Desired: The Untold Story of Samson and Delilah
Ginger Garrett
David C. Cook, Oct 1 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9781434768001
In the Philistine city of Timnah, Astra and Amara are on the rooftop of their home when the former sees the bigger than an ox Hebrew who attended the heathen festival at the Temple of Dagon. Astra throws a sharp rod at him trying to kill him. Amara begs he forgives them as she says it was an accident. He marks her house. This gigantic Hebrew Samson, known for his legendary strength, informs Amara’s father he will wed her. She has no say in the matter.
Samson informs his parents that he will marry the Philistine. His Mother objects over his taking a flat chested Canaanite as a wife as she believes his God given strength is destined for greatness. His Father is even more upset. Samson marries Amara, but that ends in tragedy. While the Philistines scheme to destroy the Hebrew legend, Samson meets Delilah. They marry and she proves persistent with completing her mission to learn what the cause of his incredible strength is. Soon his Mother’s dream of greatness will collide with his wife’s greed inside of the Temple of Dagon.
Told from the perspective of the three key fully developed females in the life of Samson, Desired: The Untold Story of Samson and Delilah is a great biblical tale. The conflicting cultures are fully developed as the Philistines and the Hebrews distrust one another as each claims Canaan. Readers will enjoy Ginger Garrett’s latest Old Testament thriller (See Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther) as Mother finally understands that God works the miracles of redemption by turning our weaknesses into strengths.
Harriet Klausner
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
His Destiny-Diana Cosby
His Destiny
Diana Cosby
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420109924
Her uncanny ability to play any undercover role and her unmatched skill with a knife makes Emma Astyn the best English mercenary as she can charm anyone to do anything for her. Currently her assignment is to infiltrate the inner circle of rebel Dubh Duer in order to steal the writ the outlawed Scotsman is carrying to a supportive bishop. To conduct her mission successfully requires her to pose as innocent Scottish damsel Christina Moffat.
However, while Christina prepares to charm Dubh, Emma is taken aback when she meets the man behind the legend Sir Patrick Cleary MacGruder. He distrusts her but wants her. She finds him a man of honor who gave up everything including his family who believe he is dead for his cause, the freedom of Scotland. Love and honor clash with selfless duty.
The latest Diana Cosby “His” medieval romance is an exciting tale of late thirteenth century war torn Scotland in which key players from the previous historical thrillers (see His Woman and His Conquest) including real persona play major roles. The lead couple is a fascinating pairing as love intrudes on their respective mission. Although the ton of historical data at times slows down the story line, fans will enjoy His Destiny is hers.
Harriet Klausner
Diana Cosby
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420109924
Her uncanny ability to play any undercover role and her unmatched skill with a knife makes Emma Astyn the best English mercenary as she can charm anyone to do anything for her. Currently her assignment is to infiltrate the inner circle of rebel Dubh Duer in order to steal the writ the outlawed Scotsman is carrying to a supportive bishop. To conduct her mission successfully requires her to pose as innocent Scottish damsel Christina Moffat.
However, while Christina prepares to charm Dubh, Emma is taken aback when she meets the man behind the legend Sir Patrick Cleary MacGruder. He distrusts her but wants her. She finds him a man of honor who gave up everything including his family who believe he is dead for his cause, the freedom of Scotland. Love and honor clash with selfless duty.
The latest Diana Cosby “His” medieval romance is an exciting tale of late thirteenth century war torn Scotland in which key players from the previous historical thrillers (see His Woman and His Conquest) including real persona play major roles. The lead couple is a fascinating pairing as love intrudes on their respective mission. Although the ton of historical data at times slows down the story line, fans will enjoy His Destiny is hers.
Harriet Klausner
Tempting a Highlander-Michele Sinclair
Tempting a Highlander
Michele Sinclair
Zebra, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420108569
In 1315 twin brothers reserved Crevan and extroverted Craig McTiernay kiss twin sisters in your face Raelynd and dainty Meriel Schellden. Powerful clan leader Laird Schellden catches the two pairs. However, instead of outrage over the affront to his family, the cagy politician sees an opportunity to protect their clan from scam artists. He orders the quartet to pretend they have twin betrothals that would end in one month.
Raelynd is the most volatile against the concept, but appreciates that her partner is outgoing Craig as she cannot stand his mousy twin. On the trek however, Raelynd begins to appreciate the strong reserved Crevan; he shares her attraction but is bound to her sibling. When Raelynd learns his secret that makes him seem wimpy, she realizes she loves her sister’s pretend betrothed.
The latest McTiernay medieval Highlander romance (see Desiring a Highlander) is a family affair as a comedy of errors make for a delightful historical. The two sets of twins are fully developed with diverse personalities. As the best laid plans of mice and McTiernay brothers go astray, fans will wonder if the other twins can just remain friends.
Harriet Klausner
Michele Sinclair
Zebra, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420108569
In 1315 twin brothers reserved Crevan and extroverted Craig McTiernay kiss twin sisters in your face Raelynd and dainty Meriel Schellden. Powerful clan leader Laird Schellden catches the two pairs. However, instead of outrage over the affront to his family, the cagy politician sees an opportunity to protect their clan from scam artists. He orders the quartet to pretend they have twin betrothals that would end in one month.
Raelynd is the most volatile against the concept, but appreciates that her partner is outgoing Craig as she cannot stand his mousy twin. On the trek however, Raelynd begins to appreciate the strong reserved Crevan; he shares her attraction but is bound to her sibling. When Raelynd learns his secret that makes him seem wimpy, she realizes she loves her sister’s pretend betrothed.
The latest McTiernay medieval Highlander romance (see Desiring a Highlander) is a family affair as a comedy of errors make for a delightful historical. The two sets of twins are fully developed with diverse personalities. As the best laid plans of mice and McTiernay brothers go astray, fans will wonder if the other twins can just remain friends.
Harriet Klausner
In the Barrister’s Chambers-Tina Gabrielle
In the Barrister’s Chambers
Tina Gabrielle
Zebra, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420122749
In 1814 London Lady Evelyn Darlington dreams of becoming a barrister, but society refuses to allow females to pursue scholarly intellectual endeavors; even one who loves the law like she does. Her chosen betrothed Randolph Sheldon is accused of murdering a Drury Lane actress who is a distant cousin of his. Evelyn asks her father’s former student barrister Jack Harding to defend Randolph. She explains her intended was not having an affair, but was seen running from the brutal crime scene from the horror of what he saw. Jack’s only stipulation is he will tell her father Lord Lyndale who he owes so much to that he is taking on a case indirectly involving his daughter. Evelyn’s stipulation is she works the case with him.
Jack has been attracted to his mentor’s daughter from the first time he saw her though she was taboo in his mind. Whereas Jack insists he loves her mind though another part of his anatomy would beg to differ, Evelyn always admired Jack’s brain and passion for the law. As they follow clues in exquisite and seedy neighborhoods while their client is not very cooperative, they fall in love, but first seek the rumored murder victims tell all journal of paying customers.
The first Barrister Regency romantic legal thriller is an entertaining tale starring two intelligent and obstinate protagonists. Jack understands what he faces on the case; he must find proof to exonerate Randolph which could cost him the girl while failure will cost him the girl most likely anyway. Although the fast-paced story line follows the anticipated path, readers will relish Tina Gabrielle’s enjoyable legal historical thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Tina Gabrielle
Zebra, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420122749
In 1814 London Lady Evelyn Darlington dreams of becoming a barrister, but society refuses to allow females to pursue scholarly intellectual endeavors; even one who loves the law like she does. Her chosen betrothed Randolph Sheldon is accused of murdering a Drury Lane actress who is a distant cousin of his. Evelyn asks her father’s former student barrister Jack Harding to defend Randolph. She explains her intended was not having an affair, but was seen running from the brutal crime scene from the horror of what he saw. Jack’s only stipulation is he will tell her father Lord Lyndale who he owes so much to that he is taking on a case indirectly involving his daughter. Evelyn’s stipulation is she works the case with him.
Jack has been attracted to his mentor’s daughter from the first time he saw her though she was taboo in his mind. Whereas Jack insists he loves her mind though another part of his anatomy would beg to differ, Evelyn always admired Jack’s brain and passion for the law. As they follow clues in exquisite and seedy neighborhoods while their client is not very cooperative, they fall in love, but first seek the rumored murder victims tell all journal of paying customers.
The first Barrister Regency romantic legal thriller is an entertaining tale starring two intelligent and obstinate protagonists. Jack understands what he faces on the case; he must find proof to exonerate Randolph which could cost him the girl while failure will cost him the girl most likely anyway. Although the fast-paced story line follows the anticipated path, readers will relish Tina Gabrielle’s enjoyable legal historical thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Deadly Little Lies-Jeanne Adams
Deadly Little Lies
Jeanne Adams
Zebra, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420108835
In San Francisco billionaire Davros Gianakopulos is happy for his business partner security expert Gates Bromley who married former CIA agent Ana Burton. However, their happiness has Davros looking within his soul to see what he wants in life as he misses his home in Greece. He decides it is not what but who and that is art gallery owner Carrie McCray.
He asks her out and she accepts a lunch date. However, their first time out together with Gates no longer running his security turns nasty when thugs grab both of them. Dav considers all that Gates taught him in a hostage situation but none included having the woman you want to make it with being held too. Meanwhile the lead kidnapper his brother Niko has waited years for this opportunity to serve up the cold dish of revenge by dumping his two captives in an overseas hellhole prison. Gates and Ana make a frenzied search for them as each knows time is running out on the prisoners.
The sequel to the superb Deadly Little Secrets focuses on the previous novel’s secondary character Dav and the woman he adores as they struggle to survive the ordeal of an abduction that is fueled by angry vengeance. The story line is action-packed from the moment the kidnapping occurs and never slows down as readers will be hooked on this gripping taut romantic suspense.
Harriet Klausner
Jeanne Adams
Zebra, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420108835
In San Francisco billionaire Davros Gianakopulos is happy for his business partner security expert Gates Bromley who married former CIA agent Ana Burton. However, their happiness has Davros looking within his soul to see what he wants in life as he misses his home in Greece. He decides it is not what but who and that is art gallery owner Carrie McCray.
He asks her out and she accepts a lunch date. However, their first time out together with Gates no longer running his security turns nasty when thugs grab both of them. Dav considers all that Gates taught him in a hostage situation but none included having the woman you want to make it with being held too. Meanwhile the lead kidnapper his brother Niko has waited years for this opportunity to serve up the cold dish of revenge by dumping his two captives in an overseas hellhole prison. Gates and Ana make a frenzied search for them as each knows time is running out on the prisoners.
The sequel to the superb Deadly Little Secrets focuses on the previous novel’s secondary character Dav and the woman he adores as they struggle to survive the ordeal of an abduction that is fueled by angry vengeance. The story line is action-packed from the moment the kidnapping occurs and never slows down as readers will be hooked on this gripping taut romantic suspense.
Harriet Klausner
The Fat Kid’s Wolfy Revenge: Not for the Weak Hearted or Mature Minded
The Fat Kid’s Wolfy Revenge: Not for the Weak Hearted or Mature Minded
Kristian J. Hanson
Outskirts, Apr 2011, $14.95
ISBN: 9781432773151
In Gilbert, Arizona high school student Joe Winnie is as uncool as a teen can be even living in a predominantly Mormon town. He loathes school; the girls treat him like a pariah when they ignore him. He especially detests his female peers who when they were younger were his friend, but now treat him like he possesses a contagious disease.
As he faces the fact he has no one to take to the prom, Joe watches a seven foot plus werewolf rip apart a door to door (always during a football game) Mormon missionary. Although terrorized he may be the dessert, Joe watches the Lycan tear into faked boobs Heather. He decides not to be the lunatic savior from movies like the Howling, but instead starts a blog following the murderous and raping exploits of the American Werewolf in Gilbert. As his blog becomes the in thing, his new BFF the beast that bites leads Joe to ask the rich Brazilian beauty Fernanda to the prom as he assumes she does not have werewolf catnip AKA silicon transplants.
This gory yet entertaining urban fantasy lampoons the sub-genre’s tendency towards either heroic passionate paranormal hunks in tune with their feminine side or amateurs risking their lives (and souls) to take down the maniacal beast. Although women are the prime victims of this brutal werewolf; those grotesque assaults are a key element in mocking the compassionate caring hero of romantic fantasy. Nothing is sacred in Kristian J. Hanson’s “Not for the Weak Hearted or Mature Minded” except Joe’s staying power went from 30 to 156 seconds.
Harriet Klausner
Kristian J. Hanson
Outskirts, Apr 2011, $14.95
ISBN: 9781432773151
In Gilbert, Arizona high school student Joe Winnie is as uncool as a teen can be even living in a predominantly Mormon town. He loathes school; the girls treat him like a pariah when they ignore him. He especially detests his female peers who when they were younger were his friend, but now treat him like he possesses a contagious disease.
As he faces the fact he has no one to take to the prom, Joe watches a seven foot plus werewolf rip apart a door to door (always during a football game) Mormon missionary. Although terrorized he may be the dessert, Joe watches the Lycan tear into faked boobs Heather. He decides not to be the lunatic savior from movies like the Howling, but instead starts a blog following the murderous and raping exploits of the American Werewolf in Gilbert. As his blog becomes the in thing, his new BFF the beast that bites leads Joe to ask the rich Brazilian beauty Fernanda to the prom as he assumes she does not have werewolf catnip AKA silicon transplants.
This gory yet entertaining urban fantasy lampoons the sub-genre’s tendency towards either heroic passionate paranormal hunks in tune with their feminine side or amateurs risking their lives (and souls) to take down the maniacal beast. Although women are the prime victims of this brutal werewolf; those grotesque assaults are a key element in mocking the compassionate caring hero of romantic fantasy. Nothing is sacred in Kristian J. Hanson’s “Not for the Weak Hearted or Mature Minded” except Joe’s staying power went from 30 to 156 seconds.
Harriet Klausner
A Vampire Christmas Carol-Sarah Gray
A Vampire Christmas Carol
Sarah Gray
Kensington, Oct 1 2011, $5.00
ISBN: 9780758266835
Buried seven years ago, Jacob Marley visits his former partner Ebenezer Scrooge to warn him that all the misery and isolation the latter has felt has been caused by vampires who want to insure he fails to fulfill his destiny. Marley explains he will have three ghosts visit him to affirm what he has told Scrooge that the undead bloodsuckers have caused his rift with those he loved like his family, his former fiancée Belle and his employee Bob Cratchit.
The spiritual journey Scrooge undertakes leads him to better comprehend what has happened to him as he finally understands what caused the estrangement with Belle and learns of the personal hardships Cratchit and his family face, and finally his only living blood relative Fred his nephew who still cares about his acrimonious misery uncle. This is Scrooge’s last chance to save his soul as his loved ones are in mortal combat against the vampires.
This is an engaging retelling of the classic holiday tale as Sarah Gray provides a fascinating cause for Scrooge’s acrimony. The story line follows the ghostly guides but gravely focus on the war for Scrooge’s soul between the vampires isolating him and his loved ones trying to save him. Although lacking the satirical humor of similar reenactments like Steve Hockensmith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Wayne Josephson’s Emma and the Vampires, fans who enjoy paranormal renditions of Victorian and Regency classics will want to read this exciting but bleakly grayish vampiric Christmas Carol.
Harriet Klausner
Sarah Gray
Kensington, Oct 1 2011, $5.00
ISBN: 9780758266835
Buried seven years ago, Jacob Marley visits his former partner Ebenezer Scrooge to warn him that all the misery and isolation the latter has felt has been caused by vampires who want to insure he fails to fulfill his destiny. Marley explains he will have three ghosts visit him to affirm what he has told Scrooge that the undead bloodsuckers have caused his rift with those he loved like his family, his former fiancée Belle and his employee Bob Cratchit.
The spiritual journey Scrooge undertakes leads him to better comprehend what has happened to him as he finally understands what caused the estrangement with Belle and learns of the personal hardships Cratchit and his family face, and finally his only living blood relative Fred his nephew who still cares about his acrimonious misery uncle. This is Scrooge’s last chance to save his soul as his loved ones are in mortal combat against the vampires.
This is an engaging retelling of the classic holiday tale as Sarah Gray provides a fascinating cause for Scrooge’s acrimony. The story line follows the ghostly guides but gravely focus on the war for Scrooge’s soul between the vampires isolating him and his loved ones trying to save him. Although lacking the satirical humor of similar reenactments like Steve Hockensmith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Wayne Josephson’s Emma and the Vampires, fans who enjoy paranormal renditions of Victorian and Regency classics will want to read this exciting but bleakly grayish vampiric Christmas Carol.
Harriet Klausner
The Vengeful Dead-J. N. Duncan
The Vengeful Dead
J. N. Duncan
Kensington, Oct 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780758255648
In Chicago FBI agent Jackie Rutledge struggles with all that has happened to her in a very short time (see Deadworld). She grieves the death of her BFF Laurel Carpenter whose psychic skills apparently reach from the grave as she haunts Jackie in death almost as much as she haunted Jack when they were live partners. Jack also knows she needs help for her Death Valley depression in which she feels stuck in a personal deadly version of Groundhog Day starring herself and Laurel; but choose to avoid the FBI therapist. She also struggles with her new found paranormal skills that she does not want.
When a murder victim pregnant Rosa wants revenge, the angry spirit chooses bodies to possess in her thirst. One of Jack’s new undesirable talents is to sense ghostly homicides so she knows she must stop Rosa. She ventures back into deadwood to confront The Vengeful Dead Rosa with her team (maybe lover vampiric private investigator Nick Anderson, his vampiric assistant Cynthia and his office manager Shelby the psychic).
The second deadwood urban fantasy police procedural is an enjoyable tale that starts slow as much of the first half focus is a deep look at Jack’s mental state. About a little more than half way into the story line, the pace suddenly accelerates as the plot stops the mental case scenario to concentrate on the investigation; Jack and her paranormal crew try to prevent The Vengeful Dead with a cause that the kick butt heroine empathizes with from enacting her plan.
Harriet Klausner
J. N. Duncan
Kensington, Oct 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780758255648
In Chicago FBI agent Jackie Rutledge struggles with all that has happened to her in a very short time (see Deadworld). She grieves the death of her BFF Laurel Carpenter whose psychic skills apparently reach from the grave as she haunts Jackie in death almost as much as she haunted Jack when they were live partners. Jack also knows she needs help for her Death Valley depression in which she feels stuck in a personal deadly version of Groundhog Day starring herself and Laurel; but choose to avoid the FBI therapist. She also struggles with her new found paranormal skills that she does not want.
When a murder victim pregnant Rosa wants revenge, the angry spirit chooses bodies to possess in her thirst. One of Jack’s new undesirable talents is to sense ghostly homicides so she knows she must stop Rosa. She ventures back into deadwood to confront The Vengeful Dead Rosa with her team (maybe lover vampiric private investigator Nick Anderson, his vampiric assistant Cynthia and his office manager Shelby the psychic).
The second deadwood urban fantasy police procedural is an enjoyable tale that starts slow as much of the first half focus is a deep look at Jack’s mental state. About a little more than half way into the story line, the pace suddenly accelerates as the plot stops the mental case scenario to concentrate on the investigation; Jack and her paranormal crew try to prevent The Vengeful Dead with a cause that the kick butt heroine empathizes with from enacting her plan.
Harriet Klausner
The Vengeful Dead-J. N. Duncan
The Vengeful Dead
J. N. Duncan
Kensington, Oct 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780758255648
In Chicago FBI agent Jackie Rutledge struggles with all that has happened to her in a very short time (see Deadworld). She grieves the death of her BFF Laurel Carpenter whose psychic skills apparently reach from the grave as she haunts Jackie in death almost as much as she haunted Jack when they were live partners. Jack also knows she needs help for her Death Valley depression in which she feels stuck in a personal deadly version of Groundhog Day starring herself and Laurel; but choose to avoid the FBI therapist. She also struggles with her new found paranormal skills that she does not want.
When a murder victim pregnant Rosa wants revenge, the angry spirit chooses bodies to possess in her thirst. One of Jack’s new undesirable talents is to sense ghostly homicides so she knows she must stop Rosa. She ventures back into deadwood to confront The Vengeful Dead Rosa with her team (maybe lover vampiric private investigator Nick Anderson, his vampiric assistant Cynthia and his office manager Shelby the psychic).
The second deadwood urban fantasy police procedural is an enjoyable tale that starts slow as much of the first half focus is a deep look at Jack’s mental state. About a little more than half way into the story line, the pace suddenly accelerates as the plot stops the mental case scenario to concentrate on the investigation; Jack and her paranormal crew try to prevent The Vengeful Dead with a cause that the kick butt heroine empathizes with from enacting her plan.
Harriet Klausner
J. N. Duncan
Kensington, Oct 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780758255648
In Chicago FBI agent Jackie Rutledge struggles with all that has happened to her in a very short time (see Deadworld). She grieves the death of her BFF Laurel Carpenter whose psychic skills apparently reach from the grave as she haunts Jackie in death almost as much as she haunted Jack when they were live partners. Jack also knows she needs help for her Death Valley depression in which she feels stuck in a personal deadly version of Groundhog Day starring herself and Laurel; but choose to avoid the FBI therapist. She also struggles with her new found paranormal skills that she does not want.
When a murder victim pregnant Rosa wants revenge, the angry spirit chooses bodies to possess in her thirst. One of Jack’s new undesirable talents is to sense ghostly homicides so she knows she must stop Rosa. She ventures back into deadwood to confront The Vengeful Dead Rosa with her team (maybe lover vampiric private investigator Nick Anderson, his vampiric assistant Cynthia and his office manager Shelby the psychic).
The second deadwood urban fantasy police procedural is an enjoyable tale that starts slow as much of the first half focus is a deep look at Jack’s mental state. About a little more than half way into the story line, the pace suddenly accelerates as the plot stops the mental case scenario to concentrate on the investigation; Jack and her paranormal crew try to prevent The Vengeful Dead with a cause that the kick butt heroine empathizes with from enacting her plan.
Harriet Klausner
Bound by Blood-Amanda Ashley
Bound by Blood
Amanda Ashley
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420121322
As her college graduation present, her dad gives Kaitlyn Sherrad a little place in the country that happens to overlook Lake Tahoe. Kaitlyn loves her father Drake the Master of the Carpathian Coven vampire and her once human mother Elena (see Bound by Night for their tale).
Her parents return to the Romanian Old Country on urgent clan business so she goes to her luxurious cabin alone. Kaitlyn meets and falls in love with casino owner Zackary Ravenscroft. However, she initially is unaware that he is a six century old vampire whose family loathes the East European clan as much as hers detests these upstarts over a two decade old incident. As the heir to the Carpathian Coven, Kaitlyn knows her beloved is forbidden fruit, but history apparently repeats the same mistakes especially with an unknown adversary plotting to take down the couple.
The second Bound romantic urban fantasy is a delightful tale of forbidden love starring fully developed protagonists and a well rounded support cast that deftly ties up threads from the first thriller. The fascinating star-crossed second generation romance is fun to follow though the plot follows the expected course as there are no major twists. Still sub-genre fans will appreciate Amanda Ashley’s wonderful paranormal romance.
Harriet Klausner
Amanda Ashley
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420121322
As her college graduation present, her dad gives Kaitlyn Sherrad a little place in the country that happens to overlook Lake Tahoe. Kaitlyn loves her father Drake the Master of the Carpathian Coven vampire and her once human mother Elena (see Bound by Night for their tale).
Her parents return to the Romanian Old Country on urgent clan business so she goes to her luxurious cabin alone. Kaitlyn meets and falls in love with casino owner Zackary Ravenscroft. However, she initially is unaware that he is a six century old vampire whose family loathes the East European clan as much as hers detests these upstarts over a two decade old incident. As the heir to the Carpathian Coven, Kaitlyn knows her beloved is forbidden fruit, but history apparently repeats the same mistakes especially with an unknown adversary plotting to take down the couple.
The second Bound romantic urban fantasy is a delightful tale of forbidden love starring fully developed protagonists and a well rounded support cast that deftly ties up threads from the first thriller. The fascinating star-crossed second generation romance is fun to follow though the plot follows the expected course as there are no major twists. Still sub-genre fans will appreciate Amanda Ashley’s wonderful paranormal romance.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Season for Temptation-Theresa Romain
Season for Temptation
Theresa Romain
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420118957
In 1817 Lord Oliver approves of James Matison’s suit of the former’s daughter Louisa. James arrives in Kent to meet Louisa’s family when he hears a women curse. He thinks Louisa’s half-sister Julia is impulsive and cute. She introduces him to her three younger sisters and brother while she eats the better snacks.
James and Louisa met in a library at a party. She was hiding amidst the books as she loves to read while he sought a bathroom. He feels awkward as he now realizes he is attracted to her sister and enjoys the impish play between his fiancée and Julia. Louisa’s parents arrive after a calf is born. Dinner proves as lively; reminding him of his mother’s need for no scandal since his late brother-in-law died in his mistress’ arms. James feels welcomed. The next morning he is late for breakfast, but Julia sees he has a nice meal while he coaxes her to join him, which she does. Feeling distraught as he wants to kiss Julia, he asks Louisa to set a date. She acts skittish trying to delay him while also backing away from his attempt to kiss her. Louisa explains she will come to London with Julia being sponsored by their Aunt Estella. They will wed after that; he agrees though his attraction is to her sister.
A strong unique cast, especially Julia’s eccentric family, anchors this engaging romantic triangle between the two sisters and the Viscount. Each adores and respects one another, which adds depth as not one of them deserves to be hurt. In fact James’s mom is the villain, but comes across as inane and selfish while causing unnecessary conflict to an otherwise wonderful fresh Regency romance.
Harriet Klausner
Theresa Romain
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420118957
In 1817 Lord Oliver approves of James Matison’s suit of the former’s daughter Louisa. James arrives in Kent to meet Louisa’s family when he hears a women curse. He thinks Louisa’s half-sister Julia is impulsive and cute. She introduces him to her three younger sisters and brother while she eats the better snacks.
James and Louisa met in a library at a party. She was hiding amidst the books as she loves to read while he sought a bathroom. He feels awkward as he now realizes he is attracted to her sister and enjoys the impish play between his fiancée and Julia. Louisa’s parents arrive after a calf is born. Dinner proves as lively; reminding him of his mother’s need for no scandal since his late brother-in-law died in his mistress’ arms. James feels welcomed. The next morning he is late for breakfast, but Julia sees he has a nice meal while he coaxes her to join him, which she does. Feeling distraught as he wants to kiss Julia, he asks Louisa to set a date. She acts skittish trying to delay him while also backing away from his attempt to kiss her. Louisa explains she will come to London with Julia being sponsored by their Aunt Estella. They will wed after that; he agrees though his attraction is to her sister.
A strong unique cast, especially Julia’s eccentric family, anchors this engaging romantic triangle between the two sisters and the Viscount. Each adores and respects one another, which adds depth as not one of them deserves to be hurt. In fact James’s mom is the villain, but comes across as inane and selfish while causing unnecessary conflict to an otherwise wonderful fresh Regency romance.
Harriet Klausner
Sage Creek-Jill Gregory
Sage Creek
Jill Gregory
Berkley, Oct 4 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425244470
Following her divorce from her cheating spouse, Sophie McPhee sells her San Francisco bakery to return home to Lonesome Way, Oregon. Her mom welcomes her warmly while her late dad never thought much of his offspring.
Sophie visits her pregnant BFF Lissie. She once had a crush on Sophie’s older brother Rafe. A divorced Rafe and his twelve year old daughter Ivy arrive. When she learns Ray’s Diner is closing as the elderly couple is retiring, Sophie decides to open a bakery there. Her former teacher Doug Hartigan says he and her mom are dating. Sophie hates Doug for verbally abusing her as a student.
Sophie enters the Double Cross Bar & Grill to meet her other BFF Mia when a fight breaks out. Rafe keeps her from being hurt. He is attracted to Sophie, but will not act on it out of respect for Lissie and not to confuse his daughter who is still hurting four years after her mother deserted her. Sophie feels the same way as he does. She has no time for romance as she is busy trying to get her A Bun in the Oven bakery to open up. Meanwhile someone wants to hurt Sophie who has no idea who or why. Rafe vows to keep her safe as he and his daughter have fallen in love with his sister’s BFF.
The lead couple is a nice pairing whose issues are external and mostly due to family problems. The strong cast anchors the small town location and many residents play matchmaker involving Sophie and Rafe so they can see how they really feel about one another. Although the villain is over the top of Mt. Rainer and his daughter goes from confused tweener to mature adult , readers will enjoy Sophie’s choice to come home to start over.
Harriet Klausner
Jill Gregory
Berkley, Oct 4 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425244470
Following her divorce from her cheating spouse, Sophie McPhee sells her San Francisco bakery to return home to Lonesome Way, Oregon. Her mom welcomes her warmly while her late dad never thought much of his offspring.
Sophie visits her pregnant BFF Lissie. She once had a crush on Sophie’s older brother Rafe. A divorced Rafe and his twelve year old daughter Ivy arrive. When she learns Ray’s Diner is closing as the elderly couple is retiring, Sophie decides to open a bakery there. Her former teacher Doug Hartigan says he and her mom are dating. Sophie hates Doug for verbally abusing her as a student.
Sophie enters the Double Cross Bar & Grill to meet her other BFF Mia when a fight breaks out. Rafe keeps her from being hurt. He is attracted to Sophie, but will not act on it out of respect for Lissie and not to confuse his daughter who is still hurting four years after her mother deserted her. Sophie feels the same way as he does. She has no time for romance as she is busy trying to get her A Bun in the Oven bakery to open up. Meanwhile someone wants to hurt Sophie who has no idea who or why. Rafe vows to keep her safe as he and his daughter have fallen in love with his sister’s BFF.
The lead couple is a nice pairing whose issues are external and mostly due to family problems. The strong cast anchors the small town location and many residents play matchmaker involving Sophie and Rafe so they can see how they really feel about one another. Although the villain is over the top of Mt. Rainer and his daughter goes from confused tweener to mature adult , readers will enjoy Sophie’s choice to come home to start over.
Harriet Klausner
Unexpected Dismounts-Nancy Rue
Unexpected Dismounts
Nancy Rue
David C. Cook, Oct 1 2011, $14.99
ISBN 9781434764928
In Saint Augustine, Harley-Davidson rider Allison “Miss Angel” Chamberlain found Jesus seven years go, but finally understands what he expects from her a few months ago. Big Al keeps telling God he needs to find a more pious prophet, but the Lord keeps chatting with her as if she is the new Moses but is unable to foretell the future as her friend Hanks says she is a “forthteller”. She currently runs the Sacrament House shelter for prostitutes with five in residence and wants to adopt seventh grader Desmond.
Nothing goes right as Allison feels like a modern day Job dealing with Unexpected Dismounts in life. A relative of Desmond has surfaced and wants the teen. An affluent businessman wants her ministry ended. Finally her Chamberlain upper crust past has bit her butt. Chief wants their relationship to turn from friend and respect to more. All Big Al desires is for God to stop with the nudges and either show her what he wants or back off.
The second Reluctant Prophet tale is a wonderful whimsical contemporary thriller held together by Big Al. The ensemble support cast contains fully developed individuals with flaws whose actions pull Big Al in mysterious ways. The trials and tribulations of the kick butt (including that of Jesus) bike rider make for a strong inspirational tale.
Harriet Klausner
Nancy Rue
David C. Cook, Oct 1 2011, $14.99
ISBN 9781434764928
In Saint Augustine, Harley-Davidson rider Allison “Miss Angel” Chamberlain found Jesus seven years go, but finally understands what he expects from her a few months ago. Big Al keeps telling God he needs to find a more pious prophet, but the Lord keeps chatting with her as if she is the new Moses but is unable to foretell the future as her friend Hanks says she is a “forthteller”. She currently runs the Sacrament House shelter for prostitutes with five in residence and wants to adopt seventh grader Desmond.
Nothing goes right as Allison feels like a modern day Job dealing with Unexpected Dismounts in life. A relative of Desmond has surfaced and wants the teen. An affluent businessman wants her ministry ended. Finally her Chamberlain upper crust past has bit her butt. Chief wants their relationship to turn from friend and respect to more. All Big Al desires is for God to stop with the nudges and either show her what he wants or back off.
The second Reluctant Prophet tale is a wonderful whimsical contemporary thriller held together by Big Al. The ensemble support cast contains fully developed individuals with flaws whose actions pull Big Al in mysterious ways. The trials and tribulations of the kick butt (including that of Jesus) bike rider make for a strong inspirational tale.
Harriet Klausner
Dangerous Mercy-Kathy Herman
Dangerous Mercy
Kathy Herman
David C. Cook, Oct 1 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9780781403412
Octogenarian Adele Woodmore left her large mansion to move to Les Barbes to be near her friends, the Broussard clan. She especially enjoys her time watching two years old Grace. Adele hires homeless patrons from Father Vince’s halfway house to do handy work for her. She is satisfied with Noah who does her lawn and Murray who is renovating the inside of her new home. Only Flynn makes her uneasy but she knows God would want her to give him a second chance.
The serene Saint Catherine parish hamlet is shook when someone murders banker Darveau by drugging him before drowning him in his tub with him unable to move but alert to what was happening. He was # 1. Soon afterward CEO Gautier became the number 2 victim of The Bathtub Killer. Sheriff Prejean struggles with the case that lacks any concrete evidence but implies more homicides will follow; his assumption is the killer is on a vendetta connected to the recent economic downturn. The Broussard and other townsfolk suspect one of Father Vince’s homeless is the killer with Noah being a person of interest. Fearing for her safety, her friends begs Adele to stop hiring Father Vince’s homeless, but she refuses as she believes God wants her to help these men find their way to the Lord.
The second Secrets of Roux River Bayou (see False Pretenses) is an exciting serial killer thriller with the townsfolk in a panic, the sheriff and Police Chief Norman frantic, and Adele calmly doing the Lord’s mission. Her warm tenderness in the midst of a raging deadly storm makes for a strong inspirational whodunit. Once again readers will appreciate visiting the Bayou with Ms. Herman as our guide.
Harriet Klausner
Kathy Herman
David C. Cook, Oct 1 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9780781403412
Octogenarian Adele Woodmore left her large mansion to move to Les Barbes to be near her friends, the Broussard clan. She especially enjoys her time watching two years old Grace. Adele hires homeless patrons from Father Vince’s halfway house to do handy work for her. She is satisfied with Noah who does her lawn and Murray who is renovating the inside of her new home. Only Flynn makes her uneasy but she knows God would want her to give him a second chance.
The serene Saint Catherine parish hamlet is shook when someone murders banker Darveau by drugging him before drowning him in his tub with him unable to move but alert to what was happening. He was # 1. Soon afterward CEO Gautier became the number 2 victim of The Bathtub Killer. Sheriff Prejean struggles with the case that lacks any concrete evidence but implies more homicides will follow; his assumption is the killer is on a vendetta connected to the recent economic downturn. The Broussard and other townsfolk suspect one of Father Vince’s homeless is the killer with Noah being a person of interest. Fearing for her safety, her friends begs Adele to stop hiring Father Vince’s homeless, but she refuses as she believes God wants her to help these men find their way to the Lord.
The second Secrets of Roux River Bayou (see False Pretenses) is an exciting serial killer thriller with the townsfolk in a panic, the sheriff and Police Chief Norman frantic, and Adele calmly doing the Lord’s mission. Her warm tenderness in the midst of a raging deadly storm makes for a strong inspirational whodunit. Once again readers will appreciate visiting the Bayou with Ms. Herman as our guide.
Harriet Klausner
Revelations-Laurel Dewey
Revelations
Laurel Dewey
The Story Plant, Jun 14 2011, $17.95
ISBN: 9780984190553
In Denver, the multi-syllable medical babble denotes one scary world to thirty-something police detective Jane Perry: cancer; cervical is very nasty but she rejects the doc’s happy pills. She asks her boss Sergeant Weyler for a week off, but fails to tell him why so he says no. Instead they will work a case in nearby Midas whose police chief is Weyler’s buddy.
Fifteen year old Jake Van Gorden attempted suicide by jumping off a bridge, but instead was abducted. The family has received notes from the kidapper that imply Jake lives but none demand money or anything for that matter. Jane knows time is of the essence in a kidnapping so though she thinks the teen has set the scenario up she heads up to Midas to investigate the prime suspect, fifty-nine year old Jordan Copeland, who was released from prison seven years ago after spending over three decades behind bars for abducting and murdering a retarded boy in New Jersey. However the more she learns about Jordan, the less she believes he is guilty; but if not him who?
The third Jane Perry police procedural (see Protector and Redemption) is an excellent tale that contains two strong subplots. The obvious first is the kidnapping as Jane follows clues that take her in odd directions away from the only suspect (besides in her mind the victim). The second focuses on Jane’s personal life as she struggles with her health scare (her mom died at an early age from cancer), her attraction to bar owner Hank, and Revelations that shake her core foundation. Laurel Dewey writes a super investigative thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Laurel Dewey
The Story Plant, Jun 14 2011, $17.95
ISBN: 9780984190553
In Denver, the multi-syllable medical babble denotes one scary world to thirty-something police detective Jane Perry: cancer; cervical is very nasty but she rejects the doc’s happy pills. She asks her boss Sergeant Weyler for a week off, but fails to tell him why so he says no. Instead they will work a case in nearby Midas whose police chief is Weyler’s buddy.
Fifteen year old Jake Van Gorden attempted suicide by jumping off a bridge, but instead was abducted. The family has received notes from the kidapper that imply Jake lives but none demand money or anything for that matter. Jane knows time is of the essence in a kidnapping so though she thinks the teen has set the scenario up she heads up to Midas to investigate the prime suspect, fifty-nine year old Jordan Copeland, who was released from prison seven years ago after spending over three decades behind bars for abducting and murdering a retarded boy in New Jersey. However the more she learns about Jordan, the less she believes he is guilty; but if not him who?
The third Jane Perry police procedural (see Protector and Redemption) is an excellent tale that contains two strong subplots. The obvious first is the kidnapping as Jane follows clues that take her in odd directions away from the only suspect (besides in her mind the victim). The second focuses on Jane’s personal life as she struggles with her health scare (her mom died at an early age from cancer), her attraction to bar owner Hank, and Revelations that shake her core foundation. Laurel Dewey writes a super investigative thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Or The Bull Kills You-Jason Webster
Or The Bull Kills You
Jason Webster
Minotaur, Sep 13 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312581831
In Valencia, Spain dynamic matador Jorge Blanco has brought a fervor reawakening in bullfighting’s popularity. However, not everyone is enamored with Jorge or his sport as many locals find it barbaric and cruel. Politicians rant in favor of banning bullfighting as they believe that is a key ticket to obtaining or remaining in office. However, someone takes the opposition to a new level by recognizing the threat by charismatic popular Blanco.
In a bulling, the matador’s naked corpse is found with darts in his back, a sword in his ribs, and a Spanish flag pulled tightly around his neck. Nobody on the VPD staff wants the volatile high profile homicide investigation assigned to Chief Inspector Max Camara; his plea of a conflict of interest due to being against bullfighting is ignored. A second similar murder occurs increasing the pressure on Camara to solve the case by the same politicians who also demand the inquiry stay away from their election campaigns.
Or The Bull Kills You is a superb Spanish police procedural starring a somewhat cynical dedicated cop who steps into the bullring, a place he loathes. The country’s culture and heritage, the city, the two faced politicians and the sport provide strong pillars to a terrific whodunit as Camara feels the fishbowl effect as he works a case from inside the bullring with figuratively everyone in the stands watching his investigation.
Harriet Klausner
Jason Webster
Minotaur, Sep 13 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312581831
In Valencia, Spain dynamic matador Jorge Blanco has brought a fervor reawakening in bullfighting’s popularity. However, not everyone is enamored with Jorge or his sport as many locals find it barbaric and cruel. Politicians rant in favor of banning bullfighting as they believe that is a key ticket to obtaining or remaining in office. However, someone takes the opposition to a new level by recognizing the threat by charismatic popular Blanco.
In a bulling, the matador’s naked corpse is found with darts in his back, a sword in his ribs, and a Spanish flag pulled tightly around his neck. Nobody on the VPD staff wants the volatile high profile homicide investigation assigned to Chief Inspector Max Camara; his plea of a conflict of interest due to being against bullfighting is ignored. A second similar murder occurs increasing the pressure on Camara to solve the case by the same politicians who also demand the inquiry stay away from their election campaigns.
Or The Bull Kills You is a superb Spanish police procedural starring a somewhat cynical dedicated cop who steps into the bullring, a place he loathes. The country’s culture and heritage, the city, the two faced politicians and the sport provide strong pillars to a terrific whodunit as Camara feels the fishbowl effect as he works a case from inside the bullring with figuratively everyone in the stands watching his investigation.
Harriet Klausner
Motor City Shakedown-D. E. Johnson
Motor City Shakedown
D. E. Johnson
Minotaur, Sep 13 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312644574
In 1911 Detroit, it is Will Anderson’s family that owns the Anderson Electric Car Company. However, his mind is not on vehicles. Instead he seeks revenge. Seven months ago thugs enabled John Cooper to murder his friend Wesley McRae and turned Will into a morphine addict. He lost or had disfigured several fingers due to sulfuric acid before he and his beloved former fiancée Elizabeth Hume escaped the gangsters (see The Detroit Electric Scheme), but the pain and disuse of his right hand remains constant .
His first break leads to gang boss Vito Adamo’s driver Carlo Moretti. However, when Will goes to confront Moretti he is greeted by a dead man whose throat has been cut. The Detroit police believe Anderson killed Moretti in an act of revenge. He sits in jail for several months before being freed when someone else confesses to the homicide. The family company teeters near bankruptcy or unionization. Meanwhile, Will is in the crosshairs of gang warfare with enemies maybe being his allies and friends like Elizabeth back from Europe, Police Detective Riordan, and the Purple Gang on his side.
This is a superb violent historical noir that brings to life the Motor City one century ago. The meet me in Detroit story line is fast-paced but it is the cast who makes for a terrific action-packed tale especially Will. With tidbits of history interwoven to anchor time and place, readers will enjoy riding the Anderson Electric Car driven by D. E. Johnson.
Harriet Klausner
D. E. Johnson
Minotaur, Sep 13 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312644574
In 1911 Detroit, it is Will Anderson’s family that owns the Anderson Electric Car Company. However, his mind is not on vehicles. Instead he seeks revenge. Seven months ago thugs enabled John Cooper to murder his friend Wesley McRae and turned Will into a morphine addict. He lost or had disfigured several fingers due to sulfuric acid before he and his beloved former fiancée Elizabeth Hume escaped the gangsters (see The Detroit Electric Scheme), but the pain and disuse of his right hand remains constant .
His first break leads to gang boss Vito Adamo’s driver Carlo Moretti. However, when Will goes to confront Moretti he is greeted by a dead man whose throat has been cut. The Detroit police believe Anderson killed Moretti in an act of revenge. He sits in jail for several months before being freed when someone else confesses to the homicide. The family company teeters near bankruptcy or unionization. Meanwhile, Will is in the crosshairs of gang warfare with enemies maybe being his allies and friends like Elizabeth back from Europe, Police Detective Riordan, and the Purple Gang on his side.
This is a superb violent historical noir that brings to life the Motor City one century ago. The meet me in Detroit story line is fast-paced but it is the cast who makes for a terrific action-packed tale especially Will. With tidbits of history interwoven to anchor time and place, readers will enjoy riding the Anderson Electric Car driven by D. E. Johnson.
Harriet Klausner
The Tehran Initiative-Joel C. Rosenberg
The Tehran Initiative
Joel C. Rosenberg
Tyndale, Oct 18 2011, $26.99
ISBN: 9781414319353
In Tehran, CIA agent David Shirazi enables the Islamic Republic of Iran’s highest ranking nuclear scientist Dr. Najjar Malik and his family to escape to the United States (see The Twelfth Imam). However Shirazi remains in country undercover as he continues his inquiry into the actions of Muhammad Ibn Hasan Ibn Ali who claims to be The Promised One Mahdi. He has told millions of euphoric Muslims that he will with Allah’s blessing re-establish the Caliphate and rule the world with an iron fist in peace.
Shirazi’s fears that Iran is going nuclear are affirmed when the country tests an atomic weapon. In Jerusalem, the Americans try to calm the anxiety of the Israeli leaders who fear a nuclear attack followed by a holocaust that will exceed WWII. The debate inside the Knesset is adopting the Bush Doctrine of First Strike by taking out the Iranian nuke facilities. Waiting for the anticipated attack will lead to Israeli annihilation; first strike will lead to a Holy War. Shirazi and his unit must disable the nuclear warheads that Iran possesses before either enemy takes the first strike attack.
The sequel to the frightening The Twelfth Imam continues the alarming premise that The Promised One will unite the Muslim world in a fundamentalist Caliphate that will not remain passive but take the war to the enemy infidels. The exciting action-packed story line grips the audience from the onset and never slows down as Shirazi and his team try to prevent Iran going nuclear. Although the hero’s ability to avoid direct fire starting with the Malik scenario is miraculously implausible, fans will appreciate the world on the brink warning story line with a strong subplot involving Shirazi’s spiritual awakening.
Harriet Klausner
Joel C. Rosenberg
Tyndale, Oct 18 2011, $26.99
ISBN: 9781414319353
In Tehran, CIA agent David Shirazi enables the Islamic Republic of Iran’s highest ranking nuclear scientist Dr. Najjar Malik and his family to escape to the United States (see The Twelfth Imam). However Shirazi remains in country undercover as he continues his inquiry into the actions of Muhammad Ibn Hasan Ibn Ali who claims to be The Promised One Mahdi. He has told millions of euphoric Muslims that he will with Allah’s blessing re-establish the Caliphate and rule the world with an iron fist in peace.
Shirazi’s fears that Iran is going nuclear are affirmed when the country tests an atomic weapon. In Jerusalem, the Americans try to calm the anxiety of the Israeli leaders who fear a nuclear attack followed by a holocaust that will exceed WWII. The debate inside the Knesset is adopting the Bush Doctrine of First Strike by taking out the Iranian nuke facilities. Waiting for the anticipated attack will lead to Israeli annihilation; first strike will lead to a Holy War. Shirazi and his unit must disable the nuclear warheads that Iran possesses before either enemy takes the first strike attack.
The sequel to the frightening The Twelfth Imam continues the alarming premise that The Promised One will unite the Muslim world in a fundamentalist Caliphate that will not remain passive but take the war to the enemy infidels. The exciting action-packed story line grips the audience from the onset and never slows down as Shirazi and his team try to prevent Iran going nuclear. Although the hero’s ability to avoid direct fire starting with the Malik scenario is miraculously implausible, fans will appreciate the world on the brink warning story line with a strong subplot involving Shirazi’s spiritual awakening.
Harriet Klausner
Glow-Amy Kathleen Ryan
Glow
Amy Kathleen Ryan
St. Martin’s Griffin, Sep 13 2011, $17.99
ISBN: 9780312590567
The two ships (the New Horizon and the Empyrean) are the only hope for mankind to find a new earth as the old planet is dead. However, Pastor Anne Mather on the New Horizon wants to establish a theocracy so believes her vessel must land on the new earth first and needs the young breeding females on board the sister ship; as there are none on her vessel. She leads a preemptive attack killing most adults on board the Empyrean and abducting all the breeding age females and younger girls.
Pastor Mather explains to her female prisoners they were rescued to birth the next generation. The young women and girls are stunned but turn to fifteen year old Waverly for leadership; she directs a passive resistance. On the Empyrean rival teenagers, Waverly’s boyfriend Kieran and sly Seth, compete for control of the rudderless ship.
The first Sky Chasers outer space thriller is an entertaining young adult science fiction. The fast-paced story line rotates perspective between the twin ships fueled by betrayal (not just by Pastor) being the means of choice to achieve a certain end. Although the male lead teens on the Empyrean seem incompetent with Kieran hesitant and Seth uncaring about others when compared to heroic Waverly who quietly leads her troops in opposition, readers will enjoy Amy Kathleen Ryan’s engaging tale.
Harriet Klausner
Amy Kathleen Ryan
St. Martin’s Griffin, Sep 13 2011, $17.99
ISBN: 9780312590567
The two ships (the New Horizon and the Empyrean) are the only hope for mankind to find a new earth as the old planet is dead. However, Pastor Anne Mather on the New Horizon wants to establish a theocracy so believes her vessel must land on the new earth first and needs the young breeding females on board the sister ship; as there are none on her vessel. She leads a preemptive attack killing most adults on board the Empyrean and abducting all the breeding age females and younger girls.
Pastor Mather explains to her female prisoners they were rescued to birth the next generation. The young women and girls are stunned but turn to fifteen year old Waverly for leadership; she directs a passive resistance. On the Empyrean rival teenagers, Waverly’s boyfriend Kieran and sly Seth, compete for control of the rudderless ship.
The first Sky Chasers outer space thriller is an entertaining young adult science fiction. The fast-paced story line rotates perspective between the twin ships fueled by betrayal (not just by Pastor) being the means of choice to achieve a certain end. Although the male lead teens on the Empyrean seem incompetent with Kieran hesitant and Seth uncaring about others when compared to heroic Waverly who quietly leads her troops in opposition, readers will enjoy Amy Kathleen Ryan’s engaging tale.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, August 29, 2011
1225 Christmas Tree Lane-Debbie Macomber
1225 Christmas Tree Lane
Debbie Macomber
Mira, Sep 27 2011, $16.95
ISBN: 9780778312697
Three years ago in California, Beth and Kent Morehouse divorced. She and their two daughters Bailey and Sophie move to Cedar Cove on Puget Sound. Beth owns the Cedar Cove Christmas Tree Farm and rescues animals. Currently she needs to find a home for ten stranded puppies left by her door.
Bailey and Sophie return from college for the holidays. Neither understands why their parents split up, but each hopes to pull off a miracle of bringing them back together though their mom is seeing veterinarian Ted Reynolds. Kent arrives to spend time with his daughters but to their disappointment he brings towering Danielle Martin with him. Before the girls are out of the first inning, the game looks lost.
Fans of the Cedar Cove community series will enjoy the engaging twelfth entry; as besides the Morehouse matchmaking, there are several subplots involving other residents. Newcomers will be lost as much of the cast has a history in previous novels (see 1105 Yakima Street and 1022 Evergreen Place). Still Debbie Macomber provides a sweet Yuletide tale
Harriet Klausner
Debbie Macomber
Mira, Sep 27 2011, $16.95
ISBN: 9780778312697
Three years ago in California, Beth and Kent Morehouse divorced. She and their two daughters Bailey and Sophie move to Cedar Cove on Puget Sound. Beth owns the Cedar Cove Christmas Tree Farm and rescues animals. Currently she needs to find a home for ten stranded puppies left by her door.
Bailey and Sophie return from college for the holidays. Neither understands why their parents split up, but each hopes to pull off a miracle of bringing them back together though their mom is seeing veterinarian Ted Reynolds. Kent arrives to spend time with his daughters but to their disappointment he brings towering Danielle Martin with him. Before the girls are out of the first inning, the game looks lost.
Fans of the Cedar Cove community series will enjoy the engaging twelfth entry; as besides the Morehouse matchmaking, there are several subplots involving other residents. Newcomers will be lost as much of the cast has a history in previous novels (see 1105 Yakima Street and 1022 Evergreen Place). Still Debbie Macomber provides a sweet Yuletide tale
Harriet Klausner
An O’Brien Family Christmas-Sherryl Woods
An O’Brien Family Christmas
Sherryl Woods
Mira, Sep 27 2011, $16.95
ISBN: 9780778312703
In Chesapeake Shores, Laila Riley ended her relationship with younger Matthew O’Brien but paid the price for what she declared a fling. Her parents condemned her and after a fight with her father she left the greatest position in the world at his bank. Only Trace her brother seems to support her emotionally and with customers as she opens up an office in The Inn At Eagle Point. Matthew is heartbroken as he wanted a permanent relationship with the love of his life, but honors her wishes to stay away from her as he knows she resents him for what their tryst cost her.
The O’Brien clan believes Laila and Matthew are soul mates and plan to act on it while on a two week Christmas vacation in Ireland in honor of the family octogenarian matriarch Nell. Knowing her estrangement with her parents, Laila’s friends persuade her to come on the trip as they do not want her alone over the holidays. Although she has trepidations of seeing Matthew who will be going too, she travels to Ireland for an O’Brien family Christmas. Meanwhile Nell sees her pre American marriage Irish boyfriend Dillon.
The latest Chesapeake Shores family drama (see A Chesapeake Shores Christmas) is the usual charming tale. Part of the pleasure is to observe what has happened to former lead protagonists and Nell’s second chance romance. However, the main story line is the relationship between the older Laila and Matthew whose game plan is to prove to his beloved they can have more than just the greatest sex he ever has known.
Harriet Klausner
Sherryl Woods
Mira, Sep 27 2011, $16.95
ISBN: 9780778312703
In Chesapeake Shores, Laila Riley ended her relationship with younger Matthew O’Brien but paid the price for what she declared a fling. Her parents condemned her and after a fight with her father she left the greatest position in the world at his bank. Only Trace her brother seems to support her emotionally and with customers as she opens up an office in The Inn At Eagle Point. Matthew is heartbroken as he wanted a permanent relationship with the love of his life, but honors her wishes to stay away from her as he knows she resents him for what their tryst cost her.
The O’Brien clan believes Laila and Matthew are soul mates and plan to act on it while on a two week Christmas vacation in Ireland in honor of the family octogenarian matriarch Nell. Knowing her estrangement with her parents, Laila’s friends persuade her to come on the trip as they do not want her alone over the holidays. Although she has trepidations of seeing Matthew who will be going too, she travels to Ireland for an O’Brien family Christmas. Meanwhile Nell sees her pre American marriage Irish boyfriend Dillon.
The latest Chesapeake Shores family drama (see A Chesapeake Shores Christmas) is the usual charming tale. Part of the pleasure is to observe what has happened to former lead protagonists and Nell’s second chance romance. However, the main story line is the relationship between the older Laila and Matthew whose game plan is to prove to his beloved they can have more than just the greatest sex he ever has known.
Harriet Klausner
Tis The Season to be Sinful-Adrienne Basso
Tis The Season to be Sinful
Adrienne Basso
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420111910
In 1858 England, American businessman Richard Harper arrives at Highgrove Manor to buy the place. He explains to widow Juliet Wentworth, mother of three young children he needs it for a short time. He offers her a deal she cannot refuse since this enable her and her family to no longer remain impoverished as they are now since her brother-in-law Hastings gives them very little money. Juliet tells her sons she sold the estate. Hastings yells at Juliet that as co-guardian he will not allow the sale to occur. Richard tells Juliet her joking comment when they met is the answer. Thus they agree to a marriage of convenience with Richard’s stipulation being no future kids and her point that the estate belongs to Edgar.
He meets the kids and knows Edgar is hostile; James is curious; and Lizzie is guileless. After they marry, they make love. He asks her to redesign the house as he leaves on extended business. While he is away they exchange letters in which he begins to open up and trust her opinion. As the married couple falls in love and his new sons prank him, he wins over the children when he defends them at the cost of a business deal.
The lead male is a refreshing character as he is all business even in marriage until he falls in love. His stand re his stepsons vs. a business partner is terrific. The secondary cast including the nice late first husband enhances the story line. Although the odious brother-in-law is the negative matchmaker, he vanishes from the story line. Still in spite of no major villain and muted conflict, this is an entertaining Victorian romance.
Harriet Klausner
Adrienne Basso
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420111910
In 1858 England, American businessman Richard Harper arrives at Highgrove Manor to buy the place. He explains to widow Juliet Wentworth, mother of three young children he needs it for a short time. He offers her a deal she cannot refuse since this enable her and her family to no longer remain impoverished as they are now since her brother-in-law Hastings gives them very little money. Juliet tells her sons she sold the estate. Hastings yells at Juliet that as co-guardian he will not allow the sale to occur. Richard tells Juliet her joking comment when they met is the answer. Thus they agree to a marriage of convenience with Richard’s stipulation being no future kids and her point that the estate belongs to Edgar.
He meets the kids and knows Edgar is hostile; James is curious; and Lizzie is guileless. After they marry, they make love. He asks her to redesign the house as he leaves on extended business. While he is away they exchange letters in which he begins to open up and trust her opinion. As the married couple falls in love and his new sons prank him, he wins over the children when he defends them at the cost of a business deal.
The lead male is a refreshing character as he is all business even in marriage until he falls in love. His stand re his stepsons vs. a business partner is terrific. The secondary cast including the nice late first husband enhances the story line. Although the odious brother-in-law is the negative matchmaker, he vanishes from the story line. Still in spite of no major villain and muted conflict, this is an entertaining Victorian romance.
Harriet Klausner
Knight Everlasting-Jackie Ivie
Knight Everlasting
Jackie Ivie
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420108859
In 1297, during combat, Highlander laird Aidan MacKetryck rescues English Lady Juliana D’Aubenville from the battlefield. She conceals her identity from her savior out of fear because her family is under a deadly assault from an unknown vicious adversary. Instead Juliana asks Aidan to let her go, but he refuses to comply with her request.
Aidan, who was cursed at birth, vows to uncovers her secret and make the enigmatic female his. She has escaped captivity before and plots to do so again. However, she unprepared for his need to keep her safe while she also feels a necessity to cover his back as he has traitors within his clan plotting to replace their laird as leader.
The latest Knight medieval romance (see Tender Is the Knight and Lady of the Knight) is a wonderful late thirteenth century tale. She is the Houdini of the era while his superstitions enhance the entertaining story line with a refreshing lead. Although the tale starts slowly after the first encounter in which the couple arguing over whether he saved her life or nearly killed her, the pace accelerates as readers will enjoy the gender war between two cursed souls.
Harriet Klausner
Jackie Ivie
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420108859
In 1297, during combat, Highlander laird Aidan MacKetryck rescues English Lady Juliana D’Aubenville from the battlefield. She conceals her identity from her savior out of fear because her family is under a deadly assault from an unknown vicious adversary. Instead Juliana asks Aidan to let her go, but he refuses to comply with her request.
Aidan, who was cursed at birth, vows to uncovers her secret and make the enigmatic female his. She has escaped captivity before and plots to do so again. However, she unprepared for his need to keep her safe while she also feels a necessity to cover his back as he has traitors within his clan plotting to replace their laird as leader.
The latest Knight medieval romance (see Tender Is the Knight and Lady of the Knight) is a wonderful late thirteenth century tale. She is the Houdini of the era while his superstitions enhance the entertaining story line with a refreshing lead. Although the tale starts slowly after the first encounter in which the couple arguing over whether he saved her life or nearly killed her, the pace accelerates as readers will enjoy the gender war between two cursed souls.
Harriet Klausner
Seduced by Grace-Jennifer Blake
Seduced by Grace
Jennifer Blake
Mira, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778312659
In 1497 King Henry VII of England arranges for Lady Marguerite Milton, the youngest of the Three Graces of Graydon sisters (see By Grace Possessed and By His majesty’s Grace), to marry Lord Halliwell. As her fiancé’s man Sir John and his paltry guard escort her, the Golden Knight abducts her.
Ten years ago, Marguerite’s beloved David left her vowing to return one day to marry her. He is her abductee who in spite of his love and attraction remains steadfast to his pledge of abstinence to her chagrin and frustration. However, they soon learn they are expendable pawns in the monarchs plot to expose York conspirators.
The final Graces medieval romance is an engaging historical that combines love, honor and intrigue into an exhilarating thriller. The lead couple is a delightful second chance if they survive the machinations of the king and his rivals. Jennifer Blake is three for three as she provides another charming fascinating late fifteenth century tale.
Harriet Klausner
Jennifer Blake
Mira, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778312659
In 1497 King Henry VII of England arranges for Lady Marguerite Milton, the youngest of the Three Graces of Graydon sisters (see By Grace Possessed and By His majesty’s Grace), to marry Lord Halliwell. As her fiancé’s man Sir John and his paltry guard escort her, the Golden Knight abducts her.
Ten years ago, Marguerite’s beloved David left her vowing to return one day to marry her. He is her abductee who in spite of his love and attraction remains steadfast to his pledge of abstinence to her chagrin and frustration. However, they soon learn they are expendable pawns in the monarchs plot to expose York conspirators.
The final Graces medieval romance is an engaging historical that combines love, honor and intrigue into an exhilarating thriller. The lead couple is a delightful second chance if they survive the machinations of the king and his rivals. Jennifer Blake is three for three as she provides another charming fascinating late fifteenth century tale.
Harriet Klausner
If I Die-Rachel Vincent
If I Die
Rachel Vincent
Harlequin Teen, Sep 27 2011, $9.99
ISBN: 9780373210329
Following the sudden death of math teacher Mr. Wesner, Eastlake hires Mr. Beck to replace him. He is gorgeous and even his handwriting on the board is gorgeous. All the girls are attracted to the hunk with many coming to school early and staying late just to see him. The only two females not attracted to Mr. Beck are rivals for the heart of Nash the banshee, Kaylee the banshee screamer of death and Sabine the Mara bringer of nightmares.
They realize why Mr. Beck is the fantasy of their female classmates; as he is an incubus whose sustenance is absorbing the desires of humans. Kaylee and Mara believe that if Mr. Beck learns they know his secret, he will come after them. As her current life span draws closer to her final soul scream for herself, Kaylee teams up with her adversary Mara to rescue the females of Eastlake from the handsomest male at school. However, the incubus is more diabolical than Kaylee imagined as he forces her to do his bidding even if it means harming her relationship with Nash to save her friends’ souls.
The latest Soul Screamers urban teen fantasy (see My Soul to Keep and My Soul to Save) is an entertaining entry as Kaylee struggles to balance her teen life at school and at home with saving the lives of her schoolmates from the clever incubus. Young adult readers will enjoy Kaylee’s exploits as she ponders not If I Die but when I die soon in an exciting twisting (perhaps too many spins) thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Rachel Vincent
Harlequin Teen, Sep 27 2011, $9.99
ISBN: 9780373210329
Following the sudden death of math teacher Mr. Wesner, Eastlake hires Mr. Beck to replace him. He is gorgeous and even his handwriting on the board is gorgeous. All the girls are attracted to the hunk with many coming to school early and staying late just to see him. The only two females not attracted to Mr. Beck are rivals for the heart of Nash the banshee, Kaylee the banshee screamer of death and Sabine the Mara bringer of nightmares.
They realize why Mr. Beck is the fantasy of their female classmates; as he is an incubus whose sustenance is absorbing the desires of humans. Kaylee and Mara believe that if Mr. Beck learns they know his secret, he will come after them. As her current life span draws closer to her final soul scream for herself, Kaylee teams up with her adversary Mara to rescue the females of Eastlake from the handsomest male at school. However, the incubus is more diabolical than Kaylee imagined as he forces her to do his bidding even if it means harming her relationship with Nash to save her friends’ souls.
The latest Soul Screamers urban teen fantasy (see My Soul to Keep and My Soul to Save) is an entertaining entry as Kaylee struggles to balance her teen life at school and at home with saving the lives of her schoolmates from the clever incubus. Young adult readers will enjoy Kaylee’s exploits as she ponders not If I Die but when I die soon in an exciting twisting (perhaps too many spins) thriller.
Harriet Klausner
The Darkest Surrender-Gena Showalter
The Darkest Surrender
Gena Showalter
Harlequin HQN, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373775811
Fifteen centuries ago, fourteen years old Kaia Skyhawk wants to be known as the strongest harpy. Her only rival at the Harpy Games is Juliette the Eradicator. Juliet captured a male but her new consort remains defiant. Thinking she can make this warrior obey, Kaia, ignoring her mother’s admonition about men, frees him. He goes on a rampage killing many harpies. It is fifteen hundred years later and everyone especially her mother blames Kaia the Disappointment for the massacre; she and her sister Bianka have been banned from participating in the games ever since.
For the first time since the disaster, the Skyhawks sisters are invited to the games. Bianka and Kaia know someone is setting them up for something though it could be Juliette or even their mom, but each agrees they must attend. She also tells Bianka that she believes Strider is her soulmate, but he and his demon Defeat refuse to accept their attraction to the notorious harpy. However, he reconsiders his position of keeping his distance when he learns first prize at the games is the dangerous ancient Paring Rod that could kill him and his Dark Lord peers.
The latest Lords of the Underworld romantic fantasy (see The Darkest Secret) is a terrific refreshing entry due to the macabrely humorous yet lunatic Harpy culture. The story line is fast-paced from the opening fiasco and never slows down as Kaia who tasted defeat refuses to accept it again except as the demon accompanying her Strider. Madcap, the zany Harpy Games is fun to attend.
Harriet Klausner
Gena Showalter
Harlequin HQN, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780373775811
Fifteen centuries ago, fourteen years old Kaia Skyhawk wants to be known as the strongest harpy. Her only rival at the Harpy Games is Juliette the Eradicator. Juliet captured a male but her new consort remains defiant. Thinking she can make this warrior obey, Kaia, ignoring her mother’s admonition about men, frees him. He goes on a rampage killing many harpies. It is fifteen hundred years later and everyone especially her mother blames Kaia the Disappointment for the massacre; she and her sister Bianka have been banned from participating in the games ever since.
For the first time since the disaster, the Skyhawks sisters are invited to the games. Bianka and Kaia know someone is setting them up for something though it could be Juliette or even their mom, but each agrees they must attend. She also tells Bianka that she believes Strider is her soulmate, but he and his demon Defeat refuse to accept their attraction to the notorious harpy. However, he reconsiders his position of keeping his distance when he learns first prize at the games is the dangerous ancient Paring Rod that could kill him and his Dark Lord peers.
The latest Lords of the Underworld romantic fantasy (see The Darkest Secret) is a terrific refreshing entry due to the macabrely humorous yet lunatic Harpy culture. The story line is fast-paced from the opening fiasco and never slows down as Kaia who tasted defeat refuses to accept it again except as the demon accompanying her Strider. Madcap, the zany Harpy Games is fun to attend.
Harriet Klausner
How Firm a Foundation-David Weber
How Firm a Foundation
David Weber
Tor, Sep 13 2011, $27.99
ISBN: 9780765315052
The leaders of the five year old Charisian Empire has won many battles at sea against the much bigger Church of God Awaiting that declared Emperor Cayleb, Empress Sharleyan and their supporters as heretics. The hero of the naval warfare, Cayleb understands the impact of the enemy’s religious terrorism and the diabolical isolation scheme, but is unsure what his small nation can do to end the reign of terror.
Besides an insidious propaganda campaign that excommunicates critics, the Church deploys assassins to kill the empire’s leaders and anyone on the Safehold mainland supporting Charisian. The Inquisitors torture anyone to send the message to those who consider allying with Charisian. In that scenario as the cruel foe tightens the knot around the island, the cybernetic avatar of long dead Merlin believes the answer lies dormant underneath Zion’s Temple in the heart of the Church of God Awaiting.
The fifth Safehold science fiction thriller (see By Heresies Distressed and A Mighty Fortress) contains the usual military warfare but at much smaller scale due to the reign of terror campaign. The story line also focuses on the social and political issues facing those in opposition to the Church. Safehold focuses on a theocracy that brutally stomps on individual rights. The fear of freedom that Charisian represents is violently opposed by religious dogma that what the Church does is Godly even sacrificing the innocent. Cayleb remains a strong hero though still somewhat Harrington-light as he is more confortable at war than at running a country. Readers will relish David Weber's latest powerful condemnation of those who equate their church is the state; or oligopoly dictating society.
Harriet Klausner
David Weber
Tor, Sep 13 2011, $27.99
ISBN: 9780765315052
The leaders of the five year old Charisian Empire has won many battles at sea against the much bigger Church of God Awaiting that declared Emperor Cayleb, Empress Sharleyan and their supporters as heretics. The hero of the naval warfare, Cayleb understands the impact of the enemy’s religious terrorism and the diabolical isolation scheme, but is unsure what his small nation can do to end the reign of terror.
Besides an insidious propaganda campaign that excommunicates critics, the Church deploys assassins to kill the empire’s leaders and anyone on the Safehold mainland supporting Charisian. The Inquisitors torture anyone to send the message to those who consider allying with Charisian. In that scenario as the cruel foe tightens the knot around the island, the cybernetic avatar of long dead Merlin believes the answer lies dormant underneath Zion’s Temple in the heart of the Church of God Awaiting.
The fifth Safehold science fiction thriller (see By Heresies Distressed and A Mighty Fortress) contains the usual military warfare but at much smaller scale due to the reign of terror campaign. The story line also focuses on the social and political issues facing those in opposition to the Church. Safehold focuses on a theocracy that brutally stomps on individual rights. The fear of freedom that Charisian represents is violently opposed by religious dogma that what the Church does is Godly even sacrificing the innocent. Cayleb remains a strong hero though still somewhat Harrington-light as he is more confortable at war than at running a country. Readers will relish David Weber's latest powerful condemnation of those who equate their church is the state; or oligopoly dictating society.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, August 28, 2011
The Pub Across The Pond-Mary Carter
The Pub Across The Pond
Mary Carter
Kensington, Sep 27 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780758253361
In Ballybeog, Ireland Ronan McBride, his six sisters known as the half dozen and his widowed mom own Uncle Jimmy’s. Next door to their pub is their Uncle Joe’s market. During a poker game, Joe tosses in his store while Ronan does likewise with the pub. The players agree to a fall back position for the loser to buy back their establishment. Though he has four of a kind, Ronan loses the pub to Joe’s royal flush. Ronan informs the ladies he lost the pub. The Half Dozen host a raffle in America with the winner owning the pub. In Ohio, Carlene Rivers wins the raffle. She leaves her agoraphobic father and the fight gym he owns for Ireland.
Ronen meets Carlene at Galway, but takes her to the racetrack instead of the pub as he says she is lucky. She wins the first race but loses the rest. Everyone welcomes the “Fecking Yank” with a party. She gets drunk and Ronan takes her to bed. Joe offers to buy the pub but Carlene says no. Though attracted to Ronan, Carlene assumes he is fickle. Meanwhile someone wants the Yankee Doodle Dandy to go home and with Ronan’s rejection as wells as the townsfolk divided about her, she thinks it is time to return to Ohio.
Mindful of a cross between Irish Jam and Leap Year. the American in Ireland is a strong character who keeps the story line focused. The secondary cast, almost all Irish, immensely enhance the story line. Putting aside the poker hands, this is a warm contemporary as Ronen meets his match in the Feckin Yank but may fail to recognize how he feels before she re-crosses the Great Pond.
Harriet Klausner
Mary Carter
Kensington, Sep 27 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780758253361
In Ballybeog, Ireland Ronan McBride, his six sisters known as the half dozen and his widowed mom own Uncle Jimmy’s. Next door to their pub is their Uncle Joe’s market. During a poker game, Joe tosses in his store while Ronan does likewise with the pub. The players agree to a fall back position for the loser to buy back their establishment. Though he has four of a kind, Ronan loses the pub to Joe’s royal flush. Ronan informs the ladies he lost the pub. The Half Dozen host a raffle in America with the winner owning the pub. In Ohio, Carlene Rivers wins the raffle. She leaves her agoraphobic father and the fight gym he owns for Ireland.
Ronen meets Carlene at Galway, but takes her to the racetrack instead of the pub as he says she is lucky. She wins the first race but loses the rest. Everyone welcomes the “Fecking Yank” with a party. She gets drunk and Ronan takes her to bed. Joe offers to buy the pub but Carlene says no. Though attracted to Ronan, Carlene assumes he is fickle. Meanwhile someone wants the Yankee Doodle Dandy to go home and with Ronan’s rejection as wells as the townsfolk divided about her, she thinks it is time to return to Ohio.
Mindful of a cross between Irish Jam and Leap Year. the American in Ireland is a strong character who keeps the story line focused. The secondary cast, almost all Irish, immensely enhance the story line. Putting aside the poker hands, this is a warm contemporary as Ronen meets his match in the Feckin Yank but may fail to recognize how he feels before she re-crosses the Great Pond.
Harriet Klausner
A Texas Christmas-Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda and DeWanna Pace
A Texas Christmas
Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda and DeWanna Pace
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420119664
“One Wish: A Christmas Story” by Jodi Thomas. In December 1887 in Kasota Springs, Texas, Sam the farmer wants to go home but waits in a cold alley watching the mercantile across the street as he fears for the life of Maggie who he has cherished since they met as little kids. He knows his bloodline is not good enough, but she persuades him otherwise when he recues her from robbers.
“Naughty or Nice?” By DeWanna Pace. In December 1887 tired of the scorn by the townsfolk of Kasota Springs, saloon owner Anna Ross returns from a supply run as a snowstorm assaults the Texas Panhandle. There she saves the life of greenhorn James Elliot III caught in the blizzard.
“The Christmas Bell” by Linda Broday. In December 1887 the blizzard strands the train on the Texas Panhandle as it headed to Kasota Springs. On board is spoiled Tess Whitgrove the banker’s daughter coming home from Boston. Sloan Sullivan, who she disliked when they were children, arrives with a sled to rescue the stranded passengers and workers.
“Away in the Manger“ by Phyliss Miranda. In 1887 on the Texas Panhandle Randall Humphrey looks forward to solitude during the Christmas season. Instead the Kasota Springs blacksmith finds Edwinna Dewey yelling at him over his half brother failing to arrive with her family. Her niece Sarah Callahan arrives with three years old twins Damon and Addie Claire at the blacksmith shop.
The latest western romance anthology by this quartet (see Give Me A Texas Outlaw) is a terrific somewhat interwoven but mostly separate tales of couples trapped by a snowstorm falling miraculously in love.
Harriet Klausner
Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda and DeWanna Pace
Zebra, Oct 4 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781420119664
“One Wish: A Christmas Story” by Jodi Thomas. In December 1887 in Kasota Springs, Texas, Sam the farmer wants to go home but waits in a cold alley watching the mercantile across the street as he fears for the life of Maggie who he has cherished since they met as little kids. He knows his bloodline is not good enough, but she persuades him otherwise when he recues her from robbers.
“Naughty or Nice?” By DeWanna Pace. In December 1887 tired of the scorn by the townsfolk of Kasota Springs, saloon owner Anna Ross returns from a supply run as a snowstorm assaults the Texas Panhandle. There she saves the life of greenhorn James Elliot III caught in the blizzard.
“The Christmas Bell” by Linda Broday. In December 1887 the blizzard strands the train on the Texas Panhandle as it headed to Kasota Springs. On board is spoiled Tess Whitgrove the banker’s daughter coming home from Boston. Sloan Sullivan, who she disliked when they were children, arrives with a sled to rescue the stranded passengers and workers.
“Away in the Manger“ by Phyliss Miranda. In 1887 on the Texas Panhandle Randall Humphrey looks forward to solitude during the Christmas season. Instead the Kasota Springs blacksmith finds Edwinna Dewey yelling at him over his half brother failing to arrive with her family. Her niece Sarah Callahan arrives with three years old twins Damon and Addie Claire at the blacksmith shop.
The latest western romance anthology by this quartet (see Give Me A Texas Outlaw) is a terrific somewhat interwoven but mostly separate tales of couples trapped by a snowstorm falling miraculously in love.
Harriet Klausner
A Father’s Name-Holly Jacobs
A Father’s Name
Holly Jacobs
Harlequin SuperRomance, Sep 6 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373717330
In Whedon, Pennsylvania her beloved Pops informs his daughter single mom of teenage Bart, Angelina Tucker that he is retiring after his recent health scare. She wants to run the family business, but Pops stuns Rucker when he introduces their garage’s newest employee Tyler Martinez. The former banker was sent to County for six months and remains on probation. He had been a big customer taking his cars to Tucker Garage for years but is back to his youth making his own repairs on a clinker. Pops explains that Tyler is a top rate mechanic who can also be the prime voice with customers.
Tyler becomes guardian of an infant, who ties back to his nolo contendere conviction. Meanwhile the new mechanic and his boss emit sparks between them, but she refuses to consider a fling with an employee as Bart comes first. As they fall in love, he has to prove to his beloved he is in for the long term.
Nobody does Pennsylvania contemporary romance better than Holly Jacobs consistently writes. Tucker who has appeared in support roles in other tales like Unexpected Gifts proves she handle the lead. Her relationships with her son, pops and the mechanics seem real. Tyler’s fall from grace hits home as genuine also. Together they grease their way to love at the garage.
Harriet Klausner
Holly Jacobs
Harlequin SuperRomance, Sep 6 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373717330
In Whedon, Pennsylvania her beloved Pops informs his daughter single mom of teenage Bart, Angelina Tucker that he is retiring after his recent health scare. She wants to run the family business, but Pops stuns Rucker when he introduces their garage’s newest employee Tyler Martinez. The former banker was sent to County for six months and remains on probation. He had been a big customer taking his cars to Tucker Garage for years but is back to his youth making his own repairs on a clinker. Pops explains that Tyler is a top rate mechanic who can also be the prime voice with customers.
Tyler becomes guardian of an infant, who ties back to his nolo contendere conviction. Meanwhile the new mechanic and his boss emit sparks between them, but she refuses to consider a fling with an employee as Bart comes first. As they fall in love, he has to prove to his beloved he is in for the long term.
Nobody does Pennsylvania contemporary romance better than Holly Jacobs consistently writes. Tucker who has appeared in support roles in other tales like Unexpected Gifts proves she handle the lead. Her relationships with her son, pops and the mechanics seem real. Tyler’s fall from grace hits home as genuine also. Together they grease their way to love at the garage.
Harriet Klausner
Winning Over the Rancher-Mary Brady
Winning Over the Rancher
Mary Brady
Harlequin SuperRomance, Sep 6 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373717309
Widowed and pregnant KayLee Morgan leaves Southern California for April in Montana in order to win the contract to construct environmentally friendly cabins on the Shadow Range Eco Ranch. She needs the project in order feed her baby once her child is born.
She meets Baylor Doyle and the rest of his ranching family who hope to avoid having to sell the spread with the eco project. Starting with the matriarch Evvy, the Doyle family welcome KayLee as if she is one of them. In turn she works diligently as if this was her ranch. Then there is the attraction between KayLee and Bay as she prays she is Winning Over The Rancher to ask her and her unborn to stay in Big Sky Country with him.
The strong cast and picturesque location enhance a warm contemporary romance starring a pregnant woman who hopes the man she loves not just reciprocates her feeling but can accept her child too. Readers will enjoy the sweet changing relationship between the lead couple encouraged by his living and caring family as Mary Brady provides another pleasant Montana romance (see He Calls Her Doc and Promise to a Boy).
Harriet Klausner
Mary Brady
Harlequin SuperRomance, Sep 6 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373717309
Widowed and pregnant KayLee Morgan leaves Southern California for April in Montana in order to win the contract to construct environmentally friendly cabins on the Shadow Range Eco Ranch. She needs the project in order feed her baby once her child is born.
She meets Baylor Doyle and the rest of his ranching family who hope to avoid having to sell the spread with the eco project. Starting with the matriarch Evvy, the Doyle family welcome KayLee as if she is one of them. In turn she works diligently as if this was her ranch. Then there is the attraction between KayLee and Bay as she prays she is Winning Over The Rancher to ask her and her unborn to stay in Big Sky Country with him.
The strong cast and picturesque location enhance a warm contemporary romance starring a pregnant woman who hopes the man she loves not just reciprocates her feeling but can accept her child too. Readers will enjoy the sweet changing relationship between the lead couple encouraged by his living and caring family as Mary Brady provides another pleasant Montana romance (see He Calls Her Doc and Promise to a Boy).
Harriet Klausner
The One She Left Behind-Kristi Gold
The One She Left Behind
Kristi Gold
Harlequin SuperRomance, Sep 6 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373717323
She left Placid on the Mississippi Delta when she was eighteen years old to become a big city lawyer. Several years later attorney Savannah Greer returns home from Chicago for her father’s funeral and to end the estrangement with her widow mom Ruth. However, Ruth refuses to welcome her prodigal daughter home; instead choosing as much as possible polite avoidance.
When she fled her family’s ranch, Savannah also left her boyfriend Samuel Jamison McBriar. She never forgot him while he also never moved passed his first and only love. Savannah plans to leave immediately but finds it difficult to say goodbye to Sam who manages her mom’s ranch. He struggles between wanting to make love with her forever and needing her to just leave as he fears he will not mend from another broken heart.
This character driven second chance at love romance is a strong tale, but ironically the key poignant relationship is not with the lead couple but that between mother and daughter. The three prime protagonists turn the entertaining The One Left Behind into a warm regional family drama summed up nicely by Sam’s dad when he advises his son to “get the corncob out of your keister”.
Harriet Klausner
Kristi Gold
Harlequin SuperRomance, Sep 6 2011, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373717323
She left Placid on the Mississippi Delta when she was eighteen years old to become a big city lawyer. Several years later attorney Savannah Greer returns home from Chicago for her father’s funeral and to end the estrangement with her widow mom Ruth. However, Ruth refuses to welcome her prodigal daughter home; instead choosing as much as possible polite avoidance.
When she fled her family’s ranch, Savannah also left her boyfriend Samuel Jamison McBriar. She never forgot him while he also never moved passed his first and only love. Savannah plans to leave immediately but finds it difficult to say goodbye to Sam who manages her mom’s ranch. He struggles between wanting to make love with her forever and needing her to just leave as he fears he will not mend from another broken heart.
This character driven second chance at love romance is a strong tale, but ironically the key poignant relationship is not with the lead couple but that between mother and daughter. The three prime protagonists turn the entertaining The One Left Behind into a warm regional family drama summed up nicely by Sam’s dad when he advises his son to “get the corncob out of your keister”.
Harriet Klausner
When Love Gets In The Way-Janelle Mowery
When Love Gets In The Way
Janelle Mowery
Harvest House, Oct 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780736928083
In 1873 in Pueblo, Colorado Territory, following her mother’s funeral Grace Bradley runs away from home as she fears the vile man Frank Easton, whose first wife vanished, the one her widower father chose for her to marry. She pleads with family friend Cade Ramsey, who attended her mom’s funeral, to take her with him when he goes home. Grace insists she can help his mom Ella recovering from an injured hip. He tells her no.
She sneaks inside his wagon, but by the time he discovers his stowaway he ignores his inclination to return her to her dad and instead takes her to his family Ranch near Rockdale. He arranges for her to work as a housekeeper at the ranch of his friends Bobby and Jace (see When All My Dreams Come True). Meanwhile a gang of four keeps robbing prospectors in the area while Grace’s “fiancé” is coming for her.
The amusing charming second "Colorado Runaway" western romance stars two delightful protagonists as he needs full body armor to protect him from his klutzy beloved. The villains are nasty but the warm Grace makes the tale work as a unique lead. First is her love for Cade and his family and friends; second are her demands of God to explain why he allows bad things to happen to good people; and finally the comic relief of all the bruises Cade receives from his dangerous beloved. Sub-genre fans will obtain immense pleasure with this humorous historical.
Harriet Klausner
Janelle Mowery
Harvest House, Oct 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780736928083
In 1873 in Pueblo, Colorado Territory, following her mother’s funeral Grace Bradley runs away from home as she fears the vile man Frank Easton, whose first wife vanished, the one her widower father chose for her to marry. She pleads with family friend Cade Ramsey, who attended her mom’s funeral, to take her with him when he goes home. Grace insists she can help his mom Ella recovering from an injured hip. He tells her no.
She sneaks inside his wagon, but by the time he discovers his stowaway he ignores his inclination to return her to her dad and instead takes her to his family Ranch near Rockdale. He arranges for her to work as a housekeeper at the ranch of his friends Bobby and Jace (see When All My Dreams Come True). Meanwhile a gang of four keeps robbing prospectors in the area while Grace’s “fiancé” is coming for her.
The amusing charming second "Colorado Runaway" western romance stars two delightful protagonists as he needs full body armor to protect him from his klutzy beloved. The villains are nasty but the warm Grace makes the tale work as a unique lead. First is her love for Cade and his family and friends; second are her demands of God to explain why he allows bad things to happen to good people; and finally the comic relief of all the bruises Cade receives from his dangerous beloved. Sub-genre fans will obtain immense pleasure with this humorous historical.
Harriet Klausner
Lassiter-Paul Levine
Lassiter
Paul Levine
Bantam, Sep 13 2011, $25.00
ISBN: 9780553806748
Amy Larkin accuses former bench-warming linebacker turned lawyer Jake Lassiter of abetting her then teenage sister Krista into running away from home. Jake knows more than he lets on as to what happened eighteen years ago when Krista vanished into the South Florida sex business and eventually became a porn star.
Jake feels a Krista inquiry could prove redemptive so he begins a cold case investigation. He soon finds Miami’s affluent involved in what happened to Krista. As he learns more of the truth, Jake fears she was murdered while those rich males once involved with Krista refuse to cooperate with the lawyer. When one of the men he considers as a prime suspect is shot the Miami police charge Amy with the homicide. Lassiter defends Larkin in which client and attorney distrust one another while the State of Florida has an eyewitness to the lethal shooting.
Before Solomon vs. Lord, Paul Levine had Jake Lassiter as his star protagonist (see Flesh and Bones and Night Vision); now after a decade away, the second stringer has a first seat case. The story line is fast-paced and fun to follow, but turns superb in the courtroom as client-attorney privilege means nothing since nether trusts the other. Lassiter’s return is a reason for legal thriller fans to rejoice.
Harriet Klausner
Paul Levine
Bantam, Sep 13 2011, $25.00
ISBN: 9780553806748
Amy Larkin accuses former bench-warming linebacker turned lawyer Jake Lassiter of abetting her then teenage sister Krista into running away from home. Jake knows more than he lets on as to what happened eighteen years ago when Krista vanished into the South Florida sex business and eventually became a porn star.
Jake feels a Krista inquiry could prove redemptive so he begins a cold case investigation. He soon finds Miami’s affluent involved in what happened to Krista. As he learns more of the truth, Jake fears she was murdered while those rich males once involved with Krista refuse to cooperate with the lawyer. When one of the men he considers as a prime suspect is shot the Miami police charge Amy with the homicide. Lassiter defends Larkin in which client and attorney distrust one another while the State of Florida has an eyewitness to the lethal shooting.
Before Solomon vs. Lord, Paul Levine had Jake Lassiter as his star protagonist (see Flesh and Bones and Night Vision); now after a decade away, the second stringer has a first seat case. The story line is fast-paced and fun to follow, but turns superb in the courtroom as client-attorney privilege means nothing since nether trusts the other. Lassiter’s return is a reason for legal thriller fans to rejoice.
Harriet Klausner
The Bible Repairman and Other Stories-Tim Powers
The Bible Repairman and Other Stories
Tim Powers
Tachyon, Sep 1 2011, $14.95
ISBN: 9781616960476
“The Bible Repairman”. Torrez knows the cost of his blood as his soul has dwindled to almost nonexistence. His descent started with a murder leading him to find the spirits of the restless dead and cleansing bibles of evil verses, but he could not save his late daughter or his marriage. Now a wannabe client wants what is left of his tainted blood.
“A Soul in a Bottle”. George meets highly regarded dead poetess Cheyenne who demands a second chance at life. He will learn verses change as circumstances change.
“The Hour of Babel”. It has been forty years since the angel fell into the pizza parlor leading to a tragedy that still haunts the survivors. One of whom wants to go back to 1975 to alter the past and subsequently change the time line.
“Parallel Lines”. Septuagenarian Caroleen struggles with the return of her twin sister BeeVee who committed suicide when the cancer pain overwhelmed her. Now Caroleen fears BeeVee wants to add the second date etched in her sibling’s stone.
“A Time to Cast Away Stones”. With Byron and Shelly free of the succubus’s control (see The Stress of Her Regard), Edward wants to help the Greeks deal with the Nephilim.
“A Journey of Only Two Paces”. As the executor of the late John Ranald’s will, Kohler meets his Widow Mrs. Hathaway to complete the Letter Testamentary Kabbalah soul transmigration.
Although the six super selections have previously been published in diverse small prints, this is the first time together in one book to the delight of fans of Tim Powers, who provides exciting dark looks at the hearts of people forced to select between soul sapping evils.
Harriet Klausner
Tim Powers
Tachyon, Sep 1 2011, $14.95
ISBN: 9781616960476
“The Bible Repairman”. Torrez knows the cost of his blood as his soul has dwindled to almost nonexistence. His descent started with a murder leading him to find the spirits of the restless dead and cleansing bibles of evil verses, but he could not save his late daughter or his marriage. Now a wannabe client wants what is left of his tainted blood.
“A Soul in a Bottle”. George meets highly regarded dead poetess Cheyenne who demands a second chance at life. He will learn verses change as circumstances change.
“The Hour of Babel”. It has been forty years since the angel fell into the pizza parlor leading to a tragedy that still haunts the survivors. One of whom wants to go back to 1975 to alter the past and subsequently change the time line.
“Parallel Lines”. Septuagenarian Caroleen struggles with the return of her twin sister BeeVee who committed suicide when the cancer pain overwhelmed her. Now Caroleen fears BeeVee wants to add the second date etched in her sibling’s stone.
“A Time to Cast Away Stones”. With Byron and Shelly free of the succubus’s control (see The Stress of Her Regard), Edward wants to help the Greeks deal with the Nephilim.
“A Journey of Only Two Paces”. As the executor of the late John Ranald’s will, Kohler meets his Widow Mrs. Hathaway to complete the Letter Testamentary Kabbalah soul transmigration.
Although the six super selections have previously been published in diverse small prints, this is the first time together in one book to the delight of fans of Tim Powers, who provides exciting dark looks at the hearts of people forced to select between soul sapping evils.
Harriet Klausner
Frail-Joan Frances Turner
Frail
Joan Frances Turner
Ace, Oct 4 2011, $24.95
ISBN: 9780441020706
Zombie was always a part of the population, but unless there was a significant outbreak, normal humans assumed these creatures were a George Romero Pittsburgh myth. These reanimated corpses exist filled with maggots and rotting leaking flesh. One bite of a living human changes the victim into a zombie.
The Feeding Plague turned America to Dust changing humans and zombies into something else. Amy is one of the humans in post-apocalyptic America who did not catch the Feeding Plague. In fact in her small-town, Amy is the only pure Frail human left. She befriends an Ex, Lisa, who like all of her species is invulnerable; as the Ex populace is stronger, faster, and deadlier than the two groups they evolved from. The pair is kidnapped and taken to a community run by Exs who enslave the Frail. Lisa protects and constantly saves Amy from the masters until she is brought to a scientific lab run by an Ex. There she learns about the Frails and Humans, a place where both groups are treated equally.
Frail is an incredible horror thriller that contains plenty of post-apocalyptic action while also asking what makes a sentient being human as readers will consider Descartes: “I think therefore I am.” and Sartre’s “I am, therefore I think.” Amy is a courageous human who is very afraid but uses her fears to escape from essences who want to harm her. Her relationship with Lisa affirms that diverse beings can become friends. Joan Frances Turner provides a tense thriller that readers will devour.
Harriet Klausner
Joan Frances Turner
Ace, Oct 4 2011, $24.95
ISBN: 9780441020706
Zombie was always a part of the population, but unless there was a significant outbreak, normal humans assumed these creatures were a George Romero Pittsburgh myth. These reanimated corpses exist filled with maggots and rotting leaking flesh. One bite of a living human changes the victim into a zombie.
The Feeding Plague turned America to Dust changing humans and zombies into something else. Amy is one of the humans in post-apocalyptic America who did not catch the Feeding Plague. In fact in her small-town, Amy is the only pure Frail human left. She befriends an Ex, Lisa, who like all of her species is invulnerable; as the Ex populace is stronger, faster, and deadlier than the two groups they evolved from. The pair is kidnapped and taken to a community run by Exs who enslave the Frail. Lisa protects and constantly saves Amy from the masters until she is brought to a scientific lab run by an Ex. There she learns about the Frails and Humans, a place where both groups are treated equally.
Frail is an incredible horror thriller that contains plenty of post-apocalyptic action while also asking what makes a sentient being human as readers will consider Descartes: “I think therefore I am.” and Sartre’s “I am, therefore I think.” Amy is a courageous human who is very afraid but uses her fears to escape from essences who want to harm her. Her relationship with Lisa affirms that diverse beings can become friends. Joan Frances Turner provides a tense thriller that readers will devour.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Christmas Gems-Christine DeSmet, Karen Wiesner, Jane Toombs and Carrie S. Masek
Christmas Gems
Christine DeSmet, Karen Wiesner, Jane Toombs and Carrie S. Masek
Whiskey Creek, 2011, $17.95
ISBN: 9781603135108
“The Christmas Magi of Birch Bay” by Christine DeSmet. In Birch Bay, Wisconsin war widow Vienna runs her grandma’s gift shop. When she's evicted from her rental due to owning pets, her nerdy school days rival Joseph offers her a gift that would solve her problems but what does she owe him. Whimsical
“Wings of Love” by Karen Wiesner. In Fever, Texas Mac falls in love with interior designer Amanda and asks her to join him on his ranch. However, he finds himself frequently working away from home until an injury forces him back on the ranch only Amanda gave up on him. Exciting.
“A Christmas Surprise” by Jane Toombs. Penelope watches her two years old brother Sammy. While he sleeps, she goes on a bike ride with Hank. When she comes back home, Sammy is missing. She tells her parents. Believing her parents would be better off without her, Penelope leaves. She meets Ben the cop and soon after a three year old boy who might be her Sammy. A poignant tale.
“Mistletoe and Holly” by Carrie S. Masek. Matt Potter says bah humbug to Christmas. His spirits is worsened on Christmas Eve when he almost runs over an abandoned pet rabbit. In a blizzard he takes the animal to a nearby vet. Veterinary assistant Holly Welsh loves Christmas. Matt arrives raging with the bunny. When the storm strands them together, the matchmaking bunny and her spiked Eggnog helps Matt enjoy Christmas Eve with Holly. Whimsical.
These are four enjoyable Christmas Gems as each author contributes a warm family drama starring fully developed protagonists.
Christine DeSmet, Karen Wiesner, Jane Toombs and Carrie S. Masek
Whiskey Creek, 2011, $17.95
ISBN: 9781603135108
“The Christmas Magi of Birch Bay” by Christine DeSmet. In Birch Bay, Wisconsin war widow Vienna runs her grandma’s gift shop. When she's evicted from her rental due to owning pets, her nerdy school days rival Joseph offers her a gift that would solve her problems but what does she owe him. Whimsical
“Wings of Love” by Karen Wiesner. In Fever, Texas Mac falls in love with interior designer Amanda and asks her to join him on his ranch. However, he finds himself frequently working away from home until an injury forces him back on the ranch only Amanda gave up on him. Exciting.
“A Christmas Surprise” by Jane Toombs. Penelope watches her two years old brother Sammy. While he sleeps, she goes on a bike ride with Hank. When she comes back home, Sammy is missing. She tells her parents. Believing her parents would be better off without her, Penelope leaves. She meets Ben the cop and soon after a three year old boy who might be her Sammy. A poignant tale.
“Mistletoe and Holly” by Carrie S. Masek. Matt Potter says bah humbug to Christmas. His spirits is worsened on Christmas Eve when he almost runs over an abandoned pet rabbit. In a blizzard he takes the animal to a nearby vet. Veterinary assistant Holly Welsh loves Christmas. Matt arrives raging with the bunny. When the storm strands them together, the matchmaking bunny and her spiked Eggnog helps Matt enjoy Christmas Eve with Holly. Whimsical.
These are four enjoyable Christmas Gems as each author contributes a warm family drama starring fully developed protagonists.
The Lady of the Rivers-Philippa Gregory
The Lady of the Rivers
Philippa Gregory
Touchstone, Oct 18 2011, $27.99
ISBN 9781416563709
In 1430 near Arras, France, in front of her great-niece fourteen year old Lady Jacquetta, Lady Jehanne asks her prisoner Joan to accept parole by reneging her vows from God and remaining at Lord Luxembourg’s Castle of Beaurevoir. Though weary that she erred in crowning the king, Joan, still a country peasant at heart refuses. Jacquetta witnesses the execution of Joan declared a witch by the Duke of Bedford.
In 1433 Jacquetta has no say as she is forced to marry recently widowed John, the English Duke Bedford Regent of France. He plans to use her powers to further his ambitions but dies before he can achieve his objective. Still a teen, Jacquetta is now a wealthy widow. The king and her family choose her next spouse, but Jacquetta refuses to obey. Instead she weds Richard Woodville. They have a happy marriage with many children as he serves King Henry VI at the royal court and she serves as the queen’s loyal confident while anticipating after Henry the Lancaster dynasty will die too.
The third Cousins' War historical thriller (see The Red Queen and The White Queen) is another interesting look at a strong woman who must conceal her fortitude in order to navigate the treacherous male waters. Lady Jacquetta is a fascinating protagonist as she learns from the execution of Joan and the marriage of the king’s mother to a Tudor that being strong but smart is an asset even in a male only world. Genre fans will appreciate Philippa Gregory’s entertaining medieval biographical fiction of an intelligent courageous woman who not only survives the War of the Roses; she observes her grandson become King of England.
Harriet Klausner
Philippa Gregory
Touchstone, Oct 18 2011, $27.99
ISBN 9781416563709
In 1430 near Arras, France, in front of her great-niece fourteen year old Lady Jacquetta, Lady Jehanne asks her prisoner Joan to accept parole by reneging her vows from God and remaining at Lord Luxembourg’s Castle of Beaurevoir. Though weary that she erred in crowning the king, Joan, still a country peasant at heart refuses. Jacquetta witnesses the execution of Joan declared a witch by the Duke of Bedford.
In 1433 Jacquetta has no say as she is forced to marry recently widowed John, the English Duke Bedford Regent of France. He plans to use her powers to further his ambitions but dies before he can achieve his objective. Still a teen, Jacquetta is now a wealthy widow. The king and her family choose her next spouse, but Jacquetta refuses to obey. Instead she weds Richard Woodville. They have a happy marriage with many children as he serves King Henry VI at the royal court and she serves as the queen’s loyal confident while anticipating after Henry the Lancaster dynasty will die too.
The third Cousins' War historical thriller (see The Red Queen and The White Queen) is another interesting look at a strong woman who must conceal her fortitude in order to navigate the treacherous male waters. Lady Jacquetta is a fascinating protagonist as she learns from the execution of Joan and the marriage of the king’s mother to a Tudor that being strong but smart is an asset even in a male only world. Genre fans will appreciate Philippa Gregory’s entertaining medieval biographical fiction of an intelligent courageous woman who not only survives the War of the Roses; she observes her grandson become King of England.
Harriet Klausner
The Beads of Lapis Lazuli-Doris Kenney Marcotte
The Beads of Lapis Lazuli
Doris Kenney Marcotte
Outskirts Press, Sep 30 2011, $12.95
ISBN: 9781432760540
Cincinnati housewife and mom Katheryn Marshall was on vacation with her husband Dan in Crete when she purchased an ancient strand of lapis lazuli. They went back to Ohio, but for the next two years she obsesses over returning to Greece to visit Dhia Island in order to complete the ancient historical romance she is writing. Her husband Dan objects, but though rare in their marriage she informs him she is going anyway.
Accompanied by psychic archeological hunter Jake Deupree, she goes to Greece without her family. There she begins to examine the three and half millennia Minoan mythos of Theseus and Ariadne. She finds anomalies with the legend so she digs deeper seeking the truth.
This is an entertaining look at the Minoan ancient culture mostly through the historiographical lenses of twenty-first century interested parties but with a neat twist enhancing the glimpse through time. The cast is solid but the conflict even between the married couple is muted. Still this is an interesting tale as a Buckeye housewife obsesses over looking beyond the legend of Theseus and Ariadne.
Harriet Klausner
Doris Kenney Marcotte
Outskirts Press, Sep 30 2011, $12.95
ISBN: 9781432760540
Cincinnati housewife and mom Katheryn Marshall was on vacation with her husband Dan in Crete when she purchased an ancient strand of lapis lazuli. They went back to Ohio, but for the next two years she obsesses over returning to Greece to visit Dhia Island in order to complete the ancient historical romance she is writing. Her husband Dan objects, but though rare in their marriage she informs him she is going anyway.
Accompanied by psychic archeological hunter Jake Deupree, she goes to Greece without her family. There she begins to examine the three and half millennia Minoan mythos of Theseus and Ariadne. She finds anomalies with the legend so she digs deeper seeking the truth.
This is an entertaining look at the Minoan ancient culture mostly through the historiographical lenses of twenty-first century interested parties but with a neat twist enhancing the glimpse through time. The cast is solid but the conflict even between the married couple is muted. Still this is an interesting tale as a Buckeye housewife obsesses over looking beyond the legend of Theseus and Ariadne.
Harriet Klausner
The Towers-David Poyer
The Towers
David Poyer
St. Martin’s, Sep 1 2011, $25.99
ISBN: 9780312613013
On September 11, 2001, unhappy Navy Commander Dan Lenson visits the Pentagon still upset after being passed over for promotion to the rank of captain in spite of his heroic successful efforts; while he considers retirement, the brass detests his stubborn independence. At the same time his wife Beth Blair is at the South Tower on a job interview. Both are impacted mentally and physically when the planes crash the Pentagon and Twin Towers. He escapes the flames but fears for his spouse as he loses phone contact almost immediately reaching her.
While Beth struggles with her injuries, Dan and his SEAL team are assigned to Task Force Rhino whose mission is to capture or kill Bin Laden and his Taliban allies. His unit deploys to Afghanistan but deals with DC, Kabul and Islamabad politics at the isolated mountainous Tora Bora border. At the same time in Yemen, Muslim-American FBI special agent Aisha Ar-Rahim learns the hard way what being a Muslim-American means on September 12 2011.
The latest Lenson military thriller (see The Crisis and The Weapon) is a great tale in spite of the reader knowing the outcome. The keys to The Towers are the harrowing descriptions of death, destruction and survival on 9/11, the racism that ignites starting on 9/12, and the insightful look at how well (or not) the civilian and military elements of the government work together in hostile scenarios thousands of miles away from DC where the leadership resides. This is an excellent glimpse at the immediate post 9/11 world in which crises (real does not matter) are needed to fuel the avenging vendetta.
Harriet Klausner
David Poyer
St. Martin’s, Sep 1 2011, $25.99
ISBN: 9780312613013
On September 11, 2001, unhappy Navy Commander Dan Lenson visits the Pentagon still upset after being passed over for promotion to the rank of captain in spite of his heroic successful efforts; while he considers retirement, the brass detests his stubborn independence. At the same time his wife Beth Blair is at the South Tower on a job interview. Both are impacted mentally and physically when the planes crash the Pentagon and Twin Towers. He escapes the flames but fears for his spouse as he loses phone contact almost immediately reaching her.
While Beth struggles with her injuries, Dan and his SEAL team are assigned to Task Force Rhino whose mission is to capture or kill Bin Laden and his Taliban allies. His unit deploys to Afghanistan but deals with DC, Kabul and Islamabad politics at the isolated mountainous Tora Bora border. At the same time in Yemen, Muslim-American FBI special agent Aisha Ar-Rahim learns the hard way what being a Muslim-American means on September 12 2011.
The latest Lenson military thriller (see The Crisis and The Weapon) is a great tale in spite of the reader knowing the outcome. The keys to The Towers are the harrowing descriptions of death, destruction and survival on 9/11, the racism that ignites starting on 9/12, and the insightful look at how well (or not) the civilian and military elements of the government work together in hostile scenarios thousands of miles away from DC where the leadership resides. This is an excellent glimpse at the immediate post 9/11 world in which crises (real does not matter) are needed to fuel the avenging vendetta.
Harriet Klausner
Wings of Fire-Wings of Fire
Wings of Fire
Wings of Fire
Caris Roane
St. Martin’s, Aug 30 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312533731
Three months ago the winged Warrior of the Blood Antony Medichi lost his woman who was abducted. He knows she is special as he is her Guardian of Ascension who failed to protect her. Antony realizes his beloved breh haden soul mate Parisa Lovejoy is an anomaly with her beauty, intelligence and power. He vows to find and rescue her from the malevolent Roth, agent of even more evil Commander Greaves.
Antony also continues to hunt down the invading death vampires and other rogue vampires who harm Earth. Meanwhile death vampire Commander Greaves, who kidnaps female mortals to drink their blood, vampire knows his latest captive Parisa is special due to her voyeur skills. Her only hope for salvation and saving other blood slaves resides with Antony if she accepts her Guardian as her eternal soul mate.
The latest Guardians of Ascension vampire romantic thriller (see The Burning Skies and Ascension) is a terrific tale as Caris Roane provides more insight into the divided vampire culture though the actions and reactions of the cast. The three prime characters make a delightful paranormal triangle as the death vampire plans to drink the blood of the Ascension whose soul mate is coming in an enjoyable urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
St. Martin’s, Aug 30 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312533731
Three months ago the winged Warrior of the Blood Antony Medichi lost his woman who was abducted. He knows she is special as he is her Guardian of Ascension who failed to protect her. Antony realizes his beloved breh haden soul mate Parisa Lovejoy is an anomaly with her beauty, intelligence and power. He vows to find and rescue her from the malevolent Roth, agent of even more evil Commander Greaves.
Antony also continues to hunt down the invading death vampires and other rogue vampires who harm Earth. Meanwhile death vampire Commander Greaves, who kidnaps female mortals to drink their blood, vampire knows his latest captive Parisa is special due to her voyeur skills. Her only hope for salvation and saving other blood slaves resides with Antony if she accepts her Guardian as her eternal soul mate.
The latest Guardians of Ascension vampire romantic thriller (see The Burning Skies and Ascension) is a terrific tale as Caris Roane provides more insight into the divided vampire culture though the actions and reactions of the cast. The three prime characters make a delightful paranormal triangle as the death vampire plans to drink the blood of the Ascension whose soul mate is coming in an enjoyable urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
Wings of Fire
Caris Roane
St. Martin’s, Aug 30 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312533731
Three months ago the winged Warrior of the Blood Antony Medichi lost his woman who was abducted. He knows she is special as he is her Guardian of Ascension who failed to protect her. Antony realizes his beloved breh haden soul mate Parisa Lovejoy is an anomaly with her beauty, intelligence and power. He vows to find and rescue her from the malevolent Roth, agent of even more evil Commander Greaves.
Antony also continues to hunt down the invading death vampires and other rogue vampires who harm Earth. Meanwhile death vampire Commander Greaves, who kidnaps female mortals to drink their blood, vampire knows his latest captive Parisa is special due to her voyeur skills. Her only hope for salvation and saving other blood slaves resides with Antony if she accepts her Guardian as her eternal soul mate.
The latest Guardians of Ascension vampire romantic thriller (see The Burning Skies and Ascension) is a terrific tale as Caris Roane provides more insight into the divided vampire culture though the actions and reactions of the cast. The three prime characters make a delightful paranormal triangle as the death vampire plans to drink the blood of the Ascension whose soul mate is coming in an enjoyable urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
St. Martin’s, Aug 30 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312533731
Three months ago the winged Warrior of the Blood Antony Medichi lost his woman who was abducted. He knows she is special as he is her Guardian of Ascension who failed to protect her. Antony realizes his beloved breh haden soul mate Parisa Lovejoy is an anomaly with her beauty, intelligence and power. He vows to find and rescue her from the malevolent Roth, agent of even more evil Commander Greaves.
Antony also continues to hunt down the invading death vampires and other rogue vampires who harm Earth. Meanwhile death vampire Commander Greaves, who kidnaps female mortals to drink their blood, vampire knows his latest captive Parisa is special due to her voyeur skills. Her only hope for salvation and saving other blood slaves resides with Antony if she accepts her Guardian as her eternal soul mate.
The latest Guardians of Ascension vampire romantic thriller (see The Burning Skies and Ascension) is a terrific tale as Caris Roane provides more insight into the divided vampire culture though the actions and reactions of the cast. The three prime characters make a delightful paranormal triangle as the death vampire plans to drink the blood of the Ascension whose soul mate is coming in an enjoyable urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
Tempted-Elisabeth Naughton
Tempted
Elisabeth Naughton
Sourcebooks, Sep 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9781402260469
Atalanta arranges the abduction of Argoela Princess Isadora. After using a fertility spell on her prisoner, the evil Atalanta sends Isadora to Pandora Island. She next manipulates her son Demetrius the Eternal Guardian to go to Pandora Island expecting to rescue his beloved; but his mom has different “matchmaking” ideas for her son. She expects the pair to produce her grandchild who will have blood ties to goddesses for her use.
Isadora and Demetrius are attracted to each other as they are soul mates due to a Hera curse. He tries to avoid her and conceal his passion for her behind a face of scorn; however, she refuses to accept his dark brooding nature and goes after his love.
Once the players are set, this Eternal Guardian romantic fantasy (see Marked and Entwined) is a fast-paced twisting Elisabeth Naughton original Greek mythos. The lead protagonists struggle with outside interference and worse love as each wonders if their feelings are real or Goddess driven. With the mother from Hades adding evil to the mix, series fans will enjoy this exciting entry.
Harriet Klausner
Elisabeth Naughton
Sourcebooks, Sep 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9781402260469
Atalanta arranges the abduction of Argoela Princess Isadora. After using a fertility spell on her prisoner, the evil Atalanta sends Isadora to Pandora Island. She next manipulates her son Demetrius the Eternal Guardian to go to Pandora Island expecting to rescue his beloved; but his mom has different “matchmaking” ideas for her son. She expects the pair to produce her grandchild who will have blood ties to goddesses for her use.
Isadora and Demetrius are attracted to each other as they are soul mates due to a Hera curse. He tries to avoid her and conceal his passion for her behind a face of scorn; however, she refuses to accept his dark brooding nature and goes after his love.
Once the players are set, this Eternal Guardian romantic fantasy (see Marked and Entwined) is a fast-paced twisting Elisabeth Naughton original Greek mythos. The lead protagonists struggle with outside interference and worse love as each wonders if their feelings are real or Goddess driven. With the mother from Hades adding evil to the mix, series fans will enjoy this exciting entry.
Harriet Klausner
No Proper Lady-Isabel Cooper
No Proper Lady
Isabel Cooper
Sourcebooks, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781402259524
The demonic horde is winning the war against humanity. Desperate, the human forces decide to send back several centuries Joan the warrior assassin to kill Alex Reynell the evil wizard and destroy his arcane book of spells before the malevolence conjures up the demons to this plane.
Joan arrives in 1888 England where she immediately rescues Simon Grenville the magician from attacking cerberi. She explains her mission to him even as Joan cannot believe there are birds flying in the air and the landscape is green. Simon takes Joan to his home while concealing from his guest that he plans to use her to enact revenge against his former best friend Alex who nearly killed his sister. As he teaches her how to behave in proper Victorian society, they fall in love, but she knows the mission comes first while he changes his mind and believes her safety is more t important than anything else.
No Proper Lady is a refreshing romantic urban fantasy starring a female Terminator in Victorian England. The story line is loaded with action whether the heroine is fighting the Alex and his minion or struggling to understand the restrictive rules of High Society in which she wonders how a warrior can hide a sword while dancing and wearing tons of uncomfortable clothing. Part of the fun is the reactions by the heroine to the environment (no Dickens anti Industrial Revolution descriptions) and to love. Fans will enjoy going back in time with Isabel Cooper as our guide.
Harriet Klausner
Isabel Cooper
Sourcebooks, Sep 1 2011, $6.99
ISBN: 9781402259524
The demonic horde is winning the war against humanity. Desperate, the human forces decide to send back several centuries Joan the warrior assassin to kill Alex Reynell the evil wizard and destroy his arcane book of spells before the malevolence conjures up the demons to this plane.
Joan arrives in 1888 England where she immediately rescues Simon Grenville the magician from attacking cerberi. She explains her mission to him even as Joan cannot believe there are birds flying in the air and the landscape is green. Simon takes Joan to his home while concealing from his guest that he plans to use her to enact revenge against his former best friend Alex who nearly killed his sister. As he teaches her how to behave in proper Victorian society, they fall in love, but she knows the mission comes first while he changes his mind and believes her safety is more t important than anything else.
No Proper Lady is a refreshing romantic urban fantasy starring a female Terminator in Victorian England. The story line is loaded with action whether the heroine is fighting the Alex and his minion or struggling to understand the restrictive rules of High Society in which she wonders how a warrior can hide a sword while dancing and wearing tons of uncomfortable clothing. Part of the fun is the reactions by the heroine to the environment (no Dickens anti Industrial Revolution descriptions) and to love. Fans will enjoy going back in time with Isabel Cooper as our guide.
Harriet Klausner
In Blood We Trust-Christine Cody
In Blood We Trust
Christine Cody
Berkley, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780441020874
The Monsters have won the war over humanity in spite of the horrific efforts of the specially chosen and trained Witches, whose numbers dwindled dramatically during the hostilities, to prevent the latest calamity from occurring. However, the two prime factions who make up the Monster alliance distrust one another as their physiological needs radically differ. The Reds drink blood for sustenance while the Civils do not.
Tension is great between the two groups, but the shot heard round the Bloodlands happens when young vampires kill a Civil. Neither side cares who provoked whim; instead as a monster war ignites, Mariah the shapeshifting legend helps her vampiric bond mate Gabriel escape.
The third drought-laden Bloodlands post-apocalyptic thriller is an exciting tale that for much of the story line focuses on the big picture monster in-fighting, but later takes a sudden disruptive narrow perspective by concentrating on the lead protagonists of the previous two fantasies (see Blood Rules). Still fans will enjoy the war between the monsters that forces beleaguered Mariah and Gabriel to flee for their lives from lethal unruly mobs as their heroics becomes yesterday’s news.
Harriet Klausner
Christine Cody
Berkley, Sep 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780441020874
The Monsters have won the war over humanity in spite of the horrific efforts of the specially chosen and trained Witches, whose numbers dwindled dramatically during the hostilities, to prevent the latest calamity from occurring. However, the two prime factions who make up the Monster alliance distrust one another as their physiological needs radically differ. The Reds drink blood for sustenance while the Civils do not.
Tension is great between the two groups, but the shot heard round the Bloodlands happens when young vampires kill a Civil. Neither side cares who provoked whim; instead as a monster war ignites, Mariah the shapeshifting legend helps her vampiric bond mate Gabriel escape.
The third drought-laden Bloodlands post-apocalyptic thriller is an exciting tale that for much of the story line focuses on the big picture monster in-fighting, but later takes a sudden disruptive narrow perspective by concentrating on the lead protagonists of the previous two fantasies (see Blood Rules). Still fans will enjoy the war between the monsters that forces beleaguered Mariah and Gabriel to flee for their lives from lethal unruly mobs as their heroics becomes yesterday’s news.
Harriet Klausner
Phobos: Mayan Fear-Steve Alten
Phobos: Mayan Fear
Steve Alten
Tor, Oct 11 2011, $24.99
ISBN 9780765330338
Five centuries ago the Mayan Popul Vul predicted that Michael Gabriel will sacrifice himself to save Earth from an alien invasion in December 2012. The Mayan forecast also included that Michael would sire twin supermen (Jacob and Immanuel) and a third super person Lilith Eve Robinson born at about the same time as the twins. All three come true by 2013 as the female confronted the twins for the souls of mankind (see Domain and Resurrection).
However, just like greed almost led to the extinction of humanity on December 12, 2012, a new threat is caused by scientists reaching for the Tree of Knowledge with particle physics experiments. By 2047, a black hole expanding from within poses a planetary extinction. To prevent the end of the earth, a reluctant Immanuel must go back to the time of his late grandfather Julius at a time when the aliens are coming in order to stop the Big Bang as predicted by the Mayans centuries ago.
Although the death count is overkilled, the third Domain thriller is an exciting fast-paced cautionary tale. That warning also carries a second edge as the supportive science interwoven into the plot along with the zillion disasters lacks depth to defend the dire predictions. Still readers will enjoy this doomsday countdown.
Harriet Klausner
Steve Alten
Tor, Oct 11 2011, $24.99
ISBN 9780765330338
Five centuries ago the Mayan Popul Vul predicted that Michael Gabriel will sacrifice himself to save Earth from an alien invasion in December 2012. The Mayan forecast also included that Michael would sire twin supermen (Jacob and Immanuel) and a third super person Lilith Eve Robinson born at about the same time as the twins. All three come true by 2013 as the female confronted the twins for the souls of mankind (see Domain and Resurrection).
However, just like greed almost led to the extinction of humanity on December 12, 2012, a new threat is caused by scientists reaching for the Tree of Knowledge with particle physics experiments. By 2047, a black hole expanding from within poses a planetary extinction. To prevent the end of the earth, a reluctant Immanuel must go back to the time of his late grandfather Julius at a time when the aliens are coming in order to stop the Big Bang as predicted by the Mayans centuries ago.
Although the death count is overkilled, the third Domain thriller is an exciting fast-paced cautionary tale. That warning also carries a second edge as the supportive science interwoven into the plot along with the zillion disasters lacks depth to defend the dire predictions. Still readers will enjoy this doomsday countdown.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, August 26, 2011
Lamb-Bonnie Nadzam
Lamb
Bonnie Nadzam
Other, Sep 13 2011, $15.99
ISBN: 9781590514375
Near Chicago, fiftyish David Lamb’s wife Cathy left him. Soon after that his father dies. Depressed and grieving, David no longer cares about his job.
In a strip mall convenience store lot, seventh grader Sydney persuades her friend Tommie to bum a cigarette off of David. He lectures the eleven years old girl for her foolish behavior, but gives her a cigarette. David convinces Tommie to teach her friends a lesson. They pretend he is abducting her, but instead he takes her home. Tommie is stunned as Sydney and the others act indifferent to her kidnapping. David and Tommie begin to see one another as friends until they take a ride to his empty family house in Colorado.
With a loose nod to Lolita, Lamb is a terrific character study of a lonely middle age adult and the tweener he “mentors”. David use of the defense mechanism rationalization that he’s providing her a wider experience to defend his time with her enhances the deep look at a very disturbed person. The Colorado neighbors snoop on the odd couple, but readers will wonder whether they will contact authorities or just satiate morbid curiosity. Although David’s adult girlfriend’s behavior appears almost as odd as that of her boyfriend, fans will appreciate a profound look at a mentally ill person.
Harriet Klausner
Bonnie Nadzam
Other, Sep 13 2011, $15.99
ISBN: 9781590514375
Near Chicago, fiftyish David Lamb’s wife Cathy left him. Soon after that his father dies. Depressed and grieving, David no longer cares about his job.
In a strip mall convenience store lot, seventh grader Sydney persuades her friend Tommie to bum a cigarette off of David. He lectures the eleven years old girl for her foolish behavior, but gives her a cigarette. David convinces Tommie to teach her friends a lesson. They pretend he is abducting her, but instead he takes her home. Tommie is stunned as Sydney and the others act indifferent to her kidnapping. David and Tommie begin to see one another as friends until they take a ride to his empty family house in Colorado.
With a loose nod to Lolita, Lamb is a terrific character study of a lonely middle age adult and the tweener he “mentors”. David use of the defense mechanism rationalization that he’s providing her a wider experience to defend his time with her enhances the deep look at a very disturbed person. The Colorado neighbors snoop on the odd couple, but readers will wonder whether they will contact authorities or just satiate morbid curiosity. Although David’s adult girlfriend’s behavior appears almost as odd as that of her boyfriend, fans will appreciate a profound look at a mentally ill person.
Harriet Klausner
Forsaking All Others-Allison Pittman
Forsaking All Others
Allison Pittman
Tyndale, Oct 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9781414335971
In 1858 near Salt Lake City, US Army Colonel Charles Brandon and his men rescue Camilla Fox from a snowstorm that left her unconscious. Her recent memory falters, but she does recall fleeing her Mormon community having lost her faith. Now she needs to return to her children who she left behind in Salt Lake City with her husband Nathan and her sister-wife; this time to take them with her. She also wants to reconcile with her parents in Kanesville, Iowa especially since Camilla learns her father is very ill and likely dying.
Charles wants to help Camilla, but has his own problems with the Mormon faithful. When she is escorted to Salt Lake City, she finds nothing is quite the same as it was when she left.
The sequel to For Time and Eternity is a strong inspirational family drama as Camilla and others, but especially her, have difficult decisions to make that impact others like her children who know one way of life, while looking deeply at their respective belief system. Complex due to individuals like the heroine feeling torn in several directions, readers will obtain a strong mid nineteenth century look at the Mormons.
Harriet Klausner
Allison Pittman
Tyndale, Oct 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9781414335971
In 1858 near Salt Lake City, US Army Colonel Charles Brandon and his men rescue Camilla Fox from a snowstorm that left her unconscious. Her recent memory falters, but she does recall fleeing her Mormon community having lost her faith. Now she needs to return to her children who she left behind in Salt Lake City with her husband Nathan and her sister-wife; this time to take them with her. She also wants to reconcile with her parents in Kanesville, Iowa especially since Camilla learns her father is very ill and likely dying.
Charles wants to help Camilla, but has his own problems with the Mormon faithful. When she is escorted to Salt Lake City, she finds nothing is quite the same as it was when she left.
The sequel to For Time and Eternity is a strong inspirational family drama as Camilla and others, but especially her, have difficult decisions to make that impact others like her children who know one way of life, while looking deeply at their respective belief system. Complex due to individuals like the heroine feeling torn in several directions, readers will obtain a strong mid nineteenth century look at the Mormons.
Harriet Klausner
Reamde-Neal Stephenson
Reamde
Neal Stephenson
Morrow, Sep 20 2011, $35.00
ISBN 9780061977961
Peter saw an opportunity to make some fast cash. However, he handed the Russian mafia a virus infected thumb drive that was destroying their encrypted data base. Ivanov the customer is unhappy but wants more than just his money back and his files freed; he wants to scatter Peter’s remains across the states before his comrades learn what happened and scatters his.
His girlfriend Zula takes him from their home in Seattle to her black sheep Uncle Richard’s farm in Iowa. When Nixon was president, Richard fled to British Columbia to avoid the draft; there he became a millionaire smuggling marijuana into Idaho. Years later with Carter amnesty, Richard used his money to create his remote “farm” in which his niece and her boyfriend visit him. However, his biggest success since he stopped trafficking is T’Rain multiplayer virtual game; that is until now, as hackers in China have deployed the REAMDE virus that encrypts a player’s electronic files until remittance is made to release them.
This is an exciting international thriller starring two black sheep and the woman who connects them. The story line travels the globe while containing engaging spins and a horde of characters from many points around the world. Although at times the subplots go seemingly forever nowhere, overall readers will enjoy the adventures of Zula and the two rogues in her life.
Harriet Klausner
Neal Stephenson
Morrow, Sep 20 2011, $35.00
ISBN 9780061977961
Peter saw an opportunity to make some fast cash. However, he handed the Russian mafia a virus infected thumb drive that was destroying their encrypted data base. Ivanov the customer is unhappy but wants more than just his money back and his files freed; he wants to scatter Peter’s remains across the states before his comrades learn what happened and scatters his.
His girlfriend Zula takes him from their home in Seattle to her black sheep Uncle Richard’s farm in Iowa. When Nixon was president, Richard fled to British Columbia to avoid the draft; there he became a millionaire smuggling marijuana into Idaho. Years later with Carter amnesty, Richard used his money to create his remote “farm” in which his niece and her boyfriend visit him. However, his biggest success since he stopped trafficking is T’Rain multiplayer virtual game; that is until now, as hackers in China have deployed the REAMDE virus that encrypts a player’s electronic files until remittance is made to release them.
This is an exciting international thriller starring two black sheep and the woman who connects them. The story line travels the globe while containing engaging spins and a horde of characters from many points around the world. Although at times the subplots go seemingly forever nowhere, overall readers will enjoy the adventures of Zula and the two rogues in her life.
Harriet Klausner
The Monster’s Corner-Edited by Christopher Golden
The Monster’s Corner
Edited by Christopher Golden
St. Martin’s Griffin, Sep 27 2011, $14.99
ISBN 9780312646134
The Monster’s Corner is an entertaining collection of nineteen tales in which monsters (in our eyes) tell their respective story as heroes in their eyes (or whatever orbs they have). All the entries are quite good adhering to the Frankenstein legend that asks who the monster is. David Moody's "Big Man" is a well written nod to Mary Shelly’s classic while Kevin J. Anderson updates the Frankenstein's to 1938 Germany in 1938 in "Torn Stitches, Shattered Glass". Gary Braunbeck’s “And You Still Wonder Why Our First Impulse Is to Kill You” looks deeply and amusingly at what makes up a monster as the other side has nightmares about humans hunting and stalking them. Two centuries of slavery has a "Rakshasi" (by Kelly Armstrong) seeking freedom. Finally Simon R. Green takes a close look at Satan’s attempts to recruit Christ in "Jesus and Satan Go Jogging in the Desert" while John Maberry stars Saint John in his entry that even monsters are God's creation. From sexual predators (see Tananarive Due’s “The Lake” and David Liss’ “The Awkward Age”) to the gorgon Sarah Pinborough’s “The Screaming Room) to a faerie changeling starring in “The Cruel Thief of Rosy Infants” (by Tom Piccirilli) to Kate Shugak in “Siren Song” by Dana Stabenow, the monsters want their time in court as they demand the media especially authors stop spinning lies about them.
Harriet Klausner
Edited by Christopher Golden
St. Martin’s Griffin, Sep 27 2011, $14.99
ISBN 9780312646134
The Monster’s Corner is an entertaining collection of nineteen tales in which monsters (in our eyes) tell their respective story as heroes in their eyes (or whatever orbs they have). All the entries are quite good adhering to the Frankenstein legend that asks who the monster is. David Moody's "Big Man" is a well written nod to Mary Shelly’s classic while Kevin J. Anderson updates the Frankenstein's to 1938 Germany in 1938 in "Torn Stitches, Shattered Glass". Gary Braunbeck’s “And You Still Wonder Why Our First Impulse Is to Kill You” looks deeply and amusingly at what makes up a monster as the other side has nightmares about humans hunting and stalking them. Two centuries of slavery has a "Rakshasi" (by Kelly Armstrong) seeking freedom. Finally Simon R. Green takes a close look at Satan’s attempts to recruit Christ in "Jesus and Satan Go Jogging in the Desert" while John Maberry stars Saint John in his entry that even monsters are God's creation. From sexual predators (see Tananarive Due’s “The Lake” and David Liss’ “The Awkward Age”) to the gorgon Sarah Pinborough’s “The Screaming Room) to a faerie changeling starring in “The Cruel Thief of Rosy Infants” (by Tom Piccirilli) to Kate Shugak in “Siren Song” by Dana Stabenow, the monsters want their time in court as they demand the media especially authors stop spinning lies about them.
Harriet Klausner
The Restoration Game-Ken MacLeod
The Restoration Game
Ken MacLeod
PYR, Sep 20 2011, $16.00
ISBN 9781616145255
Her CIA asset mom Amanda who wrote the definitive mythology on Krassnia asks her game designer daughter Lucy Stone to create a special interactive multiplayer game based on their heritage. Lucy who has not been back to Krassnia, the former Soviet Autonomous Region since they left when she was a small child, looks forward to going “home”.
Amanda’s objective is to enable the country’s revolutionaries to use the game clandestinely to communicate and cohesively organize. As she readjusts to the locality’s language, Lucy hears tales about a power source high in the mountains that the Soviets never could replicate, but has renewed interests from outside parties not concerned about collateral damage.
Starting with Newton’s Laws of Motion combined with Murphy’s Law, The Restoration Game is an insightful satirical espionage thriller. The story line contains an incredible amount of information on Krassnia such as how the Soviets converted a nation filled with literates into illiterates with a stroke of a pen and the Post-Soviet government turned a nation filled with literates into illiterates with a stroke of a keyboard. Although there is so much going on in terms of culture, mythology and the power source, the story line rarely accelerates. Readers who appreciate a deep cerebral thriller will enjoy a visit to Krassnia.
Harriet Klausner
Ken MacLeod
PYR, Sep 20 2011, $16.00
ISBN 9781616145255
Her CIA asset mom Amanda who wrote the definitive mythology on Krassnia asks her game designer daughter Lucy Stone to create a special interactive multiplayer game based on their heritage. Lucy who has not been back to Krassnia, the former Soviet Autonomous Region since they left when she was a small child, looks forward to going “home”.
Amanda’s objective is to enable the country’s revolutionaries to use the game clandestinely to communicate and cohesively organize. As she readjusts to the locality’s language, Lucy hears tales about a power source high in the mountains that the Soviets never could replicate, but has renewed interests from outside parties not concerned about collateral damage.
Starting with Newton’s Laws of Motion combined with Murphy’s Law, The Restoration Game is an insightful satirical espionage thriller. The story line contains an incredible amount of information on Krassnia such as how the Soviets converted a nation filled with literates into illiterates with a stroke of a pen and the Post-Soviet government turned a nation filled with literates into illiterates with a stroke of a keyboard. Although there is so much going on in terms of culture, mythology and the power source, the story line rarely accelerates. Readers who appreciate a deep cerebral thriller will enjoy a visit to Krassnia.
Harriet Klausner
Blackdog-K.V. Johansen
Blackdog
K.V. Johansen
PYR, Sep 20 2011, $17.00
ISBN 9781616145217
In Lissavakail located in the Pillars of the Sky near a red coppery looking lake of the same name, blood flows as a massacre occurs. Caravan guard Holla Sayan starts to sneak out of the town, but stops when he sees a little girl and her obviously dying dog. He rescues the child while her dog, no longer needing to keep her safe, dies.
Holla was unaware that he recued the powerless Goddess Attalissa. As they flee the devastated town, Holla struggles with his sanity due to the Blackdog guardian spirit who was once a devil residing inside of him. Still he guides her onto the road heading to the Red Desert while mad Gods, traitors and necromancers pursue.
Blackdog is a fun fantasy due to the Johansen fantasy realm coming across as real even with some powerful and other powerless Gods walking amongst the commoners. The story line is complex as treachery threatens the lands while the lead protagonists are fully developed with the Goddess being a child without power and the warrior being possessed. Readers will enjoy this strong tale.
Harriet Klausner
K.V. Johansen
PYR, Sep 20 2011, $17.00
ISBN 9781616145217
In Lissavakail located in the Pillars of the Sky near a red coppery looking lake of the same name, blood flows as a massacre occurs. Caravan guard Holla Sayan starts to sneak out of the town, but stops when he sees a little girl and her obviously dying dog. He rescues the child while her dog, no longer needing to keep her safe, dies.
Holla was unaware that he recued the powerless Goddess Attalissa. As they flee the devastated town, Holla struggles with his sanity due to the Blackdog guardian spirit who was once a devil residing inside of him. Still he guides her onto the road heading to the Red Desert while mad Gods, traitors and necromancers pursue.
Blackdog is a fun fantasy due to the Johansen fantasy realm coming across as real even with some powerful and other powerless Gods walking amongst the commoners. The story line is complex as treachery threatens the lands while the lead protagonists are fully developed with the Goddess being a child without power and the warrior being possessed. Readers will enjoy this strong tale.
Harriet Klausner
The Rift Walker-Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
The Rift Walker
Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
PYR, Sep 9 2011, $16.00
ISBN 9781616145231
In 1870, vampires came out of the coffins to attack western civilizations in the northern temperate zone. Instead of leading a counterinsurgency, human leaders fled south while their former subjects became food for the conquerors. A century and a half later, the world remains divided between the vampire and human zones.
The two human superpowers seek an alliance between the American Republic, which recently took back St, Louis from the vampires, and the Equatorian Empire. To cement the alliance, Senator Clark and Princess Adele marry. The human plan is to turn back the clock to over a century ago when vampire clans were myths by cleansing the north from this insidious species. However, Adele is horrified with the genocide which includes her as the key because the geomancers believe she can tap into the earth’s power pulsing through ley lines, which used correctly would end the blight but also kill her beloved Greyfriar. Princess Adele flees her marriage, ending the compact between the two super human powers and turns to Greyfriar who saved her life when British Vampire Clan Lord Prince Cesare threatened her. Taking advantage of the human alliance collapse, Prince Cesare leads an assault on Equatoria while insulted Clark considers likewise.
The second Vampire Empire fantasy (see Greyfriar) is a terrific alternate history and future thriller in which Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith deftly merge politics and war with a touch of romance. Fast-paced from the moment an unhappy Adele flees with a strong cast (human and vampire); The Rift Walker is a fabulous tale as readers will believe vampire clans exist and control vast areas.
Harriet Klausner
Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
PYR, Sep 9 2011, $16.00
ISBN 9781616145231
In 1870, vampires came out of the coffins to attack western civilizations in the northern temperate zone. Instead of leading a counterinsurgency, human leaders fled south while their former subjects became food for the conquerors. A century and a half later, the world remains divided between the vampire and human zones.
The two human superpowers seek an alliance between the American Republic, which recently took back St, Louis from the vampires, and the Equatorian Empire. To cement the alliance, Senator Clark and Princess Adele marry. The human plan is to turn back the clock to over a century ago when vampire clans were myths by cleansing the north from this insidious species. However, Adele is horrified with the genocide which includes her as the key because the geomancers believe she can tap into the earth’s power pulsing through ley lines, which used correctly would end the blight but also kill her beloved Greyfriar. Princess Adele flees her marriage, ending the compact between the two super human powers and turns to Greyfriar who saved her life when British Vampire Clan Lord Prince Cesare threatened her. Taking advantage of the human alliance collapse, Prince Cesare leads an assault on Equatoria while insulted Clark considers likewise.
The second Vampire Empire fantasy (see Greyfriar) is a terrific alternate history and future thriller in which Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith deftly merge politics and war with a touch of romance. Fast-paced from the moment an unhappy Adele flees with a strong cast (human and vampire); The Rift Walker is a fabulous tale as readers will believe vampire clans exist and control vast areas.
Harriet Klausner
The Cold Commands-Richard K. Morgan
The Cold Commands
Richard K. Morgan
Del Rey, Oct 11 2011, $26.00
ISBN: 9780345493064
Warrior Ringil “Gil” Eskiath is an outcast exiled even by his family due to his sexual preference. Recently he has drawn the ire of slave traders as he has raided and freed their merchandise. However, he needs a haven since the slave traders seek his head. Gil goes to Yhelteth where his friend the last remaining Kiriath, Archeth Indamaninarmal serves as adviser to the emperor. Her race stopped the deployment of the dark magic by the Aldrain, but vanished afterward.
A Kiriath built machine falls from its orbit with the message that the Illwrack Changeling sleeps on an unknown island but was raised in the Grey Places where Aldrain was exiled to by the Kiriath. The machine claims the human lad is showing signs of awakening. When the Changeling arises, Aldrain plans to use it so he can return to this world triumphantly. Gil and his only two friends Archeth and Egar the Dragonbane Majak fighter are the only hope to save mankind.
author Richard K. Morgan shows he a skilled a fantasist with thisgreat character driven quest thriller.
Harriet Klausner
The second Eskiath fantasy (see The Steel Remains) is a fabulous tale as the intrepid trio and other allies venture off to prevent the awakening. None of the threesome wants to go, but each has the other’s back and a sense that they could obtain some redemption for deeds they have done. The Changeling is a fascinating “villain” who has spent a short lifetime trapped in the other realm while sleeping in this tone. Loaded with action, award-winning science fiction
Richard K. Morgan
Del Rey, Oct 11 2011, $26.00
ISBN: 9780345493064
Warrior Ringil “Gil” Eskiath is an outcast exiled even by his family due to his sexual preference. Recently he has drawn the ire of slave traders as he has raided and freed their merchandise. However, he needs a haven since the slave traders seek his head. Gil goes to Yhelteth where his friend the last remaining Kiriath, Archeth Indamaninarmal serves as adviser to the emperor. Her race stopped the deployment of the dark magic by the Aldrain, but vanished afterward.
A Kiriath built machine falls from its orbit with the message that the Illwrack Changeling sleeps on an unknown island but was raised in the Grey Places where Aldrain was exiled to by the Kiriath. The machine claims the human lad is showing signs of awakening. When the Changeling arises, Aldrain plans to use it so he can return to this world triumphantly. Gil and his only two friends Archeth and Egar the Dragonbane Majak fighter are the only hope to save mankind.
author Richard K. Morgan shows he a skilled a fantasist with thisgreat character driven quest thriller.
Harriet Klausner
The second Eskiath fantasy (see The Steel Remains) is a fabulous tale as the intrepid trio and other allies venture off to prevent the awakening. None of the threesome wants to go, but each has the other’s back and a sense that they could obtain some redemption for deeds they have done. The Changeling is a fascinating “villain” who has spent a short lifetime trapped in the other realm while sleeping in this tone. Loaded with action, award-winning science fiction
Ready Player One-Ernest Cline
Ready Player One
Ernest Cline
Crown, Aug 16 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780307887436
In 2044, the real world is an ugly place to live, but those who do not want to die like high school student Wade Watts escape a high rise Lego like stacked trailer park via going virtual inside of the most popular online game, OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation). The late James Halliday constructed the electronic puzzler filed with riddle and games that has been home to billions of “gunters” competing for years to find the three magical keys to open the gates and therefore win the ultimate prize: ownership of the extremely successful and affluent OASIS Company.
Inside OASIS Wade’s character is impoverished Parzival. When Parzival finds the copper key and opens the first gate, other gunters chase after him. Worse are the "“Sixers”" working for IOI corporation led by Sorrento; their job is to prevent anyone from succeeding. Their agents are searching for the egg are called Sixers. As Sorrento plans to charge a fee for participating in the game, his agents hunt Parzival and his allies on line and Wade in reality.
Nostalgia 1980s fans will enjoy this futuristic Tron, as many of the games and other pop icons from that era appear inside of OASIS. The story line is at its best when Parzival works the clues while others stalk him; it slows down somewhat with overkill description of the games employed inside of OASIS. Still fans will enjoy this entertaining tale as virtual reality is the only thing keeping social reality from total splintering.
Harriet Klausner
Ernest Cline
Crown, Aug 16 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780307887436
In 2044, the real world is an ugly place to live, but those who do not want to die like high school student Wade Watts escape a high rise Lego like stacked trailer park via going virtual inside of the most popular online game, OASIS (Ontologically Anthropocentric Sensory Immersive Simulation). The late James Halliday constructed the electronic puzzler filed with riddle and games that has been home to billions of “gunters” competing for years to find the three magical keys to open the gates and therefore win the ultimate prize: ownership of the extremely successful and affluent OASIS Company.
Inside OASIS Wade’s character is impoverished Parzival. When Parzival finds the copper key and opens the first gate, other gunters chase after him. Worse are the "“Sixers”" working for IOI corporation led by Sorrento; their job is to prevent anyone from succeeding. Their agents are searching for the egg are called Sixers. As Sorrento plans to charge a fee for participating in the game, his agents hunt Parzival and his allies on line and Wade in reality.
Nostalgia 1980s fans will enjoy this futuristic Tron, as many of the games and other pop icons from that era appear inside of OASIS. The story line is at its best when Parzival works the clues while others stalk him; it slows down somewhat with overkill description of the games employed inside of OASIS. Still fans will enjoy this entertaining tale as virtual reality is the only thing keeping social reality from total splintering.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Aftertaste: A Novel in Five Courses-Meredith Mileti
Aftertaste: A Novel in Five Courses
Meredith Mileti
Kensington, Sep 1 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780758259912
When she was seven months pregnant, Mira Rinaldi hired Nicola as the Maîtress d’hotel at her Manhattan Italian restaurant, Grappa. Two months later she gives birth to Chloe. However, Mira begins to think her spouse and restaurant co-owner Jake is having an affair with Nicola. When two months old Chloe wakes her up in the wee hours of the morning, she finds her spouse not home. Mira with Chloe walks to nearby Grappa; there she finds Jake and the Maîtress d’hotel having sex. She explodes attacking Nicola. Later Judge Wilcox places Mira on probation and makes her attend an anger management seminar.
Mira files for divorce and flees with her baby to her family in Pittsburgh. She knows she may lose her beloved Grappa but Mira refuses to retreat. Instead as her family and friends surround her with love she seeks a revised gourmet five course meal while Jake betrays her again even after their divorced.
This is a terrific drama due to the mercurial Mira’s reactions to life changes (having a baby, a cheating husband, a divorce, a potential move and much more). Mindful of No Reservations but with its own five course story line, fans will enjoy Mira’s heartfelt love of cooking as she seeks a new way to balance the loves of her life.
Harriet Klausner
Meredith Mileti
Kensington, Sep 1 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9780758259912
When she was seven months pregnant, Mira Rinaldi hired Nicola as the Maîtress d’hotel at her Manhattan Italian restaurant, Grappa. Two months later she gives birth to Chloe. However, Mira begins to think her spouse and restaurant co-owner Jake is having an affair with Nicola. When two months old Chloe wakes her up in the wee hours of the morning, she finds her spouse not home. Mira with Chloe walks to nearby Grappa; there she finds Jake and the Maîtress d’hotel having sex. She explodes attacking Nicola. Later Judge Wilcox places Mira on probation and makes her attend an anger management seminar.
Mira files for divorce and flees with her baby to her family in Pittsburgh. She knows she may lose her beloved Grappa but Mira refuses to retreat. Instead as her family and friends surround her with love she seeks a revised gourmet five course meal while Jake betrays her again even after their divorced.
This is a terrific drama due to the mercurial Mira’s reactions to life changes (having a baby, a cheating husband, a divorce, a potential move and much more). Mindful of No Reservations but with its own five course story line, fans will enjoy Mira’s heartfelt love of cooking as she seeks a new way to balance the loves of her life.
Harriet Klausner
Covenant-Dean Crawford
Covenant
Dean Crawford
Touchstone, Oct 18 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9781451628531
In the Negev in Israel, archaeologist Lucy Morgan works an unsanctioned dig in which she tells Bedouin guide Ahmed and University Professor Shevez that she has found remains that are seven millennia old but are not human. However, before they can make their claim to the authorities, she vanishes.
Ex marine and former war correspondent Ethan Warner is known for finding and rescuing people in some of the most dangerous areas of the world. However, when his fiancée Joanna disappeared while working in Gaza, heartbroken he returned to the Chicago as a shell of what he was. However, his former superior officer Doug Jarvis asks him to rescue his missing granddaughter Lucy. The DIA also want Lucy found, but cannot interfere as the peace process has made some small progress recently. Ethan agrees to go to the Negev especially after being shown a photo that proves his Joanna lives.
Washington, D.C Metro Detectives Nicola Lopez and Lucas Tyrell enter a building they assume has been used by crack heads. They find three naked corpses that FBI Agent Cain says are overdoses. Tyrell disagrees but what makes him certain is one of the victims has what appears to be frostbite on his feet in summer DC weather. Soon the DC investigation and the missing archeologist inquiry merge though they are miles apart.
This taut thriller hooks readers from the moment Lucy tells her associate what she found and never looks back until a final confrontation. Fans will especially try to resolve the connection between the desert and the metro, which is not as obvious as it first seems. Filled with twists, readers will enjoy the Covenant wondering what Lucy’s find really means to the world.
Harriet Klausner
Dean Crawford
Touchstone, Oct 18 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9781451628531
In the Negev in Israel, archaeologist Lucy Morgan works an unsanctioned dig in which she tells Bedouin guide Ahmed and University Professor Shevez that she has found remains that are seven millennia old but are not human. However, before they can make their claim to the authorities, she vanishes.
Ex marine and former war correspondent Ethan Warner is known for finding and rescuing people in some of the most dangerous areas of the world. However, when his fiancée Joanna disappeared while working in Gaza, heartbroken he returned to the Chicago as a shell of what he was. However, his former superior officer Doug Jarvis asks him to rescue his missing granddaughter Lucy. The DIA also want Lucy found, but cannot interfere as the peace process has made some small progress recently. Ethan agrees to go to the Negev especially after being shown a photo that proves his Joanna lives.
Washington, D.C Metro Detectives Nicola Lopez and Lucas Tyrell enter a building they assume has been used by crack heads. They find three naked corpses that FBI Agent Cain says are overdoses. Tyrell disagrees but what makes him certain is one of the victims has what appears to be frostbite on his feet in summer DC weather. Soon the DC investigation and the missing archeologist inquiry merge though they are miles apart.
This taut thriller hooks readers from the moment Lucy tells her associate what she found and never looks back until a final confrontation. Fans will especially try to resolve the connection between the desert and the metro, which is not as obvious as it first seems. Filled with twists, readers will enjoy the Covenant wondering what Lucy’s find really means to the world.
Harriet Klausner
Covenant-Dean Crawford
Covenant
Dean Crawford
Touchstone, Oct 18 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9781451628531
In the Negev in Israel, archaeologist Lucy Morgan works an unsanctioned dig in which she tells Bedouin guide Ahmed and University Professor Shevez that she has found remains that are seven millennia old but are not human. However, before they can make their claim to the authorities, she vanishes.
Ex marine and former war correspondent Ethan Warner is known for finding and rescuing people in some of the most dangerous areas of the world. However, when his fiancée Joanna disappeared while working in Gaza, heartbroken he returned to the Chicago as a shell of what he was. However, his former superior officer Doug Jarvis asks him to rescue his missing granddaughter Lucy. The DIA also want Lucy found, but cannot interfere as the peace process has made some small progress recently. Ethan agrees to go to the Negev especially after being shown a photo that proves his Joanna lives.
Washington, D.C Metro Detectives Nicola Lopez and Lucas Tyrell enter a building they assume has been used by crack heads. They find three naked corpses that FBI Agent Cain says are overdoses. Tyrell disagrees but what makes him certain is one of the victims has what appears to be frostbite on his feet in summer DC weather. Soon the DC investigation and the missing archeologist inquiry merge though they are miles apart.
This taut thriller hooks readers from the moment Lucy tells her associate what she found and never looks back until a final confrontation. Fans will especially try to resolve the connection between the desert and the metro, which is not as obvious as it first seems. Filled with twists, readers will enjoy the Covenant wondering what Lucy’s find really means to the world.
Harriet Klausner
Dean Crawford
Touchstone, Oct 18 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9781451628531
In the Negev in Israel, archaeologist Lucy Morgan works an unsanctioned dig in which she tells Bedouin guide Ahmed and University Professor Shevez that she has found remains that are seven millennia old but are not human. However, before they can make their claim to the authorities, she vanishes.
Ex marine and former war correspondent Ethan Warner is known for finding and rescuing people in some of the most dangerous areas of the world. However, when his fiancée Joanna disappeared while working in Gaza, heartbroken he returned to the Chicago as a shell of what he was. However, his former superior officer Doug Jarvis asks him to rescue his missing granddaughter Lucy. The DIA also want Lucy found, but cannot interfere as the peace process has made some small progress recently. Ethan agrees to go to the Negev especially after being shown a photo that proves his Joanna lives.
Washington, D.C Metro Detectives Nicola Lopez and Lucas Tyrell enter a building they assume has been used by crack heads. They find three naked corpses that FBI Agent Cain says are overdoses. Tyrell disagrees but what makes him certain is one of the victims has what appears to be frostbite on his feet in summer DC weather. Soon the DC investigation and the missing archeologist inquiry merge though they are miles apart.
This taut thriller hooks readers from the moment Lucy tells her associate what she found and never looks back until a final confrontation. Fans will especially try to resolve the connection between the desert and the metro, which is not as obvious as it first seems. Filled with twists, readers will enjoy the Covenant wondering what Lucy’s find really means to the world.
Harriet Klausner
Headstone-Jack Bruen
Headstone
Jack Bruen
Mysterious, Oct 4 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780802126009
In Galway, Ireland young punks calling themselves the Headstone batter Father Malachy. The elderly priest is in intensive care at the University Hospital. The next victim of the vicious Headstone gang is Tom Reed, a Downs Syndrome child, whose throat is slashed before they rob him.
Former Garda Jack Taylor has met some amoral brutal predators but none like the Headstone whose objective is to cleanse society of misfits like gays, recovering alcoholics, special people, and those they dislike. He knows he is a target as are his friends Ridge the Garda and Stewart the former convict when they receive headstones in the mail. Not one to avoid violence and knowing anyway there is no Sanctuary from this insane fringe, Jack and his buddies take the fight to the Headstone members.
The latest Taylor thriller is an exhilarating but gorier than usual tale, which says a lot as this series is known for the flow of blood and guts. Jack struggles with his ugly past though the American he recently met has given him some hope for redemption of sorts. Ironically Jack concludes the Headstone’s lunatic homicidal actions make his transgressions seem like virtues. Although the plot is thin, Taylor fans will anticipate the Galway confrontation.
Harriet Klausner
Jack Bruen
Mysterious, Oct 4 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780802126009
In Galway, Ireland young punks calling themselves the Headstone batter Father Malachy. The elderly priest is in intensive care at the University Hospital. The next victim of the vicious Headstone gang is Tom Reed, a Downs Syndrome child, whose throat is slashed before they rob him.
Former Garda Jack Taylor has met some amoral brutal predators but none like the Headstone whose objective is to cleanse society of misfits like gays, recovering alcoholics, special people, and those they dislike. He knows he is a target as are his friends Ridge the Garda and Stewart the former convict when they receive headstones in the mail. Not one to avoid violence and knowing anyway there is no Sanctuary from this insane fringe, Jack and his buddies take the fight to the Headstone members.
The latest Taylor thriller is an exhilarating but gorier than usual tale, which says a lot as this series is known for the flow of blood and guts. Jack struggles with his ugly past though the American he recently met has given him some hope for redemption of sorts. Ironically Jack concludes the Headstone’s lunatic homicidal actions make his transgressions seem like virtues. Although the plot is thin, Taylor fans will anticipate the Galway confrontation.
Harriet Klausner
Steel and Other Stories-Richard Matheson
Steel and Other Stories
Richard Matheson
Tor, Sep 27 2011, $14.99
ISBN 9780765329424
This is a terrific collection that wastes no time getting started with the classic Steel, which became a Twilight Zone episode and will soon be a movie. Another oldie but goody is "The Splendid Source" used as the basis of one of The Family Guy shows. Of the fourteen other short stories, most were written in the 1950s but like Steel and The Splendid Source hold up nicely six decades later. Especially good are “The Traveler” who goes back in time to observe the crucifixion and eerie timely “Descent” as sunsets on Sunset Boulevard will be replaced by artificial sunsets. The two more current entries show Mr. Matheson remains a master as “Dr. Morton’s Folly” is about a vampire needing fang work and “The Window of Time” in which a widower octogenarian leaves his daughter’s Brooklyn home for a retirement home that takes him back to the spring of his life. Mr. Matheson will leave his audience appreciative of his strong wry anthology with works like “A Visit to Santa” by a whining lad and his parents, and “When Day Is Dun” wishing earth a fond but sad goodnight.
Harriet Klausner
Richard Matheson
Tor, Sep 27 2011, $14.99
ISBN 9780765329424
This is a terrific collection that wastes no time getting started with the classic Steel, which became a Twilight Zone episode and will soon be a movie. Another oldie but goody is "The Splendid Source" used as the basis of one of The Family Guy shows. Of the fourteen other short stories, most were written in the 1950s but like Steel and The Splendid Source hold up nicely six decades later. Especially good are “The Traveler” who goes back in time to observe the crucifixion and eerie timely “Descent” as sunsets on Sunset Boulevard will be replaced by artificial sunsets. The two more current entries show Mr. Matheson remains a master as “Dr. Morton’s Folly” is about a vampire needing fang work and “The Window of Time” in which a widower octogenarian leaves his daughter’s Brooklyn home for a retirement home that takes him back to the spring of his life. Mr. Matheson will leave his audience appreciative of his strong wry anthology with works like “A Visit to Santa” by a whining lad and his parents, and “When Day Is Dun” wishing earth a fond but sad goodnight.
Harriet Klausner
The Dark Glamour-Gabriella Pierce
The Dark Glamour
Gabriella Pierce
Morrow, Aug 30 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780061434907
Recently married Jane Doran buried her beloved grandma and learned she was a witch. She hides from the mother-in-law from hell Lynne the witch in a Manhattan dump near the Port Authority using the guise of Caroline Chase. Jane knows Lynne’s plans for her involve a witch granddaughter to replace her late heir six years old daughter Annette who died two decades ago. Lynne offers three million to anyone who brings them home safely; while NYPD names the newlyweds as persons of interest in a cab accident in which the driver vanished.
She wonders whether Malcolm who has vanished is as evil as his mother as she assumes he murdered her grandma but also gave Jane access to a special safe-deposit box filled with seemingly endless cash and a glass unicorn that belonged to his Annette. Jane uses the unicorn to learn Annette lives in wretched conditions, but loses the connection when the unicorn breaks. She needs access to other Annette items that can only be found in the den of her enemy at 666 Park Avenue. With the help of Wiccan like Dee, Jane turns into a Brazilian sexy baroness Ella. André Dalcascu arrives from Romania seeking an alliance with Lynne and her horde. Ella is attracted André.
The sequel to 666 Park Avenue is an entertaining chick lit urban fantasy starring a woman in peril from malevolent witches led by a matriarch who needs the birth of the next generation replacement. The story line is fast-paced while Jane wonders what happened to her life ever since she married the offspring of a she-demon. Although the asides while in trouble seem unlikely semi-noir for a kick butt rookie, readers will enjoy The Dark Glamour.
Harriet Klausner
Gabriella Pierce
Morrow, Aug 30 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780061434907
Recently married Jane Doran buried her beloved grandma and learned she was a witch. She hides from the mother-in-law from hell Lynne the witch in a Manhattan dump near the Port Authority using the guise of Caroline Chase. Jane knows Lynne’s plans for her involve a witch granddaughter to replace her late heir six years old daughter Annette who died two decades ago. Lynne offers three million to anyone who brings them home safely; while NYPD names the newlyweds as persons of interest in a cab accident in which the driver vanished.
She wonders whether Malcolm who has vanished is as evil as his mother as she assumes he murdered her grandma but also gave Jane access to a special safe-deposit box filled with seemingly endless cash and a glass unicorn that belonged to his Annette. Jane uses the unicorn to learn Annette lives in wretched conditions, but loses the connection when the unicorn breaks. She needs access to other Annette items that can only be found in the den of her enemy at 666 Park Avenue. With the help of Wiccan like Dee, Jane turns into a Brazilian sexy baroness Ella. André Dalcascu arrives from Romania seeking an alliance with Lynne and her horde. Ella is attracted André.
The sequel to 666 Park Avenue is an entertaining chick lit urban fantasy starring a woman in peril from malevolent witches led by a matriarch who needs the birth of the next generation replacement. The story line is fast-paced while Jane wonders what happened to her life ever since she married the offspring of a she-demon. Although the asides while in trouble seem unlikely semi-noir for a kick butt rookie, readers will enjoy The Dark Glamour.
Harriet Klausner
Blood Rights-Kristen Painter
Blood Rights
Kristen Painter
Orbit, Oct 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN 9780316084772
Chrysabelle the human was bred to be a comarré blood slave to Lord Algernon the vampire. She dreams of freedom but knows the fate of an escaped slave. However, someone murders her master, which leads to a frightened Chrysabelle fleeing for her life. The authorities suspect the ungrateful slave killed Algernon as she ran away and took an artifact ring with her.
Ruthless vampiress Tatiana wants that ring to give to the Dark One that will cause destruction of the innocent; she will kill the comarré who took it. Chrysabelle meets Malkolm the vampire exile who refuses to drink human blood because he is cursed to kill those he dined on. She also meets his two friends Fiona the ghost and the preacher. As Mal and allies protect Chrysabelle from the vile Tatiana, he wonders who will protect the blood slave from him as he obsesses over wanting to taste her.
This is an exhilarating futuristic urban fantasy that deftly focuses on the vampire society and the slaves who are sustenance to them. Chrysabelle is a fascinating protagonist who has no rights until she flees in hopes of making it to the human sector. Her support crew starting with Mal and his buddies as well as others are fully developed as is the villainess, but this is Chrysabelle’s tale as she takes a chance on freedom knowing what happens to caught runaway slaves especially whose master is dead.
Harriet Klausner
Kristen Painter
Orbit, Oct 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN 9780316084772
Chrysabelle the human was bred to be a comarré blood slave to Lord Algernon the vampire. She dreams of freedom but knows the fate of an escaped slave. However, someone murders her master, which leads to a frightened Chrysabelle fleeing for her life. The authorities suspect the ungrateful slave killed Algernon as she ran away and took an artifact ring with her.
Ruthless vampiress Tatiana wants that ring to give to the Dark One that will cause destruction of the innocent; she will kill the comarré who took it. Chrysabelle meets Malkolm the vampire exile who refuses to drink human blood because he is cursed to kill those he dined on. She also meets his two friends Fiona the ghost and the preacher. As Mal and allies protect Chrysabelle from the vile Tatiana, he wonders who will protect the blood slave from him as he obsesses over wanting to taste her.
This is an exhilarating futuristic urban fantasy that deftly focuses on the vampire society and the slaves who are sustenance to them. Chrysabelle is a fascinating protagonist who has no rights until she flees in hopes of making it to the human sector. Her support crew starting with Mal and his buddies as well as others are fully developed as is the villainess, but this is Chrysabelle’s tale as she takes a chance on freedom knowing what happens to caught runaway slaves especially whose master is dead.
Harriet Klausner
Snuff-Terry Pratchett
Snuff
Terry Pratchett
HarperCollins, Oct 11 2011, $25.99
ISBN 9780062011848
Ankh-Morpork City Watch Commander Sam Vimes faces his most difficult assignment in years. His Grace Sir Samuel, the Duke of Ankh, will spend two torturious weeks rusticating with his wife Sybil and their six years old son Young Sam at her family’s estate. Sam loves the idea of spending time with his beloved spouse and son, but his in-laws make a boring vacation worse and not worth changing from his cardboard soles.
However, life picks up as Vimes quickly gets involved with the locals when someone brutally murders a female goblin. Feeney the inexperienced local copper and Willikens the gentleman’s gentleman assist Vimes as he works vacation time for no pay investigating the homicide.
The latest Discworld satire (see I Shall Wear Midnight) is a wonderful entry that looks deeply at inalienable human (and other species) rights and bigotry to take away those accepted rights. Fast-paced Vimes is at his cynical best as he learns life in the country means a female woodcutter works with woodies and that rural does not mean crime free; as he leads the inquiry into the vicious murder of the Goblin Girl. Terry Pratchett provides a strong entry filled with social commentary intertwined into an exciting thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Terry Pratchett
HarperCollins, Oct 11 2011, $25.99
ISBN 9780062011848
Ankh-Morpork City Watch Commander Sam Vimes faces his most difficult assignment in years. His Grace Sir Samuel, the Duke of Ankh, will spend two torturious weeks rusticating with his wife Sybil and their six years old son Young Sam at her family’s estate. Sam loves the idea of spending time with his beloved spouse and son, but his in-laws make a boring vacation worse and not worth changing from his cardboard soles.
However, life picks up as Vimes quickly gets involved with the locals when someone brutally murders a female goblin. Feeney the inexperienced local copper and Willikens the gentleman’s gentleman assist Vimes as he works vacation time for no pay investigating the homicide.
The latest Discworld satire (see I Shall Wear Midnight) is a wonderful entry that looks deeply at inalienable human (and other species) rights and bigotry to take away those accepted rights. Fast-paced Vimes is at his cynical best as he learns life in the country means a female woodcutter works with woodies and that rural does not mean crime free; as he leads the inquiry into the vicious murder of the Goblin Girl. Terry Pratchett provides a strong entry filled with social commentary intertwined into an exciting thriller.
Harriet Klausner