Reviews
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Title: The 6th Target | Rating: | |
| Author: James Patterson |  |
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| Genre: Mystery | |||
| Reviewer: Laurie Biundo | |||
| Buy this book at Barnes & Noble - Walnut
Creek, CA Or Find a Bookstore Near You |
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Murderous
This is another of James Patterson's many books he publishes every
year. This is his 6th in the "Women's Murder Club" series. The story
has too many things going on. They catch the shooter, he escapes, they catch
him again; there are murders and kidnappings of kids and other crimes being
committed - including writing this book. By far not his best. I think Mr. Patterson
has finally reached the end of his story telling. The 6th Target is a fast
read, only because of the one and two page chapters (he is known for this).
His co-author most likely wrote the book with his guidance---however, I doubt he read it.
The protagonist, Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer, is called to the scene of the crime and it turns out someone video-taped the shooting spree. They know who the shooter is, but not where to find him. Two days later, he shows up at her door to turn himself in. After that, it's a series of too many crimes for one book. There are four women in the Women's Murder Club, and every book something happens to one of them.
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Title: A Stroke of Courage | Rating: | |
| Author: Sandra Hardy | |
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| Genre: Early Teen | |||
| ISBN: 1420853090 | |||
| Reviewer: Barbara Hoar | |||
| Buy this book at Chapters - Halifax, Nova
Scotia Or Find a Bookstore Near You |
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Nana's pick
As a grandmother I'm interested in books that will appeal to young
granddaughters. I thought A Stroke of Courage would be an excellent choice
for pre-teens. The young heroine meets challenges in family relationships,
competitions, new friendships. I would definitely recommend this first novel
for school libraries or as gifts.
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Title: The Strand Prophecy | Rating: | |
| Author: J.B.B. Winner | |
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| Genre: Science Fiction | |||
| ISBN: 978-0-9790548-8-4 | |||
| Reviewer: Paul Gayron | |||
| Buy this book at Borders - Brea, California Or Find a Bookstore Near You |
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The Strand Prophecy
The Strand Prophecy is just flat out a fun novel. The story starts with a futuristically
caped and armored figure appearing on the steps of the White House and the
story just runs from there. The pauses in the action are merely long enough
to develop some feeling in the characters as you continue falling deeper and
deeper into the story through the jungles of Brazil to the rivers of Africa.
The main hero, Strand, the caped figure on the steps of the White House, must
save his niece and the world from evolving, mutating creatures. Imagine looking
out your window and seeing giant T-Rex crocodiles! I just can't say enough
of the great time I had reading this novel. It was original, well-written,
and most importantly a good time. Full of futuristic (yet realistic) technology
and scientific premises (watch out for rapid evolution), The Strand Prophecy
delivers as one of the most fun science fiction novels you'll have the pleasure
of reading.
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Title: The Vengeance Trap | Rating: |
| Author: A. L. Hansen | |
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| Genre: Action/Adventure | ||
| ISBN: 978-0-9787658-1-1 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
Action-filled Novel with Controversial Protagonists
The Vengeance Trap is an
action-filled, entertaining novel with an interesting twist---controversial
protagonists.
The story revolves around two main characters: IRA ammunitions-buyer Kathleen O'Toole and modern-day pirate Omar Jabri. In spite of their cultural differences, several elements bond them: their painful pasts filled with family tragedy, their dreams of revenge, and their passion for dangerous adventure.
The story encompasses over a decade as we see Kathleen and Omar trying to maintain a "normal" family life while dealing with their secret and very deadly careers, and see their sons grow into two very different individuals---one close to his Irish origins, the other to his Muslim ones. Bank robberies, stolen diamonds, secret arms deals gone wrong, bombings, and crossing the Zimbabwe forests are some of the struggles endured by the protagonists. But how far will they go to achieve their goals, and at what expense? Will love conquer in the end?
Because of its mainstream elements and controversial protagonists, this is not your usual James Bond story. The book offers strong characterizations and brings to the surface issues of prejudice and terrorism. At its core, it's an ambitious attempt to portray people as they really are in their full complexity, making it difficult for the reader to come to terms with some of the scenarios in the story. For instance, is a loving mother capable of killing a teenager and shooting a pregnant woman for the sake of an ideal? Are goodness and justice subjective or ultimate realities? Ultimately, this is not a work which glorifies crime; it is an honest portrayal of the grim and often contradictory realities of life. The novel offers readers some interesting topics for group discussions.
Author A.L. Hansen is donating the royalties from all sales of this book to Cuidar for Veterans, a non-profit organization that helps America's most wounded war heroes receive bedside visits from their families across the US.
The Vengeance Trap is the first book in The Vengeance Trilogy. The story leaves enough unanswered questions to leave you hungering for the sequel. Highly recommended.
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Title: Legends of the Serai | Rating: |
| Author: J.C. Hall | |
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| Genre: Fantasy | ||
| ISBN: 1896944043 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
Beautifully Written Fantasy
If you like books which combine fine writing, elaborate myth, and fantasy and
magic, then you will deeply enjoy Legends of the Serai.
In a world ruled by the powerful legend of three mysterious stones, young and beautiful Cara sen, descendant of a goddess and Lead-Officer in the Overseer's Special Guild, is out on a special quest in order to save her precious Western Lands from destruction. The young protagonist's struggle is as internal as it is external, for she is torn apart by her love and desire for two very different men: her faithful spar Jai and the dark and alluring Karvel len. At the heart of the mystery of the three strange opals is not only Karvel len but also her long lost brother. There's only one problem: instead of uniting forces as they should be doing, the two men hate each other and would like nothing more than to see each other dead. To add to this, Cara sen is haunted by the whereabouts of her father, who she hasn't seen since she was a little girl. Keeping this in mind, Cara sen is a middle point surrounded by four male figures who affect and influence her life on various levels.
The story begins with a fascinating prologue which explains the hierarchy of the goddesses and how the legend began. Keeping a tightly-controlled pace, talented author J.C. Hall weaves a believable and realistic imaginary world filled with passion and adventure. Her prose flows beautifully and the dialogue sparkles with authenticity, drawing the reader into the carefully plotted story. Heavier in characterization and more stylishly written than most commercial fantasy novels, this is a book to savor slowly and certainly not one to be swallowed overnight. J.C. Hall is a fine storyteller and her skill and love for her story and characters really shine through the pages.
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Title: In Service of Samurai | Rating: |
| Author: Gloria Oliver | |
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| Genre: Fantasy | ||
| ISBN: 1-894869-67-2 | ||
| Reviewer: Cheryl Swanson | ||
| Buy this book at Borders
Lihue - Lihue, Kauai Or Find a Bookstore Near You |
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Fantasy With a Japanese Flair
In a medieval Japanese village, a powerful samurai
kidnaps a fifteen-year-old mapmaker. The hapless young boy, Chizuson Toshiro,
is thereby thrust into a world honeycombed with riddles and undergirded with
darkness. Virtually everyone Toshi meets for the next 300 pages of this novel
is a ghost.
In Service of Samurai is a neatly-spun fantasy in which a young boy comes of age in old Japan in the midst of an extraordinary journey. As the masked geisha, Miro, slowly gets a grip on Toshi's heart, he finds himself beginning to care about his captors. Stockholm syndrome or not, they redeem themselves by giving Toshi a chance to choose his own path and make his own life.
At its core, In Service of Samurai is a classic mythic story about a hero's journey. It is a minutely-imagined fantasy that transports readers to a highly-nuanced world. The pacing is not for those who like a plot that whisks along. But for my money, this Eppie-nominated tale is a story well worth the reading.
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Title: On the Go with Rooter & Snuffle | Rating: |
| Author: Shari Lyle-Soffe | |
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| Genre: Children's | ||
| ISBN: 1-933090-51-0 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
Delightful Children's Book
On the Go with Rooter & Snuffle is a delightful
children's picture ebook featuring the adventures of two very cute raccoon
brothers.
The book contains three short stories:
In "Why Our School Stinks," Rooter's little brother Snuffle has just started school. Rooter, who used to love school, now hates it. It isn't fair that Snuffle is getting all the attention! But when Bully Bear starts bothering Snuffle, Rooter comes to the realization that love is more powerful than jealousy.
In "Follow a Star," set on Christmas Day, the two raccoons venture into the winter forest to bring presents to Grandpa, promising their mother to come home before dark. However, once at Grandpa's house, they forget about the time while listening to his stories. On their way back home they get lost in the dark woods. How will they find their way back? Could they maybe follow the star just like the shepherds did on the first Christmas?
In "Something is Fishy," Rooter and Snuffle, all ready with backpacks and gear, go ice fishing for their mother's birthday dinner. On the frozen pond they meet a friend, Fritter, who joins them in the fun. However, Fritter isn't happy when the two raccoon brothers get lucky catching all the fish, so he decides to steal---and it's up to Rooter and Snuffle to make him realize that with a little faith, there's no need to steal at all.
These fun, heart-warming stories will be enjoyed by children and adults alike. This is a great book for early readers to read by themselves, or for parents to read to youngsters at bedtime. The illustrations are attractive and colorful and well-represent the characters and settings in the story. My only complaint is that I would have liked to see more of Scott Collier's illustrations! This ebook is available in flip format, which gives the feeling of a real book as the pages are flipped over with only a touch from your keyboard or the click of a mouse. A fun, delightful way to introduce your young ones to the computer while stimulating their imaginations and improving their reading skills.
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Title: Lady of the Lakes | Rating: |
| Author: JC Hall | |
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| Genre: Fantasy | ||
| Reviewer: Gloria Oliver |
Lady of the Lakes by JC Hall
Premise: Corryn has waited over a year to meet
again the mysterious knight he saw near one of the cursed lakes. His own sad
past has forced him to try such unusual means, and there are no guarantees
of success. But when he once more meets the knight, the latter is engaged in
combat, and despite Corryn's attempts to help, the warrior is wounded and the
infant in his charge stolen. Worse, the knight cares not for his help or is
even willing to consider having him as a liege man. Yet Corryn forces his help
on the warrior as the wounds knock the latter unconscious. As Corryn bandages
the wounds and tries to make the warrior comfortable, he gets an unexpected
surprise - and with that his life begins to take many unexpected turns.
Review: (This review is from an ARC copy - release of the book should be imminent.) A thoroughly enjoyable book. JC Hall has created a vibrant world full of magic, adventure, and intrigue. The high speech of the nobles will take a little getting used to and the introduction and instruction of magic/mental powers seems to come out of nowhere where Corryn was concerned, but aside from these two minor issues, the story was gripping, the characters interesting, and made for a great ride.
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Title: A Reunion To Die For | Rating: |
| Author: Lauren Carr | |
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| Genre: Mystery | ||
| ISBN: 1-59414-548-2 | ||
| Reviewer: Jon Baxley |
Justice For Chester, WV
Author Lauren Carr's protagonist, Joshua Thornton,
brings justice to Chester, West Virginia, the quaint, but far-from-quiet town
of his youth. Carr has created a terrific supporting cast but has not made
her main character so perfect that I could not identify with him and his struggles
as a single father. Thornton's friends and family are equally interesting.
Carr certainly knows how to weave a mystery. This book is not your average whodunit--it's a complex murder story for those who like a real challenge in their mysteries. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Carr announced another murder or revealed clues pointing in a totally different direction.
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Title: They Was Holdin' Hands | Rating: |
| Author: Venera Di Bella Barles | |
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| Genre: Mystery/Literary | ||
| ISBN: 1-59507-065-6 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
Beautifully Written, Dark Novel
They Was Holdin' Hands is an unusual, beautifully
written novel which combines elements of mystery and literary fiction.
The story begins when the protagonist, an aspiring writer named Carmela Valente, reads by chance an intriguing article on the Seattle Times about three old women who mysteriously died huddled together by a wood-burning stove in the kitchen of their rural farmhouse in the small mining community of Pine Grove Haven, PA. Carmela soon becomes obsessed by the incident, so much so that she decides to go to the mining town to investigate. The idea of writing a novel based on the incident propels her. Of course, the demure, reserved people of Pine Grove Haven aren't exactly thrilled by her visit. The town holds dark secrets, secrets that parallel Carmela's own disturbing childhood. As the secrets of the town and the mystery of the old women's deaths are gradually revealed, so are Carmela's deeply hidden memories. In this sense, this is a dark novel about self discovery and about the grim, and often contradictory, realities of human nature.
The story is told in the first person through the view point of the protagonist, and the author uses a technique that is not common nowadays in fiction; the protagonist is never quoted in the dialogue, but instead she's always paraphrased, as in this example:
"I confessed to him that I still didn t know what it was I wanted, but I hoped I would know in a day or two. I asked him if he felt the deaths were accidental."
This technique brings a quiet, old-fashioned storytelling quality to the novel, reminiscent of 19th century novelists.
There are other beautiful passages in the novel, some with lyrical yet simple, vivid images:
"I brushed away the snow from a concrete bench and sat down. The day was clear. No heavy, bleak clouds blocked the sun's welcome gift. I watched as the melting rivulets of snow slid down the gravestones like tears."
This is a novel that will please those readers of mystery who look beyond the usual commercial literature. The two interwoven storylines are deftly crafted and the dialogue sparkles with authenticity. The author has a flair for characterization. In sum, this is an excellently written novel and one I m very pleased to have read.
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Title: Meter Made | Rating: |
| Author: M.D. Benoit | |
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| Genre: Science Fiction | ||
| ISBN: 1-55410-302-9 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
An Enjoyable SF-Mystery Read!
A kick-ass detective, a world where people and
buildings are disappearing, universes within universes, cloning, and multiple
dimensions are some of the elements in Meter Made that will keep you turning
those pages till the end.
The novel begins with an intriguing scenario when Jack Meter receives an unusual request to find a building which has simply vanished into thin air. Soon a beautiful yet cunningly deceiving agent from the Intergalactic Agency joins him in the investigation. As they travel from one universe to another and escape from bounty hunters, it becomes clear the problem isn't really about a lost building. Something incalculably higher is at stake, something that may destroy their own universe, and it's up to Jack to prevent it. But will he when he's surrounded by people he can't trust, unjustly suspected of multiple murders, almost fried by acid, and followed by vicious killers one of them his own clone?
If you enjoy science fiction, mysteries, and physics theories about multiple dimensions, this is the book for you. The protagonist, Detective Jack Meter, is utterly sympathetic and has a sharp, witty tongue. The plot is intriguing and moves at a quick pace. Talented author M.D. Benoit utilizes quick, sharp dialogue to propel the story, which has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing for the culprits. The science behind the premise of the story is fascinating and they way Benoit moves her characters from one strange world to the other believable. Meter Made is the second book in the series. Though the book stands well on its own, I'd recommend reading Metered Space first, if only to more fully understand past references in the story. I sure look forward to reading more books in the Jack Meter series.
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Title: The Road | Rating: |
| Author: Cormac McCarthy | |
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| Genre: Fiction | ||
| ISBN: 0-307-26543-9 | ||
| Reviewer: Joe Hartlaub |
A grim tale of the Apocalypse by a modern master of letters
Cormac McCarthy
has consistently transcended genres throughout his career, covering Southern
gothic (BLOOD MERIDIAN), westerns (ALL THE PRETTY HORSES), and even suspense
(NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN), while maintaining a standard of literary craftsmanship
that is arguably unsurpassed. McCarthy, with THE ROAD, turns to speculative
fiction, transcending the genre while producing what may well be his best work.
Following a devastating event --- we are never precisely told what it is, though
it is hinted to be an enviromental disaster or terrorist attack --- an unnamed
father and son wander through a nightmarish landscape where survival is a means
and an end. Unbroken by chapters, the narrative is grim, bleak, and unrelenting,
without humor or succor. Notwithstanding the mind-numbing desperation of its
subject matter, however, McCarthy's craft serves as a first class example of
the power and beauty of the written word when wielded by the hand of a master.
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Title: The Russian Hill Murders | Rating: |
| Author: Shirley Tallman | |
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| Genre: Historical Mystery | ||
| ISBN: 0312328575 | ||
| Reviewer: Lonnie Cruse |
Shirley Tallman does it again...
I met Shirley Tallman at the Southern Festival
of Books in Nashville a couple of years ago, and bought her first book, MURDER
ON KNOB HILL. Shirley is a fun gal, and her series is terrific. I enjoyed the
first book, and I've just finished reading the second in the series, THE RUSSIAN
HILL MURDERS.
Sarah Woolson becomes a lawyer in nineteenth-century San Francisco, at a time when female lawyers weren't exactly popular. She manages to force a local firm to accept her, but they put her to work typing and washing up the tea service in the office. The head of the firm is angry and embarrassed when clients insist on hiring Sarah, recognizing her intelligence and ability when her employers don't.
Who is responsible for owning a series of sweatshops, one of which burns down, killing several employees? Who killed a wealthy matron, along with others involved in running a local hospital, and who is pilfering money from the hospital? Sarah is drawn to a good looking Pierce Godfrey, but is he a suitor or an assailant? Why is she hired to represent a cranky Chinese cook, accused of the murders? Can she prove his innocence, in spite of his refusal to help in his own case?
Anyone who loves historical mystery will be drawn to this series, well written, fast moving, well plotted out, and I didn t figure out the killer's identity until the very end. Highly recommended!
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Title: My Half of the Sky | Rating: |
| Author: Jana McBurney-Lin | |
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| Genre: Literary | ||
| ISBN:978-0-9772081-1-1 | ||
| Reviewer: Annibella Beggs |
Sad but strong
Li Hui is such an admirable, sympathetic character, striving
to be a good daughter in post Mao China. She wants to fulfill her female obligation
to hold up her half of the sky. Jana McBurney-Lin gives the reader such insight
into the mind and thoughts of a young Chinese woman within the rigid, sometimes
ancient barriers she faces in her culture.
An excellent book club selection. Thought provoking, heart felt. Rich, well developed characters. Couldn't put it down.
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Title: Embraced by The Shadows | Rating: |
| Author: Mayra Calvani | |
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| Genre: Dark Fantasy | ||
| ISBN: 1-933353-89-9 | ||
| Reviewer: J. C. Hall |
Balmy, Bloody, Puerto Rican Nights
Fresh out of college, Alana has just landed
her first job as restaurant manager at La Cueva del Vampiro, a new nightclub
that everyone's talking about in the city of San Juan in her native Puerto
Rica. But what's a Philosophy major back home from Boston University doing
playing dress-up in a nightclub for horror aficionados? Well, Alana has always
had a penchant for the paranormal ever since she was a child.
But now that opening night beckons, Alana feels wretchedly nervous. For some time now, she has been plagued by disturbing dreams, dreams so sensual and intimate that she's been unable to share them even with Valeria, her life-long best friend, her "twin soul". The two attractive young women have been close since childhood, but as soon as Alana meets the enigmatic Sadash, a rift comes between them.
As Alana falls under the spell of Sadash, she begins to understand the terrible bond that already exists between them. Yet it is not something that she can, or even wishes to, deny. Amid tumultuous changes, Alana becomes convinced that her mother's tragic early death was not an accident. But who, then, was responsible? Sadash hints at the truth and urges her to discover the killer, with horrific consequences.
The characterization in Embraced By The Shadows is excellent, with the characters of Alana and Valeria both well-developed and the interaction between them utterly believable. Sadash is as suave and dashing as his name suggests. His character is infused with an unwavering intensity and a level-headedness that make him come to...ahem...life. (Immortals do not die, but you have to die to become immortal such is the contradiction that is Sadash.)
The night-scenes in San Juan, with the busy streets, the night-clubs and restaurants patronized by the young, rich and beautiful, are vividly described. I particularly enjoyed the passages that word-paint the balmy Puerto Rican nights. Here's one that's particularly enchanting:
"The air was cool and heavy with the perfume of moist soil and green leaves, and the shrill melody of insects and coquies was overwhelming. A waterfall hummed in the distance, its sound echoing across the mountain. In the distance she saw the peaked slate top of the Spanish tower, a huge mystical silhouette projecting out of the dense back foliage.
"Alana looked up at the sky. Black velvet, a clear shimmering carpet laced with diamonds. There it was in all its splendor...Sirius."
In sum, Embraced By The Shadows is a fresh addition to the dark fantasy genre, mixing modern-day Puerto Rican life with a dose of vampire lore. Author Mayra Calvani has created very true-to-life characters interacting fantastically in a sultry island setting. Embraced By The Shadows will appeal to fans of dark fantasy, and vampire aficionados in particular. A blood-chilling, spell-binding read.
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Title: Enchanter | Rating: |
| Author: David Dibble | |
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| Genre: Literary Suspense | ||
| ISBN: 0-9745790-1-7 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
Beautifully written, complex psychological tale
In this intriguing, suspenseful,
beautifully written, complex psychological tale, the author presents us with
Daniel Graham, a talented young actor who finds himself in the strange, unusual
predicament of having to save himself and escape from a darkness that, though
he may not realize it, threatens to consume him.
While acting on stage in New York, Daniel suddenly experiences what every actor dreads most stage fright. But as we are clued in at the very beginning of the story, "phobias which develop in adulthood are related to a loss of control in other major facets of one's life," thus foreshadowing a story rich with psychological implications.
After one of the performances, a small, emaciated man approaches Daniel and offers him a major role in a film soon to be shot in Italy. The rest of the cast already has been selected. When Daniel asks to see the script, the man tells him it is being kept in secrecy by the director. Strange indeed. But the pay is good, and more than anything else at this point, Daniel feels like escaping his present situation. "I was so determined to get away that I did not really dwell on where I was going," Daniel thinks.
Warm, sunny, sensuous Italy. The set is on a hill overlooking the sea and next to the ruins of an ancient Roman villa. Soon Daniel meets the cast, and he finds himself instantly attracted to actress Deidre, who is to play his love in the film. He also learns some very odd facts about the script. Supposedly, it is based on a translation by a previously unknown comedy by Ephorus, and was found buried in a clay pot until a construction project uncovered it. Moreover, the director plans to film the whole movie without re-takes. In other words, all takes are a master. Why the film has to be shot in such an unconventional way, no one seems to understand.
At times Daniel experiences feelings of "separation" and confusion, as if he is somehow breaking the thin fabric between illusion and reality. These feelings appear to intensify when he meets Count Cagliostro, an enigmatic, mysterious man feared by the locals and accused of being the Devil himself, but who also happens to be the producer. Daniel has the recurrent feeling that Cagliostro is not what he claims to be.
Unexpected events and spooky coincidences threaten Daniel's state of mind. Soon after they start filming, the actor who was to play the major role, "disappears." Daniel finds a skull by the ruins of the villa. Cagliostro shows Daniel an old Roman coin engraved with a profile which uncannily resembles Daniel's. Is Cagliostro immortal? A psychic? A magician? An alchemist? Are all the weird, spooky incidents real or hallucinations? Is the place itself evil? Is it one of those "dark places where one feels dread, where without knowledge of the horrors that occurred, there is a sinister and claustrophobic air"?
As the film unfolds, so does Daniel's story, both overlapping one another in a bizarre way. Ultimately, Daniel must save Deidre, the woman he loves, from a cave. Highly symbolic, the cave represents the darkness that has threaten to consume Daniel all this time the darkness and enigma of his childhood and family, his inability to express love and make a commitment to a woman. In escaping from this cave, Daniel will escape from this darkness. Or will he?
From the fascinating first chapter to the deeply enigmatic ending, I was entranced with the eerie, dream-like quality that permeates the novel throughout. Paralleling the mystery of the plot is the mystery of Daniel himself, and the author has made this work superbly. The author never tells the reader anything about Daniel's past, his childhood, his family. There is only a brief mention, when he refers to his parents as "monsters." Daniel, in fact, is a riddle.
The elegance and grace of the narrative and dialogue completely absorbed me. The simple, yet beautiful rich descriptions strongly appeal to the senses: "The low sun illuminated the nearby hills, oblique light cutting into ravines. In the distance, on wine-dark sea, fishing boats headed back to port after a long day. The air was scented with wild oleander and jasmine, fresh with the tang of the salty sea breeze. Some kind of blackbird squabbled in the woods behind the trailers."
Another fascinating element of the story is all the bits of information about acting and the stage. The author has done an excellent job in using this acting "illusion vs. reality" or "double-life" as a metaphor for Daniel's psyche. A book difficult to forget, Enchanter comes highly recommended from this reviewer.
*This review originally appeared in The Compulsive Reader.
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Title: Accidents Waiting to Happen | Rating: |
| Author: Simon Wood | |
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| Genre: Mystery | ||
| Reviewer: Lisa Richardson |
At The Top of My List!
This was the first book I have read by this author,
but it won't be the last! Exciting and engaging from the start, the writing
was excellent and the story line easy to follow without being predictable.
A totally believable plot, especially in today's world, and one that makes you question your own security, definitely!
I read the whole book without stopping, as I didn't want to miss what was coming next. I then passed it on to a friend, who started it on a Sunday night, and decided to stay home from work Monday and finish it!
I highly recommend you try this author if you haven't, and this book will definitely hook you. Not for the faint of heart, and certainly not a cozy, but equally realistic and hardboiled.
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Title: Double Daggers | Rating: |
| Author: James R. Clifford | |
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| Genre: Historical | ||
| ISBN: 0-89754-217-7 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
A Different Historical Novel
Double Daggers is a fascinating story revolving
around the infamous Eids of March coin the very first coin Brutus had minted
after his assassination of Julius Caesar.
The novel spans the ages, from 44 BC to the modern times, and offers the reader an intriguing glimpse into the lives of four different men Marcus Brutus, a knight during the crusades, a lieutenant working for Hitler, and a Wall Street trader as they come into contact with the "cursed" coin and their lives mysteriously take a turn for the worse.
Clifford's language flows beautifully, engaging the reader until the end. The characters, with their sinister motivations, are well drawn, and the well-researched historical background adds color and credibility to the story. With each lead character, a distinct, vivid world is presented. Combining history with a touch of the paranormal, Double Daggers is an original, well-crafted and dare I say strange story that will be enjoyed by all. Strongly recommended.
*This review originally appeared in Armchair Interviews
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Title: Fire Owl | Rating: |
| Author: Gerald W. Mills | |
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| Genre: Thriller | ||
| ISBN: 1-931201854 | ||
| Reviewer: Mayra Calvani |
Action and Suspense
Benjamin Howland, Secretary of State, represents all that
America stands for. He is gracious, knowledgeable, a war hero and true patriot.
Yet he has a darker, secret side. Propelled by twisted delusions, a distorted
sense of goodness and justice and blind, cold ambition, he's planned a mad
conspiracy that will bring back America to its old glory. Yes, blood will flow
down the streets. Thousands of men, women and children will die. But what better
way to unify a country than through great tragedy?
The plan: starting with Yellowstone National Park, to ignite fires at specific locations all throughout the country, using high-tech, computerized "owls."
The date: the 4th of July.
Always on the run with his beautiful wife Tricia, James Foster, known as a world-class terrorist and nicknamed the "Mudslinger," has just discovered a new facet to his "alien," unnatural gifts. He is able to "quench" fires. If he succeeds in getting back to the States on time, he might be able to help with those fires and save many lives. But will he when the American government has put such an exorbitant prize on his head and several contracted killers are after him?
Suspense and spine-tingling, non-stop action await you. An excellent knowledge of electronics, fast-moving scenes, believable characters and sparkling dialogue combine to make this a book you won't want to put down. Like watching a 007 film, it will grab you by the throat till the end. Though the book stands fine on its own, I would recommend reading the first two books in the series, Then is the Power and The Mudslinger Sanction, if only to become more acquainted with the protagonist's struggle to understand and control his own nature.
