Summer Rental
Mary Kay Andrews
St. Martin’s, Jun 7 2011, $25.99
ISBN: 9780312642693
The three BFFs for over two decades rent a summer house in Nags Head on the North Carolina Outer Banks. Now in their thirties each has major decisions to make that they need their two buddies to be there for them. Ellis Sullivan drives down from Philadelphia where she just lost her job at BancAtlantic that meant her life to her. Maryn Shackleford flees her abusive spouse Don in New Jersey before he finally buries her; deciding to hide in Nag’s Head where her parents once took her seemingly a lifetime ago. Ty Bazemore owns the Ebbtide beach house he has rented to the thirty-something trio under his alter ego Mr. Culpepper; his first encounter with Ellis is a disaster at a time he is distracted about losing the house. The other BFFs Julia and Dorie arrive; Julia the model was living with Booker the photographer, but he took a DC job and wants more from their relationship. Dorie hides in shock that her beloved husband Stephen betrayed her. All five converge in a summer month of change at Ebbtide.
This is an entertaining character study of three females each at a major fork in their respective lives. Although Maryn brings suspense to the mix as an abused wife on the run from her husband, she changes the relational dynamics of the other trio too much. Filled with pathos, humor and romance, fans will enjoy the three musketeers seeking their groove in the Outer Banks.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The Blackberry Bush-David Householder
The Blackberry Bush
David Householder
Summerside, Jun 1 2011, $14.99
www.summerside.com
ISBN: 9781609361167
On November 9, 1989 as Germans are shouting “we are one people” as the Berlin Wall comes tumbling down. At the same time in Elisabeth Hospital in Bonn, Linda from Rotterdam gives birth to Katarina as the father German Konrad is euphoric. In Zarzamora, California also at the same moment at a mountain hospital in Los Padres Forest, Janine gives birth to Michael’s son Joshua.
As years pass, Josh becomes a talented skateboarder trying to find a purpose in life. His frustrations with failing to do so make him angry as he believes he is a failure. Kati loves looking at old stuff, but meanders without purpose. Her frustrations are fueled by feelings of never pleasing her mother or anyone else except her grandfather. In 2011 they meet off Huntington Beach in what Angelo would have said is a soul cleansing transformation.
This is an entreating inspirational allegorical epic over several decades follows two people linked by the birth of freedom when the Wall came down. Character driven to include Angelo with his Behind the story asides, fans will relish this strong parable as The Blackberry Bush snares those filled with crippling phobias, fears and remorse in which heroic good deeds is the only escape. David Householder provides a wonderful thought provoking story line encouraging readers to go for their freedom from our personal mental cages.
Harriet Klausner
David Householder
Summerside, Jun 1 2011, $14.99
www.summerside.com
ISBN: 9781609361167
On November 9, 1989 as Germans are shouting “we are one people” as the Berlin Wall comes tumbling down. At the same time in Elisabeth Hospital in Bonn, Linda from Rotterdam gives birth to Katarina as the father German Konrad is euphoric. In Zarzamora, California also at the same moment at a mountain hospital in Los Padres Forest, Janine gives birth to Michael’s son Joshua.
As years pass, Josh becomes a talented skateboarder trying to find a purpose in life. His frustrations with failing to do so make him angry as he believes he is a failure. Kati loves looking at old stuff, but meanders without purpose. Her frustrations are fueled by feelings of never pleasing her mother or anyone else except her grandfather. In 2011 they meet off Huntington Beach in what Angelo would have said is a soul cleansing transformation.
This is an entreating inspirational allegorical epic over several decades follows two people linked by the birth of freedom when the Wall came down. Character driven to include Angelo with his Behind the story asides, fans will relish this strong parable as The Blackberry Bush snares those filled with crippling phobias, fears and remorse in which heroic good deeds is the only escape. David Householder provides a wonderful thought provoking story line encouraging readers to go for their freedom from our personal mental cages.
Harriet Klausner
Friday, May 27, 2011
Break the Skin-Lee Martin
Break the Skin
Lee Martin
Crown, Jun 14 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780307716750
In Mt. Gilead, Illinois, police officers question skinny teenager Laney Volk who lives in a trailer with fellow Wal-Mart associate thirty-five-year-old Delilah Dade and Rose MacAdow. This is the second time they interrogate him over the course of a few months. While Delilah and Rose competed for the attention of singer Tweet, Laney liked band member Lester Stipp. When Tweet chooses Rose, Delilah rages.
In Denton, Texas, lonely tattoo artist Miss Baby hates men for using her but fantasizes that one day her prince will come. Although she knows better having been hurt frequently by strays, she takes in a stranger who says he suffers from amnesia. However, Lester could be lying about knowing his name as mendacity and lonely desperation link Texas and Illinois.
Break the Skin is a terrific tale that rotates between the women in Illinois and the woman in Texas; their bond is a deep Eleanor Rigby level of loneliness. Character driven by the four women whose catalyst for their respective behavior is the two band members, fans who relish an atmospheric thriller will want to read this dark ballad of human foibles.
Harriet Klausner
Lee Martin
Crown, Jun 14 2011, $24.00
ISBN: 9780307716750
In Mt. Gilead, Illinois, police officers question skinny teenager Laney Volk who lives in a trailer with fellow Wal-Mart associate thirty-five-year-old Delilah Dade and Rose MacAdow. This is the second time they interrogate him over the course of a few months. While Delilah and Rose competed for the attention of singer Tweet, Laney liked band member Lester Stipp. When Tweet chooses Rose, Delilah rages.
In Denton, Texas, lonely tattoo artist Miss Baby hates men for using her but fantasizes that one day her prince will come. Although she knows better having been hurt frequently by strays, she takes in a stranger who says he suffers from amnesia. However, Lester could be lying about knowing his name as mendacity and lonely desperation link Texas and Illinois.
Break the Skin is a terrific tale that rotates between the women in Illinois and the woman in Texas; their bond is a deep Eleanor Rigby level of loneliness. Character driven by the four women whose catalyst for their respective behavior is the two band members, fans who relish an atmospheric thriller will want to read this dark ballad of human foibles.
Harriet Klausner
Pie Town-Lynn Hinton
Pie Town
Lynn Hinton
Morrow, Jun 7 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780062045089
Pie Town, New Mexico is a small melting pot in which resides three races intermingling as if everyone is family; this is especially so in support of wheelchair bound young Alex who suffers from spina bifida while his grandparents raise him.
One thing the locals detest is change as tradition means a lot to the residents. Thus the townsfolk do not greet their new parish priest Father George Morris with friendship; especially since he brought a hitchhiking female Trina with him. However when Alex openly welcomes them, the townsfolk consider him a barometer of people do like wise. The welcome mat is removed when tragedy strikes that even an angel could not prevent; as the townsfolk hold Trina culpable.
This is an engaging look at the three predominant subcultures that make New Mexico the Land of Enchantment. The lead triangle plus Alex’s grandfather the sheriff are solid protagonists but the plot is thin and the direction straighter than the Bonneville Salt Flats. Still fans will enjoy Lynn Hinton’s whimsical slice of life in the Southwest.
Harriet Klausner
Lynn Hinton
Morrow, Jun 7 2011, $13.99
ISBN: 9780062045089
Pie Town, New Mexico is a small melting pot in which resides three races intermingling as if everyone is family; this is especially so in support of wheelchair bound young Alex who suffers from spina bifida while his grandparents raise him.
One thing the locals detest is change as tradition means a lot to the residents. Thus the townsfolk do not greet their new parish priest Father George Morris with friendship; especially since he brought a hitchhiking female Trina with him. However when Alex openly welcomes them, the townsfolk consider him a barometer of people do like wise. The welcome mat is removed when tragedy strikes that even an angel could not prevent; as the townsfolk hold Trina culpable.
This is an engaging look at the three predominant subcultures that make New Mexico the Land of Enchantment. The lead triangle plus Alex’s grandfather the sheriff are solid protagonists but the plot is thin and the direction straighter than the Bonneville Salt Flats. Still fans will enjoy Lynn Hinton’s whimsical slice of life in the Southwest.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Good and the Ghastly-James Boice
The Good and the Ghastly
James Boice
Scribner, Jun 14 2011, $25.00
ISBN: 9781416575443
It took centuries but the world has somewhat recovered from the global nuclear war. Now the thirty-fourth century has caught up to life in the early twenty-first century though there are some differences; for instance history and science texts praise Sarah Palin for her theory of natural selection and deer is the pet of choice.
However, in spite of the heritage of mass destruction wars back in the twentieth and twenty-first, hate remains a viable option. While VISA owns the world now as it did then, Adoranso Horater pushes for the final solution as he blames the Jews for the nuclear holocaust. At the same time Alvarez rules the mobs with an iron fist, a victim’s mother stalks and murders gangster and human sacrifices to the statue of the cat God Garfield is practiced. Soon the former Good and the forever Ghastly will confront one another.
The Good and the Ghastly is an engaging satire that rips into twenty first century values by extrapolating how the future will look at this era of phony hypocritical compassion. The story line is overall fun but the mocking of present day decisions by sound bites keeps the plot thin. Still readers who relish thought provoking lampooning will want to read the thirty-fourth century equivalent to Bill Mahler’ “New Rules” interpretation of Palinism.
Harriet Klausner
James Boice
Scribner, Jun 14 2011, $25.00
ISBN: 9781416575443
It took centuries but the world has somewhat recovered from the global nuclear war. Now the thirty-fourth century has caught up to life in the early twenty-first century though there are some differences; for instance history and science texts praise Sarah Palin for her theory of natural selection and deer is the pet of choice.
However, in spite of the heritage of mass destruction wars back in the twentieth and twenty-first, hate remains a viable option. While VISA owns the world now as it did then, Adoranso Horater pushes for the final solution as he blames the Jews for the nuclear holocaust. At the same time Alvarez rules the mobs with an iron fist, a victim’s mother stalks and murders gangster and human sacrifices to the statue of the cat God Garfield is practiced. Soon the former Good and the forever Ghastly will confront one another.
The Good and the Ghastly is an engaging satire that rips into twenty first century values by extrapolating how the future will look at this era of phony hypocritical compassion. The story line is overall fun but the mocking of present day decisions by sound bites keeps the plot thin. Still readers who relish thought provoking lampooning will want to read the thirty-fourth century equivalent to Bill Mahler’ “New Rules” interpretation of Palinism.
Harriet Klausner
The Night Circus-Erin Morgenstern
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
Doubleday, Sep 13 2011, $26.95
ISBN: 9780385534635
Five years old Celia is an untrained psychokinetic. Her father Hector Bowen who performs for Le Cirque des Reves as Prospero the Entertainer is unaware of her existence until his daughter is dropped off. He realizes his daughter has incredible innate magical skill and decides to deploy her ability in a death match against an adversary: Alexander’s tyro magician Marco. The loser will die.
Celia and Marco are unaware that the outcome of their contest is death. However, their respective handlers failed to anticipate the two young mages as they grow up will fall in love. All bets are off as to how this power game will end as the puppeteers struggle to get their marionettes to perform the death duet not the love tango.
This excellent gripping historical thriller is a character driven tale with a paranormal element. The four participants in The Night Circus forge a fighting rectangle that turns into a perilous perfect square as the avaricious handlers want power and domination while the mentees want love. Fans will enjoy a night at the Erin Morgenstern’s circus wondering whether years of negative nurturing overcome tender naturing.
Harriet Klausner
Erin Morgenstern
Doubleday, Sep 13 2011, $26.95
ISBN: 9780385534635
Five years old Celia is an untrained psychokinetic. Her father Hector Bowen who performs for Le Cirque des Reves as Prospero the Entertainer is unaware of her existence until his daughter is dropped off. He realizes his daughter has incredible innate magical skill and decides to deploy her ability in a death match against an adversary: Alexander’s tyro magician Marco. The loser will die.
Celia and Marco are unaware that the outcome of their contest is death. However, their respective handlers failed to anticipate the two young mages as they grow up will fall in love. All bets are off as to how this power game will end as the puppeteers struggle to get their marionettes to perform the death duet not the love tango.
This excellent gripping historical thriller is a character driven tale with a paranormal element. The four participants in The Night Circus forge a fighting rectangle that turns into a perilous perfect square as the avaricious handlers want power and domination while the mentees want love. Fans will enjoy a night at the Erin Morgenstern’s circus wondering whether years of negative nurturing overcome tender naturing.
Harriet Klausner
The Mistress's Revenge-Tamar Cohen
The Mistress's Revenge
Tamar Cohen
Free Press (Simon and Schuster), Jun 7 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9781451632828
For five years Sally Islip and Clive Gooding had an affair until he broke it off. Upset, she begins to keep a journal addressed to Clive. To his chagrin she publishes her musings anonymously though all know who the overweight egomaniac male is.
As Clive is frustrated with his ex, he takes another blow to his portly gut when Sally becomes friends to his wife and adult children. Over the top Clive vows revenge. Meanwhile despondent Sally seems even gloomier each day while someone hacks into her email and sends ugly notes to her employers. Though it costs her a living, her dark depression keeps her fueled in her assault on Clive.
This is a very dark relationship drama that makes Fatal Attraction seem tame as obsessive compulsive disorder turns the loving obsession into the loathing obsession. Sally cannot stop herself while Clive has been hooked with a need to avenge what she has done to him. However, the cost to their respective extended families will soon come home to roost. Not for everyone, readers will wonder what the boundaries of revenge are.
Harriet Klausner
Tamar Cohen
Free Press (Simon and Schuster), Jun 7 2011, $15.00
ISBN: 9781451632828
For five years Sally Islip and Clive Gooding had an affair until he broke it off. Upset, she begins to keep a journal addressed to Clive. To his chagrin she publishes her musings anonymously though all know who the overweight egomaniac male is.
As Clive is frustrated with his ex, he takes another blow to his portly gut when Sally becomes friends to his wife and adult children. Over the top Clive vows revenge. Meanwhile despondent Sally seems even gloomier each day while someone hacks into her email and sends ugly notes to her employers. Though it costs her a living, her dark depression keeps her fueled in her assault on Clive.
This is a very dark relationship drama that makes Fatal Attraction seem tame as obsessive compulsive disorder turns the loving obsession into the loathing obsession. Sally cannot stop herself while Clive has been hooked with a need to avenge what she has done to him. However, the cost to their respective extended families will soon come home to roost. Not for everyone, readers will wonder what the boundaries of revenge are.
Harriet Klausner
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