Fiction Addict

Genre: Romance

Publisher: Multnomah Books

Publication Date: June 2011

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Charlotte Beck has plans a galore for her life. She knows exactly where she’s going and where she wants to end up. Marriage is not on the list, especially to Alex Hambly. Though handsome, he is as annoying as they come. Definitely, not her type.

Alex couldn’t agree more. He’d rather marry anyone other than this girl who barges through his life with the force of a hurricane, leaving nothing but disasters in her wake. However, he needs money—fast. When Charlotte’s father, tired of her embarrassing public displays, sees Alex and Charlotte together, he presents an offer the young man has to consider. Marry Charlotte and his financial troubles will disappear forever.

What starts out as a marriage of pure convenience, for both Alex and Charlotte, later complicates when he develops feelings for the independent and free-spirited young woman. But winning over his wife’s stubborn heart might be Alex’s greatest challenge yet.

Kathleen Y’Barbo delivers a fun and light-hearted romance in The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck. While I believe Mr. Beck overreacted quite a bit—Charlotte’s behavior though a bit impulsive and naïve at times was never bad and certainly didn’t warrant being pushed into an arranged marriage—I did enjoy the conundrum Alex and Charlotte faced. Watching them squirm and fight their ever growing feelings and conflicting emotions was very amusing.

At times, I mentally slapped my forehead and wondered what in the world was Charlotte thinking. She could single-handedly get herself into some pretty ridiculous (and extremely laughable) situations, but then who doesn’t know a person like that in his/her own life. I can think of a few in mine. I recommend this book to anyone wanting to take a break from the “real world” and immerse him/herself into a few hours of fun and uncomplicated reading.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: YA

Publisher: Harcourt

Publication Date: September 2011

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

The story of Theseus and the Minotaur has come down through the ages relatively untouched. Now, Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett turns this myth on its head by relating the tale as if it was actually lived by the humans of that time—the real story, if you will. Much like the film Ever After puts a realistic spin on the tale of Cinderella; Dark of the Moon does the same for this myth.

Ariadne embraces her destiny as future goddess of the moon, but she longs to learn more about the world outside her home of Krete. When a shipment of slaves arrives as a tribute fromAthens, she sneaks down to the ship to see what she can learn of other lands. Instead, she meets Theseus, the son of the king ofAthens, a young man destined to die at the hands of a monster beneath the palace. If he is to live he must kill the beast. In a twist, this monster, Asterion, is Ariadne’s brother and not a monster at all, but a freakishly strong, mentally childlike human—not a bull-human creature. Ariadne is caught in the middle of a budding friendship, her religious responsibilities and her brother.

At first glance, this book sounds intriguing and action-packed, but honestly, the story languishes a bit as it expounds on the religious underpinnings that inform Ariadne’s daily life. Dumps of information and complicated theology make this an unlikely read for adventure seekers as the book is less concerned with Theseus’s adventures and more with Ariadne’s internal struggles. Indeed, the book is a coming-of-age story with a young would-be goddess learning to find her place as goddess. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Viking Adult

Publication Date:  May 2011

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

Set on the small islands of New England during the time of early American colonization, Caleb’s Crossing depicts how the early settlers, sponsored by Christian groups from England, try to “civilize” the Native Americans already living on the land.  Bethia, the daughter of the highly-regarded pastor on the island, secretly befriends Caleb, a young Native American, through their love of the land.  He teaches her to hunt and to preserve food for her family, and she teaches him English.  After Bethia’s father heals Caleb’s relative from a life-threatening illness, Caleb renounces the Indian way and accepts Bethia’s father’s tutelage.  Bright and eager, he quickly learns enough to move on to a preparatory school so he may attend Harvard.  After the untimely death of her father, Bethia is forced into servitude in Cambridge in order to pay for her brother’s Harvard tuition, where she again encounters Caleb.  Together, they all learn not only academics, but also human decency and loss.

Caleb’s Crossing is fictional but is based on the story of a real-life Caleb, the first Native American to go to Harvard.  While the writer takes liberties with history, it is somewhat justified because so little is recorded on what really happened.  Brooks identifies many themes that young people encounter during those times and shows how cruel life can be.  She also illustrates how decent people can be and how far they will go to help a fellow human.  The story is entertaining and inspiring.  Readers catch a glimpse of Bethia’s spunk and determination despite her place in society.  While outwardly forbidden to go to school or to be friends with a male, let alone a “savage” such as Caleb, she is bright enough to get what she wants while still following the rules of propriety.  How she does this is both clever and encouraging.

Because the book is based on the lives of early colonists, there is very little in the way of sexual situations or profanity.  In fact, many will laugh at what the people of the time considered to be profane.  However, the book is realistic in how life was, so there are some scenes that could be disturbing.  People died untimely deaths by means that were not always pleasant, and those scenes are described.  Women and Native Americans were treated poorly, and that too is described in detail.  Many readers will find this objectionable, but need to keep it in perspective.

Overall, this work of historical fiction is inspiring, entertaining, and educational.  After reading the story, I was inspired to find out more about those first Native Americans who studied at Harvard and about life in the early days of the Cambridge area.  When done properly, as Brooks has done, history can be interesting and educational.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Europa Editions

Publication Date:  August, 2011

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

On her way home from work at a restaurant one Saturday night in August 1997, Lou is sideswiped by another car in a tunnel just outside of Paris.  Panicked, Lou leaves the scene without reporting the accident.  She later learns that the accident was the one that killed Princess Diana.  Afraid and alone, Lou leaves her apartment and runs to avoid the media frenzy that is sure to follow.  She is momentarily relieved to learn that the authorities do not have any idea that her car was involved, until the mechanic who repaired her car puts two and two together, and kidnaps her in hopes of cashing in on her situation.  Roaming throughout France, Lou doesn’t know what to do.  She questions and rethinks every decision she makes due to the fear and guilt building up inside of her.  She truly feels helpless and out of options.

An Accident in August is interesting because in addition to being part of one of the largest stories of this century, it allows us the opportunity to think, “what if…”  We can put ourselves in Lou’s position and see if we would do the same thing.  We can also honestly sympathize with the girl: she was innocently driving home from work late at night, and was hit by another car.  Her guilt was not in causing the accident, but instead in not reporting it.  How she manages to live with the guilt and respond to it show that strange situations could happen to anyone.  It’s how one handles them that makes the difference.

This book does discuss adult themes, so it is not recommended for young readers.  The story is quick and interesting, however, and doesn’t contain a lot of profanity or sexual situations.  People especially interested in Princess Diana’s untimely death will enjoy reading Cossé’s version with a twist, but it is a fascinating story for anyone who enjoys human behavior.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Children’s

Publisher: Clarion

Publication Date: August 1997

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

On Tuesday evening, around 8 p.m., frogs riding lily pads begin to rise in the marshes. Sailing through the nearby neighborhoods, they zoom through clotheslines and into homes, surprising some and terrifying a neighborhood dog. When the lily pads sink from the air, the frogs return home and leave behind the lily pads, baffling authorities.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Tuesday by David Wiesner, is a fantastical journey through a lush green and blue palette. Beautifully executed in quiet tones, the water colored pages lend an air of mystery to the flying-frog phenomenon.

While splashes of humor sprinkle the book, the plot is sorely lacking in conflict. Indeed, there is little plot to comment on: “frogs go for a ride” accurately sums up the book. Not Wiesner’s best work in terms of storytelling, nor a book for the very young, but a beautiful piece to page through. As art, Tuesday is masterful, but as a children’s book it lacks characterization and plot, two keys to winning the hearts of children. Still, some children will find the illustrations stir their imaginations and this will encourage them to make up their own stories about the book.

Although this book will not retain the coveted place of honor under a child’s pillow, it does deserve a place on the bookshelf.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Children’s / Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic

Publication Date: August 2011

Reviewed by Shaun Stevenson

The Cahills are back in the new 39 Clues series, Cahills vs. Vespers. And this time the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been before. The team of authors behind this ground-breaking, multi-media book series have really outdone themselves in kicking things off with The Medusa Plot. With six new cards, more hidden puzzles, and danger behind every turn, Gordon Korman brings us the latest, and perhaps best, entry yet.

Amy and Dan Cahill thought they could return to their normal lives after the massive globe-trotting clue hunt. And two quiet years have gone by. Years filled with training for Amy… and a sinking depression for Dan. Then the Vespers strike – kidnapping various members of the Cahill family. Every moment Dan and Amy waste could cost them one of their family members. The clue hunt never prepared them for this. Not even Grace Cahill – the family mastermind – prepared them. For the first time, they are truly alone. And unless they follow the Vespers’ instructions to the letter, people will die.

Nothing could have prepared me for The Medusa Plot. Each chapter and page held new secrets. New surprises. Korman is at the absolute top of his form, and this easily bests any of his previous entries in the series. In fact – this new set of books promises to be worlds better than the first eleven. After a couple books, it wasn’t too hard to guess what the 39 clues might be for. But this time around – things are much more mysterious. And the hidden codes in the book make things even more intriguing. As usual, pieces of history are intertwined with the plot, taking Amy and Dan on some wild excursions and into some very deadly places.

Korman has amped up the action – with some great sequences, and also some rather frightening ones as well. The tone of this new series is definitely a bit darker than before, with issues between Amy and Dan, as well as a few unnerving plot developments. While there’s no explicit gore, there are a few scenes that might make younger readers squirm. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: Splashdown Darkwater

Publication Date: June 2011

Reviewed by Tim George

Winter … didn’t ask for the gift of prophecy. She’s happy being a freak – but now everyone thinks she’s crazy … Students at her university are being attacked, and Winter know there’s more than flesh and blood at work. Her gift means she’s the only one who can stop it – but at what price.

My reviews don’t usually begin with the author’s pedigree or personal comments but Winter by Keven Newsome begs for a different approach. When was the last time you read a novel about a Christian Goth engaging in spiritual warfare with dark powers intent on taking over a Christian College? And, when have you ever read a thriller whose author is pursuing a degree in supernatural theology? My guess is most of you haven’t.

Keven Newsome’s debut novel is indeed about a young lady, Winter Maessen, who actively embraces Goth appearance while exploring her newfound insights that can only have one source, the God she loves. Winter finds much more than she bargained for when her father drops her off at Tishbe University for her freshman year at what, for all appearances, was a safe haven of academic, social, and spiritual life. In the place of acceptance and safety she is quickly confronted with darkness, hidden agendas and outright opposition.

A masterful job is done of telling Winter’s story in two parts in one seamless narrative. Along with her present-day struggles with a secretive an evil influence attacking her school and new friends we find a much more personal story set four years earlier. Bit by bit the author helps us understand the factors in Winter’s life that led to her unusual appearance and sometimes defeatist attitude. And, as she reconciles her past with her present we see her evolve from a withdrawn and doubtful outsider to, by the time the last page is turned, a force to be reckoned with. Because – Winter is now a prophetess for a new generation. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Romance

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: August 2011

Reviewed by Elizabeth Olmedo

Ellie Sullivan is a successful trauma surgeon who is loved by co-workers and patients alike. She has worked hard and has made many sacrifices to get this far. But when Ellie witnesses the shooting of an FBI agent, her life is turned upside down.

FBI agent Max Daniels has pursued the Landry’s for years. His hunt brings him to St. Louis and to the beautiful Dr. Sullivan. Neither one of them is looking for a relationship, but each time they are around one another the heat rises from 0 to 100 in seconds. Suddenly, keeping Ellie safe becomes very personal for Max. A task that is easier said than done, especially when her past crashes down around her.

The Ideal Man is a story of intense, whirlwind emotions—and following them, sometimes to a deadly ending. Fun and snappy banter between the characters keeps the story from becoming too heavy as the reader joins them on their emotional and terrifying ride. Garwood does a wonderful job at transferring the characters’ feelings to her audience. The reader will grip the book with anger, fear, and disappointment all before the novel is finished.

While I enjoyed the book’s fast pace, I didn’t like that it carried over to the romance. The relationship went too fast. Though Garwood tried to paint it as love, I never saw more than just plain lust. The reader should be prepared for some explicit bedroom scenes and crude conversations.

Review copy provided by publisher. 

Genre: Chick Lit

Publisher: NAL Trade

Publication Date:  July 2011

Reviewed by Jennifer S. Roman

All her life, Epiphany Jones has felt that she doesn’t fit in anywhere.  Her mother is estranged from her Italian family because Epiphany’s father is African-American, and her family doesn’t approve.  Since Epiphany’s skin is darker than the white kids’ and lighter than the black kids’, she just doesn’t belong.  After being caught vandalizing a church with some kids from the wrong crowd, Epiphany has to get a job to pay for the damages.  She is assigned to cook for J. Norman Alvord, who employs her mother as a housekeeper.  J. Norm, as Epiphany calls him, doesn’t fit in anywhere either.  His wife’s recent death sends him into reclusiveness, and his bad heart prevents him from doing many activities.  In addition, his past mistakes in raising his children have left him at odds with his daughter, Deborah.  He is sure she’s trying to push him out of the house and into a nursing home just so she doesn’t have to deal with him.  Both strong-willed, Epiphany and J. Norm mix like oil and water until Epiphany has a run-in with a tough boy from her school.  J. Norm comes to her rescue and the two quickly become close.

I’ve read a lot of books in my life, but none quite as heartwarming as this one.  The plot is somewhat predictable, but it still manages to entertain and give readers an inspirational outcome.  In a time when parents are too busy to spend time with their children and when it sometimes seems risky for a young girl and older gentleman to be friends, Dandelion Summer gives readers a refreshing look at family, blood-related or not.  J. Norm is the tough but loving male figure that Epiphany needs, and Epiphany provides a lightheartedness that J. Norm has been missing in his life.  Together, they show the special bond that grandparents and grandchildren share.  It’s truly a pleasure to read a book that shows how two people from dysfunctional situations can create an appropriate and happy relationship.  I applaud Wingate for making the story realistic and engaging at the same time. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Mystery

Publisher: The Penguin Group

Publication Date: March 2011

Reviewed by Chrystal Dorsey

Leonid McGill is back, in the third-and most enthralling and ambitious-installment in Walter Mosley’s latest New York Times- bestselling series,  The Thrill Is Gone.  As he did in his first two Leonid McGill mysteries, the bestselling The Long Fall and Known to Evil, Walter Mosley brings even greater nuance and insight to Leonid McGill, an already classic noir hero.  Not only does Walter Mosley create a story with a character so powerful readers will have a difficult time putting the book down,  he also creates a vivid and engrossing world of a New York where motives are always suspect and nothing is as it seems.

Leonid McGill, is a tough 55 year old, philosophic private detective – who still works out regularly, his wife, Katrina is having an affair with a younger guy. He has a girlfriend, Aura who has chosen to longer be intimate with him – at least for the time being.  His good friend, Gordo (whose presence in the story escapes me) is dying of cancer and staying in the den at Leonid’s house.  And to complicate his personal life even more, his stepson, Twill, has dropped out of school for mysteriously lucrative pursuits.

The story springs forth after a beautiful young woman walks into McGill’s office with a stack of cash. She tells him she is an artist, who has escaped from poverty via a marriage to a Billionaire, but is now in fear of her life and claims it is her very own husband who is plotting her demise  – the same fate she insist his first two wives met.  Although McGill knows better to believe every word a potential client says, taking on the mesmerizing woman with a ghetto sense of style, was just not a job he can afford to turn away. Read the rest of this entry »

Genre: Thriller

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Publication Date: June 2011

Reviewed by Jake Chism

Nick Heller is a guy you want on your side. Former special ops, now making a living as a private spy, he uses his unique skill set to help those who want a job done right. When a family friend’s daughter goes missing Nick is only too happy to get involved, especially when the captors send a live internet feed of the girl buried underground. Nick is now in a race against time to find her and those responsible for this unspeakable act of torture.

With only two books released in this series, I can safely say that Nick Heller is one of my favorite characters in thrillerdom. Joseph Finder always excels in keeping his audiences hooked with perfectly crafted plots, relentless suspense, and endearing protagonists. But there is just something about Nick Heller that easily places him head and shoulders above other veteran series’ characters that we’ve come to love in the ever expanding thriller genre. Much of this is due to Finder’s masterful use of the first person that makes this book simply impossible to put down.

Of course the break neck pacing of the story and the terror of Alexa Marcus only helps draw us in deeper. Even in some of the darkest scenes where we are plunged into the nightmare of being buried alive, I couldn’t take my eyes off the page. At nearly 400 pages, this novel only feels like half of that and never is there a dull moment or a wasted word. Read the rest of this entry »