Nova Books

This is an allegorical story, it's just a question of how far the allegories extend. Many stories of the 60's had space empires/federations/civilizations as extensions of the modern day world where a faster-than-light/space manifolding ship replaces the ocean-traveling-ship/airline of today and the political/economic alignments of star systems represent alignments of countries on earth. In Nova the confederation of stars and planets are broken down into three groups, Draco in the center, of which earth is part of, the outer colonies, and the Pleiades. It's not clear if Delany meant for these to represent the West, the Warsaw Pact and allies (as of 1968 when the story was written), and the third world, or to represent the upper class, middle & lower classes, and nouveau riche, or status quo, progressive, and the masses, or all, or some, combination of the above. As Draco the Dragon is a constellation in the northern hemisphere, one of six constellations Delany could have picked earth to be part of, there's the sense that he meant something negative as Draco was also the name of an autocratic Athenian law-maker (thus leading to the term draconian). The outer colonies are mostly hard working, hard living miners. And the Pleiades is a globular cluster comprised of hot, young stars that are out of the galactic plane of the Milky Way.

The story pits our protagonist from the young, hot stars of the Pleiades, against the antagonist from Draco, with a third character somewhere in the middle until she selects her side at the end. The main energy source in the story is Illyrion and the societies use, acquisition, and distribution of can easily be referred to the same for oil today. Our protagonist believes he has developed a way to acquire this energy source in large quantities, albeit in a risky way. With oil prices having soared this year, this is still as relevant a subject now as it was when the story was written 40 years ago. The ramifications of having such huge quantities of the energy source would lead to large changes in the societal structure in Nova, just as having a huge and inexpensive quantity of oil or another energy source would have today. There are those in the story that would want to limit such a large quantity of inexpensive energy hitting the market and those that would want the benefits of it (this leads to slight difference today in which certain groups would want to obtain large quantities of oil but *not* a different energy source and visa versa). Thus the conflict of the story is set up. The allegories however, could extend further. There's a part in the story where they talk of an assassination of a political figure and how, through the sensory transfer of information of the time, everyone felt the emotion of those surrounding the assassination victim. With the book being written in 1968, just five years after the John F. Kennedy assassination, it's hard to believe that Delany was not referring to that. Also the wife of the assassination person was written as being the most well known person in the galaxy which can easily be a reference to Jacklyn Kennedy. Where the story becomes interesting is that our protagonist, Lorq Van Ray, is supposed to be the nephew of this character, so is he supposed to be a Kennedy, perhaps the young boy who saluted at JFK's funeral. With the Kennedy mystic, one then understands that the protagonist is supposed to be the hero not just in the story, but of today (or of the time the story was written). (I guess the characters are different to enough to still allow the usual notice on the copyright page that 'any reference to those living or dead is purely coincidental'). Another point is that the antagonist fires the first salvo at Van Ray, by calling him, and his family barbarians and pirates, which seemed a little bizarre the way it was laid out in the story but makes sense in the context of the Kennedy fortune having been acquired from rum-running, and the story flows with this historical context in mind with how much the antagonist, which is in the upper crust of society, despises Van Ray. What I liked about Nova is that it actually did refer to a nova, so one need not be aware of all the layers of allegory to appreciate the story. For those that may not know, a nova is the death throes of sun-class star where the ongoing nuclear fusion of the star cannot support it's weight thus it implodes (forming the heavy element that represents the energy source) and sheds it's mass as a nova explosion.

I thought the character buildup to be OK. The story is told from the viewpoint of several other characters, but I just couldn't get into them and I thought they were just OK. There is a poetic element to Delany's writing which, as another reviewer noted, may have seemed brilliant in 1968, but this is 2008, and it comes across as a bit overdone. In terms of space civilizations layouts, it was again just OK. I did think the ending was a bit cruel to certain characters and it seemed that Delany was vanquishing certain haunts of his own. I'm not sure if they were to be someone that slanted Delany in a social situation or represented a class of society he despised, but this group in the novel lost and the victory attained for the others was considerable, but the losers had to lose pathetically, disgustingly, and a bit viciously. For all these reasons I gave it 3-1/2 stars rounded down to 3. Four stars or higher are books you should definitely go out and read, but this did not fit in that class. There are better and more interesting books out there. But three stars are enough that if find the subject matter interesting or like the author's writings, then the novel is worth reading. There are those that will rush to click the unhelpful button since this is their favorite book of all time or whatever, but I always thought this was to be forum for opinions of all sides to be fairly represented to allow those that have not read the book different perspectives to decide if they should take the considerable amount of time to read a book, what with job pressures, family pressures and so on.

This work is a gem, with deep rhythms and complex considerations of what means to live in any kind of society that has a past. Sit down and really enjoy this one!

I have a feeling this is going to be my summer of Delany. I read Nova on the heels of his short story collection Aye, and Gomorrah and the virtues that I found in that collection are also to be found in this novel in spades. Delany writes with an attention to detail, prose and character that is astounding, and in doing so he creates a scifi world that is truly natural and lacks the self-consciousness of much of the genre.

Nova is to be compared with the great works of literature, both in theme and achievement. The story centers around a reckless quest by starship captain Lorq Von Ray, a figure reminiscent of Melville's Ahab in his oversized dimensions and emotional complexity. Von Ray hires a crew of "cyberstuds", men who interface with machines to navigate the vast distances between the worlds of their interspace confederation. The mission is to enter a sun as it novas, during the first few hours, to gather an element that is used as the basis of space travel. The element is mined on planets, but rarely found. However, in the core of a sun during a nova, the element is found in great abundance. As the quest continues though, Von Ray's darker obsessions become evident and the tale plumbs deeper themes of revenge, political freedom and the search for the Holy Grail.

From the outset of the novel, Delany captures you with the originality of his prose style and the deeper resonance of his characters. Most of the tale is told through the eyes of a gypsy musician, the Mouse and his friend Katin, who is collecting notes for a novel he is destined not to write. These characters are fully drawn, but set up parallels to Melville's Ishmael and Quee Queg. Von Ray is introduced carefully, first by reputation, as an old mad former crewman in a bar describes him. The ties to Coleridge are unmistakable. Then, when Von Ray makes his appearance, he is already clothed in the stuff of myth that makes him such an unforgettable character. His nemeses in the book, Prince and Ruby Red, are every bit as oversized and yet as believable as Von Ray. Prince is rage personified, while Ruby is both sympathetic and devious.

This is a work that will haunt the mind for days afterwards. And yet, it is also a first rate scifi yarn as well. Delany's attention to technology, and consistency within the world he creates is remarkable. Delany writes as if we too inhabit this world, artfully showing us the parallels to our own and pointing out the differences with elegance and wit. Anyone who enjoys scifi should make the acquaintance of this author. But even if you don't like the genre, Delany is a writer than should be read. His craft is impeccable and the themes underlying the book are universal, as all great literature should be.

Flashy, inventive, involving, fast-paced ... but it's over 2 soon, & everything happens SO FAST -- I wish it were longer, say as long as Delany's DHALGREN. I'd like some time 2 think over what happens here, or at least pause 2 catch my breath. Years after reading & re-reading all 3 of them, I still think EMPIRE STAR and EINSTEIN INTERSECTION R better....

Captain Von Ray is on some kind of holy quest for some kind of holy grail inside the heart of a nova. He puts together a rag-tag team and they overcome their individual weaknesses to help him. This is essentially a space opera. There really isn't any real "science speculation" here, just characters and action. This book is Delany's definitive space opera and is a real hoot. He leaves off the long descriptive passages and deep character analysis. There's plenty of action and even a shoot 'em up at a high falutin' dinner. A lot of people point to his award winning EINSTEIN INTERSECTION as his great early work, but NOVA is hard to put down and a definite joy to read.

I was very satisfied with the service and quickness of receiving the book. The book was in the condition that was described so there was no surprises.

Deutermann's "Hunting Season" grabs hold of you with the very first sentence and doesn't let go until the end. A skillfully crafted story (albeit heavy on the federal government agency lingo at times) with so many twists and turns, it's hard to put down. Would love to see it made into a movie - it has all the makings for a big screen thriller.

This is a spectacular book. From the opening scene until the conclusion, this book held my attention like few others have.

Deutermann does a great job of creating characters that the reader feels for. I really cared about the characters. I wanted Kreiss to find his daughter and thwart the bad guy, I wanted Janet Carter to succeed. And, although I could see it coming a mile away, I was not disappointed that Kreiss and Carter linked romantically.

There are some great plot twists and numerous conflicts happening simultaneously that made me keep reading page after page.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes suspense thrillers.

This time out Deutermann has crafted absorbing story of a father's search for his missing daughter.

Three college students are hiking around an abandoned military complex when presto - they disappear. The FBI soon chalks it up to a youthful runaway.

However, one father knows better, and he's not your typical parent-next-door. Edwin Kriess is a former member of a special CIA group that was trained to find and capture. He's determined to trace his daughter's abductors, and sets about doing so.

The FBI doesn't look kindly upon his investigations - he may have too much information, and what will he discover? Thus, the tracker becomes the tracked when the FBI dispatches someone to ferret out the truth from Kniess.

It's a trigger sharp, twisting yarn, skillfully woven.

This was the first of P.T.'s books that I read that I found in a bag of second-hand books. I was immediately drawn to the story because I lived near Roanoke and Blacksburg, VA many years ago, when the "Ramsey Arsenal" was still open. From "Hunting Season" I learned about "sweepers" and other specially trained agents and the technology that is available to them as well as the difficult politics of "staying alive" as a Fed (or ex-Fed).
Most of the book takes place in and around the old arsenal and is well described. The underground syphon chamber that was used to flush away bad batches of toxic chemicals was interesting but the various scenarios surrounding it were a bit much as was the constant vehicle switching. But the story is great, and I am reading it for the second time, after 9/11. This book has it all-FBI, CIA, ATF, mountain men, and all the "toys" Kreiss uses that makes a gun unecessary.

This book is for you if you enjoy reading about: sexual abuse, drug abuse (there is pot smoking every 2-3 pages), out of wedlock sex, pregnancy and abortion, and dozens of other bad choices along the way. When I read the author's review at the end where she noted that the book had gone through 7 (I think) revisions, I thought to myself, it needed another 7 more. This book left me sick to my stomach, and I can't believe I read the whole thing.

I haven't seen this novel on bookshelves, but it is extremely well done and deserves some readership. It touches lightly on the mother/daughter genre/cliche, but explores the relationship in such harrowing, disturbing and emotional ways that it doesn't seem like something that has been done before. Expect to want to read this in a day - don't expect to feel "uplifted" as Douglas Glover writes in a review on the back of the hardcover edition . . . I found myself rather depressed, but it made me think - about my own previous relationships, about the difficulty in grasping who people are, and who you are, when you are caught up in the first waves of love.

Yes, this novel depressed me and was not a feel good story, but the characters were complex and realistic. All of the main characters were very well rounded with good and bad qualities which creates a struggle when deciding if you like them. This is unlike many novelists out there who create flat characters that you are only capable of hating. I think we all struggle with disliking someone in real life and it is never black and white the way many books simply portray.

I also think Laura Catherine Brown has a grip on the struggle of many women with low self-esteem, little positive guidance, and ignorant relations. I have seen many young women make the mistakes Mandy did and probably enjoyed the novel because, I have made those mistakes too. A lot of times, we only see what we want to see or what is convenient and without guidance or maturity, one can make some terrible mistakes. This is what happens to Mandy, but eventually she knows it is time to move on and create a better life for herself.

Amanda Boyle finds herself at somewhat of a crossroads in her life. She is leaving for college and beginning a time in her life where she will no longer be dependent on her dysfunctional parents. As she begins to realize that her life is really just beginning, she thinks, "Every part of my life contradicts every other." It is the contradictions that create her story.

Laura Catherine Brown has created a character we truly care about! Mandy is not sure where her future is headed, but there are things she does know. She knows she does not want to follow in the footsteps of her mother, always complaining and never feeling well, physically or otherwise. She knows she does not want to go through life without feeling valued and loved, and the quest for fulfilling those requirements are the driving force of almost all of the events in her life. She also slowly realizes that by capturing the world with her camera, the things she sees (through her eyes and in her photographs) actually matter! Mandy starts to see that we all have contributions we can make to the world, big or small.

We follow Mandy from her first days at college that include experimentation with sex and drugs. We reel with her from the unexpected death of her father, and feel her pleasure and pain as she experiences her first love and the thoughts of an unwanted pregnancy. We root for her as she begins her first job, and ultimately breathe a sigh of relief when we feel that she has reached a point in her life where she is ready to build her own life, using her own strengths and talents. It is a milestone we all strive for at some time in our lives, but some of us never really reach it, due to daily obstacles that sometimes get in the way of reaching our full potential.

I really enjoyed this book, because I felt like Mandy was someone that I cared enough about that I wanted to know what happened to her. I look forward to reading future works by Ms. Brown. This book also has great potential for discussion in book clubs looking for an interesting coming-of-age story.

Laura Catherine Brown writes a vivid tale of a young girl coming of age. Mandy Boyle has had a tough time of it. Her mother is a hypochondriac who treats Mandy terribly by constantly putting her down as well as sexually abusing her as a young girl. Her father truly loved his little girl but he was an out of work man who drank heavily. All of this has had serious consequences for Mandy.

She leaves home for college and has to try to make her own way in the world. She faces a lot of difficult choices and almost never chooses wisely. She turns her back on her one true friend and finds comfort with Booner, a guy she barely knows who tries to possess her. Mandy is "grateful" for love from anyone who is willing to show her attention or affection.

I have to admit though that while I enjoyed the story to the extent that I had to see how Mandy ends up, it was a little sad and depressing to read. The circumstances in her life were sometimes heart wrenching. Overall however it is worth a read.

I was given Autumn Lover and really enjoyed the book so I was really pleased to get Winter Fire. It is every bit as good as it's prequel.

It is historical novel, set in the 1860s in Utah. At nearly 400 pages, it is a reasonably long book but I was so gripped by it I couldn't put the book down.

It is both an an adventure book and a romance, and there are some steamy passages, but really it is the story of growth, redemption, putting one's past into context and moving forward.

I'd recommend this book to others who enjoy this genre. I am definitely going to buy more of Elizabeth Lowell's books.

Elizabeth Lowell has made her plot so convincing of a dream to find a silver cache the heroine's abusive husband hid before his death that will set right a number of wrongs done to her as well as for her brother. The villians in this story are so evil that the contrast of Sarah, and Case as being so good and courageous is clear right away. Sarah has healing skill with animals that crosses over to Case. Case, a man so lethal as to be qualified a gunslinger, however he is not one. He is ruggedly good looking and proves himself smart and sensitive...but he is a hunter falcon type that is capable of a swooping kill; yet they both seek out the hurts,of the other, and heals them through a beautiful love that just keeps growing. This story keeps moving. Its very Well done. The audio version though abridged still has much to offer and the actors draw you in immediately. You can listen to it easily over and over.

I liked this one better than the first in the series. Case and Sarah were a wonderful couple. He had a real reason for wanting to remain emotionally dead. It hurts too much to lose the ones you love. As you would expect, things end well. Case did take a chance on love though. Opening yourself up again after severe hurt takes courage.

This book is really good, even though there were (4) pages in sucession missing in the book I bought. I read Autumn Lover and couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. Elizabeth Lowell's "Only series" was great and it would take alot to top that series. The hotter the book the better I like them. I am an avid book reader.

I've read other books by Elizabeth Lowell and liked them. This one was a real disappointment. The hero was unlikeable; there was no chemistry between the hero & heroine. And some phrases were repeated over and over, ad nauseum. I expect more from a "professional" author.

This book has helped me tremendously in my daily life. It's become a daily handbook for me. What an excellent idea of the author!

Even the most secure of us let doubts creep into our everyday lives. Sharon Elaine has provided us with a handy source of reinforcing the positive attitudes we work so hard to acquire. Her concise statements allow the reader to get a quick "pick-me-up," and may even be used in meditation.

Life can be stressful, everyone is too busy doing a million things at once and it's easy to get bogged down and depressed. We need to take time out for ourselves, time to relax and take care of ourselves. In "The Book of Affirmations" Sharon Elaine reinforces this idea in a big way! This book gives you a detailed list of all different types of affirmations to bring you back into a happier, more peaceful place.

ANYONE WHO ENJOYS AFFIRMATIONS, MEDITATION, NEW AGE PRINCIPLES, ETC., WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!

This is an easy book to use, as it has all kinds of subjects for the affirmations. I think it's helpful. I've been down lately, and repeating these sentences has helped my attitude a lot.

I really like this book. If you are like me, it can be a real challenge to come up with a positive affirmation when you are feeling low, confused or filled with an emotion that is threatening your peace. Sharon Elaine's book is divided into many different subject areas and filled with a variety of affirmations in each area. I have used this book a lot and think that it is a great tool for changing destructive feelings/beliefs into constructive ones. I highly recommend this book!

The final (until the next one is written) book in the Landover series! I couldn't believe how disinterested I was in Ben and Willow's storyline. I wanted to spend much more time with Nightshade and Mistaya or Abernathy, Quester, and Elizabeth. Maybe that's because I feel like Willow and Ben have gone about as far as they can go as characters. They do reveal some very personal secrets to each other in this book, but they're always accepting of each others' (mostly Ben's) faults. Mistaya, on the other hand, gets to hear Nightshade's history, though somewhat edited, and they develop a strange friendship that you know can only be doomed in the end. I think that Terry Brooks has some real potential with his villains, but we spend so much time with the heroes of the story, who are fairly bland in comparison, that we hardly ever get the villains' perspective. More Nightshade!

Maybe it's just the move to Washington, but it was very cool to see Abernathy and Quester set in a local environment for me as a reader. I was hoping Elizabeth would reappear in the series, but the potential relationship between herself and Abernathy gets dumped by the wayside for Ben and Willow's story. *grumble*

Okay, I'm complaining a lot. I did like this book, but I never felt pressed to keep reading, so I started and stopped several times along the way. The side characters her are much improved and, while it's not my favorite Landover book, I thought it was a good one.

I enjoyed the story, however as I travel a lot I rely on audio books to help me pass the travel time. I really enjoyed Dick Hill's narration, and his voices (except for Willow) were wonderful. The narration by Cameron Beierle is very flat and uninteresting. I wish now I had purchased the cassette, which did have Dan Hill's narration.

I am a huge Terry Brooks fan. This book does not disappoint. I have intorduced my grandson to Terry Brooks, and he enjoyed this book as much as I did.

Still good, but Terry Brooks starts being repetitive - you can figure out the plot in the first half

Ben Holiday continues to struggle with the Kingdom of Landover, always seems something's going on which requires his attention. Very well done and may be the best of the series to date. Good fantasy and a an easy, enjoyable read.

If you like books like this one, might I suggest another I've recently come across. The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt. It's another fantasy adventure sure to please. I highly recommend it.

Plenty well-enough written to be five stars within its genre, but I knocked it down a peg because its lack of pretension to be other than a pleasant time passer. Not that there's anything wrong with that, mind you; I've read many worse.

This a fun, breezy, fast-moving modern mystery set in Baltimore (the detective went to Frostburg University, a small school in the frozen tundra of western Maryland which is also my wife's alma mater!) involving the mythical NBA team the Baltimore Blues. Now, this is a bit of a clunky device because most readers in the Mid-Atlantic or with an interest in the NBA will know that the real Baltimore Bullets moved to the Capital Center on the outskirts of DC 30 years ago and were renamed the Washington Bullets, then moved most recently into the heart of DC and renamed the Washington Wizards ("bullets" being politically incorrect in violence-prone DC). They're gone, and they ain't comin' back, Mr. Cockey. Get over it.

Sorry for the small digression for a mild beef. It really doesn't detract from the book other than to firmly plant it in the fictional ether where it belongs anyway. Its just that the book lacks the gravitas (I love to say that word out loud: "gravitas", "gravitas", "gravitas" . . . ) to be a classic. . It doesn't teach me, inspire me, sadden me, enrage me, move me.

But in this day and age, its ability to amuse me is Worth my time (see my Amazon profile for my ranking scale) and four stars. Historical aging may give it gravitas enough to move up: I consider some of the hard-boiled crime fiction of writers like Dashiell Hammett worthy of What a classic status. In any case, I'll read others by this author (in series order):

1 - The Hearse You Came in On (Hitchcock Sewell Mysteries)
2 - Hearse of a Different Color
3 - The Hearse Case Scenario
4 - Murder In the Hearse Degree: A Novel

I read this book as an introduction to this series. I found it a fun read and would probably be interested in reading more of them. The only problem I had with the storyline was the very often repeated, detailed descriptions of the hero's apparently extremely sexy ex-wife. I felt this could have been mentioned a little less often without in any way affecting the storyline. Altogether an enjoyable book.

I had never heard of Tim Cockey. The book was loaned to me and I enjoyed it. I could only give it four stars, because I felt it slowed down in places. I am interested in reading the others.
Baltimore has become a popular place for crime series. On television there was Homicide, Life on the Street, and the HBO Series, The Edge. It's a fun city to visit and some of this was brought out in the book. The Protagonist Hitch is funny and tart. He should put out a Private Detective shingle on the door of the funeral home. He is humorous next to his morose sidekick, Pete, the real private eye who wants to get out of the business.
Enjoy, tolerate the slowness in the writing at times. A romp through the streets of Baltimore and Rehoboth, Delaware.

This was the third in Cockey's Hitchock Sewell series and again a very enjoyable book. There were times that I didn't find it as amusing as the other two, but still very much enjoyed the book and will continue to read the series.

The main character is by far my favorite. He's such a smart alec and it's so fun to "watch" him mess with people.

I highly recommend this series as a very enjoyable mystery with comedy thrown in for good measure.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the two previous Cockeys I was a bit disappointed in the latest offering. This is not a bad book in the genre but given the strength of the first two in the series, I felt that this one needed a bit of tightening. The jazz ambience worked well and Pete the hapless husband also struck the right note but I found that both Lucy, the dupe, and the poison dwarf failed to engage. Overall a slight sense that the same book but 50 pages shorter may have made more of an impact. That said, this remains a series to watch and fingers crossed for the next one...

I've read this book several times since I received the book, and have enjoyed it each time. The whole book is layed out nicely, and there are no rough edges to the story at all. Its an extremely easy read, but it is deep and interested nonetheless. I am definately a fan of Mr. Patrick, and look forward to reading his other works. Highly recommended

An accident,a cover up and a AF officer takes the fall. The presidents brother is killed and the heat is on to place the blame. The news media is out to bury the Air Force Colonel who just happens to be innocent. Thats the way the news media reacts when they get a story from high up sources planted in their ear even if its false. A must read on a long flight- Author-The Day Of The Rose-Larry Hobson

As a woman, and a non-military one as well, I really like how Patrick Davis writes about military life - enough military to keep it on fact, but not so much that you cannot follow the story, knowing little of the words and phrases they use. Far too many authors do this, and for me, it fogs the story. Patrick Davis tells a good tale (we hope) filled with a bit of espionage and a bit of good raw human feelings for those they love and their past loves as well. His descriptions of the Colonel's former wife show intrigue, hate and still the love and admiration of another human being you've shared your life with, allowing the character to feel all of these things with no reciminations. And he keeps you guessing right up to the last sentence of the book. An all around excellent story! I'm now going to look for more from this great author.

This was my first Patrick Davis novel. I was really impressed by his style. This novel was suspenseful and very hard to put down. I am an avid reader (4-6 novels per week) and this one is among my favorites. I look foreward to more of his work.

This book doesn't break new ground. It reads like an old familiar mystery-suspense movie that we've all seen at least once. The good thing is, it would have been one of those movies that had us glued to our chairs. What I'm trying to say here is, this is a good book. I give it 3.5 stars.

The plot spins a nice web of intrigue that pulls the reader in. A lot is going on, but it all ties together nicely in the end. The characters play their roles well, and, for the most part, act in ways you would expect them to. And while I was afraid that the parts of the book dealing with the technical aspects of an airplane crash would bore me to tears, I'm happy to report that I was wrong. The technical details were revealed through dialogue between characters, which made them interesting and palatable. Besides that, the author gave only the details we needed to know, rather than trying to show off any technical knowledge on his part. A good choice. Finally, the story moves along at a pretty fast pace revealing details of the investigation along the way. And just when I thought the book was over, the author threw in a slight twist at the end.

In sum, the book is good and I recommend it.

SKELETON CANYON, number five in the Joanna Brady series by J.A. Jance continues to broaden the scope of a favorite lady sheriff. Just the right mix of family and workplace conflict to keep readers on their toes.
Secret lovers agree to met in one of the many deserted canyons of Arizona, but death awaits the lovely Brianna O'Brian. Her Mexican-American lover stand accused by Brianna's father, but why would he kill his love.
The beautiful southwest scenery is vividly portrayed by this native writer who grew-up in Bisbee, AZ. The story and the ugliness is a stark transparency over the buff colors of the landscape. Fans are not disappointed, Joanna's family is there to both support and confuse her. They will keep readers coming back.
Writing as a Small BusinessSins of the Fathers: A Brewster County NovelGuns Across the Rio: A Texas Ranger in Old Mexico

I really like the Joanna Brady series. They always have twists and turns. This one is no exception. Great story!!
Liz C

I enjoyed this one. Like other Jance books, this one takes place in the Southwest. Ms. Jance is a very descriptive writer, i.e. the land and the people, and a good story teller. The book is an easy read and like I said, it entertains, what any good book should do. This is the first of this particular series I have read and will certainly seek out and read the rest. There wer a couple of part I felt moved a bit slow, but even these were rather "homey" and quite enjoyable. All in all recommend this one.

I loved this book! Joanna Brady could be a role model for girls and women alike!

This is another great book in the Joanna Brady series by J.A. Jance. This time she throws a little romance into the mix of things as Brianna O'Brien is found murdered and her Hispanic boyfriend is the main suspect for some, while others don't believe he could kill. This teenage girl had many secrets and her boyfriend was only one of them. While investigating this crime, everyone's favorite female sheriff, Joanna Brady, uncovers more than she bargained for and has a difficult time in dealing with some of it.

Again, we see some of the cast of support characters return, but others are mentioned in passing, so we know they will be back in future tomes. We're given a little glimpse of what's in store for Joanna Brady with her daughter growing up quickly and her mother's new relationship that seems to have transposed some of the former anger and has made her almost approachable.

I find it interesting that Jance not only tells a wonderful story, but throws in a moral issue as well. She deals with the topic of racism in this book and does so in a very civilized way showing the prejudices of some and the extremes they will go to continue that narrow-mindedness. However, she also gives us hope for the future. She shows us that no matter what the odds some will not follow in their parents' beliefs and will, instead, have friends based on things other than the color of skin or social standing.

And along with the story line and moral issue, you can always rely on Jance to paint a mental picture of the Arizona desert at it's best. Having lived in Arizona, I can remember the millions of stars in the sky that Jance describes in detail. I can remember the rugged beauty of the various wilderness areas that are similar to those portrayed. No one gives a better mental image of these things than Jance does. Having read all of the books in this series, I feel like I've actually been to Bisbee, Arizona. I'm sure if I ever do get the chance to visit that town; I'll see things as I've seen them before in my mind while reading these novels.

After reading the first book in the Joanna Brady series, I didn't think Jance would be able to keep up with the standard she set. I was very mistaken. She has not only achieved that level of excellence but has surpassed it and continues to set new standards with each new book she writes.

I highly recommend not only SKELETON CANYON, but any and all books in this series. They're wonderful, exciting and highly addicting! I do suggest that you read them in order to get the background on the characters - it's not mandatory, but will make for a more enjoyable read and will let your imagination run wild with possible scenarios for the future!

Summer of Roses
It was a good book. Need to read Summer Child first to really enjoy it more. Fast moving.

I really enjoyed this book after reading 'Summer's Child'. This book got deeper into Lily's life and what she went thru with Edward and it all started to come together and make sense as to why she disappeared for nine years. There a little mystery, romance, drama all going on at the same time. I love to see the bad guy get burned and I love happy endings and this book ended just that way!

If you like the first book, you will love this one. This is a good book for when you want to relax and just enjoy some pleasant reading.

I've read many of Rice's books and did enjoy this one, but have to say it wasn't my favorite. Liked the characters but thought it dragged a bit at the end.

Wow - this was a wonderful continuation of Summer's Child. It had me on the edge of my seat reading about Edward's cruelty and attempts at revenge! These beaten women showed remarkable strength, and in the process, found healing and renewed purpose. As a mother, I appreciated the extent they went through to protect and care for their children. Luanne Rice has a wonderful style of writing, and I enjoyed all the shark/whale symbolism. The setting added so much depth to the story because it was so interesting - not just Nova Scotia, but all the oceanography too. Liam was a wonderfully supportive character!