SUMMARY:
An Italian-American major in World War II wins the love and admiration of the local townspeople when he searches for a replacement for the 700 year-old town bell that had been melted down for bullets by the fascists.

From Publishers Weekly

In this witty, highly amusing tale, British comic fantasist Holt (_Barking_) describes a modern-day England where magical creatures and sorcerers are commonplace. Mild-mannered Frank Carpenter uses his Acme Portable Door to travel anywhere in time and space and reverse disasters for 10% of the recouped insurance payout. But when his latest assignment, mythological pest exterminator Emily Spitzer, keeps dying, Frank must figure out how to disable the titular device, which kills in every possible alternative reality in the multiverse. Things only get more complicated when Frank becomes smitten with his well-armed damsel-in-distress. Eloquently snarky prose supports an otherwise clunky plot replete with fanciful coincidences and unnecessarily convoluted time travel, and Holt's quirky characters and whimsical voice successfully infuse life into this entertaining romantic comedy. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Highly amusing." —_Publishers Weekly_

From Publishers Weekly

Heinlein equals kitsch? First published in 1942, this reprint title by one of the masters of modern science fiction is not one of his best efforts, with its dated '40s jargon, a ham-fisted attempt at romance and a plot that really doesn't go anywhere. On the plus side, it does contain good, sound genetics that later scientific advances haven't significantly outmoded. The plot centers on Hamilton Felix, whose genetic makeup has been recorded, tracked and tweaked for over five generations to make his genetic pool one of several "Star line" groups. Hamilton has a body filled with some of the best characteristics that man can have, and the only problem is that he doesn't give a darn. Nor does he intend to continue with the experiment that his progenitors were so keen on, since he doesn't want children. When he's not avoiding reproduction, Hamilton plays at being a millionaire entrepreneur (his genetic mix gives him great intelligence and he's a whiz with money) and a spy/counterspy for the government (foiling a plot to overthrow the government keeps him hopping). With his traditional hard-boiled detective voice, Hamilton makes an engaging hero. Despite some definite signs of age, as well as a tendency to the pedantic, the book remains highly readable. Heinlein loyalists will ignore the pallid "star child" jacket art as they head for the cash register.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Hamilton Felix, the result of generations of genetic selection, finds his life as the ultimate man boring, until a gang of revolutionaries tries to enlist him in their cause.

Review

Praise for Black Wings by Christina Henry

"A fun, fast ride through the gritty streets of magical Chicago, Black Wings has it all: a gutsy heroine just coming into her power, bad-ass bad guys, a sexy supernatural love interest, and a scrappy gargoyle sidekick. Highly recommended."
-Nancy Holzner, Author of Deadtown

"Henry shows that she is up to the challenge of debuting in a crowded genre. The extensive background of her imaginative world is well- integrated with the action-packed plot, and the satisfying conclusion leaves the reader primed for the next installment."
-_Publishers Weekly _

"[F]ast paced, action packed and hardcore--breathing new life into the vast genre of urban fantasy . . ._Black Wings_ is intense, dark and full of surprises."
-RexRobotReviews.com

"Readers will enjoy a fast-paced adventure with an interesting cast, especially Beezle, the gargoyle, and be ready and waiting for a future still yet unwritten. Pick up your copy of Black Wings today and stay tuned for Black Night."
-_Romance Reviews Today_

Product Description

Madeline Black is an Agent of death, meaning she escorts the souls of people who have died to the afterlife. Of course, not everyone is happy to see her...

If obstinate dead people were all that Maddy had to worry about, life would be much easier. But the best-laid plans of Agents and fallen angels often go awry. Deaths are occurring contrary to the natural order, Maddy's being stalked by foes inside and outside of her family, and her two loves-her bodyguard, Gabriel, and her doughnut-loving gargoyle, Beezle-have disappeared. But because Maddy is Lucifer's granddaughter, things are expected of her, things like delicate diplomatic missions to other realms.