Ashley Judd with Maryanne Vallers

Ballantine, Feb 21 2012, $16.00

ISBN: 9780345523624

Overall All That Is Bitter And Sweet is a fascinating memoir as actress Ashley Judd describes her childhood and her philanthropist activity around the globe.  Ms. Judd describes growing up childhood amongst a family of performers as abusive though some of the anecdotal assertions don’t come across as very heavy at least to this reader but more like a family interacting such as teasing her when she sings.  Her work as a dedicated activist for several causes especially her efforts for Population Services International is intriguing as Ms. Judd with a Harvard Master’s degree proves she is no pampered Hollywood star (living remote on a Tennessee farm and in Scotland).  Not for everyone as there is little about her movie life or her marriage to Indy winner Dario Francitti; the focuses are on her bitter childhood and her sweet overseas advocacy.

Harriet Klausner

Beth Gutcheon

Morrow, Mar 20 2012, $25.99

ISBN: 9780061931420

On the Upper East Side of Manhattan, Loviah “Lovie” French operates a high-end dress shop known for its exquisite taste and its proprietor’s discretion; Lovie overhears all sorts of gossip from a virtual who’s who of New York.  Lovie’s two best friends Dinah Wainwright and Avis Metcalf, who she met at boarding school, despise each other over some long ago and minor (in Lovie’s mind) incident.  Dinah has become a gossip columnist covering New York’s upper class while Avis has become an art guru. 

Fate has a way of treating people with fickleness.  Dinah’s son Nick and Avis’ daughter Grace fall in love and marry.  They seem like the perfect couple, but beneath the pubic veneer lay resentment and anger as misinformation threatens their relationship.  Lovie guards everyone’s secrets that she knows, but her loyalty may prove misplaced as a tragic tsunami floods the lives of people she cherishes.  Filled with regret, Lovie ponders if keeping confidences was a mistake.

With the misinformation and disinformation in the Republican primary impacting the results, Beth Gutcheon provides a timely family drama that focuses on the impact of unchallenged false information built from seemingly creditable data on people.  Character driven by a strong ensemble cast, readers will appreciate Lovie’s loyalty though it proves misplaced. 

Harriet Klausner

Opal Carew

St. Martin’s Griffin, Feb 14 2012, $14.99

ISBN: 9780312674618

Crystal and Brent are about to marry when the best man Evan, having spent a restless night overthinking what he should do, confronts the bride with his confession that he loves her.  Stunned by his revelation, Crystal is further shocked when Brent vanishes just before the ceremony. 

The marriage is off so Evan persuades Crystal to go on her honeymoon with him.  They arrive at the tropical getaway only to their amazement Brent shows up too.  He wants his fiancée back as he insists he loves her but hepanicked and fled.  The two best friends compete for Crystal who knows she must choose one and leave the other behind or none when the two weeks in the tropics end; as the days of ecstasy pass, she considers keeping both of her lovers.

This is a heated erotic romance with plenty sex between W-M, M-M and F-F.  While the heat is on, the story line is thin and none of the characters are full blooded except for the males’ lower heads.  Still sub-genre fans will enjoy a sexual fantasy stay in the tropics.

Harriet Klausner

Steven M. Forman

Forge, Jan 31 2012, $25.99

ISBN: 9780765328762

In 2006 in Boca Raton, Florida, retired Boston cop Eddie “the Boca Knight” Perlmutter knows firsthand that sexagenarian is a misleading word.  Eddie is working a few cases.  First he makes inquiries into the assault of homeless Weary Willie.  Second his partner Lou Dewey conducts research into the financial activities of B.I. Grover who Eddie believes runs a Ponzi scheme.  Finally he pursues the pill mills selling prescription drugs on the street.

Street hoods with guns kill innocent people leading to gangbanger leader Mad Dog Walken helping Eddie.  Meanwhile homeless Three Bag Bailey demands he live up to his nickname.  Eddie knows he walks into the ugly as his knees ache; which he admits is chronically all the time.

The latest jocular Boca Knight South Florida private investigative tale (see Boca Mournings) stars a likable hero and a strong eccentric cast.  The tone is set when Lou mentions some financier dude named Madoff appears to be pulling a Ponzi, but Eddie tells him to forget the sidebar and focus on Grover.  Fast-paced and fill with action and humor, readers will appreciate the witty battling Boca Knight as he seeks justice for the disenfranchised on bad wheels.

Harriet Klausner

Dom Testa

Tor Teen, Feb 14 2012, $17.99

ISBN: 9780765321121

On earth, mankind is dying out.  Only 250 chosen teens were sent into space on board the Galahad to find a new home for what is left of the species (see The Cassini Code).  One year away from their home, the survivors have faced a difficult journey, but so far prove that the adults who selected them picked those with the right stuff.  However, the latest problem seems insurmountable as the vessel is falling apart having gone through the normal rigor of outer space, but amplified by alien attacks, internal sabotage and worm hole devastation (see The Comet’s Curse and The Web of Titan).  Days remain with no exit strategy as a virus loaded to the computer has speed up the doomsday countdown. 

That is until Council leader Triana Martell returns from her journey through a wormhole (see Cosmic Storm).  Accompanying her back to the Galahad is the ambassador of the Dollovit who offers them a chance to survive but at what price. 

This is a strong finish to a great teenage science fiction thriller.  The storyline is fast-paced as the leader returns with an option that may save the crew but can they trust this alien race after meeting a bellicose species early in their journey.  Readers will enjoy the adventures of the space crew Galahad as Dom Testa provides a fabulous space odyssey in which he sums up in his afterward note to his audience that like those on board, the cool person is the smart person.

Harriet Klausner

Gail Z. Martin

Orbit, Feb 1 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780316093613

Weary of war but knowing hostilities are heating up; tired King Donelan of Isencroft goes to lie down in his bed.  However, an assassin rigged a bow contraption underneath, which is activated when the monarch’s weight hit the bed.  The ruler is dead and the kingdom is on the verge of civil war.  Donelan’s daughter Queen Kiara Sharsequin Drayke leaves her husband and child behind in Margolan to go home as the monarch and prevent the civil war at a time when external crisis threatens the country.

Elsewhere in the Winter Kingdoms, trouble has returned with the bellicose rise of normally isolated Temnotta.  At the same time, Kiara’s mate Summoner-King Martris Drayke (see Chronicles of the Necromancer) struggles with sorcery and steel combat coming to his nation at a time Tris fears for the soul of his infant child while he must use forbidden magic to deal the rise of the Dread.

The latest Fallen King’s Cycle political-military fantasy (see The Sworn) starts off with the shocking assassination, but slows down immediately afterward while the numerous subplots are established.  Once done, the storyline accelerates into a rousing thriller as war has returned to the Winter Kingdoms.  Filled with minute details, fans will believe they traverse the dangerous realms of the Martin mythos.

Harriet Klausner

J.F. Lewis

Pocket, Jan 31 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9781451651867

Eric Courtney the vampire wonders how killing one evil vampire ruler could cause such sh*tty chaos in Void City.  His Mouser Talbot explained many time over the past year that it is easier to criticize the opposition than to rule.  Still Eric in spite of his tumultuous tsuris as the city’s leader, would kill again; as Lord Phillip, the twisted late city ruler, deserved to die for his assault on Courtney’s adopted lunatic daughter Greta.  Now by default he is the ruler of a lunacy ridden Void City as the riffraff has risen to the surface with Phil’s demise. 

Responsibility sucks, but it is time for to begin the Big Plan.  First is to kill immortal VCPD Captain Stacey the crooked Mouser running unlawful enforcement due to a deal with the Mages Guild.  That is if Eric can remember not to step out of the squad car into the sun as his Alzheimer’s syndrome can make him forget to stay out of the sun..  He orders Stacey to leave his hole and meet him at a scene where many cops lay comatose thanks to his Eric’s mage Magbidion.  Step two is to place Greta as sheriff; her crazed credo is to kill first and ask questions afterward.  The final transformation is hell breaks loose in Void City as Lord Eric demands loyalty or else.   That’s just the job; his personal life is even more screwed up with family curses and cursed females.

The latest Void City fantasy (see Crossed, Revamped and Staked) is a fabulous satirical noir starring an antihero whose attitude switches from bad ass leave me alone to bad ass I’m in charge.  Fans will enjoy his “transformation” while he deals with myriad of paranormal species with demons always lurking in the gut.

Harriet Klausner

Neta Jackson

Thomas Nelson, Mar 13 2012, $15.99

ISBN: 9781595548641

University of Arizona pre-Med student Kathryn Davies attends the Midwest Music Festival in Illinois.  Following the Resurrection Band concert, Kat has given her heart to Jesus.  She knows she must tell her family who will go ballistic as her DNA imprint says medicine; but she enjoys working with kids as she did with ESL students.  She plans to transfer to Chicago Crista University to major in Christian Ed.

Three years later, Kat and her school friends attend the SouledOut Community Church, a multi-cultural place of worship where she meets elementary school Principal Avis Douglass.  Kat’s mouth gets her in trouble with Avis and others as the student’s tendency to say what she thinks is grating.  However, what divides the pair is their path to God as Kat is flamboyant while Avis is reserved.  Still they share estrangement from loved ones; Kat from her family in Phoenix and Avis from her MIA youngest daughter.

The first SouledOut Sisters contemporary urban inspirational tale is a great story starring a strong cast especially the lead females who on the surface seem polar opposites but share two essential elements: their love for Jesus who they pray stands with them and the estrangements.  Using real social issues like dumpster diving, racism and HIV, Neta Jackson provides her Yada Yada fans with a powerful tale.

Harriet Klausner

Erin Duffy

Morrow, Jan 24 2012, $24.99

ISBN: 9780062065896

Alex Garrett always dreamed of taking Manhattan by storm; not song as the latter is Sinatra’s gig whiles hers is Wall St. having just graduated from the University of Virginia in the class of 2006.  She feels great about landing a position on the “Street” and getting an apartment in the West Village.  Besides no sleep due to the noise of the city that never sleeps, Alex is treated as a female tyro by her office.  Instead of trading, she fixes her boss’ spreadsheets, and takes food and drink orders from the males in the office.  Although bored, she survives due to a wicked sense of humor.  Ultimately Alex begrudgingly earns respect from her colleagues and begins to date a huggable even as the financial tsunami threatens to drown the Street.

This is a fascinating look at Wall St. just prior to and during the Great Recession crisis.  The storyline starts breezy and satirical focusing on the pitfalls of a single female newcomer living in the Big Apple and working the Street.  When Alex gets her break she spins into Putt’s Law of Failure recommendation to fail big so you can keep your job by learning from your mistakes.  However, though timely and entertaining, the trials and tribulations of the newcomer in Manhattan is a typical amusing chick lit with the tsuris level relatively low considering what is going on the Street.

Harriet Klausner

Katherine Ashe

Avon, Feb 28 2012, $7.99

ISBN: 9780062031662

In 1813 London, Lambert Poole ruined Lady Katherine “Kitty” Savege.  She pretends to still want him but instead she wants to learn his secrets.  She attends a masquerade where she sees Lord Leam Blackwood back from overseas and is attracted to him; as he is to her.  Kitty drops her plans to destroy Poole until the rat threatened her brother six months ago.  She gives information to the Home Office about Poole’s illegal dealing.  He flees to France to live in poverty.

In 1816 Leam informs Colin Gray he quit the Falcon Club as he plans to spend time with his son in Scotland.  Gray asks him to perform a last mission to learn whether member Captain Jinan Seton also quit and to look into French activity in Scotland.  Wyn Yale accompanies Leam.  A blizzard strands Kitty and her friend Lady Emily Vale at an inn.  Also stopping due to the weather are Leam and Yale.  Leam and Kitty recognize each other and the attraction remains strong.  David Cox comes to the inn to stay until the snow melts.  He flirts with Kitty which make Leams jealous.  Kitty and Leam play strip cards before making love.  Later a sniper wings Kitty, but gets away; she demands the truth from Leam.

This entertaining Regency is a wonderful historical as the romance seems real while the suspense enhances the plot.  The lead couple and the support cast are fully developed.  Although I personally do not like local vernacular, but the use of the Scottish brogue adds authenticity to the engaging tale.  Although the climax is a bit weak, sub-genre fans will enjoy this exciting nineteenth century romantic suspense.

Harriet Klausner