A Search for a Lost Childhood Friend

Halle Lane is back in Winchester, Tennessee where she grew up. She’s trying to remake her career as a reporter after having to leave her job in Nashville. Being home, she is reminded of her friend and next door neighbor, Andy Clark, who disappeared when she was seven. Andy has never been found. One way to get her career back on track is to have an exclusive story. Maybe it’s time to revisit what happened to Andy.

Liam Hart owns a vineyard in California. When he receives a picture of an unknown boy and a newspaper article about his disappearance, he doesn’t know why he received them, but he’s drawn to finding out. He decides to go to Winchester to meet the reporter and find out why he was sent the article. He couldn’t be the lost boy, or could he?

This is quite a good mystery. Halle and Liam pursue clues that lead them closer and closer to the answer about the boy, but the ending is a twist that it’s hard to guess. The story is told from two time periods, the present and the time when Andy disappeared. I enjoyed the early interactions between Andy and Halle more that those in the present. I thought she was much more authentic as a child and Andy was a great friend. I didn’t like him as much in the present. He was heavily into denial and it made him a more difficult character to like.

If you enjoy mysteries with a romantic twist, this is a good one.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Serial Killers on the Frontier

In 1797, Tennessee was still a wilderness with wild animals, Indians, and men who lived outside the law. Rachel Taylor, whose father owned a trading post, watched jealously as her friend, Sally, married Wiley Harpe. Good men were hard to find on the frontier and Rachel thought her friend one of the lucky ones in spite of the fact that Wiley’s brother Micajah made her uncomfortable. The idyllic wedding quickly turned sour. Wiley and Micajah had two other women with them and used all the women as common property.They were also thieves and killers.

Ben Langford, followed his cousin to the frontier. When he couldn’t find him, he learned that Thomas had been murdered probably a victim of the Harpes who had gone on a killing spree taking their families with them. Ben meets Rachel, who he likes very much when he joins a group looking for the Harpes.

This is more a dark story of serial killers than a romance, but Ben and Rachel are able to become fond of each other and support each other when the killers are apprehended. The story is historically accurate. The author did an in-depth search for information on the Harpes and their victims. I recommend reading the Historical Note at the end of the book for a good overview of the era.

Rachel and Ben are solid characters, making a contrast with Sally and Wiley. I thought the juxtaposition added to the realism of the story. This is a very well done historical crime story. I recommend it.

I received this book from Barbour Books for this review.

What Happens When the Planet Stops Rotating

Dr. Ellen Hopper has taken as assignment on a defunct oil rig to study ocean currents. The world order has been disrupted by a solar catastrophe that first slowed the planet’s rotation then brought it to a stop. Most of the world is left either in shadow where it’s cold or in sun where it’s too warm. Only Great Britain has an ideal climate. Britain has one half of the island and America has the other. It’s a standoff relationship because American has nuclear armaments and Britain doesn’t, and Britain would like to rule the whole island.

Ellen wants only to be left in peace, but when government operatives come to the rig to tell her that her mentor at university, Edward Thorne, is dying and wants to see her, she forces herself to go. What Thorne tells her sets her searching for the information he has been hiding. From there on, it’s a chase between Ellen and the British government operatives who also want the information.

The concept for this book is interesting. Could the planet stop spinning? How would that affect people left alive? I wish the author had been more specific about the science underlying the idea. You have to take the basic premise almost on faith. Still, it makes a good background for the story.

The plot moves slowly. We spend a lot of time on the rig with Ellen and with her decision of whether to pursue looking for the material Thorne tells her about. She is a difficult character to like. She dithers in whether to meet Thorne and then takes time deciding whether to pursue his clues.

In some ways the plot was too pat. When Ellen needed to get information or help from someone, they appeared without a great deal of buildup.

If you enjoy science fiction with an element of mystery, you may enjoy this book.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

To Win the Heart of a King

Alessandra killed her first lover because he preferred another girl. Since then she’s had numerous lovers. She uses them, gets expensive gifts, and throws them over, but she has a plan. When her father tells her that her older sister will marry and he’s now free to find a husband for her, she lets him know that her plans are already made.

Girls are sent to the palace regularly. With Alessandra’s sister returning, it’s her turn, and she plans to use it wisely. She will seduce the young shadow king, marry him, kill him, and rule the kingdom herself. She believes she can succeed, but will it be easy when faced with real people?

This is a fun fantasy. One caveat is that the morals of the characters are more than a little shaky, if that bothers you. Alessandra is a strong character. She knows what she wants and plans to get it. She is also talented. She designs her own clothes and has good female friends.

Kallias, the Shadow King, is likable. He has many challenges trying to govern, especially when at least one person besides Alessandra wants to kill him. He makes a good counterpoint to Alessandra being not in her league for viciousness, but needing her help.

I enjoyed the book. Perhaps one of the most fun parts that YA girls will love is the description of Alessandra’s beautiful clothes.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Serial Killer Strikes Every Ten Days

Detectives A.L. McKitteridge and Rena Morgan are under the gun. Baywood, Wisconsin women are terrified. Four women have been murdered at ten day intervals. There are no clues. The killer has been careful to leave no forensic evidence, and there is nothing connecting the four women. In another ten days another woman will die unless they can find the killer.

This is a police procedural with a plot that will keep you guessing and likable detectives that have real lives beyond the police station. A.L. is divorced and worried about his teenage daughter. Rena has been married for awhile and is trying to get pregnant. It’s taking a toll on her marriage. The interaction between the police officers is realistic. They would make a good team for a series.

The book is fairly slow paced in the opening chapters. We get to a crime scene, but mostly we get to know the detectives. However, toward the end, the pace speeds up and the tension rises as the detectives get closer and closer to the deadline. They think they’ve identified the next victim, but can the get to her in time.

If you enjoy police procedurals, this is a good one. I’m looking forward to the next book featuring these detectives.

I received this book from Harper Collins for this review.

Teenage Revenge Based on Macbeth

Elle and her three friends crash a St. Andrew’s party on her sweet sixteen. She’s used to being able to do whatever she wants, but this time she gets more than she bargained for. She’s drugged and raped. No longer the old Elle, she becomes Jade sworn to revenge.

She transfers to St. Andrew’s and begins the systematic destruction of the boys. Jade doesn’t just want to humiliate them. She wants to kill them and with the help of Andrew Mack, who she seduces and manipulates, that is exactly what she does.

This is a very dark tale with plenty of violence. The characters are based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Jade is Lady Macbeth. Her three friends are the three witches, and Andrew Mack is the hapless Macbeth. Duncan is the leader of the Saint Andrew’s contingent. The writing is crisp, full of primary colors. There are no lingering descriptions. The focus is on action. Much as I enjoyed the cleverness of the plot, it did get rather grim in places. It’s frightening to think of teenagers deciding to coldbloodedly kill each other.

This is a YA book, but it’s not for everyone. The themes are very adult, sexual assault, and murderous manipulation. I enjoyed the book, but care should be taken in recommending it to a teenager.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

The Story of King Manasseh and Shulle

Eight-year-old Shulle lives with her father in a small town. She adores her father, but he has peculiar tendencies. Even as a child, she helps him lead a relatively normal life. His brother, Lord Shebna, comes to visit. He is an advisor to King Hezekiah whose son, Nasseh, later King Manasseh, shows the same peculiar tendencies as Shulle’s father.

Believing Shulle can communicate with Nasseh, he induces her and her father to come live with him and become part of the court. As predicted, Shulle is able to deal with Nasseh’s peculiarities, and he becomes very attached to her. Then Shebna puts his plan into action. Belit, Shebna’s servant, is a witch devoted to the starry hosts. Seeing Belit’s power, Shulle turns away from Yahweh and pulls Nasseh with her.

As king, Manasseh, commits horrors. He marries Shullle and now she must also cope with the cruelty unleashed by Manasseh’s friendship with Assyria’s crown prince. This leads to a long a difficult path for Shulle, but also to redemption.

This is a well researched book. The story tracks scripture closely. One element the author adds to the story is the depiction of Nasseh as autistic, and Shulle’s father as well. She explains this decision in a note. I thought it was brilliant. Nasseh does fit t

he description of a person on the autism spectrum, and it explains not only his bad behavior, but his redemption.

I highly recommend this book. It’s a good story. The characters are well drawn and the background is authentic.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for this review.

A Progressive Republican Runs for Congress

Dissatisfied with the election of President Trump, pastor Robb Ryverse and his wife Vanessa wanted to do something to express their beliefs and change the country. They decided that one way to make a difference was to run for Congress. He ran against Steve Womack, a powerful incumbent, and lost the election, but in the process learned a great deal about politics and the relationship of politics to religion.

I can’t say that I agree with Robb’s politics or many of his religious beliefs, but his motivation was good. If people want their views known and taken seriously, more people will have to run for office. It’s tough, as Robb points, out, but worth the effort. This is a personal story and there are moving parts.

I suspect that many people will disagree with both his politics and his religious beliefs, but as a story, it’s worth reading.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.

A Young Nigerian Girl Searches for an Education to Give Her a “Louding” Voice

Born into poverty in Nigeria, Adunni at fourteen has been the family caretaker since her mother died. In Nigeria girls count for nothing. They have no voice. Before she died, Adunni’s mother told her that an education would give her a voice. Adunni doesn’t want just any voice. She wants a “louding” voice.

Adunni’s search for an education is not easy. First she’s sold to an older wealthy man as a bride. He wants a son. She runs away to the city hoping for a better life and is eventually sold in to slavery in Lagos. Through all the trials she doesn’t lose her objective of getting an education and becoming a teacher to help other girls.

This is a beautiful story, full of trials but also full of hope. Adunni is a character you will remember for a long time. She’s strong and brave and determined to better her life. The book is not easy to read at the beginning. Adunni is the narrator and her English is imperfect. As the book continues it gets better as her English improves. However, I was able to get the rhythm of the narrative and after the first chapters I didn’t notice the strong dialect.

The book highlights a number of abuses in Nigeria from child marriage to slave labor and the enormous gap between the poor and the wealthy. Although these issues form part of story, this book is about Adunni and her amazing resilience. I highly recommend it.

I received this book from Penguin Random House for this review.

A Fantasy World Filled with Violence and Abuse

In this fantasy world, the royals are the focus of the story. They live in a castle in the city of Highfall surrounded by the starving townspeople. There is also a roving band, the Slonim. This group is somehow connected with Highfall and have a mission to break the magic bonds. They have been working at it, breeding children to get the savior, for five generations.

Nate is a member of the Slonim. He is recruited as a child to become a magician and a healer to enter Highfall and help to bring about the unbinding. The rest of the story centers around the four children brought up in the castle. Judah is a orphan brought up in the castle because she has a bond with Gavin, the heir to the throne. They share each other’s feeling which is where some of the abuse comes in. Theron is Gavin’s younger brother. He’s very bright, but overlooked. The fourth child is Eleanor, she is supposed to marry Gavin and is in many ways the most likable character in the story.

I did not care for this book. The premise is interesting, but the telling is filled with violence, and the plot is so obscure you only get relevant information at the end of the book. The characters are not likable. It’s hard to care about their fate, particularly when the events are loosely held together and you're not sure where the plot is going.

I can’t recommend this book unless you like very long fantasy novels.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

Bombing Dresden Posed a Moral Dilemma for the Allies

Dresden was a cosmopolitan city filled with glorious buildings, home to the arts and music, and with a rich history. At the end of WWII, Dresdeners thought they would be spared. The city wasn’t a high value target from a military perspective, and it was renowned for its cultural significance. However, on February 13, 1945 that changed. The British and Americans agreed on one of the most devastating bombings of the war. After the war this decision was hotly debated.

Sinclair McKay builds the picture of Dresden prior to the bombing. The early chapters detail the art and architecture, the boys choir, and other cultural landmarks. He also discusses the plight of the citizens at the end of the war. Many were starving, had no good place to live, and were ill. The plight of the Jews was particularly dreadful. The had lost their homes, treasures, and relatives. Now they were hoping to not lose their lives.

After the scenes depicting the beauty of Dresden, the descriptions following the bombing are devastating. The streets were aflame. People were burned alive or suffocated in their shelters. Finally, the book ends with the reconstruction of the city and the friendship between Coventry, England and Dresden. It was a pleasing ending to the tale of tragedy.

Throughout the book, the author introduces us to the real people who were affected by the war from Jews to Hitler Youth to the Nazis who governed the city. Their stories made the tragedy real. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy history, particularly that of WWII.

I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.

FBI’s Mobile Response Unit Responds to Serial Killer

LAPD Detective Kara Quinn is on an enforced vacation in her home town of Liberty Lake. She’s bored and wants to cut the downtime short. That changes when she finds the body of a nurse on her morning jog. She knows immediately that this is murder and also knows that the police in Liberty Lake are unequipped to handle it. She needs to find a way to get involved.

Mathias Costa’s newly developed Mobile Response Team is almost ready for it’s first case. Even though arrangements are not perfect, Costa jumps at the chance to assist the Liberty Lake police. As more details emerge it starts to look like a case from three years ago. Catherine, an FBI profiler was assigned to that case, but now she’s on leave recovering from the devastating death of her sister. Costa must convince her to come back for this case. She’s the only one who can put the pieces together.

This is my favorite kind of police procedural. The emphasis is on looking for clues and putting the pieces together. I thought the author did an excellent job bringing in new facts to keeps the tension high.

Costa and Kara are well developed characters. Both their flaws and their strengths are on display. Their interaction makes the story more than just chasing clues. I also liked Catherine, the profiler. She seemed very talented, and I wanted to know more about her past with Costa and the case that forced her into retirement. I also liked the fact that the serial killer had chapters devoted to his view. It made the story more believable.

This is the first book in a new series. I’m looking forward to the next installment.

I received this book from Harlequin for this review.

A Longevite Battles His Demons

Zac Wilson is a daredevil with a secret. He can’t die or be injured due to a serum given to him over a hundred years ago when he was young. There are others like him and they form a family. Zac is still trying to understand the death of a family member when two longevites he didn’t know existed come to Harbor Vale, Michigan where he is staying near friends.

The new longevites tell of their family being decimated by deaths. This isn’t supposed to happen, so what’s going on? Is time running out on the longevites, or are they being targeted for some reason? Zac knows he must find out.

This is the second book in Amanda Stevens’ series. The characters are the ones from the first book with the addition of the newly discovered longevites. However, this is Zac’s story told from his point of view. I found it rather difficult to like him in this book. He’s moody and taciturn with his friends.

The plot moves slowly. Aside from Zac trying to come to terms with himself and his faith, not much happens. The family set out to solve the riddle of why the longevites are dying, but the action drags.

I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the first book. Being Christian SciFi, it lacks some of the darker aspects of contemporary science fiction, so would be appropriate for YA. If you want to read this book. I would recommend reading the first book before you tackle it.

I received this book from Shiloh Run Press for this review.