I look at this cover now and think how crazy I was to judge the fantasy story inside as something I probably wouldn’t like. Now this cover as well as the other four in this series are some of my favorites. The old saying is true: Don’t judge a book its cover.

This is the story that started it all. Rain Tairen Soul is called from the sky by his truemate, Ellysetta Baristani. It’s been centuries since a Tairen Soul has found a truemate. And thus begins their journey of learning of each other, falling in love, and binding their souls together as one, all the while fighting evil to save the Fey and the Tairen and their world as they know it.

C.L. Wilson has made reading this book a truly amazing experience.

The following is my original review of Lord of the Fading Lands and then an excerpt for your reading pleasure today.

SandyM’s review of Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson
Fantasy/paranormal romance published Oct 2, 2007 by Leisure (Dorchester)

I have found my book of the year. Maybe even my book of the decade. C.L. Wilson’s LORD OF THE FADING LANDS is simply wonderful, fantastic, terrific. How easily I have to eat my words. When I first looked at the cover of this book, I thought, “Uh-oh, I have a feeling I’m not going to like this one, it’s fantasy.” Now, I don’t have a thing against fantasy books. I just love my historicals and paranormals more, so I don’t read many fantasies. Even as much as I loved LotFL, I don’t think I’m going to be a 100% lover of fantasies (I will give some a try here and there, however), but I’m definitely now a die-hard fan of C.L. Wilson’s.

After fighting in the Mage Wars a thousand years ago, losing his heartmate in those wars, and also losing himself in grief so deeply that he breathed fire on half the world, burning anything and everything in his wake, Rain Tairen Soul is coming out of his self-imposed reclusiveness to save his people, the fey, and the tairen.

See the rest of The Lord of the Fading Lands review here.

Prologue

Loudly, proudly, tairen sing,

As they soar on mighty wings

Softly, sadly, mothers cry

To sing a tairen’s lullabye

The Tairen’s Lament, Fey Nursery Rhyme

The tairen were dying.

Rain Tairen Soul, king of the Fey, could no longer deny the truth. Nor, despite all his vast power and centuries of trying, could he figure a way to save either the creatures that were his soul-kin or the people who depended upon him to lead and defend them.

The tairen—those magnificent, magical, winged cats of the Fading Lands—had only one fertile female left in their pride, and she grew weaker by the day as she fed her strength to her six unhatched kitlings. With those tiny, unborn lives rested the last hope of a future for the tairen, and the last hope of a future for Rain’s people, the Fey. But today, the painful truth had become clear. The mysterious, deadly wasting disease that had decimated the tairen over the last millennium had sunk its evil, invisible claws into yet another clutch of unhatched kits.

When the tairen died, so too would the Fey. The fates of the two species were forever intertwined, and had been since the misty time before memory.

Rain looked around the wide, empty expanse of the Hall of Tairen. Indeed, he thought grimly, the death of the immortal Fey had begun centuries ago.

Once, in a time he could still remember, the Hall had rung with the sound of hundreds of Fey Lords, warriors, shei’dalins and Tairen Souls arguing politics and debating treaties. Those days had long passed. The Hall was silent now, as silent as the long-abandoned cities of the Fey, as silent as Fey nurseries, as silent as the graves of all those Fey who had died in the Mage Wars a thousand years ago.

Now the last hope for both the tairen and the Fey was dying, and Rain sensed a growing darkness in the east, in the land of his ancient enemies, the Mages of Eld. He couldn’t help but believe the two events were somehow connected.

He turned to face the huge priceless globe of magical Tairen’s Eye crystal called the Eye of Truth, which occupied the center of the room. Displayed on the wings of a man-high stand fashioned from three golden tairen, the Eye was an oracle in which a trained seer could search for answers in the past, the present, and the infinite possibilities of the future. The globe was ominously dark and murky now, the future a dim, forbidding shadow. If there was a way to halt the relentless extermination of his peoples, the answer lay there, within the Eye.

The Eye of Truth had been guarding its secrets, showing shadows but no clear visions. It had resisted the probes of even the most talented of the Fey’s still-living seers, played coy with even their most beguiling of magic weaves. The Eye was, after all, tairen-made. By its very nature, it combined pride with cunning, passion with often-wicked playfulness. Seers approached it with respect, humbly asked it for a viewing, courted its favor with their minds and their magic but never their touch.

The Eye of Truth was never to be touched.

It was a golden rule of childhood, drummed into the head of every Fey from infant to ancient.

The Eye held the concentrated magic of ages, power so pure and undiluted that laying hands upon it would be like laying hands upon the Great Sun.

But the Eye was keeping secrets, and Rain Tairen Soul was a desperate king with no time to waste and no patience for protocol. The Eye of Truth would be touched. He was the king, and he would have his answers. He would wrest them from the oracle by force, if necessary.

His hands rose. He summoned power effortlessly and wove it with consummate skill. Silvery white Air formed magical webs that he laid upon the doors, walls, floor, and ceiling. A spidery network of lavender Spirit joined the Air, then green Earth to seal all entrances to the Hall. None would enter to disturb him. No scream, no whisper, no mental cry could pass those shields. Come good or ill, he would wrest his answers from the Eye without interruption—and if it demanded a life for his impertinence, it would be unable to claim any but his.

He closed his eyes and cleared his mind of every thought not centered on his current purpose. His breathing became deep and even, going in and out of his lungs in a slow rhythm that kept time with the beat of his heart. His entire being contracted into a single shining blade of determination.

His eyes flashed open. Rain Tairen Soul reached out both hands to grasp the Eye of Truth.

“Aaahh!” Power – immeasurable, immutable – arced through him. His head flung back beneath its onslaught, his teeth bared, his throat straining with a scream of agony. Pain drilled his body like a thousand sel’dor blades, and despite twelve hundred years of learning to absorb pain, to embrace it and mute it, Rain writhed in torment.

This pain was unlike any he had ever known.

This pain refused to be contained.

Fire seared his veins and scorched his skin. He felt his soul splinter and his bones melt. The Eye was angry at his daring affront. He had assaulted it with his bare hands and bare power, and such was not to be borne. Its fury screeched along his bones, vibrating down his spine, slashing at every nerve center in his body until tears spilled from his eyes and blood dripped from his mouth where he bit his lip to stop screaming.

“Nei,” he gasped. “I am the Tairen Soul, and I will have my answer.”

If the Eye wished to cement the extinction of both tairen and Fey, it would claim Rain’s life. He was not afraid of death, rather he longed for it.

He surrendered himself to the Eye and forced his tortured body to relax. Power and pain flowed into him, through him, claiming him without resistance. And when the violent rush of power had invaded his every cell, when the pain filled his entire being, a strange calm settled over him. The agony was there, extreme and nearly overwhelming, but without resistance he was able to distance his mind from his body’s torture, to disassociate the agony of the physical from the determination of the mental. He forced his lips to move, his voice a hoarse cracked whisper of sound that spoke ancient words of power to capture the Eye’s immense magic in flows of Air, Water, Fire, Earth, and Spirit.

His eyes opened, glowing bright as twin moons in the dark reflection of the Eye, burning like coals in a face bone white with pain.

With voice and mind combined, Rain Tairen Soul asked his question: “How can I save the tairen and the Fey?”

Relentlessly, absorbing the agony of direct contact with the Eye, he searched its raging depths for answers. Millions of possibilities flashed before his eyes, countless variations on possible futures, countless retellings of past events. Millennia passed in an instant, visions so rapid his physical sight could never have hoped to discern them, yet his mind, steadily commanding the threads of magic, absorbed the images and processed them with brutal clarity. He stood witness to the deaths of millions, the rise and fall of entire civilizations. Angry unfettered magic grew wild in the world and Mages worked their evil deeds. Tairen shrieked in pain, immolating the world in their agony. Fey women wept oceans of tears, and Fey warriors fell helpless to their knees, as weak as infants. Rain’s mind screamed to reject the visions, yet still his hands gripped the Eye of Truth, and still he voiced his question, demanding an answer.

“How can I save the tairen and the Fey?”

He saw himself in tairen form, raining death indiscriminately upon unarmed masses, his own tairen claws impaling Fey warriors.

“How can I save the tairen and the Fey?”

Sariel, his beloved mate, lay bloody and broken at his feet, pierced by hundreds of knives, half her face scorched black by Mage fire. She reached out to him, her burned and bloodied mouth forming his name. He watched in helpless paralysis as the flashing arc of an Elden Mage’s black sel’dor blade sliced down across her neck. Bright red blood fountained.

The unutterable pain of Sariel’s death—tempered by centuries of life without her—surged back to life with soul-shredding rawness. Rage and bloodlust exploded within him, mindless, visceral, unstoppable. It was the Fey Wilding rage, fueled by a tairen’s primal fury, unfettered emotions backed by lethal fangs, incinerating fire, and access to unimaginable power.

They would die! They had slain his mate, and they would all die for their crime! His shrieking soul grasped eagerly for the madness, the power to kill without remorse, to scorch the earth and leave nothing but smoldering ruins and death.

“Nei!” Rain yanked his hands from the Eye and flung up his arms to cover his face. His breath came in harsh pants as he battled to control his fury. Once before, in a moment of madness and unendurable pain, he had unleashed the beast in his soul and rained death upon the world. He had slain thousands in mere moments, laid waste to half a continent within a few days. It had taken the combined will of every still-living tairen and Fey to cage his madness.

“Nei! Please,” he begged, clawing for self-possession. He released the weaves connecting him to the Eye in a frantic hope that shearing the tie would stop the rage fighting to claim him.

Instead, it was as if he had called Fire in an oil vault.

The world was suddenly bathed in blood as his vision turned red. The tairen in him shrieked for release. To his horror, he felt his body begin to dissolve, saw the black fur form, the lethal curve of tairen claws spear the air.

For the first time in twelve hundred years of life, Rainier vel’En Daris knew absolute terror.

The magic he’d woven throughout the Hall would never hold a Tairen Soul caught up in a Fey Wilding Rage. All would die. The world would die.

The Tairen-Change moved over him in horrible slow motion, creeping up his limbs, taunting him with his inability to stop it. The small sane part of his mind watched like a stunned, helpless spectator, seeing his own death hurtling towards him and realizing with detached horror that he was going to die and there was nothing he could do to prevent it.

He had overestimated his own power and utterly underestimated that of the Eye of Truth.

“Stop,” he shouted. “I beg you. Stop! Don’t do this.” Without pride or shame, he fell to his knees before the ancient oracle.

The Rage left him as suddenly as it had come.

In a flash of light, his tairen-form disappeared. Flesh, sinew, and bone reformed into the lean, muscular lines of his Fey body. He collapsed face down on the floor, gasping for breath, the sweat of terror streaming from his pores, his muscles shaking uncontrollably.

Faint laughter whispered across the stone floor and danced on the intricately carved columns that lined either side of the Hall of Tairen.

The Eye mocked him for his arrogance.

“Aiyah,” he whispered, his eyes closed. “I deserve it. But I am desperate. Our people—mine and yours both—face extinction. And now dark magic is rising again in Eld. Would you not have dared any wrath to save our people?”

The laughter faded, and silence fell over the Hall, broken only by the wordless noises coming from Rain himself, the sobbing gasp of his breath, the quiet groans of pain he didn’t have the strength to stifle. In the silence, power gathered. The fine hairs on his arms and the back of his neck stood on end. He became aware of light, a kaleidoscope of color bathing the Hall, flickering through the thin veil of his eyelids.

His eyes opened – then went wide with wonder.

There, from its perch atop the wings of three golden tairen, the Eye of Truth shone with resplendent clarity, a crystalline globe blazing with light. Prisms of radiant color beamed out in undulating waves.

Stunned, he struggled to his knees and reached out instinctively towards the Eye. It wasn’t until his fingers were close enough to draw tiny stinging arcs of power from the stone that he came to his senses and snatched his hands back without touching the oracle’s polished surface.

There had been something in the Eye’s radiant depths—an image of what looked like a woman’s face—but all he could make out were fading sparkles of lush green surrounded by orange flame. A fine mist formed in the center of the Eye, then slowly cleared as another vision formed. This image he saw clearly as it came into focus, and he recognized it instantly. It was a city he knew well, a city he despised. The second image faded and the Eye dimmed, but it was enough. Rain Tairen Soul had his answer. He knew his path.

With a groan, he rose slowly to his feet. His knees trembled, and he staggered back against the throne to collapse on the cushioned seat.

Rain gazed at the Eye of Truth with newfound respect. He was the Tairen Soul, the most powerful Fey alive, and yet the Eye had reduced him to a weeping infant in a mere moments. If it had not decided to release him, it could have used him to destroy the world. Instead after beating the arrogance out of him, it had given up at least one of the secrets it was hiding.

He reached out to the Eye with a lightly woven stream of Air, Fire and Water and whisked away the faint smudges left behind by the fingers he had dared to place upon it.

**Sieks’ta. Thank you.** He filled his mental tone with genuine respect and was rewarded by the instant muting of his body’s pain. With a bow to the Eye of Truth, he strode towards the massive carved wooden doors at the end of the Hall of Tairen and tore down his weaves.

** Marissya.** He sent the mental call to the Fey’s strongest living shei’dalin even as he reached out with Air to swing open the Hall’s heavy doors before him. The Fey warriors guarding the door to the Hall of Tairen nodded in response to the orders he issued with swift, flashing motions of his hands as he strode by, and the flurry of movement behind him assured him his orders were being carried out.

**Rain?** Marissya’s mental voice was as soothing as her physical one, her curiosity mild and patient.

**A change of plans. I’m for Celieria in the morning and I’m doubling your guard. Let your kindred know the Feyreisen is coming with you.**

Even across the city, he could feel her shocked surprise, and it almost made him smile.

* * *

Half a continent away, in the mortal city of Celieria, Ellysetta Baristani huddled in the corner of her tiny bedroom room, tears running freely down her face, her body trembling.

The nightmare had been so real, the agony so intense. Dozens of angry, stinging welts scored her skin…self-inflicted claw marks that might have been worse had her fingernails been longer. But worse than the pain of the nightmare had been the helpless rage and the soul-shredding sense of loss, the raw animal fury of a mortally wounded heart. Her own soul had cried out in empathetic sorrow, feeling the tortured emotions as if they had been her own.

And then she’d sensed something else. Something dark and eager and evil. A crouching malevolent presence that had ripped her out of dreams and sleep, bringing her bolt upright in her bed, a cry of familiar terror on her lips.

She covered her eyes with shaking hands. Please, gods, not again.

Chapter One

“Ellie, don’t be such a soggy dorn.” Nine-year-old Lorelle Baristani pouted at her older sister.

It was, in Ellysetta’s opinion, an adorable pout. Lorelle’s out-thrust lower lip was plump and pink, her round cheeks soft as satin, and her big brown eyes heart-tuggingly soulful. The whole enchanting picture was complimented by masses of mink brown ringlets, and more than one seasoned adult had been known to abandon common sense in the face of such considerable infant artillery. Unfortunately for Lorelle, Ellie was made of sterner stuff.

She smiled and bent to kiss her sister’s cheek. “A soggy dorn, am I? Just because I don’t want to spend the whole day caught up in what’s sure to be the worst crush in the past year? And for what? To catch a brief glimpse of a Fey warrior as he walks past?” Ellie shook her head and punched down the bread dough she was making for tonight’s dinner rolls.

Tomorrow was the much-anticipated annual visit of the shei’dalin Marissya v’En Solande. Her arrival was always a spectacle as she and her guard of one hundred fierce leather- and steel-bedecked Fey warriors entered the city and marched down the main thoroughfare to the palace.

A week ago, Ellysetta would have gone, no matter how long the wait, just for the chance of glimpsing the glint off a Fey blade. But that was before that disturbing nightmare and before the dark dreams that had continued to haunt her ever since. When she woke each morning, her skin felt tight, her muscles inexplicably sore and weary, as if each night she fought a battle in her sleep. As if she were fighting to keep something out…or worse, to keep something in.

Memories flashed—horrifying convulsions racking her body, Mama’s fear, the Church of Light exorcists with their fervent, shining eyes and merciless determination to drive the demons from her soul.

She shuddered from the awful memories and quickly sketched the sign of the Lord of Light. No, all things considered, now was a bad time for Ellie to go anywhere near the Fey and their powerful magic.

“Besides, I’m busy tomorrow,” she told Lorelle, grateful for the genuine excuse. “Lady Zillina ordered an entire new suite for her receiving room, and Mama wants me to get started on the embroidery for the pillows.”

“But, Ellie, the Feyreisen is coming!”

Ellie’s breath caught in her throat. The Feyreisen? Despite her well-founded fear of magic, she’d dreamed all her life of seeing Rain Tairen Soul in the flesh.

Then common sense returned, and Ellie cast a stern sidelong glance at her sister. “Who told you that bit of silliness? Everyone knows the Feyreisen hasn’t stepped foot outside the Fading Lands in a thousand years.” Not since the end of the horrendous magical holocaust known as the Mage Wars.

“It’s not silliness!” Lorelle protested indignantly. “I heard it straight from Tomy Sorris.” Tomy Sorris, son of the printer, was the local town crier and usually well on top of the latest news and gossip.

Ellie was unimpressed. “Then Tomy’s been smelling too much printer’s ink.” She transferred the dough back into its rising bowl and covered it with a damp cloth.

“He has not!” A stamp of one small foot expressed the child’s outrage.

“Well, perhaps he’s just misinformed then,” Ellie replied. If Rain Tairen Soul were coming, they’d have heard about it long before now. The Fey who’d once nearly destroyed the world in a rage of tairen flame wouldn’t simply end his thousand-year exile without someone knowing about it in advance.

With a few quick swipes of a clean cloth, she swept the light dusting of flour off the tabletop into her palm and disposed of it in the waste bin beneath the kitchen sink. She cranked the sink pump twice and rinsed her floury fingers beneath the resulting cold spurt of water, and cast a glance back over her shoulder at Lorelle.

“Besides, why would the Feyreisen come here? He never had much use for mortals even before the Wars.”

She recalled a story in the yesterday’s paper about a small caravan of travelers attacked near the Borders by dahl’reisen, the frightening mercenaries who’d once been Fey warriors before being banished from the Fading Lands for the darkness in their souls. Would Rain Tairen Soul come to Celieria because of that?

She dismissed the idea instantly. All her life she’d heard tales of dahl’reisen raids—such tales were so common they were used to frighten small children into behaving—but none of those stories had ever lured the King of the Fey beyond the Faering Mists that circled the Fading Lands. No, Lorelle must be wrong.

Ellie untied her apron and hung it on a wooden peg in the corner of the modest, cozy Baristani family kitchen and smoothed slender hands over her serviceable tan muslin skirts. Her shirtsleeves were bunched up around her elbows, and she tugged the plain cuffs back down to her wrists, unable to stifle a wistful sigh as she imagined a fall of ivory lace draped over her hands. It was, of course, a foolish daydream. Lace would only get dirty and torn as she went about her chores.

She smiled at Lorelle, whose pout had now become an outright scowl. “Come now, kitling, don’t be cross. I’ll take you to the park instead. It won’t take up the whole day, it’s bound to be less crowded, and we can still have a fine time.”

Lorelle crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t want to go to the park. I want to see the Feyreisen.”

Before Ellie could reply, Lorelle’s twin Lillis came skipping into the kitchen, all atwitter. A mirror image of her twin, Lillis would have been indistinguishable from Lorelle except for the radiant excitement stamped on her face, which contrasted vividly with Lorelle’s dark scowl. “Ellie! Ellie! Guess what!”

Ellie made a show of widening her eyes with exaggerated interest. “What?”

“The Feyreisen is coming, and Mama says you can take us to see him enter the city tomorrow!”

“Ha!” Lorelle exclaimed. “I told you so!”

This time the breath that caught in Ellie’s throat stayed there. Tomy Soris might have sniffed too much printer’s ink, but Mama was never wrong. Seeking confirmation, Ellie glanced towards the door.

“Mama? Is it true? Is the Feyreisen really coming to Celieria?”

Lauriana Baristani nodded, her fingers deftly untying the bow of her large brimmed sun hat as she crossed the threshold and entered the kitchen. There was a light of excitement in her eyes that Ellie had never seen before. “It’s true,” she confirmed.

Ellie watched in astonishment as her mother tossed her hat and woven shawl over the back of a nearby chair rather than hanging them neatly on the wooden pegs provided for that purpose. Her mother was a firm believer in a place for everything and everything in its place. Something was going on, something that had nothing to do with the unexpected ambassadorial visit from a twelve-hundred year old Fey who could turn himself into a tairen.

“Mama?” She picked up the hat and shawl and hung them in their place. “What is it?” She gave her mother a searching look. Lauriana was a handsome woman in her mid fifties, with a solid build and strong arms that could help her husband move heavy pieces of handcrafted furniture or hug her children close. She had the same rich brown hair as the twins, though her soft ringlets were threaded liberally with silver, and her eyes were a pleasant hazel. Her brown dress was neatly made of sturdy, sensible cloth, and her shoes were sturdy, sensible brown leather to match. But at the moment, she did not look sensible at all. She looked…giddy.

“Oh, Ellie, you won’t believe it!” Lauriana reached out to grasp Ellie’s hands. “Queen Annoura,” she said, squeezing Ellie’s fingers tight, “sent Lady Zillina to commission your father to produce a special carving in the Feyreisen’s honor. He’s to have it finished and ready to present to the Feyreisen at the Prince’s betrothal ball!” When Ellie gasped again and the twins squealed, Lauriana beamed and nodded. “Commissioned by the queen. At last!”

“Oh, Mama,” Ellie breathed. “Papa must be singing with pride!” After ten years as a master woodcarver, Sol Baristani had finally received a coveted royal commission. When word got out, nobles and rich merchants would be banging down his door to commission his work. Money, always rather scarce in the Baristani household, was sure to flow into the family coffers.

Lauriana flashed her eldest daughter a devilish grin. “And won’t that just put Madam Rich and Snooty Minset’s knickers in a twist?”

“Mama!” Ellie gasped, giving her mother a shocked look.

Her mother – definitely not her staid and sensible self – laughed out loud, then clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, that was evil. Just evil.”

Ellie couldn’t help but laugh herself. It was so unlike her calm unflappable mother to say something nasty, even about the social climbing Madam Minset, the banker’s wife. Though if ever a woman deserved something nasty said about her, Madam Minset did – and that went double for her daughter Kellisande.

“But Mama, why is the Feyreisen coming to Celieria?”

Lauriana shrugged. “No one knows, but it’s sure to be a spectacle. And I promised Lillis you would take her and Lorelle to see the Feyreisen.” Ellie stared in surprise, and her mother blushed a little. “I know what you’re thinking, and this doesn’t mean I approve of Fey sorcerers. I don’t. Not in the least. But, the Bright Lord did select Rain Tairen Soul as the vehicle through which He has delivered this latest blessing upon our family. I wouldn’t want Him to think us ungrateful. You will take the girls, won’t you?”

Ellie glanced at Lorelle, who was now sporting a grin as large as a dairy cow, and had to laugh. “Of course I will,” she agreed. The twins shrieked with happiness and danced about the kitchen.

No matter how dreadful her nightmares, Ellie would never have missed this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the one and only Rain Tairen Soul. He was living history, the Fey who’d once in a fit of grief-induced madness almost destroyed the world.

How many ballads had been written about that terrible day? How many plays? Celieria’s Museum of Arts held no less than twenty enormous oil paintings that commemorated the entire series of events, masterpieces painted by Celieria’s greatest artists over the past thousand years. Ellie couldn’t count the number of times she’d stood in front of Fabrizio Chelan’s immortal, “Death of The Beloved”, and wept at the unspeakable anguish the great master had depicted on the face of Rain Tairen Soul as he held Lady Sariel in her death swoon and cried out to the heavens.

To see Rain Tairen Soul in the flesh. It was more than she’d ever dreamed possible.

She wagged a finger at the twins. “You two had best plan to go to bed early. We leave at the break of dawn, so we can be sure to find a place with a good view.”

Her mother shook her head. “You and your love of the Fey.” But for once, she didn’t add her usual lecture about the evils of magic and the danger of temptations that wore a pretty face.

Though Ellie shared her mother’s fear of magic, all things Fey had still fascinated her since she was a small child. “That doesn’t mean I’m any less excited about your news, Mama.” She reached out to grasp her mother’s hands. “Indeed, I want you to tell me everything. What, exactly, did Lady Zillina say? Don’t leave out a single detail.”

Lauriana pulled up a stool and related the whole exciting event, including the ultimate pleasure of having Stella Morin, the neighborhood’s biggest gossip, witness the whole event. She’d come into the shop to tell Lauriana that Donatella Brodson, the butcher’s youngest daughter, was officially contracted to wed the third son of a wealthy silk merchant.

“Oh,” Lauriana snapped her fingers. “That reminds me. Den is coming for dinner tonight.”

“Den?” Ellie repeated with dismay. Den Brodson, the butcher’s son, was a stuffed pork roast of a young man. And ever since his first wife had died in childbirth six months ago, he’d been following her around like a starving hound on the trail of a juicy steak. He’d made a habit of catching her in dark corners, standing so close she could smell the reek of onions and bacon on him, and looking too intently down the neckline of her dresses as if he could see straight through the fabric to the soft curves beneath. His thick fingers were ever clutching at her arm, as if he had some right to her. She shuddered with revulsion. She’d never liked him much, even as a child. Now he made her skin crawl.

Beside her the twins rolled their eyes, and clutched at their throats, making gagging noises. They didn’t like Den either.

“Mmm.” Lauriana paid no notice to the rolling eyes and gagging faces, but she did shoo the twins out of the kitchen. “Go play in your room, girls.” Then, to Ellie, “Wear your green dress, kit. It makes you look rather pretty.”

“Why would I want to look pretty for Den?”

A stern hazel gaze pinned her in place. The laughing, flighty Mama was gone. Practical, no-nonsense Mama was back. “You’re twenty-four, Ellysetta. That’s long past time to be making a good match and starting your own family. Look at your friends. All of them long since married, with at least one child walking and another on the way.”

“Kellisande’s not wed,” she reminded her mother.

“Yes, but Kellisande’s not lacking for offers.” The stern look in Lauriana’s eyes remained the same, but her voice softened. “She’s got beauty, girl, and wealth. You don’t.”

Ellie ducked her head to hide the glimmer of tears that sprang to her eyes. She knew she was no beauty. She’d seen her own reflection often enough to know that. And Kellisande Minset had always been happy to point out her shortcomings in case she missed them.

“Even though you’ve got a fine kind heart,” Lauriana continued, “and a strong back to make any man a treasured helpmate, young lads and their parents don’t look for those blessings first. The lads want beauty. The parents want wealth. The queen’s commission will probably be enough to bring Den’s family up to scratch, but you don’t have the time to wait for Papa to make a fortune so you can take your pick of men.” Unspoken was the common knowledge that if a girl was not wed by twenty-five, she was obviously defective in some way. Spinsters were to be pitied – and watched carefully lest the hand of evil that had blackened their futures laid its shadow over those around them.

Ellie couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was obvious her mother had already decided whom Ellie would marry. “But I don’t love Den, Mama.” To her horror, her voice wobbled.

“Ellysetta.” There was a rustle of skirts and then the unexpected warmth of her mother’s arms wrapping around her thin shoulders and drawing her close. “Ah, girl. This is my fault.” Lauriana sighed. “I should have done my duty by you long ago. But you were such an…awkward…creature, and we were poor. I thought you’d never be wed, so where was the harm in letting you keep your dreams?”

Awkward. Such a mild euphemism for the fearful truth Mama never voiced. Ellie knew her parents loved her, as did Lillis and Lorelle. But that had not stopped her from hearing the talk of others—or seeing the fear that Mama could never quite hide whenever…things… happened around Ellie.

“But you’ve changed Ellie, and so have our circumstances. You’ve grown rather pretty in your own way, and this royal commission puts a few coins in our coffers with the promise of more to come. Look at me child.” Obedient to the command and the accompanying hand raising her chin, Ellie met her mother’s solemn gaze. “Life is never certain, Ellie. This is your chance to wed, and you must take it.”

“But, Mama –”

Lauriana held up a silencing finger. “Despite everything that happened when you were young, I’ve never curbed your love of Feytales or your dreams of truemates and happy endings, but that’s for Fey, not mortal folk like us. We don’t have centuries to wait for true love.”

“I know that, Mama.”

“Love will come in time, Ellie.”

“But not with Den, Mama!” How could it, when the very thought of his touch revolted her?

“Hush! You’ve not even given him a chance, Ellysetta. Den’s not a bad sort, and he’s certainly shown interest in you these last few months. His family’s well-enough, both in manner and position, and your children would never lack for food. Believe me when I tell you there’s nothing worse for parents than hearing a child cry for food they cannot provide. Even if that child is not of their own blood.”

Ellie dropped her gaze as the reminder that she was not their natural child knifed through her. Almost twenty-four years ago, on a journey from Kreppes to Hartslea in the north, Sol and Lauriana Baristani had found an abandoned baby in the woods near Norban. A girl baby with a shock of orange hair and startling green eyes.

Despite the fact that they were grindingly poor—Sol’s hands stiff and nearly crippled by an accident that had left him unable to work as a journeyman woodcarver—they had taken in the baby rather than leaving it to die. And they had kept her, even while Sol barely eked out a living on pennies a week as an apprentice carpenter, his broken hands managing to hold hammer, nail, rasp, and lathe though they could no longer do the intricate detail work he loved.

They kept her even when mysterious, violent seizures afflicted her and the priests declared her demon-cursed. They’d even left their home in Hartslea rather than cast her out or give her into the Church’s keeping as the exorcists and the parish priest advised them to do.

After that, thankfully, the family fortunes changed. Sol’s hands had miraculously healed, and he’d been able to return to his first love, woodcarving. Ellie’s ghastly seizures had dwindled, then stopped almost completely—a fact that Mama attributed to Ellie swearing her soul into service of the Light at her first Concordia in the Church of Light.

Still, Ellie had never forgotten all they’d sacrificed on her behalf. Now there was a chance for her to wed, if not well at least well-enough. It would ensure that Lillis and Lorelle would have the opportunity to make a truly fine match.

“You must trust your parents to do what’s best, Ellysetta. For you and the family.”

“Yes, Mama,” she whispered. She owed them that much and more.

“I know he’s not the man you’ve dreamed of, but give Den a chance. And if another young man of good family asks to court you, we will consider his suit as well.”

“Yes, Mama.”

“And wear your green dress tonight.”

Ellie’s shoulders drooped. “Yes, Mama.”

* * *

That evening, Ellie donned her green dress and tried not to feel like a lamb being led to slaughter. At her mother’s insistence, she wore Lauriana’s bridal chemise beneath the green gown, and aged ivory lace fell over the backs of her hands, looking beautiful and feminine and delicate. Ellie wished she were wearing her own plain cuffs instead.

She stared hard at her reflection in the mirror. Startling green eyes stared back at her, looking too big in a too wan face, accentuated by prominent cheekbones and a slender nose. In the last year or so, her eyebrows and eyelashes had darkened to a deep auburn shade. The slashing wings of her brows were now exotic rather than pale and washed out, and once her eyelashes had darkened, their thickness and length had become quite apparent. She had been grateful for that, though at this moment she could have cheerfully wished them back to the transparent pale orange shade of her childhood. Her mouth was too wide, she acknowledged critically, her lips too full and too red. Her teeth, however, were white and straight, one of her best features.

She decided not to smile tonight—at least not so she showed any teeth.

She had ruthlessly subdued her wild tangle of hair into a knot on the top of her head, and for once was glad of its bright, unfashionable color and the rather severe style. She stepped back from the mirror. Unfortunately, Mama had been right about the dress making her look nice. The green color was flattering, and the bodice, laced tight to push up her breasts, made her look slender rather than skinny. She was still too tall to be considered feminine by Celierian standards. Flat-footed, she could look Den straight in the eye. Ellie thrust her feet into her highest heels and immediately grew three inches.

Satisfied that she’d done exactly as her mother asked, and as much as possible to mitigate any hint of prettiness, Ellie made her way downstairs to the family parlor.

Den was already there, sitting across from her father on one of Sol Baristani’s finely carved settees and chewing a chocolate caramel with relish. His stocky body was clothed in what looked to be a new dark blue plaid suit, cut just the tiniest bit too tight, with a yellow neckcloth tied in folds about his thick neck. A gold pin, shaped like a rather ungainly bear, glinted from the folds of the neckcloth. His brown hair, greased with a strongly scented pomade, was slicked back from his face, with a puff of curls carefully formed at the top of his broad forehead. His skin was ruddy, his nose partly flattened from a series of childhood scuffles, and his eyes were pale blue rimmed with stubby black lashes.

He was attractive enough, in a rough, butcher’s son sort of way. That wasn’t what bothered Ellie.

He looked up, caught sight of her, and jumped to his feet and crossed the room to stand uncomfortably close to her. His gaze swept over her, then homed in on the swell of bosom thrust up against the delicate fabric of her mother’s best chemise. A bosom that was three inches closer to his face thanks to her decision—poorly considered she now realized—to wear high heels. His tongue came out to lick his full lips.

That was what bothered Ellie.

Fighting the urge to cross her arms over her chest, she forced a stiff little smile—no teeth—and said, “Good evening, Den. How nice that you could join us tonight.”

“You look very pretty, Ellysetta.” That came from Papa, of course. Den was still salivating over her bosom.

“Thank you, Papa.” She was grateful for the warm love shining from Sol Baristani’s eyes. And for his presence in the parlor. The gods only knew what Den would have tried had they been alone. Judging from the look on his face, she wouldn’t have liked it much.

“Mmm. Yes,” Den agreed, licking his lips again. “Very pretty.” His pale blue gaze traveled up her neck and paused for several seconds on her mouth. When finally he met her own gaze head on, there were spots of color in his cheeks.

For a moment she imagined she felt a disturbing hunger. His hunger, she realized, and it wasn’t for food. Sudden panic roiled inside her, tying her stomach in knots, and making her break out in a clammy sweat. If he touched her, she knew she would be sick.

“Ah, Ellysetta. Good.” Mama’s voice snapped through the strange emotions that had captured Ellie, and she dragged in a gasp of air. No wonder she felt ill. She’d held her breath until she was dizzy!

“—to ask you to help me in the kitchen,” Lauriana was saying, “but I’ve changed my mind. You look far too pretty to risk soiling your gown in the kitchen. Don’t you agree, Den?” It was an embarrassing maternal attempt to draw a compliment from Den, but the young man didn’t hesitate to oblige her.

“Indeed, Madam Baristani.” Den bowed at the waist as if he were a Lord’s son rather than a butcher’s. “Ellysetta looks lovelier than I have ever seen her.” The smug smile was back.

“Sol, perhaps you would give me a hand instead?” Lauriana suggested with a pointed look.

Ellie’s eyes went wide with panic. “I don’t mind helping you, Mama!” She heard the shrill desperation in her voice. “Really, I don’t.”

“Nonsense. You stay here and entertain your young man. Your father is happy to help me.” As they exited the room, her mother flashed an indulgent smile at Den and said in a coy entirely un-Mama-like voice, “We won’t be but a few chimes, children.”

There was no mistaking her humiliating obvious scheme, and Den was quick to take up the unspoken invitation. As soon as Lauriana’s skirts disappeared down the hall, he stepped closer to Ellie, his square hands reaching for her. She stumbled backwards to escape his pursuit, only to find herself backed into a corner, trapped between his arms, staring in horrified revulsion as his thick, wet lips tried to attach themselves to hers.

Ellie escaped the kiss with a quick twist of her body, and tried to duck under his arm. She wasn’t quite quick enough, and her slender muscles were no match for his solid bulk. After a brief, undignified tussle, she found herself back in the corner, pulled tight against his body.

“Come on, Ellie.” His breath was starting to come a little faster. “We both know why your parents left us alone. There’s no need to play the coy maiden. I don’t want anything more than a kiss or two.” He grinned, showing two rows of sharp and slightly crooked teeth. “For now.”

“Den, we hardly know each other.”

He laughed. “We’ve known each other since childhood, Ellie.”

“But not like this…we’ve just been…er…friends.” They’d never been friends. He’d been a taunting bully who liked to make her cry.

“I want to be more than friends now.” His hands roved over her waist, and his lips descended, glancing off her cheek as she jerked her head away. Den drew back his head and chuckled. “I’ve been watching you for some time now, Ellie,” he murmured, his voice thick and possessive. “Granted, you weren’t much to look at as a kid, all orange hair, freckles, and knobby knees. But lately, you’ve started to show a little promise.” That smug, secret smile flashed again, and one thick-fingered hand came up to cup her chin. “I’ve decided to make you my wife, Ellie Baristani.”

He didn’t ask. He just said it, as if she had no choice in the matter. She stared at him, aghast, wondering how in the names of all the gods she was going to get out of this with any measure of grace. “Den, you…er…honor me, but—”

“Ssh.” The hand on her chin moved to cover her mouth. “There’s no need to say anything.” Her eyes widened in outrage and sudden fear as the hand on her mouth clamped down harder, and Den lowered his head to her neck.

Her stomach lurched as something warm and wet touched her skin. Was that his tongue? A stinging pain at the base of her throat made her yelp against his silencing hand. The little bloat toad had bitten her! He sucked at the spot he’d just bitten, and once more that warm, wet tongue licked at her. Oh, gods, she was going to be sick!

Outraged and repulsed, she grabbed two handfuls of his hair and yanked. Hard. She kicked his shins, too. He just grunted and shoved her against the wall, pinning her with the heavy, unmovable weight of his stocky body. Before she could draw breath enough to scream, his mouth was on hers. His lips were wet and slippery, and that horrid tongue was on the loose again, this time trying to get inside her mouth.

Without warning, one hand closed around her breast. Instinctively, she opened her mouth to scream. It was exactly the wrong reaction, and one he’d obviously been counting on. His hand shot up to hold her jaw open, and his tongue thrust deep into her mouth. Her screams, muffled by his mouth, came out as frantic little squeals that seemed only to excite him further.

Never in her life had Ellie been assaulted this way. Where were her parents? How could they have abandoned her to this…this…mauling?

Beneath the revulsion and feeling of helplessness, a darker emotion burst into smoldering life. A wild, fierce anger. Her skin flashed hot and tingling, drawing tight as if something inside her flesh were struggling to get out.

Terror grabbed her by the throat as the room began to tremble.

* * *

Two hundred miles away, beside a campfire burning in the chilly night, Rain Tairen Soul felt a woman’s emotions stab into him. Fear. Outrage. Desperation. He leapt to his feet, his nostrils flaring as if he could scent the emotions on the wind. His mind raced to find their path, to identify their source.

Another wave of feelings arrowed into him. Revulsion. Rage. Then stark terror. A wordless cry screamed in his mind. She was calling out to him. She was afraid and he was not there to protect her.

He flung himself from the ground into the sky, flashing instantly into tairen-form. Flames scorched the night sky and his roar of fury rent the air as he followed the path of the mind that called out to him in fear.

But then, as suddenly and the call had come, it fell silent. Confused by the abrupt termination of the connection, Rain faltered in mid flight. His fury was still there. Licks of flame still curled from his muzzle and venom pooled in the reservoirs in his fangs, but his rage had lost its focus. The woman’s fear and desperation were gone, no longer fueling his wrath. Banking right, he circled the sky and reached out with his mind, trying to find the one who had called. He found nothing but silence and the worried calls of the Fey warriors he’d left behind. Then the even more worried call of Marissya.

The warriors, he might have ignored, but not Marissya. All Fey men were bound to protect the females of their race, even from worry.

**Rain?** Marissya didn’t try to hide the concern in her mental voice. She was a mere century older than Rain, had known him all his life. She was his friend. **What happened?**

**She called out to me. She was afraid.**

**Who?**

He hesitated. **I don’t know.** Keen tairen eyes pierced the night. Far away in the distance, he saw the glow of Celieria. **But I’m going to find out.** He dipped one wing and banked again, heading towards the city in the distance.

* * *

Ellie sat at the dinner table and couldn’t stomach the thought of putting food in her mouth. The terrifying anger and the disturbing sensation in her skin had passed almost as quickly as they’d come, with none but Ellie the wiser. Though she could have sworn the parlor had actually trembled, no one else appeared to have sensed it. Was she going mad now? Had the demons that had haunted her youth found a different, more subtle way to work their evil on her?

Ellie knew not to let herself get upset. All her life, she’d worked to keep her emotions in check lest she accidentally trigger another seizure. She forced herself to take deep, even breaths, and filled her mind with calming thoughts.

Still, as she glanced at her mother from beneath her lashes, she couldn’t quell a spurt of anger and resentment as Lauriana made pleasant small talk – small talk! – with Den Brodson. How could Mama even contemplate wedding Ellie to that odious rultshart?

Did Mama know what Den had been doing in the parlor? She had to have known. She’d made a series of intentionally loud noises before coming back in. What had that been all about except to let Den know he should stop his assault on Ellie? He had, thankfully. With a final wet kiss and a last painful squeeze of her breast, Den had released her and said, “You’ll do, Ellie.” As if she were a haunch of beef he was approving from the slaughterhouse.

Ellie’s relief at being freed had rapidly turned into a sense of betrayal. How could Mama know what Den had been doing and not be outraged? Surely Mama didn’t know about that awful pink slug of a tongue.

Outrage and resentment clashed inside her. She was not going to marry Den Brodson. Not now. Not ever. Anger flared, quick and hot.

Suddenly, there was a feeling in her mind. A probing touch, as if someone or something was trying to reach inside her head. She had a distant sense of scarcely banked fury and a stronger a sense of something powerful rushing towards her with grim purpose.

Ellie’s spoon clattered to the table. Everyone looked at her in surprise.

“Ellie?” Papa’s brown eyes radiated concern. “Are you alright, kit?”

She put a shaking hand to her head. “I – I think so, Papa.” The feeling was gone. Had it been her imagination? Another sign of impending madness? She forced a wan smile and tugged at the neck of her chemise. “I mean, yes. I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

“What’s that on your neck?” Lorelle was staring at the spot where Den had bitten Ellie’s neck, the spot that Ellie had unwittingly just uncovered.

In an instant, everyone was staring at Ellie’s neck. Embarrassed, she clapped a hand over the spot. She hadn’t looked in a mirror. Had Den left a mark on her?

Apparently so, because her father was now staring hard at Den. That shameless klat just smiled his smug smile and met her Papa’s gaze straight on. Mama’s eyes darted from her husband to her daughter’s suitor. There was a look in Mama’s eyes that made Ellie’s heart stutter. Embarrassment faded—even fear of what was happening to her faded—as worry slithered up Ellie’s spine.

“Girls,” Papa said. Ellie had never heard his voice sound so emotionless, so hard. “Go to your rooms.” The twins jumped to their feet and scurried out. “You, too, Ellysetta.” He didn’t look at her, didn’t take his unblinking gaze from Den’s.

Ellie did not immediately obey. Did her parents not know what Den had done to her after all? Was it possible that they hadn’t left her alone with him in the parlor for that very reason?

“Papa?”

“Go!” he barked, and Ellie all but fell over herself rushing from the room. Snatching up fistfuls of heavy green skirts, she raced for the stairs and took them two at a time, not slowing down until she was ensconced in the safety of her small bedroom.

Needing to know exactly what sort of mark Den had left on her, she went to the small dressing table tucked in the corner of her room. Her fingers shook as she struck a match and lit the oil lamp on the table. Soft golden light filled the room. Ellie leaned close to the mirror, tugging the neck of her chemise to one side to reveal a small, dark, oval mark at the base of her throat. In the golden glow of lamplight, the mark looked like a smudge of soot. She rubbed at it, but it didn’t come off. She felt invaded somehow, violated, and suddenly very afraid of what was going on downstairs.

She sat on the edge of her bed, and waited. She didn’t know how long she sat there. It seemed like bells before she heard the creak of the stairs and the slow clomp, clomp of her father’s boots. She rushed to her bedroom door and pulled it open.

“Papa?”

There was disappointment and sadness in his eyes when he looked at her. “Go to bed, Ellysetta. It’s getting late.” He looked tired and worn. Old.

“But, Papa…about Den.” What could she say? She couldn’t very well tell her father about the embarrassing things he’d done to her. “I…I know Mama thinks he’s a good match, but Papa…I don’t like him. Please, I don’t want to marry him.”

Her father stared at her for a moment, then shook his head and turned away. “Go to bed. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

“But Papa – ”

He just continued walking down the hall and into his room, closing his bedroom door behind him.

Ellie returned to her own room and undressed in shadowy darkness, hanging the green gown and her mother’s chemise in the small wardrobe resting against the wall. She didn’t want to wear either of them again as long as she lived.

After donning a cotton nightdress, she sat down beside the window and unpinned her hair. It spilled down her back in long, springy coils. Brushing it with steady strokes, she stared out at the night sky. Both the large moon called the Mother and the small moon called the Daughter were three-quarters full. It was a bright night.

Please, she prayed silently, fervently, hoping the Celierian gods would hear her. Please send me someone else. Anyone else but Den. She laid the brush in its place on her dressing table and crawled into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin and closing her eyes.

She didn’t see the shadow fall across her room as the light from the Mother was blotted out by a large black tairen winging through the night. She didn’t see the lavender eyes, glowing like beacons, turn their light upon the rooftops of Celieria. Searching. Seeking.

Chapter Two

Beautifully and fearfully wrought, by dread magic splendored,

With passion’s fire his soul does burn, in sorrow his name be whispered

from the epic poem Rainier’s Song by Avian of Celieria

Celieria’s main thoroughfare was already lined four deep when Ellie and the twins arrived at seven the next morning. News that the Tairen Soul himself would be coming had raced like wildfire throughout the city, and Ellie was convinced that before ten bells every man, woman, and child in the city would be lining the streets to ogle the legendary Feyreisen, Rain Tairen Soul, the man-beast who had once almost destroyed the world.

She sighed and began searching for a place from which to watch the forthcoming spectacle. About halfway between the city gates and the royal palace, she found a grassy knoll bordering one of the city’s many small parks. From atop the knoll, the children would have an unimpeded view of the Fey procession and still be close enough to see everything.

Sending the twins off to play while they waited for the procession to begin, Ellie spread her brown skirts and sat down without a care for grass stains or the morning dew that dampened her dress. Her mind was still chasing itself in circles worrying over what had passed between Den and her parents last night. She still didn’t know. Papa had already been gone when she came downstairs for breakfast, and Mama had told her they would talk after she returned from the Fey procession. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something very bad was about to happen.

Her sleep had been tormented by more dreams. Not the familiar, violent dreams of blood and death or the dark, malevolent nightmares that had haunted her most of her life, but new, frightening dreams of fiery anger and pale purple eyes, of a soundless voice that called to her, demanding that she reply. She remembered tossing and turning, remembered trying to block out those eyes and that insistent voice. Not until close to dawn had she finally found peace.

Now, staring up at the bright blue morning sky, with the Great Sun glowing like a huge golden ball, she could almost pretend that the dreams were nothing more than her imagination running wild. That worry about the situation with Den was to blame. That everything would be all right and life would return to its pleasant, comfortable routine.

She didn’t believe it for a moment.

* * *

Twenty miles outside the city, two hundred Fey warriors and one Fey Lord traveled at a fast lope down the broad road that cut a swath though the Celierian landscape of lush fields dotted by small villages. Farmers and villagers bordered the road in small groups, having come with their families as they always did to see the immortal Fey run past. This year, however, their attention was directed not at the road, but overhead where Marissya v’En Solande rode the wind on the back of a massive black tairen–the infamous Rain Tairen Soul himself.

The Fey had broken camp three bells before dawn and resumed their trek to Celieria at a fast clip. Marissya ran with them until Rain returned just as the Great Sun began to light the sky, then she continued the journey on tairen-back, allowing the warriors to resume their normal, easily sustainable run. They had traversed the next seventy miles in just under three bells.

All knew that something had disturbed Rain the night before and that he had gone in search of the source of the disturbance. But he had not spoken of it since his return, and not even Marissya could get him to talk.

When they neared the city, Rain landed, lowered Marissya to the ground, and shifted back into Fey-form. He paced restlessly as Marissya and the Fey prepared themselves for their ceremonial entrance into the city.

Marissya shed her brown traveling leathers for a red gown that covered her from chin to toe and a stiff brimmed hat draped with a thick red veil that covered her face. Her waist length dark hair was braided and tucked out of sight. The garb would have been hot and stifling had her truemate, Dax, not woven a cool web of Air around her. She was a shei’dalin, a powerful Fey healer and Truthspeaker, and none who were not Fey or kin were permitted to look upon her outside of council.

All around her, two hundred Fey warriors donned gleaming black leathers and spent at least half a bell polishing and re-sheathing the scores of blades each warrior wore when he left the Fading Lands. Her mate Dax, clad in the dark red leathers of a truemated Fey Lord, tended his own weapons with similar care. Though he was no longer of the warrior class—no Fey Lord was permitted to put his mate at risk by continuing to dance with knives—his blades would always stand between her and danger.

Marissya finished her physical preparations long before the men, and she went to join Rain. It has been many years since she’d seen him in such a state. He was restless, edgy, pacing back and forth with short, rapid steps. There was so much power in him, so scarcely contained that a shining aura surrounded him, flashing continuously with tiny sparks. His eyes glowed fever-bright. His nostrils quivered as if he were an animal scenting something in the air that set him on edge. If he’d been in tairen form, he would have been spouting flame. He was still in control of himself – she and all the Fey would have known if he were not – but he was in a high state of agitation and that did not bode well for the long day ahead.

She knew better than to touch him. One didn’t touch raw power without receiving a shock. Instead, she reached out to him on their private mental path, the one they had forged centuries ago in friendship. **Rain, be calm.** She sent a soothing wave of reassurance along with the words, not surprised when he shrugged it off and continued pacing.

**She is there. For a moment last night I was in her mind, then I lost her again.** Frustration boiled through the link.

**Who, Rain? Who is there?**

He snapped around, eyes flashing. His long, elegant hands clenched and unclenched. His chest heaved. He was angry and frustrated, yes, but now Marissya realized it was more than that.

**She is.** he snapped. **She! The one!** And then, the one word she was sure to understand. The one word that explained everything. He shouted it out loud: “Shei’tani!”

There was a sudden clattering whoosh of sound followed by absolute silence as two hundred Fey warriors jerked around to stare at their king in stunned disbelief.

Marissya’s breath left her in an astonished gasp. **But that cannot be.**

**It can be nothing else.**

The tumult of Rain’s emotions blasted over their mental link, and she stumbled back in shock, recognizing those feelings for exactly what they were. Her mind reached instinctively for her truemate, sharing the shocking truth of Rain’s emotions with him.

Their gazes met across the distance, and as one they turned to look at their king.

He was pacing restlessly once more. Every few moments his head turned towards Celieria and the power in him burned a little brighter. They both knew the instincts driving him, knew that because he was the Tairen Soul those instincts would be far more intense and far harder to control, fueled by both Fey and tairen passions combined. If they weren’t very careful, the coming days could end in disaster.

* * *

As she caught sight of the Feyreisen riding the wind in tairen-form, Ellie acknowledged that just a glimpse of him was well worth the interminable wait and jostling crowds. Long before the actual Fey warriors drew near, Ellie and the twins saw Rain Tairen Soul soaring through the sky. He was all that legend claimed, and more. A gigantic, ferocious black feline with glowing purple eyes, frightening and beautiful all at the same time. He winged like a raptor over the city, circling again and again, emitting warning bursts of fire when the thronging crowd moved too close to the approaching Fey. Even from a distance, she could see the glistening danger of his sharp, venom-filled fangs. His ears were laid back on his head, his claws extended.

When the Fey warriors themselves came into view, the sight of them was almost equally as awe inspiring as the Tairen Soul. There were at least twice as many warriors as had ever come before. Row after impeccably formed row marched into view, and for the first time in Ellie’s memory, magic surrounded them in a visible glowing aura of light.

A murmur of wonderment rose up from the crowd.

The Fey warriors presented a stunning display, clad in black leather from neck to toe and bristling with silvery swords and knives that gleamed in the sunlight. Every Fey warrior clutched two long, curving blades called meicha, and what seemed like hundreds of razor sharp throwing knives called Fey’cha were tucked into leather belts that crisscrossed their chests. If that weren’t enough, each warrior wore two massive seyani long swords strapped to their backs.

It was said that one Fey warrior was as lethal as ten champions. Looking at their fierceness, their precision, and the tangible glow of magic enveloping them, Ellie believed it.

In the center of the formation, surrounded by an even brighter glow, walked a single unarmed figure draped in voluminous folds of blood red. It was the shei’dalin, the Truthspeaker, Marissya v’En Solande, and the handsome, dangerous-looking man in red leathers by her side was her truemate, the Fey Lord Daxian v’En Solande.

As the procession moved closer, the crowd surged forward, everyone straining for a better look. Rain Tairen Soul roared and spouted a warning flare of fire. Accompanied by many screams and uplifted heads, the crowd wisely jumped back.

In the sudden shifting of massed bodies, Lillis lost her footing and fell to the ground. She howled in pain when Lorelle, trying to avoid being knocked over herself, trod on her hand.

Ellie was there in an instant, hauling Lillis to her feet and inspecting the injury. The child’s little fingers were red, the skin slightly torn over one knuckle. “Oh, kitling. I’m so sorry. Would you like me to kiss it better?”

Lillis sniffled and nodded. “Yes, Ellie. You kiss the pain away better than anyone.”

Giving her a fond smile, Ellie raised the girl’s injured finger to her mouth. “Gods bless and keep you, kitling,” she murmured and kissed the little finger. A tiny electric current leapt from Ellie to her sister, making them both jump. Ellie laughed a little. “Sorry, Lilli-pet . I didn’t mean to shock you.”

Rain Tairen Soul whooshed overhead, roaring, the sound like a clap of thunder in the air.

Ellie straightened in time for her to see the Fey come to an abrupt halt, their curved meicha blades raised. The warriors immediately surrounding the Truthspeaker drew their long swords with a hiss of metal leaving scabbard.

The shei’dalin turned her head from side to side as if scanning the crowd. Beside her, her mate had razor-edged swords in hand and was ablaze with power.

The crowd went silent. From her vantage point on the knoll, Ellie watched with bated breath and clutched the twins to her side. She didn’t have any idea what was happening, but it was something unusual. Something important and frightening. The crowd around Ellie began shoving, everyone trying to get a better glimpse of what was going on.

“Lillis! Lorelle! Stay close to me!” She grabbed the twins and hugged them tight, afraid they were about to be pushed off the knoll into the trampling feet below.

Rain Tairen Soul roared again, clawing the air, now obviously agitated about something. Flame seared the air, followed by another roar of tairen fury. From the street, the shei’dalin raised her arms and shouted, “Rain! Nei!”

The crowd began to panic, and so did Ellie. Someone stumbled heavily into her back. She staggered and tried to keep her balance, but her leather shoes slipped on the grass. With a cry of alarm, Ellie toppled off the knoll. She fell forward, pushing the children to safety with one hand and reaching out with the other to break her fall. She landed hard and screamed in pain as a man’s boot heel stamped on her fingers, crushing the slender bones with a snap.

Pain and terror swamped her senses. People rushed madly around her, and another boot ground into her broken hand. She shrieked again. Barely able to think, certain she was about to die, she curled her body into a tight ball and brought her broken hand up over her head.

She was dimly aware that people were screaming around her. She didn’t see Rain Tairen Soul fold his wings and drop like a hurtling black meteor towards the ground. But something touched her senses, something made her realize that suddenly the sun was gone, and so were the people hurting her.

She glanced up and let loose another shrill cry of horror as the huge, terrifying black-winged tairen swooped down upon her, metamorphosing at the last minute into Rainier vel’En Daris Feyreisen, the infamous Rain Tairen Soul, who lightly stepped from sky to ground, one black booted foot at a time.

He towered over her huddled form. Death black hair hung in long, straight strands that blew about his face in the windy remnants of the tairen’s downdraft. His skin was pale and faintly luminescent, his face terrible in the perfection of its stunning masculine beauty, and his lavender eyes glowed with a brilliant, icy fire. With a wave of one hand, he threw up a towering cone of Air and Fire magic that surrounded the two of them in a whirling haze of white and red.

Ellie cowered in fear, and instinctively held up her broken hand to ward him away. With a sobbing gasp, she rolled to her feet and staggered back.

“Stay away!” she ordered hoarsely. Her heart was racing, her breath coming in fast, shallow gasps but she couldn’t seem to get any air. Had he used his magic to steal the breath from her lungs? She knew the Fey could do that sort of thing.

“Ver reisa ku’chae. Kem surah, shei’tani.” He spoke to her in a lyrical foreign tongue—Feyan, she realized, though she didn’t understand the words—and stepped towards her.

“No!” she cried out. For all she knew, he’d just told her to prepare for her impending death. “Stay back! Don’t come any closer!”

He paused for a moment, frowning. “Ve ta dor. Ve ku’jian vallar.” Then Rain Tairen Soul came towards her again, his steps slow and resolute. He reached for her, ignoring the way she sobbed and flinched away from him. His fingers, strong and surprisingly warm, curled around her forearms and trapped her with effortless strength. She had the overwhelming sensation of immense power, deep sorrow, and a terrible longing. But underlying all of those was another emotion, a violent swirl of rage. She cried out and struggled to free herself, succeeding only in grinding the bones of her hand together. Agony knifed up her arm.

A scream ripped from her throat. She fell to her knees. Unexpectedly, she found herself free. She blinked and risked a glance up at the Feyreisen.

His eyes were squeezed shut, his hands clenched in white knuckled fists at his side. He was shaking as if he were in pain. His eyes flashed open again. The ice was still in them, and confusion, and more than a hint of madness.

She watched him fearfully, her body poised to flee if he came towards her again.

With the flick of his finger, he fashioned a door in the whirling cone of magic. His voice, deep, ancient, commanding, called out in Feyan.

A moment later, the Truthspeaker stepped through the doorway, followed closely by her mate. The Fey Lord had sheathed his swords and as he stepped inside the cone of magic the Feyreisen had erected, his own glow of power winked out. He followed a few feet behind his mate as she approached Ellie.

Though the shei’dalin’s face was hidden behind folds of red, she radiated waves of compassion and reassurance. Despite everything—including her own mind whispering that this was a Fey trick—Ellie felt her terror begin to abate. She needed to trust this woman. The Truthspeaker would never cause her harm. There was no need to be afraid. She could be calm. All would be well.

The soothing compassion, the compulsion to release her fear, was impossible to resist. Dazed, lulled by the powerful hypnotic spell of a Fey shei’dalin, Ellie didn’t protest when Marissya reached for her broken hand.

The Fey’s own long, pale fingers, slender and elegant, passed over Ellie’s. Warmth sank through Ellie’s skin and into the flesh and bone below. Her pain evaporated. A strange ticklish tingling spread across her hand, and she watched in astonishment as her bones straightened and knit. Within moments, her hand was whole and unhurt.

She flexed her fingers experimentally. There wasn’t the faintest twinge of pain.

Ellie swallowed the lump in her throat and raised awestruck eyes to the Fey woman. “How did you do that?”

“Eva Telah, cor la v’ali, Feyreisa.” The voice behind the veils sounded so peaceful, so soothing, so compassionate. Ellie wanted to sink into the comfort of that voice and absorb its tranquility. She fought off the lethargy with a brisk shake of her head.

“I don’t understand you.”

The Truthspeaker’s head jerked up. Though Ellie couldn’t see her eyes, she had a feeling the shei’dalin was staring at her in surprise. “You don’t speak the Fey tongue?”

“Only a word or two.” Ellie couldn’t understand why that would be so unusual. Had she offended them somehow? “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I read it fairly well, but very few Celierians still actually speak your language.”

“You are Celierian?”

Ellie blinked. “Of course.”

The Truthspeaker cast a glance over her shoulder. The Feyreisen was still staring at Ellie, and he was frowning. She began to inch backwards. Immediately, the shei’dalin turned back to her, lifting her heavy veil as she did so. Huge blue eyes, so full of compassion Ellie could drown in them, were smiling at her from a face so beautiful it would put a Lightmaiden to shame.

“Be at peace, little sister,” the shei’dalin murmured, and her hand came out to rest on Ellie’s. “Of all people, you need never fear Rainier.” As the Fey woman spoke, Ellie felt a faint pressure in her head, so slight she might not have noticed it had she not already been on edge. Her eyes widened as she realized the Truthspeaker was probing her mind. It was said a shei’dalin could strip a soul naked, leave even the strongest of men sobbing like infants. Truthspeakers could bend anyone to their will.

“No!” Ellie yanked her hand out of the Fey’s grip and imagined a gate of brick and steel slamming shut around her mind, thrusting out the invading consciousness.

The shei’dalin gave a muffled cry and staggered back. The Tairen Soul’s eyes flared bright, and a bubble of lavender light burst into glowing life around Ellie. A feral snarl rumbled from the Tairen Soul’s chest, and he bared his teeth like a wild animal on the verge of attack. In a blur, he leapt between Ellie and the shei’dalin. In the same instant, the shei’dalin’s mate also leapt forward.

**Get back!** The voice was in Ellie’s head, sharp, commanding. Somehow, she knew it had come from the Feyreisen.

Scared out of her wits, Ellie pushed against the purple light enveloping her, trying to escape before the two Fey warriors decided to slaughter her where she stood.

Instead, to her utter amazement, the Tairen Soul whirled on the shei’dalin and her mate. His hands rose, power arcing from his fingers in blinding flashes just as the other Fey Lord’s power snapped into blazing light and he sent a bright bubble of energy surging forth to wrap around his mate. Like his king, Daxian v’En Solande’s teeth were bared in naked menace, but that menace was directed solely at the Feyreisen.

The two men faced each other, faces drawn in fury, power bursting around them, scorching the air with the scent of ozone.

“Nei, Rain!” the Truthspeaker protested. Her voice wasn’t calm now. It was afraid. “Nei, shei’tan!” Then in Celierian, “I didn’t mean to frighten you. Please, forgive me! Calm yourself. Guard your feelings.”

It took a startled moment for Ellie to realize the Truthspeaker was addressing her. “Me?”

“Yes! Can you not see he is protecting you?” Even as she spoke to the girl, Marissya sent a silent plea to Rain. **I’m sorry, Rain. I didn’t mean to frighten her. Please. She is unhurt. See for yourself. Be calm. You must be calm. It is you who frighten her now.** And to her truemate, whose thoughts and feelings she sensed as her own, **Dax, shei’tan, I am not hurt. She only surprised me. It is my fault. I should not have probed her. She felt it and was frightened. Rain responds to her fear, to protect her, as you protect me. Please, let go before someone gets hurt.**

Neither Rain nor Dax relaxed their grip on their power or their rage. It wasn’t surprising. A Fey Lord reacted violently to even the smallest perceived threat to his mate.

**Please, Rain. She needs you strong for her, in control of yourself. You must control the tairen in you. She was hurt, and you came. You protected her. She is safe.**

**She fears you.** Blazing half-mad lavender eyes pinned her. **I will not permit it.**

**I’m sorry. I – ** The weave of Fire and Air appeared without warning. With incredible speed and dexterity, Rain had rewoven the protective cone of magic, shutting Marissya and Dax out, closing himself and the Celierian girl within.

* * *

It took Rain several minutes to beat back the tairen’s fury, to shove it into a small corner of his mind and keep it there. Only then did he turn to face the woman whose emotions ripped at his sanity, her fear – of him, he knew, despite wanting to blame Marissya – tearing him in ways he’d never known. The web of Spirit he’d woven around her winked out as he released his power back to the elements. Still, she cowered from him. Rain would have torn out the heart of any other man who dared to frighten her this badly, yet he would not – could not – leave her.

“Come.” His tone was imperious, yet the hand he held out trembled. “I could never harm you, shei’tani.” His Celierian was rusty, deeply accented with Fey tones, and his attempt to appear non-threatening was equally out of practice. The tairen in him still clawed at the edges of his control, all fiery passion, possessiveness, and primitive instinct. “I am called Rainier.”

“I know.” Her eyes were huge in the too-thin oval of her face. Twin pools of verdant green, they stared at him as if he were a monster. “You scorched the world once. It’s in all the history books.”

“That was a very long time ago.” He tried to summon a smile, but the muscles in his face couldn’t seem to remember how to form one. “I promise you are safe with me.” His fingers gestured, beckoning her. “Come. Give me your hand.”

The exotic flares of her brows drew together in a suspicious frown. “Why? So you can try to invade my thoughts like the Truthspeaker?” Rain could see she was still afraid, very afraid, yet she was working hard to master it.

“I…apologize for Marissya. She had no right.”

“Then why did she do it?”

“She was…curious about you.” She had done it to find answers, of course. Answers to the questions of how a Celierian child-woman could wield the power he had felt, and more importantly how she could possibly be Rain’s shei’tani.

“Did she never think to just ask?” The asperity in her voice was unmistakable. Delicate, frightened shei’tani had steel in her spine after all.

“She will now. Believe me.” The tairen in him was slowly subsiding. It had ceased pounding the door of its cage and was now pacing restlessly within, edgy but contained. For the moment. But it, like him, had a great need to touch this woman. Once more he held out his hand. “Come. Give me your hand. Please.” The last was more a genuine plea than an afterthought. “I would give my life before allowing harm to come to you.”

Ellie stared at the outstretched hand in stunned silence. Was Rainier vel’En Daris, King of the Fey, truly standing before her, vowing to sacrifice his immortal life to protect her? Her, Ellie Baristani, the woodcarver’s odd, unattractive and embarrassingly unwed adoptive daughter? Surely, she was dreaming.

But this all seemed so real. And he was so beautiful. Beautifully and fearfully wrought. Her dazed mind supplied the quote from Avian’s classic epic poem, “Song of Rainier”. Avian, she now knew, had barely got the half of it. She had dreamed of Rain Tairen Soul all her life, and here he was. She felt herself moving towards him, her hand reaching out. He had asked, and she had to touch him. If only to be sure he was real.

Her fingers trembled as they slid into his. She trembled as his hand closed about hers. Warmth, like the spring heat of the Great Sun, spread through her body, and a sense of peace unlike anything she’d ever felt came over her. She heard him inhale deeply, watched his eyes flutter closed. A nameless expression, an unsettling mix of joy and pain, crossed his face.

He drew her closer, and she went without protest, dazed with wonder as his arms, so lean and strong, wrapped her in a close embrace. Her ear pressed against his chest. She felt the unyielding bristle of the countless sheathed knives strapped over his chest, heard the beat of his heart, and was oddly reassured. There was safety here, as there was no other place on earth.

She felt him bow his head to rest his jaw on her hair, the touch feather light. Tears beaded in her lashes at the simple beauty of it.

“Ver reisa ku’chae. Kem surah, shei’tani.” He whispered the words against her hair.

“You said that before,” she murmured. “What does it mean?” It sounded so familiar, like something she had heard or read somewhere before. She felt the stillness in him, the hesitation, and she pulled back to look up into his eyes.

His gaze moved slowly over her face as if he were committing her likeness to memory for all time. “I don’t even know your name.”

She blinked in surprise. Since the moment she had put her hand in his and he had pulled her into his arms, she felt like he knew everything there was to know about her. It was surprising and disconcerting to realize that, in fact, they knew each other not at all. “Ellie,” she told him solemnly. “My name is Ellysetta Baristani.”

“Ellie.” Liquid Fey accents savored the syllables of her simple name, making it something beautiful and exotic. “Ellysetta.” His pale, supple hand brushed the mass of her hair. His gaze followed the path of his fingers as they delved deeply into the untamable coils. “Ellysetta with hair like tairen flame and eyes the green color of spring. I’ve seen the mist of your reflection in The Eye of Truth.” His gaze returned to hers, filled with wonder and regret. “Ver reisa ku’chae. Kem surah, shei’tani. Your soul calls out. Mine answers, beloved.”

At last Ellie remembered why the Fey words seemed so familiar. She’d read them before in a slim volume of translated Fey poetry. It was the greeting a Fey man spoke to a woman when recognizing and claiming her as his truemate.

The strange buzzing in her ears was all the warning Ellie received before her knees buckled.

Limecello’s review of The Italian’s Defiant Mistress by India Grey
Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Oct 07

I’ve been going through a reading slump for the longest time. This is why I love categories, because I can generally manage to power through them. Admittedly, I struggled through this book – but I have a reason why. I had thought this book was India Grey’s newest. I’ve really enjoyed her other categories, so I was a bit worried. I also didn’t want to check the copyright date, so I saved that for last. Imagine my relief. Also, the ending was fantastic, and would have been a good indication of the quality of Ms. Grey’s later books.

I have to say, I almost DNF’d this book a few times. I asked myself why I was reading it, and suffered while reading. However, I was waiting for the terrific ending I wanted Ms. Grey to deliver, and I wasn’t disappointed. (I’m not sure if anything would have changed if I’d known this book was from 2007, not 2010 going in.)

Eve is a heroine that borders on TSTL. She’s something of your stereotypical old school Harlequin Presents heroine. I say this because she’s in a situation way over her head, she’s jumped to conclusions, isn’t willing to entertain any other ideas, and has convinced other people to pick up her cause. Scary, when you have zealous people running around with no real factual basis. Nevertheless, Eve redeems herself in the end, and starts showing her brain. She’s actually a very bright girl, just irrational when it comes to her sister, and stupid when dealing with Raphael.

Raphael is a good guy, but not a media whore, so most people think he’s a jerk. He’s developed a reputation for being curt with the public, and his half brother who hates him has no problem insinuating horrible things about him. This is all rather par for the course. However, aside from being a bit overbearing, Raphael is a well developed character. Possibly even more complex than Ms. Grey’s newer heroes. Raphael is a photographer, and an artist, really. He cares about people, and is willing to put himself in danger for the greater good. He believes Eve is about to blow a project he’s been working on with officials for years. That’s his excuse for being around her. And bullying her. (He thinks she’s a bubble headed fashion journalist.)

Oh, and of course Eve and Raphael are wildly attracted to each other. And Eve is entirely naive and has no idea that people aren’t always as they seem. Perhaps it’s a sign of my cynicism, but what someone might more kindly describe as “innocence” or “trust” I labeled “stupidity.” Eve has no idea she’s downing alcoholic drinks at a major party. (Daiquiri’s of some sort, I believe.) Luckily, Raphael saves her from his evil brother. (Yes, there was much eye rolling.)

Nevertheless even though the conflict could have been resolved almost immediately if Eve and Raphael had disclosed any part of their purpose or history… the ending works out beautifully. The majority of the book just skates “too much” (in the bad sense, where it’s borderline ridiculous) – but manages to make up much ground once Eve and Raphael are together.

There is a trial that is ridiculous, but incredibly dramatic and romantic. The way Eve and Raphael react to eat other, the events that occurred… I loved it. And that’s what gives this book the “plus” grade. However, if you’re not a die hard Harlequin Presents fan, I would suggest limiting yourself to Ms. Grey’s newer books. And those definitely aren’t to be missed.

Grade: D+

The Italian billionaire’s inexperienced mistress

Eve has come to Florence seeking information and only Raphael di Lazaro, heir to the Lazaro Fashion House, holds the answers. Surrounded by glamour, Eve’s out of her depth–until she realizes Raphael wants her! If becoming his mistress will help Eve, she’ll fake the sophistication Raphael’s expecting–but that means being available to his every desire…

Read an excerpt.

Lynne Connolly’s reviews of the Throne of Judar Trilogy by Olivia Gates and The Billionaires’ Brides Series by Sandra Marton
Contemporary romances released by Silhouette Desire & Harlequin Presents

I’ve been in bed for a week with the flu for the past week, and all I could do was read. So, being woolly-headed, I went for Harlequin, my comfort reads of choice.

Apart from my fave Sara Cravens, I discovered Olivia Gates’ Throne of Judar trilogy, and Sandra Marton’s The Billionaires’ Brides series. Totally preposterous plots, but if you go with them, you find interesting characters and situations that the authors work hard for you to believe in. 

Throne of Judar Trilogy by Olivia Gates

The Gates trilogy — Throne of Judar, consisting of The Desert Lord’s Baby, The Desert Lord’s Bride, and The Desert King — is delicious, all three, but with plots I’d usually avoid like the plague.

I’m not fond of children in my romance books, but the baby in the first book was necessary to the plot, acted its age and didn’t take up too much page time. It was also a Secret Baby, but in this book, it worked.

The writing is lush and romantic, the hot scenes tended towards the purple, but worked in the context and I found that, for me, the books improved as the series went on, mainly because of the quality of the writing. As a writer myself, I love reading writers who “come on” in their writing, and I believe Ms Gates really does.

For the Throne of Judar, B-, mainly for the purple in the sex scenes, and the fact that I couldn’t always work out what exactly was going on in them.

Overall Grade: B-

	The Desert Lord’s Baby by Olivia Gates Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 13 May 08 Summary: There was nowhere Carmen could hide from this prince of Judar. No stone he wouldn’t turn to find her, no wall he couldn’t tear down. Nothing would stop Farooq Aal Masood from claiming the mother of his baby. She had betrayed him. And she would pay. In his bed. As his wife…until he tired of her. And though Carmen professed to love him, that it was all a misunderstanding, well…Farooq would never fall for her lies again! Read an excerpt.
	The Desert Lord’s Bride by Olivia Gates Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 8 Jul 08 Summary: The future of Judar rests with Farah Beaumont, a foreigner who wants nothing to do with her heritage. And to secure his country’s peace, prince Shehab Aal Masood must make her his bride-by any means necessary. Hiding his identity and sweeping Farah off her feet is a start. But the joyful, seemingly innocent Farah is nothing like he expects. And Shehab’s calculated seduction soon becomes an affair too powerful to control…. Read an excerpt (scroll down).
	The Desert King by Olivia Gates Contemporary romance released by Silhouette Desire 9 Sep 08 Summary: Their farce of a marriage will save his kingdom. And in return for an heir, Kamal Aal Masood will give his new wife Aliyah anything-except the trust and intimacy she desperately wants. When Kamal abruptly ended their blistering affair years ago, he vowed Aliyah would never ensnare him again. Only a fool allowed his actions to be ruled by his heart. And only a woman like Aliyah would dare to challenge a king in a passionate battle of wills…. Read an excerpt (scroll down).

—

The Billionaires’ Brides Series by Sandra Marton

Sandra Marton’s Billionaires’ Brides series is about three European princes finding their American princesses, and consists of The Italian Prince’s Pregnant Bride, The Greek Prince’s Chosen Wife, and The Spanish Prince’s Virgin Bride. (I cringe at the titles, why do they do that?)

Again, there is that pattern to the stories, but I found that interesting, to see what a good writer can do with a restrictive format. Each book conformed, but the characters in the books treated their situations differently.

Sandra Marton is an experienced Harlequin writer, and her books are really easy to read. That kind of skill isn’t in itself easy to acquire, and I found myself admiring it while I was reading. Scenes and situations flow naturally, and it’s only when you stop reading, you start to realise how daft the whole set-up really is. But it doesn’t matter, because Marton takes you into her world and lets you play there. Beautifully written and constructed, with the characters making the difference between believability and preposterous over-the-topness, they were all great reads.

	The Italian Prince’s Pregnant Bride by Sandra Marton Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Aug 07 Summary: It was payday for Prince Nicolo Barbieri. The Italian aristocrat’s negotiations to take over Manhattan’s SCB bank were about to bear fruit. But he wasn’t expecting Aimee Black, granddaughter of the bank’s current owner– who was pregnant with Nicolo’s baby! Nicolo felt duty bound to marry Aimee and give his child his name. But Aimee had other ideas about surrendering herself to this arrogant foreigner, who surely didn’t love her! No excerpt available.
	The Greek Prince’s Chosen Wife by Sandra Marton Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Sep 07 Summary: Ivy Madison claims she’s pregnant with Prince Damian Aristedes’ baby, but he’s never even met her! Is she just another gold digger, exploiting his wish for a son and heir? But Ivy is expecting Damian’s child — as a surrogate mother! The arrogant Greek is furious, but he’s not about to let Ivy go. After all, he missed the pleasure of bedding her to conceive his baby… No excerpt available.
	The Spanish Prince’s Virgin Bride by Sandra Marton Contemporary romance released by Harlequin Presents 1 Oct 07 Summary: Prince Lucas Reyes is angry. His grandfather is forcing him into marriage with penniless Alyssa McDonough who’s pretending she’s untouched by any man. But the intense sexual chemistry between them tells him otherwise.—Lucas’s fiery royal blood is roused! He’ll force Lyssa to go to Spain with him, where he can get their marriage annulled. Because he’d swear that she’s pure, uninhibited mistress material, and never a virgin bride! Read an excerpt.

—

Although one series (the Gates) was a Desire, and the other a Presents/Modern (Modern in the UK, Presents in the States), I didn’t actually find a lot of difference in the heat level. Although the Martons had one less sex scene per book, it was more explicit than the Gates ones.

These books are really hard to write, and very easy to read, which is why many women find them perfect in certain situations. On long journeys, ill in bed, or just looking for a read to accompany a break and a cup of coffee, they’re excellent.

I’ve tried a number of times to write for Harlequin, and so I know how hard it is. Taking a restrictive set of requirements (not a formula, because you can do what you want within those requirements) and writing a believable, enjoyable story within them is so much harder than writing whatever you want and letting your imagination dictate the story completely.

Actually, I have a couple of submissions in right now. Just sayin’.

Limecello’s review of Spin the Bottle by Elizabeth Scott
Erotic romance anthology released by NAL on 2 Oct 07

I read Elizabeth Scott’s (a.k.a. Janice Maynard’s) first book Naughty Housewives, and knew I wanted to read this book as well. This sexy, single-author anthology really pushes the envelop, and runs the gamut of intriguing, interesting experiences. If you like your books with a lot of heat, this is the book for you, because there’s a bit of something for everyone. 

Master of the House

I’d have to say that this the novella I was least comfortable with in the anthology. The entire story is Paul playing the dominant to Rena’s submissive. Part of it may be that I only know a cursory amount of BDSM and that’s… not particularly my thing. Being somewhat familiar with Ms. Scott’s writing, I plugged on, and am glad I did.

At times, it felt that the characters took it a bit far. Paul punishes Rena for no reason, and accuses her of things she didn’t do, unreasonably. That bothered me a bit. And then he made her sleep in a dog bed, not having a safe word, things like that. I also couldn’t quite wrap my head around how being humiliated and treated badly would make Rena’s professional life better, but… ok. Still, what helped in the end was the genuine love and affection Paul and Rena have for each other, and the fact that… this was what Rena wanted. There was also a particularly sexy scene, ironically with a third character and Rena, with Paul rather out of the picture.

Grade: B+

Rena and Paul are respected and admired corporate big shots. But behind their clean-cut image is a down-and-dirty fantasy that drives Rena wild: being a slave to the anything-goes sexual demands of her merciless master. Punishment really can be its own reward.

Your Place or Mine?

By far my favorite novella in this book, and likely my favorite novella by Ms. Scott to date. Jackie and Rod’s story is sexy, fun, titillating, but also emotional. It has depth and substance, which is what drew me to Ms. Scott’s books in the first place. Jackie and Scott have had a bumpy relationship, but they’re finally in a good place, and are ready to work out some of their remaining issues. The way they do that is incredibly creative, and hot.

I loved that Rod was willing to help his wife overcome her hang-ups, and that it was clear both characters matured not only from the time they met each other, but throughout the course of the story. I’d say it’d be worth buying the book even just for this novella.

Grade: A+

Jackie and Rod‘s marriage crashed and burned a decade ago. Now together again, they have secret fantasies that may tear them apart once more, unless they can bare their souls and confess the shocking truth. Your place or mine?

Doctor, Doctor

Interestingly enough, while this is the tamest story, it wasn’t my favorite. I think maybe because due to the title and lead up, I was expecting something different. Ed and Charmaine have a great sex life, but when Ed’s uncle leaves him some property, including the office where his uncle had his medical practice, the couple decides to have some extra fun. I think because the scenes weren’t quite as believable. The couple role played, which was cute, but not as engrossing. There might be the minor issue that doctors and I are something like oil and water. That and, the characters were tired. The beginning is a bit slow, and what with the Ed and Charmaine being some what down, and exhausted, it felt like that mood carried through a bit. Also, it was the shortest novella, which might have had something to do with it. Still, the characters are definitely in love and care deeply for one another.

Grade: B+

Ed and Charmaine think their sex life is as thrilling as it gets – until, that is, they come upon the stimulating medical instruments that belonged to Ed’s late great-uncle. So many cold, hard toys at their disposal. So much potential. So many ways to play doctor.

The writing flowed perfectly.  The stories while outrageous are believable, and I enjoyed this book very much. For some reason I thought this was Ms. Scott’s first book (I now know Naughty Housewives was first). Ms. Scott definitely takes her characters to the edge, but she does it for a reason. It makes sense, and works with the stories and personalities of the characters. The games all six characters play are perfectly suited to them. At no point did it feel that Ms. Scott put her characters through their paces just to be shocking or write something new. Nothing felt forced or fake, and I really appreciate that, especially with erotica. I definitely plan on reading Ms. Scott’s next novel, whatever it may be.

Overall Grade: A-

Book summary: 

Three couples. The best of friends. Three nights at an oceanfront cabin. One sexy game of confession that’ll bring them all a lot closer. Six friends stripped of their inhibitions. Consider the possibilities.

Liviania‘s guest review of Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (Immortals After Dark, Book 3) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal romance released by Pocket Star 1 Oct 07

Bowen MacRieve, who got the shaft in the second novel is the hero of the third book in the Immortals After Dark series. Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night begins during the events of No Rest for the Wicked. Bowen traps the witch Mariketa, along with two demons and three witches, in the tomb of the incubi. He realizes too late that the six could not get out on their own and Mariketa now has good reason to hate him. Yet he reacts as if she is his mate; impossible, since his mate Mariah died two centuries ago.

Bowen and Mari are a good match. She’s modern, spunky, and does not put up with his tragic woe-is-me attitude. She’s exactly what he needs to reenter the world of the living. Bowen helps Mari with her powers, particularly by giving her a tie to the real world.

Okay, this is a bit silly, but I get knocked out of the story every time Bowen says the word ‘cockstand.’ Seriously, it doesn’t make me think of an erection. It makes me think of bizarre acrobatics or naughty bicycle modifications. The first time it occurs, Bowen is talking to Mariketa, “And I’d describe the sight as life changing. It’s also made me ponder if a male can have a cockstand that’s so hard, it canna be tamed.”

What does that even mean? I’ve not exactly heard of cockstand taming before. At least the second time it occurred I’d seen the word before. I sure hope it isn’t more common than I think. I’m not sure I can ever assimilate cockstand into my vocabulary. It’s just too much fun to ponder possible meanings. (Or to ponder cockstand taming. That’d be an interesting circus.)

Most of the book is Mari and Bowen getting to know each other as they tromp through the jungle. The House of Witches threatened Bowen if he didn’t return Mari to them by a certain date. Of course, Rydstrom, Cade, and the elves hike with them. There are definitely some scenes to get one excited about Dark Desires After Dusk – Cade is awesome. Actually, so are the other four. They were a good sort with which to get trapped in a tomb of incubi. Their camaraderie with Mari shows as much chemistry as her relationship with Bowen.

Bowen and Mariketa both change for the better due to their love. Bowen loses the desperation that drove him in the Talisman’s Hie and faces the fact he never loved Mariah. Mariketa, like Emma, reaches her potential and faces her destiny. Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night delivers solid romance with quite a bit of action, but also some conversation.

But really, cockstand?

Grade: B+

     Summary:

Her breathless kiss haunts him…

Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed — until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.

His slow, hot touch is irresistible…

Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It’s rumored that no one can tempt Bowen’s hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.

No deed is too wicked for her seduction…

If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul — or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?

     Read an excerpt.

Click on the Immortals After Dark series tag for more excerpts, more reviews, and more everything on this series.

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).

Limecello’s review of Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (Immortals After Dark, Book 3) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal romance released by Pocket Star Oct 07

Book three of the Immortals After Dark series was very enjoyable. Wicked Deeds actually happens while much of No Rest is taking place, and you have to feel bad for Bowen. I think a lot of what happens to him is downplayed – after all, he’s a tough Lykae – one who would have been king-so what does he need with half his face? Honestly. It’s fine it got blown off. Gah.

Mariketa and Bowen have a major May-December relationship. In fact, one could say it’s January-December. She’s 23. Chronologically. He’s more than twelve centuries old. He also froze into immortality later than most – I think he’s in his late 30s, early 40s? Yet some how, it’s not a big deal in the book, or at all. Really – no squick factor.

We’re introduced to Bowen in book one, and if you don’t feel for him, then you have no soul. Mari, is half fey, half witch, and has a lot riding on her shoulders. While most witches have only one or two powers, Mari has the abilities of a warrior, healer, enchantress, conjurer, and seeress. That is, when she can control them. The problem is, eight year olds can handle spells more easily than she can. Ouch.

They’re both competing in the Talisman’s Hie (yeah, none of these characters get competing with and for your lives against each other isn’t the best lead in for a romantic relationship), and bad things happen. Bowen traps Mari and others in a jail with an ancient evil. (Think LoTR and Balrog – but less cute.) Mari hexes Bowen with mortality. Because of this, neither of them win the competition.

Afterwards, Bowen is sent to rescue Mari. In his defense, he really thought they’d be able to get out. Bowen is torn, because he entered the Hie in order to go back in time and prevent his mate from dying. He’s also guilty, because she died running from him. At the same time, he’s got feelings for Mari – and more importantly, he wants her. A lot. Mari also wants him. Perfect, no?

No. They hate each other. This is endlessly entertaining, and carries on throughout the book. The first time they see each other in two weeks, Mari tries to kill Bowen even though she’s near death herself. He’s old, and old fashioned. Also, very lupine. For her part, Mari is wild and outrageous, acting much like the stereotypical sorority pledge would. (Curious if she should, because she hasn’t turned yet – and mortals have to worry about annoying things like not pickling their livers.)

I really like the interaction between Bowen and Mari, although she gets a bit too angsty for me. There were some over used terms – how the heroine is sad and abandoned, nobody loves her even though she has a lot of friends and a great support team, and she’s always second best cry cry cry. There were also some minor issues with plot development, but not that big a deal. Otherwise, I have few complaints.

Ms. Cole’s books always seem to take an unexpected turn, where you think everything is done – but it’s not! More needs to happen! And you know what? As a reader, you’re glad. This was a good book, and I hope you read and enjoy it!

Grade: B

Read Sandy M’s review here.

Summary:

HER BREATHLESS KISS HAUNTS HIM… Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed -until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.

HIS SLOW, HOT TOUCH IS IRRESISTIBLE… Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It’s rumored that no one can tempt Bown’s hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.

NO NEED IS TOO WICKED FOR HER SEDUCTION… If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul-or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in this series:

Read Sandy’s review.

Read Limecello’s and Gwen’s reviews.

Coming next:

Dark Desires After Dusk (Immortals After Dark, Book 5) , coming 20 May 08!

Ok, this should have gone up before the excerpt from Untamed, but uh. . .I don’t want to point fingers or blame anyone, so it’s just going up now! It really is a good book.

SNEAK Peek from Chapter 3

Ever felt like you were leading a double life? Sparks fly and passions flare when former Roxbury House orphans, oh-so-proper barrister, Gavin Carmichael and music hall chanteuse Daisy Lake AKA Delilah du Lac meet fifteen years later in a smoky London supper club. Can this on the surface mismatched couple really have a shot at a sexy second chance at love?

E-X-C-E-R-P-T

“The boy I love is up in the gallery,

The boy I love is looking down at me,

There he is, can’t you see, waving with his handkerchief,

As merry as a robin that sings in a tree.”

—The Boy I Love Is Up in the Gallery, Music hall song made famous by Marie Lloyd

The song spiraled to a close, and Daisy parked herself by the piano to catch her breath. Draping an arm about the pianist, she called out, “Maestro, for my final number give us a cross between spicy and sweet, if you please.”

Each night, her act concluded with her selecting one man from the audience to bring up onstage for her most seductive number. This night’s selection would be “A Little of What You Fancy,” made popular by music hall legend, Marie Lloyd. Like any song, it was the delivery more so than the lyrics that set the tone of the piece. A suggestive smile, a shimmy of shoulders or hips, a subtle inflection of voice could transform the most demure of drawing room melodies into the bawdiest of ballads. It was all in good fun, and the audience ate it up as evidenced by the hefty tips that came her way afterward.

The handsome dark-haired man sitting at one of the front row tables with his friends had caught her eye from the very first. A real gentleman, she’d thought, but beyond that he had the look of someone she’d once cherished and lost, Gavin Carmichael, the orphan boy she’d idolized as a child. For a split second, she’d actually thought he was Gavin before dismissing the notion as fancy fed by wishful thinking and a more than passing resemblance. Taking in his confident carriage, the apparent ease with which he chatted with his tablemates, and the habit he had of looking everyone, including her, squarely in the eye, she told herself he couldn’t possibly be the sweet, stammering, slope-shouldered boy of her memory.

Like Gavin, this solemn-eyed man struck her as the serious sort, not one to appreciate being singled-out and subjected to a feather boa looped lasso-like about his immaculate shirt collar—which made the prospect of tweaking that aristocratic nose and coaxing a flush into those high-boned cheeks all the more irresistible.

From the orchestra pit, a drum roll sounded, her cue to sashay down the stage stairs and choose her night’s “victim.” Summoning her most sultry smile, she announced, “I’ll need a volunteer from the audience. Whichever of you fine, strapping gents shall it be, hm?”

Predictably, hands shot up to the sky along with calls of “Over ‘ere, sweet’eart,” and “Pick me. Me!”

Playing to the crowd, she pursed her painted lips into the pout she knew from experience would turn every man within eyeshot into a randy, raving lunatic. “Oh, my so many gallants to choose from, my poor head is spinning.”

Tapping a finger to the beauty patch beside her mouth, she made a show of scanning the audience, pausing every now and again to hesitate over a pair of pleading eyes or to smile into a flushed face, all the while knowing exactly who she would pick—the dark-haired archangel with the sad, solemn eyes and the beautiful lips. For the span of a single song, she simply had to have him.

“I think it will be…you!” She stabbed her finger at him and then crooked it, beckoning him onstage.

Looking like a startled stag confronted with a hunter’s rifle, for a handful of seconds he stared at her unmoving. One of his grinning friends jabbed him in the side. Coming to, he looked back over his shoulder as if the object of her pointing must be sitting at a table behind him. Daisy hid a smile and silently counted off to five. By “four” he’d turned back to her, expression horrified. Staying in his seat, he jerked his head back-and-forth and mouthed “no.”

He’s shy, she thought, followed by how delicious. After two solid weeks of being ogled by brutes and occasionally pawed by the bolder ones, the prospect of having to coax a man onstage with her was strangely titillating. Watching the mortified flush spread over his high-boned cheeks, she felt a jet of warmth shoot between her thighs and was startled by it. Though her act was overtly sexual, when performing she was very much detached from her body. More often than not, she felt as though she’d left her physical self entirely, as though she were the puppet master pulling the strings behind the scene of a Punch and Judy show only instead of Punch, the puppet she manipulated was called Delilah. The byplay and banter she kept up with the males in the audience was entirely for show. The allure of her act rested on her ability to convince every man in the room she must be mad for him, but the truth was she’d never once felt the slightest sexual stirring while onstage—until now.

Heart drumming and palms perspiring, Gavin watched Daisy sashay down the steps, the spotlight following her as she headed straight for him. As much as he’d wanted to see her, becoming part of her act hadn’t been any part of his plan.

She drew up at their table. “Bonsoir, gents. Do any of you lads know French? It’s the language of love after all.” Even though she addressed the trio as a group, Gavin didn’t miss how her eyes never left his face. God, Daisy.

Rourke volunteered Gavin to speak any language she fancied and gamely suggested they commence with Latin. Faces wreathed in grins, he and Hadrian shifted to the side to make room.

Daisy flung her slender arms out to the side and announced to the audience, “I think our handsome friend must be shy. Are you shy, sweetheart?” Gaze locked on Gavin’s, she leaned over the table, sending cleavage spilling out the top of her gown, and ran her tongue along the seam of her lips, a slow, deliberate slide that had the heat pooling in his groin. Straightening, she called out to the other tables, “Come on fellows, this fine young gentleman wants for encouragement. Let’s give it to him, shall we?”

A wave of boos and hisses rolled over the room. From the back, someone called out “Pisser” and another more benign voice added, “Lucky bloke,” but for the most part Gavin was too caught up in his beautiful tormentor to pay them much heed.

Wrenching his gaze away from her, he pleaded with his friends. “You go, Patrick. You fancy being front and center more than I.”

“Not a chance.” Rourke reached across and slapped him on the back. “It’s your night. It won’t kill you to have a bit of fun for once.”

Mortified, Gavin swung around to Hadrian. “Harry?”

Hadrian shook his head and then gave him a thumbs-up. “Can’t, mate. Callie would have my cock on a platter if she ever found out and even if she didn’t, I’ve had more than my share of show girls in my bachelor days. Pretend you’re in court before the judge and jury if that helps you. Whatever it takes, go to!”

Gavin started to answer he didn’t care to “go to,” but instead found himself swallowing a mouthful of feathers. Standing behind his chair, Delilah ran practiced palms over his shoulders and down his shirtfront, stopping barely above the waistband of his trousers. Fingers pointed downward, she brought her mouth over his ear. “Either be a sport and come on stage with me or have me finish out my act here. What’s it to be, chéri?”

The threat levered Gavin to his feet. Face burning, he submitted to her winding the boa about his neck and then using its tail as a leash to lead him onstage. He mounted the platform amidst raucous applause just as two burly stagehands set down a gilded chair sideways in the spotlight.

“Take a load off, love,” she said, shoving both hands against his chest. Falling back into the seat he caught a whiff of the cool, clean scent of peppermint on her breath, her favorite sweet from all those years ago.

Like Delilah seducing Samson or Salome dancing for Herod, she circled him, her swaying movements matching the tempo of the music, her every teasing gesture designed to arouse. Standing in front of him, she slowly peeled off her elbow high opera gloves finger-by-finger; the left hand with her teeth, a slow, seductive striptease. Gavin sucked in his breath, hoping his erection wasn’t visible to the audience as it must be to her.

She bent over him, grabbing the back of his chair with both hands. Her breasts were a hairsbreadth from his mouth, her green foxfire gaze a burn he felt like a brand on his flesh. In the subdued lighting, her skin, very white and slightly damp, glowed like pearls.

Turning her face to the side, she called out, “I think he likes it, gents. What about you?”

The crowd roared its approval and Gavin more than suspected his wasn’t the only hard-on in the room. Coins fell upon the stage floor like hail, one striking Gavin in the outer thigh. Delilah smoothed her hand over the smarting spot and cooed, “Poor baby,” loud enough for the audience to hear. The next thing he knew she was in his lap, or rather straddling it, a leg on either side of his chair. Hands braced atop his shoulders, she wiggled her bottom, her sultry smile telling him she was feeling every brick hard inch of him.

All at once, her eyes flashed open and her jaw dropped, taking her smile with it. “Gavin?”

He nodded. His mouth felt too dry for speaking but he managed to mouth the words, “Yes. Yes, it’s me.”

In that moment, he forgot he was on stage, forgot he was a respected barrister in a compromising, some might say humiliating position, a collar of feathers about his neck and a boner tenting his trousers. Feeling as though his blood had turned to molten lava, he threw back his head and fitted his hands to her hips and let her dance in his lap in time to the music.

She pulled back, and he fancied the sudden hitch to her breathing and the trembling of her thighs wasn’t part of the act. That now that she saw him for who he was, she was feeling it too, something so bold and powerful and altogether erotic that surely simple lust must pale in comparison.

The music built to crescendo. Her eyes found his. Looking apologetic if not precisely shame-faced, she whispered, “It’s the finale. I’m…I’m sorry.”

Before he could ask what she was sorry for, she arched back, and he found himself on eye-level with her splayed thighs, a sliver of moist pink flesh peeking out of her the slit in her silky black drawers. Suddenly she flipped over, somehow managing to execute the somersault without kicking him in the face. Bounding to her feet, she turned to the audience. In one smooth motion, she reached down and pulled the drawstring of her bloomers. The garment felt away in two halves, revealing the scanty black lace thong beneath.

To a man, the crowd surged to its feet. More money fell upon the stage, crumbled pound notes this time amidst catcalls and wolf whistles and thunderous applause. Playing to the applause, she strutted up and down the stage, stopping periodically to bend over and pick up the money, a devise to show off her exquisitely tight milk white bottom.

Hands full, she pranced back to the piano and dropped the heap of collected coins atop. “Our volunteer has been a proper sport. He deserves something sweet, doesn’t he, Ralphie?”

The pianist obliged with a violent nod. “Aye, Miss Du Lac, seems he ought to get somethin’ for ‘is trouble.”

Daisy winked, a broad gesture meant to be seen all the way to the back of the room and strolled back over to Gavin, still seated in the chair. She settled a hand atop each of his shoulders and looked long and deep into his eyes. “Fancy a sweet, love?”

Gav, have you brought me your sweets again this time?

Gavin opened his mouth to answer that no reward was required but before he could, she grabbed him by the shirt collar and crushed her mouth to his. Drowning in a sea of peppermint and applause, Gavin shot up from the chair, wrapped his arms about her slender waist, and lifted her off the ground.

Off into the distance, a male voice yelled out, “That’s the way, mate. Give her a good rogering.”

The crude remark returned Gavin to reality. He wrenched his mouth away from Daisy’s and looked over her slender past her to a sea of salivating faces. All at once he remembered where he was and, more importantly, who he was.

“Enough!” He stripped off his evening jacket and threw it about Daisy’s shoulders. Staring into her startled eyes, he said, “This is for your own good,” and swung her up into his arms.

Laura J’s review of Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Contemporary Paranormal Romance released by Onyx Publishing 2 Oct 07

As you all know, I love the funnay stuff. So a couple of years ago when a friend showed me one of Ms Thompson’s books, I said sure I’ll give her a try. I am so glad I did. I have read all of her Nerd books and have been trying to locate as many of her backlists books as I can find. It’s a pretty funny sight to see a grown woman at a flea market getting a little excited when she locates one.

In her latest release, Ms. Thompson takes us to the fictional town of Big Knob, Indiana named because of a rocky cropping that looks phallic. This small town is where witches Dorcas and Ambrose Lowell are banished after using an “untested potion” to help the High Wizard’s brother in law that failed in a sense. They are required to stay their until they are able to straighten out George the dragon who lives in a nearby forest.

Sean Madigan is the the town hottie, which he is quite tired of. He can’t go anywhere without woman throwing themselves at him. When Dorcas and Ambrose offer to help make him less attractive in exchange for them building them a particular style of bench, he agrees. This seems to work well until Maggie Grady shows up in town to scout out a location for a new grocery store and hopefully save her career. Unfortunately that location is the same one that Sean hopes to purchase and one that was once his childhood home. Not only is Maggie trying to take away the home he wants to buy, but he is extremely attracted to her and not looking exactly like himself. Sean needs to find a way to get his childhood home and win the girl of his dreams and all with a bad haircut and ugly glasses.

Over Hexed is the first in the Hex Series and I hope many more to come (Wild & Hexy will be released in June 2008) . I love the characters and I really enjoyed the change from nerd to hunk hero to hunk hero to nerd. While I was reading this book (the first time, I’ve read it twice now) I kept trying to come up with who should play the parts if this book was ever made into a movie (yeah, I know I’m a real dork, but in my defense this would make a great movie).

Sean is adorable. He’s a good guy who only wants people to see him for more than his good looks and this made him even more endearing to me. The scene when he “rescues” Maggie was funny and tender at the same time. I think all girls want to be rescued by a “knight” at sometime in their lives and Sean was a true knight.

Maggie is a warm and tender person who is tired of being taken advantage of. Someone has be sabotaging her scouting locations allowing the competition to beat her out great locations for the company she works for. She wants desperately to prove that she is good at her job and finally has that opportunity. She could have easily gained the property by making an immediate offer on the property or through underhanded means, but instead she takes Sean’s feelings into consideration. I liked her immediately for not taking the low road.

Dorcas and Ambrose. Well let’s just say I am really looking forward to what they conjure up next.

If you missed this book when it first came out you still have time before the second one comes out. It was a fun, romantic story with great characters and lots of laughs that I highly recommend you pick up if you haven’t already.

Grade: A

     Summary:

     The secret to happiness is a good hex life.

     Banished. Until their unconventional techniques landed them in hot water, Dorcas and Ambrose were the matchmaking sex therapists for lovelorn witches and wizards. The Grand High Wizard has exiled them to the very conventional and unmagical town of Big Knob, Indiana, Pop. 947. But that doesn’t mean they’ve given up matchmaking…

     Now they’re doing it for mere mortals-although all agree: Sean Madigan is something of a god. Because he’s tired of being the town sex object, Dorcas and Ambrose strip him of his appeal and then introduce him to his destiny, Maggie Grady. This time winning a girl’s heart won’t be so easy for Sean. It means rediscovering the charms buried beneath a gorgeous surface.

     Read an excerpt.

Lawson’s review of Enslaved by Hope Tarr
Historical romance released by Medallion Press 1 Oct 07

This is the second in Tarr’s series following three orphans in late Victorian London. The first story follows Harry Stone, now Hadrian St. Claire. This story follows Gavin Carmichael, now a successful barrister working for his grandfather. Gavin has always wondered about Daisy Lake, a fellow orphan who he had to leave when his grandfather came to take him from the orphanage. Gavin is surprised when he finds Daisy performing in a not so wonderful location as Delilah du Lac, lately of Paris music halls.

Daisy is in London because she eventually wants to persue a career as a serious actress. When Gavin sees her on stage he is in shock, but then at the end of her act he steals her off the stage and offers her something she can’t refuse. He promises to help her get a part in a new production of As You Like It if she will live with him for a month. Daisy assumes the offer is to become his mistress, but Gavin wants more than just some nights of pleasure, and he does all he can to keep Daisy around, even when she continues to lie to him.

Gavin is very likeable. Though he was an orphan for a while, before he was 14 he lived with a caring, if poor, family. His mother fell in love with a poor Irishman and ran away from home. After living for a year in the orphanage, Gavin’s grandfather finds him and gives him everything money can buy, but not the loving home he had before he was orphaned. Leaving the orphanage he left Daisy, but he searched for her when he became an adult.

Daisy has always felt abandoned, by her birth parents who left her as an infant, then by Gavin when he was taken away by his grandfather. She was adopted by a very nice theatrical couple who took her to France where she learned to sing and dance and act a little. Because of all these circumstances, plus the attention from some Frenchmen, Daisy doesn’t really trust Gavin, or men in general, and so she sets out to say things to shock him as well as hide herself but not her body.

Daisy was hard to like at first, with her blunt speech, her constant offering of herself, but not her heart and how she kept Gavin at a distance from truly knowing her. It’s understandable though given her feelings of abandonment as well as thinking Gavin had ignored her for so long. She had written him many letters he never returned. What secrets she hides, there are some big ones, and her reasons make her eventually really grow on a person. It takes the whole book to do it, and it’s frustrating why she doesn’t just trust Gavin, but I did like her in the end.

There’s not any sort of dastardly villain in the story, only the things that people need to overcome to really give themselves to another person and let go of the past. One of the things that was a nice surprise was Daisy’s attitude toward sex. She was very open, maybe too blunt about it, but she was open about her wants, needs and desires and wanted to share them with Gavin. Like Callie from Vanquished, she’s not a virgin and not ashamed of that. Which makes for some great and steamy scenes between Daisy and Gavin.

There’s a greater amount of steamy passion than in Vanquished and I liked the path that Daisy and Gavin when on together and how Daisy went from being he daring woman of the world to a well rounded woman who is comfortable as herself and completely with her man.

Grade: B+

     Blurb:

     “Through thick and thin, forever and ever, come what may, we’ll stay together…”

     So goes the solemn pact between orphans Gavin Carmichael and Daisy Lake. The next day will see them separated for more than a decade.

     Years later, Gavin is a successful London barrister haunted by his past – and the memory of Daisy. To distract him from his obsession, his friends coax him out to an East End supper club where the headlining act is the infamous nightingale of the Montmartre music halls, Delilah du Lac.

     Only when Delilah strolls out onstage, Gavin takes one look at her slanted green eyes, sensuous mouth, and long, slender legs and feels recognition flood him. Delilah and Daisy are one and the same woman – a woman he resolves to save from herself at all costs. He storms the stage and carries her off.

     When Daisy confides her dream to act on a proper London stage, Gavin seizes the opportunity to bind her to him. He will see she gets a part in the upcoming run of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” – provided she agrees to live with him for one month.

     Daisy agrees. Gavin’s offer is too tempting to pass on, and the lanky boy of her memory has matured into an exceedingly handsome man. Sharing his bed for the month will be no hardship. Only as their sensual games increase in intensity, Gavin is the one in danger of being enslaved.

     Read an excerpt.

Lawson’s review of Mine Till Midnight (The Hathaways, Book 1) by Lisa Kleypas
Historical romance released by St. Martin’s 2 Oct 07

As much as I love Lisa Kleypas and her books, it’s amazing that it took me six months to read this one. I’ve got to say though that the minute I was finished with Mine Till Midnight, I really wanted to read Seduce Me at Sunrise. Someday soon. . .Oh yeah, I’ve gotten off track. Mine Till Midnight is the first in the series about the Hathaway family. There are also some scenes with characters from the Wallflower books, and it’s always nice to spend more time with Marcus, Lord Westcliff and Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent.

The story starts off with Amelia Hathaway going through the London streets in the dead of night looking for her brother. Since inheriting a title, he’s been drinking and gambling his way through London. Amelia is afraid this path is leading to her brother’s demise and has decided this is the last night and is taking the rest of the family away to the country. Looking for her brother leads her to Jenner’s, where she gets the help of Cam Rohan.

Cam helps Amelia and her Gypsy friend Merripen find her brother Leo, but not before stealing a kiss. The Hathaway family then takes off for the country the next day. The estate that comes with the title neighbors Stony Cross Park, the home of Lord Westcliff, and while walking Amelia runs into Cam again. After the introductions to the rest of the Hathaway family as well as meeting some of the Wallflowers and their husbands, Cam and Amelia keep running into each other and thus fall in love.

Cam is a different sort of hero. He’s a gypsy, he doesn’t want to have all the money he has and would be happier back with his tribe living out of a wagon. He occupies a place in the world of London, but doesn’t really live there. When he meets Amelia, he doesn’t know what to do at first. She’s a managing sort of woman, but he can get around her easily with some charm and good intentions. Cam is a very likable hero.

Amelia took some time to grow on me. She is managing, though she has to be with her family. Not that they are bad, really, but just clueless about somethings. Or at least she thinks they are and wants to tell her family how to run their lives. Her sisters, Winnifred, Poppy and Beatrice, aren’t so bad, it’s her brother Leo. Leo suffered a personal tragedy and has given up on life. Amelia has gotten to the point, though, that she feels she can’t manage her family’s issues anymore.

As Cam and Amelia interact, they are great together. There’s some great dialogue and steamy love scenes between the two. The thing that bothered me though, was since Amelia is at wit’s end about her family, when Cam steps in to help her, she just fully gives up and lets him manage everything. Maybe she needed someone else who is strong to lean on and help her out, but the fact that when things are at their worst, Amelia can’t think about things anymore and Cam shows up, she just wilts like a flower in the sun and lets Cam take care of everything.

Not the sort of behavior a strong heroine needs to have.

Other than Amelia’s eventual shirking of her strength, it’s a good love story and an introduction into Kleypas’ next series with the Hathaway family. Seduce Me at Sunrise follows Winnifred’s story and have you seen what a pretty cover it has?

Grade: B

     Blurb:

When an unexpected inheritance elevates her family to the ranks of the aristocracy, Amelia Hathaway discovers that tending to her younger sisters and wayward brother was easy compared to navigating the intricacies of the ton. Even more challenging: the attraction she feels for the tall, dark, and dangerously handsome Cam Rohan.

Wealthy beyond most men’s dreams, Cam has tired of society’s petty restrictions and longs to return to his “uncivilized” Gypsy roots. When the delectable Amelia appeals to him for help, he intends to offer only friendship—but intentions are no match for the desire that blindsides them both. But can a man who spurns tradition be tempted into that most time-honored arrangement: marriage? Life in London society is about to get a whole lot hotter…

     Read an excerpt.

Devon’s review of Night Mischief (a Dark Enchantments novel) by Nina Bruhns
Paranormal Romance released by Silhouette Nocturne on 1 Oct 2007

Night Mischief is part of the Dark Enchantments miniseries, released by Silhouette Nocturne last year. I read the first one, Familiar Stranger by Michele Hauf, and quite enjoyed it. The second book was a chore to finish, and I guess that’s why I let this third installment languish in the TBR milk crate. I’m glad I pulled it out, because Night Mischief was very entertaining, with a great hero and heroine, plenty of tension and a satisfying romance.

The world created for the miniseries is a bit different and interesting. The Cadre, a secret order that many of the characters are involved with, hunts down creatures and demons, true. But they take a neutral and academic approach, deciding very carefully whether or not a being is evil. A lot of their focus is on knowledge gathering. It’s kind of a refreshing change from hot headed, leather clad butt kickers. Those are there too, in the form of P-Cell, a covert division of British Intelligence who want to kill all paranormal beings. There’s a lot of tension between the two organizations. Combined with a veddy, veddy British setting, it makes for an intriguing backdrop.

The hero and heroine are both interesting characters. Dawn has always felt inferior to her twin sister, but she is an intelligent, strong and competent woman. Although at first I felt that Galen was falling for her a bit too fast, by the end I definitely believed in their relationship. Galen is one of the better done demon heroes I’ve read. He is overbearing, arrogant, and quite sexy. His increasing vulnerability to Dawn was well done, perhaps because he didn’t turn into a white knight all of a sudden. His sense of right and wrong, is that of a vengeance demon (definite shades of gray), and even though he cares about Dawn, he does some sketchy things throughout. It makes his ultimate redemption far more interesting, as he realizes what love really is.

Bruhns builds a nice tension between the two-a battle of wills punctuated by witty banter. There are some very sexy scenes as well (Galen looks human, but has a forked tongue. Nice!). I loved the Cadre’s mysterious home base, and the cast that resided within. Night Mischief is worth a try for those who are looking for a quick, satisfying paranormal read. One doesn’t have to have read the other books in order to follow the storyline (though I do recommend the Hauf as well). I will definitely be tracking down the final book, Saving Destiny by Pat White.

Grade: B

Daughter to the Earl of St. Yve, the beautiful Lady Dawn Maybank takes her responsibilities to the Cadre, the secret hermetic order of demon hunters her father heads, very seriously. But she is haunted by a fatal flaw she is desperate to hide from the world. One day a thoughtlessly spoken spell conjures Dawn’s worst nightmare…

Galen McManus is a demon of vengeance masquerading as an incubus. Handsome as the devil, he has a sinful body which he isn’t above using to weave his spell of cosmic justice. Those mortals he targets for ruin never suspect his purpose until it is far too late. Galen doesn’t believe in good or evil, in truth or lies, or in passions of any kind-other than for his job. He is all about balance.

But this demon is as cunning as he is wicked. To his newest victim Galen proposes a trade: the Demon Stone, a long-lost diamond for which her father has been searching his whole life, in exchange for Lady Dawn spending five nights in his bed. Of course, all this is just a ruse to hide his real objective: to teach Dawn the true meaning of vengeance in a lesson she’ll never forget.

But this time, Galen’s plans go awry and the sinister net the arrogant demon weaves traps his most unsuspecting victim yet…himself. And with the most unlikely of reasons – for love.

Read an excerpt here.

Finn’s review of Everything Forbidden by Jess Michaels
Historical erotic romance released by Avon Red 30 Oct 07

Talk about HOT! I really enjoyed this book. Naughty little Miranda Albright has watched her neighbor, Ethan Earl of Rothschild, as he fornicated with his summer lover for years. Well now her family is in dire straights and in need of assistance. Miranda does the sacrificial lamb thing and tells him she will be his summer lover in exchange for coming-out Seasons for her sisters. Yeah, what a hardship! (Giggle)

You just want to hit Miranda’s mother in this book. She has not come to grips with the fact that her family is running out of funds fast. She wants to spend way outside their means and Miranda has to try to rope her in.

I love Miranda’s idea; she takes matters into her own hands and finds a way to help her family. She already has decided not to wed, and she has been watching Ethan for 3 years!

Ethan is very willing to collect the payment for his financial support of the Albright sisters from Miranda. Ethan even has a chamber in his home for just such occasions; I came to refer to it in my head as the Fantasy Room. Of course, like any romance novel, the hero and heroine try to keep from loving each other but end up confused and struggling with their feelings.

I love that the book starts out with a love scene. Heck, that’s the main reason I read these romance novels! The author’s description is FABULOUS! The pictures that are painted with words are very arousing. I like that Michaels makes Ethan a man who uses all of his sense when it comes to sex. Ultimately, is that what we all want, a man that is creative and in tune with us.  Right?

Grade: A

From the back cover:

     Country miss Miranda Albright has secretly watched her wicked neighbor, Ethan Hamon, the Earl of Rothschild, as he ‘entertained’ lovers on the grounds of his country estate for three summers. But after her father dies and the family falls into financial peril, Miranda is driven to strike a bargain with the Earl. He will play financial and social host for a Season for each of her three younger sisters… in exchange for three months of sin with her.

     Miranda has always ached for the passion she’s spied upon, but she knows Ethan is the kind of man who could steal her heart, as well as claim her body. And falling in love with a man who admits she is nothing but a game to him could be the most dangerous and forbidden seduction of all.

     Read an excerpt.

Alicia’s review of The Harlot’s Daughter by Blythe Gifford
Historical romance released 1 Oct 07 from Harlequin

I love early medievals, so The Harlot’s Daughter, set in 1386 looked like a good choice. I was also pulled in by the choice of story. The major events happened and a lot of the characters were actually real people. I just love historicals like that.  Though I was slow to get into it at first, I liked the poetic style and the metaphors and symbolism. It was done well but I didn’t see the characters all that clearly and started thinking the book would be shallow. I was wrong. It was just starting.

Lady Joan, called Solay, the eldest daughter of Alys Piers, mistress to the late King Edward III, shows up at court hoping to gain some support for her mother and sister. Through the unfair dealings of the legal system they have lost everything but the house they live in and have been selling their belongings in order to eat. Solay has been raised to mistrust everyone but particularly men and especially men of the law.

Lord Justin Lamont is a sergeant-at-law. He is part of a council set up by Parliament to straighten out the financial mess King Richard has made. He’s not a favorite of the king, of course, but he has the law and truth on his side. He has become the man who tells the king bad news, because he’s not afraid to do it.

This book explores, rather well, the question of whether law and truth can be counted on to win in an arena where the very authorities are corrupt. Both Justin and Solay have to face, over and over, their own belief systems. Gifford doesn’t go for the simple answers. These are complex characters in complex situations.

A big plus for me, this heroine is a totally different kind of person. I don’t think she’s much like any other heroine I’ve ever read. She’s smart, but she has been raised to be very cynical and will do what it takes to provide for her mother and sister. She’s not selfish or greedy but it’s not surprising she comes across that way. Her loyalty is to the only two people she’s ever been able to trust. Anyone else is fair game for serious manipulation. I was reminded, time and again, of the senator/president’s wife in the first season of 24. But Solay grows through her relationship with Justin and is an excellent heroine.

Unexpectedly, Justin grows a lot, as well. I would have assumed the guy with the high moral values and faith in truth and right would simply have to be patient and soon he would waltz right on in to his HEA. But his world was just too black and white and he comes through his own trials a different man.

The author had me in tears for the characters within the first third of the book, which isn’t easy to do. I don’t buy cheap plays for emotion. Ms. Gifford earned every tear.

Grade: B+

From the back cover:

Betrothed to a man she must betray. She is the illegitimate daughter of a dead king, trying to regain a place at court. He is the powerful lord determined to stop her. And around every corner lurks treason that could threaten them both.

Read an excerpt.

Bev(QB)’s review of Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 1) by Jeaniene Frost
Paranormal Romance published by Avon 30 October 2007

Halfway to the Grave is a hybrid of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Since I know it’s a flashpoint for romance purists, I’ll tell you up front that it has an urban fantasy ending. But, for those that felt cheated by the ending of Cameron Dean’s Candace Steele trilogy (which I enjoyed immensely), I’ve included a message from Jeaniene Frost’s website:

Author’s note about the Night Huntress series: HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE is the first book in an urban fantasy romance series with half-vampire heroine Cat Crawfield. My heroine and hero have a difficult road ahead of them and they will have to work hard to earn their HEA, so their story isn’t over with the first book. Hope you come along for the ride!

So, is this series worth your investment? OH YEAH! Once I picked it up, there was no putting it down until I finished. The worst thing I can say about it is that book 2, One Foot in the Grave, won’t be released until April 2008!

Cat was conceived when her mother was raped by a vampire. As her odd “differences” became apparent, Cat’s less than affectionate (and possibly not altogether sane) mother insisted she not let anyone find out and refused to talk about them. It wasn’t until Cat was 16 that her mother finally told her the truth and then, with her mother’s encouragement, Cat decided to devote her life to finding and killing vampires. Although she often resents her mother’s pressure to continue the killings, she craves her mother’s approval and doesn’t stop because she’s finally making her Mama proud.

Through trial and error, she becomes a bad-ass vamp executioner. Or so she thinks. Turns out it was her half-vamp abilities combined with the dumb luck of only luring young vamps to their death. Her luck runs out when she meets Bones, an old vamp who hunts other vampires as an occupation. One well placed punch from him takes her out of the game and into his dangerous captivity.

Once he believes she isn’t working for one of his many enemies, Bones realizes that Cat could be very useful as his bounty hunter protege, and offers her a deal– if she’ll let him train her to be his partner, he’ll teach her what she needs to know to kill vamps and help her find the vamp who fathered her.

What follows is the boot camp from hell. Bones pulls no punches, and systematically beats the daylight [hee] out of Cat trying to prepare her for the dangers of hunting the older and truly dangerous vamps that he regularly hunts. But in the process, he finds himself more and more fascinated with her.

To Cat, vampires are evil creatures that must all die. Period. But she’ll let this one live. For now. At least until he teaches her everything she needs to know about vampires.

The gradual development of the relationship between Cat and Bones is fascinating to read. In addition to struggling with her own beliefs about vamps, Cat is also aware that her mother will turn her back on her if she finds out that she not only hasn’t killed Bones, but is working with him! Combine all that with her awkward history with men, and Cat feels torn apart and confused by the sexual tension between her and Bones.

This book was also engrossing because Cat and Bones aren’t perfect. They don’t always win. Things doesn’t always go their way. They make mistakes. People, including those they care about, die. I hope Frost continues that with book 2, because the story has the potential to make them too perfect and that would ruin the appeal of both the characters and the story.

The primary reason I’m not giving this book a higher grade is because I don’t think it will appeal to readers who aren’t already paranormal romance AND urban fantasy fans. (see A Duckie’s Guide to Romance) After all, the hero DOES beat the heroine unconscious… a LOT!

But for you fans of the genre that still aren’t convinced, read the summary and chapter 1 here. No really, GO READ IT!

Grade: B+

Sandy M’s review of Calamity Jayne Heads West (Tressa Jayne Turner Mysteries, Book 5) by Kathleen Bacus
Contemporary romance published 2 Oct 07 by Love Spell (Dorchester)

I have to admit, I laughed out loud when I read that blonde joke on the back cover of this book and thought it ought to be a good story. Well, I was right and I was wrong.  I’ve not read any of the previous Calamity Jayne books, so perhaps that’s why it took me a while to get into this one. I know nothing about the characters and their history, but, still, starting from scratch, it took me about two and a half months to get through this one.

In this book, Jayne and her family are in Arizona for the wedding of Tressa’s grandmother to Ranger Rick Townsend’s grandfather. While there, Tressa comes across the perfect wedding gift – a fertility god statue that is butt ugly even to her – that someone else is after.  In between all these goings-on is the relationship between her and Ranger Rick. But it seems the current mystery holds more excitement and adventure for Tressa than a handsome, kind and caring man because she’s back out there running down clues once again. Silly blonde.

While the writing is good, the humor is great — even though all those western clichés get to be a little much after a while — and the mystery is a fun chase, I was disappointed that there wasn’t more between Calamity and Rick. I’m assuming that’s the case through most of the series, and, if so, I don’t think I’d have much of a good time with those books.

This book has its moments, but it starts out very slow and while there’s lots of action, to me there’s not enough of the right kind of action. It’s a cute story and there is more to Tressa Jayne than being blonde, but I just needed something more.

Grade: C
Blurb:

Did you hear about the blonde coyote? It got stuck in a trap, chewed off three legs and was still stuck.

Tressa Jayne Turner, Grandville Iow’s own little “Calamity”, is headed for the Grand Canyon State–and a wedding! No, not her own. She hasn’t said yes to the roguish Ranger Rick yet, but after the past years, some downtime in a sweat lodge is just what the shaman ordered.

Unfortunately, it’s her goofy granny getting – hitched, and Tressa’s sunny little siesta is about to have more strings attached than a dream catcher. Her cousin’s keeping secrets, Rick’s sending signals–more of the smokin’ than smoke variety–and it seems Tressa’s not the only person with an attachment to “Kookaumunga”, the butt-ugly fertility figurine she picked up at a roadside stand as a wedding gift. The wacky wedding’s about to become a southwestern scavenger hunt, an amazing race cum Da Vinci Code-intrigue, featuring a washed-up actress out to kick-start her career, a suspect spiritual advisor, locals with a cause, and a ten-year-old who’s a chip off a certain range’s blockhead. It’ll be a vision quest to make Thelma and Louise’s southwestern spree seem like amateur night at the OK Corral. May the best spirit guide win.

Read an excerpt.

Alicia’s review of All Through the Night by Suzanne Brockmann
Romantic Suspense published hardcover 30 Oct 07 from Ballantine

This is the spot where I say why I picked up the book. Duh. I’ve been waiting to read Jules’ story for years. All Through the Night does not stand alone. I’m writing this review assuming you’ve been reading Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooter series, already.

How this book hits will depend on where you’re coming from. This is not the first Brockmann book to try if you’re not a fan, already. There is some suspense but every aspect of the plot has the sole purpose of resolving Jules and Robin’s relationship.

There’s a terrorist incident that feels kind of just stuck in there. It shows how that aspect of Jules’ job is going to affect their relationship. There’s a stalker but he’s just there to force the Adam issue. There is a secondary romance which I enjoyed a lot but even that was involved with Jules and Robin. If you’re looking for classic Suzanne Brockmann romantic suspense you may be disappointed.

On the other hand, this is Jules’ story! I had no problem with everything being about the romance. I loved seeing Jules so happy and I totally believed Robin had it together. When a story is built up this much there’s a danger that the realization of the HEA will fall short of my expectation. The end of All Through the Night left me with a good, solid, satisfied feeling.

So, bearing in mind the grading system here says a “C” is still a good book, that’s where I’m going with this one. There are a lot of things that feel sort of cheated in the story but they were sacrificed for a worthy cause. If you are a Troubleshooters fan, don’t miss All Through the Night.

Grade: C+

It’s Christmastime in Boston, and this year the silver bells will be wedding bells as FBI agent Jules Cassidy ties the knot with the man of his dreams, Hollywood heartthrob Robin Chadwick.

The pair plan a quiet, intimate ceremony, to be witnessed by family and close friends from the FBI, SEAL Team Sixteen, and Troubleshooters, Incorporated, including Sam Starrett and Alyssa Locke. But the holiday season brings more to the happy couple than they expect.

A waterfall coming through their kitchen ceiling, a bat colony in the attic, old family tensions.even an international incident can’t dampen their spirits. But add to that a parade of unexpected guests, including a reporter looking for a scoop, an ex-lover hell-bent on causing trouble, and a dangerous stalker, and suddenly the wedding is poised to unravel in chaos.

But nothing will stop Jules and Robin from getting their happy ending, because along with a guest list featuring the most elite counterterrorism force in the world, they have their own secret weapon – true love.

read an excerpt

Devon’s review of Back to Haunt You by Kate Hill
Contemporary paranormal eBook romance published by Cerridwen Press 25 Oct 07

This book begins with a midnight real estate showing of a New Hampshire mansion. Jerahmy (yes, Jer-ahhh-my) Ward is a telekinetic and telepath, Devlin Carnell is a psychic vampire (he feeds off the energy of others), and Victor Snow is a medium (he sees dead people). The men are looking for a site on which to start an institute for the study of paranormal and psychic phenomena. Having found what they were looking for, the men, along with their colleague Wendy (a faith healer), move to the small town of Wistford to begin their work. 

Morgan Bianchi, part of Wistford’s most eccentric family, is at her wit’s end with her daughter Uma. Uma is also a telekinetic/telepath, and although the Bianchi’s all have psychic talents, Morgan is not able to help her daughter develop and control hers. When the paranormal institute opens, Morgan decides to check it out. They’re probably kooks, but perhaps they could help Uma. The serious but sexy Jerahmy not only offers to counsel Uma, but also offers Morgan a part-time job.

Morgan and Jerahmy are attracted to each other, but their opposite temperaments cause tension. Meanwhile, a series of animal mutilations in the woods are causing the people of Wistford to eye their newest residents suspiciously. As Jerahmy, Morgan, Uma, Devlin, Wendy and Victor deal with personal and professional issues, the danger grows stronger, threatening to destroy one of them.

This book was an interesting blend of mystery, romance, and paranormal. I would characterize it as Urban Fantasy. It presupposes a world where a wide variety of psychics exist, although regular folks are not all aware of them. There is a large cast of characters, with several romantic subplots.

I must admit, I waffled quite a bit over what grade to give it. On the one hand, it was quite entertaining. I read it pretty quickly, given the holiday and all. Whenever I had a free moment, I went back to it. On the other hand, I had several strong criticisms of the book. Let’s get those out of the way.

First off, Jerahmy? Why the cheesy spelling and the extra “h”? Unless you’re an enormous leather clad vampire, no ridiculous and unnecessary spellings, ‘mkay? More troubling was my dislike of the main female, Morgan Bianchi. She was a particular pet peeve of mine, one of those heroines who prides herself on being so unconventional because she dresses “semi-Goth” just like her teenage daughter. When Uma and Morgan spot Jerahmy in a tea room, they think he’s rilly, rilly kewl because he dresses all in black. So they all go to a Cure concert and smoke clove cigarettes, then recite Jim Morrison poems to each other. Not really, but come on. When was being Goth really new and unconventional? I think I was still in grade school. She seemed juvenile to me. Her daughter was too, but she was sixteen, so she’s supposed to be. I did like Jerahmy, he was one of those cold and controlled, but secretly warm and kind types. Their romance developed nicely, but every once in awhile, Morgan did or said something that made me dislike her all over again.

The ending of the book was anticlimactic. Some of it took place offstage, which stopped the momentum. Things got wrapped up very quickly, including Morgan and Jerahmy’s romance. It seemed abrupt, given the amount of time spent developing the characters and plot.

I liked Devlin and Wendy the best. Wendy was raised by bible-thumpers and has the ability to heal. Devlin came from a violent background, and can literally suck the life out of people. The proverbial angel and devil, they were the most interesting characters, and I quite enjoyed their angsty romance. Victor the medium kinda got the shaft. I kept forgetting about him. Victor and his ghosty friend got the least amount of attention, but I wasn’t really missing them either. I just wanted more Devlin and Wendy.

There were things I didn’t like in this book, but I enjoyed it overall and finished it satisfied. The Devlin/Wendy story was left dangling, and I would be interested in reading more about them, should Hill choose to write more. If you like stories about psychics, or are just sick of vampires and shapeshifters, BtHY is worth a try.

Grade: C+

Blurb:

Wistford seems like a typical small New England town. Quiet. Safe. Picturesque.

Now evil has come to Wistford. Circumstantial evidence from several violent crimes points to those involved with a new psychic institution. Jerahmy, a multi-gifted parapsychologist, Devlin, a psychic vampire, and Victor, a medium, fall under the scrutiny of the local police and only three psychic women from the Bianchi family believe they are innocent. If their trust is misplaced, they could become the next victims.

Take a look at the excerpt here.

Join Devon at Is that a stake in your pocket?

Gwen’s review of Dead of Night (Anthology) by J.D. Robb, Mary Blayney, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Mary Kay McComas
Paranormal anthology published 30 Oct 07 by Jove

Eternity in Death by J.D. Robb (103 pages)

Futuristic.  As usual, this is a fantastic Eve Dallas story.  She confronts some personal demons and a ‘vampire,’ all with Roarke steadfastly by her side.  I love Roarke. I want to have Roarke’s babies, hysterectomy notwithstanding.

Read an excerpt.

Grade: A

Amy and the Earl’s Amazing Adventure by Mary Blayney (81 pages)

Timetravel.  This was an amusing story about a young American woman and a young British man being thrust into Regency England by a magical coin.  The whole magic coin thing was a little fuzzy, and Regency England wasn’t that attractive, but it was a cute story.

No excerpt found.

Grade: C

Timeless by Ruth Ryan Langan (90 pages)

Timetravel.  This was a story about a young woman who finds herself in medieval Scotland, the wife of a famous laird and mother to his son.  It was a sweet story with some tragedy.  The villain was telegraphed early, but it was a good story with some excellent character development.

No excerpt found.

Grade: B

On the Fringe by Mary Kay McComas (97 pages)

Contemporary.  This is a Jimmy Stewart-esque “It’s a Wonderful Life” alternate reality romance using a magic carpet.  It was very confusing at the end just who was having the alternate reality and who was real, but it was a good story.  It was nice reading that the heroine was older, and not in superb shape, and that they were “normal.”  Fast, fun read.

No excerpt found.

Grade: B-

This was one of the better anthologies I’ve read.  None of the stories were weak, and the Robb story was exceptionally strong. It was a quick, fun read.

Overall grade: B
Blurb:

Nora Roberts, writing as J.D. Robb, puts futuristic lieutenant Eve Dallas in a supernatural showdown with a most seductive criminal: a vampire… An ancient coin whisks an American woman and a modern-day earl into the past-and into each other’s arms-in a stirring tale from Mary Blayney… When a city girl visits a Scottish castle in Ruth Ryan Langan’s story, she is thrust into a timeless romance with a mighty Highland laird… And Mary Kay McComas gives an unhappy wife a magic-carpet ride into an alternate reality to show her the grass isn’t always greener.

Sandy’s review of Chasing Midnight by Susan Krinard
Historical paranormal published 1 Oct 07 by HQN

Griffin Durant despises the animal within him. In all the years since the war and the fiery deaths of his parents and older brother, he has become the epitome of a gentleman of high society in 1926 New York. He takes the responsibility for his younger sister seriously, has kept the wolf in him at bay and teaches Gemma the same so that she will some day marry well and live a human life.

He has an ongoing fight with pack leader, Gareth Sloan, who wants Grif to become a member of the pack so that all werewolves in his area are under Sloan’s thumb and leadership. However, Grif has done well as a lone wolf all these years, taking care of what is his and massing a fortune in the process. Because of tragic events in his past, the one thing that has eluded Grif is happiness, and until he meets Allegra Chase he’s never known what has been lacking in his life.

Allie Chase vows she will never go back to her former life, a life full of pain in a wretchedly deformed body, imprisoned in a room where friends and family ceased to visit. She is now a vampire with a life of freedom, thanks to her patron, Cato, and has a life full of friends, fun, and laughter. It is also a life that has to be sustained by blood, which she takes from the dregs of society, but she is more than happy to make that exchange for the new life she’s been given. Meeting Griffin Durant has thrown her into confusion, however. Vampires usually feel no emotion, but Durant frustrates her with his Victorian attitude, amuses her with his morality, and drives her insane with lust when she’s near him. Befriending his sister has garnered her another friend, but she is determined to stay as far away from Grif as she can get. But fate has a mind of its own and they are being thrown into each other’s path no matter how much they fight not to do so.

Together they investigate the disappearance of their friends Malcolm and Margot, the further Grif and Allie dig into this mystery, the more complicated things become between the werewolves and vampires, heading toward a war that it seems only Griffin and Allegra know would devastate them all.

When I realized this book takes place in the 1920s, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. The ’20s and succeeding decades are not my favorite times to read about. But the more I read, the more engrossed I became in these characters’ lives and the more I wanted them to overcome their issues and be happy. Especially Griffin. He is the more tortured of the two main characters, trying to deny his origins and what he is while also passing that attitude on to his sister.

The scene where he tells Allie about his past, in achingly painful and sorrowful detail, is one of the best scenes in the book. It is so full of emotion the reader feels his pain right along with him. The few times Grif shifts into his werewolf are tense and harrowing, I would have liked to see more of them. However, the love scenes are both at first teasing and then very intense when passion flares between Grif and Allie and are simply wonderful.

There are also two secondary love stories that are quite nice, and they too are fraught with conflict and emotion and are resolved satisfactorily so you aren’t left hanging. I’m happy there isn’t too much of the ’20′s lingo and everyday life used to a very large extent. For me, that’s what made this book much more enjoyable than it would have been otherwise.

Grade: B+

Blurb:

By day, Allie Chase lives among the artists and eccentrics of 1920′s Greenwich Village, in search of adventure. By night, she haunts the city’s back alleys and seedy speakeasies, driven by a more primal hunger.

Here, amid the glitz and unrestrained morals of jazz-age society, even a vampire can fall prey to the temptations of the flesh. One look into the golden eyes of the dashing Griffin Durant, and Allegra knows she’s not dealing with just a man….

Though their kinds have been enemies for centuries, Griffin has never encountered a vampire as independent, uninhibited or eager for his touch as Allegra. Yet their love is threatened by a jealous vampire master, and a race war seems inevitable. Griffin and Allegra must struggle to stay out of harm’s way and hold onto their dream of an eternity of passion.

Excerpt.

Bev(QB)’s review of Riding the Wolf by Carol Lynne
Paranormal gay romance short story ebook published 31 Oct 2007 by Ellora’s Cave

This story felt rushed, which can be expected with the short Ellora’s Cave Quickie format. However, considering that their families separated Eli and Daylon fifteen years earlier, the open-armed and open-minded acceptance of their relationship by their families and most of the pack seemed too sudden. The story would have been better served by eliminating a couple of erotic scenes (Whoa! Did I just say that out loud?!) in order to explore the evolution of this acceptance.

Nevertheless, I’m recommending Riding the Wolf as a quick, hot read.

Grade: C

From EC:
After fifteen years Daylon Glover is coming home to the town of Crunup, Wisconsin. Back to the were haven founded a hundred years ago. Back to the one person who is his true mate.

Eli Withers, the soon-to-be Alpha of the Crunup pack, married young to please his Alpha father. Now, fifteen years later, he is divorced and still in love with his best friend and true mate.

When Daylon walks back into Eli’s life, how will they be able to resist the call of their inner wolves? Is the Crunup pack ready for a gay Alpha? Or will Eli once again sacrifice his and Daylon’s happiness for the sake of the pack?

Read an excerpt

Drop by my personal blog, Cubie’s Confections. It’s the often bawdy, and not always work safe, musings of a pervy old broad with opinions about books, chocolate, and eye candy (you know– the important stuff), and who is convinced that hot flashes burn away brain cells.

Gwen’s review of Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul Series, Book 1) and Lady of Light and Shadows (Tairen Soul Series, Book 2) by C.L. Wilson
Paranormal/fantasy romance published by Leisure 2 & 30 Oct 07

I wrestled with how to review these two books.  When I read one of Wilson’s interviews, I figured out why it was so difficult: she wrote these two books originally as one really large book and, presumably for publishing purposes, she had to split them. It is truly difficult to review these as two separate books, the story is just too vast. 

Well.  Vast and yet very narrow.  The pacing of the books is very deliberate and extraordinarily slow.  Both books take place over only about a three week period.  So imagine almost 800 pages of text discussing three weeks and you get an idea of to what level of detail Wilson discusses the characters’ daily events.  All that was missing was every fart and burp.  And I say that with only the utmost of admiration of the world Wilson has created.  Which takes me to the “vast” part of my statement.

Wilson has created an amazing world in these books.  It’s a world that is rich with history and atmosphere.  You can practically see the city where most of the books take place.  The secondary characters are complex people/beings and the villains are truly evil.  The level of detail is a bit astonishing.

You may wish for the books’ pace to pick up, but they’re still very fun to read.  In addition to rich detail, you have a wonderful love story with Rain and Ellie.  I’m really looking forward to the next installments, coming at the end of next year.

Grade (both books): B+

LofFL blurb:

Long ago, in the magical holocaust known as the Mage Wars, the immortal Fey and their allies fought to defeat the grasping evil of the Elden Mages and their dark-gifted supporters. During those wars, in a fit of grief-induced madness caused by the death of his mate, Fey shapeshifter Rain Tairen Soul nearly destroyed the world in a blaze of tairen fire.

Now, a thousand years later, the fierce Fey king must fight to save his race from the brink of extinction and once again stop the evil rising in the homeland of his enemies, the Eld. The key to his success lies in the mortal city of Celieria, where the Mage Wars began, and with a young woman whose soul sings to him in ways no woman ever has, whose presence reawakens the primal fury of the tairen within his soul, and whose vast, untapped power can either save or destroy him and his people.

LotFL excerpt.

LoLaS blurb:

Since her earliest memories, Ellysetta Baristani has feared magic, even as she has been inexorably drawn to all things Fey, especially the poetry and legends of Rain Tairen Soul. Now claimed as Rain’s truemate and no longer able to deny her own magic, Ellysetta is swept into the very center of a struggle filled with the magic and darkness she has always feared. The High Mage of Eld wants to capture her. The most murderous dahl-reisen who ever lived wants her dead. And her enemies will corrupt even the people she loves most in their quest to claim her magic for themselves.

LoLaS excerpt.

What’s next for this author:

Third and fourth books in the Tairen Soul Series, published by Dorchester Publishing.  Tentatively titled King of Sword and Sky (Oct ’08) and Queen of Song and Souls (Nov ’08), the books conclude the epic adventures of Rain Tairen Soul and his truemate Ellysetta Baristani.

Gwen’s review of Upon the Midnight Clear (Dream-Hunters, Book 2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Contemporary paranormal romance published by St.Martin’s 30 Oct 07

Sherrilyn Kenyon is quite good at writing heroines. I have always loved her women and Leta is no exception. She’s determined and self-sacrificing. An all-around nice person. She’s also a Greek goddess of dreams and isn’t supposed to have any emotions, as per Zeus’s curse on her kind. A curse that isn’t working, by the way.

I have been ambivalent on Kenyon’s heroes – for example, loved Zarek, hated his brother Valerius. This book’s hero, Aidan, is on the down side of Gwen’s Likability Scale. He’s a whinny, self-pitying bitch for most of the book. No noble characteristics about him at all. As such, it was very difficult for me to believe in his relationship with Leta.

The interesting twist in this book was the heroine had the special powers and the hero was the human. I always like that, when an author switches things up. It did very little to help this story, though. Leta managed to stay a bit weak and ineffectual when it counted, leaving the heavy-lifting to Aidan.

When you see this book, it seems short for a paperback – not as many pages. When you open it, it seems REALLY short for a paperback – they have used double spacing, wide margins, and a large font. Now, either Kenyon’s publisher is formatting books for her older, more myopic fans, or this was a short-story that was made into a novel. Add a little padding and a huge font and, presto-change-o, you have a very short paperback that you can still sell for the full paperback price. Grrrrrrr! That did not amuse me.

All in all, it just wasn’t a very good book. It should have been left a short-story and put at the back of one of her other novels. I’m depressed about this. I’m a big Kenyon fan and her last three books just haven’t been as good. On the plus side, the Holiday Gatherings short-story at the end of the book was a fun read – perhaps she needs to go back to the lesser Were-Hunters. This does not bode well for Acheron’s story, coming out next year – but I’ll still buy it (it’s a sickness).

Grade: D+

blurb:

     Ever think Scrooge had it right before the ghosts ruined his life? Meet Aidan O’Conner. At one time he was a world-renowned celebrity who gave freely of himself and his money without wanting anything in return…until those around him took without asking. Now Aidan wants nothing of the world-or anyone who’s a part of it. When a stranger appears at his doorstep, Aidan knows he’s seen her before…in his dreams.Born on Olympus as a goddess, Leta knows nothing of the human world. But a ruthless enemy has driven her from the world of dreams and into the home of the only man who can help her: Aidan. Her immortal powers are derived from human emotions-and his anger is just the fuel she needs to defend herself…One cold winter’s night will change their lives forever…Trapped together in a brutal winter storm, Aidan and Leta must turn to the only power capable of saving them-or destroying them both: trust.

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night (Immortals After Dark, Book 3) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal romance released by Pocket Star Oct 2007

The author’s website is very slick. And very up-to-date.

Bowen MacRieve is determined to win the Talisman’s Hie, a worldwide scavenger hunt for immortals.  After losing his mate nearly two hundred years ago, he’s desperate to get her back.  Winning the Hie would give him Thrane’s Key, giving him the ability to travel back in time twice.  After so many years alone without a female, Bowe will not let this opportunity to save his mate slip away. 

However, enter one little witch, Mariketa the Awaited, and all his plans go awry.  And to his consternation, his body and libido have minds of their own whenever she’s near.  How he despises witches.

Mariketa is in this race because she is the most powerful witch in centuries, even though her magic asserts itself when she’s angry and she tends to blow things up.  She would be the first of her kind to win the Hie.  Being alone with a sexy Lykae male in a Mayan tomb isn’t helping matters. 

After considerable trials and tribulations, Bowen’s instinct is telling him Mari is his mate, and he wants nothing more than to mark her as his.  But how can that be?  With the full moon only days away, he knows he must be as far away from Mariketa as possible.  Having her see him at his worst, having her vulnerable to him so he can slake his beastly lust is not something he wants to put her through and it is not something he thinks he will survive.

Wow.  What a book this is.  I haven’t even come close to doing it justice.  So much happens between these characters and to these characters that I didn’t know if a HEA would be possible.  However, Kresley Cole is a tremendous writer, that even after Bowen and Mari are put through the wringer so many times, she gives them perseverance like you wouldn’t believe, and she will then make you cheer when it’s all said and done. 

Every book in this series just gets better and better.  Wow.

Grade:  A+

Here’s the book blurb:

     Her breathless kiss haunts him…  Bowen MacRieve of the Lykae clan was nearly destroyed when he lost the one woman meant for him. The ruthless warrior grew even colder, never taking another to his bed — until a smoldering encounter with his enemy, Mariketa the Awaited, reawakens his darkest desires. When sinister forces unite against her, the Highlander finds himself using all his strength and skill to keep her alive.

     His slow, hot touch is irresistible…  Temporarily stripped of her powers, Mari is forced to take refuge with her sworn adversary. It’s rumored that no one can tempt Bowen’s hardened heart, but soon passion burns between them. Though a future together is impossible, she fears he has no intention of letting her go.

     No deed is too wicked for her seduction…  If they defeat the evil that surrounds them, can Mari deny Bowen when he demands her body and soul — or will she risk everything for her fierce protector?

     Read an excerpt.

Next in the series:

Coming 29 Apr 08

Lawson’s Review of Taken by the Night by Kathryn Smith
Historical/Paranormal Romance by Avon released on October 30, 2007

This is the third in Smith’s Brotherhood of Blood series about a group of Victorian vampires. The first book in the series is Be Mine Tonight released June 27, 2006 and the second is Night of the Huntress released January 30, 2007. 

Saint has returned to London and the safe house of the Brotherhood at a bad time. Though only intending to stay one night as he travels elsewhere, Saint knows he has to help those of the Maison Rouge. Two of their own have been brutally murdered and Scotland Yard is not getting on the case due to the type of people the two victims were. Maison Rouge is a safe house for the Brotherhood, but it is also an upscale brothel run by Madeline Dearing. Madeline’s daughter Ivy helps her run the house and see to their “special” guests from time to time.

Saint wants to keep moving, but his sense of duty to the house and the safety of its residents keep him in London to solve the crimes. Saint doesn’t count on his attraction to Ivy Dearing, even though she doesn’t trust him or how desperate Ivy is for vengeance to find the killer of her two friends. Using his talents as a vampire Saint searches London by night for clues to the case, but the girls continue to be targeted.

Ivy knows that Saint is the one person that can give her the justice she craves. But she also wants to be part of the investigation and she’s frustrated when Saint doesn’t let her go with him. Even worse is she begins to want Saint for more than his ability to protect those that she cares about. Ivy knows what she wants, and knows how to get it, but as the killer continues his terror Ivy and Saint begin to fall in love and become embroiled in more danger than their love can survive.

This is my first Kathryn Smith (though she signed one of her backlist for me and Syb brought it from RWA) and I have to say that I loved Saint. He was witty, flirtatious, charming, sexy and. . .probably lots of things a hero should be. Though he claims to want to be alone and not lead people, he’s very loyal and has leadership qualities that are needed in the murder investigations.

Ivy is a different story. I didn’t get her for much of the book. She says she’s honest to a fault, but she’s not honest with herself about what she feels for Saint, as well as the other people in her life. She’s a photographer, but she really doesn’t seem to see people. As she begins to trust Saint, she stops trusting herself and doesn’t understand her own feelings. Why Saint sticks around is a bit of a mystery to me because Ivy seemed more a woman of the 1990s rather than the 1890s. Her independent streak was vastly out of historical place.

Even though Ivy wasn’t very likeable (at least to me), she and Saint had some marvelous chemistry. I suppose their personalities complimented each other enough to lead to lots of sparks in the bedroom. There were a couple of times those sparks may have caught Saint on fire, and that would be a bad thing for a vampire. Smith’s dialogue and connection during “the act” for these to characters was spot on.

Smith also uses lots of fun little details to put one in the period very well. I had fun fact checking, (yes, I’m a history nerd and like to fact check and learn new things) and seeing how life progressed in the 1890s with some of the technology we take for granted today. The use of things such as the telephone and photography worked well in the story not only has historical detail, but as plot devices.

One aspect that could have used work was the murder plot line. It was mixed with some of the vague conspiracy theories of Jack the Ripper, which were oversimplified and played up a little too much, though they are interesting historical tidbits. It made some things in the plot a little too convenient. And made the villain easy to spot and overly contemptible because even Saint says something along the lines of “Anyone that agreeable must be up to no good”. Yep, I would have to agree.

The secondary characters, Ivy’s mother, Ezekiel (Saint’s source of information) and some of the Maison Rouge girls gave some good depth and helped give dimension to Saint, and though Ivy is too independent, she’s kept in line by Saint, even if she does a couple of things that are TSTL. I wonder though what the Brotherhood’s real names are, since they go by Bishop, Chapel, Saint, Temple and Reign. . .has that been explained before, or will it be discussed in later books? I suppose some more research is in order and going back and reading the first two books which I have been remiss and not read yet.

Grade: B-

Bev(QB)’s review of A Lick of Frost (Meredith Gentry, Book 6) by Laurell K. Hamilton
Fantasy fiction released by Ballantine Books on 23 Oct 07

It all started with Hamilton wondering “What if?” What if the myths of Faery were real. How would the Fae be perceived in our modern culture of paparazzi and celebrity worship?

The series centers around Meredith Gentry, an L.A. private investigator who is also a part-mortal faery princess, fifth in line to the Seelie throne, and one of only two contenders for the Unseelie throne. To be crowned Unseelie Queen, she must first give birth to an heir of the royal bloodline. If she fails, her sadistic Aunt Andais, the current queen, will seal the fate of the Unseelie by placing her demented son, Cel, on the throne instead. Surrounded by her guards (and potential kings, if they father her child), Merry must evade assassination attempts and maneuver through the complex intrigues of multiple Fae courts in what may turn out to be a race to save all of Faery.

Unlike Laurell Hamilton’s Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, the Merry Gentry series really must be read in order (see below). In fact, the world building and cast of characters is so complex it is not unusual for fans to discover that multiple readings yield previously unnoticed pertinent facts. I’ve read them several times and supplemented those readings with the audio books. It’s fascinating to note that, as many times as I read the print books, listening to the audio books brings out nuances I didn’t catch with my readings. The Anita Blake series may be more commercially successful, but the Merry Gentry series, in my opinion, truly exemplifies Laurell Hamilton’s unmatched skill in world building.

A Lick of Frost opens in Los Angeles a month after Mistral’s Kiss and the chaotic events that sent Merry and her guards fleeing for their own safety from the Unseelie sithen in St. Louis. Merry is giving her statement regarding the rape charges that have been leveled against three of her Royal Guards, Galen, Abeloec, and Rhys, by the Seelie noble, Lady Caitrin. Since it was Merry’s uncle, the Seelie King Taranis, who brought the charges to the human, rather than the Faery, justice system, and since all three of the accused can be proven innocent, the motives behind Taranis’s actions are of the greatest concern to Merry and her guards.

It quickly becomes frightfully obvious that Taranis considers himself above the laws of Faery and is endangering all of Faery by blatantly ignoring the conditions of the agreement that allow the Fae to remain on American soil. But Taranis’s manipulations prove to be almost minor compared to the other jaw-dropping events that take place in this riveting book.

There were complaints about the last book, Mistral’s Kiss, and, while I didn’t consider it a disappointment, I agree it was the weakest book in the Merry Gentry series. But Hamilton is back on track with A Lick of Frost (FYI: ALoF’s first sex scene doesn’t appear until Chapter 16). I’ve only read this book once (so far) but I think it may well end up being my favorite of the series! Events proceed at a breathtaking, spectacular pace. Plus, Rhys FINALLY appears “on stage” for some one-on-one time with Merry and we learn some of Frost’s fascinating history.

Hamilton blogged while writing A Lick of Frost that she needed to whittle down the amount of men surrounding Merry. And she does it in a world altering way! Several of the events in this book would have been expected at the end of the series, however Hamilton is anything but predictable and chose to instead transform Merry’s world in ways that leave me at a booklust filled, complete loss to even GUESS where she will go with the rest of this 8 to 15 book saga!

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 Chapter One and Chapter Two.  And watch/listen to LKH read it.

Other books in this series:

Coming soon:

Book 7, Swallowing Darkness, November 2008

Drop by my personal blog, Cubie’s Confections. It’s the often bawdy, and not always work safe, musings of a pervy old broad with opinions about books, chocolate, and eye candy (you know– the important stuff), and who is convinced that hot flashes burn away brain cells.

BevQB’s review of The Mane Event by Shelly Laurenston
Paranormal romance published 1 Oct 07 by Brava

This is a collection of two novellas, Christmas Pride and Shaw’s Tail.

In Laurenston’s paranormal world, most male lion shifters are traded out to be pampered breeders in Prides of female shifters. But the two alpha lion shifters in these stories, Mace Llewellyn and Brendon Shaw, want mates of their own. We also meet alpha wolf shifter Bobby Ray Smith (Smitty), his sister Sissy Mae, and the others pack members who follow Smitty, who is lion shifter Mace’s best friend, ex-Navy Seal team member, and current business partner, as he breaks from his pack in Tennessee and forms a new pack in NYC.

Be warned that the backwoods cliche’s get a bit thick at times, and the two male lions are a bit too similar, but roll with it because this book was just so damn enjoyable!

The men were, of course, swoon worthy, but it’s the women who are in charge here. Dez (Christmas Pride) is ex-Marine Military Police: Canine Division, who loves being a NYC police detective. In fact, she loves her work so much that it took three weeks for her to realize that her ex-husband had left her. But the secondary female characters are just as strong – the scenes with Dez’s sisters and Mace’s sisters are priceless!

Ronnie Lee (Shaw’s Tail) never wanted to be trapped into a life with a mate and babies like her mama, so she took off to travel the world with Sissy Mae, who is the alpha female of the new pack. Let’s just say that there are still countries that won’t let them back in. Those two, plus the other women in the Pack and Brendon’s twin sister, are all forces to be reckoned with.

I chuckled, laughed, and grinned ear-to-ear while reading this book. Rather than being wacky or silly, the humor arose naturally from the personalities of the characters. That’s not easy to do without it feeling forced, but Laurenston seemed to accomplish it effortlessly.

The men aren’t just alpha males here, they are alpha shifters and Navy Seals. So you’d expect them to be overwhelming, surly, and intense. Nope. Laurenston adds one thing that sets this book apart from nearly every other paranormal erotic romance I’ve ever read– PLAYFULNESS. Even in the bedroom, these couples play and have fun which makes the erotic scenes all the more real and scorching.

This probably sounds sappy, but… this book was a joy to read! I personally think a sense of play is needed in more erotic romances and I can’t wait for Smitty’s story, The Beast in Him, which releases in April 2008 from Brava.

Grade: A-

From the back cover:

CHRISTMAS PRIDE
How come all the good-looking ones are insane? That’s what runs through NYPD cop Desiree “Dez” MacDermot’s mind the minute she hooks up again with her childhood buddy, Mace Llewellyn. It isn’t just the way he stares at her with those too-sexy gold eyes-as if he could devour her on the spot. Or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal bod-o-death. It isn’t even that he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle. It’s more about that disconcerting, shifting-from-man-to-lion thing that unhinges her and makes her want more.

Mace likes making Dez crazy. In fact, he likes her any way he can get her-in bed, on the desk, here, now, again. Together, they’d always been trouble, but Dez has no idea just how good trouble can feel…”

SHAW’S TAIL
Brendon Shaw, hotel owner and lion shifter, has seen better days. He’s been beaten, had a gun to the back of his head, and had to be rescued by a Pack of shape-shifting wolves. He didn’t think he’d survive the night, much less find the woman of his dreams. And he never thought the woman of his dreams would have a Tennessee accent and wear cowboy boots. Once he sets his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go. Ronnie Lee Reed is ready to change her life, and New York City is the place where any girl-even one who runs with a Pack-can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous, lion-shifting, oh-my-what-big-um-paws-you-have men. Then again…

Read an excerpt.

Drop by my personal blog, Cubie’s Confections. It’s the often bawdy, and not always work safe, musings of a pervy old broad with opinions about books, chocolate, and eye candy (you know– the important stuff), and who is convinced that hot flashes burn away brain cells.

As today we are remembering Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, a contest is in order.

Reply to any post today (including this one) with the tag Kathleen E. Woodiwiss and you’ll be entered to win one of the following four classic Woodiwiss books:

To be entered your comment on any post must be dated before Wednesday October 24, 2007 at midnight CST.

And since Sybil has yet to read a Woodiwiss book, tell her which one is your favorite Woodiwiss and why. So that the rest of us ducks can get her to read it. ‘Cause if you can’t tell A Rose in Winter is my favorite, though later today there will be another Retro Review, of Ashes in the Wind, a book which I would definitely place at number two.

What’s your favorite Woodiwiss book? Why? Characters you wish could have gotten their own books? Tell us all your favorite bits about Woodiwiss’ books!

Alicia’s review of Sexiest Man Alive (One True Love, Book 2)by Diana Holquist
Contemporary romance released 1 Oct 07 by Warner Forever

Diana Holquist is a new author for me. I missed reading her first book, Make Me a Match because, to be honest, I didn’t hear about it.  I read Sexiest Man Alive without knowing it was a sequel. It stands alone just fine. I will be getting MMaM ASAP.

Our heroine, Jasmine Burns, is tragically shy around men. It isn’t even shyness, it’s a phobia. She can’t have a conversation with a man she finds attractive in any way without throwing up and/or running away. Luckily, she doesn’t need to date. Her sister is a gypsy psychic who tells who someone’s “One True Love as destined by Fate” is, just by touching them. That makes it simple, right? Of course, her sister only gets a name, so there could be more than one person with that name. And if the name happens to belong to the biggest sex symbol movie star alive, then it just has to be someone else with the same name… right? Because anything else would just be laughable… wouldn’t it?

Sexiest Man Alive is sweet, sexy, funny and very, very, good. Ms. Holquist’s wit kept me turning pages right through the night until the book was done. All of the characters had depth. My eyes misted several times. I laughed a lot. I felt Jasmine’s mortification and her triumph. And best of all I believed Josh’s love. This book is up there with my favorite Vicki Lewis Thompson titles (and way better than her less-than-great books).

Grade: A+

From the back cover:

Jasmine Burns’s One True Love as destined by Fate is named Josh Toby. Of course, he might not be THE Josh Toby, the biggest movie star of the decade. After all, a shy girl like her could never be loved by a movie star like him? Could she?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Jenna Kernan tells us about a strange occurrence.  Well, more than one if you count the oreos…

I was recharging my battery last weekend. That’s writer’s lingo for ‘goofing off.’ We like to say it is ‘refilling the creative well,’ but I was at The Big E, Eastern States Exposition, so I was actually refilling my stomach with fair fare.

Did you even know they fried Oreos? They do.  Here’s proof :

But I digress.

My very first Christmas novella is out this week in an anthology with Cheryl St.John and Pam Crooks. If you’ve been reading THE GOOD, THE BAD and THE UNREAD, you know about it already. You might even have seen the cover of A WESTERN WINTER WONDERLAND. It is lovely, with violet and gold background and a handsome church in the foreground.

In the center of this massive group state fair is a museum consisting of a cluster of historical buildings set up to resemble a village green.  Storrowton Village Museum includes displays, exhibits and reenactments of daily life. This is my second favorite part of the fair. The first being the maple syrup flavored cotton candy that is available in the Vermont and New Hampshire buildings.

Anyway, I was in the center of the green and I noticed the meeting house, build in 1835. It looked vaguely familiar, so I took a photo, and then realized the historical structure had a shocking resemblance to the church on the cover of A WESTERN WINTER WONDERLAND. There was one very startling difference. The church on the cover has a traditional cross on its spire, but the meeting house is topped with a weathervane sporting a gold chicken.

Not a strange as fried Oreos, perhaps, but still peculiar.

I hope you have a chance to read my first Christmas story, FALLEN ANGEL, and that you write me at my website to let me know what you thought.

Thanks, Jenna!

Read excerpts of all three stories in the AWWW anthology:
Christmas Day Family by Cheryl St.John
Fallen Angel by Jenna Kernan
One Magic Eve by Pam Crooks

Up next for Jenna:
A WESTERN WINTER WONDERLAND, Harlequin Anthology, October 2007
OUTLAW BRIDE, Harlequin Historicals, February 2008