Book Review

Mitigating Circumstances by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Judge Lara Sanderstone has complete control of her courtroom, and hardly any control of her personal life. Divorced and living alone, she has a contentious relationship with her beautiful younger sister,Ivory, a widow, and now married to a scheming low life. Ivory has a 16 year-old son Josh, who is mistreated by his step-dad, yet not allowed to see his Aunt Lara, who misses him terribly. When Ivory and her husband are murdered, their steamy secret life is uncovered. Josh, resentful of the fact his aunt has not been in his life, now must live with her. While Lara must deal with the angry Josh, she is engulfed in the murder investigation and the life her sister was leading. Before the murders are solved, Lara's house is ransacked, forcing her to move to a safer location. Defendants who have appeared in her courtroom are found murdered, and appear to be tied to the murders of Lara's sister and brother-in-law. Lara's courtroom actions in releasing certain indivuals are called into question and her reputation must be defended. With the help of a police detective and a disabled computer genius, the truth is uncovered. Does Lara fall in love with the detective? Does her relationship with Josh improve? You'll just have to read this book to find out.

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NO GOOD DEED Has Been Published!

I'm happy to report that my second novel, NO GOOD DEED, is now out. Whew! Now on to promotion, promotion, promotion.  Please read my interview on the blog of D. Jean Quarles. I follow her and you can click on her image to the right to reach her blog.

A Few Words for "The Words"

I recently saw the movie, "The Words."  As writers, or even if you're just a reader, it's worth seeing. It shows the struggle a writer goes through when rejection after rejection is received, and the steps he'll take when something unexpected falls into his hands. I don't want to spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it, but the moral dilemma that ensues is the sub-text throughout.  There are many flashbacks but the story comes full circle at the end, and it is quite surprising.

If you've seen the movie, I would be interested in your thoughts.

Book Review

The Jaguar by T. Jefferson Parker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've read all of Parker's books and did not expect to like this one, but thought I'd give it a try, being a fan. It was a thrill ride with three parallel stories. Erin McKenna, wife of full-time Orange County Sheriff, and part-time outlaw, Bradley Jones, is kidnapped by Benjamin Armenta of the Gulf Cartel. She is taken to his castle in Mexico and Jones has ten days to deliver a million dollars and stop helping Armenta's opponent in the drug and gun smuggling business. Jones just happens to have the money on hand, and enlists the aid of straight-arrow Charlie Hood to help him in his search for Erin. Charlie takes two fellow officers on his quest, Bradley goes his own way, and Erin is kept a prisoner in luxurious circumstances, as the clock ticks away. The book moves among the three separate stories as Erin grows increasingly frightened, and Hood and Jones each experience numerous challenges through hurricanes, crocodiles, and physical attacks. There are many side characters who figure in the events, including the return of Mike Finnegan, a strange, somewhat supernatural character, who seems to turn up everywhere and know everything. The ending was expected, but the door was left open for a sixth book in the Charlie Hood/Bradley Jones saga. Has any reader noted that Parker seems to be channeling Hemingway in his writing style? Instead of using commas to connect thought, he uses and, and, and. Also, the dialogue format was interesting. Some was enclosed in quotes, other dialogue was set off by dashes. Still, if you like Parker, you should like this one.

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Book Review

The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Some mediocre books make it to the best seller list. Many good books do not. As much as I anticipated reading "The Sense of an Ending", I have to say for me it was mediocre. It's a short book, less than 200 pages, and could probably be read in one night. Because it was on the best seller list, and the synopsis sounded interesting, I read it. The book is almost all narrative, the musings of the now retired Anthony Webster, looking back on his youth, his friends at the time, and how they affected him. That's part one. In part two, Anthony is now older, wiser, retired. He went through an amicable divorce, and has a daughter with whom he gets along well. A contact from his past stirs up many unresolved issues, making him re-evaluate everything in his life. The ending comes with an almost ridiculous twist. I'd say more but would spoil it for anyone who might want to read this book. The author writes well and has won awards for previous efforts. Unfortunately, good writing can't overcome a bad story, it just makes it a little easier to read.

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It's a Small World

Northville, Michigan is a small town several miles outside Detroit. Its streets are tree lined and full of well maintained Victorian houses. Its main street boasts a town square, there's little traffic, and the ample parking is free. The restaurants and stores are all locally owned - not a chain in sight. You don't stumble upon Northville, you have to seek it out. As a child growing up in Detroit I used to horseback ride at the Northville Riding Academy. Returning as an adult recently, very little had changed.

While eating an ice cream cone at Rebecca's, my husband and I began chatting with a lady and her niece. We assumed both ladies lived in Northville, until the older lady asked us where we lived, and we replied, Laguna Niguel, in southern California. We quickly followed up with our usual addendum, it's right next to Laguna Beach, which everyone knows. She quickly responded that she knew Laguna Niguel, because her niece lived there and was also visiting in Northville! What were the chances? Turns out we live about a mile from each other, but had to travel over 2000 miles to meet. This isn't the first time we've traveled far and ran into someone from nearby, but it never ceases to surprise us. Has it happened to you?

Home Again

I've returned from my Michigan trip, tired by the active daily pace, and energized by seeing many old friends and places. In my earlier blog I commented on how buildings are torn down and replaced, rather than rehabilitated. I didn't realize that my old high school would be one of them. I was a student at Mumford High, made famous in a movie some years back. The school was only a year old when I started there, with no football team, swimming pool, or any traditions. Now it's being torn down to make way for a learning center. I thought my high school was a learning center. That's progress, I guess.

Now I'm back to my writing routine, waiting for the galleys on my second book, NO GOOD DEED. Hope to see it in print by the end of August, but it may be wishful thinking.