The Printed Page

Willis Gidney is a born liar and rip-off artist, an expert at the scam. Growing up without parents or a home, by age twelve Gidney is a successful young man, running his own small empire, until he meets Shadrack Davies. That’s Captain Shadrack Davies, of the DC Police. Davies wants to reform Gidney and becomes his foster father. Though he tries not to, Gidney learns a small amount of ethics from Shad – just enough to bother a kid from the streets for the rest of his life.

Now Gidney’s a PI, walking those same streets. So it’s no surprise that when Gidney’s closest friend, jazz saxophonist Steps Jackson, asks him to find Jackson’s missing daughter, Gidney is compelled to say yes — even though she’s been missing for 25 years. He finds a woman who may be the girl’s mother — and within hours she is killed by persons unknown. The police accuse Gidney of the murder and throw him in jail.

Maybe Gidney should quit while he’s behind. But when his investigation puts him up against a ruthless multi-national corporation, a two-faced congressman, and a young woman desperate to conceal her past, Gidney has no time left for second thoughts. In fact, he may have no time left at all.

***

Mr. Kaufman is a new-to-me author. The 3 reviews at Amazon give the book high marks so here’s hoping I agree.

Title: The Botticelli Secret Author/website(s): Marina Fiorato 514 pages Publisher: St. Martin’s Publication date: March ’10 Genre: Historical fiction Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading New-to-me author: Yes Would I recommend this book: I would with a language rating Would I read more from this author: Yes Journal notes: Unlike most reviewers at Amazon I wasn’t disappointed with The Botticelli Secret. I very much enjoyed the story and would read more from this author. As fair warning to other readers this book should probably come with an R rating for language. What you won’t find in the book description from Amazon but is mentioned in the book blurb on the back cover is that “Luciana Vetra is foul-mouthed.” Her occupation is street whore and in this story her language at times is most appropriate for the gutter. I was a bit surprised by Luciana’s language as it isn’t what I expected from this type of historical fiction but it was in keeping with her character. I’ve been known to blister some ears myself. If you read far enough into this story you come to find out that Luciana is much more than a street whore and her background might surprise you. 

In this exhilarating cross between The Da Vinci Code and The Birth of Venus, an irrepressible young woman in 15th-century Italy must flee for her life after stumbling upon a deadly secret when she serves as a model for Botticelli… 

When part-time model and full-time prostitute Luciana Vetra is asked by one of her most exalted clients to pose for a painter friend, she doesn’t mind serving as the model for the central figure of Flora in Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece “Primavera.” But when the artist dismisses her without payment, Luciana impulsively steals an unfinished version of the painting–only to find that somone is ready to kill her to get it back. 

What could possibly be so valuable about the picture? As friends and clients are slaughtered around her, Luciana turns to the one man who has never desired her beauty, novice librarian Brother Guido. Fleeing Venice together, Luciana and Guido race through the nine cities of Renaissance Italy, pursued by ruthless foes who are determined to keep them from decoding the painting’s secrets. 

The Botticelli Secret was provided to me by OregonKimm at My Eclectic Reads. This book is being passed along to another book blogger  

Primavera by Sandro Botticelli

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

If you’re new to Mailbox Monday welcome! Thank you to everyone who stops by Mailbox Monday. Whether you comment or visit I appreciate your taking the time to drop in.

*** RIF: Kindle eBook (pdf file) The Skull Ring (Julia Stone, book #1) by Scott Nicholson (new-to-me author/author contact)

Julia Stone is piecing together childhood memories of the night her father vanished, but when she discovers a strange silver ring bearing the inscription “Judas Stone,” she becomes the target of a sinister cult. The local handyman offers to help, but he has his own shadowy past. Julia’s therapist can’t be trusted, and even the police seem to be against her. And the closer she gets to the truth, the louder the whispers that claim her body and soul…

RIF: Kindle eBook (pdf file) The Red Church by Scott Nicholson (new-to-me author/author contact)

For 13-year-old Ronnie Day, life is full of problems: Mom and Dad have separated, his brother Tim is a constant pest, Melanie Ward either loves him or hates him, and Jesus Christ won’t stay in his heart. Plus he has to walk past the red church every day, where the Bell Monster hides with its wings and claws and livers for eyes. But the biggest problem is that Archer McFall is the new preacher at the church, and Mom wants Ronnie to attend midnight services with her.

Sheriff Frank Littlefield hates the red church for a different reason. His little brother died in a freak accident at the church twenty years ago, and now Frank is starting to see his brother’s ghost. And the ghost keeps demanding, “Free me.” People are dying in Whispering Pines, and the murders coincide with McFall’s return.

The Days, the Littlefields, and the McFalls are descendants of the original families that settled the rural Appalachian community. Those old families share a secret of betrayal and guilt, and McFall wants his congregation to prove its faith. Because he believes he is the Second Son of God, and that the cleansing of sin must be done in blood. “Sacrifice is the currency of God,” McFall preaches, and unless Frank and Ronnie stop him, everybody pays.

RIF: ARC – Adopt me (Adopted by Jessica) The Tulip Virus by by Daniëlle Hermans (new-to-me author/publicist contact)

A gripping debut mystery set in contemporary London with roots in 17th century Holland and the mysterious tulip trade

In 1636 Alkmaar, Holland, Wouter Winckel’s brutally slaughtered body is found in the barroom of his inn, an antireligious pamphlet stuffed in his mouth. Winckel was a respected tulip-trader and owned the most beautiful collection of tulips in the United Republic of the Low Countries, including the most coveted and expensive bulb of them all, the Semper Augustus. But why did he have to die and who wanted him dead?

In 2007 London, history seems to be repeating itself. Dutchman Frank Schoeller is found in his home by his nephew, Alec. Severely wounded, he is holding a 17th-century book about tulips, seemingly a reference to the reason for his death moments later. With the help of his friend Damien Vanlint, an antique dealer from Amsterdam, Alec tries to solve the mystery, but soon comes to realize that he and his friend’s own lives are now in danger.

The Tulip Virus is a fast-paced, fascinating mystery based on the real-life events surrounding the collapse of the tulip bubble in 17th century Holland—the first such occurrence in history—a story that plunges readers deeply into questions of free will, science, and religion, while showing the dark fruits of greed, pride, and arrogance.

RIF: ARC – Adopted by DW Inside Out by Barry Eisler (publicist contact)

Torture. Ghost detainees. And a massive cover-up that continues even today.

Marooned in a Manila jail after a bar fight fatality, black ops soldier Ben Treven gets a visit from his former commander, Colonel Scott Horton, who explains the price of Ben’s release: Find and eliminate Daniel Larison, a rogue operator from Ben’s unit who has stolen ninety-two torture tapes from the CIA and is using them to blackmail the U.S. government.

But other players are after the tapes, too, and to find Larison, Ben will have to survive CIA hit teams, Blackwater mercenaries, and the long reach of the White House. He’ll also have to find a way to handle Paula Lanier, a smart, sexy FBI agent who has her own reasons for wanting the tapes and is determined to get them before Ben does. With the stakes this high, everyone has an angle—everyone but Ben, who will have to find the right alliance if he wants to stay alive.

RIF: ARC – Adopt me (Adopted by Jennifer) Juliet by Anne Fortier (new-to-me author/publicist contact)

When Julie Jacobs inherits a key to a safety deposit box in Siena, Italy, she is told it will lead her to an old family treasure. Soon she is launched on a precarious journey into the true history of her ancestor Giulietta, whose legendary love for a young man named Romeo turned medieval Siena upside down. As Julie crosses paths with the descendants of the families involved in Shakespeare’s unforgettable blood feud, she begins to realize that the notorious curse – “A plague on both your houses!” – is still at work, and that she is the next target. It seems the only one who can save her from her fate is Romeo… but where is he?

***

What books came into your house last week? You have the choice of using inlinkz or Mr. Linky. With inlinkz you can include a book cover if you’d like along with the link to your Mailbox Monday post (clicking on the image takes you to the blog post.) Duplicate links will not count toward the fundraising efforts.

Don’t forget to fill out either inlinkz or Mister Linky or leave a comment with a list of books if you don’t blog. If you’re interested in Read It Forward you will need to leave a comment in addition to filling out a link feature.

• In the “Your name:” box, please enter either your name or your blog’s name.

• In the “Your URL:” box please enter the URL/link that will lead directly to the post you are submitting (also called the permalink). This is not the URL to the blog’s home page.

***

Read It Forward details

In this exhilarating cross between The Da Vinci Code and The Birth of Venus, an irrepressible young woman in 15th-century Italy must flee for her life after stumbling upon a deadly secret when she serves as a model for Botticelli…

When part-time model and full-time prostitute Luciana Vetra is asked by one of her most exalted clients to pose for a painter friend, she doesn’t mind serving as the model for the central figure of Flora in Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece “Primavera.” But when the artist dismisses her without payment, Luciana impulsively steals an unfinished version of the painting–only to find that somone is ready to kill her to get it back.

What could possibly be so valuable about the picture? As friends and clients are slaughtered around her, Luciana turns to the one man who has never desired her beauty, novice librarian Brother Guido. Fleeing Venice together, Luciana and Guido race through the nine cities of Renaissance Italy, pursued by ruthless foes who are determined to keep them from decoding the painting’s secrets.

***

Ms. Fiorato is a new-to-me author. This book isn’t getting stellar reviews at Amazon and I know Kimm struggled with which means I’ll probably love it. I seem enjoy the books that aren’t big hits with most others.

Primavera by Sandro Botticelli

Title: Hush Author/website(s): Kate White 341 pages Publisher: Harper Publication date: March ’10 Genre: Suspense Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading New-to-me author: Yes Would I recommend this book: Definitely Would I read more from this author: Yes Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review except to say that I wanted a page turner. I got exactly what I asked for and thoroughly enjoyed reading Hush.

When Lake Warren learns that her husband Jack is suing for full custody of their two kids four months after their separation, she’s pretty certain that things can’t get any worse. The upside is that she’s working with the Advanced Fertility Center as a marketing consultant alongside the attractive, flirtatious Dr. Keaton. But when Lake finds Keaton with his throat slashed the morning after their one-night stand, she learns that things can indeed become worse—they can become deadly.

So as not to jeopardize her case for custody, Lake is forced to lie to the police. Having just been intimate with a man who has been murdered and wanting to protect herself from being charged with the crime, she begins her own search for the truth. But when the police start looking at her closely, people at the clinic start treating her with hostility, and strange and dangerous clues begin dropping—quite literally—on her doorstep, Lake realizes that she is dangerously close to dark secrets about Keaton and the clinic. But can Lake stop what she’s started before it’s too late?

Hush was provided to me by Nicole at Authors on the Web. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

When Lake Warren learns that her husband Jack is suing for full custody of their two kids four months after their separation, she’s pretty certain that things can’t get any worse. The upside is that she’s working with the Advanced Fertility Center as a marketing consultant alongside the attractive, flirtatious Dr. Keaton. But when Lake finds Keaton with his throat slashed the morning after their one-night stand, she learns that things can indeed become worse—they can become deadly.

So as not to jeopardize her case for custody, Lake is forced to lie to the police. Having just been intimate with a man who has been murdered and wanting to protect herself from being charged with the crime, she begins her own search for the truth. But when the police start looking at her closely, people at the clinic start treating her with hostility, and strange and dangerous clues begin dropping—quite literally—on her doorstep, Lake realizes that she is dangerously close to dark secrets about Keaton and the clinic. But can Lake stop what she’s started before it’s too late?

*** Ms. White is a new-to-me author. I have no expectations for Hush but I would like a page-turner.

Title: City of Dragons (A San Francisco mystery) Author/website(s): Kelli Stanley 335 pages Publisher: Minotaur Books Publication date: March ’10 Genre: Historical mystery (1940) Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading New-to-me author: Yes Would I recommend this book: DNF’d @ pg. 113 Would I read more from this author: No Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review except to say this author forgot to capture my interest in her story.

February, 1940.

Gone With The Wind packs movie palaces two months after its December premiere. “Moonlight Serenade” echoes from jukeboxes all over the country. And the Sino-Japanese war still rages, while France waits anxiously for the Nazi blitzkrieg to hammer the Maginot line.

In San Francisco’s Chinatown, fireworks explode as the city celebrates Chinese New Year with a Rice Bowl Party, a three day-and-night carnival designed to raise money and support for China war relief.

Miranda Corbie—thirty-three-year-old private investigator, Spanish Civil War nurse and ex-escort, waits impatiently in the crowd. Until small-time numbers runner Eddie Takahashi stumbles into Sacramento Street and into her life … fatally shot.

The Chamber of Commerce wants it covered up. The cops acquiesce. Japanese boy in a Chinese carnival … wrong place at the wrong time.

All Miranda wants is justice—whatever it costs. From Chinatown tenements to a tattered tailor’s shop in Little Osaka, to a high-class bordello draped in Southern Gothic—she shakes down the city—her city—seeking the truth.

City of Dragons was provided to me by Bridget at Minotaur Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

February, 1940.

Gone With The Wind packs movie palaces two months after its December premiere. “Moonlight Serenade” echoes from jukeboxes all over the country. And the Sino-Japanese war still rages, while France waits anxiously for the Nazi blitzkrieg to hammer the Maginot line.

In San Francisco’s Chinatown, fireworks explode as the city celebrates Chinese New Year with a Rice Bowl Party, a three day-and-night carnival designed to raise money and support for China war relief.

Miranda Corbie—thirty-three-year-old private investigator, Spanish Civil War nurse and ex-escort, waits impatiently in the crowd. Until small-time numbers runner Eddie Takahashi stumbles into Sacramento Street and into her life … fatally shot.

The Chamber of Commerce wants it covered up. The cops acquiesce. Japanese boy in a Chinese carnival … wrong place at the wrong time.

All Miranda wants is justice—whatever it costs. From Chinatown tenements to a tattered tailor’s shop in Little Osaka, to a high-class bordello draped in Southern Gothic—she shakes down the city—her city—seeking the truth.

*** Ms. Stanley is a new-to-me author. After a consensus that WWII is the timeline cutoff used by readers to determine what is and isn’t considered historical City of Dragons makes it into the historical category. I’m excited to start reading City of Dragons and crossing my fingers that it’ll be a good one.

Title: Pray for Silence (Kate Burkholder, book #2) Author/website(s): Linda Castillo 304 pages Publisher: Minotaur Books Publication date: June ’10 Genre: Police procedural/murder mystery Review book or pleasure reading: Pleasure reading New-to-me author: No Would I recommend this book: Yes; a must read (I read 2/3 of the book in one sitting) Would I read more from this author: Waiting for Kate Burkholder book #3 Journal notes: Pleasure reading – no review except to say if you enjoyed Sworn to Silence (book #1) you’re gonna love this one. If you enjoy suspenseful police procedruals and haven’t yet read Sworn to Silence you need to get your hands on a copy so you’ll be caught up when Pray for Silence is released in June.** I recommend reading this series in order.

In the quiet town of Painters Mill, an Amish family of seven has been found brutally murdered on their farm. Chief of Police Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to secrets, but she can’t get her mind around the senseless brutality of the crime. State agent John Tomasseti arrives on the scene to assist. He and Kate worked together on a previous case during which they began a tentative relationship, but each is wary of commitment. The disturbing details of this case will push them to their limits and force them to face demons from their own troubled pasts. When Kate discovers a diary, she realizes a haunting personal connection to the case. One of the teenage daughters may have been leading a lurid double life. As the case develops, Kate’s list of suspects grows. Who is the attractive stranger that stole the heart of the innocent young Amish girl? Did her estranged brother—a man with a violent past who was shunned by his family and the Amish community—come back to seek out revenge? Driven by her own scarred past, Kate swears she’ll find the killer and bring him to justice—even if it means putting herself in the line of fire.

Pray for Silence was provided to me by Bridget at Minotaur Books. I was not paid and this book is being passed along to another book blogger

So this year I decided to read one historical book, fiction or not, for every other book I read. In years past my reading has suffered from straying too far away from favorite authors and genres. Which got me to thinking where does one draw the timeline at what they consider ‘historical’? I seem to remember a rule of thumb that furniture 50 years and older was considered antique. If I use that as my guide then historical reading would start in 1960. Yikes! 1960 hits a bit close to home considering I’ll be 50 in late 2011. If I was to write my memoirs they’d be historical? antiquated? We’re so not going there.

What got me started thinking about this was the next historical book in line to read is City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley set in San Francisco in 1940. 70 years ago seems reasonable to me. We did start a new century ten years ago and a new decade just about 2-1/2 months ago. So is anything before 2000 ‘historical’ considering the new century and decade we currently live in? If one takes ‘historical’ literally then yesterday is historical and would count.

So I’m curious – where do you draw the timeline when it comes to reading historically?