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
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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.

 

Bang Goes a Troll – An Awfully Beastly Business (series)

An Awfully Beastly Business

 

  An Awfully Beastly Business Book 3
     Bang Goes a Troll
The Beastly Boys –David Sinden, Matthew Morgan,
Guy Macdonald
Youth/YA Fiction/Pg 208
Ages 8+ – Grades 3+
ISBN: 1416986510
ISBN: 978-1416986515

www.beastlybusiness.com

Aladdin/Simon & Schuster Children’s

 

Xtra’s: Listen to an audio clip

  
The Beastly Boys, a trio of 30 something writers otherwise known as Matthew Morgan, David Sinden and Guy Macdonald, put their heads together to create a fun, highly imaginative series that’s centered around very real issues. Bang Goes a Troll is the third book in The Awfully Beastly Business series. In the first two installments we were introduced to the main characters, each with reoccurring roles in subsequent books. The cast includes an orphaned werewolf, rescued by Dr. Fielding the RSPCB’s Vet, a fairy, a 15 foot gentle giant, a gargoyle, a twisted face villain and several others. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Beasts (RSPCB) is a worldwide organization dedicated to the welfare and protection of rare and endangered beasts and is the center of the series.

Dragons, ogres and fairies …Oh My!

Part fantasy, but playing on reality, Bang Goes A Troll pits our favorite werewolf, Ulf against an evil, beast hunter that’s trapping trolls to use for sport hunting. The RSPCB is much like our ASPCA and numerous wildlife protection groups, with their main goal being the protection and survival of these fantastical creatures. Ulf’s heart is in the right place, but will he be able to save the trolls?

Although part of a series, you can read this book without having read the previous installments. However, the stories are quite fun, so, if you enjoy this one, by all means pick up the other books…you’ll be glad you did! * Simple storyline, interesting creatures, plus some snot and other grossities…put it all together and the result is a book that younger readers can enjoy independently – especially boys, age 8-10.

Happy Reading!

Beastly Event – Activity Pack ..CLICK HERE

 
An Awfully Beastly Business Book 4
      The Jungle Vampire
The Beastly Boys – David Sinden, Matthew Morgan,
Guy Macdonald

ISBN-10: 1416986529
ISBN-13: 9781416986522
Ages: 8 – 12  | Grades: 3 – 7

www.beastlybusiness.com

Aladdin/Simon & Schuster Children’s

Click Here to listen to an audio clip

As with previous installments, Ulf and his friends at the RSPCB are forced to go toe to toe with the evil Baron Marackai. Even though the participants are the same, the situation which brings them together is different in each book. (I would liken it to many of our favorite cartoons and TV shows from yesterday – Sylvester is always after Tweety, the Coyote is forever more chasing the Roadrunner and both pursuers fall short every time and pay tremendous prices for their chase and yet, the very next episode, they are at it again!) It is this same type of simple, quick storyline, loaded with action, interesting characters and real world issues that are easy to relate too that make An Awfully Beastly Business a good solid read.

Most of the dialogue takes place in the jungle, where the whole gang is equally involved in the story. (Well, almost, there’s one character we see briefly at the beginning and then again at the end.) Ulf has been invited, as part of his official training, to accompany the other members of the RSPCB, as the journey deep into the jungle in search of the elusive, mythical vampire. Of course, the teams nemesis is never far away, and this time he’s much closer than anyone realizes. Why track and search when he can simply follow the RSPCB team right to the vampire’s den?

Will Baron Marackai kill the legendary creature? Or will the team discover his presence and save the vampire?

Happy Reading!

**Book 5 – Battle of the Zombies is scheduled for 2010 release – ***

Meet the Characters –

  Ulf is an orphaned werewolf, raised at Farraway Hall. Dr. Fielding,
the RSPCB veteran, rescued him over ten years ago when he was a
small werecub. On the night of the full moon, Ulf undergoes a complete
physical transformation from boy to wolf. He is brave and kind, and
his best friend is Tiana the fairy. He helps care for the beasts at the
RSPCB, and even assists Orson the giant and Dr. Fielding with mucking
out the enclosures and performing beastly operations.

Tiana is a woodland fairy, the size of a dandelion, with clothes made from
petals and stitched with spiders’ silk. She lives with other fairies in the
Dark Forest just beyond the paddock at Farraway Hall. She’s mischievous
and fun and sparkles as she flies. You’ll often find her in the flower
garden at Farraway Hall, collecting nectar. She’s Ulf’s best friend, and
even though she is a little scared of ghosts and doesn’t like the sight
of blood, she’ll do anything to help him.

 

Orson is a 15-foot tall mountain giant, who came to Farraway Hall when
he was made homeless in the wild (giant habitats are shrinking). He is
strong  but gentle, and works as the RSPCB’s beast handler. He’s too
tall to live in  the house, so he sleeps in the feed store on a mound of
grain. He wears baggy trousers made from a ship’s sails and drinks his
tea from a bucket. After a hard day’s work, there’s nothing Orson
likes more than a barrel of apples followed by a snooze

Dr. Helen Fielding is the RSPCB veteran. She has degrees in cryptozoology
and veterinary medicine. She is an exceptional pilot, mountain climber and
scuba diver. She performs all the medical operations at Farraway Hall, as
well as monitoring beast activity in the wild and promoting conservation
campaigns worldwide. She has written scientific papers on griffin flu,
the conductive properties of electrodactyls and the causes of cavern
fever,  as well as patenting an anesthetic mask for larger-beaked beasts.

 

Druce is a gargoyle and can turn from stone to flesh. He has a long yellow
tongue and feeds largely on insects. He lives on the rooftop of Farraway Hall,
and gets into mischief, scuttling down drainpipes, peering in windows,
and blowing raspberries to passers-by. He took up residence on Farraway
Hall soon after it was built, and many years ago he knew Professor Farraway.
Druce likes to scare with his ugly faces and nasty rhymes, but he is very
good-hearted and fiercely loyal to the RSPCB.

Professor Farraway was the world’s first cryptozoologist and founder of
the RSPCB. He dedicated his life to the protection of rare and endangered
beasts, studying them in their natural habitats, pioneering veterinary
procedures, and campaigning for beasts to be protected by law. Farraway
Hall was once his family home, and although he has been dead for many
years, his portrait still hangs in the library. When Professor Farraway
died, he left everything he owned to the RSPCB, but there are dark
secrets that prevented him from resting in peace!

 

 

Baron Marackai is the most villainous beast hunter in the world.
He is evil, with a face as twisted as a rotten apple core, and he’s
out to get revenge! He has a vendetta against the RSPCB and a
deep dark secret that he holds in his cold heart. He hates beasts,
and would rather exploit them through acts of cruelty than
protect them from harm. Together with his henchmen Blud
and Bone, his plan is to send the RSPCB to their doom!

 

Danny the Dragon by Tina Turbin (children’s)

MEET DANNY THE DRAGON …..
What a wonderful new children’s series, from author Tina Turbin!

Danny the Dragon
Meets Jimmy
by Tina Turbin

ISBN: 0980072115
ISBN: 978-0980072112
Age 4-8 / Pg 32

Imagination Publishing Group

www.dannythedragon.com

**Best Book Award Finalist**

What a wonderful story! You will love Danny the Dragon!

This hardcover children’s book is the first in a new series from author Tina Turbin. The first thing you will notice when you pick up Danny The Dragon is that this is an oversized book, allowing for large, detailed images. I was pleasantly surprised by the thicker pages, because popular books in our house tend to be well worn, rather quickly – the publisher seems to have recognized and taken this fact into account when putting this book together. The artwork is amazing, for example, Jimmy has large expressive eyes and freckles, most kids can easily and quickly relate to this character. In the story Jimmy finds a very, very special shell at the beach – the shell TALKS! But like Alvin and Chimpmunks, when the shell is put on display infront of Jimmy’s family, it remains silent. Jimmy takes the shell home and it doesn’t take long for the star of the series to make himself known – Danny the Dragon lives inside the shell. Oh, along with his traveling sidekick – Skipper.

This is a children’s adventure tale that sparks imagination, and entertains through a combination of visual imagery and excellent story telling.  Focusing on politeness, manners and friendship, Danny the Dragon reminds me of the “good old fashioned story books” my Mom read to me years ago. These are important building blocks for children and unfortunately these kinds of stories are becoming a rare find. We are certainly looking forward to the next installments of Danny the Dragon and will be reading and sharing each one with you. This book will be on our bedside table for a while – If you are searching for a new book to share with your little one – I highly recommend Danny the Dragon.

Danny the Dragon
“Dreams“

audio CD – 50 mins

ISBN: 0980072131
ISBN: 978-0980072136
Age 4-8
Imagination Publishing Group

www.dannythedragon.com

**Best Books Award Finalist**
Story time – then it is off to Dreams – If you have a fussy sleeper, this CD may be the answer you are looking for!

Danny the Dragon “Dreams” – is a delightful Audio CD – The first chapter opens with the story, Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy read by Janice Welch. The narrator does a wonderful job of utilizing her voice to express the emotion of the story…the excitement, fun and curious nature of both Jimmy and Danny the Dragon are translated brilliantly. This story harkens back to a “safer” time – when politeness, manners and friendship were key ingredients in building character. Beautifully done and a must have for every parent that can’t be there to read a story every night. This audio CD packs a one two punch – a good story that is followed by 10 chapters of soothing piano led pieces that are an ideal bedtime treat. (With the last chapter being Danny the Dragon’s Theme Song.) There’s nothing stirring or jolting within the musical arrangements, making it the perfect CD to lull your little one of to Dream land.

DVD available April 13, 2010

Danny the Dragon
Meets Jimmy

DVD  – 21mins

ISBN: B0033G9OBO
Age 4-8
Imagination Publishing Group

www.dannythedragon.com

Available everywhere on April 13, 2010 – Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy takes the 32page hardcover book and puts it on the screen with narration and sign language for the hearing impaired. This is a wonderful DVD for those with hearing impairments – unfortunately there’s a limited amount of children’s stories that offer sign language and I congratulate the author, Tina Turbin, for taking the initiative and adapting this delightful children’s story, so that it can truly be enjoyed by all kids.

In the story we are introduced to Jimmy and his family. They spend a day at the beach, where Jimmy finds a beautiful sea shell…and this isn’t just any ol’ shell… it Talks! Of course, when he shows it to his family the shell is absolutely quiet. After taking the shell home, Jimmy discovers that it really is special…a dragon lives inside. Danny the Dragon and his worldly-wise travel companion Skipper share some amazing tales of their travels with Jimmy. And with this being the first installment in a new series, there’s lots to look forward too.

Pick up your copy of:
Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy – hardcover
Danny the Dragon “Dreams” – Audio CD
Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy – DVD

Reviewer Note:
Big thank yous to author, Tina Turbin and her assistant, Rosie for the opportunity to share Danny the Dragon with my family, and now with you our visitors! What a delightful series – we have read the book several times – it has already earned a spot in the backpack and on the bedside table. Keeping the attention of a curious, rambunctious four year old is no easy feat, however, the images (both on screen with the DVD and the large, beautiful pictures in the book) kept him still…and asking questions and pointing out various objects. For those who worry about hidden agendas in children’s stories – there’s no need for concern with Danny the Dragon – this is a straight forward imaginary tale of friendship, with a healthy dose of manners that’s presented so subtly your child doesn’t realize they are actually “learning.”

Be sure to visit Danny’s website and friend

Danny the Dragon at Facebook & MySpace

Danny the Dragon BLOG

Danny the Dragon @ MySpace
Danny the Dragon @Facebook

http://GlutenFreeHelp.info

http://TinaTurbin.com

cover art courtesy of Imagination Publishing Group and author, Tina Turbin

 

Timescape by Robrt Liparulo *YA*

 

  Timescape
  Dreamhouse Kings series (book 4)
  Robert Liparulo
   ISBN: 159554500X
   ISBN: 978-1595545008
   Hardcover, Pg 304

  Dreamhouse Kings

  Thomas Nelson Publishing

Dreamhouse Kings Youth Series:
House of Dark Shadows (book 1)
The Watcher in the Woods (book 2)
Gatekeepers (book 3)
Timescape (book 4)
Whirlwind (book 5)
Frenzy (book 6) available May 2010

 

 
Mysteries, Secrets & Mutants OH MY!
The King children are growing up right before our eyes – but, I guess running for your life every time you enter a door in your own home would make you grow up pretty quick! Family values, strong moral character and subtle Christian concepts are mixed with historical settings and lots of action – the result… a good read!

Still holding his creative cards close to the vest, Liparulo lures us deeper into the house and ever closer to the King Family. Throughout Timescape the search for Mom continues and the kids are feeling more desperate with each failed attempt. Even though there’s danger lurking everywhere we are introduced to new friends along the way…Keal, Jessee’s caretaker quickly becomes a strong ally and the source of much needed support. Although they continue to demonstrate a resolve, dedication and loyalty far beyond their tender years, the dangers feel closer than ever before…and even more serious. And they couldn’t be more right! Taksidian will stop at nothing to get them out of the old house and they will soon come to understand there’s much more at stake than their address ~ much, much more!

As has been pointed out by others, where we were left hanging at the end of book three, Liparulo scoops us up and takes off like a streak of lightning. Unlike other books where the opening chapters are dedicated to recapping previous installments, Liparulo starts anew from sentence one, for this reason I suggest reading the books in order.

*As always, parents should utilize their own judgment when selecting titles – based on your child’s maturity, fears and reading level. The narrative describes severed body parts and other gory references that some may find objectionable or inappropriate.*

Happy Reading,

Rj McGill
 
 

 

Dreamhouse Kings Series by Robert Liparulo

 House of Dark Shadows (book 1)
  Robert Liparulo
  159554491
  Hardcover, Pg 295
  YA *age 12+
  

Watcher in the Woods (book 2)
  Robert Liparulo
  1595544968
  Hardcover, Pg 292
  YA *age 12+

 

 Gatekeepers
 Robert Liparulo
1595544984
Hardcover, Pg 307
YA *age 12+

  Timescape
Robert Liparulo
159554500X
  Hardcover, Pg 308
YA *age 12+

  Whirlwind
  Robert Liparulo
  1595548157
  Hardcover, Pg 314
  YA * 12+

COMING MAY 2010 
 
  Frenzy
   Robert Liparulo
  1595548165
  Hardcover, Pg 320
  YA * age 12+
 

 

Breathing Water by Timothy Hallinan

Breathing Water
A Bangkok Thriller

Timothy Hallinan

ISBN 10: 0061672238
ISBN 13: 978-0061672231
Hardcover, 352pages

www.timothyhallinan.com

William Morrow
an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

A Nail Through the Heart (book 1) {review}
The Fourth Watcher (book 2) {review}

Breathing Water is the third novel in the Bangkok Thriller series from best selling author Timothy Hallinan, and the story keeps getting better and better…for the reader…which translates to fictional chaos and danger for our favorite travel writer, Poke Rafferty, his beautiful wife Rose and their adopted daughter, Miaow. As with the two previous installments, Breathing Water stands alone, independently strong, full of colorful characters and real world dilemmas delivered with a degree of realism that reaches off the pages into the heart of the reader. However, as a series, each book builds upon the last, taking you deeper into the lives, psyche and history of the characters, for this reason I highly recommend reading all three.

The scene opens on a late night poker game, orchestrated by Poke’s friends at the police department. Unbeknownst to some of the players the game was set up as a training exercise. When Khun Pan joins the table, he is not amused and a misunderstanding puts Arthit’s career on the chopping block. To save his best friend, Poke makes a bet with Khun Pan and wins! The prize? Pan’s biography, sought after by Thai journalists and writers for years, Pan had never before agreed to allow, much less participate in such a project. Making this a once in a lifetime opportunity. A flamboyant and controversial figure, Khun Pan is loved and admired by those who view him as a champion of the poor and absolutely despised by the affluent, many of whom are threatened by his political ambitions. Of course nothing is ever easy for Poke and word travels fast about the impending biography – While one side is paying for the book to be written, Poke is contacted by the opposing side and informed the cost of writing this book will be the lives of his beloved Rose and their daughter Miaow. Thus pitting the Rafferty family against some of Bangkok’s most powerful and influential people. And these ruthless people will do whatever it takes to maintain their status and keep their secrets hidden…whatever it takes!

In the background of this high stakes face-off is yet another link in the organized crime chain, stolen babies, modern-day-slavery and sex tourism. It is within this web we meet a young farm girl named Da and are reunited with Miaow’s long lost friend, Boo.  Captured and forced to beg on the streets of Bangkok, Da is dumbstruck when she’s given a baby to care for. Bewilderment gives way to fear when she discovers the baby, she named Peek, will only be with her temporarily, used on the streets as a prop until it is sold to a wealthy family. Boo, a tough, young lad we met in A Nail Through The Heart (first novel) as “Superman,” now, a few years older and much the wiser, is the leader and protector of a group of street kids and holds the key to Da’s escape.

Hallinan merges the two storylines effortlessly, as he reunites Boo with the Rafferty family.
Together with Arthit and his friend Kosit, they formulate a complex, multilayered plan that has no room for error, each step must be executed with military like precision in order to be successful…all of their lives depend on it.

Breathing Water is an exceptional novel – showcasing Hallinan’s appreciation and understanding of Thai culture which is masterfully translated through the narrative, allowing readers a front row seat on a 300 page journey through Bangkok. (For many, like me, this is as close to Bangkok as we will ever get.) His portrayal of Bangkok brings the city right into your living room, which is no simple task as this is a city of fluid contradictions, where you can visit a message parlor type of establishment and pray on your way out at one of the many beautiful statues. For years Thailand has been teetering on the brink of civil war or total collapse, awash in every conceivable type of corruption, as organized crime bosses maneuver, manipulate and control all aspects of Thai life, from the street vendor to the political arena, but because of its dependence on tourism and this underworld control we are not likely to see such reports on CNN. Hallinan delivers the story with an unbridled passion that is intoxicating, addictive and incredibly entertaining. If you are looking for a genuinely good book, written with heart and doesn’t assume the reader lacks intelligence, look no further…Breathing Water is a rock solid selection you will not regret! (And pick up the first two installments while you’re at it! You won’t get much sleep for the next several days, but it is so worth it!)

I could say the third time is the charm – but that would insinuate that the two previous books were in some way lacking – and lacking is something you will not find in a Hallinan novel. The characters are drawn with such meticulous detail that it is impossible to distinguish fiction from fact, the emotional attachment the reader forms with the characters and your involvement with the story itself becomes a part of your life, a relationship that is missed with the closing of the cover. But is quickly rekindled with each new release…So, until the fourth installment…I wait and wonder what’s next for the Rafferty’s…

A Nail Through The Heart
(book 1 – Bangkok Thriller series)
Read our review of “Nail”

The Fourth Watcher

(book 2 – Bangkok Thriller series)
Read our review of “Watcher”

Breathing Water
(book 3 – Bangkok Thriller series)

William Morrow an Imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers

Book 4 coming Summer 2010

 

Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

Cemetery Dance
Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child

ISBN 10: 1600242650
ISBN 13: 9781600242656
Grand Central Publishing

Unabridged Audio, 12CDs, 13.5hr
Read by Rene Auberjonois’

www.prestonchild.com

Hachette Audio 

Cemetery Dance 

Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child have long been known for their ability to stand out amid a very crowded genre – and they certainly carved a niche’ with Cemetery Dance. Agent Pendergast has worked his share of interesting cases and had more than his fair share of close calls, but this time he has to risk much more than his physical safety…in Cemetery Dance, Pendergast dances with the devil, stepping in between the shadows on a journey that will take him places even he never imagined. 
 
The narrative opens on the remnants of a wedding anniversary celebration interrupted by a knife wielding assailant, that leaves New York Times reporter William Smithback Jr dead and his wife, Nora Kelly (Museum of Natural History anthropologist) clinging to life. There seems to be no question as to the identity of the assailant – several neighbors within the Upper West side apartment complex readily identified the attacker as one of their own, a neighbor, Collin Fearing. But that is impossible…Collin Fearing had been dead and buried for nearly two weeks.  Thus setting the stage for an intriguing tale that will take our team of detectives into the lair of a modern day cult in the heart of Manhattan.

Vodou rituals, mysticism, sorcery, within this realm the Obeah is the most dreaded and the most feared of all practitioners. The Obeah or Obeahman is believed to have virtually limitless powers, including the ability to resurrect the dead, which seems to be what someone wants the residents of New York to believe. Digging into this case, Pendergast will find some unusual characters hiding sinister motivations beneath the cloaks of the cult.

With several well known and beloved characters reprising their roles in Cemetery Dance fans are in for a real treat – however, as with their other novels, this one stands alone. So, there’s no reason to hold back – if you have never read a Preston/Child novel before, you can pick this one up and dive right in. Their writing is so spot on, detailed and character driven there’s nothing missing accept you! And with Rene Auberjonois’ providing the narration even those who have read the print version will be intrigued by his incredible presentation. His portrayal of Agent Pendergast breathes life into the fictional character, pulling him off the pages of the book and presenting him in living color. I was amazed by the depth and range Auberjonois employed throughout, going so far as to incorporate gutteral, zombie noises into the narrative. Which I must admit gave me a shudder and added a bit of “oh my” to the vibe. The audio version of Cemetery Dance (from Hachette Book Group) is exceptional and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an exciting novel that doesn’t fit into any of the pre-determined, cookie-cutter classifications. Preston and Child do an extraordinary job delivering highly unusual material in an intelligent manner that enlightens the reader and engages your senses on a variety of levels. The information revealed in the novel was so provocative, it peeked my curiosity, prompting me to dig deeper into the topics. This is entertainment at its finest, from two of today’s most popular authors. Knowing this and accepting the story for what it was intended allows you to sit back, relax and thoroughly enjoy this unique work.

 

Happy Reading!

 

 

 

Alex Cross’s TRIAL by James Patterson & Richard Dilallo

   

Alex Cross’s Trial
James Patterson & Richard Dillalo
ISBN: 1600248535
ISBN: 978-1600248535

8CD’s, Unabridged
Read by Dylan Baker featuring Shawn Andrew
Hachette Audio

Available in Hardcover (Little, Brown & Co)

www.jamespatterson.com

“The Cross family had more than one hero…”

Alex Cross’s TRIAL, bridges the gap between generations of Cross men – taking us back in time to a turbulent and frightening era in American History, when folks were separated by color and justice was in deed blind…

This novel is a departure from the strong crime drama Cross series – written by the fictional character “Alex Cross” (as was “Big Bad Wolfe”). Thanks to Nana-Mama’s memory and Ben Corbett’s personal journals, Alex was able to put this haunting story on paper and share it with the world. He writes in the introduction – “…it is a story that helps illuminate why so many black people are angry, hurt, and lost in this country, even today. I also think it is important to keep this story alive for my family, and hopefully for yours.” And he couldn’t be more right – it is important…no matter how painful our past, we must learn from it – because those who fail to learn from the past are doomed to repeat it.

Attorney Ben Corbett had made quite a name for himself, as a white man, the son of a prominent Mississippi judge, he represented defendants of color during a time in the nation’s history when to do so put your career, family and even your very life in jeopardy. The story opens with Corbett defending a black servant accused of murdering her wealthy white boss. Of course, it comes as no surprise when the all male, all white jury returned a guilty verdict. This sets the stage for an amazing narrative – that follows Corbett
back home, to Eudora, Mississippi on a special, top secret assignment, requested by the President of the United States. Corbett had served under Roosevelt in the military and the President trusted him to conduct an “off the record” investigation and report directly back to him. Rumors of lynchings, terrorist like activities, civil rights violations, etc., if the stories were true, the Klu Klux Klan was alive and well in the south. President Roosevelt gave Corbett the name of the man he wanted him to talk too…Corbett’s contact…Abraham Cross.

Ben Corbett is impressed by Abraham Cross from the moment they meet, he knows Cross is a very special and wise man. At first Ben has a hard time believing the horror he witnessed as a young man is still occurring, however, after one afternoon with Abraham ‘touring’  lynching sites he realizes the Klan is thriving and everyone knows it. As the story continues tragedy strikes the Cross family and the Klan comes calling to collect their “just dues” from Ben Corbett. Will he become a chapter in this secret story he was sent here to uncover? If the Klan has their way…the answer is a resounding and absolute YES!

An incredible, moving story, that hurtles towards the ending with such ferocity you feel as though you are standing on the edge of a mountain and could teeter off at any second.

James Patterson and Richard Dillalo have delivered a story that is as disturbing as it is exciting – the no-holds-barred narrative is so “in your face” it stings and the lynching scenes are drawn with such meticulous detail you can almost smell the lingering odor of death as you read these haunting depictions. The pain, heartbreak and fear is palpable throughout as the eyes of a nation fall upon Eudora, Mississippi. The text is so point on you cannot help but feel flushed with emotion. Alex Cross’s TRIAL is emotionally charged, action packed and tells the story of how a family’s struggle against injustice gave one man the strength to stand against his own for what he knew to be right…not for posterity, fame or fortune –  simply because it was right!

There’s nothing conventional about Alex Cross…narrators Dylan Baker and Shawn Andrew tell this story with heart, courage and absolute dedication to the characters, breathing life into it and with each succeeding chapter they draw the scenes and put you in the center of each…You will be angered by this story, you will probably tear up (or cry, I sure did!), you will feel the pain of those who are hurting and the joy and pride of those who find the courage to stand tall. In a nutshell, you won’t regret the hours you spend with this book.

Happy Reading,  

RJ McGill
  

 

Beat The Reaper by Josh Bazell

 Beat the Reaper
Josh Bazell

ISBN: 9781600244322
ISBN: 1600244327
Little, Brown & Company

Hachette Book Group
Unabridged, 6CD, 7hrs
Read by Robert Petkoff

www.joshbazell.com

Hachette Audio

Set in Manhattan’s worst hospital, Josh Bazell paints a dismal, picture for the main character, intern, Dr. Peter Brown. Working long hours, surrounded by an uncaring, overworked staff, that are unaffected and uninvolved, he finds himself waging a one man war to help his patients beat the reaper. But for Peter Brown, the war is much more personal, he too is trying to outrun or outwit death…and Brown knows all too well, that the reaper has many faces.

Through flashbacks and memory spurts, we learn Peter Brown a.k.a. Pietro Brnwa is hiding more than a few skeletons in his hospital locker. Rescued from his neglectful parents by doting, devoted grandparents only to see them brutally murdered at the tender age of fifteen. He became determined to a state of near obsession to find those responsible for his grandparents death. He joins the Locano Family, who quickly put his hatred and anger to work as an assassin, known as Bearclaw. Experiencing a change of heart, Pietro flips sides, entering the Witness Protection Program, from which he is now on the lam. Adding fuel to this multi-level fire, Brown is recognized by one of his new patients- the chart lists him as Mr. LoBrutto, but this long time mafia associate was at one time known as, Eddy Squillante and he harbors a deep grudge against the good Doctor Brown and knows numerous other mobsters who would kill him on sight.

This edgy story is littered with street humor, that borders on crude at times and yet it is perfectly suited for the depressing, death trap hospital scenario Bazell has designed as Brown’s stomping-group through-out “Beat the Reaper.” The mature language and detailed violence are not suited for younger audiences or those who are offended easily by brash, over-the-top cursing and blood, guts and gore. It says something about the author’s ability to write the material and the narrator’s ability to convey it that this one needs a “Mature Content” warning label. However, as most adults will agree some things are for children and others are not –and that’s okay – ….”Beat the Reaper” is a grown up tale that will having you snickering one second and out right laughing the next. So, if you are looking for a good story to take you away from the ordinary for a few hours, Beat the Reaper is an excellent choice.

Happy Reading,

RJ McGill

I am looking forward to Josh Bazell’s future works!

 

  Paperback available September 14, 2009

 

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE CLIP
from Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell

 

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

 
 

 

Wordsworth Dances the Waltz by Frances H. Kakugawa

Wordsworth Dances the Waltz
Frances H. Kakugawa

ISBN 10: 0979064732
ISBN 13: 978-0979064739

Children 9+

Hardcover, 32pages

Watermark Publishing

Wordsworth Dances The Waltz features a family of mice, living much as any family – enjoying their day to day lives, when time creeps up on a them…

Wordsworth first love is poetry – for a long while now it has been his source of comfort and understanding…writing is this little mouse’s way of dealing with life. And so when his beloved Grandma comes to stay with the family Wordsworth is shocked and a bit frightened by the changes that have taken place. The once vibrant, boisterous home, filled with the sounds of music and laughter has fallen quiet and his parents talk in hushed voices…whispering about how Grandma is losing her memory and things just aren’t the same. 

Wordsworth is saddened and very disappointed when his father tells him Grandma can’t attend the special Grandparent’s program at school. Before class that morning Wordsworth sits beside his Grandma’s bed and writes a poem, expressing his feelings – ending with – “She’s still my Grandma, isn’t she?”

What follows is a touching reunion of family, with a new found understanding of how they will interact from this day forward. This is a beautifully written, heartfelt story that addresses dementia, Alzheimer’s and loss of independence, subjects families are dealing with everyday. Seniors are an integral part of the family tree and it’s important to maintain close bonds and continue to interact with and allow children to enjoy the time they have with them…it is precious! 

I highly recommend this story to all families – there should be a copy in every elementary school, library and nursing home. Especially senior care facilities – this book would be an excellent tool to ease youngsters fears, answer questions they may not be able to express and reassure them Grandma or Grandpa may be different, but they love you and they’re still an important part of the family!
If you or someone you know is facing any of these situations, pick up a copy of this book!

Happy Reading!
RJ McGill
3Rs Den

 

 

The Gate House by Nelson DeMille (audio)

The Gate House
Nelson DeMille

ISBN 10: 1600244106
ISBN 13: 978-1600244100

Also available in Hardcover

Hachette Audio

Nelson DeMille Online

The long awaited sequel to DeMille’s 1990 hit, “The Gold Coast” reunites readers with the Sutter’s, Stanhope’s, Bellarosa’s and all the foo-foo, high class pretentious folks that call the North Shore of Long Island home. Although almost twenty calendar years have elapsed, within the novel, it is half-as long, and begins months after the tragedies of 9-11.

John Sutter, returns to the Gold Coast to handle the final arrangements for an ailing, elderly woman, who had been a dedicated family servant. After sailing around the world and residing in England, it feels almost like a bad case of dejavu, because it seems he is right back where he started. His beautiful ex-wife has also returned and they are now neighbors. It doesn’t take long for the two to find their way to each other and like everything else in this novel, the outcome is predictable. What ensues is a long winded, over blown and excruciatingly slow journey to an all too perfect ending, for characters that are nearly impossible to form any kind of emotional attachment with. The Gate House was disappointing on several levels, mostly because there was simply no element of suspense…even the occasional reader could discern the outcome long before the revelation. Although the narration did add a bit of humor and made the journey a bit easier we’ve come to expect a tighter, more concise story from a best selling author of such caliber.

Here’s to hoping this is the last of the Sutter’s and that DeMille sharpens his pen and returns to the strong, character driven, suspenseful ways of old.

Happy Reading,
RJ McGill

 

BoneMan’s Daughters by Ted Dekker

BoneMan’s Daughters
Ted Dekker

ISBN: 9781600246043
ISBN: 1600246044
Unabridged, 9CD, 10.5hr
Center Street Publishing
www.teddekker.com

Hachette Audio
read by Robert Petkoff

*Special conversation with author @CD9”
Ted Dekker, author of 20+ best selling novels, beloved by a dedicated following..so how is it possible that many booklovers aren’t familiar with this incredible body of work? Because Dekker’s books have been classified spiritual or Christian – and that tag caused readers to leave the book on the shelf, thus missing out on some of the most prolific, character driven writing penned in recent years. BoneMan’s Daughters showcases Ted Dekker at his dark thriller best!

Good vs evil? Right vs wrong? That fine line that divides the two sides, the one that is usually so easily defined, can, in the right, or should I say, wrong set of circumstances, blur – when confronted by the unimaginable, the impossible becomes not only plausible, but almost understandable, maybe even excusable, right?

BoneMan’s Daughters opens somewhere in the Iraqi dessert, with Military Investigator Captain Ryan Evans’ convoy being attacked. Evans is taken hostage and held in a bunker by a man named Khalid. The newspapers would refer to the kidnappers as insurgents or radicals, neither is accurate. The truth, is far more frightening, Khalid, like Ryan was a father, and his child was killed by a Coalition bombing. The anger and resentment that grew within this man was palpable and he would force Ryan to experience “collateral damage,” first hand! Khalid presented Ryan with a choice, murder an Iraqi child or sacrifice his family in the child’s’ place.

The events in the desert changed Ryan Evans – he realized he had neglected his family, that it would take a long time to heal the wounds his absences had inflicted upon those he loved, but he returned to Austin determined to make things right with his wife, Celine and their adopted daughter, Bethany and move on with their lives. However, fate had yet another twist in store for Ryan Evans, it seems Celine had already moved on…and into the arms of the District Attorney. As for Bethany, well, at 16, with images of NY City and a new modeling gig dancing in her head, she wasn’t interested in Ryan’s new found Fatherly love. With horrific images from Iraq haunting him day and night, divorce looming and losing his daughter, Ryan is on the verge and retreats into himself. And then, the story heats up, shifting into overdrive and barreling straight into Ryan Evans heart.

And the hits just keep on coming…

News Flash – notorious serial killer, BoneMan released from prison on a technicality… BoneMan, that single word conjured up disturbing, hellish memories for locals. The name refers to his method of murder, meticulously breaking the bones of his teenage female victims, without perforating the skin. After a two year hiatus, a teenage girl is abducted…BoneMan’s quest to find the perfect daughter continues. It would seem all eyes would be on the recently released prisoner – but not so…some very well informed investigators see the two year lull coincides quite nicely with Ryan Evans deployment. But Evans doesn’t have time to be upset or offended by such outrageous accusations…BoneMan has his daughter, Bethany and if Ryan can’t find her in time, she will suffer the same fate as the six young girls before her, becoming forever one of BoneMan’s Daughters.

A spine-tingling tale of family, betrayal, suffering, and survival. The narrator’s use of strong inflections, varied accents and emotional tones and speeds breathes life into these fictional characters, making each feel not only real, but personally familiar. Dekker’s use of current events and headline worthy subplots adds yet another level of chilling realism to BoneMan’s Daughters. A well written, well delivered novel that demonstrates Dekker’s ability as a first rate writer and assures us (readers) we have a lot to look forward too.

Happy Reading!

RJ McGill

Also available in Hardcover & Large Print Hardcover

“To sin by silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men.”
– Ella Wheeler Wilcox

 

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

 

Year of Disappearances by Susan Hubbard

The Year of Disappearances
Susan Hubbard
ISBN 10: 1416552715
ISBN 13: 978-141655710
Simon & Schuster
Fiction, 304 pages
www.simonsays.com

www.susanhubbard.com

Susan Hubbard delighted vampire lovers with her morally refined, deeply emotional tale of a young girl, half human, half vampire and wholly exiled from both cultures for the first thirteen years of her life, in her debut novel, “The Society of S.” The sequel, Year of Disappearances, reunites us with Ariella Montero and takes us inside her search for that ever elusive sense of normalcy.

Ariella’s story is a voyage through adolescence, with a vampire twist – struggling to find your place in the world is hard enough as a teenager, but trying to secure a spot in two diametrically opposed cultures, simultaneously, spells trouble with a capital T. After the death of her best friend, Ari left New York, moved to Florida with her vampiric mother, where she learns more about her unusual genealogy, makes new friends, is targeted by sinister forces and becomes a murder suspect. And if this weren’t enough to give Ari premature wrinkles, her father falls ill, the water is contaminated, honeybees are dying or disappearing, a vampire is positioned to run for president and her old nemesis Malcolm lurks in the darkness.

Hubbard’s ability to imagine an incredibly detailed environment and fill it to the brim with really cool concepts has been a bit overdone in Year of Disappearances, there’s simply too much going on, especially considering the age of the main character, Ariella. There are several creative ideas that really grabbed me, unfortunately, my excitement was short lived,  as many of these ideas were reduced to not much more than an introduction… To see such innovative, fresh narrative twisting in the wind was disappointing and I hope these concepts will be revisited in future novels and fully fleshed out, utilizing Hubbard’s unparalleled story-telling voice.

In a nutshell, Year of Disappearances is a good read, that will hold your attention and give you something to talk about around the water cooler, however, when compared to Hubbard’s stellar performance in Society of S it falls a bit short. That said, I am looking forward to the next installment in this unique series, because when  Susan Hubbard has her finger soundly on the vampire jugular, her novels grab you by the throat and barely allow you to breathe.

Happy Reading!
RJ

Check out Susan Hubbard’s first novel in this series,
– The Society of S

also available in paperback

Read the Review of Society of S

 

A Carrion Death by Michael Stanley

A Carrion Death
Michael Stanley
ISBN: 0061252409
ASIN: B0010W500K
Fiction, 480 pages
Harper Collins
www.harpercollins.com

www.detectivekubu.com

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Michael Sears and Stanley Trollip, writing as Michael Stanley have penned an impressive debut novel, recognized as a Debut Dagger and 2008 Minnesota Book Award Finalist. These two African adventurers have enjoyed numerous safaris and are well versed in the ways of the bush. Extensive experience and distinctive writing flair combine to make A Carrion Death a good read!

Stanley introduces readers to the main character, the Assistant Superintendent of Botswana’s Police Department, David Bengu, aka “Kubu.” An appropriate nickname, considering his size and insatiable appetite, as Kubu is Setswana for hippopotamus. A strong, tenacious man, that loves his wife Joy and cares for his aging parents. He doesn’t mind going against the tide and still believes in the old-fashioned values of honor, respect and justice. It is these qualities that will endear Kubu to readers, because he’s a believable, three dimensional character, with strengths and weaknesses we can all relate too.

Detective Kubu is called out to the desert, where a group of scientists on a field trip , discovered a badly decomposed, dismembered body that has also been ravaged by wild animals. Kubu instinctively recognizes he’s dealing with a murder, which is later confirmed by the medical examiner. Investigating this death is compounded by decomposition and what appears to be specific mutilation, meant to hinder any attempts at identification. The search for information on this John Doe leads the detective to Botswana Cattle and Mining Company (BCMC), headed by Cecil Hofmeyr, who just happens to be a golfing buddy of Jacob Makabu…who just happens to be Kubu’s boss! And the plot thickens…

The tense dynamic within the Hofmeyr family is in stark opposition to the loving, warm relationships within the Bengu family. It’s soon revealed that Cecil Hofmeyr’s days running BCMC solo are numbered, as his niece and nephew, Dianna and Angus, will inherit their father’s share of the company on their 30th birthdays and he is concerned his many questionable deals will soon be uncovered. As the investigation continues, Kubu is reunited with old friends, begins to question the motives of some of those close to him and watches, seemingly helpless, as one after another of his contacts is found murdered.

A Carrion Death crisscrosses two genres, thriller and mystery, which at times seems to cause the story to run long and be unnecessarily complex, which is not unusual for a first installment. However, where this series differs is with the strength of their main character, as well as, the incredibly detailed and authentic African scenery, which set this debut apart, leading me to expect great things from Detective Kubu in the future.

Happy Reading!   😉
~ RJ
3Rs Reading Den©

FYI:
From Wikipedia
*Carrion (from the Latin caro, meaning meat) refers to the carcass of a dead animal. Carrion is an important food source for large carnivores and omnivores in most ecosystems and plays an important role in the circle of life. (Ex. Hyenas, Vultures, Black Bears, Bald Eagles, Raccoons, etc.)

An example of carrion in literature can be found in Julius Caesar, Act 3 scene 1, “this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial”, in which the word carrion implies that the bodies are rotting and infected with disease and bacteria. Another example: Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, when the title character kills an unknown bird for food but finds “its flesh was Carrion, and fit for nothing.”

• Julius Ceasar, Act 3 scene 1

• Robinson Crusoe

Read the Complete Text online or download PDF – click here for Robinson Crusoe