Spotlight on Guest Reviewers

For years readers like myself of Conan Doyles’ Sherlock Holmes stories, wondered what experiences may have contributed to the detective’s varied interests. In the first story in this series, Death Cloud, teenage Sherlock was introduced to bees and boxing. Under the tutelage of Amyus Crow, the young man began to learn logical thinking and the power of observation. And he ended up in a fast moving and engaging adventure.

 

This book continues Sherlock’s education under more stressful circumstances. When Mycroft Holmes arrives at the home of Sherlock’s aunt and uncle, it is not for a visit with his brother. Mycroft has business with Crow. Holmes listens in and learns that John Wilkes Booth is believed to have survived after the murder of Abe Lincoln and is hiding in England. Fearing Crow will leave England, Sherlock, with the help of his friend Matty, seeks Booth’s location. When the two boys manage to find the murderer and his keepers, Matty ends up a prisoner, and on a boat to American. In order to rescue his friend and help preserve the Union of States, Sherlock, Amyus and his daughter, Virginia, embark on a steamer leaving for America. Teenage Sherlock learns the hard way that everyone on board the vessel is not his friend. When he is attacked and fights back, a crewman ends up dead – and the boy is the cause. Locked on the ship for a prolonged period of time, young Mr. Holmes begins to learn the violin from a fellow passenger. While talking to another passenger, Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Graf von Zeppelin, Holmes begins to learn about balloon travel and the use of hot air balloons in battle. Upon arriving in America, the three hunters of Booth will be faced with men that are more monster than human, bizarre animals, and leeches. While facing preparations for a belated battle to save the fragile Union of the States, Sherlock will make a decision that has far reaching consequences. Spanning two continents, this adventure of young Sherlock Holmes is darker and more complex than the first mystery he faced. The young man will be forced to face the effects of his decisions and actions. As the action picks up, the trio of hunters faces unspeakable enemies and odds. A very exciting, readable sequel to the first adventure. I for one cannot wait for the third book in the series to become available.                                   -- Guest Reviewer Sandra Hale

Every 73 years a rift occurs between Earth and Elsewhere allowing weres, vampires, the fey, demons, and other preternatural beings onto the planet. The prets as they are called have been outed and are less than popular - after all they have no body when they cross and, therefore, take over random humans. Nix de la Fuentes is on one of the lowest rungs of the preternatural list. Half human and half demon, she is accepted by neither group. With the help of tai chi, the 26 year old gets along - and controls her demon half. Until now. Not only is she dealing with serial vampire slayings, the Preternatural Council, who happens to be her bosses, are harassing her for her breeding. Without warning, Nix and Dante MacMillan, her human counterpart, find themselves working with Tobias Caine. Caine, a detective on both sides of the rift, followed a murderer onto earth. The gorgeous vampire, the love of Nix's life, left her without explanation five years earlier. The plot of his well-written book has several layers and fully developed characters. The latest victim of the killer is a friend of both Nix and Tobias making the hunt personal. The smoldering love between the half demon and the vampire puts a strain on the hunters - as does Dante's obvious interest in the young woman. As the trio of investigators peal back the layers of the case, they realize the stability of the rift as well as the 73 year cycle of crossovers could be endangered. For unfathomable reasons, the Preternatural Council may be hindering their progress, hiding information, and compromising the the investigation. When Tobias' nemesis from the other dimension shows up, the upcoming confrontation could end lives. While the murder investigation resolves itself, unanswered questions remain. And, although I rarely read paranormal romances, this reader can't wait for the next book in the series. -- Guest Reviewer Sandra Hale

When Emma Whitecastle and Phil Bowers take a trip to Catalina Island, off the California coast, they are looking for together time not ghosts. Of course, Phil and Emma know Granny Apple will travel with them. While Phil has learned to accept Emma’s ability to see and talk with ghosts, the couple does not expect to come across Tessa North frolicking in the surf. The curvy blonde in the polka dot bikini is obviously a beach bunny from the 60’s. She is waiting for Curtis and seems confused about being dead. Emma feels obligated to find out what happened to Tessa and to enable her spirit to cross over. Besides, now that she anchors a show called "The Whitecastle Report" on the paranormal, Emma senses a possible story - at least until said story hits too close to home. Much to Emma’s horror, Tessa has ties to her former father-in-law and his friends, including producers, actors, and politicians. Emma pushes forward with her investigation finding and interviewing girls who roomed with and knew Tessa. She also delves into Tessa’s past before she became a starlet. When one of Tessa’s old roommates is murdered, Emma realizes she could be in danger. She enlists her mentor Miles Ravenscroft and her best friend to help as well as her research assistant. This tour guide to Catalina, while written with humor, has a tighten and tenser story line than the first volume in the series. Highly recommended for lovers of cozies. -- Sandra Hale, Guest Reviewer

Although she is in her mid-forties, Emma Whitecastle is re-inventing herself. She is adapting to her daughter going away to college, fighting for a fair settlement from soon-to-be ex-husband Grant, and living with her parents. Emma is not prepared to investigate a hundred-year-old murder. Especially since the person demanding the investigation is long dead and Emma is not ready to admit to both seeing and hearing ghosts. Ish Reynoldss wants her name cleared of murder charges. She also wants to know who was in the group of vigilantes who hanged her for the murder of her husband.

Milo Ravenscroft, the man who introduced Ish to her great-great-great granddaughter during a séance, finds himself on speed dial when Emma travels to Julian, California, to delve into her family history - and solve a murder. Ish, known in her day as Granny Apple for her pies, travels with Emma. During this outing, Emma will meet and greet ghosts in the cemetery, spend the night with Albert Robinson, the free black man who founded Hotel Robinson -- now the Julian Hotel, as well as irritate the local citizens.

Phil Bowers owns the land that once belonged to Ish and Jacob Reynolds. Having already met her cousin Ian Reynolds, Phil wants nothing to do with Emma and her investigation. Until someone is murdered. Between Phil’s threats, a stalker in the cemetery and a break-in at the hotel, Emma is alternately a suspect and the next potential victim. Written with humor, this story is a tour of Julian, an entertaining mystery, and a joyful investigation of family and self. -- Sandra Hale, Guest Reviewer

Lover Unleashed is the tenth in the popular Black Dagger Brotherhood series. If you have not read these before, let me issue my standard warning regarding the Brotherhood books: they are hot, hot, hot!! Not for the faint of heart in the story and not for the faint of heart in the romance. If you wanted to rate these from 1 to 10 for hottest romance, they would be at least a 15! Payne has come from the Far Side; i.e., not of this earth. And she is a warrior untrained in the ways of love. A paralyzing back injury from a sparring accident has her laid flat with no hope of recovery. Unless… The brotherhood put their heads together and decide there is no one better to help her than a human surgeon – a surgeon who one brother’s mate knows extremely well. Sparks hit the ceiling when doctor meets patient – and the patient’s brother (one of the most dangerous of the group) wants to kill Dr. Manello for even thinking of his sister in that way. Lots of action and lots of lovin’. Vampires, bad guys, vampires, blistering romance, and vampires. A good summer read. I highly recommend it! (Dark Lover is the first in the series.) -- Guest Reviewer Diane Bader

While the first twenty pages of this layered book sets up the story premise, the character development and unexpected plot twists keep the reader turning pages. Jared McKeen is in a biker bar celebrating his ex-wife's first anniversary to another man when a woman hits on him. Heather has a bruised face, teary eyes, and a typical tale of a brutalizing boyfriend. McKeen, feeling protective of her, takes her to a motel for the night. One lost day later, the ex-cop finds out he is wanted for the brutal murder of a woman he never met. His prints are at the scene. His semen is present. There are multiple references to meetings between them and, if that doesn't get him convicted of premeditated homicide, his threatening voice on her answering machine will help. Add the child porn found in his truck and he could get killed. After a brutal night in prison and a financial bail-out by friends and family, Jared realizes he is in a race to reclaim his shattered life. His previous girlfriend, a reporter who got him fired wants his side of the story. His former partner on the force believes he's guilty. The ex-cop turned private eye begins his own investigation. Using his gift for disguise, Mckeen canvases the dead woman's neighborhood, talks to her children and relatives, and attempts to retrace her last hours alive. Jaden Terrill's writing is tight with few extraneous words. Mckeen's character develops through the decisions he makes and the actions he takes. The stubborn investigator loves his former wife; he is patient with his son who has Down's Syndrome; his best friend and roommate is gay and suffers from AIDS. His relationship with his older brother is complicated. In other words, Jared Mckeen is like any of the people reading about him - he has multiple layers, too much compassion, and a good heart. He is the core of this story. Jared McKeen's life must return to normal so readers can enjoy the next installment of his tale. We need to become better acquainted with the man and the members of his inherited and chosen family. -- Guest Reviewer Sandra Hale