The Cheater - Nancy Taylor Rosenberg

Cheaters beware! Anne is on the loose. Having accidently walked in on her father and another woman, young Anne found herself abandoned along the side of the road in the middle of a snowstorm (yes, it's that far-fetched). She was found clinging to a fencepost, severely frostbitten, a few days later. No one ever responded to the media reports to claim this lost little girl.

To say Anne grew up with "issues" is an understatement. It's clear where Anne's issues stem from, but she is very good at hiding her hatred for men from those around her. In fact, she is well versed in the art of luring men away from their wives for illicit rendezvous in order to wreak her revenge on the cheaters of the world.

Overall, The Cheater was easy enough to read. The main characters were strong enough, but the supporting cast were a bit underdeveloped. It's worth checking out from the library, but not necessarily worth paying full price for at the book store.

Then again, perhaps Anne can give you a tip or two on taking out the trash . . .

I Am No One You Know - Joyce Carol Oates

Oates is a power house. She has the keen ability to stun the senses without being overly graphic, and can bend the mind with words. Her writing is descriptive, colorful, and imaginative. With lead-ins such as, "They brought him the skull in a plastic bag, in pieces. Like broken crockery it was," you can't help but wonder what's coming next.

This particular book is a collection of 19 short stories, all fiction. Some end more abruptly than others, and all end with a hook. At the start, I felt a bit abandoned as each story ended, shifting into yet another twist of the human psyche. Mid-book, however, I had developed an appreciation for Oates' craftiness in whetting the appetite in a way that left me yearning for more.

This is not mindless reading, as Oates guides the illusive cerebral carrot throughout the corners of the mind. Mystery buffs will love the classic intrigue weaved into every page; literary minds will thrive on the writing itself.