Texas Reads>> archiveGlenn Dromgoole
9.27.15 Sandra Brown keeps the pages turning in “Friction”
Sandra Brown packs plenty of conflict into her aptly named novel Friction (Grand Central Publishing, $26 hardcover).
Wherever he goes, Texas Ranger Crawford Hunt seems to create or cultivate friction — defined as conflict or animosity caused by a clash of wills, temperaments, or opinions. He finds himself in court fighting with his in-laws for custody of his five-year-old daughter, the most important person in his life. Her mother was killed in a car wreck four years ago, and her parents have been raising Georgia while Hunt tried to get his life back together.
Now he feels he is ready to move forward as a daddy, but the grandparents feel otherwise — especially his father-in-law, who can’t stand him.
While Judge Holly Spencer is hearing the case, a masked gunman dressed like a house painter charges into court and starts shooting. The bailiff drops dead, Hunt leaps in to protect the judge, and the gunman flees. Hunt gives pursuit, and soon the matter seems to be resolved when the presumed suspect is killed by snipers.
But wait, it’s not that simple. Who — and what — was behind the shooting? And was the suspect who was killed really the shooter?
Judge Spencer is believed to have been the target, and Hunt arranges for her to have round-the-clock protection while the investigation intensifies. Hunt is in constant conflict with a long-time rival, the lead detective on the case, and eventually Hunt himself is a suspect. Did he really set the whole thing up?
Judge Spencer finds herself attracted to the Ranger, which creates all kinds of sexual and ethical friction. And there’s also friction between Hunt and his estranged alcoholic father.
Sandra Brown, who obviously knows how to keep the action flowing, is the author of about 70 novels with 80 million copies in print, making her one of the best-selling Texas authors of all time. She holds an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, TCU, and established a scholarship there for students who aspire to a career in creative writing.
Read more on her website, sandrabrown.net.
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Brother missing: San Antonio author Catherine A. Winn, a former art and elementary teacher, has published her first young adult mystery, Beyond Suspicion (The Poisoned Pencil, $10.95 paperback).
When fifteen-year-old Shelby has to babysit baby brother Josh instead of going to her first boy-girl party, she is very upset. She pushes Josh to the park in his stroller, and someone sets off fireworks. When she turns around, Josh is gone. And soon she finds herself the primary suspect in his disappearance. In a race against time, she sets out to try to find the real kidnapers.
For more, go to poisonedpenpress.com.
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Glenn Dromgoole is co-author of 101 Essential Texas Books.Contact him at g.dromgoole@suddenlink.net.
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