Jeannie Hudson's Blog: Bookmarks - Posts Tagged "evil"

Upon winning a recent giveaway, I discovered an exciting new author in
Christian Strayhorn Spence. I really
enjoyed her story in THE PAIN COLLECTOR.
Early in the plot, I felt great sympathy
for Eva Kingley whose quiet, rather solitary life is abruptly assaulted by the
death of her father by suicide. She's
suddenly aware that a dark family secret
resides within her history. She inherits
a house and a library full of recorded pain
and hints from her father about a sinister
past. Intent on learning what she doesn't
know about her relatives because she never
had the opportunity to become acquainted
with them, not even her father, Eva sets
out on a journey to uncover the truth. In
the course of her quest, she learns of
appalling acts by her family amidst the
corruption of WWII. I loved the strong
characterizations and the weaving of a
beguiling and satisfying storyline. If
this novel is any indication of what Ms.
Spence may be capable of in the future, I look forward to more work by this promising new voice. I give THE PAIN
COLLECTOR 5 Stars.

In Ben Mezrick's novel SEVEN WONDERS, i
found an intriguing premise of garden of
Edens tied to the 7 Ancient Wonders of the
World and to the 7 Modern Wonders of the
World. Through the fast-paced chapters
where 'tickle the ivories' takes on a whole
new meaning, the improbable becomes realized. Mezrich masterfully ties such
disparate religions as Muslim, Judeo-
Christian, Hindu, Incan and Mayan into a
comprehensive, mysterious take that would
make Clive Cussler proud. The ending was
a bit murky with the world shattering
revelations unprovable and the mysterious
power behind the evil still unknown. But
the two protagonists walk happily into a
heart-shaped sunset. It was a hectic but
satisfying read to the end. I give SEVEN
WONDERS 4 Stars.