2010 May 14

Book Review: The Scorpion’s Bite by Aileen G. Baron

Title: The Scorpion’s Bite
Author: Aileen G. Baron
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publication Date: July 1, 2010
Paperback: 250 pages
ISBN: 978-1590587553
Genre: Historical Mystery

From the Publisher:

It is 1943 and the world is at war. Archaeologist Lily Sampson has been sent to Trans-Jordan, by the OSS, along with Gideon Weil, the famous director of the American School of Archeology in Jerusalem. As part of their survey, they roam the beautiful, silent, Trans-Jordanian desert where the indelible presence of Lawrence of Arabia is still lingers, and where the ancient Nabateans once ruled an empire from their capital in Petra. Soon Lily and Gideon are stranded in the Wadi Rum, and their Bedouin guide is murdered. When Gideon is accused of the crime, Lily must clear him of the accusation. Lily discovers that two oil pipelines run from Iraq through the desert to the ports on Mediterranean, one through one through Trans-Jordan that supplies the Allies, the other through Syria that supplies the Nazis. Syrians and Vichy French are raiding across the border, threatening to destroy the Trans-Jordan pipeline. Lily discovers their real mission is to help safeguard the Trans-Jordan pipeline and to prevent oil from reaching the Nazis through Syria. At the same time Lily learns of a Nazi plot to kidnap and kill the eight-year old King Faisal of Iraq and take over Iraq.Now, Lily and Gideon must act to protect the Trans-Jordan pipeline, sabotage the Syrian line, and rescue Faisal to prevent the Nazi takeover of Iraq.

My Review:

A beautifully descriptive and mysterious novel, The Scorpion’s Bite by Aileen G. Barron is a definite page-turner. WWII is waging on when two archeologists, Gideon Weil and Lily Samson, along with photographer Klaus Steiner set out on an archeological mission from the OSS to survey Trans-Jordan, or so they are lead to believe. Then one morning their Bedouin guide, Qasim ibn Achmad disappears, later to be found murdered and even though Gideon has an airtight alibi, he is arrested. Lily is sheltered and lead through the Nabtean lands by various kind Bedouins to Petra where she is to meet with Colonel John Glubb and learn of her next directive. Gideon, Klaus and Lily are in for more than they bargained for and their very lives may be at stake and the killers have followed them to Azraq but to say more would give the entire novel away. Dr. Barren writes a compelling historical mystery with such extraordinary detail one feels as though one is beside Lily in the desert. The characters, good and evil, are wonderfully detailed, portrayed and realistic in a plot that will keep the reader thoroughly engaged until the last word is read. I highly recommend The Scorpion’s Bite to anyone who is interested in history, WWII, archeology, or merely intrigued by an excellent mystery novel.

For more information about the author, please visit Aileen G. Baron’s website.

I received a complimentary copy of The Scorpion’s Bite by Aileen G. Baron from Poisoned Pen Press for review. Receiving a free copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

Book Review: Still the One by Robin Wells

Still the One
Author: Robin Wells
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: May 1, 2010
Paperback: 432 pages
ISBN: 978-0446555982
Genre: Fiction, Romance

From the Publisher:

Robin Wells takes us back to Chartreuse, Louisiana, for a deeply moving story of forgiveness and second chances.

STILL THE ONE

After Katie Charmaine’s husband is killed in Iraq, all she has left is a closet full of his clothes, a few pictures, and fond memories. She not only lost her love, but her last chance to have the children she’s always wanted. Until Zack Ferguson shows up in town . . . with the daughter Katie gave up for adoption nearly seventeen years ago.

Zack Ferguson has never forgotten Katie, or the one magical night they spent together. Seeing her again brings up a tidal wave of emotions: regret over the way he left her, anger at the secret she kept, and desire he hasn’t felt in years. But he’s in town for Gracie. Their daughter is sixteen, angry at the world, and-worst of all-pregnant. She needs the love of her two parents now more than ever. Can these three forgive the hurts of the past and open their hearts to each other?

My Review:

Families come in all shapes and sizes as is evident in Robin Wells’ novel Still the One. It does not take long for word to travel around small town Chartreuse, Louisiana, that Katie Charmaine not only has a pregnant 17-year-old daughter, but the wealthy and handsome man who bought Ashton house is the father. After Gracie’s adoptive parents were killed in an automobile accident she was sent to live with her aunt where she discovered the identities of her birth parents. After Googling their names she discovered her birth father was quite wealthy and sought him out in hopes of obtaining money and having him help be declared an emancipated minor. However, things did not go quite as Gracie had planned; her Aunt will only agree to relinquish guardianship as long as Katie and Zack share custody of Gracie. The news shocks the small town, Katie’s life and the lives of those she loves. Wells weaves together a beautiful southern novel in a charming town filled with friends, gossip, and a fair share of advice. It has been over two years since Katie’s husband Paul died in Iraq, yet she has not moved on, longing for her husband and the children they never had. Now she finds herself caring for the baby she lovingly gave up and worrying about her future and the future of her grandchild as well as how Zack fits into her life. Still the One tackles some difficult family and life issues in an emotionally packed novel as Wells weaves the various storylines together beautifully and lovingly. Still the One is a beautiful story of true love and one I heartily recommend.

About the Author:

Robin Wells is an accomplished romance author, having written over a dozen titles for Harlequin. She is the author of Baby, Oh Baby (Lovespell, 7/03), which won the National Readers’ Choice Award. Robin Wells has won the prestigious National Golden Heart Award from the Romance Writers of America, and her novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

Five Fun Facts
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I received a complimentary copy of Still the One by Robin Wells from Hachette. Receiving a free copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.