A Steal of a Deal
Ginny Aiken
Revell, Apr 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9780800732288
Her Louisville Christians Fellowship church asks master gemologist and TV gem show host Andrea Adams to organize a missionary trip to impoverish Kashmir. Andrea looks forward to the visit to the Asian nation especially helping poor families.
However, when she mentions the trip to Miss Mona her boss at Shop Til U Drop (STUD) home shopping network, her supervisor arranges for STUD to go on location, which means California pretty surfer boy Max with the IQ shorter than his board is part of the crew. In Kashmir, everything is going perfect until someone murders one of their guides; followed by the killing of another guide. Even returning home, Andrea finds trouble follows her san unknown adversary has committed arson and attempted murder.
The second Shop-Til-U-Drop tale (see PRICED TO MOVE, not read by me) is a wild chick lit amateur sleuth filled with eccentric characters and an entertaining whodunit. The story line is fast-paced on both sides of the Pacific while the heroine’s amusing asides especially about her blond surfer co-host add to the fun of the mystery. A STEAL OF A DEAL lives up to its title.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Kill Me If You Can-Nicole Young
Kill Me If You Can
Nicole Young
Revell, Apr 2008, $13.99
ISBN: 9780800731588
Patricia “Tish” Amble fixes up dilapidated old houses to sell. Her last “Bring it back to life” project was a rundown Victorian in Rawlings, Michigan that she felt would make a perfect setting for Halloween, but proved more frightening when she almost was murdered (see LOVE ME IF YOU MUST). Needing a respite, she goes to her family summer cabin in Northern Michigan where she spent many joyous childhood summers; she figures she will fix the place up while there.
However, Tish is stunned to find a torn photo of her late mother with the words "Don't ask why" written across her face. Deciding the time to bring ghosts to rest is now. Tish is determined to investigate the murder of her mother over two decades ago. As she makes inquiries in the nearby town and amongst her strange relatives, Tish places herself in danger from someone who wants the past kept secret.
The second Patricia Amble mystery is an enjoyable amateur sleuth family drama in which each clue that Tish uncovers about her mom’s murder leads to several questions about her family. Tish is a terrific lead protagonist who holds the plot together yet each time she (and readers) think they know what happened; the clue implodes into a plausible entertaining twist. Fans will appreciate Tish's investigation into her mother’s murder that leads her in dealing with her estrange family and their friends.
Harriet Klausner
Nicole Young
Revell, Apr 2008, $13.99
ISBN: 9780800731588
Patricia “Tish” Amble fixes up dilapidated old houses to sell. Her last “Bring it back to life” project was a rundown Victorian in Rawlings, Michigan that she felt would make a perfect setting for Halloween, but proved more frightening when she almost was murdered (see LOVE ME IF YOU MUST). Needing a respite, she goes to her family summer cabin in Northern Michigan where she spent many joyous childhood summers; she figures she will fix the place up while there.
However, Tish is stunned to find a torn photo of her late mother with the words "Don't ask why" written across her face. Deciding the time to bring ghosts to rest is now. Tish is determined to investigate the murder of her mother over two decades ago. As she makes inquiries in the nearby town and amongst her strange relatives, Tish places herself in danger from someone who wants the past kept secret.
The second Patricia Amble mystery is an enjoyable amateur sleuth family drama in which each clue that Tish uncovers about her mom’s murder leads to several questions about her family. Tish is a terrific lead protagonist who holds the plot together yet each time she (and readers) think they know what happened; the clue implodes into a plausible entertaining twist. Fans will appreciate Tish's investigation into her mother’s murder that leads her in dealing with her estrange family and their friends.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Fire and Ice-Anne Stuart
Fire and Ice
Anne Stuart
Mira, May 2008, $6.99
ISBN 9780778325369
Twenty years old California graduate student Jilly Lovitz decides to get away from the States by visiting her sister in Japan. Using the pretence of studying Japanese art, the genius Jilly visits Summer and her brother-in-law Taka, who she is unaware are in hiding from hitmen.
However Russian mercenaries go after Summer and Taka, but settle on Jilly. Taka’s cousin Reno, an undercover agent, rescues Jilly from the Russians. Reno is upset with the fact that he attracted to the American and that she blithly disobeys his safety orders. Still he plans to keep her secure while stopping the hired guns. He also knows that as Hiromasa Shinoda he has family commitments, but he cannot ignore his feelings for the vulnerable American.
The aptly named FIRE AND ICE never decelerates from the moment that Jilly decides to cross the Pacific as she becomes the target of thugs. The story line is action-packed as Reno finds Jilly is a monster distracter when he needs to focus on the killers. With a touch of Japan to anchor the tale, fans of romantic suspense thrillers will relish this exciting one sitting tale.
Harriet Klausner
Anne Stuart
Mira, May 2008, $6.99
ISBN 9780778325369
Twenty years old California graduate student Jilly Lovitz decides to get away from the States by visiting her sister in Japan. Using the pretence of studying Japanese art, the genius Jilly visits Summer and her brother-in-law Taka, who she is unaware are in hiding from hitmen.
However Russian mercenaries go after Summer and Taka, but settle on Jilly. Taka’s cousin Reno, an undercover agent, rescues Jilly from the Russians. Reno is upset with the fact that he attracted to the American and that she blithly disobeys his safety orders. Still he plans to keep her secure while stopping the hired guns. He also knows that as Hiromasa Shinoda he has family commitments, but he cannot ignore his feelings for the vulnerable American.
The aptly named FIRE AND ICE never decelerates from the moment that Jilly decides to cross the Pacific as she becomes the target of thugs. The story line is action-packed as Reno finds Jilly is a monster distracter when he needs to focus on the killers. With a touch of Japan to anchor the tale, fans of romantic suspense thrillers will relish this exciting one sitting tale.
Harriet Klausner
The Diplomat’s Wife-Pam Jenoff
The Diplomat’s Wife
Pam Jenoff
Mira, May 2008, $13.95
ISBN 9780778325123
During WWII Marta Nederman was an active member of the Polish resistance until she was caught by the Nazis. They sent her to Dachau to be tortured by the Gestapo in case she had useful information on her comrades and ultimately to die. She offered nothing that would threaten her brothers and sisters in arms.
When the ally armies capture the concentration camp, they are stunned by the horrific sights that greet them. Besides the mass of dead bodies and many dying shortly, few show any resemblance of good physical health including Marta. American GI Paul Mattison gives Marta her first water since the Gestapo captured her. Marta eventually goes to an Austrian refugee camp where she meets an ailing camp survivor Rose, who soon passes away. Marta takes Rose’s visa to go to London; on her trek across the continent she meets Paul in Paris where they make love. They vow to rendezvous in London in two weeks, but Paul’s plane crashes in the Channel. Pregnant Marta meets and marries diplomat Simon Gold. As the Communists are putting down an iron Curtain across Eastern Europe, Marta undertakes a dangerous mission in Poland with roots in her past.
This excellent histroical sequel to THE KOMMANDANT’S GIRL brings alive 1945 Poland as the Cold War is about to begin. The story line is fast-paced but driven by the cast especially the heroic Marta who realizes that she might have to sacrifice her happiness to expose a traitor. Fans of historical thrillers will appreciate Pam Jenoff’s terrific thriller as she brings alive the tension of battered Europe carved between the victors even as a war between former allies seems imminent.
Harriet Klausner
Pam Jenoff
Mira, May 2008, $13.95
ISBN 9780778325123
During WWII Marta Nederman was an active member of the Polish resistance until she was caught by the Nazis. They sent her to Dachau to be tortured by the Gestapo in case she had useful information on her comrades and ultimately to die. She offered nothing that would threaten her brothers and sisters in arms.
When the ally armies capture the concentration camp, they are stunned by the horrific sights that greet them. Besides the mass of dead bodies and many dying shortly, few show any resemblance of good physical health including Marta. American GI Paul Mattison gives Marta her first water since the Gestapo captured her. Marta eventually goes to an Austrian refugee camp where she meets an ailing camp survivor Rose, who soon passes away. Marta takes Rose’s visa to go to London; on her trek across the continent she meets Paul in Paris where they make love. They vow to rendezvous in London in two weeks, but Paul’s plane crashes in the Channel. Pregnant Marta meets and marries diplomat Simon Gold. As the Communists are putting down an iron Curtain across Eastern Europe, Marta undertakes a dangerous mission in Poland with roots in her past.
This excellent histroical sequel to THE KOMMANDANT’S GIRL brings alive 1945 Poland as the Cold War is about to begin. The story line is fast-paced but driven by the cast especially the heroic Marta who realizes that she might have to sacrifice her happiness to expose a traitor. Fans of historical thrillers will appreciate Pam Jenoff’s terrific thriller as she brings alive the tension of battered Europe carved between the victors even as a war between former allies seems imminent.
Harriet Klausner
Blind Instinct-Fiona Brand
Blind Instinct
Fiona Brand
Mira, May 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780778325819
Librarian Sara Fischer is cleaning out her late father Ben’s home in Shreveport following his recent death when she comes across a WWII Nazi codebook. That in of itself would be strange, but looking at it makes Sara have a sense of déjà vu; the codebook enigmatically reminds Sara of terrifying nightmares she suffered from as a child.
Sara asks her long time friend Marc Bayard for his help. The Assistant Director of Special projects at National Intelligence visits Sara, but his presence seems to have brought a nasty side effect, the dreams of her youth return. For some uncanny reason that she cannot grasp, thirty something Sara believes she and Marc worked together in 1943 as part of the French Resistance. However, neither she nor her protector realizes the value of the codebook to an unknown adversary whose price for ownership is to kill Marc and Sara as secrets must remain concealed.
The latest romantic suspense thriller by this author (see DOUBLE VISION and KILLER FOCUS) has the usual brand of non-stop action expected from this writer, but also contains a major unique element involving reincarnation. The story line is fast-paced from the moment that Sara finds the codebook and never slows down as an unknown enemy will kill her and marc to possess the book. Although Marc is skeptical about Sara’s theory (as will many readers), everyone will agree that Fiona Brand provides her audience with a strong exciting thriller as what happened in 1943 France seems to be repeating itself in 2008 United States.
Harriet Klausner
Fiona Brand
Mira, May 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780778325819
Librarian Sara Fischer is cleaning out her late father Ben’s home in Shreveport following his recent death when she comes across a WWII Nazi codebook. That in of itself would be strange, but looking at it makes Sara have a sense of déjà vu; the codebook enigmatically reminds Sara of terrifying nightmares she suffered from as a child.
Sara asks her long time friend Marc Bayard for his help. The Assistant Director of Special projects at National Intelligence visits Sara, but his presence seems to have brought a nasty side effect, the dreams of her youth return. For some uncanny reason that she cannot grasp, thirty something Sara believes she and Marc worked together in 1943 as part of the French Resistance. However, neither she nor her protector realizes the value of the codebook to an unknown adversary whose price for ownership is to kill Marc and Sara as secrets must remain concealed.
The latest romantic suspense thriller by this author (see DOUBLE VISION and KILLER FOCUS) has the usual brand of non-stop action expected from this writer, but also contains a major unique element involving reincarnation. The story line is fast-paced from the moment that Sara finds the codebook and never slows down as an unknown enemy will kill her and marc to possess the book. Although Marc is skeptical about Sara’s theory (as will many readers), everyone will agree that Fiona Brand provides her audience with a strong exciting thriller as what happened in 1943 France seems to be repeating itself in 2008 United States.
Harriet Klausner
The Angel-Carla Neggers
The Angel
Carla Neggers
Mira, May 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 9781426816116
In Boston elderly Patsy McCarthy entertains folklorist Keira Sullivan with his lyrical tales of a stone angel in Eire. Unable to resist the magical lure and ignoring the warning of antiques collector Victor Sarakis not to meddle, Keira travels to the Emerald Isle to learn more about the Celtic legend. Before crossing the pond, Keira meets FBI agent Simon Cahill who is working a serial murder case.
In Ireland, Keira follows clues to an ancient ruin where she thinks she glimpsed the stone angel only to have the place cave in on her. Simon who followed her after the murder of Patsy and Victor finds her. Whereas she thinks someone tried to kill her, he has doubts. Neither is cynical about their feelings for one another, but when the angel reappears allegedly in the United States, Simon and Keira wonder if a psychopath is at work or something more supernaturally capricious.
This strong romantic suspense grips readers from the moment Patsy tells about the legend to an engrossed Keira and never slows down on the Irish coast as the audience and the lead couple wonder if the culprit is human or paranormal. The romance feels right as the mystery is the center behind this fabulous thriller in which Carla Neggers keeps her fans guessing what the killer is.
Harriet Klausner
Carla Neggers
Mira, May 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 9781426816116
In Boston elderly Patsy McCarthy entertains folklorist Keira Sullivan with his lyrical tales of a stone angel in Eire. Unable to resist the magical lure and ignoring the warning of antiques collector Victor Sarakis not to meddle, Keira travels to the Emerald Isle to learn more about the Celtic legend. Before crossing the pond, Keira meets FBI agent Simon Cahill who is working a serial murder case.
In Ireland, Keira follows clues to an ancient ruin where she thinks she glimpsed the stone angel only to have the place cave in on her. Simon who followed her after the murder of Patsy and Victor finds her. Whereas she thinks someone tried to kill her, he has doubts. Neither is cynical about their feelings for one another, but when the angel reappears allegedly in the United States, Simon and Keira wonder if a psychopath is at work or something more supernaturally capricious.
This strong romantic suspense grips readers from the moment Patsy tells about the legend to an engrossed Keira and never slows down on the Irish coast as the audience and the lead couple wonder if the culprit is human or paranormal. The romance feels right as the mystery is the center behind this fabulous thriller in which Carla Neggers keeps her fans guessing what the killer is.
Harriet Klausner
Zapped-Carol Higgins Clark
Zapped
Carol Higgins Clark
Scribner, Apr 2008, $24.00
ISBN: 9781416562153
After spending a delightful weekend at the Cape, NYPD Major Case Squad Chief Detective Jack Reilly and his wife private investigator Regan return to Manhattan. Jack stops for some Chinese take-out while Regan enters their partially renovated apartment where she finds a stun gun on the floor. Obviously someone broke and entered leaving behind evidence. However, a blackout engulfs the city leaving Reilly in the dark. Lorraine Lily is cursing her estrange husband for selling the pad to the Reillys without informing her while she was performing in London. She had a safe built that she needs to open before the Reillys find it or watch her career die.
Not too long afterward Jack is in Soho investigating a theft of valuable sculptures from an art gallery. Meanwhile their friend Kit calls frantically as she says she was with deranged Georgina at a comedy club when the woman vanished just as the blackout occurred; they know Georgina hates and hurts blond men.. Regan gathers a group to find them before her date is branded. Ironically the person who broke into her apartment and left the stun gun behind helps on the search
The chance meter is stratospheric as a series of coincidences especially the final spin stacks the deck. However, fans will not care as Regan works the B&E, Jack the art theft, and together the Georgina branding in a fast-paced suspense crime thriller in which Manhattanites think nothing of a blackout in July as this is somewhat the norm.
Harriet Klausner
Carol Higgins Clark
Scribner, Apr 2008, $24.00
ISBN: 9781416562153
After spending a delightful weekend at the Cape, NYPD Major Case Squad Chief Detective Jack Reilly and his wife private investigator Regan return to Manhattan. Jack stops for some Chinese take-out while Regan enters their partially renovated apartment where she finds a stun gun on the floor. Obviously someone broke and entered leaving behind evidence. However, a blackout engulfs the city leaving Reilly in the dark. Lorraine Lily is cursing her estrange husband for selling the pad to the Reillys without informing her while she was performing in London. She had a safe built that she needs to open before the Reillys find it or watch her career die.
Not too long afterward Jack is in Soho investigating a theft of valuable sculptures from an art gallery. Meanwhile their friend Kit calls frantically as she says she was with deranged Georgina at a comedy club when the woman vanished just as the blackout occurred; they know Georgina hates and hurts blond men.. Regan gathers a group to find them before her date is branded. Ironically the person who broke into her apartment and left the stun gun behind helps on the search
The chance meter is stratospheric as a series of coincidences especially the final spin stacks the deck. However, fans will not care as Regan works the B&E, Jack the art theft, and together the Georgina branding in a fast-paced suspense crime thriller in which Manhattanites think nothing of a blackout in July as this is somewhat the norm.
Harriet Klausner
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