Fiction | Stacy Alesi's BookBitch.com™

TRUE TO THE LAW by Jo Goodman

February 22, 2016

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Bitter Springs Series, Book 2

This was my first foray into the Western Romance subgenre. These are historicals, set in the Old West around 1889, and I’m really not sure how they differ from more traditional westerns. Guess I’ll have to read a few of those to find out.

Cobb Bridger was a detective with the famed Pinkerton private detective agency who has gone out on his own. He is hired by the wealthy Mackey family in Chicago to find a former employee who has stolen something. Mackey won’t say what was stolen, but rather only hires Cobb to find the woman.

He tracks her down to Bitter Springs, Wyoming, a small town that is at the crossroads of the burgeoning train system. Tru Morrow is the new school teacher, recently hired by way of Chicago. Bridger forms a relationship with her, ostensibly to determine if she is the woman he is seeking, but he finds her most attractive and honest, and cannot imagine that she has stolen anything.

The more he gets to know her, and she him, the more their relationship deepens. When the Mackeys arrive in town, Bridger’s protective instincts are out in full force.

There are several interesting characters, all of whom are well developed, and I really enjoyed this story. There is the setting of the Old West, which is interesting for sure, and a mystery as well as the romance. Lots to keep the pages turning.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

TRUE TO THE LAW by Jo Goodman. Berkley (May 7, 2013). ISBN 978-0425264164. 384p.

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THE ANTHRAX PROTOCOL by James Thompson

February 21, 2016

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The Black Death occurring in Europe around the years 1346-1356 is undoubtedly the worst pandemic recorded. It is estimated that moving from China through Europe it was the cause of about 75-200 million people being killed before it faded. Theories of what caused it tend towards rats carrying it from ships and to land as well as filthy conditions prevalent in a world without the knowledge of sanitation present today. Due to advances in medicine and preventive methods fears of a plague such as the Black Death have diminished. The conditions causing it have come under control.

The Anthrax Protocol is a very well constructed novel outlining the possibility of a cause not currently investigated that could release another pandemic on mankind. An archaeological dig in Mexico comes upon the discovery of the tomb of Montezuma, ancient emperor of the Aztecs. The tomb has been sealed during the centuries since it became the burial site for Montezuma. Once opened, an ancient strain of Anthrax kills most of the members of the archaeological team before they understand what has happened.

One by one the team suffers from bleeding from the eyes and ears before falling to a painful death. They advise their home office in Austin Texas as well as the CDC in Atlanta of what has happened. A young archaeologist is sent from Austin, meeting with a team from Atlanta, led by Dr. Mason Williams, to close up the tomb and limit the spread of the disease before it becomes widespread.

At the same time, an army officer from Fort Detrick sends a team to secure samples of the anthrax for use as a biological military weapon. The three teams converge, with Williams and the archaeologist attempting to bottle up the plague and the military team ordered to exert every effort to get hold of the Anthrax. With them is a Mayan boy who seemingly is immune to the disease and comes from a village which includes others with demonstrated immunity.

Thompson, in a very ordered manner, quite logically describes how the disease escapes from the site in spite of extreme precautions, moves into Mexico City, than to the U.S. and other cities in the world. The methods utilized in developing a cure and a vaccine to prevent it are described, allowing the reader to follow what, if actually happening, would be a major medical accomplishment.

Thompson’s style is to keep the reader completely involved with the introduction and spread of the disease, showing the possibility of a later day black plague overwhelming mankind. And to set the stage for a possible sequel, there is a love affair developing between Williams and the archaeologist who just happens to be quite attractive. Very well done.

2/16 Paul Lane

THE ANTHRAX PROTOCOL by James Thompson. Pinnacle (February 23, 2016). ISBN 978-0786037308. 4169p.

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Crime Fiction, Fiction | Tagged: eco-thriller | Permalink
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SATURN RUN by John Sandford & Ctein

February 13, 2016

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From the publisher:

In 2066, A Caltech intern inadvertently notices an anomaly from a space telescope—something is approaching Saturn, and decelerating. Space objects don’t decelerate. Spaceships do.

A flurry of top-level government meetings produces the inescapable conclusion: whatever built that ship is at least one hundred years ahead in hard and soft technology, and whoever can get their hands on it exclusively and bring it back will have an advantage so large, no other nation can compete. A conclusion the Chinese definitely agree with when they find out.

The race is on, and an remarkable adventure begins—an epic tale of courage, treachery, resourcefulness, secrets, surprises, and astonishing human and technological discovery, as the members of a hastily thrown-together crew find their strength and wits tested against adversaries both of this earth and beyond. What happens is nothing like you expect—and everything you could want from one of the world’s greatest masters of suspense.

Jack says: Not Sandford’s first attempt outside the traditional mystery genre and shows why he is a master story teller. If you enjoyed the Jason Kidd series, you will love this one.

02/16 Jack Quick

SATURN RUN by John Sandford & Ctein. G.P. Putnam’s Sons; First Edition / First Printing edition (October 6, 2015). ISBN: 978-0399176951. 496p.

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A BETTER WORLD by Marcus Sakey

February 11, 2016

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The Brilliance Trilogy #2

From the publisher:

The brilliants changed everything. Since 1980, one percent of the world has been born with gifts we’d only dreamed of. The ability to sense a person’s most intimate secrets, or predict the stock market, or move virtually unseen. For thirty years the world has struggled with a growing divide between the exceptional…and the rest of us.

Now a terrorist network led by brilliants has crippled three cities. Supermarket shelves stand empty. 911 calls go unanswered. Fanatics are burning people alive. Nick Cooper has always fought to make the world better for his children. As both a brilliant and an advisor to the president of the United States, he’s against everything the terrorists represent. But as America slides toward a devastating civil war, Cooper is forced to play a game he dares not lose—because his opponents have their own vision of a better world.

Jack says: Book two of the series was a bit disappointing – too much effort in re-stating the basics of book one for the benefit of those who had not read book one. Moved pretty well after all the re-capping.

Also see Paul Lane’s review.

2/16 Jack Quick

A BETTER WORLD by Marcus Sakey. Thomas & Mercer (June 17, 2014). ISBN 978-1477823941. 390p.

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Crime Fiction, Fiction, Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Tagged: Thriller | Permalink
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LAST PROPHECY OF ROME by Iain King

February 9, 2016

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Myles Munro Action Thriller Series # 1

This is the second novel featuring Myles Munro, a history professor, first introduced in the book, Secrets of the Last Nazi.

In the opening section, Myles is on vacation in New York with his American journalist girl friend, Helen Bridle, when a delivery truck moving through the financial district of New York blows up. Myles finds a reference sent via the truck’s burning frame that the U.S embassy in Rome will shortly be destroyed – and the person who will make this happen is an African warlord named “Juma.”

Next in the series of events is the capturing of a US senator. Myles is forced to race through Iraq, Turkey and finally to Rome to rescue the senator and save the US from Juma’s plot to destroy it.

The 18th century “Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” is researched by Myles and Helen as describing the method of destruction. The thesis of that tome was that Rome was never conquered, but fell due to the corruption within. Analogies are brought comparing Rome’s fall with events in today’s America. Not naming names, King’s descriptions bring to mind today’s US government, the lack of real patriotism on the part of many officials, plus a reference to a bad president.

The fault I find with King’s writing is the haste he uses in going from one crisis to the next and solutions drawn without leading up them logically. The book takes its place with other espionage novels but does not do very much to distinguish itself to them. A fast read but one that does not leave the reader with real interest in getting King’s next book.

2/16 Paul Lane

THE LAST PROPHECY OF ROME by Iain King. Bookouture (January 27, 2016). ISBN 978-1910751756. 438p.

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BRILLIANCE by Marcus Sakey

February 8, 2016

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From the publisher:

In Wyoming, a little girl reads people’s darkest secrets by the way they fold their arms. In New York, a man sensing patterns in the stock market racks up $300 billion. In Chicago, a woman can go invisible by being where no one is looking.

They’re called “brilliants,” and since 1980, one percent of people have been born this way. Nick Cooper is among them; a federal agent, Cooper has gifts rendering him exceptional at hunting terrorists. His latest target may be the most dangerous man alive, a brilliant drenched in blood and intent on provoking civil war. But to catch him, Cooper will have to violate everything he believes in—and betray his own kind.

Jack says: Following in the tone of Hunger Games and Divergent, fast but interesting read. First of a three part series.

2/16 Jack Quick

BRILLIANCE by Marcus Sakey. Thomas & Mercer (July 16, 2013). ISBN 978-1611099690. 439p.

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ANYTHING FOR YOU by Kristan Higgins

February 6, 2016

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The Blue Heron Series

Jess Dunn is a young woman with a past – and everyone in this small town knows all about her alcoholic parents, her mother’s death, her father’s disappearance, her younger brother with fetal alcohol sydrome and her nickname, “Jessica Does.” Jess was the high school slut, but she had good reasons for sleeping around; all the boys she slept with helped protect her brother.

As an adult, she’s managed to turn her life around. She has a good job in marketing at a small, prestigious winery and works a second job as a waitress at the town’s swankiest restaurant. When the restaurant owner wants to send her for a wine class to help her upsell her customers wine, she reluctantly agrees. But when she gets to class, the teacher is none other than Connor O’Rourke.

Jess met Connor as a child, and when her dog attacked and almost killed him, the dog had to be put down. Connor felt terrible, and they basically fell in love with each other at age 12, but never pursued it or even acknowledged it. But the time had come, and after Connor spends the night with her, he accidentally blurts out the dreaded nickname – Jessica Does.

Their relationship is off to a rocky start, and over a ten year period they are on again, off again more times than anyone even knows. But eventually things come to a head and decisions have to be made.

I loved these characters and although their relationship was ridiculously overrun with obstacles, most of their own making, I couldn’t help but root for this couple. I also loved the small town setting, the vineyard beautifully brought to life, and the inside look at a passionate chef’s first restaurant.

This was my first Kristan Higgins book, which I picked up after seeing several stellar reviews, and I have to agree. I loved it. This is the fifth book in the series, so happily, I have some catching up to do.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

ANYTHING FOR YOU by Kristan Higgins. HQN Books (December 29, 2015). ISBN 978-0373789085. 416p.

Kindle

4 Comments | Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance | Tagged: chick-lit | Permalink
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THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS by Ausma Zehanat Khan

February 4, 2016

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Rachel Getty and Esa Khattak Novels (Book 2)

This is the follow up to The Unquiet Dead, and features Canada’s Community Policing Section Detectives Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty.

Canada’s federal intelligence agency, INSET (Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams,) wants Khattak to help solve the murder of Mohsin Dar, an undercover agent who had infiltrated a local terrorist cell and was killed in a supposed hunting accident. It turns out the terrorist training ground is deep in the woods frequented by hunters.

INSET knows a major terrorist attack is planned for New Year’s Day, so the timeline is tight. Getty is sent to the small Toronto mosque that is home to the cell, which she easily infiltrates. INSET doesn’t want their involvement known, but the detectives are more intent on finding the murderer than keeping INSET secrets.

As Getty learns more about the terrorists, the motives for murder seem almost boundless. To further complicate the story, Khattak’s sister, Ruksh, has become engaged to the main suspect, one of the radicals.

Khan explores the Muslim faith and culture, making this an excellent study of diversity in these times of uncertainty and attacks.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

THE LANGUAGE OF SECRETS by Ausma Zehanat Khan. Minotaur Books (February 2, 2016). ISBN 978-1250055125. 336p.

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OPENING BELLE by Maureen Sherry

February 2, 2016

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I love me a good play on words, and the title here really fits the bill. Set in 2008 just prior to the housing and credit bubble bursting, Isabelle – Belle to everyone – is a young woman living the dream. She’s a top trader at a small, prestigious brokerage house, married with three children, living on the upper West Side of New York City. Her kids are in the best private school money can buy, and her husband is a stay at home dad.

Belle works a lot of hours and there is some resentment that her husband doesn’t work and doesn’t take care of things the way she would like, but for the most part she seems happy, at least when she has a minute to think about it, which is pretty much never. Then Henry pops back into her life.

Henry is her former fiancé, who unceremoniously dumped her when she caught him cheating. He is now working for her biggest customer, and their day to day contact has him working overtime to get her back, but on his terms.

Belle’s work place is like a frat party on steroids. It would be hard to believe that in the 21st century women are still objectified in a work environment, but I know a woman in a similar situation – maybe not so much grabbing going on, but a definite boys club, with no girls allowed.

As the market heads towards its inexecrable crash, so does Belle’s world – her marriage, her job, everything she has been juggling for so long. But she is a not a professional for nothing, and her strong backbone stands her in good stead.

Interesting characters and a compelling situation make this a terrific read, with enough humor to lighten the load. I enjoyed this fast paced story immensely.

2/16 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch™

OPENING BELLE by Maureen Sherry. Simon & Schuster (February 2, 2016). ISBN 978-1501110627. 352p.

Kindle

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Fiction, Women's Fiction | Permalink
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THE FORGOTTEN ROOM by Karen White, Beatriz Williams & Lauren Willig

January 30, 2016

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Olive Van Alan, Lucy Young, and Kate Schuyler – three generations of women all connected to one grand mansion and a mystery that stretches through decades of war and change.

In 1892, Olive Van Alan takes a position working in the grand Pratt mansion. Olive, the daughter of the very architect who designed the building, is on a mission that involves finding evidence that her father was cheated out of his pay and career by the Pratts. But then Olive begins to fall for the youngest member of the Pratt dynasty. THE FORGOTTEN ROOM by Karen White, Beatriz Williams & Lauren Willig

In 1920, Lucy Young rents an attic room in Stornaway House. But Lucy knows the building as her mother did, as the Pratt mansion. Lucy doesn’t know her mother’s exact connection to the home, but taking a position at the law office of Cromwell, Polk, and Moore brings her one step closer to the answers she seeks.

In 1944, Kate Schuyler is a doctor working in Stornaway Hospital when young Captain Ravenel is brought in as a patient. Ravenel immediately recognizes Kate, or seems to, though Kate has never laid eyes on the man. What’s more, he calls her Victorine.

The connections between these three women and the stories that have led each of them to their current positions are all part of the tale, and it’s one that the three authors have woven together almost seamlessly. I’m impressed at how fluidly the narrative works – chapters alternate between the three women and I can only assume that each of the authors handled a particular character/story line a piece. And while each character had their own voice and personality, at no point did it feel as though the story had been penned by three different authors.

The Forgotten Room is highly enjoyable and definitely one I’d recommend to fans of historical fiction, WWII historical fiction in particular considering it’s Kate who kicks off the tale.

1/16 Becky LeJeune

THE FORGOTTEN ROOM by Karen White, Beatriz Williams & Lauren Willig. NAL (January 19, 2016). ISBN 978-0451474629. 384p.

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