Grimmer Tales: A Wicked Collection of happily Never Stories
Erik Bergstrom
Plume, Dec 29 2009, $16.00
ISBN: 9780452296022
These are fun short shorts animated endings to famous fairy tales. Pinocchio has a nose that turns into a serial killer’s weapon every time he lies (that goodness it is that body extremity rather than a lower woody) and Rapunzel whose hair proves how dangerous living with long locks can prove. Other entries involve Goldilocks tasting the porridge of gang members, Hansel and Gretel going into sugar shock with an insulin treatment facility nearby, and Mary and her lamb serving in Nam. These are amusing takes on the classics, but the reader needs to decide whether the price is worth about a dollar per minute of fun.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Living Oprah-Living Oprah
Living Oprah
Living Oprah
Robyn Okrant
Center Street, Jan 4 2010, $24.99
ISBN: 9781599952390
This gimmicky memoir is exactly like the title proclaims as thirtyish Robin Okrant lived one year in accordance with Oprah's advice. Ms. Okrant obviously admires Oprah, but also scorned that anyone even Oprah could adhere to her advice over a period of time. Testing her hypothesis, she tries keeping score along way and criticizing Oprah when she deemed sit worthy such as the talk show host’s obsession over female looks. Although the memoir has many tedious entries as Ms. Okrant chose honesty over entertainment. Still this critique leads to a fascinating odyssey in which the author concludes to live real life to the fullest and forget this best life as described by anyone except you and your loved ones, and not proscribed by an outsider even a famous successful TV guru. Not for everyone as this modern day search for the Holy Grail, “My One-Year Experiment to Walk the Walk of the Queen of Talk”, seems a bit beyond even reality TV, yet many of the "Oprahized" entries are insightful and fascinating albeit expensive.
Harriet Klausner
Center Street, Jan 4 2010, $24.99
ISBN: 9781599952390
This gimmicky memoir is exactly like the title proclaims as thirtyish Robin Okrant lived one year in accordance with Oprah's advice. Ms. Okrant obviously admires Oprah, but also scorned that anyone even Oprah could adhere to her advice over a period of time. Testing her hypothesis, she tries keeping score along way and criticizing Oprah when she deemed sit worthy such as the talk show host’s obsession over female looks. Although the memoir has many tedious entries as Ms. Okrant chose honesty over entertainment. Still this critique leads to a fascinating odyssey in which the author concludes to live real life to the fullest and forget this best life as described by anyone except you and your loved ones, and not proscribed by an outsider even a famous successful TV guru. Not for everyone as this modern day search for the Holy Grail, “My One-Year Experiment to Walk the Walk of the Queen of Talk”, seems a bit beyond even reality TV, yet many of the "Oprahized" entries are insightful and fascinating albeit expensive.
Harriet Klausner
Living Oprah
Robyn Okrant
Center Street, Jan 4 2010, $24.99
ISBN: 9781599952390
This gimmicky memoir is exactly like the title proclaims as thirtyish Robin Okrant lived one year in accordance with Oprah's advice. Ms. Okrant obviously admires Oprah, but also scorned that anyone even Oprah could adhere to her advice over a period of time. Testing her hypothesis, she tries keeping score along way and criticizing Oprah when she deemed sit worthy such as the talk show host’s obsession over female looks. Although the memoir has many tedious entries as Ms. Okrant chose honesty over entertainment. Still this critique leads to a fascinating odyssey in which the author concludes to live real life to the fullest and forget this best life as described by anyone except you and your loved ones, and not proscribed by an outsider even a famous successful TV guru. Not for everyone as this modern day search for the Holy Grail, “My One-Year Experiment to Walk the Walk of the Queen of Talk”, seems a bit beyond even reality TV, yet many of the "Oprahized" entries are insightful and fascinating albeit expensive.
Harriet Klausner
Center Street, Jan 4 2010, $24.99
ISBN: 9781599952390
This gimmicky memoir is exactly like the title proclaims as thirtyish Robin Okrant lived one year in accordance with Oprah's advice. Ms. Okrant obviously admires Oprah, but also scorned that anyone even Oprah could adhere to her advice over a period of time. Testing her hypothesis, she tries keeping score along way and criticizing Oprah when she deemed sit worthy such as the talk show host’s obsession over female looks. Although the memoir has many tedious entries as Ms. Okrant chose honesty over entertainment. Still this critique leads to a fascinating odyssey in which the author concludes to live real life to the fullest and forget this best life as described by anyone except you and your loved ones, and not proscribed by an outsider even a famous successful TV guru. Not for everyone as this modern day search for the Holy Grail, “My One-Year Experiment to Walk the Walk of the Queen of Talk”, seems a bit beyond even reality TV, yet many of the "Oprahized" entries are insightful and fascinating albeit expensive.
Harriet Klausner
Kitchen Chinese-Ann Mah
Kitchen Chinese
Ann Mah
Avon, Feb 9 2010, $13.99
ISBN 9780061771279
Isabelle Lee grew up on Chinese-American cuisine though she never cooked any as her mom was the family chef. However, she can talks a good game as she grew up listening to her mom discuss food. However, her career in New York tanks so she heads to Beijing where her sister Claire practices law.
She and Claire are not bosom sisters. However, Isabelle feels good about seeking her roots when she obtains work writing about Kitchen Chinese cuisine to the western expatriate population. Still the transition is not smooth as she struggles with adjustment since the cultures in New York and Beijing are a zillion light years apart and she begins to learn Claire’s secret. However after considering going back to the States, the siblings warm up to one another and soon Isabelle finds she likes life in Beijing.
This is a terrific contemporary tale starring a fascinating lead character who feels like a fresh water fish in the ocean. Roots aside, Isabelle realizes her racial classification is backwards as American comes way before Chinese. Even the language she speaks is 99% English and a few Kitchen (and bathroom) Chinese words. As she struggles to adapt in order to connect with her sister and her heritage, fans who take the journey with Isabelle will appreciate the trip.
Harriet Klausner
Ann Mah
Avon, Feb 9 2010, $13.99
ISBN 9780061771279
Isabelle Lee grew up on Chinese-American cuisine though she never cooked any as her mom was the family chef. However, she can talks a good game as she grew up listening to her mom discuss food. However, her career in New York tanks so she heads to Beijing where her sister Claire practices law.
She and Claire are not bosom sisters. However, Isabelle feels good about seeking her roots when she obtains work writing about Kitchen Chinese cuisine to the western expatriate population. Still the transition is not smooth as she struggles with adjustment since the cultures in New York and Beijing are a zillion light years apart and she begins to learn Claire’s secret. However after considering going back to the States, the siblings warm up to one another and soon Isabelle finds she likes life in Beijing.
This is a terrific contemporary tale starring a fascinating lead character who feels like a fresh water fish in the ocean. Roots aside, Isabelle realizes her racial classification is backwards as American comes way before Chinese. Even the language she speaks is 99% English and a few Kitchen (and bathroom) Chinese words. As she struggles to adapt in order to connect with her sister and her heritage, fans who take the journey with Isabelle will appreciate the trip.
Harriet Klausner
Promise Me Tonight-Sara Lindsey
Promise Me Tonight
Sara Lindsey
Signet, Feb 2010, $6.99
ISBN 9780451229373
In 1784, the oldest of five sisters six years old Isabella Weston wrote a letter to her dear mama telling her she will marry her older brother Henry's best friend, James Sheffield. Years later, she still knew he was the one for her. With her coming out in 1797, Izzie plans to claim James as hers.
James was raised by an ice cold grandfather after his parents died when he was ten. He learned from the nasty old man that he was unworthy of love. Izzie begins her seduction scheme with a dress that will make him desire her. She follows with a kiss that leaves him senseless. Izzie knows James wants her and believes he loves her, but he rejects the concept that someone could love him. With her six siblings at her side, the magnificent seven mount a campaign to prove to James he belongs first to Izzie and second to all of them.
Although somewhat straightforward of a plot, Georgian romance readers will fully appreciate the first Weston sibling tale due to a strong lead couple and a fully developed support cast; especially her sisters. Obstinate Izzie knows who she wants and plans to make him hers. James is the more fascinating character as he believes strongly no one could ever love him, but General Izzie and her sisters mount a campaign to prove his assertion false. Promise Me Tonight (and forever) is a wonderful opening act with homage to the Bard.
Harriet Klausner
Sara Lindsey
Signet, Feb 2010, $6.99
ISBN 9780451229373
In 1784, the oldest of five sisters six years old Isabella Weston wrote a letter to her dear mama telling her she will marry her older brother Henry's best friend, James Sheffield. Years later, she still knew he was the one for her. With her coming out in 1797, Izzie plans to claim James as hers.
James was raised by an ice cold grandfather after his parents died when he was ten. He learned from the nasty old man that he was unworthy of love. Izzie begins her seduction scheme with a dress that will make him desire her. She follows with a kiss that leaves him senseless. Izzie knows James wants her and believes he loves her, but he rejects the concept that someone could love him. With her six siblings at her side, the magnificent seven mount a campaign to prove to James he belongs first to Izzie and second to all of them.
Although somewhat straightforward of a plot, Georgian romance readers will fully appreciate the first Weston sibling tale due to a strong lead couple and a fully developed support cast; especially her sisters. Obstinate Izzie knows who she wants and plans to make him hers. James is the more fascinating character as he believes strongly no one could ever love him, but General Izzie and her sisters mount a campaign to prove his assertion false. Promise Me Tonight (and forever) is a wonderful opening act with homage to the Bard.
Harriet Klausner
Viking in Love-Sandra Hill
Viking in Love
Sandra Hill
Avon, Feb 2010, $6.99
ISBN 9780061673498
In 965 Northumbria the five Viking princess daughters of King Thorvald of Stoneheim in the Norselands kill the abusing spousal, Oswald the Earl; make that former Earl, of one of them, Vana. The dead miscreant had ties to the odious King Edgar so the fearsome femmes need instant protection. . They travel to a cousin-by-marriage, Caedmon, who resides inside Larkspar, a strongly fortified castle.
Caedmon does need five female bosses having spent nine months with one bossy monarch. He wants them out, but agrees to house and protect them in return for the most hostile of the quintet Breanne warming his body for ten consecutive nights in which he proclaims everything goes and she agrees
Although quite straightforward proving the shortest distance between two points is a historical novel containing no time displaced Vikings or Americans, this historical is an amusing gender war of what looks like the first of five Tenth century romances. The bickering starts even before Caedmon enters the plot as the fearsome fivesome argue over who did what to Oswald the brute and that argumentativeness never takes a respite even when the hero steals a kiss. Although the sisters especially Breanne seems more modern day than from two millennia ago, fans will enjoy this jocular jaunt with its key question being what is the Viking S-Trick?
Harriet Klausner
Sandra Hill
Avon, Feb 2010, $6.99
ISBN 9780061673498
In 965 Northumbria the five Viking princess daughters of King Thorvald of Stoneheim in the Norselands kill the abusing spousal, Oswald the Earl; make that former Earl, of one of them, Vana. The dead miscreant had ties to the odious King Edgar so the fearsome femmes need instant protection. . They travel to a cousin-by-marriage, Caedmon, who resides inside Larkspar, a strongly fortified castle.
Caedmon does need five female bosses having spent nine months with one bossy monarch. He wants them out, but agrees to house and protect them in return for the most hostile of the quintet Breanne warming his body for ten consecutive nights in which he proclaims everything goes and she agrees
Although quite straightforward proving the shortest distance between two points is a historical novel containing no time displaced Vikings or Americans, this historical is an amusing gender war of what looks like the first of five Tenth century romances. The bickering starts even before Caedmon enters the plot as the fearsome fivesome argue over who did what to Oswald the brute and that argumentativeness never takes a respite even when the hero steals a kiss. Although the sisters especially Breanne seems more modern day than from two millennia ago, fans will enjoy this jocular jaunt with its key question being what is the Viking S-Trick?
Harriet Klausner
Here Comes Trouble-Donna Kauffman
Here Comes Trouble
Donna Kauffman
Kensington Brava, Feb 2010, $14.00
ISBN 9780758231338
If anyone told Kirby Farrell that global warming is a hoax she would tell them to visit her bed and breakfast ski lodge in Vermont as the weather outside is tropical for winter in New England. She fears if it does not snow soon she will go out of business.
Brett Hennessey grew up in Las Vegas where he has become a poker superstar. Fleeing some trouble, he bikes across the country finally stopping for R&R at Kirby’s rustic B&B. The innkeeper and the cyclist are immediately attracted to one another forgetting their woes as she thinks she is fortunate with her new guest and he believes Lady Luck has given him a royal flush. That is until his past arrives in Vermont to call him out and he has doubts after a recently failed relationship and her being older than her card playing biker.
A bit over the top of the Green Mountains, Here Comes trouble is a fun contemporary romance. Kirby and Brett are a likable pair as he is a charming rogue and she is a hesitant damsel. Their debates over age, life, and love make for a humorous frolic with late suspense.
Harriet Klausner
Donna Kauffman
Kensington Brava, Feb 2010, $14.00
ISBN 9780758231338
If anyone told Kirby Farrell that global warming is a hoax she would tell them to visit her bed and breakfast ski lodge in Vermont as the weather outside is tropical for winter in New England. She fears if it does not snow soon she will go out of business.
Brett Hennessey grew up in Las Vegas where he has become a poker superstar. Fleeing some trouble, he bikes across the country finally stopping for R&R at Kirby’s rustic B&B. The innkeeper and the cyclist are immediately attracted to one another forgetting their woes as she thinks she is fortunate with her new guest and he believes Lady Luck has given him a royal flush. That is until his past arrives in Vermont to call him out and he has doubts after a recently failed relationship and her being older than her card playing biker.
A bit over the top of the Green Mountains, Here Comes trouble is a fun contemporary romance. Kirby and Brett are a likable pair as he is a charming rogue and she is a hesitant damsel. Their debates over age, life, and love make for a humorous frolic with late suspense.
Harriet Klausner
Darkship Thieves-Sarah A. Hoyt
Darkship Thieves
Sarah Hoyt
Baen, Jan 5 2010, $16.00
ISBN: 9781439133170
Athena Hera Sinistra never wanted to go into space as why would anyone in their right mind give up standing on solid rock although freedom is far away from feudal earth. Still she is on board her father’s vessel when she awakens to someone entering her room at shipnight. Not afraid she takes out the intruder, who is Andrija Baldo head of her father’s goons.
She flees in a life pod hoping to find help to rescue her father and others aboard the vessel she just abandoned. However, Athena finds herself on the run from assailants as the reach of the ruling Patricians is light-years, but she also realizes for some unknown reason they want her captured alive as they have opportunities to kill her from a distance but don’t. Her nightmare has just begun.
The Darkship Thieves is a super space opera with a great heroine, strong support cast and a believable Hoyt Galaxy with a dictatorial oligopoly feudal government. The story line is faster than the speed of light even in artificial gravity yet in many ways it is a coming of age under extreme pressure thriller with a deep moral underpinning involving genetic transforming of humans. With a mystery as to why the enemy wants the heroine alive to enhance the outer space tour, fans will relish riding along side Athena as she provides a first hand account of her survival escapades to survive in the Hoyt Galaxy.
Harriet Klausner
Sarah Hoyt
Baen, Jan 5 2010, $16.00
ISBN: 9781439133170
Athena Hera Sinistra never wanted to go into space as why would anyone in their right mind give up standing on solid rock although freedom is far away from feudal earth. Still she is on board her father’s vessel when she awakens to someone entering her room at shipnight. Not afraid she takes out the intruder, who is Andrija Baldo head of her father’s goons.
She flees in a life pod hoping to find help to rescue her father and others aboard the vessel she just abandoned. However, Athena finds herself on the run from assailants as the reach of the ruling Patricians is light-years, but she also realizes for some unknown reason they want her captured alive as they have opportunities to kill her from a distance but don’t. Her nightmare has just begun.
The Darkship Thieves is a super space opera with a great heroine, strong support cast and a believable Hoyt Galaxy with a dictatorial oligopoly feudal government. The story line is faster than the speed of light even in artificial gravity yet in many ways it is a coming of age under extreme pressure thriller with a deep moral underpinning involving genetic transforming of humans. With a mystery as to why the enemy wants the heroine alive to enhance the outer space tour, fans will relish riding along side Athena as she provides a first hand account of her survival escapades to survive in the Hoyt Galaxy.
Harriet Klausner
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