From Publishers WeeklyStarred Review. When American swimmer Sydney Stringfellow arrives at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, she never expects to fall in love with a handsome young German, but she does. When politics separate them, she goes home to nurse her broken heart and meets Jimmy, a kind young American who restores her faith in love and marries her before being shipped off to the Pacific theater of WWII. When Horst shows up on her doorstep, though, Sydney is torn and must decide what she is willing to do for love. Told as a memoir, Deford's newest is entertaining and thought provoking. He has a superb sense of character and period, and readers will at once feel drawn into the turbulent times. The memoir device, while overused in many books, is put to excellent effect, allowing readers to easily identify with Sydney's son and interviewer, Teddy. The surprising twist will catch readers off guard but not leave them feeling cheated. This is a poignant story, utterly charming and enjoyable. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From BooklistThis book sounds so simple: Sydney Stringfellow, nearing death, sits her son down and tells him about a special, long-ago time of her life. But Deford’s beautifully written novel is a bit more complex than that. It introduces us to two Sydneys, the elderly-but-sprightly woman dying of cancer and the teenage girl, graceful and naive, who decided, against pretty tall odds, that she would swim for her country in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This is one of those novels that defies categorization. There’s romance in it, but it’s not a love story. It’s set, partly, against the backdrop of a world war, but it’s not a war story. There is heartrending tragedy, but it’s not a tragedy. The story doesn’t fully reveal itself until the end, when Deford ties all the threads together, showing us finally what he’s been building before our eyes. This multilayered, finely crafted, and elegantly constructed novel will appeal both to readers of historical fiction and to those who crave any kind of writing that is genuinely inspiring. --David Pitt Views: 8
Suit up! The war is far from over in fifteen new Defending the Future stories. Fight alongside old comrades with tales of the Roosevelt, Cybermarines, DemonTech, Alliance Archives, Radiation Angels, and the 142nd Starbourne. Or explore new visions of Military Science Fiction from the leaders in the genre. Featuring the works of James Chambers, Bud Sparhawk, Jeff Young, Mike McPhail, Andy Remic, Charles E. Gannon, Peter Prellwitz, Jeffrey Lyman, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Robert E. Waters,James Daniel Ross, Patrick Thomas, C.J. Henderson, John G. Hemry (Jack Campbell). Views: 8
He knew she was gone the second her cool touch withdrew from his arm. He never saw her but had felt her disappear into some cold, dark place. He perceived the black emptiness where she had been summoned, her deep anxiety filling his heart. But he couldn't reach her. He didn't even know her name. Elias moved to Hazel Grove, California to get away from the rain, his parents, and everything that was taken from him in Hayward, Washington. But he thinks he may be going crazy when he starts seeing purple glitter in the air, the scent of rosemary is everywhere, and he is hearing a beautiful voice. Jane is content in her life of solitude in the quiet town of Jasmyn Lake, but when her special magic sends her on a journey to meet the man she has been dreaming about for months, she cannot resist. Look into the world of The Enchanters, where water has a sense of humor, trees scare people, and love - is destiny. Views: 8
HE PUT ON A TIN BADGEAND BACKED IT UP WITH HOT LEADWith six good men murdered in a single smoking night, Woodlawn was starting to feel more like a cemetery than a town. John Stone had no plans to stick around ... until the local killers sparked his wrath by gunning down his riding companion. Pinning on the tin star, Stone declares martial law. It's the bloodiest range war west of the Missouri. And Stone would rather die than declare a truce... Views: 8
Bare Naked Designs, #2Are you willing to risk it all and give in to temptation?Carrie Taylor can't believe her luck. Along with her own lingerie line she's now the proud owner of Satin and Lace, a specialty lingerie store. She has everything she's ever wanted...except Aleks Turko. After a lifetime spent pining over the man she can never have, Carrie decides to take back her love life. Vowing to get him out of her system once and for all, she propositions Aleks for a one night stand.Growing up without a mother and with an uncommunicative father, Aleks Turko sought comfort in the arms of the Taylor family. As an adult, he now has everything he needs – a second family, good friends, and a bottomless barrel of women. But over the last few months vivid, sexual thoughts about Carrie have become a regular occurrence. He's managed to keep his urges at bay, but when he walks in on her wearing one of her lacy designs, all bets are off.When what was supposed to be a... Views: 8
Widely regarded as the essential book for every science fiction fan, THE YEAR'S BEST SCIENCE FICTION continues to uphold its standard of excellence with more than two dozen stories from the previous year. This year's volume includes Michael Swanwick, Geoff Ryman, Allen Steele, Nancy Kress, Robert Reed, Michael Cassott, Charles Stross and many other bright talents of science fiction, as well as the usual thorough summations of the year and a recommended reading list. Views: 8
LovingTheBossMEMOTo: The Single Women in the OfficeFrom: Molly Doyle, Temporary WifeRe: My Make-Believe MarriageFor three glorious days, I was Jack Cavanaugh's wife...or so I thought. A bump on my head made me believe I was married to my dreamy boss, and Jack had no choice but to play husband—doctor's orders, he said. But i know he really did enjoy my wifely attention. Dare I hope I'll be with my once-upon-a-time groom...after hours?Six friends dream of marrying their bosses in this delightful new seriesWatch for Rachel's story in April. Views: 8
Lucy Kincaid wanted a simple life with a white picket fence, but once Jens took her to Undraland, she knew that wouldn't be in the cards. Learning to maneuver the landmines of laplanding with her boyfriend's best friend is more than Lucy bargained for. Prince Jamie has access to Lucy's every thought, making it impossible to have a moment to herself, or run away from her problems.Pesta, the evil Siren, wants Lucy dead, and will stop at nothing to protect her kingdom that slowly sucks the life from the magical people of Undraland. Nik and Jens lead the way with Lucy as they battle innumerable foes to tear down Pesta's portal in Nøkken. Views: 8
One kiss was all it would take. April is brought to Hell’s Gate, the most exclusive Goth club in town, by her best friend to check out one of the famed fetishes at Hell’s Gate. Cindy drags April into the bowels of the club to be kissed by a mysterious hooded man. April returns home without being kissed and finds her dreams haunted by the mystifying man. Those erotic visions draw her back to Hell’s Gate only to discover who or what is underneath the hood and maybe be kissed herself. Views: 8
