C2’s review of Hearts and Swords (Celta’s HeartMates, Book 11) by Robin D. Owens
Fantasy/Paranormal Romance released by Berkley 6 Dec 11

What do cryogenics, matchmakers, scandalous divorcees and talking animals have in common?  You might be surprised.  Robin D. Owens’ latest release is a collection of four novellas all set in her Celta universe.

For those new to the series, Celta is a planet where Earthlings with psychic powers found refuge after fleeing persecution.  Similar but different, something about Celta soon stopped Earth machinery from working.  However, psychic abilities continue to increase in strength and variety.  This time around a couple of the original colonists and supporting characters from previous books all get their happy endings.

Heart and Swords

In Hearts and Swords, original colonist Kelse Bountry is unexpectedly awakened from cryogenic sleep after the murder of the captain of the spaceship he is traveling in.  Kelse and others with psi talents are fleeing persecution on Earth, looking for an Earth-like planet to establish their own civilization on.

Kelse and his wife Fern were not supposed to be awakened until a planet had been found and the ship was about to land – they expected to be in stasis for about 75 years.  However, after the captain’s murder, the executive officer wakes Kelse and tells him he must take over.  And instead of sleeping for 75 years it has been nearly 250!  There are mutineers aboard – people who have grown up on the ship – who have no interest in finding a new planet.  They either want to go back to Earth or just keep traveling.

Kelse wants to take care of the problem and get the ship to a planet. He talked Fern into the whole space travel thing and he knows she would be very uncomfortable, so Kelse wants her to stay asleep until they are on the ground somewhere safe.  The ship (if you’re interested in the Ship, Nuada’s Sword, check out Heart Thief) has other ideas and soon Fern is awake and embroiled with the mutineers too.

I enjoyed this glimpse into the events that brought the colonists to Celta.  There have been bits of the story scattered through the series, but, like most history, the interesting personal bits are forgotten or glossed over or completely changed.  We see the beginnings of the Heart Mate/Heart Bond too.

Grade: A

Heart Story

Blush Willow was kept from her Heart Mate by her mean-spirited, scheming mother – a renowned matchmaker, of all things. Now, years later, her mother has passed away and her Heart Mate, Dri Paris, has returned from the distant city he fled to after Blush’s mother threatened his family.

Both Blush and Dri are bitter about what her mother did.  And each blame the other for not being strong enough to stand up to her – even though they were teenagers and she held a powerful position in society.  Can two adults get past their anger and distrust to find the love they know is waiting for them?

This story is the weakest. The plot is thin and the characters are not so interesting. I don’t remember being interested in Blush when I read the book this story is connected to, so…

Grade: C-

Heart and Soul

Then we move to Heart and Soul and change locations from Druida to Gael City, which is much less familiar to longtime readers of the series.

Genista Furze shocked the upper echelons of Druida City by divorcing her husband…that just isn’t done in the First Families.  Genista realized that it would be better for everyone if they were no longer together, though, and freed him to be with his Heart Mate (if you wanna know more about that, check out Heart Fate).

Now she has moved to another city and is living a much quieter life under a different name.  She has a house and a job and an attentive (and handsome) next door neighbor.  But there is more to him than meets the eye.  Her ex-husband’s family hired him to watch over her and keep her safe.

Apparently, her secret identity isn’t as much of a secret as she thought.  When a burglary ring targets her house, many truths are revealed.

It’s nice to see the other side of Genista. In Heart Fate and previous Holly-centric books, she was pretty one-dimensional, if I recall correctly. Mostly she was an obstacle and shallow party girl. Here she has made a new start and is focusing on the things that make her happy, instead of worrying so much about what others think.

Grade: B

Noble Heart

Finally, we have Noble Heart.  Walker Clover is happy with his life – he is one of the many Clover boys, lives in Clover Compound with his family, and has a job he loves.  Walker is tutor to one of the Druida FirstFamilies – the Ashes.  When young Nuin Ash enters his first Passage – a feverish dream state that releases the person’s Flair (psi ability – it varies from person to person and can be anything from art to healing to weaponry) – Walker’s Passage is triggered, as well.  But Walker is an adult who has always thought he had only the basic amount of Flair required to operate Celtan machinery.  By adulthood, highly Flaired Celtans have endured three Passages and Walker has never experienced Passage at all – and suddenly he experiences all three Passages at one time.  Most unpleasant.  And dangerous – not everyone survives Passage.

After Walker wakes up and is told what happened to him (at first it’s thought he’s sick), he is tested to see what his new Flair talent is.  He is surprised to learn his talent may lead him to a very important political position.  Walker is not pleased with the direction his life is taking, but he recognizes that his new Flair will help his family move upward in Celtan society – there are four main classes: Commoners, Grace Houses, Grand Houses and First Families.  Walker’s new flair catapults his family from Commoner status to Grand House status.

Walker and his allies recognize that he will need assistance to navigate his new position in society.  He also must pass a test to assume his new position.  He chooses Sedwy Grove to help him learn how to deal with his new situation.  Sedwy’s mother formerly held the position Walker may eventually attain.  Plus, she’s pretty and smells nice.

Will Walker be able to adjust to his new power and potential?  And will Sedwy be able to move past the scandal in her past and take her rightful place next to him?

This is my favorite of the bunch. The Clovers are a fun family and I really like Walker. It is a nice change to see a hero who isn’t uber ambitious and power hungry.

Grade: A

I must say, I very much like this novella format.  There are several series I would LOVE to see something similar from (I’m looking at you, Nalini Singh and Meljean Brook).

Do the stories stand alone? Maybe – the first story, especially. The others tie in with previous books, so a new reader might feel like they are missing something, although Ms. Owens does a good job of summarizing previous events. Certainly by reading these stories, a newbie would have a good feel for the world she has created.

If you’ve never tried the Celta series, I urge you to try it. The world Ms. Owens has created continues to expand and evolve.  (Also, unrelated to anything, it’s nice to see the art department is returning to form on the cover format.  The cover for Heart Journey was unfortunate.) It is such a consistantly excellent series and seems to get very little buzz – it makes me sad. Check it out, faithful reader. If you hate it, come back and tell me why. If you love it, tell a friend.

Overall grade: B

Summary:

Heart and Sword
Captain Kelse Bountry leads a colony fleet in search of a habitable planet. His Ship is far off course and his crew is on the verge of mutiny, circumstances that threaten both the success of Kelse’s mission and his marriage. But Fern Bountry is not about to give up on either…

Heart and Soul
Genista Furze, scandalous ex-wife of Tinne Holly, has created a new life for herself working for a clockmaker in small Gael City. Content with simplicity, and learning to value herself, Genista is in no hurry to risk her heart on another man – no matter how attractive her neighbor is…

Noble Heart
Walker Clover is experiencing Passage – the dreamquest to free his psi power – and learns that he possesses a flair for magic. When his parents learn of his abilities they reveal that his real mother was a noblewoman. Now, Celta’s FirstFamilies scheme to forge an alliance with Walker through offers of marriage – a prospect he finds abhorrent until he meets the mysterious Sedwy Grove…

Heart Story
A year has passed since Blush Willow’s domineering and murderous mother died, and Blush has drawn her hidden HeartMate, Dri Paris, to her. All should be well. But when they finally meet, unresolved anger at the past – and each other – flares between them. Yet they must work together to find a treasure and save Dri’s family.

No excerpt available.

Other books in the series:

Sandy M’s review of Breaking Dawn, Part 1 directed by Bill Condon
Paranormal/Fantasy/Adventure Film released by Summit Entertainment 18 Nov 11

Since the first movie in this series, we’ve made it a girls night out – my sister and nieces enjoying sushi beforehand and then taking in a couple of hours of vampires and werewolves. In the beginning I tried to read the books before hitting the theater. I normally like a book better than the movie when I do that, but in this case, I have to say I like each movie more than the books. Visuals actually seem to work much better than my imagination this time around.

My sister is an Edward girl. I’m a Jacob girl. I prefer the dark, smoldering look and that young Taylor Lautner certainly embodies that in my eyes. I’m disappointed they got rid of his sexy long hair, but he did have to mature into the near alpha that’s alluded to in this movie. I have no idea what my sister sees in Robert Pattinson. That’s just me. And then there’s the shapeshifting, all seamlessly done on film, revealing beautifully wild wolves. It’s exactly how I imagine it when I’m reading about werewolves. There’s plenty of snarling and snapping and biting to take things to a more dangerous level here.

Bella and Edward finally marry – Bella getting what she wants and Edward giving in to what he knows may not be the best for either of them. It’s a beautiful wedding, her dress is gorgeous, her dad is still trying to be happy about it all, all of his family finally support him in unison. The honeymoon is romantic, love and moonlight and clear waters on a Latin American island. And that’s where the bliss comes to an end. Bella realizes she’s pregnant, and something is so terribly wrong.

This new being is growing at an accelerated rate, sucking Bella dry. I have to give props to Kristen Stewart on how she plays the new bride hungry for a husband who is afraid to touch her again for fear of hurting her to the wan, protective mother who will let no harm come to her child. But there are those who feel she’s carrying a demon and want it destroyed. The Cullenses rally around her, though, along with Jacob, all with varying feelings about the situation and to protect her at all costs.

The action, just as in the previous movies, is swift and exciting, exacting and lethal. And the end of this movie is one of the best I’ve seen in a long time. Which is quite a long time, since I don’t see many movies anymore. But even though we know Bella will finally get her wish of becoming a vampire, we’re on tenterhooks through the delivery and subsequent rebirth. The way Jacob is released from his attraction, obsession, fixation, whatever it is to Bella is out of the blue and unexpected and I love it. Caught me completely off guard.

For me, this is the best movie of the bunch so far. Before it never bothered me to wait until the next came out. This time I can’t wait. It’s going to be a long year but well worth it to see ultimately how it all ends.

Grade: A

Summary:

The Quileute and the Volturi close in on expecting parents Edward and Bella, whose unborn child poses different threats to the wolf pack and vampire coven.

Watch the trailer.

Other books in this series:

November 16, 2012

Liviania’s review of Among Thieves (A Tale of the Kin, Book 1) by Douglas Hulick
Fantasy published by ROC 5 April 11

I buy books on impulse.  I bought Among Thieves because it had the word ‘thieves’ on the cover.  Yes, it was from ROC, an imprint I like.  Yes, the back cover blurb involved hijinks and a book.  But it was the word ‘thieves’ that did me in.  I had just finished rereading the first two Gentleman Bastards books by Scott Lynch in anticipation of the Republic of Thieves release.  Since that book has been pushed back to October/November, I needed a thieves fix.  So I’ll forgive myself an impulse since it answered my needs so neatly.  Douglas Hulick’s debut is exactly what the doctor ordered, albeit a doctor who operates out of a back alley and only takes cash.

Drothe is a Nose for Nicco, one of Ildrecca’s crime lords.  In other words, he sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong and reports that information back to Nicco.  The book opens in the middle of a long, bad day for Drothe.  He was supposed to pick up a reliquary being smuggled, but the merchant didn’t have it.  There are also rumors of unrest in Ten Ways, a small district that none of the crime lords control but all have a presence in.  It’s unrest that will require Drothe’s expertise, both as a Nose and a former resident.  The more he sticks his nose into matters, the more he realizes he’s doomed.

At his side is Bronze Degan, one of the best sellswords in the country (who just might have a thing for Drothe’s sister).  Not on his side: everyone else, including Drothe’s sister, who married into the nobility and would like to forget her more unsavory connections.  For that matter, Degan might not really be on Drothe’s side either.  No wonder Drothe is popping fantasy drugs to keep up with the action.

Douglas Hulick allows things to unfold at a nice pace.  There’s quite a bit of worldbuilding, most of involving Ildrecca’s reincarnating emperor and the consequences of that system of rule.  All of the characters have secrets, but they come clean in logical places instead of dragging it out forever.  The secrets also feel foreshadowed.  While learning more about Drothe affected how I looked at the book, I never felt like Hulick is cheating.  The various twists and turns make sense, which is good, because there are a lot.

If you don’t have time to pay much attention to what you are reading, Among Thieves isn’t the best book to pick up.  If you do have the time to pick through a labyrinthine plot, then go for it.  Hulick allows the status quo to change quite a bit at the end, so I’m eager to see how things will turn out in the next Tale of the Kin.  I might have to reread Among Thieves to make sure I can keep up.  And then I might cry if it gets delayed.

Grade: A

Summary:
Death around the corner …

Ildrecca is a dangerous city, if you don’t know what you’re doing. It takes a canny hand and a wary eye to run these streets and survive. Fortunately, Drothe has both. He has been a member of the Kin for years, rubbing elbows with thieves and murderers from the dirtiest of alleys to the finest of neighborhoods. Working for a crime lord, he finds and takes care of trouble inside his boss’s organization—while smuggling relics on the side.

But when his boss orders Drothe to track down whoever is leaning on his organization’s people, he stumbles upon a much bigger mystery. There’s a book, a relic any number of deadly people seem to be looking for—a book that just might bring down emperors and shatter the criminal underworld.

A book now inconveniently in Drothe’s hands…

Read an excerpt here.

Gwen’s review of Bayou Moon (The Edge, Book 2) by Ilona Andrews
Fantasy romance released by Ace 28 Sep 10

Ever wonder where the term “redneck” comes from?  In Texas, it has a very different meaning than in other parts of the country. No matter where you live, though, being called a redneck is not usually a compliment.

The authors of this book call it “redneck romance” – I call it a unique and captivating story.  No hint of redneckery involved.  Read on to see why…

“Ilona Andrews” is the husband/wife writing team of Ilona and Andrew Gordon.  I’d like to think that this combination of male and female perspectives is what makes the characters so rich and complex.  No matter the reason, the result is a book full of people you know, believe in, and want to spend time with.

The “redneck” or rustic overtone is not buck teeth, “aw shucks” type.  It’s used as an important story element, lending a sense of impoverishment and an edge of desperation to the characters and their actions.  It helps explain a lot of what happens in this very dense story.

And a lot happens in Bayou Moon – lots of very well thought out fight scenes, lots of fun dialogue, and good quality time spent in the heads of the hero and heroine.  It’s a well told story of some very interesting characters in a very believable alternate reality.  It was easy to read it and forget where I was for a while (literally startled out of the “book trance” a couple of times).

I can’t say enough good things about the way the hero was written.  William is a damaged, lonely man yearning for some softness in his life.  Then he meets a woman who is anything but soft – they don’t even like each other for much of the beginning of the book.  But the heroine, Cerise,  manages to bring to William that sense of family and belonging he craves.  You will have more fun being in his head than any other character in the book.

The world and the plot is delightfully complex.  It’s been a while since I’ve read such a believable alternate reality.  It’s easy to think “this could really be true” when reading it – nothing dragged me out of the story with a “wtf?” feeling.  I stayed fully engaged in the book until something or someone startled me out of it.  LOVE that.

The romance is believable and so wonderful when it finally happens.  I was really cheering for the couple by the time they got together.  However, I would have a difficult time classifying this strictly as a “romance” – there’s so much more to the story than the simple “boy meets girl” plot line.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good paranormal/fantasy book.  I didn’t read the first book and didn’t feel lost in this one.  You will enjoy the time spent in William and Cerise’s world. You may even feel like you should wash the swamp mud off your feet as you read it.

Grade: A+

Summary:

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Walmart and magic is a fairytale–and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…

Cerise Mar and her unruly clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands between the state of Louisiana and the Weird. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect number one.

But all is not as it seems. Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge—and Cerise’s life . William, a changeling soldier who left behind the politics of the Weird, has been forced back into service to track down a rival nation’s spymaster.

When William’s and Cerise’s missions lead them to cross paths, sparks fly—but they’ll have to work together if they want to succeed…and survive.

Read an excerpt here (scroll down).

Other books in the series:

Liviania’s review of Discord’s Apple by Carrie Vaughn
Fantasy released by Tor 6 July 10

I knew little about the plot of Discord’s Apple before I started; I simply wanted to read it since I like Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.  So I was quite pleased to see several elements I like used together: Homer, Virgil, King Arthur, a story within a story, and just a touch of politics.

Evie Walker is a comic book author, using real world events to write about a team of commandos.  Now, with the world on the brink of nuclear war, she can barely tell who is good and bad to write the next chapter.  But she’s distracted from her work by the impending death of her father and her apparent assumption as his duties protecting various objects from myth, legend, and fairytales.

Hera wants the apple which started the Trojan War.  Others, including Alex – a former Greek warrior – want to keep it out of her hands in order to keep the chaos of the apple from disturbing the delicate world situation.  I liked Alex and enjoyed the passages detailing his backstory, but I felt like his relationship with Evie was underdeveloped.  It felt like they had to get together because they were the male and female lead.  His relationship with Apollo was more complex and intriguing because it didn’t fall into a standard relationship pattern.

I also felt like that the passages about Evie’s job pulled me out of the story.  She was supposedly scripting the comic, but the passages she wrote were all verse, nothing like a comic script.  (Also, I kept wondering who her letterer was.  I did assume the artist took care of both pencils and colors.)  Tracker’s story held some interest in itself and told about Evie’s character, but it just didn’t feel necessary.

Now that I’ve said what doesn’t work for me, I must admit I liked Discord’s Apple quite a bit.  Vaughn’s near-apocalyptic world of checkpoints and terrorist attacks felt lived-in by the characters and well-developed.  As someone familiar with the story sources she was drawing on, I felt she did a good job of updating the legends while adhering closely to the original material.  Those who haven’t read the Iliad, Odyssey, or Aeneid, might not get as big of a kick out of it.

(I don’t have a translation recommendation for the Aeneid, but I do recommend Fagles’s translations of Homer.  He’s got a direct style that captures the action well, especially in the Iliad.)

Discord’s Apple was a fun modern fantasy.  Those looking for something heavier on the romance might avoid Discord’s Apple, though there is a small love triangle.  Discord’s Apple is a standalone novel, but if Vaugn wrote more in this universe I would read it.

Grade: B-

Summary:

When Evie Walker goes home to spend time with her dying father, she discovers that his creaky old house in Hope’s Fort, Colorado, is not the only legacy she stands to inherit. Hidden behind the old basement door is a secret and magical storeroom, a place where wondrous treasures from myth and legend are kept safe until they are needed again. The magic of the storeroom prevents access to any who are not intended to use the items. But just because it has never been done does not mean it cannot be done.

And there are certainly those who will give anything to find a way in.

Evie must guard the storeroom against ancient and malicious forces, protecting the past and the future even as the present unravels around them. Old heroes and notorious villains alike will rise to fight on her side or to undermine her most desperate gambits. At stake is the fate of the world, and the prevention of nothing less than the apocalypse. In the same month, along with this all-new hardcover, Tor will publish a new novel in Carrie Vaughn’s popular, New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series featuring werewolf talk radio host, Kitty Norville. Kitty Goes to War will be the eighth book in this successful mass market series.

Read an excerpt here. (Follow site directions.)

Liviania’s review of The Trouble with Heroes edited by Denise Little (no website found)
Fantasy anthology published by DAW 3 Nov 2009

What do heroes do in their downtime? It’s an interesting premise that’s suppose to serve as the basis of the stories in the fantasy anthology The Trouble with Heroes. Unfortunately, most authors barely touch on the premise. Fortunately, most of the stories are still charming and funny. Plus, the anthology was unexpectedly female positive.

Geeks Bearing Gifts by Kristine Grayson

Is Eros a hero? He shows up more than once, so he must be. Still, I don’t think being a god necessarily makes one a hero.

Overall, this story didn’t wow me, but I did like Bethanne, who is above all a businesswoman. She runs Eros.com, a dating service for hetero- and homosexual geeks. Then Cupid-in-disguise walks through the door, looking to use the service. Kristine Grayson created an absorbing voice for Bethanne, which meant I hoped for a happier ending.

Grade: B-

The Horror in the Living Room by Adrian Nikolas Phoenix

Adrian Nikolas Phoenix plays fast and loose with history by turning H.P. Lovecraft into a hero instead of an insane man who couldn’t market his work. The story is told through the point of view of Augusta Howard, his highly capable and cool-headed housekeeper. Phoenix’s descriptions of the things that visit Lovecraft’s home made me laugh, which in turn made me partial to the story.

Grade: B+

Take My Word for It: Bad Idea by Mike Moscoe

Heracles cross-dressing is one of the classic episodes in Greek mythology. It’s almost too funny to be true. Mike Moscoe’s pacifist Queen Omphale is no fool. She knows that Heracles killed the last monarch who made him complete impossible tasks. So while he’s under her control, she’s going to keep him out of the way and out of trouble with women’s work.

Omphale sells this story, because you really can’t be a fool when you’re dealing with the Greek gods. (Plus, Heracles cross-dressing is a classic for a reason.)

Grade: A

Merry Maid by Jean Rabe

The first three stories are comedies, but if “Merry Maid” is a comedy, it’s a black one. Maid Marian followed Robin Hood willingly, but she’s starting to get disillusioned. He keeps most of the money he steals and frankly, he smells. She’s getting tired of it.

Jean Rabe’s take on the Robin Hood legend is original and coherent, if not quite my thing.

Grade: B

The Problem with Dating Shapeshifters by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (no website found)

I’ve read several short stories by Nina Kiriki Hoffman, since she’s a regular in Firebird anthologies. The narrator of “The Problem with Dating Shapeshifters” is unlucky enough to catch Zeus’s eye. Anyone whose read even a little mythology knows how that story goes.

I like Hoffman’s prose, which flows easily. I also loved her interpretation of Hera, as well as the story’s ending.

Grade: A-

Reclaiming His Inner Ape by Terry Hayman

What happened to Sam and Mary’s relationship once she was no longer a damsel-in-distress, captured by King Kong? Terry Hayman’s diction sets the mood well, evoking the feel of the classic movie. I enjoy stories that look in at couples after the happily ever after, and liked where he went with Sam and Mary.

Grade: B+

For a Few Lattes More by Annie Reed (no website found)

Terri, a Starbucks barista, frequently serves a cowboy who lives in a nearby park. This story is one a few that shows heroism in action instead of a hero off-duty. It also drops the character’s epiphany on the reader’s head like an anvil. I’d Annie Reed’s story more if it had any subtlty.

Grade: C

Beloved by David H. Hendrickson

“Beloved” tackles the Bible. David eventually married Saul’s younger daughter, but was first offered the hand of his eldest. This story follows Merab as she tries to help David and Michal get together. David H. Hendrickson’s Merab has a wry humor that livens up the story.

Grade: B+

Inspiration by Phaedra M. Weldon

A jogger is rescued by Oberon, King of the Fairies, which leads to a conversation between two people with very different sensibilities. I would’ve preferred if the story stuck to the conversation instead of involving another attacker, especially because it leads to a very corny speech. Like “For a Few Lattes More,” “Inspiration” lacks subtlty.

Grade: B-

Honey, I’m Home by Pauline J. Alama (no website found)

Penelope is pissed that Odysseus took his sweet time coming home and then slaughtered everybody despite the fact she had everything under control. It’s an interesting take on The Odyssey, but Pauline J. Alama’s prose didn’t really capture me. She attempts the Homeric cadence, but in my opinion the end result leans a little more towards parody than pastiche.

Grade: C+

Ballad of the Groupie Everlasting by Robert T. Jeschonek

“Ballad of the Groupie Everlasting” is a retelling of The Pied Piper through the point of view of Terpsichore, the muse of music.  (Another story with an odd choice for a hero.)  I found the story underwhelming and thought Robert T. Jeschonek’s choice to use modern diction was a misstep.  It does have a strong ending, however.

Grade: C+

The Quin Quart by Laura Resnick

This is another high concept short.  The Orkney brothers serve as expies of the hosts of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and take on Queen Guinevere’s image.  I’m a sucker for anything to do with the Matter of Britain.  Oddly, “The Quin Quart” made me sympathize with all of my least favorite characters (like Lancelot) and dislike my favorites (like Gawain, who always gets robbed in modern retellings).  Laura Resnick’s story wasn’t quite my thing, but I enjoyed how she played with her subject matter.

Grade: B

How Jack Got His Self a Wife by John Alvin Pitts

Molly, who just killed a giant and a witch, encounters Jack fighting a bear.  “How Jack got His Self a Wife” is a little odd, but does contain an amusing courtship.  Cute, but mostly forgettable.

Grade: C

If the Shoe Fits by Dayle A. Dermatis

“If the Shoe Fits” is a modern retelling of Cinderella, featuring Ella the business management student who borrows some awesome shoes from her Aunt Sheila.  It lightly skewers a few fairy tale conventions, but the shoe definitely fits for Ella and Prince Rupert.  The ending was easy to see coming, but still funny.

Grade: B+

Big Man’s Little Woman by Dory Crowe

Tiny Acacia and Paul Bunyan grow up together and fall in love, with her serving as the brains of the operation.  Then Lucette comes along.  I find the premise squicky, but the story is fairly inoffensive.

Grade:  C+

Boldly Reimagined by J. Steven York

This was my dad’s favorite in the anthology, and I must admit that it’s a highlight.  Diana Mallock is a staff-writer on a new fantasy drama series loosely based on Jason and the Argonauts.  During concept development, she quickly realizes that the show is going to be sexist and terrible.  It satirizes the industry well, making it perfect for anyone who has watched a terrible adaptation of a beloved work (or just terrible television in general).

Grade: A

Roxane by Peter Orullian

Cyrano de Bergerac romances a prostitute Roxane, and teaches her a lesson about judging appearances.  I’m not big on romances where people are nasty to each other and thus didn’t love this one.  It did get one of my favorite Police songs stuck in my head.  I suppose whether that is a plus or a minus depends on the person.

Grade: C

A Long Night in Jabbok (or, Who, Exactly, Is in Charge Here?) by Janna Silverstein (no website found)

This is another biblical story, focusing on Rachel wrestling a stranger in the night.  Rachel and Yaakov are stumped by the ineffable nature of God, leading to a frustrating conversation.  I liked the exploration of the Bible as an authored text.

Grade: B-

Love in the Time of Car Alarms by Ken Scholes

Superheroes!  Have I mentioned before that I love superheroes?  “Love in the Time of Car Alarms” takes on the classic question of the girl who gets constantly stood up by the hero in his schlub guise.  This story does contain an active act of heroism, but I’ll let it slide.

Grade: B+

The Problem with Metaphors by Steven Mohan, Jr. (no website found)

I wasn’t big on this one.  It was creative, but I’m not sure it succeeds in its experimentation. Nor does the tone fit well with the rest of the anthology.  I will give Steven Mohan, Jr. props for the silly things the computer says when it goes haywire.

Grade: D+

If I Did It by Allan Rousselle

Medea tells her version of the events that led to the death of her children and Jason’s new lover.  Whereas “The Problem with Metaphors” was too ambitious, I think “If I Did It” doesn’t play around enough with the base story.  The writing was competent, but it wasn’t exciting.

Grade: C-

Clay Feet by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

Museum employee Harper has an encounter with Mercury, messenger and thief, on the matter of a statue featuring his likeness.  “Clay Feet” served as a good closer – clever dialogue and interesting questions about the intersection of the classical world with the modern.  Of course, Kristine Kathryn Rusch is a highly capable author, so a good story isn’t surprising.

Grade: A-

The Trouble with Heroes was an affable anthology, funny and female-positive.  A few of the stories were misses, but not particularly terrible misses.  The thing that weakens it most was the lack of a standout story.  There were some that I enjoyed quite a bit, but none that make the anthology a must have.

Overall Grade: B-

Summary:
These 22 all-new tales pay tribute to the true heroes-the people who enable and put up with heroes. From what it’s like to be Hercules’ wife (complete with an appearance by Hercules in drag) to the trials of H.P. Lovecraft’s housekeeper, from the perils of being King Kong’s girlfriend to the downside of dating a shapeshifter, this anthology turns heroism on its head, revealing the behind-the-scenes drama, as opposed to glorious rescues. From the Pied Piper’s power trip to David acting like a giant you-know-what after slaying Goliath, these stories show heroes in all their ignominy and shine a light on the unsung faithful standing in their shadows.
No excerpt found.

Liviania’s review of SpellCrash (WebMage, Book 5) by Kelly McCullough
Mythology/cyberpunk/fantasy released by Ace 25 May 2010

I somehow managed to not realize there existed a series that crossed mythology with cyberpunk. I managed to do this despite knowing that either my father or I bought or seriously considered buying WebMage, the first book in Kelly McCullough’s WebMage series.  Either way, I was excited to see that two of my favorite genres mated and produced offspring.

McCullough does a good job of summarizing the events of previous books.  While I was still catching up on the world’s rules, I felt like I had a grasp on the pertinent parts of the series arc before the first chapter ended.  The only problem I had starting with the fifth book was the relationships.  SpellCrash didn’t involve the main character, Ravirn, meeting new people.  Therefore, I had to take how he interacted with others at face value.  The relationships felt complex, but I don’t know if there were major changes to someone’s personality.  I did appreciate the variety of relationships.  (Being familiar with Greek mythology, since most of the characters are Greek gods, did help.)

According to Ravirn, his own has taken a turn for the worse since he became a Trickster aspect.  Now he’s obligated to make a smartass remark even when he prefers to shut up.  His ex-girlfriend Cerice has just become a Fury, which puts extra strain on any of their meetings.  (Just imagine, meeting up with your ex, and you have to say every smart thing that comes to your mind and she can’t control her temper. Ravirn is definitely the grandson of the bucolic muse, aka Slapstick.)

I think my favorite aspect of the novel, aside from having a plot that moved quickly, was the relationship between Ravirn and Persephone, described by the former as “courtly love.” In an earlier book, he rescued Persephone from her obligations to Hades.  She’s pretty grateful for that, as well as for the fact that he didn’t ask for a favor in return.  Ravirn just respects Persephone and did it because it was the right thing to do.  It’s interesting to read about an intense relationship between a man and a woman that doesn’t involve sex.

I enjoyed SpellCrash, but I am going to read it again after I read the previous four books.  I thought it was fun, but I did feel like I was taking quite a bit of the novel for granted, including Ravirn’s abilities.  Everything made enough sense that I could easily follow a long, but I still want to see the world-building develop from the beginning.  Even when I enjoy the experience, I’m not one to jump into a series in the middle.

For those wondering if they could read SpellCrash first, I would say yes, even though it’s clearly not my preference. It appears that the first three novels were an arc, and the fourth, MythOS, served as both a breather.  SpellCrash appears to tie up the loose ends. McCullough does a good job of introducing those ends, but I just feel I’m missing the full impact of the story.

Grade: B+

Summary:
Ravirn is the best hacker around. But when the system controlling the multiverse needs a massive reboot, Ravirn must utilize all of his skills as a mage and prevent complete chaos-even if it costs him his life.
Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Liviania’s review of Ice Song by Kirsten Imani Kisai
Science fiction/fantasy released by Del Rey 19 May 2009

Sybil quickly figured out that I enjoy stories that play with gender.  Many people are intrigued by what separates men and women, but I enjoy that separation even more when it’s illuminated by a blending of the characteristics.  Therefore, a story about a main character who transitions from female to male naturally seemed right up my alley.

Unfortunately, that’s one of the weakest aspects of the story.  Sorykah doesn’t become Soryk until over a hundred pages into the novel.  Then, she only stays Soryk briefly; it’s just long enough to meet a girl, become attached, have sex.  The relationship does spur on many later events in the novel, but it felt clumsy.  Until the finale, Soryk doesn’t serve much purpose other than having sex and preventing Sorykah from moving forward in her quest since he has no clue what her quest is.

Fortunately, Kirsten Imani Kasai imagined an interesting world.  Many people are born with strange deformities in this dystopia, and discriminated against.  One man, the Collector, enjoys experimenting on them and has just stolen Sorykah’s twin babies.  He’s incredibly creepy, and his servants provide the most intriguing point of views.  After all, those who work for him are the same as those he hunts.  But they do have their reasons.

I like Ice Song best when it’s being a straight ahead sci-fi adventure about a mother and her allies against the man who stole her children.  The relationship between Sidra and Soryk becomes touching after its clumsy start, so I could forgive the seeming gratuity of it.  But I find the other sex scenes in the book fairly unpalatable, as – this is something of a SPOILER – Sorykah is forced to prostitute herself in order to receive information about her children.  This interlude did explore the consequences of the setting, but I just feel like I’d be more interested in the questions it presents in a different book.  Here it slowed down the action.  It seemed to me like Kasai tried to inject some eroticism, but only made the sex disturbing instead of titillating.

Ice Song was not what I was expecting.  I mostly enjoyed it, though the parts I didn’t like I really didn’t like.  The unevenness took away from the reading experience.  I may pick up something else by Kasai in the future since this is her first novel.  Though the execution was clumsy, she had several ideas that I would love to see her explore again once she gains more experience.  I would recommend Ice Song to fans of dystopian fiction who don’t mind fantastic elements, since the worldbuilding was the strongest part of the novel.

Grade: B-

Summary
There are secrets beneath her skin.

Sorykah Minuit is a scholar, an engineer, and the sole woman aboard an ice-drilling submarine in the frozen land of the Sigue. What no one knows is that she is also a Trader: one who can switch genders suddenly, a rare corporeal deviance universally met with fascination and superstition and all too often punished by harassment or death.

Sorykah’s infant twins, Leander and Ayeda, have inherited their mother’s Trader genes. When a wealthy, reclusive madman known as the Collector abducts the babies to use in his dreadful experiments, Sorykah and her male alter-ego, Soryk, must cross icy wastes and a primeval forest to get them back. Complicating the dangerous journey is the fact that Sorykah and Soryk do not share memories: Each disorienting transformation is like awakening with a jolt from a deep and dreamless sleep.

The world through which the alternating lives of Sorykah and Soryk travel is both familiar and surreal. Environmental degradation and genetic mutation run amok; humans have been distorted into animals and animal bodies cloak a wild humanity. But it is also a world of unexpected beauty and wonder, where kindness and love endure amid the ruins. Alluring, intense, and gorgeously rendered, Ice Song is a remarkable debut by a fiercely original new writer.
Read an excerpt here.

Liviania’s review of The Black Ship (Crosspointe, Book 2) by Diana Pharaoh Francis
Fantasy released by ROC 4 Nov 08

For some reason, I like reading about people on ships.  Well, about sailors.  I’ve been on a boat before and know just getting ferried around isn’t a particularly exciting experience.  But something about the camaraderie and skill needed to safely sail captures my imagination.  (Sea battles don’t hurt either.  Nothing like a good battle to liven up a story.)

With these requirements, I really got into The Black Ship.  Navigator Sylbrac refused to let people close due to his past.  He realizes he needs to fix his attitude, but doesn’t get much of a chance before his guild betrays him.  He’s taken by an unregistered ship and determined to keep his crew alive.  Unfortunately, the captain only cares about finding his lost wife, sylveth in the water can turn men into monsters, and pirates raid to capture navigators.  (Without a navigator and compass the ships can’t avoid the sylveth in the open sea.)

While this is a novel of Crosspointe, knowledge of the first entry (The Cipher) is not necessary.  The main characters of The Black Ship are either new or tangentially related.  The plot does build on events from the previous book, but the previous book’s events are succinctly summarized without being much of an info dump.  In fact, The Black Ship might be better read without The Cipher.

Diana Pharaoh Francis starts the book strong and continues in that vein – the characters are well-done and the language has a good rhythm to it.  The plot isn’t overly complex as it basically amounts to the ship needs to deliver its cargo so Sylbrac can find out who killed his brother and the captain can find his wife.  There are hints of politics, which always pleases me, but not too much as Sylbrac is not an overly political man.

Then Francis drops the ball.  The book ends with a total lack of climax.  (Warning: The rest of this paragraph could be construed as a spoiler.  I don’t really see it as such, but this is a just in case.)  Sylbrac and Captain Plusby are simply told their answers before they deliver the goods.  The book then ends while they go off on the last leg of the journey.  Their HEAs are left hanging, the ship doesn’t reach its goal, and the answers (for the most part provided by The Cipher) are delivered in a speech rather than slowly revealed.  No lie, as I closed the book I wondered where the last hundred pages were.

I absolutely want to read the next Crosspointe book.  I love the world Francis developed and want to see the characters succeed in saving their home.  However, the next one better have a real ending.  The abrupt ending truly shocked me out of the groove the book at pulled me into and I’m not sure I can take repeated whiplash.

Grade: C+*
*Until I turned the last page and realized there wasn’t any more I was ready to give it a B+

Summary:
Thorn is a member of the Pilot’s Guild—those who possess the magical ability to navigate Crosspointe’s deadly seas. When a malevolent master within the Guild bans him from the sea, it seems his life is over. Then he is kidnapped and forced to serve aboard the rogue ship Eidolon—pitch black from bow to stern—and Thorn finds himself battling a mad captain, a mutinous crew, and the terrifying magic of the sea.

But there is a saboteur on board, trying to make sure the Eidolon never arrives safely in port. Thorn begins to realize his kidnapping may have been no mere chance— and that the cargo the black ship carries may seal his doom…
Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Gwen’s review of Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, Book 7) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Fantasy fiction released by Ballantine Books 4 Nov 08

The Meredith Gentry novels resonate with me on several levels: they’re fantasy novels, they have lots of action and suspense , they’ve got some good sex (sometimes a LOT of good sex), and they’re almost always interesting stories.  That’s not t say that some aren’t stronger entries than others, but they’re all interesting on some level.  This was one of the more interesting ones, if not necessarily the best.  Read on to find out why I think so… 

To begin with, I’m writing this review to those of you already following this series and who are already familiar with the characters.  If you are not and don’t know them, this AIN’T the book (or review) for you. The Meredith “Merry” Gentry world is a twisted, convoluted one full of frenemies, factions, and subplots that would be nearly impossible to unravel if you jump in to the middle of the series.  I don’t recommend doing that and I don’t recommend this book as your first foray.  Start at the beginning and be glad you heeded my advice.

This entry in the series opens with Merry acknowledging she’s pregnant with twins and the babies have three daddies EACH.  Based on what Queen Andais has promised Merry and her guards, anyone who got Merry preggers gets to be King.  Hence the reason for all the boinking in previous books.  This means that Merry’s Queen will have six Kings.  You can imagine the consternation this causes in almost all of the Courts of Faerie, including the Light, Dark, etc.  Some Courts are more accepting than others (Sluaugh) and some are downright pathologically incapable of acknowledging that they had no say-so in the whole process.

This leads to a LOT of assassination and kidnapping attempts, causing the “deaths” of various members of Merry’s entourage and other supernatural occurrences. And very little boinking.  I KNOW!  GASP! An LKH novel with only one or two sexed up situations!

As a fan of the series, I enjoyed this entry as being one of the more “story-like” entries.  I think Merry comes into her own in this entry and starts acting more royal and less “scared little girl” than in the other books.  I think her character can see the finish line to her travails on the horizon.  By the end of the book, Merry thinks she’s living her HEA, but we know better.  There’s still at least two more Merry books on the horizon and she hasn’t had her babies yet.  I have a feeling that these babies will be forces to contend with on their own and that we’re in for a very interesting ending to this series.

I can recommend this book to any fan of the series and fan of LKH.  If you’re new to the series, and like fantasy with some edge, don’t start here but do start.  You’ll like it (some more than others).

Grade: A

For more reviews and information, follow the Meredith Gentry series tag.

Summary:

I am Meredith, princess of faerie, wielder of the hands of Flesh and Blood, and at long last, I am with child – twins, fathered by my royal guard. Though my uncle, Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, claims that he is the true father since he abducted me from my home, betrayed, and defiled me. And now he has branded my guards as a threat to my unborn children.

Bearing an heir has placed me halfway to my aunt’s throne, that much closer to my reign over the Unseelie Court – and well ahead of her son, my cousin Cel, in this race. Now I must stay alive to see my children born and claim my place as queen.

But not all in faerie are pleased with the news, and conspirators from every court in the realm plot against me and mine. They seek to strip my guards, my lovers, from me by poisoned word or cold steel. But I still have supporters, and even friends, among the goblins and the sluagh, who will stand by me.

I am Meredith Nic Essus, and those who would defy and destroy me are destined to pay a terrible price – for I am truly my father’s daughter. To protect what is mine, I will sacrifice anything-even if it means waging a great battle against my darkest enemies and making the most momentous decision ever made as princess of faerie.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series (links are to mass market paperbacks, where available):

Gwen’s review of King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul Series, Book 3) by C.L. Wilson
Fantasy (romance) released by Leisure Books 30 Sep 08

Well, damn.  You know that feeling when you’ve read a book that just blows you completely away, and you don’t want to read another one for a little while so you don’t ruin the buzz?  Well I had that feeling for about a week after I read this book.  I. Was. THAT. Blown. Away. 

I don’t gush often.  Very few books (or movies or anything really) strike me as worthy of a gush.  But let me gush for a little bit on this book.  The first two books were good, but this one was GREAT. With the first two, I bemoaned the lack of forward momentum.  It seemed like we were reading about every little detail of these peoples’ lives for a LOT of pages (they’ve all been long books).  This book definitely didn’t lack forward momentum.  In fact, I couldn’t put it down for almost two days straight.  The tot wanted to know what I was reading that had me breathless, I was that engrossed.

I won’t give any spoilers except to say that in the beginning of the book we are still waiting for Ellysetta to complete the soul bond with Rain.  This bond will make Rain and Elly strong and nearly impervious to the dark influences in both their lives.  This inability to complete the bond lent a heartbreaking note to this couple’s relationship.  It kept me grounded in what little bit of reality was possible with a series set in an alternate world full of magic and supernatural beings.

Elly matures and evolves in King.  Her character begins as the rather small, former mortal and, by the end of the book, becomes so much more.  I am sincerely in awe of how she grows thru the book.  I can’t wait to see what she does in the fourth entry.  It should just blow our socks off.

There are many twists and turns in King.  I never quite knew how sub-arcs were going to turn out.  I love it when an author is able to surprise me.  I love it even more when I want to read ahead but I don’t dare because I might miss something.  My eyes were literally glued to the page, one after another, consuming this book in large chunks.

If you aren’t following this series, I don’t recommend starting with this one.  The story is involved, full of detail past and present, and because it’s so much fun to read, why would you NOT read the earlier books.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy – it’s a terrific fantasy novel, even without the romantic elements, which are present but in a perfectly delightful way, are not the key driver of the book.  It’s a fresh, new twist of these genres.  I loved it.

Grade: A+

Read all the TGTBTU reviews and info of this series by following the Tairen Soul Series tag.

Summary:

Returning to the Fading Lands with his Celierian truemate, Rain discovers a dissension among the most powerful members of his own council. As the Eld plot their next deadly strike, Ellysetta struggles to master her powerful magic and discover how to save the tairen, while Rain confronts open challenge to his rule and prepares to lead the Fey army to war.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Liviania’s review of Red Seas Under Red Skies (Gentleman Bastards, Book 2) by Scott Lynch
Fantasy released by Bantam Spectra 29 July 08

I picked up The Lies of Locke Lamora on a whim, shortly before I left for college last year. It had an alliterative title, shiny pink cover, and the back promised thieves. (Note: No wonder my book shopping habits are bad for my wallet. That’s not strenuous criteria.) The story within was fast-paced, intelligent, and funny, so I eagerly picked up the sequel once it was available in paperback. I only decided to write a review once I saw Shannon C. had reviewed the first.

Locke makes a fabulous main character. He’s got a smart mouth, arrogance, audacity, and a brain that allows him to somehow survive. He’s also got Jean Tannen, a fellow thief and fierce fighter to guard his back. Both were members of the Gentlemen Bastards in Camorr, but now they’re in Tal Verrar and planning a heist at Requin’s Sinspire (think mob-controlled Vegas, in medieval times – yes, it is that awesome.) Unfortunately, one of Requin’s political rivals, the Archon, the military leader, interferes. He wants Locke and Jean to help gain the upper hand on the Priori (like the Senate) by causing a war.  This is where the pirates come in.

This book contains the same wit as the first, though you might not want to repeat some of the lines that are making you laugh to curious onlookers.  Lynch is rather fond of “fuck” and the forms thereof.  On the other hand, Red Seas Under Red Skies showcases Locke and Jean in a very different situation from The Lies of Locke Lamora.  This time they aren’t two steps ahead of all the other plotters; in fact, they’re often two steps behind.  They’re coming up with solutions on the fly to keep their lives and make the score.  I enjoyed getting to see this side of the characters.

There’s also a touch of romance in this one.  I don’t want to say too much about her, but Jean enters a relationship about halfway (or two-thirds of the way) through the book.  The characters have great chemistry and it’s balanced well with Jean’s relationship with Locke. There’s also some great humor with the poor unfortunates who have to room next to the lovebirds.  In other news on the romance front, the end promises that Sabetha will finally appear in the third book.  We’ve been tantalized with hints about Locke’s former comrade and only love for two books, so I cannot wait to see her.

Of course, that’s not my only reason to say I’ll return for the third book.  So far the Gentlemen Bastards is a fast-paced, well-plotted, humorous fantasy.  The books have contained satisfying capers within and intriguing overarching plots involving the Bondsmagi and Sabetha.  The only downside is I have to wait for the third.  How it’s going to top the awesome pirate crew, I don’t know.

Grade: A-

Read more reviews of the Gentlemen Bastards series by following its tag.

Summary:

Locke Lamora, the erstwhile Thorn of Camorr, and Jean Tannen have fled their home city and the wreckage of their lives. But they can’t run forever, and after escaping Camorr they decide to head for the richest and most difficult target on the horizon– the city-state of Tal Verrar. And the Sinspire.

The Sinspire is the ultimate gambling house . . . exclusive, luxurious, and fiendishly guarded. No thief has ever survived an attempt to rob it. Naturally, Locke plans to take it for a fortune, in his biggest gamble yet.

But this perfect crime may have to wait.

Someone else in Tal Verrar wants the Gentlemen Bastards’ expertise, and they’re not gentle in compelling Locke and Jean to devote their talents to an even more unlikely and suicidal proposition– masquerading as pirates on the high seas. Fine work for a pair of landlubbing thieves barely able to tell one end of a ship from the other!

Locke and Jean find their abiding friendship tested to its very limits in this strange new world of lurching wooden decks, brutal ship-to-ship action, and feuding pirate captains. But not even their sojourn as buccaneers can keep the Gentlemen Bastards from their much-desired reckoning with all the powers that have conspired to interrupt their lives, including the last people in the world any sane person would want to offend… the Bondsmagi of Karthain.

Read an excerpt (click on the widget and keep paging down – you eventually make it to the excerpt).

Devon’s review of Strands of Sunlight by Anya Bast
Fantasy Erotic Romance dBook released by Ellora’s Cave 12 Sep 08

Welcome back to the hills and dales of Erotic Romance land, where the cream flows freely, the hammers are hard and it’s all about fulfilling her sexual needs. And his. And the other guy’s too. It’s a fun place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there. The formula can be predictable and cheesy and inspire groans rather than arousal. But when they are done right, wowza! And this, ladies, was a hot one. Very hot, and it also had enough of a plot and a romance to keep me interested.

Strands of Sunlight takes place in a fantasy land which strongly resembles Medieval Europe. There is enough detail to the setting to give it a real fantasy flavor, rather than wallpaper for sexual shenanigans. It is the story of Rhiannon, an abused indentured servant. She fears that her magical powers will result in her death, as it did for her mother. Then one day she is whisked away by the intimidating Prince Gareth to his castle to reclaim her birthright. Rhiannon will find many secrets, and perhaps, love (great sex, for sure).

The characters really made this book. Rhiannon was intelligent and feisty, in a good way. She does have one TSTL moment at the end, but I forgave it because I liked her otherwise. Every once in awhile, a brutish, almost sociopathic hero really hits the spot. Some writers just know how to write them with just enough…something to keep them sympathetic. Tristan was way overboard with the “I can’t…No, I won’t…No, I don’t love her” thing, and the “she deserves better than me” thing. He pushed Rhiannon away one too many times, but still I liked him lots, and the two had great chemistry and believable emotion between them.

Gareth, Tristan’s best friend and Rhiannon’s champion, was not quite as interesting, but quite likeable as well. Bast created interesting relationships between all three, and the chemistry among the characters translated into some awesome sex scenes. There was one early one that normally would’ve seemed inappropriate (even creepy) to me, but I liked it. I’m also not a big fan of the (almost obligatory) ménage scene. The scenes can be very erotic, but there’s often some trumped up justification for them to make me laugh (Saving the planet! Stopping War! Ordained by fate!). These ones worked for me, because it was just two men who loved one woman and couldn’t quite give her up. Despite the slight overuse of the C-word, I really enjoyed the author’s earthy, straightforward love scenes.

My only other quibble is that the pacing felt a bit off to me. Certain declarations of love came so soon that the conflict after felt forced and manufactured. Overall, it did the trick. If you want something spicy, and you enjoy a bit of fantasy with your romance, it’s definitely worth a try. I’d try Anya Bast again in the future.

Grade: B

The Summary:
Rhiannon always thought she was just a lowborn peasant. When a mysterious lord buys her contract of servitude and brings her back to his keep, she finds out she’s actually the bastard daughter of a great lady. She also discovers she’s prophesied to kill the man responsible for her mother’s undoing.

And prophesied to die while doing it.

At the keep, Rhiannon is caught between two men. Tristan is the severe and sometimes brutal lord who introduces her to erotic bliss and binds her there, helplessly addicted to his every whim. And Gareth is the shining, handsome knight who treats her like the lady she never knew she was. In competition, Tristan and Gareth tempt her with physical pleasure beyond her imagination. Both of them stake a claim on her body, but only one of them will win her heart.

Read an excerpt

Shannon C.‘s review of Fire Princes’ Bride by Rebecca Airies
Fantasy erotic romance released by Ellora’s Cave 25 Jun 08

Fire Princes’ Bride had a blurb that compelled me, and was a bit of an experiment on my part. It’s obviously part of a series, and I know that I need to get over my compulsive urge to read everything exactly in order, so I picked this book up hoping the conflict would be entertaining and hoping I could follow along without having read prior books. It turns out that I could, although ‘entertaining’ is not precisely the word I would use to describe this book.

The quick and dirty premise is as follows: Callan and Tyral (henceforth referred to as Callantyral for the purposes of this review) are fire elementals. They have many enemies, and they end up magically stranded on a random planet. Along comes Karissa, an ice elemental, who joins them. Lots of fun sexoring is had by all, only Callantyral fail to let her in on the fact that she is their bonded mate. She goes home, but must return to their side, because otherwise her very life is in danger. Not that it’s any safer when she joins her men, because a faction in their realm wants her dead as well.

There was a lot going on in this story, some of which seemed overly convoluted. I didn’t ever really understand what an Aliara was, or why men should bond with their mates when they get to a certain level of power. I don’t know if this was explained in previous volumes of the series, but this was one of those rare times when I really wanted someone to go, “As you know, Bob, when X occurs, that causes Y.” That being said, I was definitely curious about the different kinds of elementals and how they worked, much less what it would be like to have a spirit of your chosen element living inside you. I also never really got why the princes had fangs, which was a detail that kept popping up but didn’t really seem to need to be there.

As for the characters, I had trouble with them. For one thing, Callan and Tyral were pretty much indistinguishable, hence my jumbling them together as Callantyral. The author does this a lot herself, having the men react of one accord. This took away from the dynamics of the romance for me, because essentially I felt like Karissa was with the same guy, but in two bodies, for convenience. Therefore, I didn’t feel the chemistry, and this book failed the litmus test by which I judge such things, since I did at one point fall asleep while reading a sex scene. Not only that, but Callantyral were the worst sort of alphas. There was a lot of “Now, don’t you worry your pretty little head about that.” And whenever Karissa was angry with them, there was a lot of smiling indulgently and metaphorical patting her on the head and patronizing, “Awww, you’re so cute when you’re mad.” If anyone treated me the way those men treated Karissa, there’d be more than just an icy bath in the works for them. There would be two hot alpha men currently… well… not getting any. But that’s just me.

This book pretty much didn’t work for me. I suspect that readers who like M/F/M romances will find this appealing, but there’s no way I can wrap my head around making it plausible, particularly when the men are brothers. There’s enough here that could be interesting, but I can’t recommend a book where the heroes are two halves of the same uber-asshole jerk and the fantasy world-building is too complex for the story it tries to tell.

Grade: D

Summary:
One thing is universal in all the Elemental Realms — women are told when to seek a mate. Because of the power she holds, Karissa knows she will have to embark on that journey far earlier than most women in the Ice Court. But she does not expect to find her betrothed — especially not before her search has even begun. And she certainly does not expect to have two mates — let alone for those mates to be the Princes of the Fire Court.

Twin brothers Tyral and Callan know Karissa is their mate as soon as they see her. They greet her with a carefree playfulness, wanting to give her time, but things quickly heat up between them. The Princes’ biggest challenge, however, proves not to be their opposing Elemental Spirits, but convincing Karissa to submit to their rules.

As Fire and Ice clash in the bedroom, an enemy moves in, plotting to destroy the Fire Princes’ future with their new bride.

Read an excerpt here.

Connie’s Quick Quack review of Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Contemporary fantasy romance hardcover released by Little, Brown 28 Apr 08

Jane Margaux grew up as a lonely single daughter of a Broadway producer.  She really only saw her mother on Sundays when they went to Tiffany’s together. She was never the “beautiful daughter” everyone expected her mother to have and was a little on the chubby side. Jane had an invisible friend named Michael who kept her company and got her through the lonely years until her ninth birthday and then he had to leave her to go to help some other lonely child. 

Years later Jane is as lonely as ever, even though she had success with the play she did about her relationship with Michael. Then Jane meets a man – it’s Michael! They start to spend time together but both are afraid he will have to leave again since he has never before met the adult version of a child he’s helped.

They spend time together and deepen their bond. Michael is afraid he was sent to help Jane through her death, so he breaks both of their hearts and leaves her, thinking to forestall her death.

This was a quick,easy read but you were happy for the characters and did not want Jane to leave him. There is a surprise twist to the end but you will enjoy getting there.

Grade: A

Read other reviews by clicking on the Sundays at Tiffany’s tag.

Summary:

As a little girl, Jane has no one. Her mother, the powerful head of a Broadway theater company, has no time for her. She does have one friend-a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael-but only she can see him.

Years later, Jane is in her thirties and just as alone as ever. Then she meets Michael again-as handsome, smart and perfect as she remembers him to be. But not even Michael knows the reason they’ve really been reunited.

SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY’S is a love story with an irresistible twist, a novel about the child inside all of us-and the boundary-crossing power of love.

Read an excerpt.

Liviania’s review of The Ankh of Isis (Library of Athena, Book 2) by Christine Norris
YA fantasy adventure eBook released by Samhain 8 Jul 08

There are many books it would be fun to enter and explore, to be able to interact with favorite characters and experience events first hand. Of course, it would be fun in an abstract sense. No worries of how to get back out of the book or getting injured in the story. Megan Montgomery’s library of enchanted books is a duty. She protects their contents from those who would use the artifacts they contain.

I read The Ankh of Isis without reading the first book, The Crown of Zeus, first. From the story I can deduce that the first book’s adventure didn’t pit Megan and her friends against an adversary, but was instead time for them to learn about the books’ worlds and their rules. Archaeologist Sir Gregory was a wizard, who wrote books in which to hide magical artifacts. To leave a book, one must find the artifact hidden within it using a series of clues. While Megan is the Librarian, her school friends Claire and Rachel know about the library because they were with her when she discovered it and its secrets. The Ankh of Isis delivers this information smoothly, allowing the second to stand well on its own.

The story is a straightforward adventure. The girls suspect Mr. Hemmlich, a client of Mr. Montgomery, of searching for something and rightly so. The chase to the finish works well because Hemmlich is obviously obsessed and not listening to reason and the girls and his son will be stuck in the story if he reaches the ankh without them. Christine Norris uses Egyptian mythology well and the riddles seem to be of an appropriate difficulty. (That is, they’re tough, but recognizable to an Egyptologist and his son so that the story doesn’t bog down.)

The Ankh of Isis will appeal most to young adults and children reading above their age level (as most children that read for pleasure do). The romance between fourteen-year-old Diedrich Hemmlich and Megan is sweet and chaste. They’re just two good kids enjoying a summer crush. In fact, the sweet romance is an odd contrast to the villain Norris created. Mr. Hemmlich’s obsession with power leads him to harm children and be quite willing to kill them, despite the fact one of them is his son. While that familial connection gives Diedrich a reason to be on the scene, it causes some issues older readers will be more bothered by than younger.

I know that several years ago I would have no problem with the conclusion. Now I feel that Diedrich, at the book’s end, is burdened with a bundle of daddy issues and not much of a support network, if any. Norris touches briefly on the subject, but it’s a dark thing which doesn’t mesh well with the book’s light approach. Events at the end suggest a conspiracy that might be a threat to the Librarian, which would likely darken the tone of the series. As the series is though, the Hemmlichs seem like a case of too dark, too early.

Still, The Ankh of Isis is a fun adventure with light romance that young adults will enjoy. I know I’m likely to read book three when it arrives.

Grade: B-

Summary
Megan Montgomery is looking forward to a nice, quiet Easter holiday. No school, no homework, time with her friends. Then her father informs her Mr. Hemmlich, a potential client and archaeologist, is coming to stay with them for the entire week. Her dreams of goofing off go up in smoke—until Hemmlich arrives with his handsome teenage son in tow. Things are definitely looking up.

Megan’s excitement quickly turns to suspicion when Hemmlich starts asking questions about the manor and its builder, Sir Gregory. Is it just admiration for Sir Gregory’s work? Or could Hemmlich know about the Library of Athena, the secret room full of magic books hidden deep beneath the manor? It shouldn’t be possible.

But then again, if she can get sucked inside a book…
Read an excerpt here

Shannon C.’s review of The Queen’s Bastard (Inheritor’s Cycle, Book 1) by C.E. Murphy
Historic fantasy released by Del Rey 29 Apr 08

C.E. Murphy, whose urban fantasy is, I’m told, very good, certainly has a gift for storytelling. Her narrative voice is smooth, and the prose is lovely without extending that extra notch into purple, and I found the book engaging. Unfortunately, I feel as if I’ve read this story before.

Belinda Primrose is the bastard daughter of Queen Lorraine Walter of Aulun. Raised by her father, Lord Robert Drake, the queen’s spymaster, she is molded into a secret tool used by her mother for the good of the crown, acting mostly as an assassin. However, her latest assignment is to venture to the city of Lutetia, the capital of neighboring Gallin, where, under the guise of Lady Beatrice Irvine, she is to insinuate herself into Queen Sandalia’s court. Sandalia is heir to three kingdoms, and holds much animosity toward Lorraine, whose country has adopted religious reformation. If Belinda, disguised as Beatrice, can ferret out Sandalia’s plots, that’s all to the good. But she never counts on discovering the Witchbreed power she has inherited.

As I said above, I really liked the storytelling here. Murphy really knows how to pace herself, and while I can’t say I couldn’t put this book down, I did enjoy it while I was reading it. I generally like political intrigue, and it really is nice to read about a heroine occasionally who isn’t a trembling virgin. In fact, Belinda revels in her bisexuality, which I still find amazingly refreshing.

Despite all that, though, I didn’t like Belinda. She never particularly resonated with me, and I was bothered by the fact that everything she sets out to do she manages with great aplomb. I kept waiting for an ax to fall, and when it finally did and she got the bitch-slap she so richly deserved, I didn’t really think she’d suffered enough.

Speaking of suffering, I was intrigued by Belinda’s romantic interest, Sandalia’s son Javier. He seems like a pretty nice guy who nonetheless has had an extremely privileged life. His three best friends, a merchant’s son, a young nobleman, and a girl from the streets, all look to him as leader, and his relationships with them shift in subtle ways thanks to Belinda’s machinations. I felt horrible because by the end of the book it’s Javier who has lost a great deal. I’d like to see more of his PoV in the next book in the series, and I’m hoping his story arc is not as destined to end tragically as it sort of looks like it might.

The secondary characters are fairly compelling, particularly the ones we didn’t see much of in this book. Lorraine seems like an especially interesting woman, and Eliza, Javier’s friend from the streets, is definitely a tragically drawn character who I hope gets much more screen time. Most compelling of all is Robert Drake, Belinda’s father, who may have secrets of his own, although from what I pieced together from memories Belinda read from him, I suspect that there’s no way he can reveal his secrets without them being very much on the cheesy side.

I did see the similarities in style between this book and Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel trilogy, of which I’ve read the first two books. In fact, I felt at times that Murphy was trying too hard to emulate an idol, and falling just short of the mark. Also, the book draws heavily on Tudor-era Europe, and at times I found that distracting. I didn’t really get a sense of the uniqueness of this world, or how it differed from ours except in very small, inconsequential ways.

I feel this review may be a tad too nitpicky considering the fact that I enjoyed the book for the most part. I definitely do intend to read the next books in the series, and I would recommend it with reservations to someone who likes their fantasy a bit more on the realistic side. This book has certainly made me eager to start some of Ms. Murphy’s other books which I have languishing on the TBR.

Grade: C+

Summary:
In a world where religion has ripped apart the old order, Belinda Primrose is the queen’s secret weapon. The unacknowledged daughter of Lorraine, the first queen to sit on the Aulunian throne, Belinda has been trained as a spy since the age of twelve by her father, Lorraine’s lover and spymaster.

Cunning and alluring, fluent in languages and able to take on any persona, Belinda can infiltrate the glittering courts of Echon where her mother’s enemies conspire. She can seduce at will and kill if she must. But Belinda’s spying takes a new twist when her witchlight appears.

Now Belinda’s powers are unlike anything Lorraine could have imagined. They can turn an obedient daughter into a rival who understands that anything can be hers, including the wickedly sensual Javier, whose throne Lorraine both covets and fears. But Javier is also witchbreed, a man whose ability rivals Belinda’s own . . . and can be just as dangerous.

Amid court intrigue and magic, loyalty and love can lead to more daring passions, as Belinda discovers that power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.

You can read an excerpt here.

Gwen’s review of Sundays at Tiffany’s by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet
Contemporary fantasy romance released hardcover by Little, Brown 28 Apr 08

This little book was hanging around in a pile that I got from Sybil a while back. I wasn’t all that interested in it, if only because I’ve never had luck when a favorite author ventures away from what I like about them. Patterson is one of my favorite non-romance authors (LOVE the Alex Cross novels, LOVE the Women’s Murder Club books, and I even love his YA book, Maximum Ride) and here’s he’s tried a romance? Oh no, I thought, he’s going to ruin it for me. Now I’ll never be able to read him again. Well…

I was wrong. There. I said it. I was happily, wonderfully wrong. WRONG WRONG WRONG! I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about anything.

I LOVED this book. Sure it wasn’t perfect and sure it was light. But, gosh, it was an amazing AMAZING romance. I smiled all the way thru reading it, when I wasn’t bawling my eyes out, that is. I mean, big ol’ ugly cry bawling. Had to put the book down and compose myself bawl. TWICE!

The book’s premise is simple: a little girl’s imaginary friend, an angel of some sort, is actually the love of her life. The path these two take to this love is long and winding. And sweet and “awwwww” inspiring (pun intended). I grinned through most of it.

I could have wished that the heroine’s mother was a bit more sympathetic earlier. At the end, I didn’t quite believe her confessions to her daughter because of this. She did, however, inspire one of the crying jags I had reading this book, so I can’t complain too loudly.

This was a highly enjoyable, quick read. I recommend it to anyone looking for a fast, lovely story. In fact, this may be one of the few books I keep and read again in a few months – something I almost never do. If you’ve never read Patterson before, you’ll love this book and if you’re a fan of Patterson, you’ll be very surprised. And perhaps you’ll read this book with as big a smile on your face as I did.

Grade: A-

Summary:

AN IMAGINARY FRIEND Jane Margaux is a lonely little girl. Her mother, a powerful Broadway producer, makes time for her only once a week, for their Sunday trip to admire jewelry at Tiffany’s. Jane has only one friend: a handsome, comforting, funny man named Michael. He’s perfect. But only she can see him. Michael can’t stay forever, though. On Jane’s ninth birthday he leaves, promising her that she’ll soon forget him.

AN UNEXPECTED LOVE Years later, in her thirties, Jane is just as alone as she was as a child. And despite her own success as a playwright, she is even more trapped by her overbearing mother. Then she meets someone–a handsome, comforting, funny man. He’s perfect. His name is Michael…

AND AN UNFORGETTABLE TWIST This is a heartrending story that surpasses all expectations of why these people have been brought together. With the breathtaking momentum and gripping emotional twists that have made James Patterson a bestselling author all over the world, SUNDAYS AT TIFFANY’S takes an altogether fresh look at the timeless and transforming power of love.

Read an excerpt.

Shannon C.’s review of Through the Veil by Shiloh Walker
Fantasy romance released by Berkley Sensation 3 Jun 08

I like Shiloh Walker. She seems to be one of the most together people out there in romancelandia, and, what’s even better for me as a reader, she is one of those authors I can turn to for a nice comfort read. I may not love all her books, but I can count on her to tell me a fun story with engaging characters that I will be rooting for. Plus, well, she gave me an e-ARC, for which she is automatically due kudos and cookies.

The plot centers around Lee, a graphic artist who keeps waking up after receiving strange bruises all over her body. She does not know that her bruises come because she has been entering a completely different world in her dreams, where she must fight the invading hordes who would destroy her allies. Among those for whom she fights is Kalen, a devastatingly sexy man with the face of a dark angel, who is determined that Lee should come from her world into his, to be with him and to embrace her destiny.

I liked Kalen and Lee well enough. They are both reluctant heroes, forced by the hand that fate has dealt them to fight a war they can’t win. I particularly enjoyed watching Kalen fight his attraction to Lee, knowing that he couldn’t have anything soft in his life. Lee herself is less compelling, because though she comes to fight alongside Kalen, it took her a little too long to realize how important she was. She never quite reaches ‘annoyingly shrill’, but she does come close a time or two. I would have also liked to see more of the romance between herself and Kalen, because it is set aside for a large percent of the overall plot.

The plot starts out a bit more slowly than I’d have liked. We get a lot of introduction to the world that Ms. Walker has created, which has a tendency to bog the story down. With all the battles and magical destruction, this is a shame because I think this story would have been vastly better if there were more of a suspenseful element to the plot. As it was, all the explanations and the struggles Lee has to deal with in order to come to terms with her purpose in the story started to feel a bit old after a while and I just wanted Lee to get on with it.

The secondary characters were interesting. It looks like Ms. Walker has left herself some more room to play in this world, because several of the characters definitely need their own stories told. I also didn’t expect one of Lee’s allies to be one of the characters introduced, and I was startled by who the surprise villain was.

I keep bitching that I don’t get interesting enough settings in fantasy romances, and then I bitch when things are unusual. This is not your normal paranormal romance, nor your normal fantasy, and though I think the story could have been a lot stronger than it was, I still think fans of Ms. Walker’s books or fans of fantasy romance should pick this one up.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Found wandering in a field as a child, Lee Ross was given a name by the state and placed in a foster home–without anyone realizing that she wasn’t entirely human. All her life, she’s tried to dismiss the odd dreams that have plagued her, dreams of monsters creeping through the night and a man fighting demons by her side. But the bruises she wakes up with are all too real to ignore. . .

Then the man from her dreams appears–in the flesh. His name is Kalen, and he insists that her destiny lies in his world, the world of her dreams. To save their people, he mist convince Lee to give up everything she knows, follow her heart, and cross over into the Under Realm–even though once she does, she’ll never be able to return.

You can read an excerpt here.

I figured that if I wait until I have time to do full reviews of these six books, airborne porcine would be commonplace. So I decided to just do it – write a bunch of quick hits. These are all over the place as far as genre and release dates, so bear with me. Below are short reviews for:

~ A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, Book 6) by Laurell K. Hamilton – fantasy fiction

~ The Kiss by Sophia Nash – regency historical romance

~ The Last Warrior by Karen Kay – American west historical romance

~ Creation in Death by J.D. Robb – Furturistic thriller

~ How to Propose to a Prince (The Royle Sisters, Book 3) by Kathryn Caskie – regency historical romance

~ Midnight Rising (The Midnight Breed, Book 4) by Lara Adrian – contemporary paranormal romance

A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, Book 6) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Fantasy fiction released by Ballantine (hardcover) 23 Oct 07

This is a very good entry in the Merry Gentry world. We finally learn what Frost is and where he comes from. Plus the overall plot in this slow moving series actually moves forward in steps in this book and not in the millimeters it had before. Love the cover, too.

Grade: A

Summary:

I am Meredith Gentry, princess and heir apparent to the throne in the realm of faerie, onetime private investigator in the mortal world.

To be crowned queen, I must first continue the royal bloodline and give birth to an heir of my own. If I fail, my aunt, Queen Andais, will be free to do what she most desires: install her twisted son, Cel, as monarch . . . and kill me.

My royal guards surround me, and my best loved-my Darkness and my Killing Frost-are always beside me, sworn to protect and make love to me. But still the threat grows greater. For despite all my carnal efforts, I remain childless, while the machinations of my sinister, sadistic Queen and her confederates remain tireless. So my bodyguards and I have slipped back into Los Angeles, hoping to outrun the gathering shadows of court intrigue. But even exile isn’t enough to escape the grasp of those with dark designs.

Now King Taranis, powerful and vainglorious ruler of faerie’s Seelie Court, has leveled accusations against my noble guards of a heinous crime-and has gone so far as to ask the mortal authorities to prosecute. If he succeeds, my men face extradition to faerie and the hideous penalties that await them there. But I know that Taranis’s charges are baseless, and I sense that his true target is me. He tried to kill me when I was a child. Now I fear his intentions are far more terrifying.

Read excerpts (scroll down).

The Kiss by Sophia Nash
Historical romance released by Avon 26 Feb 08

This was a very nice historical. Some of the details surprised me – I haven’t seen too many authors deal with characters in quite so real a way before and it was refreshing. I did think The Big Misunderstanding was carried on about 50 pages too long, however. I just wanted to see the hero and heroine get together and see how they overcame their collective histories. Enough preamble already. Would have gotten an A from me if that had happened.

Grade: B-

Summary:

He had once been her cherished childhood companion, and then the man she lusted for in secret, but Georgiana Wilde hasn’t seen recently widowed Quinn Fortesque since the day he married another woman and shattered her heart. Then fate intervenes and brings the man she dreams about each night back to her . . . .

Returning to the estate on family business, Quinn would like nothing more than to turn the land over to Georgiana and leave the memories of his former life behind. But then the brooding marquis finds himself under the spell of the beauty he once left behind. With her barely concealed passions, Georgiana melts his coolly guarded heart. Suddenly his well-ordered world is in danger of crashing down. And it all began with just one kiss . . . .

Read an excerpt (scroll down).

The Last Warrior by Karen Kay
Historical sorta paranormal romance released by Berkley 4 Mar 08

Even I, Nathan Kamp’s #1 Fan, have to admit that this is a craptastic cover. Totally not the author’s fault, but I do with the publishers could have found a model who looked remotely like a Native American.

This was an okay book. The premise was a little unbelievable, and the author didn’t do much to suspend my disbelief. It was a decent poolside read, though. Nice romance and interesting time period (1892).

Grade: C+

Summary:

Many centuries ago, a village killed the children of the Thunder God. For their crime, the Creature bannished them to live a half existence in the land of mists, neither dead nor alive.”

But once in a generation, a brave is given the opportunity to save his clan. In 1892, that warrior is Black Lion

There was only one way for Black Lion to melt the Thunder God’s anger; listen for a sacred white-man’s song — and sing it perfectly with the one who introduced him to it. He joins Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and travels to London, where he encounters the daughter of two opera singers — the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. However, Suzette Joselyn is already engaged to another man…

But the two are destined to meet again when Suzette shows up in America, pregnant and abandoned by her fiance. Reunited with Black Lion she finds it impossible to turn down his offer of marriage to save her child from life as a bastard. But she doesn’t realize that her brave new husband is consumed with a mission that may force him to choose between his people and the woman he loves…

Read an excerpt.

Creation in Death by J.D. Robb
Futuristic thriller released by Putnam (hardcover) 6 Nov 07

I’m an Eve & Roarke fan from way back (Roarke = dark chocolate in my fantasies). I feel CiD is the least “romantic” of all the In Death books. It is definitley more a “thriller” than a “romantic suspense”. I also get less of the “futuristic” sense in this book than is evident in the other In Death entries. Nevertheless, the tension is very high throughout and I really had the feeling of “time running out” the whole time I was flipping pages faster and faster. Terrific read.

I was a little disappointed by something that Eve asked Roarke to do at the end, though – it seemed dishonorable to me and a little out of character. But it’s something I think will likely create an interesting problem for our hero and heroine in future books.

Grade: A

Summary:

NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas keeps the streets of a near-future New York City safe in this extraordinary series. But even she makes mistakes, and is haunted by those she couldn’t save-and the killers she couldn’t capture. When the body of a young brunette is found in East River Park, artfully positioned and marked by signs of prolonged and painful torture, Eve is catapulted back to a case nine years earlier. The city was on edge from a killing spree that took the lives of four women in fifteen days, courtesy of a man the media tagged “The Groom”-because he put silver rings on the fingers of his victims.

When it turns out that the young brunette was employed by Eve’s billionaire husband, Roarke, she brings him in on the case-a move that proves fitting when it becomes chillingly clear that the killer has made his attack personal. The victim was washed in products from a store Roarke owns, and laid out on a sheet his company manufactures.

With the Groom’s monstrous return, Eve is determined to finish him once and for all. Familiar with his methods, Eve knows that he has already grabbed his next victim. Time is running out on another woman’s life.

And chances are he’s working up to the biggest challenge of his illustrious career-abducting a woman who will test his skills and who promises to give him days and days of pleasure before she dies: Eve.

Read an excerpt.

How to Propose to a Prince (The Royle Sisters, Book 3) by Kathryn Caskie
Historical romance released by Avon 26 Feb 08

I mostly didn’t like was irritated by this one, but it was readable. The heroine kept insisting that the hero was her soul mate (not in so many words, thankfully) and that they would be married, all because of a dream she keeps having. Perhaps I would have believed it more if the author hadn’t kept hammering it in, over and over again. The heroine comes off as a little desperate and the hero a little callous.

I REALLY hated some of the details at the end. They made me want to say “then why the f__k have you dragged your characters through all that crap!?” – but the author wiggles out of it at the very last. Barely.

Notwithstanding the teeth-grindingly irritating details, it’s another poolside read if you’re a fan of light historicals. Not awful, but not great.

Grade: C

Summary:

If the tiara fits, wear it! And that is exactly what Elizabeth Royle intends to do. After all, if you can’t be acknowledged as the daughter of a prince, the least you can do is marry one.

When Elizabeth Royle, youngest of the notorious Royle sisters, comes face-to-face with her future husband, a man she’s seen only in her dreams, she nearly swoons–especially when she discovers he is a prince. But her ecstasy is short-lived as she quickly learns that the man she longs for is soon to be betrothed to someone else–a princess no less. A lesser woman would give up, but Elizabeth is a Royle, after all.

Refusing to surrender her dreams of a royal wedding, Elizabeth takes the position of lady-in-waiting to the princess, determined to get close to her perfect match. But the lover she desires is not who he seems…and only once she discovers the true man behind the crown will she find the perfect love she’s been longing for all her life.

Read an excerpt.

Midnight Rising (The Midnight Breed, Book 4) by Lara Adrian
Contemporary paranormal romance released by Dell 25 Mar 08

This was a good entry in this series. However, I don’t recommend it if this is your first foray into it. I liked how Adrian made the hero a little more “human” – well, as human as an alien vampire can be, I suppose. Good read with some interesting twists.

Grade: B

Summary:

In a world of shadows and dark, consuming hungers, desire is the deadliest weapon…

For journalist Dylan Alexander, it began with the discovery of a hidden tomb, thrusting her into the center of a gathering storm of violence and secrets. But nothing is as dangerous as the scarred, lethally seductive man who rises from the shadows to draw her into his world of dark desire and endless night.

Fueled by pain and rage over a shattering betrayal, the warrior Rio has pledged his life to the war against the Rogues. He will let nothing stand in his way—least of all a mortal woman with the power to expose the entire vampire race. For an ancient evil has been awakened, and a stunning darkness is on the rise. Suddenly Dylan is powerless to resist Rio’s touch, even as she uncovers a shocking link to her own past. And now she must choose: Leave Rio’s midnight realm, or risk it all for the man who has shown her true passion and the infinite pleasures of the heart. . . .

Read an excerpt.

And that’s it for now folks! I have a couple of others, but I’m saving those for a “themed” post (can you say, “Kresley Cole is a Goddess”? I knew you could).

Shannon C.’s review of What Do You Say to a Naked Elf by Cheryl Sterling
Fantasy romance released by Love Spell 1 Jan 05

I’ve wanted to read this book for years. It got the Shannon’s Mom stamp of approval, which automatically meant I had to read this book, if only to prove to myself that Mom still has good taste. Plus, this book features a premise I like–Earth girl goes to fairyland, has wacky adventures, and finds love.

I wasn’t disappointed at all, and am happy to report that Mom still has good taste. What really surprised me about this book, though, was how funny it was. Bear in mind, of course, that humor is totally subjective and someone else might be rolling their eyes at some of the things that Sterling’s heroine, Earth woman Jane Drysdale, has to say. But I laughed.

One night, after driving home from a Realm of Pleasures party, down-on-her-luck Jane accidentally runs over a bunny. But wait! The bunny is actually an elf, and Jane has just killed him, so she has to return to Lowth, the elven kingdom, to face a murder trial. Luckily, she’s got hot elven lawyer Charlie there to plead her case. Before their trip has ended, Jane may be asked to play a huge part in saving the world.

I loved Jane. I think the primary reason she worked for me is that she didn’t take herself too seriously. She reacts the way any normal person might to finding themselves in this sort of situation, neither adjusting too quickly nor living in the land of denial. And she really does want to go home, even as she starts to fall in love with Charlie. Her dialogue is full of pop culture references, and while that did grate after a while, the difference here was that Jane has a dry wit that I liked. The only thing that made her lose points with me is that she does something that’s so very romance novel cliche-ish at one point and I wanted to smack her for it.

Charlie is a good hero, too. He’s a quiet, restrained foil to Jane’s exuberant personality, and I really liked that it was Jane who seduced him. To my intense pleasure, Charlie also has to do some soul-searching and growth in this book. Sometimes it feels like the character developments are all one-sided in books like this, so I was pleased this wasn’t the case.

The romance between Charlie and Jane is excellent, although the sex scenes here didn’t particularly do much for me. I liked that the romance wasn’t forced, and Jane and Charlie are allowed to become friends without the destined soulmates crap getting in the way.

There are many interesting secondary characters, from the senile king of the elves, who likes to dress in women’s clothing, to Charlie’s brother Hugh, to the ambitious and scheming castle steward, Eager. Ms. Sterling leaves herself open for playing more in the world she’s created, although she does so without having the sequel-bait scream, “Look! Mine is book 2!”

I liked the plot. The book moves rapidly along at a nice clip, with lots of adventure along the way for our intrepid heroes. My only quibble was with the ending, which wrapped things up in a particularly schmaltzy bow.

Before I close, I should also mention that I thought the world-building here was handled well. It still feels largely like a Tolkien rip-off, but I think that was a conscious decision on Ms. Sterling’s part. I’ve read fantasy romances that did a better job with the world-building, but I have also read far, far worse.

I’m glad I read this book. Apparently Cheryl Sterling is working on a paranormal novel now, and I can’t wait to read it.

Grade: B

Summary:

Plain Jane Drysdale supplements her uninteresting day job by selling sex paraphernalia at what are basically erotic Tupperware parties. One dark night as she is speeding home, she brakes to avoid running over a rabbit and crashes her car. Woozy and hurt, she is taken away by a group of men. As they walk deeper into the woods, one of her rescuers, Charlie, tires of her questions, drugs her, and slings her over his shoulder. When she awakens, Charlie shares a few choice pieces of information with her: she has gone through a portal into another world; he has half elf, half fairy, and he’ll be representing her at court for the murder of Tivat, a shape-shifter who happened to be the rabbit she ran over. Jane not only adapts to her new world, she also effects miraculous changes in it as it begins to change her.

You can read an excerpt here.

Shannon C.’s review of Eyes of Fire (Mylari Chronicles, Book 1) by C.J. England
Fantasy romance eBook released by Samhain Publishing 2 May 08

I love a good fantasy romance. And I have mentioned elsewhere that I like the trope of chick from our world wanders into fairyland. So I was fully expecting to enjoy the first book in the Mylari series. Unfortunately, while the external plot was interesting enough to me that I am almost tempted to follow this series, the romance left me really cold.

Actually, “really cold” is a vast understatement. I hated the romance so much that I was tempted to create a drinking game of it. Every time Calion, our elven prince hero, gets unreasonably angry, take a sip. Every time Talia, our human heroine, uses her martyr complex, take a sip. Every time Talia mentions that she loves Calion — she figures this out before a quarter of the book incidentally — take another sip.

Yeah, obviously, I didn’t like the hero or the heroine very much. And the fantasy aspect of the book didn’t feel very well drawn. Granted, this could be because I’ve read fantasy far longer than I’ve read romance, so I tend to expect strong world-building and get disappointed when this doesn’t happen. The fantasy realm here felt like cobbled together bits from Tolkien, Mercedes Lackey, and someone’s D&D session.

The plot? Human Talia (a name I couldn’t entirely get past because I was reminded of the protagonist in one of my favorite fantasy novels is restless. She’s always felt there was something more to life than meeting her parents’ expectations. As she contemplates her lonely existance, she’s kidnapped by orcs who take her to the world beyond the Faery mists, where they intend to break an ancient prophecy in the traditional prophecy-smashing way of evil monsters everywhere–by having some human-on-orc action. Before they can get to some serious prophecy-breaking, Talia gets rescued by Calion, the heir to the elvish kingdom.

From here, for the next huge chunk of the book, Talia and Calion vassilate between anger and lust, with Calion saying some asinine thing, Talia crying about it, and Calion vowing he won’t hurt her like that again and making things all better. With his penis. Only to repeat ad nauseum. See, the problem is that humans and elves are forbidden to be together because OMG they’re old enemies. (Humans and elves! Living together! Oh noes!)Somehow, Calion treats this like it’s Talia’s fault, despite her not being from his world, and Talia pretty much lets him bully, badger and humiliate her. This only gets worse when they actually enter elven society.

A few things did work for me. I loved some of the minor characters, particularly Calion’s royal guards. And it was nice for a change to have the male be the one to deny that he’s found his soul-mate, because this seems to never happen.

The rest, though… didn’t so much work for me. I thought Talia was a bit of a martyr wet blanket, and wanted to actively shake Calion for most of the book. I stopped caring about halfway through if they’d get their HEA, and even the forbidden love aspect, which is usually one I enjoy, just seemed a little stupid. And then there’s the fact that one of her characters, described as a man of few words, ends up talking like one of those stereotypical Native Americans they used to show in old Westerns.

I think Ms. England clearly has potential. But I can’t recommend this book. I am however being slightly generous with the grades because I was kind of tempted to see where else she takes this series.

Grade: D+

     Summary:

     The Mylari Chronicles Book 1

     An ancient prophecy comes to life in an erotic tale of forbidden love.

     Talia’s visit home turns upside down when dark, frightening creatures appear seemingly from nowhere and transport her to another world. The faerie world. In this mystical paradise, she finds her life and honor threatened for reasons she does not understand.

     When Calion Sáralondë, Prince of the Calen’taur Elves, rescues the human female from an orcan stronghold, his attraction to her is immediate and strong. And the feeling is mutual. Though their love is sardai—taboo—Calion can’t bring himself to send her back to her world. Her presence sets a fire in his soul only mating with her can tame.

     And their passion could be the answer to an ancient prophecy that saves his world.

     This book has been previously published and has been revised and expanded from its original release.

     Warning, this title contains: Scorching Hot Explicit Sex Scenes, Forced Submission, Adult Language, Violence and Interspecies/World Sexual Situations

     Read an excerpt.

Shannon C.’s review of The Master: Sons of Destiny, Book 3 by Jean Johnson
Fantasy romance released by Berkeley Sensation 4 Sep 07

I absolutely love the Sons of Destiny series. I’ve tried to analyze exactly why this is so that I can write a more coherent review than one that simply says, “OMG read this boook! Now!” So far I haven’t figured out exactly what it is I love so much about the series except that it works.

You can read my reviews for the first two books in the series here and here.

The third book brings us back to Dominor, the third of the eight exiled Sons of Destiny, who’s been kidnapped by Mandarites. The Mandarites believe in the inherent superiority of men, and are trying to convert Dominor, who is, after all, a male mage, to their way of thinking. But they don’t get too far before the ship on which they’re sailing is captured by a Natallian warship. The Natallians, we find out, are engaged in a civil war against the Mandarites, because Natallian magic is passed on through the female line, thus causing issues. Anyway, Dominor is captured with the rest of the Mandarites and sold into slavery where he is purchased by Serina, guardian of the magical font of Coral-Tae. Serina needs Dom’s help to enact a ritual that will bring balance to the power between the genders and thus end the war.

I absolutely adored Serina, mostly because she was a pleasant surprise from what I was actually expecting. Given what we know of Dominor from previous books, I assumed that his and Serina’s courtship would involve a lot of shouting, foot-stomping, and then hot angry sex. But while Serina is the equal to the competitive Dominor, and has a strong will, she isn’t feisty, thank the gods. I in fact loved that she was an intelligent, if scatterbrained woman who really did need someone to take care of her. I liked her a lot, and I admire Johnson for writing a very different woman from the loud, opinionated Kelly and the gentle Alys in Serina.

I warmed up to Dominor as well. It turns out that behind his arrogance there is a man who really wants to be important to somebody. When he realizes that someone is Serina, he does everything he can to ensure that she needs him as much as he needs her.

The romance between them works well, for the most part. Given that Dominor and Serina aren’t on Nightfall, there is blessed relief from the rest of the family clammoring for attention. The only problem I really had was a big misunderstanding that would have been resolved pretty easily had Serina not had a really stupid moment. But given that Dominor says as much to her when it’s resolved, I can’t really bring myself to subtract any points from the book.

The plot moves along at a good pace, and I pretty much read the book in one sitting, which is a rare treat when it happens. I wasn’t sure how everything was going to resolve itself in the end, which is something I haven’t always been able to say about the books I’ve read lately, so it’s a nice treat when that actually happens.

Unfortunately, this book isn’t perfect. I wish the world-building was a little tighter. Sometimes it really does seem to me that the people in this world are pretty much modern Americans in funky clothes, especially when they start espousing liberal values and beliefs, which in itself isn’t a bad thing but seems kind of inconsistent at times with the rest of what is presented. There’s a lot of potential for some really cool stuff–I’m especially intrigued by the mention of the Moonlands–but the world-building in other places is particularly sketchy, with things just kind of happening with no real explanation of why they do. And some of the characterization feels a bit forced. A boisterous, loving family like the Nightfall brothers, who are all perfectly content to matchmake their own siblings in a way that I’m pretty sure most *real* men wouldn’t, ought to notice that Rydan, the most mysterious and aloof of the brothers, gets disturbed by strong emotions. And these men and their mates aren’t generally stupid, so I really want to grab someone and shake them and shout, “He’s a freaking empath you idiots!”

The sequel-baiting here was pretty obvious. We know pretty much from the start who Evanor, my favorite of the brothers and the hero of the fourth book, will have as his mate. I was a bit skeptical of that particular pairing, but I have to admit the first scene between Evanor and his heroine was very cute in a way that I thoroughly enjoy.

As I said, I love this series, and I don’t know many people in romancelandia who are reading it. It is definitely a series I highly recommend.

Grade: A-

     Summary:

     Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day-they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting their destiny, the brothers are exiled to the Isle of Nightfall, where women are forbidden. But when the abducted third-born brother is taken by a powerful and beautiful mage, he wonders if she is his own Prophesied Disaster, his foretold wife-to-be.

     Kidnapped from the Isle of Nightfall, taken captive by slavers, Dominor is sold to a lovely mage, who promises freedom. But Lady Serina has plans for him; she needs another powerful mage to re-enact a mating ritual, to help reverse a Tantric spell cast centuries ago. Agreeing to help her, Dominor doesn’t suspect the secret she holds back from him: there is more to this magical mating than the Arithmancer has revealed.

     Once the ritual is complete, he will be returned to Nightfall. But when that secret finally shatters, baring the truth behind the misunderstandings now separating them, Dominor is determined to retake possession of the woman who is his Destiny.

     Read an excerpt.

Shannon C.’s review of Gentle Warrior by Sedonia Guillone
Fantasy Romance eBook released by Ellora’s Cave 16 Apr 08

Well, it turns out that the art of writing extremely overwrought prose in romance novels is alive and well in this book. I’m not really sure whether this is cause for celebration or not. I suppose it depends on the day that you ask me about it.

Aside from the overwrought prose, Sedonia Guillone’s A Gentle Warrior isn’t a bad story. It starts out with an interesting premise–Ariana, Queen Maya’s favorite bed slave, is accidentally at the scene of the crime, as it were, when her queen is poisoned. She runs for her life, and is rescued by Karan, the queen’s former general, who has been haunting the forests and hoping for the day he could rescue his daughter.

I’ve mentioned before that short stories don’t really do it for me. This one is billed as a novel, but it’s really not, so I don’t know that I have very much to say about either the characters or the plot. The characters are a bit flat, the romance comes too fast and wasn’t terribly believable, and there were gaping plot holes throughout.

Still, this book isn’t without its charm. The flowery, overwrought prose seemed pretty appropriate given the setting, and I also liked that there were hints of f/f stuff that went on before the story between Ariana and the queen.

I think I’d have liked this a lot better had there been more of a story. As it is, this is a quick and fluffy read.

Grade: C+

     The warrior Karan was the Pierran queen’s prized general until a hideous betrayal left him an outcast, whipped and branded, his family destroyed. When Ariana, the queen’s favorite slave, is framed for murdering her mistress, Ariana escapes a brutal punishment only to be captured by the very man Queen Maya had exiled.

     Ariana recognizes the good heart beating in Karan’s broad chest. Her faith in him and her enchantment with his physical beauty prove as irresistible to Karan as the comfort she offers him. He succumbs to her erotic charms in spite of the walls he’s built around himself.

     However, the palace holds something extremely precious to Karan, the reason he’s remained nearby. Desperate to begin a new life with the man she loves, Ariana risks her life to return to the palace.

     You can read an excerpt here.

BevQB’s review of Fairy Dust by Tielle St. Clare
Erotic fantasy ebook released by Ellora’s Cave 2 Apr 08

So what happens when a Fairy Godmother wants to give even HAPPIER Ever Afters? When she decides that the story shouldn’t END with a kiss, but rather that a kiss should be just the first step to a Horny Ever After?

Fairy Godmother Marlena decides to do a bit of tweaking to the standard issue HEA Fairy Dust and pretty soon the characters in well known Fairy Tales are humpin’ like bunnies. Her boss is NOT pleased and decides the best way for Marlena to remember how she is SUPPOSED to end the stories is to insert her into the Fairy Tales and let her experience the Happily Ever After to be found in that One Perfect Kiss.

Good plan. And Marlena has every intention of following the original storylines, but somehow bits of her altered Fairy Dust make their way into each story with her. Massive quantities of smokin’ hot secksin’ ensue. And Marlena’s boss has to send his assistant scrambling to round up all the books that contain the new, x-rated versions of the stories that unfold.

This was a fairly quick read, yet I have to give kudos to St. Clare for such an entertaining and well thought out storyline. But that cover? UGH! Fairy Godtranny.

Bottom line: I recommend Fairy Dust because it was fun, light, and very, VERY hot.

Grade: B-

From Ellora’s Cave:

     When Fairy Godmother Marlena gets in trouble for including a hot sex additive to her Happily Ever After Fairy Dust, her bosses decide she’s lost touch with their mission. They announce she will become various fairy tale characters until she understands that fairy tales are about overcoming obstacles to find true love — and not about hot, wild, break the headboard sex.

     Marlena tries to follow the rules, but brief episodes with the Troll from Rumpelstiltskin and Snow White’s Handsome Prince reveal just how powerful her Fairy Dust really is. Who knew the Troll would grow so large in such interesting places? Or that the Prince had a spanking fetish?

     And when she finds herself dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and trapped between the Wolf and the Huntsman…well, what’s a girl to do? Find her own Happily Ever After, of course.

     Read an excerpt.

Read more from Bev at Cubie’s Confections.

Friday night, I was channel surfing, looking for something to have on in the background while I worked on a post. Suddenly, I came across a movie that I was starting to think existed only in the murky recesses of my fevered brain. A movie so ridiculous, so strange, I must’ve dreamed it up. It was “Legend.” Anyone seen it? An extremely young and miscast Tom Cruise, dressed like Peter Pan, frolicking in a merry woode? Unicorns, elves, goblins that look just like the Leprechaun, Ferris Bueller’s girlfriend? Constant, disturbing yelping in the background? Classic fantasy cheese.

Though we’re at no loss for 80′snostalgia, the subgenre of campy, medieval, swords-and-sorcery fantasy flicks often gets overlooked, IMHO. I mean really, how often can we talk about Heathers and John Hughes movies? [Well, pretty often, actually. I never pass up a re-airing of Sixteen Candles.] But fantasy films had just as much influence on the reader, and adult, I was to become.

There were the great ones, like Labyrinth. David Bowie, incredibly sexy despite huge hair, set my tween heart aflutter. I couldn’t understand why Jennifer Connelly didn’t stay to be his Goblin queen. And freaky muppets! Or Lady Hawke, which managed to be awesome despite the weird power rock soundtrack and odd casting of Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick. Was it just me, or was Rutger Hauer both incredibly creepy and incredibly hot?

I watched Willow about a thousand times for Val Kilmer as roguish warrior Madmartigan. Ah Val, what happened to you? I was an Iceman girl. I’ve even watched The Saint. More than once. Willow was a great flick, with adventure, romance, and a cute little baby. I saw The Princess Bride three times in the movie theatre, back when I was in the sixth grade. A slightly different animal of course, definitely tongue in cheek, but “As You Wish?” Sigh.

There were others, of course, perhaps not as memorable, but deserving of a mention. Dragonslayer had Peter MacNicol (yuck) saving virgins from a fate worse than death, that is, being eaten by a dragon or something. All I remember from Excalibur (Arthur, of course) is that I think it was the first time I saw a man’s butt onscreen. Lancelot and Guinevere were doing it in the woods. I may be wrong about that, though, I might have to double check for research purposes.

I never watched The Dark Crystal, looked too scary. Even at seven, perhaps I knew that it was just no good without man-candy. And let’s not get started on the Conan movies. Or Beastmaster. Good times, good times.

When vampires, werewolves, demons and ghosts were still way too scary, mechanical dragons, beautiful princesses, little people in costume and Celtic music were more than enough to feed my imagination. I figure that’s where I learned the value of a sweaty, well built man with long hair, brandishing a big sword. Epic struggles of good and evil, passionate romance, noble quests-it all fed my future reading tastes.

I also blame these movies for igniting an obsession with the Middle Ages, leading to FIVE years of Latin lessons, and a particularly useless Liberal Arts education. These days fantasy movies seem to be relegated to the kids. I think Peter Jackson and LOTR set the bar too high. But how I long for simpler days, when cute actors vaguely attempted British accents, wore tunics, and made out in magickal forests.

How about you? Love fantasy movies? Hate ‘em? Will the Willow fans please stand up?

(While trying to think up a title for this post, my husband suggested “Movies that make you want to kill yourself.” Agree? Disagree?)

BevQB’s review of Raine: The Lords of Satyr (Book 2) by Elizabeth Amber
Fantasy historical erotic romance released by Aphrodisia 1 Mar 08

It wasn’t until a few of you honorary duckies started quacking about how grossed out turned off you were by this book that my interest was piqued. You see, in Nicholas: The Lords of Satyr (Book 1) Raine was a bit of a prig and I wasn’t sure I was going to bother reading this book. What a mistake that would have been!

While Raine may not be for the faint of heart, for someone looking for a truly different and original erotic romance, I highly recommend this book.

This fantasy historical series set in 1820’s Italy centers around three brothers, Nicholas, Raine and Lyon, who are neither human nor fey, but Satyr/shifters who guard the passage between Elseworld and the human world. The King of the Fey is dying and confesses that he fathered daughters on three human women 20 years earlier, but they have no idea they are half fey. He commands the three Satyr brothers to find his daughters and marry them to protect them from the upheaval that will occur upon his death.

In book 1, Nicholas, we learned that the brothers grow an extra peen when in Satyr form and that their mate’s nipples glow when aroused by them. So, how does Elizabeth Amber top all that? By giving the heroine of this book a little extra sumpin’ sumpin’ of her own!

WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD (although it’s revealed at the beginning of the book).

Jordan has been raised as a boy to protect the family inheritance, but has always privately felt s/he had a female identity. Why the confusion? Jordan is a hermaphrodite. S/he has breasts and all the other female “cooter mints,” but instead of a clitoris s/he’s got herself a fully functional penis. Yep, yep, you read that right… the heroine is a chick with a dick!

And, oh, the erotic permutations with three peens and the abundance of orifices this couple possesses! Good God, what will Amber come up with for Lyons story? Can she possibly top Raine and Jordan’s story?

I’ve often said that, for a book to really work for me, I expect to meet engaging characters I’ve never met before, fresh new world building, and/or an edge-of-my-seat storyline. A book has to have at least one of those traits to rise above the thousands of other books, and this book possesses the first TWO. Totally outrageous, yet Amber pulls back and UNDER plays the character of Jordan by gaining our sympathy for her right from the beginning. We’re horrified at the callous way she is treated and soon find that we want Raine to accept her for herself and for him to be the one person who doesn’t make her feel like a freak. I enjoyed watching Jordan’s delight in being treated like a female for the first time in her life.

Although, I should warn those of you with delicate sensibilities that you might have a tough time reading the beginning chapters of this book. The medical community refers to and handles Jordan as an “it”, something less than human. And it IS cringeworthy and uncomfortable to read.

Kudos to the folks at Kensington Aphrodisia for having the cojones to let Elizabeth Amber push the envelope with this highly imaginative story. And further kudos for the Fine Art covers in this series. Yep, that’s some Fine, FINE art.

BTW, It really isn’t necessary to read Nicholas in order to read this book. Amber does an admirable job of making Raine a standalone story.

Grade: A-

From the back cover:

     The last in a fabled line of otherworldly aristocracy, the Lords of Satyr are born to wealth, power, and a talent for sensual delight that mere mortals only dream of. Commanded to marry, these passionate men will travel to Rome, Venice, and Paris—and along the way will explore desires both shamelessly wicked and blissfully divine…

     AS A LOVER, HIS SKILLS ARE LEGENDARY . . .  Middle brother Raine is both sensual and stoic. Scarred by a former wife who could not accept his carnal needs, he wants no part in another marriage. But duty commands that he fulfill his promise to wed King Feydon’s second daughter, Jordan…

     IN MATTERS OF THE HEART, HE HAS MUCH TO LEARN . . .  This loyal satyr begins a search that leads him from Tuscany to romantic Venice, where his beautiful bride awaits, unaware of what passionate delights fate has planned for her. Raine is careful not to reveal his powerful satyr sexuality, for fear of driving yet another woman away. But unbeknownst to him, Jordan is no ordinary woman and was born with an insatiable appetite for love. And as Raine’s heart begins to melt for her, how long will he be able to hide his true nature when Jordan seems to want him so fiercely?

     Read an excerpt.

Other books in the Lords of Satyr series:

Lyon, coming 29 Jul 08




Read more from Bev on her personal blog Cubie’s Confections.

Devon’s review of Serenity: Gezane Universe by D. Renee Bagby
Fantasy romance ebook released by Samhain Publishing 25 Mar 08

Warning #1: Sex and love with a blue guy with horns! Warning #2: Not a lot of sex at all, so if you’re looking for some red-hot interspecies action, you may be disappointed. However, for those who enjoy unusual settings, Serenity has much to recommend it.

The only hope for peace between two warring kingdoms is an uneasy truce cemented by a royal marriage. The kingdom of Cheslav has fought with the neighboring Bhresyas for years. They look down upon the Bhresyas as Demons, because they resemble the creatures of Judeo-Christian lore. They are bigger, stronger and faster than humans, come in every color and sport large horns. The King of these ‘Demons’, Melchior, gets the Cheslav Queen to promise her unborn daughter to him in marriage. But he gets more than he bargained for when he meets the PrincessSerenity, all grown up on her wedding day.

Serenity was an interesting character. She seems sort of Mary Sue-ish, all smiles and joy. But unlike our Sybil, all is not sweetness and light. She has immersed herself in her future husband’s culture, chiefly through her “Hell Hounds”, Bhresya assassins she spared and turned into loyal guards. Serenity has a tough side. She ain’t afraid to dole out punishment to those who deserve it. She isn’t above petty behavior, either. This made her more likeable (to me anyway). Stoic, forgiving martyrs can be so annoying. I like a girl who’s not afraid to be a bitch or have some folks’ horns broken off, if the occasion calls for it. I enjoyed her relationships with her guard, all of whom were quite distinct and well characterized.

Unfortunately, the romance with Melchior was not as good. There was chemistry, and sparks between them, but due to Melchior’s prejudice against humans, he treats Serenity like dirt. He’s a total prick for far too long. I was rooting for Serenity to run off with Chigaru, the head Hell Hound. Or run off with all the Hell Hounds and live in polyamorous bliss. She did have chemistry with Chigaru, too. When Melchior finally realized that Serenity was his true mate (meh) after all, it didn’t do it for me.

Despite my disappointment in the romance, I enjoyed Serenity. The setting was vivid, as was the cast of characters. I would be interested in reading further stories set in the Gezane Universe.

Grade: B-

Blurb:

Their uneasy alliance could lead to love—if the demon will allow it. A Gezane Universe Novel…

Melchior, King of the Bhresyas, is quickly growing tired of the war between his kind and the humans who view them as demons. He proposes a peace treaty with the most powerful human kingdom. His only stipulation? Once she comes of age, the human queen’s daughter must be his bride.

Serenity has spent her entire life preparing for her role at Melchior’s side. Other women might be frightened, but she embraces her destiny, knowing in her heart that she and Melchior have been twined together by fate.

While he wants cooperation between their two peoples, his union with Serenity cannot and should not lead to love. The more she tries to bring them together, the harder he pushes her away—until she lands in the arms of those who would do her harm. Love is the answer. But before Melchior admits to his, it may be too late.

Read an excerpt here.

Teddypig‘s review of Going Down by Ann Somerville
Gay Science Fiction & Fantasy released by Lulu (self-publishing house) on 27 Jan 08

Ann Somerville obviously loves this world she has created here in Going Down. The scope of world-building is rich and lightly foreign in feel and the characters she populates it with are familiar in some ways and fascinating in others. Paranormal gifts like empathy and telepathy are relatively common place and these gifted people populate the crowded streets in an almost ordinary fashion and their jobs in the Corps reflect a culture that has found a way to benefit from them.

[Ed.: The proceeds from the book are being donated by the author to Doctors Without Borders.]

Derzo Einan an empath, and our hero, is suffering though. He went through a traumatic event that has left him in pain and unable to function. He goes day after day abusing drugs and booze to ease his frayed nerves and numb the gift that has become a curse to him. He will eventually meet up with Troe Thalem, a man who suffers almost as greatly as he does but together they might just find the solution to their problems and the inner salvation they seek.

I would NOT consider this “Gay Romance” or “Gay Erotica” even slightly which are two of the tags that I saw on the Lulu page for this story. It is way way way too Young Adult in feel. That’s not a horrible thing in all honesty and it does not feel forced. Reading Ann Somerville’s Going Down I caught a hint of Ursula K. Le Guin peeking from amongst the cracks here and there.

I have got to ask because it kept coming up when thinking about this story… Why bother to even hint at a possible romance between the two men towards the end when you never really define them sexually for most of the book? I was fine without it really and with their situation and the emotional scars etc etc etc, and so little time left in the story for any real romantic development or for understanding how homosexuality was handled in the society they lived in, I came away finding the stronger sexual tones used at the end a little heavy handed to me. I am just saying the whole homosexual nature of this story seemed unused and unnecessary to even be commented on.

I guess others will see this as a sweet type of gay romance, which I think is more implied than actually written, but I grew up reading Young Adult, Science Fiction/Fantasy buddy stories and adding in my own spicy homosexual undertones and this is a fine example of the kind of story I thrived on.

I just wish it had more adult flavoring.

Grade: C

Blurb:

Derzo Einan wanted to help people, and for fifteen years he rescued others from fires, floods and natural disasters. But in the aftermath of a horrific event, he’s left unable to help anyone, not even himself, his gift of empathy now more of a curse and his career in tatters. Running from his demons, Einan finds refuge in a big city, discovering an underclass of helpless hopeless people even worse off than himself—and another soul as troubled and damaged as him. In saving one more person, will he find his own salvation?

Read an excerpt.

Read more from Teddypig at The Naughty Bits.

BevQB’s review of Kiss of the Highlander (The Highlander Series, Book 4) by Karen Marie Moning, narrated by Phil Gigante
Paranormal historical timetravel fantasy romance Audio Book released by Brilliance Audio on 20 Jan 08

Kiss of the Highlander in audio format is the perfect mating of story and storyteller and I can’t imagine merely reading this story from a printed page ever again. Phil Gigante brings every minute of this pure escapist fantasy story to life. Audio books, in fact most Romance books, don’t get any better than this!

WAIT! WAIT! I know you are expecting me to once again squee about the aural pleasures to be found in Phil Gigante’s eargasmic portrayal of Drustan (and, oh, I will), but there’s much more to expound on in this absolutely spell binding audio book. (btw, did ya notice the big “contest” tag? Hmmmm?)

This is the fourth audio book release in KMM’s Highlanders series and centers on Drustan MacKelter and Gwen Cassidy. Containing both paranormal and fantasy (fae) elements, Kiss is set, through time travel, in historic and modern day Scotland. This is a standalone story, so it is not necessary to be familiar with the previous books in the series to enjoy this one, but, trust me; you’re going to want them all!

Have I ever mentioned just how damn ENTERTAINING Phil G’s narration is? In fact, I really hesitate to refer to what he does as mere narration. It’s a PERFORMANCE. The voices and effects he uses for all the characters, both lead and minor, are spot on. Often, when a man attempts a woman’s voice, it comes off as mocking. However, while no one will ever mistake Phil’s voice for a woman’s, I quickly was no longer conscious that a man was voicing the female characters. Yes, he uses a higher pitched voice for women, but there’s something else there too… a softness, a vulnerability… something… that does not scream “man mocking woman”.

Unless he wants to. One of the most entertaining moments in this audio book and one that showcases Phil G’s amazing talent is when Drustan is teasing Gwen and repeating her words in her “voice” . So we’re treated to Phil as Drustan mocking Phil as Gwen using Drustan’s version of Gwen’s voice. Trust me, Phil nails it!! Just hand him next year’s Audie Award now!

When I think of The Highlanders series, Kiss of the Highlander has always been the first one to come to mind. But if, like me, you are also a fan of KMM’s brilliant Fever series, you will have a lot of fun listening for Fever clues throughout the Highlander books. Kiss is the second book with a direct link to the later series (The Hallows appear in book 3, The Highlander’s Touch), and is the first of the MacKelter books (we meet Christian MacKelter, from Bloodfever, towards the end of Kiss). It’s fascinating to revisit all the Highlander fae lore that eventually comes together to spawn the complex Fever books.

But, the most compelling reason (besides my all-time favorite Nathan Kamp cover pic) to buy this (and all the rest of the series) in audio format is what narrator Phil Gigante does for your ears— and other body parts that are directly or indirectly attached to them. Be sure to use earphones when listening to Drustan’s seduction of Gwen- Phil uses a deep vibrating growl that you can seriously feel down to your toes! I’m not ashamed to admit that listening to Phil G’s Scottish brogue has become an addiction and an obsession for me.

	Grade: A Listen to a summary of the book followed by a sample of Gigante’s narration here. And oh, what a shiver-worthy sample it is!
	Click here to sample the rest of the Highlander series audio books.Book 5, The Dark Highlander, will be released 20 March 2008, followed by book 6, The Immortal Highlander, in May 2008. I highly recommend that books 5 and 6 be read/listened to in order AFTER this 4th book, Kiss of the Highlander. Go. Buy. Or borrow from your library. Audio books don’t get any better than these!

CONTEST!!

It’s no secret that everyone here at TGTBTU is unashamedly a fan of the Romance genre. Plus – we love nothing more than to share our love of the genre with anyone and everyone. So, I’ve decide to put my money where my mouth is.

I so love this audio book that I want to SHARE IT WITH ONE LUCKY DUCK AND WILL HAVE IT SHIPPED DIRECTLY TO YOU FROM AMAZON. Just comment on this post for a chance to win one copy of the unabridged KISS OF THE HIGHLANDER CDs.

One entry per IP address, U.S. residents only (sorry non-US folks).  The winner will be selected from comments made before midnight tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 March, according to the blog timestamp (we’re US Central timezone).

And, if you end up listening to Kiss of the Highlander, PLEASE let me know what you thought of it.

Read more from Bev at Cubie’s Confections.