Angel’s Pain-Maggie Shayne

Angel’s Pain

Maggie Shayne

Mira, Oct 2008, $7.99

ISBN: 0778324982

 

Briar the Vampiress vows to never forget the cruelty of her former instructor in the ways of their species.  She initially accepted his brutality as drinking blood is not an herbivore lifestyle.  However when Gregor betrayed her she pledged to get even; when he tortured her she became preoccupied with the need of vengeance flowing through her blood starting with her odious stepfather Martin and then Gregor.

 

However, she is realistic that she cannot defeat Gregor and his minion by herself.  Brian reluctantly joins Reaper and his warriors (vampires, Chosen and humans) based on the theory that Gregor’s enemies are her friends.  Once Gregor and Rose are dead, Brian plans to leave though she is attracted to her charismatic leader who shares a blood bond to child vampiress Crisa.  When Gregor captures Crisa, Briar knows she must save her little “sister”.  Reaper risks all to help her succeed.

 

The latest Maggie Shayne vampiric thriller (see LOVER’S BITE and DEMON’S KISS) is a superb paranormal romantic suspense tale.  Briar appears more thorn than Rose, but Reaper sees past her pain and her bravado to the inner person he desires even if she keeps singing the refrain from “I’m not in love”.  The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never slows down as Briar needs to be the one to kill Gregor until Crisa is taken; her priorities change. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Ms. Shayne’s fine vampire tale especially those who soar with the author’s “Wings in the Night” saga as several players take a bite or two in ANGEL’S PAIN.

 

Harriet Klausner

Come The Night-Susan Krinard

Come The Night

Susan Krinard

Harlequin HQN, Oct 2008, $6.99

ISBN: 9373773153

 

In 1927 Ethan Warbrick comes from England to New York City to warn fired and disgraced former NYPD cop Ross Kavanaugh of a visitor he will soon receive.  During the war, Ross met and fell in love with English werewolf Gillian Maitland, but though she reciprocated her prejudicial dictatorial father declared him unfit as only a purebred was acceptable.  Fearing her abusive dad would harm or kill her beloved Yank, Gillian ended their relationship and she became Mrs. Delvaux to insure the family line remained purebred.

 

However, she was too late and now her son Tobias who assumes Ross is his sire is coming to meet him.  Gillian, whose husband died in the war, follows her offspring to New York to bring him back to Cambria before his paternal grandfather does something despicable to them; which means mother and son must be home to attend the upcoming werewolf convocation.  When his preadolescent son followed by Gilliam arrives, Ross, a quarter-werewolf, knows he wants both of them as his beloved family.  He follows them to England in time for a serial killer to begin a murderous campaign that leaves the ex American cop as the prime suspect.

 

This cross Atlantic paranormal romantic historical suspense works on all levels because the audience will believe that in 1927 Anglo-America the werewolf hierarchy is based on racism depending on the amount of “impurities” in one’s blood.  The story line is fast-paced from the moment Ross has the visitor followed by his police pal calling him to tell him an eleven year old English lad claims him as his father.  The tale never slows down from there even as the lead trio (and readers) crosses the ocean.  Susan Krinard provides a strong paranormal private investigative 1920s thriller.

 

Harriet Klausner

City of Jade-Dennis L. McKiernan

City of Jade

Dennis L. McKiernan

Roc, Oct 2008, $23.95

ISBN 9780451462312

 

Legend talks of a City of Jade hidden in the jungle.  Probably more likely myth than a real lost city, as no one has ever returned from the quest of finding this fabled locale though many have tried across Mithgar.

 

In the Final Year of the Fifth Era,  with the Dragonstone War ended when the Black Mage God Gyphon was slain by the elf, passages have opened between realms while wards have been used to close those leading to and from the the creations of the late Dark God.  In that seemingly peaceful environment, Elven Captain Aravan learns of the City of Jade and wants to find this precious legend.  He brings together a crew of elves, dwarfs, men, and other species to sail into the sunset on the fabled Eroean.  Accompanying him on his quest is his beloved mage, Aylis the seer.  Even without Aylis’ predictions all of the crew of the Eroean knows the journey will be dangerous and many if any will not return; they volunteer because the lure of adventure is greater than their safety; most are used to a world at war.  Few perhaps would have signed on if they knew the dark necromantic sorcerer Nunde seeking vengeance is lurking everywhere they are sailing. 

 

As explained in the “afterword” to this engaging fantasy, the events in the CITY OF JADE occur at the end of SILVER WOLF, BLACK FALCON and the beginning of the RED SLIPPERS: MORE TALES OF MITHGAR anthology.  The thriller starts off as more of an interrelated anthology catching up with what has happened to the good, the bad, and the nasty since the demise of the Dark God.  Once the crew is set and prepares to sail, the story line converges into an entertaining adventure tale with a fuming vengeful Nunde stalking the Eroean over each horizon.  Fans will relish this terrific tweener while new readers should first peruse SILVER WOLF, BLACK FALCON to better comprehend the citations to the war.

 

Harriet Klausner

Acheron-Sherrilyn Kenyon

Acheron

Sherrilyn Kenyon

St. Martin’s, Aug 2008, $25.95

ISBN: 0312362153

 

In 9548 BC Katoteros, based on the prophecy of three of his bastard daughters, an irate Archon angrily directs his horde to kill their unborn child.  Archon’s wife of several centuries Apollymi and her Charonte demons flee as she refuses to allow him to murder her baby.  Feeling betrayed by her spouse as she always remained loyal, Apollymi and her followers kill any in the Pantheon that get in their way.  The baby she names Apostolos is lifted from her and hidden inside a pregnant Queen Aara having his essence merged with the baby inside.  Apollymi gives her spouse a stone baby and warns him that when the time comes her son will return to destroy him and his followers; he vows to find and kill his offspring.

 

By the time he is seven years old Acheron knows his parents hate him though they know from an oracle to prevent his death or else; only his sister Ryssa cares about him.  However, she cannot understand why he is treated so badly over the next few years.He concludes the Gods cursed him but has no idea why as everyone except Ryssa loathes and fears him.  In his death, the horror comes to devastate the world; only he can save humanity but he does not want to return to save those who spurned him when he lived; besides which he knows who will come for him if he returns.

 

Throughout the extremely well written Dark Hunter saga, readers have waited for Acheron’s tale to be told.  The pressure on Sherrilyn Kenyon must have been immense, but like the Redeem Team she comes through with a great tale.  From the opening sequence when a desperate Goddess tries to save her unborn from his father to New Orleans fans will relish the “biography” of the titled character.  In a sense two related novels with over four hundred pages each occurring eleven millennium ago and about three hundred in New Orleans, Ms. Kenyon’s excellent thriller will be on most fans’ short list for fantasy of the year.

 

Harriet Klausner

A Cedar Cove Christmas-Debbie Macomber

A Cedar Cove Christmas

Debbie Macomber

Mira, Oct 2008, $16.95

ISBN: 0778325911

 

On Christmas Eve, pregnant Mary Jo Wyse comes to Cedar Cove, Washington seeking the father of her unborn David Rhodes.  There are no commercial accommodations available in town, but Grace and Cliff Harding allow Mary Jo to sleep in the loft of their stable.

 

When Mary Jo goes into labor, paramedic Mack McAfee attends to her.  The three Wyse men, her bumbling brothers (Linc, Mel and Ned) arrive to help their sister.  Meanwhile Mary Jo has decided that instead of confronting David, who she has not found, she would prefer to be held by kindhearted Mack.  However she doubts even this nice EMT would want to get involved with a woman who has just given birth.

 

A CEDAR COVE CHRISTMAS is an amusing and angst account of the Christmas saga with Puget Sound serving as the locale instead of Bethlehem; as a stable is still a stable when it comes to hospitality for a pregnant woman.  The cast is solid but it is the visitor Mary Jo who provides the anxiety, focus and equilibrium to the plot.  Fans will relish Debbie Macomber’s latest very Merry Christmas romp.

 

Harriet Klausner

Risking Her Heart-Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington

Risking Her Heart

Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington

Harlequin HQN, Oct 2008, $6.99

ISBN: 0373773196

 

Parker Huntington is attracted to Rachel Garrison and believes she reciprocates.  Thus the sponsor of her family’s Garrison Racing NASCAR team cannot understand why she rejects his advances.

 

Rachel is attracted to Parker and believes he reciprocates.  However, she refuses to have anything to do with him outside of racing as he is known for his love them leave them attitude; besides she firmly believes in not mixing pleasure with business.  Instead she begins dating someone else; although when she believes someone is stealing from her family’s business she asks Parker to help her determine who.

 

The second Garrison sibling NASCAR romance (see NO HOLDING BACK) stays off the track for the most part focusing more on the business aspects of racing.  The story line can stand alone, but is clearly enhanced by reading the first tale as the overarching plot moves forward.  Those who read both tales will appreciate the forming of the balanced scorecard as first there was the mission perspective and now the finance view.  In each novel Liz Allison & Wendy Etherington insures their characters are solid so that fans will enjoy watching whether Rachel and Parker risk their heart.

 

Harriet Klausner

Lucky Charm-Carly Phillips

Lucky Charm

Carly Phillips

Harlequin HQN, Oct 2008, $7.99

ISBN: 0373773315

 

In Stewart, Massachusetts, they were in love with one another through high school.  However, upon graduation, Derek ended his relationship with Gabrielle though he still believed she was his soul mate.  He dropped her out of fear of the Corwin Curse that has haunted all his male ancestors since witch Mary Perkins cursed the family in the nineteenth century when a member eloped with the fiancée of her son; Mary declared the Corwin males would lose their beloved and their fortune.

 

Derek did marry, but not to Gabrielle.  His marriage and his business failed even though he ran from love; however, he also has a tweener daughter, Holly, who he loves very much.

 

Gabrielle never mended her broken heart; instead as a psychological defense mechanism she turned to writing and avoided any relationships.  She debunks myths and curses, but has returned to Stewart to use her skills to prove the Corwin Curse is a sham.

 

This is a charming lighthearted romantic romp starring two likable protagonists; some might say antagonists.  The second chance story line is fast-paced and filled with humor and angst due to deep characters, but although the plot is slim. Carly Phillips fans will enjoy visiting the town 1.5 miles west of Salem.

 

Harriet Klausner

Gilding Lily-Tatiana Boncompagni

Gilding Lily

Tatiana Boncompagni

Avon, Sep 2008, $13.95

ISBN: 0061451010

 

Lily Grace moves from Nashville to New York with plans of taking Manhattan by storm.  She becomes very popular amidst the elite social class and meets educated wealthy charmer Robert Bartholomew.  They marry.

 

When Lily becomes pregnant, Robert loses interest in her as she gains weight and is no longer the it “Girl of the moment”.  He quits his job as a lawyer and begins spending time with his socialite mother who never wanted the southern belle as her daughter-in-law.  Lily begins writing lifestyle articles that allows her reentrance into the high society world her pregnancy kicked her from, but she is treated with distain led by Robert’s mother.

 

Using hyperbole as an amusing saber, Tatiana Boncompagni provides a fascinating look at what people will accept in order to belong to a group that treats “outsiders” as pet rocks.  Lily holds the tale together with her need to be part of the upper crust elitist crowd whose motto ought to be “Let them eat cake off our Persian rugs”.  Humorous yet somewhat sad as the human need to belong supersedes self actualization even when the members disdain you as inferior.  This is a well written insightful contemporary tale in which readers will like the desperate Lily and root for her to find the grace of telling her spouse, her in-laws and the wealthy in crowd to pound rocks although at the same time the audience knows her inclination is in the opposite direction.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Outsider-Ann H. Gabhart

The Outsider

Ann H. Gabhart

Revell, Aug 2008, $13.99

ISBN: 0800732391

 

In 1812 twenty-year-old Shaker Sister Gabrielle Hope has visions that enable her to see the future.  Still she is steadfast to her commitment she and mom made in 1807 when they moved to Harmony Hill and adheres to her religious beliefs.

 

However, a kiss from visiting widower Dr. Brice Scott makes her wonder if the Shaker life of celibacy that she and her mother have vowed to follow is for her.  As Brice’s kind gentle words stir a passion of forbidden love inside her, she begins to reconsider her vows especially since the community separates moms and daughters leaving her no one to consult with about her feelings.

 

Using a potential taboo romance more as a mechanism than as the prime plot theme, Ann H. Gabhart provides a deep look at the Shaker Movement during the War of 1812.  Well written, historical fans learn about the impact of celibacy on the Shakers including some who fail to adapt and commit suicide.  Although none of the characters including Gabrielle display any deep passion about anything even death, which in fairness fits in some ways the Shaker society expectations of the flock, fans will enjoy this interesting War of 1812 tale.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Blessed-Lisa T. Bergren

The Blessed

Lisa T. Bergren

Berkley, Sep 2008, $24.95

ISBN: 9780425223420

 

The Gifted are a group of thirteen men, women and children from all walks of life; each endowed with a gift from God who sends them on a mission.  According to a glass map they must travel to Avignon where the papacy is headquartered.  They have a message to deliver to Pope Cornelius, but the evil men endowed with the Dark One’s powers try to prevent them from reaching him.  Vincenzo de Bruce and his mentor Abramo fail n their attempt to kill them.

 

Daria D’Angelo who was betrayed by her Uncle Vincenzo is a healer who when demonstrated God’s powers she seems to convert most who observe her. The defection of her uncle hurts her badly and she hates Abramo who held her prisoner doing horrific things to her.  She and the other Gifted know what awaits them in Avignon; corruption of the Cardinals by their enemies and influencing the pope byf the Gifted who now have a loyal following from believers.  A showdown is coming with the Gifted praying they are victorious.

 

The third tale in the Gifted trilogy (see BETRAYED and BEGOTTEN) comes to a glorious finish.  The de facto leader of the group is Daria, a strong independent woman who willingly suffers for God, but remains steadfast in her love and worship of Him.  Besides wanting to clean out the depraved at the papal Court, the Gifted believe that the Word needs to be spoken in the native dialect and a worshipper do not a middle man priest to pray to God.  This religious thriller is enthralling, filled with action and fascinating characters, and many messages, not all subtle, for the reader to ponder.

 

Harriet Klausner