Tag: fiction

The Last Ember, by Daniel Levin

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The Last EmberFinished 9-24-09, rating 4.5/5, thriller, pub. 2009

“The Temple Mount was surrounded by fifty thousand Roman soldiers,” he said, turning to the professor, “and the priest escaped through here, along this aqueduct.”

His flashlight revealed a narrow stone aqueduct stretching into the darkness.  It appeared to float across the dark chasm that lay on either side.

“And he took with him the one artifact that brought down a Roman emperor.”

Chapter 7

Jonathan is an archeology scholar and Rome Prize winner turned New York City lawyer.  He is sent to Rome by his firm to help them in a stolen artifacts case and he is almost immediately confronted by his ex-girlfriend and a centuries old mystery involving the world’s  three main religions.  Jonathan past study of the traitor Josephus gives him special insight into the clue this stolen artifact provides, a clue that he thinks could lead him to the Tabernacle menorah that was stolen from Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.  As he travels with his ex Emili to the Colosseum and other hot spots in Rome they follow a series of clues while the police are trying to find them.  Using Emili’s UN credentials the two race back to Jerusalem to stop the Waqf and their destruction of the what is beneath the Temple Mount.

This is a religious thriller that I compare to the da Vinci Code in only the post positive aspects.  The pace, story and setting were top notch and had a hard time putting it down.  Since our vacation to Italy last year I’ve loved reading stories that take place in Italy and this book made me want to go back and take a tour of all places Jonathan visited, but since many of them are under the city that is probably not going to happen.

It was also complicated and loaded with historical and religious facts.  The only thing that slowed down my reading at all was the multitude of knowledge that I tried to take in.  I do not normally read historical fiction, so most of this was new to me as were many of the names.   To make all of this history interesting, the plot is lightning quick and full of fantastic and seemingly far fetched occurences.  And that was okay because I loved it.

I highly recommend this if you love thrillers, historical fiction, The daVinci Code, Italy, Jerusalem, suspense, religious mysteries, or archeology.  That covers a lot of people.  Does it include you?

I attended a book signing with Daniel Levin and he will be featured in one of my 9 in ’09 interview soon.

Silk and Stone, by Deborah Smith

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Cover ImageFinished 9-20-09, rating 4.5/5, romance, pub. 1994

The earliest Scotch, Irish, and Dutch immigrants had been drawn to the misty, ancient mountains of western North Carolina by rumors of rubies and other precious gems mined by the Cherokees.  The rumors were more than true.  The newcomers plucked fine stones from the riverbanks, from the hillsides, from the ruts in deeply churned wagon roads.  They riddled the mountains with mine shafts, looking for more.

Chapter 2

This is a sweeping love story that spans decades.  In Pandora, North Carolina, the Cherokee and mountain people are mainly overlooked by the outside world and that’s the way they like it.  The Ravenclaws, a Cherokee family with a special connection to the mountain, are able to find things, like gems and people.  The Vanderveers are the royalty of the mountain and treat everyone with respect.  Then Alexandra enters the picture and causes an irreparable rift between these two family and changes the town of Pandora forever.

Doesn’t sound like a love story?  Well, Jake Ravenclaw and Samantha, niece to Alexandra, have a connection that started when Sam was four.  Over the years they see each other occasionally, but in secret and love blossoms.  The two agreed to be married when Sam was about five and Jake ten and they both clung to that.  Of course, neither is ordinary and both felt like outsiders, so the connection to each other was great.

This is a grand sweeping love story that is not sticky sweet at all.  First, Alexandra is a character that was filled with so much hate, maybe the best ‘bad guy’ I’ve read in quite a while.  She keeps this story grounded in manipulation and lies.  Second, there are great secondary characters that carry some of the heavy lifting in the storytelling.  And the last thing keeping this love story from sugar overload?  The fact that the prologue is written when Sam is waiting for Jake to visit her for the first time after he is released from prison and they haven’t spoken in the ten years he’s been sent away.

I loved this story and recommend it to romance lovers who like the romance, more than the hot, steamy sex and for anyone interested in the mountain culture or Cherokee traditons.

While My Sister Sleeps, by Barbara Delinsky

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Cover ImageFinished 9-17-09, rating 4/5, fiction, pub. 2009

“Let’s take it step by step,” the doctor said.  First, stabilization.  Beyond that, it’s really a question of waiting.  There’s no husband listed on her tag.  Does she have kids?”

“No.”

“Well, that’s something.”

“It’s not.”  Molly was desperate.  “You don’t understand.  I can’t tell my mother Robin is lying here like this.”  Kathryn would blame her.  Instantly.  Even before she knew that it truly was Molly’s fault.  It had always been that way.  In her mother’s eyes.  Molly was five years younger and ten times more troublesome than Robin.

Chapter 1

Molly and Robin  are sisters.  They live together, work together, depend on each other.  Robin is a world class marathoner and Molly has spent her life helping Robin accomplish her running goals.  Their mother, Kathryn, is a strong-willed woman with love for Robin and little understanding for Molly.  The dad, Charlie and brother, Chris are the silent support.  When Robin has a heart attack when running the family must come to terms with the grim possibility that Robin may never fully recover.

This is the story of a family facing an unspeakable tragedy.  Robin is only 33 and her family is shell shocked.  Molly tries to figure out what Robin wants and Kathryn vents on anyone who comes her way, even the good Samaritan who saved Robin’s life.  When Molly discovers a long kept family secret and does something about it, Kathryn is horrified.

Molly was a great character, sort of a good friend who has no idea how great she really is.  Her mother expected her to support Robin in her lofty goals and she always felt like a disappointment.  Which leads to Kathryn, who I really wanted to shake for most of this book.  I did become less frustrated with her as the story continued, but she was not a feel good character.  I liked Charlie, but Chris and his troubles were really my least favorite parts of the book.  He had way too many excuses to not try to make his marriage work.

There was a lot going on in this book and it was a fast and thought provoking read.  The characters were all well drawn and the secrecy, favoritism, and medical issues all made for an engrossing read.  It was also the story of personal growth and the full circle of life.  I really enjoyed it.

Travel Writing, by Peter Ferry

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Cover ImageFinished 9-11-09, rating 3/5, fiction, pub. 2009

See, I think that’s Pete’s problem,” said Carolyn.  “He knew what was going to happen.  You know what I mean?  He could see it happen before it happened, and then it happened.”  (Of course I now know that even if for a moment I could see what was going to happen to Lisa Kim, I had no idea what had already happened to her and would not for a long time.)

Chapter 1

 High school teacher Pete Ferry (you may notice the similarity with the author’s name) sees a woman driving erratically one night and watches in horror as she crashes and dies.  The police say it’s an accident, but Pete is not convinced.  His guilt at not having stopped her fuels his obsession with finding out everything about that night and the victim, Lisa Kim. Pete’s distraction takes it toll on his relationship with his girlfriend of many years and he can’t seem to work up enough energy to save it.

Of course, this may all be a lie, a story.  Pete is telling this story to his students so they see how a great story is pieced together, with truth and lies.  What is real and what isn’t?  Or is it all a dream?

This clever concept was interesting, and it mostly worked.  I guess I had more of an issue with Pete.  I didn’t ever quite warm up to him or understand his motivations.  And if I was to take his character at face value I guess I didn’t really like him much. 

I thought it was original and I liked the alternating storylines and flashbacks.  It’s a solid debut that will keep you guessing to the end.  I liked it enough to try this author again.

I received this book from the pubisher.

The Broken Window, by Jeffery Deaver

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Cover ImageFinished 8-31-09, rating 4.5/5, mystery, pub. 2008

“But tell me if those benefits are worth somebody knowing every detail about your life.  Maybe you don’t care, provided you save a few bucks.  But do you really want ConsumerChoice lasers scanning your eyes in a movie theater and recording your reactions to those commercials they run before the movie?  Do you want the RFID tag in your car key to be available to the police to know that you hit a hundred miles an hour last week?”

Chapter 23

This is the 8th book in the Lincoln Rhyme series

Quadriplegic forensic specialist Lincoln Rhyme is back with his most personal case to date.  His cousin, Arthur, has been arrested for murder and his wife comes to Lincoln even though the two men haven’t been friends since high school.  Lincoln feels the familial bond and takes a look at the case and discovers that they may be dealing with a serial killer.  As Lincoln and his girlfriend, Amelia Sachs, try to prove the innocence of more than one person in prison, they become immersed in the new world of Big Brother. 

SSD, Strategic Systems Datacorp, is a data mining company that specializes in knowing everything about you.  No really, everything.  And they do know it all.  And it would not be difficult for an employee to commit awful crimes and pin them on someone else or even to steal a person’s life and destroy it piece by piece.

I loved this book.  We learn more about Lincoln’s personal life than in any book since the first one and I enjoyed learning more about his childhood and family.  And Amelia had her own things to deal with involving Pam, the teen from two earlier books who is now in foster care.

This book knocked it out of the park as far as scaring me to the point of paranoia.  I think most people recognize  that many of our individual freedoms are being stripped from us little by little, and some of us are okay with it and some of us aren’t.  But this book takes it to the next level.  Our whole lives are fodder for commercial gain and government dossiers.  It is frightening and although this is a novel, it hits home because it is happening right now. 

This book is a timely novel that will please Lincoln Rhyme fans and fans of fast paced thrillers.  I loved it.

The Carriage House, by Carla Neggers

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The Carriage House by Carla Neggers: Book CoverFinished 8-10-09, rating 3/5, romantic suspense, pub. 2001

This is Book 1 in the Texas Rangers 4 book series. 

“I can sell it.”

“Who would buy it?  It’s run-down.  It’s on the flipping historic register.  It’s on a minuscule lot.  And, I might add–”  She swiveled around in her expensive ergonomic chair, zeroing in on her office mate and friend with those piercing green eyes.  “I might add that the place is haunted.”

“That’s just a rumor.”

Chapter 1

Tess Haviland is in her 30’s, owns her own graphic design business and is single and childless, much to the disappointment of her dad.  As payment for her services, the eccentric Ike Grantham gives her an old carriage house on Boston’s North Shore, a place that has special memories for Tess.  Soon after gifting her with the house Ike disappears and Tess puts off doing anything with the house.  Now a year later she receives a tax bill and decides to go out to the house to see if she wants to keep it.

Once she arrives at the dilapidated carriage house she is appalled at the condition and the renovations that are necessary.  On her first night there she meets the neighbors, sexy Andrew Thorne, his princess daughter Dolly, and the skeleton she finds in the dirt basement.  Spooked and scared, Tess doesn’t call the police right away and this is where the story really begins.

The characters were all enjoyable, if not memorable.  The story was fast paced and although you knew who did it relatively early on there was some confusion thrown in to keep you reading.  I really liked the secondary characters.  Andrew’s cousin Harley Beckett was an original and Tess’s dad and godfather were loving manly men and it was easy to forgive their chauvinistic ways.

To be fair, I should say that I started this on the plane last week and the fact that it kept my attention at all is an endorsement.  I could be the world’s worst flier.  So, it did keep my interest for pages at a time and this is all I could have hoped for on the plane.

Sky Burial : An Epic Love Story of Tibet, by Xinran

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Sky Burial by Xinran: Book CoverFinished 7-20-09, rating 4.5/5, fiction, pub. 2004

“Zhuoma,” she shouted. “come over here!  What’s Ge’er doing?”

Saierbao, who was standing nearby, couldn’t understand Wen’s reaction.  What was so surprising about the men in the family doing the sewing?  Zhuoma told her that Chinese men hardly ever touched a needle, that sewing and mending were invariably women’s work.  Ni fell about laughing after she heard this.  “Women, sewing?”  she said to her mother.  “Surely not.”

Saierbao shook her head, sharing in her daughter’s disbelief at this absurd idea.

Chapter 4

What would you do if your husband of less than 100 days was sent off to war and never returned?  Would you join the army to gain access and answers?  Would you travel to a harsh, conflict heavy country in search of him?  Would you give up country, family, career, and life as you know to search for a husband presumed dead? 

Xinran is a Chinese-born reporter who was able to spend a few days with Wen, to hear her story of love, loss, and peace.  She wrote Wen’s story as a love letter to a husband and to Tibet.

Wen and Kejun lived a charmed life as Chinese doctors in the 1950’s.  Kejun joined the army and went to Tibet in hopes of unifying the two countries.  He was told they would be greeted as liberators (sorry for stealing the apt line), but found violence instead.  He was declared dead shortly after arriving and Wen in her grief joins his unit and heads to Tibet.

Almost immediately Wen is separated from her unit and she was cared for by a Tibetan woman, Zhouma.  The two women are both searching for love lost and lead a nomadic life for many, many years.

The book was riveting.  I was unsure if I would warm up to Wen, but I did.  Xinran was so outspoken in her admiration for this woman but it took the whole story to be told for me to really understand it.  And even then I think it could have been that Wen was mysterious and  left the author wanting more.

This is Wen’s love story and also a description of her life as an outsider.  It was easy to be drawn into an unfamiliar, yet stirring country and its people.  The book is a fast read at only 200 pages, but a worthwhile one.  I highly recommend it.

7th Heaven, by James Patterson

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Cover ImageFinished 6-23-09, rating 3.5/5, mystery, pub. 2008

This is book 7 of the Women’s Murder Club series

“After a few hours, Ricky decided to cut up his body with a knife.  It was the most horrible thing I could ever imagine – and I grew up on a farm!  I was throwing up and crying,” Junie said, looking as though she might do it now.

I pulled out my chair again, put my butt in the seat, determined not to scare the little hooker even as she shocked me to the bone.

“But once we started cutting, there was no way back,” Junie said, pleading to Conklin with her eyes. “I helped Ricky put Michael’s body into about eight garbage bags, and then we piled the bags into Ricky’s truck.  It was was like five in the morning.  And no one was around.”

Chapter 7

I know I complain about this series every time I write about it, so I am taking this book off.  As a matter of fact, this was my favorite book of the series (so far).  I thought there was more mystery and surprise in this one than in the others and the relationships of the women moved along nicely.

A poster child for goodwill vanishes and after six months the police finally have a lead and they bring in an angelic looking prostitute for questioning.  Lindsay and Conklin are able to get a confession and Yuki, is awarded the case for the district attorney.  She thinks it is an open and shut case, but things start to go south in court and at home as she is stalked by a writer covering the story.

There is also a number of arson and murder cases that claim some of San Francisco’s wealthiest as victims.  Things turn personal when Conklin must tell an old flame that her parents have been burned to death. 

Lindsay is still conflicted about  her feelings for Joe and Conklin.  It makes you want to sit down and talk to her about what is going on in her head!  There is also a baby to one of the women in the club and a surprise in the plot at the end that left the book ending on a high note.

Lethally Blonde, by Kate White

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Cover ImageFinished 6-13-09, rating 3.5/5, mystery, pub. 2007

Book #5 in the Bailey Weggins mystery series

It all started with a coincidence.  Not one of those totally creepy coincidences that make you feel as if someone has just walked across your grave.  In fact, later I could see that the phone call I got that late summer night wasn’t all that unexpected – but at the time it made me catch my breath.  And, of course, it was the start of everything horrible that happened…

first paragraph

Bailey Weggins is a chic New York gal in her 30’s with a fun job and a revolving door of hot men.  She also seems to find trouble and danger if there is any to be found.  In this latest installment she is contacted by a hunk from her past, who just happens to be the next big It guy in a new prime time tv show.  Chris is worried that his friend and fellow actor, Tom, has disappeared.  The police aren’t too concerned about it and he knows that Bailey is a great one to get to the bottom of the things.  Bailey agrees to help and the two also fall back into bed together.  As her inquiries lead to a dead body, spooky calls, druggings, and more death, Bailey wonders if she’s in over her head.

I liked that this mystery took her away from her job at the magazine a bit and we were able to get a better feel for the city.  This was perfect for me since I picked it up and started reading it while in New York. 

Bailey is fun.  She is the hip New Yorker that you’d want to be friends with and share juicy stories.  And the mystery is good too- I didn’t have any idea until very close to the reveal at the end.  Not only is her ex Chris back, but another ex, Beau, is back and looking Bailey’s way.  Not sure how much bed hopping is appropriate, but it was close to my limit.  If you’ve never been the big town girl with a cool job, mysteries to solve, and attractive men in your bed then Bailey is just what you need.  Live vicariously through her.

Twelfth Card, by Jeffery Deaver

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Cover ImageFinished 6-9-09, rating 3/5, mystery/ thriller, pub.2005

#6 Lincoln Rhymes series

“You like that actor broke his neck?” She slurped her coffee, added more sugar.  Slurped again.

“That’s right”

“An’ you can’t move nothin’?”

“Not much.”

“Damn”

“Keesh,” Geneva whispered. “Chill, girl.”

“Just, you know, damn.”

Chapter4

Paraplegic Lincoln Rhymes is back in his Upper West side townhouse with his usual cast of of friends.  This time he is called to investigate an attempted attack in Harlem on 16 year old Geneva Settle.  Geneva was researching her ancestor, Charles Singleton who had been a freed slave 140 years ago, when she had eluded an attack using her street smarts.  The attacker goes on to kill a bystander and a police officer at the scene, so it is all hands on deck to protect the girl and to find out what had made her a target.

Lincoln is also dealing with some personal insecurities.  After months of machines working his paralyzed body it is finally time to find out if it has made any difference and he is willing to use any excuse to put this off.  Sellitto has a close encounter with the killer and has become a bit gun-shy, a bad thing when you are chasing dangerous men and women everyday and a good way to get yourself killed.  Kara, the musician from the last book makes a  small appearance.

This was my least favorite of the series so far for a few reasons, but what it all comes back to is that is felt more like a politically correct history lesson than a thrilling mystery.  The slang used by Geneva and her best friend seemed stereotypical and tired.  The old mystery involving  the freed slave also working with the black activists of the time was not interesting enough to keep the story moving.  I’m no lawyer, but the end seemed very outlandish to me.

Deaver’s books are always well written, fast-paced, and full of many twists and turns.  This one was too, it just wasn’t quite up to the level of his others.  And it did seem very appropriate to be reading this while I was in New York!