Sunday, December 30, 2007

Dragon of the Mangroves by Yasuyuki Kasai

Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 13: 978-0-595-39026-7 (pbk)
13: 978-0-595-83414-3 *ebk)
Genre: Fiction

Many stories of World War II are untold on both sides of the battles fought in the Pacific theater that should be told of the bravery displayed by the ordinary soldier on both sides and the terrors they often faced. This is one such story, based on events that occurred during the Japanese withdrawal from Ramree Island.

How does one look through the eyes of an ordinary man conscripted to fight a war he doesn't really understand and depict what he sees or what is happening around him? Talented author Yasuyuki Kasai has used his understanding of human nature to craft a tale that shows us how men react when faced with certain death.

This is a tale that could be applied to any group of men in any similar situation. The confusion caused by orders that call for defense and retreat at the same time, send Second Lt. Yoshihisa Sumi and his men on a rescue mission to remove as many soldiers as possible from Ramree Island. He must find transport to the island when no boats are available, he is given an inadequate map, arms and food, yet he finds the way to obey his orders.

Both the retreating army and rescuers are unaware of dangers awaiting them as they proceed toward a meeting place. There is a definite tension in this story that will hold your attention. History unfolds as you red and you will understand once again the untold horrors of war.

An interesting tale that I'm pleased to recommend to any fiction fan. History, horror and suspense all mingle with facts that prove life can produce experiences worse than any imagination. It is a read that will open your eyes and I can honestly say I learned something about another side to this war and the men who fought it.

Anne K. Edwards

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Whispers by Nancy Madison

Publisher: Ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 978-1-59431-266-4

What would you do if the man you were about to marry betrrayed you in the worst possible way the night before your wedding and proved to have another motive for marrying you other than love? Would you jump from the frying pan into the fire as Layne Hamilton did? In her efforts to put things in perspective she travels south to Virginia only to find her problems have followed. Her return to New York is no better. Will she ever find happiness? The plot twists and turns, surprising the reader as Layne tries to untanble herself from the darker motives of others. Doe slove have a chance? Will Layne forgive the past? These are but a few of the questions you'll want answered as you read. A well-told tale that any romantic suspense fan will enjoy. Creative author Nancy Madison weaves a plot from motives, danger, romance and fear that will keep you reading. You'll feel as if you've stayed at the lovely B&B in Virginia with Layne so well described are the settings. Lots of adventure and action for an exciting read. Recommended as a fun read that will have you looking for other books by Nancy Madison. Enjoy. I did. Anne K. Edwards

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Bangkok Laws by Jim Michael Hansen

Preview

Title: Bangkok Laws
Author: Jim Michael Hansen
Publisher: Dark Sky Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 13: 9780976924319
Genre: Thriller/Suspense

If you're planning to travel to Bangkok to sample some of the sleazy and forbidden entertainments found there, beware that it doesn't cost more than you are willing to pay. Like Alan Ewing did.

It's his mysterious murder that brings Bryson Coventry into contact with a lovely P.I. who deliberately seeks him out. The question is why? Would you trust her? Would you trust her story? Is she as she appears to be? Where will she lead Bryson and the reader who follow so willingly?

Familiar characters who will be easily recalled from other "Laws" stories guide us into the realm of shady dealings by an international law firm where almost any fantasy or case can be won by manipulating people. Bangkok Laws is a study of methods of revenge by victims of this firm.

Highly recommended as a tale you will have to finish once you begin to read. Talented author Jim Michael Hansen has woven a fascinating plot from several subplots to satisfy even the pickiest thriller fan. Action aplenty with false trails and red herrings to draw the reader into dead ends and keep us trying to out guess the villains who do what they do sooo well. A book guaranteed to hold your attention and provide you with reading satisfction. Enjoy. I sure did. (But a warning to the girls, don't travel to Bangkok unescorted.)

Anne K. Edwards

Broken Gods by Michaela August

Review

Title: Broken Gods--House of Rose Book III
Author: Michaela August
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc.
ISBN: 9781587496042
Genre: Paranormal

Vampires galore! If you like history and vampires, this mix set in the time of Knights Templar when Constantinople was the center of an empire will please you immensely.

Since most of us don't see vampires as protectors, this book presents an interesting premise that there can be other types of vampires, those who act as protectors to a certain house. This is the tale of how one woman became a member of these protectors during a time of upheaval for those they were to protect. Will she learn her craft or fail?

The talented author Michaela August creates a world of characters rich in variation and motives for their actions, a grouping to include rebellious and caring types, proving that vampires can have emotions and thoughts beyond the drinking of blood.

For the reader who wants something more than a rehashed tale of Dracula, I'm pleased to recommend this book as one written outside the outlines of "what we know" to bring something fresh to the realm of vampire tales. Enjoy.

Anne K. Edwards

Man's Days Are as Grass by Shel Damsky

Review

Title: Man's Days Are as Grass
Author: Shel Damsky
Publisher: Cambridge Books Imprint of WriteWords Inc.
ISBN: 9781594314377
Genre: Fiction

Politics, anyone? What do you know about political bosses in a small town? Do you know how they operate, how they build and maintain power? Do you think they use strong-arm tactics?

To find the answers about one boss in Olympia, New York, join author Jonathan Abrams who gave up his law practice in Olympia to write legal thrillers. He had no plans to ever return, yet when he gets a call from an old friend, he soon finds himself in the thick of a grand jury trial that challenges the hold of the local political boss on the town.

He enjoys reminiscing about his youth in Olympia with people he knew and visiting the old neighborhoods and boyhood haunts. Yet, he's not sure he should be involved in the trial after such a long absence from the town and the law. Fortunately, a well-known attorney is on hand to advise him.

A thought-provoking story that warns of abuse of our legal system by talented author Shel Damsky, this tale will keep you reading. Cleverly crafted with realistic characters who all have motives for what they do, this is a delightful change from the formula legal thriller.

I'm pleased to recommend this book to any lover of fiction as one worth the time to read. Enjoy. I sure did. You'll be looking for other books by this author whose ability to craft a variety of plots and characters will keep you happily reading.

Anne K. Edwards

Poor Souls by John William McMullen

Review

Title: Poor Souls
Author: John William McMullen
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 9781593747160
Genre: Fiction

Have you ever wondered what life was like behind the scenes of the priesthood, how they, as men, thought and reacted to ideas and events within the realm of the church? Have you ever wondered why a young man becomes a priest and what his education is like?

If you enjoy a tale about ordinary men who take on the daunting task of trying to live a life inside a set of rules that most of us would find too restrictive, Poor Souls by talented author John William McMullen is just the story for you.

A study of one man trying to walk the political tightrope among the conflicting lines of thinking and dogma, an introduction to the variety of personalities attracted to the life of a priest and how they "get the call". This is a well written story that any reader will enjoy as something different.

I'm pleased to recommend Poor Souls as a tale that will open your eyes to how human priests are and the issues they face in dealing with the heirarchy of the ancient organization they have willingly dedicated their lives too. This is a story well worth anyone's time. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Road Kill Art by Niles Reddick

Review

Title: Road Kill Art and Other Oddities
Author: Niles Reddick
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 9781593748043
Genre: Fiction

If you like short pieces on reminiscences and people, this collection of short stories is a book you will enjoy. There's something in it for everyone, something that will strike a chord deep inside you to make you recall certain moments and people from the past.

Everyone has known someone or had a relative who was considered strange by the rest of society and will identify with the characters in the title story. Or did you want to learn to ski only to find out it wasn't for you after traveling to get there?

You will find a fun tale about UFOs and birds, both of which remind us of moments we'd rather not remember. And try tracing your roots to see what is lurking up in your family tree like the author did.

I'm pleased to recommend this book by talented author Niles Reddick as a relaxing read that stirs memories and pleasant musings on life. Enjoy. I really did.

Anne K. Edwards

Witness in the Square by Gini Anding

Review

Title: Witness in the Square
Author: Gini Anding
Publisher: iUniverse, Inc.
ISBN: 13:9780575410958 print
13:9780595854547 ebook
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery

Have you ever traveled to Paris? Did you explore it neighborhoods to
discover little gems like Ile Saint-Louis? Amy Page did and found a new
life.

A widow in search of meaning for the rest of her life, Amy finds more than
she hoped and winds up, not for the first time, knee deep in murder when the
simple loan of an umbrella to a stranger puts her life in jeopardy.

Amy is supposed to attend a family wedding in Hawaii, but will she make it,
or will a new terrorist group interfere with dire consequences? Will her
new love Jean-Michel Jolivet keep her safe?

This is a fun read that will let you feel as if you've visited the Ile in
person and toured the shops and old buildings. The well drawn cast of
characters will keep you focused on the story. A multilayered take woven
into a cleverly plotted tale by talented author Gini Anding will satisfy any
mystery lover. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Silenced Cry by Marta Stephens

Review

Title: Silenced Cry
Author: Marta Stephens
Publisher: BeWrite Books
ISBN: 978-1-905202-73-7
Genre: Mystery

Sam Harper has lost his partner, Gillies, an experienced narcotics detective in a shootout with a criminal. And as a result, Sam is experiencing job changes within the police department. He is sent to homicide, given a new partner, and set to work on cold cases, one of which isn't in the files.

When a baby's bones are found in the wall of a building undergoing demolition, Sam and his new partner get the job of trying to piece together why the baby was in the wall. The work is a wearisome checking of old records until the clues begin to melt into a picture of what happened.

Talented author Marta Stephens opens a door into the darker side of society and human nature that will make the reader consider how much life is wasted here, how much hope is lost. You'll wonder that anyone survives in this world.

Sit in with interviews of witnesses and learn the story of the lost baby. You'll want to cry. A tale that could be taken from the news, this is a book you will remember and look for other tales by this creative author.

A realistic cast of characters lead us step by step into the past, into the darkness of the human soul. The twisting trail has a surprise at the end for the reader.

Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Touch of Fate

TItle: Touch of Fate
Author: Christine Amsden
Publisher: Paladin Timeless Books
ISBN:
Genre: Paranormal

Hey paranormal fans! Something a little different and definitely worth reading is Touch of Fate by talented author Christing Amsden.

Marianne Waters can predict the future and knows it can't be changed. Or can it? When she foresees the death of her daughter's best friend, she feels compelled to try.

This event changes their lives and she and her daughter move to St. Louis for a new beginning. But is there any such thing?

Mariaanne finds herself caught up in a group of women with similar talents and hopes to form friendships based on a shared ability. Unfortunately, events take a turn for the worse and she is caught up in violenct that can end in her own death.

I'm happy to recommend this tale to paranormal fans. A well drawn cast of characters whose motives and intents conflict show us the possibilities and limitations of being psychic and the problems they face in social acceptance. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Matabele Gold

Title: Matabele Gold
Author: Michael J. Hunt
Publisher: BeWrite Books, UK
ISBN: 1904492339
Genre: Fiction

After years of absence, Daniel Walker is returning to his homeland in Africe where the remnants of the Boer War still affect the life of the residents.

For a while Daniel was content to work for the company that controlled the entire area, but in time he set himself up as an independent consultant. The work with another in precious metals found on a small farm brought him into sharing the danger of exposure and perhaps imprisonment.

A developing relationship with the local policeman's wife complicates his life farther. How will it all end?

Talented author Michael J. Hunt shows us the way life had to be lived by native Africans and the defeated Boer families under the rule of a large English owned company with power of life and death in these remote areas.

Mr. Hunt shows us the skills and subterfuges this forced people to develop simply to exist where they had no legal protection. A tale well worth the time to read for anyone who enjoys history and the realitybehind it.

Recommended to any reader looking for an interesting story set in an interesting time. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Lute and The Liar

Title: The Lute and the Liar
Author: Rie Sheridan
Publisher: Awe-struck E-books, Inc.
ISBN: 13: 9781587496011
Genre: Medieval Romance

Dismissed from his place as a musician and challenged to only tell the truth by a witch, Mordigan Bryne has his hands full when he winds up wandering the roads to nowhere in particular.

The Princess Allysian takes it into her head to find him for reasons of her own so cuts off her hair, dresses like a boy and takes to the road only to wind up in prison.

Where will their futures take them? Will Mordigan find his destiny and will the princess be freed to find him or will their paths never cross? It may be only the witch knows for sure.

A fun, well told tale that any fan of romance will enjoy. The story is flavored with the once-upon-a-time of the fairy tales of childhood with witches, wizards, and castles, and will remind any reader of those fun reads.

I'm happy to recommend this tale to any romantic. Talented author Rie Sheridan weaves a story that will keep you reading and you'll be looking for other books by her. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Behind the Polygamy Veil

Title: Behind the Polygamy Veil
Author: Kenneth Brown
Publisher: Xlibris
ISBN: 1425721818
Genre: Mystery
3 1/2 bolts

What is polygamy? Why does it persist into today's world? Who are the men that practice it and where do they find their wives? Do the women come willingly into this world?

Talented author Kenneth Brown gives a look into this shadowy world by raising the curtain on it in this tale. A vanished wife draws PI Greg Forman into this world, then a girl vanishes on her way to school.

A mysterious message from the girl gives the searchers their first real break and the hunt is on. Will they find her alive?

A story for any one interested in the practice of polygamy and how it impacts the lives of its victims. A tale told by an author with a sure knowledge of his subject. Enjoy.

Anne K. Edwards

Tremolo, Cry of the Loon

Title: Tremelo, Cry of the Loon
Author: Aaron Paul Lazar
Publisher: Paladin Timeless books, imprint of Twilight Times Books
ISBN:
Genre: Mystery

Open the pages of this great story and you'll find yourself stepping back in time to the childhood of the hero of the LeGarde mysteries by the very talented author Aaron Pau Lazar. The setting has all the earmarks of being real and pulls the reader nostalgically back to their own childhood with its warmth and laughter.

Three children, Gustave, Seigfried, and Elsbeth are set to enjoy another summer on the lake, but a series of events sends them off in a different direction, tinging the peaceful lakeside atmosphere with fear and mystery. A missing girl, a mysterious visitor the children are forbidden to bother, the attempted murder of Gustave and other events keep this story moving with a sense of tension that will have any reader looking over their shoulder at strange sounds after dark.

Join Gustave and his friends in their attempts to find the missing girl, and find where their conviction they've found her leads. A tightly-written tale with loads of action and adventure to keep you reading by a superb story-teller whose characters live and breathe.

A fun read with plenty of mystery and intrigue as seen through the eyes of a boy well on his way to becoming a man. If you are familiar with the adult LeGarde, you will recognize the seeds of his personality as sown here. Enjoy. I certainly did and I highly recommend this and all other books by Aaron Paul Lazar to any reader.

Anne K. Edwards

Exile

Title: Exile
Author: Richard North Patterson
Publisher: Henry Holt
ISBN: 13: 9780805079470
Genre: Suspense
4 1/4 bolts

A thoughtful tale by talented author Richard North Patterson that offers a look into both sides of the present day terror issue as seen by the people who live it and those who, like most Americans, are removed from it by distance and politics.

Attorney David Wolfe is confronted with a problem that has the power to destroy the life he has built and the future he hopes for when Hana Arif, a love from the past, steps back into his life. She is Palestinian and he is Jewish, she committed to the cause of a homeland and he only to a personal future and success.

They manage to overcome their differences and fall in love, but it is a relationship they both know is going nowhere. She is engaged to a Palestinian and in the end marries him and disappears from David's life. Until the day he gets the call because she is in trouble.

An important Israeli leader has been killed by a suicide bomber and she is suspected of being involved. And David must decide whether to help her or not, a decision that could turn his entire life upside down.

Should he help her? David is tormented by this question over and over because he was also a witness to the explosion that killed the Israeli leader who had been working to bring peace to the Middle East. If David helps Hana, he risks being isolated from all he knows even though she has the right under the law to his help as a lawyer.

I"m pleased to recommend this well told tale to any reader who is open minded enough to look at both sides of an argument and its adherents whose hate keep it alive. This is a book whose characters you won't soon forget. Enjoy. I sure did.

Blue Diamonds

Title: Blue Diamonds
Author: Spencer Dane
Publisher: ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 1594314829
Genre: Suspense/Mystery

Follow the track of a dozen blue diamonds that seem to carry a curse as they wreak havoc in the lives of those into whose hands they fall. How many will pay with their lives to possess them? Where will they end up?

Join Zachary Taylor and his partner, Sabrina Calabrese, are drawn into the drama surrounding the stones in the pursuit of criminals. More than once they put their lives on the line and danger seems to confront them at every turn. Is there a mole in their department who is feeding information to the mob that is partly responsible for this?

Zach finds his cases further complicated by the reappearance of an ex lover in his life. As a newscaster, she could add to his danger when they turn up at the same hotel and he is under cover. Will she?

This is a story that will please the suspense fan who enjoys sharing the danger with the good guys as they move from case to case. A fun read. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Mose T A to Z

Title: Mose T A to Z: The Folk Art of Mose Tolliver
Author: Anton Haardt
Publisher: Saturno Press
ISBN: 0975384201
Genre: Nonfiction

Little-known artists sometimes receive the recognition they deserve and their names become known to the art world. Such is the case of Mose Tolliver, a talented, self-taught folk artist.

Injured on a job, he took up painting as a way to productively fill his hours. After several years, Mose was discovered by collectors and his work now hangs in several collections and has been included in many shows by famous galleries like the Corcoran Art Gallery in Washington, DC.

The concept largely held by society that uneducated people are simple is disproved by men and women like Mose Tolliver. If opportunity knocks, they prove they have talents that place them in a special category apart from the rest of society.

Mose didn't care for the trappings that go along with success, he said he wanted only to paint. And so he did. The subjects of his work cover a wide range and change over the years.

Author Anton Haardt lets us see beyond the artist into the personality of a complex man who took defeat and turned it into victory, an example for all.

I'm happy to recommend Mose T as an introduction to folk art, a field I know little of, and a starting point for learning about the artists who create that art. Definitely a book worth reading.

Anne K. Edwards

Aethereal's Pride

Title: Aethereal's Pride
Author: Christopher W. Wilcox, Sr.
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-59374724-5
Genre: Science Fiction

Humans and Aethereal Guardians have joined forces to fight the Grays, an enemy bent on destroying all other life forms in the universe. A weapon built to protect them from the Grays has flaws as revealed when one of them was hurt.

Talented author Christopher W. Wilcox Sr. opens portals into several subplots that weave together in a well told fun read that is rich in characters and the unusual forms they take. Felines, humans, dragons and bear-like creatures all exist together and try to solve certain problems that have cropped up when a feline home world is destroyed.

The rescue of one surviving family begins the search for others of their kind and how to contact them. Spyder, the injured man who has lain in a coma for several months, finally comes out of it with unusual results.

This is a tale any fantasy or sci-fi fan will enjoy. I'm pleased to recommend it to any reader who is searching for something different. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Vandenberg Diamonds

Title: The Vandenberg Diamonds
Author: John Russo
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: 193335383X
Genre: Historical Suspense

A military flight ends in a crash landing with one survivor. The cargo is
removed and stored on a pig farm by the finders who plan to be wealthy men
after the war. Fate steps in and the cargo lies unclaimed for another
generation.

A tale by talented author John Russo that contains all the ingredients for a
fun read, The Vandenberg Diamonds offers plenty of action as the real owners
of the diamonds set out to find them while two young men have decided to use
them to make their fortunes.

Unfortunately, there is in the mix of characters a very unpleasant criminal
whose decisions affect the outcome for everyone. He's a villain you'll love
to hate.

A well-crafted tale of several subplots woven together to give the reader
lots of action in a variety of settings will hold your attention. Intrigue
mixed with a touch of history move the story along at a good pace.
Recommended as a good read for anyone looking for a worthwhile way to spend
some reading time. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Capable of Murder

Title: Capable of Murder
Author: Brian Kavanagh
Publisher: BeWrite Books
ISBN: 1905202113
Genre: Mystery

Belinda Lawrence discovers the body of her reclusive great aunt on the floor of her home and becomes an heiress as the old lady's death is labeled an accident by the police. But Belinda can't stop the niggling doubt at the back of her mind. The problem was who would kill an old woman and why. There seemed to be nothing missing in the house.

Belinda learns there are great differences from living in the lights of the city and the darkness that descends on the unlighted streets of the village once she claims her inheritance with the intention of living in the house.

It isn't long before an antiques dealer turns up looking for old furniture and a realtor wants to sell the house for her. The only people who seem friendly are her closest neighbors.

A break in at the house, another murder in the house keep the action in this well crafted story moving forward as Belinda has to decide who to trust among the people who have taken an interest in her new home. Why did the lawyer who wrote her aunt's will disappear? Why does the neighbor feel so strongly about the overgrown garden?

These and other questions will keep the reader turning pages as they try to identify the villain of the tale and solve the mystery before Belinda does. Recommended as a fun read written by talented author Brian Kavanagh who introduces us to a cast of characters not soon forgotten. A story with a surprise in store for the reader.

I am pleased to recommend this book to any mystery fan. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Adam's Point

Title: Adam's Point
Author: Elena Dorothy Bowman
Publisher: ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 1594315043
Genre: Paranormal

Beware large old homes with mysterious pasts. And multiple ghosts.

A young woman inherits a house that seems frozen in time and sets about turning it into an inn with the added attraction of its resident ghosts who'd be sure to give guests a good case of shivers. But that's not all they give the guests.

A powerful spirit takes up residence above the house and it doesn't seem happy. Things become dangerous and the owner doesn't know why. Abigail seems threatened by the house that had formerly welcomed heer. What is going on? Why has the house changed? When guests go missing, Abigails' husband--Ethan, decides the women must leave the house while he searches for them.

Talented author Elena Dorothy Bowman leads us across the line between our reality and that of the spirit world where anything is possible. As in the first two of the series, The House on the Bluff and The Gatekeeper's Realm, there is plenty of spooky action to give you chills and keep you reading. You'll have to know what is the reason behind all the ghosts and events.

I'm pleased to recommend this tale to any reader who enjoys paranormal tales guaranteed to have you looking for other books by the same author. You'll be looking at large old homes wondering if they could have similar ghost tales after reading this fun tale. Enjoy. I sure did.

Triangle

Title: Triangle
Author: Sue Swift
Publisher: Five Star
ISBN: 1594144656
Genre: Mystery

A cruise that was meant to combine research for a scientist and some
relaxation for Marilen Case, the company gofer, turns into a nightmare of
gigantic proportions when someone aboard proves to be a murderer.

Marilen has problems before the yacht even leaves port. She is hoping for a
marriage proposal from one man and is stunned to find herself in bed with
another. Her plans are ruined.

Talented author Sue Swift gives the mystery reader a good tale with lots of
intrigue and fun characters who are caught together in a web of fear. The
shadow of mystery cast by the reputation of the Bermuda Triangle adds color
to the story when the captain learns his navigation and communications
aren't working.

A tale peopled with well drawn characters who each have a private agenda or
problem aboard the yacht and many act in cross purposes as the plot unfolds.
Recommended as a fun read with red herrings and false clues added to the
mix. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Round Table Magician

Title: The Round Table Magician
Author: Ann Marr
Publisher: Awe-Struck Books, Inc.
ISBN: 9781587496066
Genre: Paranormal Regency Romance

Romance combined with the touch of a fairy tale will please a lot of romance readers, taking us back to our childhood and the days when damsels in distress were rescued by princes. The land of happy ever after with its bumpy road to reaching it sill lives in this fun read by talented author Ann Marr.

Martha Dunsmore is rescured by a stranger during a melee at a shop near her school. There is a strong attraction on both sides, but one is a mere girl and the other a man of standing and rank. How can they ever be anything more than nodding acquaintances.

Who is this stranger called Lord Brinston. Where does the Round Table fit in? These and many other questions are raised and you will have to read the book to find out. A tale with lots of movement, intriguing characters and set in a time and place that acts as a bridge to Camelot of Merlin's day and the Regency era.

Villainy's afoot, a girl grows up as she tries to identify the villain, lots of fun with a group known as The Banshees and a step back in time to a slower paced era.

Recommended as a fun read any romance fan will enjoy, especially if they ever loved On'ce-Upon-A-Time stories.

Anne K. Edwards

Time Rift

Title: Time Rift
Author: Elena Dorothy Bowman
Publisher: ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 1594314160
Genre: Fantasy Romance

With a desire to learn as much as she could about the ancient people of Mu and if the Hawaiian Islands could be a remnant, Trisha Holden returned home to immerse herself in old legends. This takes her into the waters around the islands to explore and learn with an old friend named Martin who was native to the islands. Martin teaches her the old myths and legends connecting Hawaii to Mu. Can there really be a connection? Could any of this be true.

Going against all warnings not to dive alone, Trisha takes her boat out and dives. A seaquake traps her and she thinks she will die after running out of air. On awakening, she finds herself trapped in a bubble with descendants of Mu. There will be no escape for the Pacific Ocean rolls restlessly overhead.

She is taken under the wing of a man named Kan who is the High Priest of this remnant of Mu. Trisha vows she will return to her home as she does not intend to remain a prisoner below the ocean even though Kan tells her that this could get her killed. With this threat and the discovery that she has earned the enmity of the high priestess, Trisha explores and tries to learn how she might escape. That the bubble that has so long preserved its people shows signs of weakening is not encouraging either.

A fun read by talented author Elena Dorothy Bowman that reintroduces us to old legends of the lost continent of Mu which serves as a setting where well drawn characters work out their destinies. Excitement and menace serve to capture your attention. Recommended for any fantasy or romance fan who enjoy something different. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

The Mangler of Malibu Canyon

Title: The Mangler of Malibu Canyon Author: Jennifer Colt
Publisher: Broadway Books
ISBN: 10 0767920120
Genre: Mystery

The red-headed twin PIs are at again. In a fast-paced, action-packed story, they manage to save a plane from terrorists and come off wearing bags over their heads to trying to keep their rich aunt and idler cousin from being charged with murder by an eager-beaver prosecutor.

They look guilty to any and all when a headless corpse is found in one
of aunt's rugs and the cousin turns up carrying the head but he can't
remember how he got it. Involved in this messy situation are the
denizens of the posh Malibu Canyon area. Will the girls be able to
ferret out the killer or could they become his or her next victims.

Add a cult of the rich and famous who believe in alien abduction to
the tale and you have a tongue-in-cheek tale that will have you wanting to ride with the girls on your own pink Harley. The cast of fun characters includes producers who take advantage of starlets and those who want to join the movie star fraternity, trophy wives, cast
off wives, and other members of filmdom's population, a cross section
of that world that will have you laughing even as you consider the
seriousness of the murder.

A fun read that I'm pleased to recommend to any mystery fan who enjoys
a lighthearted look at life in the fast lane. Beware the coke snorters and settle back for some enjoyable hours.

Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Hidden Assassins

Title: The Hidden Assassins
Author: Robert Wilson
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
ISBN: 0151012393
Genre: Mystery

The trail of death leads from a faceless body in the garbage dump to an explosion in a suburb of Seville in an apartment building that housed a mosque in the basement. Inspector Falcon and other investigators are trying to figure out what is going on. Why would somebody destroy an entire wing of a building, killing children in a day care center as well? What madness is causing this indiscriminate killing?

You'll find yourself wondering what the personal life of Judge Calderon has to do with the killings also. What links do his mistress and mistreated wife play?

There are many other threads woven into this tale that will keep you guessing. Talented author Robert Wilson gives mystery or thriller fans a tale that could be taken from current events involving religious fanaticism and the mounting tensions between the many groups involved.

Mysterious men working for a mysterious communications company might be involved in the bombing. Is there an American link? Do politics play a role in the chaotic aftermath to the bombing? Will Falcon find out who is responsible?

Surprises await the reader of this fun tale as it unwinds. You'll find there are unexpected links between Calderon and Falcon, unexpected twists in the story that guarantee reading satisfaction. Enjoy.

Anne K. Edwards

The Golden Crusader

Title: The Golden Crusader
Author: Linda Langwirth
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: 1933353910
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Homecoming for Gemma Ravenscroft is bitter and bittersweet. She did not miss her father in her life but sadly missed the last years of her grandmothers life. She is hoping the cottage left to her by her grandmother will be a retreat from a world she never felt she belonged to while she works on her book.

Gemma can't seem to stay out of trouble and is almost immediately is taken in hand by the local doctor and a sea captain whose competition for her affections is often trying. However, add a ghost to that mix and you have a whole new situation. All three are willing to risk much to protect her when it turns out she has enemies. Their main concern is who will she choose.

Some locals blame her for her father's removal from their church and other, newer, enemies are smugglers who want her gone from the cozy cottage above the sea cove.

A fun mixture of romance, mystery, paranormal and fantasy, it is with pleasure I recommend The Golden Crusader by talented author Linda Langwirth who has crafted a multi-faceted tale to grab and hold your attention. Guaranteed to satisfy any romantic at heart or mystery buff. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Vanson Curse

Title: The Vanson Curse
Author: David Hough
Publisher: BeWrite Books UK
ISBN: 10: 1905202318
Genre: Historical Fiction

In spite of warnings that he'll be sorry, Kit Vanson has decided to give up the sea and his interest in his family's plantation for the old family farm in Cornwall. It is his hope to find a peace denied him in a new life.

In traveling to his family farm he runs into a man named Ralph Killiow who is abusing a woman. The confrontation has a far-reaching outcome into Kit's future and the woman does not seem to appreciate the rescue. He learns his new enemy is the son of the local squire, the man of power in the area.

Kit discovers life in Cornwall is both different and much the same as that he left behind. Must he stand by while farmers are forced off their land, a minister is hunted for encouraging the workers to unionize for better working conditions, and women are left without protection of the law? Would it be better for him to return to his family's plantation and forget Cornwall? Or should he confront the man behind the local troubles? The tension that flows through this story, while it seems understated, will keep you reading to find out what happens next. Talented author David Hough kept me reading in this well-crafted tale of romance, intrigue and danger.

Recommended as an intriguing, well-told story that leaves the reader with a sense of having stepped into another time and walked in the shoes of people whose lives too often depended on the whims of a man with too much power and who lacked the sense of its proper use. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Competitors!

Title: Competitors!
Author: Susanne Marie Knight
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc./Earthling Press
ISBN: 1587495996
Genre: Paranormal-Romantic Suspense

Is it perhaps possible that the Neanderthals still live among us? What would they be like? How would they act? Do they look like the long armed, slump shouldered beings as drawn by artists?

Vivianne Quinn is about to find out as she recovers from a tragic car accident. She has moved into her brother's apartment while he's on a book tour and just trying to get her life back together when she meets Max Vogelherd who makes inquiries about her brother and an associate of his who has recently come into possession of a Neanderthal skull.

She has to fight the powerful effect this man has on her and doesn't understand how she could be so drawn to a complete stranger. How does it happen she's agreed to take care of his cat?

A series of unsettling events put Vivianne on guard, and alert her policeman brother Donovan that she could be in danger. He isn't sure he trusts this new man in his sisters's life.

And Max, the mystery man, has mystery of his own unfolding. How is it he is becoming so enamored of the woman he's just met? He knows it can impact his task so what can he do?

A fun read I recommend to anyone who enjoys something different, something that offers a new outlook and new background for the characters. This tale fits into many genres and will provide hours of pleasant reading. Talented author Susanne Marie Knight gives us a multi-layered story and a new look at the mystery of the Neanderthal's disappearance. Or did they?

Enjoy, I did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Snow Dogs of Lost Lake

Title: The Snow Dogs of Lost Lake
Author: Dorothy Bodoin
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
ISBN: 1597051063
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Do you like a little paranormal to flavor your cozy? Or do you just love mysteries set around Christmas time? If so, this is one tale you won't want to miss.

Talented author Dorothy Bodoin makes us feel the cold bite of snow, the sense of danger of traveling a lonely wooded road in a snowstorm, and the fun of shopping for Christmas. Her blending of these elements with the appearance of three white collies to Jennet Greenway on a lonely wooded road during a bad snowstorm sets the stage for something to happen. And it does.

Jennet thinks she's hit one of the dogs and during her search for it, she finds a body that has been attacked by animals. Rumors of a cougar in the area will raise the hair on the back of your neck as you follow Jennet back to her car. What had been a lovely winter scene is now a place of danger.

A cleverly plotted story to please any reader. I'm pleased to recommend it as a book worth the time and sure any mystery fan will enjoy it. You'll be looking for other books by this author. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Thursday, December 6, 2007

A Corpse in the Soup by Morgan St. James/Phyllice Bradner

Title: A Corpse in the Soup
Authors: Morgan St. James and Phyllice Bradner
Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
ISBN: 1-59705-216-7
Genre: Mystery

Two sisters have a knack for solving crimes and this one is a doozy. One sister, Godiva Dubois, is wealthy and an advice columnist under the name G. O. D. while the other sister, Goldie, lives in Alaska and has an antiques shop.

Godiva lures her niece to Los Angeles with a promise of helping her get a position on a cooking show with a famous chef that she, Godiva, has taken a fancy too. Her sister soon follows and they are plunged into the world of cookery and contests and murder when one of the chefs is found face down in some bouillabaisse with a knife in his back.

With their mother and uncle's aid, the sisters gather clues to the identity of the killer. Talented authors Morgan St. James and Phyllice Bradner introduce us to the egotistic contestants of this cooking contest and names of dishes we don't make in our kitchens. Lots of fun and action to carry the tale along without a hitch.

I'm pleased to highly recommend this tale to any mystery buff who enjoys a tongue-in-cheek style of story telling with lots of fun characters who take you by the hand and lead you a merry chase after a killer. Guaranteed to provide many smiles and even provoke some laughter as you read.

Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Island Stories by Celia A. Leaman

Title: Island Stories
Author: Celia A. Leaman
Publisher: Devonshirebabe Publications
Genre: Fiction

Like to laugh while you read? Then this is the book for you, a collection of short stories by talented author Celia A. Leaman whose keen insights into human behavior will keep you reading with a huge smile on your face.

Get to know Oliver Turtle and his wife, Doll, and join them in their divided decision to remove to Gale Island because Oliver is bored with condo living.

Oliver's solitary trip to Gale Island is fraught with disasters that will have you in stitches. The marvelous supporting cast offers Oliver dubious support and you'll be thinking, "Wait'll Doll shows up." Whether you pity Oliver or envy him his courage to make such a move, you will enjoy his misadventures immensely

This and other tales in Island Sstories will leave you wanting more of the same and looking for other books by this very imaginative author. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Death Game by Cheryl Swanson

Title: Death Game
Author: Cheryl Swanson
Publisher: Zumaya Publications
ISBN: 13: 9781554103256
Genre: Mystery

How powerful are the violent games played on computers? Can they lead to acting out the violence in reality.

You might think twice before playing those shoot-to-kill games on your computer after you read this well-told tale. Take a couple of slightly unstable teenage boys who suffer problems identifying with society in general and let them play a new game and see what happens.

This is how Cooper O'Brien nearly loses her life while she is trying to find out what happened to her younger brother, Jimmie. She learns more about computers and the dark side of computer programmers than she ever wanted to know.

Talented author Cheryl Swanson gives the reader something to think about in the possibilities of computer games in this intriguing tale. Will Cooper find her brother? Will she survive the search?

Surprises await the reader in this tale as you follow Cooper from one clue to the next, only to find the trail seems cold or a twist that brings you back to the beginning. Plenty of action and characters who aren't what they seem.

I'm pleased to recommend Death Game as something different in the mystery genre. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards.

A Victim of Convenience by John Ballem

Title: A Victim of Convenience
Author: John Ballem
Publisher: Dundurn Group
ISBN: 10: 1550026178
Genre: Thriller

Someone in Calgary, Canada, is killing women and leaving their mutilated bodies in the public parks. Most of them are ordinary looking with no seeming connections, but the latest victim turns out to be a young lawyer connected to an important law firm that handles accounts for oil companies.

It appears to be the work of the same killer with all the same clues. But Detective Chris Crane has his doubts. The problem is the question of who would want to kill the lady other than the serial killer. It is on that question that the investigation hinges.

As the investigation unravels the murder, Chris finds the finger of guilt pointing to several people. Could one of them, a coworker, an old boyfriend, a boss, a stock broker or others be the serial killer? Could the serial killings be intended to cover up the single murder of the lawyer?

Those are the questions Chris and his sidekick, Gwen, must deal with to resolve the murder and find the motive. With the city in a state of near panic over the killings, the pressure is on to solve the case quickly. Can it be done?

Using a journalist to feed information to the press to make the killer contact them, Chris succeeds beyond expectations when he learns the identity of the killer. Lots of tension in this well told tale that will keep you reading. Red herrings and false trails will have you testing your ability to outguess the detective.

I'm happy to recommend this book by talented author John Ballem to any mystery or thriller fan. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Second Horseman by Kyle Mills

Title: The Second Horseman
Author: Kyle Mills
Publisher: St. Martins Press
ISBN: 031233575X
Genre: Thriller

If you love thrillers, you will truly enjoy this tale by talented author Kyle Mills. A real change of pace and a breath of fresh air in the genre.

Imagine yourself behind bars, prepared to serve a sentence for a crime you didn't commit, when you are suddenly expelled from the prison into a rainy night and no explanation is given. That is what happens to Brandon Vale. Caught between a rock and a hard place as the cliche says, he is forced to flee.

He has no plan, he has no resources, yet he arrives at a destination predetermined for him by the man who sent him to prison. Given no choice, Brandon is forced to do a job and expects his final reward will be a bullet in the back of the head. The job is to steal 200 million dollars to buy some bombs.

A cleverly plotted story, a hero who seems anything but as he works his way through this challenge to his inherent genuis for crime will hold your interest and you won't want to put the book down.

Loads of action with unexpected results, settings that take you into the story and an original look at the commission of a crime. I'm pleased to recommend this tale to any thriller or mystery buff who likes action and high drama in their reading. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Witness on the Quay by Gini Anding

Title: Witness on the Quay
Author: Gini Anding
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595336970
Genre: Mystery

Have you ever wanted to go to Paris? If so, this tale will take you there.
In reading it, you will experience all the sites of an area known as the Ile
St-Louis, at the heart of the great city.

Talented author Gini Anding describes the Ile and its culture so well, you
will see the sights and smell the food cooking and feel as if you are there.
Join Amy Page and Jean-Michel Jolivet as they try to unravel a mystery
involving two of Amy's oldest friends.

A simple visit to a flea market can prove murderous, the simple purchase of
a writing desk can drag you into an international crime ring and bring you
face to face with death. You will want to warn Amy not to go out after
dark, even with an escord. You will also want to warn Jean-Michel not to
ignore her.

A complex set of subplots woven tightly into a story of intrigue and death
as told by a cast of colorful characters you will enjoy meeting will have
you turning the pages to find out what happens next.

I am pleased to recommend this well told story to any reader of mysteries
who enjoys cooking, sight seeing, history, or just visiting old houses. It
is all here in splendid detail. You will want to read this authors other
books too. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Volk's Game by Brent Ghelfi

Title: Volk's Game
Author: Brent Ghelfi
Publisher: Henry Holt
ISBN: 0805082549
Genre: Mystery

The gangster ridden underground of Russia makes a great setting for criminal Alexei Volkovoy. It is where he belongs, where he conducts his shady and sometimes fatal business, a place where thieves and murderers have their own code of honor and woe to those who break it.

Talented author Brent Ghelfi opens the door to this bleak place in his book, Volk's Game, and invites us to follow Alexei Volkovoy, known as Volk to his associates, on a dark journey into a world of which we know little.

The ties that bind Volk to his superiors are tenuous and he knows loyalty only exists temporarily at best, that they will betray him quickly as necessary. Life is cheap in this world and Volk uses others as he is used to survive.

A smell of corruption hangs over Volk's world in this well-told tale that will hold your interest to the lsat page. Crooked politicians and military officers compete and cooperate while trying to grab the lion's share of any prize for themselves.

I'm pleased to recommend this book to any fan of mystery fiction who might enjoy a tale with depth and characters who are not quite what they seem, who will surprise you at times. Realistically drawn by an author who knows the whys of human behavior, you will find yourself sympathizing with them as well as shuddering at some of the things they do.

Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Witness at the Bridge by Gini Anding

Title: Witness at the Bridge
Author: Gini Anding
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 10:0595-366465 pbk/10:0595810683ebk
Genre: Romantic Mystery

Amy Page and Jean-Michel Jolivet are in love and trouble has found them
again. The security of the Ile Saint-Louis is disrupted by a murder and
attack on Amy that leaves her with a gunshot wound and having killed a man.
A second attacker is also shot and winds up dead in the hospital.

Though a link between the murder and the attack on Amy is suspected, there
seems to be no link other than her mild acquaintance with the dead man.
Jean-Michel is worried too, that Amy might be charged with murder for owning
an undeclared gun.

The love story between Amy and Jean-Michel takes center stage in this fun
read. Talented author Gini Anding knows the city of Paris well as her
descriptions show, giving the reader the sense of being there.

A talented combination of romance and mystery, this story is a well told
tale that will please the pickiest romantic or mystery buff. Lots of action
as the story unfolds.

I'm pleased to recommend this book to any reader who likes a good read.
Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Tainted Tea for Two by Susanne Marit Knight

Title: Tainted Tea for Two
Author: Susanne Marie Knight
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN: 10: 160174000X
Genre: Mystery

Someone wants Viscount Embrey dead. So they have Marty Jackson from the US hired as a personal trainer for him. Almost immediately, Marty encounters problems. The viscount has had a stroke and she isn't trained for that type of therapy, the person hiring her didn't know she was a woman, the viscount's son insists she remain and do as she was hired.

Can she get through the next two weeks without failing in some manner. She is hired help, but they insist she join them for meals in dress. The viscount's son is engaged to a woman he detests and that woman quickly develops a hate for Marty.

This is a tale with plenty of suspense, intrigue and mystery mixed with the possibility of romance. Join Marty as she walks the halls of the manor and finally walks into a murder. The intention by the killer is to make her the suspect, but will it succeed?

A well written tale by talented author Susanne Marie Knight that will please the mystery fan or the romantic suspense fan. Is there something more to the viscount's illness? Why does he keep having recurring bouts? Will they discover what is happening in time?

Recommended for a fun read to learn who the killer is and why he plotted such a complex crime. Is it about money or a title or revenge of some sort? Enjoy following Marty and the rest of the well drawn cast along the twisting paths of suspense and susicion. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Dead On by Ann Kelly

Title: Dead On
Author; Ann Kelly
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595326641
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, then you will enjoy talented author Ann Kelly's tale of one soul chasing through time after another.

The diary of a young woman long dead, an escaped convict, a medical examiner, a carpenter, and a psychiatrist--what have they got in common? How do they relate to the deaths and threatening emails sent to Ann Yang, medical examiner?

Join Ann Yang as she tries to untangle her personal and professional life and help catch a killer who leaves strange clues behind. Will she be one of his victims?

Visit Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and you'll find it isn't the sort of town where serial killers live and kill. Yet, that is just what happens. Follow the trail as the killer has done and see if souls really do live more than one life. That is the question that will keep you reading.

Recommended as a fun read with an intriguing cast of characters, this is a tale that offers readers something different and interesting. Enjoy. I did. By Anne K. Edwards

Three Wise Monkeys by Lesley-Anne McLeond

Title: Three Wise Monkeys
Author: Lesley-Anne McLeond
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc.
ISBN: 1587495759
Genre: Regency Romance

Louisa Rainley and her two friends, The Haythe twins, are out to enjoy a season in London where they will be presented to society and perhaps find a match to ensure their futures. She only hopes it will be fun and a success under the sharp eyes of her sponsors.

Louisa has recently gotten over a crush on the twins elder brother who is now Lord Cheriton and convinced she is ready for a serious relationship. However, she is somewhat distressed to hear a rather infamous woman may have the Lord in mind as a husband.

A series of hijinks, misunderstandings and uncertainties give the reader a good time. You may have an idea of the ending of the story, but the getting there is more than half the fun. Will bad companions win out? Will love find a way? Will the monkey continue to wreak havoc?

A very enjoyable story by talented author Lesley Anne McLeod. Lots of romance and a very well-drawn cast of characters to tell you their tale.

Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Grave Future by Susanne M. Knight

Title: Grave Future
Author: Susanne M. Knight
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc.
ISBN: 1587495775
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Do you like creepy graveyards at night? Do you enjoy plodding along a dark country road in the rain? You may be sure that Jocelyn Hunter did not so why not keep her company and see what happens.

She was lost after a car accident left her stranded. The only shelter from the storm was a house inhabited by a surly man who did not want to offer her shelter. But he decided letting her in the house would be safer than letting her seek shelter in a mausoleum.

Safer for him that is. He felt a need to keep an eye on her. He did not believe her story of being lost. She must be a spy.

You'll have to know what is going on, why Dan Ferguson acts so strange, who is Velma and who is Ned.

A fun read with touches of the paranormal, suspense, and romance blended by talented author Susanne M. Knight to make for a well told tale that will keep you reading. Recommended for a dark and stormy night when the wind is howling down the chimney and the house creaks in response. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Highland honor by Christina Young

Title: Highland Honor
Author: Christina Young
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc.
ISBN: 1587495708
Genre: Historical Romance

Life in the Scottish Highlands in the fifteen hundreds was hard and dangerous. There was constant warfare between the English and Scots and among the Scots themselves as one clan sought to eradicate another.

Such was the life that Callie Whitcomb was born to. Her father was an Englishman and when he died, her stepbrother decided she would marry a man she detested. She had other plans.

She escaped her family home and went in search of a man known as Hawke. She thought he was an old friend of her father whose life he had saved. However, once she found him, she also found that things were not as she supposed. She had escaped one trap, only to be caught in another.

Will she ever know security again? Or will she always be a prisoner to the schemes of a captor?

Talented author Christina Young uses her vivid imagination to create a story that will keep you reading. Recommended as a fun read for any romance fan. Enjoy.

Anne K. Edwards

Deadly Laws by Jim Michael Hansen

Title: Deadly Laws
Author: Jim Michael Hansen
Publisher: Dark Sky Publishing
ISBN: 10: 0976924331
Genre: Mystery
4 1/2 bolts

How would you react if you received a phone call and the caller said if you didn't do what you were told a woman would die and it would be your fault? Would you hang up and forget it as a prank or take it seriously?

Law student Kayla Beck feels coerced to take on the task of rescuing the woman and goes armed. She finds the woman wearing a locked steel collar chained to the floor of a boxcar and things get ugly from there.

At the same time this rescue is taking place, plans are made for the kidnapping of another woman for other purposes. Here, the question arises if these two things could be connected? How? The crimes aren't the same.

Detective Bryson Coventry is drawn into chasing a murderer and kidnapper when a body is discovered in a boxcar. He's wondering who had worn that collar and if the dead man was killed by the kidnapper because he raped the captive.

Talented author Jim Michael Hansen keeps the many subplots and characters moving in a delicate balancing act that tightens the noose around a serial killer as victims, killer and Bryson Coventry cross paths, often missing each other. This is a thriller that will have you looking in one direction while the killer is doing something else. A tale that readers something different.

I'm pleased to recommend this tale to any thriller or mystery fan. The imaginative departure from the time-tried plotlines will satisfy and have readers looking for other books by this author.

Anne K. Edwards

Removing Edith Mary by Anne Morgellyn

Title: Removing Edith Mary
Author: Anne Morgellyn
Publisher:: BeWrite Books, UK
ISBN: 190449269X
Genre: Mystery

Louise Moon has a job that none of us would envy. She handles corpses on a daily basis, moving them from one place to another and, in the case of those with no known relatives, makes the arrangements for funerals and collecting the bits and pieces left behind by the dead.

Her world is one of bleakness, decorated with the cobwebs of some inner guilt that causes her to champion lost causes like the son of deceased Edith Mary Woods. Louise undertakes to help Roy Woods establish a small memorial to his mother. The problem is, of course, that Roy is a mental patient and her attempts to help him are not looked upon with favor by her boss, his psychiatrist or her boyfriend.

Talented author Anne Morgellyn has taken two very unlikely people and brought them together in an unexpected manner. She understands well the inner workings of the human heart and mind and makes us look deeper than the words of this well told tale.

Though fiction, the plot and characters are realistically portrayed and you'll find yourself wondering how they'll manage. What will happen to the man whose problems keep him labeled as a social misfit? How will Louise deal with her unpleasant job and boss? You'll want to know. Then you'll be looking for other books by this imaginative author.

Recommended as a very good read for anyone looking for something a bit different. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Adam's Point by Elena Dorothy Bowman

Title: Adam's Point
Author: Elena Dorothy Bowman
Publisher: ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 1594315043
Genre: Paranormal

Beware large old homes with mysterious pasts. And multiple ghosts.

A young woman inherits a house that seems frozen in time and sets about turning it into an inn with the added attraction of its resident ghosts who'd be sure to give guests a good case of shivers. But that's not all they give the guests.

A powerful spirit takes up residence above the house and it doesn't seem happy. Things become dangerous and the owner doesn't know why. Abigail seems threatened by the house that had formerly welcomed heer. What is going on? Why has the house changed? When guests go missing, Abigails' husband--Ethan, decides the women must leave the house while he searches for them.

Talented author Elena Dorothy Bowman leads us across the line between our reality and that of the spirit world where anything is possible. As in the first two of the series, The House on the Bluff and The Gatekeeper's Realm, there is plenty of spooky action to give you chills and keep you reading. You'll have to know what is the reason behind all the ghosts and events.

I'm pleased to recommend this tale to any reader who enjoys paranormal tales guaranteed to have you looking for other books by the same author. You'll be looking at large old homes wondering if they could have similar ghost tales after reading this fun tale. Enjoy. I sure did. Anne K. Edwards

Bed and Breakfast Murders by Billie A. Williams

Title: Bed and Breakfast Murders
Author: Billie A. Williams.
Publisher: Wings ePress
ISBN: (elec) 1590884884
(print) 1590887050
Genre: Mystery

You'd think a Bed and Breakfast in the country would be peaceful, especially during a blizzard. However, The Pink Lady Slipper is anything but peaceful.

The B&B started life as a brothel and something of that life remained even after it changed hands. It reached its present status when owner, Trudy Moncha's mother was murdered and Trudy inherited it, tainted past and all.

New guests arriving to spend some time in the winter, to enjoy sleigh rides and other winter activities or so it is supposed to be. But, it doesn't happen. The guests arrive along with a blizzard and the B&B is effectively cut off from the outside.

Trudy is fortunate to have friend Alexandra and two hired hands to help out during this stressful period. Her guests are a strange group, all traveling together. Three are men without tongues, a woman who gives no name, and a man calling himself Marquis. Things go smoothly enough until the woman is murdered, followed by other not so nice incidents.

Not a tale for the easily frightened to be reading on a dark night when they're alone. Every creak in the house will have you jumping. You'll be on the edge of your seat when things start happening, wondering what will happen next. A well told tale by a talented author that will have you looking for other books she's written. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Upstaged by Aaron Paul Lazar

Title: Upstaged, a Gus LeGarde Mystery
Author: Aaron Paul Lazar
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 14137722587
Genre: Mystery

If you ever worked on a high school play, you will definitely feel at home in this tale of suspense as Gus LeGarde and a well-drawn cast try to figure out who has a reason to stop the production. What could anyone have against a bunch of schoolkids putting on a play?

Have you ever met a stage mother? Or perhaps kids whose tempers exceed their acting ability? And what of the disappointed members of the background cast who wanted to be stars? Add to the mix a rather different clean-up crew and teaching staff andy you have an interesting, fun read.

Gus LeGarde and his fiance are involved in the production of the annual high school play and planning their wedding at the same time. How could they know someone wants to stop both sets of plans. How could they know death waits in the wings?

Talented Aaron Paul Lazar has created a cast of lifelike characters whose doings will keep you reading as the plot unfolds. Plenty of suspense and surprises await the reader who enjoys a good mystery. Recommended as well worth the time. Enjoy.

Anne K. Edwards

False Impressions by Jeffrey Archer

Title: False Impressions
Author: Jeffrey Archer
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 0312353723
Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Do you think you know how the art world works? Well, think again and then read False Impressions. You'll find a banker with a new way of building his collection.

A famous Van Gogh painting is up for grabs after the North Tower is destroyed in the 9/ll attack. The offices and papers of the bank that had a lien against it were destroyed but the banker was still determined to establish ownership.

But Anna Petrescu who had acted on the banker's behalf suddenly found herself without a job and wasn't sure why. Her firing made her suspicious of her ex-boss's intentions regarding the painting and she decided to take matters into her own hands.

At the same time, FBI agent Jack Delaney has been assigned the case being build against Anna's ex-boss and she comes under his watchful eye. He wonders whether she's acting for her ex-boss or herself when she takes flight for England to visit the owner of the painting.

A well-told, complicated tale of people moving in one direction, but each with his or her own purpose. The plot thickens when a new player begins to also follow Anna on her rather involed trip to Europe.

Anna is aware she is being followed, and takes steps to frustrate the person behind her, without realizing who he is or that another person has joined the chse.

Author Jeffrey Archer has used his vast imagination in creating complex characters and plots that meld together in a tale that will keep you reading. Plenty of action without the usual shoot-'em-ups, set in a series of well-drawn backgrounds with lifelike characters who live the story.

At times, the hair on the back of your neck will seem to rise when the villains you will love to hate come on the scene while you will will be hoping all the good characters come through the story with a whole skin.

Highly recommended as a story filled with all the things that make a fun read. You're sure to enjoy this book. I really did.

Anne K. Edwards

Jill 9 by J. D. Tynan

Title: Jill 9
Author: J. D. Tynan
Publisher: A Better Be Write Publisher LLC
ISBN: 0976;773295
Genre: Romantic Suspense

The past is prologue so they say and it couldn't be more true than in the case of Elias, Ian and Jill. A few short summer days, an accident, and what brought Jill into the world of Elias and Ian took her away.

Ian Hamlin grew up to be a tough FBI agent, Jill became a meteorologist and Elias a spoiled rich man. Ian and Elias lost their friendship after reaching adulthood to become bitter enemies while Jill put them out of her mind.

That is, except for Ian. Her memory of a boy could still stir her senses as a woman. Because of him, she never found any man she wanted to stay with. Until Elias came back into her life and she thought maybe he could be the 'one'.

But fate played with their lives again. Eight dead women with the same name as Jill, brought Ian back into her life as an investigator intent on protecting her and catching a serial killer. And Jill was back to square one romantically.

Talented J. D. Tynan has a surprise in store for the reader as the story unwinds and the plot thickens. Like a magician, who has you looking at one hand while another pulls a coin from your ear, she points your focus on a possible killer, but lurking in the background is a shadow that moves into the foreground as the story moves along.

Recommended for any fan of suspense or romance. A well told tale with interesting characters who move the plot along. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards.

Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross by Florence Byham Weinberg

Title: Apache Lance, Franciscan Cross
Author: Florence Byham Weinberg
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: ebook: 1931201430, paperback 1933353449
Genre: Historical

Something different and something definitely worth reading. A tale of two
people from the two cultures that dominated the American southwest at the
time that Spain lay claim to it.

Ahuila, an Apache woman, comes into contact with the Franciscan monks who
are working to establish new missions in her tribe's territory. She is drawn
in particular to one called Fray Marcos because of his golden hair. Hiding
her identity, she joins the group and watches him and bides her time. She
plans to offer him as a sacrifice to her father's spirit.

Fray Marcos was a former member of a minor aristocratic family until he felt
the call to serve God. Much against his family's wishes, he joined the
Franciscans and was sent to serve in the Spanish territories in the New
World. He notices Ahuila watching him and begins to worry about his own
feelings. Such feelings can cause him to be forced out of his Brotherhood.

This is a tale I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. It offers a look at several
conflicts that would have occurred during this period between cultures and
the individuals from those cultures. Talented author, Florence Byham
Weinberg has created a wonderfully lifelike cast of characters with definite
personalities who will pull you into their world and make you believe it
could have happened exactly like this. I'm glad I had the chance to read
it.

Anne K. Edwards

St. Hubert's Stag by John Richard Lindermuth

Title: St. Hubert's Stag
Author: John Richard Lindermuth
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 0595328695
Genre: Fiction

Have you ever read a story by a natural-born storyteller and gone back to a time to meet characters you had never known, yet come away with a feeling of having gone home? That's how St. Hubert's Stag will make you feel if you enjoy visiting small-town folks who live ordinary lives, but are very interesting people.

Jake Keller is an ailing, aging man determined to have one last hunt in his beloved woods, the place that has always felt like his real home. Nothing, anyone can say will make him change his mind. The desire is like a fever in his blood and must run its course. And, while hunting, he is forced to confront his mortality.

The very talented John Richard Lindermuth has taken a patch of woods, a very small town, and peopled them with characters you will miss when you close this book with a satisfied sigh and wish it had been longer. You'll get to meet Jake's son, Andy, who keeps a small store, his wife Janet and their son Nipper. In the background lurk a wonderful assortment of people who come to life on these pages and make the story move.

Highly recommended as a pleasant way to spend some time. This is a tale you can read again and learn something new about the characters. A keeper. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Night Laws by Jim Michael Hansen

Title: Night Laws
Author: Jim Michael Hansen
Publisher: Dark Sky Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 0976924307
Genre: Mystery/Legal Thriller

Beware following Bryson Coventry into places where he will be questioning witnesses and suspects about murders that occur in his jurisdiction. You'll follow him right into danger.

A riveting tale of murder and mahem that will have you staying up late to see how the murder of a young woman leads to other murders and kidnappings. You'll just have to know what the secret is that lawyer Kelly Parks withheld from Coventry when questioned about a strange phone call made to her number on the phone of the victim after she was murdered.

What involvement does Kelly's boss have in this investigation of a serial killer who is using horrible methods to kill young women. Will Coventry be in time to save the latest victim? Do the victims have a common factor that marks them for the killer? These are some of the questions you'll just have to know the answers to.

Highly recommended as a book you won't be able to put down. A delightfully macabre tale by talented Jim Michael Hanson with well-drawn, lifelike characters who move the plot along. Lots of action, lots of suspense. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Bone Thief by Thomas O'Callaghan

Title: Bone Thief
Author: Thomas O'Callaghan
Publisher: Pinnacle
ISBN: 0786018119
Genre: Thriller

Goose bumps, anyone? Chills and thrills? A spine-tingling tale of murder that will keep you awake nights, once read. You'll be careful who you meet on the internet also.

The boneless bodies of women from all walks of life are turning up in strange places. Their heads, hands and feet are missing. Yet they are identified from clues the killer deliberately leaves.

Lt. John Driscoll must find the killer as the pressure from the top mounts. How many times will this diabolic killer strike before he's caught?

This isn't a tale for the squeamish or those who have trouble sleeping. A crossing of all the genre lines blends into a good strong read for fans of dark tales with plenty of action. A well-told story that you will enjoy and be looking for other books by this very talented author. Enjoy (shudder, shudder). I certainly did.

Anne K. Edwards

Lost Hearts by Fran Shaff

Title: Lost Hearts
Author: Fran Shaff
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books, Inc.
ISBN: 1587495376
Genre: Romance

A child's loss of family brings two people together who will decide her future. Will they be able to reach an agreement that will keep her happiness intact?

Amanda Fairchild inherits Loreena O'Fallon when the child's parents are taken in one of the rounds of disease that often visited frontier settlements. The little girl has been cared for by a family friend, Jared Sterling until her new guardian can arrive.

On Amanda's arrival, Jared is displeased to learn that she plans to take the child from the small town and return to the city. He is also strongly drawn to the lovely young woman and finds himself torn between an attraction for her and wanting to keep Loreena near him.

Faith and regret play a strong part in this interesting tale, bringing a sharp awareness to any reader that one can't take back hurtful actions when it's too late. Such is the lesson Amanda must learn while Jared must learn to live his own life.

Talented author Fran Shaff gives a moral tale as well as a story of romance that will please any romance fan. Recommended as well worth the time. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

The Elixir by Thomas Root III

Title: The Elixir
Author: Thomas Root III
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: ebook--19333353023
Genre: Literary/Magic realism

A fun read that opens the door to all sorts of possibilities when dealing with romance and magic. Raising the question of what might happen if one were given the opportunity to outlive one's allotted time and cheat death for centuries, this tale makes the choices possible for one young couple.

Tom is madly in love with his wife, Carole, and she with him, but there is a blot on their happiness. Carole has a painful disease for which there seems to be no cure. That is, until they meet Lucinda Hobson, a rather strange lady with an even stranger cat. It turns out, she is their landlady.

This meeting proves fateful for the three people and changes the course of their lives. Hope and faith are tested in dealing with an offer Lucinda sets forth for Tom and Carole to consider. Dare they accept?

An experience into the paranormal adds to the fun of this tale. Recommended as something different for any reader. Talented author Thomas Root III takes readers into a world where anything seems possible, yet is grounded in reality. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Black Tide by Ingrid McLaughlin Taylor

Title: Black Tide
Author: Ingrid McLaughlin Taylor
Publisher: PageFree Publishing Inc.
ISBN: 1589614143
Genre: Mystery

Tragedy brings Mikela Williams north to start a new life in a lighthouse she
has inherited. On the road she runs into a storm and a new complication in
her life.

Almost immediately she is warned away from the lighthouse by the mysterious
man who rescues her from the storm. He tells her it isn't safe to life at
the lighthouse, but she refuses to let him dampen her enthusiasm for the
plans she's made.

Once at the lighthouse, she learns why she was warned against staying there.
The mystery surrounding the old place seems to have many levels and many
directions. She finds the place is full of strange noises and that some
caverns lurk below it with a mystery all their own.

Talented Ingrid McLaughlin Taylor has created an intriguing multi-level read
that crosses mystery and romance genre boundaries to please readers of both
genres. Lots of questions will keep you reading as the mystery deepens.

Recommended as a pleasing read worth the time. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Secrets of the Widow's Son by David A Shugarts

Title: Secrets of the Widow's Son
Author: David A. Shugarts
Publisher: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
ISBN: 1402728190
Genre: Nonfiction

Have you read Dan Brown's book The Da Vinci Code? Were you aware there are mysteries contained in the book itself? Did you find them? Do you want to know what they are about?

If so, Secrets of the Widow's Son is one book you won't want to miss. It offers possible explanations, further references and speculations on Dan Brown's next book, as well as a combination of information and historical facts relating to The Da Vinci Code you will find fascinating.

This is also a fun-to-read reference book that brings to light some little-known or long-forgotten facts about organizations and people who influenced our Nation's past as the talented author, David A. Shugarts, traces Dan Brown research for the books he's already written and possible future tales.

A very well put together collection of facts mixed with myths, speculations, and introductions to people we may never otherwise meet. Easy to read and follow, a recommended book that will become a keeper. You'll want it on hand to see if Dan Brown's next book or the one following that is as Mr. Shugarts believes. Also, a great book to serve as a quick history and reference. Enjoy. I certainly did.

Anne K. Edwards

Angels in Disguise by Betty Sullivan LaPierre

Title: Angels in Disguise
Author: Betty Sullivan La Pierre
Publisher: SynergEbooks
ISBN: 07443010903
Genre: Mystery

If you enjoy a mystery with personality and the warmth of human drama, this is one book you will want to read. Another stimulating tale of Tom Casey, aka Hawkman, that will take you into the dark secrets of a woman who has disappeared without a trace.

Paul Ryan hires Hawkman to find his missing wife, Carlotta, who left without giving anyone her destination. Things go from bad to worse when they learn Carlotta was bringing criminal types into her home that she shared with a ten year old daughter.

A check with friends and neighbors reveals nothing until an unidentified idea nags at Tom until he realizes what it is. His suspicions mount as threats are made against the child and she is kidnapped.

Who had the motive to do something like that? Where is the child? Where is the mother? Does the husband or his opinionated mother have anything to do with these disappearances?

Talented author Betty Sullivan La Pierre gives the reader a tale of blended subplots and lifelike characters who act with hidden motives. You'll want to read the other tales in this series, perhaps more than once. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

In For The Kill by Betty Sullivan La Pierre

Genre: Mystery

A very good read. Lots of action with lifelike characters to carry the story forward without pausing.
You'll enjoy meeting them and love even the villains so well are they drawn. The setting will make you recall visits to a mountain lake or wish you could visit one now.

Mysterious phone calls are followed by threats and increasing harassment to Jennifer and Tom Casey, also known as Hawkman. Who is Jim Anderson the caller wants to speak with? Why does he call the Casey residence.

Hawkman begins a search that leads into the past and finds surprises awaiting him. Can he find this troublemaker before things get too serious? Join him as he tries to avoid pitfalls and sort the truth from lies.

I'm pleased to recommend this fun read by talented author Betty Sullivan La Pierre whose creative ability will keep you reading. You'll want to read her other books as her characters quickly become old friends.

Enjoy. I sure did. by Anne K. Edwards

Why Casey Had to Die by L. C. Hayden

Title: Why Casey Had to Die
Author: L. C. Hayden
Publisher: Techno Books/Ed Gorman
ISBN:
Genre: Mystery

If you enjoy mysteries with twists and characters who will beckon you
farther and farther along the road of intrigue, you will really enjoy this
tale by talented author L. C. Hayden. An unexpected villain and twists in
the plot offer a fun read to any mystery buff.

Harry Bronson was forced into early retirement from the police force because
he bent the rules to solve cases. He took only one thing with him when he
left the force, copies of the file on his first murder case, the one that
went unsolved.

Never satisfied with the way the case ended, he promised Casey's mother he'd
continue doing his best to solve it. Now, retired, he and his wife take a
vacation, only he has taken a job as consultant to a mystery group that
plays at solving murders at their annual meeting. How was he to know someone
arranged his presence there, that the murder to be played out was very
recognizable as that of Casey?

Nevertheless, that is what he ran into when he arrived at the meeting and
was almost immediately accused of murder himself. Wondering what was really
going on, Bronson sets out to find the answers with murder and gameplaying
working against him.

A fresh, well plotted tale peopled with characters you will enjoy meeting,
even the baddies. After reading this book, you will be looking for other
tales by this talented author. I know I will. Enjoy.

Anne K. Edwards

Sonnet of the Sphinx by Diana Killian

Title: Sonnet of the Sphinx
Author: Diana Killian
Publisher: Pocket Books
ISBN: 10 0743466802
Genre: Mystery

A book you will want to read more than once. A finely crafted English mystery with a hint of Agatha Christie influence. Instead of just a place you've heard about in relation to the famous poets of the age of Byron and Shelley, talented author Diana Killian brings them to life, peopled with characters who step off the page to take you by the hand and lead you into intrigue and murder.

An American teacher, Grace Hollister, has taken up residence in England, remaining because she needs to define her feelings for Peter Fox, ex-thief, who now owns an antiques shop. It is through his purchase of the contents of a house that Grace becomes involved in murder while hunting for a lost Shelley poem.

The search takes Grace to old manor homes, the local library, and the home of a wealthy Japanese businessman who is also in search of the poem. While the search goes on, a nasty Turkish ex-prison guard turns up in Peter's shop and threatens Peter. Later he is found dead and Grace is accused of murder by the new librarian.

Attempts on Grace's life throw suspicion on Peter and even she has doubts. Could he be responsible? Why? Or could it be related to the lost poem?

Join Grace as she tries to unravel her mixed feelings for Peter and discover the lost poem if it actually exists. A fun read meant for a dark and stormy night and a bright fire with a cozy chair beside it.

Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Past Imperfect by Nora Peterson

Title: Past Imperfect]
Author: Nora Peterson
Publisher: ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 1594313520
Genre: Mystery

A new friend of Sam's dies under strange circumstances just after her father is killed in a car accident, and after the friend has just asked Sam to find out something about her past. So Sam takes on the job of finding out who Angie Drummond really was.

The job takes her from sunny Arizona to wintry Boston just in time for a snowstorm. The airlines loses her luggage and things go downhill from there.

A man who kept bumping into Sam on the street is found murdered in the room next to hers. Papers are stolen from her room, the police aren't interested in the hypothetical case they think Sam is building about her friend's death. And Sam's old boyfriend, Jack, seems more interested in his career than helping her.

But, at last, she does get his help and meets people who she is certain have information about Angie's mysterious past. Will they help her? Or will they consider her a threat when she learns other members of Angie's family also died under questionable circumstances. Who wants to kill an entire family? Why?

Talented author Nora Peterson keeps the reader turning pages as Sam finds herself in the middle of chaotic family relationships and an attempt is made on her life. Well drawn characters add their own touches to the story and you'll get a real dose of winter in Boston.

This is a book I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to any mystery reader. Enjoy. I sure did.

Anne K. Edwards

Big Daddy's Gadgets by C. S. Fuqua

Title: Big Daddy's Gadgets
Author: C. S. Fuqua
Publisher: Awe-Struck E-Books
ISBN: 1587495546
Genre: Science Fiction

Two stories in one for the sci-fi fan. A fun read about a boy and his grandfather in the first half and the man he became in the second. A tale for the time travel buff with a paranormal touch added to flavor it even more..

If you believe in time travel and an afterlife, you will enjoy learning about the trials and tribulations of building a time machine and what happens when it is done. Add to this a device that makes it possible to communicate with those on the other side and you have a story that offers something different.

Josh and Big Daddy moved from Red Level, Alabams to Hawaii when his mother is transferred there to handlle the negotiations with Hawaii that wants to withdraw from the Union. Will another civil war ensue?

Big Daddy is an inveterate inventor of gadgets and continues with his work, especially when he learns of a time machine built by Dr. Tanaka. Big Daddy builds one of his own and what happens after proves how unpredictable things can be.

This story is set against building tensions in the political world that ultimately result in war. Josh and a friend are tossed into the future and must rebuild their lives there. But their idyll is interrupted with the appearance of others. Imagine Josh's shock when he finds an old nemesis has survived the war too.

The action alone will keep you reading, but you'll want to know how things work out. The story contains a moral but the problem is, will humanity learn its lesson?

A fun read you will enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Whispers by Nancy Madison

Title: Whispers
Author: Nancy Madison
Publisher: ebooksonthe.net
ISBN: 978-1-59431-266-4
Genre: Romantic Suspense

What would you do if the man you were about to marry betrayed you in the worst possible way the night before your wedding and proved to have another motive for marrying you other than love?

Would you jump from the frying pan into the fire as Lane Hamilton did? In her efforts to put things in perspective she travels south to Virginia only to find her problems have followed. Her return to New York is no better. Will she ever find happiness?

The plot twists and turns, surprising the reader as Layne tries to untangle herself from the darker motives of others. Does love have a chance? Will Layne forgive the past? These are but a few of the questions you'll want answered as you read.

A well-told tale that any romantic suspense fan will enjoy. Creative author Nancy Madison weaves a plot from motives, danger, romance and fear that will keep you reading. You'll feel as if you've stayed at the lovely B&B in Virginia with Layne so well described are the settings. Lots of adventure and action for an exciting read.

Recommended as a fun read that will have you looking for other books by Nancy Madison. Enjoy. I did.

Anne K. Edwards

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Who is Margaret? by Celia A. Leaman

A fun collection of stories by talented author Celia A. Leaman who entertains her readers with stories of unusual adventures of characters who seem like ordinary people. But are they?

If you've ever done your laundry in a laundromat and passed the time with a stranger, you'll identify with Veronica when she meets Margaret. Does she feel drawn to Margaret because she needs a friend? Is Margaret who she appears to be or someone altogether different.

Can a new suit really alter our appearance? Read "The Suit" and find out. Would you wear such a suit out of season?

Step into the future and learn about clones. Would you want a copy of yourself living with you, learning to be you in all things? Spend time with Zan and Dara and then decide.

Tales that take us away from the ordinariness and lift us to the extraordinariness of living. Each one a separate adventure. I'm happy to recommend this book as a very pleasant way to spend some reading time. Enjoy. I certainly did. Anne K. Edwards

The Golden Crusader by Linda Langwirth

Homecoming for Gemma Ravenscroft is bitter and bittersweet. She did not miss her father in her life but sadly missed the last years of her grandmothers life. She is hoping the cottage left to her by her grandmother will be a retreat from a world she never felt she belonged to while she works on her book.

Gemma can't seem to stay out of trouble and is almost immediately is taken in hand by the local doctor and a sea captain whose competition for her affections is often trying. However, add a ghost to that mix and you have a whole new situation. All three are willing to risk much to protect her when it turns out she has enemies. Their main concern is who will she choose.

Some locals blame her for her father's removal from their church and other, newer, enemies are smugglers who want her gone from the cozy cottage above the sea cove.

A fun mixture of romance, mystery, paranormal and fantasy, it is with pleasure I recommend The Golden Crusader by talented author Linda Langwirth who has crafted a multi-faceted tale to grab and hold your attention. Guaranteed to satisfy any romantic at heart or mystery buff. Enjoy. I sure did. Anne K. Edwards

The Hidden Assassins by Robert Wilson

The trail of death leads from a faceless body in the garbage dump to an explosion in a suburb of Seville in an apartment building that housed a mosque in the basement. Inspector Falcon and other investigators are trying to figure out what is going on. Why would somebody destroy an entire wing of a building, killing children in a day care center as well? What madness is causing this indiscriminate killing?

You'll find yourself wondering what the personal life of Judge Calderon has to do with the killings also. What links do his mistress and mistreated wife play?

There are many other threads woven into this tale that will keep you guessing. Talented author Robert Wilson gives mystery or thriller fans a tale that could be taken from current events involving religious fanaticism and the mounting tensions between the many groups involved.

Mysterious men working for a mysterious communications company might be involved in the bombing. Is there an American link? Do politics play a role in the chaotic aftermath to the bombing? Will Falcon find out who is responsible?

Surprises await the reader of this fun tale as it unwinds. You'll find there are unexpected links between Calderon and Falcon, unexpected twists in the story that guarantee reading satisfaction. Enjoy. Anne K. Edwards

Time Rift by Elena Dorothy Bowman

With a desire to learn as much as she could about the ancient people of Mu and if the Hawaiian Islands could be a remnant, Trisha Holden returned home to immerse herself in old legends. This takes her into the waters around the islands to explore and learn with an old friend named Martin who was native to the islands. Martin teaches her the old myths and legends connecting Hawaii to Mu. Can there really be a connection? Could any of this be true.

Going against all warnings not to dive alone, Trisha takes her boat out and dives. A seaquake traps her and she thinks she will die after running out of air. On awakening, she finds herself trapped in a bubble with descendants of Mu. There will be no escape for the Pacific Ocean rolls restlessly overhead.

She is taken under the wing of a man named Kan who is the High Priest of this remnant of Mu. Trisha vows she will return to her home as she does not intend to remain a prisoner below the ocean even though Kan tells her that this could get her killed. With this threat and the discovery that she has earned the enmity of the high priestess, Trisha explores and tries to learn how she might escape. That the bubble that has so long preserved its people shows signs of weakening is not encouraging either.

A fun read by talented author Elena Dorothy Bowman that reintroduces us to old legends of the lost continent of Mu which serves as a setting where well drawn characters work out their destinies. Excitement and menace serve to capture your attention. Recommended for any fantasy or romance fan who enjoy something different. Enjoy. I did. by Anne K. Edwards