Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore by Stella Duffy

Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore. Stella Duffy. Penguin Group (USA). September 2011. 352 pp. paperback. ISBN #: 9780143119876.

Theodora of Constantinople is smart and sassy as a very young woman. She is not so pretty but what she lacks in beauty she more than makes up for with her decent singing voice, comedic acting abilities, and the ability to improvise when the show is going awry or some facet produces an unexpected audience effect. She has a fierce ability to put up with much discipline in her art, forceful teaching that at times seems almost abusive.

Her talents are acknowledged after one particular evening's performance, but unfortunately a selfish act on her part forces her destiny elsewhere, to a monastic community where she undergoes physical and spiritual training that transforms her life in a realistic, moving direction. No, this isn't a sudden conversion but a series of meditative moments that enable her to know who she really is. She is now ready to take on a more serious mission, in the middle of the Chalcedonian schism where authorities war over Christ's divine and/or human nature. Her sharp, intuitive nature however becomes even stronger until she succeeds in getting the position of assistant to Justinian who will soon become Emperor of Constantinople.

To tell more would spoil the magic of this well-written, adventurous, poignant, comedic, sexy, dramatic, and intelligent novel that reads like an in-depth biography, one sure to appeal to many types of readers with diverse interests. The descriptions of the people, food, architecture, theater performances, and more are so vivid that it seems that the reader is there taking it all in. Stella Duffy is a talented writer who carries the reader to many points where one is laughing, crying, thinking and rapidly reading with such eagerness that one doesn't want the story to end.

Theodora...is a must read and sure to be a best seller! Just wonderful!!!

The Little Bride - A Novel by Anna Solomon

The Little Bride: A Novel. Anna Solomon. Penguin Group (USA). September 2011. 320 pp. paperback. ISBN #: 9781594485350.

Minna Losk has experienced much suffering by the time she's 16 years old. Her mother abandoned her father and her, and her father lives a tortured life between forgetting and memories that affect Minna until she lives her entire life surviving loss. Things are not much better after her father dies and she is shipped off to relatives and then a family who present as haunting, dysfunctional, and even mentally ill people. Her job is to be a serving girl. But lest one judge too quickly, these are Jewish people who live through the late 1800s pogroms in Odessa and other Russian towns. Waiting to be brutally attacked day after day after day could stretch any one's sanity to the limit!

Then Minna has the opportunity to become an American bride to an unknown man South Dakota. The journey overseas to her new home is fraught with watching people die from seasickness and starvation, with additional violent scenes to scar even the toughest character. It turns out she is about to marry into a home where the first wife has also abandoned the family, finding the wild West far too much for her grand ideas of living in America. Max's two sons, Sam and Jacob, believe Minna can never understand their past life. Their relationship is odd as they are closer in age to Minna and Max is twice her age and a religious Jew whose family believed he was going to become a famous Rabbi someday!

Minna typifies the harsh brutal life of a farmer's wife meant to help eke out a living on unyielding land, with no money to put into bettering a farm that is really not a farm. Suddenly a relationship develops between Minna and one of the sons, and secrets begin to be revealed.

While the plot seems fairly straight and even simplistic or stereotypical, there is nothing of that because of the way in which Anna Solomon takes the reader into Minna's mind, spinning stark and literate reflections with a tortured reality that defies one's idea of how much can be endurable. The Little Bride is a highly literate, uniquely lyrical account about the Jewish immigrant experience in a harsh American frontier that respects no gender, culture, or class. Remarkable novel!

Fallen by Traci L. Slatton

Fallen. Traci L. Slatton. Telemachus Press, LLC. July 2011. 240 pp. paperback. ISBN #: 9781935670896.

The world is coming to an end from the mists, phenomena that eat through metals and flesh, leaving behind a sand-like, formless substance. One woman, however, has survived and with her daughter now travels with seven children. They arrive at a camp led by a mysterious, tough guy named Arthur who has created a safe camp and community where the mists cannot attack, but that does not mean they are safe by any means!

For Arthur possesses the ability to sense when the mists are approaching and is able to raise his arms and make the mists disperse permanently. So why is he is so hard and what secrets does he possess about the mists that he will share with no one. Emma makes a very quick agreement with Arthur in order to ensure the safety of her young charges, but she's clear that means no commitment. Arthur wants that contract to mean she will obey him no matter what, and therein the sparks begin to fly.

Emma lives to love her kids, several of whom have very specific and unusual psychic powers, a reality that seems to be tied to the presence of the devastating mists but one that saves their lives more than once. Arthur and the community members have other known and unknown enemies who can be just as lethal as the power bent on eradicating humanity and even the earth. Another female community has several members with their own gifts and they know something about Arthur that they keep telling her to ask him about; this part of the novel occurs with some annoying frequency but does add to the mystery of it all.

The remainder of the novel concerns the ultimate confrontation between rogue riders, Arthur's former friend and now enemy, Alexei, and some conflicts based on so-called Tesla technology. Science can be a very dangerous subject! Ultimately, a surprising conclusion leaves the reader breathless and yet anticipating a return to the core personal and communal conflicts and chaos in another follow-up novel.

The reader is forced to consider previously stable definitions of time, obedience, psychic powers, science, and most importantly, love. Powers exist, perhaps, that enhance long-ignored mental skills but is the power of memory too strong to allow for new ways of relating and the freedom to explore same without guilt and ignoring the instinctive inclinations of the heart?

Many, many questions arise as one reads this story that defies what can be falsely read as a simplistic story/plot. Traci L. Slatton is a writer to watch closely, including in whatever sequels follow this unique, well-written sci-fi novel!

Promissory Payback by Laurel Dewey

Promissory Payback. Laurel Dewey. The Story Plant. August 2011. 80 pp. paperback. ISBN #: 9781611880076.

Detective Jane Perry is a no-nonsense, gritty investigator who believes a loaded gun is what keeps you both flexible and safe. However, the victim she is about to witness will make her come close to losing her latest meal. Carolyn Handel is a 62 year-old woman found with the word "karma is a b--ch" across her back and her mouth stuffed with a strip of paper in her mouth with the words "Promissory Note" on it, along with a chair clearly placed to be facing the unfortunate but obviously fearful victim. Not pretty at all!

It seems that Carolyn was in the habit of losing people's money, in the recent past several well-meaning friends who had no idea they were being taken in by a scam. But who could it be among the people Detective Perry begins and continues to interrogate as potential perpetrators of this horrific murder? Usually one can predict "who done it" within a relatively short period of time, but this is not the case at all.

Laurel Dewey has spun a short but potent mystery thriller that gradually reveals startling and unsuspected clues evolving into quite a surprising solution that will amaze readers. The perfect crime rarely exists. Here, however, it comes close only because of the links missed behind the planned end of Ms. Handel but quickly ascertained by the sharp, quick-thinking detective.

Very nicely and cleverly done, Ms. Dewey!!!

Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven

Velva Jean Learns to Fly. Jennifer Niven. Penguin Group (USA). August 2011. 432 pp. paperback. ISBN #: 9780452297401.

Velva Jean Hart is tired of small town living, including a husband who is part preacher and part moonshiner. She'd been told she had a wonderful voice and a record producer actually made a record of one of her "Yellow Truck..." songs, telling her to look him up if she ever got to Nashville, Tennessee from rural Appalachia in Alluvia, North Carolina. So she sang every song she knew as she left her home all the way to the point in Tennessee where she got a flat tire. But Velva Jean is a spunky gal and managed to conquer this problem, find a place to live, and make a friend who would help until Velva Jean finally found a job. Even after those difficult challenges, in which she bore rejection after rejection, she still managed to find a place where people could enjoy her voice and zesty personality! But a record contract did not loom, especially after she was told she needed years of music experience before she'd be ready for recording. She didn't care - she just kept writing song after song after song!

Life, however, changed dramatically with the breakout of WWII, and Velva Jean's brother, Johny Clay, introduces her to a flying lesson that changes her passion forever. She goes on to become a female pilot and joins a select group of women flyers carrying out secret but no less dangerous missions within America. Here the story mixes her increasing love of flying, desire to do more for the war effort, and the horror she experiences as tragedy after tragedy happen to those she loves and others she doesn't know. Some die by attack but some are killed because of human mistakes; the latter are just as devastating and Velva Jean is responsible for bringing it to the attention of those who should be doing something about it.

There is much more day-by-day description of what an amazing woman Velva Jean and other women flyers like her become. It's a quick, shocking way to grow up but this plot is filled with humor and persistent dedication, the essence of Velva Jean's personality.

This novel has some very slow parts but does evolve into a funny, interesting and wonderful historical fiction piece that elevates the place of women in a time when they were expected to stay home and sew for the war effort. It includes as well the respect these women flyers known as the WAFS or Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron. Jennifer has depicted a slice of life in the war that few Americans know about, and Velva Jean Hart is an unforgettable, spunky gal who stands for the best women contributing to the war effort at that time! Nicely done, Ms. Niven!

The Eden Prescription by Ethan Evers

The Eden Prescription. Ethan Evers. Createspace Publisher. October 2010. pb. 326 pages, ISBN #:9781439276556.

An unanswered question looms large in the minds and hearts of both cancer patients and those without but fearing this killer disease. Dr. Elliot Lindell is a scientist operating outside of the normal medical community. He's spent years coming up with a cocktail of unusual ingredients that include an acceptable cancer drug combined with Vitamin D, ginger, gingko, pomegranate, and other hard-to-access natural products. He's also a computer whiz who has invented a computer model that simulates the growth, division, and destruction of cancer cells upon reception of this new and successful cancer cocktail. Annika Guthrie is his brilliant assistant, a woman highly and idealistically motivated by the possibilities inherent behind a cure for this devastating disease.

This thriller story has drug companies vying for possession of the most effective drug and the formula for the most potent combination to do the job of destroying cancer cells. The money is their motive for obtaining what will finally constitutes a wonder drug for cancer patients. The plot thickens when bits of information leak to the right and wrong parties, and an international hunt ensues that includes attempts at theft and murder, actual murders, and faked murders. It turns out The Eden Project is an international finance group with powers and funding to accomplish anything from wars to blatant collapses of key financial countries, always geared to their own recovery and the surpassing of their own wealth and power wherever they operate.

The reader will be riveted to this tale in which victory begins to seem impossible and a confusing war of individuals and groups clash with increasing intensity to the point where the reader is unsure who is friend and who is foe. However, knowing that the bad guys lose doesn't stop one from furiously reading ahead to the striking end. Somehow in the midst of all the chaos or mayhem, one gently learns a lot about not only drugs and plants but also how cancer cells supposedly operate under varying conditions, what works at destroying parts of the cells, and what might be a more powerful, less destructive cure for those suffering from the actual disease.

Speculation is rife on what could possibly happen to the medical community if a cure for cancer were ever found, of the making and unmaking of fortunes, of those who use science in a faithful, humanitarian, professional way and those who do the severe opposite. The Eden Prescription is a sometimes too repetitive but constantly thrilling read about what perhaps lies ahead in the future for anyone and everyone involved with finding a prescription cure for all, with implications larger than longer life for all.

Avery Flynn Q&A - Interview - Part Two

THE NOT-SO-SECRET LIFE OF AVERY FLYNN…

(apparently all we had to do was ask…)

ABOUT AVERY FLYNN…The name Avery Flynn is a pseudonym for the author who, at least for now, prefers to remain behind the scenes. She believes having Avery for her alter ego is a very good thing because, as she says, “Pen Name Avery is way cooler than me. Her favorite color is hot pink. She drinks single malt scotch on the rocks. She loves the Argentinean tango and stays at Iceland’s Ice Hotel.” She recently celebrated the publication of her first novel, UP A DRY CREEK, the first novel in her Dry Creek series. Having conceived the Dry Creek books as a digital first series, Flynn plans a minimum of three more novels, including A Dry Creek Bed, which she has just completed.

Welcome, Avery!

We already know that you spent part of your childhood in a small town in western Nebraska since you’ve shared that it inspired Dry Creek, Nebraska, the setting for you first novel, Up a Dry Creek. What are some of the other places you’ve lived? How long?

Itchy feet are what we call the urge to move in our family. Growing up we moved nearly every year and not always far away. Example: We lived in five houses on the same street. Crazy, I know, but here’s the big moving breakdown: Born in Washington, moved to Kansas, moved to California, moved to Nebraska, moved to Missouri, moved to Texas, moved to Georgia, moved to Florida and, finally, moved to Virginia. We live in the Washington D.C. Metro area and I love it.

To this day, I get itchy feet after about a year in one spot. Instead of moving houses, now my husband comes home from work every few months to find the living room, kitchen or bedroom furniture rearranged.

What sort of jobs have you held?

Fast food, waitress, cashier, certified nurse’s aide, reporter, magazine editor, communications director, small business owner and writer. Unless it involves major physical coordination (of which I’m sorely lacking) I’ll give it a go.

Any touching or amusing anecdotes from time spent holding various jobs?

I’ve had a ton of jobs in my life. One of the most amusing was working as a cashier in the Walmart in my small hometown. You never realize the beautiful strangeness of people until you see all of the crazy things they buy at Walmart. In college, I worked with mentally handicapped adults. I have an aunt who is mentally challenged and as a child, I was scared of her and avoided her wet kisses like the plague. Taking on that job was a way for me to confront how uncomfortable I felt around those with intellectual disabilities. The residents taught me far more than I was ever able to share with them. After college, I worked as a police reporter for a decade. I’ve interviewed death row inmates, stood outside during hostage standoffs and held hands with a woman who’d just lost her son to a murderer’s bullet. The bravery and strength of those I met have stayed with me. I still feel honored that they were willing to let me help them share their stories with the world.

Motherhood—you have a job plus your writing and you’re raising a family. How do you do it all?

Some days quite badly, but luckily those days are few and far between. I have three rambunctious kids (eight, five and two), two arthritic dogs and an amazing husband. I couldn’t do it without their support. My husband was deployed for a year to Iraq. During that time we bought a house and moved. (I believe I mentioned crazy runs in the family.) My friends thought I’d finally taken on too much, but I’m a firm believer that you do what needs to be done. Don’t whine (well, only to good friends). Don’t hedge. Just do what needs to be done. I look around and see women doing it all the time. Time’s short, money’s tight and patience is thin, but we women always manage to get the job done.

The family you grew up with—brothers, sisters?

I have one older sister, who is an amazing artist, mean rummy player and has a brilliant sense of humor.

Will you tell us a bit about your family background?

I come from a long line of stubborn women toughened by the prairie winds and the constant demands of rural life. Where some may have seen hardship, the women of my family pushed to make their own ways. One grandmother traveled from Kansas to Washington DC during World War II to aide in the war effort. There she fell in love and married a dashing pilot who never came home from the war. Pregnant, the new widow moved home to raise her son. But she never gave up on life. She went on to fall in love again, become the county treasurer and didn’t stop mowing her own lawn until she was nearly ninety. It’s this kind of flinty reserve that defines my family.

Who are some of the authors you most enjoy reading?

All of them. :) No really. I read everything from romance to mystery to science fiction to children’s to non-fiction to cook books (hey, I’m trying). If you got a peek at my book buying records you’d think I was buying for thirty very different people.

Who are some of the authors whose work has influenced your writing style?

I once spoke to an amazing, intelligent man who could easily say he knew everything about everything and had nothing left to learn. Instead, he said he took knowledge from every experience, every encounter and every class he took. I feel the same way when I read. When I think I can’t learn something from nearly every person I read, then it’s time to hang up the keyboard.

What living writer you would most like to meet?

Harper Lee. The woman is a mystery and doesn’t give interviews. How fascinating to be such an amazing writer and to walk away from it knowing you’ve written the book you were meant to write.

What writer from the past you would most like to meet?

Margret Mitchell. I love Scarlett O’Hara—the ultimate anti-heroine who did what needed to be done.

What are you favorite types of books? Historicals? Contemporaries? Biography?

I need passion, humor and adventure in my books, whether that comes dressed in Regency clothing or in alien skin doesn’t matter.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Oh, can I cheat and say everyone? No? Well, if you look at my bookshelves you'll find lots of Charlene Harris, Lori Foster, Laurell K. Hamilton, Lora Leigh, Tana French and a ton of others. Did I mention I'm doing my best to single-handedly keep Borders in business?

What compels you to write?

A perverse work ethic and being a glutton for punishment? Just kidding. My dad gave me a baby blue Brother typewriter before I could even read. I wrote gibberish stories about my stuffed animals and haven't stopped since. However, I will say my spelling has gotten much better.

When did you first start reading romance?

Way before I probably should have. I remember getting busted in sixth grade with a copy of The Thorn Birds.

What are your favorite sports and teams?

Do you here that sound? It's my husband laughing. I come to my sports affiliations through marriage and am contractually obligated to root for the New Jersey Devils, New York Giants and the Evil Empire AKA the Yankees.

Who are some of the people you most admire?

Those who aren't afraid to try something new be it food, a job, an adventure or a place.

Who are some of the people who have most influenced you?

My mom was and is a huge influence. Also my husband who, despite a tendency to say the most boneheaded things, is my number one supporter.

Which living person would you most like to meet?

Hillary Rodham Clinton. Love her or hate her, you can't deny she is fascinating.

Which person no longer alive would you most like to meet?

My dad died when I was in first grade. I've always wanted to have a grown up conversation with him.

What are some of your favorite charities and causes?

Girl Scouts, my local food pantry, the USO, the Human Rights Campaign

What are some of the national organizations to which you belong?

I belong to RWA, the Washington Romance Writers and RWA's romantic suspense/mystery chapter, Kiss of Death.

Can you give us a look at what is on your professional schedule moving forward?

I’ve just finish the second installment of the Dry Creek series with two more to follow. Also, I have another heroine whispering in my ear for a new series.

Please recommend a few books to put on summer reading lists?

Besides Up a Dry Creek? (Sorry. Just can’t help myself.) There is a ton of great stuff out there. I just finished Lori Foster's latest, When You Dare (totally awesome) and Janet Evanovich has a new book this month that I can’t wait to get my hands on. For a little something different, I'd recommend Anthony Bourdain's Medium Raw and my all time favorite true crime novel, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Also give your new e-reader a workout and try someone new from an independent e-publisher like Evernight Publishing.

Up a Dry Creek is available at these online retailers…

1PlaceforRomance

http://1placeforromance.com/

Amazon Kindle

http://www.amazon.com

AllRomanceEbooks

http://www.allromanceebooks.com

Barnes & Noble

http://www.bn.com

BookStrand

http://www.bookstrand.com/

Diesel Books

http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/

Digibook Café

http://www.digibookscafe.com/

iBookstore (Apple)

http://www.apple.com/ipad/built-in-apps/ibooks.html

Kobo

http://www.kobobooks.com

ReaderStore (Sony)

http://ebookstore.sony.com/

… and, of course, at

Evernight Publishing

http://www.evernightpublishing.com/