police believe Heide killed her stepmother, but the teen insists she saw a blond run from their home. Jaine likes Heide and begins an investigation hoping to find the KILLER BLONDE. The third Austen amateur sleuth tale is an amusing story as Jaine provides a stand up comic's running soliloquy. The story line is fun and contains a few surprising but reasonable twists. The SueEllen-Heide relationship sounds some what like "Mommy Dearest" so the teen makes a perfect suspect. Fans will laugh at Jaine's observations as Laura Levine furbishes a jocular who-done-it.

Burning Bridges
Troy Soos
Kensington
ISBN: 0758206240 $6.99, 320 pp.

In 1896, thanks to his expose article on Tammany Hall corruption, Harper's magazine hires reporter Marshall Webb while the Lexow Committee tries to see that corrupt politicians and cop do time. Marshall wants to work on a different story and his boss is eager to oblige him. His topic of choice is to look at the upcoming referendum to decide whether Brooklyn and Staten Island should merge with Manhattan; supporters and opponents are volatile on the subject. He attends the town meeting hosted at Brooklyn's Canarsie Hall where wealthy industrialist Joshua Thompson provides a rousing speech in support of the third largest city in America remaining independent. As Marshall interviews Joshua, shots are fired; Joshua is dead. Detective Buck Morehouse investigates the homicide; he teams up with Marshall using the reporter as bait to lure a killer. Troy Soos has written a fantastic historical mystery starring a likeable hero. His girlfriend wealthy socialite Rebecca Davies, who runs a home for women in trouble, plays more of a secondary role this time as opposed to her prime actions in the previous novels. The most intriguing character is Detective Morehouse, who receives free gratuities that today would be considered corruption but is quite acceptable in the Gay Nineties of New York. This well written and thoroughly researched BURNING BRIDGES, besides containing a wonderful period piece who-done-it, also leaves the audience with the concept that crime including corruption and graft is defined by society, which changes the definition periodically.

The Russian Passenger
Gunter Ohnemus
Bitter Lemon Press
ISBN: 1904738028 $14.95, 260 pp.

In Munich, the beautiful but obviously nervous Russian, Sonia Kovalevskaya hails the taxi that fifty years old Harry Willemer drives for a living. She asks him to take her around Munich before dropping her off at the airport to catch a flight to Luxembourg. She explains to Harry that her Russian Mafia husband is after her because she stole four million dollars of their loot. Somehow Sonia's plight touches Harry, who gave up on life twenty-two years ago when he got into a fight with his wife Ellen. Sick of his accusations, she left taking their daughter Jessie with her. Perhaps it was anger that blinded Ellen, but her vehicle crashed into a tree killing Jessie. Harry still blames himself drifting through life as a loner until now. Harry offers to drive her all the way to the ill-gotten money; Sonia accepts knowing that has to be safer than the airport or rails obviously under Mafia surveillance. Not long afterward with goons on their tail and the German police seeking them for questioning involving two dead Russians, Harry and Sonia flee for their lives. This English translation of a tense German thriller grips readers as the chase crosses Europe to America with friends of Harry assisting them; his sudden contacts bring out the pivotal moment that destroyed his life over two decades ago. Sonia is an intriguing protagonist and the antagonists are deliciously evil, but title aside Harry takes the novel above the typical pursuit thriller. He sees Sonia as a chance at some redemption that might relieve him a bit (not totally) from his self flagellation culpability and negative musings.

Gloriana, or the Unfulfill'd Queen
Michael Moorcock
Aspect
ISBN: 0446691402 $14.00, 448 pp.

Queen Gloriana rules the greatest empire in the history of the world, Albion. Under her rule, the vast kingdom has thrived as peace has led to enormous prosperity. Everyone in the vast realm from the Americas to Asia believes that Gloriana's enlightened leadership has led to the Golden Age as never heard of before. On a global scale, Queen Gloriana knows she has a place in the future history books; on a personal level, she cannot achieve an orgasm as the weight of her monarchy has taken its toll. Though her image is that of high morals, Gloriana has tried every fetish known and a few unknown to get relief. To hide her debauchery she depends on ruthless Chancellor Montfallcon to brutally keep everyone in line. He spies on everyone at court. However, he alienates his best operative Quire, who begins a plan of vengeance starting with the destruction of Gloriana that will consequently extinguish Albion, starting with seducing Her Highness to fall in love with him. GLORIANA, OR THE UNFULFILL'D QUEEN is a reprint of a late 1970s award winning satirical fantasy that holds up well in a world filled with spin doctors and the Lewinsky incident. The story line focuses on a Queen Elizabeth I like character whose public image is so different than her private reality. Gloriana has unfulfilled needs that send her seeking any form of sexual encounter to scratch her itch while acting virginal pure to her adoring subjects. Though at times the plot seems long winded as Michael Moorcock insures his audience sees the duality (duplicity) of Queen Gloriana, fans of erotic fantasy filled with plenty of treachery and intrigue will feel fulfilled with this tale.

Raspberry Crush
Jill Winters
NAL
ISBN: 0451212142 $12.95, 288 pp.

Six months ago, web designer Billy Cabot was downsized because her company Net Circle was trying to avoid bankruptcy. Four months later, she accepts work decorating cakes at Boston's Bella Donna Bakery. Currently she is working on the cakes for Churchill, Massachusetts annual jubilee. Churchill has bitter memories as the hometown of Seth Lanigan, who was her boyfriend for a few months four years ago before he accepted a job at Mackind Associates Consultants in Seattle. While his mother is in Dublin, Seth is in town for a few weeks fixing up his mom's homes so she can sell it. As a favor he goes to Bella Donna Bakery to see how the cakes are coming. He and Billy see each other and he wants to renew what they had. When a newcomer rude fisherman Ted Schneider dies from an allergic reaction, Billy thinks a homicide occurred while everyone else says no way; she investigates with Seth's help and gets no where as to the so-called crime, but somewhere with her beloved Seth. However, Billy fears a second time around because her heart has not recovered from the first time he left her behind. RASPBERRY CRUSH is a sweet contemporary romance with a bit of an amateur sleuth mystery starring two nice protagonists and a fine support cast, mostly those working at the bakery. The story line works because of the chemistry between Billy and Seth who have a second opportunity at fulfilling what was left incomplete if she takes a chance. Billy's bungling investigation adds the icing to a delightful contemporary tale.

Hard, Hard City
Jim Fusilli
Putnam
ISBN: 0399152172 $24.95, 288 pp.

After years of mourning for his wife and their son who died in a train accident, private detective Terry Orr still struggles with the fact that his spouse was locked in a passionate embrace with another man while her son was on the rail tracks. She died trying to save their child's life. Terry cares for Julie, but is unable to tell or show her how much he needs her. His daughter Bella looks after him because she understands his pain and he will do anything for her. Bella asks her father to find Allie Powell, who has been missing for several days. Terry visits John McPorter, who shows the sleuth his open safe in which $471 and some envelopes were stolen leaving behind much more valuable items. Next Terry sees Allie's father Powell who believes the detective has the stolen items; his goons rough up Terry. He returns to John's house to find the man impaled on a fence and not long afterward the man's son is dead in a shoddy apartment building. Terry concludes that Powell seeks incriminating documents that John possessed and if he can prove this perhaps Allie can come out of hiding. Jim Fusilli provides a dark urban noir that paints the meanness of city streets. The protagonist prefers being shot at or beaten up as less painful than his thoughts and enables him to escape from his growing unwanted feelings for Julie. The story line is action-packed filled with colorful secondary characters, but it is the sinister Manhattan skyline that makes HARD, HARD CITY a tale that fans of James Patterson will want to read.

Wormwood
G.P. Taylor
Putnam
ISBN: 0399242570 $17.99, 272 pp.

Dr. Sabian Blake is an astronomer and a student of the kabala. He is euphoric when the tome Nemorensis mysteriously falls into his hands. Inside are prophesies of the future.It says that the comet WORMWOOD is coming and "many will die from its bitterness". Sabian calculates when the comet will appear in the sky, but when it actually arrives night becomes day until the world is briefly engulfed in total darkness. Simon wants the honor of being recognized for discovering the comet. He discusses this with a friend, but is overheard by his servant Agetta, who steals from him whenever she can. Agetta meets with Lady Flamberg, a woman who is more than she seems. Flanders arranges for Agetta to steal the Nemorensis, which the servant does. The forces of good and evil mobilize as the comet comes closer to earth. If evil wins, the comet will strike the planet. Only the common thief servant Agetta can decide the fate of humanity. This work is targeted for young adults, but older readers will gain much pleasure also especially those who enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia and Lewis Carroll. G.P. Taylor is a wonderful storyteller who makes the unbelievable seems real while combining science fiction and fantasy into an action-packed yet character driven tale as the two key players learn life lessons. Sabian discovers that wanting power at the expense of his humanity makes him a magnet for dark forces while Agetta finds out that thievery is not the best way to survive especially since those same malevolent souls claim her as one of them. WORMWOOD is a fabulous urban fantasy with strong sci fi elements.

The Prince of Beverly Hills
Stuart Woods
Putnam
ISBN: 0399152202 $25.95, 336 pp.

After years working as a Beverly Hills detective, Rick Barron is busted down to police officer because he got his captain's daughter pregnant. One night he witnesses a traffic accident and recognizes that famous movie star Clete Barrow caused it. He quickly removes the license plates and registration from the vehicle so that no one knows that Clete caused the accident while under the influence of alcohol. On Clete's instructions, Rick calls Eddie Harris, a Centurion Studios Executive, who knows the right people to make the mess go away. Eddie is so impressed with Rick's handling of the fiasco he offers him a job as head of security. Rick eagerly accepts the position. His first assignment is to baby sit Clete until the film is finished. In the course of his new job, he crosses paths with Rick Stampano who has connections with Bugsy Siegel and Lucky Luciano. Stampano has a habit of beating up and almost killing studio girls; Rick tries to intercede and makes a deadly enemy. In an act of revenge, Stampano beats up Rick's fiancee; an incident that must not go unpunished. Stuart Woods has written a fantastic stand alone tale that captures the ambience of Hollywood just prior to World War II through tidbits and real notables like Hedda Hopper referring to Rick as THE PRINCE OF BEVERLY HILLS because of his fancy garbs. The antagonist is a nasty person whom today would be considered a stalker for his preying on starlets, but the law cannot touch him since none of the victims want the adverse publicity. This is a rich, complex thriller about Hollywood, home to extortion, blackmail, and murder.

Winter House
Carol O'Connell
Putnam
ISBN: 0399152113 $24.95, 320 pp.

When a man enters Netta Winters Central Park West mansion, she uses a pair of sewing scissors to kill the invader in self defense. Detectives Kathy Mallory and Riker are assigned the case. They interview Netta and her niece Bitty. Mallory's business partner Charles Butler is called to the crime scene because Bitty has pictures of him plastered all over her walls. Charles does not recall ever meeting Bitty, but also refuses to press charges of stalking against her mostly because he finds her seventy years old aunt charming. Mallory believes that Netta killed in self-defense since the deceased had been previously charged with killing women, but how he met bail and hired a high price lawyer disturbs the cop. Also bothering Mallory is two murder weapons were used; one being an ice pick. Just under six decades ago, someone killed nine people in this house using an ice pick. Mallory believes Netta is not telling everything she knows especially where she has been for the past fifty-eight years and that the septuagenarian is in danger. Every time she pressures Netta to tell her the whole truth, Charles intervenes, a Good Samaritan action that could perhaps lead to another death. WINTER HOUSE is a fantastic police procedural filled with plenty of action and a support cast that adds much needed humor when the tension threatens to overwhelm the audience. Mallory is a terrific lead character struggling with feelings because she believes that the delightful Netta is hiding a dark secret that could kill her. WINTER HOUSE is a fabulous New York mystery.

California Girl
T. Jefferson Parker
Morrow
ISBN: 0060562366 $24.95, 384 pp.

The Becker and Vonn families share a history that goes back years starting when they rumbled in the old packinghouse because a member of the former threw a hat belonging to the latter to a dog. When the Beckers apologized for the incident, they noticed that five years old Janelle Vonn had a black eye. Years later Janette attended a sermon given by David Becker. Afterward she told David and his two brothers, police officer Nick and reporter Andy, that her siblings forced her to have sex with them. Nick was able to get her siblings arrested and the Becker clan tried to keep Janellee safe. Nick arrives at that same packinghouse to lead his first homicide investigation, the decapitation of Janellete. As he digs deeper, his two brothers feed him information, which leads to a suspect in Mexico. Across the border a shoot out occurs leaving eight dead and Nick severely injured. Still he thinks he has an open and shut case, but Andy thinks otherwise. CALIFORNIA GIRL is not the author's ultra dark and foreboding crime thriller though it is bleak, but instead is an intriguing police procedural. Readers come to know the goodness of the Beckers especially since the tale is predominantly told from the perspective of the three brothers (and the badness of the Vonns). This contrast turns into a two edge sword as the rivalry causes adrenaline pumping suspense, but the extremes are too simplistic; then again perhaps if the Vonns told the tale the magnetic poles would switch. T. Jefferson Parker provides an action packed cerebral crime thriller starring a trio of likable siblings.

In a Dark House
Deborah Crombie
Morrow
ISBN: 0060525258 $23.95, 384 pp.

A fire in the southwest reveals the body of a dead woman, but instead of letting the local police handle the case, Scotland Yard sends Detective Superintendent Duncan Kincaid to investigate because the warehouse that burned down belonged to MP Michael Harwood. The Victorian warehouse was being renovated by converting it into park flats, but rumors has it that was not succeeding so the fire department is looking for signs of arson. Two people entering the building before the blaze were caught on video; one was Harwood's missing daughter Chloe. Also absent is Laura Novak and her child Harriet; however, Harriet's father Tony had left her with someone named Beth, an obvious alias. Duncan concentrates on the fire because he thinks a serial arsonist caused the deadly blaze. Duncan's live-in lover Inspector Gemma James is also in town investigating the disappearance of the roommate of a friend of a friend. Gemma searches for Harriet before time runs out on the child. Neither realizes these two cases connect in a dramatic fashion. In addition to all the pressure in their private lives, Duncan and Gemma are also in a custody battle over his son with the lad's maternal grandmother who blames the cop for her daughter's death and believe the living in sin couple are unfit to raise her grandson. The two parallel police procedural plots are cleverly drawn so that the audience enjoys both, but wonders which of the lovers has chosen the correct path, if either has. Deborah Crombie provides a strong British who-done-it that fans of Val McDermid will appreciate.

The Reunion
Sue Walker
Morrow
ISBN: 0060726091 $24.95, 320 pp.

The Adolescent Psychiatric Unit in Edinburgh, known just as the Unit, was a place where the most troubled teens would receive the mot innovative treatment for mental disorders. The class of 1977 contained youths with a wide variety of problems such as sexual deviancy, violent tendencies, and worse. When they were released, society hoped they would lead normal productive lives. As a whole the group did not stay in touch with one another, but a few formed a cell that gets in touch with each other every November 8th. Innes Haldane was a Unit patient, but never heard from her peers until out of nowhere Isabella Velasco called her; Innes never returned the call. A few weeks alter, Isabella was dead, ruled a suicide. Innes learns that another graduate Danny also apparently killed himself just before Isabella did. A hird Unit member almost died in the inferno that left her spouse and children dead; she might as well have been dead because her mind broke in the fire. Innes thinks this is too much coincidence as all these deaths are related, but how? Unbeknownst to Innes is that a heinous act during a camping trip as Unit members led to the present spate of killings and injuries. Sue Walker is a marvelous storyteller who masterly uses flashbacks as a key plot device that ironically enables the reader to know what Innes does not comprehend. THE REUNION is very atmospheric, dark and foreboding in a gothic Jane Eyre like way, but is clearly a psychological suspense that tantalizes the audience with what is really happening inside the minds of the key characters. Ms. Walker should receive Edgar consideration for this highly recommended book.

Sacred Time
Ursula Hegi
Touchstone
ISBN: 0743255984 $13.00

In 1953, seven years old Anthony Amedeo lives what he perceives is the good life in his Bronx neighborhood as the only child. His father has a thriving catering business and his stay at home mother dotes on Anthony. Anthony's idyllic childhood changes when his Uncle Malcolm is back behind bars, forcing Aunt Floria and their eight-year-old twin daughters to move into the Amedeo fifth floor apartment; the twins share Anthony's previously private room. Not long afterward, one of the twins falls out a window to her death. The tragedy haunts Anthony over the next four plus decades as he not only witnessed the fall of his cousin and never quite got over that first touch of death, his mother and aunt believed he pushed his cousin out the window. Living with that undeclared sentencing by his beloved family, Anthony feels all alone in spite of marriage and success as a chef. Though a bit confusing as there are three eras not smoothly transitioned, SACRED TIME is a remarkable look at how one event lasting seconds can have major impact over the lives of those immediately involved and even later on others for example spouses. On a mega level such as 9/11 this seems obvious, but Ursula Hegi's message is that on the micro family level, relationships are impacted by events such as the death of the twin. The cast is a delightful Italian-American Bronx family who never look at Anthony the same way after his cousin's death. However, the biggest bearer of misfortune besides the victim is Anthony, who perceives what his loved ones believe of him. This is a strong character study of the long term consequences of a tragedy.

The Rabbit Factory
Larry Brown
Touchstone
ISBN: 0743245245 $13.00, 339 pp.

In the Memphis area, septuagenarian Arthur worries that his age and impotency will cost him his beautiful younger spouse, Helen. He looks into ways to keep her satiated but has good reason to believe in his nightmare because Helen attempts to seduce pet shop worker teenage Eric, who Arthur treats like his son. However, the lad fled the abuse of his father and his family's rabbit factory so struggles to relate to people with his best friend being Jada Pickett the pit bull. Anjalee the prostitute also is an abuse victim survivor, but surprisingly has a devoted follower sailor Wayne. Meanwhile Domino's illegal drug business is hampered by his murdering boss Mr. Hamburger, who sells meat to a lion owner. The cops remain interested in Domino's trafficking, making meatballs out of Mr. Hamburger, and Anjalee's wares. All will interact to a Bacon degree caused in some ways by fate near the Mississippi in a place where a lion, a whale, Jada, Mr. Hamburger's "guard dog" and others seem saner than these human zanies. THE RABBIT FACTORY is a weird but interesting character study that looks deep into the interactions of people trying to endure life; some of the cast blames fate and others, but never themselves for their predicament. The story line rotates the third person narrative amongst the ensemble, which adds to increased understanding of the motives of several of the players, but makes it a bit difficult to follow the action especially since stereotypes are stood on their heads in an allegorical way. Readers who appreciate a dark deep look at humanity will want to follow the antics of those destined to visit THE RABBIT FACTORY.

I Wish I Never Met You
Denise N. Wheatley
Touchstone
ISBN: 0743250567 $12.00, 204 pp.

She makes no apologies for her treatment of men, insisting she was not always right or wrong as all she wanted was to find her soulmate. Instead the sister insists that the highlights of her manly encounters were the dregs; some of the cretins she "dated" had genetic issues and those were higher up the food chain than several of these losers. In other words there are an overwhelmingly larger number of Mr. Wrongs than Mr. Rights. I WISH I NEVER MET YOU is often an amusing chick lit short story collection starring a sassy (too cocky perhaps for some) in your face African-American woman. The narrator circumcises the males she encounters for containing physical, mental, emotional, or marital status failures. Some readers will be turned off by the profanity and vividly graphic descriptions of her "golden" dates with the "shiftless, stupid, and the ugly". Still well written, the audience will laugh at the antics and comments of the narrator, but also feel somewhat guilty for doing so since the protagonist is dislikable for her arrogant disregard of the feelings of others she considers her inferiors as throughout this anthology slices and dices men.

The Cowboy
Leah Vale
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750382 $4.99, 248 pp.

Mitch Smith, owner of the Circle S Ranch in Whiskey Ridge, Colorado tells the private investigator Alison Sullivan she made a mistake that he not the grandson of wealthy business mogul Joseph McCoy. However, Alison provides some overwhelming evidence that jives with what his deceased mother told him. Still he wants no part of the billionaire McCoys even if he is the real deal because they rejected his mom and him years ago paying her one million dollars to forget his paternity. Still he could use the money for his ranch so he agrees to accompany the persistent Alison to Dependable, Missouri. Alison knows that if she can show Mitch to his grandfather, she will have quite a fee. As Alison and Mitch become better acquainted they fall in love, but both has family matters to deal with before they can come to grips on their deepest feelings. This is an entertaining contemporary romance starring two seemingly opposites falling in love. The story line moves forward on two fronts with dysfunctional family relationships as the key element and a sweet love story between Alison and Mitch as a strong subplot. Though readers like Mitch will have some early trouble warming up to crusty grandpa McCoy even if he is mourning the death of his son (Mitch's biological dad), fans will appreciate this fine second chance at righting a family wrong.

Found and Lost
Holly Jacobs
Harlequin Flipside
ISBN: 0373442009 $4.50, 219 pp.

In Philadelphia, Markie Walkowicz is running late for work,when she rushes out of her home only to trip on a male corpse lying on her porch. Panicking, she hides in the closet and calls 911. Police Officer arrives at the scene and says there is no body. Not long afterward her former best friend Detective Zac Marshall answers the call because he loves Markie and wants nothing to harm to her. Zac prays that one day soon Markie will remove him from her least liked list to most loved list, but has no idea how this will occur. Markie blames him for her fiance dumping her just before her wedding; Zac knows he did interfere, but never had the chance to tell her why. Regardless whether she comes around or not, he will keep showing up every time she reports tripping over a body that never seems to hang around long enough for anyone to take a fall. This amusing urbanized version of the Trouble with Harry is a delightful contemporary tale starring two solid protagonists especially the beleaguered and getting increasingly desperate by the minute Zac. Markie comes across more as a likable flake and not just because she is the only one to find a corpse. Fans who enjoy an amusing and a bit wacky, romance will want to place FOUND AND LOST on their reading list.

Better than Chocolate
Jennifer LaBrecque
Harlequin Temptation
ISBN: 0373691920 $4.50, 217 pp.

Top management at Hendley and Wells Advertising informs account execs Jack "The Ripper" LaRoux of the San Francisco office and Eve "The Avenger" Carmichael of the New York office that they are competing for a vice president position. The individual who gains the Bradley account wins the job. The employees of the two offices have placed Jack as 2-1 favorite because Bill Bradley prefers working with men and his firm manufactures farm equipment, considered by many to be a male dominated area. Independently Jack and Eve leave on a Friday for Chicago so that they have a weekend of pampering before the gladiatorial contest begins on Monday. At the hotel that both are staying at they meet and share a heated evening together without knowing the identity of the other. Though both suspect the other once the games begin, they also fall in love. However, it seems as if this is a win-lose situation on the job and a lose-lose in their relationship. This boardroom romance is an entertaining tale of two combatants falling in love with one another. When each of the antagonists realizes who they are attracted to they quickly distrust the other's motives and wonder how they could enjoy sleeping with the enemy. The final twist in this take no prisoners novel provides a delightful culmination to a fine tale in which these alpha personalities try to trump each other.

Wickedly Hot
Leslie Kelly
Harlequin Temptation
ISBN: 0373691912 $4.50

Savannah Businesswoman Jade Maguire is irate that some heartless Manhattan hunk broke the heart of her sister Jenny when her sibling was trying to make it on stage. She hopes to one day have the opportunity to teach Ryan Stoddard a lesson on breaking hearts. The grandmother of New York architect Ryan Stoddard has met Jade and thinks she is perfect for her grandson. She decides to matchmake them from a distance, not an easy feat when he lives in Manhattan and Jade in Savannah. So grandma "hysterically" calls Ryan insisting that Jade Maguire stole the painting her father gave to her. She demands that her grandson retrieve her painting and teach the thief a lesson. Because he would do anything for his grandmother, Ryan agrees to handle the situation. He travels to Savannah to confront Jade. When they meet and she realizes who he is she is elated because her chance to "avenge" her sibling has arrived at her doorstep. As Jade and Ryan hide their real respective missions from the other, neither expected love to enter the squabble. WICKEDLY HOT is a heated contemporary romance starring two likable protagonists with different agendas that make for an amusing read for fans because ironically we know what neither Ryan nor Jade discern about their opponent. The fun is watching love form, but trust not come with it as she feels guilt for falling for a philandering lout and he feels shame for desiring the felon who stole from his grandmother the matchmaker. Leslie Kelly turns Savannah hot with this tale of mistrust and romance.

Whirlwind Wedding
Debra Cowan
Harlequin
ISBN: 0373293224 $5.50

In 1884 in Whirlwind, Texas, Ranger Lieutenant Jericho Blue arrives at the home of Catherine Donnelly to question her about the McDougal gang that killed two lawmen and have been seen in the area. However, Jericho faints from bullet wounds. Catherine, a former worker at New York's Bellevue Hospital stops the bleeding while her twelve year old brother Andrew got Dr. Butler. The physician tells Catherine she saved the lawman's life though he still might not make it. When Jericho regains consciousness and begins to heal, he believes that Andrew is the boy he saw with a weapon. He wonders how Catherine and Jericho are connected to the McDougal gang even as he is falling in love with his healer. The second Whirlwind romance is an enjoyable Texas historical tale that hooks readers due to the delightful lead couple falling in love, but afraid to trust one another with her brother being the key element leading to suspicion. The story line is action-packed with readers gripped on two fronts: how will this couple overcome their wariness and what about the McDougals, which takes a back seat to the love story (it is a romance first and not a western). Debra Cowan's' fans will want to read the first tale, WHIRLWIND BRIDE, after tasting this fine novel.

Gotta Have It
Lori Wilde
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 0373791569 $4.75, 248 pp.

In Arizona, twenty-seven years old Abby Archer feels relieved when her fiance Ken jilted her for stripper Racy Racine. Instead her best friend Tess Baxter and her mother "call me Cassandra" suggest she find her wild side and have a passionate fling. Abby decides to do just that by looking up the only man who ever made her inside turn, Durango Creed who she has not seen in ten years or since he left her behind when she chose her prim father over hot passion with the bad boy. Tess travels to Sedona, New Mexico where Durango provides tour guides into the desert. Durango is stunned because Tess is the angel who got away. As she says she is here for afling, he is determined that she remain a lot longer as he never forget the girl he left behind when he left town. Though she denies it, sneezes indicate to him that the prim and proper Tess still desires him; now to release that passion. This is a fun contemporary romance starring two delightful protagonists. The story line could be a simple bad boy good girl theme, but Tess' divorced parents add depth with their diverse personalities on how to love life; each yanks on Tess in different ways whether its through passion or guilt. Though Tess converts too easily, fans of heated tales will enjoy watching the staid Tess walk on the Wilde side.

In Dreams
Patricia Rosemoor
Harlequin Blaze
ISBN: 0373791550 $4.75, 250 pp.

In New Orleans Psychic Lucy Ryan has recently had erotic dreams starring her and a hunk making love. However, her latest dream turns into a nightmare when she watches someone being killed. Lucy races to the crime scene that she envisioned, but is too late to stop a homicide. Worse the killers are there and begin chasing after Lucy as a witness who can eyeball them. In a nearby swamp, private investigator Justin Guidry helps Lucy escape her stalkers, but she faints when she realizes he is the star of her nocturnal fantasies. As he tries to keep her safe, Lucy dreams that her fantasy turned real soul mate is shot protecting her and she will do anything including giving him up to keep him from harm. Meanwhile Justin has dreams of sharing his boudoir forever with his "Lucille", not knowing she knows every inch of his skin although they have not shared a bed yet. Fans of paranormal romantic suspense will take immense pleasure in this fine contemporary tale. The story line contains two solid protagonists although Lucy is the more interesting person with her gift, which has some of the most exotic dreams this side of Ms. Jones (the devil and not Bridget). Though some readers will say precognition pulls the story line others will insist happenstance occurs too often hurting the believability of what is an intriguing story depending on your ESP quotient.

What Daddy Doesn't Know
Tara Taylor Quinn
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712251 $5.50, 298 pp.

In San Diego, Attorney Juliet McNeil defends client Eaton James, CEO of Terracotta Industries by discrediting key prosecution witness Blake Ramsden. It was not easy to remain professional as over eight years ago the independent Juliet shared a one night stand with Blake leading to her intelligent precocious and always in trouble in school daughter Mary Jane. Blake went overseas for a few years and is unaware that he sired a child. Not long afterwards, Blake finds himself in need of a solid defense attorney and based on her recent court performance, he hires Juliet to defend him. As they work closely on his case, they fall in love, but she fears his reaction when he learns the truth about Mary Jane. This engaging legal romance stars two fine independent protagonists and a delightful matchmaking child who has attended four schools in three year (Guinness beckons for Mary Jane). The story line is more legal than romance as Juliet sets the tone of the client-lawyer relationship by insisting on no hanky panky while she defends him. Though that seems realistic and ethical, the romantic relationship takes off late, but is fun as the two adults struggle between the case and the libido.

Revelations
Janice Kay Johnston
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712286 $5.50, 299 pp.

Major Crimes Detective Ann Caldwell attending the funeral of a cop who died in an accident reflects on her deceased father, a former cop. Ann wanted her father to be proud of her, but failed; her mom did nothing for her. Thus Ann finds relationships difficult to accept. She works especially hard to gain respect from her peers as she tries to prove to her partner Juan Diaz that she is as good as any man. When other cops die in accidents, Ann begins to believe coincidence aside, a serial killer is rampant. With Juan's help she begins to investigate. As they work the case, the partners fall in love, but he has kids to consider and she does not believe in relationships as none ever worked for her. This super series can be counted on by police procedural romance readers to provide a strong tale, which in this case starts at a funeral that sets the tone for an exciting story. Ann is an intriguing protagonist as she tussles with herself in her personal life even as she falls in love, a girly girl thing to do that goes against her need to prove she is as good as any male. Juan is a fine counter to his partner as he believes she can be a woman and a good cop without compromising either. The who-done-it is well written, but takes a back seat to the deep look at a cop with demons to battle.

Operation: Texas
Roxanne Rustand
Harlequin SuperRomance
ISBN: 0373712278 $5.50, 298 pp.

In Saguero Springs, Texas, rancher Celia Remington informs the DEA that she thinks drug running is occurring on her property. Single mom Celia worries for the safety of her thirteen years old daughter. The DEA sends Special Agent Brady Coleman to determine whether trafficking is happening here and if find a way to stop it. Celia expected a female agent and has doubts about having a man around as she does not trust the gender. Brady needs to do the right thing by Celia and her daughter because he takes personal blame for a recent failed mission. He persuades Celia to pretend he is a hired hand who used to be her boyfriend in college. As they work in proximity to put a halt to the drug runners, Celia and Brady fall in love. However, his job makes anything permanent difficult while she worries about the impact on her child and besides she once vowed never again to marry. Though the story line runs along the typical undercover cop script, fans of police procedural romances starring a covert hunk with a feisty independent heroine will appreciate this fine suspense. Readers will appreciate the support cast especially townsfolk shaking their heads at Celia and Brady as their attraction makes his cover seem genuine. The latest "Special Agents" novel is a fine romantic suspense.

A Perfect Cover
Maureen Tan
Harlequin Bombshell
ISBN: 0373513232 $5.50, 304 pp.

Half Vietnamese and Half American, Lacie Reed has become a master of disguise that her "Uncle" Duran Reed, a US Senator with presidential ambitions, has employed in the past. However, he becomes upset with his favorite "niece when Lacie tells him she is going to New Orleans as a favor to her other "uncle" Tinh Vu who says her people need her. Duran insists that Tinh is an illegal "breeder" documenter. New Orleans Police Detective Anthony Beuprix needs someone to provide him insider information in the Little Saigon section of town where a serial killer has been at work. Anthony objects to Lacie as she is a northern outsider and too small for the job. Still Anthony has little choice and Lacie is willing to play the bait in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. However, As Anthony becomes acquainted with Lacie over blue M&Ms and foot massages, he falls in love and detests using her as his lure to catch a killer, who seems to have insider information on what the cops will do next. A PERFECT COVER is a pleasurable "Bombshell" romantic thriller starring a solid male protagonist and a fantastic female heroine. The story line starts slowly to establish the credentials of the cast, but once the game is afoot it accelerates into hyperspeed. Though the final twist seems overkill, fans will treasure this serial killer romance as Anthony realizes how horribly personal the case has become especially since his beloved refuses to get off the hook of catching the killer.

The Proposition
Kate Bridges
Harlequin
ISBN: 0373293194 $5.50

In 1892 Alberta, charm school graduate Jessica Haven, the mayor's daughter asks North-West Mounted Police Sergeant Major Travis" Roughrider" Reid for a favor. Since he is leaving for Devil's Gorge to sell three broodmares, she would like to accompany him there. She says she is doing an article on doctors for the Pacific Medical Journal though she hides that she thinks Dr. Finch is a quack who hurt people under the name of King. Jessica plans to expose the medical charlatan whom she believes stole her infant under the pretense of the baby being stillborn. Travis refuses to escort the "spoiled brat" who thinks money solves everything; besides he needs time alone as he still mourns the death one year ago of his wife Caroline in a horse incident. Using connections, she forces him to take her. As they journey together, he begins to reassess his companion who acts nothing like the spoiled brat he remembers and to his chagrin finds himself attracted to her especially her courage. When they reach their destination, Jessica, who loves the Sergeant Major, begins her twin quests that place her in danger with her beloved willing to risk his life to keep her safe. THE PROPOSITION is the latest Kate Bridges thrilling late nineteenth century Canadian Mounties romance (see THE ENGAGEMENT and THE SURGEON). The story line is fast-paced and filled with action, but is driven by the heroine who is obsessed with finding her child and exposing the doctor while also proving to her protector that she has changed from the spoiled brat she once was. Fans will appreciate the latest exhilarating bridge to a bygone era.

Coming Home to Texas
Victoria Chancellor
Harlequin American
ISBN: 0373750390 $4.99, 251 pp.

Plus size model Jodie Marsh arrives at the home of architect Travis Whitaker in Ranger Springs, Texas with news that she is pregnant with his child. Though a bit shocked, Travis handles the news quite well as to what their two and half days blind date in Monte Carlo ended up with. Jodie explains that she has just signed a contract as the "girl next door" model that has a morality clause in it. An unwed mother would nullify the contract so she wants Travis to marry her in a marriage of convenience. Travis is reluctant to wed, but agrees to do so only if Jodie agrees to try to make their relationship work in a real marriage. As they live as husband and wife expecting their first child, the couple falls in love with one another, but both fears admitting the truth to their partner. Contemporary romance readers will enjoy this fine tale that turns the marriage of convenience upside down as the couple, especially the hunk, wants to make it real. The story line is fun to follow as the athletic Jodie does not allow her size 14-16 to interfere with her gusto for life. Although the relationship between the lead couple seems to ideal considering its start, fans will be pleased with this quality novel.

Who Wants to Marry a Heartthrob?
Stephanie Doyle
Harlequin Flipside
ISBN: 0373441975 $4.50, 218 pp.

VIP Advertising Agency ad exec Richard Wells expects to gain his freedom and independence with the anticipated success of the reality show WHO WANTS TO MARRY A HEARTTHROB? However, just prior to shooting, he learns he lost one of the fifteen female bimbos hustling after soap opera hunk Brock Brickman due to a boob injury. Because everything is laid out with perfect symmetry for fifteen females, he turns to his plain assistant of three years Bridget Connor to join the horde of women. Richard figures Bridget will be gone in the first round, but the former star of The Many Days of Life Brick seems to like her. Soon, to his chagrin, Richard finds he is jealous over the attention Brick and the crew provide towards Bridget. However, he cannot do anything except suffer if he wants the sponsor Breathe Better Mouthwash and other firms to applaud his venture even if he knows that he loves Bridgett. Though there have been a rash of reality shows and some recent novels using that theme, fans will laugh out loud at the antics of the staff especially the women and their interplay with one another and the hunk. Richard is a go getter who never stops to smell the flowers unless it is part of a campaign to sell products and ultimately sell his skills. His toughest campaign has just begun and it has nothing to do with mouthwash as he must persuade Bridgett that she should drop Brock for him. A final twist adds an ironic rock to an amusing contemporary romance.

True Love (and Other Lies)
Whitney Gaskell
Bantam
ISBN: 055338225X $12.00

Sharing a row on the flight from New York to London is thirty-two years old full figured woman Claire Spencer and Jack Harrison. Claire, a travel writer for Sassy Seniors magazine, is going to London to write articles and see her best friend Maddy Reilly while Jack, an attorney at British Pharmaceuticals returns home. Claire and Jack hit it off, but he promises that he will ask her out the moment after he breaks with his current girlfriend, which he insists that he was going to do before he met Claire. In London Jack tells Claire it was hard, but he did indeed break-up with his girlfriend so they can go out now. They have a great time together. However, both are stunned when Jack's former girlfriend turns out to be a heartbroken Maddy. Claire wants to remain loyal to Maddy, but she has never been so attracted to a man as she is to Jack. TRUE LOVE (AND OTHER LIES) is an entertaining character study that focuses on Claire, who finds herself pulled in two opposite direction, loyalty to a friend vs. finding her soulmate. Claire is a delightful protagonist unable to believe a hunk like Jack would drop the beautiful Maddy for a big babe like her. Claire is a likable person even if she has generalized the shortcoming of "petit" males due to one date while Jack is a solid ethical person cleaning up his relationships before starting a new one. Readers will feel for Maddy suffering a broken heart, but soon want her gone after she tosses guilt grenades at Claire. This is a fine London contemporary romance that readers will enjoy.

Thieves Break In
Christina Summers
Bantam
ISBN: 0553584316 $6.99, 336 pp.

During construction work at Datchworth Castle in the village of Wallwoon in Oxfordshire, England, a secret room is uncovered. Expensive silver dating from the Cromwell era and manuscripts are found in the forgotten room. Rob Hillman is hired to translate and catalogue the manuscripts, a job he loves. Not long afterward, castle owner Sir Gregory asks his butler to bring Rob to him, but after he seemingly vanished; the translator is found murdered on the grounds although the police can find no motive for killing the popular Rob. Reverend Kathryn Koerney was planning a visit to Oxford to show her New jersey parishioners the real city beneath the modern day glass. She also was going to see her cousin Rob, but learns he is dead. She turns the tour over to a friend and accompanied by Police Chief Tom Holden journeys to Datchworth castle to pick up Rob's belongings and hopefully to uncover a clue, not understanding that the killer has no mercy especially if someone starts sniffing too close. Christina Summers uses flashbacks from various post World war II years so that readers obtain a feel for the families that occupied Datchworth Castle, but that sense of location and tradition also confuses the audience because there seems no link to the homicide. Thus in spite of a fun amateur sleuth working with a professional law enforcement official, the interesting trivia disrupts an intriguing who-done-it (especially the why). Still fans of British modern day castle murder mysteries will enjoy this tale.

Sea of Bones
Ron Faust
Bantam
ISBN 0553586564 $6.99, 368 pp.

In the well to do enclave of Paradise Key, a group of wealthy investors lost over twenty-two million dollars in a ponzi scheme perpetrated by Victor Trebuchet and Adrienne Debarret. British Lord Warfield had the investors eating out of his hands as he enthusiastically endorsed the satellite, rocket and launch pad site in Kenya. They even brought in scientists to explain how the new technology used on the rockets and satellites would quadruple their investment in a matter of months. When the scheme collapses the two con men (and one woman) disappear leaving very unhappy investors who want their money back. Since they don't want the police involved because they would look like fools they hire lawyer Tom Petrie to help them rescue their losses. He gets Dan Shaw, who is supposed to be studying for his bar exam, as well as other allies to out scam the scanners. They trace them to Italy where the head con lives in a villa under the name of Senor Arbaleste; so they rent the place next door to him. They plan to exchange a forged painting by a master for the mission's money and their scheme works but lives are lost because of it. Ron Faust is a brilliant storyteller who infuses his work with excellent characterizations, plenty of suspense and a beautiful location that mocks the scams taking place. It is like many serpents coming into paradise all of them capable of great evil. Dan, the protagonist and the narrator, is not a particularly sympathetic person as he commits crimes and justifies them by saying they are for the greater good. SEA OF BONES packs a potent touch.

Banner of Souls
Liz Williams
Bantam
ISBN: 0553586769 $6.99, 430 pp.

In the far distant future, the surface of Earth is almost totally destroyed with most of the remaining survivors living under the sea. Mars is thriving, but few men live there and these are considered freaks. Women rule with an iron hand. Most people on Mars believe they are the mother planet and earth is the colony. Martian warrior Dreams-of- War is sent to earth to guard a special child Lunae, who has the ability to shift through time. Yskaterina of Nightworld on the edge of the galaxy is sent to kill the child. The Kami scientists, who were able to separate mind from body, want human hosts so that they can explore the physical realm again. Lunae tries to stop them while Dreams-of War and Yskaterina fight to the death over the only person who can save humanity in the war that might be coming. In BANNER OF SOULS earth is a bleak place with no hope for much of a future while Mars feels optimistic about is outlook. There are various subplots that add complexity to the tale and at times make it difficult to follow, but each one enhances the prime theme as they seamlessly merge into the story line. The characters are incredible as they are believable products of their environment coming from varying societies so that though the reader may not understand motivations, we can comprehend that consistency of each key player as decisions are made from a respective societal values' set. Futuristic sci fi fans will appreciate this powerful novel.

Fire Along the Sky
Sara Donati
Bantam
ISBN: 0553801465 $27.00

In 1812 half-breed widow Hannah returns to the home of her father Nathaniel and step-mother Elizabeth following the deaths of her husband and their child. Nathaniel, Elizabeth, and Hannah's Aunt Many-Doves can see she has lost the spirit to live. Still, Hannah is a gifted healer and she brings hope and health to the needy of Paradise. This provides her with some solace and the beginnings of her own healing from the tragedy that has left her feel alone even amongst loved ones. Although war seems imminent between America and England making oceanic passages dangerous and difficult, recently widowed Jennet, a distant cousin, arrives from Scotland. The recent deaths of their respective husbands does not provide a link between Hannah and Elizabeth as the latter refuses to discuss her tragedy while the former acknowledges relief following the end of her loveless marriage. Meanwhile Hannah's stepbrother eighteen-year-old Daniel joins the American militia, but becomes a prisoner of war. Only Hannah can set him free bit she must first liberate herself from her grief. FIRE ALONG THE SKY is a deep look at the impact that the War of 1812 had on Americans who were somewhat distant from the front, but effected by loved ones joining the fight. The story line is character driven especially by the courage of several of the women, but mostly Hannah who serves as the center that keeps the complex tale together. Fans of James Fennimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales will appreciate this powerful Americana novel.

The Presence
Heather Graham
Mira
ISBN: 077832074X $6.99, 384 pp.

Toni MacNally and her five friends (David, Kevin, Ryan, Gina, and Thayer) convert a dilapidated Scottish Castle into a tourist attraction using reenactments of stories of love and lore. As Toni and the others perform for a crowd of visitors, a big hunk in kilt shouts for the leader of this charade to face him. Laird Bruce MacNiall apparently has arrived. Bruce informs the sextet that his castle was not for leasing and they were conned, but allows them to at least recoup their costs by continuing their performance for now. An ex-cop Bruce investigates a series of murders in which the culprit dumps the corpses on his land. Toni has weird dreams in which she sees through the eyes of the serial killer, but also feels a strange connection to Bruce. As she falls in love with the Laird of the castle, Toni wonders if he is the killer. Bruce shares her feelings of love and wants to keep Toni safe even at the risk of his life. This is an exciting paranormal romantic suspense romance that stars two wonderful lead characters and several fine support players especially the troupe members. Readers will agree with Toni and Gina questioning why Bruce suddenly appears after their show begins to draw crowds (his travel excuse with modern communication seems lame). Still fans will enjoy this tense thriller as Toni struggles between visions that make her fear Bruce and a love for him that makes her fear herself. Heather Graham once again shows why she is a strong presence within the genre.

Sweet Dreams at the Goodnight Motel
Curtiss Ann Matlock
Mira
ISBN: 077832091X $12.95, 366 pp.

In Shreveport, Legal Secretary Claire Wilder receives an epiphany when she reads a message on a bathroom door of a truck stop about " looking for life". Claire concludes she wasted the last two years of her life working for a crappy boss while waiting for Andrew, her former spouse of almost two decades, to realize he made a mistake leaving her for a younger woman. She decides to leave town to find her estranged father who she has not seen since he walked out on her and her mother when Claire was a little girl. Just before leaving Andrew tells her he wants to come back to Claire, but she says she will consider this when she comes back from Oklahoma. After quitting her job, she travels to Valentine, Oklahoma, the last place where she knew her dad lived. In Valentine, few people remember her dad and those that do recall very little about him. However, Claire is adopted by nonagenarian Winston Valentine, becomes close friends with septuagenarian drugstore owner Vella Blaine, and "adopts" abandoned pregnant teen Sherrilyn Earles even as Deputy Sheriff Travis Ford keeps a close eye on her. Claire is happy with her new relationships until Andrew arrives expecting she will take him back. The latest visit to Valentine is a warm tale starring a coming of age (though Claire is middle age) woman seeking a modicum of happiness in a life that she feels has past her by with little contentment. The support cast in Louisiana and Oklahoma enable the reader to see the transformation of Claire through their eyes. The story line is character driven as Claire seeks her roots and finds a life.

The Prize
Brenda Joyce
Mira
ISBN: 0778320898 $6.99, 512 pp.

In 1798 Ireland ten years old Devlin O'Neill watches English Captain Harold Hughes cut off the head of his father and burn his family property. He vows to one day avenge his sire's murder. In 1812 with her parents recently dead, her aristocratic English uncle sends eighteen years old Virginia Hughes to finishing school for the next three years before he plans to marry her off. She hates the school so she leaves and returns to her family's Virginia plantation Sweet Briar where she learns the place is bankrupt and will be sold to pay off debts. Virginia decides to visit her Uncle Harold to obtain funding for her plantation. Also in 1812, Devlin is the best of "His Majesty's Pirates" so Lord Liverpool reassigns him and his crew of the Defiance from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic to frighten American ships into turning around. Though he has had much success financially destroying Harold, he learns that his enemy's niece is sailing from America. Devlin abducts Virginia on the high seas to use as a pawn. However, her courage and conviction begins to mend his heart as they fall in love, but Uncle Harold stands between them. This is an exciting early nineteenth century romance starring two terrific protagonists with different agendas that converge over the same man that both detest. The storyline provides insight into the beginnings of the War of 1812, but clearly focuses on Devlin's thirst for revenge dampened as he gets to know Virginia. Harold is too vile of a villain to matter, but the lead couple and the intrigue her abduction brings to the highest levels of government make this novel a prize for historical readers.

Pink Moon
Stef Ann Holm
Mira
ISBN: 0778320863 $6.50

In Bella Luna, California renovation expert Nick DiMartino is pleased with the single life he has raising his six-year-old son Nicky Junior amongst his extended family. Although he wishes the best for Nicky's recently remarried mom Debbie living in Los Angeles, he will not forgive her for abandoning their child when Junior was one years old. Now Debbie wants Nicky permanently. Newcomer Lauren Jessup knows she needs to find a permanent home for her son six-year-old Billy, but travels from one low paying job to the next job. She came here because of a post card she saw, while waitressing in a dump. She is a great cook, but has no diploma so no one takes a chance on her. Billy wears a red superhero cape that he says magically protects him. At the Wharf Diner, Verna Mae hires Lauren as a part-time waitress. As Billy and Nicky become best friends, Lauren and Nick begin to fall in love. However, she trusts no one ever since her son's father deserted them the moment she mentioned she was pregnant and he has a custody suit that means he must not allow even a whiff of scandal. The characters of PINK MOON are incredible as readers will feel the fiery attraction between the lead couple, enjoy the delightful antics of the matchmaking support cast, and even empathize with Debbie, who knows she blew it several years ago. Although the final solution to the complexity of child custody in extended families seems too convenient fans will appreciate this charming contemporary once they taste the magic of Stef Ann Holm's whimsical (with serious undertones) romance.

Me & Emma
Elizabeth Flock
Mira
ISBN: 0778320820 $12.95, 288 pp.

In North Carolina, eight years old Carrie Parker plays makes believe games with her six years old sister Emma. Except for her dreams and Emma, everything else in her life is dreadful or down right abusive starting with her nasty alcoholic stepfather Richard. Their downtrodden mother fails to protect the siblings from Richard's wrath, which does not need anything to trigger it. Emma being the more courageous of the duo receives a greater share of his ire. When Richard announces they are moving across the state to his new job, Emma and Carrie run away, but their effort fails and results in even harsher treatment by Richard. In their new home, Carrie befriends neighbor Mr. Wilson, who teaches her how to shoot a rifle as a means of protecting herself and Emma from Richard for a confrontation is sure to come one day soon. ME & EMMA is dark psychological suspense that hooks readers who see the world through the frightened eyes of Carrie. The story line is a well-written yet gloomy character study that enables the audience to observe more than just Carrie as readers obtain a glimpse of Richard, her mom, Emma, and other cast members, but all seen through Carrie's lens. A final twist will shock the audience, but after an initial reaction of disbelief, the audience will ponder what happened and realize yes way. Fans will flock to the back list of this fine author.

44 Cranberry Point
Debbie Macomber
Mira
ISBN: 0778320731 $7.50, 384 pp

Over a year ago, a late night guest arrived at Cedar Cove, Washington Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast. The next day, the owners Peggy and Bob Beldon find last night's arrival dead. Not long afterward, the deceased is identified as Max Russell, who was poisoned. Because Bob and Max spent time together in Viet Nam, he was the prime suspect, but a year later the case is still unsolved and he is considered innocent. A third member of the Nam quartet Stewart Samuels was exonerated while the fourth Dan Sherman committed suicide. Bob refuses to run though the police consider him a prime target of the unidentified killer. He does acquiesce to his wife's concerns and agrees to no guests until the case is resolved. While this couple adapts to a threat from an unknown source though Bob feels Stewart is behind this, others in the small Puget Sound town have family issues to deal with. The latest trip to the Debbie Macomber's Pacific Northwest is a wonderful combination of a family drama and suspense thriller. The story line contains several subplots involving various townsfolk (only one described above), which for fans of the series is a delight as the stories of favorites continue. Newcomers will not be able to track what happens to many of the fine ensemble cast without first reading previous books like 33 PELICAN COURT; those who decide to go address hopping will find it worth the tour.

Ahead of the Game
Suzann Ledbetter
Mira
ISBN: 0778320685 $6.50, 384 pp.

Following a divorce from Stuart and the loss of her job as an assistant director of the tech-services department of a Kansas City firm, Zoey Jones accompanied by her fourteen years old daughter Claire returns to her hometown of Blytheville, Missouri. She works at her uncle's bar feeling like the cheese in a sandwich as she struggles with the rebellion of her teen, the interference and "raids" of her home improvement mom and the failing health of her dad. Detective Lieutenant Hank Westlake persuades Zoey to go out with him. However, their first date since she left for college years ago turns ugly when her father is arrested for the murder of Marlowe and the robbery of convenience stores. Though the evidence is overwhelming, Zoey refuses to believe that her dad, a kind veterinarian, could do these felonies. She begins her own inquiries only to find the proof getting increasingly stronger that her father did the deeds even as she falls in love with the cop that will put him away for life. Though the motive seems on the surface way out even with our failed health care system, amateur sleuth romance readers will treasure this fine tale due to a powerful caring cast. The story line moves out on two subplots: the investigation (unofficial and official) and the romance with both intertwining through the relationship (at times dysfunctional) between Zoey and Hank. Few, if any, writers are better than Suzan Ledbetter at staying AHEAD OF THE GAME with interesting novels that grip the audience from start to finish.

Untamed
Merline Lovelace
Mira
ISBN: 0778320758 $6.50, 304 pp.

In 1832 Indian Country, con artist Barbara Chamberlain needs money to abet her brother Harry in escaping from a Bermuda prison. Her mark is wealthy Louisa Morgan, but to get her hands on the woman's loot, Barbara must go through the son, Lieutenant Zach Morgan. Her plan is to persuade Zach that she has a claim to some of his family's land and in turn get him to escort her to Louisa. The scheme goes awry the moment that Barbara and Zach meet as a great desire hammers both of them. Barbara who has played the role of seductress since she left the orphanage finds herself almost foregoing her sibling's plight. Zach who knows she lied from her first breath cannot get her out of his heart so that his brain can take over. As they fall in love, Zach learns Barbara uses seduction as her prime tool in her swindle repertoire; leaving him to wonder how he could have been so stupid into thinking she loves him. Fans will cherish this thrilling historical romance that provides a panoramic perspective of 1830s America from the Jackson Ascendancy to the role of the military in Indian Country and finally the plight of the Indians. Though the ending includes a suspense twist that "cleans" up everything too perfectly, the fast-paced story line includes plenty of Americana tidbits interwoven into the plot, but is clearly lead character driven. Barbara is an interesting Lady while Zach feels like a fool once he finds out how devious his beloved has been in the past and extrapolates that into his relationship with her. Merline Lovelace provides a terrific UNTAMED tale of love.

The Unbidden Truth
Kate Wilhelm
Mira
ISBN: 0778320812 $23.95, 368 pp.

In Eugene, U of O music professor Louise Braniff informs attorney Barbara Holloway that she is a member of the Crones' Club officially known as the Benevolent Ladies Club, sponsors of worthy causes. They want Barbara to defend Carol Frederick, accused of killing Joe Wentzel. Louise explains that with proper training Carol could become a world class pianist. Stipulations of secrecy as to who the benefactors are make Barbara a bit suspicious, but because she heard Carol play at a club she agrees to take on the case if the client is willing to have her as her lawyer. On the surface, the prosecution seems to have an air tight case, but as Barbara begins to question the evidence, she realizes that someone framed her client. Making matters difficult is that Carol cannot remember anything before her eighth birthday including how she learned to play the piano. As Barbara and her team dig deeper to learn who and why, keeping Carol, her team, and herself safe soon becomes the prime imperative as a killer prefers to remain above the law and has the means to do so. Though more an investigative tale than a legal thriller, fans of both sub-genres will enjoy this tense action-packed tale. The complex story line is filled with red herrings and several twists and turns that will keep readers on their toes waiting for the next spin. The large ensemble adds depth to the exciting plot, but THE UNBIDDEN TRUTH is that the novel belongs to the heroic attorney (mindful of John Grisham's Reggie Love) and her beleaguered client.

Apocalypse Burning
Mel Odom
Tyndale
ISBN: 1414399336 $14.99

The disappearance of millions of people around the globe which includes all the children under twelve years old fails to stop the latest Middle East flare-up. When Syrian forces attack the Turkish city of Sanliurfa US Ranger Captain Cal Remington vows that this engagement will not derail his career so he eagerly accepts help from the soon to be appointed Secretary General of the United Nations Nicolae Carpathia, who sends his minion to abet the ambitious American soldier. First Sergeant Samuel Adams "Goose" Gander realizes that his friend has aligned himself with the forces of evil, but has no idea what he can do about this but he is not willing to give up on Cal. Goose is unaware that at Fort Benning, Georgia fighters are skirmishing in a different battlefield. His son Chris is one of the children that vanished and his stepson Joey is nowhere around. His wife Meg, a post counselor is being charged with dereliction of duty for failing to inform an abusive father that his son was hospitalized; depriving him of their last minutes together. He plans to sue Meg and the Army in civil court if she is found guilty. APOCALYPSE BURNING follows the trials and tribulations of Goose and Meg as they cope with war, the disappearance of their child, and forces that want to destroy them. Goose remains an admirable leader of soldiers especially in contrast to Cal who will use murder to further his career. Using two fronts and a global backdrop, Mel Odom has written an exciting war and legal thriller that focuses on two decent people trying to do the right thing in a world heading towards its final countdown.

Murder She Wrote: A Vote for Murder
Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain
NAL
ISBN: 0451213033 $19.95, 288 pp.

Jessica Fletcher of Cabot Cove, Maine is invited by her state's junior senator Warren Nebel to attend a literary function sponsored by his wife Pat. Jessica accepts so that she can show support to Congress' Literacy Program and because her friend Scotland Yard Inspector George Sutherland will be there too. During Jessica's first night in DC, she and George are invited to the senator's mansion for dinner. As they are leaving, they find the body of Nebel's Chief of Staff Nikki Farlow. The police act like an accident occurred until the coroner's office reported the victim died by a blow to her head. Rumors sweep Washington that Nikki and Nebel were lovers and even his spouse thinks he killed his paramour because she was blackmailing him. Jessica believes that there is more to this homicide than the obvious simple solution; with George's help, she begins her unique brand of inquiry. Jessica Fletcher novels are always fun to read and her latest caper, MURDER SHE WROTE: A VOTE FOR MURDER is no exception. The mystery writer cum sleuth wins the respect of the lead detective on the case with her keen observations and astute conclusions that enable her to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Fans of the long running series will appreciate this fast-paced amateur sleuth tale starring a wonderful heroine.

Lavondyss
Robert Holdstock
Tor
ISBN: 0765307316 $15.95, 414 pp.

When she was five her grandfather gave her his greatest possession his book of myths accompanied by a letter containing hints about her missing older sibling Harry. Over the next eight years, Tallis turns into a believer in the shadows of the supernatural and magical realms that surround her home. Tallis also remains steadfast that her missing older brother Harry still lives, but somehow lost his way in the mystical Ryhope Wood. Now thirteen, she feels obsessed to help Harry, who she senses is in danger, but not sure from what. Taking the magic that her grandfather left her and using the clues in his letter, Tallis, frightened by the unknown she ventures towards, follows Harry trail into the Otherworld until the ancient forest turns into the horrific realm of Lavondyss. If she survives the early tests, there the Mythagos will confront the teen. Soon she will know that her goal is not just to try to save Harry, but to survive her ordeal. LAVONDYSS is a strong coming of age horror tale that teens and adult will enjoy. The story line is action-packed once Tallis takes that first step out of her haven into the realm of deadly mythos. The Mythagos is an intriguing creature created by the "physical manifestations of the legends of humanity's collective unconscious" of which Tallis' fears and courage surely adds layers. The story line never slows down as this sequel to the wonderful MYTHAGOS WOOD is a delightful stand alone tale that readers will shiver and appreciate as they join Tallis on her mission into the dangerous unknown.

Agyar
Steven Brust
Tor
ISBN: 0765310236 $13.95, 254 pp.

Agyar Janos has changed his name to John Agyar to fit in better in the Midwestern United States. He has lived over a century and expects to survive many more as vampires can live forever. Currently, John has moved into a house in Lakota, Ohio, where he shares the residence and has formed a cautious friendship with Jim the ghost. John uses local artist Jill Quarrier as his blood supply against the will of the mortal though she struggles to break his hold on her. Jill's sociology student boyfriend Don Swaggert becomes jealous of her attention to John and threatens to kill his rival; the vampire without blinking kills him. John's vampiric master Laura Kellem demands he turns himself into the police to protect her nocturnal dining. John is going to do so until he meets Jill's roommate Susan. Now he has a reason to live, but must free Jill, find a way to be with Susan as equals, and finally confront his ruthless master Laura with the odds so overwhelmingly against him no gambler would risk the bet. AGYAR is an excellent modern day vampire tale that will make believers of anyone who reads this exhilarating tale. The action-packed story line moves at a brisk pace, but the key is the solid cast. Readers will accept the existence of vampires and their caste system due to the completeness of Laura and John as full blooded beings. Jill's desperation to free herself, which includes the use of magic, also comes across as genuine. Finally Susan completes the quartet that makes for a strong book that will land on all the best of the year short horror novel lists.

Crucible
Nancy Kress
Tor
ISBN: 0765306883 $24.95, 384 pp.

Four decades ago Jake Holman and thousands of settlers following him were trapped in the middle of an inter-galaxy war between the militaristic humanoid Furs and the serene flora-like Vines. Jake and his followers supported the Vines against the bellicose Furs though the odds heavily favored the latter. The Vines used a last-hope virus to remove the aggressive tendencies of the Furs. Jake is old and frail, but feels proud of his accomplishments especially the diversity he brought to Greentrees. Still a fierce contention exists between the Chinese in the city Hope of Heaven against the technocrats of Mira City. When the earth ship CRUCIBLE arrives on Greentrees, Captain Julian Martin ruthlessly uses that antagonistic rivalry to further his ambitions to become planetary dictator. He seduces Technology Resources Allocation Officer Alexandra Cutler, a member of the Mira City executive triumvirate, and other key citizens to do his bidding. Off planet the fighting between the Furs and the Vines remains heated. On and off the orb, Jake's dream is turning nightmarish. The sequel to CROSSFIRE, CRUCIBLE contains plenty of action and intriguing alien species with deeply developed cultures. The story line moves along two paths, off and on the planet, but also is somewhat difficult to follow because of the complex continuous changes as to what is the core of the tale. Most interesting for those who read the first novel is how much Jake has aged from the swashbuckling hero to an elderly statesman ignored by the next generation as being yesterday's news. Fans, as they did with Nancy Kress' previous outer space cerebral thriller, will ponder the author's concept that society needs to defend the right to live alternate .and minority lifestyles.

Behemoth: B-Max
Peter Watts
Tor
ISBN: 0765307219 $24.95, 300 pp.

Five years have passed since a vengeful cyborg Lenie Clarke released Behemoth on the world destroying everything in it path as the microbe is eating up matter. Digital monsters add to the pandemic devastation using Clarke as a rallying cry to devastate survivors through what is left of the Internet. Meltdown Madonna cults dedicated to Clarke pledge mass suicide as they rule alongside deadly war lords on the surface. However, on the ocean floor, Lenie Clarke has learned the truth that her grudge was built on a false premise. As the altered rifters and the technoindustrial corporate executives hide in fear in Atlantis on the ocean floor of the Midatlantic Ridge, the grim reaper comes for them. Only Lenie Clarke can save the few, but first she must face the consequences of what she wrought for she knows she can never achieve salvation as she can not wash the blood from her hands even with water everywhere. As with STARFISH and MAELSTROM, BEHEMOTH: B-MAX is an ultra dark and gritty action-packed thriller yet the tale as with the first two books is character driven especially by Lenie. The story line moves forward at a current faster than most science fiction novels, but contains irony throughout as Lenie learns the truth and like Lady Macbeth cannot simply wash the blood from her hands. Though B-Max is book one of a two book conclusion , this is a well written gripping entry, but fans of post apocalypse thrillers would be better served by waiting a few months for the release of the climatic novel and then read all four books in succession.

The Last Guardian of Everness
John C. Wright
Tor
ISBN: 0312848714 $25.95, 336 pp.

For the past millennium the Waylocks pass down from generation to generation the arduous task of guarding the dream-gate that contains malevolent beings waiting for a lapse by a watchman so they can flood into the earth to cause death and havoc. People ridicule the vigil of the Waylocks insisting that the dark forces are the realm of myths, and fantasy. Currently, guard Galen Waylock observes the stirring of evil beings beyond the gate as if they readying to send the dark to swamp the light. Galen knows the Powers of Light will defend humanity, but these forces are antagonistic to liberty and the pursuits of happiness. If he awakens the Light and they win, mankind will survive but live under the thumb of a kind despot who will do what is best for all regardless of individual rights or impacts. If he fails to wake up the Light, the Dark will probably eradicate humanity. Unsure, Galen decides to let the Light sleep, but steal their fairy-weapons to use against the Dark. Already regarded as one of the best science fiction writers of the last decade for his stirring Golden Age trilogy, John C. Wright proves he has the right stuff to write exciting modern day epic fantasy with the terrific The Last Guardian of Everness. The story line is character driven although epic in proportion as Galen decides to fight the Dark using the weapons of the Light, but without the so-called champions. Besides the beginnings of war, the description of good will have readers think about what that means while anxiously waiting for the other novel, Mists of Everness, to be published.

The Dark Ascent
Walter H. Hunt
Tor
ISBN: 076531116X $25.95

The insectoid vuhls have changed the dynamics of the galaxy forcing former enemies, humans and the aviary-like zor, to need one another to survive the hypnotic illusion assaults of this new antagonist. Neither human nor zor is pleased with this new arrangement, but both know the vuhls are very determined and powerful adversaries, who are precise killing machine. However, on Mother Earth, most people see conspiracy behind this latest war and the abrupt switching from deadly opponent to needed ally as just another sham to gain extra funding, support is weak and lessoning. Meanwhile former Commodore Jackie Laperriere is expected to fulfill a zor prophecy by taking possession of the ancient sacred sword possessed by legendary zor warriors and upon climbing Perilous Stair will become an Ou'u avatar; this will enable her to communicate with the heroic souls that make up the sword. Allegedly deceased Captain Thomas Stone lives and warns Jackie that puppeteers are manipulating the three species into constant warfare, but she wonders what she can do to stop this and who is this Machiavellian race? This latest "Dark" tale runs on two story lines with the confrontations between species very exciting military science fiction and Jackie's ascension as a fantasy quest. The story line moves along both dark paths at a fast pace, but the switching between the two slows down both subplots as readers need to adjust from macro war to micro quest and visa versa. The cast remains powerful regardless of species although at times it is difficult to peruse the "vernacular, but that also adds to the feel of a cross science fiction fantasy thriller that will please Walter H. Hunt's fans.

Elegy for a Lost Star
Elizabeth Haydon
Tor
ISBN: 0312878834 $24.95, 317 pp.

Rhapsody and her half-dragon husband Ashe are enjoying the quiet serenity of married life. Both are elated that she is carrying his child and look forward to raising a brood of kids together. The calm has allowed their allies King Achmed and Grunthor to make progress on restoring the kingdom of Ylorc. Finally, they celebrate that their ward Gwydion has become an adult. Everything is perfect. Not! Vengeance is in the air. Assassins plan to kill Achmed because of his killing of their lead; Anwyn the Dragon has arisen like a phoenix with plans to kill Rhapsody who put him into the death-sleep that he lived for the past three years. Finally Sorbold Emperor Talquist has a new ally the evil seer Anwyn. The war to end wars seems imminent. The middle book of The Sympathy of Ages series is a solid fantasy that is a bit different in tone than the first series (see Rhapsody) or the first book in this trilogy (see REQUIEM FOR A SUN) as this tale contains much more action, but a lot less philosophical mythos. The story line starts slow as readers are lulled into the calmness that seems to be everywhere the trio are, but that serenity ends rather quickly into hyperspeed action packed thriller. Fans of the series will enjoy this rousing tale, but must adjust to the different tone.

Dune: The Battle of Corrin
Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Tor
ISBN: 0765301598 $27.95, 624 pp.

The century long war between the human Army of the Jihad and the thinking machine robots of the Synchronized Empire has surprisingly gone very well for the carbon based people. Machine leader Ominius concludes that if current trends continue the humans will prove victorious as they keep recruiting new members with ease. Ominus needs a new weapon of mass destruction to change the tide so he introduces pandemic plagues to eradicate the enemy. The virus work extremely well. The machines feel victory is eminent. The humans make a last stand at Corrin, but they are not only reeling from the plague infested deaths, they are divided weakening them further. Jihad leader Varian Atreides claims rival Abulurd Harkonnen acted cowardly; thus both major houses are ready to battle one another at a time when unity is the only hope. Others have split apart seeking solace in enclaves by forming a sorceress based sisterhood and the Freemen of Dune. The future looks bleak for mankind. Dune fans will appreciate the final tale in the Legends of Dune trilogy (see THE BUTLERIAN JIHAD and THE MACHINE CRUSADE) that is based on references from Frank Herbert's original 1960s novels. The story line is relatively fast-paced (at least for a Dune tale), but also contains the typical mythos-religious blending that is a series trademark). The cast seems two dimensional whether they are human or machine (no Johnny Five is alive amongst this crowd) except perhaps the heated rivalry that adds depth to Varian and Abulurd, but only when they are together in some context. Still readers will enjoy the final act of survival prequels to the Dune dynasty.

The Nimble Man
Christopher Golden & Thomas E. Sniegoski
Ace
ISBN: 0441012159 $6.99, 352 pp.

The Agents of the Menagerie fight to protect the world when a supernatural crisis occurs . The group includes Eve the mother of vampires, Clay the shapeshifter older than time, Squire the hobgoblin, Prince Ceridwen of Fey, and changeling teen Danny. Strange phenomena are happening as the dark rises under the power of the one calling them. Malevolent creatures roam free as a red mist surround the city cutting off communication with the outside. The Menagerie led by enigmatic Mr. Doyle tries to locate the most powerful mage that ever lived Lorenzo Sangveloce before the enemy can gain access to unlimited arcane supremacy. The apostate fey Morrigan wants to bring THE NIMBLE MAN into the world so that they can jointly rule over humanity and faery. The battle between good and evil has begun. Fans of Tanya Huff, Jim Butcher, and Mercedes Lackey will love this dark fantasy that is the first installment in a new series in which authors Christopher Golden & Thomas E. Sniegoski have surefire hit. Several revelations occur throughout the exciting story line so that the audience never has a chance to become complacent about the key characters especially the Menagerie or what will happen next. There is much to be learned about the individuals on the quest to save the world so stay tuned for more thrills forthcoming by two superb fantasists.

For Those Who Fell
William C. Dietz
Ace
ISBN: 0441011985 $24.95, 416 pp.

The Confederacy of Sentient Beings has a new home on Algernon, the only planet that welcomed them after the insectoid Ramanthians destroyed the battleship that housed their infrastructure. Meanwhile the Ramanthian queen on planet Hive is laying billions of eggs that need transporting to other orbs so the species can survive and ultimately expand to rule the galaxy. Counter strategies forged on Algernon are implemented by the legion to protect the galaxy from the insectoid horde. Hive is heavily protected so that an armada could not successfully attack, but a lone spaceship disguised as a comet and piloted by a cyborg might succeed. The mission works forcing the enemy to pull back forces to protect the Hive. However, the enemy has cut a deal with the Thrakis to retrofit three thousand vessels; a loyal governmental circumvents official channels to insure the information reaches the right people because the biggest battle in the galaxy seems imminent on the planet Savas with the legion determined to get the Ramanthians new communication system. William C. Dietz raises the bar of excellent for military science fiction with every book he writes. FOR THOSE WHO FALL is a superb action packed thriller starring countless number of ordinary people forced into Herculean efforts to prevent the enemy from victory. Pivotal heroes like First Lieutenant Antonio Santana and Charlotte Vanderveer, who have appeared in previous books add much to this terrific tale.

Furies of Calderon
Jim Butcher
Ace
ISBN: 0441011993 $23.95, 448 pp.

The realm of Alera has been at peace for centuries having pushed the barbarian hordes back behind the borders into lands that the realm does not claim. Yet for its entire serene surface, civil war appears imminent unless one of the high lords manages to become First Lord by ousting the aging and heirless Gaius Sextus from power. So far the First Lord refuses to name his replacement. Amara is unprepared when her mentor Fidelias asks her help in overthrowing the First Lord. When she refuses to abet his quest, he tries to torture her into giving him the response he needs in order to make an assassination attempt. The student uses magic to learn what is going on and escape. Next, First Lord sends Amara to Calderon Valley on the outskirts of the realm where she learns Fidelias meets with his mercenaries and the Marat the barbarians who killed the First Lord's son. They overrun the valley to persuade people that the empire is crumbling and new leadership is needed to save Alera. In Alera almost everyone has at least one elemental spirit to aid them in their daily lives especially in times of danger. The few without an elemental are considered freaks. In that environs Jim Butcher has created an epic fantasy reminiscent of Tolkien and Brooks yet has an originality of its own. Book one of Codex Alera is an enchanting and riveting work due to the ordinary people (mundane in this realm) fighting to do the right thing; ironically the villain believes he is doing the right thing too. Mr. Butcher provides a deep saga filled with a deep cast in which ordinary citizens must save the realm.

Rite of Conquest
Judith Tarr
Roc
ISBN: 0451460022 $16.00, 384 pp.

In 1047, William the Duke of Normandy tries to ignore the magic that flows through his veins as he battles pretenders and contenders who wish to replace him. The old magic thrives in Normandy with beneficial spirits who want to help mankind. Powerful sorceress Mathilda, daughter of the Count of Flanders, is sent to the French King's court where William has come after winning a decisive battle abetted by King Henry. When William meets Mathilda, she lectures him on the use of his magic so that he does not inadvertently hurt himself or others. Fearing the magic that is the antithesis of Christianity, William flees to his Normandy, but cannot forget Mathilda. He proposes marriage and she accepts. They may forge a dynasty across the Channel where the Church has thrown out the magic, but William must first defeat King Harold. The story of William's rise to power, consolidation of that power, and his marriage to Mathilda are part of the history books, but also cleverly interwoven into a spellbinding historical fantasy that once again shows why Judith Tarr is the mistress of the sub-genre. Her unique slant on the events leading to 1066 makes for a fun and fascinating read. The use of magic as a benign tool while the battles provide a more mundane (though interesting) look at William's claiming of the throne with church approval maks for a fascinating juxtaposition. RITE OF CONQUEST is a definite keeper.

Harriet Klausner
Senior Reviewer

Laurel's Bookshelf
The Bad Voice
Cody James Wolfe
Winterwolf Publishing
PO Box 1373, Westerville OH 43086-1373
www.winterwolfpublishing.com
ISBN 0975271121 $14.95 252 pages

Early buzz on The Bad Voice describes it as compelling, intense, and highly original. It is that alright. Cody James Wolfe's first novel is is a mystery-horror genre blend that builds, one shock on top of another, through the final page.

Colin McGee is a self-contained protagonist. Ex-Navy SEAL turned psychiatric counselor at a successful halfway house, Colin is all business. Respected by both clients and peers for his quiet, compassionate, commanding persona, his pleasant demeanor hides a troubled youth. Shauna Cicchone is a fellow counselor who loves him from a distance because that is all Colin will allow. John Cordovone is father figure, friend, and superior all rolled into one. Colin and his father, Jack McGee, struggle to make sense out of their failed father-son relationship. The past haunts them both.

Without warning, Colin's life is threatened from all sides by dazed strangers bent on killing him. Eventually, even the adoring Shauna hears the voice commanding her to rid the world of Colin. He's no longer safe around his closest friends, but why? Jack McGee holds the answer. But can he save his son from the suffocating evil bound on vengeance? Anh Sang Mat Tro'i, the White Light, has been a formidable enemy since Jack McGee's tour of Vietnam. Unreachable, unstoppable, the White Light stalks Colin and everyone he cares about.

The White Light's inception and motives are revealed incrementally, in flashbacks to a special ops mission in Vietnam. The author takes his readers through time, past to present and present to past, revealing chilling secrets as the story builds. It made my hair stand on end.

Readers who appreciate horrifying or mysterious happenings should love The Bad Voice. It seemed scarier because the premise could be true. Best selling author Larry Brooks aptly described this book's effect: "Once this story hits its pace, it plants those feet squarely on the reader's throat." Well said, Mr. Brooks.

Home to War: A History of the Vietnam Veterans' Movement
Gerald Nicosia
Carroll & Graf - Imprint of Avalon Publishing
245 W 17th Street, New York NY 10011
ISBN 0786714034 $20.00 689 pages

Is the Vietnam era old news, and the Vietnam Veterans' Movement dead? Not when there are veterans of Desert Storm and now the Iraqi Conflict to learn from the unfinished business of our past. Utilizing interviews, historical archives, and governmental records, Gerald Nicosia documents the Vietnam Veterans' Movement through several decades and seven presidents. Historically fascinating, written in an even-handed style, Home to War has been critically acclaimed as sobering, gripping, eloquent and profound. Senator and Presidential Nominee John F. Kerry said it best:

"Gerry Nicosia's important book ties together the many threads of a difficult period in our history every American should take the time to understand in its totality."

Like their parents and grandparents before them, the Vietnam era generation grew up in a patriotic environment. Their's was a generation weaned on flag and country. Young men and women went to Vietnam as wide eyed innocents, proud to be protecting democracy. What they found was not their fathers' war, but even those who became antiwar activists did not come to that decision overnight. The reasons for their conversion from patriotic warriors to dissidents are amply recorded in this book. And even the horrifying realities of Vietnam might have been palatable if coming home had been less a nightmare. On the home front, young soldiers fresh from battle found themselves shut out at every turn, jobless and downtrodden, reviled and wondering why. Promises made by their government were broken. For reasons they may never fully understand, their government saw them not as citizens and decorated heroes, but as misfits, society's dregs. Vietnam veterans would not find out for many years why their government reviled them. The answers, when disclosed, are chilling beyond comprehension and bring shocking meaning to the words "cannon fodder."

Those who could put the war behind them returned to their hometowns and attempted to resume a normal life. Veterans who couldn't overcome their rage or horror gradually came together as a group to found Vietnam Veterans Against the War. Most members of VVAW still held to the idealistic belief that their government would listen to their requests and concerns. That didn't happen. They learned in short order that their government has a long history of reneging on or refusing to honor promises made to veterans. VVAW requested congressional hearings and meetings with the President. What they got was false evidence manufatured against them and deliberate trampling of their constitutional rights.

Early in VVAW history, a young John Kerry was one eloquent spokesman for the group. Burning with righteous anger at our government's shoddy treatment of veterans, proudly wearing his medals for bravery, Kerry tried to work within the system. Logic and reasoning failed and the VVAW members became increasingly radical in their dealings with the government. They grew their hair long in protest, utilized inflammatory rhetoric or raw language, and ended up alienating "Eisenhower America" -- the very citizens they hoped to enlighten. Dissenting Vietnam veterans went from being muddied and bloodied in battle to the same or worse in the streets of their homeland. Beaten down by police and National Guardsmen, criminalized by the government, ignored by their Commander-In-Chief, VVAW persevered against all odds. What one of their members dubbed "a rag tag group of guys" -- men without legs or arms, men paralyzed from spinal cord injuries, men driven to insane rages by unrelieved pain and loss -- marched for their comrades who came home in body bags. Despite everything, they continued to protest against "the unredeemable blackness at the heart of modern warfare."

Over time the VVAW or their offshoots took on the U.S. Congress and the Veterans' Administration. They forced the government to recognize Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a valid psychiatric diagnosis. They forced the government, Centers for Disease Control and VA system to finally admit that Agent Orange caused death and illness through genetic damage. And they revolutionized the VA health care system. Through all this documentation I found most harrowing the chapters on sordid health care conditions in VA hospitals and government sanctioned persecution of dissenting veterans. It's clear from extensive footnotes that our government pitted wealth and power against the floundering broken members of VVAW in an effort to finish them off mentally, physically, and financially.

Americans who prefer the truth straight up must read this book. It should be required reading in every High School, College and University. Otherwise, what author Anthony Swofford says in the introduction will continue in the future: Citizens may continue to be "crushingly forgetful" of the sacrifices made on their behalf.

Gerald Nicosia is dedicated to discovering and communicating the truth. He is a writer and historian of merit, his resarch thorough, and documentation top drawer. This book is highly recommended.

The Green Age of Asher Witherow
M. Allen Cunningham
Unbridled Books
2000 Wadsworth Blvd. #195, Lakewood CO 80214
ISBN 1932961003 $24.95 288 pages

The early buzz on this debut novel serves up terms like: "poetic intensity"; "strikingly beautiful prose style"; "unerring instinct for storytelling"; "a startling accomplishment"; and "lushly talented". I will state emphatically that Mr. Cunningham's first novel is all that and much more. This is a literary novel in the finest sense of the word, magnetic and seductive from first word to last.

Asher Witherow's story is told in first person. Young Asher is the only child of Welsh immigrants. His mother, Abicca, is strong, matriarchal. Father David works in the Black Diamond Mines circa the 1860s. Life is harsh and sometimes cruel for folks living in the dreary confines of the Contra Costa County California mining country. Miners work long hours below ground and their children join them at a very young age. Young Asher is no exception. He's a bright boy, curious and irrepressible. Death is witnessed at every turn, and stoically accepted as a necessary part of life in hard times. Asher's outlook is influenced by a young ministerial apprentice, Josiah Lyte, who wishes for the boy a better life. Friends Thomas Motion and Anna Flood bring life-changing influences to Asher's world. Present throughout is a strong sense of time and place, beautifully expressed.

The elderly Asher recounts his life in retrospect. His own words state best what life has been. "...I know the great black hole won't receive me till I've tied my guts into sailor's knots over regrets and dreams and other torments I'm helpless to alter."

It's impossible to adequately review such excellence. I've given you the bare essence of The Green Age of Asher Witherow. Readers who appreciate fine literary fiction or the classics simply must read this book. Those who enjoy American history and well written tales will find it exemplary. This is a book to be savored, written by a gifted wordsmith. It has my highest recommendation.

The Five O'Clock Cake
Joan Sawyer Bloyd
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1413701477 $19.95 172 pages

I've never read a book like this one. Nothing remotely similar comes to mind. My compliments to Ms. Bloyd. The Five O'Clock Cake was intoxicating and irresistible. I could not turn these pages fast enough.

Set in Anderson Valley of the 1920s, Gramma Bess lives with one foot in a blossoming modern era and the other firmly planted in the past. She rocks and crochets, reminiscing about her youth, tippling wine to calm her nerves and holding court in her mansion as family and friends pass through her world. Bess is a memorable character. She still rules her kingdom, and anyone who thinks otherwise is sadly mistaken. Twenty years have passed, but she's never accepted that her forty year old son George married a fifteen year old Indian girl named Kittijo. George is a good son and husband who works hard and seems rather dull to his young wife. Gramma Bess suspects that Kittijo finds passion in the arms of a hired man, Duff, and doesn't mind voicing that suspicion to everyone she knows.

From the beautiful valley Bess calls home, to the quirky folks who populate her life, this book is choice. Rich with humor and subtle nuances of character development, this book is one of a kind. Each chapter adds tasty details to the lives and characters as Gramma Bess, Kittijo, George, and Duff progress towards the satisfying climax of this tale.

If you want something different, or are tired of the same old familiar fare, I recommend you read The Five O'Clock Cake.

Jena's Choice
Beverly J. Scott
Bookman Marketing
35 Industrial Drive Ste. 104, Martinsville IN 46151
www.bookmanmarketing.com
ISBN 1594533318 $16.95 436 pages

This is the third Beverly J. Scott book I've reviewed. Every book she writes is exciting, entertaining, delightful, sunsuous, and more. She's gained a loyal following for good reason.

The setting of Jena's Choice is late 1860s Texas. Eighteen year old Jena Grant has had too much sorrow in her young life. First her parents died in a freak accident. Then her older brother Jared is killed by a back shooting coward, leaving a grief stricken Jena and her younger brother Randy to manage their large cattle ranch. Jared is barely in his grave when Everett Walker comes calling with an ultimatum. Jena must either marry one of his sons or lose the ranch. Everett and his son Carl are bullies, neighboring ranchers who rule that area of Texas through intimidation and violence. Jena knows only too well the kind of man Carl Walker is, and vows to control her own fate.

Flint McKay was Jared Grant's best friend for years. Flint is a half breed Apache living in a white man's world. He and his little sister Marissa were orphaned at an early age. His parents' deaths remain a mystery. When Flint offers to marry Jena, she decides to go with the familiar. She's known Flint for years and trusts he is a decent man. Despite Flint's wishes otherwise, their marriage is a business proposition, nothing more. Jena has vowed that no man or husband will ever share her bed.

Everett Walker wants Flint, Jena, and Randy dead, and he wants the Grant ranch by any means. Carl Walker wants Jena. She's been his sexual obsession for several years. Her marriage to an Indian enrages him. The Walkers and their cohorts use every means at their disposal to rid themselves of anyone who stands in their way.

Flint proves himself to be a devoted husband and an efficient overseer of the ranch. Jena learns surprising secrets about her handsome husband and her brother Jared. Flint honors their business arrangement, but sets out to teach his fearful wife the full meaning of love and desire between a wife and husband. The story sizzles as Ms. Scott allows the chemistry between Flint and Jena to slowly simmer over time. She also does a thorough job of developing her characters as they are forced to face the prejudices of the times. Indians, Mexicans, and blacks are reviled. Prostitutes are treated as less than human cast offs by townsfolk. And yet it is Flint's Apache relatives, a loyal black man, Jena's Mexican cook, and several prostitutes who rally to the Grant's defense against the Walkers.

Action and adventure, love and romance, courage and devotion -- all contribute to the story in tantalizing ways. If you're a fan of tasty romances laced with action, be sure to check out Jena's Choice.

The Penn State Football Button Book
Martin Ford and Russell Ford
Triumph Books
601 So. LaSalle Str. Ste 500, Chicago IL 60605
www.triumphbooks.com
ISBN 1572435712 $14.95 178 pages

This goes way beyond being simply a football button book. Yes, it is button collector's nirvana for certain. But it's also an informed commentary on the history, highlights, and championship teams produced by Penn State and Joe Paterno over a 32-year period. From the feisty Lions mascot on the front cover to the photographs sprinkled throughout, this book is loaded with intriguing trivia and presented in a fun, charming, and entertaining style. Both authors grew up in the shadow of Mt. Nittany. Penn State and Beaver Stadium have always been a large part of their lives. Both are PSU alumni and witnessed the Paterno years up close and personal.

The booster buttons represented in this book were produced by bank sponsors, free to everyone, and are a tradition at Penn State. PSU football buttons represent the longest continuous promotion of a college sports program in the nation. Every button for every game is featured. Not coincidentally, the button promotion began in the early years of Paterno's position as head coach for PSU. I'm from Nebraska - Cornhusker country - and know very little about football, but even I know that Paterno is an icon among college coaches.

Featured with each button are game summaries, statistics, and memorable moments. Even to a non-fan, these tidbits of trivia were enlightening. In particular, I found the origins of Paterno's master plan for succeessful athletes to be of interest. Paterno believed it possible and desirable for world class athletes to maintain academic integrity while playing football. His holistic approach has been proven sound for almost four decades. His three point philosophy is simple: teamwork, high academic standards, and personal responsibility are required to be a Nittany Lion. Season by season, cycle by cycle, he applies his formula and philosohy for the long haul. Paterno and the Lions may be bent from time to time but never broken for long. Further commentary examines the Lions' Top 100 Games, and the team's up and down cycles, which in retrospect demonstrate a certain predictability.

The authors and publisher arranged their book in large font and easy-to-read layout. The collectible buttons were delightful. No review would be complete without listing a few of my favorites, all of which were a sly play on words:

Driving Mich Crazy -- PSU vs. Michigan 1997
Crimson Cried -- PSU vs. Alabama 1989
Irish Go Blah -- PSU vs. Notre Dame 1982
Kick Wisconsin's Dairy Air -- PSU vs. Wisconsin 2003
Get Reel, Virginia -- PSU vs. Virginia 2001

For die hard Penn State fans this book is a must have, but it would be entertaining reading for both fans and foes. Devotees of college football will enjoy the inside information and fascinating trivia. Button collectors will have a field day. And even those like me, who know nothing whatsoever about football, will be entertained by what the authors offer in this book. It would make a wonderful gift for any sports fan you know. Adding to its considerable appeal is the knowledge that a portion of the price of each book sold will benefit the Penn State Blue Band, cheerleaders, and dance team.

Compostrella / Starfield
Charles Potts
Time Barn Books
529 Barrywood Dr., Nashville TN 37220-1636
www.thetimegarden.com
no ISBN $5.00 plus s & h 46 pages

Charles Potts is an author and poet with numerous books of poetry and prose to his credit. Compstrella / Starfield is my first experience with Potts' work. His writings reflect a poet who is part cynical realist, part hopeful dreamer as he shares his thoughts of the past and present, nature and politics, language and music. His musings pluck readers out of the mundane and deposit them directly into the starfield of his imagination. Reality is compacted or expanded as Potts bends the limits of human perception. His self description shared in the title poem is a telling metaphor:

I am as a mirror with no mercury
On the back....

And later in the same poem, Potts absorbs and reflects light, acts as both mirror and window:

The velocity of thought has to rise
Above the mind's ability to smother it...

In "Yellowstone Hiway" he rages at governmental doublespeak as he sees an unprotected wilderness befouled:

Everything must become as a national park
Free of capitalist endeavor
To have done with the beggarly labor
The organized merchants impale the people on...

And in "Slow Burn", Potts acknowledges that his outspoken prose and poetry come with risks attached:

Were it possible to tell the truth
In a completely public way
I would be jailed again and again
To act it out would require my body die...

Later in the same poem, Potts delivers my favorite analogy of his work, his grand design:

...my compromises left me in shape
To recall the brightest man I've known's remark
That I burn my bridges before I come to them
Which is how I got to be
An island of madnss in a sea of the same...

Adding interest to this book are Author's Notes on the inception of several poems and an Out-troduction by the publisher. The publisher and I were so in sync on our comments that I had to change my review lest readers think I copied his words.

Potts' work is curiously satisfying, intensely personal and punctuated by rage and humor. Don't let the size of this small book deter you. It's crammed with worthy topics addressed in a singular style.

A Family is Born: A Mother's Narration
Crystal Dawn
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1413737366 $19.95 130 pages

Crystal Dawn is a pseudonym. You'll discover early on why using her real name would not be wise. Her true story is sad, frightening, and ultimately hopeful.

The author and her husband are in their sixties, living in a small town in rural America. They enjoyed retirement within their limited financial means and were thankful for the peace of their small home. Crystal had finally emerged from a troubled past and found happiness in her second marriage. Horrifying reality was behind her, or so she thought.

The first inkling of trouble comes when her son and his family come to visit. The grandchildren are obviously neglected, with blatant signs of abuse. It's a bitter pill to swallow, knowing her son and his wife are cruel to their children, but Crystal and her husband hope to see improvement. Subsequent visits demonstrate that nothing good has come of counseling or Social Services involvement in the lives of her troubled grandchildren. Crystal and her husband realize that something must be done, and soon, if any of the four children are to survive.

Crystal takes us through the bogged down Social Services systems in several states as she fights to save four young lives. Abuse has been physical, mental, and sexual, leaving serious psychological damage in its wake. Every bit of progress made meets with another glitch in one of several state or federal programs meant to protect children. Crystal is a quiet and determined woman. She and her supportive husband take on "the system" and her deeply troubled son. The fight is not easily won, and even after several years their lives are not safe from reprisals.

Crystal Dawn tells her story with simple eloquence. This book is a must read for every medical professional, Social Services employee, Social Worker, foster or adoptive parent. The author cuts through state and federal red tape, fights to serve her grandchildren's needs, and learns much about herself in the process. She devises her own structured program to manage acting out behaviors and shares her information freely in this book.

A Family is Born is full of helpful information. It chronicles the lives of four children - wounded in body, mind and spirit - and the grandparents struggling to give them a hopeful future.

Comfort From the Storm
Bobbye R. Terry
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN 1413733131 $12.95 57 pages

Ms. Terry is an award nominated novelist. In Comfort From the Storm, she plies her talent with rhyming verse. This book of poetry is hopeful, encouraging, and compassionate. A percentage of the royalties will go to the Support Our Soldiers America Foundation.

Our world is often in turmoil. Since 9/11, especially, Americans seek answers and comfort. The title poem addresses our anxieties, providing peaceful solutions:

But above the din we hear,
"I am but one God, so dear,
I bring goodness all that's bright.
Don't let darkness kill the light."

And again, in "A Teardrop Fell", she addresses the fears brought to our doorsteps by 9/11:

A teardrop fell upon the ground,
The day the New York Towers came down,
For evil came to town that day,
And tried to kill the light that way.

So God dispensed his angels there,
To ride with firemen in their hair,
To help the trapped to find a door,
And pray for dogs to find some more.

In "Real Success", she shares the formula for human excellence:

It's what you most value down deep in your soul,
It's what you show others. It means more than gold.
It's just what you do when you treat people right,
Success is the feeling when you show them light.

Her poem "Dogwood" is eloquent, not only for the poet's words but for what the tree represents:

Dogwood's such a funny thing
To name a flower
That bears the stain
Of Jesus' blood on every spray.

In "Count Your Blessings", Ms. Terry gently reminds us to be thankful for our lots in life:

Breathe in the fresh air you get here for free,
And remember you live in a democracy.
Your life is your own, you aren't chained and beat,
You have a warm shelter and plenty to eat.

And in "Swords of Light" she rallies all to gather up their faith and stand against evil, wherever it is found:

We cannot wait a moment more,
There's horror knocking at our door,
We must take up our swords of light,
And kill the evil and the night.

Bobbye Terry listens to the still small voice that whispers in her ear, and lovingly warns us not to dwell in the past. Her words speak of courage and commitment. Comfort From the Storm would make a fitting gift for any Christian you know, especially those who are struggling amidst turmoil.

Wild Side
Laurie Lonsdale
www.winterwolfpublishing.com
ISBN 0975271164 $15.49 327 pages

Kelly Carrington-Monroe lives an impeccably ordered life, with two picture perfect kids and a controlling, inattentive husband. She gets more affection from her dog Zeus than she does from any human in her life. Kelly is an executive at Impact Music in New York. She's always been uptight, all business, slightly shocked by the rock musicians she represents. Secretly, she's often yearned for a bigger slice of life, and daydreams about finding true love and passion. She's never considered acting on her daydreams until she finds her cold, condescending husband romping with their nanny. Kelly files for divorce, then sets out to change her life.

While arranging a national tour for the band Checkered Past, Kelly meets Brett Blaine, lead singer. Brett is the quintessential bad boy and far more appealing than media hype makes him out to be. Blessed with smoldering eyes and a roguish way with the ladies, Brett falls for Kelly from their first meeting. He asks her to tour with the band as back up singer. Before too long, Kelly discovers that elevator music and her cold fish husband Brad just don't cut it for her any more.

While touring, Kelly learns the business as an insider. Wild parties, alcohol and drugs to keep her going, and exhausting treks from one play date to another become her new reality. Life on the road with Brett is intense, exciting, and sometimes frightening. When a crazed stalker harms band members, Kelly's life is on the line.

Wild Side is a tidy little thriller in addition to portraying the best and worst of fame's rewards. Such a life is not all fun and frolic, and the author does a good job of showing both sides. The language and sexual situations are graphic so the book is recommended for mature readers. If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a famous rock band - warts and all - check this one out.

Felicia, These Fish are Delicious
Max Yoho
Dancing Goat Press
3013 SW Quail Creek Dr., Topeka KS 66614
www.dancinggoatpress.com
ISBN 0970816030 $10.95 98 pages

Max Yoho is a renowned writer and poet from Kansas. This is my first experience with Yoho's work and I hope it won't be my last. Don't let the whimsical title lull you to a chuckling complacency. What you will find in this work is not all fun and frolic.

Yes, Max Yoho uses humor quite effectively in verse. I laughed out loud at his droll rendering of "Secret Underpants" and "Cornbread Poem", for example, and the brevity of "Failed Haiku" was a standout. Nothing is safe from his humor, not even the family cat. His rhymes deliver a pleasing cadence and are filled with irony and humor. He sets his readers up with such folksy humor, then strikes a stunning coup de grace with emotionally intense free verse.

One such example is "1942", which I feel compelled to quote in its entirety:

Standing.
Close enough to feel
the fresh turned gravel
through my thin-soled shoes.
No fake grass to obscure
the reality of that bare hole.

Rifles popped and echoed.
A far away bugle gave us
the saddest of all Amens,
which chilled and chilled.

My father shuddered
and pulled me close.

Embarrassed and ashamed for him,
I watched teardrops leave his eyes
to fall on that ground
which was only beginning to show
its insatiable hunger
for the young men of our town.

In "Birthday Greetings" a son visits his mother in the nursing home, a place she didn't want to be. I quote the last poignant verse:

I hand her roses..."so proud of you! You are ninety-one
and still beautiful!"
Distracted by the roses, she forgets to remind me
of the awful thing I let happen.

In the Thoughts and Essays portion of his book are priceless tasty tidbits, once again, of humor. And Yoho shares with us his darker secrets: His penchant for commiting weenie-cide; What wisdom might be found in Playboy; The root cause of his ineptitude with women; His version of a cure for yeast infections. After that chuckle break, the author segues to the Short Stories section. His stories feature heroes with imaginative names and heroines who face life with courage or staunch pragmatism. I found mysterious coincidences in his stories, and soul chilling renderings of wars won or loves lost. Occasional macabre undertones and often touching understatement bring magic to his stories.

Whether writing poetry or prose, Max Yoho is a gifted wordsmith. A master at humor and irony, touching tributes to past times and lost friends, or any other topic imaginable, his work is well worth savoring.

Making Right Turns in Your Relationship: How Couples Work Together to Create Change, Enhance Intimacy, and Strengthen Communication
Myron D. Lewis, M.S.W.
Hansyd Publishing
P.O. Box 557, Harbor Springs, MI 49740-0557
www.hansydpublishing.com
ISBN 0975489615 $16.95 212 pages

Myron D. Lewis has been teaching a Couples Communication Course for years. Making Right Turns in Your Relationship is the fruit of his experience as teacher and counselor, enhanced by long term research,

Topics include love, communication, problem solving, negotiation, setting boundaries, conflict management, and many others necessary in a long term relationship. His stated goal is to provide the means of helping couples build healthy relationships. The information is practical, easy to read, and applies to dating couples, newlyweds, or those in long term marriages. I found the summary points and self-assessment questions at the end of every chapter to be helpful.

Healthy relationships do not occur by magic or wishful thinking. They must be carefully built and maintained over time. Most couples understand what makes or breaks a relationship. It's when that relationship bogs down that lives take a negative turn. Each partner brings to a relationship a distinct set of perceptions, beliefs, values, rules, and cultures that must somehow blend. With his book, Lewis skillfully guides couples towards that blending.

Through sensible guidelines, Lewis provides a strong base on which couples can build a safe haven. Within that safe haven, relationships can become a source of strength, comfort, and encouragement. Making Right Turns in Your Relationship would make an excellent gift for engaged couples, or any couple who desires a stronger, happier relationship.

A Filthy Busines
David Compton
Behler Publications
22365 El Toro Rd. #135, Lake Forest CA 92630
www.behlerpublications.com
ISBN 1933016043 $15.95 275 pages

A Filthy Business is fiction based on fact, a Cold War Era thriller, and David Compton tells his story well.

The story begins with Anders Desruisseaux at an advanced age, living in a nursing home. Anders is blind, frail with age, but his sharp mind misses nothing. When his step daughter quizzes him about his years with Army Intelligence, Anders takes her back to the sixties, when the Cold War was America's biggest concern.

Anders was snatched up as a young Army recruit and shuffled into the Intelligence branch. He has the ideal personality for the job - calm under pressure, quick witted and adaptable. His area is Germany. His assignment is "agent handler", running spies into and out of Eastern Bloc countries from Bremerhaven on the North Sea. After twenty years as a handler, Anders grows weary of the game. His is a bleak life, nothing like James Bond's. He shares a sparsely furnished flat with his cat, tells himself he's middle aged and going nowhere. Everything in Anders' world is grimy to match his soul. He's bored with the whole unsavory business and wants out. When one of his operatives turns double agent, it looks like Anders may not survive to reach retirement.

Compton does a bang up job of taking readers into the sights, scents, sounds and feel of Europe in the post WW 2 years. His writing style is brisk, sprinkled with beguiling details. For example: "...The buildings were all post war glass and steel...elbowing their way into the midst of quaint, narrow stone buildings like a chaperone at a high school dance."

Anders is a quietly charismatic character. The somewhat shady business of gathering intelligence is realistically portrayed. Compton seamlessly takes his readers backwards and forwards in time as Anders tells his story. This was a thriller deftly written with a touch of humor.

All I'll Never Need
John Amen
ID 34479 58992
www.coolmidget.com www.johnamen.com
Music CD with 13 tracks at $12.99

In my recent review of John Amen's book of poetry, I said he was a renaissance man -- poet, artist, writer, musician. His music CD enhances Amen's status. All I'll Never Need is poetry set to music, with each song written by John Amen. As I listened to this CD, the term that came to mind was "troubador." Vocals are tenderly rendered, clearly expressed, and often intensely poignant, reminiscent of Dylan, Guthrie, and Lennon.

Genres are a satisfying mix of country, western, folk and rock. Recurring themes of a lonely man searching for love and meaning in his life add a haunting element. The excellent back up instrumentals contribute delicate or bluesy power to the vocals.

It was difficult for me to choose examples for review. I liked them all. For the sake of brevity I chose two examples from the 13 tracks. Each clearly demonstrates Amen's gift as singer and song writer. The chorus to "Fortress" has stayed with me, both melody and words:

She wears a fortress 'round her heart.
She speaks with words made of fire.
She takes the cold from the world,
and wears a fortress around her heart.

"Daddy" is a chilling, powerful testament of love and abuse, one of the most memorable songs I've ever heard:

Daddy, you're the one I wrote all these poems for.
Daddy, you're the one I wrote all those songs for.
Daddy, you're the one I still love to loathe.
Daddy, you're the one I never got to know.
Daddy, you're the one I fired all these guns for.
Daddy, you're the one I dropped all these bombs for.
Daddy, you're the one I still call my muse,
Daddy, son and father of abuse.
Daddy, you're the one I spilled all this blood for.
Daddy, you're the one I chased all these ghosts for.
Daddy, you're the one I'd bleed my heart to see.
Daddy, the thing I'm running from is the you in me.

To recap, the vocals and instrumentals are first rate. The sound quality is resonant and penetrating. Mandolin, violin, harmonica,, bass, horns, and drums add depth and interest to the sound in addition to guitars. If you're weary of the same old sounds, give John Amen's CD a try. His music is distinctive.

Interviewer note: I recently reviewed a phenomenal novel titled The Green Age of Asher Witherow. Pre-release reviews extol the young author of this book, Mark Allen Cunningham, as a "young writer of stunning talent". The book was described as "one of the finest debut novels ever", containing "beautiful, enviable, intense, memorable" prose. The early buzz piqued my interest, and after reading the book I wanted very much to interview the author.

LJ for MBR: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, Mark. Were you surprised when the pre release reviews of your book were raves?

Mark: The interview is my pleasure. I appreciate the opportunity.

The best thing, for me, about the pre-release blurbs were that they came from writers I really admire. Steve Yarbrough writes tremendously powerful books (his first one, "The Oxygen Man," is just a gale force of a novel, and he's done it again and again since then); Tom Franklin has written a fatal and utterly convincing story in "Hell at The Breech"; and of course Robert Olen Butler's fiction is so irresistibly inventive and vital and humorous and sad. . . So, to think that these guys were reading MY work, and wanted to say nice things about it, was definitely surprising, and even dizzying. And then too, it was a sort of welcome into a community of professionals a real first for me, because for the last several years I've been laboring away over my sentences in one quiet room or another, living in a suburban region that is in some ways, culturally speaking, hard for a writer. So for a long time I've had the sense of being a little moon-stranded by my work, bent on a discipline that very few people really understand or empathize with. I've never been involved in a writer's group or anything, so I've just never had a sense of social foundation beneath all my main efforts. But then, with these words from these wonderful writers, came a sudden sort of benediction. It was more than I could have hoped for. And that's been the main feeling right through this whole process of publication. It's been simply awesome.

LJ for MBR: What prompted you to write about the California coal mining era?

Mark: It was somewhat of a surprise to me. The book's set right in my backyard, in the Diablo Valley, which stretches between Silicon Valley and the wine country. And as I just mentioned, I feel in many ways out of place in this area. That said, I do have an abiding fondness for the landscape of this region, and particularly for Mount Diablo, which is a constant presence on the horizon, a real centerpiece to the lives of everybody who lives within a 15 or 20 mile radius. And there's a wonderful network of regional parks and open spaces where you can walk and get a feeling for the very pastoral character underlying all this new, surface-level frenzy. I'm a big Thoreauvian, so I've really learned to saunter in these beautiful local hills over the last 10 or so years, and in that time I've come to fall in love with Mount Diablo, locating all the different vista points and just studying it from season to season. And I guess this love had really laid a seeding bed for my imagination. I'd sit and stare at the mountain in its present context, with the highway thrumming at its base, and I'd find myself imagining the land before all this sound and fury, imagining the amazement the Native Americans must have felt when they first migrated inland from the East San Francisco Bay about 2000 years ago. This truly would have been a paradisiacal place to pass your days. And then I'd think how sudden the transition has been from that pastoral character to today's suburban sprawl it's all happened in barely more than a hundred years. The present layer of things is still very thin.

So anyway, the book was born in the context of this musing fondness for the land. There I was, thinking these thoughts, when I happened upon this local history of these 19th-century coal mines in the northern foothills of Mount Diablo. There had once been a whole cluster of thriving towns up in those hills, where today there's nothing but dry grass and star thistle. Four million tons of coal were mined, 150 miles of tunnels dug. I had lived here fourteen years by this point, but had never heard a thing about this, so it just startled me, and really seized my imagination in a fresh way that it might not have done had I grown up knowing about these Black Diamond Mines. I was reading a wonderful guide to the regional parks, called "The East Bay Out" by Malcolm Margolin, and it included a chapter about the mines, which are a historic preserve today. The chapter distilled the whole history of the mining communities from boom to bust in such a way that I knew immediately I'd found an architecture for a novel.

A few years previously, you see, it had become clear to me that I wanted to write a novel that would in many ways make direct reference to a mythological foundation. A story that would consciously invoke the innocent awe of myth -- that would deal with elemental things, the way myths do. It's the books that do this which have always been my best reading experiences. One of my favorite authors, for instance, is the great German writer Hermann Hesse, whose novels "Demian" and "Steppenwolf" seek to stir up the mythological silt that we all carry around in our unconscious minds. Other writers also do it wonderfully: John Steinbeck, Nikos Kazantzakis, Rick Bass, Michael Ondaatje, Charles Frazier (in his modern Odyssey, "Cold Mountain"). So here I had happened upon this whole history right in my own backyard, which seemed positively suited for this sort of mythological embellishment.

So I visited the Black Diamond Mines preserve that very afternoon after reading Margolin's chapter, wandered through the crumbling little cemetery reading the headstones, looked at the haunting black-and-white photos displayed in the visitors center, and within twenty four hours I'd started imagining the book. And then I began to uncover all the legend and mystery surrounding these towns, particularly Nortonville, which was the central and biggest coal-community. And anecdote by anecdote, everything I came across seemed so mythologically rich, metaphorically rich, that I knew I'd be able to write the story without being provincial which was very important to me. I could evoke these local histories while always making reference to a larger, universal template of the natural journey we all experience in life consciously raising this history out of the provincial to a level that ultimately becomes somewhat allegorical.

These days, we have so much academic self-consciousness instilled in us that we can't help but realize how unfashionable and precocious it is to want to write about life and death and love, but I just wanted to write the kind of book I love to read, a sumptuous book that dared to beg large questions. I believed there was a readership for that kind of book, despite that academic reserve the success of "Cold Mountain" was good evidence, I thought. I hope I've been successful in creating a novel that has the same sumptuous, haunting, gritty, lyrical quality as the novels I love to read.

LJ for MBR: Your book was rich with vivid details that brought the story to life. What sort of research did you do?

Mark: I did a pretty significant amount of research from examining the very minute timelines of these coal towns, to studying more overarching subjects like the history of the Welsh in America. The day after visiting Black Diamond for the first time, I wrote a page or two of description. A sort of experimental foray to see how I might go about rendering the era and place. That little practice shot gave me an initial feel for the kind of things I'd need, and then I spent a long period (a few months I think) doing nothing but research: reading, and digging, and assembling notes, till I'd uncovered all the base-level stories that could then be molded, embellished, or borrowed-from for a novel's framework. It was in many ways the same process Faulkner describes when he uses the phrase "sublimating the actual into the apocryphal," though a few events I uncovered had already transmuted so thoroughly into legend, that they could be used much as I found them, with a few minor fictional tweaks.

But ultimately, I found my research was most helpful in supplying me a language for the book. Terminological details like: "culm bank," "Davey lamp," "whale oil" things so suggestive of the texture of the way of life and the era. These new bits of language simply fueled my imagination, but hopefully also evoke a lot for the reader in a way that will anchor the authenticity of this fictional world. Language is very important to me, as a writer and as a reader. I regard it as the first responsibility of an author. Words and sentences are the cellular structure of whatever world or characters a writer hopes to create, so if they're not engaging and evocative and persuasive, that world will just come off as transparent.

LJ for MBR: Your writing style is exceptional. Have you studied creative writing and English, or is your writing ability a natural gift?

Mark: My education is still continuing. It happens with every book I read and sentence I write. I attended college for a couple of years, and focused on Lit classes mostly, but I have studied creative writing only in the most self-prescribed manner, through the active discipline of sitting down and chiseling out sentences and stories. And through reading a handful of great books on craft (William Sloan's "The Craft of Writing;" Wallace Stegner's "On Teaching and Writing Fiction;" Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style"). It has been a long, slow learning process, but I really believe the most comes of being a good reader, of reading attentively and getting a feeling for what works in other authors' writing, and what doesn't. I'm a submissions reader for Zoetrope All-Story in San Francisco, which has proven very educational and has certainly strengthened my own writing. When you start reading unsolicited submissions, you really learn to sympathize with the folks who are reading your own unsolicited work. It makes you want to be a better writer, so that your pages will stand out and join that 5% of slush submissions that really grab a reader's attention.

LJ for MBR: I know you have a packed schedule of personal appearances in the near future. Are you shy in public? Nervous? Does it all seem like a dream?

Mark: The author tour is far more than I ever expected. And far more extensive than I anticipated when Unbridled first told me they were going to send me off for some bookstore events, but I am very happy about all of it. I would guess that most writers, particularly fiction writers, are pretty shy it just goes with the fact of having chosen a vocation in which you're allowed time to mull things over and to very precisely hammer out your thoughts. Even my in-laws would tell you that I am shy to an almost inscrutable degree, so I'm sure I'll be nervous at these readings, especially the earliest ones. Nervous as I am, however, I'm mostly just thrilled to be getting out into the world as an author, to be getting the chance to meet some folks who are interested in my book or have maybe read it already. And it will all be wonderful because this will be my first major opportunity to fully represent myself to strangers as the person I really am. For the past several years, I've been a writer through and through, but there's been no facility for me to experience that identity externally, outside of the room where I write. Now I will have the chance to be an author beyond the confines of my own self-image, if that makes any sense. It's a very freeing thought. And I love to travel I find it tremendously inspiring. And, of course, I want to do everything I can to make sure that this novel finds readers.

LJ for MBR: Did you have an agent who helped place your book?

Mark: Yes. My agent is Judy Heiblum, at Brick House Lit in New York. She's an absolute pro tremendously focused, but also thoughtful and gregarious and supportive, and very gifted editorially. She helped me a lot with the final draft of The Green Age. She was very enthusiastic about the book when she first read it last summer, but had lots of ideas about what it still needed, about things that were latent in the storyline which seemed to be yearning for development. So we discussed the plot in depth and I began to get a whole new picture of these organic elements already stirring in the book, and how they might be brought to fruition. I was actually in Indonesia with my wife during the first part of these discussions, and I received Judy's initial remarks by email a couple pages of notes on plot. That night in our hotel room in Malang, Java, I took a couple sheets of hotel stationary (the big, A4 size stuff) and filled them with notes and ideas about how I might draw out these nascent story elements. I spent a whole evening at it, well into the early morning hours, and simply got lost in a new perspective toward this thing I'd been working on for three and a half years. It takes a gifted, thoughtful reader to inspire a whole paradigm-shift in the writer so late in the process but Judy's that kind of reader. And she found the perfect publisher for this book. The whole arrangement with Unbridled it's like it was fated.

LJ for MBR: It's rare for a first time author to receive the sort of praise you're getting. Tell us about your writing history up to this point, and share your writing plans for the future, if you don't mind. For instance, are you working on another book?

Mark: I started writing seriously about six years ago. By that, I mean I basically dispensed with other pursuits decided I'd depart from the college track in favor of concentrating exclusively on developing my craft. I worked odd jobs, but always regarded them as peripheral to my main work of reading and writing. It's sort of a funny story: when I was twenty, I started feeling an intense need to plunge headlong into the discipline of it all, so I devised a plan to move cross-country to Massachusetts. I wanted to be near Concord, which is a kind of personal homeland for me, since I've long had a fondness for the American literary Renaissance that occurred there in the 19th century through Thoreau and Emerson. I'd visited Concord on a sort of pilgrimage the previous year, and had fallen in love with the spirit of the place. So, because it was what I could afford, I ended up in a one-room apartment in Lowell, MA, about 12 miles from Concord. My entire wardrobe consisted of what I had crammed into my backpack, and then I'd shipped ahead of me a cardboard box with some other domestic necessities: lots of books, an inflatable mattress, a few wall-hangings, some towels, some kitchen implements, a frying pan, and a word processor. This whole endeavor was very much a romanticized scheme in which the young writer sets off in search of the golden-key of inspiration. Ironically, Lowell, being the birthplace of this country's industrial revolution, could not have been farther from the spirit of American Romanticism that I'd come seeking. Though I think a lot of revitalization has happened since I was there, it was a rather dreary atmosphere at the time, with all these condemned brick factories everywhere, and old factory housing that'd fallen into disrepair and become pretty slummy. So, anyway, for a number of logistical reasons, I ended up staying in MA only about 3 months, instead of putting down roots as I'd planned. But the result of that whole journey was that I really became a writer. When I say "became a writer," I mean that for 3 straight, lonely months I sat in that little apartment and read and read and wrote and wrote, so that by the time I'd returned home the discipline was just built into me. I could no longer go a while without writing and not feel like something was terribly out of joint. It turned out, quite naturally, that most of what I wrote during that time was completely unpublishable. But those three months had been my apprenticeship of a kind, so it was really an indispensable experience. I kept writing and started regularly submitting short stories to literary magazines, getting rejections, submitting again, and finally in 2002, 100 rejections later, and four years after devoting myself to this endeavor, I got my first acceptance from Alaska Quarterly Review, for a story about a taxidermist, called "Gentle Knives." That acceptance floated me for a long time, and then AQR nominated the story for a Pushcart Prize, which was amazingly encouraging. Gradually, other acceptances started trickling in, my second published story was also nominated for a Pushcart, my third received Honorable Mention in a fiction award, and I just kept trying to write better and better. Now I've got about a 12 or 13 stories published or scheduled for publication, and every time an acceptance comes it is just as thrilling as that first one.

As for future plans, I've written a total of about 20 short stories, so I hope to publish a story collection at some point. I've also completed most of the first draft for a new novel, which will be set in Europe in the late 19th-century. I hope to get to France, to finish work on that book.

LJ for MBR: You've done very well for yourself with this first book -- published by Unbridled Books, enjoyed rave reviews. What advice would you give other writers hoping for such recognition?

Mark: I'd caution developing writers not to hope for recognition. To focus on the very laborious, day-to-day workmanship of their craft. Whatever recognition awaits you will flow from that discipline, and will therefore come as a more apt reward. Rilke says it best in his "Letters to a Young Poet": "Keep growing, silently and earnestly, through your whole development; you couldn't disturb it any more violently than by looking outside and waiting for outside answers to questions that only your innermost feeling, in your quietest hour, can perhaps answer." Developing writers should avail themselves of the vast resources that are free to everyone through libraries. Should read and read and read.

Some good books on craft: "Making Shapely Fiction" by Jerome Stern; "Stein on Writing" and "How to Grow a Novel" by Sol Stein; "Fiction Writer's Workshop" by Josip Novakovich.

Some great novels and story collections: "Angle of Repose" by Wallace Stegner; "All the Pretty Horses" by Cormac McCarthy; "The Long Home" and "Provinces of Night" by William Gay; "Sanctuary" by William Faulkner; "Dancing After Hours" by Andre Dubus; "Emperor of the Air" by Ethan Canin.

LJ for MBR: Is there any question you wish I had asked or any bit of information you'd like to share with our readers?

Mark: I might just mention that I have an author website where you can find information about my novel and my publisher, as well as links to some of my short fiction: www.mallencunningham.com.

LJ for MBR: Excellent answers, Mark. Thanks so much for your time.

Laurel Johnson
Senior Reviewer

Shelley's Bookshelf
The Burger Barn on Sunset
Thomas H. Griffith
Virtualbookworm.com Publishing Inc.
PO Box 9949, College Station, TX 77842
ISBN: 1589394445 $25.95 (hardcover); $6.00 (E-book)

Imagine having an entire congregation willing to proofread your written mystery! Thomas H. Griffith is a pastor for the last remaining Protestant church in West Hollywood, California. Why? Because the rest had closed. He is divorce, has faced his own demons, and is now remarried with a family of two sons. He writes about theology and...flipping burgers.

Hollywood has been referred to as the land of broken dreams. Ron Jobeman, a minister by profession, is suffering from a crisis of faith and a broken marriage, after his wife ran off with another minister more flamboyant than he. His thoughtful sermons provoked controversy in the church he was over-qualified to minister to, and he was asked to leave. After training with the Burger Barn corporation and managing another California location, his friend and supervisor suddenly orders him to take over management of the Hollywood Burger Barn. The trouble is, no sooner does he walk in when one of his employees is murdered in a drug deal, and the local cops are already breathing down his neck:

"'Need t'talk t'you 'bout your employee we had to shoot. I hate it when we even have to pull out our guns, but the officers had no choice, what with him comin' out the back door shootin'. Funny thing, though. When we called to inform his next of kin, all we got was a pager. No one's come to claim the body. Nobody's even called. You know anything more 'bout him?"'

Although this tale is written with from a theological perspective, it doesn't have the taint of the Christian ideology. Jobeman just happens to be a man who has had a lot of pain and is trying to get his life back together. His earnestness makes him a likely hero, and his intelligence provides the follow-through. He works his way through a dastardly drug ring made all the more odious because of his employing corporation's involvement. It's always nice to see the little guy win, and Griffith does an excellent job of making sure that Jobeman (no doubt a pun on Job himself) gets not only his man, but also the lady involved. A nicely wrought story with several good twists to keep the reader glued to the page. The Hollywood backdrop reflects the grim reality of today's golden city laying in ruins. All in all, THE BURGER BARN ON SUNSET is a well developed, suspenseful, surreal, and sincere mystery.

Pattern of Violence
C. Hyytinen
Echelon Press
PO Box 1084, Crowley, TX 76036
ISBN: 1590802780 $14.99 (U.S.) $21.99 (CAN)

It's always fun reviewing a fellow Wisconsinite's contribution to the world of crime mysteries, and C. Hyytinen is no exception. Hailing from LaCrosse, Wisconsin and currently residing in rural Minnesota, she has an excellent working knowledge of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

Maria Sanchez was married to a monster. She and her baby girl fled when he tried to kill Maria, and then turned on the child. Maria managed to flee with Tess, and the story is set several years later, when Tess is "almost ten." Maria is now a homicide detective, and her husband is long dead of an apparent car accident...or is he? At the moment Maria, and her partner Joe, who are both madly in love with each other and haven't yet owned up to it, are on the track of a fiendish killer dubbed "The River Rat." Maria is having foreshadowing nightmares, Joe can't stand not telling her how he feels, and the chief and public are breathing down their necks to catch the killer. Maria needs to come to terms with her past with her daughter, and in the meantime little children are dying horrible deaths, and Maria is terrified that her dreams mean danger:

"There's a murderer on the loose. You haven't seen what can happen to a young child. I have first-hand knowledge and I'm NOT going to let Tess become another statistic." Tears flowed freely from Maria's eyes as she pictured every horrendous thing imaginable happening to her young daughter."

For a first-out author, Hyytinen has "the touch." Her tale is stupefying and terror-laden. Her bad guy is so bad that he's more of a machine than a person. Maria is a human cop with loads of baggage, and the dichotomy between her sense of duty and her love for her child creates enough conflict to carry the tale, even if the plot hadn't been so laden with spine-tingling events. The love story between Maria and Joe is touching, as is the sidebar of what turns out to be Tess's half-brother. The highs in this story are cloud-reaching, and the lows are thunderously dark.

Character and plot development work wonderfully well, as Maria's dreams interweave with increasingly alarming events. PATTERN OF VIOLENCE is a page-turner that can't be put down, even to attend to life's little duties. Hyytinen should have an excellent go as an author...this book is first rate! An excellent read from a talented writer.

The Murderer Said Shalom
Leonard Stein
Clued-In Publications
16750 N.E. 10th Ave, Suite 204, North Miami Beach, FL 33162
www://clued-inpublications.com
ISBN: 9657290007 $14.95

The Medical Murder Mystery is a genre that is lots of fun because doctors who are secret mystery buffs tend to engage in the writing of these gems. Leonard Stein is a native South African who specialized in Pediatrics. Dr. Stein and his family live in Israel. He is a member of a writing group called THE WRITING CIRCLE, and this is his first published mystery.

Sheba Richards was an English major who became the co-owner of Lolita Escort Agency and moonlighted by taking her own clients. She was found murdered in her own bathtub, and Inspector David Biton is tapped by the sadistic Commissioner Cohen, the Chief of Police, to solve the case. Using threats and abuse, Cohen is constantly on Biton's case, but he does provide him with a clever and hardworking assistant to solve the case. Biton is constantly harassed by Cohen, the coroner, his new love, his mother and family, and Fleggenheimer, the local journalist of dubious talent, who dogs his footsteps. Biton is no slouch, however, and deals with the journalist accordingly:

"You go take the doctor's statement. But first I'm going to teach Fleggenheimer a lesson. Feed him some disinformation. Tell the rat we discovered an important clue. I want the word to get out to the killer that he didn't perform a perfect murder. Let him wrack his brains wondering what clue he left. I wish him many sleepless nights. May he jump at every sound. Here's Fleggenheimer's phone number. Call him now. Don't tell him your name."

Stein writes a darn good mystery, chock full of wondrous characters and scenarios. The good Inspector Biton is on the case, however, and he and his dutiful assistant, Eli, turn out to make an excellent team, even as they chase Sheba's writing club members to catch the murder. Much of this tale is character driven, and Stein's sense of humor seeps out of each chapter. The mystery itself is well concealed until the Christie-like pronouncement at the end of the tale. THE MURDERER SAID SHALOM is a thoroughly enjoyable whodunit written with what appears to be a good deal of knowledge and attention to detail. A rip-roaring good time is had by all.

Dispatch To Death
Martha Miller
New Victoria Publishers
PO Box 27, Norwich, VT 05055-5297
ISBN 1892281201 $12.95

Martha Miller is a Springfield, Illinois resident who has published a book of lesbian love stories, a novel, and her first mystery. She has won several awards and has had four plays produced at the Mid-American Playwrights' Theater.

Trudy Thomas just wants one thing out of life...well, maybe two. The first thing is to drive a cab. The second is to have a lasting lesbian relationship. She has just failed at the second, and the first is in jeopardy when she picks up a mysterious fare named Anita Alvarez. She finds her sweet dispatcher shot in the head, and Anita keeps turning up, usually in situations that result in Trudy needing a lawyer, or being shot. During one such episode, Trudy saves Anita from two thugs at the expense of losing her ex's new red Explorer:

"I was telling myself that at least it couldn't get worse when an explosive splashing sound came from outside. I turned to the window. The light over the boat dock reflected on Georgia's red Explorer and for a second I thought they'd moved the vehicle closer to the river. Then tail lights illuminated the dark water as the vehicle floated on the surface briefly and started to sink."

In this tale of drug lords and corrupt public officials, Trudy Thomas' character represents a twist on every man. Trudy is a likable character who is simply trying to live her own life to the best of her ability, with meager means and the challenge of dealing with being a lesbian. She and her dog Alex and neighbor Pinky, an old friend of her father's, muddle along. Trudy drives her signature lavender cab with #4 on it, which actually makes her a target for the bad guys.

Miller's tale is full of oodles of close scrapes, wonderful character development, much angst and pain on Trudy's part, and love. Trudy's nemesis, Anita, is by contrast a poor little rich girl whose father would throw her to the wolves to expand his drug-riddled empire. DISPATCH TO DEATH is a mystery chock full of action, treacherous roads, slimy motives, and Trudy's path to a more enriched existence. It is a truly enjoyable read, and Trudy's pursuit of a suitable mate is touching and full of classic moves and countermoves in the love game. Miller deserves a big thumbs up for this well-concocted tale.

The Vicarious Liver
Beth Amos
www.bethamos.com
ISBN: 1591135346 $15.95 paper; $6.95 e-book

Beth Amos used to publish with HarperPaperbacks and has three suspense thrillers to her credit: COLD WHITE FURY, EYES OF NIGHT, and SECOND SIGHT. Ms. Amos took the bull by the proverbial horns after discovering the foibles of mid-career publishing and decided to self-publish her next book, THE VICARIOUS LIVER. She lives in Wisconsin (actually, in my old ancestral neighborhood, as it happens).

Mattie Winston is a RN with lots of curiosity, an interesting sense of humor, and an ability to bump into things and embarrass herself at the drop of a hat. But she is also caring, and is terribly wounded when she discovers her husband with another nurse in a compromising situation. She loses the husband and her job, and takes on an internship as a deputy coroner with her gay neighbor, who also provides her and her newest family member, Rubbish, with a place to live. Unfortunately, the next death that turns up is Karen Owenby, her ex's girlfriend. With Karen's death another tall, dark, and handsome stranger enters Mattie's life in the person of Detective Steve Hurley. Sparks literally fly as Hurley and Mattie fight an instant attraction and also begin an unconscious competition to determine who will solve the case. Naturally Mattie gets herself into constant fixes; her husband David complicates the picture; and Hurley comes to the rescue:

"Hurley glowers at him and I'm afraid things are going to get messy soon if I don't do something. 'David, please go,' I say. He stares at me in disbelief. 'You heard the lady,' Hurley growls. David hangs his head for a second, then moves towards the door, which is still open."

Beth Amos has a natural flare for comedic writing. Mattie Winston is the symbol of every woman, when we have our guard down. Mattie is intelligent, a little insecure but courageous, inquisitive, and has absolutely terrible timing. Yet she manages to help everyone around her, and one gets the feeling that she is held in very high esteem, warts and all. THE VICARIOUS LIVER is a fast-paced, well structured mystery with underpinnings of lost love, fresh lust, and small town politics. Amos has penned a delightful tale which tantalizes us into wanting more.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

Shirley's Bookshelf
Mistletoe Madness: A Short Story Collection
Miriam Hess, editor
Blooming Tree Press
P.O. Box 140934, Austin, Texas, 78714
www.bloomingtreepress.com 512-921-8846
ISBN# 0971834822 $8.95 US $10.95 Canada 384 pages

In the daylight hours of the roaring 4 day storm called Hurricane Frances, I had to find something to occupy my mind and quiet my spirit. I found it in this delightful short story collection, Mistletoe Madness. If you think it strange that someone would consider reading a book through such a traumatic time, then you have never experienced the long hours that stretch never-ending before you with nothing to do but hear the howl of destruction. This was a breath of quiet refreshing air.

A collection of holiday short stories for children ages 7-12, this 384 page work is packed full of tales that will touch your heart, tickle your funny bone, boost your faith and bring inspiration to young and old . None alike, we have a myriad of subjects, from the mysterious and fanciful that can be found in The Stalking Snowman,(my favorite) and The Great Christmas Tree Caper; to the chuckle of The Clauses Go Hollywood, and the heartwarming found in Mrs. Whipple's Christmas and First Turkey. My 8 year old granddaughter and I shared several stories together to her delight. She asked me if I would give her the book when I was finished; I'll have to think about that one!

Mistletoe Madness is a wonderful fresh idea in storytelling for children and adults to enjoy during the bustling holiday season, or anytime that you want to smile, sigh or just feel good all over. I can see nothing but praise coming forth for this wonderful collection; and I take my hat off to the many talented authors and illustrators who shared their gift with us in story, poetry and outstanding illustration. If a book can bring a smile during a hurricane, you have to know it's worth your time. A wonderful read at a great price that will become a family treasure for years to come. Highly recommended.

The Late Great Planet Earth
Hal Lindsey
Zondervan Publishing Company
ISBN# 031027771X $9.99 192 pages

I will be forever thankful to this author and this wonderful book. It is an honor to be able to write a review about it. I first read this book over 30 years ago and it changed my life. The information in it was mind boggling and kept me glued to the pages for hours. I shared it with everyone I knew. Recently someone gave me the book again, and yes I again sat and read it from cover to cover. Written in a clear and understanding way, this book will move you to not only seek out Bibical prophecy for yourself, but examine your own heart in this last hour that we are living. If you have never read this book;I urge you to get yourself a copy and read it every so often until the Lord appears.

The Woman Question
Kenneth Hagin
Faith Library Publications
ISBN# 0892764058 $4.95 66 pages

I have grown so weary of ministering to men who scream at their wives, " You must submit and do anything I say," and have the nerve to call it Godly. Finally in Mr. Haggins wonderful book he addresses this problem and so many more that face women today. So many women have been led to feel as if they were second class citizens in the spiritual realm. That is not the case, but rather God deeply loves and respects women. Rev. Haggin explains in simple terms what all the Scriptures concerning women taking roles of authority, fulfilling commissions and just plain being used in God's Kingdom really means. This book is a real eye opener and should be required reading for all women and men who are serious about obeying God and His Word. Well worth your time. Highly recommended.

Mommy Can I Play With Tommy?
Danielle E. Hiner
Publish America
www.publishamerica.com
ISBN#1413726771 $16.95 25 pages

Is it important that children understand at an early age that not everyone is born perfect; nor is life always fair, and at times there are enormous challenges we must face? I believe it is. Danielle's work about their child Joseph, who has Cerebral Palsy, shows in a gentle loving way, that although Joseph has some handicaps to overcome, he is still a child with the same feelings as any other. Illustrated by Joseph's brother, with simple pictures of children at play, this work is done in a way that young ones will identify with. It will help them to understand that it isn't the package they see on the outside that makes a person, but the heart that is within. This is a beginning series, written in an attempt to bring awareness to children of the special needs of others, while showing them, they too just want to have friends. Good idea with great potential; I wish them the best of luck with their future works.

Thirty-One Years and a Stumble
Karen Harper DeLoach
Xlibris
ISBN: 073884134X $19.95 140 pp.

Marriage, at its best is not without challenges. To say that a marriage will not have speed-bumps, is like saying the earth will not birth a new day. However, I myself know of very few women who have actually used their faith and knowledge of God's Word to plow through not just speed-bumps but a stone wall, as the author of this work did.

Karen and Bill were in love from their youth. They started their life together with all the usual hopes and dreams. Traveling through time, they had their children, their financial security, and in the natural it would appear they would live out their lives together, but something was terribly wrong. Soon Karen's world crashed down upon her, as Bill announced he was in love with someone else, and not just a stranger, but Karen's close friend! The trial of her faith was just beginning.

I could go into much detail of the unfaithfulness of Bill and the challenges of Karen, but that is for you to read. What I want to bring out in this review if that this book is one of deep faith and assurance in the power of actually living the Word of God in our lives. Karen had every right to turn from her husband and never look back. However, when she made her vows before God they were sacred, and her love for Bill was steadfast. In her work, she speaks frankly of her feelings, her hurts and her failures. She leads you through the Scriptures that the Lord gives to her to claim for her husbands deliverance and for her own. As difficult as it was, she allowed God to change her so she could gently lead her wayward husband back to the Lord and his family.

This is the story of a woman of great faith. One that does not take lightly the promises of God, but strives to live the words that her faith is based on. If you, or someone you know, is going through the heartbreak of betrayal, divorce, separation, pain and suffering, this books is for you. And it certainly is a reminder to all of us who profess to be followers of Christ, that His Word is yes and Amen, if we only have the courage to walk what we talk. This is one woman who did! Very high recommendation!

Master of the Game
William Tepper
Synergy Books
2525 W Anderson Lane, Suite 540, Austin, Texas 78757
ISBN# 097476440X $13.95

Let me start off this review by saying once I started this book, I could not put it down.

I have read and reviewed countless mysteries, filled with murder, gore and the likes, but never have I read a work quite like this one, which brought forth the very essence of the killer, the torment that was deep within him, and the hideous actions that were birthed and unleashed upon humanity through his hands. Shocking!

The author takes you into the mind of this serial killer, and despite the hatred and sickening feelings that flood your soul towards him, you are totally memorized at the workings of his mind. You know there is an evil that possess this inhuman man to give him the cunning skill that he uses to outsmart the authorities and capture his victims. You will not believe the way he outwits those that are relentlessly pursuing him. Chilling!

Mr. Tepper introduces you to each of this killer's victims allowing you to know them making the torture and killing of each one personal. Believe me you will feel their terror as this madman carries out his devious plan using them as ploys, while enjoying his demonic passion of torture, sexual perversion and finally murder.

The conclusion is bittersweet and unsettling. Although the killer definitely gets his just reward, the twist at the ending leaves you wondering if this really is the end.

I do not want to give the storyline away, however you are somehow aware that this evil has only been transferred and will live yet another day, to torture, torment and kill. The thought is mind-boggling.

If you are looking for a work that will keep you glued to its pages; a work that will challenge your mind, leaving you thinking, could this happen? Has this happened? If so, this book is for you. Bone chilling, thought provoking, a one of a kind read! Skillfully written in a way that you will never forget, even though you wish you could.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Presents the Fearless Flightkit: The Remedy for the Fearful Flyer
Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Capt. Ron Nielsen, Tim Piering
Midpoint Trade Books
Book and CD Kit
ISBN: 0972236902 $24.99

The last time I flew was on an overseas flight from Germany to New York. It was a terrible flight, as we experienced a severe storm over the Atlantic. It was so bad, we were 4 hours late getting into Kennedy and they were so glad that we made it; we didn't even have to go through Customs. That was the last time I flew. So, as you can imagine, I was interested in this work.

I read with a smile the different stories of 'fearful flyers,' and to be honest with you, I could identify with their fears. I was happy to read all the good reports of their overcoming. The stories definitely gave encouragement that if they could do it, so could anyone else. And the insert to know the sights and sounds, which explained the trip from boarding to landing, was a real plus, and interesting to read.

In listening to the CD, I loved the beginning song. It was very soothing. I cannot speak of how this CD will help one on a flight, as I have not had that experience. However, I can imagine that if one were listening to this CD, they certainly would not be able to concentrate on being afraid; it demands your attention and for some reason you actually want to listen. Strange but true.

Now, here is the catch. Not only, I'm sure, would this CD be an excellent help while in flight; I believe it is a wonderful CD for anyone battling any fear in life. The precepts that are flooding through the words spoken can be applied in any fearful experience that one maybe battling. Perhaps the authors do not realize this, but I feel it is a truth and a plus.

I enjoyed reviewing this work and give it a thumbs-up. This definitely will be help for those who long to fly and cannot take that first step, and for any that are battling the powerful force of fear.

Sacred Selfishness
Bud Harris, Ph.D
Inner Ocean Publishing, Inc.
P.O. Box 1239 Makawao,Maui, HI 96768
ISBN# 1930722125 $24.95 343 pp.

I wondered what I would find within the pages of this work. Would it be words of advice that I could truly use, or just another book to place on my shelf. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised in my reading and what I found.

The author gently leads you into stories of many people's life experiences, their heart felt emotions, their deep seated fears, hopes, dreams and breaks down the why's of their failures and even their success. Interesting.

My favorite chapters were those on dreams and keeping a journal. I always knew that dreams, if not ignored could help us on our journey in life, and this work added new dimension to that idea. I loved it and found it very helpful.

As far as the chapter on keeping a journal, this was something I had been doing for quite sometime, but gradually stopped as I felt it was not helping me. How wrong I was. In this chapter I learned how important and helpful it can be to keep track of your life and all that revolves around you. In a way, it certainly helps to keep things in the proper perspective, and the author explains so many ways that doing this can be beneficial to you.

There is so much helpful information in this book that it would be impossible for me to detail here in this short review. However, this is one book you certainly will keep handy to read time and time again. It is full of helpful thoughts, insights and information that will be a great aid for you in your journey through life.

The final thought that was left with me is this. The blame or the pat on our back for our failures or our success does not go to circumstances, location, upbringing, or any of the things we so quickly point our finger at. It lies within ourselves. Want to change your life? Read this work, and get started down the road to victory.

Beauty Beyond The Ashes Choosing Hope After Crisis
Cheryl McGuinness with Lois Rabey
Howard Publishing
3117 North 7th Street Monroe, Louisiana 71291
ISBN# 1582293899 $19.99 244 pages

I was truly honored when asked to give my humble review on this work. My heart ached as I picked up the book and gazed upon the cover picture of a family that continues on after being touched by hell itself.

Cheryl McGuinness is the widow of Lt Commander Tom McGuinness, Co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11. The pain of the memory of that day seared through my mind as I prepared myself for what words I may find written from this woman's heart. I have to tell you from the onset that after reading her book, I have a deep love and respect for her.

Mrs. McGuinness shares with the reader the events that happened on September 11th and all that followed, but she doesn't stop there. Instead of dwelling on the deep grief and pain that she and her family suffered; she shares the sweet story of her life with her husband before the tragedy hit and the victory she is determined to have now.

In reading her words you find deep commitment to a loving God, deep commitment to a grieving family, deep commitment to a supportive nation and unfaltering faith in her God for a bright future, not only for her and her family, but for the country she loves. That is a lot to come out of such a traumatic event.

She unashamedly shares her faith in God and tells how she clung to Him in each and every circumstance that she has had to deal with. The author shares insights for the reader that may be hurting, to help them overcome their crisis and bring encouragement. I could never put into words in a short review what is inside this book. I believe what impressed me more than anything was the fact that the author does not just dwell on her loss, although you are well aware of the pain she has suffered, but understands everyday that someone, somewhere is experiencing pain and heartache; and because of that, she opens her heart to them, reaching out to help heal their sorrows. It is said, you cannot truly understand pain unless you have felt it. Mrs. McGuinness understands the pain and through her words sooths the soul.

This book is more than a story of September 11th, it is a hand reaching out to those who hurt and saying, there is hope for tomorrow and we must never lose sight of that. A must read! Thank you Mrs. McGuinness for your faith in God and in the future.

Interview with Miriam Hess, President and Owner, Blooming Tree Press

I was excited when Miriam contacted me for a review of one of her publications. I was delighted when she consented to do an interview with me. You know how I always tell you when I have a good feeling about a publisher. Well! I have a good feeling about Blooming Tree Press, and as you read this interview I believe you will agree with me. Let's begin.

SPJ: Miriam, I'm excited to know about your company, would you please give us some background information, when it was started, what the vision is behind it and your mission statement.

MIRIAM: Blooming Tree Press has been in business for the last four years, but it's has been in the making for more than ten years. BTP is a Texas-based publisher committed to providing quality reading for the young and the young at heart. Our greatest desire is that our readers find their hopes and dreams between the pages of our books.

SPJ: May I say I just finished reading and reviewing Mistletoe Madness, and it was a delightful, wonderful book. Now, please tell us how long you have been with the company and what your duties are.

MIRIAM: I have been with the company from the beginning. I try to be a jack-of- all-trades. In addition to the daily running of the company I DO read each and every manuscript that is submitted. That is something I will always do.

SPJ: I think that is great Miriam. Would you like to share anything about your fellow workers and the jobs they do.

MIRIAM: I have a great team working for me. Peggy is my senior editor and has an amazing eye for detail and spotting talent. Michelle works strictly with copyediting. Bradford is in charge of the adult submissions. Theresa is our graphics designer and if you take a look at the website, you will see the wonderful line up of house illustrators. Of course there is the usually line up of businesspersons that include, Rowena, Angela, and Christi.

SPJ: It sounds like you have a great winning team. I'd like to now get to the meat of the interview, the questions that all authors want me to ask. Let's talk about submissions. Are you open to submissions, and if no when do you think you will be?

MIRIAM: That's a big YES. We are open for submissions.

SPJ: That's great. Here's your chance readers. Must the authors query first?

MIRIAM: We would prefer that you submit a query first. This will enable us to know you and what your project is beforehand. However, we do except unsolicited manuscripts, but note that they will not be our first priority.

SPJ: Yes, I think it is better to follow the rules. Would you please tell us what type of books you publish, are you looking for specific genres, or is the field wide open? Also, what formats are your books published in?

MIRIAM: The field is pretty much wide open. A great book is a great book, so we don't want to limit you or ourselves. We have a special interest in Historical Fiction, well done Sci-Fi, Humor, Mystery and Action/Adventure, Inspirational, Christian and Biographies. In the children's section we do Fiction and Non-Fiction in all categories except Picture Books. The same for Adult - Fiction and Non-Fiction in all categories. Our format is mainly paperback. We do only a few hardbacks.

SPJ: What do you look for when a submission comes in, what catches your eye?

MIRIAM: A catchy title and a well done first page really makes me stop and have to read on.

SPJ: Are there certain works you will not publish?

MIRIAM: We do not publish horror, occult or works with explicit sexual content.

SPJ: Good for you. Would you give one tip that might tilt the scale and help the author's work to be accepted.

MIRIAM: A scale tipper would be a unique story that has characters with depth. Even if it's not a new idea, if it's been done in a new and unique way it will interest a reader.

SPJ: What makes you see "RED" when a submission is presented to you?

MIRIAM: Not much makes me see red; I'm a pretty patient person. But please have your pages numbered and an email address and telephone number on the first page of your work.

SPJ: How long is the wait before the author will know if their work is accepted and do you take simultaneous submissions?

MIRIAM: It depends on what our need is at that particular time. I try and send an email confirming we have received a manuscript and when we will be able to get back with the author. If you want an approximation I'd say within 3-4 months. We accept simultaneous submissions as long as that is stated on the submission.

SPJ: Fair enough. May I ask how many books do you publish in a year and is that a set figure?

MIRIAM: There is no set figure. If we have a large number of books that are ready to go, we will publish them at that time.

SPJ: Where can your books be purchases? Are they stocked in bookstores and do you have a return policy. (This may seem like a strange question but is a real concern for authors with some publishing houses)

MIRIAM: BTP works can be purchased on line through us (www.bloomongtreepress.com) or on online bookstores such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. They are also available for purchase at all local bookstores. If you don't find a title just ask them to order it. Baker & Taylor is our distributor so title may be ordered year round.We have a standard return policy with our vendors.

SPJ: Are your books priced fairly?

MIRIAM: Affordable pricing is one of our main concerns. This is the reason most of our titles are paperback only. We feel every person should be able to afford a book to read and enjoy.

SPJ: A few more questions about author submissions please. May authors send their submissions via email?

MIRIAM: Please NO email submissions. In order to keep careful track of all work submitted, they need to be sent by snail mail.

SPJ: Do they have to use your cover art or are they allowed to use their own idea?

MIRIAM: We have an excellent collection of house illustrators. However, you are welcome to submit your ideas.

SPJ: Please tell us, how are your authors paid? Do you give advances and do you work with a standard contract?

MIRIAM: Yes, we give advances. Yes, we work with a standard contract.

SPJ: What type of promoting do you do for your authors and what is required of them?

MIRIAM: We do as much as we can promotion-wise. Contacting reviewers, bookstores, newspapers, etc. The author will be expected to work along side of us to make promotion a success.

SPJ: If the author's work is accepted, what is the amount of time from acceptance to print?

MIRIAM: Once again it depends on what our need is at that particular time. But an estimate is anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

SPJ: Do you have a good working relationship with your authors?

MIRIAM: Well, I don't know. I'll guess you need to ask them! LOL! Actually I think we have a really good relationship with our authors. I try and keep them posted on everything that is going on. After all it is their work at stake.

SPJ: That is very true Miriam, and I'm sure the authors love being published by you. Tell me do you use POD technology?

MIRIAM: No, no POD technology.

SPJ: As a publisher, what is the hardest part of your job and why?

MIRIAM: Not being able to publish more books. There is a lot of talent out there and we wish we could represent them all.

SPJ: What part of your job makes you smile?

MIRIAM: There are many things that make me smile when it comes to books. The main two are when I get to tell an author we have accepted their work and when we get a fan letter praising a book.

SPJ: I can imagine how exciting it is to make a dream come true. Do you feel it is important for an author to have an agent? A publicist?

MIRIAM: An agent or publicist is not required to work with us. It's totally up to the author - we can work it either way. Whatever makes the author more comfortable.

SPJ: It truly sounds as if you are doing wonderful. Let me ask this, where do you see your company in the next 5 years?

MIRIAM: I see BTP going strong in five years. I hope we will be a company that is well known, but most of all I hope we are a company that is highly respected.

SPJ: Would you tell us something about yourself, are you an author and if so please tell us some about your work(s).

MIRIAM: I'm the mother of two wonderful children who are nineteen and twenty- one and I've been married twenty-two years to an amazing man. I have been a businesswoman my whole life. I started working at fourteen and I've never stopped. I love to work and I love what I do. When I get the chance I still write, which I think is a plus in the publishing industry - having been on both sides I can relate better to my clients.

SPJ: That is great Miriam. If you will, please use this space for any closing remarks you would like to leave with our readers about yourself, your company, or publishing in general.

MIRIAM: I hope you have been able to get a feel for Blooming Tree Press and what we do. I would like to thank Shirley for interviewing me and I welcome any questions you might have.

SPJ: Thank you Miriam for sharing with us about Blooming Tree Press. I know your company has a great future ahead. I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more about your books in the future. Many blessings.

Interview with Karen Deloach author of "Thirty One Years and a Stumble" Karen is the author and co-author of several works. I wanted to get to know Karen better and knew that you would enjoy hearing what she had to say. Let's begin please.

SPJ: Karen, what made you decide to write this book?

Karen: The Lord's gentle prodding. Several people who knew our story had approached me when they had trouble in their relationships, asking for advice. I wrote down a few highlights of our testimony, along with scriptures that helped me, for a friend of mine. Afterwards, I recalled that during the middle of that time of brokenness in my life when everything looked hopeless, God had spoken to my heart that one day I would have a testimony to share with others who faced what I was facing. As I remembered that, God led me in the direction of writing this book.

SPJ: I am sure many are glad that you did, and I'm sure it will help many as well. Was it difficult to relive the memories as you were writing this work?

Karen: It was extremely intense. I cried a lot of tears while writing this book. But it was also a very healing process. As I recalled the scriptures God led me to during that time, as I remembered His provision, as I basked in His ultimate healing, the tears became tears of joy and thankfulness.

SPJ: That in itself is a testimony Karen. Tell us, what, if any reaction did you receive after your decision to write this book? How did Bill and the rest of your family react to it?

Karen: Bill was completely supportive. After all, it's his story, too. I admire him for being willing to allow himself to be portrayed so honestly. One thing I always remind people is that Bill is a different man now (and I am a different woman), and we want to give God glory for what He did for us. The only reaction that surprised me was when a couple read the book and told me to be sure and tell Bill that it did not change the way they thought about him. That surprised us, because it never occurred to us that it would change their thinking since they know Bill now. . .not as he was then. But for the most part, my friends (and all of my family) were very supportive. Even the woman that I call "Terri" in the book and her husband have been supportive. To God be the glory!

SPJ: That is great! How long did it take you to complete your book?

Karen: From the time I began in earnest, it was approximately six months.

SPJ: What was the most difficult part in writing your work?

Karen: What wasn't difficult? I had never tried to write a book before. But I truly felt led by God to do this. So before every writing session, I prayed that He would lead me in the direction I needed to go, say what I needed to say, and not say what should be left unsaid. He was very faithful to help me. He made the process easier and smoother than I ever imagined it could be. I enjoyed it so much!

SPJ: Tell us, did you find it difficult to find a publisher and if so what did you do to remedy that?

Karen: I was such a novice. I barely knew how to begin. I had read so many articles about the difficulty of breaking into traditional publishing. Then I happened to stumble onto my publisher's web site (Xlibris Corporation). Xlibris is a POD publisher that is in partnership with Random House, Inc.'s investment subsidiary, Random House Ventures. I submitted my manuscript, and they agreed to publish it. I was very blessed that I did not have to pay any fees to them for their services. That is not the case now. -- When I wanted to have the second book published - Musings, Meditations, and Memories of One Slightly Dysfunctional American Family (a collaboration with my brother and sisters), I wanted to find another publisher. I researched and noted who other authors were with that wrote in the same genre. I went first to PublishAmerica because I had read what another author had to say about them, and I liked what I read. According to PublishAmerica, they are "a traditional advance and royalty paying book publisher. . .launches authors in the best tradition of old-fashioned quality publishing." Thankfully, they published our book. I'm very excited about it!

SPJ: What advice would you give to authors who are looking for a publisher?

Karen: Research. Join a writer's group or subscribe to writers' ezines and learn from other authors' experiences. Check out publishers' web sites.

SPJ: If you could speak directly to publishers, what would you tell them?

Karen: Come on guys, give new authors a chance! ( I'm thankful for PublishAmerica.)

SPJ: Karen, I hope they are listening, I really do. Do you have an agent? A publicist?

Karen: No.

SPJ: How much promoting do you do? And, doyou have any tips for other authors?

Karen: I don't think I have done enough promoting, judging from what other authors say in some of the message boards I read. I hope to do more (and better) on the new book that just came out. Other than the usual avenues of trying to get book signings and get the book into local book stores, I have found the most new inquiries and orders come when someone has read one of my stories and then investigated my web site. I have had stories published in several online e-newsletters as well as in regular magazines and two anthologies. I would suggest writing stories and articles and submitting them. This gives you an opportunity for a byline with information about your book. If you don't have a web site, get one. There are opportunities for free web sites with building tools that help you build your web site to suit your tastes. I used Tripod.com and built my own site. Also, sign up for author newsletters on the web. They have great tips.

SPJ: Do you belong to a writer's group?

Karen: Yes. It's a web group.

SPJ: What has writing this work done for you and what do you hope it will do for your readers? What do you hope they will take away with them after reading your work?

-Karen: Writing this book has given me wonderful opportunities to relate to people who are in trouble, especially in their marriages. I have had numerous people contact me by phone and e-mail who needed encouragement, prayer, a listening ear, or an "e- hug." I consider it a privilege and a responsibility that I take very seriously when someone asks me for advice. I always ask God for wisdom in whatever I say to them. And I always pray for them.

- What I hope that readers get from my book is HOPE. Whatever our circumstances, however hopeless they may seem. . .nothing is too difficult for God!

SPJ: How supportive was your family in your writing experience and how important do you think this is to a writer?

Karen: Very supportive. Bill read every word as I wrote it. Sometimes he had suggestions, but, for the most part, he trusted my judgment and that God was leading me in my writing. My sister Linda was my editor. (And by the way, she is a great editor, if anyone is looking for someone to edit their manuscript.) She did a great job and was so helpful.

- I think having a support system is extremely important to a writer. Especially a new one like me.

SPJ: Do you have any other works in progress? If so in what genre and when will they be released?

- Musings, Meditations, and Memories of One Slightly Dysfunctional American Family has just been released by PublishAmerica (August 21, 2004). It is in the Christian inspiration genre. It is published under the pen name "The Harper Kids" with our names beneath (Linda Harper Tinker, Karen Harper DeLoach, Michael R. Harper, Patti Harper Ford). What a fun project this was! The book includes nostalgia, inspirational stories about miracles and answered prayers, life lessons, humor, heartbreak, LIFE!

SPJ: I have read and reviewed this work and I give it a thumbs up. Readers you would enjoy the read. Tell us, how many hours a day do you write?

Karen: I don't have a set amount of time. I could use more discipline in that area. But I try to write something at least five days a week. Sometimes it involves most of a day, sometimes just an hour or so.

SPJ: Is there a special place that you write, one that inspires you? Has there been a special person who inspired you to write?

Karen: Sometimes when an idea strikes me, I may jot down rough notes on a pad. But mainly I write at my computer. I honestly have to say that all of my inspiration for writing has come from the Lord.

SPJ: Has having a book published changed your life in anyway and if so please share that with us.

-Karen: I have had opportunities to talk to people I wouldn't have met otherwise. And I've had opportunities to minister to people that wouldn't have happened if they hadn't read my book.

SPJ: Where do you hope your writing career will be in 3 years and what are you doing to achieve that goal.

Karen: I hope to learn more and get better at marketing my books. I also have some ideas that keep tickling the edges of my mind, which is how the other books evolved. I've begun writing on a subject that has become important to me (depression) and hope to see that evolve into something that will help the average person. Basically, it will be as the Lord leads. I want to write to help people and bring glory to God.

SPJ: A question a little off the beaten track, do you read and if so what genre is your favorite?

Karen: I have been an avid reader since childhood! I'm eclectic in my tastes. I enjoy mystery and suspense. I just finished the Mitford Series, and I loved that. I like a lot of different authors Beth Moore, Leon Uris, John Grisham, and the list goes on.

SPJ: Would you tell us a little about yourself, outside of being a published author?

Karen: I work with my husband of 35 years at his mechanic shop in Statesboro, GA. We have three sons. I have been involved in singing and drama ministry since my teens. Before I had an accident that hurt my knees, I did children's outreach under the guise of KD Klown with a group known as KD & Kompany. Later, KD & Kompany evolved into a drama group comprised of people from different churches and denominations. We presented plays to our community several times, including Testament, which is an original musical drama written by my sister Linda. The last one was a couple of years ago, since I have become more disabled in my walking, etc. But I have continued to direct dramas in church. I have sung on Praise & Worship teams for more years than I can remember. So I would say that music, drama, and writing are three of my favorite things.

SPJ: Please use this space for anything you would like to share with our readers concerning publishing, writing or your publishing experience in general.

-Karen: I just encourage you to keep on writing. If that is what you love to do, do it! And, personally, I always remind myself of this favorite verse, "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands" - Psalm 90:17. If He establishes our work, it will always honor Him.

SPJ: I want to thank Karen for doing this interview with me. I know that I enjoyed learning more about her. Please check out her books because they truly are a blessing. The best to you Karen in all you do.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Xlibris
436 Walnut Street, 11th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3703
(888) 795-4274 www.xlibris.com
orders@xlibris.com

Publish America
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705

Karen Harper DeLoach
http://karendeloach.tripod.com
Author, Thirty-One Years and a Stumble and Musings, Meditations, and Memories of One Slightly Dysfunctional American Family
Web site: http://karendeloach.tripod.com

INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM TEPPER AUTHOR OF, " Master of The Game."

I have to tell you readers this book was quite a ride. I could not put it down. Mr. Tepper does an outstanding job of digging into the very sick mind of a killer. I wanted to know a little more about this author. I believe you will enjoy this interview.

Let's begin.

SPJ: William, what made your decide to write this book?

WILLIAM: I had been reading a series of Serial Killer books and found them to be pretty much the same, formula writing, predictable and often I was left thinking, "now that didn't make sense." I decided I would try to do better.

SPJ: I have to say you did one above better in your work. How did you come up with the storyline? Did you do research and are you familiar with cases similar to this one? (God help us if there are cases similar to this one)

WILLIAM: I'm a method writer I put myself into my characters. Now if I were the most scary, despicable killer ever. It all just came to me, no research required. I hope that doesn't scare anyone too much.

SPJ: However you did it, the outcome was an outstanding book, so it certainly worked for you. How did you decide on your characters? Did they just flow with the story or did you already have them throughout before beginning the work? Did you base any of them on real-life characters? ( I hope not)

WILLIAM: Some personalities are similar to people I have known. But I don't know any serial killers. I think.

SPJ: What, if any reaction did you receive after your decision to write this book?

WILLIAM: The people who like this genre loved "Master of the Game." Those that don't, opinions varied, but most found it a little too much for them.

SPJ: It truly is an intense read, there is not doubt about that, but one that definitely holds your attention. How long did it take you to complete your book?

WILLIAM: One year to write, six months to edit and another six months to rewrite. Like my villain, I'm a perfectionist.

SPJ: What was the most difficult part in writing your work?

WILLIAM: The daily discipline when it's so nice and sunny outside.

SPJ: I felt that the ending was really not the ending. Will there be another?

WILLIAM: "The Return Game"

SPJ: I look forward to reading that one. Tell us, did you find it difficult to find a publisher and if so what did you do to remedy that?

WILLIAM: When does difficult turn into impossible? The big houses liked "Master of the Game" and had very nice things to say about it, but in the end decided not to spend the money on an unknown. So, like Mel Gibson, I did it myself.

SPJ: I believe the big houses will be sorry one day for passing this one up. What advice would you give to authors who are looking for a publisher?

WILLIAM: Good luck!

SPJ: If you could speak directly to publishers, what would you tell them?

WILLIAM: Stop looking so hard for more of the same and try something new every once in a while.

SPJ: Good advice. Do you have an agent? A publicist?

WILLIAM: Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists, (www.bookpros.com)

SPJ: How much promoting do you do? Any tips for other authors?

WILLIAM: I am planning to promote as much as possible. Tips? Get help.

SPJ: Do you belong to a writer's group?

WILLIAM: No.

SPJ: What has writing this work done for you and what do you hope it will do for your readers? What do you hope they will take away with them after reading your work? (I know what stayed with me.........FEAR :0)After all, how do I know my friend is really my friend. See what your book did to me. *smile*.........

WILLIAM: I hope my readers will think about "Master of the Game" when they're done and decide that reading it was time well spent. You were afraid? Well that's because you're a woman and Simon is a ladies man.

SPJ: How supportive was your family in your writing experience and how important do you think this is to a writer?

WILLIAM: Ehhh.

SPJ: Hee hee.........on to the next question. Do you have any other works in progress? If so in what genre and when will they be released?

WILLIAM: Yes and who knows?

SPJ: How many hours a day do you write?

WILLIAM: From minutes to sometime three to four hours depending on the level of inspiration.

SPJ: Is there a special place that you write, one that inspires you? Has there been a special person who inspired you to write?

WILLIAM: My special place is the shower, excellent for uninterrupted thinking.

SPJ: Has having a book published changed your life in anyway and if so please share that with us.

WILLIAM: Not yet, though I'm hoping for some additional excitement after selling the first million copies.

SPJ: I do believe there will be excitement once that is accomplished. Where do you hope your writing career will be in 3 years and what are you doing to achieve that goal.

WILLIAM: I'll write as long as I enjoy it and someone is willing to read what I've written.

SPJ: A question a little off the beaten track, do you read and if so what genre is your favorite?

WILLIAM: I like a lot of genres, but as you might have guessed not too big on love stories.

SPJ: Would you tell us a little about yourself, outside of being a published author?

WILLIAM: I'm a kid and will always remain a kid even as my body becomes more and more ancient.

SPJ: You sound like me William. Now that I am 'much' older I just use the excuse that I'm in my second childhood.Please use this space for anything you would like to share with our readers concerning publishing, writing or your publishing experience in general.

WILLIAM:If you think you want to try it, go for it. The real satisfaction comes from knowing you did it.

Thank you William for sharing with us. I really feel your book is a winner and wish you much success in the future.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

TurnKey Press
63 Sentinel Place, Aliso Viejo, California 92656
www.turnkeypress.com
www.WilliamTepper.com
Email: billytep@cox.net

Shirley Johnson
Senior Reviewer

Vicki's Bookshelf
Lu and the Swamp Ghost
James Carville with Patricia C. McKissack
illustrated by David Catrow
Antheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689865600 $17.95, 32 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com

"When I was a little boy, my favorite stories were the ones Mama told about the adventures she had growing up," says the author. "Now that I have two little girls of my own, I want to share one of my mama's stories with them, and with you " And so political consultant James Carville jumps into the crowded celebrity circle of second career children's book writers. Democrat spin-doctor James Carville? Despite his beat-them-to-the-punch explanation of his intentions, it just doesn't fly. Literally. Why else would award-winning children's writer Patricia C. McKissack be brought in to by all appearances actually write the book? The true mystery of the "Lu and the Swamp Ghost" picture book for young children is this: What exactly makes James Carville such a compelling kids cultural figure to warrant this Madonna treatment? Will the equally cuddly Bill O'Reilly or Dick Cheney be next? And will they too talk their publisher into including a CD of themselves reading their work? Now there's a frightening thought.

The Day the Dog Dressed Like Dad
Tom Amico & James Proimos
Bloomsbury
175 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 1582348774 $16.95, 32 pages, www.bloomsbury.com/usa/childrens

One morning, the family dog comes downstairs dressed exactly like the head of the household. But that's not all. The dog also does quite a few things just like dad does, but he has a more canine approach to life. He refuses to cook hot dogs, for instance, and in the evening he brings himself his own newspaper and slippers. His goodnight kiss is more of a lick, but the kids agree it sure was fun having the dog dress like dad for the day. Maybe, they wonder, tomorrow the cat will dress like mom? Oversized pages and over the top humor makes this wacky picture book story a doggone funny romp. For ages 3-5.

Operation Itchy
Jeanne Willis & Penny Dann
Candlewick Press
2067 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
ISBN 0763624810 $13.99, 18 pages, www.candlewick.com

Amateur sleuths are invited to join Secret Agent Barker on his mission to rid the world of megafleas, the itchy menace that "The Daily Dig" newspaper reports is giving dogkind such a "ruff" time. When Barker gets a doggone mad letter from Chief Chaser, he pounces on the case, and enlists readers as his assistants in this hand-on, interactive book. There are foldout newspapers to read, maps to pore over, a disguise kit for concealment ideas, a mini guide to Megafleas for background information, a Hound's Hotel Guide for clue gathering, a blackmail letter to study al sorts of fun fold-outs to keep young readers entertained and informed to sniff out the clues, dig up the evidence, and help Barker solve this itchy mystery. Despite its young pop-up appearances, recommended for ages six to nine.

Fat Boy Swim
Catherine Forde
Delacorte Press / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0385732058 $15.95, 232 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens

Fact: 15% of Americans aged 6 to 19 are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But do you know how many of these children are mercilessly teased at school? The number is unquantifiable, and sadly, there a few publicized success stories that give kids hope of losing the weight, ending the name-calling, and most importantly, becoming healthier and more self-assured adults. These kids now have a new hero and role model in Catherine Forde's debut novel Fat Boy Swim, a sharply observed, emotional story about a bullied, overweight boy and the unconventional coach who helps him make a change. Fourteen-year-old Jimmy Kelly is "Fat Boy Fat," the largest kid in his Scottish community. His football teammates and classmates are cruel, and even his teachers make fun of him. But when his coach teaches him to take control of his life, Jimmy is transformed him from an overweight loser to a champion swimmer. It's not easy for Jimmy, and his struggle is long and hard, but the payoffs are large. As a town celebrity with the girl of his dreams by his side, Jimmy is free to be himself and reclaim his life. Fat Boy Swim gives readers a raw, honest look at the difficulties of being an overweight teenager. More importantly, it provides kids with a positive message about the propensity for change, from inside out. For readers 12 and up.

Even More Parts
Tedd Arnold
Dial Books for Young Readers
345 Hudson St., NY, NY 10014-3657
ISBN 0083729383 $15.99, 32 pages, www.penguin.com

First "Parts" stole your heart (pun intended), then "More Parts" continued the assault on your funny bone, now author-illustrator Tedd Arnold hopes you 'll laugh your head off with "Even More Parts," his latest picture book to play word games with bodily functions, so to speak. Arnold via his fictional characters has made a seemingly endless list of all the strange, crazy things he's heard people saying about their body parts, for instance: "It's on the tip of my tongue," "I have hot lips," and "Someone is looking for a knuckle sandwich." For laughs, he takes things literally and illustrates the common sayings accordingly, hence, noses really run, burning ears catch on fire, and a frog really does reside in an unlucky boy's throat. Slightly gross humor to bring out the "eeeeews" in readers 3-6.

Family Fun Fast Family Dinners
Deanna Cook and Family Fun Magazine
Disney Editions
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
ISBN 078685426X $14.95, 96 pages, www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com

Hungry and in a hurry to feed the family? Here are 100 quick and easy dinner recipes from FamilyFun magazine. Most recipes have nutrition and speed in mind, so busy cooks will enjoy the time-saving ideas, weekly meal-planning solutions and easy step-by-step directions for everything from basic lasagne to Tex-Mex turkey tacos: each a proven family hit. Still other meals provide innovative ways to make wholesome food more inviting to kids, for instance, the Something-for-Everyone Totellini Salad, Volcano potatoes, Snowmen Sloppy Joes, and Mud & Trees broccoli dip. Easy soup and salad dinners, do-it-yourself salad bars, and an array of more-healthful-than-most desserts make this a useful compilation of the magazine's favorite family foods.

Ultimate Mars Rover Kit
David Eckold
DK
375 Hudson St., NY, NY, 10014
ISBN 075660799X $29.99, www.dk.com

Mars is at your fingertips with this knowledge and trivia-based electronic board game. Mission control states the players objective: to set up a command center, build your own Mars Rover, and explore the planet's surface. The motorized rover will automatically investigate and collect Martian samples, steering away form any danger. Will you find minerals, water, or life? Hurry, it's a race against your competitors and the clock. Can you complete your mission before time runs out? Can you find life on Mars? Comes with motorized rover chassis and plastic housing; plastic and card components; timer; eight instruction cards; two magnets; 10 Mars surface sample discs; 5 sticker sheets; mission control card holder; 25 Mars question cards, Mars mission manual; informative poster; and two rolls of double-sided tape to construct and repair your module the budget NASA way. For ages 8 and up.

Winnie-The Pooh Jigsaw Puzzle Book
A.A. Milne and Ernest H. Shepard
Dutton
Children's Books
345 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014
ISBN 0525472339 $17.99, 16 pages, www.penguinputnam.com.

Fans of the best bear in all the world will derive additional hours of pleasure from A.A. Milne's enchanting stories as they piece together episodes from "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House At Pooh Corner" in this delightful book of seven jigsaw puzzles. Ernest H. Shepard's original drawings are paired with corresponding passages from A.A. Milne's beloved tales. And each of the 36-piece puzzles is color-coded on the back for ease of sorting. Readers will rediscover Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood as they track a Woozle, play Poohsticks, find Eeyore's lost tail, and engage in all kinds of Pooh fun. Each puzzle is slip-cased in a plastic sleeve that may not stand up to many repeat uses, but the puzzle's themselves are composed of a very durable, high-quality board stock to ensure long life. Likewise, the book spine binding protects the puzzles from warping, and provides a firm, flat surface for puzzle assembly. An appealing gift item.

Rotten Ralph Feels Rotten
Jack Gantos, Nicole Rubel
Farrar, Straus and Giroux
19 Union Square West, NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0374363579 $15.00, 48 pages, www.fsgbooks.com

Rotten Ralph has been entertaining millions of readers with his bad behavior for nearly 30 years. This time in the latest "Rotten Ralph Rotten Reader" early chapter book -- his rotten manners leads him to refuse a home-cooked meal chock-full of fruits and vegetables. Instead, Ralph sneaks out of the house with more exciting dinner plans on his menu: a truly rotten meal found in a garbage can. Uh-oh. Soon thereafter he doesn't feel so hot While everyone's favorite red cat suffers terrible tummy trouble, his fans will enjoy belly laughs at his expense. Delicious fun.

Train of States
Peter Sis
Greenwillow Books / Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0-06-057838-6 $17.99, 64 pages, www.harperchildrens.com

The basic concept continues to puzzle, but artist Peter Sis' beautifully detailed drawings engage curiosity, nonetheless. Sis' follow up to the intricate "The Tree of Life" about Charles Darwin is "The Train of States," a simple picture book featuring 51 imaginary train cars: 1 for each of the 50 states plus a caboose for Washington, D.C. In chronological order according to date of statehood, each train car depicts each state's unique trivia, including state flag, slogan, local flora and fauna, famous sons and daughters, etc. Captions on each page list the state capitol city, and state flower, tree and bird, each of which is lazily labeled with generic, non-corresponding drawings for each a sure cause for confusion leading children to wonder why the goldfinch, cardinal, and goldfinch, for instance, are illustrated as blue look-alikes. Pretty, for sure, but pretty skimpy on meaningful context.

Teen Idol
Meg Cabot
Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060096160 $15.99, 294 pages, www.harperchildrens.com

One day Jenny Greenley is a normal high school junior specializing in solving other people's problems and acting as the "mayonnaise" (you know, the stuff that holds the sandwich together) for al the intricate high school relationships. But suddenly everything gets turned upside-down. Now she is not only the school newspaper's anonymous advice columnist but the keeper of the school's biggest secret: teen heartthrob Luke Striker is coming to Clayton High. Years of responsible good girl niceness has resulted in the principal entrusting her with the new "student's" secret identity as he goes undercover to research a new movie role. Naturally, trouble ensues. It only takes a tattoo and a high school car wash to create havoc that even Jenny can't find a way to fix. Thrown into the mix are a few love triangles, some high school gossip, paparazzi, and a dance, and soon ever "Ask Annie" needs some advice. You know, normal, everyday high school drama. More tremendous fun and chaos as we've come to expect from the creator of "The Princess Diaries."

Gifts
Ursula K. LeGuin
Harcourt Inc.
525 B Street, San Diego, CA 92101
15 E. 26th St., NY, NY 10010
ISBN 0152051236 $17.00, 274 pages, www.HarcourtBooks.com

Ursula K. Le Guin, one of fantasy and sci-fi's most celebrated authors, returns to a young audience bearing "Gifts," her first novel for teens in 14 years. The author of more than 60 books (most notably "The Earthsea Cycle") now tells the tale of two teens who must reckon with their powerful and cruel abilities. Gry has the gift of calling the ability to summon animals passed down from her mother. Orrec has the gift of undoing a power he cannot bear to speak of from his father. Set in the poor, desolate farms of the Uplands, they live in an uneasy peace, and each clan must be prepared to unleash its gift to defend itself against the other. Bur Gry and Orrec, who have grown up together, refuse their gifts. In this beautifully crafted story, Le Guin writes of the proud cruelty of power, of how hard it is to grow up, and of how much harder still it is to find, in the world's darkness, gifts of light. A gripping and powerfully moving work for ages 12 and up.

The Anybodies
N.E. Bode
Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060557354 $15.95, 288 pages, www.harperchildrens.com

Once upon a time, there was a very real girl named Fern who found out that she'd been swapped at birth. This might disturb some people, but it made Fern very happy. You see, she'd never quite felt at home with her tragically dull parents, the Drudgers, pale, joyless accountants.. Fern first finds out about the mix-up when The Bone (a.k.a. her real father) appears unannounced at the Drudgers' front door. Leaving her dull life behind, Fern sets off on a wild adventure with The Bone and enters into the secret world of the Anybodies a sparkling, mysterious place where things aren't always what they seem. Fairies fall out of books, nuns turn into lampposts, and accountants become monkeys, for instance, in this mysterious fantasy. A Children's Book-of-the-Month Club selection, this highly literary book is magical, funny and touching. Written under an alias by adult novelist Julianna Baggott (Girl Talk, The Miss America Family, and The Madam). For readers 10-13.

It's Hard To Be Five: Learning to Work My Control Panel
Jamie Lee Curtis, Laura Cornell
Harper Collins
1350 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10019-4703
ISBN 0060080957 $16.99, 32 pages, www.harperchildrens.com

Waiting your turn, learning not to hit, sitting still it's tough to be a five-year-old. The latest picture book collaboration from Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell makes learning self-control a little bit easier, and a lot more fun. In "It's Hard To Be Five," Curtis' lively rhymes are paired with Cornell's fabulous watercolors of a precocious five-year-old who spells out the daily challenges he faces. Starting school, staying clean, learning not to bite other kids it's a lot for anyone to cope with. The book celebrates the new independence and fun that comes with this special year of development. Learning self-control, taking charge and the like are things to be proud of, and the book does a charming job of showing readers that overcoming the hard things in life helps us grow to bigger and better things.

The SOS File
Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey, Laurie Myers
illustrated by Arthur
Howard Henry Holt & Co.
115 W. 18th St., NY, NY 10011
ISBN 0805068880 $15.95, 74 pages, www.henry.holt.com

Have you ever needed to call 911, but you didn't have a phone? Have you ever needed to run, but your legs were like spaghetti? Have you ever neeed to yell "help" but your throat was dry with fear? Throughout the year, Mr. Magro's students have written about their biggest emergencies and tucked them into the SOS File. Now it's time to read the stories out loud and try to guess who hasn't earned extra credit. These 12 humorously illustrated short stories are dramatic and exciting just the ticket to attract first through third graders bored with slow chapter books. Sure to fuel readers' own desires to document their own SOS experiences.

Henry Works
D.B. Johnson
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Ave. So., NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0618420037 $15.00, 32 pages, www.hmco.com

This winning picture book is the fourth sequel to "Henry Hikes to Fitchburg," a similar celebration of Henry David Thoreau's simple living philosophy. Here, Thoreau is envisioned as a quiet, thoughtful bear on a mission. Without lumbering Henry, wildflowers would go thirsty in dry weather, and rivers would have no crossing stones. Without him, who would bring news of coming storms? Henry works quietly, but no one seems to notice and he never gets paid. But Henry works for something other than money the satisfaction of enjoying his environment, and leaving things just a little better than he found them. The gentle story flows through morning mist to evening's glow, when, at last, Henry's most important work is revealed. Johnson captures Thoreau's wry eccentricity as well as his profound appreciation of nature, and imparts his wisdom invisibly with subtle humor and visual beauty. Wonderful.

The Monster Show: Everything You Never Knew About Monsters
Charise Mericle Harper
Houghton Mifflin
215 Park Ave. So., NY, NY 10003
ISBN 0618387978 $15.00, 32 pages, www.hmco.com

Have scary monsters lurking in your closet or under your bed? Chase away your fears with this satirical post-modern picture book putting a more, well, human face on the monster race. Did you know, for instance, that monsters feel pretty silly wearing just their underwear? Or that they like birthday cakes as much as we do? Especially ones with singing snakes instead of candles? For more similarly scant "information" grab a seat for "The Monster Show" each spread the curtains part for a new scenario giving random, insider peeks at the lives of monsters. Charise Mericle Harper is a fabulously bold artist, but her storytelling doesn't measure up to the playful images. Fans of Tom Lichtenheld's enormously fun "Everything I Know About Monsters" will be disappointed here with the lack of imagination and scant scenes.

Knuffle Bunny
Mo Willems
Hyperion
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
ISBN 0786818700 $15.99, 32 pages, www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com

What is supposed to be a simple day of running errands turns into a temper-tantrum producing nightmare for one daddy in Mo Willem's latest picture book, "Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionar Tale." Trixie, Daddy and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat, but things take a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes somebunny was left behind. Since the two-year-old cannot find the words to explain what is bothering her, she looses composure, and dad looses his patience. Why can't he understand what "Aggle, flaggle, klabble" means? Naturally, it takes mother's intuition to sense the source of the tragedy, and she springs into action. Caldecott Honor recipient Willems does it again for the pre-K make that pre-speech -- set with this simple tale told simply, and his visual combination of black and white photos used as background to colorful, cartoonish character illustrations is especially wonderful and unique. Recommended. For children ages 3 to 5.

Who Am I Without Him?
Sharon Flake
Hyperion
114 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10011-5690
ISBN 0786806931 $15.99, 168 pages, www.hyperionchildrensbooks.com

Teens laugh, cry, scheme, and dream in this fascinating short-story collection spanning the scope of adolescent love. There is "The Ugly One," whose only solace comes when she is locked inside her own head. In "Wanted: A Thug," a teenager seeks advice on how to steal her best friend's bad-guy boyfriend. And then there's Erika, who only likes white boys. Notable author Sharon Flake (The Skin I'm In, and Begging For Change) takes readers through the minds of girls trying to define themselves while struggling to remain relevant to the boys in their lives. This is a complex, often humorous, always on-point exposition of black youth resolving to find self-worth . . . any way they know how. Guaranteed to connect in powerfully emotional ways with a teen girl audience.

The Realm of Possibility
David Levithan
Knopf / Random House
1540 Broadway, NY, NY 10036
ISBN 0375828451 $15.95, 214 pages, www.randomhouse.com/teens

"The Realm of Possibility" is the brilliantly executed new novel-in-verse from the Lambda Literary Award-winning author of "Boy Meets World," the most important contemporary gay novel for adolescents. In this triumphant sophomore work, Levithan masterfully brings readers back to the self-conscious, sensitive, yet wondrous years of high school, where 20 distinct, yet interconnected voices wait within the pages. Each character shares their own poem, ripe with the humor, heartbreak, and the search for happiness that defines the complexity of high school. We meet the boy whose girlfriend is love with Holden Caulfield, the girl who writes love songs for a girl she can't have, the grocer's daughter, and the non-smoker turned smoker for just one pack's worth of stolen moments. Each character shines and charms, and through entirely isolated from the others, is unified by a positive eye turned to the realm of possibility. Highly recommended.

My Thirteenth Winter: A Memoir
Samantha Abeel
Orchard Books / Scholastic
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439339049 $15.95, 204 pages, www.scholastic.com

An eloquent memoir of anguish and triumph, failure and success, author Samantha Abeel bravely tells her story of living with dyscalculia, a lifelong condition that affects two to six percent of U.S. elementary school students. Abeel was a bright child with a gift for language, yet struggled with simple math problems. As she grew older, the disparity grew wider. An excellend poet and writer, she could not tell time or even calculate simple addition or subtraction. Though signs of a learning disability were present, she struggled with feelings of failure until at 13 she was finally diagnosed with dyscalculia. On the verge of collapse from panic attacks, she suddenly understood what was wrong. At last, it enabled her to focus on developing her gifts and compensating for her weaknesses in a constructive way. "My Thirteenth Winter" is a hopeful biography about regaining control of one's life by overcoming mysterious obstacles. For readers age 11-15.

Clatter Bash! A Day of the Dead Celebration
Richard Keep
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 1561453226 $15.95, 32 pages, www.peachtree-online.com

Bienvenido to a rhythmic, rollicking celebration of the Day of the Dead, a Mexican holiday that celebrates death with both noisy fun and quiet respect. In this colorful and joyous picture book, a family sets out fiesta offfering in hopes that the spirits of their ancestors will return for that one special day of the year: El Dia de los Muertos. The playful skeletons rise from their graves with gusto singing, dancing, dining, telling stories, and playing games. As morning approaches, the skeletons give thanks for their night of gifts and fun. Then they tidy up after themselves, leaving no trace behind of their "clatter bash," returning to their coffins until the next November, when the Day of the Dead will be celebrated again. Warm, colorful and nearly wordless, this is a very simple introduction presenting the spirit of the holiday for pre-readers, leaving a two-page afterword to fill in the details..

Little Rabbit Goes to School
Harry Horse
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 156145320X $15.95, 32 pages, www.peachtree-online.com

The first day of kindergarten is a special day for an adorable little bunny in "Little Rabbit Goes To School," written and illustrated by award-winner Harry Horse. He's decided to share the big moment with his favorite wooden toy by bringing Charlie Horse along to class, although his mom disapproves. The busy classroom is crowded with other little rabbits and lots of activities. His new teacher is pleased to see both Little Rabbit and Charlie, until, that is, the toy disrupts story time, dances on top of the desk during music time, and jumps into the cake batter at snack time. At the end of the day, even Little Rabbit realizes that Charlie Hose may not be ready for school after all. This absolutely charming picture book intro to rules and regulations of school hits all the right notes. It's a gently humorous and reassuring story that depicts how one child copes with a big transition a wonderful touchstone for young pre-readers making similar leaps into independence. For ages 2 to 6.

Old Tom's Holiday
Leigh Hobs
Peachtree Publishers
1700 Chattahoochee Ave., Atlanta, GA 30318-2112
ISBN 1561453161 $16.95, 32 pages, www.peachtree-online.com

When Angela Throgmorton wins a luxury holiday trip, she's thrilled. The poor woman needs to get away having exhausted herself waiting hand and foot for her lazy, scraggly cat, Old Tom. The get-away is just the ticket she needs for some well-earned rest and relaxation, while Old Tom can learn to clean up after himself at home for awhile. On her whirlwind trip, Angela travels on airplanes, trains, and buses. She visits museums and gardens and exclusive cafes. But everywhere Angela goes, she sees something that reminds her of home. Is she just homesick, or is it a holiday for two after all? Cute, whimsical picture book for young cat-lovers age 3-5.

Out and About at the Science Center
Kitty Shea, Becky Shipe
Picture Window Books
5115 Excelsior Blvd. Suite 232, Minneapolis, Minn. 55416
www.picturewindowbooks.com
ISBN 1404802975 $21.26 (list), $15.95 (school/library), 24 pages

The Field Trips series grows with six new titles for ages 4 to 9 (grades PreK to 3) and the school library market. "Out and About at the Science Center" is a good series example, giving novice field trip first-timers an idea of what to expect and how to appreciate on a class visit to a natural or physical science museum. From dinosaurs to sports, from computers to the wonders of the universe, science is everywhere and an understanding of the wonders of science begins at the science center. Conforms to social studies curriculum and contains full-color illustrations, activity, factoids, vocabulary enrichment, and index. Other "Out And About" titles include trips to the aquarium, planetarium, post office, supermarket, and veterinarian clinic.

Island of Hope
Martin W. Sandler
Scholastic Nonfiction
557 Broadway, NY, NY 10012-3999
ISBN 0439530822 $18.95, 144 pages, www.scholastic.com

More than 12 million immigrants came through Ellis Island the Island of Hope between 1892 and 1954. Stirring archival photographs and dramatic first person accounts bring all aspects of the Ellis Island experience to life in "Island of Hope: The Story of Ellis Island and the Journey to America". Future historians can here witness the immigrants' incredible struggles to reach Ellis Island through their very own personal accounts sharing their hopes, dreams, fears, and frustrations as they underwent the rigorous and confusing examination process. Also evident is the espair of some who were turned away and sent back to their countries. Contrasted by the triumph felt by those who entered America to begin their journey to a new life. Forth percent of all Americans have a family member that passed through Ellis Island and, essentially, built America. This is their story, as well as our own. For ages 8 and up.

It's Your World: If You Don't Like It, Change It
Mikki Halpin
Simon Pulse / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
1230 Avenue of the Americas, NY, NY 10020
ISBN 0689874480 $8.99, 304 pages, www.SimonSaysKids.com

Teenagers aren't just mall rats and slackers: they believe in contemporary issues both local and abroad. Statistically there are 70 million people in the United States are under the voting age of 18, two-thirds of whom want to do something to make a difference in this world but 75% of them don't know how to do it. "It's Your World: If You Don't Like It, Change It" takes teens seriously by encouraging them to act on the values they hold now and shows them how they don't have to wait to be 18 to make a difference. "It's Your World" highlights the topics teenagers care about most: war; the environment; free speech and other civil rights; HIV and AIDS; racism; animal welfare; women's rights; school violence and bullying; and gay, lesbian, and transgender rights. Passionate about issues from the upcoming presidential election to the war in Iraq to gun control, youth activism is a vital leaning component they can do something about those beliefs.

Horse Showing for Kids
Cheryl Kimball
Storey Books
210 MASS MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
ISBN 1580175015 $16.95, 152 pages, www.storeybooks.com

Before riding into the equestrian show ring, young riders would do well to study this one-of-a-kind interactive handbook. Included are checklists to help kids prepare for participation in English or Western event horse shows, plus a Show Diary to chart personal progress. Sidebars explain how to do everything from loading a horse into a trailer to catching the judge's eye. And judges, trainers, and kids who've competed give practical insider tips on how to have a show experience that's fun, safe, and successful.

Ten Little Elvi
Duffy Grooms & Laura J. Henson
illustrations by Dean Gorissen
Tricycle Press
P.O. Box 7123, Berkeley, CA 94707
ISBN 1582461244 $12.95, 30 pages, www.tenspeed.com

Count down with ten impish impersonators as they pay tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll in "Ten Little Elvi," a satirical counting book. Caped Elvis, GI Elvis, the karate King all the different Elvis stages are depicted here, along with just enough hidden references to the King's life and times to entertain readers who already know how to count. A cute novelty gift item for pre-readers that gives adults something to chuckle at too.

Crescent Moon 1
Haruko Iida
Tokyopop
5900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90036
ISBN 1591827922 $9.99, 180 pages, www.tokyopop.com

Mahiru Shiraishi has an uncanny ability to bring good luck to everyone she touches except herself. She's constantly haunted by a recurring nightmare that ushers her to a dreamworld, There, she encounters a tribe of demons a werewolf, vampire, fox and bat called the Lunar Race. Destiny calls when they need her help to recover their source of power, the stolen "Teardrops of the Moon." In this fantasy adventure maga for teens, Mahiru must battle the rage between the human race and the Lunar Race, whose powers are awakened by the drk side of the moon. An admirable series debut for its rich story, quick action, and lack of cheap vulgarity. Story by Red Company / Taramura Matsuda. For teens 13 and up.

Model 1 Model 2
Lee So-Young
Tokyopop
5900 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90036
ISBN 1591827116 (2)
ISBN 1591827124 (2) $9.99, 196 pages, www.tokyopop.com

Pretty faces, sultry looks, long silences fill the pages of this new English translation of the romance/horror manga series by Korean comic creator Lee So-Young. A handsome stranger with a dark secre, Jae is your typical struggling artist, studying in Europe and dreaming of a successful painting career. Typical, that is until her friend drops off a drunk but beautiful young man at her apartment. That night Jae dreams that the stranger visits her in her room and drinks her blood! Truth and fantasy blur in thi

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