From Publishers WeeklyStarred Review. Percy's excellent debut novel (after the collection Refresh, Refresh) digs into the ambiguous American attitude toward nature as it oscillates between Thoreau's romantic appreciation and sheer gothic horror. The plot concerns a hunting trip taken by Justin Caves and his sixth-grade son, Graham, with Justin's bullying father, Paul, a passionate outdoorsman in failing health who's determined to spend one last weekend in the Echo Canyon before real estate developer Bobby Fremont turns the sublime pocket of wilderness into a golfing resort. Justin, a high school English teacher, has hit an almost terminally rough patch in his marriage to Karen, who, while the boys camp, contemplates an affair with Bobby, though she may have bigger problems with wounded Iraq war vet Brian, a case study in creepy stalker. The men, meanwhile, are being tracked by a beast and must contend with a vengeful roughneck roaming the woods. A taut plot and cast of deeply flawed characters--Justin is a masterwork of pitiable wretchedness--will keep readers rapt as peril descends and split-second decisions come to have lifelong repercussions. It's as close as you can get to a contemporary Deliverance. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistWilderness, in several senses, is at the root of this ambitious first novel. A man named Justin; his impulsive, willful father; and his studious, school-age son spend a weekend camping and hunting in an Oregon wilderness area that will soon become a golf resort. Portents of danger accompany them: a rattler in their tent, an enraged redneck, and signs of a marauding bear. But it’s granddad who seems the greatest threat, and Justin, who has always shied away from confrontation, worries that even if they survive, the fabric of family may not. Percy skillfully limns the psychic wildernesses of his characters even as he paints a vivid image of central Oregon’s high desert, the impact of development, and the divide between capitalism and conservation. A parallel story of Justin’s angst-ridden wife, who is being stalked by an ex-marine who suffered a horrific head wound in Iraq, is also effective; but it creates one more psychic wilderness than the book can handle. The Wilding seems a bit overambitious, but, even so, it draws readers in and holds them in its grasp. --Thomas Gaughan Views: 27
Love might need a little push…or a good, swift kick. Unbelievable, Book 2 Tori Chambers. Old biddy, gossip, busybody and meddler. Except in reality she’s none of those things—she’s a guardian angel who specializes in helping people find their soul mates. Her latest assignment has had her tearing her hair out for over a year. She’s holding up her end for the fireman who’s her current client, but his soul mate’s guardian angel is dropping the ball big time. And when a replacement steps in, it’s enough to curl what’s left of Tori’s hair. Jericho. The one man who broke her heart—and made her determined to never fail her clients like her own guardian angel failed her. A hundred years ago, while fighting for Texas independence, Jericho made a mistake that accidentally cost her life. Now that she’s forced to make nice and work with him, he’s determined not to lose her again. Even if he has to tie her to the bed and make love to her until she’s willing to see reason. Because unknown to Tori, she is his assignment. And if he can’t find a way to convince her they’re soul mates, they face an eternity of consequences… Warning: Two humans-turned-angels doing very wicked, non-angelic things to each other. Tied to the bed, bent over the table, up against the wall, and plenty of front and backdoor action is enjoyed by all! Views: 27
RetailImagine getting a glimpse of heaven, a preview of life in God's presence. Could life here ever be the same? Capt. Dale Black has flown as a commercial pilot all over the world, but one flight changed his life forever--an amazing journey to heaven and back. The only survivor of a horrific plane crash, Dale was hovering between life and death when he had a wondrous experience of heaven. What he saw, what he heard, and what he learned there continues to ripple through his life and touch others. Against all odds, Dale miraculously recovered from his injuries and learned to fly again. Now, with his life as a testament, he shares his inspiring story--offering hope and encouragement for those dealing with serious injuries or the loss of a loved one, and those looking for assurance about this life and the next.Experience a Life-Changing Vision of Heaven"Dale Black's near-death experience took my breath away. Flight to Heaven is a spiritually rich reflection on the enormous love God has for His children and the lengths to which He will go to bring them safely home."--Trudy Harris, author of Glimpses of Heaven Views: 27
An overpopulated space station threatens to separate two young loves. At any moment, Challers Dizen could find himself conscripted by the Fleet and forced to become one of their lethal, over-muscled Marines, while Valka Parl could be taken away by the gluttonous Merchants. Their only hope to stay together is to join the mysterious Scouts. Luckily, just in the nick of time, a Scout ship arrives at their station and whisks Challers and Valka away to begin their training. However, they soon learn that exploring space as a Scout means exploring their sexuality in ways they never imagined. Will their experiences tear them apart, or strengthen their bond? And are the Scouts really the saviors they seem to be? Only the future will tell. Views: 27
Written with the stunning economy of language for which Michael Knight's work has always been praised, The Typist is a rich and powerful work of historical fiction that expertly chronicles both the politics of the Pacific theater of World War II, and the personal relationships borne from the tragedies of warfare. When Francis Vancleave (Van") joins the army in 1944, he expects his term of service to pass uneventfully. His singular talent—typing ninety-five words a minute—keeps him off the battlefield and in General MacArthur's busy Tokyo headquarters, where his days are filled with paperwork in triplicate and letters of dictation.But little does Van know that the first year of the occupation will prove far more volatile for him than for the U.S. Army. When he's bunked with a troubled combat veteran cum-black marketer and recruited to babysit MacArthur's eight-year-old son, Van is suddenly tangled in the complex—and risky—personal... Views: 27
One of Australia's most respected and admired writers, Murray Bail's wry humour and haunting power are fully realised in these compelling stories.In the brilliant title story 'Camouflage' Eric Banerjee, an unassuming Adelaide piano tuner is sent north to contribute to Australia's war effort in 1942. His experiences unexpectedly become some of the happiest of his life.Accompanying it is one of Bail's masterly pieces of short fiction, 'The Seduction of My Sister', a weird and compelling account of sibling rivalry and love.Murray Bail's short stories have been published widely both in Australia and the UK and have also appeared in the New Yorker magazine. His much-loved novel Eucalyptus, was the winner of the Commonwealth Writers Prize and The Miles Franklin Award.'Both these stories are remarkable, in utterly different ways: they exhibit the restraint and license of a true literary master.' Peter Craven, Australian Book Review Views: 27
A Pure Clear Light is Madeleine St John at her Booker Prize-shortlisted best: irony-edged, elegant, compassionate, true.Simon and Flora Beaufort are married with three children: they live a solid comfortable life. Yet both feel the dark abyss, the transitory nature of what underpins their lives and holds them together.When Flora takes the children to France for a month, Simon is drawn inexorably to another woman. Flora arrives home to find him there but not there, and in his unnameable absence heeds the cry of her reawakened faith.'St John is smart and perceptive and witty and can write up a storm...She is a wonderfully gifted writer; her small books contain large heart.' Washington Post Views: 27
In the small town of Torrelodones on the outskirts of Madrid, a funeral is taking place. Julio Carrión González, a man of tremendous wealth and influence in Madrid, has come home to be buried. But as the family stand by the graveside, his son Alvaro notices the arrival of a stranger -- a young and attractive woman. No one appears to know who she is, or why she is there. Alvaro's questions only deepen when the family inherits an enormous amount of money that is a surprise even to them. In his father's study Alvaro discovers an old folder with letters sent to his father in Russia between 1941 and 1943, faded photos of people he never met and a locked grey metal box. The woman is Raquel Fernández Perea, the daughter of Spaniards who fled during the Civil War. One episode in her past has marked her for ever -- the only time she saw her grandfather cry. Her fate, and that of the family, now hangs on the secrets of Julio's past. From the provincial heartlands of Spain to the battlefields of Russia, THE FROZEN HEART is a mesmerising journey through a war that tore families apart, pitted fathers against sons, brothers against brothers, wives against husbands. Against such a past, where do faith and loyalty lie? Views: 27
Mystery/Crime. 108555 words long. Views: 27
