Zebras Books

The sequel continues the saga from Neri's earlier book "Sea Jewel" telling the story of the firstborn son of Alaric and Freya. Sailing on Viking ship on his way home to Kent from Denmark, Beorn, jarl of Danehof encounters heavy seas and he and his men are washed ashore where, trying to adhere to a blood oath to his father sworn never to shed Saxon blood, he attempts to wave a white flag and effect a simple surrender. Unfortunately, Beorn's attempts at surrender were refused as Saxons, exhibited no honor and brutally attacked the Vikings as they dragged themselves to shore. Upon seeing their jarl struck down the ensuing battle enflamed the Vikings and spurred them to fight like demons.

Rhiannon, abandoned as a mere babe, was a mysterious Cornish beauty raised by a woman she called `auntie' who trained her in the healing arts. On that fateful night, the mortally wounded Beorn would drag himself to her lodge where she would heal him -against her better judgment, as he was a hated vile sea-dog, Viking. Later discovering that her beloved Lord Cullen was being held a prisoner, by the Vikings, she thought to effect a hostage exchange - but that did not work out and she ended up prisoner herself, and as most romances go, she does end up falling in love with her jailer, and he with his captive, after an assorted series of adventures and mid-adventures.

At over 600 pages this was a hefty novel yet the story was enticingly sweet, enchanting and riveting. Set in the year 908 it tells of two stubborn individuals - Beorn half Viking - half Saxon, and Rhiannon whose ancestry was a mystery. Rhiannon had pledged herself to the Moon Goddess but could not control her feelings once Beorn had kindled her womanly responses with his lovemaking. Setting out on an adventure of discovery she had to discover her past before she could go forward with a future, and in the telling find out if her healing powers were lost once she admitted to and embraced her love. If you can find a copy of this out of print novel - you will find a most enjoyable read that will make you laugh and make you cry.

In a tone as bleak, and yet majestically beautiful as the Badlands themselves, author Kathryn Lynn Davis presents a tale of madness, jealousy, passion and murder when the past meets the present. Betrayal and treachery haunts the grossly lands and towering cliffs, burning like the purposefully set fire set to destroy the Vallombrosa cattle range. As this timeless epic saga culminates in the changing century, the whisper of secrets becomes a raging inferno that threatens to destroy them all.

Phillip de Vallombrosa follows his father's dream to succeed over the forces of the untamed land. Following his father's death in the deserts of Africa, Phillip and his family, including his stepmother Medora, leave Paris behind to return to the enterprise his father abandoned fourteen years ago. There the Vallombrosas resurrect a business venture intended to ship freshly butchered and packaged meat to the meatpacking plants of Chicago. Unfortunately, dangerous and ruthless enemies intend to see the Vallombrosa business fail again. A neighboring rancher and his family will stop at nothing to destroy the Vallombosa, blaming old wounds and desperate secrets for the pain of the present. Retribution becomes their motive for destruction, and they will stop at nothing to have their revenge.

At twenty-six, Mianne fits in neither the Sioux world of her mother, nor the white world of her father. She and her father were left at the Chateau in the Badlands to care for the property until the Vallombrosas' return. Now Phillip finds not the elusive, ethereal girl he left behind, but the wildly passionate, and extremely private woman who refuses to allow anyone to touch her heart. Yet her love for Phillip leads to their marriage, even as she refuses to reveal the secrets of her heart. Indeed, her passion for Phillip proves to be as untamed and dangerous as the feelings still felt by her rival Katheryn, who vows to have Phillip for herself, or to destroy him so that no one might have him.

Originally penned in 1984, THE ENDLESS SKY is certainly worthy of reprint, especially for those of us who haven't previously discovered this author's work. Kathryn Lynn Davis pens an extremely complex tale with many subplots that tie back into a dark tale of revenge and betrayal. Her characters are realistically multifaceted, with deep felt hatreds, joys, jealousies and dreams. With a master's precision, she weaves these multihued elements into an intricate whole that dazzles the reader. Further, the breath taking magnificence of the Badlands provides an evocative background rich with legend and meaning. Despite the complexity of characterizations, however, the narrative flows with a richness and simplicity that marks this novel as an outstanding read. Very highly recommended.

I am a real Mary Roberts Rinehart fan. I'm 54 years old and when I was a kid -- around 10 or 11 -- I first discovered her. I've always enjoyed a good mystery and likeable characters and this author has never disappointed me. Ironically, MRR's mysteries (all of them) are almost historical in concept. Back before the depression, there were people who actually lived like this. Reading one of these stories is like reading a little bit of history. In this particular book there is a widowed mother (wealthy), a daughter, a brother, a daughter/sister-in-law, various servants and side characters. The book is told from the point of view of the daughter and starts off with a big party thrown by the mother for her society friends (including the mayor). The daughter-in-law is found murdered after the party and the husband/brother is immediately suspected. The mother finds the murder weapon, hides it, and gives it to the daughter who really believes her brother innocent and wants to protect him. The story is engaging, entertaining. I's been a while since I read this and for a minute I couldn't remember who-dunnit!! Not that it matters, because with MRR it's not (in my opinion) who was it who committed the crime, but the journey involved in getting there. And periodically I'll go back and re-read these books just for the fun of reliving them all over again.

This is actually a re-telling from another perspective of H. Rider Haggard's classic Norse saga "Eric Brighteyes". See that title for an excellent and detailed review by the worthy Mirsky. I will proceed on the assumption, dear reader, that you have read that review first. This book might well be sub-titled "Swanhild's Tale", as it tells her side of the story. Now, Swanhild is NOT a noble character in Haggard's story, but that is from Eric's perspective, and mostly because many of Swanhild's attempts to win him backfired so badly. In this story, written in a style very like the style Haggard used, Swanhild is a FAR more likeable person, and actions of hers that seemed cold & cruel are explained in a far different way. I fancy myself something of a hard man in many ways, but I was moved to tears more than once by this book. Yes, this is a re-telling of the same story, but new light is thrown on certain events, and new events and happenings are revealed. There are NO inconsistencies or conflicts between the two books, but motives are seen very differently. A worthwhile purchase (IF you can find a copy) for any fan of H Rider Haggard.

Once I started this story I couldn't put it down. I was intrigued with Logan Donovan, gentleman and rogue all wrapped into one and I emphathized with Brandy, the heroine who has been hurt in the past but is now determined to turn her life around. This is a western version of "Some Like It Hot", only better. This story has everything, including a beautiful Colorado locale. The descriptions of the scenery are accurate (I should know I live in Boulder and have visited Georgetown). I would definitely recommend it.

This short book explains basic economic concepts (e.g., GDP, inflation, and exchange rates) and uses them to analyze current issues facing the South African economy. The writing is clear, the analysis is balanced, and the issues are put in historical context. The book would be perfect background reading for general readers wanting to make sense of economics articles in Business Day or The Financial Mail.

This book takes place about 10 years after LOVING LILY. Lily's younger brother Peter wants to purchase a neighboring farm from an Earl who left America with his family shortly before the war. The Earl agrees to sell the land to Peter, but dies before the sale is completed.

Rose, the Earl's daughter, is being forced by her mother to marry an old man to pay off the family's debts. Instead, Rose sneaks off to America thinking if she can run the farm and earn a profit she can support her family and won't have to marry.

Rose is determined to work the land that Peter believes should be his. Peter helps Rose with her planting because he believes the land will be his when Rose grows tired of the work and goes back to England. Even as Rose and Peter fall in love Peter has trouble trusting her because of what another English woman did to him during the war.

When Peter realizes he does trust Rose, she's gone. Peter, who's been trying to get Rose to leave, now has to decide whether to go after her.

This was really a wonderful book. Rose is strong and admirable. She went after what she wanted - to live in America and work the land. Peter starts the book untrusting and bitter, but he comes through for Rose when it's needed.

A CONFOUNDING FEMALE...Miss Georgianna Beverly is quite content with her life just as it is. Happily unshackled, she is free to pursue her secret talent as an author of popular poetry. Certainly she is not opposed to love, in fact, she is quite skilled in the art of matchmaking for her sisters and cousins.But what man would ever want to wed such a contrary miss as herself--a dedicated bluestocking who would rather debate politics than dance; who prefers the company of books over simpering husband-hungry females?
A CONFIRMED BACHELOR...Lord Everhart had nothing in mind but a scheme of mutual convenience when he first set eyes on the sprite of a girl whose quick intelligence belied her youthful appearance. Though Georgi is not concerned with the ways of the ton, she happily agrees to help him foil the scheming ape leaders determined to see him wed. While their sham courtship raises eybrows, no one is more stunned than his lordship when he realizes that somewhere in this charade, he has completely lost his heart. Now, he must persuade Georgi to do the same...

Exhausted and rain drenched, Jessamine arrived at a respectable looking inn-only to be mistaken for a jade that night by a very drunken gentleman. Jessamine may have been a poor relation of the Keighleys, but she was every inch a lady. And that the arrogant Mr. Hamilton should fail even to recognize her in the morning-let alone offer to marry her-was completely beyond all mercy! Carefully she plotted her revenge. Disguised as her wealthy cousin, she would take London's society by storm just long enough to trap its most eligible and elusive bachelor, the forgetful Hugh Hamilton, into a marriage he would never forget. It was a daring plan, but Jessamine was nothing if not resourceful. She had foreseen all possibilities and was prepared for anything. Anything, as it turned out, except her own wayward heart...

Paula Roland does a great job of entertaining the reader from start to finish. The characters and plot are superb.

The cover blurb from the publisher proclaims that FATAL OUTCOME will provide "medical terror in the tradition of Robin Cook". This book does do that--and so much more! This is a haunting story of good and evil, loss and redemption, hope and faith. Once again, Ms. Wallace creates a hospital setting that is so believable that you might assume that she is herself a doctor. She's not. She's a wonderful writer who does her homework and is able to blend in all the technical details without letting them overwhelm her story.

The scenes with Naoka are particularly heart-wrenching.

FATAL OUTCOME is a book to read and reread. Be sure to read Ms. Wallace's other excellent novels, which include those in the Sydney Bryant mystery series.