The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

  

 The Bride Collector

Ted Dekker

Read by John Glover

ISBN-13: 9781607881872
ISBN-10: 160788187X
Hachette Audiio

Hardcover, 448 Pages
ISBN: 1599951967
ISBN: 978-1599951966

Fiction/Suspense-Thriller/Mystery
Visit the author’s website

 

FBI Special Agent Brad Raines matches wits with a serial killer unlike any other in Ted Dekker’s The Bride Collector.

Determined to terrorize, murder and display seven beautiful brides He has no desire to maim or disfigure his victims… No…with this killer…perfection is the key. He manipulates the bodies leaving only the slightest trace of twisted presence.

To understand and hopefully stop the serial killer, terrorizing Denver, Agent Raines turns to the Center for Well-being and Intelligence. Within the walls of this psychiatric hospital we are introduced to several interesting, caring and highly intelligent characters. But it’s Paradise Founder, a shy, agoraphobic patient with a deep seated fear of men, that could help solve this case with the touch of her hand. Detective Raines is drawn to Paradise, like a moth to a flame.

The Bride Collector brews to a steady boil, with each action leading towards the inevitable confrontation between good and evil. Although the pace is slower than that of most psychological thrillers, the personality of this story is multi-tiered, in that most every thing veils a secondary meaning. What is perfection? How do you define crazy?

Happy Reading!

RJ

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris

 

  The Unnamed
Joshua Ferris
ISBN: 1600248772
ISBN: 9781600248771
Unabridged Audio, 8CDs

Read by Author, Joshua Ferris

Hardcover available,
Little, Brown & Company

Hachette Book Group

www.joshuaferris.com

 

 

The Unnamed takes us inside the world of Tim and Jane Farnsworth. Tim’s successful law practice allows them to enjoy exotic vacations, beautiful homes, and all the material things exclusive to those with money.  Married twenty years, parents of a rebellious teen daughter, Becka, the Farnsworth’s seem to have it all…But, they share a secret, Tim suffers from an affliction that has no name, no list of symptoms to refer too and no cure. This “illness” causes Tim to walk, uncontrollably for hours and hours, or even days on end, until he literally collapses from exhaustion. After sleep has refreshed Tim’s body and mind he calls his wife to pick him up. The long hours Jane is forced to wait for the phone call are excruciatingly painful and are taking a physical and emotional toll on her. When we join the story Tim is once again under the influence of this mysterious ailment that has visited them on two separate occasions in the past.

When this undefined, unnamed illness presents itself, their lives are uprooted and thrown, as if a leaf, into the eye of a hurricane – never knowing where it will take them, how long it will last or if they will survive it! As the story progresses Tim is overtaken again and again; forced to roam aimlessly by the nameless disorder. Becka and Jane aren’t entirely certain they are dealing with an authentic physical ailment. And I must admit that I teetered back and forth, one minute believing it was a figment of Tim’s imagination and the next, being convinced it was an extremely rare condition. Author, Joshua Ferris uses symbols throughout the story, to bring the pain and emotional turmoil this family is suffering front and center.

The Unnamed is Ferris’ second novel and although he has avoided the sophomore slump it doesn’t quite reach the level of its predecessor. That said, the two novels are completely different and thus cannot be fairly compared. The Unnamed is part mystery, part domestic drama with neither being fully explored. Ferris does an excellent job narrating the audio version, (available from Hachette Book Group.)This is not the typical story where all questions are answered and everyone lives happily ever after. It is an unusual story that explores what it is to be human, how we love and to what extent we will go for those we care about.

Definitely worth a listen!

Happy reading,

RJ
Facebook | Twitter | FriendFeed |

 

 

 

Joshua Ferris’s first novel,
Then We Came to the End, won the
Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award, the
Barnes and Noble Discover Award,
and was a National Book Award finalist.

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JANUARY 2010 – BEST BOOKS of the MONTH

 

1.

Just Kids
by Patti Smith
Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

Amazon.com Review
Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010: Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe weren’t always famous, but they always thought they would be. They found each other, adrift but determined, on the streets of New York City in the late ’60s and made a pact to keep each other …

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2.

Bloodroot
by Amy Greene
Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010: Bloodroot is that rare sort of family saga that feels intimate instead of epic. Set in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains, it’s told largely in tandem voices that keep watchful eyes on Myra Lamb. She is a child of the mountain, tied to …

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3.

You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto
by Jaron Lanier

Avg. Customer Review

Hardcover

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010: For the most part, Web 2.0–Internet technologies that encourage interactivity, customization, and participation–is hailed as an emerging Golden Age of information sharing and collaborative achievement, the strength of democratized wisdom. Jaron Lanier isn’t buying it. In You Are Not a … Read more

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4.

The Unnamed
by Joshua Ferris

Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010: It’s back. With those words Tim and Jane Farnsworth reenter a nightmare they know so intimately it needs no other description. "It" may not be found among an insurance company’s diagnostic codes, but the Farnsworths, a couple made wealthy by Tim’s …

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5.

The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers: A Novel
by Thomas Mullen

Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010: Set against the bleak backdrop of Depression-era America, The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers is the story of Jason and Whit Fireson, a fictional pair of bank-robbing siblings, and their flirtation with immortality. Famous for daring heists and impossible …

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6.

The Lock Artist: A Novel
by Steve Hamilton
Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010: Mike Smith is a "boxman." He can open any safe, padlock, or locked door without a combination or a key–a talent that lands him in prison at the age of eighteen. He spends his time writing down the story of his …

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7.

Mr. Shivers
by Robert Jackson Bennett
Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010: With his debut novel, Mr. Shivers, Southern writer Robert Jackson Bennett presents a pulpy, Great Depression horror story where a mysterious killer "trails death behind him." After his daughter is brutally murdered, a revenge-seeking Marcus Connelly leaves Memphis on a hunt …

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8.

Bunny Days
by Tao Nyeu
Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 1—The bear from Nyeu’s Wonder Bear (Dial, 2008) returns in three simple stories. In each tale, six white bunnies are lounging around when Mr. or Mrs. Goat comes by and disrupts them. Bear comes to the rescue and repairs the damage. Each story ends with, "Everyone is happy." …

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9.

Eighth-Grade Superzero
by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Avg. Customer Review:

Hardcover

Amazon Best Books of the Month, January 2010 They don’t call it middle school for nothing. Reggie McKnight (aka "Pukey") is trying hard to stay under the radar after a really embarrassing start to the school year. But, he’s somehow been drawn into the middle of a …

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Gutshot Straight by Lou Berney

 

  Gutshot Straight
    Lou Berney

ISBN: 0061766046
ISBN: 978-0061766046
Fiction/Pp 304
Hardcover

William Morrow an Imprint of HarperCollins

 

Visit Author’s Website

Click here to view “TRAILER”

2009 Dashiell Hammett Award FInalist

The opening scenes may give crime thriller readers a sense of dejavu, however, once Charles “Shake” Bouchon is released from prison, author Lou Berney takes the wheel and makes this his story. Gutshot Straight is full of surprises and lots of pop culture references that make this an exciting read, with just enough tongue in cheek humor to put a smile on your face, just before the action takes your heart rate through the roof!

A three year stint in prison for grand theft auto has taught Bouchon just enough to get him into a heck of a lot of trouble. An all too simple errand that sounds too easy and too good to  be true – takes the idea of one last job before adhering to a crime free life to a whole new level. It all sounded so easy.. delivering a package and retrieving a brief case. The first indication that this wasn’t the drop and go Bouchon signed up for was when he was introduced to “The package” …a pretty, young housewife named Gina.
But like everything else tied to this “job” all is not what it seems with Gina either.

Being a nice guy, Bouchon can’t bare the idea of what will happen to the attractive, young housewife IF he turns her over to the four hundred plus pound Vegas Strip Club Owner, known as “The Whale.” So, having more heart than brain, Bouchon opts to set the lady free, forgiving her of whatever debt her bonehead husband owes The Whale. However, Dick Moby isn’t quite so understanding and Bouchon’s good deed will NOT go unpunished!

These are characters that will stay with you long after the book has been returned to the shelf. Memorable scenes, emotional drama and heart pounding action make Gutshot Straight a sure-fire hit! Vegas odds just got more deadly than anyone could have imagined! Roll the dice if you dare, but don’t miss this one!

Happy Reading!

RJ McGill

Facebook | Twitter | FriendFeed |   ♥  ♥  ♥

What others are saying:

"An exciting read you can’t put down. A definite must read." (Abraham Rodriguez, 2009 Dashiell Hammett Award finalist and author of South by South Bronx )

"GUTSHOT STRAIGHT has my vote for, among other things, Best McGuffin Ever. Just when you think it can’t get any weirder or quirkier, here comes the scene where… well, I better not give that away. Energetic, droll, and wheezingly funny." (Stephen Harrigan, New York Times bestselling author of Gates of the Alamo and Challenger Park )

"Virtually every character is memorable, and the chemistry between Shake and Gina is brilliant. The plot turns are constant, and the dialogue is sharp. The bad guys are wonderfully scary, and the locales are vividly drawn. Elmore Leonard might be very pleased to call GUTSHOT STRAIGHT his own." (Booklist (starred review) )

"(A) fast-moving caper.smoothly blends humor, action and romantic frisson." (Publishers Weekly )

"A literary sucker punch — surprising, funny, effervescent. It’s a cocktail that won’t let you off your barstool till closing." (Ted Griffin, screenwriter of OCEAN’S ELEVEN, MATCHSTICK MEN and BEST LAID PLANS )

Product Description

A crime caper in the tradition of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen, this fast and funny debut is the story of "Shake" Bouchon, fresh out of prison and ready for life on the straight and narrow—well, maybe after *one* last job. . . .

When Charles "Shake" Bouchon, professional wheel man, walks out of prison after a three-year stretch for grand theft auto, he’s got only two problems: he’s too nice a guy for the life he’s led and not nice enough for any other.

So he says yes when he’s asked to run a simple errand for his former boss and lover, Alexandra Ilandryan, the formidable pakhan of the Armenian mob in Los Angeles. All Shake has to do is deliver a package to Las Vegas and pick up a briefcase.

Only the package turns out to be a wholesome young housewife named Gina whose husband has run afoul of Dick Moby, aka "The Whale," an unpleasant four-hundred-pound Vegas strip-club owner. Shake hates to think what’s going to happen to Gina when he delivers her to The Whale, so in a move that’s as noble as it is boneheaded, he decides to set her free.

Now Shake and Gina are on the run to Panama, hoping to unload the very valuable—and highly unusual—contents of The Whale’s briefcase. Shake could end up a rich man, but first he’ll have to outmaneuver two angry crime bosses, a murderous Armenian thug plagued by erectile superfunction, a former pro football player who blames Shake for his romantic woes, and a billionaire swindler with a flair for the theatrical. Not to mention, and not the least, Shake will need to survive his own heart, since he’s going to discover that wholesome housewife Gina is even more intriguing, and a lot more complicated, than he ever imagined.

Full of blindsided double-crosses and hard shots to the head, Gutshot Straight is a tale of love, luck, and larceny against the odds.

The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly (audio)

The Brass Verdict
Michael Connelly
ISBN: 1600244017
ISBN: 9781600244018
www.michaelconnelly.com

Unabridged, 10CDs, 11.5hrs
Hachette Audio
Read by Peter Giles

Hardcover, 432 Pages
Little, Brown & Company
 

New York Times Bestselling author Michael Connelly takes a leap of literary faith uniting two well known characters in one novel and lands softly amid adoring fans and rave reviews. Actor Peter Giles narrates, bringing the characters to life with special wording, accents and voice inflections, individualizing each, making the characters recognizable and believable.  

In 2005’s The Lincoln Lawyer, we were left with Haller’s promise that he would return – and return he has…albeit divorced, estranged from his daughter and recovering from both the gun shot wound and an addiction to pain killers. With his ex-wife (Lorna) as secretary/manager and her fiancée (Cisco), as his lead investigator, Mickey plans to slowly recoup his clientele and rebuild his rolling practice. Operating a lucrative law office from the backseat of a Lincoln town car was but one of his signature tricks and he was determined to reassert himself as the quintessential Lincoln Lawyer.

But his plans for a slow comeback are fast tracked when fellow attorney Jerry Vincent is found murdered in the parking garage adjacent to his office. Summoned to a closed door meeting with Chief Judge Holder, Haller is unceremoniously informed he has inherited Vincent’s practice and is responsible for his case load. A laundry list of cases was the last thing Haller wanted, so he quickly disposed of most of them. However, there was one case he hoped to maintain – that of millionaire, studio executive Walter Elliot, accused of murdering his wife and her lover. 

It would appear Vincent’s untimely demise handed Haller the goose that laid the golden egg, wrapped in box with a beautiful bow…but, then again, nothing is ever as it appears, is it?

Attorney Mickey Haller, from The Lincoln Lawyer’s and Detective Harry Bosch (33 year veteran of the police dept), from the celebrated Bosch series, share the spotlight in this murder-mystery-legal drama, sparring and teasing each other throughout with bits of carefully worded information meant to illicit more than it reveals. Forever questioning the intentions of the other, on the surface they seem to represent polar opposite points of view, but they have a great deal more in common than either is willing to acknowledge.
This novel barely scratches the proverbial literary surface of this brotherly relationship and I am anxious to see Connelly explore this further in the future.

Exciting, interesting and filled with twists that satisfy fully – “The Brass Verdict” is a solid good read!

Happy Reading!

RJ McGill
 

CLICK @HERE@ to read an excerpt from The Brass Verdict (via Open Book)

Brass Verdict = cop slang for an execution

 

Paperback
available August 29, ‘09

 
 

Promise of the Wolves by Dorothy Hearst

Promise of the Wolves
Dorothy Hearst

ISBN 10: 1416569987
ISBN 13: 9781416569985
Hard Cover, Fiction, 352 pages

Simon & Schuster
www.simonsays.com

www.dorothyhearst.com

Available July 7, in Paperback

Dorothy Hearst’s debut, Promise of the Wolves takes you inside the realm of these beautiful, secretive and long ranging animals. Since the dawn of man we have been fascinated by the strength and charisma of the wolf – now, Hearst, delivers a heartwarming tale of friendship and adventure that will leave you longing to run with the pack!

A prehistoric fantasy, set 14,000 years ago, centering around the mythical society of the wolf and demonstrating that even at this early stage of organization and communication, mans impending effect on the ecological and environmental systems were showing. Part legend, part lore and all heart, Dororthy Hearst has struck fiction animal fantasy gold.

A young member of Swift River pack, Kaala is finding acceptance in her adoptive family elusive. The moon-shaped mark on Kaala is thought to be a sign of bad luck and therefore, Ruuquo, the leader, doesn’t trust her. And her desire to be with and interact with humans breaks the most important law…”never associate with humans.” However, the more alienated Kaala becomes -from the pack, the stronger her need to be with the humans grows. Unbeknownst to anyone, Kaala is guided by a spirit-wolf that obviously shares her desire to bring the humans and wolves together, so that they can coexist peacefully. With the help of her pack-mates, a silly raven named Tlitoo and otherworldly guidance from Spiritwolf, Kaala learns the value of friendship and that the future cannot depend solely upon the legends of the past, that there are no absolutes and that survival may well depend on their ability to embrace change. But can she convince the Greatwolves? Or will her need to bridge the divide between wolf and man destroy both of them?

Well researched, historically accurate, but more importantly, the animal personalities and respective voices are so point-on, you can’t help but wonder if Hearst consulted Dr. Dolittle while writing this book. Laying the foundation for such an imaginative trilogy can be cumbersome, run long and become overly factualized, however, Hearst manages to sidestep each of these pitfalls and deliver an interesting, invigorating story that familiarizes the reader with the characters and concepts, yet holding enough back to keep us wanting to know more. I look forward to continuing this series and for a few hours, embracing the fantastical!

Happy Reading!

-RJ McGill

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Paperback available July 7, 2009

Shop Indie Bookstores

Shop Indie Bookstores

Searching 4 Mr.Right.com

 

Searching4MrRight.com
Rene D. Schultz

ISBN 10: 0979203031
ISBN 13: 978-0979203039
183pp
Light Sword Publishing LLC

 www.searching4mrright.com

 Searching4MrRight.com by Rene Schultz

 Things sure have changed, dating in the 21st century requires much more than a cute outfit and a winning smile - a mix of computer geekism, nerves of steel, the confidence of high powered, Wall Street wheeler-dealers, the patience of Jobe and the ability to laugh as hard at yourself as you most assuredly will at others. In her debut novel, “Searching4MrRight.Com” Rene Schultz shares her personal journey from frightened divorcee to online dating extraordinaire.

Married at the tender age of 19, Rene’s portrait of wedded bliss was developed inside TV studios, on the sets of family hits, such as “Leave it To Beaver and Father Knows Best.” Back then there was a ‘formula’ for a successful union…Dad goes off to work every morning and Mom stays home, happily cleaning, cooking, shopping and caring for the children. It is important to keep in mind that during this time the emotional side of marriage was a non issue. Hind sight being 20/20 it is easy to see that failing to include the mental health of the marriage in the formula led to many divorces. Such would be the case for Rene, after 24 years and two wonderful children, her marriage ended.

Rene compares her experience to that of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz – divorce being the tornado that spun through her life, destroying her well manicured facade, ripping her from her comfort zone and propelling her into a strange, new world. After a few months of self imposed isolation, she was absolutely sure of one thing…that she was not prepared to spend the rest of her life alone! Rene wanted to find someone, the next question was where? Friends encouraged her to get out there and meet new people, however, none of them knew any single men, so blind dates were crossed off the list. Of course there was the whole bar scene, but she wanted to avoid that – seeing as how alcohol severely blurs both the vision and one’s moral compass. Then there was the computer, for the fast-paced, hurry and hustle single, the Internet was quickly becoming the must have tool for dating in the 21st century. From the privacy of her own home she could surf, sort and select potential dates from literally thousands of single men, now that sounded like a win-win and Rene decided to dive into the wild-wide-world of Internet dating head first.

It is her dating experiences that comprise the meat and potatoes of this insightful and heartily entertaining book. From the log-in Id’s to the individual dates, everything is presented as it was experienced. Beginning with the introductory email, the reader absorbs the dialogue and is immersed in the story, step by step with Rene. The anxiety and excitement, as well as, nervous apprehension and old self-doubts, that fill the atmosphere of any first date are related so well that the emotion transcends printed words and is felt the reader.

Straight-forward, unabashed and unapologetic, you can’t help but root for Schultz to find her prince charming, while at the same time, the novel is so entertaining you secretly hope she’s taking notes and keeping a diary of all the frogs she had to kiss a long the way and that she will share those in “Searching4 part two.” Candid, heartfelt and humorous, Rene Schultz has delivered a genuinely good book. Pick up a copy, get comfy and enjoy!

 Happy Reading,
    - RJ   

 

 
NOTE FROM YOUR RESIDENT REVIEWER:
   “Don’t judge a book by the cover” has never been more true than with this book. Although most would never admit it, many readers will pass on a book simply because of the cover art…to do so with Searching4MrRight.com would mean missing out on a truly entertaining, personable and well written novel.

Searching4MrRight.com by Rene Schultz

Earthly Pleasures by Karen Neches

Readers should be prepared for an experience like no other…Earthly Pleasures is a little taste of paradise, right here on earth!   8)

Earthly Pleasures
Karen Neches
Fiction/320 pages
Simon & Schuster; 1 edition
8)
ISBN-10: 0743292480
ISBN-13: 978-0743292481
www.simonschuster.com

www.karenneches.com

Karen Neches’ new novel, Earthly Pleasures is a light, fun read that is filled equal amounts of humor and heart.  At the conclusion of this wonderful novel readers are left to hope that the eternal forever place will be as lovely, fun filled and exciting as Neches’ brilliantly designed and thoroughly developed fictional paradise.

As the story begins we are introduced to Skye Sebring, a greeter in Heaven’s Hospitality Division. Her assignment is to help Earths recently departed through the transition. Meaning, she meets and greets all the newcomers, takes them on a tour of their new ‘home’ and answers their questions. While the main objective of Skye’s fellow angels is to return to Earth, Skye is quite content to remain right here in Heaven.

That is until the day a motorcycle accident brings Ryan Blaine to Heaven. Son of a former president, attorney, star of Heaven’s reality show Earthly Pleasures, Blaine is popular, handsome and engaged. Skye is immediately taken in by Ryan, so when he is jolted back to his physical body on Earth she becomes almost obsessed with the show and with finding a way to be with Ryan. There was something between them…he appeared to know her…how could she remind him of someone? Skye was a ‘new soul,’ she had never been on Earth or had she?

The story takes off from the first chapter and soars right through to the conclusion. There are techno-gadgets that have their basis in reality, but Neches has souped them up. There’s a little of everything, but not so much of any one thing that it over-powers or detracts from the main theme. Well written, fleshed out and delivered with a passionate voice that commands the readers full attention. Earthly Pleasures will tickle your funny bone and touch your heart with a cast of clever characters carefully navigating multiple story lines that co-mingle perfectly to keep you guessing, wishing and hoping. Karen Neches has penned a truly original story that is absolutely brilliant in its’ creative simplicity. Delivering an interesting novel that maintains its’ entertainment level from beginning to end, allows readers to pass the time quietly turning pages…a pleasure, that to a book-lover, sure feels a lot like Heaven.I will be keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel.

Happy Reading!
   – RJ

 

Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz

The Spellman Files: A Novel 
Lisa Lutz
ISBN 10: 1416532404
ISBN 13: 978-1416532408
Simon & Schuster
Feb 12 – 2008 (reprint)
Fiction/384 pages
www.simonsays.com 

 www.lisalutz.com

Lisa Lutz’s first novel, “The Spellman Files,” introduces readers to the lovable, albeit highly dysfunctional Spellman family. Be prepared to adore this zany cast of characters, that will butt their way right into your heart and have you laughing a long the way. A strong female protagonist with a meddling family may, at first glance, seem a bit blase’, but don’t be fooled, the writing, narrative and perspective work together like a well oiled machine generating the ideal reading experience…

Secrets, scheming and sneaking are all part in parcel of a good days work for a private investigator. Albert and Olivia Spellman have been spying on people for a living since shortly after they wed and their three children have been immersed in this environment all their lives. Even though David, the Spellman’s oldest son, left the family business to pursue a career in law, he can’t avoid occasionally being lured into one of his parents schemes. The youngest daughter, Rae, has been honing her spy skills from the tender age of six, when she convinced her parents to allow her to tag along during surveillance operations. Now a mischievous teenager, she utilizes this unique knowledge to conduct “personal surveillance,” on her friends.

Isabel, 28, is the stereo-typical middle child still trying to rebuild the bridge of trust destroyed during her rebellious teens. A sure-footed investigator, with sound judgement,  when it comes to business; however, the same cannot be said for her choices in men. Criticized by her perfect older brother, emulated by her younger sister and hounded by her parents, Izzy’s life borders on the edge of insanity, which she desperately wants to escape.

Sharp-tongued, Izzy Spellman has even reduced her failing love life to a list of wise-cracking facts- name, age, relationship length and ‘famous last words.’ Izzy discovers potential ‘ex-boyfriend #9′ while working the case of Daniel Castillo. Izzy is quite smitten with the Guatemalan dentist and knows the importance of keeping her family in the dark about her new love interest. And in a family of snoops that’s impossible! When she discovers her parents have Rae following her, it is the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back and Izzy quits.

Of course, this hard-nosed, scheming family isn’t going to just wither-up and go away, so they offer Izzy a deal…solve this one last case and she is free of her contract. Catch? Oh certainly- there’s a big catch…The case they choose is that of a missing teen from Marin County that disappeared near Lake Tahoe some twelve years ago. Izzy hoped her grit and determination would light a fire under this cold case and thus dissolve the contract that had held her hostage in the family business. So she literally throws herself into this decade old case. However, while digging into the unsolved case, her little sister, Rae goes missing. She seems to have vanished into thin air and although Izzy and Rae bicker, as do all sisters, she loves the nosey little hellian and will stop at nothing to find her.

Sassy, witty and loaded with sarcasm, this fast-paced story swirls around the outrageously dysfunctional Spellman Family. Even in a house where it’s normal to find triple locks on bedroom doors, the Spellman’s hide their fair share of secrets. Lisa Lutz’s debut novel, “The Spellman Files” explores the inner workings of the family dynamic, from Izzy’s perspective. Revealing how just below the surface stuff… the snooping, scheming and wire taps, there’s a deep, heart-felt sentiment. Cleverly layered throughout the story is that familiar ”something” we can all recognize…that “thing” bonds and unites families despite all the shortcomings and misunderstandings. “The Spellman Files: A Novel” is an entertaining read that unfolds with deliberate precision. Kick and crunch action is followed by off-the-wall, whip-smart punch lines that will have you laughing out loud more than once. Original, kooky and delightfully dysfunctional, Lisa Lutz gives readers a fresh new way to enjoy comedic crime novels. And readers can rejoice, there’s more zaniness to follow. So get acquainted with the Spellman’s and settle in for a truly enjoyable series.

Happy Reading!
   ~ RJ

 

Butta & the Tower of Bling

Butta and the Tower of Bling
by Corey A Burkes
Fiction/Urban Fiction/Suspense-Thriller
220pp
ISBN 10: 0979635209
ISBN 13: 978-0979635205
Skyelight Literature

Corey Burkes has defined Urban Fiction with his debut novel, Butta and the Tower of Bling.  Delivering a suspenseful, action packed read that is absolutely original and loaded with in your face attitude.

Lingo Stein had gone to great lengths to establish his company, Stein Diamonds as the number one diamond producing company in the world and he would go even further to protect it. Certain that Lingo Stein’s vast enterprise and extensive wealth had been built upon a creation stolen from her father, Butta dedicated herself to one thing…revenge!Getting her hands on a man that was seemingly untouchable would take a great deal of planning and would involve substantial risks. Together with three of her trusted friends Butta begins laying the groundwork for the a high tech heist and a cold-blooded execution. Fifteen years in the making, Lingo unveils his latest project, a diamond vault, housed in a brand new, state of the art tower. And this is just what Butta had been waiting for…but she would have only one shot…she had to make it count! Successfully breaching Lingo’s extensive and quite deadly security system was only part of a much larger plan. The questions swirl as the tension rises…Can revenge bring comfort to the grieving? How far is too far? A refreshing novel that never feels fake or rushed…it flows easily, with each chapter adding depth and substance to this detailed picture of urban culture. You will find no cookie-cut characters or stifled dialogue here, instead, Burkes allowed the cast of characters to be true to themselves– If a character is an unpolished rogue thief, the context of their narrative reads as such. Burkes ability to draw out such strong emotions and portray dastardly deeds from polar opposite positions propels the story. The ugliness that keeps the wheels of power and greed turning even at the expense of others as opposed to the love of a daughter for her father and the lengths to which she will go to avenge his death makes for an original reading experience. With such originality and strength, I look forward to reading Burkes future works.

Happy Reading!
  -RJ

Wife In the Fast Lane by Karen Quinn

 

Wife In the Fast Lane
by Karen Quinn
Fiction/448 pages
Touchstone (a division of Simon & Schuster)
ISBN 10: 0743293967
ISBN 13: 978-0743293969
www.simonsays.com

www.wifeinthefastlane.com 

 Ever wondered what it would be like to have it all? Of course, we all have…Karen Quinn’s novel, “Wife In the Fast Lane” provides a front row, often harried view of the glamorous life, that to the average person seems far-fetched and outlandish, at best. Quinn invites us to sit back, relax and see the world from the platinum side of the coin for a few hours. Christy Hayes knows the meaning of hard work and dedication, however, winning two Olympic gold medals did not prepare her for the cut-throat world of commerce. As founder and acting CEO of Baby G, an athletic shoe company, Christy needed to reinvent herself to look the part. Following the advice of her best friend and Baby G’s second in command, Katherine, she moves to an apartment, with the “right address,” a new wardrobe and haircut complete the transformation from athlete to successful athletic company owner. Well, superficially anyway…Christy is a beautiful, strong woman, but her lack of education and inexperience force her to rely on Katherine more and more.

Christy joins countless high profile, money makers and trend setters in Davos, Switzerland. Famous for hosting the annual World Economic Forum and global political and business elites, she looks forward to rubbing elbows with and learning the secrets of successful CEO’s. Christy is a fish out of water and finds herself star-struck at every juncture, especially with the gorgeous, media mogul, Michael Drummond. An evening of talk and sipping champagne and it is obvious Christy is in love. This whirlwind marriage creates a corporate power couple that would make others green with envy. Even with help at home from Maria, Christy’s maid and dear friend, she is unable to keep up with the demands of being CEO. So, she unwittingly turns the reigns over to her best friend, which plays right into Katherine’s diabolical plan to oust Christy from Baby G.

When Maria dies unexpectedly, Christy honors her friends’ last wish and adopts her 11 year old granddaughter, Renata. She soon discovers that cut-throat, backstabbing isn’t confined to the executive board room, there’s trouble brewing everywhere… It seems a newspaper reporter wants to have more than her eyes on Michael and the PTA leader of the private school where Christy enrolled Renata is bordering on psychotic.

From the Upper East Side of Manhattan to the luxurious village of St. Tropez, to the resorts of Aspen and Davos, readers will journey to glamorous locales, meet outrageous characters and laugh out loud more than once. Although the central theme is balanced atop a heap of coincidences which may be difficult for some, this is a good read, with light, quick wit, a few shadowy characters to add just enough shadiness to have you cheering for Christy and talking aloud, as you try to warn her of things to come. So, if you’re reading this one on a plane, subway or train don’t be surprised if, from time to time you catch the other passengers looking at you quizzically…You would do the same if the person in the seat next to you was having a conversation with their book.  

I recommend “Wife In the Fast Lane” to anyone who enjoys a book that’s simply a lot of fun to read! Quinn’s quiet style and evocative characters delivers a truly distinctive reading experience. With only two novels to her credit readers are in for a real treat as she hones her craft and continues to develop that extra special something that defines a novel as a Karen Quinn original. I am on board for the long ride and anxiously await her next novel!

Happy Reading!
 -RJ

The Ivy Chronicles by Karen Quinn

The Ivy Chronicles
by Karen Quinn
ISBN 13: 978-0641784095
ISBN 10: 0641784090
Fiction/352 Pages
Penguin Group USA
www.us.penguingroup.com 

www.karenquinn.net 

We get by with a little help from our friends has never been portrayed with such an ingenious mixture of passion, humor and what could only be defined as sheer female empowerment. Author Karen Quinn takes us inside one woman’s journey from the top, to the bottom and back to the top again.

Ivy Ames…devoted wife and loving mother of two, was living “the good life.” With a combined annual income of two million plus, the Ames’ family had all the luxuries and perks of the social elite. Eight months ago, Ivy’s husband, Cadmon, lost his job and instead of cutting back on expenditures, they continued to revel in the lavish lifestyle they had grown so accustomed too.  On a typical, all too hectic morning, Ivy had barely managed to get herself to the bank on-time, when she is caught off guard by a note summoning her to the boss’ office. You could have knocked her over with a feather when she heard him say “human resources has your package, a car will take you home…”  The words kind-of-faded into a blur. After a day filled with indignities and humiliation, she longed for the warm, sympathetic embrace of Cad’s arms. But that was not to be…As the smell of orange bubble-bath was wafting through the air, she opened the door to the bathroom, only to find her husband bathing a naked woman. It was Sassy!  The wife of the man that had caused her to lose her job! Enraged, embarrassed and deeply hurt she ordered Sassy out of the house, threatening to drop a hair dryer into the bath water if she did not leave immediately. Refusing to let Cad she her cry, she turned and with all the strength she could muster, she gave him his walking orders as well.

It is this one devastating day that lays the foundation for the rest of the novel. With her life in shambles, Ivy embarks on a new career, setting up a business that caters to parents that want their children in the most elite kindergarten programs on earth. A wonderful idea that just needed a boost to get off the ground. Her best friend, Faith, was wealthy and more than willing to help in any way possible. With a few well placed phone calls to her high society acquaintances, Ivy’s referral box began filling up. There’s a host of outlandish, colorful personalities that make up Ivy’s clientele, each adding their own unique flavor to the story. There’s a single father with mob ties; a mixed religion couple; a mom who tries to bribe the board at every school; a gay couple with a wheel-chair bound adopted son; etc. Ivy endures an ongoing cycle of nerve-racked parents having mental-melt-downs during the application process and crazed parents bombarding her with verbal assaults. She quickly discovers these parents do not recognize the morally accepted boundaries of right and wrong…when it comes to securing a slot on the kindergarten-roster of their choosing, anything goes!

Snooty, snobbish, egocentric and over-the-top, Karen Quinn’s novel “The Ivy Chronicles” is a tongue-in-cheek read that delivers exactly what was promised…a light hearted read, filled with quaint characters and quick wit. While criss-crossing moral and ethical boundaries in hopes of being accepted to an elite kindergarten is wrong on so many levels, it it is the catalyst propelling the humorous insanity. Putting the idea of elite, prep-style kinder-care into perspective for these folks would be impossible. But then again so was the concept of downsizing for Ivy, as she continued to carry her Barney’s shopping bag everywhere, hoping to portray that up-town image she missed so desperately. 

 If you’re looking for a Saturday afternoon read that doesn’t require a lot of thought…that you can just read for the light and fluffy experience…The Ivy Chronicles is a good choice. Fun and seemingly far-fetched, I couldn’t help but wonder with Quinn’s insider knowledge, how far did she stretch the characters, if at all? I am anxious to see what Warner Brothers does with this zany cast of characters, as the book has been optioned and Catherine Zeta-Jones will be starring in the movie!

Happy Reading!
- RJ

Interview: author, Barbara Worton

Friendly Fireside Chat with Barbara Worton, author of 
BedTime Stories, the short, long & tall tales of a sleepwriter. 

If Truth Be Told

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Re: With or Without You by Carole Matthews

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With Or Without You

Carole Matthews
Romantic Comedy/Chic Lit/Womens Lit
ISBN-10: 0-373-89545-3
Red Dress Ink
http://eharlequin.com
www.carolematthews.com

International best selling author Carole Matthews delivers a heart-warming tale of personal growth and rediscovery in With or Without You. In the heroine’s misdirected attempt to make herself irresistible to an ex-lover, the hiatus from her comfort zone sets in motion a transformation process, to which the reader is given a front row seat. What ensues is quite different from the cookie cutter romance many readers might expect based on the cover art. From the detailed exploration of one woman’s emotional and cultural awakening, to the quick wit and what goes around comes around karma, With or Without You is a well written novel that’s a pleasure to read!

Whether because her sister, Edie, is a regular fertile myrtle with six children, her position at a baby magazine or because she envisions the clicking of some demonic biological clock, Lyssa is convinced that her very happiness depends on the changes that accompany having a baby. Jake, her live-in-boyfriend of fours years, was making plans for big changes too, but his didn’t include a baby or Lyssa. Needless to say she is shocked when after a fourth failed invitro attempt she expected to be consoled, instead, he announces his need for space, walks out, and closes the door to their relationship. This wasn’t a temporary split….she had been dumped! And for Jake’s adventure seeking coworker that’s evidently perfect in every way and climbs Everest in her free-time. Lyssa decides, anything Neve can do, she can do better! If climbing a mountain is what Jake wants – she will climb the mountain, regain her man and live happily ever after.

After taking a leave of absence and making the necessary arrangements, she trades her stilettos for hiking boots and heads off for a month long trek that will bring her into the most remote villages of Nepal. Lyssa finds much more than she ever anticipated, for starters, her gorgeous, American tour guide Dean! During her journey of self-discovery, she begins to re-evaluate her priorities, as well as the direction of her life. For the first time she sees all that had been missing, not only from her relationship with Jake, but her life in general. Returning to Britain, she is filled with new found confidence, as well as, a bit of trepidation. For what began as an act of revenge had effected change in every aspect of her life, the enormity of which expanded her emotionally and culturally. Could she go back? Would she?

Developing the central character as part of the main plot line puts the reader at the table, as an invisible guest and can be a risky literary move. Yet, in Matthews capable hands, the story reads as if being shared between girlfriends over lunch, a true testament to the author’s imagination and ability to convey depth and dimension. The reader experiences a wide array of conflicting emotions throughout the novel. While in the beginning Lyssa appears weak and difficult leading you to feel empathy for Jake, this changes dramatically as facts are revealed. The journey presented by Matthews is entertaining and thought provoking, filled with everything an astute reader of contemporary romance could ask for. If you’re headed to the beach or just enjoy a good read on a lazy Summer Saturday, take this one “with you”!

Happy Reading!
  -RJ
3Rs-Reading Den ©

Re: Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews

Welcome to the Real World 
Carole Matthews
Romantic Comedy (Chic Lit)
ISBN-10: 0-373-89590-9
Red Dress Ink
www.RedDressInk.com
www.carolematthews.com

Carole Matthews tenth novel, Welcome to the Real World has been short listed for the 2007 Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year. A lighthearted novel filled with quick wit and totally unrealistic developments that will have you rolling your eyes and laughing at the same time. Welcome to the Real World is built squarely upon the foundation established by the romantic comedy genre – it is an escape from the gloom and doom, stress filled world where dreams are crushed quickly and no one believes in happy endings!

With the popularity of American Idol soaring, believing regular people can achieve astronomical success is no longer a crazy dream, but an expected season finale. Capitalizing on this phenomenon, Welcome to the Real World weaves Fern Kendal’s singing aspirations and a short lived opportunity to perform on Fame Game into the fabric of this fantasy tale that could only take place within the real world of Matthews creative imagination.

When Fern Kendal, barmaid and wanna-be singer lands the temporary job placement assignment of a life time, as the personal assistant for opera singing sensation, Evan David, what ensues is a genuine collision of polar opposites. While Fern has very little, lives in a shabby flat, works slinging lagers at a local pub, David rides in limosines, sipping champagne. Yet, they have much to learn from each other. Throw in all the complicating factors of Fern’s family problems, asthmatic nephew and a best friend that has loved her since their teens, and there’s a lot going on throughout this novel, much of which will take the reader by surprise.

Welcome to the Real World is one of those absolutely unreal, happily ever after stories that entertains the reader with quick humor and flaky characters. The only drawback is the lack of true interaction between the leading characters, Fern and Evan, making their relationship feel forced and contrived. However, Carole Matthews is one of todays premiere chic lit authors and with the upcoming release of The Chocolate Lover’s Club, fans are sure to be delighted as she once again provides readers with the sugary sweet conconctions romantic comedy lovers just can’t do without.

Happy Reading!
RJ
3Rs-Real Reader Reviews©

Pre-Order: (Release date) February 5, 2008 *in the US* Chocolate Lover’s Club
 

Re: Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner

Carpe Demon
Julie Kenner
ISN-10: 0-515-14221-2
Jove Books, published by
   The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin
www.penguin.com
www.juliekenner.com

Somewhere amid the picket fences and well manicured lawns is not exactly where you expect to find a butt kicking demon hunter. Which sets the stage for a unique adventure that will have Moms from coast to coast occasionally day dreaming about turning in the diaper bag for some holy water and a sharp object!

Kate Connor is certainly not the average stay-at-home Mother of two she appears to be. Keeping her past a secret from her husband and children became a lot harder on the eve of an all important dinner party. As a retired demon hunter, she should have paid more attention to her senses, when she noticed the strong stench of the undead while running through the local Wal-Mart. Much to her chagrin, the senior citizen demon would crash through the kitchen window as she prepared dinner for a group of eight that could easily make or break her husbands future political aspirations. While the perfect wine and proper table setting are essential to a successful dinner engagement – disposing of the body in the kitchen quickly became priority number one.

Julie Kenner does an excellent job bringing the reader into the world of Kate Connor. With a great deal of personality we come to understand Kate on a deeper level. Examining her hopes and dreams, as well as, the regrets and inner turmoil created by the death of her first husband, it is easy to see that even butt-kicking demon hunters feel fear. Surrounded by secrets and concerned for the safety of her family, Kate worries that her carefully constructed cocoon cannot withstand an onslaught of demon assaults.

I found a few minor glitches with the book. At times the plot line seems at odds with the characters. For example, the fact that Kate is a super-demon-slayer but was caught off guard by the demons that have infested San Diablo. The family’s all too easy acceptance of a stranger into their lives, introduced as Kate’s father-in-law from her first marriage, although she had previously stated that Eric had been an orphan And while not detracting from the story, the few typographical errors could easily be remedied.

Julie Kenner is a talented writer that has taken the mundane daily to-do list of Mom’s everywhere and spiced it up! After all is said and done the most important aspect of any book is the entertainment value – and Carpe Demon certainly has that! Filled with genuine laugh out loud moments, I enjoyed the book immensely and look forward to the second installment – “California Demon”. I am anxious to be reunited with this cast of characters.

On a personal note, I haven’t laughed out loud so many times while reading a book, in a very long time! This book is a lot of fun and I feel sure the adventures will only get better from here!

Happy Reading!
RJ xx