Edith Parzefall's Treasure Box

With its opening scenes Becky Anderson's book In Stereo Where Available fools you into believing it's just another funny chick lit novel, but it offers a lot more. What starts as a parody of Reality TV turns into the emotional growing up of inexperienced Phoebe. In her professional life she's a very down-to-earth first-grade English teacher, while her identical twin pursues an acting career at all costs.

In search of love in the jungle of internet dating and TV matchmaking Phoebe goes for the man who touches her in the most old-fashioned way: with a poem. The only problem is he wrote it for another woman.

Becky Anderson breaks with the conventions of the genre as Phoebe sets out and conquers the man she wants. Set against the background of the fake reality TV romance of her twin sister, Phoebe forges a strong relationship with Jerry, the geeky highschool English teacher with some rough edges. Of course, their love will be tested in ways Phoebe never expected.

Despite the light-hearted humor, In Stereo Where Available is a serious book about illusions and delusions in the dating game and after. The mix of humor and tragedy is another unusual feature of this novel about love and silly notions of romance, which might not be so silly after all when it's the right guy.

Random Violence by Jassy Mackenzie is a fascinating thriller set in Johannesburg. The intricate plot gives the reader lots to puzzle over, while the two main charcters try to solve the mystery.

Jade, a private investigator, left Johannesburg after her father was killed and returns when the man who she thinks ordered the murder is about to be released from prison. While waiting for her revenge, she hooks up again with her old friend David, now a police detective like her father. She agrees to help him with the investigation of what looks like an attempted carjacking gone wrong leaving a woman dead. But there's nothing random about Annette's death. A chilling, highly intelligent psychopath combines his private passion with his business interests in real-estate development and he has a close eye on Jade and the investigation.

Mackenzie's characters have flaws, make mistakes, and struggle to find their way, which makes them come alive, feel real. Even violent Johannesburg feels like a character in the story, a part of the mystery. The social background of the city ten years after apartheit ended, adds to the appeal of the story and to the mystery.

55 Flights Forth is a collection of poems that will lift your spirits, take you into beautiful scenes full of appreciation of life and its challenges. But there are also unsettling glimpses of disturbed peace, shifting ground. Francene never tells you all is well, but it's up to you what you make of this world in its beauty and ugliness. You actually can make a difference unless you put your head in the sand...

Here's one of my favorite poems, published with the author's permission:

WOULD YOU

Would you be willing to stand In the fire of harsh demand? To hold fast whatever calls Outcome unknown, stick or fall? Would you stay with me through trials? When judgment comes to revile Unjust prejudice heaps up Weighs heavy and fills my cup. Would you accompany me? Because I am forced to flee Accusations that prevail When defenseless I must sail.

Could you stand the heat for long Knowing that you don't belong? Yet face the flack with me there When all instinct says beware. Would you allow flames to lick? Hold on tight and simply stick With knowledge that what I have done Was wrong, we've only begun. Would you just believe in me? Dig your roots in like a tree Accompany me on life's track On the journey there and back.

Substitute Bride is a fun read, with great unexpected twists, and a good portion of humor and irony. Lamperd brings alive the England of the 19th century through her colorful characters, a spirited heroine and strong-headed rake to be tamed. Both are set against a society either clinging to conventions at all cost or frivolously defying them. Emma and Nick find their own unconventional way to happiness. So what if he needs to bite a bullet to win her heart? A man's got to have his priorities.

You're feeling low? Bored? It's raining? Read the Substitute Bride and you'll smile all day, if not laugh out loud.

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