At a young age, Mercy Penhall witnessed her mother’s hanging and has not spoken in thirteen years. While sailing from Virginia to Massachusetts, her ship is destroyed by pirates and she is taken captive. Edmund Gramercy, forced by the pirates to be a captain, remains alive only because he knows how to navigate the seas. A compassionate man, Edmund protects Mercy from the other pirates, and is intrigued by her courage. Although attracted to Mercy, he realizes he can never have any sort of life with her due to his criminal background. Mercy has never experienced the feelings she holds for Edmund and would like nothing more than to remain by his side but fears she is not worthy of his love. Edmund helps Mercy escape and, from that point, both endure numerous hardships while longing for one another. Yet fate steps in more than once to bring the two together, only to be torn apart again.
Mary Clayton’s historical romance wraps the reader in an enthralling love story that moves from the high seas to colonial America. Clayton provides vivid detail of the time period with keen insight into the differences between the religious communities, the ongoing political strife, the way women were perceived, and the brutality of a pirate’s life. Characterization is excellent, from Mercy, a brave, mute Puritan who questions her religion and fears she is tainted, to Edmund, a compassionate man forced to live a cruel existence, to John Hanson, the evil Puritan minister intent on exorcising the witch within Mercy. Packed with action and suspense, readers will fall in love with the characters and this excellent love story. Highly recommended.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
CERTAIN PREY by John Sandford
CERTAIN PREY
By John Sandford
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 039914496X
Hardback, 339 pages, $24.95 US
Genre: Mystery
As a teenager, Clara Rinker ran away from home and an abusive stepfather. While working as a dancer in a strip club, Clara is raped but plots her vengeance and kills the man who assaulted her. This begins a long career for Clara as a hired killer. Carmel Loan is a successful defense attorney in Minneapolis, a woman who is used to getting what she wants. And she wants Hale Allen, but standing in her way is Allen’s wife. Through a third-party, Carmel hires Clara to kill Allen’s wife, at which point, Lucas Davenport steps into the picture. Before Clara can enjoy her new relationship with Allen, the liaison she used to contact Clara tries to blackmail Carmel, so Carmel hires Clara personally to take care of this matter. From this point, things begin to unravel, which requires Clara and Carmel to team up and commit more murders. All the while, Davenport and his crew are one step behind the two killers, with no evidence to tie either one to any of the murders.
This is the tenth book in the Prey series by John Sandford, which remains as fresh at this point as at the beginning. Lucas Davenport is an engaging character, an intelligent and intense investigator who enjoys his career chasing killers. Although there is no actual mystery to figure out here, which marks this as more of a thriller, the chase by Davenport and several strong secondary characters is fine-tuned and all the more enjoyable to follow.
By John Sandford
G.P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 039914496X
Hardback, 339 pages, $24.95 US
Genre: Mystery
As a teenager, Clara Rinker ran away from home and an abusive stepfather. While working as a dancer in a strip club, Clara is raped but plots her vengeance and kills the man who assaulted her. This begins a long career for Clara as a hired killer. Carmel Loan is a successful defense attorney in Minneapolis, a woman who is used to getting what she wants. And she wants Hale Allen, but standing in her way is Allen’s wife. Through a third-party, Carmel hires Clara to kill Allen’s wife, at which point, Lucas Davenport steps into the picture. Before Clara can enjoy her new relationship with Allen, the liaison she used to contact Clara tries to blackmail Carmel, so Carmel hires Clara personally to take care of this matter. From this point, things begin to unravel, which requires Clara and Carmel to team up and commit more murders. All the while, Davenport and his crew are one step behind the two killers, with no evidence to tie either one to any of the murders.
This is the tenth book in the Prey series by John Sandford, which remains as fresh at this point as at the beginning. Lucas Davenport is an engaging character, an intelligent and intense investigator who enjoys his career chasing killers. Although there is no actual mystery to figure out here, which marks this as more of a thriller, the chase by Davenport and several strong secondary characters is fine-tuned and all the more enjoyable to follow.
THE OVERLOOK by Michael Connelly
THE OVERLOOK
By Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316018951
Hardback, 225 pages, $21.99
Genre: Mystery
LAPD detective Harry Bosh has a new job in the Homicide Special division, which handles murders with political, celebrity or media connections, or those called hobby cases, which are difficult to solve and take much time. His first call out involves a doctor killed at an overlook above Mulholland Dam. Bosch and his new partner, Ignacio Ferras, are surprised when the FBI shows up at the crime scene. The dead doctor worked with radioactive materials and the FBI thinks his murder is tied to a terrorist plot to build and activate a dirty bomb in Los Angeles. When they learn that radioactive material has been stolen from the doctor, the case shifts to investigate the terrorists who took the substance instead of who killed the doctor. But Bosch thinks there’s more to this murder than what’s obvious.
Harry Bosch is once more at odds with the FBI and his own police department, but this relentless detective will not back down and pursues his own investigation in his own way. Bosch is an edgy man with a rebellious streak, a detective whose skills continue to keep him in good standing with the upper echelons of the police department, although he always manages to alienate most of those around him. Although this mystery is relatively easy for the reader to solve, the plot is tight and suspenseful, and takes place within a 12-hour time span.
By Michael Connelly
Little, Brown and Company
ISBN: 9780316018951
Hardback, 225 pages, $21.99
Genre: Mystery
LAPD detective Harry Bosh has a new job in the Homicide Special division, which handles murders with political, celebrity or media connections, or those called hobby cases, which are difficult to solve and take much time. His first call out involves a doctor killed at an overlook above Mulholland Dam. Bosch and his new partner, Ignacio Ferras, are surprised when the FBI shows up at the crime scene. The dead doctor worked with radioactive materials and the FBI thinks his murder is tied to a terrorist plot to build and activate a dirty bomb in Los Angeles. When they learn that radioactive material has been stolen from the doctor, the case shifts to investigate the terrorists who took the substance instead of who killed the doctor. But Bosch thinks there’s more to this murder than what’s obvious.
Harry Bosch is once more at odds with the FBI and his own police department, but this relentless detective will not back down and pursues his own investigation in his own way. Bosch is an edgy man with a rebellious streak, a detective whose skills continue to keep him in good standing with the upper echelons of the police department, although he always manages to alienate most of those around him. Although this mystery is relatively easy for the reader to solve, the plot is tight and suspenseful, and takes place within a 12-hour time span.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
THE SEARCH FOR BOBBY MCGEE by Betty Dravis
THE SEARCH FOR BOBBY MCGEE
By Betty Dravis
Amazon Short
ASIN: B000G03N25
Virgil and Winnie Crenshaw are on a tour bus headed toward Monterey to see the whales when the bus stops at Denny’s in Salinas for lunch. Winnie has been listening to Janis Joplin’s Me and Bobby McGee and realizes this is where Bobby McGee left Janis. She wonders if Bobby McGee is still alive and talks Virgil into leaving the tour with her in search of the man. The two find a craftsman who claims to know Bobby and tells them Bobby, still despondent over the death of his beloved Janis, hangs around the Mission talking to anyone who will listen about their life together. Winnie and Virgil find Bobby, who’s still good looking enough to make Winnie’s heart flutter, and take him along with them onto the tour bus and back home, in hopes of turning his life around, never knowing that things are not always as they seem.
Betty Dravis has this special talent – in one short paragraph, the reader will have a clear view of what a character looks like, their personality, and their take on the world. Not many writers can lay claim to that. Her sense of humor shines through with this short story, which had me in titters throughout. Winnie is a real hoot and such fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
By Betty Dravis
Amazon Short
ASIN: B000G03N25
Virgil and Winnie Crenshaw are on a tour bus headed toward Monterey to see the whales when the bus stops at Denny’s in Salinas for lunch. Winnie has been listening to Janis Joplin’s Me and Bobby McGee and realizes this is where Bobby McGee left Janis. She wonders if Bobby McGee is still alive and talks Virgil into leaving the tour with her in search of the man. The two find a craftsman who claims to know Bobby and tells them Bobby, still despondent over the death of his beloved Janis, hangs around the Mission talking to anyone who will listen about their life together. Winnie and Virgil find Bobby, who’s still good looking enough to make Winnie’s heart flutter, and take him along with them onto the tour bus and back home, in hopes of turning his life around, never knowing that things are not always as they seem.
Betty Dravis has this special talent – in one short paragraph, the reader will have a clear view of what a character looks like, their personality, and their take on the world. Not many writers can lay claim to that. Her sense of humor shines through with this short story, which had me in titters throughout. Winnie is a real hoot and such fun to read. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
HOMER, HECTOR AND THE SMASHED-UP JAG
HOMER, HECTOR AND THE SMASHED-UP JAG
By Betty Dravis
Amazon Short
ASIN: B0000KEGCJ4
Homer is a wealthy movie producer, with a wife who’s, well, biased against anyone who isn’t white and doesn’t have blue or green eyes. Hector is a Mexican American who works for the county and has a side business as a gardener. When Hector accidentally backs into Homer’s jag, Homer feels sorry for the man. After all, he has ten kids and no insurance. So Homer asks Hector to his mansion so they can discuss how Hector can repay him. To his surprise, Homer enjoys hanging out with Hector and agrees to go to a ball game with him. Homer’s wife isn’t happy at all about this, nor that Homer intends to move Hector and his family into his gardener’s cottage, which he intends to enlarge to accommodate them. But Homer and his wife are about to learn a valuable lesson from Hector, one that will change their lives forever.
This short story has an important message at its center, made all the more enjoyable due to Ms. Dravis’s ability to deliver one heck of a good story wrapped around great characterization and dialogue. Like a talented comedian, this author knows when and where to display her glorious sense of humor and has a real knack for keeping her readers entertained throughout. Highly recommended!
By Betty Dravis
Amazon Short
ASIN: B0000KEGCJ4
Homer is a wealthy movie producer, with a wife who’s, well, biased against anyone who isn’t white and doesn’t have blue or green eyes. Hector is a Mexican American who works for the county and has a side business as a gardener. When Hector accidentally backs into Homer’s jag, Homer feels sorry for the man. After all, he has ten kids and no insurance. So Homer asks Hector to his mansion so they can discuss how Hector can repay him. To his surprise, Homer enjoys hanging out with Hector and agrees to go to a ball game with him. Homer’s wife isn’t happy at all about this, nor that Homer intends to move Hector and his family into his gardener’s cottage, which he intends to enlarge to accommodate them. But Homer and his wife are about to learn a valuable lesson from Hector, one that will change their lives forever.
This short story has an important message at its center, made all the more enjoyable due to Ms. Dravis’s ability to deliver one heck of a good story wrapped around great characterization and dialogue. Like a talented comedian, this author knows when and where to display her glorious sense of humor and has a real knack for keeping her readers entertained throughout. Highly recommended!
V.O. by Betty Dravis
V.O.
by Betty Dravis
Amazon Short
ASIN: B0000GETT8
Charles, a respected banker in his sixties, takes a cruise with his wife and upon his return looks and acts much younger, as does his wife, who is now pregnant. When his elderly friend Walter inquires about this dramatic transformation, Charles tells him it lies with V.O. Asked to explain further, Charles swears Walter to secrecy and tells him about the cruise, where he and his wife were taken to a private room and there the most beautiful man and woman they had ever seen danced for them, culminating in the best meal they had ever eaten. Curious as to the mystery ingredient that made the meal so wonderful, they are simply told it is V.O. Walter, upon sponsorship by Charles, takes the cruise with his wife, and upon his return, Charles notes a dramatic improvement in his physical being, but is puzzled by Walter’s reluctant happiness over his transformation. It seems Walter figured out what V.O. means, and the reality of that is most horrible indeed.
Betty Dravis stands in the forefront as bestselling author of romance, mystery, and children’s books. Now she joins the ranks of Stephen King as writer of horror. The ability to incorporate such a brilliant plot -- which I’m sure King would have carried forward over 300 pages -- into a concise, well-written short story, speaks volumes of her talent. This is the first short story I’ve downloaded from Amazon and I’ve since ordered all written by Ms. Dravis, who has the unique ability to deliver a galvanizing plot which moves quickly, ending with a twist the reader does not see coming. Bravo!
by Betty Dravis
Amazon Short
ASIN: B0000GETT8
Charles, a respected banker in his sixties, takes a cruise with his wife and upon his return looks and acts much younger, as does his wife, who is now pregnant. When his elderly friend Walter inquires about this dramatic transformation, Charles tells him it lies with V.O. Asked to explain further, Charles swears Walter to secrecy and tells him about the cruise, where he and his wife were taken to a private room and there the most beautiful man and woman they had ever seen danced for them, culminating in the best meal they had ever eaten. Curious as to the mystery ingredient that made the meal so wonderful, they are simply told it is V.O. Walter, upon sponsorship by Charles, takes the cruise with his wife, and upon his return, Charles notes a dramatic improvement in his physical being, but is puzzled by Walter’s reluctant happiness over his transformation. It seems Walter figured out what V.O. means, and the reality of that is most horrible indeed.
Betty Dravis stands in the forefront as bestselling author of romance, mystery, and children’s books. Now she joins the ranks of Stephen King as writer of horror. The ability to incorporate such a brilliant plot -- which I’m sure King would have carried forward over 300 pages -- into a concise, well-written short story, speaks volumes of her talent. This is the first short story I’ve downloaded from Amazon and I’ve since ordered all written by Ms. Dravis, who has the unique ability to deliver a galvanizing plot which moves quickly, ending with a twist the reader does not see coming. Bravo!
Friday, May 23, 2008
DEAD EX by Harley Jane Kozak
DEAD EX
By Harley Jane Kozak
Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385518024
Hardback, 338 pages, $21.95
Genre: Mystery
In the third book of the Wollie Shelley series, card designer Wollie Shelley is homeless and living with her boyfriend FBI agent Simon Alexander. Wollie receives an offer to be the dating correspondent on a talk show called SoapDirt, where she will be required to date celebrities and dish about them afterward. But before Wollie has her first date, her good friend David Zetrakis is found shot to death. Zetrakis was producer of a popular soap opera and Wollie’s best friend Joey was the last person seen with him. All leads point to Joey, divorcing her husband and now penniless, and who inherits a million-dollar Klimt upon Zetrakis’s death. When Joey’s estranged husband drowns under mysterious circumstances, the police are anxious to bring Joey in, but she manages to evade them with Wollie’s help while they try to figure out who is behind the murders.
Kozak leads the reader through the streets of Los Angeles and the world of television with this entertaining caper. Wollie Shelley is an endearing character, and her life and the people around her allow for humorous moments. Overall, a charming mystery.
By Harley Jane Kozak
Doubleday
ISBN: 9780385518024
Hardback, 338 pages, $21.95
Genre: Mystery
In the third book of the Wollie Shelley series, card designer Wollie Shelley is homeless and living with her boyfriend FBI agent Simon Alexander. Wollie receives an offer to be the dating correspondent on a talk show called SoapDirt, where she will be required to date celebrities and dish about them afterward. But before Wollie has her first date, her good friend David Zetrakis is found shot to death. Zetrakis was producer of a popular soap opera and Wollie’s best friend Joey was the last person seen with him. All leads point to Joey, divorcing her husband and now penniless, and who inherits a million-dollar Klimt upon Zetrakis’s death. When Joey’s estranged husband drowns under mysterious circumstances, the police are anxious to bring Joey in, but she manages to evade them with Wollie’s help while they try to figure out who is behind the murders.
Kozak leads the reader through the streets of Los Angeles and the world of television with this entertaining caper. Wollie Shelley is an endearing character, and her life and the people around her allow for humorous moments. Overall, a charming mystery.
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