A Spirit of Christmas
Margot Early
Harlequin Everlasting, Dec 2007, $5.25
ISBN: 9780373654246
Wealthy fifty-five years old Keti Whitechapel owns Bounty Mountain Resort in her hometown of Bounty, Nevada. Kei knows she has come a long way from her lonely impoverished childhood, but though she is rich, she remains alone in spite of having a child with Dr. Martin Collins.
Her only childhood friend Martin ended his relationship with Keti though he loves her because he loathes her lack of business ethics, which extends to her personal relationships. Keti prepares to celebrate Christmas Eve as she always has by herself until she rescues a mutt she names Marley. However this time whether it is a dream or a ghost Keti looks back on the monumental events that shaped her miserable life.
Keti is a modern day female Scrooge who looks back at what made her who she is today. Fans looking for a romance probably should pass though there is a glimpse of her first time with Martin and a possible second chance at love if she risks rejection by telling him how much she loves him. However, although the rest of the cast is never developed except in terms of how they relate to Keti, this well written update of a segment of A Christmas Carol is a character study of how the child becomes the adult.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, November 2, 2007
The Pig Did It-Joseph Caldwell
The Pig Did It
Joseph Caldwell
Delphinium, Jan 2008, $22.95
ISBN 9781883285296
After another failed love, thirty-two years old creative writing teacher Aaron McCloud escapes New York to spend time with his Aunt Kitty in County Kerry, Ireland. Kitty like her nephew is a writer, but instead of instructing others she earns a lucrative living rewriting the classics. Aaron figures that the great English authors like Shakespeare and Dickens are turning in their grave.
Although he feels like a failure with his female relationships, Aaron finds a lost pig that adopts him; wherever Aaron goes the pig is sure to follow him. When the pig digging in the back yard uncovers a human skeleton, Kitty says he is the missing Declan Tovey. She believes the pig’s owner, Lolly McKeever is behind the death and burial, but she won’t admit even owning the pig. Although he learns Lolly had a motive for Declan’s death, Aaron is attracted to her while also wonders if his aunt, who butchers the language, might be a modern day Lady Macbeth.
The western Irish countryside is rarely this much macabre fun as found in THE PIG DID IT, a terrific character study. Joseph Caldwell satirizes manners using the pig and the corpse to force everyone to wrestle in the mud, dirt and sea. The whodunit is cleverly designed not as much as a murder mystery, but more to allow readers to look deep into the souls of the prime trio especially the visiting American, who must choose between desire and blood.
Harriet Klausner
uii
Joseph Caldwell
Delphinium, Jan 2008, $22.95
ISBN 9781883285296
After another failed love, thirty-two years old creative writing teacher Aaron McCloud escapes New York to spend time with his Aunt Kitty in County Kerry, Ireland. Kitty like her nephew is a writer, but instead of instructing others she earns a lucrative living rewriting the classics. Aaron figures that the great English authors like Shakespeare and Dickens are turning in their grave.
Although he feels like a failure with his female relationships, Aaron finds a lost pig that adopts him; wherever Aaron goes the pig is sure to follow him. When the pig digging in the back yard uncovers a human skeleton, Kitty says he is the missing Declan Tovey. She believes the pig’s owner, Lolly McKeever is behind the death and burial, but she won’t admit even owning the pig. Although he learns Lolly had a motive for Declan’s death, Aaron is attracted to her while also wonders if his aunt, who butchers the language, might be a modern day Lady Macbeth.
The western Irish countryside is rarely this much macabre fun as found in THE PIG DID IT, a terrific character study. Joseph Caldwell satirizes manners using the pig and the corpse to force everyone to wrestle in the mud, dirt and sea. The whodunit is cleverly designed not as much as a murder mystery, but more to allow readers to look deep into the souls of the prime trio especially the visiting American, who must choose between desire and blood.
Harriet Klausner
uii
Thunderer-Felix Gilman
Thunderer
Felix Gilman
Bantam, Jan 2008, $24.00
ISBN 9780553806762
Arjun the composer leaves his home city Gad on a quest to find the intangible Voice. His journey takes him to the strange city of Ararat where streets change location and direction seemingly on a whim. He finds the place loaded with Gods, who enjoy making the city in their image. Then there is the enigmatic Bird who apparently has powerful influence on the townsfolk and Arjun wonders if the Gods do too.
As Arjun struggles to adjust to the ever changing environs, he continues his search for the Voice. He also ponders why so many Gods reside here and whether they compete to shape the landscape and the people in their image of the moment.
Readers who appreciate something radically different will want to peruse this complex horror fantasy as we accompany Arjun on his quest inside a city in which the visit yesterday to a locale might have been Renaissance Italy but today is late nineteenth century San Francisco and tomorrow only the Gods know. Try being Mapquest providing direction under those ever changing conditions. The convoluted story line never explains why the Gods constantly perform urban renewal; still Arjun and the audience get a first hand look at a theological system in which apparently the Gods Must be Crazy.
Harriet Klausner
Felix Gilman
Bantam, Jan 2008, $24.00
ISBN 9780553806762
Arjun the composer leaves his home city Gad on a quest to find the intangible Voice. His journey takes him to the strange city of Ararat where streets change location and direction seemingly on a whim. He finds the place loaded with Gods, who enjoy making the city in their image. Then there is the enigmatic Bird who apparently has powerful influence on the townsfolk and Arjun wonders if the Gods do too.
As Arjun struggles to adjust to the ever changing environs, he continues his search for the Voice. He also ponders why so many Gods reside here and whether they compete to shape the landscape and the people in their image of the moment.
Readers who appreciate something radically different will want to peruse this complex horror fantasy as we accompany Arjun on his quest inside a city in which the visit yesterday to a locale might have been Renaissance Italy but today is late nineteenth century San Francisco and tomorrow only the Gods know. Try being Mapquest providing direction under those ever changing conditions. The convoluted story line never explains why the Gods constantly perform urban renewal; still Arjun and the audience get a first hand look at a theological system in which apparently the Gods Must be Crazy.
Harriet Klausner
The Vacant Throne-Joshua Palmatier
The Vacant Throne
Joshua Palmatier
Daw, Jan 2008 $24.95
ISBN 9780756404628
The Chorl unprovoked assault almost destroyed Amenkor. The nation’s ruler Varis had to employ a desperate ploy to save her people. However, by destroying THE SKEWED THRONE, Varis insured Amenkor defeated the invaders.
However, the cost of the war has left her country in a devastating state as much of the nation lies in ruins with starvation a real probability and nothing left to defend against another Chorl invasion. Varis knows they must rebuild fast, but fears she will lead alone as her mentor and advisor Erick remains near death following a vicious torture by the Chorl. Her hope resides with finding the Stone Throne that was built to protect the southern seaport Venitte, but vanished hundreds of years ago. She heads to that city hoping to forge an alliance and find a cure for Erick while the Chorl has regrouped and are ready to renew their vigorous insidious attacks by land and sea.
The Throne fantasy tales (see THE CRACKED THRONE and THE SKEWED THRONE) are some of the best the genre has to offer. THE VACANT THRONE contains an engaging plot starring a strong courageous female ruler who faces monstrous problems with no time to fix them. Readers will continue to cherish the Throne saga delivers as a desperate Varis tries to find ways to provide the basic needs to her beleaguered people.
Harriet Klausner
Joshua Palmatier
Daw, Jan 2008 $24.95
ISBN 9780756404628
The Chorl unprovoked assault almost destroyed Amenkor. The nation’s ruler Varis had to employ a desperate ploy to save her people. However, by destroying THE SKEWED THRONE, Varis insured Amenkor defeated the invaders.
However, the cost of the war has left her country in a devastating state as much of the nation lies in ruins with starvation a real probability and nothing left to defend against another Chorl invasion. Varis knows they must rebuild fast, but fears she will lead alone as her mentor and advisor Erick remains near death following a vicious torture by the Chorl. Her hope resides with finding the Stone Throne that was built to protect the southern seaport Venitte, but vanished hundreds of years ago. She heads to that city hoping to forge an alliance and find a cure for Erick while the Chorl has regrouped and are ready to renew their vigorous insidious attacks by land and sea.
The Throne fantasy tales (see THE CRACKED THRONE and THE SKEWED THRONE) are some of the best the genre has to offer. THE VACANT THRONE contains an engaging plot starring a strong courageous female ruler who faces monstrous problems with no time to fix them. Readers will continue to cherish the Throne saga delivers as a desperate Varis tries to find ways to provide the basic needs to her beleaguered people.
Harriet Klausner
The Vampire of New York-Lee Hunt
The Vampire of New York
Lee Hunt
Signet, Jan 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451222794
During the American Civil War Echo Van Helsing comes to New York seeking revenge on Count Draculiya. The Count was driven out of Bohemia and London by Abraham Van Helsing, who thought Draculiya was pure evil. Echo believes he killed her father and she intends to pay him back in kind once she finds him. Pinkerton Agent Kate Warene helps Echo on her quest as she seeks to end the terror of a serial killer preying on women; this predator violently rips out their throats, and leaves behind a double eagle gold coin in their bodies.
In the present the Lincoln Corporation hires archeologist Dr. Carrie Norton to determine if there is any historical treasure that would prevent them from building high priced condos on a piece of land they own in Manhattan. No one is more surprised than Carrie is when the corpse of a perfectly preserved black man is found below ground with his throat ripped out and a gold coin in his body. As in 1863 many women have recently been murdered with their throats ripped apart and a double eagle gold coin left behind in their bodies. Carrie sees a connection although she does not understand how or what, but investigates learning much about her bloodlines as she does re a world that should not exist outside of literature and the movies. She allies with a creature who cannot be real as they work as a team to end the serial killings haunting New York.
Lee Hunt writes a bold different version of the vampire thriller in which he builds on Stoker’s mythos and prime protagonist with the transference to Manhattan past and present. The chapters rotate between 1863 and today so that the audience can compare two generations of vampire hunters as well as a sly killing machine readily adapting to any environs. Although Echo is more of a professional hunter, she and the tyro amateur Carrie share much in common as both are brave, independent and obstinate yet quite different especially in their respective objective beyond the outcome of ending the terror. THE VAMPIRE OF NEW YORK is an enjoyable horror thriller, as no one not even Giuliani will want to bring it on after sunset.
Harriet Klausner
Lee Hunt
Signet, Jan 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451222794
During the American Civil War Echo Van Helsing comes to New York seeking revenge on Count Draculiya. The Count was driven out of Bohemia and London by Abraham Van Helsing, who thought Draculiya was pure evil. Echo believes he killed her father and she intends to pay him back in kind once she finds him. Pinkerton Agent Kate Warene helps Echo on her quest as she seeks to end the terror of a serial killer preying on women; this predator violently rips out their throats, and leaves behind a double eagle gold coin in their bodies.
In the present the Lincoln Corporation hires archeologist Dr. Carrie Norton to determine if there is any historical treasure that would prevent them from building high priced condos on a piece of land they own in Manhattan. No one is more surprised than Carrie is when the corpse of a perfectly preserved black man is found below ground with his throat ripped out and a gold coin in his body. As in 1863 many women have recently been murdered with their throats ripped apart and a double eagle gold coin left behind in their bodies. Carrie sees a connection although she does not understand how or what, but investigates learning much about her bloodlines as she does re a world that should not exist outside of literature and the movies. She allies with a creature who cannot be real as they work as a team to end the serial killings haunting New York.
Lee Hunt writes a bold different version of the vampire thriller in which he builds on Stoker’s mythos and prime protagonist with the transference to Manhattan past and present. The chapters rotate between 1863 and today so that the audience can compare two generations of vampire hunters as well as a sly killing machine readily adapting to any environs. Although Echo is more of a professional hunter, she and the tyro amateur Carrie share much in common as both are brave, independent and obstinate yet quite different especially in their respective objective beyond the outcome of ending the terror. THE VAMPIRE OF NEW YORK is an enjoyable horror thriller, as no one not even Giuliani will want to bring it on after sunset.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Winged Creatures-Roy Freirich
Winged Creatures
Roy Freirich
St. Martin’s, Dec 2007, $13.95
ISBN: 9780312378950
In Hunt Landing, Michigan, Dr. Laraby stops for a coffee to go at Carby’s on his way to work as an ER resident at Hunt Landing Medical LLC where his late father was a founder. Not longer after he leaves, a shooting incident occurs at Carby’s.
Laraby tries to save the lives of a victim and the shooter, but both die. Teenagers Anne Hagen and Jimmy Jaspersen are in the hospital when her mom Doris arrives. Also there are Lori and Sue Carline. The three teenage girls share in common that their dads were with them at Carby’s and are now dead as a result of the mass shootings. Jimmy was also there with Annie and her father.
Psychologist Dr. Abler offers help to the survivors and their loved ones. Abler explains to Anne about grief, but she insists she is a witness to God’s plan and she held her brave dad’s hand while she was under a table and he courageously remained exposed to the killer. The psychologist turns to Jimmy, who is unable to speak. Another survivor forty-eight year old Charlie Archenault, a father and husband, was shot, but is okay. He feels lucky to be alive so he just leaves, takes out money and drives to a casino. Twenty-two year old cashier Carla Davenport is shook up, but also just leaves to pick up her baby Davy from the sitter.
This novelization of an upcoming movie contains a strong premise of following what happens to the survivors and their loved ones of a shooting at a public place that left people dead. The ensemble cast contains unique characters with each person coping differently. However, the rotating perspective at times becomes difficult to follow with what is happening to everyone. Still WINGED CREATURES is an intriguing character study that looks deep into the aftermath of a personal tragedy.
Harriet Klausner
Roy Freirich
St. Martin’s, Dec 2007, $13.95
ISBN: 9780312378950
In Hunt Landing, Michigan, Dr. Laraby stops for a coffee to go at Carby’s on his way to work as an ER resident at Hunt Landing Medical LLC where his late father was a founder. Not longer after he leaves, a shooting incident occurs at Carby’s.
Laraby tries to save the lives of a victim and the shooter, but both die. Teenagers Anne Hagen and Jimmy Jaspersen are in the hospital when her mom Doris arrives. Also there are Lori and Sue Carline. The three teenage girls share in common that their dads were with them at Carby’s and are now dead as a result of the mass shootings. Jimmy was also there with Annie and her father.
Psychologist Dr. Abler offers help to the survivors and their loved ones. Abler explains to Anne about grief, but she insists she is a witness to God’s plan and she held her brave dad’s hand while she was under a table and he courageously remained exposed to the killer. The psychologist turns to Jimmy, who is unable to speak. Another survivor forty-eight year old Charlie Archenault, a father and husband, was shot, but is okay. He feels lucky to be alive so he just leaves, takes out money and drives to a casino. Twenty-two year old cashier Carla Davenport is shook up, but also just leaves to pick up her baby Davy from the sitter.
This novelization of an upcoming movie contains a strong premise of following what happens to the survivors and their loved ones of a shooting at a public place that left people dead. The ensemble cast contains unique characters with each person coping differently. However, the rotating perspective at times becomes difficult to follow with what is happening to everyone. Still WINGED CREATURES is an intriguing character study that looks deep into the aftermath of a personal tragedy.
Harriet Klausner
The Romance Readers’ Book Club-Julie L. Cannon
The Romance Readers’ Book Club
Julie L. Cannon
Plume, Dec 2007, $13.00
ISBN: 9780452288997
In 1974 Rigby, Georgia, fifteen year old Tammi Elco avoids her guardian Granny as the older woman is deeply religious. Granny’s spouse Pepaw begs the Heavenly Father to end the draught that is destroying his farm whereas Granny believes God is punishing the family for their transgressions. Granny insists there will be no trick or treating as that is a pagan sin. After church, Tammi and her thirty years old childlike cousin Orr sneak out to go trick or treating. Dell Terhune gives Orr candy and Tammi romance novels.
Tammi comes up with the idea of the ROMANCE READERS’ BOOK CLUB. At school she asks LaDonna Tallchief to join the club; Donna says yes. Next she needs a place to meet so she asks her Aunt Minna, if they can come to her home. Minna says yes and joins the club. Minna tells Tammi that her Uncle Finch is dying and his wife Nanette and their teenage son Leon will come to stay.
At the first club meeting, LaDonna brings her older cousin Park. They agree to meet in a month with each having one week to read the first six chapters of a book. Nanette and Leon arrive and Tammi thinks her cousin by marriage not blood is a hunk. Meanwhile Reverend Goodlow warns people that lust is causing the drought, which worries a guilt laden Tammi as she dreams of kisses with Leon as the stars of the romance novels.
This is a well written southern family drama, but the lack of references to the civil rights movement that impacted the region in the 1970s fails to provide an anchor to the period. Still the storyline stars fully developed characters that bring to life 1970s rural Georgia while the use of “trashy” romance novels is a clever device that enables the audience to see the power religious beliefs hold on people. Readers who appreciate something unique will want to read this fine coming of age historical.
Harriet Klausner
Julie L. Cannon
Plume, Dec 2007, $13.00
ISBN: 9780452288997
In 1974 Rigby, Georgia, fifteen year old Tammi Elco avoids her guardian Granny as the older woman is deeply religious. Granny’s spouse Pepaw begs the Heavenly Father to end the draught that is destroying his farm whereas Granny believes God is punishing the family for their transgressions. Granny insists there will be no trick or treating as that is a pagan sin. After church, Tammi and her thirty years old childlike cousin Orr sneak out to go trick or treating. Dell Terhune gives Orr candy and Tammi romance novels.
Tammi comes up with the idea of the ROMANCE READERS’ BOOK CLUB. At school she asks LaDonna Tallchief to join the club; Donna says yes. Next she needs a place to meet so she asks her Aunt Minna, if they can come to her home. Minna says yes and joins the club. Minna tells Tammi that her Uncle Finch is dying and his wife Nanette and their teenage son Leon will come to stay.
At the first club meeting, LaDonna brings her older cousin Park. They agree to meet in a month with each having one week to read the first six chapters of a book. Nanette and Leon arrive and Tammi thinks her cousin by marriage not blood is a hunk. Meanwhile Reverend Goodlow warns people that lust is causing the drought, which worries a guilt laden Tammi as she dreams of kisses with Leon as the stars of the romance novels.
This is a well written southern family drama, but the lack of references to the civil rights movement that impacted the region in the 1970s fails to provide an anchor to the period. Still the storyline stars fully developed characters that bring to life 1970s rural Georgia while the use of “trashy” romance novels is a clever device that enables the audience to see the power religious beliefs hold on people. Readers who appreciate something unique will want to read this fine coming of age historical.
Harriet Klausner
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