Sinister Sprinkles-Jessica Beck

Sinister Sprinkles

Jessica Beck

Minotaur, Dec 1 2010, $7.99

ISBN: 9780312946128

The townsfolk of April Springs, North Carolina are delighted when snow falls as the Winter Festival begins.  Donut Harts owner Suzanne Hart enjoys the cold weather especially when snow covers the town.

However, this time the pristine color is red when someone Fatally Frosted Darlene Higgins using a candy cane as the weapon.  Suzanne loathed Darlene who was her ex-husband Max’s mistress, but would not have wanted her dead.  Meanwhile a shocked Muriel Stevens fears for her life as the victim wore her winter coat and a wig that that matched her hair color.  The police suspect somewhat look into the possibility of a wrongful murder, but lean to Max as the killer in a murder of passion.  Suzanne reluctantly investigates the homicide in order for Max not to fry by digging into Darlene’s past; which leads to an observant killer preparing to murder again and someone else also watching with appreciation in his eyes.

Sinister Sprinkles is a charming Carolina culinary cozy.  Readers will enjoy visiting April Springs and take delight in the recipes included with each chapter.  Although the motive for the amateur sleuth baker to investigate seems weak, sub-genre fans will enjoy her following the “recipe” how to investigate step by step.

Harriet Klausner

Vampires Not Invited-Cheyenne McCray

Vampires Not Invited

Cheyenne McCray

St. Martin’s Nov 30 2010, $7.99

ISBN: 9780312532680

In New York City, hybrid human-Drow Princess of the Dark Elves Nyx moonlights as a Night Tracker private investigator investigating incidents (see Demons Not Included and No Werewolves Allowed) involving paranormal species.  Her current case is frustrating her as a gang of sprites impishly mock human landmarks like painting Liberty’s toes pink. 

Her elven half gut tells her there has to be more than just inane graffiti and sillier pranks; a trademark of the pain in the butt obnoxious sprites.  Digging deeper, she finds what she feared.  The mischief sprites work for Master Vampire Volod and his fang gang who want a return to the prominence they once held in ironically what seems like a lifetime ago.  His plan is for his vampires to rule nocturnal New York.  Nyx and other trackers realize the sprites are a divergent ploy to occupy the trackers with nonsense while Volod uses the opportunity to exploit the weaknesses of other species.  Nyx plans to use all her strength to end this threat as everyone knows Vampires Not Invited to any shindig let alone run the city.

Obstinate Nyx, who breaks the rules as she even dates a low life, as all humans are, remains tenacious and confident as she plans to stake her life on preventing the Vampiric take-over.  She holds the fast-paced exhilarating private investigative urban fantasy focused as her stubbornness never allows her (or the reader) to take their eyes off the ball as despicable Sprites and Vampires come out of the shadows and coffins to challenge the leadership.

Harriet Klausner

The Triskaidek-Basil Sprig

The Triskaidek

Basil Sprig

CreateSpace, May 13 2010, $13.00

www.campfae.org

ISBN: 9781452886893

The faire parents send their kids for the summer to Camp Fae.  Though part of the reason the offspring are exiled to camp is parental R&R, but this particular camp is for the Fae to learn to use their magic.

However, this year a mistake occurs and a non-fae Alley Willowwood is sent to the camp.  She is a non-believer in magic as is most of her ignorant species.  However, she becomes a quick believer when she has a need to fly post haste to escape a harrowing scenario; thank goodness she won a kite.  Her counselor informs Alley that she must be fairy or would never have found Camp Fae.  Unlike many who learn they are a Triskaidekaphile, but fail to cope when the Triskaidek moment occurs; she begins to learn all she can on her personal Triskaidek thirteenth day of the thirteenth month of her thirteenth year, her human upbringing makes her unique and the only who may be able to save the endangered species the Blimeys while concealing the paranormal world from the nearby human camp where her friends attend and from her single mom, her new world.

Targeting middle school children and warning away triskaidekaphobics, Basil Sprig provides an engaging urban fantasy as his two worlds nicely merge with Alley as the vortex.  She is a terrific heroine who uses instinct not always successfully to learn if the huggable boy really likes her and to rescue the Blimeys.  With a tweener nod to the Greatest American hero, Alley is the greatest Triskaidekaphile heroine.

Harriet Klausner

Chicks Ahoy-Esther Freisner (editor)

Chicks Ahoy

Esther Freisner (editor)

Baen, Dec 7 2010, $12.00

ISBN: 9781439133019

This omnibus collection contains the frisky frolicking first three Chicks Amazonian anthology adventures.  With a parry, lunge and tongue in cheek (that is the female warrior not turning the other cheek like in “The Old Grind” (Laura Frankos) but in the other’s cheek.  Heroines are not afraid to fight in the MUD as George Alec Effinger affirms.

Chicks in Chainmail.  These are the original twenty tales.  Elizabeth Moon (she also contributes shorts to the other two collections) sets the tone with “And Ladies of the Club” as the king plans to tax bras while Janni Lee Simner answers with “Bra Melting”.  Holly Lisle’s “Armor-Ella” stars six foot El and not so Prince Charming.  Finally there is super mom at “Career Day” by Margaret Ball and a female guard protecting a brothel in “The Guardswoman” by Lawrence Watt-Evans (he also contributes short stories to the other two collections).

Did you say chicks?!  The second Chicks warrior anthology contains nineteen entries including a Starhawk tale by Barbara Hambly.  Harry Turtledove’s contribution shows the importance of gender teamwork and a “valiant vanquished” in The Attack of the Avenging Virgins by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough (she also contributes a short story in the first book) as women (virgins and veterans) kick all types of butt.

Chicks ‘n chained Males. These sixteen contributions star women in shining armor (often less attire) who come to the aid of lads in distress.  Susan Casper’s “Why Do You Think They call It Middle Earth stars a fighting female taking on dragons and other ilk to save hapless men as does “Leg Irons, The Bitch and the Wardrobe by Ms. Frankos. 

Readers of both genders will appreciate this compilation, but I suggest reading the Chicks Ahoy saga over several months as the theme is singular skewering satires summed up by “A Bitch in Time” (Doranna Durgin).

Harriet Klausner

The Bachelor Ranger-Rebecca Winters

The Bachelor Ranger

Rebecca Winters

Harlequin American, Jan 11 2011, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373753437

Fourteen months ago in Yosemite, the kiss hooks the soul of Park Ranger Cal Hollis though he knew she should not have locked lips with teen Alex Harcourt when she threw herself at him and he could not stop what he was dong because she mesmerized him.  She also remembers the kiss as the greatest moment of her life.

She is back in Yosemite to start a new program that brings Native Americans to the park.  Alex fears Cal will interfere with the project.  A widower, he is struck by how much he still wants her and how mature she has become since the kiss.  She knows she is in love, but refuses to allow the ranger to break her heart again when he rejected her advances last year.  Meanwhile as they work together to make her project a reality, he works on capturing an odious brutal poacher and persuading his beloved he has moved on passed his past.

Rebecca Winters provides a great contemporary romance that stars two strong lead characters and a powerful support cast inside of a vivid setting.  The key to this terrific tale is the interweaving of the past of Cal and Alex into the warm story line.  With memories of the kiss lingering in their respective souls, this is a super first chance at love.

Harriet Klausner

Ramona and the Renegade-Marie Ferarella

Ramona and the Renegade

Marie Ferarella

Harlequin American, Jan 11 2011, $4.99

ISBN: 9780373753420

In Forever, Texas, Deputy Joe Lone Wolf helps veterinarian Ramona Santiago when her car breaks down.  He knows his childhood friend Mona is in Forever temporarily to attend the wedding of his boss who happens to also be her older brother Rick (see The Sheriff’s Christmas Surprise).  However, Joe also knows that he has loved Mona seemingly forever, but believes she deserves better than him.

Mona is stunned by her attraction to her rescuer as she has known Joe forever, but never felt this way before.  Her emotional meter is already stratospheric with her relationship with Rick radically changed and their estranged mom returning into the lives of the siblings.  Now love has both she and Joe reeling for cover.

This is a warm contemporary romance starring two flawed protagonists and a strong support cast especially Rick.  Joe is confused with what to do next while Mona fears a broken heart she will not be able to mend.  Although both contain too much baggage for a relatively short story line fans will root for another Santiago to find a permanent love.

Harriet Klausner

Improper Seduction-Mary Wine

Improper Seduction

Mary Wine

Kensington Brava, Jan 4 2011, $14.00

ISBN: 9780758242051

In 1543 Lord Newbury promised his daughter Bridget to Lord Curan Ramsden.  Before he could wed his intended, Curan went off to war under the banner of King Henry VIII. 

After three years of loyal service to his monarch at the front of the war, Curan finally comes home for his reward; marriage to Bridget.  Thus he is stunned to learn Newbury has taken his daughter to London to marry some other aristocrat; ironically King Henry’s Chancellor, who remained safely at home.  Outraged by the affront that he knows has more than Henry’s blessing.  Curan vows to have his betrothed whether they are married or not; though his preference is for her to be his wife.  He intercepts her as she heads to London and takes her to his home where she loves his kisses but fears the wrath of King Henry if she fails to wed his Chancellor.

This is an engaging Tudor romance starring two wonderful leads who belong together but due to royal intrigue they are star-crossed lovers.  No one dares to mess with the King yet Curan knows his heart demands he must.  Mary Wine provides an intoxicating sixteenth century historical as love literally may mean a loss of one’s head.

Harriet Klausner

A Taste of Desire-Beverly Kendall

A Taste of Desire

Beverly Kendall

Zebra, Jan 1 2011, $6.99

ISBN: 9781420108705

In 1876 Lady Amelia Bertram’s frantic father frets over her shenanigans that he always ends up cleaning up for her.  After each incident including several elopements, he vows never again, but ends up cleaning up her mess.  Worried what trouble his headstrong daughter will dive head first into while he is across the great pond conducting business, Bertram needs someone to control his devilish offspring though he never succeeded at that endeavor.

Ata a gala, Amelia loudly derides the reputed sexual skills of Lord Thomas Armstrong.  At the same time, Bertram asks a favor of Armstrong to watch over his daughter while he is in America.  Armstrong reluctantly agrees to serve as surrogate guardian because he owes his mentor a lot; beside he wants to tame the shrew.  In front of his family, her servants, his mistress, her former “fiancé” and a cast of quadrillion, the gender war begins in earnest. 

Although none of the support cast seems more than a stereotype and the lead couple not much more fleshed out, fans will enjoy this riotous Victorian romance.  The witty battle of the sexes is amusing as each of the combatants vow to teach their adversary a lesson in humility; neither was prepared for the taming of their heart.

Harriet Klausner

A Little Bit Sinful-Adrienne Basso

A Little Bit Sinful

Adrienne Basso

Zebra, Jan 1 2011, $6.99

ISBN: 9781420111903

Viscount Sebastian Dodd has waited for seemingly forever to enact vengeance for the death of his mother years ago.  He remained patient though each ensuing season of the Ton added to his thirst to finally achieve his vendetta.  Now the opportunity is here and he seizes the moment.  He will seduce innocent Bianca Collins.

However, his problem is not with the lovely Bianca, but with her obstinate older sister Eleanor.  Whereas the men compete for Bianca, Sebastian prefers Eleanor as he enjoys their witty battles.  She begins to fall in love with him, but assumes he loves Bianca so she steps aside.  He knows his plan will only work with Bianca, but he cannot ignore Eleanor.  Then they kiss.  Revising his cold scheme of revenge, Sebastian finds the nurturing warmth of love so much more enlightening until his beloved learns of their past connection and why she assumes he courted the Collins’ sisters.

Although the twin R themes of revenge and redemption have been used many times before, the cast keeps Adrienne Basso’s historical romance a fresh, fun frolic.  The lead couple is a wonderful pairing as a little bit of love overpowers years of anger.  The secondary characters enhance the house party in which Sebastian learns vengeance is served cold while love serves internal warmth.

Harriet Klausner

She Felt No Pain-Lou Allin

She Felt No Pain

Lou Allin

Rendezvous Crime (Napoleon & Company), Sep 25 2010, $16.95

ISBN: 9781926607078

In the summer near Fossil Bay on Vancouver Island, the corpse of a homeless person is found.  Although family lives here as this was once her home, RCMP Corporal Holly Martin is relatively new to the small police detachment.  Holly leads the inquiry into the death.  She and Constable Chipper Knox Singh find drug paraphernalia near the body; later the autopsy confirms a drug overdose of heroin and a synthetic opiate.

The deceased possesses a warn wallet with an aging photograph and sever hundreds of dollars; strange articles for a seemingly homeless person.  The two cops interview other drifters who insist he came to the vacation oasis to see his former girlfriend.  They learn he is former convict Joel Clavir, whose sister recently won the lottery.  As Holly begins to put together the puzzle of Joel, she believes someone sought something of value from the victim, which the cop finds near where they found the body is.  As she struggles to solve what she now thinks is a homicide, her father is hurt while her fiftyish Aunt Madeline encourages her to investigate her mom’s disappearance years ago.

The latest Martin RCMP Canadian police procedural (see And on the Surface Die, for her first case) is an engaging whodunit that contrasts murder with the beauty of Vancouver Island.  That comparisons of nature’s stark beauty to humanity’s avaricious homicidal tendencies makes for a strong whodunit as Holly investigates the murder and her own heritage with every step she takes enhanced by the setting she traverses.

Harriet Klausner