Friday, May 21, 2010

Crossing Genres: Dead Air By Mary Kennedy

Dr. Maggie Walsh leaves her psychotherapy practice in Manhattan for a gig as a talk radio host in Cypress Grove, Florida. As host of WYME’s “On the Couch with Maggie Walsh” she takes calls from local listeners who range from mildly eccentric to truly troubled, but who are for the most part benign. All goes well until she interviews New Age guru Sanjay Gingii. It turns out Guru Sanjay is not all sweetness and good karma, and in his rise to fame has made more than a few enemies. A few threats are made to the radio station on the day of his appearance, but they are not really taken seriously until Guru Sanjay is suddenly “transitioned” to the next plane that night. The cause of death is uncertain, and the only person anyone saw near his hotel room was Maggie’s roommate Lark. So Dr. Maggie puts her knowledge of human nature and generally nosy nature to work to try to clear her friend. In spite of the distractions created by her flamboyant mother Lola and the antagonism of the sexy detective in charge of the case, Maggie perseveres and smokes out a killer.
This is a fun, fast-paced book with well drawn characters and lots of atmosphere. Though at times a little over the top, the story zooms along and has enough basis in reality to provide more enjoyment than eye-rolling. The talk radio premise promised to provide any number of interesting plot lines,and I am looking forward to reading Reel Murder, the second book in the series.

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Bronte Sisters As You've Never Seen Them Before!!!

True confessions of an English major: I was never that wild about the Brontes. Read Wuthering Heights and thought Cathy should be slapped. Read Jane Eyre and thought the same about Jane. Then refused to read Agnes Grey on the theory I'd want to slap her too. No more Brontes for me. Frankly, the whole doomed lot of them just creeped me out. So when I saw the following video, I didn't know whether to be amused or alarmed. To be honest, I'm a little bit of both, but just looking at the Anne doll creeps me out all over again....

Thursday, May 13, 2010

On the Book Cart

The May order has arrived, with a little something in almost every subgenre.

Historical:
Gayle Callen In Pursuit of a Scandalous Lady
Candace Camp A Lady Never Tells
Suzanne Enoch A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior
Kat Martin Rule's Bride
Connie Mason Lord of Devil Isle
Mary Jo Putney Never Less Than a Lady
Paula Quinn Ravished by a Highlander
Christine Wells Sweetest Little Sin

Contemporary:
Rachel Gibson Nothing But Trouble
Susan Mallery Chasing Perfect
Deirdre Martin Straight Up
Robin Wells Still the One

Romantic Suspense:
Suzanne Brockman Dark of Night
Karen Harper The Hiding Place
Karen Rose I Can See You
Meryl Sawyer Play Dead
Debra Webb Anywhere She Runs

Paranormal:
Rhyannon Byrd Touch of Surrender
Leanna Renee Hieber The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker
Gail Carriger Changeless