A Butterfly in Flame-Nicholas Kilmer

 A Butterfly in Flame

Nicholas Kilmer

Poisoned Pen, Nov 2 2010, $24.95

ISBN 9781590587911

 

Near Boston, the Stillton Academy has financial woes.  However, a scandal also surfaces when instructor Morgan Flower and first year student Missy Tutunjian disappear apparently together from the North Shore art school; she of the bad romantic poetry happens to be the daughter of the largest donor at a time when money is tight and accreditation is critical and on the line.

Two school trustees Abe Baum and Parker Stillton visit art collector Clay Reed to ask for his help.  He asks his employee private investigator Fred Taylor to find the runaways.  Fred pretends to be Flower’s replacement at the academy so that he can work undercover.  He talks with staff and students only to learn the one common theme is a universal loathing of President Liz Harmony.  When Liz’s predecessor, Rodney Somerfest is found dead stark naked on a nearby beach, Fred interrogates the president who refuses to respond to his questions and the only famous alumni painter Basil Houel.

The latest Fred Taylor “animal” art mystery (see Madonna of the Apes and Man with a Squirrel) is a great entry as the sleuth works an art school disappearance and murder.  The story line is fast-paced with a terrific twist.  Fans of the series will enjoy Fred’s lectures as he seeks motives beyond inane poetry that would be subpar for bubblegum rock and roll.

Harriet Klausner

The Boy from Ilysies-Pearl North

The Boy from Ilysies

Pearl North

Tor, Nov 9 2010, $17.99

ISBN: 9780765320971

For centuries the Singers and the Libyrarians were at war with each other over how knowledge should b transported.  The former believe in oral storytelling while the latter feel strongly books are the ultimate source.  A miracle occurred uniting the adversaries though problems remain between the groups.  The hope is to make the dying land surrounding the labyrinth back to fruition with a new crop.

Po, a young man from Ilysies, where males are slaves, is in the field when a fire breaks out destroying the crops.  He is blamed though he is totally innocent.  To keep Po out of harms way, he is sent with the Chorus of the Word to the Corvariate Cathedral to find Endymion’s Rose, an artifact from the Ancients that may save the world as it was before the terraforming started breaking down. It was lush and fertile and green.

The sequel to Libryinth takes place on a world changed to be a new earth, which is just a fleeting myth like memory for those on the orb.  The terraforming is breaking apart mindful of what NPR has just described happens to some orthodontic work.  It will take special archivists to learn how to reverse the rapid deterioration that threatens both groups.  Filled with action and a deep look at a divided culture battling one another (mindful of DC), young adult readers will enjoy the entertaining thought provoking The Boy from Ilysies.

Harriet Klausner

Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files-Jim Butcher

Side Jobs: Stories from the Dresden Files

Jim Butcher

Roc, Oct 26 2010, $25.95

ISBN 9780451463654

Although the quality of the eleven entries varies to an incredible degree, fans of Dresden will want to read the anthology that is a sort of history of the author.  No question, the audience will want to read the novella “Aftermath”, which occurs a few hours after the end of the stunning Changes.  Many of the tales fill the gaps between the novels especially with a close look at support cast in entries like “Backup” focuses on Thomas and “Warrior” on Michael.  Some like the first Dresden unpublished tale, A Restoration of Faith, displays Jim Butcher’s talent, but not experience as the contribution is a bit confusing; that might be caused by knowing so much about the only wizard in the Chicago phone book.  Clearly this compilation is for fans of the series; newcomers would be better off watching the TV show or starting with the novels as that is Mr. Butcher’s forte.

Harriet Klausner

Surface Detail-Iain M.Banks

Surface Detail

Iain M.Banks

Orbit, Oct 28 2010, $25.99

ISBN 9780316123402

The Culture employs special technology throughout the galaxy that enables humans and aliens to select who they want to be.  On the planet Sichult, powerful Veppers assisted by two of his employees, rapes and murders sex slave Lededje Y’breq; but not before she rips some skin off their leader. 

The Culture artificial intelligence on a nearby starship resurrects Lededje.  She is expected to enact vengeance for her homicide.  At the same time, a debate within the Culture leadership continues over what to do about evil sinners like Veppers and his minions.  Some insist they should be transported to cyber Hells to suffer punishment until either redeemed or eternity whichever comes first while others insist the more humane response is capital punishment.

The latest Culture space thriller (see Transition and Matter) is an incredible accomplishment as Iain M. Banks shifts effortlessly between reality and virtually so much so the reader will wonder what real is and what fantasy is.  Fast-paced from the haunting opening assault and never slowing down, fans of the saga will love this powerful entry while newcomers will be searching for the backlist.

Harriet Klausner

The Secrets Sisters Keep-Abby Drake

The Secrets Sisters Keep

Abby Drake

Avon, Oct 12 2010, $14.99

ISBN: 9780061878329

In Kamp Kasteel, New York, Broadway producer Edward Dalton vanishes just prior to the arrival of his four nieces allegedly coming to celebrate his seventy-fifth birthday.  The quartet believes Uncle Edward and his significant other Harry have gone to Connecticut to marry.   Each fears he will next cut them out of his will.

Historian Ellie Dalton, Park Avenue socialite Amanda Dalton Delaney, and movie star Naomi “Babe” Dalton consult with each other re their missing uncle.  The fourth sister, family loser and estranged sibling, Carleen is not welcome by the others, who have long memories of all the tragedies she caused; starting with accidentally killing their parents when she burned their home to the ground.  However, the older trio relents and lets her join the search for Uncle Edward. 

Although somewhat like a soap opera especially each sister’s relationship with non-siblings and their family history, fans will enjoy the search for the missing septuagenarian as the quest leads each of the Dalton females to relook what matters in their respective lives.  They need money but they also realize they miss the empathy as only a sister can provide.  The Secrets Sisters Keep is a strong family drama.

Harriet Klausner

A Piggly Wiggly Christmas-Robert Dalby

A Piggly Wiggly Christmas

Robert Dalby

Putnam, Nov 14 2010, $24.95

ISBN: 9780399156779

In Second Creek, Mississippi Laurie Lepanto is concerned with what the new MegaMart by the nearby highway exit is doing to the local small businesses.  She initially talks with some of her fellow Nitwitts about her concern before approaching the returning honeymooners, Mayor “Choppy” Hale Dunbar and his new wife Gaylie Girl.  The three of them and the other Nitwitts ladies’ club plan a Christmas gala to revitalize the town square in order to bring back the local shoppers and tourists. 

However, an electrical fire damages the square, leaving the holiday celebration in jeopardy.  Meanwhile Gaylie’s son Petey falls in love (again) this time with Meta, the daughter of formidable Nitwitt Renza Belford.  Even though tension and depression rise to stratospheric levels, the Nitwitts never ever give up.   They need a Yuletide miracle, but if any group could make it happen it is these determined females.

This is a fun regional small town tale that focuses on a major economic-social issue as the corporations replace mom and pop small businesses with big stores.  Although series fans know how this will end unless they are a halfwit, readers will enjoy the antics of the Nitwitts and other eccentric residents of Second (to none) Creek.

Harriet Klausner

Shiver-Jo Leigh

Shiver

Jo Leigh

Harlequin Blaze, Oct 1 2010, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373795758

Cartoonist Carrie Sawyer travels to remote Crider Inn near Denver for a week of ghost hunting.  Carrie has little interest in the legendary paranormal activity at the inn as she is more interested in remaining wired and unwired with cyberspace.

Carrie finds a new interest outside of the net when she meets the inn’s owner Sam Crider.  On the surface they share nothing in common.  However, each realizes the attraction includes ironically a skeptical outlook on permanent relationships, especially that con job called love.  Sam and Carrie start the week feeling ghosts are more plausible than love, but by week’s end, each reconsiders what a Shiver denotes when every kiss they share leaves both quaking for more.

Shiver is a heated comedic contemporary romance starring two likeable skeptics who believe in ghosts and the tooth fairy much more than in love.  Carrie and Sam are a wonderful pairing as each sings the refrain from the 10 CC song I’m Not In Love.  Jo Leigh writes a wonderful tale as readers will agree that Halloween should be a national holiday celebrated in a special heated way.

Harriet Klausner

Private Sessions-Tori Carrington

Private Sessions

Tori Carrington

Harlequin Blaze, Oct 1 2010, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373795727

In Earnest, Washington, an employee at her family’s firm Metaxas Limited, Bryna Metaxas proposes a partnership with business mogul Caleb Payne of Seattle.  Whereas she is talking business only, he remains upset that a relative of hers wrecked a deal while also admiring her beauty.  He decides to collect on the Metaxas debt by seducing Bryna.

Bryna is attracted to Caleb, but though he enjoys sex with her, his attitude is placing her below his partners and his mom on his pecking order.  When he is forced to analyze his desire for her, Caleb realizes what started as a payback has backfired as he has fallen in love.  Now he must come up with the deal of the century or lose everything that matters.

Although the relationship between the lead couple never evolves outside of the bedroom (extremely loose definition of boudoir) and the boardroom, readers will enjoy this fun sizzling contemporary romance.  Even with plenty of sex seemingly everywhere in the Pacific northwest, the story line will remind readers of the Doris Day-Rock Hudson fluffy comedies like Pillow Talk; with obviously a lot more blaze.  Team Carrington provides their fans with an entertaining boardroom romance.

Harriet Klausner

A Christmas Waltz-Jane Goodger

A Christmas Waltz

Jane Goodger

Zebra, Oct 1 2010, $6.99

ISBN: 9781420111507

In 1894 Lady Amelia Wellesley arrives in Small Fork, Texas from England.  Her first impression is go back home to Meremont immediately as this wild frontier is nothing like that described to her by her fiancé Wild West show performer Carson Kitteridge.

Amelia quickly learns that Carson the charmer is a duplicitous person.  He fabricated many things including their marriage.  Carson’s older brother Dr. Boone Kitteridge is a stable no nonsense person.  He has quickly fallen in love with the Englishwoman and offers to marry her.  Although she does not love Boone she accepts his proposal.  They travel to England where he becomes the village doctor and she his wife.  However, doubts leave their relationship tenuous at best.

The latest Jane Goodger Christmas historical romance (see A Christmas Scandal) is warm late Victorian tale.  The support cast is solid, but it is the American doctor and his aristocratic English wife who turn A Christmas Waltz into a poignant story; as he is Running Scared (Roy Orbison tune) of the return of his brother in their lives while she fears she will never love her caring husband. 

Harriet Klausner

The Christmas Knight-Michele Sinclair

The Christmas Knight

Michele Sinclair

Zebra, Oct 1 2010, $6.99

ISBN: 9781420108552

In 1154, their father has gone off to escort the new heir to Hunswick Castle.  He leaves behind his oldest daughter Bronwyn de Betron to take charge of their home and watch over her two always battling younger sisters (Lily and Edythe).

To the de Betron siblings’ shock and grief, their father dies.  The new heir Lord Ranulf de Gunnar arrives at the castle and proves to be a cold despicable boor.  Making matters more difficult for the grieving siblings, recently crowned King Henry has ordered Ranulf to marry Edythe.  Heeding Lily’s suggestion as she knows her sibling could not deal with such an odious person, Bronwyn impersonates her sibling until they can escape.  Instead she falls in love with brusque Ranulf, who hides a warm compassionate heart from his new charges.

This is a super Normandy medieval romance starring two lonely people, who fall in love, but the deception leaves both with no future together; ironically without the ruse they would still have no future together.  The lead couple and her sisters make for a strong entertaining historical as fans will wonder if The Christmas Knight will marry for love or duty.

Harriet Klausner