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REVIEWS LISTED

The Eden Prophecy by Gerry Mills
Sister Blackberry by Melissa Newman
The Escape Artist by Teel James Glenn
Shamus Ghillie U.S.Secret Service in Medicine Hat by David Walks-As-Bear
Shadows in the Night by Betty Sullivan LaPierre
Stuff to Spy For by Don Bruns
Awkward Grace by Jeff McCord
Spirit Lake by Carol Guy
Ancient Laws by Him Michael Hansen
Search for Samantha by Muncy G. Chapman
The Enchanted Hunt by Dorothy Ann Skarles
Murder... They Wrote by Larry K and Lorna Collins
Murder Came Calling by Nora LeDuc
24 Bones by Michael F. Steward
Riders of the Seven Hills (Tales of Red Clay and Blue Denim) by Lad Moore
Final Argument by Kenneth L. Levinson
A Shadow In The Night by Kenneth L. Levinson
Where Angels Fear by Sunny Frazier
Watch The Hour by J. R. Lindermuth
Footsteps in the Treetops by Bennett Cole
A Corpse for Cozumel by Anastasia Amor
Shadowlight by Del Garrett
Sorrow by John Lawson
Talking Heads by Reid Laurence
Pleasing the Dead by Deborah Turrell Atkinson
Maiden Rock Mistress by Janet Elaine Smith COMING SOON(br>A Woman To Blame by Marthanne Shubert
Voodoo Laws by Jim Michael Hansen
Nocturne by Angela Cameron
Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed by Marc Blatte
Marta's Place by Carl A. Albrecht
An Unconventional Murder by Kenneth L. Levinson
The Walk Home by Wanda C. Keesey
If you'd like a review done by one of the above reviewers, contact them by clicking on their name.
All reviews are the intellectual property of the reviewer and to use them elsewhere, their permission is required. All reviews will remain on site for at least 60 days. No archives will be kept.

Title: The Eden Prophecy
Author: Gerry Mills
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: 1-60619-187-X
Genre: Sci-Fi/Suspense/Thriller

  There is trouble ahead for James Foster and his wife, Tricia, when the UN votes to compile a terrorist list with huge rewards for the deaths of those on the list. An edge of your seat read!
  Foster's old enemy Greenward from the previous administration has risen into a power seat in the government and succeeds in getting added Foster and Tricia to the list to legalize their murders.
  To add to the problems Foster faces as he is being hunted, beings from outer space have decided to contact him for reasons of their own. This does not bode well for Foster and Tricia or the Earth.
  This is an exciting tale that involves many plots and events going on at once. I'm pleased to highly recommend this to any reader who enjoys a blend of romance, suspense, sci fi, mystery and more. Foster and Tricia seem like old friends if you have read their other adventures. If you haven't, you will want to after this tale, especially Mudslinger.
  Politics and power seekers play a large part in the series, but each tale is original. Talented author Gerry Mills has crafted an imaginative tale that will leave any reader highly satisfied.
Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 01/02/10

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Title: Sister Blackberry
Author: Melissa Newman
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-744-7
Genre: Fiction

&nsbp;&nsbp;A complex story of mother love, superstition, fear and how a woman comes to terms with her life and the cloud that hung over it. If you enjoy stories that are different with well defined characters, you will enjoy talented author Melissa Newman's well told tale of Sister Blackberry.
  In the 1930's a self-proclaimed preacher and his help drew a mixed crowd to their church and ministered to them with a strong dose of superstition. They practiced a faith of intolerance and rejection of outside contact, a cult in the making.
  The wife of one of the members was friends with a nonmember neighbor. Both women were expecting and the children were born at the same time, with different outcomes. Both births brought trajedy and deep sorrow.
  The two babies were raised as sisters but fate stepped in and one left home to find a new life. Her return many years later, brought out the story of their origins and found a time to heal.
  This is a story that will have you wanting to know what happened to the characters and how they dealt with life's troubles. Recommended for any reader who enjoys tales of life with people that are realistic and have human failings, yet they can feel joy and learn from their troubles.
&nsbp; Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 11/15/09

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Title: The Escape Artist
Author: Teel James Glenn
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-608-2
Genre: Suspense

  Timothy Locke is an escape artist who is being stalked by an unknown enemy for something out of the past. On his most recent escape attempt, a killer will be waiting.
  If you have a vivid imagination this is a tale that will give you goosebumps more than once. Imagine yourself locked in a box and trying to escape it as it dangles from a line over a city street far below, and a killer comes flying in.
  This tale has great contrast in characters who represent good and evil with lives in the balance. Talented author Teel James Glenn has crafted an original suspense tale to please any reader looking for something new in a reading experience.
  There's a little something for every reader in this tale, suspense, mystery, romance blended to form an interesting read. Enjoy. I did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 11/15/09

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Title: Shamus Ghillie U.S. Secret Service in Medicine Hat
Author: David Walks-As-Bear
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-730-0
Genre: Historical Suspense

  Shamus Ghillie meets General Grant on the occasion of the announcement of the end of the Civil War, just at the time he planned to kill the general. With his plans changed Ghillie disappears into the wilds of the west.
  Later as President Grant finds a need for a man able to undertake a certain task, he sends for Ghillie. Ghillie's employment must remain a secret and so must the job he is given to do.
  Talented author David Walks-As-Bear has crafted a tale of the old west with a cast of interesting and fun characters who give the reader a look at the rough and tumble reality of that time. There is excitement, suspense and danger with a dash of romance blended into the mix for flavor.
  This tale is recommened for any reader who enjoys the old west without stereotyped characters set in the rugged realism of the frontier. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as I did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 11/09/15

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Title: Shadows In The Night
Author: Betty Sullivan LaPierre
Publisher: SynergEbooks
ISBN: 2-4392-5874-0 (print) 0-7443-1860-2 (ebook)
Genre: Mystery

  Hawkman does it again in this fun read by talented author Betty Sullivan LaPierre. Shadows in the Night is set in a senior home called Morning Glory Haven. His new client's wife Maggie loves it there, but she and her husband are alarmed about how many of their friends have died in their sleep recently.
  Hawkman sets up his investigation and a schedule of protection for Maggie, the client's wife. But Maggie is hard to handle and loves to have her own way. Her actions could put her in danger. The person who might be a killer is well hidden and this seems to be one of the toughest cases Hawkman has had yet.
  Lots going on in this seniors home with staff and residents who are very individualistic in their outlooks. You will enjoy meeting them and get a sense that this is not only a place for seniors, but a place anyone of any age would enjoy living.
  I'm pleased to recommend this fun read to anyone who enjoys mysteries or a good read full of great characters. Once you've read this one, you'll be looking for this author's other works. They're all good reads. Enjoy. I certainly did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 10/31/09

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Title: Stuff to Spy For
Author: Don Bruns
Publisher: Oceanview Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-933515-22-9
Genre: Mystery  A fun read from talented author Don Bruns about the adventures of Skip Moore and his pal James Lessor when they get involed with former schoolmate Sarah Crumbly who proves to be something other than she says.
  Skip is merely supposed to sell a security system to the company Sarah works for but finds he has opened a can of worms when complications get out of hand. Not only is he selling security but he has some romantic problems of an unusual sort, and death takes a hand in the story.
  Nothing is as it seems to be and that makes for an interesting adventure for the reader as well as the characters. You'll have no trouble following all that is going on however, and will enjoy the tale. This author writes with a good deal of understanding of how people are influenced by friends and the promise of money.
  I'm pleased to recommend this story to any reader as a very satisfying read who is looking for some laughs along the way. A fun blending of comedy, satire, wit and mystery to be enjoyed with those complications that add up to a good time had by all. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 10/31/09

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Title: Awkward Grace
Author: Jeff McCord
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
http://www.twilighttimesbooks.com
ISBN: 1-933353-17-1
Genre: Mainstream
Trade paperback/$16.95
ebook/$5.95
  Continuous tumullt in the country of Birundi in Africa forces Mevin's family to flee. They end up in a refugee camp in the neighboring country where their status and safety is questionable. Death is so common the only work to be found is that of grave digger, but Mevin's father insists they hold onto hope.
  In East Tennessee a man named Ben Bellamy gets a call from his pastor to head an outreach group and choose a refugee to help. Ben feels unqualified for the job and prays over it, eventually coming to the conclusion it is something he is meant to do.
  The paperwork is done and Mevin and his brother are brought to the U.S. to begin a new life under the protective wing of Ben and his church. Thus begins an uplifting story of how people on opposite sides of the world can work together.
  Talented authoor Jeff McCord has crafted a tale that will remain in your mind once you read it, the feeling it leaves is one of being glad you read this story. You'll enjoy meeting the characters who live and breathe and feel as though you're been part of their lives.
  A lesson in caring for others, and the pleasure of a life well lived will make you feel good after finishing this great tale of hope. I'm pleased to highly recommend Awkward Grace to any reader who enjoys a satisfying read that leaves a feeling of peace in its wake. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 10/16/09

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Spirit Lake Mystery, Paranormal, Romance, Ghostly encounters
Street Date: Out Now Author(s): Carol A. Guy
Website http://www.goodmysteries.webs.com
Genre(s): Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery Review Date: Jan 22, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-55487-062-2 Print Book Price: E-Book Price: $4.99
Publisher: Devine Destinies
http://devinedestinies.com/shopdevine
  Erica Parkhurst is going through some troubled times in her life. All in one week she loses her husband to another woman and her lucrative job as an editor for a leading consumer magazine. Only thirty-four years old, she was just beginning to gain confidence in her future.
  Not wanting to stick around, she decides to buy a bus ticket and head to Chicago. She just wants to get away and have some breathing room to think things out and see what her next plan of action should be. But while traveling on the bus, her bad luck seems to still be hanging over her. The bus breaks down in Du Bois, PA and the bus driver tells them they will all be spending the night in town until the bus is fixed. Not wanting to sit idle, Erica rents a car and heads out on her own. Beginning the trek to Chicago by herself, she doesn’t make it far onto the interstate when she realizes how famished she is. She sees a sign saying that Spirit Lake is 5 miles away and decides that will be a good place to stop and grab something to eat. When she arrives there, she sees this beautiful inn located next to Spirit Lake. She decides this is where she will settle in until she can think of a better plan of action.
  Since it’s off season and the inn is closed for renovations, the inn keeper graciously offers Erica a room anyway. Erica accepts the inn keeper’s hospitality and settles in for a short stay. While staying there though, she begins to encounter strange things happening to her that make her question her sanity.
  Could she be losing her mind or is she really witnessing all these strange occurrences even though no one else seems to be experiencing the same things? How long does she stay in Spirit Lake? What happens when her husband shows up in Spirit Lake after trying to hunt her down for days?
  I found this to be a wonderful mystery wrapped around quite a bit of deceit and betrayal of many of the characters throughout the story. I was thoroughly entertained from the first page and I found myself transported into the story as if I were another character watching everything unfold before me. Ms. Guy penned quite an intriguing storyline and I’m thrilled to find out this will be the first in a series of other stories wrapped around Spirit Lake. I’m extremely anxious to read the sequel, Echoes of the Past. I would highly recommend this story to other readers and it’s definitely a keeper in my library.
Reviewed by Diana Coyle, Night Own Romance

Echoes of the Past Book 2 of the Spirit Lake series Street
Date: Out Now Author(s): Carol A. Guy
Genre(s): Paranormal, Suspense/Mystery
Review Date: Mar 04, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-55487-062-2 Print Book Price: E-Book Price: $4.99
Publisher: Devine Destinies

  Now since the divorce is final, Erica Parkhurst is free from her slimy husband and is relieved that she can now move on with her life. Although, at this present time, she is plagued with doubts and fears of returning to that small Western Pennsylvania town of Spirit Lake and seeing Joe Lakota again, the man she left behind, she is still very eager to start her life in a new direction.
  She has no idea where she stands with Joe since she last saw him during the summer, but she considers returning to Spirit Lake, nonetheless, to see where this new road takes her.
  When Erica first traveled to Spirit Lake as a means of escape from her cheating husband, she used the beauty and tranquility of the cozy Pennsylvania town to clear her head and reset her priorities since her husband was seeking a divorce. Originally only using it as a pass through to a bigger and better destination she had mapped out in her mind, upon arriving in town, she couldn’t help but be enamored with it. While looking for a place to stay the night, Erica stumbled upon Spirit Lake Inn and befriended the owner, Evelyn Black.
  Since first meeting Evelyn, their friendship blossomed and they speak regularly with each other on the phone. Receiving phone calls from Evelyn isn’t a strange occurrence, but one particular call from her is a bit unnerving for Erica, to say the least. Poor Evelyn fell down the main staircase in the inn and needs surgery plus physical therapy to fix the damage she sustained in the fall. Since they are very close, Evelyn inquires to see if Erica is willing to run the inn while she is goes in for her knee surgery. Erica isn’t all that certain at first if this is a good idea because she has absolutely no experience running an inn, but wanting to help her friend in a time of need, she accepts the challenge anyway. Erica even volunteers another of her girlfriends, Paula, to help her run things over the next few weeks.
  All seems well until Erica and Paula arrive at the inn and strange occurrences start plaguing them and the two couples that are now vacationing there. Erica is second guessing why she ever came back to Spirit Lake knowing what she had already gone through during her first stay at the inn.
  Are there logical answers to all the strange occurrences going on at the inn? Could there be restless spirits roaming around the land? What did Erica and Paula discover when they set out on their little investigation to seek some history of the past to the land that now housed the lovely and quaint inn? Do Erica and Joe rekindle the romance they shared during the summer?
  This story was wonderfully written and extremely satisfying from the very beginning. Ms. Guy penned such a powerful prologue that I had chills running down my spine. She retold the story of the Carter family and the Iroquois tribe that occupied Spirit Lake many years ago. The author used such vivid details in describing the story and I was immediately pulled into this heart-wrenching rendering of the retelling of the past. I felt as if I was there learning everything first hand. I loved how Ms. Guy through in pieces of the puzzle and kept me so intrigued that I couldn’t wait to find out more. I honestly couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I was pulled in from the first page and was on a roller coaster ride until the very last sentence. I would highly recommend this story and the Spirit Lake series is definitely a keeper in my library. The author did a wonderful job with this second story and I am eagerly waiting to see what she releases next from her collection.
Reviewed by Diana Coyle, Night Own Romance
posted 10/15/09

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Title: Ancient Laws
Author: Jim Michael Hansen
Publisher: Dark Sky Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 13: 9780976924326
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
4 1/4 bolts

  Another winner! For thriller and dark mystery fans, talented author Jim Michael Hansen has produced a story you won't be able to put down until you turn that last page.
  A weird murder takes Bryson Coventry to Paris to see if their weird murder is the work of the same killer. He meets French detective named Fallon Le Rue and falls head over heels into lust once again.
  Together they chase down clues to a killer who looks like a caveman. One such man is a lawyer who turns up to convince them of his innocence. Another is a D.J. and a third is a cabdriver and sometime hitman. The fourth is an archaeologist. Will one of them be the killer Coventry seeks? The question is which one.
  Added complications deepen the mystery in the persons of two women, Jade and Alexandra, who work together to find a lost pharoah's treasure and the man who murdered Jade's uncle for information to the treasure.
  Are the two cases related? How? What do they have in common besides all four and a killer arrive in Luxor.
  An exciting tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat as vipers make attacks on visitors to thier valley, an airplane goes into the river, and a thousand thrills will permanently fix goosebumps to your skin.
  A well told tale with a masterful blend of intrigue, murder, greed, lust, and that little touch of horror will keep you reading. You'll want to read all of this author's tales. They get better and better.
Enjoy. I certainly did.

Review by Anne K. Edwards 09/20/09

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Title: Search for Samantha
Author: Muncy G. Chapman
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-732-4
Genre: Romantic Suspense

  Lara Greenaway had an imaginary friend called Samantha as a child. They played together and as she grew up, Samantha became a part of her daily life. Lara had few friends but none of them knew about Samantha.
  Lara was strongly attracted to Chan and he wants her to give Samantha up. She tries until one fateful day and then she is off to search for Samantha.
  Her search takes her back to the place of her birth to a mission run by an old doctor and nurse. Here, what she learns changes her life forever.
  Join Lara in a desperate search that will answer her longing for Samantha. This is a story that has roots in the reality of life as we know it and it could have happened to anyone we meet.
  Talented author Muncy G. Chapman has crafted a romantic suspense tale in Search for Samantha that will keep the reader reading and prove to be a very satisfying reading experience. You will long remember Lara's adventure of the heart. I'm pleased to recommend this as a tale to any romance or suspense fan. You will want to read more by this imaginative author who brings life to this story.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 09/17/09

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Title: Enchanted Hunt
Author: Dorothy Ann Skarles
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
ISBN: 1-933353-14-7 (Ebook version)
Genre: Paranormal

  Legends about Pele, the goddess of the Hawaiian volcano, say she does not take kindly to people breaking the taboos she has set down. Among them is stealing treasure from caves where chiefs and priests are laid to rest. Two friends, Cat and Lee, raised on the tales of Pele are both charmed and alarmed by the stories of her power. But the lure of hidden treasure draws them all the same.
  On a boar hunt for a luau, Cat tells Lee he has found signs of a treasure. Lee is rather reluctant to break the taboo of hunting for it and since they are committed to the hunt, they set off to find their dogs and finish the hunt. However the dogs and they are separated so they must follow the baying of the dogs.
  After a series of misadventures, Cat and Lee separate. Lee must get a cut treated and Cat wants to find his dogs. Cat meets up with a huge boar and he thinks it might be an incarnation of Pele when it leads him to a hidden valley where a very old priest resides. His acquaintance with the old man leads him on a journey to bring the old man's only two relatives back to him to see who will inherit his power.
  Cat finds his life in danger when he finds the relatives and they set off for the hidden valley. He is certain if he doesn't escape, he will die and the relatives and one henchman leave no doubt he is right.
  Talented author Dorothy Ann Skarles has crafted a tale of action that crosses the lines of many genres. I'm pleased to highly recommend it as a fun read all the way through.
  This is a perfect tale for any reader who enjoys fantasy tales, paranormal tales, and stories how people react to the lure of treasure and power. You will get a chance to meet Pele as she displays some of her awesome power. A fun tale well worth the time. You'll end wanting to visit Hawaii and the mountains where this tale is set. It is an adventure in many ways, and you will enjoy them all. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 09/16/09

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Title: Murder... They Wrote
Authors: Larry K. and Lorna Collins
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-708-9
Genre: Mystery

  A fun read for anyone who has ever attended or wondered what goes on at a writers conference. Join Agape Jones as he tries to make order out of the conference chaos when one of the attendees is found dead on the stairs.
  His investigation into the poet's death brings out the man's relationships with several women attending the conference and they are eyed with suspicion with their involvement with a possible murder. A retired policeman who missed active police work, Agape is pleased to take on some of the investigative work on this case.
  The motive of the poet's death is elusive as there are several. Yet there is also a question of whether he was actually murdered.
  I'm pleased to recommend Murder,,, They Wrote by the talented writing team of Larry K. and Lorna Collins as a read well worth the time. It is a pleasant read set in Hawaii. The writers have caught the flavor of a conference and given it a sense of reality.
  You'll like Agape Jones as a non-stereotypical investigator with a down to earth sense of responsibility. The characters are fun to meet and each offers a unique perspective on the victim and sometimes life.
  I'm pleased to recommend this tale as a read any mystery fan will enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 09/16/09

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Title: Murder Came Calling
Author Nora LeDuc
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-438-5
Genre: Mystery

  When Annie Townsend turns up on Sam O'Brien's doorstep looking for her brother James, two worlds seem headed for an inevitable collision. Sam has recently gotten his innocence established and had his murder conviction overturned and Annie Townsend comes from a monied family with all the advantages. Her brother was Sam's cellmate.
  Annie is also a member of the press which Sam has an undying hatred for due to being hounded during the murder trial and upon his release. His first instinct is to send her away until she tries to shoot a gang member on the street in front of his apartment building.
  Annie's missing mother and brother cast shadoes over her life as does the relationship of her mother's friend with Annie's father. Sam gets involved in Annie's life when her mother turns up dead and the investigating detective who is Sam's old enemy tries to link Sam to her death.
  This is an exciting read with lots of interesting characters and surprises for the reader. Talented author Nora LeDuc has crafted something different in a mystery and you will want to read her other books. I know I will.
  I'm pleased to recommend Murder Came Calling to any mystery fan. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 08/15/09

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Title: 24 Bones
Author: Michael F. Stewart
Publisher: Gauffer Press
ISBN:
Genre: Fantasy

  In the world of religion, the argument that Christianity is based on the old Egyptian belief system that harks back to the days of pharoahs is the basis for the intriguing read 24 Bones by talented Michael F. Stewart.
  The myth of the death of Osiris claims his spine was broken into individual bones and divided up between different groups and now a prophecy calls for its reunification in a battle between good and evil.
  Caught up in the old belief system are young people dedicated to the continuance of both sides of what might be a coming fight that has already begun with the murders of several monks or companions.
  This is not a usual tale with romance or chasing the bad guys. It is rather a complicated tale based on an ancient belief system that has survived to the present. There are hidden tunnels with villains hiding in them that must be traversed, the need to identify enemies on both sides, and friends. How does one know who to trust or believe in?
  A professor named Taggart and a girl named Samiya dedicated by her mother to serve evil in the person of the pharoah are the protagonists who try to figure out what they are involved in.
  A tale that will surely satisfy anyone who enjoys old Egyptian tales, tales involving the mysteries of religions, the puzzle of who is right or wrong and following the paths taken by the characters as they live the story. I'm pleased to recommend this tale to any reader who likes to venture into something different. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 08/15/09

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Title: Riders of the Seven Hills (Tales of Rec Clay and Blue Denim)
Author: Lad Moore
Publisher: BeWrite Books
ISBN: 978-1-906609-02-3
Genre: Fiction

  A collection of short and tall tales to please any reader who enjoys looking at their own childhood or the past of the older generation. It's a step back in time. You can hear the frogs of Caddo Lake and smell the summer dust of dirt roads that lead one home.
  Drawing on his own childhood and the people that live so vividly today in his words, this talented author, Lad Moore, has crafted a series of stories to make the reader pause and remember, maybe with a sigh and a tear or a happy grin, events of their own past that are so similar.
  Join the author in his speculation of the past of Old Man Homer's Ragtop, an abandoned car sitting in a field as he harks back to the days when courtship was very different. Join the author in a return to the happy days of childhood in Nothin' Says Lovin' when Grandmother's cooking meant love too. You'll long to keep the memories and warmth this tale evokes. Or go for a space flight in When Buck Rogers Lied to Santa.
  You'll shed a tear for a storekeeper named "Jelly Roll" Roberts whose country stored served a large country population in A Sunday Morning Without Jelly. Or dare to climb to the top of a water tank for a thrill in Getting High.
  These are but a few of the wonderful stories to be enjoyed by Lad Moore. I'm pleased to highly recommend this collection to any reader looking for pleasure and relaxation in a very satisfying read. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 08/15/09

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Title: Final Argument
Author: Kenneth L. Levinson
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN: 978-1-60174-08-3
Genre: Mystery

  Mystery lovers, meet your new hero, Attorney Adam Larsen whose reputation precedes him. Meet his legal staff and settle in for a fun read about a case with lots of twists and surprises.
  Adam's girlfriend, Josie is being sued in a case with others over a fire that destroyed a house owned by Jack Quinlan, owner of several furniture stores. The case goes from a lawsuit over money to one of murder when Quinlan's lawyer, Scadman the Madman is found dead in Adam's library during a break in the taking of depositions.
&Nbsp; The investigator into the case, Sergeant Stone who hates Adam immediately tries to place the blame on him, but finds he can't and against good advice, does make an arrest.
  Meanwhile Adam finds himself being sued by the dead lawyers partner. Disgusted he conducts his own investigation. This is what happens when he tries to do a good deed.
  This a tale with lots of action, interesting characters who are each different, and a balanced plot that will hold your interest. You will enjoy meeting Adam and his staff, and hate Attorney Scadman. A complex tale with plenty of twists, guaranteed to satisfy any mystery fan.
  I'm pleased to recommend this tale as one that will have you looking for other stories by talented author Kenneth L. Levinson. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 07/08/09

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Title: A Shadow in the Night
Author: Kenneth L. Levinson
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN: 978-1-60174-025-0
Genre: Mystery

  A mysterious woman brings a mysterious case into the office of attorney Adam Larsen. The problem is that her sister who is accused of embezzlement has disappeared and the law wants her. Adam and his staff undertake to solve the puzzle and, at the same time, recover the stolen money.
  The hunt is on for the missing woman with few clues as to her whereabouts and the missing money that can spell the death of the company from which it was stolen. One can sense the desperation of Mary Bryant to clear her sister's name. The mutual dislike between policeman Stone and lawyer Larsen is almost palpable and the reader will wonder at the root of it.
  Talented author Kenneth L. Levinson has crafted a complex tale with interesting characters whose doings will keep you reading. A well told tale with plenty of suspense, action, mystery, with false trails for Adam to follow.
  A Shadow in the Night is a clever story that offers something different by way of the plot. The story guarantees a pleasant read and will have you looking for other books by this talented author whose easy to read style is bound to please any reader.
  I'm pleased to recommend this imaginative author's tale to any reader. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 06/21/09

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Title: Where Angels Fear
Author: Sunny Frazier
Publisher: Oak Tree Press
ISBN: 978-1892343574
Genre: Mystery

  A fun read for the astrology or mystery fan, Where Angels Fear by talented author Sunny Frazier is worth the time.
  Christy Bristol who is an office assistant at a branch sheriff's office and her sidekick Lennie Watkins manage to get themselves entangled in a dangerous situation when the wife of a wealthy man who disappeared asked Christy to find her husband after first requesting a horoscope.
  The two take time from work to go sleuthing and end up being arrested as the plot unwinds. Their investigation connects the deaths of three other wealthy men as suspicious as they search for the missing man. They cross paths with the law more than once and the reader will want to know if they will wind up with police records this time.
  The imaginative author has also provided a paranormal touch in the telepathy that exists between Christy and her sister who warns her to be careful. The plot contains twists that will surprise and please the reader and when the story is done, you will feel like you've made new friends of the author, Christy and Lennie.
  Recommended for any reader who enjoys a well told tale and interesting characters. A fun read all the way through. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 06/21/09

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Title: Sorrow
Author: John Lawson
Publisher: Drollerie Press
ISBN:
Genre: Fantasy

  From the pen of talented author John Lawson comes Sorrow, something different in the world of fantasy that also includes murder and mystery. Any mystery fan would enjoy this tale in trying to identify the killer who strikes without warning and whose killings seem to have a religious significance. This is an opportunity to try fantasy that is not the standard romance of the genre.
  In a world that he is totally unfamiliar with Phindol is forced to seek help in his travels homeward. This instance, he realizes too late that he has misjudged the help he accepts. These so called guards are intent on robbing him.
  He is possessed of a secret among his luggage called the Splinter, a mysterious weapon and very dangerous to those who handle it as Phindol could tell anyone.
  Phindol arrives at a house where he is to stay as hostage and here he meets another hostage, Faina child woman whose passion is to dance. It is in this house the Archbishop Tuggub is murdered and to this house where an investigator is sent to resolve his murder.
  A complex tale with several interesting characters vying for your attention, each determined to lead his or her own life as much as they are permitted. You will enjoy meeting them and keep reading to see how this fun tale ends. You will be looking for other books by this creative author. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 05/01/09

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Title: Watch The Hour
Author: J. R. Lindermuth
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-476-7
Genre: Mystery

  Talented author J. R. Lindermuth has done it again. In his latest work, Watch The Hour, he gives us a look into the stark reality and bleakness of peoples lives who lived in the workers villages constructed by the mine owners for their employees. Once employed by a mine owner a man became a near slave to his boss. The wages were low and rents and buying from a company store kept a man broke and in need as he had to support his family.
  To combat these bad conditions the Molly Macguires or Black Mollies were formed to unionize the labor. the mine owner would fire and find excuses to imprison any employee tho dared to join. In clashes between the mine police and and Mollies the police often shot and killed men.
  Watch The Hour opens with the funeral of a known Mollie and attempts to bury him in the local cemetery. This causes a confrontation of Irish miners and the non-Irish of the community, giving the reader a look at the prejudice and treatment the Irish must endure.
  Deputy Ben Yeager is fortunate in having a job that does not take him into the mines but he must endure the mistrust the miners, especially the Irish have for the law of the mine owners. He tries to walk a middle path and ends up in a triangle not of his making. He must find a way out to regain control of his life. He must decide on a secure future or following his heart.
  This fine tale is a combination of mystery, romance, history and other genres that produces a tale that seems to step out of the papers of its day. It was a time when innocence was quickly lost, life was cheap and men dared not speak against their employers. It is a study of some men are never satisfied with what they have and others must make do with so little.
  Watch The Hour is a great tale that I'm pleased to highly recommend to any reader. You will meet realistic characters walking these pages and endure the privation of some or share the indulgences of the wealthy. It is a timeless tale. Enjoy. I certainly did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 06/11/09

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Title: Footsteps in the Treetops
Author: Bennett Cole
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-444-6
Genre: Fiction

  Talented author Bennett Cole takes the reader back in time to the days of World War II when the main character was a boy named Marvin whose world consisted of his home town and friends. As he looks back to those days, he recalls how one of his friends found the body of a young woman and how the boys in their play time decided to find her killer as one of their brothers was arrested for it.
  The boys put together clues that came their way and narrowed their suspect list to a few men who were suspicious under the best of circumstances. Unwittingly, they step into danger as well.
  Also, one meets a girl who may have been considered Marvin's first girlfriend, but their relationship was limited by social status and her private school. Marvin felt she might have been a bit more sophisticated than him as she was also a few years his senior.
  Included with these events that mark him as growing out of childhood, the reader gets a great view of the setting, the characters and the subplots, all that are well done and interesting and will keep you reading.
  I'm happy to recommend this as a tale well worth the time to any reader looking for something different and very enjoyable. A good read. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 06/11/09

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Title: A Corpse For Cozumel
Author: Anastasia Amor
Publisher: Whiskey Creek PressISBN: 978-1-60313-482-8
Genre: Mystery

  Adie Sturm finds herself drawn into a murder investigation when her best friend Marg disappears and a dead man she knows is found in a neighbor's yard. Adie goes to Cozumel to find Marg and finds both of them are in danger.
  Adie hooks up with an old friend named Wolf who rescues her and Marg from attackers on two separate occasions. Marg went to Cozumel to pick up a check for the dead man and immediately is set upon by a thug while the attack on Adie comes after they are both shot at while scuba diving. Adie's attacker breaks into her hotel room and tries to knife her.
  Adie seems to attract a lot of attention from the fellows and Marg picks up with a desk clerk for some good times. You'll want to know which of the fellows Adie picks and how the story ends. There are some surprises in store for the reader as Adie finds out why the dead man was killed. You'll ask yourself if any of the fellows the ladies meet in Cozumel have ulterior motives for their attentions.
  For the mystery reader who enjoys plenty of romance added to the tale for flavoring. Enjoy.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 06/11/09

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Title: Shadowlight
Author: Del Garrett
Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press
ISBN: 978-1-60313-480-4
Genre: Fantasy Mystery

  The power of the media is being reined in by laws that forbid raising questions about the people in authority. Thus when news reporter Rio Shannon finds a dating disc and learns there is more to it, he is told he has placed himself in danger. Then, as if to prove what he's been told, a man who saved him from a gang attack is murdered.
  Sent to Houston on a story of exchanging a drug lord for an imprisoned brother in law of the president of Mexico, Shannon takes time to visit the wife of a friend when the friend is killed as the exchange goes bad and then to visit the grandparents of the vanished girl on the dating disc. The situations are much more complicated than he thought when he goes on the run with the girl on the dating disc.
  A well told tale with some rather vivid description of the settings that puts you in some rather unsavory places with Shannon. The characters come to life in this fun read that will hold your interest all the through.
  In Shadowlight talented author Del Garrett tells what the world could be like as the rights of people are slowly eroded. There's plenty of action, suspense and emotion to make for an excellent read.
  I'm pleased to recommend this tale to any reader who enjoys a good tale. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 06/11/09

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Title: Talking Heads
Author: Reid Laurence
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN: 1-60836-335-X
Genre: Fiction

  On seeing the title "A Killing Rain" the reader will be intrigued, wondering if it means a rain that kills or someone killing in the rain or because of the rain. Talented author Reid Laurence has crafted a tale in three parts that carry us through the life of a man who lives two lives, one inside his head where he can talk to the heads of men he has killed and the other where he takes a job at a museum as a guard and becomes involved in a forgery scheme.
  Like most people who are lonely, Raymond seeks companionship, but does so in an unusual way. He kills those he will talk to and they become a guest and live in his refrigerator. Their conversations are full of snippets of Raymond's life and the reader comes to know him as a real personality.
  The second title "Talking Heads" begins with Raymond stalking a girl in a department store and he is told to leave and not come back. He added to his own problems by talking to himself in the form of two imaginary friends in front of people. They also urge him to call the girl. He calls and when she answers, he hangs up. His friends are becoming more numerous as his relationship develops with the girl, Vicky.
  Raymond's life has taken a turn in part three "A Sign of the Time" after an accident with one of his heads. His artistic talents are noticed again and he and Vicky are taking a trip to Mexico as he leaves the psychiatric prison hospital.
  Author Reid Laurence has crafted a tale that would fit into a horror film with lots of suspense. This reviewer keeps wanting to tell people to stay away from dark alleys and don't visit Raymond Mort.
  Recommended for any suspense or horror fan who likes psychological thrillers with lots of tension. A well told tale that will have you keeping your lights on after bedtime rolls around. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 05/01/09

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Title: Pleasing the Dead
Author: Deborah Turrell Atkinson
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
ISBN: 978-1-59058-598-6
Genre: Mystery

  For the mystery fan a tale with some different types of characters in a tale set in Hawaii. Everyone of us who dreams of owning our own business will identify with Lara who hires attorney Storm Kayama to help her through the process.
  All Storm wants to do is get the information required for the paperwork, but she finds herself drawn into a world of shadowy and shady business deals and Japanese criminals based in Hawaii who will stop at nothing, including murder, to fill their wants.
  Lara is engaged to the son of a man who was associated with the criminals but escaped. He is still associated with some of them, however, but feels he is safe to go his own way as long as he occasionally helps them out.
  From the outside looking in, Storm sees the complications that Lara is entangled in. When Storm tries to help a former child prostitute and others caught in part of the web being spun around Lara, she risks her life.
  This is a well told tale with lots of action and tension that will hold your attention. You will want to know what happens next. There are lots of interesting and well done characters with private motives for what they do that will make you want to tell Storm and Lara not to do what they are about to do. If you like scuba diving and jaunts on a boat to see the floor of the ocean or visit with sharks in a cage, this is one tale you will not want to miss. Bring your seasick pills, snorkel and fins and be ready for some fun.
  I'm pleased to recommend Pleasing the Dead by talented author Deborah Turrell Atkinson as a fun read worth the time. You will want to read her other books. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 05/01/09

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Title: Maiden Rock Mistress
Author: Janet Elaine Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Genre: Historical Romance

  Violet Seymour travels with her family to Lake City, Minnesota where she has taken a job as school teacher. Her arrival is a spectacular splash which she must endure with humor.
  She meets her new boss, Denis McLeod, who shortly brings a Dakotah child into her care when the child is forced out of the tribe. Violet learns her boss dislikes Indians and has acted contrary to his nature in this case.
  Maiden Rock Mistress by talented author Janet Elaine Smith is a heart warming tale of life in a frontier town that shares its ground with the Native Americans and a mutual resentment that must be overcome if both are to survive. Violet takes up her duties in the new school and humor strikes unexpectedly in the form of a black and white visitor on the first day.
  Written with a light touch that blends romance, suspicion, humor, this fun tale introduces the reader to characters you will have met in any small town. The reader will share realistic emotions with them and be touched by the courage that allows one to leave safety of the known for the unknown.
  I'm pleased to recommend this tale to any reader who enjoys meeting ordinary people who display courage and ingenuity in making new lives for themselves. For any romantic who enjoys caring and true love, this is one you won't want to miss. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 04/02/09

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Title: A Woman to Blame
by Marthanne Shubert
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN: 978-1-60174-072-4
Genre: Mystery

  Widowed and aging Nick Rossano moves sexy Bunny Sterne into his apartment and his traveling companions and friends are aghast at his allowing this opportunistic female to take advantage of him. The couple's association is the main topic of conversation that PI Gin Ritchey overhears almost daily as she exercises or comes and goes from the Blue Jasmine where she lives in a marina.
  The quiet pace of life is destroyed when Nick is found dead in his apartment. Gossip among his friends points the finger at Bunny until the murderer strikes again. And Gin is hired to find a killer.
  Talented author Marthanne Shubert has crafted a fun read in A Woman to Blame with interesting characters and lots of false clues. Motives abound as suspicions run rampant and Gin and her police detective friend try to separate fact from fiction.
  The reader will enjoy the setting for this tale as something different and it gives you a feel for life on a small water craft as you climb over the rail of the Blue Jasmine. Be sure to wear shoes with a nonslip tread and keep lots of sunblock handy.
  I'm pleased to recommend A Woman to Blame as a read well worth time. The plot is balanced and characters are well drawn. A fun read. Enjoy. I did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 03/17/09

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Title: Voodoo Laws
Author: Jim Michael Hansen
Publisher: Dark Sky Publishing, Inc.
trade paperback 422 pages $13.95
ISBN: 9780976924371
Genre: Thriller

  Is voodoo real? Can it actually cause people to suffer or die from a curse laid on by a priestess like Ida Wrisp when she cursed Bryson Coventry. The question is why she was doing this. Was someone she knew harmed by him?
  Bryson Coventry, head of Denver's homicide unit, had a new murder to contend with--a dead attorney, found in an alley. And he finds voodoo creeping into his case and death seems to follow him from city to city as he seeks answers.
  Talented author Jim Michael Hansen has created another story to keep the chills crawling up your spine as you join Coventry in another case. And, yes, he's in lust again with an intriguing young woman who catches his eye from the first time they meet.
  This isn't a tale for the squeamish. Lots of action and lots of fun characters to meet. You'll remember Coventry as an old friend with a slight case of never quite meeting the right gal. Could this new lady be just right for him?
  And if you don't believe in voodoo, you might begin to wonder as you read. Mystery and chills aplenty as Bryson hunts and is hunted. A story to satisfy all thriller fans. Highly recommended to readers who like new and interesting plots and characters. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 3/17/09

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Title: Nocturne
Author: Angela Cameron
Publisher: Drollerie Press
Genre: Paranormal

  A stormy night, a woman alone, lightning in the background on a dark forest road--what more could the paranormal fan ask for an opening in a story? How about a woman's body with the throat torn out lying in the road? Add one ex boyfriend who turns up just as Alyson Wingate discovers the body.
  The ex boyfriend escorts Alyson home and insists on searching her house but won't tell her what he's looking for. He says the woman on the road wasn't killed by an animal.
  Great sex and blood filled dreams are blended to the story to give it the flavor of mystery and horror and romance. Nocturne by talented author Angela Cameron crosses the boundaries of several genres to produce a tale that will keep you reading while looking over your shoulder if you are alone in a house that makes any night noises.
  Alyson is in for a few surprises and so is the reader as the plot unwinds. She is surprised by what she finds on a visit to the morgue to see the corpse. Wil had warned her.
  This tale takes a scary turn for Alyson and her life is changed forever. It is a story that will keep you happily turning pages to see what happens next. Lots of suspense and interesting characters. A world that is fun to read about, but I wouldn't recommend a long visit that might become permanent.
  Recommended for any fan of the dark side of life, anyone who enjoys a walk on the twilight side of our world. Enjoy. I did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 03/17/09

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Title: Humpty Dumpty Was Pushed
By: Marc Blatte
Publisher: Schaffner Press
ISBN: 978-0-9801394-1-9
Genre: Mystery

  For any mystery fan who enjoys hip hop, the good life, or a darn good tale with interesting characters, this is for you. This is a story set at the crossroads of our cities with characters from the tenements who have broken away from poverty and those who want to break out but end up doing everything they can to remain as street thugs; the wealthy who enjoy rubbing elbows with the thuggy types but don't acknowledge their existence, and immigrants trying to find a place in this strange world. Standing in the midst of this chaotic mixture is the policeman who must deal with the results of clashes among these groups--murder, theft, stabbings, drugged out rich kids who have no thought for those they hurt.
  Talented author Marc Blatte has crafted a story in easy-to-read language that is well worth the time of any mystery or thriller fan. The settings and mix of characters found in any large city are a blend guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.
  Detective Black Sallie Blue Eyes and his team must simultaneously find the killer of an immigrant and the gang that stabbed a music producer. With a rich man throwing threats at him, his captain wanting the crimes solved yesterday, and his suspects being freed by a publicity seeking civil rights attorney, the detective is feeling the pressure.
  Street thug Scholar and his gang have decided they are going to be hip hop stars and his successful cousin will (or else) make their dream come true. When they are told they need to work on their presentation, they cut up the producer. That Scholar is suspected of murder doesn't help them.
  A rich kid has a confrontation with a bouncer and the bouncer ends up hurt with his cousin slain. His rich father hires a top attorney to free him on bail.
  I'm pleased to recommend this tale to anyone looking for a good read. There are twists in the plot and the personalities of the characters to make for an excellent tale. You won't want to put it down. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 03/17/09

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Title: Marta's Place
Author: Carl M. Albrecht
Publisher: Lyrical Press
ISBN:
Genre: Contemporary Fiction

  If you've ever been out of work and send on interviews for menial jobs, you will both sympathize with Hal and understand his letting life happen when it points to a way out of his present situation. He is sent to a small restaurant called Marta's Place and his luck seems to turn.
  Marta is a older woman making a small success of her restaurant located in a changing neighborhood with a limited customer base. Luckily, she is a good cook and willing to give unskilled help a chance. As time passes, Hal becomes more than a helper.
  But even as things are looking up for him, Hal takes chances that could ruin everything. Then he is accused of murdering a woman he knew. This is a blow that threatens his new security at a time when Marta is making big plans. His only hope is that he can keep her from finding out.
  Talented author Carl M. Albrecht has crafted an interesting study of life and how one can go from rags to riches with just a little luck and lots of hard work. Mr. Albrecht has a thorough understanding of human desires and what motivates a young man who has been drifting through life on the bottom of society. You'll want to know if he can attain a better position in life and keep it.
  I'm pleased to recommend Marta's Place as well worth the time. A well told tale with lots of emotions and interesting characters. You may recognize them as people you know or have met. I did. Enjoy. I did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 02/22/09

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Title: An Unconventional Murder
Author: Kenneth L. Levinson
Publisher: Uncial Press
ISBN: 978-1-60174-064-9
Genre: Mystery

  If you have ever attended a writers conference you will immediately identify with the characters in this fun read. Pity the people trapped in a hotel with a Colorado blizzard blowing snow in faster than it can be removed from the roads.
  It's annoying to everyone, especially Arthur Upton, President of the Colorado Fiction Writers Association, to find the blizzard has caused delays all around and prevented some speakers from attending. Moreover, he is highly irritated to learn an agent he detests is taking the place of one in a panel and for agents appointments with hopeful writers.
  Once the conference gets under way, rumor starts that a dummy has been set up as a body in one of the rooms for a mystery contest. Arthur knows no contest is planned and checks on the dummy. He is shocked to find a body instead and the body is dressed in clothes belonging to members of the group.
  Since no police can get to the scene, one of the speakers, a local policeman must take charge of the investigation and do his best. Arthur tries to help, but learns he is also one of the suspects as the investigation gets underway.
  This well told tale takes you into the inner workings of a conference and behind the scenes of a murder investigation with lots of clues, red herrings, and tension. This is one story that makes the reader feel like they're part of it. You'll be looking over your shoulder to see if the killer is sneaking up on you as you hurry down deserted hotel hallways to your room or try to locate the next session you want to attend. An exciting and suspenseful time is had by all.
  I'm pleased to recommend this to any mystery fan as well worth the time and a very satisfying read. The convention is like no other you'll ever attend yet is like those you have attended. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 01/23/09

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Title: The Walk Home
Author: Wanda C. Keesey
Publisher: Wings ePress
ISBN:
Genre: Romantic Suspense

  The peace of Sara Benning's world is destroyed when two slave chasers named Fred and Buck descend on her home and kill her family in their search for runaway slaves. They take a freedman, Charles, prisoner and after doing their worst, go their way as if they've done nothing wrong.
Charles' wife, Hattie, saves Sara's life, and together they come up with a plan to find and free him. Sara also plans revenge for all she's lost.

  Talented author Wanda C. Keesey has crafted a tale that will make you want to cry, smile, and shake with terror as you join Sara and Hattie on their quest. Richmond, Virginia, is the heart of slave country and one of the states that joined the new Confederacy when the south declared its independence. War is sure to follow.
  Ms Keesey shows us the horror of slavery and its demeaning effect on both slave and owner. Her characters are so alive you'll either hate or love them, and long remember them.
  While this tale does have romantic touches, I'd also add it contains a tinge of horror also when Sara meets Buck and Fred. Who wouldn't be terrified for their lives by those two?
  A well-crafted, well-drawn story set in the South on the verge of our Civil War, this tale has a quality of realism not often found in fiction. One can share the very real emotions felt by these people, smell the sweat and horses, hear the slaves' cries of pain and share in their surges of joy as freedom drawn near. The dangers of the Underground Railroad are very well shown as people balance helping against their own safety in dangerous times.
  I'm pleased to highly recommend this book as a must read to anyone who enjoys history and a tale that could have happened. This book is and adventure in time as well. Enjoy. I sure did.
Review by Anne K. Edwards 11/05/08

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