Fiction Addict

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: March 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

When Sibella Giorello won a Christy Award for her debut novel, The Stones Cry Out, one had to wonder if she could maintain the momentum and offer an even stronger sophomore offering. The Rivers Run Dry answers that question with a rousing “yes” as we are once again taken into the sometimes tumultuous world of Special Agent Raleigh Harmon. Raleigh is a strong female lead with a background in geology and a penchant for plunging ahead with a case even if it gets her transferred for disciplinary reasons across country.

Raleigh has barely landed in Seattle before she is thrown into the perplexing case of a missing nineteen year old girl whose wealthy parents might have more bothering them than their snobbish wealth. Solving the case isn’t made any easier as Raleigh has to face numerous personal and professional challenges. Her boss treats her like a glorified coffee girl, her mother lives in the depth of despair, and her aunt is a new age believer in the power of crystals who persists in sending her unwelcomed clairvoyant friend to help Raleigh on cases.

Giorello gives us characters with real depth. Raleigh and her mother have both been profoundly changed by the murder of her father. The Aunt is not just some nutcase but rather a woman who feels failed by her lifelong faith and now seeks answers wherever she thinks she can find them. Raleigh’s faith is stretched to the limits by a job that leads her to places from which she may not be able to return. Even her abusive supervisor proves to be human as he seeks to help a female informant in desperate need of redemption from her life of drugs and crime.

One of the things that make this story work is the detail. Raleigh Harmon’s parking space (fifteen blocks from the Bureau building) and government issued car (the oldest in the fleet) tell us more about what her superiors think of her than any dialogue could. There are no neatly packaged family epiphanies at the end. Raleigh’s aunt is embarking on yet another new age enterprise and her mother is just beginning to emerge from her depression. What we have instead is the story of a woman of faith working in a profession where faith is hard to come by. But, as Raleigh walks off the pages of this latest installment of her life we have no doubt she will maintain that balancing act with grace and strength.

I can’t wait for Raleigh Harmon’s return in Giorello’s upcoming third novel, The Clouds Roll Away.

Genre: Superhero

Publisher: William Morrow

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

They are the two most recognizable names in comic book history. They have starred in eleven live action movies, a number of live action TV shows, numerous animated movies and TV shows, radio, comics, newspapers—you name it. They have transcended the times to become a part of American—if not world—culture.

Moreover, each of them brings to light their own unique standard and worldview. One is a representation of the man we all wish to be; the other, a picture of the savior we all long for. The two symbols collide in Enemies and Allies, where the Dark Knight first meets The Man of Steel.

As an all-out fan of Superman and as an admirer of the Batman portrayed in the recent Christopher Nolan movies, I came to this book with quite a bit of expectations. It’s SUPERMAN and BATMAN, for crying out loud! Epicness is required! And in my opinion Kevin Anderson hits that standard.

Set in the 1950s, Kal-El of Krypton has just begun to manifest himself as a flights-and-tights superhero given the name Superman. Meanwhile, Clark Kent is busy making a name for himself in Metropolis’s main newspaper, The Daily Planet. In fact, he’s the one who broke the story on Superman. Over in Gotham City a crime surge has led a mysterious caped crusader on a vigilante mission to clean up the city that playboy billionaire Bruce Wayne calls home.

I won’t insult intelligences by explaining exactly how these four personalities coalesce into two people. It is only because of Metropolis billionaire Lex Luthor that Batman and Superman—and Bruce and Clark—meet. Being set in the 1950s, Luthor has made billions in defense contracts as the Cold War builds up both the American and Soviet military. Luthor is secretly conspiring with a Soviet KBG general to continue the escalation. Both superheroes are looking into Luthor’s covert activities for their own reasons. Initially, they don’t know what to make of each other. Is the Batman a petty thief and criminal? Is this Superman under Lex Luthor’s thumb?

It’s the beginning of a tenuous relationship that grows throughout the novel—which is good, because it’s going to take both of them to stop Lex Luthor in his drive for world domination. In the end, Enemies and Allies isn’t a literary masterpiece recounting the history of the 1950s. It’s derived from two comic book characters, so there obviously are times where one has to suspend disbelief to enjoy the story. This is a completely fun story, telling the tale of two great superheroes in a new and exciting way. It doesn’t do anything towards “rewriting the mythos;” nor was it intended too. It may not be a piece of modern literary fiction, but it’s got Batman and Superman together, and what more could you really ask for?

If you’re a fan of either Batman or Superman, this is a novel you’re going to want to read. (If you’re a fan of Superman, I’d also suggest reading Anderson’s The Last Days of Krypton.) If you’re not a fan, I still suggest you pick it up…you might just get hooked.

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Publisher: Harper

Publication Date: June 2009

Reviewed by Ashley Barrett

Calla Lily Ponder grows up under the close care of her enchanting mother, the other colorful residents of La Luna, and a deity figure named The Moon Lady. After experiencing some coming-of-age heartbreak, she pursues a career in cosmetology and moves to the big city of New Orleans, where she eventually becomes the apprentice of world-class beautician, Ricky. With Ricky’s help, Calla learns both the craft and art of styling hair and soothing broken hearts, including her own.

Calla, although likeable at the beginning, is so perfect and perky I found her as believable as the Tooth Fairy. Calla is the most beautiful girl in the whole town and falls in love with the high-school quarterback, who loves her deeply and wins a scholarship to Stanford. She attends the best beauty school in the country, naturally. She is the best in her class and the instructor chooses her for his sole partner at a new salon. (Perhaps a world-class beautician would have opened his own salon already?) And, of course, by the end all the loose ends are nicely tied up and everyone goes to a big party.

Those who live a fairy-tale life might enjoy this book. Those who live in the real world may find it shallow and uninteresting.

Rebecca Wells wrote the bestselling Ya-Ya series; the most popular book, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, hit number one on the New York Times Bestseller list. Although I hadn’t read any of the Ya-Ya books, I’d heard great things about them and eagerly dove into The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder. My enthusiasm quickly waned.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder contains very little coarse language and no violence, but readers who dislike over-the-top love scenes may want to avoid this book. Although warm and funny in places, I would not recommend The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder, even to readers who enjoyed Wells’ previous work. Those who loved the Ya-Ya series should wait until the next book and hope for improvement.

Genre:  Suspense

Publisher: Bantam

Publication Date: November 24^th, 2009

Jake Chism’s Review:

In the Colorado Rockies, Grady Adams and his Irish Wolfhound, Merlin, have just discovered two creatures unlike anything they’ve ever seen before. As they welcome these mysterious animals into their home, they soon discover that their arrival coincides with a wondrous event that will forever change their lives and millions of other all over the world.

Dean Koontz never seems ceases to astonish me with the amount of tricks up his sleeve. Each installment in his illustrious career is unique and otherworldly, with Breathless being no exception. In recent offerings Koontz has come under fire, unfairly so in my opinion, for not being the same guy who once scared us around every turn with evil characters and harrowing plots. Lately, dogs have become main characters more than usual, and for whatever reason a lot of fans and critics alike have not looked kindly upon his change of style. In a bold and effective move, Koontz sticks it to the doubters and transforms familiar elements in a way we never imagined.

Not only is Man’s Best Friend featured in Breathless, but in this story animals play a bigger role than most of, if not all, Koontz’s previous works.  However, fans who feel like they have been missing out will be pleased to know that this is one of the most suspenseful novels Koontz has written in a while, with a fast paced plot laced with just the right amount of dread, wonder, and redemption. We’re even treated to some frightening and disturbing scenes that will have many readers looking under their beds and in their closets long after reading. Once again Koontz‘s prose and dialogue are delivered at the highest level as we follow several storylines to a powerful conclusion.

In the end we are left with a poignant glimpse into the beauty of nature and the mystery of life and the wonder that connects them.  I love what Koontz has done of late, and I particularly love what he’s given us here. Breathless is certainly a different kind of animal, but one that is well worth your time.

Frank Redman’s Review:

“In the stillness of a golden September afternoon, deep in the wilderness of the Rockies, a solitary craftsman, Grady Adams, and his magnificent Irish wolfhound Merlin step from shadow into light…and into an encounter with enchantment. That night, through the trees, under the moon, a pair of singular animals will watch Grady’s isolated home, waiting to make their approach.”

Dean Koontz doesn’t just entertain with written words, he writes novels of great importance, entreating us to be aware of the madness in our world and rise above it. BREATHLESS is a wonderful story about the power of good and light in a world full of darkness. Characters are presented with the opportunity to accept something so amazingly pure, it will change their lives forever. Some characters grasp that opportunity, which leads to healing and restoration. Some resist, despite the miraculous existence of the event in the first place, and their lives remain in the dark. It’s interesting to consider the justification given by the characters that refuse to accept the peace-breathing event in the story.

No one is better than Koontz at infusing stories with animals, and in many cases these animals play significant roles. BREATHLESS is one of these stories. Animal lovers will take great joy in recognizing the importance the animals have in this story.

This is a novel that could have easily been twice the length and still retain reader interest and enjoyment. There are multiple plot threads that leave you wondering as you’re reading how Koontz will be able to bring them all together. This leads me to my only complaint about the book—I didn’t want it to end. The ending was certainly no disappointment, and it didn’t feel too short; I just wanted the story to keep going.

“In a novel that is at once wholly of our time and timeless, fearless and funny, Dean Koontz takes readers into the moment between one turn of the world and the next, across the border between knowing and mystery.”

Life is indeed a mystery. And a mystery we are unlikely to ever solve. But there are clues that will help us have a more peaceful life which we’ll see if we simply take a moment and open our eyes. Koontz tells us about a few of these clues: hope, perseverance, selflessness… while at the same time telling us a story that takes us out of the everyday and entertains.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Howard Books

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Harry Bennett is a professional scavenger who spent the last year of his life rotting away in a Barbados prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Then one morning a barrister from London shows up to announce Harry’s release from prison at the dying bequest of an old friend. The will of that friend lands Harry in the posh art world of Palm Beach, Florida, and in the company of his friend’s granddaughter. Together they began to seek a treasure that had consumed their benefactor for many years. The search uncovers far more than either ever anticipated, including the murder of the man both loved dearly.

Gold of Kings is an intelligent, action-packed tale of loyalty, love, and obsession. Harry finds himself with his allegiance divided between three equal, yet very different kinds of loves: a woman who reminds him so much of the old man that trusted him when no one else would, a Federal Agent who first sees him as a suspect but ultimately captures his heart, and the gold fever both women fear still holds him firmly in its grip. Each of the main characters is driven by his or her own burning passion which at times threatens to rip the tenuous team apart. Which will win out? Will it be the drive for revenge or the desire to be professionally recognized? Or, in spite of Harry’s growing brotherly love for one and romantic love for another, will it be the gold that wins out in the end?

More recently T. Davis Bunn has been known for his collaboration with Janette Oke but in Gold of Kings he returns to a genre in which he is quite talented. This is suspense with a brain and a heart. The villain is deadly, elusive, and smart. But, unlike many suspense novels these days his methods of killing do not take center stage. Harry Bennett isn’t perfect and still has a little larceny left in him at the end of the story. But, he has also learned much about what is of real value. He discovers the greatest protagonist each of us faces is our heart. And, the greatest treasure is more lasting even than the Gold of Kings.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Scribner

Publication date: October 2009

Reviewed by Jennifer Roman

After reading Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle, I was anxious to read her second book, Half Broke Horses.  While Half Broke Horses wasn’t quite as captivating as The Glass Castle, it still made me glad I read it.

Set in the early 1900s in Texas and later Arizona, Half Broke Horses tells the story of Walls’ maternal grandmother’s life from childhood to middle age.  She writes in the first person of Lily Casey Smith, a plucky ranch girl who learns life lessons the hard way.  Nothing is easy for Lily, whether it be in education, work, or her love life.  She wants to get an education, but her mother doesn’t think education is necessary for girls.  She struggles with trying to make money during the Great Depression, and she marries a man who is already married with a child and one on the way.  Throughout her struggles, though, Lily always keeps a stiff upper lip and creatively makes things work for her.

This book is labeled a novel because while the stories are handed down from generation to generation, Walls is unable to substantiate everything.  Rather, she describes the book as “a true-life novel.”  It reads not as a novel, though, but as a series of short stories.  Half Broke Horses showcases the grit, the determination, and the often wacky lifestyle of Americans who did what they had to do in order to survive.  Readers will enjoy Lily’s frank and often un-PC opinions, which often get her into trouble.  They will enjoy how each story builds on the previous one to explain her life choices and struggles.

I mention that it is not as captivating as The Glass Castle, but that is only because it is hard to compete with a book about growing up with an immature, unhinged mother and an alcoholic, con-man father.  Where Jeannette’s mother is flighty and interested in art, her grandmother is staunch and grounded.  Her father feeds her mother’s whims, while her grandfather works hard physical labor every day to provide for his family.  Working hard to make ends meet isn’t as fascinating as a dysfunctional family, but Walls still manages to honor her grandparents with colorful stories of their life during courtship and raising small children.  For anyone interested in learning how life was out West at the turn of the century, this book is for them.

Genre: Humor

Publisher: Back Bay Books/Little, Brown and Co.

Publication Date: 2007

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

In an insightful look into the world of advertising, Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris shows the inner workings of a struggling ad agency in a bumpy economy. Ferris is borderline prophetic in this 2007 publication; he forecasts what many shops in the ad world currently face today.

The novel focuses on the creative department of a Chicago agency whose employees spend their mornings twiddling their thumbs, playing pranks and meddling in each others’ business while they wait/hope for work to arrive. As the looming layoffs become a reality to more and more of the agency’s members, readers encounter more of the employees’ lives and the individual crises they face: Carl’s rocky marriage, Tom’s unstable personality, Amber’s intra-office pregnancy and stoic employer Lynn’s rumored battle with cancer which unifies the book and the cast as well. The dynamic roster of characters Ferris has created draws the reader in to the ad world and into the characters’ lives.

As a member of a creative advertising team, I found this book to ring true in tone and content. The hijinks, the projects, the atmosphere. It reminds the reader a bit of “The Office” for ad agencies, but with a gentler humor and greater subtlety of dialogue. Ferris uses the first person plural, “we,” to capture the camaraderie as well as the corporate nature in his novel; I found it very effective. Although a bit jarring at first (it is an unusual point-of-view), it quickly captured the essence of corporate life—this, along with savvy observations of office nuances.

Then We Came to the End is a National Book Award finalist and justifiably so. It’s a surprising and excellent effort from a first time novelist.

Genre: Comedy, Mystery

Publisher: Viking

Released: October 29, 2009

Reviewed by Jonathan Schindler

If you are like me, then you too think that the Christmas season is far too short. The four or so weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are not nearly enough time for all the music that needs listening, lights that need viewing, eggnog that needs drinking, and holiday books that need reading. Christmas is a special season when, despite the hustle and bustle of shopping and parties and the moaning of an overburdened schedule about to buckle, the images of the cozy hearth and hot drink reign in my mind.

And cozy is exactly the word I would use to describe A Rumpole Christmas, the newest (and, unfortunately, posthumous) release of Rumpole stories from John Mortimer. All of these stories have appeared before in one form or another, but it is the combination of Christmas capers that gives this collection its cozy feeling.

Rumpole—barrister, Old Bailey hack, and a bit of a Scrooge himself—doesn’t care too much for Christmas. As he explains, “I suppose what I have against Christmas Day is that the courts are all shut and no one is being tried for anything.” Still, while the courts may be on hiatus, crime never takes a break, and it is up to Rumpole to solve the mysteries necessary to perform his duty to justice (and get his clients off). As if solving crimes weren’t enough, Rumpole must also navigate the dangerous waters of a “health farm” (where he encounters “a bicycle that you could exhaust yourself on without getting anywhere”); an arctic Norfolk Christmas (which finds Rumpole “hugging the radiator”); a British pantomime, for which Rumpole feels deceptive nostalgia; and the other whims of She Who Must Be Obeyed, his wife, Hilda.

It may seem odd to call a collection “cozy” when the stories involve murder and adultery, blackmail and robbery. Yet it is Mortimer’s particular brand of genius that makes them so. Mortimer keeps the sordid details to a minimum, allowing Rumpole’s singular voice to steal the show. Rumpole as a narrator is humorous without being flamboyant, dry without being boring, intelligent without being stuffy. American humor, I’ve found, tends toward outrageous narrators; Rumpole is much more subdued, the “straight man,” but he is no less enjoyable to read. The Rumpole stories make me think of what P. G. Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster stories would be like if they were narrated by Jeeves instead of Wooster. And, in addition to Rumpole’s warm narration, the Christmas spirit, continually mentioned and observed, and a cast of recurring characters to share it with provide the firelight for this cozy collection.

A Rumpole Christmas is sure to delight this Christmas. I read that this volume is perfect as a stocking stuffer; its merit makes it better suited to be a main gift in its own right. A Rumpole Christmas is likely to become for me a holiday staple, alongside Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Henry Van Dyke’s Story of the Other Wise Man, stories that display and embody the Christmas spirit they spread.

Genre: Political Thriller

Publisher: Atria

Publication date: October 13, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Vince Flynn is to political thrillers today what Robert Ludlum was in the 1970s and ’80s and Tom Clancy was in the ’90s. His politically incorrect but oh-so-emotionally satisfying solutions to real-world problems keep readers not only on the edge of their seats but intellectually engaged from cover to cover. Poll results would seem to indicate that roughly half the country won’t agree with Flynn’s right-leaning political outlook, but even readers who don’t endorse his politics can’t help but be caught up in the suspense and drama that he brings to his stories. Readers who embrace his worldview, on the other hand, may find themselves cheering aloud as the patriotic good guys win the day using any and all means necessary.

Pursuit of Honor continues the events of Flynn’s previous book, Extreme Measures. One week after a horrific terrorist attack in Washington, D.C.—an attack that would have been even worse without CIA operative Mitch Rapp’s heroic measures—the leaders of the terror cell that instigated the plot are still on the loose. Rapp and his partner, Mike Nash, are intent on finding the perpetrators and enacting some very personal and immediate retribution. When Nash begins to have second thoughts about the morality of their quest, Rapp begins looking for a way to get him off the case. Meanwhile, bureaucratic red tape combined with treachery at high levels within the U.S. government threaten to ensure that ultimate justice is never served. It’s up to Mitch Rapp to find a way to coax the terrorists out of hiding while staying one step ahead of those within his own government who don’t want him to succeed.

Taking on issues such as the morality and effectiveness of torture as a means of acquiring potentially life-saving information, this book is sure to spark some controversy. What is never in question is the caliber of the writing, as Flynn creates dynamic settings and brings realistic and sympathetic characters to life. Particularly impressive are chapters written from the terrorists’ point of view; though the evil of their actions is never in question, Flynn manages to make the reader almost start to root for their success—up to a point. The heart-pounding climax features Rapp at his terrorist-thumping best, and though the emotional payoff is perhaps not quite as dramatic as in previous books (most notably Consent to Kill), Vince Flynn fans will leave simultaneously satisfied and eager for more.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Back Bay Books

Publication Date: September 14, 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

Dr. Peter Brown isn’t your normal everyday doctor. That much is clear within Beat the Reaper’s first paragraph, when the good doctor is mugged on his way to what must be the world’s worst hospital. Not only does Dr. Brown disarm the mugger and do some serious damage to the guy’s arm in the process, Bazell also stops the story—told in the first person—to have the Doctor recount just how it was that the mugger’s arm came apart so easily.

Dr. Brown proceeds to the hospital and, as it turns out, this encounter would be the most normal part of his day. Some of this is because he practices*medicine at an incredibly dysfunctional hospital, but most of it is because Dr. Peter Brown has a former life as Pietro “Bearclaw” Brynwa, a hit man for the mob.

Part of the book tells Peter’s back story. He grew up in the home of a mob lawyer and was best friends with his son Skinflick (a nickname, don’t ask), joined the mob, and killed some people. The reader sees Peter come of age, find love, and desire to get out of the mob.

The other part takes place in the present. One of Dr. Brown’s patients is a mob lowlife that recognizes Brown as the infamous Bearclaw. With his cover blown, Peter has to survive his shift, save his patients, outwit the mob, and in the end, face down a friend turned foe.

One thing I’ll say for Bazell is that he’s got something unique with Beat the Reaper. Section breaks were denoted by the picture of the grim reaper carrying his sickle. At one point in the book, Peter muses that this imagery is antiquated and that the reaper should drive a tractor, and thenceforth that is the image the reader sees for every section break.

The first person narration lends some impact to the book, as it allows Bazell, a real life doctor, to inject bits of medical descriptions into the book while adding to his character’s development and personality, rather than it coming from a dispassionate third person narrator. But this isn’t to say that Bazell is without flaw. Some of the events of both storylines seem randomly thrown in and don’t really contribute to the overall storyline. There’s also a lot of unnecessary profanity (OK, we get it, mobsters…and doctors…swear a lot). If it was contextual, I wouldn’t care so much, but there are places where it really detracts from the story.

Overall, after reading Beat the Reaper, I had a “meh” feeling. After thinking on it for a bit, I decided that I really liked the plot, but not always the execution. Rumor is that this is going to be a movie with Leonardo DiCaprio playing the lead. I wonder if the movie will have footnotes too.

*Somebody please express abject horror at the fact that doctors call their profession a practice! Bazell also incorporates footnotes, just like this one here, for either medical clarification or humorous effect. It’s up to reader to decide which I’m trying to do with this footnote. Sometimes they’re a little distracting, but overall it’s unique and effective.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

It’s DC like you’ve never seen it before. David Baldacci’s newest novel True Blue takes the reader on a no-holds-barred journey through the capital city as the just out of jail ex-cop Mace Perry seeks to prove that she deserves her badge back.

Mace was deep undercover trying to get some evidence to bust a major drug ring when somehow she was found out. Instead of being killed, the drug lords shot her up with meth and made her part and partial to some illegal activities. Jury didn’t buy it, so she spent two years in jail and lost her badge.

Her badge. Being a cop was really all she cared for. It defined who she was. And now that she’s back on the streets, she determined to become a true blue once again—by solving a crime. She gets a perfect chance when Roy Kingman walks into his law firm and discovers the dead body of a coworker.

She begins to investigate the murder, both relying on and getting in trouble with her sister Beth—who just happens to be DC’s chief of police. The farther she digs, the more Mace realizes that what seems to be a routine murder is only a small part of a bigger picture that may involve government officials at the highest level.

It’s a highly captivating read though I will admit that it requires some suspension of belief (an ex-cop on parole and a lawyer who is a suspect in the murder break the law repeatedly in order to help solve the case). Baldacci helps us believe the story through his realistic and compelling depiction of a DC not thought about by most—a tough and gritty neighborhood where even cops tread carefully and crimes are committed out in the open streets.

In the end, True Blue is a fascinating read that’s sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys government conspiracies, mind-bending twists, and a cocky and rough-and-tumble heroine (and who doesn’t?). Word is that True Blue is just the first in a new series that Baldacci will pen. If so, I’ll be awaiting the release of book two, in the hopes that I will find Mace Perry ready as ever to tackle the mean streets of DC.

As a note, True Blue does contain a lot of PG-13 language, enough so that I stopped counting. The usage fits the characters, but readers that are sensitive to this will not want to pick up this novel. Also, the murder in the book also involves evidence of rape, which is spoken about in a medical fashion but may be offensive to some readers.

Genre: Adaptation, Science Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Ulysses Press

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

As part of my recent Austen binge, I thought to myself that I was reviewing zombies in the Regency era, why not vampires? After all, vampire folklore has a longer history than the current zombie fads. It might be interesting to explore.

In this book, Fitzwilliam Darcy, our favorite romantic hero, is a dhampir. That’s half human half vampire. When the book opens, he’s already fighting his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet and the two of them have stolen away for several evening adventures that would have been considered scandalous had they been caught.  Darcy fights his feelings, not because of Elizabeth’s pride or stature in society, but because of the curse that has followed his family for generations. He doesn’t want to pass the curse on to another generation, and so he has decided that he will remain single for all of his days. That is, until he meets Elizabeth Bennet. He then falls madly in love with her and spends the rest of the story trying to figure out what he should do with these feelings.

The story differs from the original while remaining true enough to make sure that the main characters all ended in the same general manner as the original.  This is a love story. It’s about passion, desire, romance and overcoming obstacles. It was a fun read but it took me separating my ideas and expectations and putting them aside before I could enjoy it. After I divorced myself from the attachment to Austen’s original, I pulled back and quit trying so hard to make it fit into what I already knew and loved. Then it became a much better read.

Rather than a tried and true adaptation of this classic romance, it felts more like a vampire love story into which our favorite characters were dropped. It was hard to imagine Darcy saying some of the things attributed to him in this book and likewise, difficult to see Elizabeth acting in the manner that she did.

As I mentioned previously though, once I removed the expectations and viewed it through a fresh lens, it was a good story that was interesting to follow. With the crazy vampire phenomenon all over publishing right now,  (honestly you can’t drop a popsicle stick in a fiction section these days without staking a vampire book) I’m sure that many will find pleasure and delight in this book bringing together the latest craze with a tried and true classic favorite.

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: November 16^th, 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Alex Cross has just been notified that a distant family member has been murdered. As he looks into the details of the gruesome death, he finds connections to even more killings and mysterious disappearances. Soon the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place and all signs seem to point to a killer within the White House.  Alex Cross has faced his fair share of foes, but never has he gone against a killer who is as untouchable as this madman. Never one to give up, Alex Cross holds nothing back in his quest for justice.

James Patterson brings back his most beloved character in this sixteenth installment of the Alex Cross series. Long time fans will be pleased to know that this latest installment falls much closer to home than recent attempts. Patterson has certainly put Cross through the ringer with countless relationship problems, a myriad of career changes, and even a poorly imagined international romp in Cross Country. This time around we are treated to what hooked us on these novels in the first place: great mystery, strong character development, and the relentless pacing that has become the trademark of Patterson’s writing.

While I enjoyed the high profile mystery in this plot, what really sold me were the relationships that are so beautifully explored with the characters we have grown to love. There are some truly heartwarming and gut wrenching scenes that might just catch you off guard, if for no other reason than the glimpse into the eventual reality for Alex that they hint at. Mushy stuff aside, there is still plenty of action and suspense to go around for thrill seekers to devour.

It should come as no surprise to returning readers that this story is peppered with bad language, sexual content, and violence throughout. Readers searching for some “light” mystery reading should keep on searching. However, if you long for a raw, engrossing thriller that will keep you churning pages long into the night, then I, Alex Cross is certainly for you.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Publication Date: April 21, 2009

Reviewed by Frank Redman

David Baldacci is one of the more recognized writers today and known for his character driven stories and a lot of action. Yet First Family is the first Baldacci novel I’ve had the pleasure of reading. It took only a few pages to recognize why he’s so popular.

First Family is the fourth in a series involving characters Sean King and Michelle Maxwell, former Secret Service agents that now share a partnership as Washington D.C. private investigators. I’m sure there is some back story I missed by starting with book four, yet Baldacci provided enough insight into the characters to give me an understanding of who they are and their personal issues. The plot itself is stand alone and introduces an assortment of new characters.

The 12-year-old niece of First Lady Jane Cox is kidnapped following a birthday party at Camp David. King and Maxwell are hired to investigate, much to the obvious disapproval of the Secret Service and FBI. Meanwhile, we follow 62-year-old Sam Quarry, eventually discovering his involvement with the story from his compound in Alabama, called Atlee.

Baldacci throws in several plot twists as well as twisting our feelings and perceptions of characters. I enjoy novels in which things do not seem as they are, and First Family has that same form of attraction.

The story is full of scandals involving murder, high politics, and national security. The novel also creates believable scenarios depicting Secret Service and FBI procedures.

First Family is a long story, but it did not give me the feeling of hoping it ends soon. In contrast, it did give me the feeling of wanting to read the previous three novels in the series.

Genre: Adaptation, Science Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Quirk Books

Publication Date: April 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Pride and Prejudice. And Zombies. What else is there that you can possibly say when a beloved classic is suddenly injected with the modern day idea of brain eating zombies? I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book and I approached it with trepidation. I love Jane Austen. Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth Bennet. Mr. Bingley. Netherfield. Pemberley. These are old friends not just to me but to generations of romantics at heart. How can one honestly put zombies in the mix and have it be good?

And yet, it is. Yes. I’ve said it out loud right here on the internet for the entire world to see. This book was good.  Beyond good, it was delightful to read.

Using Regency era language and manners, the new sections fit seamlessly into Jane Austen’s original text and story.  In one moment you may be reading about Darcy and Elizabeth taking a turn about the gardens at Pemberley and a page later, the two are fighting ‘unmentionables’ side by side with a deadly accuracy. Or Lady Catherine De Bourgh, while hosting a meal at her lavish home, suddenly shares the stories of how she came to have so many ninjas in her employ.

It’s an amazing adaptation that delighted me to no end. In fact, parts of this book were (dare I say it?) more satisfying in conclusion than the original. Wickham’s dastardly actions are answered in a manner that is admittedly over the top. Yet as I was reading, I couldn’t help but give a cheer at this Darcy’s actions and response.

In this adaptation, the Bennet girls are well known throughout the countryside for being exceptional zombie killers. They even traveled to the Orient to study under world renowned martial arts masters. They are, in short, as deadly as they are beautiful. When a troop of unmentionables shows up at a ball, the Bennet sisters are quick to dispatch them all with grace and style.

This adaptation has kept all of the characterization, mannerisms and language of the original Pride and Prejudice and taken great care to insert zombies in places that are a surprisingly seamless fit. In fact while I was reading I would find myself so engrossed in the story that when zombies were mentioned, I laughed out loud because I’d forgotten what I was reading. But still, they fit in an odd alternate universe sort of way.

This book was a delightful read that made me laugh and at the same time, re-experience the beautiful romance that belongs to Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth. If you’ve been wondering about it, give it a try. You might find yourself surprised and delighted.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Kregel

Publication Date: July 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

How do you manage to work modern geo-politics, the composer of Pomp and Circumstance, an ancient and still barely understood language, and Charles Spurgeon, the most recognized preacher of the nineteenth century, into a tightly written novel of suspense? Pick up The Sacred Cipher by Terry Brennan and you’ll find out. What begins as the casual discovery of a long forgotten scroll hidden within the walls of the Bowrey Mission in New York City escalates into an all-out race to prove the existence of a rumored temple hidden beneath the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem for a millennium.

In his debut novel, Brennan puts his background as an award winning journalist and longtime officer of the Bowrey Mission to good use in weaving a fast paced story that blends strong characters, tight dialogue, and action that hits a dizzying pace as the story races to its conclusion. If you think the story idea is not plausible you would do well to bone up a little on Middle Eastern religion and politics or watch the evening news for a few weeks.

The spiritual themes of the story are strong but woven into the fabric of the story rather than seeming artificial or forced. The people sucked into this mystery have depth and reflect the personalities of real people. Some believe but doubt. Others doubt but wish they could believe. And all involved find their personal search has ramifications far bigger and potentially more destructive than any ever considered. With this kind of writing one can only hope that Terry Brennan has many more stories in him yet to be told.

On this episode Kevin Kaiser, Miriam Parker, Tosca Lee, and Jake Chism sit down to discuss the effects of social networking and new media on the publishing industry. We cover the pros and cons of Facebook and Twitter, how important it is for authors to “get their name out there”, and social networking etiquette. Enjoy!

This podcast episode can also be downloaded via our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

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Genre: Comedy, Sci-fi

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Released: October 20, 2009

Reviewed by Jonathan Schindler

American fiction suffered a great loss in April 2007 when Kurt Vonnegut passed away. Thankfully, his fans have not been forgotten, as two posthumous volumes of his writings have so far been released. The second of these, Look at the Birdie, a collection of previously unpublished short fiction, hit shelves in late October.

The stories in Look at the Birdie were not written anywhere near the time of Vonnegut’s death, and for having sat around unpublished for nearly fifty years, they hold up pretty well. The curmudgeonly Vonnegut of latter days is virtually absent from this book. Instead, we find an almost uncharacteristically optimistic Vonnegut. The problems in the world that he later subjects to satire and black humor are here met with hope in the goodness of human beings (hope he might later deem misplaced). While this results in a generally bright collection, Vonnegut occasionally falls into bouts of sentimentality, something fans of his later works might be unaccustomed to. But there is enough here that is vintage Vonnegut—quirky, off-kilter, incisive, and hilarious—that should satisfy his readers.

My favorite story in this collection is probably “FUBAR,” which provides us with a look at Fuzz Littler, whose life has been Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition, “not by malice but by administrative accidents.” Littler “became fubar in the classic way, which is to say that he was the victim of a temporary arrangement that became permanent.” Littler is a bumbler in the same way that many of Vonnegut’s great characters are, but this bumbler, entering the universe with Vonnegut’s optimism in control, comes to a better end. I also enjoyed “Little Drops of Water,” in which a spurned woman gets the best kind of revenge on her fastidious jilter: marriage. “Shout It from the Housetops” provides an interesting look at the life of a wildly popular writer and the damage her fame does on her personal life, something Vonnegut may have known something about.

Vonnegut’s trademark explorations of the bizarre and excursions into sci-fi territory are certainly present here. In “Confido,” an inventor finds creates a device that provides a constant conversation partner for the wearer. Unfortunately, the conversation is not always what one wants to (or should) hear. In “The Nice Little People,” a small, knife-shaped space ship arrives on earth, and the tiny aliens it contains begin to worship the man who gives them peanut butter and cheese. There are appearances by murder counselors, hypnotists, civilized ants, and real and counterfeit geniuses, and these characters combined with Vonnegut’s playful storytelling and penchant for twists make for novel, entertaining stories.

Look at the Birdie is peppered throughout with Vonnegut’s surreal illustrations, and the introduction by Sidney Offit is a fitting tribute to one of the masters of American fiction. An introductory letter that Vonnegut wrote to Walter J. Miller in 1951, which he describes (in the same letter) as “sententious crap, shot full of self-pity . . . the kind of letter writers seem to write,” helps set the stage for what is to follow. While I wouldn’t say Look at the Birdie is Vonnegut’s strongest work, it was certainly a joy to read and, best of all, reminded me of why I read his books in the first place. Kurt Vonnegut will truly be missed.

Recently Jake Chism caught up with NY Times Bestselling Author Joe Schreiber to talk about his new novel, Star Wars: Death Troopers. Joe also discusses his novel, No Doors, No Windows, his upcoming Supernatural tie in novel, and his thoughts on the writing craft.

More about Joe:

Joe Schreiber was born in Michigan but spent his formative years in Alaska, Wyoming and northern California. Until recently, he has never lived in the same address for longer than a year. Before settling in Hershey he lived in New York, Boston, Martha’s Vineyard, Chicago, Los Angeles, Portland (OR), and Philadelphia. Becoming a parent forced him to consider a career with more reliable income, and he got a job as an MRI tech at Hershey Medical Center. Joe is married and has two children. He is the author of Chasing The Dead, Eat The Dark, and his newest tale of terror; No Doors, No Windows, which went on sale the same day as STAR WARS: DEATH TROOPERS. You can find him on the web at his blog ScaryParent.Blogspot.Com and on Suvudu.Com, where he is an occasional horror columnist.

You can read our review of Star Wars: Death Troopers here.

This interview can also be downloaded via our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

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Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Doubleday

Publication date: September 15th, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

In his follow-up to the mega-best-selling The Da Vinci Code, Dan Brown has produced what is essentially a love letter to the Masonic Order combined with a humanistic New Age manifesto, thinly disguised as a genuinely entertaining ticking-clock thriller.

When Robert Langdon arrives in Washington to deliver an address at an awards dinner at the urgent request of his friend and mentor Peter Solomon, he discovers he has been duped; not only is there no dinner, but Peter has been kidnapped, and Langdon’s presence in the capital is not to deliver a speech but to assist the kidnapper in decoding a series of Masonic codes supposedly leading to a cache of hidden wisdom. As Langdon deciphers layer after layer of an increasingly complex code, he must draw upon his vast but incomplete knowledge of Masonic lore in hopes of saving his friend’s life before it’s too late. Working with him are the director of the CIA’s Security Office, who insists that what Langdon is about to uncover is somehow related to national security, and Peter’s sister, a beautiful and brilliant noetic scientist on the verge of discovering a tangible link between human thoughts and material reality, including the existence of the soul.

The Lost Symbol is every bit as readable as The Da Vinci Code while even more intense and possibly more controversial. The writing is engaging, the characters are rich and well-supplied with interesting back-stories, and the action is practically nonstop. Brown clearly undertook a monumental research project in preparation for writing; readers are inundated with a wealth of information about Masons, noetic science, and New Age mysticism, though as in Brown’s previous books the line between fact and fiction is rather blurry at times. The book takes place almost entirely in Washington, D.C., and readers will enjoy experiencing the buildings, symbols, and myths of the U.S. capital from a new perspective.

Unsurprisingly, traditional Christianity (along with Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam) is portrayed as at best backward and uninformed and at worst downright deceptive. Masons, on the other hand, are the enlightened protectors of sacred knowledge, and those who embrace the concept that God is within us all are on the path to true fulfillment. Brown’s treatment of the Masonic Order is unequivocally positive, although his descriptions of Masonic rituals paint them in an undeniably sinister light even as he defends their motives. The book contains no sexual content and minimal foul language, but the stark evil of the villain along with depictions of ritual sacrifice, bizarre ceremonies, and sadistic torture and murder make the story much darker than either of the two previous books in the series.

The pace lags a bit toward the end as Brown lapses into preacher mode, working his characters into a frenzy of pseudo-spiritualism that contributes little other than to make one wish the book had ended a few chapters earlier. Nevertheless, as an example of how to communicate what could have been pedantic and esoteric information in a thoroughly engaging way, The Lost Symbol succeeds brilliantly.

Genre: Science Fiction, Horror

Publisher: Scribner

Publication Date: November 10th, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

Stephen King, no novice at penning lengthy tomes, turns in another 1,000-plus-page behemoth with Under the Dome, a book he started writing in 1976 but abandoned for more than three decades. More than 30 years later, with one of the most remarkable literary careers in history under his belt, he tackled the project again, this time completing a story that plumbs the depths of human wickedness.

The town of Chester’s Mill, Maine, is a pretty typical-seeming smallish New England community. It has a diner, a used car dealership, a couple of churches, a supermarket, a newspaper, and a religious radio station. Most of its 2,000 or so residents are good, honest people who genuinely care for each other and for their town.

The scene changes abruptly when a mysterious and invisible barrier materializes out of nowhere, completely cutting the town off from the rest of the world. Within minutes, the death toll begins to rise. A plane smashes into the barrier followed by a number of cars. As scientists and government and military officials scramble to find a way to break through the barrier, those inside the dome have to quickly adjust to their new reality. And with Stephen King manning the controls, it’s just a matter of time before that reality turns sinister.

Within days, Chester’s Mill turns into a depressing cauldron of murder, corruption, conspiracy, and increasing fear. The town’s police fall under the control of a vicious town selectman with dictatorial ambitions. Resources are seized. Vocal dissenters are jailed—or worse. Soon the air quality inside the dome begins to change. Illnesses increase. Children begin to have seizures and frightening visions. Fear leads to anger, and people start to do things they wouldn’t have dreamed of just days earlier. As tension mounts, the stage is set for a final cataclysmic showdown between those who will stop at nothing to enforce their agenda for the town and those who believe the town’s increasingly dangerous leaders must be stopped at any cost.

On some levels, Under the Dome is almost allegorical. The town’s blossoming dictatorship is reminiscent of Nazi Germany or Soviet Russia, with a charismatic leader ruling by force, police who operate outside the law, and “police solidarity” armbands for citizens. The worsening environment inside the dome could be a picture of climate change. The fact that the villains are all right-wing fundamentalist Christians (extremely hypocritical Christians at that) is probably a statement of some sort, and there are a few references to Fallujah that some might see as antimilitary. In any case, whether or not the author intended to send a message through the story, the book absolutely illustrates the tendency of power to corrupt and the inherent wickedness of the human heart.

Under the Dome is not an easy book to read, and not only because of its size. Readers familiar with King’s work will be unsurprised to find foul language and sexual content, some of it disturbing (most notably a gang rape scene and hints of necrophilia). There’s plenty of violence, quite a bit of drug use, and lots of examples (very nearly too many, in fact) of people treating each other in all kinds of horrible ways. Though the dome is the reason the townspeople are in their predicament, the real conflict in the book is not people vs. the dome but people vs. each other. This book could just as easily have been titled The Worst-Case Scenario because on page after page, just when it seems the forces of good might be about to catch a break, King pulls the rug out from under them yet again. There’s very little in the way of a redemptive message.

Yet all this is offset by King’s trademark brilliance in character development and plot pacing, and much of the prose is beautifully crafted. King utilizes an antiquated but effective technique in his narration, slipping into present tense and addressing the reader directly at times to draw attention to a particular item of interest in a scene or to explicitly foreshadow some coming tragedy. Careful readers will find a few references to other Stephen King books peppered throughout.

When he wants to, Stephen King is capable of writing stunningly beautiful stories championing the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity (Duma Key is an example). Under the Dome is not such a book. This is a story about human ugliness, and it’s all the more uncomfortable because it rings true. Even so, the brilliance of King’s writing is evident on every one of the 1,074 pages. Fair warning: don’t start this book unless you have some time on your hands. Uncomfortable though the book may be, it’s compelling and suspenseful, and once you start reading, it quickly becomes very difficult to put down.

Genre: Horror

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Mix Children of the Corn with The Sixth Sense and Monsters, Inc., and you’ll encounter a brew that remotely resembles John Dies at the End by David Wong (or Jason Pargin, as he goes by in our particular dimension).

David and his phallic-obsessed buddy, John, are bumming their way through life, working meaningless jobs and screwing around. Until they encounter “The Soy Sauce.” The Sauce, a supernatural drug, opens their eyes to other worlds that are infiltrating our own. But the stranger their lives become, the greater the danger David and John face. Soon, they encounter a much larger problem than mere meat monsters and skin-burrowing flies.

Wong blends horror and suspense with comedy—a tricky combination—and pulls it off effortlessly. The book is a long one, with a challenging plot line that requires patience. But the unique characterizations and plot twists reward that patience. Wong uses a fascinating voice: part manic, part stream of consciousness, with a hint of Salinger and a touch of smart-ass. The result? The reader feels like he’s entered a world of madness along with the characters and must fight through this world with them.

While I didn’t always fully understand what was happening or why, Wong kept me engaged; I kept turning pages to find the answers. However, the book deserved a more succinct ending a few pages sooner. Vulgarity and graphic images—which I would have preferred in less abundance—pepper the book, but stylistically, they fit with the slacker characterizations Wong has created, as well as the horror genre.

John Dies at the End is an unusual read that spawned a cult following in its early, online days. More recently, fans can look forward to a film coming in 2010.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Water Brook Press

Publication Date: May 2009

Reviewed by Josh Olds

“Even if we are all broken

We each are a reflection of God

Living with your arms wide open

Spreading your wings to take off.

-          Beautiful Bird by Cindy Morgan

(The song that completes Caitlyn’s journey in Broken Angel)

Run. That’s all Caitlyn and her father Jordan can do. The most infamous bounty hunter of them all is after them. After her. And whatever happens, she cannot be caught. Author Sigmund Brouwer begins the book at an addictive, page-turning pace and the action and intrigue never let up even as the final pages are turned.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world known as Appalachia, Caitlyn and her father are running from a bounty hunter sent by Bar Elohim, the theocratic ruler of the country hewn out of the mountains after years of government infighting in the United States. Father and daughter become separated and Caitlyn must continue on alone, relying only on his messages. She seeks out only to find safety but also understand the dark mystery surrounding her existence. Why had her parents wanted to kill her when she was born? Why was she not like the other children? Why was she being hunted?

In the background, Brouwer fleshes out the world of Appalachia. Created when religious fundamentalism became more about politics than religion, the country is a closed region. None go out and few come in. Everyone inside the country wears a vidpod, which allows their conversations to be recorded and their whereabouts to be tracked. None escape the all-seeing eye of the servant of God who rules Appalachia, the one called Bar Elohim. But secretly, a group called the Clan has been helping those that dissent with Appalachia’s rule escape to the Outside. This is where Caitlyn must run.

The story is a blitzkrieg of events that dare you to stop reading. You feel drawn to Caitlyn’s suffering as she tries to understand what is different about her that she would be hunted. You are aghast as the culture of Appalachia is unveiled—and you wonder how far it is from our own. But in the end, it is the story of one girl who must outwit a treacherous bounty hunter and soar like a broken angel.

Broken Angel is a challenging emotional story that manages to engage the mind while rending the heart. But it isn’t the end of the story. Flight of Shadows (coming Jan 2010) continues Caitlyn’s journey as trouble pursues her as she now faces life on the Outside. I am eagerly anticipating this second novel even as I continue now to wrap my mind around the first one. Truly a remarkable read.

Genre: Chicklit, Romance

Publisher: Summerside Press

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

For someone who doesn’t like Christmas, it’s not easy for Bryce Stone to live in North Pole, Alaska. Throw in the fact that he’s just returned from Iraq where he was blinded in one eye and that he has no clue what to do with the family business, and all you need is a spunky independent woman to make a perfect romance. That’s what Loree Lough has pulled together in this installment of the “Love Finds You” series from Summerside Press.

When Sam Sinclair packs up and moves her entire life to Alaska to take a job, she’s more than unhappy to find out that the job has already been given to someone else. This leaves her with no job and Bryce with a lot of loose ends in his life. Thankfully he’s got an Aunt who always has her eye out for his best interests and she hires Sam to manage the family’s Christmas store. It’s not long before Sam and Bryce are delightfully driving each other up the wall. I laughed out loud at several of their discussions and couldn’t help but get a kick out of some of the flaws that the two of them discover in each other.

With gentle twists, nudges, and beautiful heart wrenching moments, Loree Lough introduces us to beautiful characters that are flawed, beautiful, complicated, and yet still easy for everyone to understand.  Her writing style is beautiful and descriptive while being comfortable enough to make you feel like you’re sliding into your favorite pair of blue jeans.

This was the first Loree Lough book that I’ve read, though she has a bajillion of them on the market. Okay, maybe not a bajillion, but enough that one should stand up and take notice. I’m delighted to say that I have another waiting here to read and more to come in the future. If you need a break from reality that’s heartwarming and beautiful while giving you the desire to travel to a new place, give Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska a try.

Tim George was able to sit down recently with NY Times Bestselling Author Jeff Shaara and discuss his latest novel, No Less Than Victory, as well as his future plans. We were especially honored to have retired Captain Harry Bachus recount some of his personal memories as a B-17 pilot and POW in Germany during World War II. Our thanks to Brian McLendon, V.P. Deputy Director of Publicity at Ballantine/Bantam for coordinating this special meeting.

You can read Tim’s review of No Less Than Victory here.

More about Jeff:

Jeff Shaara, a descendant of Italian immigrants, was born in 1952 in New Brunswick, New Jersey (“Shaara” was originally spelled “Sciarra”). He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University in 1974, with a degree in Criminology. From age 16, Jeff operated a rare coin business, first out of his home, then in a retail store. In 1974, he moved to Tampa, Florida, and eventually, Jeff became one of the most widely known coin and precious-metals dealers in Florida. In 1988, Jeff’s father, the writer Michael Shaara, died, and Jeff made the decision to sell his business, and take over the management of his father’s estate.

In 1993, the film Gettysburg was released, which was based on his father’s classic novel, The Killer Angels. After the critical and commercial success of the film, Jeff was approached about the possibility of continuing the story, finding someone to write a prequel and sequel to The Killer Angels. After some considerable soul-searching, Jeff decided to try to tackle the project himself. The decision was difficult in many ways, but most challenging because Jeff had no previous experience as a writer.

In 1996, Ballantine Books published Jeff’s first novel, Gods and Generals, the prequel to his father’s great work. Gods and Generals leapt onto the New York Times Bestseller List and remained there for fifteen weeks. Critics nationwide praised the book and Jeff’s writing ability, and the book was awarded the American Library Association’s William Young Boyd Award. No one was more surprised than Jeff himself. In 1998, the sequel, The Last Full Measure, was published with the same result: thirteen weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List and universal praise from critics and fans nationwide. Two years later, Jeff published his third novel, Gone For Soldiers, which followed many of the familiar Civil War characters back to their experiences in the Mexican-American War of the 1840’s. Received with much critical acclaim, the book became Jeff’s third nationwide bestseller.

Leaving the Civil War era behind, Jeff’s next two novels, Rise To Rebellion and The Glorious Cause, took readers back to the extraordinary characters of the American Revolution. Both were, again, bestsellers. Moving forward, Jeff then tackled the First World War. To The Last Man, released in 2004, was not only Jeff’s sixth bestseller, but also received extraordinary praise from notable figures such as General Tommy Franks, Steve Forbes and General Wesley Clark. In addition, To The Last Man was awarded the American Library Association’s William Young Boyd Award for Excellence in Military Fiction, Jeff’s second such award. In February, 2003, the major motion picture Gods and Generals, based on Jeff’s first book, was released by Warner Brothers. Jeff Shaara’s Civil War Battlefields, Jeff’s only non-fiction work, was published in April, 2006, and is a unique and personal tour across ten of this country’s most valuable pieces of hallowed ground. In 2007, Jeff was named to serve on the Board of Trustees for the Civil War Preservation Trust.

Jeff’s eighth book, The Rising Tide, was published in November 2006. The story is the first of what will become a trilogy following an extraordinary cast of characters through the European theater of the Second World War. The Rising Tide was again a New York Times bestseller. The centerpiece of the trilogy, The Steel Wave, which follows key participants through the Normandy invasion was a New York Times bestseller in 2008.

On November 3, 2009, NO LESS THAN VICTORY, the conclusion of Jeff’s World War II trilogy, which portrays the European war’s last act, was published by Ballantine Books.

After many years spent in New York City and the mountains of Montana, Jeff has returned to Florida and lives in Sarasota.

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page (recommended for best quality).

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Genre: Medical Thriller

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication date: February 17, 2009

Reviewed by Jeremy Taylor

It might be your worst nightmare: you wake up from a terrible accident to discover that you are fully cognizant yet utterly unable to move your arms, legs, head, vocal cords, or even eyes. Effectively cut off from the world, you have no way of communicating. All your visitors assume you’re in a coma, but you can hear and understand their conversations and even see them talking about you. And there’s nothing you can do about it.

Michael Palmer’s latest medical thriller addresses some of the medical, legal, and ethical issues related to what doctors call “locked-in syndrome” through the eyes of the patient’s daughter, a doctor who, in a fascinating character twist, suffers from Asperger Syndrome. Like a female version of TV’s Dr. Gregory House, Thea Sperelakis is a brilliant physician who struggles in social situations because of her lack of mental or verbal filters. She says exactly what she’s thinking—all the time. And with her father, a world-renowned internist, trapped inside his disabled body, she has a lot to think about. Including what really might have happened to him and who might have a motive to do away with him once and for all. As clues and suspicions stack up, Thea realizes that her father’s life is not the only one in danger. And in the end, as with all good mysteries, the real threats come from the least expected source.

The Second Opinion is interesting and suspenseful—a good combination for a medical thriller. The character intrigue of a protagonist with a form of high-functioning Autism is fascinating, though the author admits in an afterword that some of Thea’s interactions may not be terribly plausible. Still, it’s unconventional enough to keep the reader’s guessing, and the story is a good one, with just the right combination of medical terminology, conspiracy, and hospital politics. The book contains some inexplicit sexual content and a bit of language, but nothing unacceptable for this genre. Fans of Palmer’s previous books or of TV shows like House and Gray’s Anatomy will find this a welcome prescription for combating literary malaise.

Genre: Comedy, Chicklit, Romance

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: May 5, 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

As part of my continuing Jane Austen kick, I decided to dive into What Would Jane Austen Do? I won’t lie to you. The cover art caused me to raise an eyebrow. Instead of a traditional bodice ripper, this one seemed to have a button down ripper?!  Okay, that’s a twist.

Eleanor Pottinger is a modern day expert of Regency fashion and therefore knows almost everything there is to know about Jane Austen. So when she attends a modern day seminar in England about the Regency period, she believes she’s fully prepared. Unfortunately, the inn where she’s meant to stay has lost her reservation and must put her in a suite of rooms that is never used. Why? Supposedly the rooms are haunted. Eleanor soon finds out that there’s no ‘supposedly’ to it when she meets Deirdre and Mina Cracklebury, the former owners of the home and ghosts who are unable to ‘rest’ until some circumstances that happened in their lives get set straight.  Can you see where this is going?

Eleanor goes to sleep in modern times and wakes up facing the real life women behind the ghosts. Of course they have no idea where she’s from or who she is and they assume that she’s a long lost cousin who has come over from the Americas.

There’s mystery, romance, adventure and of course, a few fleeting moments with Jane Austen herself in this novel. A perfect read for a long trip or a vacation, this book is for anyone who enjoys romance and a little bit of adventure with a dash of time travel thrown in the mix. With a mystery that keeps you wondering and twists that are unexpected and delightful just the same, Brown does an excellent job of capturing what a modern day woman would think if tossed into the middle of a Jane Austen novel. With a few fun modern references and some very modern feelings about the men around her, Eleanor is a wonderful central character that you want to follow.

Laurie Brown has created fun characters, seemingly impossible situations and conversations with Jane Austen that are realistic and not overblown. I expected the novel to have more interaction with Austen or to have more about her, but when all was said and done, I was very glad that it didn’t. Where it would be easy to give in to the tendency to bestow Austen with her own words or thoughts, Brown resists the temptation. Instead, she gives us a wonderful slice of a possible moment in time with Jane Austen.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Publication Date: November 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

As each day passes fewer people have any first or even second-hand connection to World War II. Therefore it is important that Jeff Shaara does for this generation what Herman Wouk did for the last: remind us all that it happened. First with The Steel Wave, then The Rising Tide, and now No Less Than Victory, Shaara paints a vivid picture of the madness and heroism than gripped our world from 1938-1945.

Many names in this historically accurate story are familiar. There is Dwight Eisenhower excelling at walking the political tightrope that ensures the cooperation and success of armies from many nations. Field Marshall Montgomery is his usual pompous self: distasteful to most yet necessary for the people of Great Britain in desperate need of a hero.  And of course one can’t forget George Patton, who General Eisenhower doesn’t know what to do with yet can’t win the war without. On the German side, lesser names like Albert Speer rise to prominence as we are shown their loyalty to their country yet increasing awareness of the insanity they have allowed in the person of Hitler. None of these are cardboard cutouts but rather real men with real hopes, fears, and frailties.

The real heroes of this story, however, are the soldiers few but their own families remember. Most notable is Benson, a foot soldier. His 106^th Infantry faced some of the fiercest fighting of 1944 and emerged a ragtag group of stragglers thrown into units where they knew virtually no one. His story is where historical fiction rises to importance and Jeff Shaara excels. While numerous volumes have been written about the world leaders and generals of that time, the stories of men like Benson are only known through eye-witness remembrances of people in their 80’s and 90’s and family members who remember the stories of those no longer with us.

The most powerful scene in No Less Than Victory is when Benson’s unit comes across what they first think to be a POW camp in Germany only to realize they have discovered the first of Hitler’s infamous death camps. Here we see men hardened by years of war weeping like children, sick at their stomachs as they try to understand what they see. It is a site too horrible to be fiction yet in need of good fiction to tell the story. And then we see Eisenhower, who first works to control the press lest it blow the story out of proportion, and then after visiting the camp personally commands all press members to witness for themselves lest others in later years think it was fabricated. Ironically, we still need great historical fiction writers like Jeff Shaara to remind yet another generation that none of the characters or events he writes about is fiction at all. No matter how much we wish it was.

Genre: Religious

Publisher: Steerforth Press

Publication Date: September 2009

Reviewed by Lori Twichell

Warren Pease just met Jesus. It wasn’t in a church or at a gathering and he wasn’t on his knees when he did it. They bumped into each other on a beach. Jesus was wearing jeans and Timberland boots and asked Warren to call him Ray. War is a veteran of the Iraq war. He’s returning to a messed up home, he doesn’t know his daughter, his wife is leaving him to marry someone else, and his father barely knows who he is. Obviously, it’s not an ideal life. On the other hand, it’s pretty much the kind of life that Jesus loves to turn around.

I’ll be honest. I really wasn’t sure what to think of this book. I’m not a big fan of Jesus in the modern day stories. I love thinking about the possibilities, but I think that when a writer undertakes this task, he or she could be stepping right in the middle of dangerous territory. When you put words in God’s mouth, at some point you’re bound to include something that will offend someone. It might be anything, from Jesus eating bacon to the clothes he’s wearing. You never know what might offend.

James Landis takes on these issues and conversations with Christ as he also deals with heavy topics here. War. Peace. (Go back to the beginning of the review and say the main character’s name out loud.)  He covers battle. Suicide. Broken relationships. It’s in here and all of it is told through the eyes of War and with conversations he’s holding with Jesus. Or Ray as he prefers to be called in this story.

There are moments of peace and encouragement drawn alongside moments of tender feelings and discovery of new emotions.  It can be emotionally raw and open, but therapeutic all at once. Then you’ll leap into the battlefield and learn about what life is like day to day in Iraq, fighting alongside Iraqi nationals and wondering if each moment you breathe will be your last. It’s powerful stuff and at the end, you feel like you’ve taken a very long journey with someone that you know.

This is one of those rare books that I finished and then wasn’t sure if I enjoyed it or not. I did have a sense of accomplishment when it was over. I think I may recommend it to friends. I think it would be a good read for men who have served in Iraq and for those who want to understand more about what our troops are dealing with as they serve.  If you’re offended easily at the thought of Jesus wearing blue jeans or sitting down and chatting with you, it might not be your kind of book. But if that intrigues you, I’d say definitely give it a chance. It’s worth your time.

Genre: Suspense

Publisher: Bethany House

Publication Date: March 2009

Reviewed by Tim George

Elisha’s Bones has just about everything one could ask for in an action adventure story: a flawed and somewhat misplaced hero, a love interest from the past sucked back into his chaotic profession, and a billionaire willing to spend his life’s fortune and the lives of whoever gets in the way of his slim hopes of life. Add to that a farfetched yet vaguely plausible biblical mystery and Don Hoesel’s debut suspense novel make an entertaining and intelligent read.

At the center of the story is Jack Hawthorne, a professor of archeology at a small North Carolina University with a back story that won’t wait. When an elusive billionaire dangles an unlimited budget for a short time archeological adventure to search for something that can’t possibly exist, Jack can’t resist. Within weeks his life is a tangled mess of international intrigue, murdered friends, and an ancient conspiracy that would have best been left buried. Written in first person present tense, the story has an immediacy that puts one inside this man’s shoes as he becomes first obsessed with a mystery and then running for his life with a woman he has been given an undeserved second chance with.

Hoesel gives us, in Elisha’s Bones, something Dan Brown attempts in the Da Vinci Code and the The Lost Symbol minus Brown’s seeming axe to grind against all things religious. While you may scratch your head at the end of the book and doubt if such a thing could really happen, you will also find yourself the next day wondering if perhaps it has. This is the kind of story that works on so many levels that just about anyone who loves good fast-paced suspense can enjoy. If you want, consider its themes about faith, life, and death. Or, just fasten your seatbelt and join Jack and Espy as they race from Mayan pyramids in Venezuela, to Coptic churches in Ethiopia, to the vast outback for Australia. Either way, you won’t be disappointed when you discover what might have happened to Elisha’s bones.

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Publication Date: April 2009

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

The Queen of Suspense delivers yet another page-turner. With her new thriller, Just Take My Heart, Mary Higgins Clark keeps her audience anxiously flipping pages, begging to know what follows.

Clark plunges the reader into a tangle of deceit and lies with the murder of Broadway star, Natalie Raines. Her killer walks free for two years until Jimmy Easton, a repeating offender, speaks up. He claims Gregg Aldrich, the victim’s estranged husband, hired him to murder Natalie.

The high-profile case falls to Emily Wallace, a rising assistant prosecutor with a strong sense of justice. As the trial progresses, complications arise from every angle and Emily must fight strange, conflicting sentiments that defy logic. The media frenzy surrounding the case also brings to light some of Emily’s personal affairs, such as her heart transplant — a fact she hoped to keep quiet because of the male chauvinists at her workplace who want nothing more than to prove Emily not fit for the job.

In Just Take My Heart, Clark explores the mystery surrounding heart transplant patients and the transfer of donor memories. The novel leaves the reader questioning if such a phenomenon is indeed possible and, if so, how?

Clark does not disappoint fans with this book and first-time readers receive a good taste of this seasoned suspense writer’s talent. After waiting so long to read this novel, I’m sad it’s finished. I now look forward to Clark’s next book.

Genre: Sci-Fi, Horror

Publisher: Del Rey

Publication Date: October 2009

Reviewed by Jake Chism

The Imperial prison barge Purge is home to the galaxy’s most dangerous criminals and wayward vagabonds. When the ship breaks down their only choice is to board a Star Destroyer in search of help. At first glance it seems the massive ship is completely deserted, but soon the crew from the Purge discovers a nightmare on board that is far more dangerous than the inmates in their charge. Death is coming and it will leave no prisoners.

Joe Schreiber storms onto the Star Wars scene with a welcome breath of fresh air. The idea of a Star Wars horror novel seems incredibly gimmicky upon first consideration, but I was blown away by the story telling prowess of Schreiber. On the sci-fi side of things fans will be more than satisfied with the familiar SW feel, including an awesome cameo that will have die hard fans foaming at the mouth. Not a Star Wars fan? Never fear. This novel can be enjoyed by anyone, even if you’ve never seen the films.

Schreiber is known as a horror writer and he holds nothing back as he effortlessly brings “scary” to the Expanded Universe. The fast paced plot is full of tension, action, suspense, and gory scene after gory scene. With such chapter titles as “Lung Windows” and “Skin Hill”, you know you are in for quite a disturbing, yet thrilling ride.

Horror and gore aside, what really makes this story work are the characters. There was much more “heart” in these characters than I expected and I found myself rooting for them all along the way. Finally…another Star Wars novel that delivers like the Original Trilogy, giving us a reason to love our heroes.

I am now officially a Joe Schreiber fan and I look forward to devouring his previous novels. Schreiber is slated for another Star Wars horror novel next year and I can’t wait to see what he brings to the table again. I sure hope the rest of the EU is paying attention because this is Star Wars storytelling at its highest level.

We’re thrilled to present our first episode of The Green Room, a new podcast segment where we bring on a variety of celebrities to talk about their work and their love of fiction and storytelling. Our first guest is Mark Christopher Lawrence, who currently plays Big Mike on NBC’s Chuck. Mark was gracious enough to spend some time talking  about his new screenplay, his work on the set of Chuck, and his love for reading. A special thanks to Lori Twichell for setting up this interview!

More about Mark:

Mark Christopher Lawrence is one of Hollywood’s most sought after character actors. In addition to displaying a variety of theatrical skills, this diverse actor also excels as a producer, a vocalist, a comedian, and a literary scholar. To the tribute of his memorable charm and hilarious wit, Lawrence continues to meet the demands, and overcome challenges in the world of entertainment. Best known for his role of Mix Master Tone Def, in the cult classic Fear of a Black Hat, Lawrence utilized his creative talents as a character actor and besieged audiences in this comical spoof based on This is Spinal Tap, about a Gangsta Rap group named N.W.H.

Deriding from the hip-hop culture of today, “Mix Master Tone-Def” in Fear of a Black Hat was the role that landed Lawrence instant fame and credibility as a Hollywood notable. This role, coupled with Hip-Hop’s immense commercial success, has expanded this film’s fan culture to worldwide; thus, making Lawrence a distinctive cult icon. Thereafter, this constant entertainer continued to depict a variety of comedic and dramatic characters in feature films: The Pursuit of Happyness (starring Will Smith), The Island, Lost Treasure, Crimson Tide, K-Pax, Tales From the Hood, Planet of the Apes, That Darn Cat, and Fair Game. His small screen credits include: Life Is Ruff, Reba, Seinfeld, Hot Properties, Coach, 3rd Rock From the Sun, Touched by an Angel, Malcolm in the Middle, and Dharma and Greg. He was a series regular on The George Wendt Show and The Mullets where he portrayed “Bill,” the next-door neighbor. Lawrence also starred in the Disney movie of the week Life is Ruff and the CBS mini-series Shake, Rattle and Roll, portraying an astounding depiction of “Fats Domino.” In the near future, Lawrence can be seen in the feature film The Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith and as the host of SHOUT! An Evening of Gospel Comedy.

Though he is known for his clever characters, Lawrence’s true talent is his genuine ability to make others laugh and his genuine love for people and their well being. Additionally, he enjoys stimulating awareness for social, political and economical situations through comedy. His humorous, yet frank views on life keep Lawrence’s motivation and creative energy overflowing. Lawrence, the actor, is highly memorable, and Lawrence, the man, is highly enlightening. This exceptional combination makes Mark Christopher Lawrence, a truly respected and gifted individual, a standout in Hollywood. (From www.MarkChristopherLawrence.com).

This interview can also be downloaded from our iTunes page. (Recommended for best quality).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Genre: Literary Fiction

Publisher: Leapfrog Press

Publication Date: September 15, 2009

Reviewed by Ashley Barrett

When Jamie Eugley, a ninth-generation lobsterman in a small Maine community, notices another fisherman’s buoys in his water, he ignores the advice of his hot-headed friends and takes pity on the unknown trespasser. Jamie regrets his decision when he meets owner of the buoys, a wealthy man named Neil Ames, rubs Jamie the wrong way from the first encounter.

Throughout the summer, the strain of caring for, Anja his girlfriend suffering from a head injury, and the scant lobster catch, grind on Jamie’s nerves. When he meets Happy, a colorful sailor from the Florida Keys, he begins fantasizing about a new life in a new place. But when a family feud erupts into a trap war, and Jamie learns of Neil Ames’s desire to incorporate and put everyone else out of business, Jamie fights to preserve his way of life, while feeling consumed by it at the same time.

The Ghost Trap is K. Stephen’s first novel. I enjoyed her writing style but the plot dragged in places. I didn’t find myself compelled to flip the page.

Salty language is sprinkled liberally throughout The Ghost Trap but it seems necessary to authentically capture the dialect of the characters.

Overall, I enjoyed The Ghost Trap and would recommend it for anyone interested in a realistic look at the lives within fishing communities.

Congratulations to the winners of our Scream Giveaway!

Alicia Tong (California)

Charity Lyman (Florida)

James Sanchez (California)

Darcy Odden (Minnesota)

Cheryl Freeman (New Jersey)