A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World
Tony Horowitz
Holt, Apr 29 2008, $27.50
ISBN: 9780805076035
Upon a visit to Massachusetts, Tony Horowitz is awed when he sees Plymouth Rock; not out of it being grand sort of an American Gibraltar, but to realize it is not much more than a pebble. As one child points out, the Pilgrims must have had small feet to land on that rock. Tony reflects on what he knows about American history only to draw major blanks for over a century and half; from Columbus until Jamestown. What frightens Tony is that he graduated with a history degree. Thus he vows to track the story of the European explorers who traveled American even before Columbus. Starting with the Vikings and following with the French and Spanish, Tony tracks those who came before Jamestown.
With a nod to Mr. Wuhl’s HBO special Assume The Position, Tony Horowitz goes on a reverent journey tracing the paths traveled by European explorers between 1492 and 1607. On his trek, Mr. Horowitz meets many people with a differing interpretation of events like the Spanish (St. Augustine was founded forty-two years earlier than the Plymouth Rock landing) came before the Pilgrims so America should celebrate Thanksgiving with Chili. This is a fun travelogue as Mr. Horowitz’ enthusiasm and energy add to the enjoyment; quoting Mr. Wuhl: "I shit you not".
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Summer Snow-Nicole Baart
Summer Snow
Nicole Baart
Tyndale, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781414316239
After seeing life as half empty for a decade since her mother walked out on her, Julia DeSmit drops out of college coming home pregnant. She vows to change her negative attitude for the sake of her baby thinking in terms of slicing off the top of the cup so that her cup is filled.
Julia lives with her beloved grandma who gave her a home when her mom abandoned her. She also works at the grocery store. However, Julia’s new found positivism collapses when her mother Janice comes home expecting a warm welcome on a chilly March evening. Her daughter’s anger and acrimony explodes as Julia wants Janice to just leave as she wants nothing to do with her mother although she sees herself somewhat in the same predicament that Janice faced.
This is a terrific character study of three generations of women struggling with the return of the sandwiched one who had previously abandoned her mom and daughter. The trio is fully developed so that the audience will feel they know why each behaves the way they do especially with one another. Fans will appreciate Julia’s lament as she begins to understand what her mother faced and what it means to forgive. However, being human and not divine she cannot forget and thus has doubts she can ever accept Janice as her blood relative especially since Grandma is more her mom than her biological mother ever was. This is a strong contemporary look at three related females trying to reconnect even as the fourth generation is coming.
Harriet Klausner
Nicole Baart
Tyndale, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781414316239
After seeing life as half empty for a decade since her mother walked out on her, Julia DeSmit drops out of college coming home pregnant. She vows to change her negative attitude for the sake of her baby thinking in terms of slicing off the top of the cup so that her cup is filled.
Julia lives with her beloved grandma who gave her a home when her mom abandoned her. She also works at the grocery store. However, Julia’s new found positivism collapses when her mother Janice comes home expecting a warm welcome on a chilly March evening. Her daughter’s anger and acrimony explodes as Julia wants Janice to just leave as she wants nothing to do with her mother although she sees herself somewhat in the same predicament that Janice faced.
This is a terrific character study of three generations of women struggling with the return of the sandwiched one who had previously abandoned her mom and daughter. The trio is fully developed so that the audience will feel they know why each behaves the way they do especially with one another. Fans will appreciate Julia’s lament as she begins to understand what her mother faced and what it means to forgive. However, being human and not divine she cannot forget and thus has doubts she can ever accept Janice as her blood relative especially since Grandma is more her mom than her biological mother ever was. This is a strong contemporary look at three related females trying to reconnect even as the fourth generation is coming.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Don't Hex with Texas-Shanna Swendson
Don't Hex with Texas
Shanna Swendson
Ballantine, Apr 29 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780345492937
She left Manhattan and her position at Magic, Spells & Illusion, Inc. because Katie Chandler fell in love with her boss Owen Palmer, who apparently does not reciprocate her regard and besides she fears for his safety due to her hex appeal. She goes home to the family farm in Cobb, Texas where she knows no major magical lines exists and ergo assumes there is a slim to none chance of an enemy arriving.
As she works at the family owned Chandler Agricultural Supply store, Katie finds her hometown boring after living an enchanting life in New York. Everything changes when her mom tells her she witnessed some eerie happenings that no one else apparently noticed. Katie wonders if a rogue mage has come to town but that seems ridiculous as the lack of a power source makes it impossible. Still she informs her other former boss Merlin who sends Sam the gargoyle to investigate. Meanwhile Katie notices a magical advertisement in a local magazine in which Phelan Idris offers an online course to those who can read his ads. Owen comes to Texas to help out, but his arrival only tells Katie she still love him. Her mom realizes he is the one and insists he stay at the farm while Idris assigns his horde of amateur wizards to destroy Owen.
The fourth Chandler-Palmer romantic suspense fantasy (see ENCHANTED, INC, ONCE UPON STILETTOS and DAMSEL UNDER STRESS) is a terrific entry in an entertaining series. The story line is fresh as readers meet the parents while the magical battle takes place in Texas. Still as with the previous three enchantments, it is the odd fascinating relationship between the lead couple that makes this a fine entry as the villains learn what most people in the Lone Star State already know: DON’T HEX WITH TEXAS unless you want a mess of trouble.
Harriet Klausner
Shanna Swendson
Ballantine, Apr 29 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780345492937
She left Manhattan and her position at Magic, Spells & Illusion, Inc. because Katie Chandler fell in love with her boss Owen Palmer, who apparently does not reciprocate her regard and besides she fears for his safety due to her hex appeal. She goes home to the family farm in Cobb, Texas where she knows no major magical lines exists and ergo assumes there is a slim to none chance of an enemy arriving.
As she works at the family owned Chandler Agricultural Supply store, Katie finds her hometown boring after living an enchanting life in New York. Everything changes when her mom tells her she witnessed some eerie happenings that no one else apparently noticed. Katie wonders if a rogue mage has come to town but that seems ridiculous as the lack of a power source makes it impossible. Still she informs her other former boss Merlin who sends Sam the gargoyle to investigate. Meanwhile Katie notices a magical advertisement in a local magazine in which Phelan Idris offers an online course to those who can read his ads. Owen comes to Texas to help out, but his arrival only tells Katie she still love him. Her mom realizes he is the one and insists he stay at the farm while Idris assigns his horde of amateur wizards to destroy Owen.
The fourth Chandler-Palmer romantic suspense fantasy (see ENCHANTED, INC, ONCE UPON STILETTOS and DAMSEL UNDER STRESS) is a terrific entry in an entertaining series. The story line is fresh as readers meet the parents while the magical battle takes place in Texas. Still as with the previous three enchantments, it is the odd fascinating relationship between the lead couple that makes this a fine entry as the villains learn what most people in the Lone Star State already know: DON’T HEX WITH TEXAS unless you want a mess of trouble.
Harriet Klausner
Suddenly-Barbara Delinsky
Suddenly
Barbara Delinsky
Morrow, Apr 2008, $18.95
ISBN: 9780066214580
In Tucker, Vermont, pediatrician Mara O'Neill died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Her best friend and practice partner thirty-nine years old Dr. Paige Pfeiffer is stunned by the news. However, even more shocking to the pediatrician is when the autopsy reveals Valium in Mara’s blood, the police rule most likely suicide. Paige refuses to believe that is true as her friend was euphoric over the adoption of a child from India.
Pediatric practice partner Angie Bigelow feels Mara’s death is the end of her once happy marriage to Peter Grace, who was having an affair with the deceased. Paige is in denial that her friend since college is dead. However, she honors Mara by caring for the Asian infant that the late doctor was adopting at the same time struggling with her desires for Noah Perrine, acting head of the private school where she coaches the Mount Court Academy’s Girls Cross Country team.
This is a reprint of an early 1990s character study. Ironically, Barbara Delinsky provides readers a deep look at Paige and to a lesser degree Angie; but through them Mara. The story line makes a case that it takes a well rounded person to do a good job raising a child. Although the independent women SUDDENLY seem too dependent on men, fans will appreciate the deep look at each of the females as Mara’s death cuts through them like a surgical knife in this entertaining fiction.
Harriet Klausner
Barbara Delinsky
Morrow, Apr 2008, $18.95
ISBN: 9780066214580
In Tucker, Vermont, pediatrician Mara O'Neill died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Her best friend and practice partner thirty-nine years old Dr. Paige Pfeiffer is stunned by the news. However, even more shocking to the pediatrician is when the autopsy reveals Valium in Mara’s blood, the police rule most likely suicide. Paige refuses to believe that is true as her friend was euphoric over the adoption of a child from India.
Pediatric practice partner Angie Bigelow feels Mara’s death is the end of her once happy marriage to Peter Grace, who was having an affair with the deceased. Paige is in denial that her friend since college is dead. However, she honors Mara by caring for the Asian infant that the late doctor was adopting at the same time struggling with her desires for Noah Perrine, acting head of the private school where she coaches the Mount Court Academy’s Girls Cross Country team.
This is a reprint of an early 1990s character study. Ironically, Barbara Delinsky provides readers a deep look at Paige and to a lesser degree Angie; but through them Mara. The story line makes a case that it takes a well rounded person to do a good job raising a child. Although the independent women SUDDENLY seem too dependent on men, fans will appreciate the deep look at each of the females as Mara’s death cuts through them like a surgical knife in this entertaining fiction.
Harriet Klausner
Beyond the Night-Marlo Schalesky
Beyond the Night
Marlo Schalesky
Multnomah, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781601420169
In college Madison Foster and Paul Tilden were best friends who fell in love with one another. Over the years since they first met, both have hidden their deepest feelings but are always there for one another. As Maddie begins to go blind, she does not want pity from anyone especially her husband Paul or their daughter Mandy; he tries to just be there like he always has.
When a car crash leaves Madison unconscious in a hospital, he knows he was not at fault even if he drove their car; still he feels guilt that she instead of he lies in the hospital bed. Paul is there for her as always pleading with her to come to him for this time he needs her to be there for him. He prays for his Maddie to come back to him so he can tell her how much he loves her
This is a deep inspirational romance with an incredible final twist that will stun readers. The story line uses flashbacks to tell the back story of the lead couple as they learn God’s plan is too complex to comprehend, even aspects of it, especially when something bad happens to someone good who is also a true believer. Readers will appreciate this toughing warm tale of two soulmates who have embraced the Lord but are learning to trust God too
Harriet Klausner
Marlo Schalesky
Multnomah, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781601420169
In college Madison Foster and Paul Tilden were best friends who fell in love with one another. Over the years since they first met, both have hidden their deepest feelings but are always there for one another. As Maddie begins to go blind, she does not want pity from anyone especially her husband Paul or their daughter Mandy; he tries to just be there like he always has.
When a car crash leaves Madison unconscious in a hospital, he knows he was not at fault even if he drove their car; still he feels guilt that she instead of he lies in the hospital bed. Paul is there for her as always pleading with her to come to him for this time he needs her to be there for him. He prays for his Maddie to come back to him so he can tell her how much he loves her
This is a deep inspirational romance with an incredible final twist that will stun readers. The story line uses flashbacks to tell the back story of the lead couple as they learn God’s plan is too complex to comprehend, even aspects of it, especially when something bad happens to someone good who is also a true believer. Readers will appreciate this toughing warm tale of two soulmates who have embraced the Lord but are learning to trust God too
Harriet Klausner
Sisterchicks Go Brit-Robin Jones Gunn
Sisterchicks Go Brit
Robin Jones Gunn
Multnomah, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781590527559
Though in their early fifties, best friends Kellie and Liz have dreams since they were teens they hope to one day fulfill. Kellie still wishes to start an interior design business with Liz as her partner; Liz wants to visit London, a dream she has had since she was a teen.
Elderly neighbor Opal is going home to England to see her sister. Liz and Kellie decide to join her. As the Sisterchicks swing through England, they run into trouble, fog, and a good time while meeting nice people (for the most part), but also begin to understand that God knows their inner wishes whether the Lord grants them or not.
Fans of the series will want to accompany the Sisterchicks on their tour of Britain, which instead of the Romanism of Bronte starts as traffic like can be found in New York. The story line is actually more a series of anecdotal tales rather than a novel, but fans of the adventures will enjoy the SISTERCHICKS GO BRIT.
Harriet Klausner
Robin Jones Gunn
Multnomah, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781590527559
Though in their early fifties, best friends Kellie and Liz have dreams since they were teens they hope to one day fulfill. Kellie still wishes to start an interior design business with Liz as her partner; Liz wants to visit London, a dream she has had since she was a teen.
Elderly neighbor Opal is going home to England to see her sister. Liz and Kellie decide to join her. As the Sisterchicks swing through England, they run into trouble, fog, and a good time while meeting nice people (for the most part), but also begin to understand that God knows their inner wishes whether the Lord grants them or not.
Fans of the series will want to accompany the Sisterchicks on their tour of Britain, which instead of the Romanism of Bronte starts as traffic like can be found in New York. The story line is actually more a series of anecdotal tales rather than a novel, but fans of the adventures will enjoy the SISTERCHICKS GO BRIT.
Harriet Klausner
With Endless Sight-Allison Pittman
With Endless Sight
Allison Pittman
Multnomah, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781601420121
In 1861, fourteen years old Belinda and her family leave Illinois with high hopes of starting anew in the Oregon Territory as her father wants them all to grow without having something handed to them like the ironworks shop he inherited. However, the journey, which started somewhat luxurious, proves dangerous in the Rockies.
Belinda is hurt, but survives although she knows she will never be the same as her faith in God has been battered almost as much as her body and mind when she becomes a prisoner of Laurent the killer. She shows her belief in the Lord when she forgives him. As her spirit and beliefs return stronger than ever, eventually she makes it to a brothel in South Pass City, Wyoming Territory; where her faith in God is totally restored as these peddlers of the flesh renew her soul.
The third Crossroads of Grace Americana tale (see TEN THOUSAND CHARMS and SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND) is an exhilarating inspirational thriller in which the heroine for a short time is a nineteenth century female Job as everything goes wrong ; though that occurs almost halfway into the plot. Readers will enjoy one year in the life of Belinda who WITH ENDLESS SIGHT seems much more mature in her dealing with men (except for her daddy) like her estrangement with her older brother Chester, her attraction to Del, forgiving the killer Laurent, and Buck who she hoped would make her feel like a woman.
Harriet Klausner
Allison Pittman
Multnomah, May 2008, $12.99
ISBN: 9781601420121
In 1861, fourteen years old Belinda and her family leave Illinois with high hopes of starting anew in the Oregon Territory as her father wants them all to grow without having something handed to them like the ironworks shop he inherited. However, the journey, which started somewhat luxurious, proves dangerous in the Rockies.
Belinda is hurt, but survives although she knows she will never be the same as her faith in God has been battered almost as much as her body and mind when she becomes a prisoner of Laurent the killer. She shows her belief in the Lord when she forgives him. As her spirit and beliefs return stronger than ever, eventually she makes it to a brothel in South Pass City, Wyoming Territory; where her faith in God is totally restored as these peddlers of the flesh renew her soul.
The third Crossroads of Grace Americana tale (see TEN THOUSAND CHARMS and SPEAK THROUGH THE WIND) is an exhilarating inspirational thriller in which the heroine for a short time is a nineteenth century female Job as everything goes wrong ; though that occurs almost halfway into the plot. Readers will enjoy one year in the life of Belinda who WITH ENDLESS SIGHT seems much more mature in her dealing with men (except for her daddy) like her estrangement with her older brother Chester, her attraction to Del, forgiving the killer Laurent, and Buck who she hoped would make her feel like a woman.
Harriet Klausner
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