M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E

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February 2010
Books for the New Year

By Jennie Hansen

By some odd coincidence, among the books I received to review, I was given two historical books this month that cover almost the same portions of the 19th century. They both carry powerful messages concerning freedom and our nation's roots, but their similarity ends there.

One, Am I Not a Man by Mark L. Shurtleff tells the Dred Scott story, and is the compelling story of a black man who struggled during the mid-19th century to gain his freedom and that of his wife and daughters. Scott's experience and the suit he took to court was a compelling factor in rousing the nation's indignation against slavery and propelling Abraham Lincoln into the White House. Author Shurtleff, Utah's Attorney General, brings a long career in law to this work. Dawn's Early Light by L.C. Lewis highlights a slightly earlier period when the British burned the American Capitol in 1812. It deals, too, with the struggle for freedom and the right to own property, the question of black equality, and the right of Americans to maintain their own sovereign nation.

When economics forced booksellers to tighten their belts, several loved series were severely shortened, delayed or dropped. This happened to the Free Men and Dreamers series. With two volumes published, the series was cancelled. Lewis persevered, engaged a top level editor, and proceeded to self-publish Dawn's Early Light, the third volume in this series. This volume details a piece of American history that is both painful and often overlooked in a study of our past---the invasion of British troops on our nation's capital and the burning of irreplaceable books and documents along with the President's House and the Capitol Building.

Jed and Hannah are married now, but with war looming over them, they have little time together. With the threat of Napoleon removed as Britain's main focus, British ships and troops are freed to subdue the upstart Americans. Britain's House of Lords is divided over the war and without a leader of sense or sensitivity over the nation, there are limited checks and balances which lead to depravations, theft of property, and unclear policies.

The Creole Sebastian Dupree and his mercenaries attack the Willows and leave it and the White Oaks farms in shambles. Not everyone survives. And as the British move toward Washington, the capitol is paralyzed by weak leadership, unclear lines of authority, and personal egos. Farms are burned, stock and provisions stolen, and the land laid waste as the red coats proceed. The untrained Americans retreat too readily and men flee to see to their families’ safety instead of maintaining their military positions. Some slaves maintain their masters’ homes or fight alongside the militias, others flee to the British believing they will be granted freedom. Freed slaves are caught in a strange middle ground where neither side trusts them.

This volume is filled with both heroic and cowardly acts. Loved characters from the earlier volumes play strong roles again as the War of 1812 progresses.

Dawn's Early Light is, in my opinion, the best written of the three volumes in the series. It is an important reminder of America's roots and the human drive to achieve freedom. Both characters and the plot are believable and are based on meticulous research. It tore at my heart, as though events like Washington burning occurred just yesterday. Historical fans and those who read the first two books in this series will enjoy this volume. My only complaint is that it ended too soon. I wanted more closure without waiting for volume four.

* * *

Am I Not a Man? The Dred Scott Story is based on a true account unfamiliar to many today, but it is one of the greatest civil rights stories of all time. It is the story of a slave boy who grew to manhood as a trusted and loved part of a large, white land-owning family. The children of the family considered him a brother. When hard times and alcoholism changed the family's circumstances, the slaves were sold, including Dred's wife, whom he never saw again. He was sold to a hypochondriac doctor attached to the military who dragged him from post to post, including long stretches in free states. There in a free state, he married again and had his first child. Eventually the doctor died, leaving his property, including Dred and his family, to his well-connected wife, who in turn turned them over to her brother, an avid and abusive slavery supporter. The children of his first owner tried to buy Dred back, but his current owner refused to sell him. They got a court order preventing the sale of the family to anyone else and prohibiting further beatings and abuse, and thus began a long legal battle that went all the way to a corrupt and biased U.S. Supreme Court. The case outraged most Americans, became the focus of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and was a major factor in Lincoln becoming the nation's choice for president.

LDS readers will notice similarities between the treatment by ruffian mobs of Mormons in Missouri and Illinois and the treatment and tactics of those same border ruffians who attempted to force slavery on Kansas and other new states.

Much of this book is brilliantly written and history buffs and freedom lovers won't want to miss it. There are also sections that drag, and I found it distracting to have the story jump forward and backward from one time to another. The story would carry a greater impact if it were written in chronological order and omnipotent author intrusions were eliminated.

Most Americans today are completely repelled by the declaration of the Chief Justice that a black person was so inferior that he had "no rights a white man was bound to respect." A culture that considered a black man a beast of burden, a mere animal, is hard for us to fathom today. Our present culture doesn't permit the abuse of animals to the degree many slaves were treated at that time.

Parts of this novel, which closely follows the real case, are hard to read because of their painful nature. Though the book is absorbing and gives fascinating detail of one of the most important cases in our country's legal history, it could be better organized and many of the long poems, songs, letters, and newspaper accounts would have been better placed in a bibliography or historical notes section rather than slowing the story. Which brings me to the book's major defect; it lacks a bibliography which would allow the reader to follow up on particular events or rulings. This is one of those books that walks a narrow line between fiction and history with history carrying the greater weight. It would be helpful to be able to separate the fiction and factual parts of the book with greater accuracy. Though I found the book to be lacking several points necessary to a good novel, it was never dull and kept me glued to the pages. I found it a memorable, timely, and important look at historical events that helped to shape our country and our present day attitudes toward race. I highly recommend it.

* * *

Where the Sun Rises by Frank Richardson is a story with a message. It might be described as a Good Samaritan story or some might call it a "feel good" kind of story. It begins with a graphic description of Hatcher Stephens III at his lowest point. Hatch was born into a wealthy family, and he had good looks, and intelligence to go with it. He married a beautiful woman and fathered two children. Unfortunately life came too easily and he never learned to discipline himself, think of others or develop a strong work ethic. When he meets obstacles, his life falls apart and he slips into alcoholism.

Broke, in debt, divorced, and homeless, he falls into a drunken stupor where a strange phenomena of light leaves him obsessed with a desire to reach the place where the sun rises. He begins a journey eastward where he is rescued by Trevor, a security guard who is strongly committed to the concept that when one person rescues another, he is responsible for that person. From Trevor, Hatcher learns some hard lessons and finds employment with a woman he greatly admires. Eventually he pushes on, meeting other people who further his education in facing reality and who help him become a stronger person. As he remains sober, he dreams of returning to his family in Seattle.

This book is beautifully written with thoughts and feelings expressed in an identifiable way. There are a few typos and omitted words, but not enough to distract from the story. The main character is well-developed and the first few secondary characters are developed well enough to fill their role, but the characters introduced toward the end of the book are shadowy. Mollie, who is an important part of the Snowville section---a lead in to the conclusion---is too vague for the reader to sympathize with or understand why she has such a strong impact on the Snowville community or Hatch.

I think most readers will enjoy Where the Sun Rises and it will lead to some serious introspection, but its dependence on coincidences (or miracles) lessens its impact.

* * *

Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen's Missing is the story of a missing child and is as current as today's headlines.

While singing a solo at a choir performance in Canada, Stacie Cox catches a fleeting glimpse of a young girl she feels certain is a kidnapped child from Rexburg, Idaho. She notifies the police but isn't content to leave the matter in their hands. She begins a search on her own, assisted by several members of the choir, thus upsetting the schedule of the college choir tour. Running concurrently with her search for the little girl are her relationships with two young men from the choir who have strong feelings for her.

As her search for the child becomes an obsession, Stacie is haunted by memories of a child she couldn't save. The direction her search takes leads the police and the choir director to question her emotional stability, and a clever woman sets a trap for the hunter.

Though this is her first book, Hinrichsen weaves an intriguing tale that holds the reader's interest from start to finish. Stacie has a few too many problems and the plot involves too many coincidences to be completely believable, yet the fast pace and style of presentation make the book difficult to put down once the reader is past the disjointed beginning. Even the copy editing improves drastically once past the first chapter.

Missing is at its strongest when the author deals with the missing child and the physical details of the plot. Her weakest points are Stacie's emotional hang-ups which don't feel real, then are too easily dismissed.
Hinrichsen is an author to watch. Her debut novel is an exciting triumph and I predict we will see great things from this author in the future.

* * *

By Love or By Sea by Rachel Rager is like reading a highly romanticized book written half a century or more ago. It begins slowly and doesn't pick up momentum until almost the end. The heroine and her suitors seem immature and the seaside kingdom where they live is vague.

Alice, the heroine lives with her grandparents. One day as she walks down the street, she meets a sailor who reminds her of a boy she fell in love with when she was just six and who disappeared three years later. Of course, he turns out to be that boy and is now in love with her. A wealthy man who has been courting her threatens to reveal dark secrets concerning the young man's past and she is torn between her two suitors. She befriends a reclusive artist, indulges in several intense kissing sessions with the sailor, then he leaves. Almost a year passes before he returns again. Then the story picks up its pace, leading to a love-and-money happy ending. Those who enjoy dreamy, romantic fantasies will enjoy this one.

* * *

DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT, VOL 3 of FREE MEN AND DREAMERS by L.C. Lewis, self-published (Amazon), softcover, 325 pages, $18.99
Click to buy: Dawn’s Early Light.

AM I NOT A MAN? The Dred Scott Story, by Mark L. Shurtleff, published by Valor Publishing Group, hardcover, 480 pages, $24.95
Click to buy: Am I Not a Man?

WHERE THE SUN RISES by Frank Richardson, published by Bonneville Books, softcover, 217 pages, $14.99
Click to buy: Where the Sun Rises.

MISSING by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen, published by Walnut Springs Press, soft cover, 264 pages, $16.95
Click to buy: Missing.

BY LOVE OR BY SEA by Rachel Rager, published by Bonneville Books, soft cover, 198 pages, $14.99
Click to buy: By Love or by Sea.

January 2010
LDS Fiction Features Sleuths and Special Agents

By Jennie Hansen

Setting Sailby Grace Elliot is one of those rare gems that took me by surprise. Neither the gloomy gray cover featuring a sailing vessel nor the blurb on the back of the book prepared me for how much I enjoyed reading this novel.

The story begins with three different families in the mid-eighteen hundreds struggling to survive under harsh conditions. The potatoes are rotting in the fields, leaving the Irish people starving to death; the Scottish Highlanders are forced from their mountain slopes where they've dwelt for centuries to make room for herds of sheep owned by rich land barons leaving their only recourse for survival slavery in the coal pits, and with the rapid growth of English industrial factories there is less need for cottage weavers, and estate landlords need fewer farmers to work their land. Out of this misery comes two dreams; one abundant opportunities in far off lands, and two, a new religion that welcomes the indigent as well as the wealthy and offers them hope.

With the promise of land for the taking, a new beginning, and a better life for their children, representatives of the three families set sail for New Zealand and Australia. During the nearly four-month voyage, these people's lives become forever entwined. Through storms, disease, and tragedy their bond is welded. And when they discover many of the promises they were given are lies, they move forward together.

Setting Sailis clearly the first book in an epic historical series. Though this appears to be Elliot's first novel for the LDS market, she is not new to LDS readers as she has contributed to all of the church magazines and is the South Pacific editor for the Ensign.

Because the author chose to begin the story from three different perspectives, it appears a little disjointed at first and some of the sudden leaps in time as the characters progress from children and young adults to the point where their lives connect feel too abrupt. However, the author's warm and inviting writing style, soon clears up any confusion. This is a book I would classify as literary because of its overall excellence, its beautiful but unobtrusive vocabulary, strong character growth, and depth of subject matter. Yet it's a book I don't hesitate to recommend to genre readers. There's a strong plot line, believable action, a satisfying love story element, and scenes that invoke a few tears. It's a great start to a new year of reading pleasure.

* * *

One look at the cover of Josi S. Kilpack's new book, Devil's Food Cake, is enough to make my mouth water. Actually the cake plays a very minor role in the book. It could even have been deleted, and it wouldn't have affected the story, but that cover is truly yummy.

Once again obnoxious, busybody widow Sadie Hoffmiller finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. At the library fund raiser dinner, over which Sadie who is obsessed with food, has presided over the menu, the guest speaker's agent is murdered in front of the entire crowd of diners. Sadie is a witness to the murder and feels some responsibility for her friend, who was helping onstage when the murder occurred, and because of her position on the library committee. Her attempts to help solve the murder and assist the police in collecting clues is met with disapproval by the officers who discount the valuable clues she has collected. Even her romantic interest, Detective Pete Cunningham, tells her in no uncertain terms to mind her own business and go home.

Of course Sadie doesn't go home. She's involved in one delay after another. When she finally does get home, her son Shawn becomes involved, too, in his mother's quest to unmask a murderer. The story takes off in a tangle of twists and turns as Sadie pursues one clue after another. And though she tries to communicate with Pete to let him know what she has learned, he doesn't answer her calls. Escaping from a vicious attack, she ends up in a stranger's bushes and manages to drag him into her quest for answers, justice, and culinary delights. Even when the mystery appears to be resolved there are still a few surprises.

I love reading mysteries, and though cosies, rank near the bottom of my preferences in this genre, there's no mistaking Kilpack is one of the best in this field and not just in the LDS market. Lemon Tart was good, English Trifle was better, but with Devil's Food Cake she delivers a polished novel that can hold its own anywhere.

Though poor Sadie isn't a particularly likable character, she still manages to engage the reader's sympathies and Kilpack portrays her so well, she never slips out of the role assigned to her. Secondary characters are also believable and possess a subtle mixture of good and bad qualities. The plot is developed and fine-tuned. Though I guessed the identity of the villain and the motive early on, it was strictly a guess, and I found myself doubting that guess a time or two before I reached the conclusion. Oh yes, there are also recipes, a big plus for some readers, though I tend to skip over them. Mystery fans are going to love this one.

* * *

Traci Hunter Abramson has quickly risen as one of the top mystery/suspense writers in the LDS publishing world. Her new book Crossfireonce again draws on her CIA background to provide a heart-pounding tale of a female special agent trapped in deep cover after her handler suffers a medical emergency, leaving her with no contact with the CIA and no way to share vital information concerning a planned deadly terrorist attack. It falls to the Saints Squad, a group of LDS Navy Seals to find a way to establish contact and to act on the information they hope to gain. Lives are on the line as Seth and Vanessa find themselves sequestered in a Nicaraguan fortress and thousands of unsuspecting Americans become the target of a fiendish terror plot.
Abramson has mastered the ability to keep readers, both men and women, on the edge of their chairs and staying up way past their bedtimes with her gripping tales. In this high action novel as in her previous novels, she brings in a touch of romance, but spends little time on romantic details, which could be why she draws readers from both genders.
Background information concerning her two major characters is a little vague and could have been developed a little more. Secondary characters are generally developed well enough to fill their roles but it would have been better to know as much about Ramir's motives as we learn about the drug lord's. The plot is exciting, convoluted, and satisfying. Action novel fans are going to love this one

* * *

Many of us who are currently writing fiction for the LDS market first discovered this field through the novels of Dorothy Keddington and she quickly became the beacon light for many aspiring writers. We haven't heard much from her in recent years, but two months ago her new book, The Fairy Thorn, quietly slipped onto bookstore shelves. Unfortunately it didn't arrive in time for nominations for the Whitneys for 2009, but is copyrighted for that year, making it ineligible for 2010.

Keddington's novel is the story of a woman who lives a quiet, sedate life with her aunt and uncle on an island near Seattle, but who dreams of exciting adventure and a monumental love such as is found in the classic romance, Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier. Her aunt and uncle leave on a two-week cruise, and she is haunted by her aunt's assumption that, while they're gone, she'll just go on doing the same things she's done every day for years. In a small spurt of rebellion, she visits a beach where she sees a tall ship with a laughing sailor high in its rigging. She is startled to meet the sailor the next day and discover he is the son of the owners of the grand old mansion she cares for and for which she arranges tours for tourists on her off day from her library job, and that he has found her secret diary. A fast-paced romance follows, along with exotic settings and more than a hint of danger.

The Fairy Thorn is filled with descriptive language and the feel of one of the old classic romances. It closely follows Lucy and Duncan from first overtures to each other to a full awareness of their feelings for each other without resorting to the sappy silliness or overdone erotica found in many modern romances. The reader sees Lucy grow in strength and confidence to become in reality the person she dreams of being. The plot moves at an even pace and the suspense element serves to enhance the relationship between Duncan and Lucy.

Keddington doesn't write specifically for an LDS audience, but this book like her others, supports LDS standards, though she does use a an occasional expletive not usually found in LDS novels. Women of all ages, not just those of us who fell in love with JayHawk and Return to Red Castle thirty years ago, will enjoy this tender love story.

* * *

Abish, Daughter of Godby K.C. Grant is another novel that speculates on the unknown background of a woman briefly mentioned in the Book of Mormon as the queen's servant who spreads the word of the royal couple's unconscious state when they are overwhelmed by the teachings of Ammon.

In this novel Abish is the daughter of a Lamanite Healer who has been sent at a young age to the King's castle to serve as a companion to his daughter. When the daughter marries, Abish is sent back to her family where she struggles against her mother's cruelties. To escape her mother, she spends most of her time with her father and learns a great deal about medicinal herbs and practices. She falls in love with a young man with crippled legs who is beneath her station and is devastated when her parents betroth her to a cruel and malicious warrior. When her father is murdered and her fiancé attempts to rush their marriage, she runs away with the man to whom she has given her heart. Again tragedy strikes as their small boat is caught in a terrible storm. She is rescued by Nephites and lives with them until her meeting with Ammon precipitates her return to her homeland.

This book shows some serious research into the historical era of the book's setting and excellent knowledge of the vegetation and geographic realities of South America. The story primarily deals with a young woman's emotional and spiritual growth, but it is accomplished through a series of events and actions, Abish's relationships with others, and her unrelenting commitment to a higher standard than that which she finds among her people. It is also a story of conversion, courage, forgiveness, and selflessness. Like most novels there is a romance angle, but it doesn't dominate the story. With its strong spiritual growth theme it could have easily become preachy, but isn't. This book targets adult readers, both men and women, but will be enjoyed by older teens as well.

* * *

Michelle Thompson is a new writer with a release that came out just before the end of 2009. Taming the Wind falls somewhere between adult and young adult fiction. It's the story of fifteen-year-old Claire who is left the only survivor in a tragic car accident that takes her family. Going from the euphoric high of winning the state soccer championship to waking up alone in a hospital bed is only the beginning as Claire deals with major injuries, physical pain, going to live with grandparents she has never seen before, living on a farm instead of in a city, a new school, loss of her parents and brothers, no contact with lifelong friends, and struggling with emotional pain and guilt. Even the loving care of her grandparents and a young man who comes daily to help her grandfather with the chores is not enough to motivate her to move on with her life.

The narration of the story shifts between first and third person. It's always first person when the story is told from Claire's point of view, but switches to third person for other character's points of view which I found irritating. It is much stronger character based than plot based and does a good job of drawing the reader into vicariously experiencing Claire's emotions. A few pages into the book, I nearly put it aside because the language and sentence structure seemed clearly intended for a very young teen audience, but I decided to give it a few chapters and I found those parts dealing with Claire's social and emotional adjustment, her setbacks, and growth better written. Those parts also cover areas pertinent to survivors of any age dealing with a devastating trauma. There are some questions raised in the story that are never adequately explained and the conversion story tacked onto the ending doesn't feel realistic without better lead-ins throughout the story. This book will appeal to young women more than other readers.

* * *

SETTING SAIL by Grace Elliot, published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 309 pages, $17.95
Click to buy: Setting Sail

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE by Josi S. Kilpack, published by Deseret Book, softcover, 361 pages, $17.99
Click to buy: Devil's Food Cake

CROSSFIRE by Traci Hunter Abramson, published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 239 pages, $15.95
Click to buy: Crossfire

THE FAIRY THORN by Dorothy Keddington, published by Stonehaven Publishing, softcover, 288 pages, $14.95

ABISH, Daughter of God by K.C. Grant, published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 322 pages, $16.95
Click to buy: Abish

TAMING THE WIND by Michelle Thompson, published by Bonneville Books, softcover, 166 pages, $12.99

December 2009
A Batch of New Christmas Stories

By Jennie Hansen

Christmas time is a time filled with stories, especially the old and dear ones and there are plenty of those still available this year. There are a few that first appeared as pamphlets that are now beautiful full-sized picture books such as Christmas for A Dollar by Gale Sears with art work by Ben Sowards and Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Another beautiful new picture story book is I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day by Lloyd and Karmel Newell, illustrated by Dan Burr.

Familiar names that top the sentimental Christmas books list year after year have new titles out this year including The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans, Christmas Jars Reunion and Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle by Jason Wright, and Anita Stansfield's full length novel, The Best of Times. These books are all available at LDS bookstores.

Each Christmas season a batch of new Christmas stories appear and this year is no exception. Most are short and some are really short. Some are sentimental tales, some are inspirational, some are clever, some are nostalgic, and some add a touch of romance, a hint of magic or miracles, and some are tearjerkers. Here's a sampling of the new Christmas books which have crossed my desk this year.

* * *

This first one lightly brushes the first Christmas story and the birth of the Christ Child, but it is the fictional story of one of the shepherds. It brings an added depth of understanding to the biblical account through the setting, time period, and events of that sacred night. The Shepherd's Song by Larry Barkdull is the story of a man whose wife lies near death as she goes into labor a month too soon. She is hemorrhaging badly and hasn't felt the baby move for two days. He doesn't want to leave her side, but she begs him to pray for her. He loves his wife with all of his heart and he is devastated that after waiting seven years for a child, theirs appears to be dead. Being a shepherd, he chooses a lamb for an offering, not just any lamb, but one that is especially dear to him, then sets out on his journey to the temple in Jerusalem to plead for his wife and child.

This story feels authentic with its carefully interwoven Judean background and customs. It flows smoothly and though it touches the heart, it is not overly sentimental. There are subtle parallels to the nativity story and hints of what is to come. Several biblical figures and events appear in the story before the climatic ending and though the reader knows what is coming, these enhance the story. The reader will leave this story with a deep sense of the love and sacrifice that is the real Christmas story. This one is definitely on my recommended reading list.

* * *

Christmas on Mill Street by Joseph Walker touched a special spot for me, though Walker's sixties seemed more like fifties to me. This is the story of a little boy who has just moved from Arizona to Utah and doesn't quite fit in with the other boys. When his classmates talk about a particularly challenging sledding hill and dream of a Flexible Flyer sled, Sam Andrews begins to dream of getting one of the yearned-for sleds for Christmas and flying down the hill so that the other boys will accept him into their group. He'd never experienced snow before and had never ridden on a sled, but somehow he knew that facing Mill Street on a Flexible Flyer was the one sure way to gain acceptance. One after another attempt to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas is thwarted and he becomes certain he is on Santa's naughty list. Sibling rivalry creates its share of problems and being the youngest and big for his age doesn't help any. Neither does an old woman, who just might be a witch and who lives on Mill Street, bode well for his chances of gaining the other boys' respect and friendship.

The narration of this story is smooth and comfortable with a few well-placed asides that add to the story's charm. Granted, I grew up in Idaho, not Utah, but Flexible Flyer style sleds were pretty well out by the early sixties and most of my acquaintances were riding plastic sleds at that time. A few wooden sleds, relics bequeathed from older siblings, still hung around and weren't too popular. Still, the sled itself isn't important. The story of a young boy's struggle to fit in and the relationships he forges both within his family and with others in the community are what matter and Walker illuminates these realistically and with humor, a touch of nostalgia, and a generous helping of charm that will delight readers.

* * *

An Angel on Main Street by Kathi Oram Peterson is a story I suspect is destined to become one of the Season's traditional favorites. It is the story of a young boy, Micah, who is trying to be the man of the family following the death of his father during the Korean War, but he keeps getting in trouble. He wants to help his mother and critically ill little sister and he resents the small town sheriff who seems to be trying to take over his family. He feels a great deal of guilt and self-blame for his failures to measure up to his family's needs or even his own high expectations. A crèche is being mysteriously constructed a short distance from the small, sparsely furnished apartment where he lives. His sister believes it is a sign she will get well and looks forward to Christmas when a figure representing the Christ Child will be placed in the manager. Micah doesn't believe God cares anything about him or his family and that his sister will be disappointed, but he does think that if he can find the doll intended for the manger and give it to his sister, it might give her enough hope to overcome her illness, though even the doctor has given up hope she will live until Christmas.

The story has all of the elements which could make it one of those sloppy, maudlin stories I dislike, but that doesn't happen here. The story touches the heart without melodrama or manipulated tears. The writing is crisp, the plot flows smoothly, and the characters feel real. It is a story to treasure.

* * *

Santa Maybe by Aubrey Mace is a delightful slice of romance iced with a bit of fantasy. What if a woman, who has given up on love and romance, in a moment of weakness asked Santa for a man? And what if she found a perfectly intriguing and non-threatening man asleep in his pajamas under her tree Christmas morning? Of course Abby doesn't believe in such nonsense---or does she? She's a hard working woman with a bakery to run who isn't certain she can buy Ben's amnesia story. Could he really not know who he is or how he got under her tree? Together Abby and Ben set out to discover who Ben really is, where he came from, and whether or not he's really available.

This story is cleverly written with excellent pacing and dialogue. It's also a welcome departure from the sentimental fare that always appears around Christmas time. It's also a lively, fun romance. Santa Maybe will provide an enjoyable respite for women and teens caught up in the frantic seasonal rush. It's one of those breaths of fresh air that enhances something wonderful, making it even better. I found this to be a great change-of-pace delight to read.

* * *

Several original short story compilations, some of which can double as Christmas cards, are new this year. All is Bright is a collection of eight true stories featuring well-known authors Anita Stansfield, Annette Lyon, Heather Moore, Gregg Luke, Kristen McKendry, Lynn Jaynes, Matthew Buckley, and Julie Wright. Another compilation of note is Stolen Christmas, a collection of winners from the annual Christmas writing contest held by LDS Publisher, a favorite blog of writers. These stories cover a wide range of styles and genres. The authors range from popular, well-known authors to first timers.

Under Christmas Stars by Fred C. Rowley is a skinny little book with two stories. The first concerns the healing of a rift between two old farmers who were once friends and partners. They had a falling out and had nothing to do with each other for eight years until an act of kindness became the catalyst to start them rethinking their animosity toward each other.

The second story is a tender account of a large family dealing with injury, death, and poverty who have to make a difficult and painful decision. The years go by, but Maria's loss lingers dimming each Christmas celebration until she is an old woman and a miracle occurs. This story is based on real events and is especially touching.

* * *

THE SHEPHERD'S SONG, by Larry Barkdull, published by Deseret Book, paperback, 124 pages, $9.95

CHRISTMAS ON MILL STREET by Joseph Walker, published by Shadow Mountain, hard cover, 133 pages, $14.95

AN ANGEL ON MAINSTREET by Kathi Oram Peterson, published by Covenant, paperback, 99 pages, $8.95

SANTA MAYBE by Aubrey Mace, published by Cedar Fort, paperback, 184 pages, $13.99

ALL IS BRIGHT by various authors, published by Covenant, paperback, $3.96

STOLEN CHRISTMAS by various authors, $7.99

UNDER CHRISTMAS STARS by Fred C. Rowley, published by Covenant, paperback, $4.95

November 2009
Betsy Brannon Green Creates Intriguing Mystery

By Jennie Hansen

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Betsy Brannon Green has gone back to Haggarty, but this time Miss Eugenia plays a minor role and Kennedy Killingsworth of nearby Midway, Georgia, is the principal character. Murder by the Book is steeped in smalltown Southern culture, but cannot be truly considered a "cosy mystery" to the extent Green's earlier Haggarty books were. There is less emphasis on culture and more focus on an intense mystery, though there are still strong background elements that clearly identify the stage.

Kennedy caught her husband cheating and promptly divorced him. He wants her back and she's annoyed that most people in their small town, including her mother, dismiss his adultery as a "boys will be boys" peccadillo. Kennedy is the town librarian and when a rich, handsome developer comes to town bringing promises of high prices for land, a new library, and numerous other improvements that will improve the appearance and economic condition of the town's people, she is flattered by his personal attention. He brings with him another man who draws her attention, the foreman of his works department. One more handsome male draws her attention as well as criticism for spending time with him. He is the nephew of the man who owns the salvage yard and part of a family known for being dirty, uncooperative trouble makers. Even though he is now a well-groomed, recently released Marine who served in Iraq who is determined to go to college, the town still sees him as a ne'r do well Scoggins. Counting her ex-husband, she finds herself in the awkward position of being pursued by four handsome, eligible men.

The action heats up when she realizes the facts don't add up when the junkyard owner is found dead and his death is called a suicide. When she brings the discrepancies to the sheriff's attention, he dismisses them as unimportant, but thinks he's doing his deputy, Kennedy's ex-husband, a favor by assigning him to work with Kennedy to check out her theory. Miss Eugenia who knows Kennedy through the library offers her some advice and Miss Eugenia's neighbor who works for the FBI shows a great deal of interest in her theory.

Another highly interested party is the dead man's nephew who also doesn't believe the man committed suicide. Soon half of the town look like suspects and Kennedy is struggling with her feelings toward the four young men who are all suspects, her rising awareness that her own life is in danger, and questions concerning her future, since she doesn't have a husband, a library science degree, she stands to lose her job when the new library is completed, and she has ambivalent feelings toward her mother, sisters, and her hometown.

Kennedy is a less-than-perfect heroine who quickly grabbed my sympathy. She's blunt, struggles with her mother's mandated social rules, and is both courageous and afraid of being inadequate for the challenges facing her. She's also practical, but impulsive. The entire book is written from her point of view, which allows for some delicious mental asides. The other characters are not as well developed but that is alright since the reader sees them through Kennedy's eyes and limitations. The plot is fascinating and well-paced. though I usually figure out who is the villain early on in most mysteries, this one didn't come clear to me until I was at least two thirds of the way through the book.

Though there are romance elements in this book, Murder by the Book is definitely not a romance. It is a strong mystery that will keep readers riveted to its pages. I predict it will be a strong contender for this year's Mystery/Suspense Whitney award.

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Altared Plans by Rebecca Cornish Talley is a fun romantic romp both teens and adult women will enjoy. It begins with a carefully planned wedding. Caitlyn has thought of everything, well almost everything; she left her veil behind. But that's only the beginning of the disasters that beset her. The groom is a no-show. It seems he made a last minute decision to marry someone else and left it to his parents to explain to his fiancé. Caitlyn's heart is broken and she returns to college vowing to never date again, but her bishop calls her to serve as Family Home Evening mom for her FHE group and the young man called to be the dad has plans of his own on that score. In fact, the romantic and happily ever after plans of several characters run afoul of each other.

Though light and fun, this book carries some well thought out insights on appropriate planning and not-so-appropriate planning. It also touches on being open-minded, not jumping to conclusions, and sticking to gospel principles. The characters are almost all college students and they behave realistically for their age group; sometimes they're immature kids and sometimes remarkably mature adults. The plot flows smoothly and the book is well-edited. I enjoyed this book and recognized tremendous growth in this writer's skills over her previous two books.

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Cedar Fort has found another promising new author in Heather Justesen. Her recently released novel, The Ball's in Her Court walks a fine line between Young Adult and Adult fiction. Though the main character is a twenty-six year-old career woman, the story still deals with elements of a coming-of-age plot.

Denise lived with her abusive mother until the age of nine, then spent three years in the foster care system before being adopted. The abuse and her feeling that she has never quite fit in anywhere merge with a sense of not being good enough for anyone to keep. Between when she was nine and was taken from her mother until she was adopted, she spent three years in various foster homes. As an adult she knows that much of her acting out and getting into trouble during her teen years was a desperate attempt to test her adoptive parents and to perhaps get herself thrown out before they took the initiative and sent her away.

Falling in love with her boss in a company with a "no employees dating each other" policy complicates her life, but it also sparks something inside her that sends her seeking answers to questions concerning her background like why did her father abandon her to her abusive mother, does she have an extended family, can she ever forgive her mother, and can she commit to her adoptive family enough to go to the temple with them?

Playing basketball is Denise's outlet when she needs to escape pressure and she spends a lot of time at the gym playing pick-up games or just practicing. Her favorite one-on-one partner is her younger adopted sister's boyfriend who plays on the BYU team.

The beginning of the falling in love portion of this book is a little unrealistic and occurs much too quickly. Denise and her boss more than bend the rules, as well, as they skirt awfully close to the line of what might or might not be called a date. Still this is an exceptionally well-written romance and social issues novel. Once the romance is launched, it proceeds nicely and the dilemma of the adopted child coming to terms with his/her past is handled well. Some readers may find the boundaries of coincidence stretched a little too far in order to have a satisfying conclusion. Having been a foster parent myself, I like stories that show foster parenting in a positive, yet realistic light and this story does just that. It is well edited and there are few copy errors. Its greatest appeal will be to both adults and older teens. I found this novel to be more than a romance, but a story with some real meat to it and well worth the enjoyable time spent reading it.

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I'll admit I groaned when I saw Abish, Faith Among the Lamanites by Brenda Anderson land on my desk. Fictionalizing Book of Mormon stories seems to be the popular pastime of a growing number of LDS authors, and I'm not overly fond of historical novels that create imaginary lives, loves, and dialog for men and women I know from the scriptures. I prefer to do my own reading between the lines. However, I thought Abish might be fairly safe since she only appears as a minor character in the Book of Mormon, a servant of King Lamoni's wife, who appears to have some previous knowledge of the gospel and who runs through town inviting everyone to come to the king's house to see the unconscious king and queen.

Acknowledging that I don't have strong feelings one way or the other about this woman, and that whatever the story is, it has to be straight fiction because the scriptural account reveals almost nothing about her, I picked up the book and began to read. Anderson's simple, straight forward style appealed to me at once, and I could see how the story could appeal to teens as well as adults.

Anderson's Abish is a young girl, living alone with her ill father. The father experiences a coma-like state in which he has a vision and learns that the Nephite religion is true. Slowly he teaches the gospel to his daughter, and after a great deal of study and prayer, she too is converted. The pair must keep their faith a secret since accepting the Nephite religion in their Lamanite community is considered treason.

A wealthy man in the community, who places great importance on wealth and position, adopted an orphaned nephew when it appeared he and his wife could only produce daughters, but after half a dozen girls a son is born. With the arrival of a son, Zeram, the nephew, Tikan, is ignored and is no longer the heir. Thus begins years of jealousy and resentment on Tikan's part. Zeram isn't happy either because his father dismisses his efforts as unimportant and micromanages his life. When Zeram meets Abish and Tikan discover's the young woman prays as do the Nephites, he sets in motion a plan to destroy Zeram and his father and usurp their property. Abish is forced to flee and eventually finds employment in the queen's household.

The story is a gentle love story and though the background is not as well-researched as some of the other fictionalized Book of Mormon novels I've read, the story elements are strong and rewarding. The plot twists and turns are executed with polish and keep the reader intrigued with the story. The major characters are well-drawn and show growth toward becoming stronger or more wicked. Some of the minor characters could have been developed a little more and I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and events, but overall, I found the author has a strong sense of story and plot development. Abish, Faith Among the Lamanites turned out to be a highly enjoyable read.

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Once in awhile it is fun to read something completely outside of my normal reading tastes. I read few fantasy novels, but once in awhile one lands on my desk and I decide to read it just to keep up with what is going on in this popular genre. And often, if it isn't one of the icky gory ones, I enjoy the change of pace. That's how I happened on The Dragon War Relic by Berin L. Stephens. This one is even more different than I expected.

It starts out much like other novels in this genre with a teenage boy accidently stumbling into a strange and different world. Jared is a stock boy for a local grocery store. On his way home from work, a man who appears to be on the run and afraid of being caught, gives Jared a ring and a small rod-like relic of some kind. When he puts the ring on his finger strange things begin to happen and he's soon zipping to the moon and to distant planets in the company of an ogre. He soon learns the ring cannot be casually removed and with it comes some heavy responsibilities.

The thing I liked most about this fantasy novel is the author's sense of humor. Not only does he create an interesting cast of characters, many of them familiar from childhood stories of ogres, trolls, elves, fairies and angels as well as some new and unusual oddities, but Jared's best friend, Doug, is so weird in a pop culture way, I couldn't help loving him. The story is told as a straight adventure novel and the characters, familiar from childhood fairy tales, are not cutesy extensions of those bedtime story characters, but adult or teen members of various galactic populations.

The plot is fast and well developed. The first couple of chapters are not copy-edited well, but the rest of the book has few errors. Though this book appears to be written for younger fantasy fans, the humor will appeal to older readers as well. Though not directly LDS themed, there are several points members of the Church will recognize as LDS principles. Readers as young as ten will enjoy the story, but readers of any age will appreciate the pop culture humor.

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MURDER BY THE BOOK by Betsy Brannon Green, published by Covenant, softcover, 271 pages, $16.95
ALTARED PLANS by Rebecca Cornish Talley, published by Bonneville, softcover, 233 pages, $15.99
THE BALL'S IN HER COURT by Heather Justesen, published by Cedar Fort, softcover, 245 pages, $16.99
ABISH, FAITH AMONG THE LAMANITES by Brenda Anderson, published by Horizon, softcover, 218 pages, $14.99
THE DRAGON WAR RELIC by Berin L. Stephens, published by Bonneville, softcover, 244 pages, $16.9

	September 2009 Clair Poulson’s Done it Again with Dead Wrong By Jennie Hansen Clair Poulson has done it again with Dead Wrong, his just released high-action mystery. He'll keep action fans on the edge of their seats and reading far into the night with the story of Kaitlyn Glenn who was disowned by her family following her baptism. Her family moves away, leaving no forwarding address, and though she misses her mother, she doesn't mourn being estranged from her stepfather and his odious son, who has his eye on her inheritance from her deceased wealthy father. Kaitlyn is doing fine on her own and enjoying her life on the rodeo circuit until she makes the mistake of dating a rich, powerful man who is totally obsessed with her. He frightens her and an attack sends her running, though it's hard to run towing a horse trailer behind her pickup truck. When her too ardent stalker hires a corrupt PI to find her and kill the young rodeo fan who helped her escape, the story shifts to higher gear. Her flight crosses paths with a woman trucker, a retired couple, an Idaho Highway patrol trooper, and a nine-year-old English girl, as well as the young man who rescued her from her would-be suitor. Though I found the ending a little too convenient or perhaps coincidental, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it highly. The plot has great twists and turns, and Poulson gives the reader just enough clues on several occasions to build up the suspense by allowing the reader to guess what is about to happen before a character stumbles into a disastrous situation. There are enough villains to keep the reader guessing and Kaitlyn is an easy character to identify with favorably. The author, a seasoned lawman and judge as well as outdoor enthusiast and horseman, gives a strong sense of authenticity to this story that involves police officers in multiple states, rugged Western settings, and horses. Dead Wrong will be welcomed with enthusiasm by Poulson's many fans and will appeal to readers young and old who like strong action. * * * Right Click is a slightly misleading title for Susan Aylworth's new novel, but it's close enough. Written with a slightly chick lit first person point-of view, the story captures the reader from the first page. Sarah Kimball was dumped by her fiancé, just as she was preparing to send out their wedding invitations. It seems there was a small matter of an ex-girlfriend who wasn't as ex as Sarah thought. Not only has her fiancé changed his mind about marrying Sarah, but the ex is pregnant. Small wonder, Sarah has trust issues and is reluctant to begin dating again. Her persistent family begins a matchmaking campaign which is more disastrous than helpful. When Shari and her two-year-old daughter move in with her as a means of meeting expenses for Sarah and she meets a former missionary companion of one of her brothers, life begins to look up. But is she really over her unfaithful fiancé? This is a charming story. The characters are believable and the plot flows smoothly. However, this isn't merely a light-hearted, fun romance. Beneath the realistic and fun relationship story, there is a deeper story concerning repentance and forgiveness. Some readers may find this story a little on the preachy side, but this side of the story is handled so well I didn't find it intrusive or offensive, but the message is definitely there. Just for the record, I found Sarah's final choice a bit too controlling for my taste. I think readers, especially young women will love this one. * * * Alma by H.B. Moore is the most recent fictionalized story based on a portion of the Book of Mormon. Moore follows the scriptural account of Alma's life with meticulous care and is assisted by a great deal of research from highly respected sources such as Joseph L. Allen, S. Kent Brown, Michael D. Coe, Hugh Nibley, and John L. Sorenson. The fictionalized portions, such as love stories and personal words and feelings, come from her imagination, based on how those Book of Mormon accounts might have happened. The story of Alma, a high priest in wicked King Noah's court, who came to believe the martyred prophets words and act upon them, thus bringing the condemnation of King Noah and his equally wicked priests down on his head is a well known story in LDS circles. Moore's inclusion of women and children, their relationship to the characters named in the Book of Mormon, and a detailed account of the hardships the believers endured add a depth of realism to the story and for many enhance an appreciation for Alma and his followers. Moore's writing is straight forward and easy to follow without straying into childishness. She is adept at building suspense even in such a well-known story. Those who like scriptural stories dramatized will enjoy this one whether young or older. Even those who prefer to not mix scriptural stories with fiction will find this story will draw them in with vivid details of the life and culture of this historical era in Mesoamerica and Moore's careful adherence to the facts of the story. She also provides the reader with a footnoted bibliography of her research. * * * The Choice and the Sacrifice by Edward Huff is the story of a naive young returned missionary, John, who is tricked into flying a load of guns and ammunition into El Salvador during that country's civil war. He leaves behind a girlfriend whom he hopes to marry when he returns. The plane crashes and he is rescued by a brother and sister who are involved with a guerilla group and he becomes romantically involved with the young woman. When he is eventually captured by the Army, arrangements are made for him to return to the US to help capture the man who tricked him into making the illegal flight. The story involves a series of choices characters must make between their own safety and what is right or legal. John also makes choices concerning three different women he cares about. When Huff writes about the geography and history of El Salvador, he is at his best and those parts are fascinating. The fiction portion of the story lacks polish and careful copy editing. Long passages are repetitive and it's hard to care about a young man who is so anxious to marry he falls in love with three different women in such a short space of time or a young woman who accepts expensive gifts from a man she's only known a short time and goes on a long trip with him, assuming he expects nothing in return. There is little character development and the plot wanders. This book will appeal primarily to those who are interested in the political intrigue of South American countries. * * * Anita Stansfield has added a fifth volume to her Jason Wolfe series, The Silence of Snow. This volume is an "and they all lived happily ever after" wrap up of the other volumes. It's more preachy than her books usually tend to be and focuses primarily on preparations for going on tour. A minor character is diagnosed with an extreme form of Celiac and Jason struggles with migraine headaches. This is not a stand alone book and will not be of great interest to anyone other than those who have enjoyed the preceding volumes. * * * DEAD WRONG by Clair M. Poulson, published by Covenant Communications, soft cover, 264 pages, $16.95 RIGHT CLICK by Susan Aylworth, published by Covenant Communications, soft cover, 180 pages, $14.95 THE CHOICE AND THE SACRIFICE by Edward Huff, published by iUniverse, soft cover, 411 pages, $23.95 THE SILENCE OF SNOW by Anita Stansfield, published by Covenant Comunications, soft cover, 241 pages, $16.95
	August 2009 Two Outstanding Whodunnits for Mystery Readers By Jennie Hansen Mystery readers will enjoy a double-decker treat this month, with outstanding mysteries of two completely different flavors. Rounding out this month’s selections is a slice-of-time novel by a new author. Methods of Madness by Stephanie Black begins as an innocent enough romance, but we soon learn someone is playing mind games and they’re not so innocent. Emily Ramsey suffered a double tragedy three years earlier; her younger sister was hit and killed by a hit-and-run driver as she was putting up balloons on the mailbox the night of Emily’s bridal shower — and her fiancé vanished without a trace that same night. Now Emily wants to move forward with her life. She’s engaged again and she must return her previous engagement ring to her former fiancé’s mother, a woman who doesn’t want the ring and can’t accept that her son is dead. Emily’s new fiancé, Zach, isn’t without problems either. His ex-girlfriend, Monica, wants him back and she has no qualms about playing dirty to get what she wants. Then there’s the small matter of Zach’s reason for leaving his former position in another city to settle in a distant small town. Her sister’s best friend who has become her best friend, her former fiancé’s friends and family, her parents, and even Monica’s friends get involved when someone starts leaving threatening messages. Terrible things happen — or is Emily only imagining events that never really happened at all? Is she in danger or is she suffering a stress-induced mental breakdown? Black is a master at plot development, and her stories draw the reader in and don’t let him go until the story is finished. Count on reading well into the night once you pick up Methods of Madness. Characters are well developed too. I prefer stronger heroines than Emily, but she is realistic, believable, and draws the reader’s sympathy. Zack is likable too, but he is not as well-developed as Emily. The book is set in a small California town, but it is a story that could take place in any American small town. There was one point-of-view shift that bothered me, but overall this book is a good example of a technically well-written novel that has also been copyedited well. Though it delivers a generous number of shivers, this book is an absolute delight and will certainly be in the running for a Whitney award. * * * Click to Buy Josi S. Kilpack serves up a bit of *English Triflewith her tenth novel, which is also the second culinary mystery featuring nosy Sadie Hoffmiller. Sadie is a widow of twenty years, in her late fifties, and mother of two adult children. She is also food oriented, enjoying to a huge extent both cooking and eating, with her food obsession playing a prominent role in her mysteries. English Trifle* is set on a country estate in England and revolves around Sadie’s unfortunate discovery of a body in the sitting room. The luckless victim has been done in by a fireplace poker. Sadie and her daughter Breanna are enjoying a week-long visit to England as guests of Breanna’s boyfriend, Liam, the heir apparent to his father, the Earl of Garnett. The Earl is seriously ill and in a coma. When the body disappears and Sadie begins to suspect the household staff and Liam’s cousin of being less than truthful, not only about the murder and missing body but concerning matters concerning Liam’s inheritance, she sets out to find some answers. Her frustration escalates when the police fail to take her observations seriously. I like this book better than the first Sadie Hoffmiller mystery. Lemon Tart was a fun read, but predictable. In this one Sadie is more likeable and smart rather than a snoopy busybody, and references to her age are more believable. And like an English trifle, a layered confection composed of alternating layers of pudding, cream, and fruit, this mystery has multiple tiers of complexity. There’s more than one motive at play, along with a mixture of clues leading to partial resolutions, red herrings, and dead ends. Recipes for English dishes are liberally sprinkled throughout the book, usually at the conclusion of each chapter. These are thoroughly tested recipes that readers are invited to try. If like me, you enjoy the mystery, but skip the recipes, you won’t miss anything pertinent to the story by skipping the recipes. Those who enjoy trying new recipes are certain to please their taste testers. Reading English Trifle is a lot like playing the popular board game Clue. There are so many possibilities! The characters are interesting, the plot is carefully crafted, and the setting has an authentic feel. Kilpack handled well the placement of two independent American women juggling their enthusiasm for English traditions and restraint with their deeply held convictions of American equality and impatience for getting things done now. English Trifle is an excellent read and will be enjoyed by teens and adults of either gender — another strong Whitney contender. * * * *Uncut Diamonds* by Karen Jones Gowen isn’t for everyone. It’s not a plot-driven book, but simply a “slice of life.” Characterization is stronger than plot. Those who enjoy slower paced novels filled with day-to-day trivia rather than action will enjoy this one, particularly younger women who can relate to juggling childcare responsibility and financial struggles. The book is set during the severe recession back in the late seventies, while Jimmy Carter was president and fuel bills were higher than house payments. It’s the story of a young woman, Marcie McGill, her husband, Shawn, their five children, and her sisters. It chronicles the day-to day-events in their lives as they struggle with inflation, job loss, severe weather, family dynamics, and the subsequent strains on the McGills’ marriage. The story is set in Illinois, where the young family is actively involved in a small LDS branch with multiple callings. Marcie’s father is a Methodist minister and her younger sister, Cindy, is the only other member of her family who belongs to the Church. Marcie is involved in typing up her grandmother’s handwritten journal. Excerpts from the journal are used to parallel the events in Marcie’s life. There’s also a subtle parallel to the current economic depression. There are few typos in the book and Gowen has a good command of language. There are a few expletives that may bother some readers, but they’re used in a pretty inoffensive way. * * * METHODS OF MADNESS by Stephanie Black, published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 245 pages, $15.95 ENGLISH TRIFLE by Josi S. Kilpack, published by Deseret Book, softcover, 346 pages, $17.95 UNCUT DIAMONDS by Karen Jones Gowen, published by WiDo, softcover, 356 pages, $15.95 © 1999-2009 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
	July 2009 Book Reviews: Family History with Some Adventure By Jennie Hansen The books I read this month prove genealogy isn’t the dry, dull pastime the uninitiated accuse it of being. All three of this month’s novels are closely linked to the bond between generations. The first, The Ties That Bind by Kristen McKendry is fiction, but it came about because of a long, difficult search for the author’s ancestors. Its greatest appeal will be to adults whether they’re involved in tracing their roots or not. The second, Eyes Like Mine, by Julie Wright, is a time travel geared toward a younger audience but will appeal to many older readers as well. The third, though not as genealogy oriented as the others, also involves searching for family and finding shocking answers to that search. Code of Honor is far more than the mystery/suspense type of novel Betsy Brannon Green is known for and, as in McKendry’s novel, it proves that not all ancestors are as noble and desirable as those most of us hope to find on our family trees. *The Ties That Bind* is the story of Daniel McDonald, a man with little knowledge of his family. He only knows his mother died and his father abandoned him and an older brother and sister to be raised by an aunt who never spoke to him of his father. Learning that he is about to become a father sets off feelings of inadequacy and a need to know about those people whose genes he is passing on to his child. His search takes him to Montana, to Washington, to Wisconsin, and even to Ontario. Much of what he learns includes painful accounts of alcoholism, abuse, and abandonment, but there’s also joy in discovering he has relatives, both living and dead who loved deeply and who made good, but difficult choices. McKendry developed some of the minor characters better than her main character, but she did an excellent job of making the reader care about some of Daniel’s ancestors and want to give others a good swift kick. In the story Daniel is an investigative reporter for a newspaper and is well aware of search techniques that enable a searcher to find someone when there are few clues. His methods are excellent suggestions to try for those having difficulty tracing their own families. The search for Daniel’s father and other ancestors is an interesting story and a realistic break from all those genealogy stories filled with miracles and the discovery of connections to heroic ancestors. I found this book somewhat like working a puzzle and was intrigued by the search. Daniel’s search brings him many disappointments, a lot of unhappy endings, but some heart-warming ones too, and finally a better understanding of himself. I enjoyed this book and think many others will too. * * * *Eyes Like Mine* begins with a split screen effect. Constance is a young pioneer convert to the Church who is traveling by wagon train to Zion with her husband and infant daughter. Her husband goes in search of a lost horse and doesn’t return. More than a hundred and fifty years later Liz King is dealing with the emotional baggage dumped on her by her parents’ divorce, her father’s abandonment of her, the loss of friendships, and she is struggling to earn enough to support her horse, which she dearly loves, by competing in various riding shows. A strange trick of time throws the two girls together. Constance is frantic to get back to her husband and infant daughter. She doesn’t approve of the way Liz dresses, her behavior which is rude by Constance’s standards, or her lack of appreciation for all she has in spite of the loss of her philandering father and her mother’s odd behavior. Liz finds Constance naïve, ridiculously polite, a little embarrassing, and a whole lot bossy. Still the girls become close friends even though they work at cross purposes concerning sending Constance back to her own time. Liz has read this fifth great grandmother’s history and knows a terrible fate awaits her if she returns and wants to keep her with her in the present. Constance discovers an old journal Liz’s mother inherited and learns her husband is alive back in her own time and she takes drastic action to try to join him. Through a large portion of this book, I wondered why I was reading it, other than just because I was enjoying it. It seemed quite clearly directed toward teens and I review novels geared toward adults. As I got further into the story, I realized that though the primary slant may be toward young readers, it also has a great deal of appeal for adult readers and anyone interested in genealogy or family relationships. The ending carries a far stronger emotional impact than I expected which is all I’ll say about the way the book concludes. Wright is a storyteller and weaves a convincing tale. She also has a blunt, realistic style and communicates strong empathy for young woman who are struggling with life, testimonies, and the confusing emotional and physical choices surrounding them. Her characters are convincing and her plot has excellent timing. Teen or adult, you’ll find this book will leave a lasting impression. * * * *Code of Honoris the highly satisfying conclusion to Betsy Brannon Green’s military trilogy. This series is a departure from Green’s earlier Haggarty cozy mysteries. The suspense is ramped up; there’s little humor, and no recipes. Instead of a nosy, busybody filled with Southern grace, the heroine is a competent young woman who becomes involved with a crack military extraction unit. In this final volume Savannah McLaughlin escapes capture by jumping from a moving car. As she is being wheeled into surgery, she finds the eyes staring at her from behind a surgical mask belong to her hated and feared enemy, Mario Ferrante. She wakes up in a private sanitarium under tight surveillance and learns she is the decoy Ferrante is using to lure Major Dane into a deadly trap. This story is filled with technical equipment, detailed planning, contingency plans, and an enemy who is clever, has political backing from powerful sources, and moles in supposedly secure places. He places no value on life and has unlimited financial means as well. The action is fast, cliff hanger scene endings leave the reader scrambling to read just a few more pages, then a few more, and . . . Besides the fast paced enthralling plotline, this story has stronger character development than the previous two volumes and the reader gets to see gradual shifts in attitude, growing self-awareness, and more of the bonds that hold the team together. We also get to see a man who has been severely traumatized and abandoned begin to trust and accept. As he begins to recognize his feelings, a tender love story develops. It’s not the kind of mush men abhor in books, yet will satisfy readers who find a bit of romance enhances, and often completes, a compelling story. I’ve greatly enjoyed this series and feel satisfied with the concluding volume and won’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone. * * THE TIES THAT BIND By Kristen McKendry, Published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 195 pages, $15.95 EYES LIKE MINE by Julie Wright, Published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 262 pages, $15.95 CODE OF HONOR by Betsy Brannon Green, Published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 216 pages, $15.95 © 1999-2009 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

	June 2009 Some New Fun Reads for June By Jennie Hansen The weather isn’t what is typically expected for June in my part of the country. Instead of sunshine, we’re being treated to a daily deluge of rain and thunder storms. This month’s books which I’ve chosen to review aren’t what I expected either. Each one presents a refreshing, unexpected approach. Just as the rain is filling the valley with vibrant growth and color, these novels open new entertainment vistas. I was excited to receive a copy of Marcia Mickelson’s new book Pickup Games. Her first book, Reasonable Doubt made a strong positive impression on me, so I was anxious to read this one. Going into major college basketball playoffs, Mark Webber was charged with the murder of his fiancé and instead of dancing with the Big Four, he spent the tournament in a jail cell listening on a scratchy radio to his team crumble and blaming himself for their loss. As time passes he discovers that being exonerated for the murder of his fiancé doesn’t restore his reputation or the promising future he once took for granted. His basketball career is over and his dream of becoming an ESPN sportscaster is going nowhere. After five years he is a second string sports reporter for a local television station and his social life consists of a series of “once only” dates with women who don’t really interest him. Through the help of a friend who has stood behind him, he gets a big professional break, but instead of getting his own show as he had expected he finds himself half of a two person team. The other half is Cara Jones, recent women’s college basketball star, who was jilted on her wedding day and who now has a chip on her shoulder where men are concerned. Though they clash personally, the electric spark between them creates a dynamic show, that catches the eyes of big people in the sports broadcasting world far beyond Utah and sets in motion tough temptations and stiff competition. The story is a romance, but with a stronger appeal than to women only. It is a fascinating inside look at sports, sports broadcasting, and healing. It should appeal to a wide range of readers. Did the book live up to my expectations? Yes---and no. I expected more of the murder mystery type of story found in Reasonable Doubt, but I wasn’t disappointed in the quality of writing, nor in the fresh approach to a romance between two previously hurt people. Sometimes the author provides more petty detail than needed, yet the detail lends itself to a sense of the characters being real people doing real things. Mickelson has created strong, likeable characters, has paced her story well, and has a winner in Pickup Games. My disappointment with the book has nothing to do with the story itself. I don’t like the title or the cover. The duo are covering college basketball, not street pickup games, and though Mick starts out as a flirt collecting phone numbers of good-looking women, they’re not exactly pickup dates. The title implies something cheap or casual which this story is not. The pale lavender cover isn’t going to attract many male readers and probably not too many female ones either. This is a striking story that deserves a striking cover and title. * * * Once in awhile a book comes along that doesn’t quite fit into any preconceived mold. Such is The Route by Gale Sears. There is no convoluted plot, the characters are not young and beautiful, the concepts presented are not new and intricate, yet the book is a delight and hard to put down. Beginning with a cover that is charming, appealing, and unusual, Sears tells a story loosely based on her own experiences delivering meals on wheels to elderly shut-ins. Carol, who has just turned fifty and is pondering the meaning of life, makes a run to the store for chocolate. There she discovers a poster asking for volunteers to deliver the meals and feels an urge to take up volunteer work and this seems to be something she could do. She begins with ten ladies. With some she forms a strong connection, some live in conditions she finds repugnant, and one is downright scary. In time she finds each has a story and she is drawn into their lives. At times she wants to pattern her own senior years after these ladies and other times she wants nothing more than to turn in her badge and run as far and fast as she can. Her route gradually changes as some of the ladies go to care facilities, some die, new recipients of the meals are added. Some of the new names on her list are men. Like Carol, the reader will find humor, much to admire, situations that will cause anger, others that will touch the heart, and a new awareness of life’s waning years. Sears has a gift for finding the extraordinary in ordinary lives. If you’re thinking a book about old people can’t be much fun, you’re wrong. This book is a fun read that will leave a warm, lasting impression. * * * Agent in Old Lace by Tristi Pinkston is another book that isn’t quite what I expected. Pinkston has written several intense, well-researched historical novels which I enjoyed, so when I learned she’d written a mystery and heard the title, I assumed Agent in Old Lace would be an historical mystery. Not so, the novel is a change-of-pace contemporary, and “old lace” has nothing to do with the story except as an odd reference to an FBI agent who goes undercover dressed in female garb. Shannon Tanner is a savvy business woman and a partner in a successful financial referral company. By chance she discovers that the man she loves has stolen a fortune from her father who lies critically ill in the hospital. From expecting a proposal to finding her life in danger leaves Shannon reeling and struggling to survive. When the FBI enters the picture, Shannon’s life takes more odd twists as agent, Rick Holden takes drastic measures to save Shannon’s life and capture the man she once planned to marry. Agent in Old Lace is a fast, fun read. The mystery is not complicated, but has interesting twists and turns. The characters are likeable, but require some stretching of the boundaries of imagination. Shannon is a little gullible, queasy, and slow for someone who is supposedly so intelligent, and Rick’s drag masquerade would be easy to see through in real life. I would have liked for some of the minor characters to be more fully developed and the mystery clues a little less obvious, though a less critical reader who doesn’t read as many mysteries as I do might not pick up on them as easily as I did. The father/daughter relationship is nicely done with just the right amount of warmth and respect and it is easy to see genuine love between the two. Romance elements of the story are developed without overt intrusion into the story, but remain an important element. The plot is paced well, though some of the action scenes could have featured more action and less talk. The short length of the story somewhat hampers greater development of both the mystery and the romance. Though not as intense as her in-depth historical novels, Agent in Old Lace will have a strong appeal for many mystery/romance readers. Pinkston has a comfortable writing style that draws the reader in and an excellent command of language that suits her characters well. Her quirky sense of humor shows through in both dialog and situations. Readers will enjoy Pinkston’s first foray into contemporary mystery writing. I’m looking forward to more books in this genre by her, but I hope she’ll continue to give us great Historicals as well. * * * Gregg Luke has written another high suspense novel, Altered State, which might be classified as medical horror. This isn’t a book to start late at night because it’s a hard one to put down. Two people, Morgan and Homer Winegar, have suffered serious hurt in their pasts, but now they have found each other and with her nine-year-old autistic son have settled in Logan, Utah, where she teaches psychology and does counseling at the University and he works for a research lab as a statistical analyst. They’re happy and life looks good until a strange phenomenon takes place on campus and Morgan is drawn into trying to discover the cause of increasingly larger groups of students lapsing into strange trances. As the bizarre behavior grows violent, their son provides them with a clue to an impending tragedy greater than the Virginia Tech massacre. Just as the mystery and suspense build, old fears from previous betrayals tear at the Winegar’s relationship adding another dimension to the escalating terror. The first few chapters left me reeling from an overload of chemical terminology; even so, I was intrigued by the introduction to characters that offered a wide spectrum of possibilities and personalities. Before long I was thoroughly hooked on a story of greed, ego, and the lengths an unscrupulous drug company CEO and a research chemist devoid of ethics might take a brilliant discovery. The characters, including the autistic child, are well-developed with each having distinct personalities, motivations, and growth. I like, and can identify with the main characters. The plot moves quickly and Luke does a masterful job of revealing just enough clues to keep the reader expecting and dreading the next revelation of the plot line. Luke is a pharmacist with a solid understanding of drugs and is familiar with the processes used to test and market pharmaceuticals. Still he drew on the expertise of other medical professionals in his research. This background and a great deal of technical research is used to build a believable and even possible nightmare situation. Though the main characters are LDS and there are elements of trust that enter into the story, the main role religion plays is to provide hope and comfort to them. The blue and yellow cover on the book featuring rows of test tubes sets an eerie tone before the reader even begins the story. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys suspense, a touch of horror, and an all around exciting read. * * * Michele Paige Holmes was the winner of a Whitney for Romantic Fiction in 2007 with her debut novel, Counting Stars. Her new novel All the Stars in Heaven picks up the story of a minor character from that book, Jay Kendrich. I wouldn’t call her new book a sequel because there’s no reason to read the first one to enjoy this one. References to the other book are few and explained enough that the reader will have no sense of having missed anything if she hasn’t read the first book. From a personal point of view, I found Counting Stars an interesting read but a little too formulaic for my taste. I can’t say that about All the Stars in Heaven. I’ve found two outstanding romances so far this year and have nominated both for Whitney awards; All the Stars in Heaven is one of those two remarkable love stories. This book is almost as much suspense as it is romance with its tale of complicated family relationships, a game of cat and mouse between a methamphetamine drug lord and a police force that can’t be trusted, and characters whose faith in themselves have been shattered. Jay, a third year law student at Harvard, chances on a ballet rehearsal and is drawn to the young woman who plays the piano for the dancers’ practices. When he approaches the young woman to introduce himself, he is attacked and knocked out by a large man, whom he later learns is the woman’s unwelcome bodyguard. Instead of steering clear of the young woman, he grows more intrigued by her and suspects something is terribly wrong in her life. He begins planning strategies to get to know Sarah and walks into a world of violence and intrigue. Sarah is totally dependent on her father, who treats her badly and controls her life. She isn’t allowed to go anywhere alone which means her brutal cousin, her paid bodyguard, makes certain no one approaches her. Even when her father arranges an undercover narcotics job for her, she is stuck with her cousin shadowing her. When her cousin attempts to kill Jay, she complains to her father who is the police chief. His indifference fuels her desire to escape her miserable life. The characters in this story are interesting and the author does an excellent job of not only tracing their growth, painting them not only in black and white, but she is liberal with shades of gray. The Harvard College campus, Boston, and the surrounding small cities and towns have been researched with thoroughness and are used as convincing, but not overpowering, backdrops. Other elements of police procedure, drug enforcement, collegiate lifestyle, etc. show signs of careful research as well. The chapters are annoyingly short, but I’m aware many readers prefer short chapters and there are a few places where I would have liked to see more action on stage instead of being led to a precipice, the chapter ends, then the reader is told rather than shown what happened. The plot is well paced, leading to one cliff-hanger moment after another, making the book difficult to put down and, at the same time, hard to read in one sitting due to its length. For years there has been a snobbish amount of sneering directed toward LDS fiction, largely due to the preponderance of romance in these novels. Little distinction has been made between the light, cutesy, fun romance novels which aren’t meant to be taken seriously, the sloppy boo hoo ones that provide an excuse for a good cry, the formula novels that follow the general makeup of general market romances minus the explicit sex, and those that approach the relationship between a man and a woman as one of friendship that grows to something more as mutual respect and knowledge of who the other is gradually develops. I prefer this last type where realistic and deepening relationships grow out of common beliefs and values, respect, shared goals and experiences, and a willingness to sacrifice for each other, as well as the physical attraction component. The love story in All the Stars in Heaven is the latter kind of love story. An enjoyable romance coupled with a fast-paced mystery/suspense makes this a book that will appeal to a wide range of readers and it has my hearty recommendation. * * * PICKUP GAMES by Marcia Mickelson, published by Bonneville Books, soft cover, 214 pages, $15.99 THE ROUTE by Gale Sears, published by Walnut Springs Press, LLC, soft cover, 182 pages, $14.95 AGENT IN OLD LACE by Tristi Pinkston, published by Bonneville Books, soft cover, 182 pages, $14.95 ALTERED STATE by Gregg Luke, published by Covenant Communications, soft cover, 272 pages, $15.95 ALL THE STARS IN HEAVEN by Michele Paige Homes, published by Covenant Communications, soft cover, 373 pages, $17.95 © 1999-2009 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
	May 2009 LDS Fiction for the Lazy Summer Days By Jennie Hansen At long last Lynn Gardner's next Maggie McKenzie Mystery has been released. Many fans have been waiting for Pursued to continue the adventures of a young woman in her twenties who has just discovered she has an identical twin sister and there's a possibility she has one or two older brothers. There's the matter of a love interest too, a psychologist, who helped her and her sister come to terms with their unexpected discovery then disappeared at Christmas, leaving only a note saying he would see her in one year if they both still felt the same about the other. Maggie is on her way to England to research a travel article for the newspaper that employs her. Just before she leaves, her boss gives her a letter with the return address of the people who paid the midwife at the time one of her older brothers supposedly died at birth. She suspects her biological father lied about the baby's death and actually sold the baby to the people who paid the midwife. She looks forward to adding this personal search to her itinerary. Before she boards her flight, strange things happen at LAX and she befriends a young mother who needs help with two small children. While attempting to entertain the little girl by taking a picture of her, a man stumbles into her and she accidently gets a shot of a terrorist the police are pursuing. Strange things continue to happen once she reaches London where she learns bombs have been detonated in three major cities around the world and a blackmail threat has been made by a terrorist group to blow up some of the major capitals of the world. A strange twist of fate draws her into the hunt for the terrorists at the same time she is learning shocking facts about her birth family. Sister Gardner travels to the locations where she sets her books to get a firsthand picture of the background she plans to use, lending her books some of the most detailed and accurate backgrounds of books set far from the Wasatch Front. In some of her previous books I felt the background dominated a little too much, but not in this one. The background provides authenticity and is part of the story, but it doesn't take it over. I liked Maggie in the previous book, but I like her better in this one. The mystery is gripping and leads the reader a good chase. I was well into the book before I began to suspect the real villain, but even though I was right, the red herrings provided creditable doubt. I found the ending a little too convenient---or the perfect set up for the next Maggie McKenzie mystery. Adults and teens will enjoy this mystery. Mystery fans will love it. * * * Click to Buy Heather Horrocks, author of two inspirational books, is trying her hand at romantic fiction now. Her first novel How to Stuff a Wild Zucchini has just been released . The title is catchy and the cover is cute. Lori Scott's big dream is to be a New York playwright, but when her first show bombs and her boyfriend dumps her, she goes home to lick her wounds. She tells her mother and brother she wants to go away somewhere far away to heal from her humiliation and to decide what to do with her life. Her brother teases her into picking a place to go by tossing a dart at a map. She soon finds herself in Brigham City, Utah, writing a gardening column for the local newspaper while the regular columnist goes on vacation for three months. She has only been in Brigham City a few hours when she sets a barbecue grill on fire and meets a handsome fireman. The story follows the expected formula for romances and the oft-used LDS twist of a young woman being reluctant to marry because her father was supposedly a good Mormon who cheated on her mother and abandoned his family. Horrocks paints Brigham City as a pretty provincial place and the whole zucchini thing is pretty cliche. Billed as a romantic comedy, the humor in How to Stuff a Wild Zucchini feels a little forced. The major characters are likable however, and the story is paced well. There are a couple of intriguing zucchini recipes in the back of the book for readers to try. Avid fans of light romance will find this novel to be an appealing diversion while indulging in lazy summer days basking in the sun or whiling away time on a park bench while the kids play. * * * Trail of Storm by Marsha Ward is the third book in a western series featuring the Owen family that takes place during those first years following the conclusion of the US Civil War. Ward is recognized as an award winning western writer, the founder of the American Night Writers Association, and an authority on Southwestern history. This series chronicles the events, including a rape and several severe beatings, that send several families from the Shenandoah Valley west following the war, their journey westward, and their struggle to establish homes in the American Southwest. Trail of Storm takes up the story of the Bingham sisters who are roughed up by Yankee ruffians and the desperate measures that force them to flee from their home with their widowed mother, younger brother, and the oldest sister's husband. Two men, neighbors who are in love with the other two sisters, are also forced to run even though one of the brothers is also a Yankee. They catch up to the Binghams and circumstances bring them in contact with another former neighbor, James Owen, whose wife has just been murdered. The love stories in all three volumes are similar, but the love stories are not the series' strongest point. Trail of Storm is not a romance, but a nitty gritty Western. It is the historical details of Colorado and New Mexico and the writer's understanding of both the American and Hispanic cultures of this place and time period that are superbly done and make all three novels worth reading. Their encounter with a Mormon wagon train and the hasty conversion of three members of their party feels a little rushed and when the small group of Southerners is stranded by a blizzard a few days later there is a feeling of incompleteness in not knowing how the Mormon group who were farther up the mountain fared. I found a few typos distracting, but quickly got back into the story. Ward doesn't glamorize the West and some of her characters aren't particularly likable, but they are realistic and she is true to the rough times of that settlement period. She handles well the will to survive of those early settlers. Though the series is not directed toward an LDS audience, Trail of Storms does bring in the Church and includes strong messages concerning baptism and eternal marriage. The author portrays vividly the lingering hatred that existed between Confederates and Yankees for years following the war, the bigotry between races, and the minimal rights of women. Historical and Western fans of either gender will enjoy this series from the compelling covers to the last word of this third volume. It's a series I'm glad I had the opportunity to read. * * * The Light Above by Jean Holbrook Mathews is more history than fiction and it's the perfect compliment to the current Sunday School Gospel Doctrine lessons with their emphasis on the Doctrine and Covenants. It gives a clear picture of the background and obstacles early Scottish immigrants faced on joining the Church, their abject poverty, and their unfamiliarity with skills needed for their journey west once they reached America. It's a story that will break the reader's heart. The large Hogge family work in the coal pits of Scotland, even the small children must work and many of them die. Family members are covered in coal dust, the father coughs from the black spit and knows he is dying. The coal miners live a life of government sanctioned slavery where they are owned by the mine owners, are brutally punished for breaking any rule, are beaten and forced back into the mines if they attempt to leave, and have no hope for a better life. One son, Robert, manages to run away and make his way to Edinburgh, where he labors for years to buy his freedom. Eventually he buys his twin sister's freedom and that of her husband. In the process, he hears the gospel and is converted. Though other family members also join the Church, only he, his twin sister, and her husband avail themselves of the perpetual emigration fund to attempt to make their way to Zion. The journey too is filled with terrible trials. This story gives snatches of the different family members' lives, though Robert is the character followed most closely. There are large sections, particularly at the end of the book where there is more telling than showing which breaks the continuity of the story and leaves the ending feeling rushed. The book is well-researched and the historical facts are compelling though the plot is somewhat weak. The bleak conditions and sense of despair the miners faced is portrayed well and the lives and circumstances of the miners is one of the story's strongest points. Mathews writes of these tragic lives in a stark, factual way that makes them real rather than sentimental. Few readers will be disappointed for reading The Light Above even though I would have liked stronger plotting and less epilogue. Even with the books few flaws, it is still a dynamic and unforgettable reading experience. It's a book well worth its price. * * * PURSUED, A MAGGIE McKENZIE MYSTERY by Lynn Gardner, Covenant Communications, softcover, 327 pages, $16.95 HOW TO STUFF A WILD ZUCCHINI by Heather Horrocks, Deseret Book, softcover, 272 pages, $17.95 TRAIL OF STORMS by Marsha Ward, iUniverse, Inc., softcover, 255 pages, $16.95 THE LIGHT ABOVE by Jean Holbrook Mathews, Covenant Communications, softcover, 302 pages, $16.95 © 1999-2009 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
	April 2009 Four Compelling Novels from LDS Authors By Jennie Hansen This month I've had the privilege of reading three exceptional novels that on the surface appear to have a lot in common. All three have historical settings and take place in the first half of the twentieth century. All three deal with dramatic life-altering experiences. All three have the kind of literary depth that stays with the reader. But from there on, they are unique, individual, and are vastly separated in place, situation, and trials. Each offers a memorable reading experience. The fourth novel I've chosen to review this month is as modern as the other three are historic, but as compelling and memorable. Click to Buy Romance novels are often maligned because of the simplistic formula central to a large share of the books in this genre, but once in awhile one comes along that breaks free of the supposed mold and delivers a powerful love story that touches the hearts of even those who don't generally read love stories. Such is *The Last Waltz* by G. G. Vandagriff. There will be many who will insist this book is not a romance, but rather an historical novel. They may be right because it is also a powerful story of Austria in the years leading up to World War I and continues on through the rise of Hitler's power. The smaller print beneath the title aptly describes the content as “A novel of Love and War.” It is the year 1913 and Amalia Faulhaber at 19 is the daughter of a wealthy Austrian merchant and great granddaughter of a Count. She moves in aristocratic circles and is trained for little more than flirting and snaring a suitable husband with a title. She is shocked and embarrassed when her fiancé, Prussian Baron Eberhard von Waldburg breaks off their engagement in order to return to Germany and a commission in the army. Keeping her broken engagement a secret from all but her grandmother and an uncle, the impulsive young woman courts social ruin by becoming involved with a Polish doctor, Andrzej Zaleski, who has already been claimed by another woman. This is a time of great political intrigue and the rise of fascism, communism, and socialism. It's a time that saw the destruction of monarchies and the rise of dictators representing the various political factions in Europe . It is a time too when Vienna was the apex of European society. From her uncle Amalia learns a great deal about the socialist movement sweeping across Europe . She also becomes keenly aware of the tenets of democracy from his friend, Baron Rudolf Von Schoenenburg, and from her doctor friend, she learns of independence and democracy. A quarrel and harsh words send her fleeing to Berlin and the baron, who in spite of his noble sacrifice loves her. Their hasty marriage precedes three years of heartache and a solidification of her emerging views on democracy. Schoenenburg and Zaleski continue to play a prominent role in her life as she faces personal loss, the end of the war and the devastating aftermath, growing political involvement, motherhood, and at last the rising threats of Stalin and Hitler. Torn between the love of two heroic men and her love for her country, she meets life, love, and war head on. Published by Shadow Mountain , this novel is not specifically LDS but there are strong religious overtones as Amalia seeks a personal relationship with God beyond what she can find in the structured churches of her childhood. She comes to accept man's responsibility instead of blaming God for the wars and cruelty of the turbulent time in which she lives. Through her work in hospitals and associations with other nurses and her wounded patients she learns that God works through human hands. As Amalia faces struggles with her family, betrayal, love, madness, obsession, patriotism, and a world torn by conflict, she grows and matures from a sheltered, impulsive teenager to a mature woman of nearly forty, secure in her beliefs and values. She also learns lessons concerning the differing facets of love, passion, fidelity, and sacrifice. Though I read an advance review copy of this epic tale, I found few errors or typos, so I expect the bound volume will be excellent in this regard. The background has been researched with tremendous care by the author who lived in Austria as a young woman on a study abroad program and through her years of fine tuning the story which followed. Passions ran high during the time period Vandagriff portrays concerning the different political movements in Europe prior to and during the World Wars, and she has presented these philosophies and the wars that resulted in an understandable and accurate fashion. Her characters are strong and likable, yet flawed in ways the reader can visualize and accept. The plot and theme carry brilliantly throughout the entire almost six hundred page novel without the repetition or sags often seen in novels of this length. *The Last Waltz* is a book to savor. It educates; it is filled with action; the tender love story is mirrored in the political conflicts of the day, it is filled with points to ponder, and it entertains. The only fault I found with this novel is its length. It is difficult to find time to read a novel this size, and the fact that it is a hard story to set down, can conflict with getting anything else accomplished. Yet I found it worth the time expended and I recommend this book to all readers. * * * Liz Adair's new novel, *Counting the Cost* is billed as a love story, though I'm not certain I would classify it as such. It's part historical and part western with a strong literary element. Though it is a powerful and moving story of the relationship between a New Mexico cowboy and a New York socialite, it is primarily the story of two stubborn individuals who share a powerful attraction, but have little in common. Love? Or something else? I'll let the reader decide. Adair is well-known for her Spider Latham series and The Mist of Quarry Harbor . This book is nothing like either of them other than an understanding of rural life and people. Heck Benham, the handsome cowboy, is content with his life as a ranch hand and only aspires to become a ranch foreman and to win a few rodeo purses. His faith in God is strong and he accepts the social strictures of his Western community without question. Ruth Reynolds married her abusive husband simply because she needed the financial support of a husband after her businessman father and multi-times-married mother died, leaving her with no means of support. When her husband takes her to New Mexico where he is to be employed on a relative's ranch as an accountant, she attempts to run away and gets her car stuck in an arroyo. Heck comes to her rescue and soon realizes he's never been so tempted by a married woman or any woman before. Over the ensuing months he tries to avoid her, but when her husband beats and rapes her, Heck runs away with her. Over the next couple of years they live in run down shanties with no amenities. Heck's way of life is hard for a woman accustomed to luxuries such as running water and electricity. She is socially ostracized as well because of their adulterous relationship. He has no understanding of her need for nice clothes and the comforts of modern 1930s living. She is insensitive to his values and oblivious to matters that concern him. Her secrecy and manipulation tactics push him to accept work building a dam and living in town, and though he hates doing so, he does it for her sake. The move is the beginning of her rise as a fashion designer and the destruction of his dreams. Heck's cowboy philosophy never penetrates very deeply into Ruth's mind or conscience. In one passage he tries to explain how torn he is by the conflicts in their lives by telling her about an unpleasant childhood experience. “ Seymour 's mama had told him to get rid of some kittens. I think she thought he would drown them in the trough, but he had other ideas. He was gonna shoot them with the shotgun. Only thing was, he only had one shell. So, he turned a bucket upside down and told me my job was to keep all those kittens up on the bucket while he stood ten feet away with the shotgun. He was gonna blast them as soon as I had ‘em ready.” Heck shook his head at the memory picture of himself at six, trying to keep five playful kittens up on the bucket long enough for Seymour Cooper to get a good shot. . . ‘I often think---that that's like life. You're just trying to keep the cats up on the bucket and get out of the way before the shotgun goes off . . .” His voice trailed away and he was silent again. He's equally unable to understand why things like telephones and electricity are so important to her. She doesn't understand his search for spiritual meaning in his life and he's at a loss to understand her indifference to God or to moral values. *Counting the Cost* is not the kind of book someone might stay up all night to finish, especially the early portion of the book which moves at a slow pace. Even through the slowest portions of the book, however, the historical background given of the Southwest is fascinating, authentic, and worth the read. I particularly liked the interaction between Heck and his horses. I liked too, the sensitivity shown to the major characters' growing, changing views of life. Some readers may be offended by some scenes, such as the castration of cattle or the intense physical relationship of the two major characters. I found these scenes leave no doubt concerning what is happening, but are not explicit enough to be objectionable. Though this book wasn't written primarily for the LDS market and never mentions the Church, Church members will recognize the young missionary who plays a great supporting role toward the end of the book as one of our own and there are a few quotes taken from the Book of Mormon along with some defining views of the Godhead straight out of our basic beliefs. Even though I found Ruth exasperating and shallow at times, I still found much to like and many things with which to sympathize in both major characters. I liked the secondary characters too and felt they were authentic individuals in their own right. This is another book I can recommend to all readers. * * * Click to Buy Artie Call is one of those kids who is always in some kind of trouble and if he isn't, he gets blamed for it anyway. He is the featured character in Jerry Borrowman's newest novel, *One Last Chance,* set in the depression era. Artie has no one, but an elderly, senile grandfather to look after him. Sometimes he steals for food and sometimes he goes along with a prank for something to do. When one of Artie's pranks lands him in juvenile court and his grandfather is sent to an old folks home, Artie becomes the ward of a man who treats him badly. Resentment and blackmail by a couple of boys with serious mischief in mind lead him to involvement in a robbery. When the robbery goes bad and Artie stays behind to help the injured victim instead of escaping with the other two thieves, his guardian refuses to have any more to do with him and he's soon heading for juvenile hall. His victim, a wealthy, but elderly widow sees something good in him and volunteers for custody of him. Between the outspoken widow and her chauffeur, he learns lessons in becoming a man and an honorable citizen, but the lessons don't come easy. Along with a new way of living, he is exposed to the world of automobiles. These cars aren't the ordinary Fords of the day, but the grand old luxury and racing cars such as the Dusenberg. As Artie learns to trust the new people in his life, he faces threats and must defend his honor with his life. He learns the meaning of family, discovers his own faith, and witnesses true honor. This timely story speaks frankly of the trials of the depression era, but it also reveals the strengths ordinary people drew on in their time of economic trial. It presents a timeless message of hope, never giving up, and making the best of the circumstances life presents each individual in spite of discouraging trials. Borrowman's Artie is an interesting character and it was enjoyable to watch him grow from a defensive, desperate child to a young man who knows the meaning of integrity. Though the story is set during a desperate time, easily equated with today's economic problems, there is something uplifting in seeing people find meaning in their lives by reaching out to others for help and to give help. The world of vintage cars was a fun change of pace and one that held my attention. I liked the budding romance as Artie grew older. The discovery of moral truths is handled well without becoming preachy. The characters are realistic and show believable growth. The Boise , Idaho setting was nice and revealed historical facts about that city not well-known to many people. My only fault with this book is the interruptive point of view changes which muddle the story's clarity. Though the book is intended for an adult audience, I think it will also serve to fill one of LDS fiction's worst gaps, that of the adolescent, non-fantasy reading male. This book too receives my recommendation. * * * Click to Buy How does a man come to terms with the loss of his wife and children, his career, and his faith? *Shadow Hunter* is a modern espionage story of a CIA agent, Sam Ryker, who is stationed in Cairo and on the trail of a terrorist who has savaged the Middle East for twenty years. His pursuit goes terribly wrong, leaving him officially dead, and all he loves gone. Nine months later his despair has led him to the verge of ending his life when the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, an old friend from an earlier time, tracks him down believing he is still alive and calls to ask for his help. A missionary has been killed and three others kidnapped. Enlisting the aid of two trusted agents and friends, one from Egypt and one from Israel , the three set out without official sanctions and skirting the laws of three nations to free the missionaries and capture a terrorist called the Chameleon. This is a novel that keeps the reader at a high tension level and is filled with breath-taking twists and turns. There's a strong feel of authenticity in both the setting and the background details of the three intelligence services involved. I liked the way the authors brought out strong, positive aspects of the cultural and religious beliefs of the countries and characters involved. Not only are religious beliefs and customs of the three major religions of the area handled tastefully, but the portions specific to the Church are believable and moving. The two authors' credentials point up their familiarity with their subject. Jeffrey R. Galli's career was devoted to law enforcement having served as a military policeman in Cold War Germany and later as warden of the Utah State Prison. Guy M. Galli is a professional mediator, negotiator, and technical writer who was born abroad and educated in Middle Eastern studies. Though I found the plot and characters in this novel handled well and I thoroughly enjoyed the high action, I was disappointed in the copy editing. There are far more omitted words and small typos than there should be, especially for a story of this caliber. Fans of action/suspense fiction will enjoy this book, and like the other three books reviewed today, it receives my highest recommendation. * * * THE LAST WALTZ by G.G. Vandagriff, published by Shadow Mountain , softcover, 591 pages, $19.95 COUNTING THE COST by Liz Adair, published by Inglestone Publishing, softcover, 335 pages, $17.95 ONE LAST CHANCE by Jerry Borrowman, published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 273 pages, $16.95 SHADOW HUNTER by Guy M. Galli and Jeffrey R. Galli, published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 291 pages, $17.95 © 1999-2009 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
	March 2009 March Reviews — Exotic Adventure and History Come to Life By Jennie Hansen The number of LDS novels is down slightly this month, partly due I suspect to economic realities which saw fewer books landing on my doorstep, and partly due to the number of books I agreed to read in order to be a Whitney Awards judge. I ran out of time to read everything, therefore you'll only find three books reviewed here this month. For the most part the Whitney finalists are authors of excellent books, most of which I've reviewed. Those I hadn't already read and reviewed are written by LDS authors, but the books themselves are not LDS and do not necessarily adhere to the same standards as LDS books or they are self-published. It's been interesting to note that some of them have a far more serious copy-editing problem than most books published by LDS publishers and some few other problems as well. I found a few things unsettling about some categories such as the extreme violence and gore in the Speculative section, the absence of anything but fantasy in the Young Adult section, and the absence of some really remarkable books published in 2008 in categories where I had expected to find them. This last situation is one only readers can remedy. In order to be considered for an award a book must be nominated by at least five people. Many, many nominations by readers increase the odds of a good book landing a finalist spot. Positive comments on web sites devoted to books bring a good book to other readers' attention. So if there is a book(s) published this year you think is award worthy, please nominate it/them for next year's awards. To nominate a book go here. You can nominate as many books as you like. Now for this month's reviews. Missing Pieces by Jeni Grossman is an unusual novel that will not easily be forgotten by readers. Set in Turkey, the crossroad between East and West, we follow Dulcey Moore, a CNN reporter to a land of sharp contrasts and centuries old secrets. After a sharp disagreement and wounded feelings between Dulcey and her husband, Matt, she says good-bye to him and their two young children to fly first to Baghdad, where she discovers more trouble than expected and loses a man who was her close friend and one of her cameramen. Still, she forges on accompanied by two photographers and a native guide, Asena, until she reaches an ancient buried city in Turkey, Zeugma, in advance of the CNN trucks and crew. She and her small party are met by overly-zealous archeologist, Lee Nash, who heads up the dig that is to document the unearthing of a two thousand year old solid gold statue of massive proportions. Turkish soldiers and undercover CIA operatives guard the dig and participants in the historic event, but even they are caught off-guard by Al Qaida terrorists and the varying Muslim factions and customs. Dulcey is headstrong, opinionated, and doesn't take orders (or even practical suggestions) from anyone. Her bull-headed need to succeed at all costs and to always be right not only creates marital problems but puts her life in danger in the heavily Muslim part of the world where religion is paramount over all else, people have little but their perverted sense of honor, and secrets stay buried for centuries. Her priorities shift as she faces laws, customs, and values that cause her to examine her own life and that of the Turkish women who befriend her. Grossman spent two years living in Turkey with her husband and understands both those things important to Muslims and Christians and those which they disagree on. She has studied both Shia and Sunni, has a deep appreciation for the customs that have survived since the days of Abraham, and is familiar with the religious texts of the major world religions that intersect in that place. Places mentioned in this book, the discovery of the buried city of Zeugma with its rich treasures, Turkish food and customs, quotes from the Koran, and all those minute details that make up the background of this story are authentic. It's difficult to place Missing Pieces into a specific genre. There is no romance. It's not historical, though two thousand years of Turkish history is carefully woven into the background of the story. There's excitement and adventure, but it is not a true mystery/suspense novel. Though there are religious discussions and references; it's not a conversion story. Perhaps it stands alone in giving us a glimpse of the blending of cultures and a greater understanding of the roots of Islam and Christianity. Though Dulcey is not always a likeable character; she is one with which most of us can identify. The story is paced well and the plot is multi-dimensional giving the reader a fascinating surface story and a subtle secondary story. There is no more conclusion to what is honor, women's relationship to God (or Allah), and the value of human life than is found in real life between cultures of opposite views, but this book brings the reader a step closer to understanding those differences. I felt impressed by the subtle way the author blended ancient beliefs and history to provide perspective to this contemporary novel. I recommend this book highly to both men and women. MISSING PIECES by Jeni Grossman, Covenant Communications, softcover, 306 pages, $16.95 * * * After reading several dark, depressing books in a row for the Whitney awards, I picked up Tower of Strength by Annette Lyon and the contrast was like a spring day in the middle of January. I liked her characters who are hard-working people hit by some of the most painful and difficult trials mortals face in this life. Tabitha, an eighteen year old bride of two months, is left a pregnant widow when her husband dies in a mining explosion. Samuel has sacrificed all he owned and work he loved in England to enable him and his wife to travel to Utah to join others of their faith. En route his wife dies and is buried at sea. He is left alone with the only job available to him, which involves mucking out stables, milking cows, and performing farm chores he is ill-prepared for and hates. Tabitha and Samuel are drawn to each other, but are uncertain whether they have a right to allow their relationship to extend beyond friendship. After more than six years away from her childhood home in Manti, in which time she has gone to school in Logan, worked part time for a newspaper, and become a teacher, Tabitha receives an offer to take over the Sanpitch Sentinal back in Manti. Though reluctant to return to the same town where her resentful mother-in-law lives, she wants what is best for her son and she believes that is an association with her parents and his cousins. She finds comfort from the problems she faces in the huge structure rising on temple hill, the place where she played as a child and fell in love with her husband. She stumbles onto a news story that could cost her hard-earned strength and independence, further antagonize her mother-in-law, and brings her into the difficult position of defending the rights of a cruel man who beat a horse almost to death and is accused of stealing a large amount of cash. She has difficult choices to make concerning her and her son's financial security, another painful loss, her belief in justice, her own future happiness, and the application of values easier stated than adhered to. Lyon presents a historical romance that goes well beyond the typical romance format though romance readers will love the carefully constructed elements of a satisfying love story. General fiction lovers will enjoy the interaction between characters as Tabitha relates to her son, her parents, her mother-in-law, Samuel, the previous newspaper owner, her brother, and the crusty old man who sells her a horse he severely abused. Tabitha's thought processes reveal a great deal about her personal growth as they entertain, amuse, and draw the reader into the dilemmas she faces. Dialog is generally apt for the era with only a couple of small exceptions and the research concerning the Manti temple, life in the small Mormon settlement during the 1880s, and animal husbandry have been researched with meticulous care. Though there's no way the problems Tabitha and Samuel face can leave everyone or every situation involved in the story with a happy ending, the overall there is a satisfying end. I recommend this story not only to romance readers, but to general fiction, historical readers, and anyone who enjoys an exciting story that is both thought-provoking and uplifting. TOWER OF STRENGTH by Annette Lyon, Covenant Communications, softcover, 303 pages, $15.95 * * * Winds of Hope by Anita Stansfield wraps up the story lines of her first two books in a four part series that began with The Sound of Rain , and continued in Distant Thunder. In this epilogue style volume she sees Jayson through rehab, his daughter returns, he marries Elizabeth, and takes up music again, all as expected. There's a blatant conversion story straight out of every church lesson manual as well. When Jayson returns to the music world, there is one new situation that arises incident to his relationship with his father. The Sound of Rain represents some of Stansfield's best writing. In my opinion the sequels, especially this one, don't measure up to the standard set by the first volume in the series. The excessive tears over everything, good or bad, become annoying and the conversion story is so cliché it doesn't ring true. The brief section where a baby is given up for adoption ignores the issue of paternal rights, especially when the father supported the teen mother through most of her pregnancy. Winds of Hope is not a stand alone volume and will be of little interest to anyone who hasn't read the first two volumes. There is to be a fourth volume, but since the author tied up everything neatly in this book, I don't know what is left to cover unless she plans a spin-off using some minor character from the series. Die-hard Stansfield fans will be interested in the rapid fire wrap ups of previous storylines. WINDS OF HOPE by Anita Stansfield, Covenant Communications, softcover, 308 pages, $16.95 * * * © 1999-2009 Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

February 2009
February Offers Wide-Ranging New Novels

By Jennie Hansen

February has seen the introduction of wide-ranging new novels by new writers, as well as by some long-time favorites. The settings and sub-genres, the focus audience, and the quality of writing also vary a great deal among these new offerings.

Lockdown, as is Traci Hunter Abramson's style, grabs the reader right from the two-page prologue and never lets go until the story wraps up in the final chapter.

She glanced at her watch, already wishing the class was over even though they still had another thirty minutes to go. She turned her eyes back to the professor just in time to hear a hammering noise and see him drop limply to the ground. A moment later the noise repeated itself, and the boy in front of her slumped down onto his desk as screams echoed through the room. Riley looked up to see the slender, dark-haired man point his gun and shoot off another round.

Abramson takes another member of her elite group of LDS Navy SEALS as the central character of this high suspense story. Tristan Crowther is paired opposite Riley Palmetta, one of only three survivors of a campus massacre, as they join forces to set up a training program for police officers to prepare them for dealing with events such as Columbine and the Virginia Tech massacres. As the training takes place, painful memories surface, along with a deadly murder plot. Emotions run high as two people with heavy loads of emotional baggage attempt to make sense of their growing feelings for each other while confronting one of this time period's greatest fears.

Fast becoming the queen of high suspense, Abramson derived this plot from real life. Being a member of a Virginia high school faculty at the time of the Virginia Tech murders, she is one of those who was glued to her television set on April 16, 2007, waiting for news of friends and loved ones. Hers were not among the fallen, but with the pictures and fears fresh in her mind, she began this novel.

Mystery/suspense readers are not the only ones who will enjoy this novel. Fans of psychological drama will be enthralled by the mental and emotional twists and turns. The author paces the story well, provides likable characters, and with her CIA background presents a believable background and a realistic though non-intrusive setting. I thought the epilogue was unnecessary, but I'm aware that many readers enjoy a tidy wrap-up at the end of an intense thriller. It serves as a pressure valve and in this case is not a whole extra chapter, but is just slightly more than three pages. I highly recommend this book.

* * *

Lemon Tart

Take 5 families living on Peregrine Circle
1 flowered curtain tieback
1 missing child
1 body in the field
Mix with a long list of suspects and top with two very different detectives. Increase heat until only the truth remains. And you have a recipe for Murder!

Lemon Tart is the newest novel by Josi S. Kilpack. This one is a “cozy” culinary murder mystery, a departure from her usual fast-paced social issues books. It's the first in what she and her publisher hope will become a popular series of the type where each book stands alone as a separate mystery, though the main character, Sadie Hoffmiller, will star in each.

Sadie is a snoopy busybody who means well. She's also a terrific cook. While bottling applesauce she notices a couple of police cars hurrying past her house to the end of the cul-de-sac. Naturally, she hurries right over to Anne Lemmon's house to see why the police are there. With a little finagling, she learns Anne's body is lying in a nearby field, Anne's two-year-old son is missing, and there's a lemon tart baking in Anne's oven. She runs afoul of the police and becomes a suspect herself, and she discovers her fiancé was somehow involved with her beautiful deceased neighbor. Her brother Jack's marital problems prove a distraction, as does a visit from her college-age daughter and her niece. Then there are the other neighbors who might have seen something that a plate of brownies or noodles alfredo would help them remember.

The story is full of twists and turns and a lot of danger. It's also filled with tested recipes for those who want to try Sadie's culinary masterpieces. And of course, there's a major clue connected to that Lemon Tart.

Sadie, though only fifty-six, is portrayed as an elderly widow and amateur sleuth much like Betsy Green's Miss Eugenia, but without the Southern charm. She's feisty, determined, and smart. She's also a woman who cares deeply about people and takes great pleasure in domestic skills.

The plot is skillfully woven and only the most experienced mystery readers will pick up on the villain's identity early on. Even those who figure it out quickly will still want to stay aboard for the ride, which is filled with interesting and fun antics and maneuvers.

There are a couple of small points that bothered me, but didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. First, though Albertson's grocery stores do hire baggers, shelf stockers, and other employes with learning disabilities, their checkers do not fall into this category. I've always found Albertson's checkers to be friendly and smart.

Second, even at small libraries, librarians do not give anyone, not the police and certainly not a neighbor of one of their patrons, any information concerning another person's library account or personal effects without a court order. The National Library Association is very clear on this point.

Overall, Lemon Tart is an enjoyable read for young and old. And just because there's a culinary slant to the book, I hope that doesn't discourage male readers. If it does, they'll miss an excellent mystery and several hours of first-class reading pleasure.

* * *

Sometimes a book amuses me, but it isn't often that one makes me literally laugh out loud. Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain did just that. Strain's quirky style falls somewhere between satire and chick lit without the nasty male putdowns or sarcasm. Her main character Annabelle Pleasanton is part airhead, part compassionate do-gooder, a little bit klutz, and a whole lot fashionista. Annabelle has a passion for brand name clothing and toiletries, her job as a food writer for a fashionable magazine, and good food, especially chocolate. She also has the misfortune of being the oldest of four sisters with her younger sisters having already gotten married while she's still waiting for a proposal.

Annabelle has studied all the clues; she knows the proposal is coming. If only Isaac's attempts at popping the question weren't constantly being foiled by friends and circumstances. The plot thickens when her old high school boyfriend, Alex, returns to town as the head of the publishing company that employs her and he doesn't seem to believe their old romance is quite as over as she does. She's evicted from her apartment due to her landlord's gambling problems and finds herself house sitting for Alex, a house that just happens to be her dream house.

Apparently, when you tell your boyfriend of nine months — who is planning to propose — that you are going to be having any kind of contact with a guy who you dated, liked, or smiled at anytime after first grade, and he says he's fine with it. Well, chances are he's not all that fine with it.

If Isaac and Alex aren't enough distraction, along comes winning a $50,000 wedding when she isn't even officially engaged and there's some question concerning which man should be the groom. Then there's Isaac's family, who have already picked out a bride for him.

“Chloe's here,” Ginny cooed as if the queen of England had just appeared. I looked up and saw the beautiful blonde approaching, dressed in a great black dress and a pair of designer heels that something told me she hadn't found hidden behind a bottle of bubble bath in Nordstrom Rack.

Previously Engaged is cleverly written, and though it appears light and fun, a great deal of research has gone into getting the cultural background right. Writing in first person, Strain uses a casual chatty style similar to that of a young woman talking to her best friend. It works. The dialog, both between characters and between Annabelle and the reader, is perfectly paced for maximum impact. I loved it from beginning to end, though it could stand a little more thorough copy editing. Women of all ages and those men who are brave enough to give a pink book a try will enjoy this one, then enjoy it again when it is shared with a good friend and two people share the great punch lines together.

* * *

I found Buckshot Higgins, His Life and Treasures thoroughly engrossing though it is filled with all the errors I generally complain about in self-published books by first-time authors. This is the story of a ten-year-old white boy saved by a Navajo woman following the deaths of his parents after the family drinks contaminated water.

Hanabah was a Navajo woman who was probably in her sixties or seventies when she came across the terrible scene of what was left of my family. She was traveling south along the old Navajo Trail near Shiprock, New Mexico, when she saw our family wagon. My father and mother were both dead over in the shade of a juniper tree. Two families traveling the trail had stopped to supposedly assist us, but in reality, they were pilfering all they could get their hands on.

This book doesn't really have a plot, but is a sequential series of incidents in the life of Percy Higgins, who is raised by the Navajo woman who changes his name to Buckshot. He observes the Navajo rituals meant to make him a man, but retains the Mormon faith taught to him by his parents and reinforced by his friendship with the wife of the man who runs the trading post. Two significant events bring both challenges and joy to his life — meeting a young Navajo woman with whom he falls in love and the sharing by old Hanabah of a secret treasure cache. A long journey to the St. George Temple undertaken in a surrey drawn by four mules plays a significant role in the adventure as well.

The author shares a deep love for the American Southwest and is at his best when he tells of ancient treasures hidden by long ago American natives and as he describes the land and customs of the Navajo and Hopi people. There are strong similarities in style and voice to an old classic, The White Indian Boy by Wilson Driggs. I found the history, cultural aspects, and background of the story fascinating and well worth the time to read the book, but several other aspects of the book may discourage readers. The grammar, spelling, typos, dialog, and editing are disappointing. The book will appeal primarily to those interested in westerns and the Southwest and is written in a first-person narrative style. Unfortunately, another group who may be a strong audience for this group, the elderly, will have difficulty reading the small type.

* * *

Lockdown by Traci Hunter Abramson, published by Covenant Communications, softcover, 246 pages, $15.95

Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack, published by Deseret Book, softcover, 348 pages, $16.95

Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain, published by Cedar Fort, softcover, 292 pages, $18.99

Buckshot Higgins, His Life and Treasures by Charles Moore Hackley III, published by Xlibris Corporation, both soft and hardcover, 207 pages, $19.99 and $29.99

	January 2009 LDS Fiction to Read by the Fire By Jennie Hansen The new year is off to a good start with new books by Suzanne Reese, Sandra Grey, Becca Wilhite and yours truly, Jennie Hansen. Suzanne V. Reese's Where Hearts Prosper is the story of a single mother, Carmen Anderson, who is very good at her intense position as a team leader with a Chicago advertising company. Office politics, a domineering boss, and a strong love interest keep her on her toes, but don't slow her down. It's the discovery that her almost fifteen-year-old daughter is headed for trouble that pushes Carmen to make a hasty decision and an abrupt move to her grandparent's empty house in Prosper, Arizona. She feels confident she can continue her team leader position as a telecommuter, but there are more problems than she expects. Carmen, who ran away from the isolated town of Prosper, Arizona, when she was little older than her daughter Paige, is now with no explanations and little contact with her parents, sister, or grandparents since that time. She returned only for her mother's and grandmother's funerals. Paige meets her grandfather and aunt for the first time when they show up to help her mother move into the old house. The meeting doesn't go well and neither does Paige's enrollment in the Mesquite, Nevada, high school where she dresses, acts, and seems to think differently than her classmates. She particularly lacks enthusiasm for the two classmates her age who also live in Prosper. One is a rah rah cheerleader type and the other is Mr. clean-cut, high school, athletic star. After less than a week in Prospect, Carmen has to fly back to Chicago, and while she's gone the Virgin River rises above its usual spring flood stage, wiping out the small community's only bridge linking them to the rest of the world, knocking out power, and imperiling the residents of the small town. Paige faces a life and death struggle with her neighbors and grandfather to survive and protect each other. While Carmen is frantic to reach her daughter, her boss and her boyfriend manipulate the situation to further their own objectives. Even though this is a compelling, well-written story with a great cover, excellent pacing, and characters the reader can care about, it is not copy edited well and publicity for the novel seems to center around the reason Carmen left home abruptly as though it were a great mystery. Actually the reason is spelled out in a teaser prologue and Carmen's concern for keeping her daughter's age a secret doesn't compute since the girl is enrolled in a public high school and doesn't know her age is supposed to be a secret. The book's strong points center around the flood of the Virgin River and the efforts a resourceful group of people pursue to save themselves and as much of their community as possible. A tree planted by Carmen's mother, that appears to be dead, becomes a kind of symbol of hope and better things; it adds a nice touch. Some of the relationship issues are a little shaky, but others such as Carmen's father's love for his daughter and granddaughter, are touching and real. Where Hearts Prosper is being marketed nationally and doesn't have any explicit references to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but the town of Prosper will be recognizable to residents of the Utah/Nevada/Arizona border area and to small western towns and LDS wards everywhere. I like this book very much and I think many readers, teenagers and adults alike, will enjoy its strengths as I did. * * * Bright Blue Miracle by Becca Wilhite has an interesting cover. Featured are bare toes with bright blue nail polish and a few decorative flowers. It also has an abundance of clever dialog and both asks and answers the question, “Is it possible for two very nice, adequately good-looking, and fairly intelligent people to embark on a doomed marriage? Consider it likely when they each have a teenage daughter.” Leigh's best friend is Jeremy and they're both a bit nerdy, out of the loop with other seventeen-year-olds, on the brainy side, and stubbornly set in their ways. But they're happy that way, that is until Leigh acquires a popular, pretty stepsister, Betsy, and Jeremy develops a crush on the girl Leigh most wants to despise. The problems of blended families are a common theme in today's teenage books, but this one takes a slightly fresh view with its focus on two girls who find they are suddenly sisters. Not only do they face sharing a room, being in the same classes at school, different outlooks on life, but how does one deal with your best friend becoming your sister's boyfriend? And does a guy turn to his girlfriend or his best friend when serious problems arise? There is a jarringly swift jump in the first chapter from Jeremy and Leigh visiting her father's office to her mother announcing she is getting remarried. There hasn't been adequate warning that the father has died and the mother has been a widow for some time. Leigh's reluctance to drive should have been built up better too. Beyond that, the timing works well, the adjustment problems are interesting (though at times the reader may feel like shaking Leigh) and the characters feel real. This story is more YA than adult though parents of teens may enjoy it too. * * * High Country by Jennie Hansen isn't a western in the usual sense though it takes place mostly on a ranch and there are horses, but it's a contemporary story that begins in California when Laura and her cousin Bruce inherit their elderly great aunt's house and all the boxes and clutter she's collected over nearly a century of living. One of those boxes contains a few shocking documents; Laura's late father's will leaving her a half share in an Idaho ranch, a baptism certificate, and a marriage certificate with Laura's name on it. Sheltered, home schooled, and indoctrinated by her Mormon-hating aunt, Laura embarks on a course of discovery. In the process she runs straight into a stubborn, impulsive, Idaho cowboy who claims to be her husband. She suspects he's a thief who has stolen her inheritance and made chaos of her life. Since I'm the author, I'll leave it to others to decide its merits. * * * Tribunal by Sandra Grey is a sequel to Traitor and is heart-stopping, compelling, and well worth the wait fans have endured since the first book's release a year ago. The book begins in 1945 in a German concentration camp where SS Major Rolf Schulmann has been incarcerated since his arrest for treason earlier in the war. With the approach of the allied army, the prisoners begin a forced march tosward the Baltic Sea and certain death. Eventually the German prisoners are released. Cold, destitute, ill, and frightened Schulmann walks, then crawls toward home. His friend, Hans Brenner finds him unconscious beside the road. Schulmann awakes in an American military hospital in Berlin . His recovery is slow and uncertain, but watching over him are Hans and an American nurse, Natalie Allred. Hans and Natalie become the objects of a Russian intelligence officer's pursuit of Stalin's nuclear objectives. Both her freedom and Hans's are on the line as they become pawns in a ruthless race for power. The tension mounts as both are threatened and Schulmann's fiancé, Marie Jacobson, arrives to find Schulmann facing an allied military tribunal. There are several strong themes presented in this novel. They raise questions concerning the bounds of loyalty, friendship, patriotism, family, honor, and faith in God. That we must all one day stand before God and face His tribunal is a theme that lies beneath the surface. The brutality of war is depicted vividly, but no more so than the lingering resentments, confusion, and deprivations faced by both the survivors and the conquerors along with the ruthless rush to power by the superpowers. The seeds of enmity and the beginnings of the cold war arise over the differing political philosophies of the nations who so recently were allies. Though far from being a romance novel, there are two powerful love stories that take place in Tribunal. These stories will touch the hearts of readers. There is also enough action to satisfy the most avid action-oriented reader. Those who like to delve into deep philosophical questions will not be disappointed either. The historical background is thoroughly researched and fascinating in its presentation. Not only does this book tell a remarkable story, provide in depth historical insights, provide characters the reader can care deeply about, but it is rewarding to read a novel with such a rich vocabulary and almost no copy errors. There is also a satisfying level of understanding by the author of doctrinal principles. I personally found this novel at the top of my list of mature and satisfying LDS novels. * * * WHERE HEARTS PROSPER by Suzanne V. Reese, published by Bonneville Books, paperback, 255 pages, $15.99 BRIGHT BLUE MIRACLE by Becca Wilhite, published by Shadow Mountain, paperback, 172 pages, $12.95 HIGH COUNTRY by Jennie Hansen, published by Covenant Communications, paperback, 231 pages, $15.95 (also available unabridged on CD) TRIBUNAL by Sandra Grey, published by Covenant Communications, paperback, 375 pages, $17.95 (also available on CD)
	December 2008 December Reviews By Jennie Hansen December isn’t a month that sees many new fiction releases since most publishers aim for earlier release dates in order to market their books throughout the Christmas season. However, three novels that didn’t reach me in time for an earlier review all merit attention as excellent examples of this year’s noteworthy LDS fiction. Speaking of note worthy fiction, the year is drawing to an end and the deadline for Whitney nominations is almost here. The Whitneys are prestigious awards given to LDS writers in various categories. Nominations do not come from a panel, but from the reading public. I urge all readers to think back over the books by LDS authors you have enjoyed this year and nominate those you think are deserving of an award. You can find a list of 2008 LDS novels here. To be eligible for consideration a novel must be nominated by at least five different people. Unfortunately some very fine novels did not receive enough nominations to be in the running last year. You can make certain that doesn’t happen this year. You can nominate more than one novel in any category, but you can only nominate a particular title once. For more information and to make your nominations, go here. I read the three novels I’m reviewing today in the order received and was charmed by the first of the three. Easterfield by Anna Jones Buttimore is like taking a step back in time to nineteenth century England. The story is set in the same time period as the Bronte sisters’ books, though the style is lighter and more reminiscent of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Buttimore was born in England, educated in Wales where she lived for twenty years, and she now lives in the village in England where she lived as a young child, which gives her writing an authentic rural English touch. Catherine with her sister and cousin live in an out-of-the-way village with the sisters’ mother and widower uncle. Life is slow and predictable until the day the three young women happen on an American preaching a new religion in the village square. Catherine pauses to listen and a friendship forms between her and the preacher. Shortly thereafter the family receives an invitation to dinner at the Easterfield estate which sets the stage for all three young women to become embroiled in relationships fraught with difficulties and the disapproval of the uncle. After the preacher is suddenly called back to Utah, Catherine meets handsome Dr. Davenport who pursues her with the promise of love and security, but only if she gives up her interest in religious matters. In a world where women have few rights, all four women’s lives are turned upside down by the conniving, unscrupulous uncle and startling changes in their circumstances. This is a tight, well-written story with charming, versatile characters and a plot that flows smoothly. Readers of Buttimore’s earlier books found them thought-provoking, but the pacing a little slow. This book is also thought-provoking, but is paced just right for a highly satisfying read. It also has moments of delightful humor. Careful attention is given to the customs, prejudices, and manners of the time period. The main love story is proper and has a quaint, endearing quality reminiscent of Austen’s classic love stories. The one area I found less than satisfying was in the copy editing. The British spelling and phrasing enhance the story, but the careless omission of small connecting words, substituting that for than, and other typos detract from an otherwise exceptional book that will, I suspect, become a classic favorite of women of all ages. * * * Promises to Keep, Diane’s Story is the keeping of a promise by Dean Hughes to his readers who constantly asked “What happened to Diane?” who left her abusive husband in Hearts of the Children to protect herself and her young daughter, Jenny. Hughes answers this question by picking up the story years down the road as Diane faces conflict with her daughter, now a teenager. Both Diane and Jenny are impulsive and headstrong. Diane would prefer that Jenny have nothing to do with her father, but Greg woos the teenager with expensive gifts and subtle manipulation. Her desire to be loved by her father blinds her to the fact that Greg lives in a fancy house, takes expensive vacations, yet claims he can’t afford to make child support payments. Diane struggles to finish an advanced degree program so that she can become an administrator and earn more than she has all these years as a teacher. Jenny is sometimes as manipulative as her father and Diane still barges ahead without thinking situations through well. Their conflict eventually leads to Jenny leaving her mother to live with her father. Complicating matters farther is Diane’s relationship with Spencer, a man she cares about, but who is manipulated by his children to whom he doesn’t seem to be able to stand up. Diane has to come to terms with some serious questions concerning her future and the question of whether happiness lies within herself or does she need someone else to make her happy. Hughes can be counted on to write interesting, thought-provoking stories. Even on the rare occasion when I don’t particularly care for one of his leading characters or can’t identify with him or her, I still find myself absorbed in the story. Such was the case with this book. For a supposedly smart woman, Diane was too argumentative, short-sighted, and self-absorbed for my taste. Still I could sympathize with her as Greg played on her weaknesses and made her a sucker over and over. The plot is handled well and the conflicting political views are consistent with today’s political environment. This book has a great deal of appeal for both men and women, parents of teenagers, those who have faced divorce or troubled marriages, and Hughes’s legion of fans. * * * Abinadi by H. B. Moore took me by surprise. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but something surely of a lighter nature. Yes, there’s a love story, but it isn’t remotely what is considered a romance. Moore’s first few books seemed intended for a young audience, though her last book in her Out of Jerusalem series showed greater depth and took a great leap forward in technical form and maturity level, so I guess I was expecting something lighter and more romantic than this book proves to be. This one holds drama and excitement, reveals serious research, an understanding of a mature commitment to God, and the ability to speak directly of the sins and excesses of King Noah’s court and is, by far, Moore’s most outstanding work to date. Even those with a superficial knowledge of the events portrayed in the Book of Mormon are aware of the results of Abinadi’s preaching to King Noah and his priests. We know how the stories of Abinadi and Alma overlap so it’s no surprise to see Moore weave the story of Alma’s role as a priest and his conversion into Abinadi’s story. What will surprise many is to see Abinadi portrayed as a young man. We’re so accustomed to the Arnold Friborg painting that depicts him as an elderly prophet at the end of his life that to visualize him as a young man in his twenties with so much to live for, including a wife whom he loves and a child, is a bit of a shock. Yet there is nothing in the scriptural account that even hints at Abinadi’s age and in making Abinadi a young man, the tragedy and poignancy of the story reaches a more intense level. The book begins with a prolog or preface of the death sentence given Abinadi and his thoughts leading up to the carrying out of this sentence. This is my only criticism of the story. I have a strong dislike of this literary device where an intense scene from the back of a book is picked to stick at the front as a give away teaser. Though, in this case, most readers already know what will happen, I just don’t like spoilers or teasers. That said, the story is beautifully told from that point on of a young man who chooses to serve God, care for his elderly mother, and who is intrigued by the daughter of a high priest. Raquel is Amulon’s daughter, a young woman who catches the king’s eye and must flee for her life when she rejects both his proposal and his amorous advances. She befriends a young shepherd boy who is instrumental in her conversion to the gospel. She is a strong woman, facing realistic conflicts, yet is tender and sensitive to the feelings of others. Moore handles this tender relationship well without getting bogged down in maudlin sentimentality. The author paints a vivid picture of the dangers found not only in the wicked city of King Noah and his court, but gives a feel for a city that is isolated in the midst of Lamanite lands, much of which is rugged forests and jungles inhabited by wild beasts. The reader is given a strong sense of the geographic conditions, but the setting never overwhelms the story. I only spotted one typo in the book. If there are more I was too absorbed in the story to notice. This high rate of accuracy is something to be commended. This book will appeal to both men and women, scholars, and those who read for entertainment. I highly recommend it. * * * EASTERFIELD by Anna Jones Buttimore, published by Leatherwood Press, soft cover, 295 pages, $16.95 PROMISES TO KEEP, DIANE’S STORY by Dean Hughes, published by Deseret Book, soft cover, 255 pages, $17.95 ABINADI by H. B. Moore, published by Covenant Communications, soft cover, 261 pages, $16.95
	November 2008 The Fun of Books at Christmas By Jennie Hansen Christmas is coming! It's barely over a month away and that means it's time to start thinking about all the things that make the season special. For some it's pageants, for some it's choral recitals, some it's being reunited with family, for some it's shopping and gift giving, some find that special Christmas spirit by supporting a favorite charity, for others it's the lights and decorating, and for many it's reading the new selection of Christmas stories and re-reading old favorites. This Christmas season there is a wide selection of Christmas books available. Most are small and would make lovely gifts for neighbors or for home teaching or visiting teaching families. They're also just right for capturing a peaceful moment of private reflection on the many facets of the season and the celebration of Christ's birth. The Santa Letters by Stacy Gooch-Anderson is the story of a widowed mother and her children who seem to have every reason to dread Christmas. The husband and father died the previous Christmas Eve, the victim of a hit-and-run car accident. Emma has little money to spend on anything but necessities and sinks deeper into depression as Christmas approaches. She drifts away from friends and family, especially her husband's family because she can barely cope with her own pain and has no strength left to show compassion for their loss. Only six-year-old McKenna is looking forward to the holiday. Her older brothers know there's no money for presents and they share their mother's grief associated with the season. Then mysterious letters begin appearing on their doorstep from Santa, attached to unusual gifts. The Santa Letters is touching without wallowing in maudlin sentimentality. It's a story that invites the reader to identify with the realistic characters, and leaves the reader wondering how he/she would react to such a tragedy or what might be done to help someone in similar circumstances. It caries a subtle message of the bonds of friendship and serves as a reminder that death doesn't sever family relationships. Even the children in the story, who are endearing, are still children who do childish things appropriate for their ages and while growing and learning important truths. This would be a great book for the whole family to share in Family Home Evenings, to give as a gift, or to read alone as a simple reminder that family is a key component of Christmas. * * * There are too many new Christmas books to review them all, but I'll mention as many as I can. They provide delightful choices. Gale Sears has a new Christmas book called Christmas for a Dollar, a story based on a true depression era experience of a young family struggling with the loss of the family's mother, and a father with only a dollar in small change to spend on Christmas. The Spirit of Christmas by Jennie Hansen, Betsy Brannon Green, and Michele Bell is three separate short stories portraying very different Christmases, but each with a message concerning the true spirit of Christmas. Grace by Richard Paul Evans takes us back to a glimpse of an old favorite, The Little Match Girl, seen from a fresh perspective. It's also a reminder that even at Christmas not all children receive the love and respect that should be theirs. By the Light of a Star is a collection of true stories about ordinary people whose lives have been touched in extraordinary ways. Authors are Anita Stansfield, Gale Sears, Joni Hilton, Kerry Blair, Lynn C. Jaynes, and Marilynne Todd Linford. In addition to Christmas books, there are several small booklets available at bookstores. These come with envelopes and can double as Christmas cards for someone special. They each tell a brief, touching Christmas story. The art work on two that I recently received is especially nice; Bethlehem's Star by Bevan Olsen and Three Angels for Christmas by Lori Nawyn. * * * Books also make welcome Christmas gifts. A fictionalized account of the The Woman at the Well written by Emily Freeman and illustrated with paintings by Simon Dewey is bound to be a great favorite. Filled with hope and love, the story is simple and direct and it doesn't stray far from the biblical account. The artwork is stunning. * * * I've reviewed some outstanding fiction throughout this year that would make memorable Christmas gifts for fortunate recipients. A few more titles to add to the list include Poisoned Pedigree by G.G. Vandagriff who mixes genealogy and mystery as her heroines Alex and Briggie use clues from a murder that occurred a century and a half ago to solve a modern mystery. Their client is a famous singer who wishes to marry and start a family, but she is haunted by a rumor of “bad blood” in her family and wishes to know if there is a real basis for her fears. When the local “rural” Keeper who has maintained a record of her family is suddenly murdered and her cottage burned, it becomes clear there's more than superstition involved. A love story fraught with psychological issues left over from a miserable childhood, add another dimension to the story. Mystery fans and genealogy buffs will particularly enjoy this one. Taking Chances is a departure for Shannon Guymon from her usual light-hearted romances. Guymon has developed a solid reputation for love stories that border on chic lit and have just enough bite to help her readers identify in a real way with her heroines. This story is more than fun and entertainment. It takes on the serious issue of child abuse and its lasting affect on not just the victim, but those associated with the crime through family or community connections. Maggie Tierney at age twenty-four is already a well-known and well-paid artist. She's also out-spoken and a little flamboyant. She could live anywhere, but when a great-grandmother she knew nothing about dies and leaves her a house in Alpine, Utah , she decides to go there for six months to learn more about her father's family. Her maternal grandmother lives in Alpine too, but Maggie wants nothing to do with her because of the pain the woman inflicted on her daughter, Maggie's mother. Her next door neighbor turns out to be a banker who is a little too handsome and popular with the ladies and who seems to think she's some Bohemian nutcase, nevertheless something draws the two together. The romance is fun, but underlying the humor is the more serious theme. The story is fast-paced and action oriented. We see Maggie grow and change, but there isn't a lot of character development given to other characters. Guymon has done an excellent job of researching the psychological problems associated with child abuse and presents those facts in story format rather than as an information dump which strengthens her story. This book will appeal primarily to adult women and teens and is one I highly recommend. * * * Eyes of a Stranger is Rachel Ann Nunes's latest novel. Nunes can always be depended on to deliver a warm, compelling story that explores some facet of the human experience. This story is that of a restless young woman, Tawnia McKnight, who seems unable to settle down or to form lasting relationships. She is to begin a new job in Portland , Oregon , and arrives at her new home shaken by a fortunate error that had her crossing the wrong bridge just as the bridge she should have been on collapsed, killing or injuring the many people on that bridge. Tawnia is soon confronted with several problems, a man at her new job who steals her ideas, a man who broke her heart and is the reason she left Arizona , and a strange, eccentric young woman, Autumn Rain, who looks just like her. With the discoveries that Autumn's father died in the bridge collapse, Autumn's rescuer's insistence on continuing to look out for her, and that the collapse was no accident, the story takes several exciting twists and turns. Romance fans will love this one, but so will women fiction readers who like some action and social commentary in the mix. * * * I've looked forward to Isabelle Webb, Legend of the Jewel ever since I learned that N.C. Allen was writing again. Following her popular Civil War series, she went back to teaching for a few years and found that with her young family she couldn't both teach and write for awhile. One character from that earlier series continued to linger in her mind until she wrote Isabelle's story. The war is over and Pinkerton spy Isabelle Webb and her young ward, Sally Rhodes, embark on an extended vacation to someplace exotic to enjoy themselves and recover from the emotional and physical wounds they each suffered during the war. India is their destination. They arrive in England for a short stay before boarding a different vessel for India . There their adventure begins when they take note of a loud, brash woman behaving strangely and