The Switch
Sandra Brown
Grand Central Publishing
www.HachetteBookGroupUSA.com
Sandra Brown’s thriller “The Switch is one of her most complicated plots. It begins with Gillian and Melina, identical twin sisters who meet for lunch. Gillian tells Melina she has been trying to conceive a child by artificial insemination at the Waters Clinic. The talk is light and later in the meal Melina proposes an idea that the two sisters switch like they did when they were children. At first Gillian is not interested but later decides to do it just for the fun of it. She impersonates Melina while Melina is Gillian. Simple enough all Melina has to do is escort a Colonel Christopher Hart also known as “Chief,” a former astronaut, to a NASA. Banquet. Everything is fine until Hart and his escort go to a Taco Bell where the two encounter Dale Gordon who calls her Gillian. Gillian as Melina plays along and tells Hart that Gordon has her confused for her twin sister Gillian. It happens that Gordon works for the Waters Center and knows Gillian is one of the patients. He follows them and realizes that Gillian is going to Hart’s hotel room. Gordon is obsessed with Gillian. After the sisters have switched back Gordon breaks into Gillian’s home and ends up killing her. Melina is called by police and told her sister is dead. With the help of Colonel Hart they track down information. As they piece the data together they find that other women who have gone to the Waters Center have had children kidnapped or turned up dead. They are also able to track down Gordon because he had introduced himself when they had encountered him at the taco restaurant. Gordon, a disciple of Brother Gabriel a religious spiritual leader, asks for forgiveness for killing Gillian. Later Gordon is found dead. The police conclude their investigation but Melina and Hart have just begun theirs. Brother Gabriel at first is a backdrop character until later in the book when Brown ties all of her puzzles together in a nice neat package. Gillian and Hart are attacked several times while they piece together the pieces of the mystery. Brown has written a tight plot with believable characters. The story unfolds in waves until the final shocking revelation of Brother Gabriel’s real purpose. “The Switch is an evil tale at its best.
Dirt
Stuart Woods
Harper Fiction
www.harpercollins.com
Stuart Woods, is always high on the must read list, “Dirt” is novel that is sure to please. Part of the reason is Stone Barrington is one of the most likable characters Woods has ever created. Amanda Dart, who writes gossip on anyone she can, now has the tables turned. She is the victim of someone who is anonymously faxing to press people vicious things about her. She has hired Stone Barrington to find out who is sending the transmission and stop them. “Dirt” is a bit slower than some of Woods other works but it is a very satisfying read
Guilty Pleasures
Lawrence Sanders
Berkley Books
www.penguiin.com
Sanders novels are usually fast paced exciting reading. His books are filled with interesting likable characters involved in fascinating situations. That sadly, is not the case here. “Guilty Pleasures is the story of the wealthy Folsby family from the ‘70s to the ‘90s. Emmet Richard Folsby, founder of a huge publishing firm is the patriarch of the family. He has a wife, Constance Louise, and two children. Barbara Ann and Brett Sherwood. The book centers around the Barbara and Brett relationship. Barbara is an aggressive ambitious businesswoman while Brett is a lazy dashing playboy with strong sexual needs. He is also Barbara’s worst enemy. A more interesting part of the book is the relationship between Judge Seth Parnell his housekeeper and her son Noah. He takes care of them and becomes somewhat a father figure to Noah. He also seems to know many secrets of the Folsby family. With this mix of characters one expects the novel to be an exhilarating thriller that the author is known for. But something is wrong here. The characters are flat, boring and unlikable while the writing is slow and very uneven. Nothing really exciting ever happens. The author plays on a relationship between Barbra and Noah that goes nowhere. Brett is wearisome as he has wild sexual escapades and the book would have been a lot more interesting if it had been about the Judge. There is no mystery or humor like the author’s “Deadly Sins” or “McNally” series that are so much fun to read. What is also lacking here is the wit Sanders usually provides in his novels. “Guilty Pleasures doesn’t even have the class of his novel “Capital Crimes” in which an evangelist advised the President of the United States on policy. Sanders, who is no longer with us, should have gone out with a bang instead he left with a whimper.
The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume 1 Fine Feathered Friends
S.D Moore illustrations by Bobb Switzer
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
www.outskirtspress.com
“The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume I Fine Feathered Friends is the first of a series of books for young kids. P J is a little boy who for so long has been laughed at by other kids. He and his parents go to the pet store to buy an animal for him to pal around with. They pick Split Pea a talking green parrot. Together they work to solve problems. What I liked abut this book is how the two characters become great friends. What’s nice is that all ages can read this book and enjoy. No one is ever too old to like “The Adventures of PJ and Split Pea Volume I Fine Feathered Friends”
Modern Day Gettysburg A Portrait of the Most Famous Little Town in America
Lisa C. Phillips
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
www.outskirtspress.com
“Modern Day Gettysburg A Portrait of the Most Famous Little Town in America” takes the reader on a journey of the town of Gettysburg. She talks about the role it played in the Civil War and she shows that there is more to the area than the War between the States. She shows how close it is to other big cities in several bordering states and ones in Pennsylvania. She talks about famous people who have lived there and there are so many colorful pictures that add to the feel of the book. The writer has done a great job in “Modern Day Gettysburg A Portrait of the Most Famous Little Town in America showcasing the area as an attraction that makes you want to go and visit.
Swimming to Catalina
Stuart Woods
Harper Fiction
www.harpercollins.com
With a walloping beginning in which Stone is almost killed by two thugs, “Swimming to Catalina” then picks up where “Dead in the Water” ended and moves along to a dashing finish. In this narrative Woods does some things that don’t really add up with the situation he has created. For instance Stone, who many think is dead does not keep a low profile and he even takes some time out for some very graphic sexual activity with a woman who could run back to some other characters and reveal that he is not dead. Even so, “Swimming to Catalina” is exciting with great writing and fascinating characters that move the tale along.
Where’s My LD? Little Dinosaur
Donnell Robinsom illustrated by Irene Michel
Outskirts Press Inc, Denver, Colorado
www.outskirtspress.com
Malcolm is having a very bad day. He can’t find his dinosaur. He looks everywhere he can think of, but he can’t locate him. His parents take him to camp where he meets and plays with lots of other kids. Only readers will find out if he finds his best friend. The best kid’s books always have little messages for youngsters to learn. This one has several good ones. “Where’s My LD? Little Dinosaur” is another fun little gem that is very interesting reading.
Pajamas and the Days of the Week
Higina Da Guia illustrated by John da Guia
Outskirts Press Inc
www.outskirtspress.com
“Pajamas and the Days of the Week is for all ages. The story is all about pajamas. I loved how the author compared snuggling under the covers to a snail. He also tells a nice little joke at the end. What’s unique though, is the work is told in two languages, English and Portuguese. The bright happy colors of the artwork also convey the cheerful feel. “Pajamas and the Days of the Week” is a witty story about why we wear pajamas.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Book reviews by Gary Roen
Devil Eyes
Prudence Foster
Wings ePres Inc.
www.j.wings-press.com
Take an ancient Seminole Indian curse, a hurricane on a track to hit a small south Florida town, and a small child who has unusual visions. These are part of what makes “Devil Eyes” such a good chilling story to enjoy. Foster for a third time delves into the world of horror that will have readers spellbound as they turn pages to find the revealing conclusion. Foster has combined elements of the occult and the rites and rituals of the Seminole Indians set against the backdrop of a small Florida city. She also has created memorable characters who have several conflicts that also help move the story along. “Blood Legacy” and the “Vow” her two other books in the realm of horror were very good but “Devil Eyes” is much more chilling which shows why Foster is a master horror suspense writer.
Is She Naturally Thin or Disciplined? Insider Secrets of the Sexy and Slim!
Sally Shields
Blooming Twig Books
www.bloomingwig.com
Sally Shields is back with a new slant to the subject of how women stay so thin. “Is She Naturally Thin Or Disciplined? Insider Secrets of the Sexy and Slim” shows the techniques that women use to stay thin. Shields divided the book into ages starting with women in their twenties to ones in their sixties. There are many similar things all have in common. Eating certain foods in moderation, regular exercise programs, dealing with stress better, more awareness of what is in food are just some of the things they talk about. “Is She Naturally Thin or Disciplined? Insider Secrets of the Sexy and Slim” is an interesting look at how women of different ages and professions stay thin and physically fit this is a great resource for anyone to stay healthy.
Kill Me If You Can
James Patterson and Marshall Karp
Little Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group USA
www.HatchetteBookGroupUSA.com
“Kill Me If You Can” grabbed my attention from the first page where Mathew Bannon, a poor art student finds a medical bag filled with diamonds at Grand Central Station. Later he finds out several hired killers are after him because of the bag he found. The novel held my interest until it took a twist with the character of Mathew Bannon that was just not believable. From then on it is a tedious contrived novel that finally reaches its end “Kill Me If You Can” was a very disappointing novel that was not as well thought out as it should have been.
Guilty As Sin
Joseph Teller
Mira
www.jaywalkercases.com
Joseph Teller is back with “Guilty As Sin,” another great legal thriller in the Jaywalker series. Jaywalker always takes on the impossible cases and this one of a career criminal since age fifteen looks like an impossible to win situation because his client is guilty as charged. Teller, who was once a defense attorney, is a master of the legal thriller and like his other novels “Guilty As Sin” is based on one of his cases.
You Never See Fat Vampires
Mark H Newhouse
Court Jester Publications
www.courtjesterpublications.com
Mark Newhouse has written an interesting twist to the vampire tale with “You Never See Fat Vampires.” The Midnight Diet Club is not what it seems. Yes, the members have lost weight but it is how they have done it and what they have had to give up that make it such a different approach to weight loss. “You Never See Fat Vampires” is geared to a YA audience because the kids are in public school but the novel is one that any age reader can enjoy because the conflicts, characters and story are so interesting.
If You Had Wings
Kayton D. Scarboro
Legacy Publishing Services Inc
www.LegacyBookPublishing.com
Scarboro mixes elements in generous doses similar to “Indiana Jones” “Ghost” and “Star Wars’ in this first of a trilogy “If You Had Wings” The novel also has characters in the conflicts that race the story along to its final surprising ending that is left wide open for book two. I have a complaint that there are too many characters with similar names like Eve and Eva, Stan and Samuel. This is a mistake many authors make that causes confusion throughout the novel. Otherwise “If You had Wings” is a very good novel that is a fast paced thriller.
Stay Tuned For Murder
Mary Kennedy
Signet
www.penguin.com
“Stay Tuned For Murder,” the third in the series of this series, is lots of fun with many different things going on. In this one talk show host Maggie Walsh has her hands full with her guest Madame Chantel who talks to the dead on the air, and the station is promoting a fifty year old time capsule. Along the way Maggie has to solve several murders as well that somehow are tied into Madame Chantel. Kennedy is a writer who makes it fun to read mysteries and “Stay Tuned For Murder” is a prime example.
Hollywood Hills
Joseph Wambaugh
Grand Central Hachette Book Group USA
www.HatchetteBookGroupUSA.com
Its been a long time since I’ve read anything by this author but “Hollywood Hills” is a delightful read with great writing and lots of memorable characters. An art dealer plans to steal two paintings from a mansion while a group of teenage criminals named “The Bling Ring,” and a pair of drug addicted thieves also plan to take the same paintings. The cops at Hollywood Station will have their hands full protecting the public from these criminals. “Hollywood Hills” is a great addition to the list of novels by this author.
Poison Pen
Shelia Lowe
Signet
www.penguin.com
“Poison Pen” is the first of a series of novels of forensic handwriting expert Claudia Rose. The body of Lindsey Alexander is found floating in her Jacuzzi. A friend of Claudia Rose tries to get her to understand that this woman would not commit suicide even though there is a note. Claudia becomes involved in a case that could get her killed. “Poison Pen” is a tightly written mystery that is a fast paced read with interesting situations and characters.
One Second After
William R. Forstchen Foreword by Newt Gingrich
Tor
www.tor-forge.com
What would happen if America as we know it was shut down by a silent enemy? The novel opens with that kind of scenario with the entire nation affected. No modern cars work, electricity is shut off, lights at intersections are blank, phones are shut down computers don’t work; the country is at a complete stand still. “One Second After” is a chilling tale that is not that far fetched because the author has based this situation on our present day technology currently in use. “One Second After” is this generations’ “Alas Babylon” or “On the Beach” novel that is a red flag warning of what could happen.
The Prostitutes’ Ball
Stephen J. Cannell
St Martins Press
www.stmartins.com
I am sorry to say this is the last Shane Scully novel by this author. Cannell died just as this book was coming out. “The Prostitutes’ Ball” is another great story of detective Shane Scully delving into the underworld of the Hollywood Hills to solve a murder case. The novel is a fast paced tale of mystery that has lots of fun characters and situations only an insider in the world of film would know about.
The Collaborator Rules 101 Surefire Ways to Stay Friends With Your Co-Author
Sally Shields
Safflower Publishing Inc
www.sallyshields.com
I’m not a big fan of partnerships in writing because so many of the ones I’ve been in and that I’ve seen end up so negative. I have to say though if there is a formula to not have problems this is the best resource to guide the two writers to a happy working relationship. Shields easily points out 101 surefire ways to avoid major problems. The book is easy to follow and has a lot of simple things that people never think to do. Class 101 Collaborator Rules is now in session.
Prudence Foster
Wings ePres Inc.
www.j.wings-press.com
Take an ancient Seminole Indian curse, a hurricane on a track to hit a small south Florida town, and a small child who has unusual visions. These are part of what makes “Devil Eyes” such a good chilling story to enjoy. Foster for a third time delves into the world of horror that will have readers spellbound as they turn pages to find the revealing conclusion. Foster has combined elements of the occult and the rites and rituals of the Seminole Indians set against the backdrop of a small Florida city. She also has created memorable characters who have several conflicts that also help move the story along. “Blood Legacy” and the “Vow” her two other books in the realm of horror were very good but “Devil Eyes” is much more chilling which shows why Foster is a master horror suspense writer.
Is She Naturally Thin or Disciplined? Insider Secrets of the Sexy and Slim!
Sally Shields
Blooming Twig Books
www.bloomingwig.com
Sally Shields is back with a new slant to the subject of how women stay so thin. “Is She Naturally Thin Or Disciplined? Insider Secrets of the Sexy and Slim” shows the techniques that women use to stay thin. Shields divided the book into ages starting with women in their twenties to ones in their sixties. There are many similar things all have in common. Eating certain foods in moderation, regular exercise programs, dealing with stress better, more awareness of what is in food are just some of the things they talk about. “Is She Naturally Thin or Disciplined? Insider Secrets of the Sexy and Slim” is an interesting look at how women of different ages and professions stay thin and physically fit this is a great resource for anyone to stay healthy.
Kill Me If You Can
James Patterson and Marshall Karp
Little Brown and Company
Hachette Book Group USA
www.HatchetteBookGroupUSA.com
“Kill Me If You Can” grabbed my attention from the first page where Mathew Bannon, a poor art student finds a medical bag filled with diamonds at Grand Central Station. Later he finds out several hired killers are after him because of the bag he found. The novel held my interest until it took a twist with the character of Mathew Bannon that was just not believable. From then on it is a tedious contrived novel that finally reaches its end “Kill Me If You Can” was a very disappointing novel that was not as well thought out as it should have been.
Guilty As Sin
Joseph Teller
Mira
www.jaywalkercases.com
Joseph Teller is back with “Guilty As Sin,” another great legal thriller in the Jaywalker series. Jaywalker always takes on the impossible cases and this one of a career criminal since age fifteen looks like an impossible to win situation because his client is guilty as charged. Teller, who was once a defense attorney, is a master of the legal thriller and like his other novels “Guilty As Sin” is based on one of his cases.
You Never See Fat Vampires
Mark H Newhouse
Court Jester Publications
www.courtjesterpublications.com
Mark Newhouse has written an interesting twist to the vampire tale with “You Never See Fat Vampires.” The Midnight Diet Club is not what it seems. Yes, the members have lost weight but it is how they have done it and what they have had to give up that make it such a different approach to weight loss. “You Never See Fat Vampires” is geared to a YA audience because the kids are in public school but the novel is one that any age reader can enjoy because the conflicts, characters and story are so interesting.
If You Had Wings
Kayton D. Scarboro
Legacy Publishing Services Inc
www.LegacyBookPublishing.com
Scarboro mixes elements in generous doses similar to “Indiana Jones” “Ghost” and “Star Wars’ in this first of a trilogy “If You Had Wings” The novel also has characters in the conflicts that race the story along to its final surprising ending that is left wide open for book two. I have a complaint that there are too many characters with similar names like Eve and Eva, Stan and Samuel. This is a mistake many authors make that causes confusion throughout the novel. Otherwise “If You had Wings” is a very good novel that is a fast paced thriller.
Stay Tuned For Murder
Mary Kennedy
Signet
www.penguin.com
“Stay Tuned For Murder,” the third in the series of this series, is lots of fun with many different things going on. In this one talk show host Maggie Walsh has her hands full with her guest Madame Chantel who talks to the dead on the air, and the station is promoting a fifty year old time capsule. Along the way Maggie has to solve several murders as well that somehow are tied into Madame Chantel. Kennedy is a writer who makes it fun to read mysteries and “Stay Tuned For Murder” is a prime example.
Hollywood Hills
Joseph Wambaugh
Grand Central Hachette Book Group USA
www.HatchetteBookGroupUSA.com
Its been a long time since I’ve read anything by this author but “Hollywood Hills” is a delightful read with great writing and lots of memorable characters. An art dealer plans to steal two paintings from a mansion while a group of teenage criminals named “The Bling Ring,” and a pair of drug addicted thieves also plan to take the same paintings. The cops at Hollywood Station will have their hands full protecting the public from these criminals. “Hollywood Hills” is a great addition to the list of novels by this author.
Poison Pen
Shelia Lowe
Signet
www.penguin.com
“Poison Pen” is the first of a series of novels of forensic handwriting expert Claudia Rose. The body of Lindsey Alexander is found floating in her Jacuzzi. A friend of Claudia Rose tries to get her to understand that this woman would not commit suicide even though there is a note. Claudia becomes involved in a case that could get her killed. “Poison Pen” is a tightly written mystery that is a fast paced read with interesting situations and characters.
One Second After
William R. Forstchen Foreword by Newt Gingrich
Tor
www.tor-forge.com
What would happen if America as we know it was shut down by a silent enemy? The novel opens with that kind of scenario with the entire nation affected. No modern cars work, electricity is shut off, lights at intersections are blank, phones are shut down computers don’t work; the country is at a complete stand still. “One Second After” is a chilling tale that is not that far fetched because the author has based this situation on our present day technology currently in use. “One Second After” is this generations’ “Alas Babylon” or “On the Beach” novel that is a red flag warning of what could happen.
The Prostitutes’ Ball
Stephen J. Cannell
St Martins Press
www.stmartins.com
I am sorry to say this is the last Shane Scully novel by this author. Cannell died just as this book was coming out. “The Prostitutes’ Ball” is another great story of detective Shane Scully delving into the underworld of the Hollywood Hills to solve a murder case. The novel is a fast paced tale of mystery that has lots of fun characters and situations only an insider in the world of film would know about.
The Collaborator Rules 101 Surefire Ways to Stay Friends With Your Co-Author
Sally Shields
Safflower Publishing Inc
www.sallyshields.com
I’m not a big fan of partnerships in writing because so many of the ones I’ve been in and that I’ve seen end up so negative. I have to say though if there is a formula to not have problems this is the best resource to guide the two writers to a happy working relationship. Shields easily points out 101 surefire ways to avoid major problems. The book is easy to follow and has a lot of simple things that people never think to do. Class 101 Collaborator Rules is now in session.
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