From Publishers WeeklyNo crime, whether a theft or murder, is an isolated event in Palestine; it's an intersection of religious, cultural and political issues, as shown in Rees's absorbing third Omar Yussef mystery (after 2008's A Grave in Gaza). Omar Yussef, a 57-year-old history teacher, becomes immersed in finding who killed Ishaq, a member of the tiny, ancient Samaritan community on the outskirts of Nablus. While his fellow Samaritans didn't respect Ishaq, he controlled millions of dollars of government money through his job at the Palestinian Authority—money that's now missing. Unless the funds can be found, the World Bank will cut off all financial aid to Palestine. If the quiet Yussef stretches believability as a sleuth, Rees excels in capturing the essence of Palestine, from the claustrophobic casbah with its myriad scents to the harsh beauty of the countryside. Rees vividly illustrates daily Palestinian life, where violence is a constant threat and religious attitudes permeate each decision. (Feb.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistStarred Review Rees makes it three for three with his latest Omar Yussef mystery. This time the Bethlehem history teacher is in strife-torn Nablus to attend the wedding of a family friend. Nablus is home to the small Samaritan community, which follows its ancient traditions in the midst of the ongoing violence between Palestinians and Israelis. Yussef, ever the historian, jumps at the chance to visit the Samaritan synagogue and learn more about their beliefs, but he is quickly engulfed in a murder investigation. One of the Samaritans, a young man who worked for Arafat (“the old president”) and controlled millions of the leader’s under-the-table money, has been murdered, and the funds are missing. Yussef throws himself into the daunting task of following the money and thus stopping the World Bank from cutting off aid to Palestine. As in The Collaborator of Bethlehem (2007) and A Grave in Gaza (2008), Rees not only offers a perceptive look at complex international political issues but also help us to understand those issues in the context of everyday lives—of Palestinians attempting to dodge bullets coming in all directions (from Israelis but also from rival factions within their own country) and carry on with the business of falling in love, marrying, raising children. Constantly at risk from all manner of idealists with guns, Yussef soldiers on, his concern for individual human lives standing in stark contrast to the world around him. --Bill Ott Views: 15
The first of a four-book series that looks into a dangerous future. In 2014, climate change has pushed the world to the boiling point. China faces drought and famine; gas costs $14.39 a gallon in the US, Europe has problems of its own. China sets her sights on food-rich Vietnam, and engineers a casus belli designed to justify her aggression, but Josh McArthur, a climatologist doing field work near the border, escapes the massacre of his research team and finds evidence of another — evidence that would discredit Chinese claims and frustrate their plans. Josh must not only escape the Chinese agents hunting him, but he's in the middle of a fast-moving war that is swallowing the country. Josh needs help, and gets it from several places, but he needs to get his information, and himself, if possible, to safe hands. Views: 15
Deep in the heart of seventh-century Arabia, a new prophet named Muhammad has arisen. As his message of enlightenment sweeps through Arabia and unifies the warring tribes, his young wife Aisha recounts Muhammad's astonishing transformation from prophet to warrior to statesman. But just after the moment of her husband's greatest triumph -- the conquest of the holy city of Mecca -- Muhammad falls ill and dies in Aisha's arms. A young widow, Aisha finds herself at the center of the new Muslim empire and becomes by turns a teacher, political leader, and warrior. Views: 15
Spunky widow Cealie Gunther flies into Tennessee after receiving frantic messages from her cousin Stevie Midnight that she needs Cealie’s help, or she’ll die. Cealie and Stevie never got along when they were young, but Cealie can’t refuse Stevie’s cry for assistance.Cealie finds murder has touched her semi-psychic cousin’s life. Resolved to discover the killer, Cealie uncovers secrets about a young mother, Stevie’s hairdresser, and members of her Quitters Group, including a priest and the hookers who pair up with him. Cealie must learn who is murdering people close to her cousin who she’s staying with—or is her strange cousin the killer herself? “Killer Cousins is great! In the mode of Agatha Christie” Heather Graham, N.Y. Times Bestselling author“Sexy Cealie is back with new and old friends. It's a keeper!" Lorna Barrett, N.Y. Times bestselling author“Cealie makes me laugh out loud! I highly recommend this book!” Reviewer Dawn Dawdle“A fun romp. Highly recommended!” I Love a Mystery Reviews“Interesting characters and life issues that women of all ages can relate to” Armchair Interviews“Cousins must try to unite in their struggle against smoking and flab” Publishers Weekly“A gumbo of wry wit. Rollicking good fun!" Ken Wells, Pulitzer-nominated author Views: 15
Once burned is all it takes… A Rancho Del Cielo Romance. Twelve years ago, Raul Montenga left home to live life on his own terms. Yet for just as long, his nights have sizzled with erotic dreams of Penelope, the girl he left behind. Enough is enough. It’s time to find out if the sparks are real, or all in his head. Not that he expected a warm welcome, but her cold shoulder and icy rejection sting more than he cares to admit. So he’s more than a little surprised to find her tomboy daughter standing nervously on his porch…claiming to be his child. Dr. Penelope Gibson’s worst nightmare isn’t that her daughter wants to know her daddy. It’s facing—and keeping at arm’s length—her biggest youthful mistake. Now he’s back and the feelings she’d thought frozen solid are melting fast. Along with her inhibitions, her clothes and her better judgment. Problem is, Raul’s not content to stop at getting acquainted with her daughter. He wants it all—Penelope’s love, her body and her soul. After twelve years building a life without him, though, she’s not sure she trusts him—or herself—enough to try. Warning: This book features a wildly hot Latino firefighter dead-set on a mission to seduce. Contains bad words, fiery tempers and scorching sex. Oven mitts required. Views: 15
An internationally acclaimed attorney presents a courtroom drama about a young English barrister who finds his world turned upside down when he defends a pulp novelist accused of killing a young girl. A first novel. Views: 15
When the only way of being good is being bad. When the only way of being good is being bad. Jonty thinks he's attending a regular school, but he can't figure out why all his classmates are turning into well-behaved, brilliant students. When the perfect school turns into a perfect nightmare, no one is safe from the world's cleverest students. With two unlikely friends, Jonty sets about exposing the principal's dastardly plan, but will they just become part of his evil scheme too? It's a non-stop comedy adventure that makes you think - how far would you go to be top of the class? Views: 15
