The Rescuer’s Path-Paula Friedman

The Rescuer’s Path


Paula Friedman

Plain View Press, Jan 2012, $15.95

www.PlainViewPress.net

ISBN: 9781935514886



In 1971 in Washington DC, seventeen years old Jewish Malca Bernovski rides Dragon in an off-trail in Rock Creek Park. The teenager finds Arab-American antiwar protestor Gavin Hareen severely injured from a bullet wound. She uses the first aid kit she has with her to treat his injury and leaves him her jacket. She returns every day to help him recover although the new proclaims Gavin as the prime suspect in a lethal bombing. They fall in love and flee together. However, as she is carrying his baby, the Feds catch up to them and kill him. Grieving Malca gives her baby up for adoption.



In 2001, Malca Bernovski-Cohn is married to kind Jeff; they have two teenage sons (Jason and Mason). However, she never forgot her first love as she believes his ghost is with her any time she enters “Other-where.” One day a woman who lives in Berkley calls her. She introduces herself as Julie and wants to meet her biological mother. Both are excited and frightened as each need to let go of what happened three decades ago to the mother’s lover and the daughter’s father.



The rescuer’s path is a wonderful epic extended family drama. The key to the tale is the cast especially Malca who is the link between the various years (including some after 2001 and between 1971 and 2001). Although the skipping back and forth in time can be a bit confusing, readers who relish complicated relationships will appreciate this profound epic.



Harriet Klausner

The Exterminators-Bill Fitzhugh

The Exterminators


Bill Fitzhugh

Poisoned Pen, Jan 3 2012, $24.95

ISBN 9781590585429



Six years ago Bob Dillon and his horde survived hit men, assassins and murderers to abscond with several million from a Bolivian drug lord (see Pest Control). He used his loot to obtain a truck with a bug on the roof.



In Oregon, Bob and his partner Klaus Müller the assassin experiment with a ‘green’ solution to chemical pest control. They genetically reengineer the assassin bug into a killer species but this is expensive and they are running out of money. Bob and Klaus contact a venture capitalist to obtain seed loot, but their sponsor works for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency' who want to apply their experiments on terrorists. They accept the terms and relocate to Los Angeles where a Bolivian drug lord out ten million dollars puts a Pest Control bounty of twenty million on the heads of the Bug Guys.



The second Assassin Bug Thriller is a fast-paced zany thriller that amusingly is over the top of the Hollywood Hills sign. Filled with action, spins and a horde of the assassins, fans will appreciate this jocular satire that skewers the right and left, celebrity worship, and the losing war on bugs.



Harriet Klausner

Love, Honour, and O’Brien-Jennifer Rowe

Love, Honour, and O’Brien


Jennifer Rowe

Poisoned Pen, Jan 3 2012, $24.95

ISBN 9781590585450



In Australia, financial adviser Andrew McNish withdraws the savings in the joint account he took out with his fiancée Gorgon Office Supplies clerk Holly Love. She is upset because he stole her money including her severance check from Gorgon and her heart. Holly vows revenge.



In the Blue Mountains where Andrew owned a house, Holly hires rundown private investigator Mick O’Brien to find her former fiancé the SOB, but instead her sleuth dies on the job. Holly takes over the case, but soon all types of strange people assume she is Mick’s partner. Holly encounters clairvoyant Abigail Honour who shares an office with dead Mick; Cage the mouthing parrot; Constable Chloe Gruff investigating Mick’s death; the Elvis impersonator driving the hearse with Mick’s body as a passenger; and elderly Una Maggott who insists someone in her household murdered Mick, Andrew or both.



This zany Australian amateur sleuth is an engaging tale starring a brave obstinate heroine who on her trek for vengeance as the scorned woman feels like she fell though the rabbit hole as even the fat tabby she meets adds to the insanity. Fans who appreciate something amusingly offbeat in the mysteries will enjoy Jennifer Rowe’s humorous taut suspense thriller as Holly find her groove.



Harriet Klausner

One Perfect Shot-Steven F. Havill

One Perfect Shot:


Steven F. Havill

Poisoned Pen, Jan 3 2012, $24.95

ISBN 9781590589564



In 1987 in Posadas County, New Mexico, Sheriff Eduardo Salcido considers hiring nineteen year old Estelle Reyes-Guzman as a deputy. His Undersheriff Bill Gastner agrees to serve as the rookie’s trainer and quickly becomes her mentor as he appreciates her energy and intelligence.



Her first major case under Bill’s tutelage is the investigation into the shooting murder of county road grader Larry Zipoli while he sat in his vehicle. The evidence points to the deceased knowing his assassin; so the two law enforcement officials look into the victim’s wife, neighbors, boss, and construction peers. Bill and Estelle also inquire into the youngsters Zipoli took boating.



The latest Posadas County police procedural is a terrific prequel that focuses on the first teaming of the series protagonists. The case is deftly handled so that the mentor trains the mentee (and readers). Besides a strong timely (with what has happened at Penn State) investigation, the key to Steven F. Havill’s powerful thriller is long time fans will see clearly the traits that make Bill and Estelle strong law enforcement leaders and caring family members while newcomers will be introduced to these endearing heroes.



Harriet Klausner

Sinners and Saints-Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Sinners and Saints


Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley

Touchstone, Jan 10 2012, $15.00

ISBN: 9781451608151



It has been two years since the kidnapped little girl was returned to her parents, Jasmine and Hosea Bush. Since that trauma and joyful reunion, Jasmine has been the perfect preacher’s wife. However, she will have to be even more perfect when the president of the American Baptist Coalition job becomes vacant as she wants Hosea occupying the position, which comes with enormous prestige and power; two items Jasmine covets. Ergo she plans to use every dirty trick in her arsenal when they attend the convention.



Jasmine’s equal in all ways of good and bad is Rachel Jackson Adams who believes her spouse Lester is the perfect preacher to head the American Baptist Coalition. She covets the enormous prestige and power that comes with being the First Lady. Ergo Rachel plans to use every dirty trick in her arsenal when they attend the convention.



When the two contenders meet at the convention, each recognizes their prime rival and automatically loathes the other. Each applies their bag of ruses to discredit their competitor as the educated elitist and the street smart survivalist go toe to toe in fifteen rounds of dirty in-fighting. Ironically they also team up to eliminate the other opponent, the wife of the current president.



These two sinners married to saints make for a fascinating tale as the protagonists of the long running respective series by Victoria Christopher Murray and ReShonda Tate Billingsley battle with claws and fangs hidden by sweetness. The entertaining story line captures the essences of the lead couples in an amusing over the top of a church steeple romp.



Harriet Klausner

Money Never Sleeps-Tu-Shonda Whitaker

Money Never Sleeps


Tu-Shonda Whitaker

One World/Ballantine, Dec 6 2011, $15.00

ISBN: 9780345525123



BFFs Milan, Jaise, and Chaunci star in the hit reality show Millionaire Wives Club. However, fame has put a strain on their friendships leading to catfights that as a second order effect has given the show high ratings.



Milan and former NFL player Kendu are engaged after seeing each other for what she thinks has been forever. However, while he struggles because he is no longer playing, football player Samir wants Milan.



Jaise has never been able to teach her teenage son Jabril responsibility as he has fathered two children with different women. Her new mate Bilal tries to discipline Jabril, but his efforts may only end his marriage.



Chaunci learns that her man Idris married someone else. As a consequence of his betrayal, she distrusts the three legged hunks until she meets Emory.



New cast member Vera thinks her marriage is perfect. However, watching her diva mates has her look closer until she finds cracks in perfection.



The return to the scandalous Millionaire Wives Club is a lighthearted romp in which the entertaining story line never takes itself seriously by using hyperbolic melodrama, plenty of sex and female fights. None of the cast is likable yet the antics of these catty felines are fun to follow.



Harriet Klausner

Be My Texas Valentine-Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda and DeWanna Pace

Be My Texas Valentine


Jodi Thomas, Linda Broday, Phyliss Miranda and DeWanna Pace

Zebra, Jan 3 2012, $6.99

ISBN: 9781420119671



“The Valentine Curse” by Jodi Thomas. In 1867 at the Double R Ranch, Brody works diligently but is a pariah due to the war. The boss’ wife insists he attend their dance and shower attention on Widow Valerie. Since he shows her respect and knows farming, Valerie offers him a marriage partnership. Brody accepts but plans to be more than the “You’ll do husband”.



“Cupid’s Arrow” by Linda Broday. In 1884 Rue Ann hates Logan who accepted money from her wealthy dad to dump her. He wonders why she is marrying abusive Theodore. Family friends Miss Emily and Miss Charlotte trick the pair into talking about her father’s lies.



“Loving Miss Laurel” by Phyliss Miranda. In 1887 Mayor Hunter wants a railroad stop in town which means paving the streets as they compete with other cities. He hosts a meeting of men but finds three female spies including orphan Laurel who was east for years at school. The spies grab Laurel and take her to their leader, Hunter’s mother Melba who insists they need a library.



“Sweet Talk” by DeWanna Pace. Dr. Noah knows his pet lovebird Amigo is lonely since he is away a lot on medical calls. JoEmma has been wheelchair bound since she suffered from Scarlet Fever. Her lovebird Gabby escapes. A week later Noah realizes he has two lovebirds. Noah arrives with the lovebirds, but also decides to take JoEmma to the dance.



The latest Texas quartet (see A Texas Christmas) contains strong lead characters and solid support casts. Although the story lines are thin and mostly fail to anchor time and place, fans will enjoy the novellas of Be My Texas Valentine.



Harriet Klausner