Sinjin
Julia Templeton
Kensington Aphrodisia, Oct 2009, $13.95
ISBN: 9780758238153
The Raybourne brothers (Sinjin, Victor, and Rory) are known throughout London as the “Rakehells of Rochester; they live for sexual pleasure. However, even these hedonists know when it is time to retreat as their Mother has arrived at Madame Darion’s Pleasure Palace in Covent Gardens looking for them. Mother Betsy demands they give up their wanton ways and marry.
As the oldest Sinjin agrees to go first as the "sacrifice" to the altar of their Mother, but she informs her three offspring that each will be married by summer’s end or else. However when he and Katelyn Davenport meet, Sinjin finds marriage may not be bad as he is attracted to her. There is only one problem; she is engaged to the much older Lord Balliford as a means to pay back her late father’s debts. As he teaches her the pleasure of sex between those in love, Balliford arrives to “re-imprison” his betrothed.
From the moment Mother assaults her wastrel sons until the final confrontation SINJIN is an enjoyable heated erotic historical romance. The lead couple is a solid (and not just his constant boner) pairing while the support cast of both their families add some depth. Though Balliford is a vile villain with no redeeming quality and the story line thin, sub-genre readers will enjoy this torrid tale and crave Victor’s encounter.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Unleashed-Jami Alden
Unleashed
Jami Alden
Kensington Brava, Oct 2009, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758225481
Perhaps it is because he is the oldest of the Taggart siblings that makes Danny kick butt and ask questions afterward. His “Gemini” twin younger brothers seem gentle in comparison (see Kept and Caught for their respective tales). Only one person outside of family ever got passed his rock hard heart, but Caroline Medford dumped him ten years ago; coagulating his heart into glacial ice.
Sometimes you get what you wish for and Danny gets his. A desperate Caroline begs him to help her as she is the prime suspect in the murder of her husband James. To entice him to take her on as a client, she shows him evidence she found linking James to his missing mom Ann. Danny takes on the case, planning to take her and dump her. As they fall in love for the second time, their break-up leaves both raw and suspicious of the other’s motives.
The third Gemini Men romantic suspense thriller is an action packed second chance at love tale that completes the overarching theme while also providing an intriguing finish. The villains are incredible as they make the story line work with their avarice human trafficking while the lead couple is a strong duet whose history may overwhelm their future. Fans will enjoy this fine last Taggart standing novel while newcomers will seek the tales of the twins Ethan and Derek, who with their father Joe and their women make key minor appearances in the exhilarating UNLEASHED.
Harriet Klausner
Jami Alden
Kensington Brava, Oct 2009, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758225481
Perhaps it is because he is the oldest of the Taggart siblings that makes Danny kick butt and ask questions afterward. His “Gemini” twin younger brothers seem gentle in comparison (see Kept and Caught for their respective tales). Only one person outside of family ever got passed his rock hard heart, but Caroline Medford dumped him ten years ago; coagulating his heart into glacial ice.
Sometimes you get what you wish for and Danny gets his. A desperate Caroline begs him to help her as she is the prime suspect in the murder of her husband James. To entice him to take her on as a client, she shows him evidence she found linking James to his missing mom Ann. Danny takes on the case, planning to take her and dump her. As they fall in love for the second time, their break-up leaves both raw and suspicious of the other’s motives.
The third Gemini Men romantic suspense thriller is an action packed second chance at love tale that completes the overarching theme while also providing an intriguing finish. The villains are incredible as they make the story line work with their avarice human trafficking while the lead couple is a strong duet whose history may overwhelm their future. Fans will enjoy this fine last Taggart standing novel while newcomers will seek the tales of the twins Ethan and Derek, who with their father Joe and their women make key minor appearances in the exhilarating UNLEASHED.
Harriet Klausner
Holding Out For A Hero-HelenKay Dimon
Holding Out For A Hero
HelenKay Dimon
Kensington Brava, Oct 2009, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758229052
In Hawaii affluent Deana Armstrong rejects the police conclusion that her sixteen year old nephew Ryan used a baseball bat to bludgeon his parents to death and he was convicted of that crime. She believes he is innocent and her only hope to prove this rests with former DEA agent Josh Windsor who left the department before they fired him over a meth case that turned ugly. Deanna confronts him and offers him money, but he simply says no; her family money tipped him in a previous drug related court case re her nephew. Josh further explains he is out of the hero business and wants nothing to do with this woman who belongs in a Nebraska convent.
Eventually her harassment pushes Josh to agree to investigate if for no other reason but to get Deana from stalking him. Every clue he finds affirms the conviction, which makes falling in love a bit more difficult than even their totally opposite childhoods.
This is an entertaining investigative romance in which the love subplot supersedes the murder mystery. Josh and Deanne have issues; his with his heritage in which his mom turned tricks to feed him and her with scars on her chest from her most frightful moment; thus with their different opinion re Ryan leads to a fascinating pairing. Although the detecting subplot seems only to serve as a matchmaker, fans will enjoy the repartee between two people who represent opposite sides of Hawaii’s social spectrum.
Harriet Klausner
HelenKay Dimon
Kensington Brava, Oct 2009, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758229052
In Hawaii affluent Deana Armstrong rejects the police conclusion that her sixteen year old nephew Ryan used a baseball bat to bludgeon his parents to death and he was convicted of that crime. She believes he is innocent and her only hope to prove this rests with former DEA agent Josh Windsor who left the department before they fired him over a meth case that turned ugly. Deanna confronts him and offers him money, but he simply says no; her family money tipped him in a previous drug related court case re her nephew. Josh further explains he is out of the hero business and wants nothing to do with this woman who belongs in a Nebraska convent.
Eventually her harassment pushes Josh to agree to investigate if for no other reason but to get Deana from stalking him. Every clue he finds affirms the conviction, which makes falling in love a bit more difficult than even their totally opposite childhoods.
This is an entertaining investigative romance in which the love subplot supersedes the murder mystery. Josh and Deanne have issues; his with his heritage in which his mom turned tricks to feed him and her with scars on her chest from her most frightful moment; thus with their different opinion re Ryan leads to a fascinating pairing. Although the detecting subplot seems only to serve as a matchmaker, fans will enjoy the repartee between two people who represent opposite sides of Hawaii’s social spectrum.
Harriet Klausner
Gone-Karen Fenech
Gone
Karen Fenech
Five Star, Oct 2009, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594148118
Over twenty-four years ago, Jolene Marie Marshall killed her seven year old son and attempted to murder her daughters, five years old Clare and baby Katie. She shot Clare in the head before the cops broke in and arrested her. Clare survived, but was separated from two years old Katie. Now Clare is an FBI Agent stationed in New York still looking for Kate with no success and the state of Texas has just executed her mom. Clare goes to a convenience store where she runs into a hold-up in which the storeowner is dead and a man has a gun pointed at a woman’s head. Clare kills him.
The grateful woman, Mrs. Sands works at Protective Services; feeling she owes Clare so gives to her a lead to Katie; AKA Beth Linney living in Farley, South Carolina. Taking a leave of absence, Clare heads to Farley where she learns Beth ran away with a trucker. She is unwelcome by the townsfolk because of her resemblance to her sibling, who was married but Beth Ryder dumped the local hero. Finally, in town is her former lover, FBI Agent Jake Sutton who left her when she rejected his efforts for a more permanent relationship; he is the local agent raising his young orphaned niece. Clare’s life has converged in Farley as she makes waves seeking clues to where her sister went, but finds something much more lethal and sinister.
Although the convergence in South Carolina is a credulous coincidence over the top of Sassafras Mountain, GONE is a super thriller. Clare is terrific as a courageous person risking her career and her life to find a sister she has not seen in almost a quarter of a century. Jake is frustrated with her as Clare feels women with her genetics don’t marry and especially do not have kids. Readers will enjoy this exciting tale as the heroine makes tsunami like waves to Farley.
Harriet Klausner
Karen Fenech
Five Star, Oct 2009, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594148118
Over twenty-four years ago, Jolene Marie Marshall killed her seven year old son and attempted to murder her daughters, five years old Clare and baby Katie. She shot Clare in the head before the cops broke in and arrested her. Clare survived, but was separated from two years old Katie. Now Clare is an FBI Agent stationed in New York still looking for Kate with no success and the state of Texas has just executed her mom. Clare goes to a convenience store where she runs into a hold-up in which the storeowner is dead and a man has a gun pointed at a woman’s head. Clare kills him.
The grateful woman, Mrs. Sands works at Protective Services; feeling she owes Clare so gives to her a lead to Katie; AKA Beth Linney living in Farley, South Carolina. Taking a leave of absence, Clare heads to Farley where she learns Beth ran away with a trucker. She is unwelcome by the townsfolk because of her resemblance to her sibling, who was married but Beth Ryder dumped the local hero. Finally, in town is her former lover, FBI Agent Jake Sutton who left her when she rejected his efforts for a more permanent relationship; he is the local agent raising his young orphaned niece. Clare’s life has converged in Farley as she makes waves seeking clues to where her sister went, but finds something much more lethal and sinister.
Although the convergence in South Carolina is a credulous coincidence over the top of Sassafras Mountain, GONE is a super thriller. Clare is terrific as a courageous person risking her career and her life to find a sister she has not seen in almost a quarter of a century. Jake is frustrated with her as Clare feels women with her genetics don’t marry and especially do not have kids. Readers will enjoy this exciting tale as the heroine makes tsunami like waves to Farley.
Harriet Klausner
The Dragon Book-Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois (Editors)
The Dragon Book
Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois (Editors)
Ace, Nov 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780441017645
With nineteen entries by a virtual who’s who of fantasy, fans will enjoy this themed collection that look deep into the eyes of Dragons; as the editors explain in the preface: “by far the most potent and widespread of all mythological beasts". The entries are widespread in terms of time and place so various background brings freshness to the anthology. Especially strong contributions are “Vici” by Naomi Novak in the time of Caesar, the mother and son team of Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple who write of “The Tsar’s Dragons, the “Oakland Dragon Blues by Peter S Beagle with no Raiders involved only a traffic problem, and “A Stark and Wormy Knight” by Tad Williams. None of the compilation are bummers as each of the writers soar with this version of the mighty dragon who kick military butts (Garth Nix’s “Stop”) or freeze you with their eyes (“The Dragon’s Tale” by Tamora Pierce) or their heartbeat (“The War that Winter Is” by Tanith Lee). The key to this strong thematic short story collection is the wide diverse range of the authors as each makes flying with Dragons a fun fantasy collection.
Harriet Klausner
Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois (Editors)
Ace, Nov 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780441017645
With nineteen entries by a virtual who’s who of fantasy, fans will enjoy this themed collection that look deep into the eyes of Dragons; as the editors explain in the preface: “by far the most potent and widespread of all mythological beasts". The entries are widespread in terms of time and place so various background brings freshness to the anthology. Especially strong contributions are “Vici” by Naomi Novak in the time of Caesar, the mother and son team of Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple who write of “The Tsar’s Dragons, the “Oakland Dragon Blues by Peter S Beagle with no Raiders involved only a traffic problem, and “A Stark and Wormy Knight” by Tad Williams. None of the compilation are bummers as each of the writers soar with this version of the mighty dragon who kick military butts (Garth Nix’s “Stop”) or freeze you with their eyes (“The Dragon’s Tale” by Tamora Pierce) or their heartbeat (“The War that Winter Is” by Tanith Lee). The key to this strong thematic short story collection is the wide diverse range of the authors as each makes flying with Dragons a fun fantasy collection.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, October 2, 2009
A Killing in Retrospect-Barbara Cummings
A Killing in Retrospect
Barbara Cummings
Five Star, Oct 16 2009, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594147845
In Hoover Depression Era Providence, at the Merciful Sister of Mary, fourth grade student Dante Ricci asks his teacher Sister Mary Agnes to uncover the truth about his mother’s death. Apparently, Catherine died when her car crashed into a tree on the farm owned by her spouse Vincent, reputed to be the head of the local mob.
Unable to say no to her favorite student, Sister Agnes enlists science guru Sister Winifred to help her uncover the truth. The two nuns quickly conclude Catherine was murdered. Soon afterward, maid Kitty Killian is poisoned and other homicides past and present occur and are revealed. Sister Agnes soon concludes the killings are a mob vendetta tied to Dante’s paternal grandfather, ailing Donato, who is officially still the head of the family.
The second Sister Agnes historical mystery (see A Killing on Church Grounds) is a charming cozy due to the chaotic antics of the heroine as she investigates with courage and fortitude. She makes the tale fun with her pious pronunciations and puns. Although there is too many minor sidebars that enhance the time and place but also detracts from the mystery, fans (except bad guys) will enjoy getting a religious education from Sister Agnes.
Harriet Klausner
Barbara Cummings
Five Star, Oct 16 2009, $25.95
ISBN: 9781594147845
In Hoover Depression Era Providence, at the Merciful Sister of Mary, fourth grade student Dante Ricci asks his teacher Sister Mary Agnes to uncover the truth about his mother’s death. Apparently, Catherine died when her car crashed into a tree on the farm owned by her spouse Vincent, reputed to be the head of the local mob.
Unable to say no to her favorite student, Sister Agnes enlists science guru Sister Winifred to help her uncover the truth. The two nuns quickly conclude Catherine was murdered. Soon afterward, maid Kitty Killian is poisoned and other homicides past and present occur and are revealed. Sister Agnes soon concludes the killings are a mob vendetta tied to Dante’s paternal grandfather, ailing Donato, who is officially still the head of the family.
The second Sister Agnes historical mystery (see A Killing on Church Grounds) is a charming cozy due to the chaotic antics of the heroine as she investigates with courage and fortitude. She makes the tale fun with her pious pronunciations and puns. Although there is too many minor sidebars that enhance the time and place but also detracts from the mystery, fans (except bad guys) will enjoy getting a religious education from Sister Agnes.
Harriet Klausner
Flashforward-Robert J. Sawyer
Flashforward
Robert J. Sawyer
Tor, Sep 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780765324139
In 2009 some of the world’s leading research physicists gather at the CERN research facility to conduct an experiment using the Hardon Collider to “capture” the Higgs Boson subatomic particle. The lead scientists Lloyd Simcoe and Theo Procopides anticipate success and a subsequent Nobel Prize. However something occurs around the globe at the moment the atom smashing experiment begins. Every human on earth who survives sees a two minute visionary clip of themselves in 2030.
However, millions died when the collective sub-consciousness led to all types of accidents and disasters during the 120 seconds. Simcoe is stunned more so with what he saw rather than the deadly fiasco the experiment caused. He is engaged to marry one woman, but saw his wife of the future was another female. Theo had no vision so he assumes he will be dead before 2030; he believes he will be a murder victim. They try to replicate their experiment, but fail until they realize timing is everything as they go for a third try when a neutrino shower occurs as both want more information about the future regardless of cost.
This is an engaging cautionary science fiction thriller that uses the Frankenstein concept of scientists having no ethical boundaries experimenting, even encouraged by the second and third times they replicated the experiment. The story line is fast-paced and exciting, but chooses the thriller aspects over the emotional elements beyond a personal need to know. The two scientists know their experiment killed more people in two minutes than some of the monsters of history did during brutal reigns yet they don’t seem to care on a personal level. Still this is an exhilarating thriller as the world sees a flash forward moment and each reacts accordingly to what they prefer to see.
Harriet Klausner
Robert J. Sawyer
Tor, Sep 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780765324139
In 2009 some of the world’s leading research physicists gather at the CERN research facility to conduct an experiment using the Hardon Collider to “capture” the Higgs Boson subatomic particle. The lead scientists Lloyd Simcoe and Theo Procopides anticipate success and a subsequent Nobel Prize. However something occurs around the globe at the moment the atom smashing experiment begins. Every human on earth who survives sees a two minute visionary clip of themselves in 2030.
However, millions died when the collective sub-consciousness led to all types of accidents and disasters during the 120 seconds. Simcoe is stunned more so with what he saw rather than the deadly fiasco the experiment caused. He is engaged to marry one woman, but saw his wife of the future was another female. Theo had no vision so he assumes he will be dead before 2030; he believes he will be a murder victim. They try to replicate their experiment, but fail until they realize timing is everything as they go for a third try when a neutrino shower occurs as both want more information about the future regardless of cost.
This is an engaging cautionary science fiction thriller that uses the Frankenstein concept of scientists having no ethical boundaries experimenting, even encouraged by the second and third times they replicated the experiment. The story line is fast-paced and exciting, but chooses the thriller aspects over the emotional elements beyond a personal need to know. The two scientists know their experiment killed more people in two minutes than some of the monsters of history did during brutal reigns yet they don’t seem to care on a personal level. Still this is an exhilarating thriller as the world sees a flash forward moment and each reacts accordingly to what they prefer to see.
Harriet Klausner
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