From Ashes to Honor

Readers will no doubt respond%E2%80%94as the 10th anniversary of September 11 looms%E2%80%94to the First Responders series, but they may face disappointment as they slog through this novel. Police officer Austin Finley ignores phone calls from his twin, only to face guilt later after his brother dies in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Bitterness and anger fill him, forcing Dr. Mercy Samara to recommend he be relieved of duty two years later. Austin and Mercy flee their separate September 11 demons, only to meet six years later in Baltimore. Austin, an EMT, and Mercy, a school counselor, feel the sparks between them immediately. Readers may lose patience with the endless banter that smacks of adolescence ("Well what?" "I thought you were going to hang up." "I was." "Then, why didn't you?") and irritating colloquialisms ("If I'd-a had a knife, I reckon I could-a cut through it." "Well, there y'go.") before they can dig more deeply into the story. Booksellers, however, will most likely find a ready market for September 11 fare. (Sept.)