Fast Women
Jennifer Crusie
St. Martin’s Griffin, Mar 29 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9780312668525
After twenty years of marriage, on Christmas Day Nell Dysart's husband tells her that he no longer loves her and plans to file for a divorce. Nell barely ate or slept for the next eighteen months and rarely left her home. Finally, she is persuaded by her two former sisters-in-law and her son to apply for a temporary job as an office manager in a detective agency in German Village, Ohio. During the interview, she breaks the shades, tears a hole in the carpet, and spills coffee all over Gabe McKenna's desk.
Even though she flopped miserably, Gabe hires her anyway. She soon finds evidence that her predecessor embezzled money from the firm. Not long afterward her temporary job becomes permanent even as Gabe and Nell fall in love with one another. However, Gabe and Nell are control freaks who must find a way to forge a relationship that makes both of them happy or slowly watch it wither away.
This is a reprint of a wonderful 2001 Jennifer Cruise amusing tale. Readers will delight in the hilarious battle of the sexes for control that star two hysterically funny combatants. Fast Women is Ms. Crusie at her jocular best.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, April 1, 2011
False Witness-Randy Singer
False Witness
Randy Singer
Tyndale, May 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9781414335698
The CEO wanted the algorithm that will change the Internet especially if it is exclusively sold to him for about $50 million. Professor Dagan watched via computer from his apartment as his protégé Chow Zhang completed the negotiations.The other side, once they were assured only two people had seen the formula, abruptly ended the deal by killing Zhang.
After a failed repro in Vegas followed by a drugging, bounty hunter Clarke Shealy receives a portentous call from the Chinese; they allow his beloved wife Jess to come on, but she begins to mention a name so he hears what he knows is bone on bone. He is warned to do their bidding in a timely manner if he wants his wife returned alive. They order him to locate a vanished Chinese mathematician, who created an algorithm that will change Internet protocol.
The above two paragraphs are only the first third of an incredible action-packed thriller that proves Christian action tales can be exciting and inspirational without being intrusive. The story line starts with the deal, switches to Clarke's frantic efforts to rescue Jess, and finally changes into a legal thriller starring a professor and his three legal aid students. The two key elements are the switchovers are so smooth that the audience will realize how good Randy Singer is and the invocation of Christianity is lightly fitted into the plot without slowing down anything. This reprint of a 2007 tale is especially timely as the Federal and State governments debate ripping Grand Canyon holes into the safety net. Fans regardless of faith will sing the praises of the author.
Harriet Klausner
Randy Singer
Tyndale, May 1 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9781414335698
The CEO wanted the algorithm that will change the Internet especially if it is exclusively sold to him for about $50 million. Professor Dagan watched via computer from his apartment as his protégé Chow Zhang completed the negotiations.The other side, once they were assured only two people had seen the formula, abruptly ended the deal by killing Zhang.
After a failed repro in Vegas followed by a drugging, bounty hunter Clarke Shealy receives a portentous call from the Chinese; they allow his beloved wife Jess to come on, but she begins to mention a name so he hears what he knows is bone on bone. He is warned to do their bidding in a timely manner if he wants his wife returned alive. They order him to locate a vanished Chinese mathematician, who created an algorithm that will change Internet protocol.
The above two paragraphs are only the first third of an incredible action-packed thriller that proves Christian action tales can be exciting and inspirational without being intrusive. The story line starts with the deal, switches to Clarke's frantic efforts to rescue Jess, and finally changes into a legal thriller starring a professor and his three legal aid students. The two key elements are the switchovers are so smooth that the audience will realize how good Randy Singer is and the invocation of Christianity is lightly fitted into the plot without slowing down anything. This reprint of a 2007 tale is especially timely as the Federal and State governments debate ripping Grand Canyon holes into the safety net. Fans regardless of faith will sing the praises of the author.
Harriet Klausner
The Goddess Test-Aimee Carter
The Goddess Test
Aimee Carter
Harlequin Teen, Apr 19 2011, $9.99
ISBN 9780373210268
Eighteen year old Kate leaves New York City so her mom can die in her hometown of Eden in the Upper Peninsular of Michigan. At the high school the teen has not seen anything extraordinary about her peers like Ava, James, Dylan or Henry. That is until a nasty prank turns into an ugly killing of Ava but Henry miraculously brings her back to life.
Henry reluctantly explains to Kate who witnessed the miracle that he is the God of the Underworld. Although she saw what happened, she doubts his voracity as to who he claims he is. However, she clings to a slither of hope he is telling the truth as her mother is dying from cancer. Kate asks Henry to intervene so she can talk one last time with her mom. He agrees but the terms he demands are "live forever or die trying" with seven tests. She will soon understand what a Faustian deal is.
This is a wonderful high school age small town fantasy. The cast is fully developed; with many of the “teens” suffering torment and angst over life and death. Fast-paced readers will enjoy the opening act of Aimee Carter’s contemporary rendition of the Greek mythological tale Persephone.
Harriet Klausner
Aimee Carter
Harlequin Teen, Apr 19 2011, $9.99
ISBN 9780373210268
Eighteen year old Kate leaves New York City so her mom can die in her hometown of Eden in the Upper Peninsular of Michigan. At the high school the teen has not seen anything extraordinary about her peers like Ava, James, Dylan or Henry. That is until a nasty prank turns into an ugly killing of Ava but Henry miraculously brings her back to life.
Henry reluctantly explains to Kate who witnessed the miracle that he is the God of the Underworld. Although she saw what happened, she doubts his voracity as to who he claims he is. However, she clings to a slither of hope he is telling the truth as her mother is dying from cancer. Kate asks Henry to intervene so she can talk one last time with her mom. He agrees but the terms he demands are "live forever or die trying" with seven tests. She will soon understand what a Faustian deal is.
This is a wonderful high school age small town fantasy. The cast is fully developed; with many of the “teens” suffering torment and angst over life and death. Fast-paced readers will enjoy the opening act of Aimee Carter’s contemporary rendition of the Greek mythological tale Persephone.
Harriet Klausner
The Chaos Crystal-Jennifer Fallon
The Chaos Crystal
Jennifer Fallon
Tor, May 10 2011, $27.99
ISBN 9780765316851
With the turn of the Tide once again complete, the Immortal Lords return with their power at its acme. Mortal Arkady Desean knows the fickleness of the Lords as she fell in love with Immortal Lord Cayal who selfishly prefers death over her adulation. Still Arkady is a strong person in spite of her trials and tribulations as she went from marital slavery to deity slavery to her sale as chattel into slavery; somehow she escapes her latest yoke.
Rumors abound that Chaos Crystal has surfaced. This ancient arcane cystal is allegedly the gem that enabled the Immortal Lords to surface in the mortal plane. Lord Cayal believes the jewel is the means for him to finally end his worthless existence. Another of the Immortal Lords Jaxyn has other plans for when he retrieves the Chaos Crystal. He captures Arkady who he believes is the weakness of his rival Cayal, but after learning of what he plans to do to the realm with the magical gem, she gets away. She and rebel leader Declan Hawkes team up to try to prevent the use of the Chaos Crystal that could prove the end of all mortal life as a byproduct; the Lords deem the species as “Rodent”.
The fourth Tide Lords fantasy (see The Palace of Impossible Dreams, The Immortal Prince and the Gods of Amyrantha) is a terrific extremely dark (even for Jennifer Fallon) finish. Loaded with action, the exhilarating story line is driven by the characters as the audience anticipates the lead quartet meeting for a power showdown. Fans of Ms. Fallon will relish the strong saga as the entertaining Chaos Crystal may mean the end of life as the beleaguered female Job knows it.
Harriet Klausner
Jennifer Fallon
Tor, May 10 2011, $27.99
ISBN 9780765316851
With the turn of the Tide once again complete, the Immortal Lords return with their power at its acme. Mortal Arkady Desean knows the fickleness of the Lords as she fell in love with Immortal Lord Cayal who selfishly prefers death over her adulation. Still Arkady is a strong person in spite of her trials and tribulations as she went from marital slavery to deity slavery to her sale as chattel into slavery; somehow she escapes her latest yoke.
Rumors abound that Chaos Crystal has surfaced. This ancient arcane cystal is allegedly the gem that enabled the Immortal Lords to surface in the mortal plane. Lord Cayal believes the jewel is the means for him to finally end his worthless existence. Another of the Immortal Lords Jaxyn has other plans for when he retrieves the Chaos Crystal. He captures Arkady who he believes is the weakness of his rival Cayal, but after learning of what he plans to do to the realm with the magical gem, she gets away. She and rebel leader Declan Hawkes team up to try to prevent the use of the Chaos Crystal that could prove the end of all mortal life as a byproduct; the Lords deem the species as “Rodent”.
The fourth Tide Lords fantasy (see The Palace of Impossible Dreams, The Immortal Prince and the Gods of Amyrantha) is a terrific extremely dark (even for Jennifer Fallon) finish. Loaded with action, the exhilarating story line is driven by the characters as the audience anticipates the lead quartet meeting for a power showdown. Fans of Ms. Fallon will relish the strong saga as the entertaining Chaos Crystal may mean the end of life as the beleaguered female Job knows it.
Harriet Klausner
I Don't Want To Kill You-Dan Wells
I Don't Want To Kill You
Dan Wells
Tor, Mar 29 2011, $11.99
ISBN: 9780765328441
In Clayton, sixteen-year-old social outcast John Wayne Cleaver works at his mother’s mortuary, but knows that is not what makes him different from his peers. John understands he has the classic profile of a serial killer. To keep his Mr. Monster side under control, John developed a rigid set of rules that he strictly adheres to.
Ironically it is Mr. Monster that enables John to protect the townsfolk who stay away from him as if he has the plague. He killed two ancient monsters (see Mr. Monster) and knows at least one more evil predator exists from the phone he took from one of the dead malevolence. Now he is trying to trick the third monster a Demon coming in sixty three days and counting to kill it; the first death being a priest the demon beheaded. However, his biggest problem is adapting to his feelings for his only friend Brooke beyond her lying still on his mom’s work table.
Talk about coming a long way from the doubting teen psychopath of I Am Not A Serial Killer, John has become a full fledged monster hunter albeit still somewhat a psychopath but Brooke has him reconsidering his assessment of himself. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with non stop action, but contains plenty of angst as the hero discovers he has a heart; he knows he has guts. This is a super demonic serial killer thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Dan Wells
Tor, Mar 29 2011, $11.99
ISBN: 9780765328441
In Clayton, sixteen-year-old social outcast John Wayne Cleaver works at his mother’s mortuary, but knows that is not what makes him different from his peers. John understands he has the classic profile of a serial killer. To keep his Mr. Monster side under control, John developed a rigid set of rules that he strictly adheres to.
Ironically it is Mr. Monster that enables John to protect the townsfolk who stay away from him as if he has the plague. He killed two ancient monsters (see Mr. Monster) and knows at least one more evil predator exists from the phone he took from one of the dead malevolence. Now he is trying to trick the third monster a Demon coming in sixty three days and counting to kill it; the first death being a priest the demon beheaded. However, his biggest problem is adapting to his feelings for his only friend Brooke beyond her lying still on his mom’s work table.
Talk about coming a long way from the doubting teen psychopath of I Am Not A Serial Killer, John has become a full fledged monster hunter albeit still somewhat a psychopath but Brooke has him reconsidering his assessment of himself. The story line is fast-paced and loaded with non stop action, but contains plenty of angst as the hero discovers he has a heart; he knows he has guts. This is a super demonic serial killer thriller.
Harriet Klausner
The View From The Imperium-Jodie Lynn Nye
The View From The Imperium
Jodie Lynn Nye
Baen, Mar 29 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9781439134306
Thomas Innes Loche Kinago has an ego that is greater than the universe as he graduates from Space Academy. His uniform is without one crease; for that matter his wardrobe always look brand new as befitting a cousin of the imperial house whose family has a glorious history of military service affirmed by Kinago’s mother. He knows his parents will be proud of this second son; almost as much as he is of himself. Because of his connections, Thomas earns command of a cutter; though as his valet Parsons points out this is part of Admiral Podesta’s flagship, the I.S. Wedjet.
However, a new threat arises that could destroy the Imperium. A rebel leader apparently has the ability to control minds. The only hope to save the galaxy resides with T.I. Kinago who’s so haughty everyone except his family is beneath his social class. His snootiness may enable him to keep control of his mind, but saving the galaxy requires Parsons to keep his brain too as someone must insure the hero has his suits pressed for the camera.
This is an amusing outer space adventure tale due to the hyperbole characterizations of the lead pair. Thomas is the ultimate megalomaniac; he believes he deserves hero adulation though he has accomplished nothing beyond a diploma and well pressed suits. His valet is accurately described (by Baen) as a Jeeves in space. Although the storyline is a one act joke, readers will enjoy this jocular science fiction thriller as an aristocratic superego is the only hope to save the galaxy from a supervillain only because Kinago’s conceit is so great that even a mind controller may not be able to make any headway.
Harriet Klausner
Jodie Lynn Nye
Baen, Mar 29 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9781439134306
Thomas Innes Loche Kinago has an ego that is greater than the universe as he graduates from Space Academy. His uniform is without one crease; for that matter his wardrobe always look brand new as befitting a cousin of the imperial house whose family has a glorious history of military service affirmed by Kinago’s mother. He knows his parents will be proud of this second son; almost as much as he is of himself. Because of his connections, Thomas earns command of a cutter; though as his valet Parsons points out this is part of Admiral Podesta’s flagship, the I.S. Wedjet.
However, a new threat arises that could destroy the Imperium. A rebel leader apparently has the ability to control minds. The only hope to save the galaxy resides with T.I. Kinago who’s so haughty everyone except his family is beneath his social class. His snootiness may enable him to keep control of his mind, but saving the galaxy requires Parsons to keep his brain too as someone must insure the hero has his suits pressed for the camera.
This is an amusing outer space adventure tale due to the hyperbole characterizations of the lead pair. Thomas is the ultimate megalomaniac; he believes he deserves hero adulation though he has accomplished nothing beyond a diploma and well pressed suits. His valet is accurately described (by Baen) as a Jeeves in space. Although the storyline is a one act joke, readers will enjoy this jocular science fiction thriller as an aristocratic superego is the only hope to save the galaxy from a supervillain only because Kinago’s conceit is so great that even a mind controller may not be able to make any headway.
Harriet Klausner
The President's Vampire-Christopher Farnsworth
The President's Vampire
Christopher Farnsworth
Putnam, Apr 28 2011, $24.95
ISBN 9780399157394
Seven score ago, Nathaniel Cade came out of the “coffin” to offer his services as the President’s Vampire. He made a Blood Oath and since has been the top secret super agent for numerous White Houses president’s since. His current human handler Zach Barrows is amazed at what Cade can do.
Plausible evidence implies that the notorious Shadow Company has gotten inside military contractors. Cade assisted by Barrow is assigned to work with Colonel Graves and military contractor Archer Andrews to determine the validity and if affirmed cleanse the issue. The Feds follow the paper and money trails while Cade goes out into the cold where he fights the Snakehead intelligent lizards. However, Cade soon realizes that an ancient evil he has fought before has come back for a return engagement, which makes even the vampire to reconsider his Blood Oath. Convergence in a horrific lab with the inability to reach back to the White House due to official channel interference may prove deadly to the vamp and his handler.
Starting with a stunning kill in November 2001, fans will be hooked by this exhilarating thriller that makes a vampire, and human and monstrous terrorists seem real. Fast-paced and loaded with action, the story line never allows a respite as even President Curtiss needs two cigarettes. Urban fantasy fans will relish what is turning into one of the best series the sub-genre has to offer.
Harriet Klausner
Christopher Farnsworth
Putnam, Apr 28 2011, $24.95
ISBN 9780399157394
Seven score ago, Nathaniel Cade came out of the “coffin” to offer his services as the President’s Vampire. He made a Blood Oath and since has been the top secret super agent for numerous White Houses president’s since. His current human handler Zach Barrows is amazed at what Cade can do.
Plausible evidence implies that the notorious Shadow Company has gotten inside military contractors. Cade assisted by Barrow is assigned to work with Colonel Graves and military contractor Archer Andrews to determine the validity and if affirmed cleanse the issue. The Feds follow the paper and money trails while Cade goes out into the cold where he fights the Snakehead intelligent lizards. However, Cade soon realizes that an ancient evil he has fought before has come back for a return engagement, which makes even the vampire to reconsider his Blood Oath. Convergence in a horrific lab with the inability to reach back to the White House due to official channel interference may prove deadly to the vamp and his handler.
Starting with a stunning kill in November 2001, fans will be hooked by this exhilarating thriller that makes a vampire, and human and monstrous terrorists seem real. Fast-paced and loaded with action, the story line never allows a respite as even President Curtiss needs two cigarettes. Urban fantasy fans will relish what is turning into one of the best series the sub-genre has to offer.
Harriet Klausner
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