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Knight Light

Author: Claudia Riess

A world chess champion is found dead. The cause of death remains mired in controversy when, three-quarters of a century later, a letter of his that could rock the art world is unearthed in a routine home renovation. The letter is addressed to a person of international repute and offers information about art works looted during the German occupation of Paris.

When the young man in possession of the letter is brutally murdered, his mentor, art history professor Harrison Wheatley and Harrison’s partner, art magazine editor Erika Shawn, hurl themselves into the mission of tracking down both the killer and the looted art.

As the third book in this art history mystery series, Knight Light once again follows Harrison Wheatley and Erika Shawn in their adventures. For a reader reading the books in order, additional information is gained because the two have aged and their lives have further developed. However, for the reader reading Knight Light without having read the previous two books, this book stands alone well.

The short prologue introduces the chess champion and describes his quick death. This introduction invites the reader into the story-worthy problem that will take place throughout the entire book.

Chapter 1 provides a nice introduction to Harrison Wheatley and Erika Shawn. For the reader who has read the other books in the series, this chapter shows how much time has elapsed since the last book and how their lives have changed since. For the new reader, this chapter introduces the two characters to describe where they are in life and further develops them. Therefore, whether this is your first read in the series or not, the characters are well developed.

The scenes developed in chapter 1 are very visual, and it is easy to imagine their home and their housekeeper. Multiple senses are used in just this first chapter, as the newborn’s cries can be heard through the monitor. Scenes continue to be well developed. The prose works well with the dialogue to move the scenes along while developing and showing the scenes.

To connect chapter 1 with the prologue (and provide some story progression), Harrison and Erika read the letter written by the chess champion. In addition, they speak about the man who found the letter and his desire to provide a lecture about the found materials.

The author, Claudia Riess, has completed a significant amount of research to write a book such as this. Even so, her love of art history is shared through her intimacy and love of the story. As a woman who grew up in the art history world, the reader can see how much this field means to the author and her desire to share it with and educate readers who may only have a love of mystery.

This book is a good read for those who love mysteries or those who enjoy art history — or even those with a dual love.

Knight Light is a well-written book with an intriguing story about art, murder, mystery, and international scandals.

Wild Heart

Author: Carolyn Haley

Love and romance aren’t for everyone. Linny Eagan thought she had found the love of her life, until she lost him, along with her job and her dream—all in one day.

With a dream of becoming an equestrian champion, but living in an unsupportive household, Linny is finally able to show off her equestrian skills to her parents. However, the day her parents come to watch a local event is the day Linny is in a life-altering accident, convincing her parents that horses are just too dangerous.

Shortly after the accident, Linny is sent off for the summer with her older sister to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to avoid horses and to heal (physically and emotionally), while searching for a new dream, preferably without animals, but definitely on the ground, according to her parents.

The sisters’ host for the summer, Connor Simon Winston, may dream of being an artist, but currently works at Galeson’s stable, taming a wild mare, while waiting to inherit a fortune, and refusing to play professional football or work in the family business.

Though Connor and Linny have opposing dreams, their hearts connect. The two must choose to allow one to sacrifice a dream for the other, go their separate ways, or create a new dream that includes them both.

As a Feathered Quill Book Award winner, Wild Heart is written in the first person through the point of view of Linny Eagan. This allows the reader to feel Linny’s gaps in memory and time. While writing in the first person can lead to a significant amount of telling in a story, the author, Carolyn Haley, has a good sense of the English language to bring the readers into the story. As a professional wordsmith, Haley quickly and easily captures the scenes through the use of the senses. Through Linny’s eyes, the reader can see the surroundings, including the beach, the corral, and even Connor’s physique. It is almost as if the reader is enveloped by Linny, as the reader can also feel Linny’s body quiver, hands shake, and knees weaken.

The author skillfully uses Linny’s injury to assist with transitions in time. For instance, the opening scene with Linny standing next to her sister and not remembering how she got there. Or Linny taking a nap in the afternoon and then sleeping until the next morning, missing dinner and the evening’s activities.

We believe this book is a good read for those with a love of horses and the equestrian life. And because this book is a good reminder of the power of love and the benefits of having both dreams and someone to share them with.

Wild Heart is a well-written book with an excellent story about life, growth, and healing.