Historical Fiction Annotation

The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg

Publication Date:  2013

Number of Pages:  347

Setting:  U.S. – Alabama, Wisconsin, Texas, California

Time Period: Contemporary/Historical – World War II (1940’s)

SYNOPSIS
With her last daughter married off and her single son living on his own, Sookie Poole, bird lover, is preparing to enjoy her golden years with her husband.  The only thing that can get in her way is her eccentric, demanding mother Lenore and the fear that she has the crazy gene that runs through the family.  Sookie is ready to endure it all; after all she always has been a pushover, but then she receives a phone call and a certified letter that has her reevaluating her entire life as she knows it. 

The shocking revelation is that Sookie is adopted.  The girl who grew up with a mother demanding a Southern bell is a descendant of a hard-working Polish family from Wisconsin.  But that’s just the beginning of the tale.  Flagg intersperses Sookie’s contemporary story of self-discovery with the tale of her biological family, the Jurdabralinskis, starting with a young man’s immigration from Poland and his first impressions of America, to his marriage and the subsequent birth of their children:  one son and four daughters: Fritzi, Gertrude, Tula, and Sophie Marie.  A simple story about a family who owns a filling station is anything but simple as World War II hits, the patriarch of the family becomes ill, and the four daughters take over providing for their family by running the filling station, learning to fly, and becoming WASPS (Women Airforce Service Pilots). 

By the end, historical and contemporary elements of the story converge for a heart-warming display of respect, pride, and familial love.

ELEMENTS OF HISTORICAL FICTION:

“Historical Fiction enhances the reader’s knowledge of past events, lives, and customers.  The goal of authors of Historical Fiction is to bring history to life in novel form” (Saricks 291).

Pacing

The pace ranges from slow to a sense of immediacy, but does not usually induce a frenzied rush.  Generally, “the story envelopes the reader, draws him in, and keeps him enthralled” via “’leisurely unfolding’” (Saricks 297). 

Character

Characterization is extremely important in historical fiction.  Saricks notes that “Readers expect accuracy in the presentation of characters as well as in other details” and “Actual historical figures need to act in ways that are consistent with known facts, and fictional characters must act in a believable fashion for their time and place” (296).  For example, a soldier in World War I should not use slang that is only widely-known today and past social views and customs should come through in the characters, for better or worse.

Setting

Setting is one of the most important elements of historical fiction.  Saricks mentions that “Most readers would agree that the frame…is the first element they respond to as they read Historical Fiction” (292).  A well-written historical fiction should make the reader feel as if they have gone back in time through accurate descriptions of the surroundings and integrating the characters successfully into this interactive world.

Point of View

The point of view varies wildly in historical fiction.  A good mix of first and third person novels are available.

Mood

As with point of view, mood differs greatly.  A reader should be able to find a historical fiction book to match any mood.  Saricks points out that “Second in important to frame is the tone of the story and the mood it conveys” (293).  The synopsis of the book should be written in such a way to give a clear impression of what mood/tone the book conveys.

Language and Style

As with the previous two categories, language and style can be varied.  What one reader enjoys, another may dislike.  Some authors will write authentically while authors will put a modern spin on dialect while still trying to keep all elements believable.  Formats can range from traditional to those written in diary-format. 

Story Line

·         Community Experiences

·         Character-Centered

·         Event-Centered

·         Family Sagas

READ-A-LIKES:

Fried Green Tomatoes by Fannie Flagg

Astor Place Vintage by Stephanie Lehmann

Everything She Thought She Wanted by Elizabeth Buchan

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

MY THOUGHTS

As I have mentioned before, I don’t really like historical fiction books.  A few of my fellow reference librarians made recommendations, but after pulling them and reading the synopsis, they didn’t seem like something I’d like.  On a whim, I started looking through Novelist.  One book appeared on a couple of my search results and after reading the synopsis, I thought it might be something I’d like.  In the past six months I have put the book on hold for many patrons and I’ve heard great reviews.  The book was The All-Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion. 

Part of the reason I chose it was because part of the book is grounded in the contemporary, but surprisingly it was the contemporary part of the story that I ended up liking the least.  I found Sookie to be over-dramatic and really drab, especially in comparison to her historical counterparts.  The humorous moments (especially her get-ups with her therapist) bordered on the absurd and were actually an annoyance separating me from the importance of supporting the boys in WWII.

The part of the book set in the 1940’s / World War II and the information about the WASPs was fantastic. I absolutely loved the character or Fritzi.  Since I am part Polish, I loved the depiction of the close-knit family and the ups and downs of running the family gas station. I held my breath several times when I felt like an important character might die.  After all, war stories usually are not without casualties.  I also enjoyed the letter format between Fritzi and her loved ones that made the novel a surprisingly quick read.

The ending of the book was nice, albeit a little bittersweet.  I feel like I would have enjoyed the book even more without the contemporary storyline and would have gladly replaced Sookie’s dramatics with more from the Jurdabralinski gals, especially Fritzi’s life after the war.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Book Club Experience

A week ago, I attended a morning book club discussion group.  The moderator was one of the Reference Services librarians and the book discussed was Little Bee by Chris Cleave. Each month, the book club is held in the library’s smallest meeting room.  The room contains a countertop and a conference table with ten chairs around it with room enough for twelve.  The library provides coffee/tea/hot chocolate and muffins.  Drinks are created with the library’s Keurig machine so the librarian asks what each member would like, fills each cup herself, and distributes the drinks before the club begins.

For the session that I attended, the librarian had a list of prepared discussion questions in case the discussion among the members hit a lull.  Unfortunately, I had not read the book so I just quietly observed.  Fortunately, the discussion from the regular members of the group was continuous.  Members also did a good job of bringing up their own discussion points.

There was one gentleman in the group that talked a great deal.  The moderate let all attendees respond first whenever she asked a question.  The questions asked propelled the attendees to not only answer ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ but to give support for their opinion by quoting passages from the book.  Discussions ranged from whether any participant would cut off their finger to save someone else to the destruction of lives that greed can bring.  The librarian added her own thoughts, but only after the participants had completed their own analysis.  One participant even wrote a nice synopsis and shared it, pausing when other members of the group wanted to elaborate on a point she made by describing a scene important to them.

The members of the group do not necessarily take turns; there are some instances where people talk over each other.  For the most part, all attendees participate, but it is sometimes reminiscent of the game “King of the Hill.”  The librarian admitted that new members have to work a little to establish their place in the group as many of the attendees have been coming for years. 

The book club discusses a range of books from fiction to nonfiction.  January’s title was The Other Wes Moore by Wes Moore.  The members did note that the books lately have been heavy, serious, and at times depressing.  The librarian is currently working on a list of books for the next series and members have asked her to look for books that are a little more light-hearted.  Little Bee had quite a bit of violence, including rape, and shed light on some important, but serious (and depressing) issues.

Overall, the members seem to really like the librarian and there is general, friendly banter before the program begins.  Even though the morning I attended was one filled with blowing snow, near white-out conditions, and neighboring libraries being closed, a few of the dedicated members still came to discuss Little Bee.  I believe that part of this dedication has to be due to the librarian.  She is nonjudgmental and runs the group casually.   She did a good job of pulling the group back if they got too off topic.  I think the members appreciate that she lets them talk for a good deal of time, as long as they are talking about the book.  She also told me that she also will try to make sure new members get some time because an hour can go very quickly.  

Week 7 Prompt

After working in a public library for fifteen years, I have seen several works pulled for being exposed as frauds.  The most recent instance of this happened just a month ago.  We pulled the book Boy Who Came Back From Heaven by Alex Malarkey after the author "recanted his testimony about the afterlife" (Charles).  The information actually came to us after one of our staff members read an article in the Washington Post entitled "'Boy Who Came Back From Heaven' Actually Didn't; Books Recalled" by Ron Charles.  The library promptly withdrew the book and recycled it rather than put it in our book sale.

Another issue that has been discussed concerns the controversy surrounding Lance Armstrong.  Do we pull the books focusing on his cycling career?  Do we put an article explaining the controversy in the books?  I'm actually not sure what was ever decided; however, we have begun a heavy weeding project that looks at dates from the CREW manual as well as circulations.  The problem may have solved itself as these books died in popularity after the truth was revealed.

Lastly, I'm reminded of James Frey's A Million Little Pieces.  This one is probably the most notorious due to the publicity push that followed its selection as one of Oprah Winfrey's book club selections. According to a 2006 article from The Smoking Gun, "Frey appears to have fictionalized his past to propel and sweeten the book's already melodramatic narrative and help convince readers of his malevolence" ("A Million Little Lies"). Surprisingly, I had believed that the library had pulled the book; a quick search revealed the library switched it from a memoir to the 362's (social problems) instead.  

Works Cited

Charles, Ron.  "'Boy Who Came Back From Heaven Actually Didn't'; Books Recalled." Washington Post. 16 Jan. 2015.  Web. 24 Feb. 2015.

"A Million Little Lies." The Smoking Gun. 4 Jan. 2006.  Web.  24 Feb. 2015.

Week 6 Prompt

For this week's prompt, I took to Pinterest to get some ideas of an integrated library display for the horror genre.  The first thing I ran across is the image to the right. I pinned this early last year for my teen room bulletin board in October, but I ended up decorating for Teen Read Week instead.

Besides the large, eye-catching artwork of the monster, slime, and text, the little pictures depict staff members reading.  

I would specifically ask staff to share their favorite horror-book for this themed display.  The only thing I don't like about the image is that there isn't room to display actual items in this display.  I would utilize a bulletin board rather than a glassed in case and move a bookcase under the bulletin board to continue the display.  The image at right is another Pinterest idea, continuing the slime theme and allowing for display of actual library materials.

The bookcase would allow for an integrated advisory display. I would not only put horror-themed books, but a variety of library materials.
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My idea pitch:

For October, I propose highlighting the teen horror genre via a decorative bulletin board that incorporates our staff reading their favorite horror book.  This will serve two purposes:  each staff pick serves as passive readers' advisory and teens will be able to match a staff member's face to a name.  This may make them feel more comfortable to come to the service desk with question they have.  Secondly, I would like to utilize our spare bookcase and tie in similar decorative elements so that the bulletin board and bookcase run seamlessly together.  I would place a variety of library materials on the bookcase: teen horror books, matching books on CD, Playaways, themed-magazines, graphic novels, and faux books and magazines to advertise our 3M Cloud Library eBooks and Flipster service.

I feel that this display will appeal not only to teens but also adults who enjoy reading young adult literature and the horror genre.  It will also fit in well with our other decorations for the upcoming Frightful Friday trick-or-treating event at the end of October.

Mystery Annotation

The Cuckoo’s Calling 

by Robert Galbraith

Publication Date:  2013

Number of Pages:  455

Setting:  London

Time Period: Contemporary

Series:  Book #1 in the Cormoran Strike series

SYNOPSIS
London PI Cormoran Strike is having a streak of rather bad luck:  a final row with his on-again, off-again girlfriend has left him with only a rollaway bed in his dingy office to call home, death threats arrive on a weekly basis, the phone is ringing more for debt collectors than with clients, and the temp agency has just sent him another secretary he can’t afford.    Even when John Bristow, the brother of an old friend, shows up to hire him, Cormoran isn’t sure it will be enough to turn his life around.  The case John wants him to investigate is the death of his sister, model Lula Landry, a seemingly open-and-shut case ruled suicide.  John’s convinced Lula was murdered; Cormoran is not so sure, but the case is at least a welcomed distraction from his otherwise bleak life.

Another welcome distraction is the temp secretary, Robin, who proves to be not only adept at making coffee, but also at investigating.  Together Cormoran and Robin begin to piece together the last day of Lula’s life, realizing as they do, that the pieces point more towards murder than suicide.  Can Cormoran pin the killer before the killer pins him?

 
ELEMENTS OF MYSTERY:

“Mysteries are constructed around a puzzle; the author provides clues to the solution but attempts to obscure some information so that the mystery cannot be solved too easily” (Saricks 196).

Pacing

The pacing is fast.  Like romantic suspense, even in moments that are not filled with chases and violence, issues come up one right after the other, keeping the reader drawn into and invested in the story to find out what is going to happen next.  Joyce G. Saricks notes that “pacing is relentless and compelling, sometimes slowed by details of time and place, but always moving inexorably toward the solution” (198).

Character

There are various characterizations the main character can take including P.I., police detective, and amateur detective.  Besides the main character, a sidekick often exists along with a cast of various good guys, bad guys, and those in between.  In some series, the reader also gets to know the main character’s family; these family members make good pawns or, at times, provide comic relief.

Setting

Settings can vary.  Some mysteries have a very specific locale – think about the board game Clue where the entire mystery takes place in the mansion.  Other mysteries take the protagonist and the reader all around the world.  The time period can vary from historical to contemporary.  No matter when, where, and what the setting is, it plays a large role in the story. 

Point of View

Often, the reader journeys through the story from the detective’s point of view.  By using the first person point of view, the reader is only given as much information as the detective.  This allows for the set-up of unexpected plot twists and, especially in series, readers like to get to know the detective and become emotionally involved in his or her personal life as well as the mysteries he or she solves.  Sidekicks are also popular and important.  If a detective finds peril, sometimes the point of view will switch to the sidekick.

Mood

Mysteries come in a variety of moods.  Some mysteries are dark and gritty.  Other mysteries are light and humorous.  Some fall right in between.  Mysteries can be very graphic or they can minimize the violence by lack of detailed description.

Language and Style

As with mood, language styles vary.  The detective (or P.I.) can have a very elaborate vocabulary and emotionless style or could ramble and be very high strung (especially true of amateur detectives).  Saricks mentions that “Style plays a role too, and Mysteries may include excerpts from journals and diaries…e-mails and instant messages” (203).  Technology has begun to play a larger and larger role in how the protagonist gathers clues and protects him or herself.


ALSO IN THE CORMORAN STRIKE SERIES:

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith (book #2)

READ-A-LIKES:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes series by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Good Son by Russel D. McLean

The Drop by Michael Connelly

Gun Games by Faye Kellerman

MY THOUGHTS

I knew going in that Robert Galbraith was a pseudonym for the amazing J.K. Rowling.  I had tried to read A Casual Vacancy when that first came out and I just couldn’t get into it as it was rather dry.  I approached this book neutrally.  On one hand, I am obsessed with Harry Potter, but on the other hand I had not experienced the same affinity towards her first attempt in adult fiction.  Luckily, The Cuckoo’s Calling grabbed me right away.  I enjoyed how Rowling began the book from the secretary’s (Robin’s) point of view to set the initial scene and then had Cormoran take over the narration. 

Sadly, I didn’t begin to figure out the mystery until almost the very end. Once I did, the ‘whodunnit’ was still a shock, and yet at the same time made perfect sense.  Rowling as Galbraith laid just enough clues throughout, but left a shred of doubt and incredulity even up to the very last moment.  I also can’t say enough about the London setting.  The proper London that is stereotypical in many American minds is present, but the layers are stripped back to reveal a very gritty, secret underground.  I also appreciated the secondary storyline/commentary about paparazzi.  Rowling has been hounded relentlessly and her own personal frustrations shine through in how she describes and portrays the hungriness of the unrelenting voyeurs.

While Harry Potter might be considered by most to be fantasy, mystery plays a large role throughout the series.  Rowling takes this experience and hits a home run with this book.  The Cuckoo’s Calling has all the elements of a typical mystery and leaves enough loose ends in Robin’s and Cormoran’s separate personal lives and their combined professional life that sequels are demanded.  I have not yet read book #2, The Silkworm, but it will be the first book I read after submitting my final paper this semester.   Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars.

Kirkus-Style Review

Paper, Scissors, Death

Joanna Campbell Slan

A woman who finds herself as the number one suspect in the murder of her dead husband’s mistress must find the real murderer before she finds herself behind bars.  Kiki Lowenstein’s life is turned upside down when her husband George is found dead in a hotel room.  Kiki soon discovers George was living a sordid life while she stayed home and cared for their almost-teenage daughter Anya.  During a run in with her husband’s old girlfriend, Kiki spouts off a threat in a fit of anger that comes back to haunt her when the woman turns up dead.  Fueled by the need to protect her daughter and using the out-of-the-box thinking she’s honed from her favorite hobby, scrapbooking, Kiki works to provide for her family and prove her innocence.  Along the way, she receives support not only from her friends, but also from the handsome potential love interest Detective Chad Detweiler.  While the book has a substantial length to ensure proper character development, Kiki remains weak and uncertain even after the mystery is resolved. Scrapbooking tips between chapters will only be enjoyed by new scrapbookers; they otherwise lend nothing to the story.  Awkward metaphors describing the stock character of hunky hero cop and occasionally uneven pacing make this title the first in a series that feels like it adds little to the romantic suspense genre.

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I just wanted to add that I actually enjoyed the book Paper, Scissors, Death by Joanna Campbell Slan.  When I did this review, I was determined to review the book objectively.  Honestly, I love romantic suspense series that remind me of other series but with a slightly different twist (baking murders, craft murders, fashion murders, etc.).  The only thing I've begun to dislike about the Kiki Lowenstein books are the scrapbooking tips just because I feel that they 'date' the books.  Scrapbooking has changed a lot since 2008.  I've read the whole series and I also believe that my character criticism is true and would be a big turn-off to some readers.

Week Five Prompt Response

As eBooks continue to gain popularity, libraries are faced with new challenges.  Some popular authors are creating .5 short stories that fall in between titles in well known series, but these stories are only available for the Kindle and other eReaders.  In other instances, popular authors are creating whole new series only available via eBook.  Others, authors who have previously gone through big publishers or new struggling authors, have opted to go independent in the hopes of getting more royalties.

For The Billionaire’s First Christmas by Holly Rayner reviews are limited.  This particular title is only available as an eBook.  Reviews were found on Amazon and a blog.    The Amazon review was horrible; the review is plagued by grammar errors and lack of proper punctuation.  It also provides more of a synopsis than an actual review.  The blog is better, but it still is very juvenile with grammar issues and acronyms (lol?).  I appreciated the blog because it did give a personal review and indicated that the characters were cookie-cutter and their love/hate of Christmas was over-exaggerated.

I would not buy this book for my library.  I get the feeling it is similar to Harlequin paperbacks which my library does not buy.  The collection of paperback romances that we do have are all donations.  I also was surprised to hear that this particular title was romantic suspense.  I can believe that it is a romance book, but the reviews that we were given didn’t hint at any suspenseful elements.  The words “warm” and “cozy” make me think of a lazy read whereas romantic suspense stories should be fast-paced page turners.

In contrast, the reviews of Angela’s Ashes make me want to purchase the book for my library collection.  Phrases such as “exquisitely written,”  “extraordinary work,” “impossible to put down,” and “wonderfully readable” are all phrases that tell me that this book is well-written and will potentially have high demand.  The number of reviews for a book can also indicate high demand.  The more publicity a book gets, the more likely people will read or hear about it and then come to the library to request it.

I struggle with the idea of fairness in the book industry. I do believe that it is a dog-eat-dog world. I do feel like there are some fantastic books that are completely ignored because they don’t have a large publisher and advertising power behind them.  Self-published books are usually not reviewed in the major review publications that librarians use.  I find that more and more patron requests and rushes are self-published books or books that have a small print run.  Patrons have access to other outlets (Goodreads, Amazon, etc.) and often run across these books from those types of networks.

I believe that review sources should print negative reviews.  It’s like the theme song from “Facts of Life” – you take the good, you take the bad…  I always appreciate reading why a reviewer does not like a book.  Sometimes I will still order a book even if it had a less than perfect review.  Just like movies, one reviewers opinion can be vastly different than the vast majority of the public.  I use reviews to make at least 80% of my selection decisions.  The other twenty percent of my decisions is fueled by other sources such as Goodreads and especially patrons.  As a teen librarian, I rely on my teens to make suggestions for me to build my manga and gaming collections.  I typically used SLJ (School Library Journal), Kirkus, and VOYA reviews for my teen materials -- all of these reviews are included with our subscription with Baker and Taylor.  I also rely on ALA (American Library Association) lists as well as the annual award picks (Alex, Morris, Printz, etc.), and state picks (Hoosier Nominees).

For personal reading, I do enjoy reading reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.  Mostly, I read the reviews to get a better idea of the book.  Other times I read the reviews just because they are extremely funny.  For example, I highly dislike the 50 Shades of Grey series and some of the reviews on Amazon are priceless.

Romantic Suspense Annotation

Ladies’ Night 

by Mary Kay Andrews

Publication Date:  2013

Number of Pages:  464

Setting:  Florida

Time Period: Contemporary

SYNOPSIS
Grace Stanton is living the perfect life.  As a professional lifestyle blogger, Grace and her husband are able to live more-than-comfortably off of the money her blog is bringing in.  Grace has it all:  the handsome husband, the growing business, the dream house, and an assistant that lives right over their garage.  The only thing that would make it all complete is a baby, but even that is in the works.

Then, Grace wakes up in the middle of the night and catches her husband and assistant in his brand new sports car.  After sinking the cheater’s car in the pool, Grace decides to leave and go back to her mom and her childhood home over her family’s bar.  As if a divorce isn’t bad enough, she soon finds herself locked out of her former successful life and assigned to the area’s biggest misogynist judge. 

It’s only as Grace begins to know the other members of her divorce-recovery group (including good-looking dad and fellow divorcee Wyatt) that she is forced to attend and explores the world in and around her mother’s bar that she begins to find herself again.  But finding herself might not be enough.  Her divorce therapist acts weirder and weirder each session and her fellow group members soon begin to realize that there is something mysterious going on, all seeming to point back to the judge.  Knowing that the truth could potentially help all of them with their cases, the ladies (and Wyatt) use their “Ladies’ Night” sessions at the bar to uncover the truth while trying to stay one step ahead of getting caught.

ELEMENTS OF ROMANTIC SUSPENSE:

“Romantic Suspense is a genre with roots in both the Romance and Suspense genres.  Elements from Mystery, Espionage Thrillers, and specially Suspense combine with Romance to create a story that does not fit comfortably in any of the genres it draws from” (Saricks 35).

Pacing

The pacing is fast.  Even in moments that are not filled with chases and violence, issues come up one right after the other, keeping the reader drawn into and invested in the story to find out what is going to happen next.  Plot twists are numerous.

Setting

A large percentage of romantic suspense titles are set in present day.  Settings can range from the domestic to elaborate, detailed exotic locales.  A small portion of romantic suspense titles have a historical, western, or science fiction twist.  Other romantic suspense titles cross over into paranormal territory.

Point of View

The reader journeys through the story from the heroine’s point of view.  By using the first person point of view, the reader is only given as much information as the heroine.  This allows for the set-up of unexpected plot twists and the development of a personal connection with the heroine.

Sense of Uneasiness

The author prepares the reader to expect the unexpected with every turn of the page.  Even when things don’t go wrong, the reader is prepared for something to go wrong.

Language

Language is usually sharp.  Oftentimes, humor is infused into the storyline, especially with the relationship between the heroine and any potential sidekick.  As Saricks notes, “Strong language and explicit sexual descriptions are also common” (37).


READ-A-LIKES:

Antiques mystery series by Barbara Allan

Callahan Garrity series by Mary Kay Andrews (written as Kathy Hogan Trocheck)

Murder 101 series by Maggie Barbieri

Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke

Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (One for the Dough, Two to Get Deadly…)

MY THOUGHTS

Romantic suspense is my favorite genre to read. I had not read any books by Mary Kay Andrews nor any of her books that she wrote under the pseudonym Kathy Hogan Trocheck previously and I am always looking for new authors in this genre.  I actually read the book Strange Brew by Trocheck first and I enjoyed it, but didn’t want to review it as it is the 6^th book in her Callahan Garrity series.  I instead opted for the stand-alone title Ladies’ Night. 

Overall, I felt that the book had all of the elements of a typical romantic suspense.  At times, especially in the beginning, I felt that the heroine, Grace, was actually too weak and too naïve; however, as I progressed through the story I realized that this was probably a deliberate choice to show just how much Grace grows throughout the story.   It frustrated me that Grace didn’t even have enough business savvy to register her blog under her name (her husband had it all registered under his name), but I was able to suspend my disbelief because otherwise Grace wouldn’t have had the intense money struggle she needed to endure to remember the simpler things in life.  I also felt that this was more of a romance story than a mystery.  The sense of unease throughout the story was not related so much to the mystery that Grace and the other members of the therapy group found themselves in, but rather how and when Grace’s ex-husband and his new girlfriend were going to sabotage her little successes.

Overall, this was a quick read and it left enough questions unanswered at the end of each chapter to keep me turning the page.  The best part of the entire story was actually the romance storyline because Andrews did such a good job at fleshing out the character of Wyatt.  Unlike other romantic suspense stories, the reader gets a few chapters where we see things from Wyatt’s point of view.  While this is unusual, it is necessary for the ending to work and to keep the suspense at a maximum until the very end.

4 out of 5 stars.