Book Review: Tempted By A Warrior by Amanda Scott

Saturday 10 July, 2010 By 4 Comments

Title: Tempted By A Warrior
Author: Amanda Scott
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: July 1, 2010
Paperback: 432 pages
ISBN: 978-0446561327
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

From the Publisher:

Lady Fiona, wed in haste, has never known marital peace. When last she’d seen her cruel husband Will, he’d struck her – and she has no memory of what she did next – only that she woke later alone in her bedchamber. Will has gone missing, and Fiona fears that in her rage and terror she might somehow have killed him. When her husband’s cousin Sir Richard comes to search for Will, Fiona is touched by his warm nature. A knight and warrior, Richard is drawn to Fiona’s brave manner, quickly seeing in her an equal measure of inner courage.

My Review:

Tempted By A Warrior by Amanda Scott is the third in her Dunwythie series.  The book begins in 1377 Scotland with seventeen-year-old Lady Fiona, who is with child, being beaten by her husband Will Jardine.  A short time later, Sir Richard Seyton, Laird of Kirkhill is summoned to Applegarth by Old Jardine to find out what has become of his missing son Will and to be informed he has been declared lawful guardian of Applegarth as well as Lady Fiona’s unborn baby.  Should Will indeed be proven dead, as is feared and the baby be born a female, Kirkhill shall inherit everything.  Scott writes a descriptive and intriguing novel filled with some rather nasty men and thankfully a kind hero in the Laird.  Lady Fiona is quite young and has clearly been mistreated for far too long.  Rumors spread and it is not long before speculation of Will’s death turns to Fiona as being his killer.  All answers lie with Will, yet no one appears to know of his whereabouts. Kirkhill desperately wants to locate his cousin and is soon pressed for time as Lady Fiona is being blamed.  I found the mystery intriguing and the back stories to be quite enlightening, yet the story was at times difficult for me to get through, because my 14th century Scottish is poor, however Scott does offer the reader a few aids to Scottish words.  I believe I would have enjoyed Tempted By A Warrior more if I had read the first two books in the series, Seduced By A Rogue and Tamed By A Laird.  The story is solid and the plot moves along at a comfortable pace.  Scott’s characters are most definitely memorable, some even enjoyable and her descriptions of Scotland are quite lovely.  I suggest reading the previous novels first if one prefers a more in depth background; otherwise Tempted By A Warrior is a solid choice for those looking for a late medieval Scottish romance novel.

About the Author:

Amanda Scott is the author of over 50 romance novels and the recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Award. She lives in Folsom, California, outside of Sacramento. She is a fourth-generation Californian.

Five Fun Facts

I received a complimentary copy of Tempted By A Warrior by Amanda Scott from Hachette. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review and Tour: Think of a Number by John Verdon

Friday 9 July, 2010 By 5 Comments

Title: Think of a Number
Author: John Verdon
Publisher: Crown
Publication Date: July 6, 2010
Hardcover: 432 pages
ISBN: 978-0307588920
Genre: Fiction, Thriller

About the book:

Arriving in the mail one day is a taunting letter that ends with a simple declaration “See how well I know your secrets-just think of a number.” Eerily, those who comply find that the letter writer has predicted their random choice exactly.

For Dave Gurney, just retired as the NYPD’s top homicide investigator and forging a new life with his wife, Madeleine, in upstate New York, the letters are oddities that begin as a diverting puzzle but quickly ignite a massive serial-murder investigation.

Brought in as an investigative “consultant,” Gurney soon accomplishes deductive breakthroughs that have local police in awe. Yet, with each taunting move by his seemingly clairvoyant opponent, Gurney feels his tragedy-marred past rising up to haunt him, his marriage approaching a dangerous precipice, and, finally, a dark, cold fear building that he’s met an adversary who can’t be stopped.

My Review:

In his debut novel, Think Of A Number, John Verdon offers the reader a gripping intellectual thriller that quickly absorbs the reader into the story, trying to unravel the clues until the very end. Upon Dave Gurney’s retiring from the NY Homicide Department, he and his wife Madeleine moved to upstate New York for some peace and quiet. In their mid-40s, Madeleine is outgoing and endeavours to get her husband to enjoy life more. Her last attempt failed miserably for her, yet it delighted him. They took an art class and soon Dave was under Sonya’s spell and making Mug Shot Art, compositions out of killer’s mug shots, much to his enjoyment and Madeleine’s dismay.
Their lives are about to change yet again with the visit from Mark Mellery, an old college acquaintance of Dave’s, bringing with him two mysterious letters he has received in the hopes the greatest mind of the NYPD can solve them. The only problem is Dave is retired and his wife would prefer him to stay that way. When Dave learns of the third letter he realizes he cannot stop trying to unravel the puzzles with the letters and Madeleine is there to offer her opinion and advice. Madeleine reminds me of a younger and modern Miss Marple, her intelligence, love of life and people make her an exceptionally charming character. Dave is the opposite of his wife. He is methodical, almost to obsession, and prefers seclusion, and yet Dave works his way into the reader’s heart.
Think Of A Number is not only an intelligent thriller but in many ways brings forth a new form of thriller, by which I mean it is not of the cookie-cutter variety, rather Verdon offers up a deeply psychological suspense thriller, murder, intrigue and plenty of puzzles and red herrings to keep the reader clearly involved. Verdon has cleverly crafted not only an exceptional thriller but also displays beautiful literary characteristics in his use of vivid descriptions and details of the characters, their lives, and their surroundings. Think Of A Number was a book I was dreadfully sorry to see end and fervently hope this is just the beginning of John Verdon’s Dave Gurney novels. Without reservation I recommend Think Of A Number to anyone looking for an exceptionally thought out thriller.

About the Author:

JOHN VERDON has held several executive positions with Manhattan advertising firms, but like his protagonist, he recently relocated with his wife to rural upstate New York.

For further information:

  • Starting on 7/12 and running through 7/25, THINK OF A NUMBER is being offered as an e-book for the special price of $5.99!
  • Play the creepy/cool Think of a Number game here.
  • For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.

I received a complimentary copy of Think Of A Number by John Verdon from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

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Book Review: Twice Tempted By A Rogue by Tessa Dare

Thursday 8 July, 2010 By 1 Comment

Title: Twice Tempted By A Rogue
Author: Tessa Dare
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: June 22, 2010
Paperback: 384 pages
ISBN: 978-0345518873
Genre: Fiction

About the book:

Luck is a double-edged sword for brooding war hero Rhys St. Maur. His death wish went unanswered on the battlefield, while fate allowed the murder of his good friend in the elite gentlemen’s society known as the Stud Club. Out of options, Rhys returns to his ancestral home on the moors of Devonshire, expecting anything but a chance at redemption in the arms of a beautiful innkeeper who dares him to take on the demons of his past—and the sweet temptation of a woman’s love.

Meredith Maddox believes in hard work, not fate, and romance isn’t part of her plan. But when Rhys returns, battle-scarred, world-weary, and more dangerously attractive than ever, the lovely widow is torn between determination and desire. As a deep mystery and dangerous smugglers threaten much more than their passionate reckoning, Meredith discovers that she must trust everything to a wager her heart placed long ago.

My Review:

Twice Tempted By A Rogue by Tessa Dare is the second book in her newest trilogy.  After eleven years serving in the army’s light infantry unit, Rhys St. Maur the newest Lord Ashworth heads to Buckleigh-in-the-Moor to view his family home, a place he has not been back to in fourteen years.  Physically and emotionally exhausted he is pleased to see The Three Hounds Inn expecting to see Maddox, but to his surprise the innkeeper is Maddox’s widow, or Meredith Lane as Rhys knew her, when she lived at Nethermoor Hall and her father managed the stables.

After all the years, George and Meredith are pleased to see Rhys, however the rest of the town would prefer he be run out, never to return.  Now that Rhys has finally returned, he believes it is his duty and destiny to marry Meredith, to care for her and the town, as he believes a proper Lord should.  Meredith, self-sufficient and strong does not feel the need to be cared for leading to an interesting plot line, which will lead the reader on a delightful ride.   Rhys is in for a lot more than he bargained for in becoming the new Lord Ashworth considering his self-destructive past filed with secrets that were only glimpsed upon and now in Twice Tempted By A Rogue; the reader is to learn more about Rhys and the secrets surrounding Nethermoor.  Dare’s characters, both minor and major, are well developed and the dichotomy between Meredith and Rhys is evident from the beginning.   Meredith is a strong, capable and quite likeable heroine while Rhys makes for a mysterious, wounded, yet in his own way, loveable hero.  Those who are evil are usually well masked and in staying with her first novel, Dare makes certain many things will remain a mystery until close to the end and even beyond to the last book in the trilogy.

While it appears as if I have given the entire book away, I assure you, I have not even scratched the surface.  The novel is deeply intense, filled with mystery, intrigue and of course, a lot of romance.  Twice Tempted By A Rogue certainly can stand alone yet I would recommend reading the first novel One Dance With A Duke, to understand more about the Stud Club.  It is my opinion that the first novel is slightly better than this one, the first did not appear to have as much romance, which I prefer.  I realise this is a romance novel and if you are a reader who enjoys steamy romance sections in a book, you may prefer the second novel to the first.    I look forward to reading the last book of the trilogy, Three Nights With A Scoundrel to see how it compares to the others in the trilogy.  My review of the last book will be up in August.  Until then, if you are looking for a steamy romance novel with deep characters, mysteries and plot twists, then I recommend reading Twice Tempted By A Rogue.

About the Author:

Tessa Dare a part-time librarian, full-time mommy, and swing-shift writer. She makes her home in Southern California, where she shares a cozy, cluttered bungalow with her husband, their two children, and a dog.

For further information:
Tessa Dare’s website.
Watch a trailer of the trilogy.   This is one trailer that should be seen.  Tessa Dare is quite clever.
Follow Tessa Dare of Twitter.
Become a Fan on Facebook.

For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.

I received a complimentary copy of Twice Tempted By A Rogue by Tessa Dare from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

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Book Review: Tattoos On The Heart by Gregory Boyle

Wednesday 7 July, 2010 By 7 Comments

Title: Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion
Author: Gregory Boyle
Publisher: Free Press
Publication Date: March 9, 2010
Hardcover: 240 pages
ISBN: 9781439153024
Genre: Biography & Autobiography

From the Publisher:

How do you fight despair and learn to meet the world with a loving heart? How do you overcome shame? Stay faithful in spite of failure? No matter where people live or what their circumstances may be, everyone needs boundless, restorative love. Gorgeous and uplifting, Tattoos on the Heart amply demonstrates the impact unconditional love can have on your life.

As a pastor working in a neighborhood with the highest concentration of murderous gang activity in Los Angeles, Gregory Boyle created an organization to provide jobs, job training, and encouragement so that young people could work together and learn the mutual respect that comes from collaboration. Tattoos on the Heart is a breathtaking series of parables distilled from his twenty years in the barrio. Arranged by theme and filled with sparkling humor and glowing generosity, these essays offer a stirring look at how full our lives could be if we could find the joy in loving others and in being loved unconditionally. From giant, tattooed Cesar, shopping at JCPenney fresh out of prison, we learn how to feel worthy of God’s love. From ten-year-old Lula we learn the importance of being known and acknowledged. From Pedro we understand the kind of patience necessary to rescue someone from the darkness. In each chapter we benefit from Boyle’s wonderful, hard-earned wisdom. Inspired by faith but applicable to anyone trying to be good, these personal, unflinching stories are full of surprising revelations and observations of the community in which Boyle works and of the many lives he has helped save.

Erudite, down-to-earth, and utterly heartening, these essays about universal kinship and redemption are moving examples of the power of unconditional love in difficult times and the importance of fighting despair. With Gregory Boyle’s guidance, we can recognize our own wounds in the broken lives and daunting struggles of the men and women in these parables and learn to find joy in all of the people around us. Tattoos on the Heart reminds us that no life is less valuable than another.

My Review:

Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle is a deeply moving, heartwarming series of essays from some of the most memorable times of Father Boyle’s career. Father Boyle has been a Jesuit Priest for 25 years working with many sections of the population that others deem frightening at best, including his work at his beloved Dolores Mission and the creation of Homeboy Industries (which is brilliant and what he refers to as a “tiny drop in a pretty big bucket” yet one we all could learn from), creating jobs for gang members in Los Angeles, working in the gang laden barrios of Los Angeles, at juvenile detention centers, probation camps, as well as at prisons. Tattoos on the Heart is not an autobiography of Father Gregory Boyle’s life and works but rather a collection of essays if you will, showing examples of grace, forgiveness, love, compassion, and faith. Father Boyle shows us how we are all ultimately looking for the same things in life. Through his book the reader comes to know those whom Father Boyle befriends and in turn the reader learns valuable life lessons from some of the most hardened of criminals and gang members. Tattoos on the Heart is exquisitely written, full of life and love, and Father Boyle allows the reader a glimpse into his heart and the hearts of others offering up one of the most memorable non-fiction books I have read in a long time. I would not hesitate to recommend Tattoos on the Heart to anyone, religious or not, the stories speak for themselves.

About the Author:

Father Gregory Boyle was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1982. He received his Master of Divinity from the Weston School of Theology; and a Sacred Theology Masters degree from the Jesuit School of Theology. In 1988, Father Boyle began what would become Homeboy Industries, now located in downtown Los Angeles. Fr. Greg received the California Peace Prize, the “Humanitarian of the Year” Award from Bon Appétit; the Caring Institute’s 2007 Most Caring People Award; and received the 2008 Civic Medal of Honor from the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.

Since 1986, Father Gregory has been the pastor of Dolores Mission in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. The church sits between two large public housing projects, Pico Gardens and Aliso Village, known for decades as the gang capital of the world. There are 1,100 gangs encompassing 86,000 members in Los Angeles, and Boyle Heights has the highest concentration of murderous gang activity in the city. Since Father Greg—also known affectionately as G-dog, started Homeboy Industries nearly twenty years ago, it has served members of more than half of the gangs in Los Angeles. In Homeboy Industries’ various businesses—baking, silkscreening, landscaping—gang affiliations are left outside as young people work together, side by side, learning the mutual respect that comes from building something together.

Follow the tour here.

I received a complimentary copy of Tattoos On the Heart by Gregory Boyle from Condor Book Tours to read and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

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Book Review and Tour: 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan

Wednesday 7 July, 2010 By 8 Comments

Title: 31 Bond Street
Author: Ellen Horan
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: March 30, 2010
Hardcover: 352 pages
ISBN: 978-0061773969
Genre: Historical Fiction

From the Publisher:

Who killed Dr. Harvey Burdell?

Though there are no witnesses and no clues, fingers point to Emma Cunningham, the refined, pale-skinned widow who managed Burdell’s house and his servants. Rumored to be a black-hearted gold digger with designs on the doctor’s name and fortune, Emma is immediately put under house arrest during a murder investigation. A swift conviction is sure to catapult flamboyant district attorney Abraham Oakey Hall into the mayor’s seat. But one formidable obstacle stands in his way: the defense attorney Henry Clinton. Committed to justice and the law, Clinton will aid the vulnerable widow in her desperate fight to save herself from the gallows.

Set in 1857 New York, this gripping mystery is also a richly detailed excavation of a lost age. Horan vividly re-creates a tumultuous era characterized by a sensationalist press, aggressive new wealth, a booming real-estate market, corruption, racial conflict, economic inequality between men and women, and the erosion of the old codes of behavior. A tale of murder, sex, greed, and politics, this spellbinding narrative transports readers to a time that eerily echoes our own.

My Review:

In 1857, Dr. Harvey Burdell of 31 Bond Street, New York, was murdered in his home and the case was never solved, becoming the basis for Ellen Horan’s historical fiction book 31 Bond Street. In Horan’s version she writes of the bumbling coroner Connelly, a fevered press leading to mobs of people out for vengeance, a slipshod investigation and Hall, the District Attorney who needs an expeditious conviction as he has higher political aspirations. The surest conviction would be to place the blame on Dr. Burdell’s driver, Samuel, yet he has vanished, most likely in fear of the Fugitive Slave Act so the powers that be turned to their next best suspect, the housemistress, Mrs. Emma Cunningham, widower and mother to two daughters. While under house detention, Emma pens a letter to Henry Clinton, a defense attorney who, against his wife’s advice, decides to take her case with the aid of young John, who worked for Dr. Burdell and can freely leave the house. John soon becomes Clinton’s eyes and ears. Horan weaves together a fascinating tale of a city growing, unrest in the country over slavery, the abuse of power, greed, indiscretion, and infidelity. 31 Bond Street is filled with actual copies of the newspaper clipping and while some of the book is historical fact other parts are pure conjecture. Horan paints a vivid, if not depressing, image of the ever growing trade town, the division of the haves and have nots, and the lengths people will go to for their own personal gain. The narrative is split primarily between Emma and Clinton. Emma takes the reader back to when she first met Dr. Burdell to present day whereas Henry Clinton speaks of the present and the investigation. While 31 Bond Street is a fictionalised historical mystery, a good portion of the book is spent in the courtroom as well as showing the reader New York society in 1857. It is interesting to see how the laws and procedures have changed over the past two centuries. While the characters are described in detail, I felt little for any save Henry, Elizabeth, and John. 31 Bond Street is an engaging mystery, with a page turning courtroom drama and some extraordinary twists and turns along the way, culminating in an explosive ending. I recommend 31 Bond Street to anyone looking for an exciting historical fiction mystery with courtroom drama.

About the Author:

Ellen Horan is a photo editor for books and magazines, Ellen Horan has worked on staff and in a freelance capacity for many publications, including Vanity Fair , Vogue , House & Garden , Forbes , and ARTnews , as well as for a number of book publishers. 31 Bond Street is her first novel.

For Book Clubs information about author chats, and discussion questions.
The 31 Bond Street website.
Read an excerpt here.

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For more reviews of the book, please follow the book tour.

I received a complimentary copy of 31 Bond Street by Ellen Horan from TLC Book Tours to be a part of this tour and offer my honest review of the book. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned book.

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Book Review: Taroko Gorge by Jacob Ritari

Tuesday 6 July, 2010 By 3 Comments

Title: Taroko Gorge
Author: Jacob Ritari
Publisher: Unbridled Books
Publication Date: July 6, 2010
Paperback: 256 pages
ISBN: 978-1936071654
Genre: Literary Fiction, Mystery

From the Publisher:

A disillusioned and raggedy American reporter and his drunken photojournalist partner are the last to see three Japanese schoolgirls who disappear into Taroko Gorge, Taiwan’s largest national park. The journalists—who are themselves suspects—investigate the disappearance along with the girls’ homeroom teacher, their bickering classmates, and a seasoned and wary Taiwanese detective. The conflicts between them—complicated by the outrageousness of the photographer and the raging hormones of the young—raise questions of personal responsibility, truthfulness, and guarded self-interest.
The world and its dangers—both natural and interpersonal—are real, changing, and violently pressing. And the emotions that churn in dark rooms overnight as the players gather in the park visitors’ center are as intense as in any closet drama. There’s enough action and furor here to keep readers turning the pages, and the cultural revelations of the story suggest that the human need for mystery outweighs the desire for answers.

My Review:

A mystery, cultural differences, religious differences, a delightful debate on Occam’s razor (spelled Ockam’s in the book), and humanity are just a few words to describe what comprises Taroko Gorge by Jacob Ritari. His debut novel is a beautifully written, insightful, and deeply philosophical look at life, through the eyes of an American Journalist, two Japanese students, and a Taiwanese Homicide Detective, without appearing on the surface to be too philosophical.
The story develops around the disappearance of three Japanese schoolgirls in Taroko Gorge, Taiwan. The last known people to speak to the girls are two Americans, Peter Neils and Josh Pickett. The story is told from four perspectives; Peter Neils, American Journalist, Michiko Kamakiri, a confused teen who is hoping this graduation trip to Taiwan will bring about a love connection, Toru Maruyama, the Class Rep, which means he has been responsible for his classmates for three years and believes there is a lesson to be learned in the disappearance of his three classmates, and Hsien Chao the Taiwanese Homicide Detective who has a fondness for tea eggs and an extreme dislike for the Japanese. Taroko Gorge is an exceptionally well-written mystery with the added twist of deeply philosophical undertones. The writing style did not take me long to grow accustomed to and the character development is brilliantly created through the use of the various points of view and language throughout the book.
The mystery of three schoolgirls suddenly disappearing without a sound, only their shoes and neatly rolled-up socks are left behind, is compelling and keeps the reader trying to piece together clues through the different narratives. Ritari has created a brilliant debut book which is an exceptionally well written, intellectual mystery intertwining various cultures and the delightful undertones of philosophy. I highly recommend Taroko Gorge to anyone who enjoys a challenging book.

About the Author:

Jacob Ritari has studied with the Fo Guang shan buddhist organization in Taiwan and studied Japanese language and literature at Japan’s Sophia University. He lives near new York City.

For more information please visit the author’s website.

I received a complimentary copy of Taroko Gorge by Jacob Ritari from Unbridled Books. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: How To Mellify A Corpse by Vicki Leon

Tuesday 6 July, 2010 By 4 Comments

Title: How to Mellify A Corpse: And Other Human Stories of Ancient Science & Superstition
Author: Vicki Leon
Publisher: Walker & Company
Publication Date: July 6, 2010
Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN: 978-0802717023
Genre: Non-Fiction


From the Publisher:

From the lofty thoughts of Pythagoras and Plato to the ideas and ingenuity of everyday ancients, How to Mellify a Corpse explores the science and superstition of the ancient world as only Vicki León could.

In How to Mellify a Corpse, Vicki León brings her particular hybrid of history and humor to the entwined subjects of science and superstition in the ancient world, from Athens and Rome to Mesopotamia, the Holy Land, Egypt, and Carthage. León covers subjects as diverse as astronomy and astrology, philosophy and practicalities of life and death (including the titular ancient method of embalming), and ancient mechanical engineering. How to Mellify a Corpse of course invokes legendary thinkers (Pythagoras and his discoveries in math and music, Aristotle’s books on politics and philosophy, and Archimedes’ “Eureka” moment), but it also delves deeply into the lives of everyday people, their understanding and beliefs.

A feast for the curious mind, How to Mellify a Corpse is not only for those with an interest in the experimental: it’s for anyone who’s inspired by the imagination and ingenuity humanity uses to understand our world.

My Review:

How To Mellify A Corpse by Vicki Leon is an exceptionally fun lesson in Greco-Roman history. For some, history and fun do not appear synonymous yet Leon adds her wit to the wonderful and informative tales of the ancient sciences and superstitions from around the world, or what is commonly known as Greco-Roman areas. How To Mellify A Corpse, and yes, there is indeed a way, is carefully sectioned out by regions and is filled with intriguing, insightful, fascinating, and at times slightly disturbing knowledge, yet all of it a fascinating look back in time and how parallel the lives of the ancients and present day society can be. I personally enjoyed this book and my teens are now pouring over it. I would not hesitate to recommend How To Mellify A Corpse to anyone who yearns for knowledge and insight in ancient beliefs and practises and how they some are applicable to this very day.

To learn more please visit VIcki Leon’s website.

I received a complimentary copy of How To Mellify A Corpse by Vicki Leon from Inkwell Management. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Tour and Review: The Chill of Night by James Hayman

Tuesday 6 July, 2010 By 7 Comments

Title: The Chill of Night
Author: James Hayman
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: June 22, 2010
Hardcover: 352 pages
ISBN: 978-0312532710
Genre: Fiction, Suspense

About the book:

Some Crimes Can Never Be Forgiven.

The Chill of NightLainie Goff thought she had it all. The ambitious young attorney was brilliant, beautiful, and on a fast-track to a lucrative partnership at one of the top firms in New England. But then, one cold night, a dark and ugly secret comes back from Lainie’s past and she pushes things too far. Soon her body is found, frozen solid in sub-zero temperatures at the end of the Portland Fish Pier.

A mentally ill woman named Abby Quinn witnesses the brutal crime. But when she tells what she has seen, nobody will believe her. Not until she too mysteriously disappears.

In The Chill of Night, Portland homicide detective Michael McCabe finds himself finds himself fighting memories from his own past as he races to find the killer before another life is lost.

James Hayman once again tells a gripping tale of evil and deceit and creates characters so real and so human, we want to meet them again and again.

My Review:

James Hayman’s delightful character Detective Michael McCabe is back in Hayman’s newest novel, The Chill of Night. Readers first met Detective Michael McCabe in The Cutting and while it is not necessary to read the books in order, I believe the reader will want to after reading The Chill of Night. A woman’s body is discovered frozen in her truck, the dead woman turns out to have been a high-powered attorney with a lot of secrets and even more enemies. To further confuse the investigation, the only witness is Abby, a schizophrenic whose life may very well be in grave danger. While McCabe finds himself struggling with not only the case of Goff and who murdered her, but also with his inner demons as Goff eerily resembles his ex-wife. Hayman once again takes the readers into a complicated web, masterfully woven and delightful to read through. As before, Hayman’s characters are realistic and as with Detective McCabe, flawed, making them all the more realistic. The Chill of Night will keep the reader up long into the night, as this is one book that the reader will not want to put down. I highly recommend The Chill of Night to anyone looking for an extremely well written suspense novel.

About the Author:

Like McCabe, I’m a native New Yorker. He was born in the Bronx. I was born in Brooklyn. We both grew up in the city. He dropped out of NYU Film School and joined the NYPD, rising through the ranks to become the top homicide cop at the Midtown North Precinct. I graduated from Brown and joined a major New York ad agency, rising through the ranks to become creative director on accounts like the US Army, Procter & Gamble, and Lincoln/Mercury.

We both married beautiful brunettes. McCabe’s wife, Sandy dumped him to marry a rich investment banker who had “no interest in raising other people’s children.” My wife, Jeanne, though often given good reason to leave me in the lurch, has stuck it out through thick and thin and is still my wife. She is also my best friend, my most attentive reader and a perceptive critic.

Both McCabe and I eventually left New York for Portland, Maine. I arrived in August 2001, shortly before the 9/11 attacks, in search of the right place to begin a new career as a fiction writer. He came to town a year later, to escape a dark secret in his past and to find a safe place to raise his teenage daughter, Casey.

There are other similarities between us. We both love good Scotch whiskey, old movie trivia and the New York Giants. And we both live with and love women who are talented artists.

There are also quite a few differences. McCabe’s a lot braver than me. He’s a better shot. He likes boxing. He doesn’t throw up at autopsies. And he’s far more likely to take risks. McCabe’s favorite Portland bar, Tallulah’s, is, sadly, a figment of my imagination. My favorite Portland bars are all very real.

James Hayman’s THE CHILL OF NIGHT VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR ‘10 will officially begin on July 6 and end on August 27 2010. You can visit Hyman’s blog stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com during the month of July and August to find out more about this great book and talented author!

I received a complimentary copy of The Chill of Night by James Hayman from Pump Up Your Book Promotion as part of the tour. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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Book Review: The Dark Rose by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

Monday 5 July, 2010 By 4 Comments

Title: The Dark Rose
Author: Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: July 1, 2010
Paperback: 592 pages
ISBN: 978-1402238161
Genre: Historical Fiction


From the Publisher:

In Cynthia Harrod-Eagles’s worldwide bestsellers, the majestic sweep of English history is richly and movingly portrayed through the fictional lives of the Morland family.

It is 1501, and Paul, great-grandson of Eleanor Morland, has inherited the estate and has a son to follow him. But he fathers an illegitimate boy by his beloved mistress, and bitter jealously between the half-brothers causes a destructive rift that threatens to destroy them all.

Paul’s niece Nanette has her own passions, and becomes maid-in-waiting to Anne Boleyn. At the court of Henry VIII, she witnesses firsthand the events leading up to the rift with Rome, her mistress’s execution, and the further efforts of the sad, ailing king to secure the male succession. And through all the turmoil of Henry VIII’s reign—from drought to floods, from religious reform to court intrigue—the Morlands find new ways to come together while the world seems intent on tearing them apart.

My Review:

First came The Foundling, which took the reader through the War of the Roses now in her second Morland Dynasty saga, The Dark Rose, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles takes the reader through the demise of the Plantagenets to the full rise of the Tudors being firmly in power. The Dark Rose tells the story of the Morlands during the reign of King Henry VIII and the controversies within the Morland family beginning with Paul, the great-grandson of Eleanor and his conflicts with his half brother Jack. The reader is taken through the tumultuous years of roughly 1501-1549 with the rise and fall of power, allegiances, love, and betrayal along with a fresh insight into King Henry VIII’s court. The Dark Rose is a very detailed account of life during this time period and offers a fresh opinion of a time period often written about. Harrod-Eagles masterfully takes command of historical events and creates intriguing and compelling stories to go with the actual events making the reader care about the characters, both major and minor, along with the events that lead up to the joys, sorrows, heartbreaking sadness and delicious triumphs that occur in the Morland family. Those familiar with Tudor England will recognise many of the key players. While this is the second in the Moreland Dynasty saga, The Dark Rose can indeed stand on its own, however I highly recommend reading The Foundling, as it was truly a brilliant read and the third Morland novel will be released later this fall titled, The Princeling, which I am anxiously awaiting. I highly recommend The Dark Rose to anyone who enjoys exceptionally written historical fiction or anyone knew to historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of The Dark Rose by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles from Sourcebooks. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

CymLowell

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Book review: Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer

Monday 5 July, 2010 By 7 Comments

Title: Barely A Lady
Author: Eileen Dreyer
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: June 29, 2010
Paperback: 432 pages
ISBN: 978-0446542081
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance

From the Publisher:

Olivia Grace has secrets that could destroy her. One of the greatest of these is the Earl of Gracechurch, who married and divorced her five years earlier. Abandoned and disgraced, Grace has survived those years at the edge of respectability. Then she stumbles over Jack on the battlefield of Waterloo, and he becomes an even more dangerous secret. For not only is he unconscious, he is clad in an enemy uniform.

But worse, when Jack finally wakes in Olivia’s care, he can’t remember how he came to be on a battlefield in Belgium. In fact, he can remember nothing of the last five years. He thinks he and Olivia are still blissfully together. To keep him from being hanged for a traitor, Olivia must pretend she and Jack are still married.

To unearth the real traitors, Olivia and Jack must unravel the truth hidden within his faulty memory. To save themselves and the friends who have given them sanctuary, they must stand against their enemies, even as they both keep their secrets.

In the end, can they risk everything to help Jack recover his lost memories, even though the truth may destroy them both?

My Review:

Those who read my reviews on a regular basis know I can at times be rather picky when it comes to the genre of romance and rarely am I so truly captivated by one that I lose track of time. Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer is one of the rare exceptions and I am pleased to learn it is book one in her Drake’s Rakes series. Barely A Lady piqued my interest from the first page and it was not long before I was fully engrossed in the novel not wishing it to end yet wanting all the pieces of the puzzle to fall into place. Dreyer has masterfully crafted a historical fiction suspense mystery and a little romance to make Barely A Lady a delightfully suspenseful, heart-warming and endearing read. Dreyer’s females are strong, independent and willing to go against the ton. Olivia, Grace, Lady Kate and Lady Bea are each in their own right a force to be reckoned with and will work their way into the reader’s heart. The story begins in the summer of 1815 in Belgium where the French have been defeated and Olivia accompanies her new friend Grace to a battlefield to search for Grace’s father. The last person Olivia expected to find was her ex-husband, Jack Wyndham, Earl of Greenchurch. Jack is hurt badly and for reasons no one knows is in a French uniform. He is taken back to Lady Kate’s home where she is housing many soldiers who have been injured and kept isolated until he can provide some answers. Barely a Lady is filled with delicious secrets, plot twists, and deception coupled with loyalty and unwavering, unquestionable friendship. Dreyer’s cast of characters are wonderfully brilliant and will endear themselves to the reader. As mentioned earlier, I lost all track of time and this was one novel I was sad to see end. Fortunately this only the first book of the Drake’s Rakes series. The next, Never A Gentleman shall be released in August 2011. I would recommend Barely A Lady to anyone, especially those, who like me, shy away from romance novels, as this is so very much more.

About the Author:

USA Today best-selling author Eileen Dreyer has won five RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, which secures her fourth place in the Romance Writers of America prestigious Hall of Fame.

Eileen is an addicted traveler, having sung in some of the best Irish pubs in the world, and admits she sees research as a handy way to salve her insatiable curiosity. She’s also trained in forensic nursing and death investigation, although she doesn’t see herself actively working in the field, unless this writing thing doesn’t pan out.

Eileen also writes as Kathleen Korbel and has over three million books in print worldwide.

Born and raised in Missouri, she lives in St. Louis County with husband Rick and her two children. She has animals but refuses to subject them to the glare of the limelight.

Five Fun Facts

I received a complimentary copy of Barely A Lady by Eileen Dreyer from Hachette. Receiving a copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.

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