Review: Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens

There's nothing more dangerous than devouring a book and suddenly finding yourself begrudgingly glaring at the stack of "to-read" books because you know few of them will leave you wishing the story didn't have to end. I'm in that place where I know I will miss Boady narrating his life in the rural Ozark hills and I loathe the hole finishing Nothing More Dangerous has left behind.

Review: A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne

I have yet to read a novel by John Boyne that I don't absolutely get engrossed with. After finding and reading The Absolutist I've been a huge fan of his. After missing the deadline to read The Heart's Invisible Furies earlier this year, I thought I could redeem myself by reading A Ladder to the Sky in order to maintain my fan status. Suffice it to say, Boyne does not disappoint.

Review: Heads You Win by Jeffrey Archer

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been a fan of Jeffrey Archer's since I found Kane and Abel in the clearance bin at my local used book store. I was urged by my insanely smart brother to pick a book by its cover and so... that's what I chose. Suffice it to say, I was hooked to Archer's uncomplicated style of writing. His delivery can be described as hearing a story from that human fixture in your local bar or fellow commuter. He writes as if he's telling a story that might be a tad predictable at times, but is entertaining all the time.

Review: Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen by Sarah Bird

I took my time reading Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss this harrowing tale of a former slave woman posing as male in the army. It's women like Cathay Williams that have paved the way without recognition (or even belief), but more on that later.

Review: Rust & Stardust by T. Greenwood

I'm not sure where to start with this review. Those of you familiar with the story of Sally Horner aren't should be in familiar territory with her story. Others who have mentioned Lolita written by Vladimir Nabokov, are aware that that story was loosely based on this young girl.

Review: One House Over by Mary Monroe

Where should I begin with One House Over by Mary Monroe? Based on the star rating I've given, there's obviously somewhere to start... It's just whether it should be with the good or the bad.

So let's just start at the beginning...

Review: The Boat People by Sharon Bala

The Boat People by Sharon Bala might best be reviewed after tonight's State of the Union address... The Boat People tells the story of immigration from three different viewpoints... VERY different viewpoints. There's no denying the political message behind this read, but instead of focusing there, I'll begin with a good ol' simple review. 

Review: The Lost Order by Steve Berry

I practically spent my entire Sunday trying to get through Steve Berry's latest Cotton Malone historical thriller. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm usually Berry's biggest fan. I always look forward to reading the adventures of the least retired, retired Magellan Billet recruit than the next person. The Malone series is always packed full of thrills, close calls, double crosses, and pure excitement.

Review: The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

I know it's wrong what I'm going to say but I don't care. I've come to the point that I am just happy to have made it through. Similarly to the brave slaves that are introduced in The Underground Railroad, my journey through this novel was treacherous, exhausting, and necessary. I know, I know, I gave the novel a 4-star rating. And every star is deserved, I just can't ignore that it took so much out of me to keep going on my journey to freedom to read another book by way of making it to the end of this one.

Review: Playing with Fire by Tess Gerritsen

I'm hovering my mouse over the 2 and 3- star rating. I usually love any and everything Tess Gerritsen writes. Her Rizzoli and Isles series is one of my favorites. When I got word that she had written a standalone, I was beyond excited to get my hands on a copy. 

Playing with Fire alters between the stories of Julia and Lorenzo. The only thing these two have in common is their love of music and a musical composition by the name ofIncendio. While in Italy, Julia Ansdell finds an enchanting, yet complicated piece that she can barely contain her excitement to try and attempt once she returns home Boston. Julia begins to research the history of this ensemble once it brings out bizarre behavior in her young daughter that borders homicidal... like Julia's mother.

Playing with Fire gets a lot more interesting once the story of the young, naive, violinist prodigy Lorenzo Todesco. I'm always interested in period novels that include the horrors on the Holocaust in the backdrop. I'm still amazed that it happened and the amount of evil the human heart can contain. The Holocaust in Italy isn't always featured in your garden variety quick mystery read, so kudos to Gerritsen for including it here. 

Without giving away too much, I admit, this novel is a quick, fast paced, interesting read. There's no shortage of reasons to turn the page and stay involved in the stories of these two people separated by space and time. The issue is that neither story needed the other. They were too thinly strung together just for the sake of a thicker book, not a better story. The characters were thin enough to be transparent. I swear I'm a huge Gerritsen fan, but I must be honest.

Overall I thought that there were some missed opportunities to have a profound novel that explored the idea of whether our genes could somehow predict our murderous tendencies, or even a well researched historical thriller that told the story of an Italian families plight during World War II. It could have been anything, but instead, it's more interesting to play with fire than read this book.  **


Copy provided by Random House via Netgalley

Review: Inspector of the Dead by David Morrell

When I found out there would be another book in this series featuring the Opium EaterThomas De Quincey, his brilliant and beautiful daughter Emily, and their Scotland Yard buddies Ryan and Becker. Inspector of the Dead begins with the death of a prominent woman in a very public place named Lady Cosgrove. She is found with a note in the her pocket that reads "Young England". This group is known for being against the monarch hoping to someday overthrow the government. 

As the investigation progresses, there are more attacks and deaths on prominent persons in London with notes left on them naming others who have attempted to assassinate the queen. Being a genius on the subject of murder as a fine art, De Quincey was able to deduce that the Queen may be the true target of all these murders.

De Quincey and crew investigate past attempts as well as possible suspects. We learn through their travels just how rudimentary the legal system was at that time. It's people such as Becker and Ryan who suggested incorporating the many things I'm sure are taken for granted. Such as taking pictures of the crime scene or at least preserving the scene. And gratefully Morrell doesn't allow this novel to move at a pace that makes you feel every inconvenience of being set in Victorian England. I barely noticed that it would have been helpful to have a cell phone in order to tell the Queen to hide. 

Morrell kept me glued to this novel and I enjoyed it just as much as Murder As a Fine Art. The idea that not much has changed in regards to human nature to wear disguises to often times be who we aren't or to make the appearance of being more important than we are. Even De Quincey admits he's fallen victim to being a person who knows that his name bares more weight in certain circles. That is why he added the "De" before Quincey. The suspect in this novel uses disguises to work his way into a society he didn't belong. And he's pretty smart I tell ya. I really dig this guy. 

One other thing worth mentioning is that I really enjoy getting into the characters heads. Emily's diary entries provide a lot more depth into her character and the relationship she has with the two inspectors Ryan and Becker. We also get to peer into the mind of the killer in an effort to understand what he's thinking and why he's doing what he's doing. The only characters who take a backseat in this title are Becker and Ryan. I would have liked more from them but... they aren't the stars. Thomas De Quincey is. He's a character based on a real man so it's interesting that Morrell has given him such depth and allows him to be likable instead of stagnant.

Overall, I'm a bonafide fan of this Thomas De Quincey series. Inspector of the Dead is fast paced, absorbing, and just a good ol' fun read. Traipsing around the dark and murky corners of Victorian England is always a good time. I hope David Morrell graces us with more installations to this De Quincey series. He is one of my favorite authors so even if there is never another Opium eater, I will definitely be reading more. Inspector of the Dead encourages me to see past the disguise and realize people are more than they appear to be.

Copy Provided by Mulholland Books via Netgalley

Review: Mightier Than the Sword by Jeffrey Archer

I am a huge Jeffrey Archer fan ever since discovering Kane & Abel. There's a way he weaves a story that keeps readers glued to the pages. We become invested in the characters, the themes of good and bad, and the hopes that being honorable will pay off rewardingly. Having laid out my disclaimer and letting those reading this review know that yes, I am a fan, I am still hoping that my honesty will be honorable and neither Archer or his fans will stone me too bad when I give my honest opinion. 

When word got out that Mightier Than the Sword was soon to be released, I rushed to try and get any copy I could get. Thanks to Netgalley I didn't have to wait long. This is the 5th book in the Clifton Chronicles. It begins where Be Careful What You Wish For leaves off. For those who haven't read that book, you may want to look away and finish that book before reading this review. In the nick of time, the bomb that threatened the maiden voyage of MV Buckingham is taken care of all that remains is making sure there is no panic and the bomb is kept secret. 

As the book progresses through the years, the usual suspects pop up such as Lady Virginia Fenwick and Major Alex Fisher coupled with some new enemies focused on new plots. It seems like the Clifton family can't go anywhere without creating an enemy which is pretty ironic because they are genuinely good people. This is where I grow tired of this series. It's getting to be tired and repetitive that there is someone plotting against this family.

Because I'm familiar with Archer's writing I don't expect any grand literary journey but rather just plain old good storytelling. With this in mind, I was surprised that I struggled through the first half of this book. It was not as engaging as other Archer titles have been for me in the past. Thankfully, the book turned around and I became engrossed with Mightier Than the Sword. Trying to guess what obstacles the Clifton's will face entices me to read on. Yes it was imperative to see how Sebastian fairs with his lady Samantha or if Emma will remain the chairman of Barrington Shipping. 

Ultimately, this series can't be over. It ends jarringly. The ending is so abrupt that I wondered if I was given a faulty copy from Netgalley. Archer, you clever, clever man. Although I wasn't over the moon about Mightier Than the Sword it serves its purpose in moving the Clifton story forward while maintaining it's hold on fans of the series. I look forward to the next installment. Until then... ***

Copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley

Review: Wake by Anna Hope

Anna Hope's Wake is a touching and moving account of the affects of war on men and women alike. The book opens by defining what the word wake means:
(1) Emerge or cause to emerge from sleep
(2) Ritual for the dead
(3) Consequence or aftermath

Each definition can be used in one way or another to describe the characters Ada, Evelyn, and Hattie as we watch their stories unfold as the unidentified body of a World War I soldier is brought home to be buried. It is the two-year anniversary of Armistice Day and the excitement, fear, and dread of what it means brings each women on a paths that are only separated by a few men.

Ada is the mother of a young soldier named Michael. She mourns his death and walks around seeing his face in every young man that she sees on the streets. She is in a sort of dead sleep. She doesn't even see that she is a fraction of the person she once was. All she can accept is the guilt she feels for allowing her young son to go to war.

Evelyn works for a government that has long stopped caring for their veterans, meaning she works where stipends are to be provided to injured (or out of work) soldiers. She too is in a rut having lost her only love to war. Her brother, Edward, served in the army as a captain and has shown a clear difference since coming home from war. At one point they were so close but he seems much more distant. The truth is far worse than she knows. They both wander in the consequence of their lives after war.

The third woman, Hattie, is young and works as a dancer. She is paid to dance with men whenever they pay her boss. She shares those earnings with a volatile mother, and mute brother. He's barely spoken since the war. Hattie is unaware of the trauma he's been through and yearns for her brother to be whole again.

The characters in Wake can each define their lives in the before and after of war. This is the way that many can identify their lives. I had a friend who served in Iraq. She was 20 when she left. A vibrant, loving girl, unafraid of what was in store for her. She returned with a serious drug problem, a son, and only a few years to live. I identify with these men and women wholly, and I'm nothing more than a witness... a mere bystander.

Although the novel is written about a horrific time in history, Anna Hope manages to write poetically, vividly, and clearly. Wake doesn't read like a debut which is an awesome feat for any author coming out the gate. Even when I had to stop reading to take care of my own personal life, and ironically, plan my father's wake, the moment I picked it back up, I was once more gripped in the lives of each character. I couldn't wait to see how their stories tied into each other. And ohhhhh did they...

Overall, Wake is a beautifully written debut novel that fans of historic fiction will need to read. It's not a super sappy women's only novel that gets tiring as it describes one flighty woman after another but rather a journey for emerging from sleep. I loved this novel and hope that Hope (no pun intended) writes more like it.  ****

Copy provided by Random House via a Goodreads Giveaway

Review: Cop Town by Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter has been one of my favorite authors for some time now. Her Will Trent series has always placed her in a class all her own. Her gritty, descriptive, suspenseful crime novels make her a force to be reckoned with so it's no surprise that Cop Town, the first standalone novel, is as good as it is.

Maggie Lawson and Kate Murphy take center stage as two female officers for the Atlanta Police Department. Maggie comes from a family that eats, breathes, and dies by the blue. Although no one in her family is happy she's on the force, she can take care of her own. Her brother Jimmy, and uncle Terry, are on the force as well. They give her as much of a hard time as all the other animals... I mean men in blue.

Kate Murphy is the rookie officer who is barely managing her first day on the job when she partners up with Maggie. Kate decides to serve after her husband dies in Vietnam. At first she seems lost and unsure of herself, but eventually she discovers what she's made of. 

Both women are investigating the death of Jimmy Lawson's partner Don Mosley. Someone has declared it open season on the APD. There have been seemingly random murders of officers while on duty which has turned the whole Atlanta Police Department on its head. They are out for blood and will not let this murderer have their day in court. 

Maggie and Kate begin to investigate the latest murder of Don Mosley and begin piecing together the evidence and witness accounts. There is enough proving that Maggie's brother is hiding something and the murders may not have been so random after all. 

Cop Town takes place during the 70s. Racism, homophobia, sexism and classism seems to permeate its way into the minds of every character. In some way, in some form, one person or another is faced with dealing with their own prejudices or ones thrown at them. Kate and Maggie battle not only the elements on the tough streets, but are constantly needing to prove themselves to their male counterparts. Kate is sexually harassed at least once every hour or so. I can't imagine what it was like for women who paved the way for current female police officers. Judging from this book they had a tough row to hoe.

Karin Slaughter writes a damn-good police procedural. She provides readers with great characters who have such depth I'd love to see them in future novels. (Please...maybe?) Both women trudge through the mud and find a whole lot more on the other side. I really enjoyed this journey with Maggie and Kate. Cop Town is a must read for all of Slaughter's fans. And for those living under a rock and haven't yet been acquainted her novels, make Cop Town your first.   ****

Copy provided by Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley

Review: Ruby by Cynthia Bond

Wow!!!

Ruby by Cynthia Bond is a profound debut novel featuring two beautiful, yet battered souls. On one hand we have Ruby. Evident from page one she comes off as a woman who has seen better days. People of Liberty watch her as she begs Miss P for food. She's no longer the beauty she once was, but still Ephram Jennings only sees her through loving eyes.

Ephram Jennings has loved Ruby since they were children and has never stopped. After seeing her fall so far from glory, Ephram decides to save her. He doesn't so much as want to remake her, but to make her whole again. And in the process, he will be made whole as well.

Cynthia Bond offers readers two unforgettable, unbreakable characters whose story I won't soon forget. Ephram stole my heart from page one with his wish to only be noticed. Besides his overbearing sister, Celia, no one else notices this simple man. Except maybe to make fun of him for taking an interest in Liberty's Ruby.

What is most true to form is the setting Bond has created. Liberty, a small, unassuming town that is riddled with secrets, and folklore... maybe even some haints, and is full of gossip. This southern town has seen it's share of crazies and is sure that Ruby is on the way to making her way into that prestigious hall of fame that Ephram's mother did decades earlier. 

Each character presented in this novel served a purpose. I love that there were no words, actions, or scenes that didn't matter. Ruby is often full of suspense, mystery, intrigue, and hope. There were no good opportunities to stop reading. In the moments when I had to come back to my own world, Ruby and Ephram weren't far from my mind. Their spirits lingered, similarly to Ruby's own ghosts. 

I can go on and on about this book. I can mention how vivid, provocative, haunting, and gripping Ruby is, but my words could not do this novel justice. Ruby stands on its own and invites readers to believe there is love, and redemption in us all. Thank you Cynthia Bond for inviting me on the journey through the lives of Ruby, Ephram, and the citizens in Liberty. Ruby is a wonderful debut novel that will remain in the minds of readers long after the last page is turned. ****

Copy provided by Crown Publishing via Netgalley

Review: Be Careful What You Wish For by Jeffrey Archer

HOW DARE YOU END A STORY THAT WAY MR. ARCHER!!!!

Jeffrey Archer forces me, and other readers alike, to wait a whole year before we can get the book 5 in the Clifton Chronicles?!?!?! That is unacceptable. Like it's predecessors, Be Careful What You Wish For ends with a cliffhanger that cleverly forces readers to buy the next in the series. I see what you did there Mr. Archer. And I'm not mad at all. Not one little bit...

Be Careful What You Wish For begins where leaves off barely allowing a moment to breath before getting swept away in the lives of a family that seems to attract the most ruthless villains. What's insane is that the Barrington's and Clifton's are a good family that just want to maintain their lives in peace. Giles Barrington has his politics, Harry has his novels, and Emma has her company... What makes people work so ruthlessly to destroy them?

I have learned through Jeffrey Archer that with greatness comes a whole sort of problems and the only way to make it through is by thinking two steps ahead of the enemy. Similar to the previous books, the Barringtons/Clifton's constantly try to thwart the devastating blows that are thrown their way by ruthless people who only want to see their demise. There's one heartbreaking loss that totally took me by surprise and reminded me why I love Archer's writing so much.

My review in a nutshell is that Be Careful What You Wish For is an awesome follow up to Best Kept Secret and should not be read without starting the first in the series. I repeat: DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ BOOKS 1-3!!!!. I do look forward to the conclusion of this series and only regret that I'll have to wait until 2015 to accomplish that. ****

Copy provided by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley

Review: Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer

Of course, like the two books preceding this one, Best Kept Secret begins where The Sins of the Father left off. For those unfamiliar with the Clifton Chronicles, this is the story that follows a family through decades of secrets, lies, losses, gains, enemies, and more enemies. Best Kept Secret begins with an answer to who will inherit the Barrington fortune. Will is be Giles or (maybe bastard son) Harry? 

Eventually, the story starts to focus more on the new generation of Clifton's. Primarily Sebastian Clifton, that is. Seb seems to be a magnet for trouble. Although he's exceptionally intelligent, there never seems to be anything he does that won't get him in some sort of trouble. No he's not malicious, but he's young, inquisitive, and... the story must go on.

Jeffrey Archer manages to maintain the attention of those who have followed this serie religiously. For those hoping to start somewhere in the middle with this series, I say STOP! You will be doing yourself a huge disservice and really book 1, Only Time Will Tell is especially worth the time. And thankfully, Archer doesn't make us wait long enough to forget the multiple storylines. 

In conclusion, Best Kept Secret is a great addition to the Clifton Chronicles. It's not up there with the first two in the series but... still makes a strong case for continuing on to Be Careful What You Wish For. I am officially on to Book 4. ***

Review: Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen

What could be better than an historical fiction novel set in India during a time when the country was fighting for its independence? I had high hopes for Under the Jeweled Sky. I thought it was the perfect way to learn about the culture and history of India while reading an enchanting love story that features star-crossed lovers. Doesn't that seem like the ideal combination?

Sophie Schofield returns to England to visit her mother. It's obvious from the moment Victoria opens the door that there is something from Sophie's past that has caused a rift that can't be repaired. It doesn't take long for readers to see that 10 years could never be enough time away from Victoria. 

Under the Jeweled Sky shifts focus between the present and the past when Sophie, as a teenager, lived in India. Her father was employed as a doctor for the maharaj. It is during these reflections that we learn a little more about India and the culture. This is also where the romance is brought to the surface. Sophie falls in love for the first time with an Indian boy, Jag. Because of his station in life (and very strong prejudices), she is told to stay away.

The novel seems to come full circle when Sophie and her present-day husband move back to Delhi. What better way to end a story than where it begins? Actually it may not be better at all. 

What I enjoyed most about this novel was Sophie. It wasn't that she was a well developed character so much as when someone is in love, it's natural to want things to go well for them. She faces many obstacles but she never caved. Even when her less than ideal situations would have caused a weaker person to break down. She never played the victim nor did she give up hope.

What was most challenging about this novel is that the story doesn't unfold. It's never a moment I felt immersed into the world Alison McQueen created. It was almost like we were being told a story instead of living in the story with the characters.

My other gripe with this novel is that it's historical fiction yet I never got the facts or information usually coupled with period fiction. Yes there are social inferences that can be learned from this text but the single most important fact was left out. The novel takes place in war-torn India yet much of the war was off screen. There were no characters presented who had a stake in India's future besides only in passing. 

Overall, Under the Jeweled Sky could have been so much more than it was. Although it wasn't a hit with me, I do recommend this novel to lovers of historical fiction women's literature. There is a little bit of romance and a little history, but mainly a story that suggests to never give up hope. **

Copy provided by Sourcebooks via Netgalley

Review: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

Sue Monk Kidd is the bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees so it's no surprise that she's back on the scene with an Oprah approved sophomore title. The Invention of Wings, similar to it's predecessor, takes place in the south and follows the lives of two women. Where the two novels differ is that The Invention of Wings takes place during a time in American history when the south wanted nothing more than to preserve its lot in the slave trade.

Sarah Grimke and Hetty(Handful) alternate the narration of this inspiring story. Each woman is anxious to find freedom. For one, that freedom is physical, and the other freedom from backwards thinking.

Sarah is from an aristocratic southern family where her father is a judge on South Carolina's highest court. She expects that some day she will be able to walk in his footsteps. For her 11th birthday she is given a slave named Hetty. The idea of owning someone is preposterous to Sarah, even then at a young age after seeing slaves savagely whipped and beaten.

Although this novel is based off of a true person, Handful is a fictional character. Sue Monk Kidd uses Handful's story as a slave to juxtapose with Sarah's own feelings of being trapped. Handful's story is also more emotional than Sarah's. This allows readers to get the sentimental intended value without noticing that it lacks somewhat in Sarah Grimke's storyline. Although each character experiences loss, Handful's story is more appalling.

Sue Monk Kidd gives readers a fictionalized account of a woman who is considered a pretty big deal in the Feminist Movement as well as abolitionism. Sarah wanted equality for all humans. Even during moments when the abolition movement needed more traction, she would not conform to elders who asked her to only support abolition. She felt it was her duty give both equal attention since both topics were of the highest importance to her and she very much believed this was her life's calling.

I very much enjoyed my first read, The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd. I even appreciate her providing where she differed from Sarah's true life and where she opted for what would make a better story. Kidd's fans will want to read this, and the Oprah 2.0 stamp on the jacket cover won't hurt. I recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read an inspiring, enthralling narrative covering the life of two very different woman who have one common goal: Freedom. ***

Copy provided by Viking via Netgalley

Review: The Scribe by Antonio Garrido

The Scribe is the second novel I've read by the author Antonio Garrido. Because I lovedThe Corpse Reader so much, I thought he'd be able to bottle that thunder in a novel again. Although I didn't find The Scribe as gripping as it's predecessor, I still very much so enjoyed the title. The Scribe takes place during year 799 and coincides with King Charlemange being crowned Emperor. Theresa, the novel's central character, wants nothing more than to follow in her father's footsteps. She has been molded from a young age to take on the esteemed profession and bear the task of recording the towns records. After training as an apprentice, she is up for testing when a terrible accident leaves her fleeing for her life. Much of the novel centers around her travels while away from home and the people she comes into contact with. Antonio Garrido, from what I've noticed, features characters who have tremendous odds set against them but are quite talented in respects to their fields. Ci Song (fromThe Corpse Reader) was extremely studied in his skill of reading corpse' as Theresa is in her ability to read, write, and do all the functions necessary for the job. Theresa's biggest obstacle, besides the bad guy, is that during medieval times, there was no human resources. Women's rights was definitely not on the horizon so aside from dealing with the constant badgering of horny men, being female was enough to disqualify her. What resonates most with readers regarding both characters is that they still don't give up their hopes and we find them have a sort of coming of age in the process. After a mugging involving Theresa and her father Gorgias in Wurzburg, an important codex is believed to be stolen. This really sets the story in motion and allows readers to realize that there is something suspicious going on. What's in this document and why's it so important? This question only lingers for a few pages when Garrido's long-windedness almost causes me to forget about it. I'm all for long books and I appreciate Garrido's attention to detail and character development, but it didn't seem important after awhile because the focus was on Theresa's new life. I felt that Gorgias was MIA for too long to remember he was missing a codex. As mentioned in the last paragraph, Garrido gives life to his characters. There is a profound attention to detail that I love when reading historical fiction. He goes into detail about how the parchment paper of the time was made and the process. Garrido manages to make the reader feel as though they are plopped right into the medieval times. His characters are dealing with the food shortage, ergot poisoning, religious unification or persecution, and living in harmony with Carolingian laws. Antonio Garrido is definitely climbing the list of my go-to authors. The Scribe was enjoyable and I recommend it to fans of historical fiction mysteries. I look forward to Garrido's next book.  *** Copy provided by AmazonCrossing