FROM THE DESK OF
DONA PENZA TATTLE, ESQ.
AND
ASSOCIATE WRYE
BALDERDASH
Greetings,
"Well, it is finally here," Wrye
announced as he finger brushes imaginary dust off his shoulders.
Twirling about in her sparkly new gown, Tattle
added, "Yes it is! The
following are all the nominees for the Tattle and Wrye Book Award.
Otherwise known as:
THE
FABULOUS FICTION FABRICATOR FEATHER IN THE FEDORA, WRYE TOAST FROM BALDERDASH
AND TATTLE... JAM OPTIONAL AWARD, DENOTING THAT BALDERDASH BABBLES AND TATTLE
PRATTLES AND GOOD WRITERS WRITE WELL...
TAA DAA! WITH
BOW AND CURTSY
First, is the author's book blurb
followed, in italics, by a partial, though pertinent, part of our review.
(You can find the reviews in their
entirety at either http://champagnebooks.blogspot.com/ or
http://angelicahartandzi.com/index_files/Page814.htm)
AWARD NOMINEES
MEDIUM RARE by Julie
Eberhart Painter - cozy mystery
Penny volunteers as a bereavement
caller at a local hospice where she runs into a whole new set of nutty buddies.
Hospice workers, under stress and subject to burnout, romp through the offices
chased by a psychic medium who uncovers their life secrets with eerie accuracy.
The hapless humans become entangled in the predictions they hear at their
readings in Cassadaga, Florida, a real spiritualist town. All hell breaks
loose, and the medium ends up stabbed through the heart with her largest most
annoying knitting needle. Click, click.
All in all, Julie took
the backdrop of a serious setting like hospice and managed to add the type of
humor and light-fare associated with a cozy mystery. The genius of this
book is that you can pick up clues along the way, play with the possibilities,
yet the cornerstone clues, though obvious in the aftermath, were virtually
invisible." Pause, and then, "Everything is viewed from the
workers perceptions and how they manage to keep their sanity while dealing with
hospice patients and their families, better their skills, yet retain empathy
without becoming emotionally involved. There is complete authenticity in
both the feel of the characters and the hospice setting. The story and
plot line moves delightfully along, making one smile in some parts as well as
laugh outright in others, and then occasionally blurting out, that's the killer
only to be uncertain a few pages later. Simply put, a fun, fun
read."
Confessions Of The
Sausage Queen by Ute Carbone - humor
Mandy Minhouser figures she’s already
had her fifteen minutes of fame and excitement. The hype created by the picture
that her husband Randy sent in to Girls! Girls! Girls! which featured Mandy
wearing nothing but a garden hat, has finally died down. And life in the little
town of Kassenburg goes on as it ever has. Until Big Bill Ludowski, founder and
owner of the town’s largest employer - Bill’s Big and Tasty Sausage- dies while
he and Mandy’s grandmother Lila Rose were, as Mandy puts it, doing their best
Adam and Eve imitation under the hydrangea bushes. That Gran and Big Bill
have had an affair that began around the same time as World War II is a secret
that everyone in Kassenburg knows. But a new secret is about to be revealed.
Big Bill has, in a DVD that only he, his lawyers and Mandy’s Gran know about,
bequeathed the sausage factory to Lila. And he’s posthumously offered the job
of CEO to Mandy, much to the consternation of his relatives.
Mandy doesn’t know squat about the
sausage biz and Bill’s grandson Hughes, the factory’s CFO, does everything in
his power to discredit her and close the Big and Tasty. But Mandy has the one
thing that Hughes doesn’t-- family and friends willing to put themselves on the
line to save the sausage people. With hope, faith and a whole lot of luck,
Mandy and company manage to do just that.
CONFESSIONS OF THE
SAUSAGE QUEEN is one hysterical romp through the
perspective of a small town, uninhibited gal whose family and friends are as
uproariously hilarious and peculiar as the heroine. Ute Carbone has
created relatable characters, yes, relatable, for isn't everyone a bit eccentric.
And the easy readable prose keep the pages turning and the laughter
coming. Yet, through the humor a shade of mystery and danger seep through
giving the story extra depth, taking it a notch above your typical comic
contemporary story.
It is important to
note, however, allow a single sitting to read the book cause you won't be able
to put it down, and if you read into the night, you will wake any and all in
the household with laughter. The duo proclaim they haven't had such a
gala time of it while reading for ages.
Ute Carbone is a
fresh voice and this team will be anxiously looking forward to her next book.
ALMOST
ADEPT by Olga
Godim - fantasy
To prove her Adept
potential, seventeen-year-old mage Eriale embarks on her first magical quest.
She expects a glittering foreign escapade but ends up in Grumesh, the land rife
with poverty and violence, where local courier Kealan becomes her only friend
and ally. Together, they survive an explosion, a treacherous incarceration, and
a daring escape. Sparks of interest ignite between them, but before Eriale can
explore her attraction to Kealan, she discovers blood magic running amok in the
city. Her priorities must change. As an aspiring Adept, she is duty-bound to
find and eliminate the blood mage of Grumesh, or the blood magic will taint the
entire land. No matter the cost—her life or her heart—she can’t let the vile
mage win.
They will enjoy every
twist and turn, every interlude and every ominous misstep. If you like
fantasy, it will cater to those spell-twirling needs. If you like
adventure, it'll have you clamoring after every word. And if you like a
touch of romance, you'll find just enough to trigger a swoon.
Yes, yes, yes!
As a consummate fantasy reader, I highly recommend ALMOST ADEPT. Olga
Godim's writing style is like being on a sled ride, downward on a steep hill,
without brakes. It is smooth, racy, and breathless. You simply
don't want to put the book aside. The only hitch is if you start reading
it at night, prepare yourself to greet the dawn without having a bit of sleep.
THE WITCH'S
DAUGHTER by Ron D. Voigt - A Cavendish Brown
Paranormal Mystery Book
Investigative reporter and recent
widower, Cavendish Brown, is unemployed and floundering. Coerced into returning
to his childhood home by the town's eccentric matriarch, Cavendish finds
himself involved in murder, deceit, and a not-so-subtle attempt at matchmaking.
Joined by Jane, a disturbed psychic, and Alexandra, a young Goth woman with
uncanny abilities, they follow leads into the hills of West Virginia to catch
the killer. A sheriff who shoots first and asks questions later makes solving
the case difficult for the trio. Adding further complications is an
ex-girlfriend with a mob hitman on her trail who seeks Cavendish’s help.
Immersed in a never-ending spiral of
clues and secrets, he must unlock the darkness that surrounds the enigmatic
Jane, stay ahead of the law, and come to terms with his own grief.
Still literally in the scenes of the story, Wrye
settles himself on a rock, viewing a waterfall while trying to avoid looking at
a washed-up body on the bank. “All I can say is this is one fabulous
read. It pulls you into Cavendish’s shattered world and keeps you wanting
more. He’s a decent and gallant man who keeps trying to do the right
thing, and keeps courting trouble. You just can’t help feeling for the
guy. He has some flaws and that makes him all the more real.”
Tattle joins Wrye. “All the
characters are dimensional, unique and true-to-life. Paradoxically,
despite being dead, even Emma has texture as you feel her through Cavendish’s
heart. A flashback scene with Cavendish and Emma actually prompted tears,
and totally ruined my mascara! Additionally, the story flows easily from
one page to the next, and the paranormal elements add just the right spice to
enhance an already flawlessly plotted murder mystery. In the end, you
might have many answers, but not everything is tied up in a neat little
parochial school girl saddle shoes bow. After all, this is a series, and Ron
D. Voigts makes certain you will want to come back again and again. Will
Cavendish cut back on the booze? Will Alexandra, the antithesis to his
Emma, garner his attention and just what is it that has brutes fleeing from her
stare? And what will happen to Jane with her mysterious quirks and
unusual ability? Those are just a few of the queries that need
answers. So, be prepared, like potato chips, one Cavendish Brown
Paranormal Mystery will not ever be enough!”
TRACKS by K. M.
TOLAN - fantasy
Ever look out of a train car’s window
and think the world rushing by isn’t yours? Welcome to Hobohemia, where
hobo kings vie with rail barons over the value of the human spirit, and steam
engines still ply the living rails. Vincent arrives searching for his
long lost sister, but quickly finds himself immersed in a battle to stop the
Erie Railroad from unleashing a horror that will see the end of hobo jungles
and craftsmen alike.
Seriously, I repeat
the word BRILLIANT! The characters were dimensional and unexpected, the
imagery was like watching a movie rather than just reading words, the storyline
never gave you a chance to catch your breath. It was unlike anything I have
ever read, and I couldn’t stop reading it. I truly hope the very talented
K. M. TOLAN creates another story in this universe.”
TRACKS is such an
imaginative work, where heroes aren’t who you imagine and the creativity of
every scene is beyond what you could conceive. Way to go, Tolan!
This is certainly his best work to date. Keep them coming.
IN THE SPIRIT by Linda
Rettstatt - paranormal
Author Jessica Windsor is suffering a
severe case of writer's block. Hoping a change of scenery will get the words
flowing again, she retreats to a mountain cabin where she soon discovers she is
not alone. A ghost with unfinished business enlists her help and Jessica finds
herself on a madman's hit list.
Ben Gearing has been something of a
recluse since he destroyed his marriage and lost his family. But there’s
something about Jessica Windsor that makes him want to smile again, makes him
feel more like his old self. Could he be ready to finally get on with his life?
…this book is wild
ride that keeps pages turning and anticipation churning. You never know
if you are in for a laugh or a bump in the night, and not all the bumps are the
ghostly kind. The characters interact well, and keep you cheering them
onward to their resolutions. Ben and Jessica have that meant-to-happen
aura, but there is also that fear they may be doomed or star-crossed.
Secondary characters
are three dimensional and you find yourself either liking them immensely or
hating them totally. All are well-drawn and real. Then there is
Andrew, the very charismatic specter with a tragic love-lost back story that
has one bemoaning his demise." Tattle pulls out a hanky and dabs at
her eyes.
Linda has created her
own romantic mystery genre with this story. It has just the right mixture
of romantic tension, mystery, and humor. Everything in life was ignored
until I read the last page, and then I was off looking for more books by the
author.
Her style is fast
paced and clean. It is a book to be enjoyed and savored.
AN ALIEN’S GUIDE
TO WORLD DOMINATION by LIZ FOUNTAIN –Humorous sci-fi
Louise Armstrong Holliday is the last
person on Earth you’d expect to save the human race. But when she uncovers
proof that her boss is an alien the color of lime jelly gone horribly wrong,
and is at the center of a plot to destroy humanity, Louie decides to do exactly
that. She begins a journey from her company’s suburban Seattle office park to
the old cities and castles of Eastern Europe. Along the way, Louie is attacked
by flying books, overly-sensitive bat-crow monsters, and her own self-doubts.
She must learn the truth about her closest friend, stand up to her boss,
confront her oldest enemy, and make peace with her Aunt Emma, who annoys her in
the way only true family can. She also has to rely on Buddy, the little blind
mini-Schnauzer who saves her life twice – and really is from Mars.
AN ALIEN’S GUIDE TO
WORLD DOMINATION is a refreshing twist on sci-fi. Humor
tuned to the beat of a different accordion player, catches you off guard and
you find yourself chuckling at mundane incidences that reflects everyday normalcy
gone berserk.
The characters are
likeable, even the villains are those you love to hate. You keep telling
yourself you’re going to bookmark and go to bed at the end of the next chapter,
but find yourself reading away. It just draws you in and doesn’t want to
spit you out. Tattle looked at Wrye, nose wrinkled at his choice
Overall, if you
are prepared to take a trip down sci-fi lane on a lopsided roller coaster with
a laugh here and there, you will certainly enjoy this book. If we were
the sort to give a rating, which we don’t, it would be five blind alien dogs.
WHEN THE DAM BREAKS by Cathy
Coburn – contemporary suspense
When Kelly’s husband, homicide
detective Bob Martin, starts to pursue a serial killer it soon becomes clear
that his new found passion, the one which ignites his sexuality into a raging
force is his passion for the kill itself.
Her world spirals out of control as she
realizes the murders are not the work of an amateur, but of a manipulative,
well-organized, and lethal mastermind. What Kelly doesn’t realize, is that Bob
is only the tip of the iceberg, for what lies beneath the surface, is more
sinister then anything she could have ever envisioned.
Cathy Coburn’s writing
style is much like that of a hypnotist. We simply couldn’t look
away. …We were drawn further and further into the plot, twirled about in
the same vortex of the character's irrationality, driven to turn the page and
to read faster and faster. She hooked us on page one, and we barely
breathed until the last page had been read. Even after we finished, we
felt haunted by the prose and the characters.
Cathy’s work is
brilliant and imaginative. Can’t wait to see more from this talented
author. If you want to read a thriller that takes you to the cliff’s edge
and shoves you over for the literary rush of your life, then read Cathy
Coburn's WHEN THE DAM BREAKS.
DESTINY by Celia
Breslin – vampire/supernatural
In HAVEN, San Francisco nightclub owner
Carina Tranquilli survives a vicious attack by her vampire family’s longtime
archenemies. Several weeks later, as she struggles with PTSD and survivor’s
guilt, supervillain Dixon resurfaces and kidnaps two of her best friends. To
save them, Carina must comply with the evil bastard’s unusual demands. The
kicker? She must tell no one what she is up to.
Meanwhile, she has a new dance club to
open for the preternatural community, a fated soul mate acting secretive and
distant, and a sexy, new, undead friend who’d love to take Alexander’s place in
her heart and bed. Blackmailed, betrayed, tempted…sometimes destiny has a
wicked sense of humor.
The readers will be
dying to find out the outcome. …Celia Breslin has created a new twist on the
vampire theme, giving us a novel vampire universe, a young heroine that has
fresh abilities, and an eye-candy entourage that is pleasing to any vampire
lover's palette. Her writing is smooth and sophisticated, making this
particular reader want to suck on every bit of dialogue and prose. All
while leaving just enough of a blood trail to make me anxiously await the next
instalment of the series.
…I especially like her
use of a ticking clock, which isn't a clock, but a nice little gift that Dixon
sends her at the beginning of the story. (Read the book to find out what
it is.) It provides a deep piercing bite of suspense that keeps the pages
turning. Simultaneously, the evil is so well crafted, it offers an
unquenchable thirst for vengeance on behalf of Carina. Great book!
Excellent writing style.
(You can find the reviews in its
entirety at http://angelicahartandzi.com/index_files/Page814.htm)
Hope you all enjoyed our jaunt into our book
reviews and nominees. Next month we will
announce the criterion we used to select the winner as well as the winner! Until then, keep reading!
Dona
Penza Rutabaga Tattle, Esq. and Associate Wrye Balderdash of
Blather City, Wannachat
Created and written by: Angelica Hart and Zi
Books by:
Angelica Hart and Zi
KILLER
DOLLS ~ SNAKE DANCE ~
CHASING
YESTERDAY ~ CHRISTMAS EVE...VIL
Books by:
Vixen Bright and Zachary Zane
STEEL
EMBRACE
BOOK
NOOKIE-A LIBRARIAN'S BUIDE TO THE DO-ME DECIMAL SYSTEM
angelicahartandzi.com
Thank you, T & W - quite honored to be in the company of such amazing authors (and terrific books)!
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