The Lightkeeper’s Daughter-Colleen Coble

The Lightkeeper’s Daughter

Colleen Coble

Thomas Nelson, Jan 12 2010, $14.99

ISBN: 9781595542670

 

Addie Sullivan grew up in isolation at Battery Point Lighthouse near Crescent City, California with only her parents and her dog Gideon as companions.  In 1907 she and her mom rescue a man who recognizes a locket that Addie says belonged to her grandma; he calls her Laura.  He says he is Walter Driscoll from Mercy Falls and he is in Crescent City looking for her as her mother is not her mother and seems indifferent with her leaving.

 

Addie accepts a governess position that Walter offers her and goes to Mercy Falls where she hopes to learn just who she is and praying she finds her real mother.  Instead she meets hostility and anger starting when she rescues abused children from employment.  Eaton Hall proves unwelcoming while her charge Edward suffers from fits.  However, the worst reception comes from Edward’s father Naval Lieutenant John North, who ignores her as if she is unworthy while she is falling in love with him.  As she searches for her mom, someone wants her dead.

 

This is a terrific Americana early twentieth century inspirational thriller in which Addie learns that God is there even when the Lord seems to ignore those suffering.  Well written with a gothic feel to the fun plot; Addie makes the tale work as a strong central focus who affirms that having God in her life enables her to overcome the worst that man, woman or child can do to her.  Colleen Coble provides an engaging inspirational historical.

 

Harriet Klausner

Heart of Darkness-Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne and Susan Krinard

Heart of Darkness

Gena Showalter, Maggie Shayne and Susan Krinard

Harlequin HQN, Jan 2010, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373774319

 

“The Darkest Angel” by Gena Showalter.   Lysander is well known for being unemotional and perhaps the best demon slaying angel.  He is one of the Elite Seven warriors of the One True Deity.  His current target for death is Bianka Skyhawk, a daughter of a Harpy and a phoenix shapeshifter, but mostly a killer who is of Lucifer’s bloodline, but he must remain patient until she breaks heavenly law.  Instead his desire for her is killing him as he has never wanted anyone for the many millennia he has lived; yet she is inside his soul.

 

“Love Me to Death” by Maggie Shayne.  Twenty-two years ago in Port Lucinda, Maine, the teens (David, Brad, Kevin, Randy  and Mark) were drinking cheap booze near the abandoned old Muller Place and commiserating about being dumped or their girls being away when they set it on fire. They did not know that Sierra Terrence took shelter there and died in the inferno. Now over two decades later someone who seems to be Sierra from the grave haunts the five men who killed her and their loved ones.

 

“Lady of the Nile” by Susan Krinard.  In 1890 London, the memories of ancient times have led Lady Tameri to believe she is the reincarnation of an Egyptian princess.  Leo Erskine knows she is wrong and plans to prove to her she is just a lovely Victorian lady.  However, neither the believer nor the skeptic is prepared for the prophecy that ties them in love forever.

 

This trilogy of urban romantic fantasies with differing spins will elate fans especially with the bonuses of a Lords of the Underworld tale and a sequel to Ms. Krinard’s Lord of Sin.

 

Harriet Klausner

Sleepless-Charlie Huston

Sleepless

Charlie Huston

Ballantine, Jan 12 2010, $25.00

ISBN: 9780345501134

 

In 2010 in Los Angeles, a devastating affliction leaves its victim with chronic insomnia.  Those who catch SLP never fall asleep and over the next few months the body not healing withers away until the incoherent person finally blessedly dies.  Meanwhile the pandemic spreads in a city already under lawless siege as even the baseball season is cancelled.

 

Violence is out of control as LAPD cop Parker “Park” Haas fears for the future life of his newborn daughter especially with her mother dying, his beloved spouse dying from SLP.  Meanwhile Park investigates Chasm Tide, an online game that people have turned to in order to run from reality and a black market drug Dreamer that provides relief to the misfortunate.  However, as Park fears he may have caught the disease and his child too, he begins to connect dots that frighten him more than SLP.

 

Sleepless in Los Angeles is a terrific post-apocalyptic crime thriller starring a reluctant Noir hero who knows he is in too deep but has no idea how to get out if he is to try to save his wife and child as he keeps reminding himself he is just a cop.  Somewhat different in tone and subject than Charlie Huston’s Joe Pitt saga it also shares an underlying sameness of love thrives even inside a hellhole.  Park is a superb individual as all he wants is to take care of his family, but circumstances forces him in the role of a hero who thinks he be Don Quixote losing to that windmill that has some of powerful people propelling it.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Gathering Storm-Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

The Gathering Storm

Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Tor, Nov 2009, $29.99

ISBN: 9780765302304

 

The Last Battle of Tarmon Gai’don seems imminent as the Shadow has expanded with no countermeasure.  The Dragon Reborn Rand al’Thor knows the time is now or it will be lost forever, but instead of preparing for the war he and humanity must fight, he is preoccupied with the Seanchan invasion as the enemy to the south acts oblivious to the threat.

 

As time run out, a key ally against the Seanchan assault, Egwene al’Vere remains at the White Tower trying to keep the Aes Sedai from deserting out of fear and despair.  If she fails, nothing The Dragon Reborn does will stop the Shadow; although even he muses sadly that it already may be too late as The Wheel of Time turns waits for no one.

 

With the death of Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson begins the final trilogy in what is a well written entry that appears to be closing subplots though I have said that before seemingly a zillion years ago as the prime players appear to be coming back together though I also have said that before.  The story line is well written as Mr. Sanderson picks up overarching theme nicely, even the overly used musing and reflections of their lives by the heroes.  Fans of the saga will enjoy The Gathering Storm, which helps to know two to go.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Freak-Philip Henry

Freak

Philip Henry

Coral Moon, Nov 2008, $12.50

www.philiphenry.com

ISBN: 9780955655616

 

She was an innocent fifteen year old guarded by her religiously fanatic parents until the night in 1973 the carnival arrived in Port Stewart.  Marie Stanton went with her friend.  She meets Gustav who woos her into coming again the next night where he pays off his gambling debts by allowing six cronies to rape her.  Marie becomes pregnant and gives birth, but suffered internal hemorrhaging from the damage Gustav and his associates caused to her internal organs.

 

Her parents kick her out of the house so she and her son Freak move into anew place aid for by her parents.  Freak’s skin would not let a needle penetrate it and a person touching him ends up with broken bones.  His mom lived as long as she could trying to care and protect him, but when she died he went to live in Port Stewart with his Aunt Gloria.  Many thought he was an abomination, but though angry he tried to live up to what he thought his late mom would want of him.  Betrayed by a young woman he cares for; when his aunt and her companion dies, Freak becomes a solitary recluse.  However, the carnival with Gustav is back.

 

The innocence of Marie and later Freak make for an intriguing horror tale that in some ways will remind readers of Stephen King’s Carrie.  The audience has mixed emotions towards Freak who receives pity and empathy yet he ironically rejects that from the few folks in town who do not loathe the abomination.  Filled with twists, Freak is an interesting character study as readers will understand who the monster is.

 

Harriet Klausner

Snapped-Pamela Klaffke

Snapped

Pamela Klaffke

Mira, Han 1 2010, $13.95

ISBN: 9780778327462

 

Fifteen years ago Sara B and Ted founded Snap with no money to truly launch the magazine.  However, with its Dos and Don’ts, the magazine has become one of Canada’s most popular weekly.  In fact if imitation is the ultimate flattery, than Snap is the top gun.

 

However, as Sara B closes in on her fortieth birthday, she has lost some of her edge; even she knows she is on cruise control professional and personally.  Her affair with younger Jack is okay but not any euphoric incredible.  Even her renowned page Dos and Don’ts has lost its luster at least in her mind.  Sara B especially feels her age since she hired energetic youthful Eva, who represents what Sara B was before she realized the new forty is still forty.

 

This is a superb sarcastic saga of a woman not coming to grips with middle age hammering at her when she compares herself today with Eva and with herself at Eva’s age.  Time has moved on and she fears passed her by when she was not looking beyond the next Don’ts.  Fans who relish a dark jocular acerbic tale will appreciate this strong tale as Sara B realizes she has gone from a Do to a Don’t.

 

Harriet Klausner

Baby It’s Cold Outside-Jennifer Greene, Merline Lovelace and Cindi Myers

Baby It’s Cold Outside

Jennifer Greene, Merline Lovelace and Cindi Myers

Harlequin, Jan 12 2010, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373837397

 

“Blame It on the Blizzard” by Jennifer Greene.  After her patient dies, Dr. Emilie Sutherland needs time away by herself so heads to her family’s hunting lodge in Alaska.  However, engineer Rick Hunter arrives at her lodge seeking shelter from a blizzard.

 

“Deep freeze” by Merline Lovelace.  After becoming number 112 of a vile Don Juan, Mia Harrelson allows her sister Emily to persuade her to head to the Southern Hemisphere for a cruise as it is summer down there.  Bikinis prove a bit underdressed for Antarctica especially when the crew and passengers are in trouble until the Air Force arrives.  Mia is soon in deeper trouble when she meets Palmer Station manager Brent Walker.

 

“Melting Point” by Cindi Myers.  In Reykjavik, Eagle Mountain Sportswear marketing director Stacy Bristol hires Iceland’s first Olympic Gold Medal winner skier Kristjan Gunnarson as a model for Troll’s treasure sweaters.  However he proves a gold medal winner of love when he also melts the ice from the heart of the consummate professional.

 

The three terrific contemporary romances live up to the classic song that is its title as love between strangers will warm the hearts of readers.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Earl and the Governess-Sarah Elliot

The Earl and the Governess

Sarah Elliot

Harlequin Historical, Jan 1 2010, $5.99

ISBN: 9780373295777

 

In 1822, William Stanton, Earl of Lennox, became the ward of goddaughter Mary Weston-Burke, an apparent hellion based on what the headmistress at her school told him.  When he sees a woman being robbed by a boy, he gallantly rescues her.  Isabelle Thomas is the daughter of a late antique dealer who was exposed as a fraud.  Penniless with no home besides the street, she has no place to go; William, on the spur of the moment, offers her a position as governess to Mary, which a grateful Isabelle accepts.

 

Isabelle feels somewhat safe in William’s home and wins over a frightened Mary.  However, when her employer kisses her, she has a new fear; her deep attraction to the Earl who is of a different social class than her.  Isabelle knows she must leave, but does not want to hurt Mary who needs and trusts her and besides someone wants to harm her to conceal his partnership with her late father.

 

Chaos theory abounds in this delightful regency romance as love blossoms all because of a newt in a teacup.  Fans will root for the courageous heroine and appreciate romantic William who goes after what he wants: the love of his life regardless of her father’s scandal and her social class and status.  Mary enhances the tale of love between two people whose stations are as far apart as the top from the bottom of Big Ben.

 

Harriet Klausner

Reese’s Bride-Kat Martin

Reese’s Bride

Kat Martin

Mira, Dec 29 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778327448

 

In 1855, Reese Dewar still uses a cane to help him get around his estate Briarwood after suffering wounds in battle in the Crimea.  However, the biggest wound he took was to his heart when his beloved Elizabeth Clemens married the Earl of Aldridge eight years ago.  Still in a rage over her betrayal, he vowed to never trust a woman again, especially this one who shared a bed with the late Edmund Holloway, her spouse.

 

In the middle of the night widow Elizabeth accompanied by her son Hared seeks sanctuary at Reese’s home.  She insists Edmund’s brother and his wife is drugging her to control Jared’s fortune that he inherited form his late father.  She fears they will arrange the deaths of her and her child if need be.  Reluctantly, Reese lets them into his home, but knows the only way to protect them is to give them his name.  However, though Elizabeth knows he is right before agreeing to his offer, she also owes him the truth why she betrayed him and concealed a secret that will send him into a deeper rage.

 

The second Victorian Dewar sibling’s Bride romance (see Royal’s Bride) is a terrific tense thriller starring two terific lead characters, a perhaps too precocious son, and two vile villains.  The story line is fast-paced from the moment Elizabeth arrives at Briarwood and never slows down until the final confrontation between Dewar and Holloway.  Fans will appreciate this superb second chance at love historical tale.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Shattered-Joan Johnston

Shattered

Joan Johnston

Mira, Dec 29 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778328292

 

In Austin, almost a decade has passed since Kate Grayhawk Pendleton caught her husband J.D. cheating; stunned she left and met Wyatt Shaw in a hotel bar.  They made love and she left only to give birth to twins Lucky and Chance who are Wyatt’s offspring.  Now the mother of the late J.D. Ann Wade is running for president and needs to know what skeletons could derail her chances of winning the Republican nomination as the kids are not her biological grandchildren.

 

Son of a mobster, Wyatt has learned the kids are his.  He wants them and Kate in his life.  At the same time Texas Ranger Jack McKinley, who broke Kate’s heart in high school, wants Kate back in his life while also trying to destroy Wyatt Shaw’ who he assumes will take over his dad’s D’Amato crime syndicate.  Jack’s wife Holly will do almost anything to keep her spouse whom she loves, but her son’s needs come before her heart.

 

This is an exciting Bitter Creek romantic suspense that fans of the saga will enjoy as the entangled relationships between the lead foursome is fascinating and made more complicated by children and parents.  The story line is filled with action although too many subplots make it difficult to follow especially for a newbie.  Still romantic suspense readers will enjoy the tale with an engaging mystery and plenty of suspense while wondering who will end up with whom.

 

Harriet Klausner