The Way Between the Worlds is the fourth book in the Aelf Fen mystery series. Set in 11th century Britain, the story picks up in Cambridge where she is apprenticed to the wise and mysterious Gurdyman. Haunting dreams force Lassair to travel back to her home in the Fens to discover who is in need of her help. Soon she is drawn into a mystery surrounding the death of a nun in the nearby Chatteris Abbey. Author Alys Clare skillfully mixes historical details with otherworldly magic to create an interesting blend of reality and fantasy. She portrays the tension between the rise of Christianity and older Pagan beliefs and how this affected the everyday life in the 11th century. While most are drawn to the new religion, they hold onto, often in secret, vestiges of the old ways. Political intrigue between King William II and King Malcolm of Scotland is woven through the story and William’s spy, Rollo, has an important part to play in The Way Between the Worlds, both as a spy and as a friend to Lassair. Well-written and intriguing, The Way Between the Worlds is an excellent addition to the Aelf Fen mysteries. Fans of the series will be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Dirk Pitt kills The Bad Guy, saves the world, the president thanks him, and he fights off women - Again! Yes, all 40 Clive Cussler books are the same! Set aside the campy James Bond theatrics, Flood Tide is exciting: billionaire Qin Shang is planning something so wicked it will destroy the country! But what is it? And why are Chinese immigrants being killed? Is there buried treasure and if there is, where is it? An enormous cruise ship is purchased by Shang, along with land in the South. What is he up to? Pitt and Julia Lee, a beautiful INS agent, try to avoid and solve numerous deadly challenges and time is running out! It’s time for a quote about Dirk Pitt! From page 422: “He felt the icy needles of disaster in his spine. Hopelessness swamped him in a fleeting rage. But his resolve, his infinite endurance, would never allow him to fail. He had developed a sixth sense after having survived death over the years. The fear of hopelessness came and went. He was oblivious to anything and everything, except for what he must do.” A bit much? Enjoy!

Another terrific Ruth Galloway mystery, A Room Full of Bones, blends the police investigation of an elusive local drug smuggling ring, repatriation of Aboriginal skeletal remains and the death of a local lord, Danforth Smith. A murder at a small museum holding the artifacts collected by Lord Smith's relations starts the story. Ruth is drawn deeper and deeper into the investigation as she tries to sort out the bones at the Smith Museum for Lord Smith. The back story moves along at a satisfying pace with some interesting surprises in store for different members of the cast of characters. Highly enjoyable--like spending time with old friends.

The Book of Madness and Cures chronicles the journey of Gabriella Mondini, a female doctor as she travels throughout Europe and Northern Africa in search of her beloved father who she hasn’t seen in ten years. Gabriella is an independent and unconventional woman who wants to practice medicine in Venice. When her father was in Venice she was allowed to practice medicine with him, but as the years go by she is slowly forced out of her chosen profession. Through the years her father has sent letters from various cities, each letter a bit stranger than the last. Gabriella has kept these letters and when her life in Venice becomes untenable she sets off with two servants to trace her father’s steps in the hopes of locating him. As Gabriella travels she documents various psychological maladies and the cures prescribed for them. It is no surprise that the author is a poet. The writing is lyrical and the descriptions of places are beautifully rendered. The story and characters, however, lack depth. There is very little dramatic tension as Gabriella makes her way from city to city in search of her father. Travel in the 16th century was fraught with danger, yet very little happens to Gabriella and her servants. It is difficult to develop strong feelings for Gabriella as she seems so frivolous and shallow. The premise behind The Book of Madness and Cures is intriguing, but in the end, the author fails to develop her characters and the story falls flat.

These are two of my favorite Star Trek: The Next Generation characters, telepath Deanna Troi and Klingon Warrior/Lieutenant Commander Worf, in a tale that is on par with any that hit the small the screen.

The Orianians and the Venturies have been at war for over a hundred years. The resulting fall out has caused devastation on a planet wide scale. Their only hope rests in the hands of Captain Jon-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise. The Captain has been invited as Ambassador of the Federation, and tasked with brokering a peace that would allow both sides of the conflict to be relocated off the failing world.

This could be the mission that ends the Captain’s career and his life. When Jon-Luc is accused of murdering one of the alien delegates, he must hand himself over for judgment or risk embroiling the Federation in an Interstellar incident. It will be up to Worf and Deanna to clear his name, find the killer and somehow help the Captain get the peace talks back on track.

Doctor Who fans who loved Tom Baker best will enjoy this tale that didn’t quite fully make it into the TV series.

The Doctor is fond of saying he’s the last of the Time Lords, but it seems that statement is in error. For example, there’s Romana. She’s a Time Lord. One assigned by the White Guardian to keep an eye the Doctor while he searches for the Key to Time. Then, there’s Professor Chronotis, another Time Lord. One who is using the ivy covered halls of Cambridge University as his “little retirement get-away”. Then there’s old Skraga. Is he or isn’t he a Time Lord too? He’s seeking a certain book that will unleash a terrible power; and that book was last seen the wrinkled hands of Professor Chronotis. The book in question contains some of the secrets of the universe put appears like a treatise on quantum physics. When a student asks for a loan on the topic, the Professor grants him free access to the titles on his shelves. That’s right; you know which book the student borrows.

If Skraga achieves his desires and finds this book, the Universe will become his personal laboratory of horrors. He has no empathy for humans and the sound of screams fills him with joy. Not a nice future to contemplate.

Can The Doctor, Romana, and K-9 travel to earth, find the Professor, save the student, and recover the book before Skraga does? How many Time Lords will it take to save the Universe?

Colorful graphics showing Martha in the middle easily highlights Martha's feeling of being stuck or overlooked. Frog shows Martha that "the middle" can be the best place of all. This is a good read for any kid who feels no one notices him or her.

Some years back, a neighbor brought me a copy of Waylander. The cover art was not very appealing, but the story was amazing. David Gemmell’s writing is personable, intimate and flowing. His characters experience every human emotion, but each one has a defining virtue and flaw. Places are lush with description and the action is riveting.

Lord of the Silver Bow isn’t just another Trojan War story. It begins with a man lost at sea and the plight of a small girl named Phia. Her mother is near death, but neither the local healer nor the priests will lend assistance without payment. Phia has nothing to give. Desperate for help, she risks an evening trek to the shrine of Apollo, located on a steep hill outside the village. Taking the man she encounters for a god, Phia pours out her woe, and vows eternal servitude in exchange for help. Where will she fit into the saga of this great tragedy?

Gershom was once a prince. For a time he worked in the copper mines. Now he is in a battle with the sea for his life. Where will he turn up next and will his fortunes be any better? What part must he play in the fall the Troy?

On the eve of his departure to Troy for the wedding of his dear friend Hector, Helikaon (Prince Aeneas) is moved by the child’s distress and takes both the child and her mother into his care. While in Troy, he becomes embroiled in the lives of Andromache, Agamemnon, Hector and Argurios- the Champion of Mykene. The rest is prophecy and the hands of wicked fate.

If you want to read a master at work, I highly recommend this gem.

When one is only five foot and two inches, men tend to take size for granted. When those men are also Alpha Werewolves, and over six foot, four inches of densely packed muscle, size counts. However, Olivia Desantos is more than she appears. She has to be, she’s a paranormal private investigator.

Olivia’s agency doesn’t usually take on missing persons cases, but when Beketov plants his bulk in her office and will not take no for an answer, she agrees to look into the situation. Not just Werewolves have been disappearing lately, and what looks like “ethnic cleansing” is at the heart of the dead bodies turning up in her town.

To complicate matters, her back-up has a serious case of the “hots” for Olivia and the distraction could be equally deadly.

Come prowl with a Night Tracker and visit places best left till the warm light of day.

Set in post WW II Britain, I Capture the Castle chronicles the life of the Mortmain family as they struggle to survive in a crumbling ruin of a castle. Seventeen-year-old Cassandra sets out to capture the flavor of life as she teaches herself to become a writer like her famous father. Her father, the author of one esoteric book of philosophy has , unfortunately, become depressed and unable to write. His daughters and their stepmother, Topaz, must squeeze out a living from scraps. When Simon, the heir of the local gentry arrivesfrom America with his brother, Neil, Cassandra and Rose hatch a plan to get Simon to propose to Rose. When the plan succeeds, the family, at last, has enough to eat, clothes to wear and plans for a grand future. Complications arise, however, when Cassandra falls in love with Simon and realizes Rose doesn't really love him. Written in a light, humorous style that belies the depressing conditions under which the Mortmains live, this book paints the picture of a strange, but loving family. It is an odd mix of storybook fantasy and grim realism which is not always believable. Cassandra, in the end, does successfully "capture the castle" like a snapshot of a time gone by.

Set in a tenth-century Celtic abbey, The Humming of Numbers tells the story of Aidan, a young man who is getting ready to take his monastic vows. Aidan is drawn to the scriptorium where he hopes, someday, to be able to work. When a young woman, Lana, the bastard daughter of the local Lord is sent to the monastery as punishment for her rebellious behavior, Aidan must decide if the monastic life is really for him. Not long after her arrival Vikings attack the monastery and the surrounding community. Lana and Aidan must flee and work together to save those who survived the first Viking attack. Aidan has a special gift; he senses each person's number, expressed by a hum. Lana is the first person he has ever told about this gift. He uses his unique talent to defeat the brutal Vikings.

Like the sons of Abraham, Blacks and Whites share a long and bloody heritage. They can also share a rich and glorious future. For that future to happen, healing must be allowed to continue, and hard truths brought out into the light of modern day.

As part of the healing process, an acknowledgement of the contributions to global culture and the collective human community by blacks must be championed. History has been written to favor the victors of culture clashes, but it is time to put Supremacist doctrines (on both sides) in a grave. The achievements of Whites have been the focus of the modern educational system for the past seven hundred years (EST.). However, blacks in western media and literature are most often spoken of only in terms of servitude or its aftermath. In reality, Africans were so much more, and not just the men.

Ivan Van Sertima offers readers an opportunity to share a wealth of information on the contributions by Ancient African women. Not only as daughters, wives, and mothers to the rulers of North Africa, Nubia, and Ethiopia, Black women were recognized as Divinity, Scholar, and Sovereign. He explores the role of Black women in religion, government, art, and the sciences of the ancient world. Read about the African woman’s lingering impact on her European brethren starting with Persian, Greek, and Roman contact.

In reading this book, if you come away with nothing else, I hope you come away with this realization:

The heritage and history of Africa (and Black Africans) is everyone’s heritage and history.

We are a global family and peace cannot be achieved when built upon a foundation that denies the humanity and brilliance of some for the benefit of others.

If you put something with wings on the cover of a book chances are very strong that it will get my attention. If you can hold my attention within the first page chances are even better that I’ll go along for the ride.

That’s what happened with this title. I’m not much into romance stories, but this one is bit different. It starts with the guardians in heaven and a reward God intended to bestow on them for outstanding service after the War in Heaven. This precious gift, a soul mate for each of the four major Arch angles was about to be presented for the first time in creation. When the Morning Star, Lucifer, learned of the presentation he planned to intervene. Instead of a presentation, God hid them on earth among the children of man to keep Lucifer from achieving his goal, (of stealing one of the gifts).

The four Arch angels were presented with a choice, to remain in heaven doing the Lord’s work, or travel to earth and seek their mates. This is their first story.

The Peruvian Notebook by Braulio Muñoz explores the conflicts of the human mind and the subconscious stages of the human being. In one hand, what happens when the unwritten universal values --such as honesty, justice and self-respect-- are confronted with our personal and family moral values? On the other hand, how the human instincts can arise from the dark side of our self looking to solve life problems in an irrational manner contradicting the true self. Although the plot reveals the interior battle between the two occasional identities created by Antonio Alday Gutiérrez, a sand castle of lies and deceptions are built around him to cover his untrue life as a successful businessman; and his factual life, as a security guard in an important mall in Pennsylvania. Muñoz crafted the story of Anthony Allday --his new American name-- with the challenges that an illegal immigrant must go through when arriving to a new culture.

Many Italian Americans brought traditions, some good and bad, with them to America. The tradition of family honor and the exchange of favors were two of the good. These traditions also carry a negative side. Dire consequences were often the result of besmirching the honor of others. Breaking faith with one from whom a favor was granted could also damage business and personal relationships in the community.

While the book takes the reader into the heart of the Mafia, it also takes the reader into the complex lives of Vito Carleone, his family and friends. A man who made his way in the olive oil business, Vito’s web of “favors” has tied him to allies in crime families and members of New York’s political movers. He hungers for legitimacy for his youngest son, Michael, a soldier just returning from his term of service. Unfortunately, traditions and the bonds of blood decree otherwise when Vito is gunned down on the street.

Gritty, and filled with scenes of love, devotion, betrayal and violence, the Godfather is guaranteed to make you a summer reading offer that you can’t refuse.

Shogun is a rich tapestry of feudal Japan. Captain Blackthorn and crew of the Dutch trader Erasmus is blown off course and runs aground in strange territory. The book proceeds to follow the captain as he is forced to navigate the social and political sea that was 16th century Japan.

The Emperor is the 27th of his unbroken line, but ruler in name only. The real authority is the Shogun, Military Leader of the nation. As this title is one that only a few Lords can aspire to there is great contention between the factions as to who will fill the vacant post. The Last Taiko (the highest title that can be held by a member of the peasant class) was assassinated, and Lord Toranaga has his eyes on the prize. Lord Toranaga sees an opportunity to barter the ship full of foul smelling foreigners in exchange for an alliance with the Catholic Church that will throw his oppisition into disarry. They have the one thing he lacks, the advantage of fire power, guns.

The Catholic Church has made some inroads into the Japanese mainland but still seeks to carve out a place to flourish. Only a few of the Noble Lords have converted and most are still Buddhists or Taoists. Without the support of a member of the ruling council such as Lord Toranaga, they are forced to sit on the sidelines of power. Throw in the fact that Benedictine Friars and the Dutch traders are encroaching into their monopoly on silk in Nagasaki, and the good fathers are willing to listen to terms that would see a new cathedral rise under the protection of Japan’s most powerful Statesman.

Meanwhile, the Anjin-san, the English Captain of the Erasmus has dreams of his own. Finding himself in the heart of the Japans and closer to the source of the silk trade, he sets out to broker a deal for the Dutch trading fleet. He is soon tangled in a web of high stakes politics, betrayal, and lust that will consume him, body and soul.

“You will never leave these Islands,” Father Alvito warns Blackthorn, and the pronouncement might prove true. A must-read for adventure lovers and Japanese culture seekers.

In memory of all those who served in the Korean Conflict (the war in which my father and Uncle served), this book looks at the geography, economics, and politics in play at the end of World War II. In addition, we will travel to the divided nation of Korea to walk the battlefields of the 38th parallel. Let this book also help you celebrate the courage of those men and women who set aside home, comfort, and family to make a difference in the lives of others across the barriers of language, culture and race.

This book takes the reader through the conflict from the first invasion of South Korea by its Northern brothers, to the involvement by China, the United Nations, and America. If you have Korean War veterans in your family, this book will help you open a dialogue about their experiences. If you are of Korean decent, but grew up only hearing about what happened, this book can help shed light on a time when crossing into South Korea was to face untold hazards, and getting to America made the difference between death and survival.

This review is dedicated to my Korean-African American cousins, Julius and Jamil who are both on active duty in US military.

Come meet man’s (and woman’s) other best friends. The Horse. Horses have carried humanity from the past into the future, yet not enough is being said or done to promote their welfare. Here is look at their long history and the ways in which they have enriched human life.

Horses are still used by the Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish communities for transportation, and a few stables provide riding instruction. Race horses are treated to celebrity status, but the urban horse has fallen on hard times. Reading and learning about the horse will do more than provide insight into the breeds and their uses. Reading about the horse is a tribute their contributions to the world.

Say the word Gladiator and it conjures pictures of bloody combat and death. Was the arena a place where Roman justice was meted out, or just a place of grizzly slaughter for entertainment?

 

The Gladiator is a look at the inner workings of the oldest blood sport in history. From those foreign warriors taken in battle to those born into a fighting “House”, this book will shed surprising light on the plight, power and privileges of history’s most famous fighters. It will also peer into the darker corners of Roman slavery, at the abuse and savagery suffered by those not fortunate enough to gain skill at arms.

 

In the arena, all men (and women) die, but some will know riches and glory before the fatal stroke. A rare few will gain freedom by their exploits and found fighting schools. Others will rebel and go down in history as freedom fighters.

 

Whether you love blood sports or just want to understand the fascination the ancient Romans had with brutal games, this book will provide insight into a time when life was cheap and blood washed the sands for the enjoyment of the mob.

 

Book #2 of the Dragonlance Chronicles

At the end of the first book Dragons of Autumn Twilight, Tanis Half-Elven, Tasselhoff Berrfoot (our lively Kinder-at-large), Gold Moon and Riverwind (the barbarians), and Caramon and Raistlin (the twins), met as agreed at the Inn of the Last Home. Overrun by Draconians seeking a blue crystal staff, the very staff carried by Gold Moon, the companions fled to Thorbardon, home of the dwarves. Along the way they encounter the Ever Man. Berem is a poor tormented soul with a jewel embedded in his chest and no memory why or how it got there.

The adventure continues as our Heroes struggle to push back the mounting tide of warriors sent by the Queen of Darkness to conquer the world, while also trying to untangle the knot of twisted magic that will grant them the knowledge to bar her return to Krynn. Somehow, poor, terrified Berem is the key to her defeat, but he has no clue about the part he must play.

In addition, Tanis meets his first love, Kitiara, only to find she has changed sides in the war. A new warlord has risen, and the Death Knight who serves him can kill with a touch. Worse still, the people continue to believe the Gods and the good dragons have left the world. Only Gold Moon, by her sacrifice, will prove that mortals still have divine allies.