Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Lots of errors and omissions
A few unpleasant facts for Pleasant (the editor): Gathering together a bunch of your buddies and asking them to write a chapter for your book does not constitute good journalism and does not result in a good book. Omissions: I was looking for info. on the early punk clubs (The Masque, etc.) in this "underground " guide. Nothing. I also saw a listing for Jerry's Famous Deli in the book, but the writer failed to mention that Andy Kaufman had worked there as a waiter at the height of his Taxi fame. Errors: Too many to spell out, but one that made me slap my forehead was a writer's contention that Hawaii Five-O had been filmed at CBS Studio City with "ocean footage edited-in". In fact, that was probably the first television show to be shot entirely on-location, with interior scenes shot in their own studio in Hawaii.

I was sucked in by the title, but other books offer more
This book is a good idea, but even the standard Moon handbook has more hidden out of the way stuff than this one.It's more like a series of essays than a comprehensive guidebook, so you can't turn to a specific area or a specific topic, other than the essay titles.It's best as a guide to restaurants, shops, bars, and coffeehouses, but there are much better ones if that's what you are really after.Everything is treated too quickly to really give the reader a good idea what they are getting into.

I remember one thing in the Hollywood chapter they pointed out was the Pink Dot, a convienence store that delivers.I "had to" go visit it, thinking it was a famous landmark, but it is really just one of a chain of mediocre conveinence stores.I have no idea why it made it into an "underground" guidebook.

Worthless
Whether one loves or hates Los Angeles, most people agree that it's an interesting place. The remarkable achievement of this book is that it makes L.A. sound boring.

The book consists of chapters written by different authors, all of whom consider themselves to be knowledgeable insiders but who are generally clueless.

There are a lot of good insider guides available for L.A. This is not one of them.

Tons of way cool stuff
While this book does include some LA basic tourist stuff, it also includes tons of record stores, thrift shops, strange history places, and Bukowski's grave site. Great dive bar recommendations and cheap eats, too. The chapter written by LA scenester Vaginal Davis is the funniest thing I've ever read in any guidebook anywhere and is itself worth the price of this book... a fun book for visitors and residents alike - loved it!

Same ol' same ol' - Anything BUT Underground
When one hears the word "underground", one usually thinks you are going to get the inside scoop on something or get the unusual, strange or non-ordinary.This book is anything BUT those qualilties.

This LA guide gives you the same ol' sites to see that any other tourist book would....Mann's Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame.You might get a good reccomendation on where to eat, but that is about it.Nothing too underground about this book.

However, for a tourist book it really isnt bad.Pick it up.Just dont go in with the pre-conceived notion that you are picking up something unusual.it is as good as any other tourist book of L.A. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Iris Berry Changed My Life
Read "Two Blocks East of Vine", when you are through, re- read it and then read it some more.

Iris Berry's poetry is like a beautiful film noir.

Iris Berry has touched my life.

Iris Berry doesn't know me nor do I know her, but she knew a friend of mine.Iris wrote a poem called BAD BLOOD AND BITTERSWEETS and that poem changed the world I live in.She gave me clarity and hope, she let me know I wasn't alone nor was I the only one ever having felt this way.Iris if you read this I just wish to say thank you,your poetry is inspirational and loving.I lalso learned to avoid King Ratsass-
Thank you again for changing my life. ... Read more

Product Description
With fourteen beautiful live models, Living Dolls: A Photo-Poetic Paper Doll Project is a celebration of the diversity of women, the physical natural beauty that they were born with as well as their individual self-expressions through fashion. Using photography and graphic design, photographer Rannie Rodil has created a paper doll book that is playful as well as provocative. Included in this book are 14 captivating poems with themes such as love, lust, beauty, self-expression, female power, the idea of a modern living doll, etc. Written by some of LA's most notorious underground poets! Published by Ink Pen Mutations Press. ... Read more

Product Description
#1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen turns up the heat in this explosive new psychological thriller.This time a gifted arson investigator teams up with a mysterious operative to stop a killer raging completely out of control...

For Kerry Murphy, the inferno is never far away.The flames of that long-ago night still burn in her nightmares: the heat, the choking smoke, the helplessness.She can never run fast enough...

Now Kerry works as an arson investigator with her evidence-sniffing dog, Sam.Together they're a great team, but her life is about to change in the time it takes to strike a match.The deadly flames of her past are back, and from out of the ashes a stranger appears.Who is Silver?And why has he chosen her in the desparate race to find a killer determined to ignite hell on earth?Kerry and Silver may not have a chance against a psychopath as coldhearted as his method is red-hot.To save themselves and the innocent lives at stake, Kerry will have to do what she hoped she'd never have to do: fight fire with fire.


From the Hardcover edition.Amazon.com Review
Arson investigator Kerry Murphy has a unique talent for sniffing out the cause of fires like the one that killed her mother years ago. She also has a secret, known only to the mysterious stranger named Silver, a "consultant" who needs her cooperation in stopping the psychopath who burned his brother alive and who's holding national security hostage to his own demented ego. Silver has an uncanny gift for getting under Kerry's skin, which is both the good and bad news--good because it doubles their chances of finding the man behind the terrifying weapon of the title, and bad because Kerry can't afford to be vulnerable to Silver or any other man. Johansen has written a taut thriller that's not quite as combustible as its title but one that will keep readers fired up enough to stick with it to the last page.--Jane Adams ... Read more

Customer Reviews (61)

HOT READ!
Couldn't put this one down! Keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end, not to mention the romantic story involved!

Johansen takes on fire
Fire is evil enough on its own --a force of nature but when one man tries tocontrol it and use it as revenge it becomes an ugly powerful tool. Johansen uses this theme to catch a master criminal --\kerry \murphy is matched with Silver who both have special skills to stopthe evil in his tracks. This is one of Johansens finist thrillers outside the Eve Duncan series. \it is a page turner to say the least. \keeps the reader hopping through the book.

Ms. Johansen Just Keeps Getting Better
This is a supernatural mystery thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat as you read the day (or night) away. Arson Investigator Kerry Murphy barely escaped a fire that took her mother's life, so she takes her job very seriously. Brad Silver's brother was murdered, a burning car the weapon. He wants Kerry to help him unmask the killer, so he uses his mental gift of planting suggestions to get her to go along with his plans. Admittedly, at first I had a problem with Silver's psychic abilities, but that kind of stuff is normal in Iris Johansen's books, so I accepted it and moved on with this really electrifying and super story. Boy does Iris ever know how to get your heart pumping.

Had to make myself finish it
I've read several books by Johansen before, but this book was tedious.
I could not stand all the bickering back and forth between the two main characters, Kerry(who is a b!tch) and Silver.
There is many times in this book I just put it down and said to myself: "I could write better than this!"
How did this ever get published?
Why in the world would anyone want to get together with this Kerry is beyond me.
She is a queen at everything, drama, whining, procrastination, I could go on and on.
Luckily this book was given to me and I did not buy it.
I would of been pissed if I had of bought it.

Interesting premise, but lacking in romantic and relationship development
It was a really interesting premise, with a cool paranormal touch, but Johansen didn't seem to develop the characters or the relationships between them that much, especially the romance between Brad and Kerry. It was also annoying how stupid and stubborn Kerry was about the whole thing. An interesting premise, but fell short on character development. However, will probably give Johansen another try in case this was just a weak moment.In the meantime, for a MUCH better take on the arson investigator romantic suspense novel, try Nora Roberts' Blue Smoke, which is one of my all-time favorite books. ... Read more

Product Description
For eight years, single mother Grace Archer has been living a picture-perfect life raising her daughter on a horse farm in the small town of Tallanville, Alabama. Watching Frankie grow into a talented and confident young girl has made Grace as happy as any mother could hope to be.Happy enough, even, to forget the past.But the past never quite goes away.Which is why a certain charismatic man also moved to Tallanville eight years ago to watch over her.

But when violence threatens to shatter Grace and Frankie's idyllic home, the waiting is over.The ghosts of the past have returned.And they're hungry for blood.Now Grace must resume an identity she thought she had cast off forever, and match wits with an opponent as deadly as he is cunning.The prize: an extraordinary secret that only she can unfold.The forfeit: losing the thing more precious to her than life itself.


From the Hardcover edition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (50)

Good then bad
I liked the first half of this book, it was like reading an action adventure. The first couple of chapters started out really strong. But the plot did not hold my interest and I had to skip most of the 2nd half of the book.You knew from the beginning how the romance would end.I got bored with all the pages about the great horses, if you're not a horse lover, you'll be bored also.

Lose the uptight heroine
This was my first Iris Johansen book and there were many aspects of it I liked.I enjoyed the fast-pace and larger-than-life characters, especially the horse-whisperer scenes.What dragged it down for me was Grace's treatment of Jake.She felt betrayed by him 9 years ago but even after learning that she was wrong, she continues to treat him like dirt.She never appreciates the sacrifice Jake made in staying out of her and their daughter's life.Instead she uses him (for sex and protection of her daughter)and gives little in return.

More romance (not to be equated with sex) between Grace and Jake would have raised this to a 5-star for me.

One of my favorites
One of my favorites from Iris(they are all my favorites). Once I started, I couldn't put it down as with all of her books. I love the awesome balance that Iris can always seem to create between action and love to keep her audience on the edge of their seat. This is a great story. This is a must buy and a must read.

I tried to read it so many times....
I attempted to read this book multiple times and simply could not do it.I tried from the beginning a few times.Then I thought, we'll maybe it's just a slow beginning.I attempted to read a few chapters in and still found myself incredibly bored.I checked to see if it was a sequel because I felt SURE that I was missing something that would make the plot make sense.Photos of blue eyed horses in the passenger seat of a car, the CIA watching a woman on a ranch with a precocious and "special" child who doesn't know who her father is.Horses who "know" things...It was clique and boring - boring - boring.I simply could NOT get into it after attempting for two years.I have now given up and am about to donate it so that another poor soul can waste their time attempting to read it.

Neither fish nor fowl
I love good mysteries.This book is not a good mystery.Reminds me more of a rather silly romance novel.It is sort of a throw in the kitchen sink and call it done.The CIA, genius kid, horse whisperer devoted mom who can only focus on how hot she is,and a paramilitary hero larger than life. Badly written.Will not buy another book by this author. ... Read more

Product Description
She has a gift of unspeakable power....

He must control her or destroy her....

For as long as she can remember, successful young physician Megan Blair has tried to silence the voices in her head - voices that bring her to the edge of madness and terror. Megan possesses psychic powers that have been dormant for years, hidden deep in the past she’s tried so desperately to forget. But now everything has come to a boiling point - someone is trying to kill her, and others are trying to use her, including the deadly and seductive Neal Grady. Shocking secrets about her life and her mother’s death bombard her as she fights to take control of her heritage and save herself and everything she believes in. Grady holds the key to understanding her future, a future in which Megan’s life will never be the same.

If she survives to have a future. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (75)

SAY CHEESE
Just finished Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen, an author I usually enjoy.Unfortunately, there is enough cheese in this particular offering to top a dozen extra large pizzas.

Dr. Megan Blair is a physician who hears "voices".Often a sign of schizophrenia, in Megan's case it is indicative of the fact that she is a "listener" and possesses psychic abilities much like her now deceased mother.This talent for listening is almost eclipsed by her highly developed sensual and sexual side (an extra perk of being a Pandora) and she discovers that her mother's old protector, a government agent named Neal Grady, is more than willing to assist her in relieving her sexual tension.

The story as a whole is thin as a slice of prosciutto and most of the characters portrayed in this fiasco are unbelievably unimaginative and come across as cookie-cutter caricatures.Their personal conduct vacillates between curt and belligerent (Megan and Renata) and laughably sinister (Molino, Stephen and Sienna).Only two of the characters are semi-authentic and they are Phillip (whose conduct is never less than acceptable since he's in a coma for most of the book) and Harley a man of action whose motives can only be described as purely professional.

Iris Johansen has written a dozen other books that are far superior to Pandora's Daughter so I recommend you select one of them and pass on this one.

MEGAN HAS PSYCHIC ABILITIES
Megan Blair hears dead people. Psychic abilities, just like so many other human traits, are passed from one generation to the next. Sarah, Megan's mother didn't consider her psychic abilities a gift but a curse.Sarah insisted that Megan ignore her talent in the hopes that it would fade away. She wanted Megan to have a `normal' life. It was wishful thinking on Sarah's part. Megan could ignore the voices, but they wouldn't go away.

Unfortunately due to a traumatic incident in her childhood she can't remember she hears dead people until the mysterious and troubling Neal Grady comes back into her life. Soon Megan is whisked away from her life as a new doctor and living with her caring uncle (who has secrets of his own) to a desperate flight away from a mad man named Molino who blames her mother for the death of his son and needs Megan to find a ledger to let him fufill his dark dream. If Megan is to survive she will have to learn to control her talent and unravel the truth behind the mysterious ledger that both Grady and Molino are after.

Like her mother, Megan was a Pandora, a Listener. When the maniac intent on killing all Pandora's locates Megan,
It was a race against time as Neal and Megan searched for the ledger that documented the Devanez family history. The ledger, dating back hundreds of years, tracked the descendants and documented their psychic abilities, known and unknown. In the hands of Molino, the madman, there would be a bloodbath.

Pandora's Daughter is an excellent read or audio listen with nonstop action and a little history and romance thrown in.

Pandora's Daughter
Another excellent book by Iris Johansen!Moves quickly, but with compassion.Leaving you searching for a follow-up!
Highly recommended to any reader.

want my money back
It was so bad I felt compelled to write a review. This is the first time I read this author and don't know if she always writes so poorly. The storyline was ridiculous, the characters annoying, the dialogue laughable. I want to drive back to the bookstore I bought it at while on vacation and tell the employee, "No, its not "a goodie" so stop suggesting it. And give me my money back!"

Not impressed!
The dialogue is just horrible in this book.It's hard to get into the characters because of it.It's just not realistic.It's hard to believe this book got 3.5 stars on Amazon. ... Read more

Product Description
It begins with an innocent mission…

Emily Hudson is an artifacts expert for the U.N. who travels to war torn countries attempting to save their priceless treasures from destruction.Her best friend and partner, Joel Levy, is always at her side - until one day her entire crew comes under attack. Joel and Emily are held hostage by a ruthless and evil captor who is determined to find the missing link to a legendary treasure.For weeks they struggle to survive against terrifying odds, pushed to their limits — and beyond.

That turns into a quest for revenge…

John Garrett has worked for the CIA, MI6, and whoever else was willing to pay for his services. Now Washington is calling and desperate. The mission: save Emily Hudson and Joel Levy.

But there may be more to the job than they reveal…

And soon, his connection to Emily has him questioning everything he thought to be true. Can Emily help him get to the truth behind a bigger conspiracy? Or will they both die trying?

With lightning-fast pacing, plot twists and shocking betrayals, Iris Johansen is at the top of her game in a thriller about vengeance and trust; friendship and loyalty; good and evil… ... Read more

Customer Reviews (83)

One of the worst thrillers I have ever read
I have read my share of bad thrillers. Being one of those people that loved James Patterson's early works, I was conned more than once into reading some of "his" lately novels, which have been for the most part forgettable. But even though I am not new to being disappointed, I was utterly shocked when my first experience with Iris Johansen, an author about who I have heard high praise, ended up being a torture.

The plot cannot be classified in any other way than completely ridiculous and over-the-top. The action scenes make Mission Impossible look like a fact-based movie, and the romantic scenes are so cheesy that I found myself laughing out loud at them. The novel does not capture the attention of the reader when it starts, and it becomes an exercise in futility after you start turning pages.

I sincerely hope the rest of the potential readers are smarter than me, and either avoid this book all together, or they drop it in the fire place after reading a couple of chapters. Trust me, it will not get better as you move along!

Deadlock?No just boring!
I like strong characters but Emily Hudson is downright irritating in her actions, her conversations and her conclusions!Emily finds herself rescued from an unimaginable situation yet she insists that SHE can take care of herself regardless of the people around her who really can. This is based on her father's lessons about shooting a gun and hunting 10 years before and,darn it, she can go up against the bad guys just as much as a seasoned covert agent and assassin!She will not be left behind!Oh, PLEASE!Skip this one!

Don't read this if you are squeamish
Don't read this book if you are squeamish or have a vivid imagination.I just couldn't get beyond the descriptions of torture.They are truly awful.

I did try and a few bits were interesting, but the series of contacts between the good guys and the bad guys just didn't seem to be leading to a solution.

I usually like Iris Johansen books, not this one though.

Kept rewriting the dialogue..
I struggled to finish this book.It was terrible.Like some of the reviews I read, it was bland, dull, and very shallow.I kept rewriting the dialogue in my head as I read thinking, "Now, she wouldn't really say this." Or, "People don't really speak like this."I even looked at who published this book thinking that maybe it was self-published.What editor would let this drivel go to print???

Fast-paced and dialogue-rich, with plenty of international intrigue
DEADLOCK opens in war-torn Afghanistan with archaeologist Joel Levy saying, "Most of those artifacts are less than a hundred years old" to friend, archaeologist, partner and protagonist Emily Hudson. Emily replies, "And you wanted to find Alexander's sword or a new version of the Bible." A prayer book may have been useful hours later, to keep Joel's fingers from being hacked off with a sword, just before single-named terrorist Staunton "burned out his eyes."

Iris Johansen, recently the author of DARK SUMMER and PANDORA'S DAUGHTER, introduces two new characters in this nightmare-while-awake thriller, her 34th novel. Successful authors of thrillers need a hook. With Johansen, her book is the hook.

The word "deadlock" is defined as a standstill resulting from opposition of two unrelenting factions. With piano-wire tension for the reader, Johansen defines DEADLOCK with international intrigue, plot twists and shocking betrayals. The standoff here is between former CIA operative John Garrett and Russian "Peter Joslyn, the big plastics industrialist...who was in control of all the money." The money in question manipulates many lives --- and leads to the tortuous death of Joel. All this in the relentless pursuit of the mysterious Zelov's hammer. This priceless artifact has hidden in it the fourth and most important amulet that is the key to discovering the location of untold wealth of the last Russian tsar, which has been accumulated by generations of the Romanov dynasty. But Peter is only a puppet pulled by strings of many others far more powerful. Or is that standoff between Emily and Garrett?

After rescuing Emily from certain gang-rape and probable death, Garrett questions her loyalty and gratitude, as she is out for vengeance, which may get them both killed. Garrett whisks Emily away to the tiny Greek island Mykala, when he rescues her with her virtue --- and soul --- intact, and explains to her that Greek friend Irana nursed him back to life when he had been riddled with bullets, after foolishly infringing upon a competitor's operation of smuggling relics.

"I'd trespassed into his territory and acquired a statue that he regarded as his property. He wanted to set an example."

"You're a smuggler?"

"Among other things."

Garrett is a soldier of fortune, dubious purveyor of antiquities, "an Indiana Jones wannabe." Emily and Garrett rack up more frequent-flier miles than a space shuttle crew, with stops in Greece, Kabul, New York, Paris, Miami and Moscow. And the only turbulence is a baker's dozen international thugs trying to kill Emily for an early dinner and Garrett for dessert. Multiple near misses add intrigue, while James Bond-like gizmos make Tech World Expo look like a manual typewriter compared to a NASA computer. Fortunately for Emily, caller ID cannot be blocked by the techno-geeks and international terrorists, and cell phone locations are traced --- while the users are flying to exotic places.

Other turbulence builds. Aloof and sexy jet-setter Garrett is attracted to Emily, but tells himself, "Get over it. It was probably purely sexual." Garrett has a job to do --- protect Emily. He tells himself that he must be patient, but "To hell with patience." Lock that virtue in a chastity belt, Emily. She intermittently is attracted to Garrett. But is that just a ruse to use Garrett as a means to an end, tracking down and killing Staunton? She knows how to use a man to her advantage. Go, girl, go! Emily ponders that "she would not make the mistake believing that Garrett could be involved with her on a more permanent basis. They were too different. It had to be the situation that was binding them together." Emily may convince her mind of that, but not her sex-starved body.

Those who want intimate descriptions of exotic locations will need travel or photo books. James Bond stars in films set in glamorous cosmopolitan cities, a Westerner's view of Russia, Turkey and Greece. Emily Hudson, who "has fragility beneath the strength," treks rugged mountain passes in desolate Afghanistan, parched farmlands in Ethiopia, and the seediest sections of Istanbul. With crystal-clear skies in remote areas, stars abound. The simple mention of exotic locations without detailed descriptions to let the audience know what the characters visualize allows the reader to see only three stars with this novel. Still, DEADLOCK is another solid effort from Iris Johansen --- fast-paced and dialogue-rich, with plenty of international intrigue. ... Read more

Product Description
A passionate tale of danger, adventure, and romance that sweeps from a Saxon stronghold to a lovers' bower in the cool, jade green forests of Wales. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Johansen strikes again
With this book Iris Johansen has been true to the history and true to the times in which her characters reside.They are vibrant and full of life.A wonderful read.I would highly recommend it to history buffs who like a little romance thrown in.

Certainly not one of Johansen's best
I've read countless novels by Johansen, from all the different genres she writes in, and Midnight Warrior wasn't her best.While the sex scenes did not disappoint (and come on, we all know that's what we look for in a romance novel!), the relationship between Brynn and Gage didn't feel like the head-over-heels romance that it could have been.I also thought that Brynn's unconditional love for Gwynthal, where she was born, was a tad unrealistic.

The slight twist Johansen added in at the very end was a bit over the top, and took more away from the story than it added to it.

This book was good to pass the time between other novels, but there are better romance novels out there.I'd like to give it 2.5 stars, but because you can't, I guess 3 will have to do.

For Johansen at her best, I strongly suggest the Wind Dancer trilogy.

Fantasy and romance
The story between Brynn and Gage was more a story of friends than one of lovers. She only made love to him when she wanted something in return. When he wanted her to come to him of her own accord, she refused him. Always. Even when she knew she loved him. In the beginning, I liked her, her caring nature and her gift, which, despite the impossibility of such a thing, never got in the way of the story. I liked the way she could feel what other people felt and I liked her sensitivity. For a while. At some point, her tendency to take care of everything and everyone started to grate on my nerves.
But in a way, I could still understand that, because her whole character was so special, eccentric, and somehow different, that all she did made sense.
I loved it that they never minced words or tried to deny who they were. And I loved it when Brynn and Gage were getting to know each other, trying to make out their feelings or come to terms with certain events.
This is a story that stands out because of its well-developed characters, interesting story and abundance of action. But if you are looking for a simple love story, you should perhaps look somewhere else.

Gift
This book was purchased as a gift for my daughter-in-law. It was on a "want list" and she was delighted to receive it. Although we are both fans of Iris Johansen, she prefers the romance and I lean more to mystery/thrillers; this author gives us a common bond.

Favorite Johansen book
This is my favorite of her books.I really wish she would go back to writing pure historical romances like these.Alot of authors that I used to love have since moved into or tried to expand their genre, and while this may help them sell more books, it leaves me with few authors I really want to read anymore.The hero may be a bit rough around the edges, but considering the environment he has been immersed in, and what he has had to do to survive in such a world, he still emerged a "warrior" capable of deep loyalty and intense love.While some may object to aspects of his character, the 11th century wasn't exactly a time period for breeding men who are not chauvinistic in some way.But what more of a hero could someone be to say that he would always stand by her no matter what, fight in her cause, and let nothing hurt her...urm, and not sound cheesy.As much as he tried to exert control over her at times, because she challenged him, and because he is used to maintaining that control over himself and those around him, he still goes out of his way to give her everything protect her, show her tenderness and respect, albeit awkwardly at times and is a bit grouchy about it.And the heroine is much the same way, does what she has had to, to survive, but is fiercely loyal and stubborn, yet incredibly vulnerable despite her refusal to admit that she too needs saving, all the while trying to save others.Everything else is just minor details to me. ... Read more

Product Description
SHE'D DO ANYTHING TO SAVE HER SISTER'S LIFE. . . .

Rachel Kirby is a computer genius whose personal life is falling apart. Even as she stands on the brink of a stunning technological breakthrough, her beloved younger sister is plagued by a rare chronic illness that will eventually kill her, leaving Rachel all alone.

SAVING HER SISTER’S LIFE HAS PUT HER OWN IN GRAVE DANGER. . . .

But thousands of miles away archaeologist/adventurer John Tavak has made a priceless discovery in an Egyptian tomb. A discovery, Rachel realizes, that humankind has been seeking throughout history – a secret that may save her sister’s life and many thousands more. But a powerful organization is also in white-hot pursuit, led by a man who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.

IF SHE COULD JUST GET HER HANDS ON THE CURE . . .

Against all odds, Rachel joins forces with the brilliant, enigmatic Tavak in an adventure that will take them across three continents, and it will take all of their wits, instincts, and cutting-edge technology to bring to light an ancient civilization’s most amazing legacy. And together they must race to unravel the explosive 4,500-year-old secret before it is lost to the ages.

With Johansen and Johansen’s trademark research, fast-paced action, and charismatic characters, Storm Cycle will blow you away. . . . ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Good reading
The plot is kind of new -the way they use the computers, at least for me. The love stories and trips all around the world will keep you in the book so maybe you'll read it in two or three sittings. You'll read several blunders that I won't tell you here lest I spoil your read.

StormCycle WowWow!
Oh my God what a great read . I love this book !It reads like Butter. You'll love it !

Storm Cycle
Book arrived on time and in excellent condition.Can't wait to read it.
Thank you............

Nice idea, horrendous writing
I've never heard of this author, so I cannot compare with previous works. I rented this book on tape for a long trip. First, I would like to mention that narration on the CD is pretty bad. It is done at an unnatural speed and is very choppy. There is barely any intonation and few gaps between words.

About the book itself. The story has a good idea. It's definitely a light action adventure type book, with some high tech things and Egyptology mixed together. Though a lot of liberties are taken with the facts, I think that novels like this require a certain suspension of disbelief.

However... The writing is so bad, it does not make up for the good plot. Here are a few examples.

a) Dialogs are insipid and uninspired. Conversations between Rachel and her sister can be summed up with:
Ally: "I don't need you to protect me."
Rachel: "I have to do this"
Ally: "No you don't"
Rachel: "Please understand, I really do."
Ally: "I won't let you!"
Rachel: "Ally..."
Ally: "Rachel!!"

b) "Show, don't tell" should have been applied to the character development. Rachel is supposed to be super smart (PhD at 15, MD at 20), driven, and tough. Tavek is super smart, egotistical, charming and easily bored. Ally is gentle and strong. I know all this because I was told so over and over again by the authors, and by the supporting characters. Yet at no point did I feel like the characters lived up to their descriptions. I saw no streaks of genius, no toughness on the part of Rachel, nothing egotistical on the part of Tavek. The number of times I heard "God, he was so smart..." after some common place remark by Tavek, was appalling.

Fast, Entertaining Enough, Zero Depth
Book Club Review
STORM CYCLE
Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen

Our book club's book for February was STORM CYCLE, by Iris and Roy Johansen.We chose this book because we were in the mood for a thriller.We tend to read more "mystery" books with a crime to solve, rather than international thrillers like this one, and we decided we'd like a change of pace.We also like fast-moving books (I still don't think we're quite over our 2666 experience), and one of our members had seen Iris Johansen in a book signing...We were game, because most of us had heard of her even if we hadn't read her in the past.

STORM CYCLE is the story of Rachel Kirby, computer genius, who has built a computer with massive processing power created by "borrowing" the computing cycles of computers (personal computers, even video games) that are plugged in but not in use.Rachel portions out the cycles to worthy organizations, and even top-secret parts of the government, while reserving the most computing power for her pet project, the search for a cure for her sister's under-control but often-fatal disease.As the book starts, her computer (nicknamed Jonesy) is hacked by fellow genius John Tavak, who has broken into an Egyptian tomb in search of the medical secrets taken to the grave by an ancient Egyptian female doctor named Peseshet.John strong-arms Rachel into helping him, and before you know it, they're off on a mad dash to find a miracle cure, outsmart G-men, and come up with a system designed to bankrupt a money-hungry Las Vegas casino mogul.

If all of these sound like the elements of every thriller and movie you've ever seen, that's because they are.Really, the whole book reads like a screenplay (perhaps for the next Indiana Jones movie, because that's who John Tavak is clearly modeled after).Every character is good looking, brilliant, one step ahead of the bad guys.Our tough heroine does of course have a heart of gold; as does the greedy Las Vegas mogul, who serendipitously finds love with Rachel's ailing but equally hard-nosed sister Allie.

And yet, somehow the elements work together.We discussed that very often international thrillers have so much going on that it's tough to keep track of who's who and what's going on.STORM CYCLE doesn't have that problem, which does make for a very fast and easy read.As a group we tend to like books featuring Egyptian lore and/or history, and there's some interesting Egyptian stuff here, even if it reads like a thrown-away script for the next installment in the "Mummy" movie series.

As for characters, they are pretty bad.There's not one original character or thought on any of these 400 pages, though some of the technology angles are pretty interesting (the authors go into more detail about them in an afterword).So the bottom line is - The book is a good escapist read, if you have the proper expectations.We actually found that there was very little to discuss other than what I've written here.A book does require a little subtlety, probably, to make for good discussion, but there's none of that here--just lots of action, some required romance thrown in, and an ending that you could have seen coming a mile away that is nonetheless entertaining and satisfying.

If you're stuck on a plane or train, don't want to think too hard, and want something to keep your mind occupied, STORM CYCLE will do just fine.However, don't expect the title to ever make any sense. ... Read more

Product Description
#1 New York Times bestseller Iris Johansen pairs an exotic locale with an irresistible man in this classic love story that proves anything is possible when a woman knows in her heart that it’s right….

Don’t look for me. I’ll come back when I’m ready. Pandora Madchen wrote those words when she ran off six years ago. In that time she’d become a sensation with the rock group Nemesis, toured the world, and grown up, but she never forgot the promise she made herself. Now Pandora was ready to return to the desert state of Sedikhan and the man she’d loved too soon and too much. Sheik Philip El Kabbar was a businessman whose power and influence extended throughout the world—but for six long years he’d been unable to find the woman he still considered it his duty to protect. She’d come back on her own terms and to take the kind of erotic gamble that Philip always won. Only this time he wasn’t sure that in winning they wouldn’t both lose what matters most. Or that in loving her, he wouldn’t be hurting them both. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

sweet and easy
The theme was expected and the characters were beautiful and predictable but the story was a perfect summer reading/listening experience.

Iris Johnason
Thought the book was a great difference from her newer work.Not used to her writing such a graphic romance novel but she did well as it turned out.Price was fair for the item.

Fabulous author
I enjoy all of Iris Johansen's book. The Desert Blooms is a wonderful conclusion to Pandora's Daughter. If you didn't read the first book, you are able to figure out what happened. Ms Johansen writting is very imaginative. If you want to escape from the hard knocksyour life is taking at any given time, pick up any of her books & loose yourself for a while.

And the Desert Blooms
Was not expecting Iris Johansen's book to be a romance novel. Had been reading her adventure titles. Still this was a passable, if not predictable tale.

Excellent
One of Ms. Johansen's earlier romances, this book is a reprint.As with all of her earlier books, before she began writing mysteries, this book is very much in the traditional romance tradition.The hero is strong and capable; the heroine spunky and defiant; and the book reminds us what it's like to love even when the odds are against you and your love seems impossible.This book was always, and continues, to be one of my favorites. ... Read more

Product Description
5 hours 10 minutes - 4 compact discs ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

An Unexpected song
Brings you to tears and a page turner. What can i say I love Iris Johansen and can never really wait for her next book.

An Unexpected Song
Not the usual Johansen tale. It should have been billed as a "Love Story." I'm into the 3rd (out of 4) disc, and no suspense fill activity, yet. And She is one of my favorites, for exciting suspense. Please, leave this style to the romance writers. where, oh where was Eve Duncan and the gang?

Iris Johansenproduces yet another great book
One of my favorite authors.Love what she does with characters and enjoy all of her work immensely.

Did anyone read the publishing date?
I read the other reviews with interest. They all complained about the author's writing style being weak, etc.If they had bothered to check, they would have seen that this was originally published in 1990 as a Loveswept paperback.Loveswepts are not known for their brilliant mysteries, just plenty of brooding romance.This is how Ms. Johansen started her writing career and she's only progressed brilliantly since then.Personally, I'd love to see her return to the Sedikan series in the future, they were some of my favorites of her works.

So quit bellyaching and read this as it was meant - a delicious romance to be consumed in one sitting.

Didn't like the writing style at all
I have never read one of Johansen's books and after reading this one, I'm not likely to read another.I usually enjoy reading pretty much any type of mystery and am not a literary critic by any means, but I just couldn't get into the story here because of the flowery and cliche-filled writing.Exclamations such as "dear heaven" and "lord" were repeated over and over again by all characters throughout the book, which doesn't seem to fit with the rest of their conversational tone (it would suit my southern grandma, however).As another reviewer said, the big mystery of why Daisy wouldn't leave Geneva wasn't particularly mysterious - if she really wanted Jason to leave she could have just told him.Character development was lacking and I just didn't care that much about them.I would have liked to hear more about Cynthia and her antics.I did finish the book because I was curious to know what happened, but I couldn't wait for it to be over.Sorry, but this was not my cup of tea. ... Read more

Product Description
It was the assignment of a lifetime. . . .
Brilliant marine architect Hannah Bryson has been given a priceless opportunity. A U.S. maritime museum has just acquired the former pride of the Soviet fleet, the decommissioned submarine Silent Thunder, for public exhibition. Hannah must inspect every single inch of this legendary nuclear attack sub and design modifications that will make it safe for the thousands of expected visitors. Enlisting the aid of her brother, Connor, they examine the enormous vessel and delve into its long and lethal history.

But it was a trap. . . .
On a routine check, Connor discovers a mysterious message behind one of the ship’s panels. But before he can figure out what it means, there’s a deadly assault on Silent Thunder. . . . The U.S. government warns Hannah against it, but she’ll stop at nothing to find the ruthless mastermind behind the plot. Even if it means joining forces with a mysterious man who may be even more dangerous than the enemy she has sworn to bring down. As Hannah finds herself caught in the crossfire of an epic standoff, her only hope for survival is to unravel Silent Thunder’s explosive secret. But someone’s willing to kill to make sure Silent Thunder stays silent. . . . Brisk, exhilarating, and filled with authentic details, Silent Thunder is the brainchild of the biggest name in suspense teamed with the stunning, intricate plot twists of an Edgar Awardwinning author. Get ready for an incredible thrill ride!

Praise for Iris Johansen and Roy Johansen
“The adrenaline-fueled narrative will keep Johansen fans eagerly turning the pages.” – Publishers Weekly on Quicksand
“An absolute stunner of a thriller.” – Booklist on Beyond Belief ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Espenoage and danger
This book would be right up the alley of people who are into spy and espeonage.It is interesting, but does not grab me as some books do.I will not give it a bad review though, I'm just not into spy and espeonage.

Decent Thriller With A Slow Start
I've never read a book by Iris or her husband but their current thriller that is in hardback drew my attention. Since I knew nothing about them I decided to try the cheap route and get this paperback instead.

Overall, this is a decent thriller. It starts out at a snail's pace as the MC and her brother go through a bunch of personal feelings and banter and it seems nothing actually happened until I was at about the 50 page mark. However, things pick up and the story progresses at a much more rapid pace.

The story has all the elements of a good thriller and for the most part delivers. The chapters are sometimes long but are broken up with scene breaks and the writing style is third person. However, there were a lot of first person style author intrusion moments throughout the story. I don't think those introspections by the characters were in quite the correct point of view. It was like the authors adding in personal first-person commentary, interpreting what the character was thinking, rather than the character actually thinking it. However, that was a minor quirk.

Also, the MC is almost over-the-top stubborn, to the point where it was almost annoying. I know she should be suspicious and as it turns out, she is right most of the time. However, her stubbornness got to be a bit much at times.

The two authors have drawn in a new fan. Despite a few irritants to the story, it was a great read. If you are not bothered by the things I pointed out, I highly recommend this.

Silent Thunder Review
Could not put the book down.Some characters were not what I would expect from Roy J

Thrilling mystery!
This mother & son writing duo is a winning team.Silent Thunder is a decommissioned Russian submarine and has been acquired by the U. S. maritime museum for public exhibition.This sub holds more secrets than ghosts and it puts Hannah Bryson and her brother Connor in deadly danger. Hannah is a brilliant marine architect and to be chosen to check out the sub and make the design modifications that will make it safe for public viewing is a chance of a life time and it just might cost her life. A great mystery and a new favorite duo.

Huge Disappointment
I usually look forward to books by Iris J.This book was an impulse buy and I regretted the decision after I got through the first chapter.I could not believe this book was written by an experienced best-selling author.I did manage to finish it, but it is definitely not a book I will keep in my library to reread.The characters were confusing and had no substance.That said, I do believe Iris Johansen is a wonderful author and her books are worth reading.Maybe she was just having an 'off' day/month/season when she was writing this book.No one is perfect all the time. ... Read more

Product Description
The Dawn Treader will take you places you never dreamed existed.Amazon.com Review
The BBC Radio production of The Voyage of the DawnTreader is a delightful two-hour sail on the most fabulous ship inNarnia. Lucy and Edmund, with their dreadful cousin Eustace, getmagically pulled into a painting of a ship at sea. That ship is theDawn Treader, and on board is Caspian, King of Narnia. He andhis companions, including Reepicheep, the valiant warrior mouse, aresearching for seven lost lords of Narnia, and their voyage will takethem to the edge of the world. Their adventures include being capturedby slave traders, a much-too-close encounter with a dragon, and visitsto many enchanted islands, including the place where dreams cometrue. The adaptation is faithful to its source, C.S. Lewis's series ofNarnia books, which have provided exciting and uplifting tales forgenerations of children. BBC Radio does wonders with soundeffects--the ship creaks in the wind, the sorrowful dragon roarslugubriously--and musical cues and interludes that keep the pacingdynamic. There's also a splendid cast of plummy British voices, makingthis far more than a book read onto cassette--it's an audio drama, asenjoyable as a trip to the theater. Grownups who buy this tape fortheir children will want to borrow it for themselves. (Running time:two hours, two cassettes) --Blaise Selby ... Read more

Customer Reviews (155)

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
A great audio version. Derek Jacobi does a superb job on one of my favorite youth books.

this review is NOT for the Chinese edition!
(It's strange that the "Chinese edition" of Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the one with 150+ reviews. I think that's a mistake on amazon.com's part, but whatever. Since this is the edition with all the reviews I guess I will write mine here as well.)

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is an excellent book and a work of genius. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe is the first in the Narnia series and the best, Prince Caspian is ok but a little slow. In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader the story definitely picks up again. This is a great book. We are reading the Narnia books for a class at church, so I am re-reading all of them for the first time since I was very young. Everyone should read these books at some point, and read them to their children! Aside from the fact that they are classic fairy tales with lots of religious symbolism interwoven into the stories, they are just great books by one of the best writers who ever existed. When it comes to a great fairy tale, this book has it all: a painting of a ship that comes to life, a talking mouse, a mean little boy who is turned into a dragon and learns some good lessons in the process, magicians and wizards, sea people who live under the sea and ride seahorses, etc. Also, let's not forget the lion Aslan and what (who) he represents. Highly recommended!!

A sonnet reivew (from All-Consuming Books)
Quick question. Why are all the Dawn Treader reviews posted on this Chinese edition? Where are all the other editions' pages? Anyway...



"Prince Caspian has grown up and he's got
a mission, crew, and sailing ship but still
there's something missing. British children! Not
just any kids, but Lucy, Edmund, and their pill
of a cousin, Eustace, join Dawn Treader's crew
and set sail for adventure, starting at
the Lone Islands. Along the way they do
some growing: Eustace is a total brat,
but after being turned into a dragon he's
more kind and pleasant. On the other hand,
sweet Lucy shows her dark side, proving she's
just human like the rest of us. These grand
adventures bring the magic back again,
and take us to places we haven't yet been."


Edmund and Lucy are spending the summer at their cousin Eustace's house, and all three of them suddenly get pulled through a painting on the wall and transported to the Narnian universe. They're not in Narnia itself, but on a ship called the Dawn Treader, sailing with the now-adult King Caspian of Narnia who's on a mission to find seven missing lords who were exiled from Narnia during the reign of the former wicked king. They journey from island to island, searching for the lords and handling a host of magical and mundane threats.

One interesting thing about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is the fact that half of the main cast from the previous two books is gone. Peter and Susan aren't in the picture, and one of the reasons given is that they have grown too old to come back to Narnia. I've always wondered about this. Is it a deeper statement about Narnia, that you can only appreciate it when you're young, or perhaps it can only benefit you when you're young? Perhaps phasing out Peter and Susan was a practical choice because there were too many characters running about, or because Edmund and Lucy couldn't grow up properly and take leadership roles with their older siblings still present. Whatever else their absence does, it makes room for the break-out character of the novel, Eustace Scrubb, to take center stage.

I really love Eustace. Though Edmund was a more villainous kid, Eustace is far, far more unlikable than Edmund used to be. He's an unrepentant bully, a complainer, and an annoyance. He takes an instant dislike to Reepicheep, mostly because Eustace wants to pick on anyone smaller than him, even if they happen to be talking mouse who's deadly with a sword. Also, Eustace is a stick in the mud/party pooper who doesn't really "get" the concept of fantasy worlds--he keeps demanding to be put in touch with the British consul, as if one of the Narnian isles is going to somehow have an English embassy. Miraculously, though, he does find redemption, in one of the most believeable character transformations I've come across.

I have a few favorite scenes in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I love the whole poorly-planned arrival at the Lone Islands. There's some questionable wisdom in going ashore at all, since Caspian recognizes too late that the chief isle of Doorn may no longer recognize Narnian lordship and therefore won't be glad to see him (shouldn't he already know that they don't, since there hasn't been any tax, tribute, or other commerce between the isles and Narnia? It's a chancy venture to make a visit to one of your colonies without knowing whether it is still your colony.) Sure enough, he's not welcome and is kidnapped and sold as a slave, but he does regain control of the islands in record time and abolishes the slave trade. Another scene I love is Lucy's reaction to the book of spells on the island of invisible people. It seems that every Pevensie has a book that tests their mettle: Edmund fell and was redeemed in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter had a bit of a crisis of faith in Prince Caspian, Susan has a very serious downfall mentioned in The Last Battle, but sweet little Lucy faces her biggest challenge right here and we finally see that she's always coveted her sister's beauty and popularity.

Through storms, sea monsters, enchanted waters, invisible people, exiled magicians, the island of nightmares, and the path to Aslan's own country, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a pretty great adventure story.

An Excellent Narnian Voyage
I've never read the Narnia series beyond Prince Caspian so I'm having fun going through these.Having recently read some of Lewis's other works, it's fun to compare those with this fantasy series and see the similar themes, language and thought structures.

As to the series, Voyage of the Dawn Treader is different from Caspian and Wardrobe in a couple of ways.First, as was indicated at the end of Caspian, only 2 of the Penvensies are on this trip...although they do bring along another Earthling, their cousin.I felt myself missing Peter and Susan at times (and sometimes wishing I could trade out Eustace for one or both of them) but at the same time, I was growing somewhat annoyed at Peter and it was refreshing to have Eustace there and see his growth from whining cynic to helpful adventurer.It was also fun to see two central characters return from the previous novel...having Caspian (now king) and Reepicheep there added to the familiarity and camaraderie of the voyage.

Another large change is that both Wardrobe and Caspian had a strong central antagonist in the book with a looming conflict to resolve.In Dawn Treader, there isn't a specific antagonist or a large conflict.Rather, we follow the crew on their quest to sail as far East as they can...beyond the ends of the known world and, if possible, into the "land of Aslan."Along the way they have a variety of adventures, thus encountering minor antagonists and conflicts, but the intensity or added tension created by a central character like the White Witch or the power hungry Miraz.

One other change I noticed in this book from the previous ones was that the symbolism in this novel seemed more prevalent and blatant than before.Perhaps part of this is because I was reading some of Lewis's other works and so I was tuned into his allegorical nature.Though, some of the symbolism used felt so over the top and obvious that it struct me as interesting.In Wardrobe, there are definite symbolic elements dealing with Aslan near the end of the book...a generally religious person may overlook these and not think twice.At the very end of Dawn Treader, however, is a section of symbolism (coupled with explanatory dialog) that would be very hard for any Christian to mistake for anything other than the blatant symbol Lewis is presenting.It was almost as if he had talked to people who read the previous novels and "didn't get it" and so he went into Dawn Treader thinking..."I'llbeat them over the head with it so they can't miss it."This wasn't bad, per se, it was just a distinction that I thought was odd (and I'm curious as to how this will play out in the movie coming out this winter).That said, there are still some elements that are ripe for symbolism but I'm still wondering exactly what they might signify.

Overall, I really enjoyed the story.At points, it reminded me of epic voyage stories like The Odyssey or The Aneid.I really enjoyed the character grown of Eustace.I also really liked the variety islands and adventures encountered.Even the peaceful moments of travel had vibrant and creative elements that were a lot of fun (such as the "sea people" near the end).The dragon encounter was very interesting.The Dark Island was intriguing and I would have liked to know a little more of it.I thought the "Death Water" idea was cool, especially that it became almost a mythical/mystical element due to the Aslan intervention.

Like The Odyssey, even though the book had an overarching goal (to reach the utter East), it was presented in such a way that it could easily be broken out into a series of standalone short stories.Like previous books, the writing is fresh and engaging and would easily be enjoyed by a child.At times I wonder about the narrator's role, but in the end, I didn't worry about it much.

This is an excellent addition to the Narnia series.A little different in scope from Wardrobe and Caspian, but just as enjoyable in my opinion.

****
4 out of 5 stars

a MUST read for everyone.
The voyage of the Dawn Treader is a heartwarming story. it is about Lucy and Edmund along wth there cousin and Caspian. But for the rest of the book you need to read the adventurous and loving middle to the end. but in the end it does say that two very important People(A king and queen) must never come back. but understand this if you read the rest of the book then you will know that Asln said " this is not the last time you see me. it will be the last time in narnia where you see me. but in another world you must learn my diffrent name and side of me........ ... Read more