The RookSteven James. Revell, $13.99 paper (496p) ISBN 978-0-8007-1897-8
Sophomore slump? Fuhgeddaboutit. In his second thriller about FBI criminologist Patrick Bowers, James delivers the caffeinated plot twists and intriguing characterizations that made The Pawn a welcome addition to the suspense genre. In this installment, Bowers is called to San Diego to investigate a rash of fires, but he begins to suspect that a seemingly random kidnapping and suicide may be related to the arson attacks. As Bowers digs deeper, he uncovers a chilling biotech conspiracy. Fans of CSI and Law & Order will enjoy the police work and forensics, but this jacked-up read feels more like an explosive episode of 24; it’s a wild ride with a shocking conclusion. (Aug.)
A Not-So-Simple LifeMelody Carlson. Multnomah, $12.99 paper (256p) ISBN 978-1-60142-117-3
Carlson’s bestselling Diary of a Teenage Girl series gets a new star in Maya, who is the cousin of previous Carlson heroine Kim Peterson. Like the other dozen-plus books in the series, this one features teens with serious family problems—in Maya’s case, a drug-addicted and abusive mom and a dad who’s rich and famous but has no time for her. The grounded Maya, with her environmental idealism and her resourceful maturity, is a plucky heroine. Carlson exposes the seamy underside of glamorous Hollywood, including the music and modeling worlds, so it’s no surprise that Maya doesn’t miss the fast lane when she goes to live a small-town life at her cousin’s. There she is exposed to Christianity and begins to explore faith. Fans of the series will welcome this new character even as they enjoy the crossover appearances of characters they’ve come to love. (July 15)
Winter Turns to SpringCatherine Palmer and Gary Chapman. Tyndale, $13.99 paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-4143-1168-5
What happens when authors use fiction to explore self-help principles? Chapman, the relationship expert whose juggernaut The Five Love Languages has sold more than five million copies, teams up with novelist Palmer for a series that intentionally dovetails with Chapman’s nonfiction book The Four Seasons of Marriage. This lackluster concluding installment explores the “spring” season of marriage by profiling fictional newlyweds Brad and Ashley Hanes, whose marriage is not turning out to be as idyllic as either had expected. Can God transform the winter of their discontent into a spring of mutual appreciation and rekindled love? Yes, and there are sweet moments along the way. Still, the novel feels contrived despite Palmer’s competent writing and characterizations. (July 1)
Love TornadoMable John and David Ritz. Broadway/Harlem Moon, $12.95 paper (240p) ISBN 978-0-7679-2167-1
In this third book about Pastor Albertina Merci, the feisty African-American blues singer-cum-evangelist, Albertina takes in her teenage godson, J Love, a gospel rapper who’s just lost his mom. As J Love slowly works through his grief and learns some lessons in responsibility, he and Albertina encounter other characters: Bishop Henry Gold, the ambitious T.D. Jakes—styled megachurch pastor who tangled with Albertina in Stay Out of the Kitchen!; his daughter Damitra, a sultry gospel singer who’s hot for J Love; and—in an underdeveloped subplot—Albertina’s nephew Patrick, whose non-Christian wife is finally plunging into the baptismal waters. The best part of this series remains its heroine, a font of spiritual wisdom who can still throw down the blues like nobody else. (June 10)
Divine Match-upJacquelin Thomas. Pocket, $9.95 paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-4165-5145-4
In this fourth installment of the Divine series, wedding bells are ringing for Divine’s mother, a Whitney Houston—like celebrity who has finally gotten her life back on track after a divorce and other well-publicized problems. Sixteen-year-old Divine thinks her mom is rushing into remarriage, but she’s holding onto a secret of her own: Divine has “virtually eloped” online with her boyfriend, Madison. Although their chat room marriage isn’t legal, a part of Divine wishes it were, and she wonders whether her Christian convictions will hold when Madison pressures her for sex. There’s nothing subtle about these characters, but interspersed into this soap opera’s preachy messages about marriage and responsibility is a good dose of fashionista fun. (June 17)
