I decided to buy and read "The Coffin Dancer" because I read a customer review of a Harlan Coben novel that said Jeffery Deaver's stuff is better. I was not disappointed, and I have to agree that, on the basis of "The Coffin Dancer," Deaver is a better choice than Coben.

In "The Coffin Dancer,", quadriplegic former police detective (now consultant), Lincoln Rhyme and his beautiful protege, Amelia Sachs, battle to protect three witnesses to alleged crimes by a multimillionaire from professional hits by an assassin known to them, because of a bizarre tattoo, only as the Coffin Dancer. The Dancer always seems to stay a step ahead of Rhyme and Sachs, at least until the dramatic and exciting conclusion.

It should be understood that this was the first of Deaver's books that I have read. Based on that limited exposure, I have no hesitation in recommending "The Coffin Dancer." The plot twists and turns, the characters are mostly believable, and the suspense builds to the very end. Sure, the story is contrived, but what suspense novel designed to keep the reader guessing is not? And sure the book was probably written with a movie screenplay in mind. Why not? The sale of the movie rights to "The Bone Collector" (a successful and entertaining movie) probably enlarged Deaver's account substantially.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Coffin Dancer" and look forward to reading other Deaver novels in the future.

This is the first novel by Jeffery Deaver that I have read. I decided to pick it up after seeing the Bone Collector (I wish I'd have read THAT before seeing to movie!) I finished it an hour ago & am now looking for more of Deaver's books to order. It is impressive, clever & fascinating. It keeps you guessing all the way until the last 50 or so pages. Very unexpected ending. I love the real feel of Deaver's portrayal of Lincoln Rhyme & the strength the character displays against his handicap. Although there are a few times when he shows frustration with himself for not being the able-bodied person he once was, the way he seems to have honed his mind into a razor-sharp weapon is inspiring. The charachter of Amelia Sachs is also a great addition. I like the way she never lets Rhyme get away with openly feeling sorry for himself & in return, he is teaching her to perfect her skills in forensics. They make a great team & I look forward to starting the next book, The Empty Chair, in the Lincoln Rhyme series. I love the two charachters & hope there will be more books in the series.

If you read "The Bone Collector", you'll be relieved that Deaver continues his streak f good fiction with the "The Coffin Dancer". Continuing to chronicle the exploits of Lincoln Rhyme and his beautiful assistant Sachs. Again they're chasing a creatively names villian (The Coffin Dancer).

The Coffin Dancer is the name of a very cunning hit man; hired to kill three grand jury witnesses. In all of his career, he has left only one survivor, who was only able to describe a tatoo that was on his arm, that of Death dancing with a woman in front of a coffin (hence the name Coffin Dancer...creative huh?). With the first witness dies in a airplane explosion, a FBI agent missing, and the grand jury deadline only 45 hours away, Lincoln Rhyme and his croonies have to hustle to find the Dancer before its too late, for once hired, the Dancer never backs down.

The body count in this one is high. The pace is intense, and the ever-changing narrative (from Rhyme to Sachs to the Dancer to the victims) keeps your mind whirling.

I liked the twists and turns in the novel, it was like an elaborate chess game (actually a comparison mentioned in the book). There was a sometimes strained attempt to add personal information into the plot (Rhyme's romantic past doesn't fit with the storyline and where it's thrown in sounds cheesy and soap opera-ish). Overall though, the race to stop the Coffin Dancer kept me guessing, and the plot twist at the end made the book all the better.

Judith McNaught utterly shines in this spectacular debut novel that launched her career. WHITNEY, MY LOVE was a delight from start to finish. Never having read the original version of this book, I read the glorious 708 page extended version without ever taking a break. Emerging my self from a blurry-eyed dream that is this novel, I'm pleased to say this classic lives up to it's reputation.

Whitney Stone, a young and impetuous girl believes herself in love with Paul, the recipient of all her youthful feelings and dreams. Her disapproving father deems her behavior inappropriate and she finds herself sent to France with her beloved Aunt and Uncle. These she is allowed to bloom into the beautiful, unique women she is. She finds herself groomed into a lady and becomes the toast of Paris. As she perfects her arts as a lady she deems it time to return home to win the heart of Paul, her childhood sweetheart. Unbeknownst to her, her father has betrothed her to Clayton Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore. Her father's uncontrollable debts have wiped out her inheritance and her dowry and the Duke is the answer to his financial difficult.

Whitney, however, wants nothing to do with the Clayton and pursues Paul and finally wins his heart. From there, you'll have to read the story yourself!

There is a disturbing scene in this book that is often times discussed. I'll leave the reader to draw his or her own conclusions and opinions on it. I, however, found this to be a powerful story and enjoyed it immensely. I'm certain I will not forget the names Whitney or Clayton Westmoreland and they will continue to burn in my mind as one of the more stormy and passionate couples I have ever read about it.

One might draw parallels to GONE WITH THE WIND and this novel, However where Scarlet O'Hara does not realize her love for Rhett Butler until it is much too late, Whitney is not so foolish.

Enjoy reading this classic romance! ...

This is one of J.M's unique novels, which I highly enjoyed. I have read more than 5 of her books & I say, she writes great stories. The romance, plot, twist & turns... different every time.

Whitney, My Love... is now one of my favorite books, It's the second of the Westmoreland Series. The series starts with A KINGDOM OF DREAM, which is my #1, my favorite of all the books I've read by far. UNTIL YOU is the last of this series. ( THANKS ambrangel :-) for her help )

Aside from the secondary characters of this book like Nikki, The Westmoreland family, Emily, Paul, The Gilberts, etc... who all contributed in making this book even more interesting, I specially enjoyed Whitney's character the most. She's everything a heroine in a historical romantic novels should be... beautiful, funny, kind hearted, smart & witty. Yet, proud, stubborn, bold & spirited. Since her mother died when she was only 6 years old, she wasn't as refine as most young ladies her age should be. Whitney Stone speaks her mind freely, does what she wishes before thinking of the consequences that follows her actions. She flaunts & admits her feelings for Paul, her childhood love-friend, openly eversince she can remember. Her effort to lure Pauls attention & love became a town frolic, embarassing herself & her father. Her last antic made her father decide to let Whitney live with her aunt & uncle in France, where she stayed & blossomed for years. With her aunt/uncles love & patience, she was taught the do's & don't's of being a proper lady. After one year, after her successful debut, she became the attention of eyes of many eligible bachelors esp. Clayton Westmoreland, Duke of Claymore. Her uncle received many offers for her hand in marriage. However, Whitney refuse each one. She believes she's still in love with Paul. She couldn't wait to go back to her hometown & see Paul again. She wanted to prove not only to herself but to everyone in the her hometown, esp. to Paul, that she is worth his love and not just a town hoyden they see her to be.

Clayton Westmoreland, 6th Duke of Claymore is rich, handsome & considered the most eligible bachelor of all England (and a rake too). He was highly sought after by ladies & mothers offers their daughter to him openly. He could have anyone he desires but wasn't seriously interested until he saw Whitney on her opening debut. He secretly kept tracked of her for years, seeing her became even more alluring & beautiful in his very eyes. The increase of Whitney's suitors & offers for her hand in marriage made Clayton decide it's time for him to make his own move. But of course, he is not going to be like a besotted fool by begging for her hand like the others have done. He is afterall a proud man & a Duke, among other things. However, since Whitney made it perfectly clear that she is not least impressed with man with titles, Clayton's dukedom hold no help in this matter. Therefore, he decided to use other ways & means to win Whitney's heart.

The schemes, courtship & the challenge of luring Whitney's heart made this book very exciting, amusing & unique. Whitney's homecoming, esp. her initial meeting with Paul, his reaction (after years of absence), was one of my many favorite scenes in this book. Whitney's confusions & realization of her true feelings, her wrong choices & the consequences & lastly, the gestures and actions she had to make in order to correct her mistakes made this book absolutely riveting. This book will surely entertain you from the beginning to the end. A must read!

Judith McNaught has captured me heart, again. I instantly fell in love with this story, and with Whitney and Clayton, thoroughly enjoying the development of their relationship. McNaught has a very keen way of evoking sympathy toward, as well as animosity toward her characters at just the right times. The dialouge is extremely witty and intelligent, and her overall observations are touched with just the right amount of flowery descriptions combined with blunt ones. Again, she seems to know when to extend a metaphor, and when to use simple, direct terms. But what I truly enjoyed the most was the powerful emotions that I felt from both Whitney and Clayton in their endless love-hate-love-hate-love relationship.

Perhaps the only qualm I had with WML, was that I felt some of the scenes, dialouge, and description had been recylced in her other novels. Having read (and highly recommend!) Until You, and Kingdom of Dreams, I couldn't help but be distracted in some scenes that seemed to reoccur in all three novels, and the descriptions of some of the actions. I think I eventually lost count at how many times the hero stood in front of a fireplace casually slapping tan gloves against a muscular, midnight blue clad thigh... :)

Like I said before, this book was very powerful emotionally, and I challenge anyone to read about Whitney and Clayton and not come away un-moved!

This book was returned to me by mistake (I don't own a copy), but after reading a couple of pages, I was hooked, and I read the book before returning it to the real owner. David Beck married his childhood sweetheart, after a storybook romance. But on their wedding anniversary, she is abducted and he is assaulted. A short time later, her body is found, dumped on the side of the road and mutilated, an apparent victim of the serial killer "KillRoy."

Eight years later, Beck is a doctor working at a low-income clinic. He treats the children of prostitutes and drug-dealers, and cares for his grandfather, who suffers from Alzheimer's. But Beck has never forgotten Elizabeth. When he gets a mysterious e-mail on their anniversary, "D.B. + E.P. /////////////////////" he is floored. Only Elizabeth would know the meaning of such a message. Could she be alive?

Suddenly Beck finds himself wrapped up in a gut-twisting, heart-pounding race to find his wife before the noose tightens around his own neck. Because for some reason, after eight years of believing KillRoy murdered Elizabeth Beck, the FBI is questioning her husband. Not only that, but when he goes to his father-in-law for answers, he gets only more questions. And now an old friend has been murdered, and someone is framing Beck.

My two main complaints about this book: 1. The point-of-view switching is a little confusing; however, after the first switch, I began to expect them, and it wasn't too difficult to follow. 2. This is my real complaint--there wasn't enough build-up to the twist at the end. Yes, there was a little (very little) foreshadowing. I would have preferred a little more. The reader gets a pretty intimate look inside Beck's mind, and I felt blindsided by the revelations at the end.

I would still recommend this to anyone who isn't squeamish (innocent characters do die, painfully) and who loves the mystery/suspense genre.

If you are a fan of his prior series' featuring the sports hero Myron Bolitar, you will probably like this book, but be a little wistful at some of the missing elements as he changes genre. Bolitar is the hero of 7 prior novels that fall in the "Comic Mystery Thriller" category populated by Lawrence Sanders, Lawrence Block and Janet Evanovich. Characterizations in the Bolitar books are so over the top that they make you giggle, even as you are consumed in a pace so fast that you finish the book without taking time to get a snack. Conversation is witty and cynical and you wonder if the author was a stand up comedian in a prior life. When looking for a beach book or just a great read to get over the rest of the stress, Coben is a hero to most.

So, "Tell No One" is a big departure, and only Shauna, Tyrese & Eric Wu, supporting characters in the story, will remind you that this is Coben. If you loved "Tell No One", be prepared that you may find Coben's earlier books too light for your taste, if you believe a thriller is a thriller and any comic touches are just wasted words.

Only 2 things hold "Tell No One" back from a five star rating. Coben's hero, his weaving of a tale of romance and familial loyalty, his pace and his ability to leave you guessing as his plot twists and turns are terrific! His cops are believable and admirable and his hero spins in every direction when discovering how easily he has been duped about the murder of his wife and how he has incredibly passed 8 years since her murder in absolute ignorance.

The 2 things: The final unveiling of the murderer was one twist too many...we could have left the tale much more enthusiastically without it. And, the dust jacket is horrific and looks as though a middle school child covered his English text in something his mom brought home. Small things. Tell No One might be the most exciting book you read this year!

Just when you thoughts Harlan Coben couldn't get any better, he does. He continues his literary magic with this truly phenominal book.

Coben, the mastermind behind the excellent Myron Bolitar mystery series, puts forth an amazing effort in TELL NO ONE. Meet Dr. David Beck, a loyal, caring doctor who lost his wife whom he has loved since the second grade, but manages to carry on. Left for dead himself, his wife, Elizabeth, is positively identified for dead as another victim of a serial killer. Eight years later, he receives an anonymous e-mail on the anniversary of their first kiss, leading him to believe that she may somehow still be alive. The twists and turns are a plentiful, and the adventure is one of non-stop excitement.

Coben brings together a wonderful group of characters that all blend together incredibly nicely. From the drug-dealing yet good-hearted father, Tyrese, to special agent, Nick Carlson, this super cast of characters is so well-developed, you can't help but thoroughly enjoy this book. There are even a few familiar names from the Myron Bolitar series, but you'll have to read the book to find out.

Overall, this novel is nothing less than spectacular. Coben's unique, yet thorough writing style shines ever so brightly in TELL NO ONE. The cogent storyline is well-developed, and the nerve-shattering suspense is outstanding, keeping you guessing until the unbelievable, surprise ending. It will not let you down.

This author has carved out a niche for himself in writing about relationships, often bad ones. The central relationship in this book, between Vincent and Dana, is fraught with drama and is seems doomed from the start. He lies about being divorced with a child. She covers up the fact that she is broke and still in love with the man whose actions lead to her declaring bankruptcy. Their differences seem insurmoutable and provide quite a bit of tension. Throughout the book, you just want them to throw in the towel already.

Although I enjoyed this book, I found it unrealistic. Taken as just entertainment it hits the mark squarely. But anyone looking for any deeper meaning or commentary on the state of relations between men and women may find it lacking. True, the dating scene is often a "Liar's Game" as folks with major issues lie and withhold information to make themselves more attractive; however, I don't see folks with this type of baggage making a long-term relationship work.

Dana is manipulative, bossy and volatile. She also has a nasty little habit of licking Vince's gum before putting it in his mouth. That really annoyed me. Vince is weak and lacks direction. He's stuck in a dead-end job, in a crummy apartment, pining away for an ex-wife who never loved him and a child that he is not allowed to see.

The not-so-happy couple is surrounded by other troubled couples -- the feuding lesbians across the hall, Dana's friend Gerri and her young stud and Vince's Jehri curl-wearing pal Womack and his wife. These subplots allow the writer to explore class issues and formerly taboo topics. Dickey provides an interesting treatment of those issues though it does have the feel of a tabloid.

For this genre, this book is pretty good. I would however like to see Mr. Dickey expand his horizons and tackle something other than dysfunctional relationships. Also, it would be great if he could for once include a normal, likeable female character.

I am an avid reader. I was taking a trip and decided to buy a novel to read on the plane. I was browsing in the bookstore and I came across Liar's Game. I am a big fan of Omar Tyree, Michael Baisden, Yolanda Joe, and Terry McMillan, but I had never read anything by Eric Jerome Dickey. I read the dust jacket and decided to take a chance. I began to read and I could not put the book down. I figured it would be interesting, but I never expected it to keep me wanting more. I was so eager to find out how things were going to end, that I spend a large part of my vacation reading. In fact, my best friend had to pry the book away from me to get me to pay attention to her! I was very impressed by the novel. The characters were very realistic and the way Mr. Dickey wrote the story allowed me to picture every scene in my mind. I have become a true fan of Eric Jerome Dickey, and I plan to read all of his works. I just finished Cheaters (I loved it!) and I am about to start reading Sister, Sister. To everyone who is reading this review, BUY THE BOOK. You won't be disappointed!

Liar's Game is an excellent novel and is one of Eric Jerome Dickey's best. It can be taken as purely entertaining- filled the action, drama, comedy, and despair, yet, it can also lead the reader to self-reflection through the way the characters deal with and resolve several personal issues and conflicts. Liar's Game deals with fears of abandonment and rejection. It dramatizes the uneasiness that results from the inconsistency between a person's attitudes and their actions. It deals with regrets over choices made in the past. It also shows the bonds of true friendship, dedication to family, and the value of commitment. From the descriptions of the people attending the social event at the beginning of the novel to Luther Vandross singing in the background of one of the major characters' conversations, Liar's Game is filled with resounding symbolism that both deeply touched me and kept me captivated from start to finish. To me, Liar's Game stands out from most contemporary novels as a "modern-day classic". It contains themes and issues that are both universal as well as able to withstand the tests of time. It is a book that is quite enjoyable if read leisurely, but it can also be examined closely to reveal more profound themes and meanings. It is definitely a "must read" on either level.

This is a book that on its face held a lot of promise. Any story in which a mother and her children, as well as faithful family retainers, are unjustly imprisoned in squalid conditions for twenty years for an ostensible crime comitted by the familial patriarch would certainly be of interest. Wrong! This is a tepid and disappointing book, poorly written and, most certainly, poorly edited. It is so filled with contraditions and inconsistencies, as to create somewhat of a credibility gap for the reader.

The story revolves around the Oufkir family, who were, at one time, a prominent, highly respected, and well known Moroccan family. Their story is told by Malika Oufkir, who is the eldest daughter of the late General Oufkir, who was executed in August 1972, immediately following an aborted attempt to assassinate King Hassan II of Morocco, for whom he was the Minister of Defense. General's Oufkir's treasonous action was the catalyst for the tragic turn of events that were to ungulf his family.

After the aborted coup, the General's immediate family was placed under house arrest and four months later, along with two loyal family retainers who volunteered to share their fate, were whisked away to the first of several desert prisons that were to house them for the next fifteen years.

As Malika tells it, hers was initially almost a fairy tale story. Brought up in luxurious surroundings, she suffered early heartbreak when, at the age of five, she was separated from her family and "adopted" by then King Muhammad V, so as to be a live in playmate for the King's daughter. This adoption is never really explained, and one has no idea what her parents thoughts were on this issue. Malika lived in the Palace in the lap of luxury for many years. As a teenager, however, she moved back with her family, where, there too, she continued to live a very privileged life, steeped in luxury and money.

After the Oufkirs' circumstances changed, theirs is truly a tragic story. There is little doubt that the conditions in their desert prisons were deplorable and squalid. With inadequate sanitation, insufficient food, no medical care, or educational provisions, the family was truly living a life of privation. Cutoff from the outside world, as they were, they truly were disenfranchised.

Their escape from their last desert prison, an escape which brought their plight to the consciousness of the public, was amazing. But for their escape, there is no doubt in my mind that they would still be languishing in a desert prison today, barely alive, if not already dead. I salute their determination and ingenuity in making a deperate break for freedom.

The problem lies in the telling of the story, which is so poorly told. Many things are left unexplained. No effort is made to ground the events which led to their family's downfall in a historical context. Whatever Malika said seems to have been what went into the final draft of this book, even if she contradicted herself a page or two later, which is the main problem with the book. There are so many inconsistencies with what Malika herself says, that the discerning reader is left to question much of what she represents.

Malika comes across as a somewhat self absorbed, vapid woman to whom fate dealt a harsh and unusually cruel hand. Her self absorption is most evident in that she barely acknowledges the sacrifice of the two faithful family retainers, who voluntarily shared their fate, nor does she discuss the impact that this had on them. It is also a little disconcerting that more does not come through about the perceptions the other family members had about this hellish experience. Their insight might have provided a little more balance and interest to the narrative. In the hands of a good writer and and excellent editor, this book might have withstood scrutiny and met expectations.

Sorry, Oprah, your book club selections are usually excellent. This one fails to make the grade.

Malika Oufkir tells us the powerful and tragic story of her life in the book Stolen Lives. She begins the story describing her life as a princess after being adopted by the king of Morocco. She lived an almost unreal life of luxury while at court. The opulence Malika describes is comparable to the time of Marie Antoinette. From the resplendent court, her life is irrevocably altered when her father fails in an assassination attempt and her entire family is placed in prison including her three year old brother.

The family's story is extraordinary. Their triumph of spirit is remarkable considering the duration and horrors which they suffered. We see the importance of unity and belief of oneself and each other. We see incredible love and sacrifice. But we also see how imprisonment can degrade the human spirit and affect the psyche.

We learn in the preface of the book, how Malika came to hire Michele Fitoussi as the co-author of her book. Throughout the book, the reader cannot help but wonder why. It is a shame that such an interesting and compelling story was so poorly written. The author fails terribly in her attempt to describe herself as a sympathetic person prior to her imprisonment. The continual jumping back and forth in time is confusing and annoying to a reader. I also wondered if perhaps the translation was poor, because of the use of certain words and general lack of eloquence from a person who entertained her family with her stories in their darkest hour.

Another book which may interest readers who liked and appreciated Stolen Lives is In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez. Readers who appreciate stories about the triumph of the human spirit will enjoy Stolen Lives.

A remarkable memoir written by the daughter of a Moroccan general who was foiled in an attempted takeover of King Hassan II. In retaliation the King imprisoned General Oufkir’s wife and their 6 children for 20 years.

Malika tells her story with all the intensity of a doomed soul that has been blessed by a second chance. Her life in prison had become a black hole of suffering and torment, neglected and half starved, she lived with the threat of rats, scorpions, diptheria, typhoid and succumbed to a case of peritonitis that left her in a coma fighting for her very life without medical intervention. She started to believe she and her family were indeed protected by a mysterious presence.

In their fourteenth year of imprisonment an escape plan is formulated that leads the reader to share in the intense joy and trepidation that the author must have felt, a light loomed at the end of the black tunnel that had become her life.

This is the first non-fiction Oprah selection, and one of her best choices ever. It makes a statement about human rights that will never be forgotten by the reader. Hopefully it will reach out to the four corners of the globe and make a difference in the lives of others. I am awed and amazed by the coping strategies and psychological triumph of the human spirit over what appears to be such a hopeless situation. Much happiness to you Malika Oufkir, you have certainly earned it...

I've been a huge Robbins fan for a long time. Not since the beginning; I had to go back and read Another Roadside Attraction after falling in love with his other stuff, beginning with Even Cowgirls Get the Blues. Still Life With Woodpecker is wonderful. Jitterbug Perfume is sublime. I thought Tom Robbins couldn't miss. Skinny Legs and All didn't quite work for me; Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas got sort of boring; now Fierce Invalids Home From Hot Climates has convinced me that Tom Robbins has lost it. This is unbelievably amateurish writing. It is careless, sloppy, often just plain stupid. Robbins can still turn a phrase like no one else; there are some belly laughs here even for the most jaded Robbins fan. But he's gotten lazy, or something. He's always been preachy, but he used to work hard at integrating his sermons into his narrative. No more. There's hardly any narrative left, here. It's all sermonizing of the most painful adolescent kind. The novel reads like the work of a 16-year-old would-be novelist who is only a few years or perhaps months away from the realization that he'll never be a writer. He still thinks he can do it, though, and writes on, page after agonizing page. The difference, of course, is that Tom Robbins used to be a writer, and lost his touch. Lost touch with what a novel IS, and what feels good on the tongue and ear, and what's funny ... I personally hope he takes a sabbatical or something, and rediscovers his touch. I've been saying for 20 years that we only have one Tom Robbins. I'd like to get him back.

It says 3 stars, but I'm inclined towards generosity where Mr. Robbins is concerned, and it's more like 3 1/2. Tom Robbins is up to his old tricks again. Mysticism, loopy plotlines, painful puns, and plenty of old friend anal sex. The only difference I can see here is that for the first time in my memory the main character isn't a woman, but a drug-taking zen-master ex-CIA agent named Switters. I won't give away the plot. It's vintage Tom Robbins, and irrelavent to boot, but if you loved his previous works, you'll love this too. But I can't help but feel that it's all getting perhaps a little old hat.

Don't get me wrong! I read this cover to cover in a matter of days and laughed and got turned on in all the right places, I think. But the fact of the matter is Mr. Robbins got scooped by real events in this book. A fair part of it concerns the missing third prophecy given to peasant girls in Fatima, Portugal in 1917 by the Virgin Mary. In any other year, this would be a dueced corker of a plotline, but unfortunately only a few weeks before Mr. Robbin's book appeared, the Pope revealed the actual third prophecy and rendered TR's amusing speculation moot. Plus didn't George Harrison call his haircut Arthur? Robbins identifies him as Ringo. I hope he's right, for his sake, because there's little more unforgivable than a half-[stepping] Beatle fan.

It's a risky thing, reading Tom Robbins in public - on the bus, for instance. I grin a lot, occasionally snickering, sometimes fighting off snorts and laughter. That's not to say that a Robbins story is simply humorous; some of my pleasure is from sharing in the absolute joy that Robbins takes in putting his phrases on paper.

Fierce Invalids isn't his best - read Skinny Legs and All - but it's still a great read. It seemed to ramble at times, leaving our hero for many pages in places seemingly far, far away from where he ought to be. But it all comes around in the end, with (as expected in a Robbins story) events in opposite ends of the earth having tremendous influence on each other. Also, as expected, we're presented with some universal truths, not the least of which is the secret to true happiness, delivered from the beak of a parrot.

And finally, it's an intimidating thing to review a Robbins book. I find myself inspired to fill my review with Robbinsesque metaphors. I try, but I'm not nearly as enlightened as Mr. R. Maybe after reading his next book.

As a writer, I hate it when I have just finished a story, sweated over it, edited it to pieces, and then posted it, and the first comments I get are "When's the next one coming out?" But Elizabeth Peters set herself up for this one. As a romantic, I was dying for Ramses and Nefret to get together, and I cheered when they finally made those all important moves toward one another. Short lived joy! The next scenes read like all those old Mills & Boons that I threw away years ago. I must admit, I was waiting to find out that Geoffrey blackmailed Nefret into marrying him, or even pretending to be married to him, with some vile threat towards Ramses and the family. I don't like unfinished stories, especially ones I have to wait a year to read. One a happier note, Sennia is delightful, and I fell in love with Ramses all over again as he interacted with her. Now I am going back to read an earlier book in the series, and I recomend you do the same. THE MUMMY CASE is still my favourite, Ramses at five is so sweet. I might go back and read the first one with David. I personally would have preferred a romance between David and Ramses (they certainly were passionately devoted to one another in those first years together) We wouldn't have needed the rather dull Lia, and Nefret could have joined them later. :) David & Ramses! Let's hear it for the boys!

I have beed reading Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels for over 25 years and she one of my favorite authors in addition to C.S. Lewis. Amelia Peabody is obviously her favorite charcater and a possble alter ego and makes a wonderful entrance to all readers in The Crocodile on the Sandbank. Her last two Amelia Peabody's, The Ape that Guards the Balance and The Falcon..., have revived a series that had become the sligtest bit repetitve. In The Ape that Gaurds the Balance Amelia confronts an element to her character that devastates her but adds incredible depth to her life as a longstanding and lovable character. E. Peters did an excellent job of adding a very realistic foible to an endearing and irascible character; it took courage as it may have turned many loyal readers off. Read the book to find out.

Two excellent books, together and separately. But, please, In The Falcon at the Portal did Ms. Peters have to turn one of the most independent and original heroines, Nefret, into an insipid Victorian miss? I am heartbroken she could make such a poor choice, Nefret I mean. Ms. Peters will have a lot of explaining to do in the next installment. I too hope it comes sooner rather than later. Given the ending of The Falcon.. it adds new meaning to clifffhanger. great book!

Emerson is beginning to sound a bit like Amelia in his pronouncements to Ramses and David on the key to a successful marriage. Ramses has the same intellectual curiosity & covert activities as when he was five, but now the consequences are not so comical. Amelia's dreams are the comforting thread in her inner monologue; something she would have pooh-poohed as fanciful in the first book. Ramses is even more like Amelia; the intelligent child with an eccentric and scholarly upbringing. Amelia's story began with the social outcast Evelyn, and this latest development seems in that realm again.

Frankly, Nefret has been one of Ms. Peters' weakest characters for me. Nefret has never been consistent; I keep waiting for the unusual background she grew up in to somehow make her more unique. Instead she is shallow, trendy (of her time) and mercurial. I know Ramses finds this adorable, but I found it no surprise when these lightening changes of emotion led to disaster in this book. Every time she perches on Emerson's chairarm and coos, "Professor darling" I keep hoping she'll be an evil plant from the Master Criminal. And thank goodness that awful Horus got what he deserves!

If the mystery and archaeological detail seem familiar, well, it was an insular period, with the sole focus on the artifacts binding most of the characters. Peters' creativity has been to open up the point of view over the last few books, with the additional "manuscript" contributions in third person or letters from Nefret. Yes, we know who the young classical scholar "Lawrence" is. Seriousness escalated in the series for me in the London-centered book, fifth in the series. When Percy first entered the plots and the understanding between Amelia and Ramses became evident. I've read that the next book may be the last. Peters may surprise us again.

Being an avid reader of Julie Garwood's books, I was absolutely thrilled to discover that she had written a new novel. Yes, we all know that Garwood can write wonderful historical romances, but could she do the same with a contemporary novel? After reading Heartbreaker, there is no doubt. Julie Garwood is the queen of romance and a master over the written word. The plot of her new book, Heartbreaker, does take a few chapters to unfold. But once it does, watch out! You'll find yourself drawn into the book faster than you can blink an eye. The characters, like in many of Garwood's novels, were very easy to like. The hero, Nick, was the possessive male with a "heartbreaking" smile and a knack for sarcastic humor. Laurant was of course an absolute beauty. And hurray to Garwood for countering that detail by giving her heroin a modest attitude and a witty retort for all those innocent jokes thrown her way. Accompanying the dynamic duo is Tommy, Laurant's brother, and Nick's FBI buddy Noah. Keep an eye on those two ladies. They're hilarious. All and all, I was most impressed. This book has got to be one of Garwood's finest. It contains all the parts that a good romance novel should: intriguing plot, captivating characters, and undeniable love. "Bravo, Julie!"

This is my very first Garwood book and I must say...WOW are the only words that can describe this well written book. I am in awe of her talent. I am normally not a fan of contemporary romance, but this book definately changed my views on that. This is a perfect mix of romance and suspense, my two favortites types of books all rolled into one masterpiece! This will have you guessing who the "Heartbreaker" is until the very end! Nick Bucchanan, (the lead male)the FBI agent that is summoned to protect the lead female, Laurant and her brother a priest, from a madman bent on stalking and killing Laurant. Father Tom is listening to confessions one afternoon when a deranged man threatens his sister's life and then leaves without a trace. Tom calls on his best friend and FBI agent Nick to help. Soon Nick realizes they are not dealing with a simple case of obsession, but a serial killer who wants to stalk and mutilate Laurant. Things soon heat up as Nick is to be with her 24 hrs a day in a little town in Iowa called Holy Oaks, where everyone knows one another and their business, but is the killer amoung them? They soon find they are falling in love with one another as they are forced to spend more and more time together to keep Laurant safe, but IS she really safer in Nick's arms than if she wasn't? Its a fast-paced thriller/romance that keeps you guessing who-dunnit until you think you've figured it out and to find that you've no idea! The tension between Nick and Laurant is real and you feel for them and find yourself hoping they survive. Heartbreaker is a sure pleaser and I highly recommend it! The follow-up story to this is Mercy...

NY Times Bestseller, Julie Garwood's romantic suspense, HEARTBREAKER is a true rollercoaster ride of thrills, action and romance. After a psychopath confesses the gruesome details of his previous murders, he reveals to Father Tom that he will sin once again and that he has already staked out his next victim. This time, however, he needs more of a challenge..."Catch me if you can."

Father Tom calls in his best friend, Agent Nick Buchanan. Nick is a member of a special elite unit that tracks down missing children. He has seen every atrocity known to man and is bordering on the edge of burnout and is ready for a much needed vacation. Nick can't refuse Tom's plea for help because the intended victim is...Tom's sister, Laurant.

Laurant Madden has made a peaceful life for herself in Holy Oaks, Iowa, but with a sadistic killer after her, she and Nick must pretend to be lovers in order to bait the trap--only the pretending becomes a sizzling love affair that grows hotter has the killer draws nearer.

Garwood brings Laurant's and Nick's world vividly alive. We care about them, understand them and want them to prevail. HEARTBREAKER is focused, gritty and yes, humorous. You laugh at the same time you get goosebumps. This book is pure Garwood which is storytelling at its finest. If you read only one book this year, make it HEARTBREAKER! YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!

Tami Hoag seems to be determined to enter the serial killer sweepstakes with ASHES TO ASHES. She creates a dark, violent atmosphere; almost claustrophobic at times. Her characters are as trapped by their pasts as they are mired in the search for the mass murderer.

As much as I liked NIGHT SINS and GUILTY AS SIN, I found parts of ASHES TO ASHES painful to read. Tami Hoag gives the reader more details than they need to know -- unless your are a coroner! I am not sqeamish, John Sandford is one of my favorite authors, but I have never felt pushed to the edge of comfort by his books.

On the plus side, the plotting and character development kept me reading well into the night, and though I was disappointed by the heroine in jeopardy ploy at the end, I would like to read Hoag's next book which will feature some of the characters in ASHES. Just tone down the graphic descriptions, Tami. You don't need them to illustrate your villain's evil deeds. We already know!

Kate Conlan is a divorced victim/witness advocate in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She had been an FBI agent five years ago, but that career ended when she had an affair with Special Agent John Quinn, who is now back in her life to help track down a serial killer.

The sparks between the two don't rekindle until about halfway into the book, which was a relief and disappointment. It was nice to be able to read a couple hundred pages without the predictable Tami Hoag romance getting in the way. When the inevitable does happen, I kept wondering why--after five years of no contact--would they want to hook up again? They do try to forget about their pasts together, but it's a pretty [poor] attempt.

At the beginning of "Ashes to Ashes", the Cremator (aka Smokey Joe) has just killed his third victim, who might possibly be the daughter of billionaire Peter Bondurant. The only person who saw the killer was Angie DiMarco, a foul-mouthed, homeless teenager, who is the only key witness in the investigation and Kate's new responsibility. To say the least, Kate is reluctant to get involved with a minor, particularly this kid. However, when Angie vanishes from a safe house, Kate fears her young witness may be the Cremator's fourth victim.

The beginning of "Ashes to Ashes" is a little slow and tedious with the introduction of the crime and characters, but by the middle it definitely picks up the pace. The ending, however, is a little disappointing. Or rather, the killer is disappointing--and pathetic. S/he's not what I expected or imagined the Cremator to be like. At least you won't be able to guess who s/he is until close to the end.

Overall, "Ashes to Ashes" is the most exciting book by Tami Hoag I've read so far. ("Night Sins" is almost a match, but it's not as gruesome as this one. "Dark Paradise" doesn't even come close in the scare department.) "Ashes to Ashes" is also pretty humorous. The jokes can be crude (depending on your comfort level), but they're a welcome after some of the serious scenes.

Dislikes: Too many characters and details. The result: almost 600 pages, a record for Tami Hoag. Generally, her books average 500 pages.

Offensive material: explicit language, sex, incest, murder, self-mutalation... Well, just about everything. If you're easily offended or squeamish, try something else by Tami Hoag, like "Dark Paradise".

For those you enjoyed "Ashes to Ashes", you should continue with the follow-up novel, "Dust to Dust".

To call this book romance suspense doesn't do it, or Tami Hoag, justice. This is a full-on, grab you by the throat suspense thriller that rates up there with the best of them. If you enjoy the likes of John Sandford, Michael Connelly, Jonathan Kellerman, James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell you'll love this book. It hit the bookstores here yesterday and I grabbed a copy as they were stocking the shelves...and have just finshed it in one sitting (starting at 5.00am!). As I got into the last third of the book it had me pacing from one room to the other as I read it: I just couldn't sit still. Yes, there is a love story woven through it but Tami Hoag has moved a long way from the earlier romance/suspense she wrote (although I loved those early books too). This book is filled with fascinating characters (including a very brief appearance at the end by a not so nice guy from "Guilty As Sin"), an excellent plot with the appropriate twists and turns and plenty of detail on police/FBI procedures. She deserves to reach a whole new audience with this effort and I'm sure she will. The only problem now is having to wait so long for the next book. All I can say is, thanks for a great read Tami Hoag!

Perhaps it is just that I'm tired of "series" writers. It's not that I'm tired of Ms. Hamilton's creativity and voice. I read this book in one setting. However... "A Kiss of Shadows" does not contain the depth of characterization Ms. Hamilton has shown in the Anita Blake series. I had not realized how greatly I had enjoyed watching the growth of Ms. Blake's character throughout the series AND within each book. The protagonists and antagonists all make human choices no matter their "monstrosity." "Kiss's" new character, Merry, merely has things happen to her. They affect her to a limited extent. And I never got much feeling for the antagonists in the book at all. I didn't even care if they got their come-uppance or learned their lesson. Not only is there not a lot of character development, but there isn't a lot of plot development. The future of this series is laid out for the reader in such detail that maybe adding some of a plot was too much. Finally, the sensuality typical of Ms. Hamilton's earlier books went too far for me in this book. Perhaps because there is no reference for having romance with monsters who have limited human characteristics and no human physical characteristics. If you are as much of a lover of Ms. Hamilton's past works as I, then this review will not stop you from purchasing the hard back edition. If you are a new reader, I urge you to read any and all of her other works before this one. This is her one book, that would not start a Laurell K. Hamilton addiction, and it's an addiction well worth starting.

"A Kiss of Shadows" begins Laurell K. Hamilton's new series revolving around Meredith NicEssus, a faerie princess of the Unseelie Court. This book is a wonderful, sensuous read, full of rich and vivid characters in a thrilling storyline that will keep you turning pages all night long. This is a very promising beginning to what seems to be another highly addictive series by LKH.
Princess Meredith NicEssus has been hiding out in Los Angeles for three years under the name Meredith Gentry, working as a private detective specializing in the supernatural. Merry is hiding because her aunt Andais, the Queen of Air and Darkness, wants her dead (and being half-human, not full sidhe, Merry is mortal and easily killed).
When Merry takes a case involving faerie magic, she ends up the victim of a spell that destroys the careful disguise she creates using glamour, and the secret is out that Princess Meredith is in LA. It doesn't take long for her aunt's guards to come searching for her, and after some suspenseful and exciting scenes, Meredith is finally forced to return home. Luckily for Merry, however, she has finally come into her own power, inheriting the "hand of flesh" from her father, and making her a power to be reckoned with.
But a surprise awaits her when she arrives home. It seems that her aunt no longer wants her dead. In fact, due to some unknown falling out with her unbalanced and cruel son, Merry's cousin Cel, Queen Andais gives Merry a chance to inherit the throne. Whoever produces an heir first, Merry or Cel, will become the next ruler of the Unseelie Court, and Merry may have her pick of all the Queen's guards as lovers.
This sounds great in theory, but the truth of it is that someone wants Merry dead, and she isn't home an hour before the first attempt on her life occurs. Merry is nearly positive that it is her cousin Cel, trying to ensure that he inherits the throne, but the Queen always looks the other way for her only son, so Merry's life is left in extreme peril.
Hamilton does a fantastic job of portraying the Unseelie Court, and all the politics that go along with it. The Queen's guards are all fascinating characters, and I look forward to learning more about them in future books. Doyle, the Queen's darkness, and the most feared of all the guards is my favourite. His interactions with Merry are intriguing and skilfully rendered, and his commitment to her, to keep her safe, is quite touching. The other guards, such as Frost (The Killing Frost), Rhys (once a death god), Barinthus and Galen, are also utterly loyal to Merry, and are all interesting characters who add depth to the story.
Merry herself is a great character. She is small and tough, like Anita Blake from Hamilton's Vampire Hunter series, but that is where the similarities end. Merry is an innately sexual being, comfortable with her sexuality and not afraid to show it. These views on Merry's part, and the inherently sexual nature of the fey, make for a lot of erotica in this novel, which I really enjoyed. I found the sex scenes tasteful and highly sensual, not to mention essential to the telling of the story.
Once again Hamilton has created a new, magical world in which readers can immerse themselves. Merry's world of breathtakingly beautiful and grotesque faeries, multi-eyed goblins, brownies and ghosts is wonderfully imaginative and hugely fun to read about. I truly enjoyed this book and went into work completely bleary-eyed two days in a row, because I simply could not put this book down. Hamilton is a wonderful storyteller, and this new series already has me hooked. So don't miss out on the fun, buy this book today!

Let me start by saying that I LOVED this book and frankly, I was prepared not to. I was introduced to the author by a co-worker who thought the Anita Blake series was one of the best vampire stories going. I was hooked after the first book and now that I've read Ms Hamilton's newest heroine, I feel compelled to share just how wonderful Kiss of Shadows is. The reason I felt I wouldn't like the new series was because I couldn't imagine an author coming up with a more diverse and interesting alternative universe than the one Anita Balke inhabits. Boy was I wrong. Merry Gentry and the "people" who orbit around her are some of the most inventive, unusual charcters that it has been my pleasure to read about. I can't wait for the next installment. Please, Laurell, write faster!!!