Storm of Visions-Christina Dodd

Storm of Visions

Christina Dodd

Signet, Aug 2009, $7.99

ISBN 9780451227638

Jacqueline Vargha rejects the idea that she is one of the magnificent seven Chosen Ones; instead she insists she has no paranormal skills.  However, her her adoptive mother psychic Zusane knows better and forces a reluctant Jacqueline to join with the other six special Chosen.

The team is shocked when their selected mentors die in a bombing.  The reluctant untrained Chosen One and Zusane’s bodyguard Caleb, who was once Jacqueline’s lover, accompanied by two unskilled elderly assistants with no extrasensory skills hunt the assassin while dodging their natural enemies the Others and struggling with an attraction neither want but both desire.

STORM OF VISIONS is an action-packed paranormal romantic suspense that sets the stage for what looks like will be a terrific series, but also insures the opening act contains a strong story line.  Caleb is an interesting male lead, but Jacqueline is the more fascinating protagonist as she prefers to pretend she has no paranormal abilities just like she prefers to ignore her feelings for the bodyguard.  Although the romance is more like a light switch being turned on and off throughout the plot, fans of Christina Dodd will enjoy her suspense laden paranormal thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Dark Warrior Unbroken-Alexis Morgan

Dark Warrior Unbroken

Alexis Morgan

Pocket, Jul 28 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9781416563440

Arson investigator Lena Wilson missed the funeral of her mentor and father figure Maynard Cooper because of the breach between them.  The dispute seems inane to her as she stands at his gravesite crying that they never reconciled and vowing to uncover the identity of his killer in spite of the cops insisting they have no leads; she has special skills that enable her to find things the police would never notice.

Talion Warrior Chief Enforcer Sandor Kearn regrets doing his job when he was forced to kill his best friend, Bradan. He not only has doubts he has the stomach for this work; he has the added problem of obsessive persistent Lena who keeps digging.  Sandor wants to tell her that he killed her mentor’s murderer already, but cannot reveal that or anything about his people the Kyth.  He tracks a Kyth rogue killer in Seattle while she tracks him as Lena believes Sandor killed Maynard.

The second Talion thriller (see DARK WARRIOR UNLEASHED) reads somewhat like the first novel, but the clash between the lead couple brings freshness to the exhilarating story line.  Lena knows in her heart Sandor is the one for her but believes in her brain based on what she has learned he is the one she must kill to complete her vow.  Sandor, who plays a key role in the previous tale, is caught between a hard place and a rock as he wants to pour out his heart to his obstinate pursuer and give her closure and more; but he understands his imprint is indirectly all over the death of Maynard.  Alexis Morgan provides a tense thriller as the vigilante goes after the enforcer.

Harriet Klausner

Hidden Currents-Christine Feehan

Hidden Currents

Christine Feehan

Jove, Jun 30 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780515146479

Psychic though many will say psycho businessman Stavros Gratsos kidnaps Elle Drake who had just returned to her family home Sea Haven.  Although Elle and her six older sisters are also psychics, Stavros has somehow been able to electronically disable their telepathic abilities.  Her siblings are distraught, but plan to do whatever it takes to rescue the youngest of this generation Drake brood.

Sea Haven Deputy Sheriff Jackson Deveau has loved Elle from afar forever and vows to save his beloved.  Elle has reciprocated his feelings so that a telepathic link built on love connects them in spite of Stavros’ gizmo.  He along with the Drake clan extract Elle from the psychopath, but not before  Stavros tortured and raped her.  Jackson is there for his emotionally shattered beloved and she begins to mentally heal due to his nurturing.  However, Stavros wants her back and threatens all her loved ones leading to the extended Drake family (stars of the previous six entries) taking on a maniac and his horde of mercenaries.

The seventh and final Drake sister romantic fantasy is a strong finish to a powerful series.  The lead couple is a likable pairing as both have issues; especially timely and poignant is the consequences on an individual who was tortures.  The villain is a clever and brilliant but insane psychic whose demented vile mind enhances the plot as he forces the return of all the Drake sisters and their mates to unite to counter fight this lunatic.

Harriet Klausner

A Stroke of Magic-Tracy Madison

A Stroke of Magic

Tracy Madison

Love Spell, Jul 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780505528117

In Chicago, Enchanted Expressions graphic designer Alice Raymond has a slight problem.  It is not being single and pregnant as she kicked her cheating ex to the curb. It is not the fact that her hormones are geometrically out of control due partly to the fetus inside her and to a degree due to her crush on her boss, Ethan Gallagher.  Finally it is not the fact that she can see her late great-grandmother and have her wishes come true.  Her dilemma is the Gypsy’s curse that proclaims for her now unborn daughter to live a happy life; Alice must find her soul mate before the infant is born.

Her libido insists it is Gallagher, but Alice no longer trusts that part of her body.  Ethan was engaged to his forever significant other who ended their relationship after a fortuneteller told her he was not her numero uno.  He vowed never again will he allow a “paranormal” con artist to intrude in his life.  However, now he believes he has found his significant other in Alice, but she rants like she visited “Wonderland” about dead relatives and gypsy curses.  Though he fears she is a certifiable fruitcake, he loves Alice, but even he is unsure whether he can stand by her when she keeps sprouting about her unborn being cursed.

Fans will enjoy this delightful paranormal romance filled with two wonderful lead characters and a strong support cast.  Alice is a believer but Ethan is a doubter, which makes for a fun relationship for readers but not for them.   Anyone who enjoys A TASTE OF MAGIC will appreciate this lighthearted frolic as once again, Tracy Madison provides a charming whimsical urban fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

Breath of Fire-Tammy Kane

Breath of Fire

Tammy Kane

Love Spell, Jul 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780505528162

As a Mattaen Initiate, Karl is trained to be a great warrior.  When he reached the village filled with superstitious peasants, he scorns the irrational villagers proclaiming they are murderers; while their leaders defend their actions by claiming a dragon demanded and expected a virginal sacrifices or else.  He was not volunteering when they tied him to the rock as their virginal sacrifice.  Unchained he could not defeat a dragon if they existed, but chained, he fears if true he is dead.

Elera Daughter of Shane kills the dragon and charges as her price, the virgin sacrifice for a night to do what she wants with him.  Her virgin prize Karl wants to say no, but she entices him to crave her.  When she steals a kiss, he can no longer adhere to his vow of chastity as the Mattaen Initiate Brotherhood requires.  She takes him and he wants her to take him again as he desires more, but by doing so he feels guilt for betraying his Brothers who raised him.

The key to this romantic fantasy is the world of Kane seems real especially the paranormal.  The story line is fast-paced form the onset when a mocking Karl becomes the sacrifice and never slows until the final spin though in between there are world building, romance and plenty of action.  Tammy Kane breathes new fire into the dragon mythos with a strong opening act.

Harriet Klausner

Sapphire Dream-Pamela Montgomerie

Sapphire Dream

Pamela Montgomerie

Berkley, Jul 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780425229064

Brenna Cameron is in Castle Stour in Scotland seeking information about her mysterious past.  She puts on a sapphire pendant and somehow she ends up on board a pirate ship the Lady Marie off of Scotland in the late seventeenth century.  She also finds out she is wanted for piracy when Brenna thinks how as she just arrived in 1687.

Pirate Captain Rourke Douglas wants nothing to do with the strange newcomer though he assumes she is tied to his family prophecy.  However, due to her he also loses all he earned at sea.  Needing time to regroup, Rourke goes to his family home as Viscount Kinross, but provides protection to Brenna to both their amazement.  As they fall in love, Brenna wants to return to her time, but soon finds herself in a Gordian knot of saving her beloved or herself.

This is a fabulous time travel paranormal romance starring an intriguing lead couple.  The story line is fast-paced from the onset and never decelerates even with several terrific plausible twists and spins.  Readers will enjoy SAPPHIRE DREAM, but set aside time because putting it down before completion is not an option.

Harriet Klausner

Deeper-Megan Hart

Deeper

Megan Hart

Harlequin Spice, Jul 2009, $13.95

ISBN: 9780373605323

Bess McNamara Walsh is separated from her husband Andy after almost twenty years of marriage and two sons.  She is sad, but goes to the beach house where she spent wonderful summers while attending college.

Bess thinks back to waitressing and her friends back then.  Mostly she fantasizes about Nick Hamilton, whom she wanted, but left to marry Andy.  She never forgot him and wonders what became of him especially when she walks on the sand; a place where they had the sex of her life.  When she meets Nick again, they go back to love making as if they never missed a moment let alone two decades.  However, though it is as great as her memories, something is not quite right about Nick.  Bess concludes she either must move on from a past love that in the present is only a whisper of what it once was and her present life; the ghostly loving memory of Nick, the alive Andy, or perhaps someone else.

This is an exhilarating whimsical paranormal erotic romance starring a mother of two finding a second chance at love with the one who failed her two decades ago.  Although she learns why he failed to come for her as he promised, she goes to him.  Fans will appreciate this strong contemporary as Bess must choose between life and death.

Harriet Klausner

Mystic Warrior-Patricia Rice

Mystic Warrior

Patricia Rice

Signet, Jul 7 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780451227478

Four years ago warrior Murdoch Le Droit was banished from her home, the Mystic Isle of Aelynn.  Now with the death of the island’s leader, the gods announce that Murdoch is their chosen oracle.  However, no one knows where Murdoch is.

The spirit guide to healer Lissandra Olympus persuades her to find Murdoch and bring him home and to seek the mysterious missing Chalice of Plenty; both are needed to save the Island.   Lissandra locates Murdoch, but is shocked when he rejects her plea to come home as he is needed as the new oracle; which he also scoffs at because the Gods would never select an exiled warrior who has no control over his paranormal skills.  He also knows he still desires Lissandra as he did before he was kicked off Aelynn.  She also realizes why her spirit guide told her to venture forth as she must heal his spirit in order for him to accept what has been predestined by the gods.  Her skills may not be as powerful as her love.

As the “Mystic” saga goes full circle (see MYSTIC GUARDIAN and MYSTIC RIDER), Patricia Rice does so with a great entry.  While the mortals are overwhelmed by the French Revolution, the Isle of Aelynn is in deep trouble with the savior being the person exiled several years ago who wants nothing to do with his homeland.  Fans will relish this super romantic fantasy as Lissandra learns how to heal Murdoch comes from her heart not her skill.

Harriet Klausner

Best Wishes Always-Lucy Flynn

Best Wishes Always

Lucy Flynn

Signet, Jul 2009, $6.99

ISBN: 9780451227492

The death of her fiancé Ryan left Sparrow’s Nest Antiques dealer Larrisa Smith unable to cope with her grief; she even wears two watches with one being his.  It takes her quite a while to truly return to society as she has been only going through the motions.  A palmist reads her palm and informs Larrie she has an incredibly long life line, but must continue to avoid antiques.

A woman demands Larrie buy her late brother’s estate.  Larrie is unable to refuse though she prefers not to do so.  Among the items is an ancient brass lamp that leaves her dreaming of a genie John Trelawny who grants her three wishes.  She wishes to go back in time, which he grants her.  Larrie realizes she is not dreaming and feels that John the genie is maneuvering her, but is not sure to what purpose though she hopes her last wish is one he can grant her.

This is a whimsical romantic fantasy starring a woman grieving her loss and a genie grieving his status.  The story line is owned by this pair as she quickly realizes she is falling in love with a Machiavellian genie while he finds her love might be the thing to end his “curse”.  Time travel, genies, and bereaving heroines make for warm wonderful whimsy.

Harriet Klausner

Blood Deep-Sharon Page

Blood Deep

Sharon Page

Kensington Aphrodisia, Jun 2009, $13.95

ISBN: 9780758228796

In 1807 Miranda Bond possesses a unique paranormal skill that few if anyone else can perform.  She can return souls to dead people.

However, the Royal Society for the Investigation of Mysterious Phenomena looks at her gift with one member in particular believing she is evil and what she does is an abomination.  Without receiving official permission this betrayer of the society’s code of ethics wants to kill her and sets out to do so.  Acting like highwaymen members Zayan and Lukos kidnap the betrothed Miranda in an effort to keep her safe from a renegade associate.  However, each is attracted to her and wants her as his; they vie with one another trying to win Miranda’s heart and soul; not an easy task when allegedly vampires do not have a soul and hide their heart.

The latest “Blood erotic Regency romantic fantasy is a terrific page turner that will hook the audience from the onset and never releases the reader from literary bondage until the final climax.  The story line is fast-paced and filled with action in and out of the boudoir.  Although numerous returns to previous heroes from BLOOD RED and BLOOD ROSE will confuse newcomers, Sharon page provides another winner with this deep suspense.

Harriet Klausner