Twilight Falls
Lynn Viehl
Onyx, Jul 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451412591
In Chicago at the Lighthouse Rehabilitation Center, local Darkyn chieftain Valentine Jaus comes to see patient Luisa Lopez, but sees staff gardener Liling Harper visiting the woman. Liling fantasizes that Val makes love to her with he being her Master. Val is attracted to the Chinese-American, but she makes him think about the woman he loved Jema Shaw who is now the lifemate of Thierry Durand.
The Chicago City News photographer gets a great shot of the beautiful gardens and the back of the gardener showing a red swan tattoo. The picture is placed in the Lifestyle Section and soon goes national. Chicago Archbishop August Hightower recognizes the tattoo though he had thought the Red Swan was dead. He wants her dead before she reveals what she knows about his operations. Meanwhile he also learns that Kyan has left China to kill the Red Swan.
Liling learns of her fame; she plans to change identities, fly to Atlanta and drive to Texas. However, she cannot get a flight anywhere out of the city until morning. Val offers to fly her on his private jet as he is going to Atlanta anyway. She accepts. As they fly on his plane and join the Mile High Club, Kyan follows her via his watery skills. When they crash in the Everglades, Kyan hires Chinese-American Melanie Wallace as his interpreter while he rents a boat in the Everglades to get to Liling.
The concept of a “war” between the Darkyn and the Brethen comes across very strongly in this powerful romantic fantasy suspense thriller. The lead pair is an interesting coupling as she has special healing skills that enhance his Darkyn abilities, which they will need as Kyan is a powerful individual with a deep personal grudge against Liling. Although TWILIGHT FALLS is a stand alone, subplots from previous tales continue (see NIGHT LOST and IF ANGELS BURN) the saga; it behooves newcomers to get the backlist. Lynn Viehl provides a character driven entry in her latest Darkyn tale.
Harriet Klausner
Monday, June 2, 2008
Shades of Dark-Linnea Sinclair
Shades of Dark
Linnea Sinclair
Bantam, Jul 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553589658
Owner of the freighter Borun Karn, Gabriel Sullivan is a rare, perhaps unique human who has the telepathic telekinetic powers of kyi-ragiril normally seen in the Stolorth species. He has hid his skills from his family and his crew although some on board know what he can do including the blind Stolorth Ren and Sully’s beloved former Fleet Commander Captain Chasidah Bergren, former wife of Admiral Philip Guthrie. The sector is currently dangerous as several factions vie for the throne currently owned by the insane incompetent Emperor Prewitt.
Sully hopes to defuse one of these contenders, Darius Tage who along with Sully’s cousin Hayden Burke is creating jukor monsters built from the Takus race. They use these monsters to kill people and blame the Fleet; Sully wants to end this terrorism so they travel towards Narfiel where they are to meet Del who has information on the last jukor lab. However, they learn that Chas’ brother Thad who knows about Sully’s skill has been charged with conspiracy against the empire. They fear he will inform the galaxy that Sully is a mind fucker, which will lead to his crew hating him and everyone wanting him dead. Their adventures have just twisted as everyone wants them at a time when the galactic empire teeters while her ex Imperial Fleet Admiral Philip Guthrie joins them as outlaws and Del turns out to be a royal seductive Kyi-Ragkiril mentor.
This is a strong science fiction thriller in which the various species on board, in space, and planet-side seem genuine. Also critical is the mental power of the kyi-regkiral come across as real, but perhaps too powerful. The romantic subplot between Sully and Chas provides a strong key element to the overall thriller in space theme. Readers will appreciate this visit to the wonderful Sinclair galaxy.
Harriet Klausner
Linnea Sinclair
Bantam, Jul 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553589658
Owner of the freighter Borun Karn, Gabriel Sullivan is a rare, perhaps unique human who has the telepathic telekinetic powers of kyi-ragiril normally seen in the Stolorth species. He has hid his skills from his family and his crew although some on board know what he can do including the blind Stolorth Ren and Sully’s beloved former Fleet Commander Captain Chasidah Bergren, former wife of Admiral Philip Guthrie. The sector is currently dangerous as several factions vie for the throne currently owned by the insane incompetent Emperor Prewitt.
Sully hopes to defuse one of these contenders, Darius Tage who along with Sully’s cousin Hayden Burke is creating jukor monsters built from the Takus race. They use these monsters to kill people and blame the Fleet; Sully wants to end this terrorism so they travel towards Narfiel where they are to meet Del who has information on the last jukor lab. However, they learn that Chas’ brother Thad who knows about Sully’s skill has been charged with conspiracy against the empire. They fear he will inform the galaxy that Sully is a mind fucker, which will lead to his crew hating him and everyone wanting him dead. Their adventures have just twisted as everyone wants them at a time when the galactic empire teeters while her ex Imperial Fleet Admiral Philip Guthrie joins them as outlaws and Del turns out to be a royal seductive Kyi-Ragkiril mentor.
This is a strong science fiction thriller in which the various species on board, in space, and planet-side seem genuine. Also critical is the mental power of the kyi-regkiral come across as real, but perhaps too powerful. The romantic subplot between Sully and Chas provides a strong key element to the overall thriller in space theme. Readers will appreciate this visit to the wonderful Sinclair galaxy.
Harriet Klausner
His Forgotten Forever-Michele Hauf
His Forgotten Forever
Michele Hauf
Silhouette Nocturne, Jul 2008
ISBN: 9780373617913
Vampire Truvin Stone takes an accidental blow to his head from the holy water terrorists (in their mind saviors), which leaves him suffering from temporary amnesia. H wanders confused but recognizes the Excel energy Center and Saint Paul Cathedral so assumes he will recover his lost memory quickly. Reporter Lucy Morgan sees his bewilderment and has a need to help him; she brings the man who says his name is Truvin Stone, he thinks, to her home.
Later he tells her people are stalking him although he is unsure why. Thus she remains ignorant that Truvin is a vampire. Lucy and Truvin are attracted to one another, but he begins to recover his memory. He knows he committed atrocities that make change for him seem out of reach; however Lucy refuses to accept his impossible relationship quotient even as his stalkers seem to be closing in on him and anyone who offers him solace.
The premise of a vampire suffering amnesia is a unique concept that brings a fresh spin to this entertaining supernatural romance. Thus the pair falls in love as Truvin recalls the atrocities of his past; thus he feels unworthy of the intrepid woman he cherishes, but also fears he might one day harm her. Michel Hauf provides sub-genre fans with a brisk innovative vampiric romantic suspense.
Harriet Klausner
Michele Hauf
Silhouette Nocturne, Jul 2008
ISBN: 9780373617913
Vampire Truvin Stone takes an accidental blow to his head from the holy water terrorists (in their mind saviors), which leaves him suffering from temporary amnesia. H wanders confused but recognizes the Excel energy Center and Saint Paul Cathedral so assumes he will recover his lost memory quickly. Reporter Lucy Morgan sees his bewilderment and has a need to help him; she brings the man who says his name is Truvin Stone, he thinks, to her home.
Later he tells her people are stalking him although he is unsure why. Thus she remains ignorant that Truvin is a vampire. Lucy and Truvin are attracted to one another, but he begins to recover his memory. He knows he committed atrocities that make change for him seem out of reach; however Lucy refuses to accept his impossible relationship quotient even as his stalkers seem to be closing in on him and anyone who offers him solace.
The premise of a vampire suffering amnesia is a unique concept that brings a fresh spin to this entertaining supernatural romance. Thus the pair falls in love as Truvin recalls the atrocities of his past; thus he feels unworthy of the intrepid woman he cherishes, but also fears he might one day harm her. Michel Hauf provides sub-genre fans with a brisk innovative vampiric romantic suspense.
Harriet Klausner
Beast of Darkness-Lisa Renee Jones
Beast of Darkness
Lisa Renee Jones
Silhouette Nocturne, Jul 2008
ISBN: 9780373617906
When something strange occurs in the neighborhood, everyone knows to call Sarah Meyers and her paranormal investigative team. Thus when unexplained happenings occur in Nowhere, Texas, Sarah and her squad arrives at the scene to study what is reported as supernatural phenomena.
In Nowhere, Sarah meets Knight of the White Max. He is on “trial” within his group for breaking a major taboo when he killed a human. No excuse for such a code violating act is acceptable for a Knight of the White; not even the fact that he saved a beast taming master, the mate of another Knight. However Max quickly realizes Sarah is his beast taming soulmate, but he refuses to claim her as his because he expects to fail the knight’s test.
The newest Knights of the White romantic fantasy (see BEAST OF DESIRE and BEAST WITHIN) is a terrific thriller starring a courageous heroine and a brave soul who knows his future is so bleak he cannot proclaim her as his. The story line is fast-paced, but the paranormal subplot takes a back seat to the relationship between the fallen knight and his “ghostbusting” lifemate who rejects his denials.
Harriet Klausner
Lisa Renee Jones
Silhouette Nocturne, Jul 2008
ISBN: 9780373617906
When something strange occurs in the neighborhood, everyone knows to call Sarah Meyers and her paranormal investigative team. Thus when unexplained happenings occur in Nowhere, Texas, Sarah and her squad arrives at the scene to study what is reported as supernatural phenomena.
In Nowhere, Sarah meets Knight of the White Max. He is on “trial” within his group for breaking a major taboo when he killed a human. No excuse for such a code violating act is acceptable for a Knight of the White; not even the fact that he saved a beast taming master, the mate of another Knight. However Max quickly realizes Sarah is his beast taming soulmate, but he refuses to claim her as his because he expects to fail the knight’s test.
The newest Knights of the White romantic fantasy (see BEAST OF DESIRE and BEAST WITHIN) is a terrific thriller starring a courageous heroine and a brave soul who knows his future is so bleak he cannot proclaim her as his. The story line is fast-paced, but the paranormal subplot takes a back seat to the relationship between the fallen knight and his “ghostbusting” lifemate who rejects his denials.
Harriet Klausner
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Final Sacrament-Patricia Bray
The Final Sacrament
Patricia Bray
Bantam, Jul 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553588781
Brother Nikos leader of The Learned Brethren arranged for a spell to transfer dying monk Josan’s soul into the body of the heir apparent to the Ikarian Empire Prince Lucius. The spell failed when a decade after it was cast, the soul of Lucius returned to his body. Both inhabit the body of the Lucius body and they are both now the emperor.
Josan and Lucius may share a body, but they are totally opposite in personalities. The former focuses on just rule of the empire; the latter chooses to ignore responsibility to return to his playboy prince days. Josan concludes the relationship must end with Lucius alone in the body; he starts traveling to Xandropal where the Learned Brethren possess the largest book collection in the Empire. Sendat spy Lady Ysobel knows who he is, but both change their plans when what look like Ikarian ships attack Federation vessels; the assault armada are from Vidrun disguised as Ikarians. Vidrun wants their neighbors at war with each other so they as “neutral” can become the victors. In Ikaria, civil war is imminent as two adversaries want the emperor declared dead.
THE FINAL SACRAMENT, the final book in the Ikarian Empire trilogy (see THE SEA CHANGE and THE FIRST BETRAYAL), is a character driven epic that can be read alone. However it behooves newcomers to obtain the previous tales to better understand what led to Josan’s current predicament. The action is somewhat limited, as the heart of this entry is Josan a scholar who has become a compassionate ruler caring for his people. Lucius compares unfavorably as he rightfully angry as he lost his body for a decade and now shares what is rightfully his. Josan gives up his goal to right the wrong to Lucius because of a greater need than either of their lives or souls. His willingness to sacrifice himself turns Lady Ysobel from enemy to admirer as she looks at her soul and feels inadequate. Readers who appreciate a deep look at people in charge will relish this entry in a strong saga.
Harriet Klausner
Patricia Bray
Bantam, Jul 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780553588781
Brother Nikos leader of The Learned Brethren arranged for a spell to transfer dying monk Josan’s soul into the body of the heir apparent to the Ikarian Empire Prince Lucius. The spell failed when a decade after it was cast, the soul of Lucius returned to his body. Both inhabit the body of the Lucius body and they are both now the emperor.
Josan and Lucius may share a body, but they are totally opposite in personalities. The former focuses on just rule of the empire; the latter chooses to ignore responsibility to return to his playboy prince days. Josan concludes the relationship must end with Lucius alone in the body; he starts traveling to Xandropal where the Learned Brethren possess the largest book collection in the Empire. Sendat spy Lady Ysobel knows who he is, but both change their plans when what look like Ikarian ships attack Federation vessels; the assault armada are from Vidrun disguised as Ikarians. Vidrun wants their neighbors at war with each other so they as “neutral” can become the victors. In Ikaria, civil war is imminent as two adversaries want the emperor declared dead.
THE FINAL SACRAMENT, the final book in the Ikarian Empire trilogy (see THE SEA CHANGE and THE FIRST BETRAYAL), is a character driven epic that can be read alone. However it behooves newcomers to obtain the previous tales to better understand what led to Josan’s current predicament. The action is somewhat limited, as the heart of this entry is Josan a scholar who has become a compassionate ruler caring for his people. Lucius compares unfavorably as he rightfully angry as he lost his body for a decade and now shares what is rightfully his. Josan gives up his goal to right the wrong to Lucius because of a greater need than either of their lives or souls. His willingness to sacrifice himself turns Lady Ysobel from enemy to admirer as she looks at her soul and feels inadequate. Readers who appreciate a deep look at people in charge will relish this entry in a strong saga.
Harriet Klausner
Lamplighter-D.M. Cornish
Lamplighter
D.M. Cornish
Putnam, Apr 2008, $19.99
ISBN: 9780399246395
In Winstermill, Lamplighter trainees are learning on the job their prime duties of lighting and dousing when Master Rossamund's group comes across bogles attacking a carriage of females. They ally with the women to defeat the bogles, but Rossamund who observed the battle as he held the lamp-lighting alchemy accessories also noticed that one of the coach occupants could not control her talent; that one Threnody tells him she wants to become a lamplighter and she joins his troupe of rookies.
Rossamund is kind to the acrimonious temperamental Threnody, and his patience with her crankiness slowly turns Threnody around. A monster attacks people just outside Wintersmill; Rossamund and Threnody team up to battle the dark one enabling those still there to flee. He recognizes the odor of the "dark trades" behind this assault and other subsequent vicious attacks. The Lamplighter Marshal is accused of failing at his duty and shockingly removed from office, which angers his subordinates who trust him as they have seen him fight monsters; worse the incompetent pretentious but never get dirty Master of Clerks Podious and his sycophant surgeon Swill take over the Lamplighter legion. They demote Rossamund to novice and exile him to a dangerous isolated outpost; having accused him of lying about a fight against a monster; Threnody accompanies him. Bogles attack their new outpost with the duo as the only survivors which subject them to an official inquiry.
The second Monster Blood Tattoo epic fantasy (see FOUNDLING) is a superb complex thriller starring a strong case starting with Rossamund and Threnody. The story line is fast-paced and the etchings throughout enhance the saga. Also adding depth is the glossary that packs additional information about the world of Cornish; set aside some time as this addition to the first novel is worth reading. The support cast is solid, but the tale belongs to the heroic Rossamund and his friend-student Threnody, as they are at the epicenter battling against the increase dark trade monster activity. This is a fascinating strong entry in a wonderfully refreshing series.
Harriet Klausner
D.M. Cornish
Putnam, Apr 2008, $19.99
ISBN: 9780399246395
In Winstermill, Lamplighter trainees are learning on the job their prime duties of lighting and dousing when Master Rossamund's group comes across bogles attacking a carriage of females. They ally with the women to defeat the bogles, but Rossamund who observed the battle as he held the lamp-lighting alchemy accessories also noticed that one of the coach occupants could not control her talent; that one Threnody tells him she wants to become a lamplighter and she joins his troupe of rookies.
Rossamund is kind to the acrimonious temperamental Threnody, and his patience with her crankiness slowly turns Threnody around. A monster attacks people just outside Wintersmill; Rossamund and Threnody team up to battle the dark one enabling those still there to flee. He recognizes the odor of the "dark trades" behind this assault and other subsequent vicious attacks. The Lamplighter Marshal is accused of failing at his duty and shockingly removed from office, which angers his subordinates who trust him as they have seen him fight monsters; worse the incompetent pretentious but never get dirty Master of Clerks Podious and his sycophant surgeon Swill take over the Lamplighter legion. They demote Rossamund to novice and exile him to a dangerous isolated outpost; having accused him of lying about a fight against a monster; Threnody accompanies him. Bogles attack their new outpost with the duo as the only survivors which subject them to an official inquiry.
The second Monster Blood Tattoo epic fantasy (see FOUNDLING) is a superb complex thriller starring a strong case starting with Rossamund and Threnody. The story line is fast-paced and the etchings throughout enhance the saga. Also adding depth is the glossary that packs additional information about the world of Cornish; set aside some time as this addition to the first novel is worth reading. The support cast is solid, but the tale belongs to the heroic Rossamund and his friend-student Threnody, as they are at the epicenter battling against the increase dark trade monster activity. This is a fascinating strong entry in a wonderfully refreshing series.
Harriet Klausner
The Academy-Bentley Little
The Academy
Bentley Little
Signet, Aug 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 0451224671
The school district contains many conservative fundamentalists, who demand censoring books, limiting what is taught, and definitely outlawing evolution. Additionally they insist on not wasting money on poor students. When the principal of John Tyler High School applies to convert it to a charter school she sells it to the teachers and parents, promising higher wages and a better education. By a small margin, Tyler HS becomes a charter school.
Even before the charter was passed, there were some dark zones in the school in which supernatural phenomena seem to occur. The custodial staff bears witness to such events, but they suddenly disappear as do any teacher who opposed the charter concept and student considered “tainted”. The personalities of those remaining at Tyler change dramatically and frighteningly. Punishment becomes norm, but these chastisements make the school seem like a rendition prison. Two teachers Linda and Diane, and students Ed, Brad, and Myla see ghosts and hear voices with no one around. They also notice an eerie fog that shows the past when the school had young children having fun in the playground. The quintet teams up to abort the spell the principal has cast but each of them knows that the faculty and student body will horrifically destroy them if they fail.
Using headlines over what to teach in school, Bentley Little designs an intelligent well written entertaining horror tale that sprinkles the curriculum debate with a paranormal extremist position. The story line is fast-paced yet has multiple levels while throughout providing a cautionary undertone that extremism means exclusiveness by leaving people outside the tent. Besides the principal making the law inside the school; the ghosts remind people of the past, and the disappearances add suspense as readers wonder whether the vanishings are mundane or poltergeist in nature. Fans will relish Mr. Little’s enjoyable dissertation on education.
Harriet Klausner
Bentley Little
Signet, Aug 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 0451224671
The school district contains many conservative fundamentalists, who demand censoring books, limiting what is taught, and definitely outlawing evolution. Additionally they insist on not wasting money on poor students. When the principal of John Tyler High School applies to convert it to a charter school she sells it to the teachers and parents, promising higher wages and a better education. By a small margin, Tyler HS becomes a charter school.
Even before the charter was passed, there were some dark zones in the school in which supernatural phenomena seem to occur. The custodial staff bears witness to such events, but they suddenly disappear as do any teacher who opposed the charter concept and student considered “tainted”. The personalities of those remaining at Tyler change dramatically and frighteningly. Punishment becomes norm, but these chastisements make the school seem like a rendition prison. Two teachers Linda and Diane, and students Ed, Brad, and Myla see ghosts and hear voices with no one around. They also notice an eerie fog that shows the past when the school had young children having fun in the playground. The quintet teams up to abort the spell the principal has cast but each of them knows that the faculty and student body will horrifically destroy them if they fail.
Using headlines over what to teach in school, Bentley Little designs an intelligent well written entertaining horror tale that sprinkles the curriculum debate with a paranormal extremist position. The story line is fast-paced yet has multiple levels while throughout providing a cautionary undertone that extremism means exclusiveness by leaving people outside the tent. Besides the principal making the law inside the school; the ghosts remind people of the past, and the disappearances add suspense as readers wonder whether the vanishings are mundane or poltergeist in nature. Fans will relish Mr. Little’s enjoyable dissertation on education.
Harriet Klausner
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