Lynnwood

Thomas Brown

June 2013

ISBN-13: 978-1907230387

ISBN-10: 1907230386

This atmospheric chiller is perceptibily meancing from the first sentence.  Set in the idyllic village of Lynnwood, set on the edge of the New Forest in England, the truth of the village’s heritage is glimpsed through the eyes of villager, Freya.  She discovers the charred remains of a pig on a morning walk with her dog, and this stirs a hunger in her.  Freya has been a vegetarian for years, ever since her husband, inexplicably and suddenly left her; and this renewed hunger for meat is disturbing.   

The villagers are a superstitious lot, friendly to the tourists that come to visit, but always glad to see them leave.  However, there have been disappearances of visitors and villagers alike over the years; put down to being either lost in the Forest, or the victim of the legendary Bauchan, the hungry spirits of the local brook and Forest since the fourteenth century.  These skeletal creatures can be seen only from the corner of the eye slipping between the trees of Forest.  But that’s what they are; a local legend; a story told to children to keep them safe from falling into the waters of Bauchan Brook.  Or are they?   As Midwinter draws nigh, it is said that the hunger of the Bauchan intensifies, and the villagers can do naught but lock their doors tight against the night, peeking through drawn curtains with fear filled eyes.

Freya is friends with the vicar; Joan Andrews, a seventy-one year old, steady woman who whispers of a dark recurring dream she has each night.   Of a fly faced woman that draws ever nearer, one step closer with each dream.  Freya convinces her to confront her night-time fears by visiting the clearing in the Forest where the dream occurs.  Together they go to the Forest, but the vicar never returns.  Bereft by the loss of Ms. Andrews, Freya seeks solace with her best friend, Catherine, the local vintner, both drinking large quantities of wine to drown their loneliness and growing sense of dread.  Then, one day, Freya goes to Catherine’s house to find her gone.

Freya, in clearing our the old Vicarage, comes across diaries of those who came before, and learns of the history of Lynnwood.   That its first years were filled with starvation; a hunger so deep and desperate that some committed unspeakable acts.  And that the hunger remains to this day. 

This gripping gothic novella drew me in and kept me turning the pages until the horrific revelations of the last pages.   This debut novella is a fast read, good for both young adults and adults that enjoy horror that is more edgy than gory. 

Struck

Jennifer Bosworth

MacMillan Children’s

Publishing Group

ISBN 13: 978-0374372835

$17.99
2012

After a devastating earthquake, downtown L.A. is left in ruins, with the exception of one untouched tower. Downtown becomes a focal point for a traveling party that moves to a different building every night; the partiers drawn by an irresistible force. Homeless gangs roam the streets; the beaches have become tent cities and two groups vie for power over the lives and souls of those fortunate, or cursed enough, to be left alive.

Teen Mia is a lightning rod; literally. She has been struck not once or twice, but many times. But rather than fearing lightning; Mia craves the energy that could kill her one day. To prevent future strikes, her mother, brother Parker and Mia have moved to L.A. because lightning rarely strikes there. However, she still covers her body completely before going out to avoid both the lightning she attracts, and to conceal the vivid lighting scars that cover her body.

Mia’s mother is battling mental illness caused by the devastation of the quake, and Mia and Parker must buy her meds on the black market. This sends them out to the beach, and a confrontation with Prophet’s people.
The two warring groups are convinced that Mia is connected to the freak electrical storm that caused the earthquake; and the two groups; one led by a school teacher, and the other, a cult lead by the charismatic but creepy Prophet, try to get her to join them. The Prophet’s massive tent city covers the beach; and his followers, dressed in angelic white, are everywhere. Then there is the mysterious Jeremy, who has promised to protect her. Can she believe him? But just as she begins to trust Jeremy, and her feelings blossom into love; she learns that he is Prophet’s adopted son; sent to “trick” her into joining his cult. Worse yet, the Prophet has convinced Mia’s mother to marry him on the night when he plans to use Mia to call the lightning; and begin the Apocalypse. And if Mia doesn’t do as Prophet wishes; her mother will be killed. As night falls, Mia must decide who to sacrifice; and whether to risk unleashing the full extent of her powers to save those she loves, a power that could destroy her, and ignite the Apocalypse.

A straight arrow, Mia is a tough, determined heroine; but one who is plagued with doubts. Buffeted by those who want her powers, she must rely on her instincts to make the right choices to survive, and save the world. Fast paced, compelling and electric; this can’t put down novel offers a gripping view of an apocalyptic future.

The Keening by A. LaFaye

The Keening

A. LaFaye

Milkweed Editions

ISBN-10: 1571316922

ISBN 13: 978-1-57131-692-9

Pages: 224
2010

Lyza Layton was born into an artistic but eccentric family that lives in the small Maine coastal town, Kingsley Cove. Her father, Pater, (Evan) carves beautifully; her mother, Mayra, plays cello but Lyza herself has only workman-like skills. At fourteen, both herself and her father contracted influenza during the epidemic that raged during 1918. Both survived, but many did not. Lyza comments how common the funeral marches became that year, “When the marches became as regular as the tide that winter, I stayed inside”.

The relationship between her parents is touching; her Mater understands that her husband is totally consumed by his work, to the point that he will not take care of himself. She plays her cello on the cliff to draw him out and remind him to eat. She is a tender mother to Lyza, reminding her to study for her examinations; her ticket away from Kingsley Cove.

Pater has a talent, a talent to see and hear the dead. Because of this, he carves small mementoes he puts in the ocean to help send them to the other side, and writes mysterious letters he posts without a return address to take care of their unfinished business.

But his peculiarity has endangered him, and there are those in the town, and even in the Bradley’s, his former wife’s family, that want him returned to the work farm; which is an asylum, a place where those with feeble wits were put to work. And it was there that Lyza’s mother met Pater, who was carving into the work table. She recognized his talent, and she married him, bringing him out to her house in Kingsley Cove.

Now Lyza, full of grief and longing for her mother, must confront the ugliness of her family, and find a way to protect both her father and herself. When her father tells her he is waiting for Mayra to return, Lyza knows she must get help.

She undertakes an almost Herculean task for one so young, courageously rowing across stormy seas to locate the one person that might be able to help them; and encountering those that have passed on herself. And in doing so, she discovers her own path, one that walks on both sides of the veil that separates the living from the dead.

This is an atmospheric thriller about the bonds of family and friendship, and the lengths that a daughter will go to to protect her father and her heritage. The writing is so subtle, it wasn't until the end of the book that I realized that Lzya was communicating with ghosts. An excellent read for both young adults and their parents.

Focus on Science Fiction: Veracity by Laura Bynum

Pocket Books

ISBN 10:  1439123341

ISBN 13:  978-1439123348

$25.00

January 2010

This dystopian novel echoes George Orwell's 1984; set in the near future, where the government, The Confederation of the Willing, has isolated what used to be the United States, locking it into a virtual police state. The Confederation is ruled by a small group of men determined to stay in power, no matter what the human cost.  They came to power after "The Pandemic", a virulent disease that killed one third of the population.  Most of the remaining people are controlled by implants in their necks called "slates" that monitor every word they speak; and which viciously shocks them if they utter a forbidden or "red listed" word.  Each night, new words are added to the red list and announced to the populace.  If a painful shock is not enough, further damage control is meted out by the brutal Blue Coats, thugs who use excessively violent methods to punish or even kill offenders. Dedicated government worker Harper Adams has become a new sentient monitor, because she is able to read people's emotions.  However, she has a conscience, and after her daughter is taken from her, and her name, Veracity, red listed, Harper has increasing doubts about what it is she really does.  Just as her position becomes more and more important to the government, she is recruited by the Resistance. 

The Resistance, composed of those who have disappeared by removing their slates (a great risk as this often proves fatal), or those born to the original resistance members, has grown over the years.  Members live underground to avoid detection and are comprised of some of the most brilliant academic and scientific minds.  Inspired by the cryptic "Book of Noah", they have honed in on what needs to be done to bring down the government.  But to do this, they need someone special, and when Harper Adams defects to their cause, they've found that person.

After a short but arduous training, she is given the task of finding the precise location of the main redactor, the machine which controls and monitors the slates so it can be disarmed by another member of the resistance.  This has to be done before the Resistance has any hope of succeeding in their war against the government.  But there are hundreds of redactors, and if Harper chooses the wrong one, the game will be up and thousands of people will die.  But that's not all, there's a traitor in their midst, just waiting for the right moment to betray them, and that moment is fast approaching.

This gripping Orwellian novel is full of fear, mistrust and brutality, but also with love, hope and humanity that shows us a brave new world indeed.  You'll want to stay up all night to finish this book.  A terrific debut effort from Laura Bynum.

A Bad Day for Sorry by Sophie Littlefield

Minotaur Books

May 2010

ISBN 10:  0312643233

ISBN 13:  978-0312643232

This terrific debut mystery features spunky, 50 year old Stella Hardestry.  She's tough and ornery, likes her Jack Daniels straight up, but has a heart of gold. 

A former abused wife, she killed her husband using the business end of a wrench in self defense, and has since made it her mission to help abused wives and girlfriends by "encouraging" their men to walk the line by delivering an "ass whuppin".  If they don't walk that line, Stella will come back to make sure that they stay "whupped", and the grapevine says you never want to have Stella visit you twice.

Owner of a sewing shop by day, Stella learns of cases by word of mouth, and then takes the law into her own hands, dispensing vigilante justice on abusive boyfirends and husbands by night.  But she has her work cut out for her when she takes on the case of Chrissy Shaw.  Chrissy's degenerate husband, Roy Dean Shaw, kidnapped her two year old child from a previous relationship, Tucker.  These days Roy Dean's running with a very rough crowd, one with ties to the Kansas City Mafia. 

Initially nothing but a puddle of tears, Chrissy develops a backbone to help Stella find Tucker.  But while they're out investigating, they have to keep a low profile of they'll catch the attention of hunky sheriff "Goat" Jones, who makes Stella feel all squirmy inside, and not just because she's breaking the law.

When the two gals find that Tucker was taken to be the child of a mob kingpin's wife, they face down vicious junkyard dogs and rifle toting guards before they track down his whereabouts to a large house on a lake.  They start a fire as a diversion, and then all hell breaks loose and no one is left standing when the smoke clears.

Stella is a uniquely fresh, compelling and courageous character that has taken her share of hard knocks but still comes up swinging.  With lots of action, and characters that remind you so someone you know, this smart and fun read is a great start to a new series; and will have you rooting for the brassy, sassy Stella.

Nonna's Book of Mysteries by Mary Osborne

ISBN: 978-1-936181-162

$14.95

Lake Street Press

June 2010

A magical book about a resolute and courageous girl determined to follow her dreams despite the many obstacles in her path. 14 year old Emilia Serafini lives in Renaissance Florence. She dreams of becoming a painter, but there are no opportunities for this; only the expectation of being a dutiful daughter and wife.

A book of wisdom has been given to her by her mother, A Manual to the Science of Alchemy; a book passed down from her Nonna, Santina, her thrice great grandmother. She often turns to the book for guidance when she is troubled and seeks direction. One of the passages from the Manual that informs her actions is: “Achieving the desires of the heart and mastering of the physical world by persistent efforts are the noblest of endeavors”, which encourages her not to give up on her dreams.

She finds an apprenticeship with a newly arrived artist from Byzantium, the kindly but aged Makarios, and learns to paint in the Byzantine style. As an artist, Emilia is very talented, and her work gains notice. She begins to correspond with Giacomo, a fellow artist apprenticed to another master, who has sent him to work in Pisa.

She meets Franco Villani one day while reading the Manual at Makarios’ bottega. He is a wealthy man who desires only to get into the court of Cosimo Medici, and will do whatever he has to do to attain this goal. Villani realizes that her book would be quite valuable to Medici, and endeavors to get it however he can, even if it means courting Emilia to do so. But Emilia is an intelligent and perceptive girl, and, although flattered by Villani’s attentions, is suspicious. Villani becomes jealous when he discovers a newly returned Giacomo visiting Emilia at Markarios’ bottega.

When her book goes missing soon after her engagement to Villani, Emilia’s qualms increase. Villani leaves Florence for several months due to a business trip, but has his manservant Tomasso spy on her. While Villani is away, she innocently spends time with Giacomo, and their friendship deepens. Giacomo confronts Tomasso about following her, but is badly injured by a runaway horse the next day. Due to this attack and the suspicious loss of the book, Emilia breaks off her engagement with Villani when he returns, and soon thereafter is also almost ridden down by a man on horseback. Even though she only glimpses the man, she recognizes Villani. Things look bleak for Emilia, she is no longer engaged, and now is threatened by a powerful man. How will she be able to rectify the wrong done her? Will she ever be able to get the Manual for the Alchemy of Science back?

Emilia is an engaging character, resourceful, wise beyond her years and committed to achieving her “impossible” dream. Nonna’s Book of Mysteries is an absorbing and enjoyable read about the determination it takes to realize one’s dreams, the results of our choices, and the alchemical wisdom from a cherished book that helps a young girl follow her heart. This wonderful historical fiction book would be great for both young adults and adults interested in art, mystery and the magnificence of Florence during the Renaissance. This writer very much looks forward to Ms. Osborne’s next book, Alchemy’s Daughter.

Thereby Hangs a Tale by Spencer Quinn

Published by Atria Books

ISBN 10:  1416585850

ISBN 13:  978-1416585855

January 2010

309 pages

Canine Private Investigator Chet of the Little Detective Agency and his owner Bernie Little get involved in the dog eat dog world of dog shows in this humorous mystery.

Chet is the smart, loyal but goofy 100 pound mixed breed mutt we were first introduced to in Dog On It. Told totally from Chet’s very doggie point of view (“Bacon smells find me, every time!”); Chet is on the job, head up, eyes front, and alert.

Chet is the better investigator of the duo, despite his not being able to focus on long conversations, understand  odd figures of speech such as "crocodile tears", or the fact he’s easily distracted. It’s absolutely hilarious when he describes how a wind suddenly comes up, only to discover that it’s him wagging his tail! However, Chet, with his sensitive nose, is able to find clues that puny nosed Bernie would otherwise miss. And that nose does come in handy.

Hired to protect a pampered show dog named Princess; one of the favorites to win at the Great Western Dog Show, by Angelina Borghese, they are almost immediately fired after Chet enthusiastically steals a treat meant for Princess. However, mere minutes after they leave, their now former clients, Angelina and Princess, are kidnapped.  Hired by Angelina’s husband, Count Borghese, Bernie and Chet try to find them. A call from Bernie’s girlfriend, reporter Suzie, takes them to the ghost town of Clausen Wells, where Bernie and Chet are both knocked out.

Bernie is gone when Chet wakes, and he goes in search of him. But instead he finds a very frightened Princess, and they travel across the desert until they are taken in by two hippies. The hippies sell Chet to a large man, but he escapes, jumping a barbed wire fence into a restricted area. Found in a military target range, he is reunited with Bernie, (who was knocked out in a case of mistaken identity).

But now Suzie is missing as well, and Bernie is frantic. He interviews the owner of the other contender in the dog show, the trainer, the ex-trainer, but gets nowhere until they catch up to the RV with the two hippies, and Chet identifies them. Then Thurman, the man Chet was sold to, shows up. Assisted by some jaw action by Chet, Bernie arrests them all and finds Princess in the RV.

Bernie and Chet are out searching for clues in the desert one night, when Chet, following the scent of dog biscuits, starts digging a hole and unearths Suzie’s yellow Beetle with a dead Angelina Borghese in it.  But where is Suzie?

Together Chet and Bernie have to unravel a twisted plot between a corrupt sheriff, a resentful dog trainer and a poor but greedy member of the gentry before Suzie is killed. This fast paced, fun mystery will win over animal and dog lovers alike!  A great summer read.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson

Published by Random House

ISBN 10: 1400068932

ISBN 13: 978-1400068937

March 2010

386 Pages

This delightful book is about an older, widowed man who realizes what really matters when he is confronted by both proposed development changes in the small town of Edgecombe St. Mary, and the overt prejudices of his friends, family and neighbors.

 

Major Ernest Pettigrew lives a quiet life at Rose Lodge, his family’s ancestral home. He is thoroughly British, valuing the traditional things; honor, duty, good manners, and restraint. His only brother’s death causes him to reevaluate his life, and he finds it wanting. He realizes how lonely he’s felt since the death of his wife six years ago, and how little he has seen of his only son, Roger.

 

He befriends Mrs. Ali, a widowed, independent shopkeeper of Pakistani descent, when she helps him through the shock of his brother’s death. After her kindness, he finds reasons to go to her little store to buy tea and sundry items almost daily. They discover they have a shared love of literature and arrange readings and then outings together. Their friendship grows slowly, with the two quite aware of their very different lives. However, by this time he is quite smitten with the lovely and intelligent Jasmina Ali, and begins to  court her. As their friendship deepens, she shares with him her fear of giving up her shop, returning to her family and taking on a more traditional role; a move her morose nephew Abdul Wahid encourages for his own reasons; two of which are an antagonistic single mom with a small boy that looks just like him.

 

Roger arrives with a stylish blond American girlfriend, and they make plans to purchase and renovate a cottage close to his father, but need money to do so. Roger encourages his father to sell a very valuable matched pair of rifles his grandfather had left Ernest and Bertie, but Pettigrew resists because he promised never to sell them. However, Marjorie, Bertie’s widow, is also pressuring him to sell the rifles as she needs money as well. Roger is entirely self absorbed and is only interested in furthering his career any way he can, even if that means marrying a woman he doesn’t care about.

 

The local village ladies have made plans for the annual Golf Club dance, the theme of which is 'An Evening at the Mughal Court,’ and have roped Pettigrew into being on the committee and Mrs. Ali into helping also. They both, especially Mrs. Ali, work very hard to make this a success. Pettigrew asks Mrs. Ali to the dance and they attend together. The evening begins beautifully, but then devolves into a nightmare. Mrs. Ali is subtly and then more blatantly insulted several times until she rushes home without Pettigrew; then decides to return to her Pakistani family.

 

Pettigrew is distraught, feeling he has lost Mrs. Ali forever and cannot imagine his life without her. He throws restraint to the wind and goes to rescue her from a dismal life with her hidebound relatives. They escape together, and later, in a climatic scene, Pettigrew faces death, and loses one of the precious guns, in order to save the life of her surly, conflicted nephew.

Major Pettigrew's Last Stand looks closely at the expectations and friction not only between generations, but also between cultures, and delves deeply into the notion of the good of progress (good for whom?) and the idea of home. A totally absorbing read, you’ll cheer when Pettigrew goes to rescue his lady love. This thoughtful, charming, and delightful book is Ms. Simonson’s debut novel, and this author can hardly wait for her next book.

The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

20th Anniversary Edition
256 pages

ISBN-10: 054739117X

ISBN-13: 978-0547391175
March 2010

This book is based on O’Brien’s tour of duty in Vietnam, and delves acutely into the emotional baggage that the soldiers who served carried both during and after the war. A fictional retelling of factual occurrences, this novel is presented as a series of short stories, and recounts events experienced by O’Brien and the men in his unit.

You are there as he faces down his doubts in a small fishing boat close to the Canadian shore, where a gruff old man has brought him to give him a chance to escape the draft. This is the moment he realized that he was too embarrassed not to go to war and admit he was a coward. You are also with him on a jungle trail looking at the first man he ever killed, experiencing the horror and guilt that paralyzed him. He details the revolting task of removing his buddy’s body parts from a tree after a live grenade he was playing with exploded. Then there is the unexpected transformation of a young American civilian woman into a deadly soldier; who walks into the jungle one night and becomes a legend. He describes the horror of watching his best friend, Kiowa, sink into a field of putrid mud. All of these awful moments, encapsulated into short narrative chapters, produce quite an emotional wallop.

This war story is filled with the immaturity, cruelty and ignorance of young men that at times committed disturbingly senseless and violent acts to balance the horrible monotony and weight of being at war. However, the camaraderie between the men buffers their rage and bitterness and allows their basic goodness to surface. There is respect for an old papa-san who guides them through a minefield and gratitude for the monks that shelter them in their temple. But there is also the adrenaline of being in a battle with the Viet Cong with gunfire and bombs exploding around them; countered by the emptiness of returning home without a sense of purpose.

The bonds forged in war between these men lasted long after the fall of Saigon and the end of the war, just as the images from this book will stay with you long after the final page is read. A visceral and introspective read, The Things they Carried is being republished twenty years after its original publication by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana by Anne Rice

Rice’s second book in her “Life of Christ” cycle begins during the last winter before Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan by his cousin, John the Baptist.
Jesus, Yeshua as he is called, is enduring a year of no rain, dusty roads and talk of trouble in Judea.

Those who know him and have heard of his miraculous birth are waiting for a sign of what he will do; and there are some who are growing impatient. Why does he not marry? Why does he continue to work as a common carpenter?

When a beautiful girl is almost stolen from Nazareth by brigands, Yeshua is the first to go to her, and almost causes a catastrophe because he might of touched her. But he finds a way to avert this and helps to arrange the girl’s marriage.

He travels with his family to the River Jordan to meet John; and it is there that his destiny is revealed to him. And after 40 days in the desert and a confrontation with the devil, he is prepared to do his Father’s work.

A beautifully written story about the essence of Christianity; that of compassion and good will towards men.

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice

Anne Rice gives us this unusual take on the life of the young Jesus. This character driven novel is told from the viewpoint of seven year old Yeshua. He realizes he is different, but is not sure why. His quest to find out is difficult because no one, not even his mother or Joseph will tell him, so he has to resort to his own devices to find out. He learns bits and pieces about the events surrounding his birth from an Uncle, his elderly great aunt, and from slyly asking the Rabbis. As well, his dreams are filled with strange and fearsome beings and images.

The book opens with the young Jesus inadvertently killing the bully Eleazer simply by wishing him dead; but then he brings him back to life. Confronted by an angry mob over this incident, Joseph takes Mary, Jesus, and his extended family back to Nazareth.

The journey to the Holy Land is not easy, as King Herod has recently died and his kingdom is in turmoil. The roads are full of Roman soldiers putting down Jewish uprisings. As they enter Jerusalem for Passover, they are caught in a riot in the Temple, and Jesus sees a man impaled on a Roman’s spear. This is a horrific thing for the young Jesus to see, and the image does not leave him.

It is not until the next Passover that Jesus learns, from his half brother James, the full story of the night he was born, and the message the shepherds were given from the angels “… for today, to you, is born in the city of David a Savior: Christ the Lord!” He also learns of the terrible thing that King Herod did once he learned of this.

This book captures Jesus’ compassion, wisdom and also guilt over the things done by others due to his birth. This is very different from what we’re used to from Anne Rice, (remember all the wonderfully angst filled vampires stories she used to write?) but she has done her research well, and it shows in the accurate portrayal of life in the first century. An excellent beginning to a new cycle on Christ the Lord that is continued in Christ the Lord:  The Road to Cana.

Souless by Gail Carriger

Carriger’s debut, a combination of paranormal Victorian romance and a comedy of manners is a fast and fun read.

The setting is Victorian London. But this is not your ordinary London, England. In this 19th century London, werewolves, vampires and even ghosts are accepted as a normal part of the population.

Bluestocking Alexia Tarabotti is a 25 year old spinster who doesn’t quite fit into London society. And it’s not just because she’s half Italian (her swarthy complexion isn’t the sought after pale look), outspoken, and has a rather large nose. She really is something else. Alexia was born without a soul; which gives her the ability to disarm any paranormal creature just by touch.

After Alexia kills a vampire with her specially made parasol at a party, she is confronted by Lord Maccon, the handsome chief investigator of the Bureau of Unnatral Registry (BUR), who just happens to be a werewolf. They dislike each other immensely but agree that this particular vampire attack could be part of something more nefarious.

As they go about their separate investigations, we are introduced to an interesting cast of paranormal characters. Lord Akeldama is a foppish but influential vampire, and one of Alexia’s friends. Then there is the feared Countess Nadasky, the Queen of the London vampire hive, and the Professor Lyall, Lord Maccon’s second in command.

We also meet Alexia’s family; her stoic father, her hysterical mother who cares only for the family’s societal standing, and her two airheaded sisters. We also meet her best friend, Ivy Hisselpenny; whose goal in life appears to be wearing the ugliest hats ever created.

Over the last several months, loner vampires and paranormal creatures have gone missing, and no one can sort our why. As well, in London, a new club for scientists has opened recently called the Hyprocas Club, which has attracted scientists from as far away as the colonies.

An unlikely romance begins between Alexia and Maccon and heats up by degrees, leading them into some shocking situations.

On a visit to Lord Akeldama, on a full moon night, Alexia and Akeldama are kidnapped and imprisioned. Akeldama is taken to become part of a horrific experiment, a fate that Alexia will soon share. With no one to rescue her; since all werewolves are locked up on full moon night, her fate is sealed. Or is it?

This breezy, funny paperback novel is a great combination of steampunk and urban fantasy, and is geared to a young adult audience. This writer is looking forward to the sequel, Changeless, due out on March 30, 2010.

Angel Time by Anne Rice

This first in the Songs for the Seraphim series introduces Toby O’Dare. Toby (later called Lucky) is an assassin for the “good guys”, the U.S. government. He was brought up Catholic in New Orleans and once dreamed of becoming a priest. He grew up in a dysfunctional family with an alcoholic mother, an absent father and two younger siblings. It became Toby’s job to hold the family together. His one passion is the lute, a medieval instrument that he excels at playing. He thought he was successful at managing his mother’s alcoholism until he returned from his high school graduation ceremony to find his brother and sister drowned in the bathtub, and his mother dead from slitting her wrists. Overcome by the horror and futility of his efforts, he leaves New Orleans. He remakes himself as a street musician in New York City, which brings him to the notice of Alberto, a restaurant owner who gives him a job as a waiter. When the Russian mob moves in and takes over Alberto’s business, Alberto holes up at Toby’s apartment. To repay Alberto’s kindness, Toby takes it upon himself to clear out the Mob; and he does this with ruthless efficiency; exterminating everyone in sight. After, he tells Alberto what he’s done, Alberto introduces to men who will “… take care of him”. So begins his career as Lucky, a government assassin; where he kills by stealthily applied lethal injections. He is quick, precise, and deadly. Lucky is a man of contradictions, he loves music and beauty but hates blood and violence. But he is a tortured soul who has been contemplating suicide for years. After his latest assassination; he is approached by an angel of the Lord, Malchiah. Malchiah offers him a chance of redemption; if he becomes the earthly agent for the angels, he will attain God’s forgiveness. Lucky accepts and he sent back to 13th century England, where, as Dominican friar Brother Toby, he is to protect a Jewish couple wrongly accused of having murdered their young daughter for her conversion to Christianity. 13th century England was a brutal place, rift with prejudice against the Jews, suspicion and intolerance. 100 years before, a child believed to have been crucified by the Jews was made a Saint, Little St. Hugh, in Lincoln. Now the Dominican Friars want a saint for the town of Norwich, and has contrived a story to achieve this. They assert that Meir and Fluria killed their daughter Lea because she converted to Christianity after visiting a church on Christmas Eve. Lea actually died from a burst appendix; called the Iliac Passion in the 13th century. Because her parents buried her under cover of night, there is no body as evidence. How he accomplishes this task through bravery and faith against severe prejudice and overwhelming odds is a compelling story. This expertly written and vividly imagined tale transports you first into the mind of a contract killer; and then to a unforgiving past where the desires of the venal and powerful cause hardship and heartache for the innocent. You will root for Brother Toby as he skillfully navigates the treacherous path between what is wanted by the avaricious monks, what the superstitious mob believes and what really happened to Lea.

Focus on Science Fiction: Watermind

Hello world! It's been a long time since I've blogged due to home repairs, new assignments and life in general. But I'm hoping to be able to blog more regularly now!

In any case, I have read a lot of amazing books, both fiction and nonfiction.

One of most recent was a newish Science Fiction novel by M.M. Buckner called Watermind. This offers a statement on the consequences of our throw away society.

M.M. Buckner offers us this shades of the X Files novel that deals with the possible ramifications of our throw away society. As we acquire new technology, we throw away our old cell phones, MP3 players, and computers. It stands to reason that a lot of our electronic garbage, along with pharmaceuticals and even genetically modified seeds will eventually end up in our water supply. And from such a potent chemical stew; what might emerge? Such is the premise of this book.

Two young people, contract laborers of Quimicron, are working on cleaning up a pollution spill in Devil’s Swamp in hot, humid Louisiana. CJ Reilly is a brilliant but self-destructive MIT student running from the suicide of her emotionally distant father. Max Pottevents is her new lover and is a gifted Zydeco musician. At the far end of the swamp, they come across an area covered in ice.
Intrigued, CJ is interested in studying this anomaly. Sneaking back to Devil’s Pond, she secretly takes a sample under cover of night, and discovers that it’s pure water. She immediately thinks this discovery could be used to supply pure drinking water to third world countries.
But then a man is killed by the anomaly; sucked down into its depths and drowned. Alarmed, the CEO of Quimicron, Roman Sacony, arrives from Argentina, hoping to contain or destroy the anomaly. Assisted by CJ and a cantankerous science team, they take samples to understand what they’re dealing with, but this eludes them.

The anomaly, dubbed the Watermind, thwarts all efforts to contain it. As it moves downstream towards the Mississippi and New Orleans, it grows and becomes more destructive, digesting the iron in barges, freighters and boats, causing them to sink. Roman becomes increasingly desperate, as he dreads the prospect of lawsuits that could bankrupt his company.

Meanwhile, CJ and Max believe they can communicate with the Watermind and think they can do this through music. This proves successful as it is able to transmute the music lessons in 4/4 time to a 3/4 waltz. As they come to realize the Watermind is an evolving sentient being; CJ resists all attempts to destroy it through EM pulses (electric magnetic pulses).

Although injured, they don’t annihilate the Watermind. However it is forced to defend itself, leading to additional deaths. The Watermind becomes an increasingly mutable and wily opponent, transforming from liquid to solid to gaseous almost instantly.

It appears nothing can stop this man made monster, not the Coast Guard, the methods tried by Roman Sacony, nor the Government Their attempts are further impeded by government protestors, uncooperative civilians and one over the top wacky underground journalist.

Will this emerging intelligence be destroyed or will it escape and continue to evolve? The ending, depending on whose side you take, can be seen as either terrifying or hopeful. Part horror story, part tech thriller, Watermind by M.M. Buckner presents a chilling picture of technology gone awry

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This is a most excellent book! Although it's been promoted as a young adult novel, this has a lot of cross generational appeal, so adults should enjoy it as well. I liked this book so much I read it in one sitting, it was that good. I can hardly wait for the release of the sequel, Chasing Fire, on September lst. Happily, I'm the first on the list for it at my library!

In a takeoff of the Greek legend of Theseus and the Minotaur, Collins imagines a future in which the world has been ravaged by natural and human made disasters. Panem, what remains of the United States, is ruled by the Capital, and divided into 13 districts. But the districts revolted and now only 12 remain, because District 13 was obliterated by the Capital for rebelling. As further.punishment, from each of the districts is taken (reaped) 2 individuals a year, drawn by lottery, to fight to the death in the Games until only one remains alive. In a grotesque version of reality TV run amuck, the Games are televised and are required viewing for all citizens of Panem. From District 12, the mining district, a boy, Peeta and a girl, Prim, are chosen. But Prim is just 12 years old, and her sister, Katniss, 16, takes her place. Brave, calculating Katniss is a skilled hunter, savvy to the ways of the woods and game. Peeta is a boy from the merchant class, the son of the local baker, and has few survival skills. Taken to the capital, they are groomed and prepared for the games by a fussy woman with pink hair and Haimich, the only previous winner of the games from District 12. The strategy that Hamich advises is that Peeta and Katniss pretend to be in love. For Peeta this is no hardship, because he has always loved Katniss “…from the moment I saw her.” But Katniss, who remembers that Peeta saved her family from starvation years ago, has grown attached to her hunting companion of many years, Gale, and has conflicted feelings. Because, she’s supposed to fight him to the death, isn’t she? When the Games begin, and the unevenly matched opponents begin to die, Katniss knows it will take all of her resources to stay alive. Their loyalties are tested, and when Peeta is badly wounded, it is up to Katniss to care for him. As the number of opponents dwindle to 5, 4 and then to 3, they find they must truly bond in order to survive. This first in a trilogy is top shelf entertainment that will make you stay up all night reading. You won’t want to put it down! The second in the series is Catching Fire, due out in September 2009.

Columbine by Dave Cullen

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The shooting spree at Columbine ten years ago was one of the most horrific things I had ever seen. Kids shooting kids; ohmigod, words fail me. Since then, there's been a lot of copycats, from Virginia Tech to the shootings of Amish schoolgirls; and that doesn't even consider all the school shootings that have taken place overseas. I shudder to think of it. But I've always have been interested in what motivates people, what makes people do what they do, so when this book became available at my library, I snatched it up at once! It took me two weeks to get through it as my schedule has been rather frantic, but it was thoroughly researched, and written in such an understandable manner, that I hated to have to put it down to attend other things. So, here at last is my review; I hope it might convince a few of you to read this excellent book.

Dave Cullen was one of the first reporters at Columbine in 1999, and he explodes the myths that surround the school shooting at Columbine ten years ago. Based on ten years of research, Cullen left no stone unturned to learn what made two teenage boys go on the killing rampage at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999 that left 13 dead. Immediately after the massacre, theories abounded about what could have driven Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold to kill. These assumptions included: they had been bullied, they were Goth outcasts, were part of the Trench Coat Mafia and they targeted jocks. It had gotten too much for them and they snapped. Nothing could be further from the truth. Eric and Dylan were smart and relatively popular, and seemed like normal high school kids. But once you looked closer, they weren’t. After looking at their journals, notebooks and the videotapes the boys had made, as well as 25,000 pages of documentation from the investigation, he was able to determine that the shooting, instead of being an act of revenge, had been deliberately planned for almost a year. Eric and Dylan had written up their plans of attack, set up timelines, carefully assembled and tested bombs, and purchased firearms beforehand. Both boys were aggressive, but expressed it in different ways. Dylan focused his aggression inward, and became a tortured depressive. Perhaps bi-polar, he was up one day and down the next. He wanted to die and he saw the planned shooting on April 20th as his path to suicide. Eric was very different; outwardly calm and collected, he was a manipulative psychopath; able to fool people by appearing remorseful or agreeable, even charming if he needed to be, but with no empathy for anyone. Dylan, Eric’s disciple, fed off of Eric’s hatred and anger, and basically did whatever Eric wanted. Cullen also looks at why the police, their parents and the schools all missed or ignored warning signs about Eric and Dylan. Eric had been in trouble on several occasions and had made serious threats against another boy. In addition, his website on which he ranted about how much he hated people, and reported on “missions” that him and Dylan went on to destroy property or explode bombs. A concerned citizen reported the website to police and an officer looked at it, and then wrote up a report almost two years before the Columbine incident. The report was sent to his superior and filed. No action was taken. If the police had monitored the website they would have learned of Eric’s plan; total human extinction. This was a bit grandiose on Eric’s part, but he posted “…I don’t care if I live or die in the shootout, all I want to do is kill and injure as many of you …as I can!” Teachers were alarmed when Eric and Dylan turned in graphically violent papers. Their parents, although suspicious, believed Eric and Dylan when they told them that they had mended their ways. One of the sad things about an event like this is how others will take advantage of the situation. Evangelical preachers, for instance, blatantly capitalized on the shock and grief from the shooting to recruit new members and increase the size of their congregations. They also promulgated an inspiring story about the profession of faith by a victim before she was shot, even though it wasn’t true. School shootings have become ever more common. Numerous incidents have occurred since Columbine. After each one, an investigation is done, gun laws are looked at, school security is tightened. But another shooting always occurs. Cullen delivers a consummately level and even handed account of the massacre in Littleton, Colorado. Perhaps lessons can be learned from his analysis of the perpetuators, lessons that can be utilized to prevent another such occurrence.

Go Down Together by Jeff Guinn

I read a lot of nonfiction as well as fiction and have just finished Go Down Together by Jeff Guinn. It's the true story of Bonnie and Clyde and is just riveting. You won't want to put it down, it's that good! If you're traveling, especially out to Texas and the southwestern states, this is also available on CD Book, and would be great to listen to on a roadtrip!

It has been 75 years since Bonnie and Clyde died in a hail of bullets, but their legend has endured. For those that only known Bonnie and Clyde from the 1967 Warren Beatty movie, they could not have been more different. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow grew up in the slums of West Dallas, Texas during the devastation of the Depression and Dust Bowl. Bonnie was petite, kind and pretty, wanted to be a poet, and longed for excitement in her life. She wrote a poem about their inevitable end called “The End of the Road”, a line of which is the title of the book. Clyde started his life of crime by stealing chickens, and, through his brother Buck’s influence, graduated to cars and then banks. After a brutal and abusive stint at the Eastham Prison Farm, Clyde, who had a ferocious temper, was driven by getting revenge on the criminal system. Bonnie and Clyde met at a party in 1930, and the attraction between them was instant. Together they, with an assortment of other criminals that drifted in and out of the gang, robbed small businesses and banks from 1932-34. Clyde was the muscle and brains of the gang; but he was far from ruthless. If they had to take a hostage, they would inevitably be left off down the road or in the next town, and often given money to get a ride home. Which is not to say that they did not kill, they did if they had to. But mostly they were seen as Depression era Robin Hoods, stealing from the corrupt and greedy banks. The public and press mostly idolized them because of their romantic and rebellious image. Clyde was an inept robber, hitting small banks and getting only small takes. It wasn’t until the murder of a cop (caused by another Barrow gang member due to a misunderstanding), that the public and press turned against them. From that time, their lives on the road were harried and uncomfortable, and they often had to resort to sleeping in their car. After an embarrassing Eastham Farm prison breakout by the Barrow gang in January 1934, Frank Hammer was hired by the Texas Department of Corrections to bring Bonnie and Clyde in, or take them down. Through careful observation and research over several months, he was able to discern a pattern to their movements, and, using an informant, set up the ambush that brought the pair to their grisly end; death by a barrage of firepower. Guinn is an excellent storyteller, and keeps the pace taut throughout. This well researched book by Guinn uses unpublished materials from the Parker and Barrow families. It is is an engrossing read for both true crime fans and the general reader.

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

I enjoy reading women's fiction immensely, and loved this first novel by Sarah Addison Allen. A little magic, romance, small town life, and an unusual family are all elements in this comfortable novel. This would be another great choice for a women's book club.

There’s something special about the Waverly women. Generations of them have tended the garden at their old house in Bascom, North Carolina; an enchanted garden anchored by an unusual, magical apple tree that bears remarkable fruit. For, if you eat the fruit, you will be shown the most important event of your life. Each of the women has a special ability, or gift: elderly cousin Evanelle distributes unexpected gifts because she anticipates the need for the item by the recipient. Claire Waverly’s gift is her cooking; which she turned into a successful catering business; using the charmed herbs and edible flowers from her garden to create dishes to please the appetite and soothe the soul. Since her sister Sydney’s disappearance ten years ago and the death of her grandmother, she has settled into the ownership of the house and gardens and the routine of her life. But then Sydney shows up unexpectedly, with her young daughter, Bay. Sydney left her family to escape both her “otherness” and a broken heart; had a series of boyfriends, and lived “everywhere” until she became involved in an abusive relationship that took her years to escape. Now she’s come home and wants to raise 5 year old Bay in safety. Bay’s gift is the knowledge that everything has its place; and once she comes to Claire’s house, she knows she’s almost where she should be. Claire, used to living alone, doesn’t know how to connect with Sydney initially; but bonds with Bay immediately. As Claire comes to trust Sydney; the boundary around her heart begins to crumble; and she is able to let in the love and goodness of the people around her. Sydney learns to deal with the hurts of the past, and is able to find out what her special ability is. Love shows up for both Claire and Sydney, in places and people unexpected. A lovely book that’s as easy to slip into as your favorite chair.

The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman VanTrease

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Continuing my love of books set in Medieval times is this offering by VanTrease. This was her first novel, and was published approximately five years ago. Although it's a little older, it is still a winner in my opinion. Set in the 14th century, before the invention of the printing press, it focuses on two individuals, an illuminator, Finn, and the widowed Lady Kathryn. It was enjoyable to watch the developing relationship between them. Now available in paperback, this would be a great book club selection.

A medieval illuminator with radical views finds himself sharing quarters with a widow struggling to preserve her independence in this enthralling historical novel set in the 14th century, a time of religious strife. Lady Kathryn, widowed mistress of Blackingham Manor in East Anglia, must be practical to ensure the future of her 15-year-old twin sons. Caught between a greedy church, an unwanted and greedy suitor, and the King’s taxes, Lady Kathryn must tread a very narrow path to survive, and takes in the illuminator and his l6 year old daughter to please the local abbot. Finn is working on illuminating the gospel of St. John for the abbot, but is also secretly illustrating the English words of John Wycliffe, a radical cleric who believes that the Bible should be translated into the language of the common people. Such an act is dangerous because it threatens the Church's authority. As well, a growing unrest on the part of the overly taxed peasants also threatens the social order. Lady Kathryn, however, finds a friend and lover in Finn. Meanwhile, her son Colin and Finn’s daughter Rebekkah become close friends. Colin blames himself for a deadly fire on the estate and flees, leaving Rebekkah, unknown to him, pregnant. Finn’s arrest and imprisonment due to a horrible misunderstanding forces him and Lady Kathryn apart. This wonderfully paced novel has it all, danger and intrigue, romance, betrayal and absolution.

Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin

The third in the Adelia Agular series, this historical transports you back to the 12th century and evokes the belief in the legends of Arthur and the hope of the Welsh that he would return. An absorbing read.

Famous Glastonbury Abbey has suffered a devastating fire, one which uncovered two strange skeletons, one tall and one smaller. Could these be the bones of King Arthur and his queen, Guinevere? King Henry is trying to put down a rebellion in Wales, and needs proof that these bones are or are not the bones of Arthur. If the rebels know that their mythical king will not be returning, he will be able to stamp out the rebellion. He calls up Adelia once again to examine the bones, and put lie to the rumor of Arthur. Adelia and her household leave Cambridge to travel to Glastonbury, where the Bishop of St. Albans, her former lover and father of her daughter, is overseeing the investigation of the fire. Her work is further complicated because much of the Abbey and the town of Glastonbury have burned, there are rumors of Arthur’s return, and several deaths caused by a roving, merciless band of outlaws that live in the forests around Glastonbury. In addition, her friend, the Lady Emma, who was traveling to her mother-in-law’s estate, has gone missing without a trace. Full of signs and portents, the mystery of an ancient king, and a courageous, intelligent woman, this is wonderful historical fiction.