The Sisters Brothers
Patrick Dewitt
Ecco (HarperCollins), Apr 26 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780062041265
In 1851 the Commodore directs his vicious hired guns Charlie and Eli Sisters to kill prospector Hermann Kermit Warm. The siblings head from Oregon City through San Francisco to Sierra foothills where Warm has a Gold mining claim.
Their trek south is wrought with danger and adventures whether it is in the wilderness or the saloons. From a witch who curses the duo to drunken females who entice them, The Sisters brothers are starting to understand human existence is more than just birth and death as they elude a horde of fur trappers out to kill them.
This is a strong pre Civil War western thriller starring two interesting brothers. The key to the insightful look at the underbelly of the Pacific coast circa 1850s story line is how the readers’ attitude towards the Sisters changes through the course of the tale. Initially, the siblings seem like brutal cold killers (Liberty Valance comes to mind). Soon as their back story becomes known; as well as the affectionate caring for one another and Eli’s tenderness to a woman surface, fans realize there is more to the brothers in this super mid nineteenth century Americana.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Lilies in Moonlight-Allison Pittman
Lilies in Moonlight
Allison Pittman
Multnomah, Apr 5 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9781601421388
In 1925 Lilly Margolis is a flapper who, after being tossed to the street by her mother, ekes out a living selling makeup to the affluent. Even for the fun lover, last night was a doozy when she awakens in a stranger’s backyard with a sprained ankle and a headache.
Widow Betty Ruth Burnside takes the unflappable Lilly into her home. Her son Cullen wants the wastrel gone as he assumes she will swindle his mom out of money. He has enough on his plate with his mom suffering from dementia and he disfigured physically and tormented by the traumas of the Great War in France. However to his chagrin, he is attracted to his mom’s guest, an emotion he loathes. As he suffers with battle fatigue from the war and caring for his mom and she has remorse over her past, he decides to take her home.
This is a wonderful historical romance with the focus on the Roaring Twenties through baseball and nightclubs. The support cast is solid though their roles limited as the lead couple see 1925 from different polar perspectives. Readers will enjoy this delightful Americana character driven story line as the flapper and the veteran find healing through love.
Harriet Klausner
Allison Pittman
Multnomah, Apr 5 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9781601421388
In 1925 Lilly Margolis is a flapper who, after being tossed to the street by her mother, ekes out a living selling makeup to the affluent. Even for the fun lover, last night was a doozy when she awakens in a stranger’s backyard with a sprained ankle and a headache.
Widow Betty Ruth Burnside takes the unflappable Lilly into her home. Her son Cullen wants the wastrel gone as he assumes she will swindle his mom out of money. He has enough on his plate with his mom suffering from dementia and he disfigured physically and tormented by the traumas of the Great War in France. However to his chagrin, he is attracted to his mom’s guest, an emotion he loathes. As he suffers with battle fatigue from the war and caring for his mom and she has remorse over her past, he decides to take her home.
This is a wonderful historical romance with the focus on the Roaring Twenties through baseball and nightclubs. The support cast is solid though their roles limited as the lead couple see 1925 from different polar perspectives. Readers will enjoy this delightful Americana character driven story line as the flapper and the veteran find healing through love.
Harriet Klausner
Shiver of Fear-Roxanne St. Claire
Shiver of Fear
Roxanne St. Claire
Forever, Apr 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780446566599
Devyn Hewitt Sterling remains shell shocked that her husband was a criminal who betrayed her. She is happy he is dead. Though raised by kind adopted parents, she wishes to know her biological parents. Sometimes you get what you she wish for as she learns who her birth father is; a fugitive.
As she thinks the acorn does not fall far from the tree, she travels to Belfast to warn her biological mother Dr. Sharon Greenberg that she could be in danger. Former FBI agent turned Guardian Angelino operative Marc Rossi is assigned to find and bring her home for their client the feds, but prefers keeping her safe in between kisses.
The second Guardian Angelinos romantic suspense (see Edge of Sight) is a terrific thriller as the lead coupling brings freshness to what would otherwise be a typical sub-genre frolic. Marc believes honesty is the only way to forge a relationship while Devyn fears telling him the truth will abort their relationship before it can get off the ground. Neither trusts the other, but the key to this taut thriller is not the lead pair, but her biological mom who is the target of her daughter, the Feds and some sleazy terrorists for differing reasons.
Harriet Klausner
Roxanne St. Claire
Forever, Apr 1 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780446566599
Devyn Hewitt Sterling remains shell shocked that her husband was a criminal who betrayed her. She is happy he is dead. Though raised by kind adopted parents, she wishes to know her biological parents. Sometimes you get what you she wish for as she learns who her birth father is; a fugitive.
As she thinks the acorn does not fall far from the tree, she travels to Belfast to warn her biological mother Dr. Sharon Greenberg that she could be in danger. Former FBI agent turned Guardian Angelino operative Marc Rossi is assigned to find and bring her home for their client the feds, but prefers keeping her safe in between kisses.
The second Guardian Angelinos romantic suspense (see Edge of Sight) is a terrific thriller as the lead coupling brings freshness to what would otherwise be a typical sub-genre frolic. Marc believes honesty is the only way to forge a relationship while Devyn fears telling him the truth will abort their relationship before it can get off the ground. Neither trusts the other, but the key to this taut thriller is not the lead pair, but her biological mom who is the target of her daughter, the Feds and some sleazy terrorists for differing reasons.
Harriet Klausner
Darkside-Belinda Bauer
Darkside
Belinda Bauer
Simon and Schuster, May 3 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9781451612752
Wintry Shipcott is cut off somewhat from the outside due to the blizzard conditions. The townsfolk are used to rough winters so think nothing of the snow falling. However, the residents become stunned and alarmed when something brutally murders an elderly woman in her bed.
The village police officer Jonas Holly knows he is over his head but feels a sense of urgency to catch the murderer. At the same time he deals with caring for his ailing wife Lucy. Obnoxious Detective Chief Investigator John Marvel takes over the case bullying anyone who fails to obey his command. When the predator scorns Holly’s skills, he stoically follows orders. However, as the body count mounts as do the letters of mockery, Holly decides to ignore the arrogant DCI to go it alone in order uncover the identity of the serial killer who he believes is a villager holding him responsible for a recent tragedy.
The dark and grim atmospheric English Moors (think of the Hound of the Baskervilles) make for a great psychological police procedural. The cast enhances the feeling of destined doom confronting the village cop while the egomaniacal DCI ignores advice from someone he considers in the ooze beneath the law enforcement food chain. With a great stunning ending, readers will appreciate Belinda Bauer’s whodunit (see Blacklands for her previous thriller).
Harriet Klausner
Belinda Bauer
Simon and Schuster, May 3 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9781451612752
Wintry Shipcott is cut off somewhat from the outside due to the blizzard conditions. The townsfolk are used to rough winters so think nothing of the snow falling. However, the residents become stunned and alarmed when something brutally murders an elderly woman in her bed.
The village police officer Jonas Holly knows he is over his head but feels a sense of urgency to catch the murderer. At the same time he deals with caring for his ailing wife Lucy. Obnoxious Detective Chief Investigator John Marvel takes over the case bullying anyone who fails to obey his command. When the predator scorns Holly’s skills, he stoically follows orders. However, as the body count mounts as do the letters of mockery, Holly decides to ignore the arrogant DCI to go it alone in order uncover the identity of the serial killer who he believes is a villager holding him responsible for a recent tragedy.
The dark and grim atmospheric English Moors (think of the Hound of the Baskervilles) make for a great psychological police procedural. The cast enhances the feeling of destined doom confronting the village cop while the egomaniacal DCI ignores advice from someone he considers in the ooze beneath the law enforcement food chain. With a great stunning ending, readers will appreciate Belinda Bauer’s whodunit (see Blacklands for her previous thriller).
Harriet Klausner
Death On Tour-Janice Hamrick
Death On Tour
Janice Hamrick
Minotaur, Apr 26 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312679460
The Austin, Texas Shore cousins (high school teacher Jocelyn and stylish Kyla), are best friends. They decide to tour Egypt together so they sign up with WorldPal Tours. However, in spite a terrific job by their guide Anni, the trip is not as much fun due to irritating fifty-something Millie Owens. When odious Millie falls to her death from the great pyramid of Khafre, the group is stunned and a bit remorseful as everyone wanted her to shut up, just not this way.
The Egyptian police find Millie was stabbed in her neck so obviously a murder occurred. Jocelyn comes across a journal the deceased kept that implies someone on the tour is dangerous, but who?. An unknown adversary attacks Jocelyn and a haranguing merchant is killed with the same M.O. as Millie. Jocelyn ponders who the killer is while assuming handsome hunk tourist Alan Stratton could not be the culprit as he is too good looking and interested in the cousins.
This is a wonderful on tour amateur sleuth. The entertaining story line captures the essence of being with a tour group as you don’t select your companions or your schedule. Part of the fun is the generation gap as the younger Shore cousins especially Kyla are somewhat amusingly contemptuous of the boomers (you don’t pick your travel mates on tour) in their group. Readers will enjoy this fine whodunit as Jocelyn wonders how an Austin schoolteacher on her once in a lifetime tour of the Pyramids has become a killer’s target.
Harriet Klausner
Janice Hamrick
Minotaur, Apr 26 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312679460
The Austin, Texas Shore cousins (high school teacher Jocelyn and stylish Kyla), are best friends. They decide to tour Egypt together so they sign up with WorldPal Tours. However, in spite a terrific job by their guide Anni, the trip is not as much fun due to irritating fifty-something Millie Owens. When odious Millie falls to her death from the great pyramid of Khafre, the group is stunned and a bit remorseful as everyone wanted her to shut up, just not this way.
The Egyptian police find Millie was stabbed in her neck so obviously a murder occurred. Jocelyn comes across a journal the deceased kept that implies someone on the tour is dangerous, but who?. An unknown adversary attacks Jocelyn and a haranguing merchant is killed with the same M.O. as Millie. Jocelyn ponders who the killer is while assuming handsome hunk tourist Alan Stratton could not be the culprit as he is too good looking and interested in the cousins.
This is a wonderful on tour amateur sleuth. The entertaining story line captures the essence of being with a tour group as you don’t select your companions or your schedule. Part of the fun is the generation gap as the younger Shore cousins especially Kyla are somewhat amusingly contemptuous of the boomers (you don’t pick your travel mates on tour) in their group. Readers will enjoy this fine whodunit as Jocelyn wonders how an Austin schoolteacher on her once in a lifetime tour of the Pyramids has become a killer’s target.
Harriet Klausner
Vampire Mine-Kerrelyn Sparks
Vampire Mine
Kerrelyn Sparks
Avon, Mar 29 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061958045
As he nears five hundred years old, vampire Connor Buchanan feels depressed. His work as a bodyguard to the Draganesti family is the only reason he has for living. He knows his problem is he does not care about anyone except the brood he keeps safe, but has no cure for the vampire blues.
Connor rescues exiled Marielle the angel condemned to mortality after being kicked out of heaven. The Banished One caused the death of a vampire under Connor’s protection so she must pay the price even if it was an accident. However, Connor and Father Andrew think the Fallen Angel can help the vampires. Marielle falls in love with her vampiric protector even as she feels divided and confused as she also wants to return to Heaven.
The latest Love At Stakes (see Eat, Pray, Love) takes an intriguing spin as the Sparks mythos expands with a Banished Angel falling into the Draganesti brood; as readers know where angels tread, demons follow. Besides the fresh romance, the overarching theme moves forward as the fight continues with some characters making their final live appearance. Vampire Mine is a strong urban romantic fantasy with a brisk new spark to the saga.
Harriet Klausner
Kerrelyn Sparks
Avon, Mar 29 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061958045
As he nears five hundred years old, vampire Connor Buchanan feels depressed. His work as a bodyguard to the Draganesti family is the only reason he has for living. He knows his problem is he does not care about anyone except the brood he keeps safe, but has no cure for the vampire blues.
Connor rescues exiled Marielle the angel condemned to mortality after being kicked out of heaven. The Banished One caused the death of a vampire under Connor’s protection so she must pay the price even if it was an accident. However, Connor and Father Andrew think the Fallen Angel can help the vampires. Marielle falls in love with her vampiric protector even as she feels divided and confused as she also wants to return to Heaven.
The latest Love At Stakes (see Eat, Pray, Love) takes an intriguing spin as the Sparks mythos expands with a Banished Angel falling into the Draganesti brood; as readers know where angels tread, demons follow. Besides the fresh romance, the overarching theme moves forward as the fight continues with some characters making their final live appearance. Vampire Mine is a strong urban romantic fantasy with a brisk new spark to the saga.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, March 21, 2011
The Daughter’s Walk-Jane Kirkpatrick
The Daughter’s Walk
Jane Kirkpatrick
WaterBrook, Apr 5 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9781400074297
In 1896, mother and daughter Helga and nineteen year old Clara Estby begin a walk from Spokane to New York City in an attempt to win a $10,000 prize from the fashion industry to save the family farm; threatened by foreclosure. On their pedestrian trek, Clara begins to understand her mom’s life especially the mistreatment by family.
When they return home, Clara leaves her family. Estranged from her kin for years, Clara tries to make it in the unheard of position for a female, a businesswoman. Still with success professionally, she prays to God that one day to reconcile with her family.
Mindful of Susan Hunt’s Bold Spirit, especially the first part of this super historical novel that focuses on the real life walk of mother and daughter to save their family farm. The rest of the story line centers predominantly on Clara, who learns so much about life; though much of her lessons are negative from her trek across the country with her mom. Readers will believe they have been transported in time and place as they walk the walk with the Estby duo and continue to accompany Clara a suffragette business woman who navigates a male only world populated with true believers that females belong in the kitchen and bedroom not the boardroom.
Harriet Klausner
Jane Kirkpatrick
WaterBrook, Apr 5 2011, $14.99
ISBN: 9781400074297
In 1896, mother and daughter Helga and nineteen year old Clara Estby begin a walk from Spokane to New York City in an attempt to win a $10,000 prize from the fashion industry to save the family farm; threatened by foreclosure. On their pedestrian trek, Clara begins to understand her mom’s life especially the mistreatment by family.
When they return home, Clara leaves her family. Estranged from her kin for years, Clara tries to make it in the unheard of position for a female, a businesswoman. Still with success professionally, she prays to God that one day to reconcile with her family.
Mindful of Susan Hunt’s Bold Spirit, especially the first part of this super historical novel that focuses on the real life walk of mother and daughter to save their family farm. The rest of the story line centers predominantly on Clara, who learns so much about life; though much of her lessons are negative from her trek across the country with her mom. Readers will believe they have been transported in time and place as they walk the walk with the Estby duo and continue to accompany Clara a suffragette business woman who navigates a male only world populated with true believers that females belong in the kitchen and bedroom not the boardroom.
Harriet Klausner
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