My Sister's Keeper

By Rory Alcantara

My Sister's Keeper is the first I've read by Jodi Picoult. It is well written and the plot is very interesting. It is a different kind of drama that revolves mainly around the thirteen year old girl by the name of Anna Fitzgerald. Anna came into this world in a very unique manner. She was specifically designed to match the rare blood type of her sister Kate. Her parents thought this was the best solution to help Kate who is suffering from an acute type of leukemia. The day Anna was born, the doctors drew blood from her umbilical cord to donate to Kate. And as years passed, whenever Kate will be hospitalized, Anna would most likely be made to tag along too. In the course of treating her sister's fatal illness, Anna was made to donate her bone marrow, stem cells, and blood.

Fast forward to the present and Anna is now thirteen. She is now being asked to donate one of her kidneys for Kate. This time she wants to refuse, and Anna resorts to legal counsel for help. She wants medical emancipation. And this is where the whole gripping drama starts to unfold. The legal battle is emotionally difficult for everyone because Anna is suing her mother, not to mention that Anna is a minor. The court proceedings are held in utmost care to avoid unnecessary trauma to all the parties involved.

I liked the story if only for the fact that it emphasized the importance of making your own decisions in life and relying on no one else other than yourself. At thirteen, even with trembling and cold feet, Anna stood up for what she thought was right. It was not a matter anymore of being selfish or loving a sister any less if she does not want to donate an organ. It's just all about having enough and saying NO because she feels it so. It did not diminish the love she feels for the family as well. How many of us at such an early age could muster that kind of courage and actually get a lawyer to get what you want? It is no easy decision especially when faced with a dying sister. Although it is fictional, Anna is an inspiration to me because she has the spirit that I don't have to get the kick I want to happen in my life.

However, the author wasted her efforts in building up the scenes to a very compelling climax and then afterwards settling for a very safe albeit highly improbable denouement. It could have been a very fitting end in the courtroom when the judge knocked his gavel down after deciding the fate of Anna. But the author went for a more sensationalized twist in the last few pages. Sure, the judge granted medical emancipation after all. But then, on her way back home, Anna figured in a car accident that left her brain dead. Her kidney was donated to Kate before the plug to her respirator machine was finally pulled. And miracle of miracles, the organ worked perfectly and Kate lives.

Other than the disappointing twist, this book is highly recommended. Picoult presented the story by shifting first person narratives from one character to the other. It allowed readers to peer through the minds of each of them rather than just being focused on Anna. This style of writing was very effective in conveying the fact that there is no clear delineation to morality. Judging what is right from wrong is never as simple as black and white because we are presented with different perspectives always. It is not easy to judge the parents who are just doing their best to save a dying daughter. It is neither Anna's fault to refuse to give up her kidney. But as differences arise in a family, love is the only thing that emanates to respect differing opinions and keep them together.

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All My Hopes and Dreams

By Steph Burkhart

Book Review for "All My Hopes and Dreams"
Written by: Celia Yeary
ISBN: 1-60154-369-7
Wild Rose Press
266 pages
$14.95
4 Stars

Yeary weaves a romance full of hopes and dreams that her heroine, Cynthia Harrington yearns to fulfill. "All My Hopes and Dreams" is a solid western romance set in Texas in the 1880's. Though Yeary's skillful writing, the reader is transported to the old west to witness the romance between Ricardo and Cynthia - one full of challenges. It's almost one challenge too many for Cynthia.

The story starts with Cynthia determined to leave Nacogdoches and her father's arranged marriage. On her way out of town, her horse mis-steps and her carriage turns over. Enter Ricardo Romero. He comes to Cynthia's aid and keeps her safe. Cynthia is initially grateful for his help, but then she learns her father hired him to follow her. Ricardo brings Cynthia home and she resigns herself to her arranged marriage.

Cynthia's fiancé has doubts about the marriage and voices them to her father. Ricardo takes advantage of that and asks Cynthia to marry him at the spur of the moment. Cynthia says yes. She's attracted to Ricardo and while she doesn't know him, she's looking forward to getting to know him. Ricardo is more guarded in his thoughts, but he can't deny he's intrigued with her.

Ricardo takes Cynthia to his ranch house across the state. His parents are still married and run the ranch. While Ricardo's father seems to accept Cynthia, her mother-in-law, Felicitas, does not and makes life unpleasant for Cynthia. Cynthia takes matters into her own hands and moves out of the ranch house. She makes friends with the ranch wives. Ricardo is puzzled by her behavior. He doesn't realize how unfriendly his mother is towards Cynthia.

Ricardo takes Cynthia away on a romantic getaway and they make love. Felicitas tries to stop the couple, but has an accident. Ricardo and Cynthia find her hours afterwards and get her help. Felicitas can't walk and needs to be cared for. Cynthia is expected to be the primary caregiver. She steps up to the plate, but does not endear herself to Felicitas. Felicitas enlists Starr Hildago's help, (a former flame of Ricardo's) to get rid of Cynthia.

Cynthia holds up in the face of Starr's flirting with her husband, and Felicitas's insults. She starts a school for the kids at the ranch, but instigates the anger of one of the hands by asking that his children go to school.

The rangers come looking for a criminal. Cynthia's bow is all ready tight, but it snaps when she finds her husband and Starr in a compromising position. She goes to the house to pack and discovers the criminal holding Felicitas hostage. Cynthia keeps the criminal at bay until the rangers can put him in custody. Then she packs her bags and gets on the next train to Nacogdoches. Ricardo realizes he's in love with his wife and follows her.

The plot moves well and never drags. Yeary's writing style is easy to follow. I liked how she emerged the reader in the world of ranching and horse breeding. Cynthia is a likeable heroine, if anything I would have liked to have seen more introspection on Ricardo's part. I never did understand why he chose Cynthia over Starr since Starr seemed better suited to him.

Yeary's love scenes are tame, but her romantic scenes are well done. "All My Hopes and Dreams" is a nice escape for a rainy Saturday.

StephB is an author who likes to read many books and a variety of different genres. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

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The Salt Garden (By Cindy Martinusen)

By Gina Hendrix

Would you desire to peer inside the mind and thoughts of a godly woman? Interested in reading a fictional story of how godly women react to the various events of their lives?

The Salt Garden by Cindy Martinusen is adventure into the minds of three women from the small town of Harper's Bay and the providential events centering around the discovery of the journal of a shipwreck survivor.

Presented in 1st person narrative, reading this book is like sitting along with these women and watching their lives unfold before you. Memories of the past, thoughts of the present, and the ever changing plans for the future are all found in this novel.

There is Sophia...
The reclusive novelist and prayer warrior with the adventurous thoughts that fill notebook after notebook of fictional stories that may never be published. Reading of her thoughts and recounting the memories of her life reminding me of the character Wendy in the novel Peter Pan. Sophia is defined in this novel with this comment "Contemplation has been my companion."

There is Jospehine...
The romantic, enduring, steadfast wife of the shipbuilder. A shipwreck survivor, it is Josephine's journal Sophia discovers during a ocean side walk. Her papers, donated after her death to the local historical society, spark media interest to seek more answers to what really happened the night the 'Josephine' sank. Reading from her journal thoughts sparks devotion, strength and empathy. Josephine is defined in this novel with this comment "I would have followed him anywhere".

There is Claire...
The young news reporter that suffers a comical string of providential events that prevent her from leaving the small town and pursuing her politically correct ambitions and goals. Accepting of these events and starting over after coming home, Claire finds that she is not as reluctant to stay as she once was. Her faith develops in this story as she begins again at home, finding a reunited family, a genuine friend and a love interest through it all. Claire is defined in this novel with the comment "I didn't want to be here".

I truly enjoyed Cindy Martinusen's writing style. Beautiful landscape descriptions, authentic dialogue, and true struggles make this a novel well worth the time spent.

Gina Hendrix is a Freelance Writer and Book Reviewer. She reviews for several Christian Publishers as well as Christian Authors. To learn more about The Vessel Project, please visit http://vesselproject.wordpress.com

This article can be reproduced and distributed without royalty provided proper reference is made to the Author and her website.

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Germ (By Robert Liparulo)

By Gina Hendrix

"If you breathe, it will find you".

Robert Liparulo's sophomore novel "Germ" grabs your attention from Chapter One. The non-stop action begins by a statement of facts regarding Dr. Robert Guthrie, a microbiologist, and his development of the Guthrie Test, a medical test performed on newborn infants to detect an inborn error of amino acid metabolism.

Deduction is made of how such technology, in association with gene splicing and in the wrong hands, could selectively target and attack a particular DNA gene in the general population rending a person dead in a matter of days.

Details of the end result of such a virus on humans are graphically described. This is not a novel for the weak at heart. It is intense in its plot, in its characters, and almost non-stop action scenes.

That being said and for those who enjoy an action packed Thriller, this novel of DNA-specific biochemical warfare will take your breathe and not release it until you finish the last page.

Good and evil are presented with equal clarity.

FBI Agents Goodwin Donelley and Julia Matheson, the protagonist, are depicted genuinely, with a sincere, deep friendship.

Dr. Allen Parker and his brother Stephen Parker (almost Doctor turned Pastor) are unsuspecting participants but add much to the story.

Karl Litt, the antagonist, the son of a Nazi researcher, is diabolical and utterly without remorse.

With unexpected twists and turns and several complex story lines, true to the genre, this work kept me in 'suspense' wondering how all elements would merge to a conclusion. I was not disappointed as the story line ended.

This novel will surprise you as you become acquainted with characters only to learn they do not survive. Not all suspense novels can make such a claim. Unanticipated ends to major characters adds greatly to the development of those characters that remain as well as the plot.

Germ is a Christian Fiction novel. It is entertainment and does not resort to profanity or vulgarity. Great novels rarely do. It takes much more creativity to produce a work that captures the reader with the plot, the characters, and interaction alone.

I recommend this book highly and look forward to more of Robert Liparulo's work.

You may use this article as you with restriction given that no content is changed and reference is made to the author and the site: http://vesselproject.wordpress.com

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The Wind

By Rory Alcantara

First of all, since Haruki Murakami is a Japanese author, I believe that there were some things lost in translation while reading the English version of the Wind-up Bird Chronicle. This book is over 600 pages long and took me a month to finish. Not only was it a lengthy novel, it was also a difficult book with so many metaphors to decipher, and so many sub-plots to stitch together. The story may seem a little confusing for some readers, and the central theme is quite difficult to gather. There were loose ends that were not fully resolved up to the last pages.

Hope is one of the more glaring main ideas that the story is trying to impart. Toru Okada, the main character, just lost three things in life -- his job, his cat and later on his wife. As he set out everyday in search of the missing essentials (with no intention to demean), he met several ladies each with her own eccentricities. Through constant dealings with these ladies, Toru comes to some sort of introspection and analyzes the life he led lately. He is brought to terms with his own insecurities. Being jobless and losing a wife who claims to have fallen in love with another man were both initially overbearing. And this is where the complexities in the story started. Burdened with problems, Toru becomes an unreliable narrator, mixing realities with his dreams and vice versa. But one thing was apparent. Throughout his rollercoaster problems, Toru kept one constant in his life, and that was his undying love for his wife.

Toru showed hints of positivism and hope in his ordeal. One subtle hint was when his cat unexpectedly found its way back home. He and his wife named this cat Noboru Wataya, after a man they abhorred. When the cat returned home, he immediately changed its name to Mackerel, the brand of a cat food. It was then just as soon as he decided to let go of his worn out tennis shoes that he wore everyday, and buy a new pair. He was now having a different perspective at his problems. A year passed by with no signs of his wife coming back, yet he carried on with his life and remained steadfast in getting his love back.

There were parallel tones of hope retold in Toru's friend named Lt. Mamiya, a former Japanese lieutenant who served during the Russia-Japan War in Manchuria in the 1900s. Lt. Mamiya witnessed a great deal of suffering from the Russians but believed in his heart that he could one day return to his homeland alive. In a lot of ways, Toru found strength in Mamiya's experiences during the war, and this urged him to go on believing that his wife will one day return.

In the course of finding a lost love, Toru slowly found himself along with his inadequacies and weaknesses. It was not an easy re-acquaintance. He brought to the fore a mediocre guy who was in between jobs, and was dumped by a wife for a "better" man. At one point, I can say that he was becoming delusional which made me say he is unreliable. His dreams were mixing with reality. What he claimed to have seen may not have been so.

I highly recommend this book especially if you are a patient reader and fond of connect-the-dots game. The author is fond of surrealistic plots, and this is evident in this particular book. If it takes you a longer time to read it than usual, it doesn't mean it is boring. In fact, there is a lot to absorb so that it will kind of slow you down in flipping the pages. The Wind-up Bird Chronicles definitely reflects the writing ingenuity of Haruki Murakami.

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The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

By Philip Spires

In his Booker Prize winning novel, The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga has achieved success where other illustrious writers have fallen short in recent years. Kiran Desai, Monica Ali and Salman Rushdie have all entered the fray and achieved considerable success of their own around themes rooted in the ramshackle, disorganised, free-for-all, cost-cutter basement of globalisation. Characters in their novels might live in New York or London, but their thoughts continue to live in rural south Asia. They might, through their labour, service the desires of the First World rich, but their personal priorities might remain rooted in the concerns of Third World poor. I accept that the grouping of these authors is unfair, since Salman Rushdie's Shalimar The Clown is an overtly political book, whereas Monica Ali's is largely domestic and Kiran Desai's is familiar. But they do all share an overt interest in characters who have left their humble, Third World origins for a First World status that is less than desirable, though their motives might be diverse.

In The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga tries a different tack, and achieves much. The scenario is unlikely, deliberately comic. The book presents a narrative - apparently constructed in just seven evenings at a personal computer - by one Belram, a man with origins in a poor area of an Indian countryside he calls Darkness. Essentially, there are seven blogs or emails addressed to Wen Jiabao via the Premier's Office, Beijing, China in which the first person narrator tells his story. Belram, presumably, believes that the Chinese people, via their leader, need advice on how to succeed in the globalised twenty-first century. Since Belram has indeed succeeded, he wants to share his experience as potential assistance to the most populous nation on earth.

Belram's rise can be listed without jeopardising the potential reader's interest or involvement with the book. He was of utterly poor rural origin, but luckily - and also perhaps rather deviously - secured a job as a driver for the middle-class, urban Mr Ashok. By the end of the tale Belram has his own business in Bangalore, a place as far from his own origins as any international destination. He now owns a taxi fleet that services the anti-social working hours of the growing city's relocated call centres, whose First World cost-cutter owners provide the financial umbrella-shade in which budding entrepreneurs like Belram may shelter and prosper. Thus he eases himself a rung or two up the social and economic ladder. If only the elevation might have happened without treading on others...

The White Tiger is a delightful and engaging book. The narrator's humour and world-outlook are both entertaining and stimulating. The book's improbable structure presents no problem whatsoever once Belram's engaging style is established. His story is simple, devious, credible and incredible in one, and perhaps as close to a truth as one might ever approach. Literature is full of schemers and opportunists. Anti-heroes, however, rarely convince. Belram, on the other hand, almost demands we share his success via emulation, and I encourage all readers to enter his world on his terms.

Philip Spires
Author of Mission and A Fool's Knot, African novels set in Kenya
http://www.philipspires.co.uk
Migwani is a small town in Kitui District, eastern Kenya. My books examine how social and economic change impact on the lives of ordinary people. They portray characters whose identity is bound up with their home area, but whose futures are determined by the globaised world in which they live.

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Poetic Tale of Devil-Girl is Rich, Harsh, and Hopeful

By Tyler Tichelaar

Reading Anya Achtenberg's novella "The Stories of Devil-Girl" is a unique experience. Describing "The Stories of Devil-Girl" is difficult. Readers really need to experience the language for themselves. To give a taste of the style, here is a passage from the novel's opening when Devil-Girl describes the circumstances of her birth in New York:

I was born here as the one I had violated during another lifetime, I'm sure of it. I was born here to walk the avenue between life and death. To fill out the forms of denial. To rave in the road and stop traffic with my stillness, as some do with their anger. To prowl the bootless alleyways, to drink the spoiled fluids of men. To flail beneath the Devil. To sprout breasts in the lunar lots of Bushwick, where the maws of an old Frigidaire caught my friend Penelope and she froze to a fetus, knees to lips, gray fists clenched.

Devil-Girl's first memory is of someone trying to strangle her-someone she later believes must be the mother who clearly does not want her. Her father is not much more friendly. When she leaves home and begins giving men what they want so she can survive, she compares herself to the monster in Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" who was "unnatural, bereft of a determinable childhood." When Devil-Girl learns about Lilith, the woman in Jewish tradition depicted as Adam's first wife, driven from Eden as evil, she takes on a similar identity. Devil-Girl encounters perverts and sadists who relish the chance to use and abuse her. But despite her negative experiences, Devil-Girl has a hopeful spirit; she senses there is some good in her, and she becomes a kinder version of Lilith; while the mythical Lilith sought children to punish and kill, Devil-Girl will ultimately find others like her whom she can protect and nurture.

Devil-Girl undergoes many trials. She suffers, she questions life, and she finds irony in the way her mother calls upon God and he answers by fulfilling her curses. Devil-Girl knows no one will pray for her, so she decides to learn how to pray herself, but ultimately, she learns self-reliance. She is Jewish-she knows those who have escaped the holocaust, seen the numbers tattooed on their arms. But a young man who wants to fight for Israel tells her, she has done nothing for their people-he calls her "Lilith" and "Whore of Babylon." Devil-Girl, however, comes to realize her people are not limited to Jews but to anyone who has suffered like her.

Ultimately, writing becomes Devil-Girl's salvation. She leaves New York; she travels somewhat aimlessly, but eventually, she finds hope in "the summer of the Minnesota Plains." She gets an education and becomes a teacher. She shares her story with others; she encourages her students. She realizes she is a miracle.

The novella's plot is not very complicated. What is complicated is the language, or rather it is complex, hyperbolic, poetic and forceful. A poetic life is built from a world of misery; Achtenberg's Devil-Girl is the quintessential individual, raging against the world around her-trying to find her place within the culture and family where she was born, which doesn't really match the mainstream society. She must learn what a woman can be, rather than what men want her to be. Devil-Girl speaks for everyone who has ever been lost and tried to find him or herself. She moves forward even when the world would hold her back. She is aware of how much farther into the nightmare her life might have gone. Grateful to have turned back, she tries to ease the pain of others so they do not go down the dark path.

In the "Introduction," Achtenberg explains, "Devil-Girl has been through many incarnations." Achtenberg initially started writing the book as a poetry collection until she realized the story was better suited for prose. Nevertheless, many of the lines of poetry were retained and rewritten in prose form, which gives the book its rhythmic, poetic language. I found myself often caught up in the language, and then had to go back to reread passages because the style I relished distracted me from the content. The novella is also episodic-the individual chapters or sections average only a few pages each with a few exceptions. No clear chronology or transition is given between them; we find Devil-Girl in a new place in her life with each section.

In a few places, I felt the episodic writing did not always make the transitions in Devil-Girl's life clear, but at the same time, the poetic language would probably have suffered from too much detail. If I have a complaint, it's that the book is not longer; wishing a book to be longer is a good thing; I felt I would have liked to get to know Devil-Girl better. Achtenberg has stated that her book is partially autobiographical. Like Devil-Girl, Achtenberg is Jewish, from New York, and a teacher. But whatever else of the story is autobiographical is transcended by the creation of Devil-Girl as a fictional everywoman. Her character speaks to us, it makes us see the world anew, a world often ugly, but nevertheless, one where hope can lead to change.

For more information, about Anya Achtenberg and her poetic, socially relevant writing, visit http://www.anyaachtenberg.com

Tyler R. Tichelaar holds a Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Northern Michigan University and a Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. His family's long relationship with Upper Michigan and his avid interest in genealogy inspired Dr. Tichelaar to write his Marquette Trilogy: Iron Pioneers, The Queen City, and Superior Heritage. Dr. Tichelaar is also a professional book reviewer and editor. For more information about Tyler R. Tichelaar, his writing, and his author services, visit:

http://www.MarquetteFiction.com

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Hungry As the Sea by Wilbur Smith

By Gail Pruszkowski

If you love stories of high sea adventure pick up a copy of "Hungry as the Sea" by Wilbur Smith. From the frigid waters of Antarctica, to South Africa, to a London courtroom to a terrifying Caribbean hurricane the riveting action will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Nicholas Berg was once the chairman of a shipping consortium and ruled an ocean going empire. His fortunes changed and he lost his empire and his wife to Duncan Alexander. Now he's captain of the Warlock, a modern and powerful salvage tug. He gets a distress call from one of his former cruise ships and he's steaming out of Cape Town, to mount a rescue mission. The ship, carrying six hundred passengers, is stranded in the Antarctic. The weather is terrifying and the boat is being lashed against the cliffs of Cape Alarm surrounded by deadly icebergs. Berg's heroics turn his life around and bring him back to power. But his climb back into the international shipping game doesn't sit well with the new chairman. Duncan is a formidable adversary and intends to ruin him once and for all.

This is a story that has it all - life and death adventure, suspense and romance. It begins with a thrilling tugboat rescue and the action is fierce. Smith is a great story teller and knows how to describe the treacherous weather and ice surrounding a rescue at sea. This is a thrilling tale of man against the sea. Those who love ships and ocean going adventure will be enthralled.

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (May 15, 1999)
ISBN: 978-0312971076
Mass Market Paperback: Pages 501
Price: $7.99

Gail Pruszkowski reviews for "Romantic Times BOOKreviews" magazine and her work has been published in the "Cup of Comfort" Anthologies.

http://mysite.verizon.net/bookworm.gp/
http://write-juncture.blogspot.com/

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I Only Have Fangs For You

By Steph Burkhart

Kathy Love weaves a suspenseful tale of paranormal romance in "I Only Have Fangs For You." This is the third installment of her Young vampire series, but it is the most rewarding. Sebastian vows to never fall in love, because, for him, forever is a long time. When he meets Wilhelmina Weiss, he meets his match. Sebastian doesn't plan on falling for the vampire waif, but there's something about Mina that gets under his skin - and fangs.

The novel starts with Mina working as a waitress for Sebastian's club, Carfax Abby. She's also a member of a supernatural society who is trying to sabotage Sebastian's business. Mina, however is a poor saboteur and every attempt is thwarted by her lack of the vampire world. Finally, Sebastian learns she's the one who has been trying to sabotage his club and confronts her. Mina admits to her crimes and strikes a deal with Sebastian. He won't bite anyone for a month while he shows her what it's like to be a vampire. She agrees. The society is "pleased" with Mina's success.

Mina reveals to Sebastian that her cross over was not a pleasant experience. A vampire named Dontello crossed her over in the early 1900's. Mina was a young virgin from a well-to-do family who institutionalized her because they couldn't deal with her claims that she was a vampire. Mina stayed there for several decades until Dr. Fowler, a well renowned vampire scientist saved her. She survived on cow and pig's blood. Her story accounts for her pale, tiny appearance and her ignorance over her vampire powers. Sebastian is rocked to hear her heartbreaking story.

His lessons begin in earnest. He shows her how to use her powers to read emotions and feel those around her. He teaches her how to "tune out" others. She's a fast study. Sebastian's growing feelings for her lead to several hot kisses, but Mina pushes him away, not quite ready for that.

Soon, Sebastian learns that Dontello, who turned Mina, was not graceful when he crossed her over. Mina is terrified to be bitten. Knowing this, Sebastian grows gentle and soon their smoldering kisses lead to more - Sebastian and Mina make love without biting each other. Mina admits to falling in love with him, but Sebastian can't say the words back. Mina deals with it. She wants only what he can offer.

A member of the society, Daniel, shows up at Sebastian's club, and threatens him. Mina lies to Daniel, but Sebastian overhears and misunderstands. He breaks up with Mina. Daniel turns out to be Dontello, and confronts Mina in an abandoned warehouse. Mina connects with Sebastian through his mind and calls for his help. He arrives, and Mina kills Dontello in self defense. Sebastian admits his love for her.

Sebastian was very likable and romantic. The novel is fast paced and moves quickly. The plot is credible. Mina's back story was fleshed out very well. I really liked Mina as a heroine because I liked the fact she started out on an "even" playing field as a vampire. I also enjoyed the bonding scenes between Mina and Sebastian very much. They were very substantial and really helped to ground the couple.

The supporting cast is engaging and interesting. It was good to see Rhys and Christian again, and to know they were happy. Love's love scenes are passionate, yet tasteful; erotic and sensual. The scene where Sebastian takes Mina's virginity is highly erotic.

"I Only Have Fangs For You," is a romance that will keep the reader turning the page.

Written by: Kathy Love
Kensington Publishing
ISBN: 0-7583-1135
296 pages
$14.00
5 Stars

StephB is an author who likes to read many books and a variety of different genres. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

Fire Eyes

By Steph Burkhart

Written by: Cheryl Pierson
Wild Rose Press
ISBN 1-60154-470-7
265 pages
4.5 Stars

Pierson pens a riveting romance with lush settings and compelling characters in "Fire Eyes." Set in the American old west just after the Civil War, Pierson submerses the reader in pure action. Kaed Turner is an experienced U.S. Marshal who learns that a younger Marshal has gone after Andrew Fallon, a man whose criminal actions border on insanity. Kaed arrives too late to help Mitch Beckley. Fallon has Mitch hostage, as well as two young native American girls. Kaed is helpless to prevent their deaths. Fallon assaults him and leaves him for dead. Standing Bear, the local Indian chief, finds Kaed, barely alive, and brings him to a white woman known to Indians as "Fire Eyes."

"Fire Eyes," is Jessica Monroe, and she lives in a cabin outside of the fort near the Indians. Jessica is raising a baby who was abandoned by her father when her mother died. The Indians bring Kaed to Jessica. She springs into action, nursing him back to life from the brink of death.

Kaed and Jessica fall in love as she's nursing him. They commit to each other. Kaed's Marshal friends find him with Jessica. They tell him they are on Fallon's trail (Fallon has taken two new hostages) and while Kaed isn't fully healed, he goes with them to find Fallon. Jessica understands, but she's concerned for Kaed's well-being since he isn't fully healed.

The Marshals dogged pursuit of Fallon is not without a price. When Kaed learns Jessica's life is threatened by the ruthless Fallon, he hurries home hoping to prevent the criminal from killing his new family.

Pierson's writing is crisp and sharp. Her beginning grabs the reader immediately, holding them in the moment. Her dialogue is authentic, evoking the old west with little effort. Pierson's descriptions are rich with emotional metaphors. Her love scenes are tasteful, full of passion.

Pierson writes in a point of view that shifts between characters within scenes. Known as a "Lonesome Dove" perspective (after the same novel) this point of view can be confusing to readers, however, the romance genre is generally forgiving of it.

Pierson's characters are real with strengths and weakness that the modern reader can identify with. The supporting cast compliments the main characters. The plot moves fast, unraveling the romance between Kaed and Jessica at break-neck speed. If anything, their romance happens too fast for the reader to enjoy it. "Fire Eyes" is a story that brings the American west alive. It's a perfect book to curl up next to the fireplace with, taking the reader on a rich, romantic adventure to the past.

StephB is an author who likes to read many books and a variety of different genres. StephB is an author at http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Creative Writing.

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