Book Review-Newer Books 44

Review--Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

Charlaine Harris wrote the novel Dead in the Family. Ace Books published the book in May 2010; the novel has 311 pages.

            Bon Temps, Louisiana is the home of many supernatural beings. The vampire community came out to the public sometime ago. With the development of True Blood, the vamps no longer need to feed on humans and have made themselves known to the world as more than myth and magic. More recently, werewolves and various other shape-shifters have gone public. Now the government wants to regulate and control the new populations. Census workers beware the angry super naturals. Sookie Stackhouse is friend to the supes and she has just discovered her own unusual roots. She has always been different and now she knows why.

            Sookie is a descendant of the local faerie leader. A recent fae war closed the portal to those of her blood, leaving some dead and some behind and Sookie seriously injured. It seems, one is hanging around Sookie’s yard and the reasons are unknown. Not only is this mystery unclear, but after loaning her lands to some werewolves for the full moon, bodies are popping up in strange places. Sookie is also bonded and secretly married to the vampire leader of her community. Eric Northman runs area 5 and there is political upheaval in the vampire community as well, leading to new dangers and issues for Sookie and her supernatural husband. Friends of various breeds may need to help Sookie out of this new situation.

            Charlaine Harris has written many Sookie Stackhouse novels and this is the basis for the hit HBO series True Blood. The novels are slightly lighter than the series, and there have been several differences in storyline. It will be interesting to see where the story is taken by HBO. Each novel written by Charlaine Harris has so far been entertaining with crazy and funny characters, well-developed and integral to the future. The books are quick reads and keep your attention throughout the storyline. True Blood lovers and others should love this series of books.

Recent Readings

Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

• Publisher: Bantam
• Date: June 2011
• Page Count: 308
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• Stephanie Plum is the worst and funniest bounty hunter ever. So, while the bail bonds office has burned down and the rest of her coworkers are now ensconced in the bus of a local friend and free-spirit, she is being hexed and vexed by her on-again/off-again boyfriend's grandmother. Are doughnuts really worth it? Between Stephanie and her best friend Lula, they place high-priority on nutrition, stress-related and otherwise. Sometimes it's the men in their lives and sometimes it is the difficulties in catching their prey that leads them to the drive through. She has two men in her life. Morelli, a cop, and Ranger, her mentor who runs a security business. Her relationship with Morelli has been since high-school and Ranger, more recent. Neither seems ready to provide her mother with grandchildren. So along comes a new guy from her past. Her mother is set to set her up with someone with potential. He cooks and Stephanie will soon find out he has other skills.
• Lula and Stephanie can never have an easy bounty hunter capture, and now the bail bonds site is a crime scene, as there seems to be bodies crawling out of the ground.  As new ones are discovered, they now are gifted to Stephanie. More people seem to be out for her head on a platter if not the hood of their car. Somehow, there now seem to be three different threats after her and the gifted bodies are just a part of the puzzle. She may need both Ranger and Morelli for this mess. And the curses of old grandmothers just add to the mix of danger and dangerous relationships.
• As you can tell by the numbers, Janet Evanovich has written many Stephanie Plum novels, and this one definitely lives up to the well-earned reputation. This is again a laugh-out loud and enjoy the high-jinks of Stephanie and this cast of characters. From her family and Lula to her male mysteries, this book is enjoyable from the beginning to end. Love the Vordo.
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Book Review-Newer Books 43

Review—Heartless

Diana Palmer wrote the novel Heartless. Harlequin Books published the book in May 2008; the novel has 298 pages.

            Texas, land of wide-open spaces with oilrigs and cattle, is home for Gracie Marsh. Her stepfather adopted her after her mother’s death, growing up with his son and a soon to be new stepsister. Even luxury cannot cure all ills. After her adopted father passes, his son Jason Pendelton, sees to it that both girls want for nothing and continues to provide for them as needed. Jason went his own way in developing his Texas fortune, cattle being just one area of his growing corporate business. He frequently returns home, where Gracie hosts his parties and keeps his home running smoothly.

Gracie suffered some trauma as a young girl, leaving her with insecurities, fears, and doubts about relationships. Physical issues aside, Gracie has seldom depended on her own abilities. One night a steamy kiss with Jason not only sets her ablaze but also, rekindles unspoken fears. This leads Jason to make assumptions that lead him into the arms of a very different woman who turns his world upside down. Soon after she demolishes his well-ordered life, Gracie is kidnapped. This event brings it home to Jason, just what is important in life and that those he has lost need to be brought back home. After a rescue and other trials and tribulations, surprises and secrets are revealed and relationships and romances bloom.

Diana Palmer, is a romance novelist, frequently basing her novels in the western genre. Though this book is short, the characters are enjoyable and well developed. The story follows fairly typical romance lines, but the kidnapping is an unusual, though predictable twist. But as for those who enjoy romances, this novel is a pleasurable and easy read.

Recent Readings

Dark Peril by Christine Feehan

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Date: August 2010
Page Count: 400

In the Amazon rain forest exists the Jaguar people. Solange Sangria is one of the last of this noble breed. She fights to save the few other jaguar women who have been kidnapped and abused by her own father. He aims to save only the women who can shift and he can breed. Aligning with local vampires who aim to destroy the Carpathians, they are setting up a computer database of any women with psychic powers. Any of these women who have shifter capabilities are to be directed to the Jaguar men. Along with the database there is a laboratory to hold the captured women and now to gather a group of vampires setting out to rule the world. Solange lives her life saving the women she can while being hunted by the males of her species including her evil father. She know that this can not last for ever and that each day may be her last.
In the middle of all of the rainforest's turmoil, comes an ancient Carpathian, Dominic of the Dragonseeker. He believes he is close to turning vampire and as he has yet to meet his true life mate, he sets in motion a plan to ingest the parasite that let other vampires know one another. He plans to infiltrate the labs and compound and end their plan to destroy the Carpathians. Little does he know that the dream woman he has been communicating with may be closer than he thinks. Color and emotions may be in his future. With patience and understanding these two who met in dreams may overcome the obstacles of their current paths to destruction. They may even learn to love as lust does not seem to be a problem.
Christine Feehan has written many "Dark" novels and this is just as enjoyable as the others. There is plenty of danger, action and lust and romance in this book, while the hunt to end all dangers to Carpathians continues. In that Xavier was killed in a previous novel, pieces of him continue to cause trouble in many forms and fashions.

Book Review Newer-42nd

Review—The Devil’s Punchbowl by Greg Iles

Greg Iles wrote the novel The Devil’s Punchbowl. Scribner Book Company published the book in July 2009; the novel has 580 pages.

            The South is a wonderful, charming, and welcoming place to live. Penn Cage grew up there and moved to Texas to pursue his career as a prosecutor. He then started writing best-selling novels, only to return to Natchez, Mississippi and become the mayor. His plan is to refine the educational system in what many still consider a backwater town. Casino boat gambling has come to Natchez. Tim Jessup is an old friend who has not fared as well as Penn in life’s expectations, but he comes to Penn with an extreme situation.

            Danger is the name of some of the illegal activities reported by Tim. Penn, being a man known to fight atrocities is also a single parent. As mayor, he begins quietly investigating, only to find physical threats and intimidation aimed at him and those he loves. In the middle of the search, his friend is found dead and an old love returns to town. Caitlin Masters, a renowned journalist, the past love, is reporting Tim’s death and finds herself in deeper jeopardy, physically and more emotionally than she has ever experienced in the past. Penn is forced to call on old friends from the past, those he knows he can trust to aid the cause of a friend who has been wronged in death. Through all of this, he comes face-to-face with deciding his future, politically and romantically, all the while balancing this investigation and probable retribution against the interest of a lawyer from Homeland security. The illegal activities of dog-fighting and prostitution that are uncovered may pale in comparison to international money laundering.

            Greg Iles has written many novels revolving around Penn Cage, though, this is my first. The characters are well developed with established relationships. There are many twists and turns in the story of this dark subject. Many violent scenes are graphic but realistic in regards to the world of dog-fighting and hopefully not so realistic in the world of casino boat hosts. The book starts out very slow, well into the half-way point, slow enough that I may or may not try another novel, but when it does pick up, it moves very fast and entertainingly so. I may go back for another.

Book Review Older-42nd

Review—At Risk

Patricia Cornwell wrote At Risk. Putnam Publishing Group published the book in June 2006; there are 224 pages.

          Crime scene investigators are in every city. Winston Garano, also known as Geronimo is an investigator for the Massachusetts state police. He is currently on educational leave, for a forensics program at the Body Farm in Tennessee. His boss is beginning a new crime lab and investigative team to clear cold, un-solved cases. She calls Geronimo away from the school, using her power to manipulate him to do her bidding.

          Geronimo comes from a family with its own issues. Some of those issues are what makes him an exceptional investigator. His perceptive abilities have saved his life on several occasions. His grandmother reads tarot cards and has her own unique talents. Trouble is brewing in the Massachusetts police department at very high levels. His boss is the district attorney and she has made him a part of her At Risk team, the team that will solve old cases around the country. Is it coincidence that the case she picked is in Tennessee, or is it for distraction? While Geronimo is investigating this case, she is attacked and this leads the investigation in another direction. This situation also changes their relationship and the balance of power.

          Patricia Cornwell is well known for her Kay Scarpetta series, and this book is a shorter piece of work than usual. The characters while engaging and having potential have been written in a limited fashion. More of the mystical, gut-feeling part of investigating could have been explored in conjunction with Geronimo’s special abilities and the characters better developed. The main character has a unique relationship with his grandmother and they were the most interesting part of the book. Cornwell is a favored author but this book missed the expected intrigue and suspense she delivers regularly.

Book Review Newer-41st

Review—Skin Trade

Laurell K. Hamiton wrote the novel Skin Trade. The Berkley Publishing Group published the book in June 2009; the novel has 496 pages.

Anita Blake, the vampire hunter, is back. She has received a very special invitation to come to sin city. Vegas, the city of lights and dreams, is now the home of a vampire serial killer. Vittorio sends not only a gift to St. Louis to lure Anita to Vegas, but with returning powers from his past, has enlisted other forms of evil to murder a group of Vegas’ special police force, the preternatural branch. With this killing, a personal message was left for Anita.

Anita, also known as the executioner, is a vampire hunter, a necromancer, and has significant ties to the were-animal communities. These connections increase her current and evolving powers, in addition to, being a supply source to the hungers that have come with the gifts she is developing. These powers and gifts are wearing on Anita. Balance is difficult, between working with the police and serving her current lover, who is the vampire master of the city in St. Louis, the time may come that she has to choose one path.

Vegas is one of the few cities with special officers who have gifts to deal with the vampires, witches and were-animals in the community. Anita joins their forces, after being questioned about her connection to the killer and proving that she has the right skills to aid in catching this killer. Other federal marshals, also vampire hunters and some of whom are friends have joined this task force to catch this killer. A murderer, who turns out to have a connection to the mother of all vampires. A distant and ancient vampire, who aims to control Anita from across the ocean. This murder also presents new signs and clues to evils from the past.

Those who have followed and enjoyed the Anita Blake series will enjoy this Laurell K. Hamilton novel. There are new trials and troubles for Anita to deal with throughout the book in addition to her learning that some issues can be made into a powerful force to reckon with. This book is a good read and the sometimes “R” rating of these novels is tame for this series.

Book Review Older-41st

Review—GONE

Jonathan Kellerman wrote the book Gone. Ballantine Books published the book in March 2006 and it has 365 pages.

Hollywood is a place where the hopeful go to become stars. The fame, fortune, glamour, and all the dreams that are intertwined lead many to this golden city. Some do not care what form their fame or infamy takes. When two hopefuls set up a kidnapping as a hoax, Alex Delaware, a psychologist, becomes involved. Later when one is found murdered, Alex collaborates up with his friend Milo, who is the homicide detective working this crime.

Alex and Milo hunt through the streets of Los Angeles and the surrounding areas looking for answers to a young girl’s murder. They find more questions. From an acting school with a questionable reputation to an old murder case in Vegas that somehow may be related. One young woman leads to another and they lead to more. One suspect throws suspicion on a new suspect and any other player that may be nearby. Through a mix of personalities and their instabilities, Alex is also dealing with his personal life. He is attempting to reunite with one of his past relationships and in the middle of this, the result of a recent consultation comes back to bite him. He is being stalked because of this, and the threat from this corner blindsides him. Between Alex and Milo, the case is resolved, but they are left with haunting residues of the many findings uncovered in this crime.

The many characters involved in this crime combine taxidermy, murder, the Oedipal complex in a fashion, lust, jealousy, and many other emotions, strategies, and motives to cover a span of two decades. Jonathan Kellerman has again brought his character Alex Delaware to new heights of the depravity of the human mind. His best friend Milo supports him and counts on his advice in a case that has a minefield of difficult personalities. This book is one of many in a series of Delaware novels, it reads a bit slower that some in the past but the speed picks up and it finishes nicely. However, it does leave you to believe there may be more to learn later.

Book Review Older-40th

Review—Long Lost

Harlan Coben wrote the novel Long Lost. Dutton Books published the book in March 2009; the novel has 384 pages.

            Myron Bolitar is a well-respected member of a local law firm and is currently involved in a relationship. One phone call from Paris and his own actions lead to a disruption in his safe life. Myron has not seen Terese Collins in over a decade when they spent a couple of weeks together on an island retreat. Then, they were both recovering and sometimes hiding from issues in their pasts. This time one phone call and Myron is soon on his way to the city of romance.

            Paris, the city of lights and love, turns out to be much more than Myron is expecting. From the time the plane lands, occurrences lead to contact with airport security, then the police, all before even laying eyes on the woman who disappeared from his life ten years ago. Terese has brought Myron into a situation where she is considered a suspect in the murder of her ex of more than a decade ago. Not only that, but they are now under the eyes of international investigators. Rick Collins, Terese’s ex, was not only following leads on a story, but had uncovered information that would change both of their lives. This involves a secret that Terese had never shared with Myron revolving around the death of her daughter. Now, while trying to stay ahead of prying eyes and various international police agencies, terrorists step into the mix, making this a very dangerous trip. Their discoveries range from issues concerning stem-cell research to terrorism plots.

            Harlan Coben, a previously unfamiliar writer, has woven an intricate tale that concerns current issues and startling views. The characters are witty and urbane with skills that are unsuspected with the way they are written. Myron is almost James Bond-like in his demeanor and style, as well as his particular attraction to the ladies in his life. The friends who help him fit into similar molds and round the story out nicely. The novel moves along at a nice pace and captures you attention early. A very nice read.

Book Review Older-40th

Review—L’America

Martha McPhee wrote the book L’America. Harcourt publishers published it in April 2006; it has 294 pages.

          L’America takes place from America to across the Atlantic. The story revolves around a love story that spans more than 20 years. Beth who has been raised in a commune atmosphere is encouraged by her grandmother to take a European vacation after her graduation from high school. There, along with her best friends, she travels through southern Europe. Each of them has their own youthful flirtations, but Beth falls for Cesare while in Greece. He is the cherished son of an Italian family with a five-hundred year plus history. He has been raised with luxuries, heritage, and expectations for his future.

          When Beth comes into his life with her hopes and dreams for the future, he dares to hope. He has harbored a love for all things American for years and with Beth; he is able to express this freely. Beth spends many years traveling to Italy and Cesare spends a year in America. Over this time, Beth learns to love all things Italian and to love to cook in traditional ways. Her goal is to be a chef and after studying and struggling, she becomes an author and the owner of several restaurants. She is ambitious, dreams the American dream, where Cesare is unable to follow his dream of writing, and follows his family’s wishes for his future.

          L’America spans more than just time and locales, it spans emotions, and the dreams of youth that eventually clash with the realities of growing up. Martha McPhee’s book of a tortured first love combines the history of the old world and the ambition of the new. The story is romantic and at times painful; yet, it moves slowly and seldom picks up speed. Some of the most interesting people are from the commune that Beth was raised at. These relationships are explored sporadically and often through Cesare’s limited vision. Many will find this interesting reading, but I plan to explore other avenues.

Recent Readings

Hit List by Laurell K. Hamilton

Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
Date: June 2011
Page Count: 320

     Anita Blake, Vampire hunter. Not only does she chase down the monsters but she is currently being sought by some of the most elite assassins and hunters used by the vampire nobility. Those who shall not be named have marked Anita as the vessel for the Mother of all darkness to inhabit. Anita also works as a U.S. Marshal hunting supernatural beings for the government. She is currently with Edward, another marshal and also known as "Death" by the vampire community, while Anita is known as the "Executioner". Among her many talents, she is also a succubus and necromancer, and carries many different types of lycanthropy, even though she has yet to change form.
     The Harlequin, (above noted assassins and hunters) are seeking out all of the golden tigers and killing them, along with anybody who gets in their way. Anita and Edward have hunted many dangerous and deadly beings in the past, but this group is proving to be one of their most difficult, all the while they are also trying to capture her for mommy dearest. Life is interesting to say the least. They call for reinforcements and even one of those proves to be a threat and due to the new U.S. Marshall's office sending out newbies, several are going to be a liability or dead. Will she be able to stop the killing and save herself or will this time be the one where she and maybe even Edward have met their match? All this time Anita, has been training to control the many powers and let's say side effects of all that has happened to her, yet new benefits are revealed each time she explores these new traits.
     Laurell K. Hamilton has written many, many Anita Blake novels, several were very sexually graphic and that seems to have been toned down (personally, too bad) but the character remains strong, heroic, and often funny with her sometimes prudish behavior, even though she is currently living with many preternatural beings and is actually in love with several of them. Anita is constantly an intriguing mix of her heritage, beliefs, and persistently changing lifestyles. In addition, her many loves are her support and strength when she would have live a solitary existence. The novel provides many levels of action, drama and interpersonal intrigue. A winner in a series of winners.

Book Review Newer-39th

Review—Knock Out by Catherine Coulter

Catherine Coulter wrote the novel Knock Out. Putnam Adult published the book in June 2009; the novel has 432 pages.

            From D.C. to the backwoods in Georgia, FBI agents, Dillon Savich and Sherlock are on the trail of bad guys again. In Georgetown, while doing some banking, Dillon finds himself in the middle of a bank robbery by a gang that has been terrorizing the Eastern Seaboard. Crazy defines the whole situation. Shortly after Dillon heads home feeling all is under control, a little girl calls his name from far away. Autumn is her name and she is in trouble. Agent Savich may be the only one who can help her.

            Between mind-control and telepathy, Autumn is being hunted. Strange family members she hardly knows, want to bring her home. They care little for those who may get in their way. They have gifts too and employ diabolical means to subdue or manipulate any level of interference. During all of this, Autumn’s skeptical mother and the sheriff who vows to protect her, find a lasting relationship, though at times it seems a no-win situation. Next, another young girl, caught as a bank robber, has escaped and is now vowing to kill Dillon and any connected to the death of her mother, who led the robbery. The agents have to jump from crime scene to crime scene just to try to stay ahead of the criminals and more importantly, to protect an unknown little girl and their very home.

            Catherine Coulter has written many FBI Thrillers, with Dillon and Savich being two of her primary characters. They are front and center in this novel; their strength of character and strong marriage combine with the humor and special abilities to create consistently winning characters. This series delivers drama, murders, mayhem, and the persistent belief that good wins out over evil. A winner in these days and times.

Book Review Older-39th

Review—A Dirty Job

Christopher Moore wrote the book A Dirty Job. William Morrow published the book in April 2006; it has 387 pages.

          San Francisco is a City of Two Bridges and most people walk around as if it is the most normal of cities. The Great Big Book of Death tells a different story.

In this book, the Forces of Darkness will wage a mighty battle and the underworld will rule the earth. This will happen when the rules of the Big Book are not followed.

          Charlie Asher is a man with little purpose after the death of his soul mate and mother of his child. When she died a strange man was seen leaning over her and since then there have been strange happenings in Charlie’s world. Other than caring for his daughter Sophie, who is the light of his life, he runs a second hand store. Around him, objects are glowing red and people have started to die when he is near. Charlie is Death, or so he believes. He is able to track down the strange man he saw over his wife and finds out a small bit about what is happening around him. One of his eccentric employees has taken the book, thinking it was intended for them. She learns differently and Charlie then learns the meaning of the strange occurrences in his life. He is a death merchant and may be in line for even greater strangeness. Soon his daughter is able to cause the death of others in her pointing range and more weirdness occurs. The city streets harbor the forces of darkness underneath and they talk to Charlie and attempt to engage him in various scuffles. They threaten his daughter and this leads him to greater acts of assertiveness. He has believed himself to be a Beta-male for all of his life and these actions do not change his self-image, but they do lead him to more Alpha-actions than he has ever attempted. Through folly or fate he succeeds in most of the endeavors taking him to the war that is about to be waged.

          A Dirty Job is a laugh-out-loud book and kept me grinning the rest of the time. Christopher Moore has proved to be very entertaining and will lead me to read his other offerings.

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