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GOD’S CHOICE: POPE BENEDICT
XVI AND THE FUTURE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH by George Weigel
“Weigel, who . . . is a leading commentator on issues of public
life and religion, offers both depth and scope in this carefully
written work, which avoids the inaccuracies of works quickly published
after the death of John Paul II (e.g., Greg Tobin's Holy Father:
Pope Benedict XVI). Weigel spends the first hundred pages on the
pontificate of John Paul II, arguing that while the papacy has traditionally
claimed a global role, John Paul II gave specific meaning and empirical
texture to that claim. With that foundation, the reader is treated
to a vivid analysis of the conclave process, an inside account of
church structure, the background and influence of Joseph Ratzinger,
and a firsthand, unflinching exploration of issues pertaining to
the Catholic Church and the world.” – Library Journal |
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GOT THE LOOK by James Grippando
“What is the price of a human life? That is the central question
confronting Florida lawyer Jack Swyteck as he grapples with kidnapping
and treachery. . . Fans of legal thrillers will devour this novel;
first-time readers of former trial lawyer Grippando (Hear No Evil)
and the Swyteck series will not feel left out. Jack is a wonderful
character, and the main mystery is both puzzling and shocking.”
– Library Journal
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QUEEN OF THE UNDERWORLD
by Gail Godwin
“Godwin, a three-time National Book Award nominee, taps into
her experiences as a fledgling Florida journalist to render a tale
whose ambling, amiable plot is redeemed by a cast of memorable characters.
. . Topping the list of provocative personalities is Ginevra Brown,
aka the Queen of the Underworld, a former Miami madam once betrothed
to a mobster. Readers who can't get enough Godwin can snap up the
first installment of her two-volume memoir, The Making of a Writer:
Journals, 1961-1963.” – Publisher's Weekly
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THE RED HAT SOCIETY: FUN AND FRIENDSHIP
AFTER FIFTY by Sue Ellen Cooper
“Cooper, the Red Hat Society's founding "Queen Mother,"
believes middle-aged women have gotten used to going unnoticed,
and this book describes how she's trying to change that. The Red
Hat movement began in the late 1990s, as Cooper, a California graphic
artist, began hosting 50th (and other) birthday celebrations for
a few friends. Inspired by the line in Jenny Joseph's poem "Warning"
that vows, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple, /
With a red hat that doesn't go," Cooper presented each birthday
girl with a red hat that jibed with her individual taste. The women
loved the hats so much, they started wearing them to teas, slumber
parties and even sporting events. Their gatherings attracted attention,
and today, the society claims to have over 10,000 chapters across
the country. . . This feel-good handbook, complete with anecdotes
from members, could find a welcoming audience.” – Publisher's
Weekly |
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SAILS ON THE HORIZON by
Jay Worrall
“Intrepid hero Charles Edgemont does battle with the French
and their allies during the Napoleonic Wars in Worrell's competent
debut. . . Although well executed and demonstrating Worrall's expertise
in ship and sea warfare history, the plot runs too smoothly to be
satisfying. Charles never stumbles, never runs afoul of anyone or
anything. Handsome, charming, self-confident beyond the telling
of it, he handily defeats veteran seamen, takes enormous chances
and is always rewarded for his audacity and impetuousness. Readers
will root for him, but he's no Horatio Hornblower.” –
Publisher's Weekly |
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SPEAK OF THE DEVIL by Richard
Hawke
“Hawke's plot is a bit of a stretch -- young PIs
don't often head up major investigations -- but he makes it work because
he keeps the suspense mounting. It's one of those novels that had
me putting my hand over the next page to keep from peeking. Hawke's
plot grabs us by the throat, but his details provide more subtle pleasures,
for he is skilled with minor characters and turns a nice phrase.”
– The Washington Post |
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TOXIC BACHELORS by Danielle
Steel
“When you've got three attractive men in a Steel
novel, each determined to stay single, you can expect romance, love
and marriage vows around the corner, as well as the usual mix of glamour,
fashion and wealth. . . The three friends take their annual summer
Mediterranean booze cruise on Charles's luxurious yacht, and in the
hubbub there and back in New York, each ends up crossing paths with
a woman who turns his life upside down. After the initial bliss, there
are confrontations, challenges and threats to promising relationships.
Despite relentlessly reiterating her characters' Freudian backstories,
Steel delivers the inevitable happy endings in the usual nontoxic,
satisfying manner.” – Publisher's Weekly |
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THE UNDOMESTIC GODDESS by Sophie
Kinsella
“Samantha Sweeting, the 29-year-old heroine of
Kinsella's latest confection (after Shopaholic Sister), is on the
verge of partnership at the prestigious London law firm Carter Spink-the
Holy Grail of her entire workaholic life. But when she finds she has
made a terrible, costly mistake just before the partnership decision,
she's terrified of being fired. In a fog, she stumbles out of the
building and onto the nearest train, which drops her in the countryside,
where she wanders to a stately home. The nouveau riche lady of the
house mistakes her for the new housekeeper-and Samantha is too astonished
to correct her. . . If readers can swallow the implausible scenario,
then Kinsella's genuine charm and sweet wit may continue to win her
fans.” – Publisher's Weekly |
