A Spirit of Christmas
Margot Early
Harlequin Everlasting, Dec 2007, $5.25
ISBN: 9780373654246
Wealthy fifty-five years old Keti Whitechapel owns Bounty Mountain Resort in her hometown of Bounty, Nevada. Kei knows she has come a long way from her lonely impoverished childhood, but though she is rich, she remains alone in spite of having a child with Dr. Martin Collins.
Her only childhood friend Martin ended his relationship with Keti though he loves her because he loathes her lack of business ethics, which extends to her personal relationships. Keti prepares to celebrate Christmas Eve as she always has by herself until she rescues a mutt she names Marley. However this time whether it is a dream or a ghost Keti looks back on the monumental events that shaped her miserable life.
Keti is a modern day female Scrooge who looks back at what made her who she is today. Fans looking for a romance probably should pass though there is a glimpse of her first time with Martin and a possible second chance at love if she risks rejection by telling him how much she loves him. However, although the rest of the cast is never developed except in terms of how they relate to Keti, this well written update of a segment of A Christmas Carol is a character study of how the child becomes the adult.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, November 2, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Winged Creatures-Roy Freirich
Winged Creatures
Roy Freirich
St. Martin’s, Dec 2007, $13.95
ISBN: 9780312378950
In Hunt Landing, Michigan, Dr. Laraby stops for a coffee to go at Carby’s on his way to work as an ER resident at Hunt Landing Medical LLC where his late father was a founder. Not longer after he leaves, a shooting incident occurs at Carby’s.
Laraby tries to save the lives of a victim and the shooter, but both die. Teenagers Anne Hagen and Jimmy Jaspersen are in the hospital when her mom Doris arrives. Also there are Lori and Sue Carline. The three teenage girls share in common that their dads were with them at Carby’s and are now dead as a result of the mass shootings. Jimmy was also there with Annie and her father.
Psychologist Dr. Abler offers help to the survivors and their loved ones. Abler explains to Anne about grief, but she insists she is a witness to God’s plan and she held her brave dad’s hand while she was under a table and he courageously remained exposed to the killer. The psychologist turns to Jimmy, who is unable to speak. Another survivor forty-eight year old Charlie Archenault, a father and husband, was shot, but is okay. He feels lucky to be alive so he just leaves, takes out money and drives to a casino. Twenty-two year old cashier Carla Davenport is shook up, but also just leaves to pick up her baby Davy from the sitter.
This novelization of an upcoming movie contains a strong premise of following what happens to the survivors and their loved ones of a shooting at a public place that left people dead. The ensemble cast contains unique characters with each person coping differently. However, the rotating perspective at times becomes difficult to follow with what is happening to everyone. Still WINGED CREATURES is an intriguing character study that looks deep into the aftermath of a personal tragedy.
Harriet Klausner
Roy Freirich
St. Martin’s, Dec 2007, $13.95
ISBN: 9780312378950
In Hunt Landing, Michigan, Dr. Laraby stops for a coffee to go at Carby’s on his way to work as an ER resident at Hunt Landing Medical LLC where his late father was a founder. Not longer after he leaves, a shooting incident occurs at Carby’s.
Laraby tries to save the lives of a victim and the shooter, but both die. Teenagers Anne Hagen and Jimmy Jaspersen are in the hospital when her mom Doris arrives. Also there are Lori and Sue Carline. The three teenage girls share in common that their dads were with them at Carby’s and are now dead as a result of the mass shootings. Jimmy was also there with Annie and her father.
Psychologist Dr. Abler offers help to the survivors and their loved ones. Abler explains to Anne about grief, but she insists she is a witness to God’s plan and she held her brave dad’s hand while she was under a table and he courageously remained exposed to the killer. The psychologist turns to Jimmy, who is unable to speak. Another survivor forty-eight year old Charlie Archenault, a father and husband, was shot, but is okay. He feels lucky to be alive so he just leaves, takes out money and drives to a casino. Twenty-two year old cashier Carla Davenport is shook up, but also just leaves to pick up her baby Davy from the sitter.
This novelization of an upcoming movie contains a strong premise of following what happens to the survivors and their loved ones of a shooting at a public place that left people dead. The ensemble cast contains unique characters with each person coping differently. However, the rotating perspective at times becomes difficult to follow with what is happening to everyone. Still WINGED CREATURES is an intriguing character study that looks deep into the aftermath of a personal tragedy.
Harriet Klausner
The Romance Readers’ Book Club-Julie L. Cannon
The Romance Readers’ Book Club
Julie L. Cannon
Plume, Dec 2007, $13.00
ISBN: 9780452288997
In 1974 Rigby, Georgia, fifteen year old Tammi Elco avoids her guardian Granny as the older woman is deeply religious. Granny’s spouse Pepaw begs the Heavenly Father to end the draught that is destroying his farm whereas Granny believes God is punishing the family for their transgressions. Granny insists there will be no trick or treating as that is a pagan sin. After church, Tammi and her thirty years old childlike cousin Orr sneak out to go trick or treating. Dell Terhune gives Orr candy and Tammi romance novels.
Tammi comes up with the idea of the ROMANCE READERS’ BOOK CLUB. At school she asks LaDonna Tallchief to join the club; Donna says yes. Next she needs a place to meet so she asks her Aunt Minna, if they can come to her home. Minna says yes and joins the club. Minna tells Tammi that her Uncle Finch is dying and his wife Nanette and their teenage son Leon will come to stay.
At the first club meeting, LaDonna brings her older cousin Park. They agree to meet in a month with each having one week to read the first six chapters of a book. Nanette and Leon arrive and Tammi thinks her cousin by marriage not blood is a hunk. Meanwhile Reverend Goodlow warns people that lust is causing the drought, which worries a guilt laden Tammi as she dreams of kisses with Leon as the stars of the romance novels.
This is a well written southern family drama, but the lack of references to the civil rights movement that impacted the region in the 1970s fails to provide an anchor to the period. Still the storyline stars fully developed characters that bring to life 1970s rural Georgia while the use of “trashy” romance novels is a clever device that enables the audience to see the power religious beliefs hold on people. Readers who appreciate something unique will want to read this fine coming of age historical.
Harriet Klausner
Julie L. Cannon
Plume, Dec 2007, $13.00
ISBN: 9780452288997
In 1974 Rigby, Georgia, fifteen year old Tammi Elco avoids her guardian Granny as the older woman is deeply religious. Granny’s spouse Pepaw begs the Heavenly Father to end the draught that is destroying his farm whereas Granny believes God is punishing the family for their transgressions. Granny insists there will be no trick or treating as that is a pagan sin. After church, Tammi and her thirty years old childlike cousin Orr sneak out to go trick or treating. Dell Terhune gives Orr candy and Tammi romance novels.
Tammi comes up with the idea of the ROMANCE READERS’ BOOK CLUB. At school she asks LaDonna Tallchief to join the club; Donna says yes. Next she needs a place to meet so she asks her Aunt Minna, if they can come to her home. Minna says yes and joins the club. Minna tells Tammi that her Uncle Finch is dying and his wife Nanette and their teenage son Leon will come to stay.
At the first club meeting, LaDonna brings her older cousin Park. They agree to meet in a month with each having one week to read the first six chapters of a book. Nanette and Leon arrive and Tammi thinks her cousin by marriage not blood is a hunk. Meanwhile Reverend Goodlow warns people that lust is causing the drought, which worries a guilt laden Tammi as she dreams of kisses with Leon as the stars of the romance novels.
This is a well written southern family drama, but the lack of references to the civil rights movement that impacted the region in the 1970s fails to provide an anchor to the period. Still the storyline stars fully developed characters that bring to life 1970s rural Georgia while the use of “trashy” romance novels is a clever device that enables the audience to see the power religious beliefs hold on people. Readers who appreciate something unique will want to read this fine coming of age historical.
Harriet Klausner
Sweet Return-Anna Jeffrey
Sweet Return
Anna Jeffrey
Signet, Dec 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780451222718
In Hatlow, Texas Joanna Walsh owns a successful beauty salon business and an equally profitable making janitorial service. However, her latest business venture has proven to smell like rotten eggs. Her close friend of thirteen years cattle rancher Clova Cherry persuaded Joanna to join her in an organic egg enterprise as a means of saving her spread.
Clova has two sons; neither of which has helped her with the ranch. Lane is a drunk while Dalton is an internationally renowned photographer. When Lane ends up in an intensive care unit of Lubbock Memorial Hospital following a DUI accident, Dalton comes home from his Los Angeles base of operations to take his mom’s cattle to market. Instead of cows he finds chickens and a thirty something woman who makes him dream of settling in West Texas. He accuses the chicken farmer of abusing the kindness of his mom; she accuses the wandering son of abandoning his mom fifteen years ago leaving her to struggle to pay her debts. Obviously love is everywhere when these two enemies meet.
SWEET RETURN is a sweet contemporary Texas romance that sub-genre fans will enjoy reading as the lead couple is a workaholic pair who must find time in their busy regiment to battle, argue, and fall in love. Anna Jeffrey provides a warm fun tale.
Harriet Klausner
Anna Jeffrey
Signet, Dec 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780451222718
In Hatlow, Texas Joanna Walsh owns a successful beauty salon business and an equally profitable making janitorial service. However, her latest business venture has proven to smell like rotten eggs. Her close friend of thirteen years cattle rancher Clova Cherry persuaded Joanna to join her in an organic egg enterprise as a means of saving her spread.
Clova has two sons; neither of which has helped her with the ranch. Lane is a drunk while Dalton is an internationally renowned photographer. When Lane ends up in an intensive care unit of Lubbock Memorial Hospital following a DUI accident, Dalton comes home from his Los Angeles base of operations to take his mom’s cattle to market. Instead of cows he finds chickens and a thirty something woman who makes him dream of settling in West Texas. He accuses the chicken farmer of abusing the kindness of his mom; she accuses the wandering son of abandoning his mom fifteen years ago leaving her to struggle to pay her debts. Obviously love is everywhere when these two enemies meet.
SWEET RETURN is a sweet contemporary Texas romance that sub-genre fans will enjoy reading as the lead couple is a workaholic pair who must find time in their busy regiment to battle, argue, and fall in love. Anna Jeffrey provides a warm fun tale.
Harriet Klausner
Laird of the Mist-Paula Quinn
Laird of the Mist
Paula Quinn
Forever, Dec 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 978-0446617857
In the seventeenth century laird Callum MacGregor swears he will not become the latest homicidal statistic of the perfidious Campbells; over the past century members of the Campbell clan have assassinated every MacGregor laird. Instead Callum decides to lead a presumptive strike by attacking his enemy’s stronghold leaving no one behind to ultimately try to kill him.
During the assault, Callum breaks his second rule of taking no prisoners as he abducts angry Kate Campbell with plans to use her as a hostage and an expendable pawn. She plans to escape starting with seducing her clan’s enemy. As they fall in love, the Campbell clan is coming to liberate her with a retaliatory strike that includes leaving no one alive especially the Laird.
This entertaining Scottish historical romance focuses on a Romeo and Juliet with a love that neither of the feuding clans will blithely tolerate. With Callum stubborn when it comes to his belief that his enemy has murdered his predecessors and thus obviously distrustful, it is up to the courageous tolerant heroine to prevent a deadly battle and keep her beloved alive. Brave Kate steals the novel as she faces love, danger and treachery.
Harriet Klausner
Paula Quinn
Forever, Dec 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 978-0446617857
In the seventeenth century laird Callum MacGregor swears he will not become the latest homicidal statistic of the perfidious Campbells; over the past century members of the Campbell clan have assassinated every MacGregor laird. Instead Callum decides to lead a presumptive strike by attacking his enemy’s stronghold leaving no one behind to ultimately try to kill him.
During the assault, Callum breaks his second rule of taking no prisoners as he abducts angry Kate Campbell with plans to use her as a hostage and an expendable pawn. She plans to escape starting with seducing her clan’s enemy. As they fall in love, the Campbell clan is coming to liberate her with a retaliatory strike that includes leaving no one alive especially the Laird.
This entertaining Scottish historical romance focuses on a Romeo and Juliet with a love that neither of the feuding clans will blithely tolerate. With Callum stubborn when it comes to his belief that his enemy has murdered his predecessors and thus obviously distrustful, it is up to the courageous tolerant heroine to prevent a deadly battle and keep her beloved alive. Brave Kate steals the novel as she faces love, danger and treachery.
Harriet Klausner
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Naughty by Nature-Barbara Pierce
Naughty by Nature
Barbara Pierce
St. Martin's, Dec 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780312947965
In 1808 teenager Patience Farnlay met and fell in love with an actor. She ran off with him joining his traveling troupe. However, not long afterward she learns a lesson re the fickleness of love when he abandons her and his troupe. She takes over, but being inexperienced and young finds the other performers ignore her.
When Earl Fowler “Ram” Knowden meets Patience, he knows she is the perfect companion for his reclusive sister Meredith, whose visage was scarred in a fire. She accepts the position. As she tries to be a friend to Meredith, Patience falls in love with her employer; he reciprocates. However, she distrusts men and love while he has a bad experience with a woman to overcome too.
This is a fascinating regency romance mostly because of the uniqueness of the two prime females. Readers will sympathize with Meredith whose life in her opinion and much of the Ton went up in flames and like her peers believe she would have been better off dead. Patience is an interesting protagonist as she lives up to her name when it comes to Meredith, but become impatient when it comes to Ram, who is typical of the male of the sub-genre. Fans will appreciate this fine historical.
Harriet Klausner
Barbara Pierce
St. Martin's, Dec 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780312947965
In 1808 teenager Patience Farnlay met and fell in love with an actor. She ran off with him joining his traveling troupe. However, not long afterward she learns a lesson re the fickleness of love when he abandons her and his troupe. She takes over, but being inexperienced and young finds the other performers ignore her.
When Earl Fowler “Ram” Knowden meets Patience, he knows she is the perfect companion for his reclusive sister Meredith, whose visage was scarred in a fire. She accepts the position. As she tries to be a friend to Meredith, Patience falls in love with her employer; he reciprocates. However, she distrusts men and love while he has a bad experience with a woman to overcome too.
This is a fascinating regency romance mostly because of the uniqueness of the two prime females. Readers will sympathize with Meredith whose life in her opinion and much of the Ton went up in flames and like her peers believe she would have been better off dead. Patience is an interesting protagonist as she lives up to her name when it comes to Meredith, but become impatient when it comes to Ram, who is typical of the male of the sub-genre. Fans will appreciate this fine historical.
Harriet Klausner
A Perfect Marriage-Karen Kendall
A Perfect Marriage
Karen Kendall
Harlequin Mediterranean Nights, Dec 2007, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373389667
As the public relations director Katherine Stamos is well aware of the fun of cruising the Mediterranean on the Alexandra's Dream although she has not done so. She decides a cruise is perfect to bring a positive uplift to her boring marriage of twenty years. She persuades her workaholic spouse Charles to get away with her on the luxury ship.
However, in spite of the delightful setting and Katherine’s efforts, Charles cannot leave his work behind. He spends much of the time on his projects. Disappointed, Katherine turns elsewhere on the ship for entertainment and begins to consider leaving Charles though she loves him. Charles is totally shocked that Katherine is considering a divorce as he never saw it coming because he was to busy with his work.
A PERFECT MARRIAGE is an interesting look at marital relationship that after two decades has become stale and stuck in a rut. Whereas Katherine sees a dying marriage, Charles remains ignorant until he may be too late. Filled with angst, Karen Kendall provides a deep drama that is quite good when it homes in on the lead couple, but loses some sailing speed with other ship board sidebars.
Harriet Klausner
Karen Kendall
Harlequin Mediterranean Nights, Dec 2007, $5.50
ISBN: 9780373389667
As the public relations director Katherine Stamos is well aware of the fun of cruising the Mediterranean on the Alexandra's Dream although she has not done so. She decides a cruise is perfect to bring a positive uplift to her boring marriage of twenty years. She persuades her workaholic spouse Charles to get away with her on the luxury ship.
However, in spite of the delightful setting and Katherine’s efforts, Charles cannot leave his work behind. He spends much of the time on his projects. Disappointed, Katherine turns elsewhere on the ship for entertainment and begins to consider leaving Charles though she loves him. Charles is totally shocked that Katherine is considering a divorce as he never saw it coming because he was to busy with his work.
A PERFECT MARRIAGE is an interesting look at marital relationship that after two decades has become stale and stuck in a rut. Whereas Katherine sees a dying marriage, Charles remains ignorant until he may be too late. Filled with angst, Karen Kendall provides a deep drama that is quite good when it homes in on the lead couple, but loses some sailing speed with other ship board sidebars.
Harriet Klausner
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