キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Captain's Log, Stardate 11.18.2008
Shadow of Colossus
by
T.L. Higley
In a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?
The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaera, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free—if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible.
Now Tessa must battle for her own freedom and for those she is beginning to love, as forces collide that will shatter the island’s peace and bring even its mighty Colossus to its knees.
Camy here:
What a terrific picture of ancient Greece! I love unique and interesting settings for historical novels, and this intrigued me from the moment I read about it.
I know practically nothing about the setting (Rhodes) or the time period, but the author makes them both come alive for me. There are a few unfamiliar words that are cleverly explained so that I feel like I’ve been seamlessly immersed in this new world.
The heroine’s painful past of being sold into high-priced prostitution made me immediately care for her. Her stony heart, a self-defense mechanism against the pain she has received, made me ache for her.
The hero, the bastard of a wealthy, powerful man who has just been recognized by him as his son, is not as vividly drawn as the heroine but still very intriguing. His poor past combined with his recent elevation to wealth and power makes him an interesting character.
The secondary characters are all just as unique and memorable. Overall, a stunning cast.
Although the heroine’s life is gritty, the story itself is not graphic. I don’t know if I’d give this book to a junior high school reader, but I’d have no qualms about giving it to a high school reader.
Download and read the first three chapters (.pdf) by clicking here.
Shadow of Colossus
by
T.L. Higley
In a world enslaved by money and power, one woman dares to be free. Will an explosive secret enslave her again?
The place is the island of Rhodes; the time, 227 BC. In the ten years that Tessa of Delos has been in bondage as a hetaera, a high-priced Greek courtesan to a wealthy politician, she has learned to abandon all desire for freedom and love. But when her owner meets a violent death, Tessa is given the chance to be free—if she can hide the truth of his death and maintain a masquerade until escape is possible.
Now Tessa must battle for her own freedom and for those she is beginning to love, as forces collide that will shatter the island’s peace and bring even its mighty Colossus to its knees.
Camy here:
What a terrific picture of ancient Greece! I love unique and interesting settings for historical novels, and this intrigued me from the moment I read about it.
I know practically nothing about the setting (Rhodes) or the time period, but the author makes them both come alive for me. There are a few unfamiliar words that are cleverly explained so that I feel like I’ve been seamlessly immersed in this new world.
The heroine’s painful past of being sold into high-priced prostitution made me immediately care for her. Her stony heart, a self-defense mechanism against the pain she has received, made me ache for her.
The hero, the bastard of a wealthy, powerful man who has just been recognized by him as his son, is not as vividly drawn as the heroine but still very intriguing. His poor past combined with his recent elevation to wealth and power makes him an interesting character.
The secondary characters are all just as unique and memorable. Overall, a stunning cast.
Although the heroine’s life is gritty, the story itself is not graphic. I don’t know if I’d give this book to a junior high school reader, but I’d have no qualms about giving it to a high school reader.
Download and read the first three chapters (.pdf) by clicking here.
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