Reviewer: Connie Payne
Title: What, No Roses?
Author: Marianne Mancusi
Publisher: Dorchester
ISBN: 0-5055-2675-1
Release Date: July 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Time-Travel Romance
Year/Setting: Present day/1929 Chicago
Overall Rating: 4.75
Sexual Content Rating: Sensual
Language (Profanity) Content Rating: Moderate +
Violent Content Rating: Minimal/Moderate
Marianne's Website:
www.mariannemancusi
What, No Roses? is told in the first person, but don’t let that deter you from reading it! Here’s why...
Dora Duncan recently had a traumatic experience while covering the war in Iraq. In trying to put that and her ex-boyfriend, Nick, behind her she finds herself in San Diego as a features/human interest reporter. It’s not that exciting, but it sure is a lot safer than dodging bullets or getting hit by them. And safe is the name of the game.
While on assignment at the mall, she’s approached by the FBI. They need her help to stop her ex from changing history when he takes a trip to 1929 and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre via the XR-2300 time-travel machine. Skeptical yet intrigued she agrees, or should I say gives in.
Now, the adventure, if some want to call it that, begins. Not only is Dora given a taste of life in the roaring 20’s in the body of Louise Rolfe, but she’s on the inside track, so-to-speak, with ‘Machine Gun’ McGurn (Dora/Louise is his girl). And that’s not too healthy at times, either, in more ways than one. (Ew!) She’s got about 3 days to find Nick, or should I say the body Nick is occupying in this time, get him to change his mind about messing with history, and give him a piece of her mind.
It doesn’t quite work that way, however. There are times she lets loose and forgets her assignment, then there are times she decides to take the assignment into her own hands. All to the sarcastic dismay of her contact (you’ve got to read that one to believe it for yourself!).
The only thing negative I have to say about the book is I, personally, could have done without much of the language. Some may find it offensive. Other than that...
I must say, Marianne Mancusi not only knows how to tell a story but also has a way with words. Ms. Mancusi’s sense of comedic and dramatic timing is dead on. As is her grasp of the time period in which she’s set the book and the life-like characters, both real and invented, Dora/Louise interacts with. She masterfully blends a time in our history with an idea from her incredible imagination.
You can’t assume anything when reading What, No Roses? There are elements of surprise, lots of action, emotions climbing all over the scale, things that are far-fetched and perhaps things are...no, I better not finish; it’ll give too much away. Just know, all of that combined is what makes the ride so wild and fun(ny).
Suffice it to say you’ll be highly entertained when reading Ms. Mancusi’s roaring 20's escapade.
Connie
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