Butterfly Tattoo
Deidre Knight
Samhain, Feb 2010, $16.00
www.samhainpublishing.com
ISBN: 9781605045443
In Hollywood due to an electrical failure at her office, former TV actress Rebecca O'Neill meets bisexual electrician widower Michael Warner accompanied by his eight years old stepdaughter Andrea Lauren Richardson when he answers her call. The two adults are attracted to each other instantly, but Rebecca suffers from PTSD following an assault several years ago. Her assistant Trevor informs her that the electrician’s gay life partner just died.
Michael has his emotional issue since his life partner Dr. Alex Richardson died in a car accident caused by a DUI driver that has physically and emotionally scarred his stepdaughter whom he does not know and resents him. Rebecca empathizes with Andrea as she became a producer after a brutal assault disfigured her banning her from TV and movie roles. As the three emotionally scarred individuals become better acquainted, a potential family bond of love forms, but each fears trusting in such a fragile feeling that they know from experience is fleeting.
Rotating perspective especially between the two beleaguered adults, Butterfly Tattoo makes a strong case that love and nurturing makes a family. The three lead characters are profound as each has suffered a loss while the support cast enhances the audience understanding of what motivates the prime trio. With a couple of wonderful twists, readers will appreciate this strong deep look at love and family that affirms caring relationships comes in a zillion different packages.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, February 5, 2010
Reunion-JL Penn
Reunion
JL Penn
CreateSpace, 2009, $11.95
www.createspace.com
ISBN: 9781442146860
In Maryland, thirty-seven years old budget analyst Jessica Stratford loves her husband Kyle in a double income no kid homes. She has several close friends from high school which include Candace and the rest of the posse. Meanwhile seemingly everyone she knows is on Facebook so she joins not expecting to stay on that often.
Unable to resist, Jessica looks up David Miller who she had a crush on in high school. They communicate over Facebook and learn about each other as he lives in Maryland and has a wife and children. They agree to meet and soon Jessica has to decide on remaining faithful and married to Kyle or going with David who swears he loves her.
This is a superb contemporary tale that uses the instant communication connection of Facebook to enable Jessica to link with David. The cast makes the story line work as the support characters especially Candace are strongly developed whether they just appear on the social network or in person and the lead triangle believable. Though the dynamics of David’s family is somewhat ignored, readers, especially those on one of the social network sites, will relish this terrific tale wondering who she will choose.
Harriet Klausner
JL Penn
CreateSpace, 2009, $11.95
www.createspace.com
ISBN: 9781442146860
In Maryland, thirty-seven years old budget analyst Jessica Stratford loves her husband Kyle in a double income no kid homes. She has several close friends from high school which include Candace and the rest of the posse. Meanwhile seemingly everyone she knows is on Facebook so she joins not expecting to stay on that often.
Unable to resist, Jessica looks up David Miller who she had a crush on in high school. They communicate over Facebook and learn about each other as he lives in Maryland and has a wife and children. They agree to meet and soon Jessica has to decide on remaining faithful and married to Kyle or going with David who swears he loves her.
This is a superb contemporary tale that uses the instant communication connection of Facebook to enable Jessica to link with David. The cast makes the story line work as the support characters especially Candace are strongly developed whether they just appear on the social network or in person and the lead triangle believable. Though the dynamics of David’s family is somewhat ignored, readers, especially those on one of the social network sites, will relish this terrific tale wondering who she will choose.
Harriet Klausner
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Big Girl-Danielle Steel
Big Girl
Danielle Steel
Delacorte, Feb 23 2010, $28.00
ISBN: 9780385343183
Victoria Dawson loves her younger sister Gracie, but always felt inferior to her sibling. Her parents especially her father confirmed that belief making it clear she was a failed test before they got it right. Mom just sits silently in affirmation.
Victoria leaves home accepting a job at an elite Manhattan school, but her verbally abusive dad calls her a loser for taking such a position. She begins to have an obesity issue and firmly believes she is unlovable although she seems to have everything going as a swinging single in New York.
This is a fascinating character study of a woman who seems to have everything, but lacks self esteem after growing up being told she was a worthless loser while her sister was perfect. Victoria is an intriguing individual who rates herself as useless because that is all she heard from her parents. The problem with this family drama is just how verbally abusive her parents are towards the Big Girl as they are so over the top with their nastiness towards their first born vs. their kind nurturing of their second child, they lack credibility and are two dimensional. Still in spite of the cardboard vicious parents, fans will root for Victoria to realize how much she has going; overcoming negative fostering.
Harriet Klausner
Danielle Steel
Delacorte, Feb 23 2010, $28.00
ISBN: 9780385343183
Victoria Dawson loves her younger sister Gracie, but always felt inferior to her sibling. Her parents especially her father confirmed that belief making it clear she was a failed test before they got it right. Mom just sits silently in affirmation.
Victoria leaves home accepting a job at an elite Manhattan school, but her verbally abusive dad calls her a loser for taking such a position. She begins to have an obesity issue and firmly believes she is unlovable although she seems to have everything going as a swinging single in New York.
This is a fascinating character study of a woman who seems to have everything, but lacks self esteem after growing up being told she was a worthless loser while her sister was perfect. Victoria is an intriguing individual who rates herself as useless because that is all she heard from her parents. The problem with this family drama is just how verbally abusive her parents are towards the Big Girl as they are so over the top with their nastiness towards their first born vs. their kind nurturing of their second child, they lack credibility and are two dimensional. Still in spite of the cardboard vicious parents, fans will root for Victoria to realize how much she has going; overcoming negative fostering.
Harriet Klausner
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Here Burns My Candle-Liz Curtis Higgs
Here Burns My Candle
Liz Curtis Higgs
Waterbrook, Mar 16 2010, $14.99
ISBN: 9781400070015
In 1745 Edinburgh, Highlander Lady Elisabeth Kerr marries royalist Lowlander Lord Donald Kerr. She conceals from her spouse that she is a pagan worshipper who believes in the ancient auld ways; he hides secrets from her as well.
Meanwhile his mother Lady Marjory hides gold underneath her floor, adores her adult sons, and struggles with remorse and guilt, which is buried in Greyfriars Church cemetery. Her other son Andrew and his wife Janet worry over her family and its impact on them as danger mounts with Prince Charles Edward Stuart leading the Jacobyte revolt into Edinburgh. The secret of the five Kerr’s explodes open threatening all of them and others.
Here Burns My Candle is a well written inspirational historical tale that takes a bit of time to establish the time and place, and to introduce the relationships between the key characters and the flaws of each of them. Once done, the story line rapidly accelerates as rebellion seems imminent and no one in Edinburgh and perhaps all of Scotland can avoid it. Caught in this explosive rebellious time is the Kerr family as their personal issues also ignite. Fans will enjoy this entertaining evangelical eighteenth century character driven tale.
Harriet Klausner
Liz Curtis Higgs
Waterbrook, Mar 16 2010, $14.99
ISBN: 9781400070015
In 1745 Edinburgh, Highlander Lady Elisabeth Kerr marries royalist Lowlander Lord Donald Kerr. She conceals from her spouse that she is a pagan worshipper who believes in the ancient auld ways; he hides secrets from her as well.
Meanwhile his mother Lady Marjory hides gold underneath her floor, adores her adult sons, and struggles with remorse and guilt, which is buried in Greyfriars Church cemetery. Her other son Andrew and his wife Janet worry over her family and its impact on them as danger mounts with Prince Charles Edward Stuart leading the Jacobyte revolt into Edinburgh. The secret of the five Kerr’s explodes open threatening all of them and others.
Here Burns My Candle is a well written inspirational historical tale that takes a bit of time to establish the time and place, and to introduce the relationships between the key characters and the flaws of each of them. Once done, the story line rapidly accelerates as rebellion seems imminent and no one in Edinburgh and perhaps all of Scotland can avoid it. Caught in this explosive rebellious time is the Kerr family as their personal issues also ignite. Fans will enjoy this entertaining evangelical eighteenth century character driven tale.
Harriet Klausner
As Young As We Feel-Melody Carlson
As Young As We Feel
Melody Carlson
David C. Cook, Mar 28 2010, $14.99
ISBN: 9781434764973
In Clifden, Oregon, the four females named Linda met in the first grade and became friends. They agreed to use their middle names to ease identification in the Four Lindas club. The quartet vowed to remain BFFs, but high school has a way to break up forever clubs.
Almost five decades have passed since the women first formed the Lindas club. Each went their separate ways with Janie becoming a New York attorney; Abby feeling the pangs of her empty nest with the kids gone; Marley as a failed artist lost her élan and free spirit attitude; and Charlotte the starlet whose Hollywood time is over. Each has decisions to make in their middle years, but though they had lost contact until now, they remain BFFs having each other’s back.
This is an entertaining character driven tale starring the Four Lindas who in their early fifties face differing crises, but with their BFF namesakes do so with courage and encouragement. Although the plot is thin, fans will relish that with faith and friends in your heart, a person can achieve so much more to overcome what eats at their soul. Melody Carlson provides a wonderful inspirational that will have fans wanting to see how the Four Linda’s rock Clifden.
Harriet Klausner
Melody Carlson
David C. Cook, Mar 28 2010, $14.99
ISBN: 9781434764973
In Clifden, Oregon, the four females named Linda met in the first grade and became friends. They agreed to use their middle names to ease identification in the Four Lindas club. The quartet vowed to remain BFFs, but high school has a way to break up forever clubs.
Almost five decades have passed since the women first formed the Lindas club. Each went their separate ways with Janie becoming a New York attorney; Abby feeling the pangs of her empty nest with the kids gone; Marley as a failed artist lost her élan and free spirit attitude; and Charlotte the starlet whose Hollywood time is over. Each has decisions to make in their middle years, but though they had lost contact until now, they remain BFFs having each other’s back.
This is an entertaining character driven tale starring the Four Lindas who in their early fifties face differing crises, but with their BFF namesakes do so with courage and encouragement. Although the plot is thin, fans will relish that with faith and friends in your heart, a person can achieve so much more to overcome what eats at their soul. Melody Carlson provides a wonderful inspirational that will have fans wanting to see how the Four Linda’s rock Clifden.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, February 1, 2010
In the Midst of It All-Tiffany L Warren
In the Midst of It All
Tiffany L Warren
Grand Central, Feb 22 2010, $13.99
ISBN: 9780446195164
Teenager Zenovia has spent her entire young life caring for her schizophrenic mother. Tired and seeing a foreboding future of always being there for her mentally troubled mom, Zenovia does her best. When members of the Brethren of the Sacrifice Church arrive, Zenovia feels welcomed by them and though skeptical knows adding God into their lives will help them especially with her mom’s excitement re the bible.
Seventeen years ago, Audrey saw her future husband in a vision; now she sees her one day spouse Phillip in person at the church. They marry, but instead of Zenovia’s life improving, it turns nasty as her stepfather and the rest of the flock want Audrey to stop taking her schizophrenic medication that prevents her mom turning violent, but the congregation insists she is suffering from demonic possession. With the help of church peers, Zenovia works hard at school and obtains a college scholarship to escape; knowing one day the call she dreads will come.
This is a timely inspirational tale with a strong message that people should look closely at who interprets God’s words; sort of a historiographer evaluating the history writer’s background. Profound, Tiffany L. Warren provides a thought provoking exhilarating story line with a deep message encouraging people to apply the free will God has granted us to make your own interpretation and decision; as those who conveniently let others do so may be led by false profiteering prophets.
Harriet Klausner
Tiffany L Warren
Grand Central, Feb 22 2010, $13.99
ISBN: 9780446195164
Teenager Zenovia has spent her entire young life caring for her schizophrenic mother. Tired and seeing a foreboding future of always being there for her mentally troubled mom, Zenovia does her best. When members of the Brethren of the Sacrifice Church arrive, Zenovia feels welcomed by them and though skeptical knows adding God into their lives will help them especially with her mom’s excitement re the bible.
Seventeen years ago, Audrey saw her future husband in a vision; now she sees her one day spouse Phillip in person at the church. They marry, but instead of Zenovia’s life improving, it turns nasty as her stepfather and the rest of the flock want Audrey to stop taking her schizophrenic medication that prevents her mom turning violent, but the congregation insists she is suffering from demonic possession. With the help of church peers, Zenovia works hard at school and obtains a college scholarship to escape; knowing one day the call she dreads will come.
This is a timely inspirational tale with a strong message that people should look closely at who interprets God’s words; sort of a historiographer evaluating the history writer’s background. Profound, Tiffany L. Warren provides a thought provoking exhilarating story line with a deep message encouraging people to apply the free will God has granted us to make your own interpretation and decision; as those who conveniently let others do so may be led by false profiteering prophets.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, January 30, 2010
I'm Still Standing-Shoshana Johnson with M. L. Doyle
I'm Still Standing
Shoshana Johnson with M. L. Doyle
Touchstone, Feb 2 2010, $23.99
ISBN: 9781416567486
In 2003 in An Nasiriyah, Iraq, six soldiers (including Jessica Lynch who became the prime celebrity of the incident) assigned to the 507th Maintenance Company were captured by the enemy during an ambush. One of those taken in the firefight was unit cook Shoshana Johnson, who became the first ever African-American female POW. After three plus weeks as a prisoner, moving from place to place, the marines rescued her and the others (except Lynch previously rescued).
The key to this memoir is how profound Johnson describes her ordeal during captivity and even more so as a sudden celebrity of sorts. She makes the case that her abductees were kind giving her medical aid to her ankles hit by bullets and fed and clothed her. Yet throughout she lived in fear as a Black woman POW in a country in which gender and race matter. After being freed, her fame left others angry and resentful so she left the military. With a strong conviction, Ms. Johnson and M.L. Doyle tear into her accusers that she and the others deserved being prisoners and were no heroes as they simply made a wrong turn. Well written with the predominance of the memoir being her POW 22 days and her PTSD that still haunts her since becoming free; fans of military chronicles will want to read I’m Still Standing.
Harriet Klausner
Shoshana Johnson with M. L. Doyle
Touchstone, Feb 2 2010, $23.99
ISBN: 9781416567486
In 2003 in An Nasiriyah, Iraq, six soldiers (including Jessica Lynch who became the prime celebrity of the incident) assigned to the 507th Maintenance Company were captured by the enemy during an ambush. One of those taken in the firefight was unit cook Shoshana Johnson, who became the first ever African-American female POW. After three plus weeks as a prisoner, moving from place to place, the marines rescued her and the others (except Lynch previously rescued).
The key to this memoir is how profound Johnson describes her ordeal during captivity and even more so as a sudden celebrity of sorts. She makes the case that her abductees were kind giving her medical aid to her ankles hit by bullets and fed and clothed her. Yet throughout she lived in fear as a Black woman POW in a country in which gender and race matter. After being freed, her fame left others angry and resentful so she left the military. With a strong conviction, Ms. Johnson and M.L. Doyle tear into her accusers that she and the others deserved being prisoners and were no heroes as they simply made a wrong turn. Well written with the predominance of the memoir being her POW 22 days and her PTSD that still haunts her since becoming free; fans of military chronicles will want to read I’m Still Standing.
Harriet Klausner
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