C2’s review of Canyons of Night (Harmony Series, Book 8; Looking Glass Trilogy, Book 3; Arcane Society, Book 12) by Jayne Castle
Paranormal Romance published by Jove 30 Aug 11

It’s time to return to Harmony – home to cities of glowing green crystal spires and renegade energy “ghosts,” both left over from an ancient mysterious alien civilization.  This time we leave the cities behind and head out to Rainshadow Island.  A haven for those looking for a more secluded, quiet lifestyle, it was also a haven for pirates and smugglers. Rainshadow has its own secrets – including a mysterious Preserve, controlled by a secretive Foundation and protected by psychic fencing.  It is also home to people with some interesting abilities (something about Harmony encourages the development of psychic talents) and some unusual creatures – specter cats and dust bunnies, for example. Who doesn’t love dust bunnies?

Charlotte Enright grew up spending summers on Rainshadow Island with her aunt.  Charlotte has recently returned to the island because she inherited Aunt Beatrix’s antique shop. Since Charlotte has her own shop in the city, it’s a pretty easy decision.  The city isn’t so far away by ferry and she always enjoyed her time on Rainshadow.  Soon after she re-locates, a familiar face arrives.

Slade Attridge briefly lived on Rainshadow Island when he was in his teens.  He and Charlotte really had only one encounter, but it was memorable – he rescued her from some bullies and gave her a quick look into the Preserve.  Soon after he left to join the FBPI (the Federal Bureau of Psi Investigation) and remained there until an accident. Slade was injured during an investigation. After learning that he might never completely recover, Slade decided he would open a private investigation firm.  First, however, he needs some time and extra money to put things into place.  When a friend mentions Rainshadow needs a new sheriff, Slade takes the job.   And brings along his assistant, a dust bunny named Rex.

Charlotte and Slade both recognize the chemistry they have together. Even his plan to leave after a few months can’t keep them apart.  Soon, though, strange occurrences and mysterious deaths make Slade realize there are things happening on Rainshadow Island that can only be a result of some powerful and dangerous Talents.  Someone is looking for something and will stop at nothing to get it.  But what is it?  Who wants it and why?  Does it have something to do with Charlotte?  Is it connected to the stirring Slade senses in the Preserve?  Could it have anything to do with the season’s abundance of zucchini bread?

Some background for those new to Harmony: Psychically gifted people left Earth looking for somewhere where they wouldn’t have to hide their abilities.  They found Harmony and began settling the planet.  Then something happened that cut them off from Earth – they were unable to get back home – and conditions on Harmony stopped the Earth-manufactured machines they brought along from working properly, so they had to find new ways to survive.  At the same time, psychic talents were becoming stronger and more widespread.  Now Harmony functions on about the same technological level we do. So, even though the book is set in the future, it doesn’t have a super futuristic feel to it.

This is the second time Jayne Ann Krentz (aka Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle) has tied stories together across genres and pen-names.  The stories written as Amanda Quick also tie to her historical series; the stories written as JAK tie to her contemporary series; the Jayne Castle book ties to her other Harmony-based stories.

I’ll admit I haven’t read either of the connected books.  *hangs head in shame*  I’ve never really gotten into the stories she writes under her other pseudonyms, but I’ve always enjoyed her Harmony series.  So I can say with authority that this book stands alone quite nicely.  There are bits of info dropped in that I’m sure would have had greater significance if I had read the connected books, but everything is explained to my satisfaction. I will say that there is a little too much of a “I’m-setting-up-my-new-series” feel in places, but not so much that it became annoying…just noticeable.

Grade: B-

Summary:

The island of Rainshadow is home to the mysterious, privately-owned woods known only as the Preserve. Now, after fifteen years away, both Charlotte Enright and her teen crush, Slade Attridge, have returned. But will their psi talents and Slade’s dust bunny companion be enough to keep them from getting drawn into the darkness at the heart of the Preserve?

No excerpt available.

Other Looking Glass series books:

Other Harmony series books:

Other Arcane Society series books:

Gwen’s review of Indulgence in Death by  J.D. Robb
Futuristic thriller hardcover released by Putnam Adult 2 Nov 10

By now, more than 20 books into the series, fans are pretty familiar with the characters. So it’s time to explore new territory in this modern New York City and its favorite cop.  Well, no.  Actually this book explores no new territory.  Read on to see what I thought…

Robb/Roberts is undoubtedly an excellent writer. This is a terrific book – a very good thriller with some very tense moments.  I think it gives a more in depth look into Eve Dallas as an investigator than any of the previous books.  As per usual Roarke plays a hot, Irish second fiddle to his wife, Eve. All is well with the world and Eve gets her man.

And. Well.  That’s all I could think of to say.  No new ground is broken in this book.  It’s just good reading.

If you’re an Eve Dallas fan, you’ll like it.  If you’ve not read any of the In Death books before this one it may not give you much insight into the characters, but it is a good thriller and you don’t need to have read any of the previous to enjoy the writing.

I really don’t mean to damn with faint praise. I do so very much enjoy the In Death books and want to have Roarke’s babies (though I think Eve and Roarke are getting closer to doing that themselves). It’s just that that’s all there really is to say about the book.

Grade: A

Read other reviews and information for this series here.

Summary:

First it was a limo driver shot through the neck with a crossbow. Then it was a high-priced escort found stabbed through the heart with a bayonet.

Random hits, thrill kills, murderers with a taste for the finer things in life-and death-are making NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas angry. And an angry Eve can be just as an efficient and dangerous predator as the killer.

As time runs out on another innocent victim’s life, Eve’s investigation will take her into the rarefied circle that her husband, Roarke, travels in-and into the perverted heart of madness…

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Naked in Death, Jul 1995
Glory in Death, Dec 1995
Immortal in Death, Jul 1996
Rapture in Death, Oct 1996
Ceremony in Death, May 1997
Vengeance in Death, Oct 1997
Holiday in Death, Jun 1998
“Midnight in Death,” Silent Night, Nov 1998 (anthology)
Conspiracy in Death, Apr 1999
Loyalty in Death, Oct 1999
Witness in Death, Mar 2000
Judgment in Death, Sep 2000
Betrayal in Death, Mar 2001
“Interlude in Death,” Out of This World, Aug 2001 (anthology)
Seduction in Death, Sep 2001
Reunion in Death, Mar 2002
Purity in Death, Sep 2002
Portrait in Death, Mar 2003
Imitation in Death, Sep 2003
Divided in Death, Jan 2004
Remember When, May 2004 (novella)
Visions in Death, Aug 2004
Survivor in Death, Feb 2005
Origin in Death, Jul 2005
Memory in Death, Jan 2006
“Haunted in Death,” Bump in the Night, Apr 2006 (anthology)
Born in Death, Nov 2006
Innocent in Death, Feb 2007
Creation in Death, Nov 2007
“Eternity in Death,” Dead of Night, Nov 2007 (anthology)
Strangers in Death, Feb 2008
Salvation in Death, Nov 2008
“Ritual in Death,” Suite 606, Nov 2008 (anthology)
Promises in Death, Feb 2009
Kindred in Death, Nov 2009
“Missing in Death,” The Lost, Dec 2009 (anthology)
Fantasy in Death, Feb 2010
Big Jack, Mar 2010 (novella)

Devon’s review of Future Found (The Singer Series, Book 1) by Mima
Futuristic Erotic Romance Novella ebook released by Samhain 1 Nov 08

I’d better admit up front that when reading the blurb I zeroed in on two phrases: “cybernetic elites”and “he has always loved her from afar.” Technologically enhanced male + slightly obsessed but hopefully not stalkerish=Yes, please! I’ll take it. Then I took a second look, and Tree singer? Shay-non? Tree chi? Mima? Was this really good idea? Given its shorter length, Future Found actually packs quite a bit in, and a lot of it, I liked. Other aspects I found confusing and/or silly. Let’s take a closer look shall we?

This is what I gleaned about the future as it is written in this book. At some point there was a Cataclysm of some sort which had devastating consequences for humanity and the planet. In order to survive and rebuild, humans had to rely heavily on technology, eventually developing an elite ruling class who can survive cybernetic augmentation. Their augmentations help them do all sorts of things. There is also another class, the tree singers, who have an affinity with what little natural resources are left. They use their talents to coax life out of the trees. There are also plain old humans, or nulls, but we don’t find out much about them.

Shay-non (or Shay) is the best tree singer around. She really doesn’t like the Elites, but since they control the trees, she has to work with them. She shows up at Elite Sandor’s compound to sing to his oak, but he tricks her into 24 hours of sex. It has something to do with the fact that sex between tree singers and Elites somehow strengthens their respective chi. Sandor has had his eye on Shay for quite some time, as the key to a bigger plan for bringing faith back to the people. He’s also fallen in love with her, although it is not quite as clear as the blurb would have you believe.

I liked Sandor a lot. He was a strong, talented and thoughtful individual. Shay was a bit of a bitch, but she grew on me. Their romance worked too. I believed in their feelings, despite the brief time frame. However, I found some of the writing and concepts hard to follow. Some of the sex scenes were great, others I had to re-read several times to figure out exactly what was going on.

Sandor’s big plan regarding his tree, as well as how it came to be in his possession, was revealed slowly. It involved his two best buddies and seemed kinda confusing and silly to me, like when they were jerking off on the tree and stuff. Maybe it’s just me. There were definitely some themes going with faith, the environment and life, but it comes down to a six-way in front of a tree. Huh. Huh?

There is an open ending, and I assume this is the first of three connected stories as Sandor finds his friends their partners for the big tree ceremony. I liked the main characters, the romance, and the basics of the setting. Unfortunately, some of the other stuff escaped me. Perhaps a longer length would’ve worked better? I’d love to hear from some one else about Future Found. Although there were issues, I think it may be of interest to fans of the futuristic.

Grade: C+

The Summary:

Tending the Spirit has never been so sexy.

A Claimed story

As a tree singer, it is Shay-non’s duty—and pleasure—to tend the chi of the few remaining trees left after the Cataclysm. Even if it means enduring the life-sucking presence of the greedy cybernetic elites who own them.

But the moment she steps into Elite Sandor’s compound, he throws her world into disarray. Instantly, she finds herself tricked into twenty-four hours as his sexual “guest”, an infuriating prospect. Then he lets her see, but not touch, the magnificent oak in his possession. An oak that shouldn’t exist. For one moment with the tree, she’ll do anything—even submit to Sandor’s attentions.

Sand has waited years for Shay’s unmet sexual needs to weaken her defenses enough to make his move. The time is ripe to begin a spiritual revolution, plus convince the lovely singer he has always loved her from afar—all in one day’s time. A daunting task, especially since her earthy sexuality has him making all sorts of deviations from his plan.

Now that he has her captive, he can only pray. That she’ll agree to help him defy the Council and raise an illegal forest temple.

And that she’ll see past his sensual blackmail into his heart.

Warning: This book includes brief references to m/m and ménage relationships. Some readers may be disturbed by references to a death during sex. There’s also sex involving a tree that will forever make you smile when you hear the term “tree-hugger”.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Hostage to Pleasure (Psy-Changelings, Book 5) by Nalini Singh
Futuristic Paranormal Romance released by Berkley 2 Sep 08

From the beginning of this series, Dorian has been my favorite character, so this is the book I’ve anticipated the most.  After waiting so long — I always wanted it to be next after each previous book was released! — I feared that I had let my imagination spin so out of control about his storyline that I could very well be disappointed once I read it.  Thank god Ms. Singh has more imagination that most of us daydreamers will ever be able to touch.

Although I felt for Dorian, of course, for the emotional upheaval of losing his sister in such a horrible and monstrous way, it’s always been his latency, his inability to shift, that has drawn me to him.  Due to his inability, he’s always strived to be the best at whatever he does and he’s definitely a lethal predator with his feral instincts, martial arts, and sniper cool.

In this book we see the clawing and biting of his leopard wanting to shift, to claim its mate, and we see the pain that causes him, along with the guilt that has hit him when he realizes his attraction to Ashaya Aleine, an M-Psy who has defected from her people but refuses to break Silence.  Since he has vowed to destroy the Psy who allowed his sister to be murdered, it’s difficult for Dorian to reconcile his feelings for Ashaya.

Even though in the beginning he tries to deny his growing feelings for Ashaya, we see the gradual lessening of his antagonism and his acceptance of her in his life.  It’s fascinating to watch him tear down her defenses one by one and so very slowly and charmingly with the devastating combination of man and cat.

Ashaya comes into the picture with a lot of secrets and just as much pain in her life as Dorian.  The twists in this book keep jumping out at you at every turn. She’s determined to bring the Council and their schemes down while keeping herself and her son safe, a son who has already bonded with Dorian.  I really enjoyed how Ashaya’s trust in Dorian grows every time he accepts one of her secrets and still stands by her.  Of course, he plays with her just as much as he protects her and gets irritated with her when her secrets do come out.  She delights in the sensation of touch, the sensation of family, which is everything to Dorian.

There are plenty of tense moments to keep you engrossed to the exclusion of anything and everything else.  The honesty and integrity these characters give to one another is simply a joy to read.  No lying, no mis-communication but still plenty of conflict to keep it all interesting.

We also get to enjoy previous characters along the way.  The interaction among them all does give a sense of community and family, whether it’s in fun, in anger, or in helpfulness and gratitude.  The acceptance of each new mate into that family and their own net mind is a pleasure to read.  and, of course, there’s also the recurring Psy characters, and as interesting as they are, I want to scream at every evil act they concoct.  I have such fun in the way Ms. Singh describes Dorian’s feline characteristics, how his leopard purrs or growls, his sleekness and gracefulness, and especially his playfulness.

My only disappointment, which I’m hoping will be taken of in the next book, Branded by Fire, out in July 2009, is the Pack’s reaction to Dorian’s miracle.  But the fact he got his miracle is really enough for me.

Grade: A+

Read Gwen’s, Devon’s, and Lime’s reviews.  Read all sorts of information by following the Psy-Changeling series tag.

Summary:

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy–cool, calm, emotionless…at least on the surface. Inside, she’s fighting a desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the lethal danger of a sniper’s embrace.

DarkRiver sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard lives within. And that leopard’s rage at the brutal loss is a clawing darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been on Dorian’s agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Gwen’s review of Hostage to Pleasure (Psy-Changelings, Book 5) by Nalini Singh
Futuristic paranormal romance released by Berkley 2 Sep 08

I’m convinced that Nalini Singh is a visitor from another world and is recounting a history to us, not speculative fiction. Her stories are so REAL and the characters completely believable. I think this was the best Psy-Changeling book I’ve read yet.

Dorian, DarkRiver sentinel and sniper, encounters Ashaya in the last book of the series, Mine to Possess. They have an unusual reaction to each other in that meeting – one that perplexes both of them. In HtP, we get a very satisfying resolution to that encounter.

Our hero and heroine in HtP are very real characters. I think I “connected” more with Dorian than I have any of Singh’s other heroes. I liked his approach to his world. Because Dorian cannot shift into his beast (he’s a “latent”), he overcompensates by being the best at everything else. I really respect this philosophy and enjoyed reading it. And this is one of the very appealing things about all of Singh’s characters – none of them are “perfect”. Sure they’re pretty, sure they’re super-human, but none are perfect. I love that.

The emotional development in this story was perfectly paced. I never had the “oh will you get on with it already” moment. The hero and heroine are attracted to each other and act on it like adults. I loved the moment when Dorian finally admitted it was something more than simple attraction. I loved Ashaya’s angst at falling in love with Dorian. Ashaya had lived a lie so long about Silence, that it was wonderful to see her finally be able to let go and feel. And her love for her son was so wonderful.

The story arcs were all very satisfying and we’re never left wondering “how the hell did that happen”. And we have a new group of villains to love to hate – humans.

I suppose I should simply admit to myself that I am now, if I wasn’t before, an unabashed Nalini Singh Fangirl. Her books are full of hot sex, wonderful emotion, terrific characters, and really interesting plots. Plus she seems to be an all-around nice person. If you’re a paranormal fan or just a Singh fan, you do not want to miss this book.

We get to read a standalone Psy-Changeling novella in the upcoming The Magical Christmas Cat anthology (Oct 2008), “Stroke of Enticement”. It will be a terrific opportunity for those of you who aren’t sure if you want to start this series to get your feet wet. (And can you say “Squuuueeeeeee!!” at this author line up in this anthology?? Lora Leigh, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Linda Winstead Jones!) And Mercy’s book will be coming soon – I hope sometime early 2009, but no date has been posted.

So now go get Hostage to Pleasure! You won’t be disappointed!

Grade: A

Summary (fair warning: includes spoiler for Mine to Possess):

With her darkly seductive Psy/Changeling world, Nalini Singh has created “a sensual, dangerous adventure not to be missed” (New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh). Now, as the deadly Psy Council tightens its grip, a rebel Psy scientist finds herself at the mercy of a changeling who has sworn vengeance against her kind…

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy–cool, calm, emotionless…at least on the surface. Inside, she’s fighting a desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the lethal danger of a sniper’s embrace.

DarkRiver sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard lives within. And that leopard’s rage at the brutal loss is a clawing darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been on Dorian’s agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules…

Read an excerpt (scroll down).

Other books in the series:

Devon’s review of Compromised by Nathalie Gray
Futuristic erotic romance eBook released by Red Sage 1 May 08

When will I ever learn to pay more attention to detail? I enjoy a good futuristic/Sci-Fi romance now and then, and Nathalie Gray’s books looked like they would fit the bill. I was intrigued by the descriptions of kick ass heroines, and harsh futuristic settings. So when Compromised came up for review, I jumped on it. When I opened it up to read, I was dismayed to see that it was a novella. Novellas tend not to work for me, especially erotic romance ones. But it sounded good, and I like reunited lovers stories, so I pressed on.

Compromised is the story of Jojo DaSilva, a soldier whose latest mission is to rescue an undercover operative from the clutches of some very nasty aliens. The operation goes horribly awry, and Jojo is faced with a tough decision: abort the mission and leave the prisoner behind, or go against orders and get him out. When she finds out that the prisoner is her ex-lover Mathias Horsen, the decision is made for her.

Compromised was okay. My issues with it were the same issues I always have with erotic romance, particularly of the paranormal/futuristic kind. There’s just not enough length to get a strong feel for the world, the characters, and the romance, and I’m left feeling unsatisfied. Unlike the hero and heroine, who barely wait to make their escape to get to some heavy duty sexin’. The sex scenes were pretty hot and well-written, but I had to stifle a giggle when Mat pops a boner even though he’s strapped in a torture chamber. One would think it might take a moment to recover, but I guess he was real happy to see his ex.

Of the two, Jojo was the more interesting character. I think I got to know her character better, because more time was spent on her at the beginning. Mat was more of a cipher. His overriding characteristics seemed to be his Scandinavian hotness, his sexual prowess, and the fact that he’s really into Jojo. The futuristic setting was interesting at first, but then merely served as a backdrop for the sex scenes. The ending was a bit abrupt as well.

Nathalie Gray’s writing style is good. The story flowed well, and I liked her heroine. I would definitely try her again, but in a longer format, where there could be more plot and character development. If you’re looking for something short and hot, this definitely fits the bill, but if you’re interested in a stronger sci-fi element, this will probably disappoint.

Grade: C

The Summary:

Jojo Da Silva always gets her man.

She’s been an elite extraction team member long enough to know second-guessing can kill you. Get in, secure the target, then get out. Anything in the way is to be shot, blasted or destroyed. Especially those vicious Elfs, Exoskeletal Humanoid Life Forms with a mean streak that seems to grow wider in torture chambers during interrogations. No human has ever survived an Elf interrogation. Never.

Jojo knows this time she has to get her man before the Elfs discover his true identity and interrogate him. He’s been undercover on their trading station, so deep undercover that even she doesn’t know his identity. All she knows is the yellow dot on her wristband monitor that shows his location.

But when her target turns out to be her tough, daring, disappearing ex, a man as handsome as he was shrewd, one gifted with amazingly skilled hands and an even more wicked mouth, Jojo can’t seem to follow orders as usual. Abandon the compromised mission? No way! She has two hours, and Jojo won’t let Mathias die. He disappeared from her life, and she’s missed his loving ever since. She won’t let him slip away again.

Because Jojo always gets her man, and this time, it’s personal.

Read an excerpt here (scroll down)

Devon’s review of The Bond That Heals Us by Christine D’Abo
Futuristic Romance released by Ellora’s Cave 7 May 08

Every once in awhile, when I’m feeling a bit sick of the same old, same old, I like to sink my teeth into a SciFi/futuristic romance. Futuristic romances present a similar challenge to paranormal: that of creating a coherent, consistent alternate universe in addition to a believable love story. Authors have to avoid the dreaded info dump, while weaving the details of their world, so that it’s not all meaningless jargon and faux technological mumbo-jumbo. On the other hand, you don’t want to give too little detail, because then the reader has too many questions, and can’t get involved in the story.

Well, this reader anyway. A quick look at Christine D’Abo’s website shows that she released a book in 2007 called The Bond That Ties Us. I’m guessing that you really, really need to read that book to get the most out of this one. Otherwise, you’re a bit lost. For example, the heroine, Sara, a doctor on the Eurus colony made up of humans and the Briel. What are the Briel? Space aliens, I guess. We know they are tall, and can communicate telepathically with their mates, but that’s all. For that matter, what’s the purpose of the colony? Why/how does it exist? There’s a large mine on the colony, which figures strongly into part of the story. But we don’t know why the mine is there or what they’re mining. Knowing these sorts of details makes the story hang together better.

Davin Jagt, a Raqulian pilot, crash lands on Eurus and needs assistance to get his ship going. In the meantime, he and Sara find they’ve got some explosive chemistry. Davin and Sara were likeable (though I liked Davin better), and I thought that their numerous sex scenes moved the relationship along. Davin is hiding a secret regarding some abilities that he has. I would have liked it to be revealed a bit more quickly, because my interest started flagging. Since this is an EC, Davin’s powers are somehow tied up with sexual arousal, which led to one truly eye-rolling scene where Davin’s trying to save a man’s life while saying “Tell me what you’re doing” to Sara, who is getting herself off. A time and a place, folks.

While one doesn’t want to be bogged down in exposition when looking for some light reading, some detail is necessary to make us care about the world, the people and the plot. Otherwise, space is just a backdrop for sex. If you enjoy futuristics, and are interested in The Bond That Heals Us, I’d suggest you read The Bond that Ties Us first. I would imagine it would shed greater light onto some of the places, species and events mentioned here.

Grade: C

The Summary:
Sara has been so busy saving the lives of others, her own life has passed her by. But when a mysterious alien captain crash lands his ship on the Eurus colony, Sara feels an unexplained attraction to him and decides to throw herself into an unexpected love affair.

The last thing Davin wants is to walk into a relationship with anyone, let alone a feisty human doctor. But when he is forced to stay on the colony, Davin can’t help but be drawn to Sara’s strength and spirit. As long as he can hide the true nature of his healing abilities from her, everything will be fine.

They tumble headlong into a fiery sexual relationship, drawing closer until events threaten to push them apart permanently. When a group of miners on the planet begins to exhibit unusual behavior, Davin must put his fears aside and work with Sara to save their lives. If he can’t open up to her, all may be lost.
Read an excerpt here

Devon’s review of Moonstruck by Susan Grant
SciFi/Futuristic Romance released by HQN 1 Jun 08

SciFi/Futuristic Romance tends to be hit or miss for me. And lately it’s been all miss. That’s why I was I was nicely surprised by Moonstruck, the first in Susan Grant’s new Borderlands series. It is sure to be enjoyed by readers who like a bit of Space Opera, and readers who like a kick ass heroine.

Moonstruck takes place just after the end of a very long war between the Coalition and the Drakken Horde. In order to promote peace, the newly established Triad government (Coalition/Horde/the Shrine of Earth) wants to put together a new flagship with a crew made up of the three groups. Coalition Admiral Brit Bandar is assigned to helm the ship, called the Unity. Unfortunately, her second in command is Finn Rorkken, a Drakken pirate turned military officer. Brit really, really hates the Drakken. She has spent half her life trying to exterminate them. Will she be able to work with them, particularly the charming and sexy Rorkken?

I enjoyed the world set up in this book and the motley crew aboard the Unity. The three different groups were very distinct. The Coalition are the “civilized” ones, reliant on reason and technology. The Drakken Horde are chaotic, violent, desperate to survive. They’re the most interesting. Earth, a recently rediscovered backwater planet, is represented by a knucklehead called Tango, whose idea of showing Earth culture to the others revolves around Rubik’s Cubes, Disco Balls, and the DVD of “The Devil Wears Prada”. Oh well, perhaps he’ll grow up a bit.

Brit and Finn had great chemistry. Brit was a very interesting heroine-a cold military leader, motivated by pure vengeance. She had the potential to be a shrill ballbreaker, but never fulfilled it (Thank goodness). She was able to be fair and listen to others, despite her overwhelming prejudice. Her inner struggle was palpable as she fought her attraction to Finn, and she had good reason to hate his people. I felt for her. Finn was a good foil for Brit, rough around the edges, intelligent, strong.

Finn wants his people to prove themselves to the Coalition, to show they aren’t barbarians. As he falls for Brit, he starts to smooth his rough Drakken edges to fit in (and appeal to her more). This made him less interesting to me, as his character arc seemed to revolve around pleasing Brit. Brit changed over the course of the book as well, but she still seemed the same at the core. It’s unusual to read a romance where the hero kind of fades next to the heroine, rather than the other way around. This didn’t bother me as much as it might, because Finn did start off really interesting, and I was very involved in their romance by the time he got boring.

The plot was interesting, and not hard to follow. Sometimes the technology and “space jargon” (as I call it) in this type of book come off a little ridiculous and nonsensical. You know, the random oaths and words (frikken, frakken, flooping). Here, things were consistent and I was able to understand everything in the context. I was pleased by the absence of random, meaningless apostrophes as well. There was a pretty big cast of characters, but I was able to keep them all in order. I am looking forward to more more of the Unity’s adventures, and I want Bolivarr and Hadley’s book now. Moonstruck is a fun read for those who enjoy love in space.

Grade: B+

The Summary:
PEACE IS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.

And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar is one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn’t sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord has made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second-in command on her starship – and through some grand cosmic irony – front and center in her thoughts…and her heart.

WARLEADER. PIRATE.

Either title sat easily on Finn’s battle-hardened shoulders. Though second-in-command to “Stone-Heart” Bandar? That would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war, so he’d comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy’s tentative truce turned into all out war?
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).

Gwen’s review of Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, and Virginia Kantra
Paranormal romance anthology released by Berkley Sensation on 4 Mar 08

This anthology focuses on, you guessed it, shapeshifters and their loves.  And can I say that this is a tremendous collection of authors?  LOVED the book.  Well.  Mostly…

Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight
Sci-Fi romance

Summary: Interstellar empress Zarifa Lorezo desperately needs protection against the royal assassins who are out for her blood. She decides to buy a bodyguard — a powerful werewolf slave named Rance “Mad Dog” Conlan. She soon realizes that despite his slave collar, Rance is a very dangerous man — and not just because he can turn into a seven-foot wolf. Read an excerpt.

I liked this little story by Angela Knight.  According to her site, it is in a different world than her Mageverse and other stories.  I didn’t quite believe the sexual tension between the H/H at first, but that probably had more to do with the brevity of the story than anything else.  Of all the things edited out, I would think emotional buildup between two strangers is the most likely.  I enjoyed the details given this new world, but felt that less is more – not all of the names of materials and the like are needed.  Good, but not great story.

Grade: B-

A Jaguar’s Kiss by Lora Leigh
Futuristic paranormal romance, Book 15 in The Breeds series (by chronology, not release)

Summary: Jaguar breed Saban Broussard has a job to do. His assignment? To protect the first teacher chosen to teach breed children. And protecting Natalie Ricci is exactly what he’ll do. With just one kiss and his touch, the mating phenomena begins that will tie her to him forever. Unless her ex-husband manages to get them both killed.  Read an excerpt.

Have I told you lately how much I love Lora Leigh?  Well, I love Lora Leigh.  If I ever met her, I’d be star-struck.  I love her writing.  I love her characters.  I LOVE her erotic scenes.  Hey!  I just realized that this story didn’t have her trademark buttsecks!  Holy cow!  This was a good Breeds story – more novella than short story, actually.  A very likable heroine and hero, a very believable if stupid villain.  This story stands alone just fine, if you haven’t been following the Breeds series.  I was very happy to see these two work it out.  You will LOVE the scenes of when she first arrives at her new posting with Saban in tow, helping her shop.  I laughed several times and could really feel the sexual tension between them.  Good story that alone is worth buying this book.

Grade: A

Shifter’s Lady by Alyssa Day
Contemporary paranormal romance, Book 4 in the Warriors of Poseidon series

Summary: Alpha were panther Ethan is finally starting to make an edgy peace with the first Atlantean to encroach upon his territory. But will he need to make room in an even rockier terrain — his heart — when the Atlantean’s beautiful sister Marie arrives and disrupts every facet of Ethan’s well-ordered existence? Read an excerpt [you may have to sign up to the members-only section of the site to read the excerpt - it's painless and free].

This was a very fun entry in the WoP series.  I liked Ethan and somewhat liked Marie.  I don’t think we get to see enough of Marie, though.  I don’t recommend attempting this story unless you’re following the WoP series or unless you have handy the resource materials available on the author’s site.  Nice action and I was glad to not see the vampires in this story – it almost strictly dealt with shapeshifter politics, specifically the jaguars.

Grade: B

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra
Historical paranormal romance, Book 1 in the Children of the Sea series

Summary:  None available from the author’s or publisher’s site.  So I’ll make up my own.  Appears to be set in the late 1800′s to early 1900′s.  A nearly destitute young woman, reeling from being taken advantage of by a former employer and shunned by her family, sets off to the Canadian west and new opportunities.  Her steamship sinks off the coast of Scotland and she’s rescued by a Selkie.  Should she fall for this seal-man?  What about her stained reputation?  Oh my!  No excerpt available.

I just have two words for this story:  fish breath.  And thank goodness it was short.  Sorry.  It was very difficult for me to take seriously a romance with a man who can shift into a seal.  I mean – flippers, eats fish.  I just have a hard time thinking of a seal as sexy.  Wolf – sexy in a dangerous, feral sort of way.  Big cats – same thing.  Seal?  Just ain’t happnin’ for me.  The writing isn’t bad – even if I didn’t like the heroine (she’s a reluctant tramp) and didn’t believe the romance.  I doubt I’ll be reading this series.  Even the available excerpt of the next book in the series, Sea Witch, wasn’t enough to make me want it – though a female selkie I can deal with more.

Grade: D

This was a good anthology with just the one exception in the Kantra story (I really didn’t like it).  If you’re following the Breeds or Warriors of Poseidon series, I highly recommend getting this book.

Overall Grade: B

From the back cover (a summary which says absolutely nothing – pretty typical Marketing Speak):

          In this seductive anthology, four masters of paranormal romance explore the boundaries of erotic shape-shifting fantasy – and shatter them.

Something happens when the beast within is teased and tempted.  Something dangerous.  Something inescapable.  Something so irresistible no woman would want to run from it.

Whether transforming beneath the cool blue moon, prowling the night streets with feline grace and blood-red talons, or panting with pleasure, the shifters come alive to fulfill your wildest fantasies…

Gwen’s review of Dawn’s Awakening (The Breeds, Book 4) by Lora Leigh
Futuristic paranormal romance released 5 Feb 08 by Berkley

Leigh’s Breed series is a peek into a world where human/predator eugenisis is a reality and this bioengineering of “weapons” is an old, dirty secret that the world is still reeling from.  Dawn’s Awakening is book 4 in that series (books are published out of order and most can be read that way).  It’s a raw, compelling world with heroes and heroines you cheer for, and superb villains. 

Dawn’s Awakening is one of the best Breed books I’ve ever read.  I think it may be the only one with a Breed female and human male H/H and damn if that wasn’t THE MOST fun to read of all the combinations so far.  The hero, Seth (love that name, by the way), is still “bigger and better” than an average human male because of the mating hormones, but still, he’s human and it’s just luscious to read how he reacts to his mate.  The heroine, Dawn, a Cougar Breed who suffered horribly in the labs, is a flawed, heartbreaking woman who eventually redeems her soul.

Dawn’s Awakening has one of the most “complete” Breed story arcs I’ve read.  You read about Dawn and Seth throughout their long acquaintance with each other and are given quite a lot of detail – not too much, though, just enough.  The secondary story arcs are small, but contribute to the main plot.  the secondary characters are complete people who help the story and move the plot.  There’s a little “future book salting” but it’s appropriate to the storyline.

Don’t miss this book.  If you’re a fan of paranormal, futuristics, or just damn fine writing, don’t miss this book.  If you’re a fan of Leigh or the Breed’s books, don’t miss it.  If you’ve never read a Breed book before, this would be an excellent one to start with, so don’t miss it.  There’s enough backstory you should have no trouble picking up what’s going on in this complex world.  Damn.  Just don’t miss this book.

Grade: A

From the back cover:

The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate-and realizes it’s far too easy to lose total control…One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormenter from Dawn’s past reappears-and threatens to destroy their newfound love, along with their lives…

Read an excerpt.

Gwen’s review of To Hell and Back (Dante Valentine, Book 5) by Lilith Saintcrow
Futuristic paranormal published 1 Jan 08 by Orbit

I hesitated to start this book. I knew it was the last in the series and I didn’t want the magic to end. I wanted my visit to Dante and Japhrimel’s worlds to go on and on. Well, I hesitated about half a day. I just had to see what happened next.

Reading this series has been a mixture of fun, creepiness, tears, and excitement. To say I liked it is not saying near enough. It’s one of those series of books that just stays with me. I’m not one to read a book twice unless it is stupendously interesting. I’ll make an exception for this series.

In these books, Saintcrow has created a world that is lavish in detail. It has history and mythos, technology that’s woven into the fabric of the story, all giving the world a rich taste, smell, and texture that I’ve only experienced before in Frank Herbert’s Dune novels. This is especially evident during the visceral descriptions of Dante’s fight scenes – you literally wince when something hurts her, like a demon, or hellhound, or ghost, or fellow necromance…

There are no simplistic resolutions to be found in this last book. Saintcrow ties off several plotlines and leaves some dangling. By telling the story from Dante’s point of view, the reader never knows more than Dante, and Danny is left with some still unanswered questions at the end. How it evolves, though, is fascinating. Dante, whom Japhrimel nicknamed “my curious” because she had to know everything, arrives at a certain peace with not knowing everything. And because she’s at peace with that, the reader is as well.

There isn’t much I can say about the book other than, “you must read it.” I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fiction, and particularly to anyone who likes urban, paranormal sci-fi. The romance between Dante and Japhrimel is surprising, tender, cruel, and loving – everything we know love can be at times. All of this is woven into a tremendous story. Don’t miss this series.

Grade: A

Blurb:

     Fifth and final book of the Dante Valentine series

     Plot. Counterplot. Betrayal. Intrigue. When you’re working for the Devil, it’s all par for the course. You just have to live with it. Right?
Wrong. When you’re Danny Valentine and the Devil double-crosses you one too many times, there’s only one thing to do. Fight back. No matter how hopeless it is. No matter how suicidal it is. No matter how far the game is rigged in the Devil’s favor.
Welcome to Hell.

     Read an excerpt.

Read my review of Book 3, The Devil’s Right Hand, here and my review of Book 4, Saint City Sinners, here.  Other books in this series:

Gwen’s review of Saint City Sinners (Dante Valentine, Book 4) by Lilith Saintcrow
Futuristic Urban Fantasy released by Orbit 1 Nov 07

It’s nearly impossible to review a Dante Valentine novel on its own.  Each of the now four books is dependent on the others.  I also recommend reading the glossary before you start.  Yes, the glossary and I heard some of you groaning out there. Remember, Saintcrow hasn’t created a small world here.  It’s complex and about 100 years in the future with magic, weres, nichtvren (vampires), demons, witches, psychics, humans, and myriad other beings all living together. This alternate world fits over what we know like a loose framework.  Like one of those crocheted ponchos you wore as a kid, you can see what’s underneath but you were still covered.  It’s truly fascinating and has some interesting political and religious differences. 

In this book, Dante continues on rocky footing with Japhrimel – her Fallen Demon.  They love each other, and Japh will do quite literally anything to keep Danny safe, including things that make her hate him.  I keep reminding myself that he’s demon not human, so his motivation is a mystery to an extent.  Toward the end of the book we find out more about why he must keep Dante alive. I’m still not sure if it’s because he loves her, or for selfish reasons, or both.  It’s a conundrum I hope is resolved in Book 5.

Saintcrow’s characters have lives of immense proportions.  They’re fighting life and death struggles every day, making small steps forward, bigger steps back.  For example, there’s a rebellion in Hell – or, what we think of as Hell since it’s Lucifer’s domain – and the politics of this has dragged Dante and Japh into a fight that is not their own, but one they cannot avoid. It must be dealt with if they’re to stay alive.

By the end of this book, Dante has had enough.  She burns for revenge.  Longs for it.  Lives for it.  She has reached the end of her patience and is ready to take the fight to her enemy(ies).  Just as she reaches critical mass, Lucifer brings her to him and says, “Come in, Dante.  Sit down. Let us better understand each other.”  Chills went up my spine when I read that.  And it’s the last line in the book.  Talk about a cliffhanger!

Saintcrow has penned another true piece of literature with Saint City Sinners.  I haven’t felt like this about a series since I read Herbert’s original Dune books.  I can not wait for the next and supposedly last (gosh I hope not) entry in this series, To Hell and Back (Book 5), releasing 1 Jan 08.  I’m going to re-read the series in order, just to get into the flow of the story again.  It is, quite simply, riveting.

Grade: A

Read my review of Book 3, The Devil’s Right Hand.

Blurb:

Saint City has always been Dante Valentine’s home. It’s where she grew up, it’s where her dead are buried, and it’s where she learned to hunt.

Now, one call from an old friend will bring her back to investigate a murder too close to home for anyone’s comfort. But the one person she trusted has just betrayed her.

Sometimes revenge is best served demon-hot…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

Gwen’s review of Driven by Eve Kenin
Futuristic romance published 28 Aug 07 by Shomi/Lovespell

Holy icicles, Batman! This futuristic/sci-fi/urban-like romance was a total treat to read! The heroine is a kickass, vulnerable but competent woman named Raina. The hero is an emotionally buttoned-down, kickass but controlled hunk named Wizard. And in this book, they kick ass and take names together, all while falling in love and, naturally, saving a large portion of the world.

When the book opens we find ourselves in the not too distant future of an Earth that has gone thru a few cataclysmic changes in weather and government. Raina Bowen is alone in this post-apocalyptic world, an independent trucker in a world driven by Big Government and even Bigger Business. She has a spine of steel and a moral code she won’t break for anyone, including herself.

Fate and some Machiavellian planning throws her together with Wizard. He’s almost as alone in the world as Raina and is driven by his own internal demons. He’s a hyper-trained assassin who has compartmentalized himself so much, he almost seems a cyborg. We find out he’s just a good looking, slightly odd guy with a non-traditional upbringing. Wizard wants to use Raina to help him catch a really bad guy – a bad guy who also happens to be Raina’s enemy and worst nightmare.

The story unfolds and unfolds and unfolds. You’re never left thinking, “C’mon, get on with it already.” In fact, you almost want it to slow down a bit to let us see more Raina & Wizard action. But, somehow, Kenin finds a balance between emotional development, character development, and plot development, all while telling a rockin’ good tale.

If you’re an urban romance fan, an action romance fan, or a sci-fi romance fan, you’ll LOVE this book. Even if you’re not sure if those are the genres for you, I still recommend this book. It’s some hellagood storytelling. Two weeks ago, if you had told me I’d like a book about “truckers” this much, I’d have laughed and said no way. If I had kept that mindset, I’d have missed one of the better books I’ve read this year.

Grade: A

Here’s the book blurb:

ROAD WARRIOR
Raina Bowen knows she can handle herself just fine against anything the harsh Northern Waste throws at her. Until it throws her an enigmatic stranger called Wizard. First, she has to haul him out of a brawl he can’t hope to win. And next, her libido is shooting into overdrive at the feel of his hard body pressed against hers on the back of her snowscooter. But there’s something not quite right about this guy. Before she can strip bare Wizard’s secrets, they’re lured into a race for their lives, battling rival truckers, ice pirates…and a merciless maniac with a very personal vendetta.

Read an excerpt (it’s the kick-butt first chapter – it will leave you breathless).

Next up for this author:
1 Oct 07