13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy
by L A Starks
Fiction/Espionage/Thriller
ISBN: 1-933285-45-1
$15.95 US/$18.95 CAN
Brown Books Publishing Group
www.brownbooks.com
www.lastarksbooks.com

The devastation and havoc caused by hurricane Katrina should have been a wake up call for America. But, as soon as gas prices began to drop, media attention reverted back to the latest tabloid issues. It is with the memory of this devastation and the long list of consequences this country could endure as a result of our oil addiction, that LA Starks penned this explosive debut novel. 13 Days is an espionage thriller taking the reader as close to the industry as possible, without dawning a hard hat and being part of the crew.

With Centennial Refinery on the verge of bankruptcy and management unable to shore up their company from within, the stage was set for an outside takeover. TriCoast Energy took control of the fledgling refinery. Lynn Dayton had four weeks to prove this a profitable venture to the board of directors. She had no way of knowing what began as merely another job, would soon become a matter of life and death for the employees, the refinery, and most importantly her family. Lynn Dayton is a strong character, engaging, intelligent. Her commitment to her family is mistakenly considered a weakness for an idealist that seriously underestimated his target.

With a magna cum laude degree in engineering, MBA in finance and a career in the oil industry

LA Starks provides a glimpse into the politics, secrets, and vulnerabilities as only someone with her extensive knowledge could deliver. I found the notes, definitions, and diagrams to be invaluable resources. While the lengthy detailed narratives, seemed to slow the story and clog the brain, it is vital to describe various processes in a basic, easy to understand format, due to the complexity of the subject matter. The plot, characters, and settings are all well thought out and delivered with the expertise of an award winning author. 13 Days is an excellent read that is as interesting as it is frightening. LA Starks has created a suspense filled thriller, that will keep the reader thinking from the very first chapter. Plot twists, unexpected betrayals, manipulations and so much more, this one has it all. If you love a good thriller, that keeps you up reading way past your bed time, look no further than 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy.

This is an exceptionally well written novel. I found it difficult to believe it was LA Starks debut novel. Well developed characters, strong and entertaining, 13 Days is one of those rare books that stays in your thoughts long after you've finished reading it! With this being the First - readers are sure to have many exceptionally well crafted titles to choose from.

What’s On The Other Side of The Rainbow?
Written by: Carla Jo Masterson
Illustrated by: Omra Jo Fochtman
Children’s Fiction
ISBN 10: 1-59975-228-X
ISBN 13: 978-1-59975-228-0
Harmony Soup Publishers
Father & Son Printing & Distribution
www.fatherson.com
www.mrpositively.com

The first thing that I noticed was the oversized, imprinted, hardcover, reminiscent of the Golden Books I loved so much as a child. What’s On The Other Side of The Rainbow has everything a parent or educator could ask for in a children’s book. Making it a rare find that will leave children pleading…. “ read it just one more time, please,” and parents happily obliging.

Carla Jo Masterson has created a literary work that will leave children smiling and parents feeling good about their choice of reading material. To deliver messages of such importance in fun, enjoyable ways is a testament to the talent of the author. Together, with the illustrations by Omra Jo Fochtman, this book should be read in daycare centers, schools, and homes everywhere.

What’s On The Other Side of The Rainbow is much more than a bedtime story. Carla introduces us to Mr. Positively, who leads the reader not only through the book, but through a door to understanding and accepting ourselves and our feelings, as well as, those of others. .

With the number of broken homes increasing, school violence and bullying on the rise, and the general decline of moral values, the need for a book such as this has never been greater. Carla Jo Masterson has answered that call with What’s On The Other Side of The Rainbow. To create a morally sound, entertaining book for children is no easy feat. However, Masterson has delivered all this, with a genuine sincerity that is both heart warming and refreshing!

I recommend What’s On The Other Side of The Rainbow, heartily and with reservation!

Sight Unseen
by Samantha Graves
Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Pages: 352
ISBN: 0-446-61838-1
$6.99 US/$9.99 CAN.
Hatchette Book Group USA
Warner Forever is an imprint of Warner Books, Inc.
www.SamanthaGraves.com
www.HatchetteBookGroupUSA.com

After her award winning series as CJ Barry, Samantha Graves had established herself as an excellent Romance author. With Sight Unseen she has raised the bar and changed the rules of the romance genre. To lable this book simply a Romance title, would be a grave injustice, Sight Unseen goes much deeper than that.

The adventure begins as Samantha takes the reader to the bottom of the ocean, to retrieve a medallion that was worn by 'King Pacal Votan the Great'. Raven Callahan is a modern day treasure hunter of sorts, with a special gift that allows her to authenticate the items, with a simple touch. She and her sister, Jillian receive information from inanimate objects. The stronger the emotion of the person that owned or touched the object, the more intensely it is felt by Raven. Working for API, she recovers priceless pieces for private collectors, as well as, museums that have been lost or stolen.

Dax Maddox is rugged and attractive, with loneliness and haunting anger in his eyes. Once a respected detective in Miami, he now had only one goal - to catch a killer! The night, Nick, his rookie partner was murdered, he had been imprisoned in a world filled only with shades of gray. He left the force to pursue a cop killer, to exact revenge and get justice for Nick. Which lead him to the art auction, at 'Matador's Auction House, in Miami. Bringing him face to face with the Vassalo painting and the beautiful woman he knew was a thief.

The chemistry between these two characters, Raven and Dax, is palpable. From the moment he forces her into a closet at the auction, to the swirling intensity of their first kiss, the reader is swept up into the story, like a leaf in a tornado! The author develops each as an individual, while continuing to bring them together, moving toward a confrontation with a killer and explosive intimacy. Both of which will leave the reader breathless and wanting more!

Samantha Graves has delivered an action packed, suspense thriller, filled with three dimensional characters that are intelligent and sexy. The various plot elements are effortlessly woven into the fabric of the lead, as well as, the supporting characters. This title has everything a reader could ask for; suspense - that keeps you guessing, action - that will keep you thinking, passion - that will make you breathless, combined with enough twists and turns to construct a mountain trail. What more could a reader ask for? Well, a sequel, of course!

I recommend this one, heartily and without reservation. Don't let "Sight Unseen" remain unseen by you!

Absolute Fear

by Lisa Jackson

Fiction

$19.95 ($25.95 Canada)

ISBN-13: 978-0-7582-1182-8

ISBN-10: 0-7582-1182-1

Kensington Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing
www.lisajackson.com

In her stunning follow up to the 2006 best seller "Shiver," Lisa Jackson has proven that there's room for a little romance amid all the death and depravity. Absolute Fear is part of the Bayou series, which includes, "Hot Blooded, Cold Blooded, and Shiver." The plot line is in depth and complicated yet developed simultaneously with the characters, in such a way that Absolute Fear stands on its own. This book has it all, child abuse, scandalous behavior within the church, unethical medical practices, sex, murder and mayhem. Having enjoyed this novel on every conceivable level, I have added all three previous titles to my list of must reads.

Absolute Fear opens three months after the ritualistic murder of Roy Kajak and the attempted murder of Eve Renner. Eve, still suffering from amnesia, returns to New Orleans.That very day, Cole Dennis was set free. It seemed like a life time ago that she had met Cole at her fathers farm house. A hot shot attorney that successfully represented Dr. Renner after his patient committed suicide. There was a part of her that had never been convinced that he had tried to kill her. On the night of her return, this belief would be tested, when Cole appears at her door.

They had to find a way to trust each other and work together. The irony of this uneasy alliance is yet another twist leading the reader deeper into the story. Everything that was happening was related to the asylum, where her father had been the head psychiatrist. As an adult she had heard rumors about Our Lady of Virtues and the horrors that occurred there. Now in order to regain control of her life she would have to go back where it all began. Because somewhere in the midst of that crumbling building were the shattered pieces of her memory. The key to the murders wasn't the only secret Our Lady held. Oh no, there was more, much more. The subtle innuendos quickly place the reader into a frenzied state of near panic. Frantically reading as quickly as possible in hopes of finding a calm place to slow down and breathe.

Unspeakable madness had once been perpetrated behind the walls of Our Lady of Virtues - and he intended to revive that madness, just for Eve. She would pay for her sins, he would make sure of that. Then he would be deified, his god had said. The "Reviver" is a sick, twisted, ritualistic murderer. The tattooing, cryptic clues and murders are all part of his elaborate revenge. He knew they were all so blinded by sin that they were unable to interpret that which he had written in blood for all to see? He wouldn't just spell it out for them - and yet that is exactly what he had done. As the true nature of his actions and extent of his manipulations are revealed, the skillfully coded clues scattered throughout become crystal clear.

Absolute Fear is an Absolute Best Seller! Lisa Jackson has continued her series, while creating a novel that stands tall on its own merit. Jackson's ability to explore the inner workings of this characters depraved mind is an astonishing literary feat, that should not be overlooked. Successfully delivering to the reader a fright filled journey into the dark recesses of a madman's desires, while maintaining a relationship filled with explosive passion places Lisa Jackson in the company of the best! This book has the perfect mix of secrets, lust and murder to keep readers coming back again and again. And with the door left open at the conclusion, we can hope that there will be another installment.

The Blue Zone
Andrew Gross
Fiction $25.95 ($32.95 Canada)
ISBN 13: 978-0-06-114340-3
ISBN 10: 0-06-114340-5
William Morrow an Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
www.harpercollins.com
www.andrewgrossbooks.com
Also available on CD from Harper Audio

Family secrets, skeletons in the closet, would you really want to know, if the truth would destroy everything? Such questions had never entered Kate Raab's mind. Until she got the call from her Mom, that would devastate her life. Those words "your father has been arrested, come quickly," made no sense. There had to be a mistake. Money laundering, connections to the Mercado Family, her father didn't know anyone from Colombia. Or, did he?

With a steady flow of action, suspense, and strong family emotion, The Blue Zone follows Kate as she discovers her life has been a lie. Refusing to accompany her Mother, sister and brother, into the protective custody of the WITSEC Program, Kate's communications with her family are limited and vague. After a year, she has married, and is trying to establish some semblance of a normal life. When her best friend is shot exiting the lab where they have worked together for several years. Kate is convinced the bullet was meant for her.

Is she paranoid, is she being watched? If so, by whom and what do they want from her? When agents return asking questions about her father, she learns he is missing. Their case handler has been tortured and killed. The implications were hanging in the air like smog over LA on a windless day. They thought her father was a murderer. Kate was convinced everyone was lying to her. She had to find her family and learn the truth. The strange photo, the necklace her Mother told her held secrets, what does it all mean? The questions would remain between Mother and Daughter for eternity. Silenced by the blast of a gun.

Once again, the reader is thrust into a state of uncertainty filled with nervous anticipation as the conclusion nears. The husband, the old man in the park, the agents that surround her, or her Father, can anyone be trusted? The mind swirls with possibilities. Keeping the reader guessing, wanting to know more, reading just one more chapter.

Agents refer to those missing from within the Witness Protection Program, as being in the Blue Zone. Kate describes it this way, somewhere between love and hate, right and wrong, revenge and forgiveness......in this way, we all live within our own "Blue Zone."

Andrew Gross doesn't open the door to the concept of "The Blue Zone" - He literally kicks it down! Having collaborated with James Patterson expectations were high for his solo debut. Readers will not be disappointed. Gross weaves his plot lines together and maintains a high octane ride like a seasoned pro. I look forward to reading his novels for years to come. In a crowded genre, with many well known and loved authors, Andrew Gross has cemented his place among the best!

"Su deber es pagado aqui, Amigo. Your duty here is done."As is mine.
Reviewing this title was a real pleasure! I recommend it heartily and without hesitation!

Happy Reading!

Willow's Bend
by Kat Michaels
Children's Book (ages 2-7)
$15.95
ISBN: 0-9745052-6-9
Tree of Life Publishing
www.treeoflifepublishing.com
www.KatTales.com

After reading Willow's Bend, you too will be surprised to learn that this is Kat Michaels debut book. Children will undoubtedly sit in astonished silence, mesmerized by the brightly colored, intricately detailed glossy pages. This hardcover children's book is easy to read and a delightful adventure for family members of all ages. Because of the catchy, rhythmic tones used throughout this book, I found myself almost singing the words. Which, of course, brings smiles, of all shapes and sizes to the faces of children the world over.

Willow's Bend is the story of a grumpy little frog, with four little toes that lives on a lily pad near where the willow tree grows. He is introduced to a beautiful butterfly, a playful elf, and a rambling rabbit. All interesting characters but all very different from the frog. Believing he could only befriend those who were like him, he refuses to play with any of them. Until he meets another frog. A happy, singing frog that is on his way to the Willow Tree to meet all of his friends. Our grumpy little frog learns a valuable lesson - our unique qualities aren't meant to separate us, but to bring us together.

A life lesson of immense importance that is taught with love, tenderness and humor. Willow's Bend is a definite must have for all parents, grandparents and caregivers. Kat Michaels is a talented writer, loving mother and wife that has created a work filled with the same magic that fills her heart.

___ ___

On a personal note. I have found that this book is enjoyed by the elderly, as well as, children. While reading with several patients at a local nursing home facility, I witnessed a happiness in their eyes that I had never seen before. The rhyming words, the over-sized, emotional filled faces of the characters, combined with all the colors is a winning combination outside the confines of the stated age group. This is a beautifully written book that I recommend heartily and without reservation to everyone - young and old alike!