Survivors-James Wesley, Rawles

Survivors

James Wesley, Rawles

Atria, Oct 4 2011, $15.34

ISBN: 9781439172803

 

While politicians fiddled with fake solutions, the economic Crunch had begun.  The debt officially at six trillion was over 3 trillion when obligations and off line credit card gimmicks were added to the calculation.  Off budget was the only response DC had to the crisis.  The dollar is useless; replaced by precious medals, bartering or stealing.  People horded what they could, but looting and mob murder took over the streets.

 

In Afghanistan, Army Ordinance Captain Andy Laine realizes the Crunch will leave soldiers abandoned so he stashes supplies and begins an odyssey to get to his family in Farmington, New Mexico.  His brother Lars, a 30-point veteran, tries to keep his wife Beth and their daughter Anelli safe on the family farm in New Mexico.  Lars also takes in the three teenage Phelps siblings (Matthew, Reuben, and Shadrack).  Not all maintain their humanity while trying to survive.  Having established a warehouse near Houston to store his loot, Ignacio Garcia forms La Fuerza, a gang that raids unprotected communities in the southwest.

 

Survivors is a fascinating cautionary tale that extrapolates what his happening in DC, Wall Street and around the world to predict the collapse of the American Corporacy and how various people will act and react to the implosion rings true.  Loaded with plenty of data to defend James Wesley, Rawles assertion a collapse is imminent (for instance fighting two wars on a credit card mentality). is believable. The intriguing story line follows a horde of survivors struggling with the ordeal of the aftermath of the Crunch.  Although there are too many stories in the Rawles landscape making it difficult to keep score, fans will relish the “coming collapse” of America.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Alterant-Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

Alterant

Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love

Pocket, Sep 27 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9781439195246

 

In just over an hour, Evalle Kincaid will face the Tribunal on charges that will lead to her eternal lock up.  She feels it is unfair since she was too busy saving mankind from an eight-century old warlord to prepare her defense as the only freed Alterant.  Her other half-breed species are dead or caged by the purebred Belador.  However, Storm the VIPER tracker tells her of Alterant attacks from three escapees.  Brina defends her at the Tribunal of Gods, but Evalle concludes protecting humanity is not enough for the biased Tribunal.

 

One of the Tribunal Loki, to anger another member Ares, suggests she prove herself by bringing in the escaped murdering Alterant.  Brina tells her sixteen not three got out; eight are dead but the rest remain on a killing spree.  Brina is aware that the Belador link is a death trap for her kind so she needs Evalle who she trusts with her life to hunt down the killers.  To succeed in hunting down her now kind, Evalle knows she needs Tristan, an escaped Alterant she sent back to his jail.  He is like Ares in that he wants Evalle dead.

 

 

The second Belador urban fantasy (see Blood Trinity) is an exciting thriller that once again makes the world of Kenyon-Love seems genuine with multiple species.  Evalle is a terrific kick butt heroine while Brina and others show their trust of her by willing to put their neck on the line with the Tribunal.  Although fans will get impatient with the Tribunal, the story line is filled with action and betrayal as Evalle knows when dealing with fickle superiors, deals tend to be flushed as excrement.

 

Harriet Klausner

Marco: Book 3 of the Books of Insanity -KT Pinto

Marco: Book 3 of the Books of Insanity

KT Pinto

By Light Unseen Media, Sep 1 2011, $10.00

ISBN: 9781935303237

 

The Unseelie Fae Queen allows Celeste the vampyress and her companion Vanity the werecat to live.  However, the Fae Queen gives them no choice where she dumps them.  Knights loyal to Cai of Britannia capture the pair.  Cai calls Celeste his sister Morgan and has Vanity locked away in his dungeon.  Celeste knows Cai as the renowned Roman General and vampire Marco.

 

He explains why he changed his name and what he is plotting.  He introduces her to Arturus who Marco believes will make a good king of Britannia, but wants to make him a legend.  She agrees to assist him with creating the legend of chivalrous King Arthur and his knights.  As she develops a money source of prostitutes, Celeste begins the scheme of turning an honorable warrior into a legend starting with the Lady of the Lake and the Sword in the Stone.  With assistance from another vampyre Lucifer, eventually released Vanity, and a surprising third heavenly source, High King Arthur of Britannia will live forever.

 

The third “Books of Insanity” (see Celeste and Vanity) is an intriguing refreshing look at the development of the Arthurian mythos.  Although on the surface Celeste’s history (and that of Vanity) will remind readers of Chelsea Quinn Yarbo’s Count Saint Germain; they are polar opposites when it comes to morality; as she has no qualms about drinking the pure blood of a three year old though even though the toddler will die and she has other choices.  Celeste is a fascinating evil protagonist whose actions keep the story line focused as she and her comrades create a legend.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Wolf Among The Stars-Steve White

Wolf Among The Stars

Steve White

Baen, Nov 1 2011, $25.00

ISBN 9781451637540

 

Five decades have passed since the alien Lokaron invasion.  The earthlings responded to the annexation of the planet into the Lokaron Empire as a colony by either rebelling or becoming human quislings belonging to the Earth First party (see Eagle Against the Stars).  As a result of the resistance, the mighty Lokaron Empire threatens to implode into a civil war.

 

Captain Andrew Roark investigates the strange death of his superior officer Admiral Arnstein.  The victim’s grieving daughter Rachel, wanting justice for her father, joins him on his inquiry.  They soon uncover a diabolical plan  in which the alien shapeshifting Kappainu manufacture incidents leading to interstellar combat in which they will be the victors.  In a strange bedfellows’ way, Lokaron agent Reislon’Sygnath accompanies the humans; they seek a way to prevent the insidious shapeshifters from shifting the power in the galaxy.

 

Wolf Among the Stars is an exciting action-packed military science fiction thriller.  The story line is fast-paced from the moment the hero investigates the admiral’s death and never slows down as a homicide inquiry turns into a save the galaxy conspiracy tale.  Although there is too frequent use of passive commentary to describe the issues facing the lead trio, readers will enjoy this engaging tale while wondering whose side Reislon’Sygnath really is on.

 

Harriet Klausner

Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart

Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature’s Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart

Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

Ballantine, Oct 11 2011, $15.00

ISBN: 9780345524966

 

The key to the twenty-two short stories collection is how the various contributors pay homage to Jane Austen in diverse ways; the authors stayed true to their prime genre but did it while honoring the great writer.  A woman spends “A Night at Northanger” (by Lauren Willig) where she meets a famous ghost.  Sara receives a gift of a locket with Austen’s hair inside as her boyfriend ends their relationship; when she wakes up she finds Austen;s spirit at her side to guide her as “The Ghostwriter” (by Elizabeth Ashton).  In 2010 Austen sends her “Love and Best Wishes, Aunt Jane” (by Adriana Trigiani) to her engaged niece while Jo Beverly brings humor in “Jane Austen and the Mistletoe Kiss” and Janet Mullany’s “Jane Austen, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!” shows one degree of separation between Jane and the Beatles.  With hooks to the novels like Jane Odiwe’s “Waiting” for Persuasion” and Laurie Viera Rigler’s law suits against Pride and Prejudice rip-offs (see “Intolerable Stupidity”), this is a fun anthology; sub title aside.

 

Harriet Klausner

Trust Me, I’m Dr. Ozzy: Advice from Rock’s Ultimate Survivor

Trust Me, I’m Dr. Ozzy: Advice from Rock’s Ultimate Survivor

Ozzy Osbourne , Chris Ayres

Grand Central, Oct 11 2011, $26.99

ISBN: 9781455503339

 

Combing his advice columns in Rolling stone and the Sunday Times enhanced with additional memorable incidents, Ozzie Osbourne provides a humorous survivor’s handbook by a man recognized as the human drug experiment having tried every known elixir and not known potions.  That does not include his cognac consumption.  Known for biting the head off a bat, but not known for the rabies treatment that followed, Dr. Ozzy is at his irreverent best with this anecdotal collection that will have readers saying he did what.  Perhaps the best section is the questions from fans asking Dr. Ozzy for advice, which he provides in spite of Dr. Malory Practice insisting he is un-certifiable to give consultations.  Filled with humor and a don’t try this at home attitude, readers will enjoy the best “Advice from Rock’s Ultimate Survivor”.  To paraphrase former Indians Manager Mike Hargrove when he said “That’s just Manny being Manny”; that’s Ozzy just being Ozzy.  While his wife Sharon compares his survivor acumen to cockroaches, this amusing advice book proves Ozzy Osbourne is the ultimate Darwin Award winner as he challenges the survivor tenet.

 

Harriet Klausner

I’m Not Her-Janet Gurtler

I’m Not Her

Janet Gurtler

Sourcebooks, May 1 2011, $9.99

ISBN: 9781402256363

 

In Washington State, Tess the brain is the younger sister of the most popular girl at Great Heights High School they both attend.  Kristina is a beautiful athletic extrovert while Tess is a brilliant introvert.  However, Tess’ I’m Not her attitude changes when her sibling’s volleyball career crashes with the diagnosis that she suffers from bone cancer.  As the family relationships take on a new dynamic, Kristina receives chemo right way. 

 

Kristina goes from the top of the world to the Grand Canyon of depression.  Although she loathes being the center of attention, Tess suddenly becomes in at school as everyone wants news flashes on Kristina; Tess’ BFF Melissa seems to gloat with the fall of the school queen ending a friendship since fifth grade.  Their mom exacerbates the situation with parties and shopping sprees as she is in denial refusing to accept her oldest daughter is deathly ill.   Their dad avoids his three females hiding at work.  However, while Tess works on winning the Oswald Drawing Prize, she finds boys like Nick Evonic interested in her, but receives emotional support from an academic rival Clark Trent who understands what she is going through; while Tess is there for Kristina.

 

Ironically Tess tells the tale of how her sister’s illness changes relationships in the family and community, Kristina though often off page holds the insightful story line together.  The cast is strong as the actions and reactions of various townsfolk towards Kristina reveal their inner strengths and weaknesses.  Young adult readers will appreciate this insightful tale as it takes a village to cope with a deadly disease assaulting a teen.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Fires of Winter-Roberta Gellis

Fires of Winter

Roberta Gellis

Sourcebook, Nov 1 2011, $9.99

ISBN: 9781402255014

 

Bruno is the offspring of the holder of Jernaeve Keep Sir William Fermain and Berta the whore.  His father refuses to recognize Bruno even as a bastard of his.

 

Lady Melusine of Ulle has been raised in luxury as the cherished daughter of Sir Malcolm and his wife.  Though her dad has lineage to the Scottish throne, but not to Ulle, Malcolm owes his control of the keep partially because he is a fair honest leader and partially because he has the King’s support.

 

Years later, civil war divides the country.  Melusine’s father and brother support King David against King Stephen.  Declared traitors, Bruno leads a unit of King Stephen’s army that takes Ulle.  To anchor his stronghold, King Stephen orders his loyal soldier Bruno to marry the traitor’s daughter.  On their wedding night, Melusine sets the tone of their marriage when she tries to kill her new spouse.  As they begin to find common ground besides an unwanted attraction, Bruno remains loyal to his liege even becoming incarcerated with him, but he is looking forward to return to the wife he now cherishes.

 

This reprint of a classic twelfth century romance showcases the talent of the great Roberta Gellis.  The terrific story line rotates perspective between the lead couple in an epic sweep of the years, but also maintains a strong medieval base as the protagonists are a sign of their times in a great historical

 

Harriet Klausner

 

Christmas at Timberwoods-Fern Michaels

Christmas at Timberwoods

Fern Michaels

Zebra, Oct 1 2011, $7.99

ISBN: 9780821775875

 

The holidays are always the busiest time of the year for stores.  It is also the most hectic for security workers.  Heather Andrews is the security manager at the Timberwoods Mall as the Christmas holiday shopping season begins; which means much longer hours requiring greater vigilance as besides shoppers coming out so do thieves.

 

The mall’s holiday designer Angela Steinhart informs Heather she has visions of doom at Timberwoods.  Angela insists her premonitions come true.  Although Heather wants to ignore the obviously upset and disturbed woman as a nut, she knows to never ignore any possible threat.  However, pressure mounts on Angela to be quiet to the point the loner who is unable to cope vanishes.  Heather and her boss Felex Lassiter take serious any possible threat but keep it low keyed so as to avoid causing a panic when in all probability Angela’s visions are delusional.

 

This is a strong romantic suspense with the security during the packed mall season being the lead subplot.  Fast-paced and cast driven by troubled Angela, dedicated Heather, and loyal Lex; readers will enjoy the countdown to death and destruction for those enjoying Christmas at Timberwoods.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

The Cheaters / Dial M for Man-Orrie Hitt

The Cheaters / Dial M for Man

Orrie Hitt

Stark House, Oct 28 2011, $19.95

ISBN: 978-1933586359

 

“The Cheaters.”  Big twentyish Clint Mayer leaves his hometown of Beaverkill for working class Wilton.  He meets Charlie Fletcher, owner of a bar near the docks.  Charlie also runs a prostitution ring, in which he pays Police Detective Red Brandon extortion money.  Clint offers to buy out Charlie’s businesses until he meets the man’s wife Debbie.  He revises his business plan to include Debbie.  However, he failed to understand how ambitious and lethal Debbie is.

 

“Dial M For Man.”  TV repairman Hob Sampson makes a house call to fix the set of Doris Condon, wife of wealthy Ferris who holds a grudge against him.  Upon seeing the beautiful blonde bombshell, Hob knows she is trouble for him.  He tries to focus on his Kathy, but like a moth to a light he cannot resist Doris.  Although he knows what he does is amoral, Hob needs Ferris eliminated so he can be with Doris; who has a different ending in mind for her new knight in shining armor,

 

These two exciting 1950s pulp fiction reprints share a common theme as outlined in the Afterward (by Michael Hemmingson) of a man losing his moral compass to a femme fatale married to a rich older person.  Both entries are mindful of James M. Cain’s Double Indemnity, as Orrie Hitt provides two exciting character driven thrillers that will have readers seeking more from an author who brings out the gritty sleazy side of 1950s towns; Brian Ritt’s Introduction provides more on Mr. Hitt’s sense of place.

 

Harriet Klausner