Believe-Victoria Alexander

Believe

Victoria Alexander

Avon, Nov 24 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780061728839

 

English professor Tessa St. James is sick of Camelot and the so-called myths that she assumes is hooey bunk.  When some claiming that he is Merlin Wizard Extraordinaire and Counselor to Kings meets her, she scorns him as another fake,  Taken aback by the professor’s disdain and not one to accept disrespect from royals, Merlin decides to teach the show me skeptic a lesson in respect and humility.

 

He takes Tessa back to the English Dark Ages of Camelot.  She is stunned, but though she begins to believe what she sees, Tessa has doubts.  He orders Sir Galahad to take her along on his quest to bring back the Holy Grail.  However, “Sir Hunk” respectfully says no as a woman does not belong on such a dangerous mission.  However King Arthur and Merlin tell him Tessa will accompany him.  As they follow a poorly designed map and struggle to interpret a riddle, she proves his equal in battle with dragons, witches and other foes, oh! My!

 

This is an amusing refreshing romantic twist to the legend of Sir Hunk and the Holy Grail that Monty Python would enjoy.  The storyline is filled with humor especially tongue in cheek from Merlin and the differences in how a chivalrous knight treats a lady who acts anything like any female he ever met; sex and dragons go together.  Fans of Camelot will appreciate this spin as Galahad learns new uses for round tables and the truth about the Holy Grail in this superb romantic fantasy.

 

Harriet Klausner

Scarlet Nights-Lucinda Betts

Scarlet Nights

Lucinda Betts

Kensington Aphrodisia, Dec 2009, $12.00

ISBN: 9780758234605

 

Fearing for the safety of her people especially her Supplicant Queen, the temple virgin Solstice breaks the law of her kingdom.  Her illegal sexual action with an unlawful person also places her beloved childhood sweetheart Axel de la Couere in peril.

 

Axel uncovers a secret tunnel that leads inside the royal palace.  However, he is caught inside the forbidden zone.  Axel and Solstice are forced on a trek as their punishment.  They remain attracted to one another, but she uses sexual enjoyment to pay homage to the Goddess while he rejects the notion.

 

This is an exhilarating erotic romantic fantasy with an intriguing world in which sexual activity is tied to religious beliefs.  The story line is fast-paced from the opening gamut when Alex tries to bring to justice slavers and never slows down until the final confrontation with the Goddess.  Although none of the cast is that deep as the action (erotic and other adventures) supersedes character depth, fans will enjoy a visit to the sexy realm of Lucinda Betts.

 

Harriet Klausner

Flame Seeker-Kay Danella

Flame Seeker

Kay Danella

Heat, Dec 2009, $15.00

ISBN: 9780425230824

 

As the eldest daughter of her clan, Alithia is responsible for obtaining an ancient relic.  With the artifact her people will prosper in peace; without it they will falter.  On her trek to another reaml, she must have two husbands escort her.  All the men will compete in a contest chosen by Alithia.

 

The males are excited and expect to duel for the honor.  Instead of battling blades, Alithia chooses a different type of sword.  She selects her champions by who gives her the most pleasure.  Phelan and Taith are her mates for the journey with each wanting to be the only one standing by her side.  However, the perilous journey forges bonds that none of the three anticipated when they start on the quest.

 

This is an interesting erotic romantic fantasy starring a duty bound heroine who chooses the contest and its rules.  The two survivors continue the friendly rivalry for the hand (and other bodily parts) of Alithia.  Although the story line is thin as opposed to the hunks’ middle legs, fans of erotic romances with a touch of fantasy and lot more touches of the bodies of the lead triangle will want to read this heated tale.

 

Harriet Klausner

The Lost-J.D. Robb, Patricia Gaffney, Mary Blayney and Ruth Ryan Langan

The Lost

J.D. Robb, Patricia Gaffney, Mary Blayney and Ruth Ryan Langan

Jove, Nov 24 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780515147186

 

“Missing in Death” by J.D. Robb”.  A tourist disappears from a ferry in which she did not leap from but is no longer on board; neither are a dead person and a killer.  NYPD Lieutenant Eve Dallas leads the investigation.

 

“The Dog Days of Laurie Summer” by Patricia Gaffney.  The accident left the mom in a coma, but now the workaholic awakens; but her world is similar yet not quite what her memory recalls as she sees things from the view of a dog.

 

“Lost in Paradise” by Mary Blayney.  The nurse arrives at an island fortress giving hope to the man locked inside by an ancient curse that she is the key to his freedom.

 

“Legacy” by Ruth Ryan Langan. The grieving woman travels to the castle in Ireland where she uncovers a family secret buried on the estate.

 

Though four radically different scenarios, readers will not feel lost with this fantasy-science fiction quartet as each author hits a home run.

 

Harriet Klausner

 

A Highlander Christmas- Dawn Halliday, Cindy Miles and Sophie Renwick

A

A Highlander Christmas
Dawn Halliday, Cindy Miles and Sophie Renwick
NAL, Nov 2009, $14.00
9780451228727

 

“Winter Heat” by Dawn Halliday. During a blizzard, Logan Douglas rescues Maggie McDonald finding them shelter where she locates her missing clan pin.

“Yuletide Enchantment” by Sophie Renwick. Isobel McDonald searches for her missing clan pin, but finds mysterious immortal Price in an enchanted forest.

“A Christmas Spirit” by Cindy Miles. Visiting museum curator Paige McDonald takes shelter from a freak storm in a castle where she meets Gabriel Munro, a frustrated spirit during the day and a man falling in love at night.

These are three entertaining holiday romantic fantasies interconnected by the pin that gets around and the McDonald clan (past and present).

Harriet Klausner

Heart Change- Robin D. Owens

Heart Change

Robin D. Owens

Berkley, Nov 2009, $15.00

ISBN: 9780425229972

In Celta, GrandLady Signet D’Marigold is lonely as the last surviving member of her proud family.  However, to make matters worse, her talent remains undefined.  That is unheard of until thirteen year old prophet GreatLord Vinni proclaims her to a major catalyst for change.

Vinni needs Signet’s help with his seven years old heartmate Avellana Hazel; the child’s brain has been damaged and chances of surviving her first passage are nonexistent unless Signet takes the risk of assisting her.  GreatLord T’Hawthorn’s security chief Cratag Maytree is chosen to protect the two females during the flair.  None of the participants were expecting an attraction between Signet and Cratag, but as that ignites someone wants to destroy all of those involved.

Readers will relish the latest Heart realm romantic fantasy as the lead couple falls in love while trying to save a child’s life.  The story line is character driven as Robin D. Owens goes deep inside family relationships on Celta with a poignant passionate tale that resonates with its health issue timeliness.  Robin D. Owens’ latest as is the case with the magnificent seven predecessors is filled with Heart as the concern is the child’s welfare first.

Harriet Klausner

Thief Of Light-Denise Rossetti

Thief Of Light

Denise Rossetti

Berkley, Nov 2009, $15.00

ISBN: 9780425231302

In Caracole Erik Thorensen is known as the Godlen due his sensual Voice that seduces innocent women.  However, he went too far with his seductive Voice and stole the soul of an innocent.

Erik is attracted to the Garden of Nocturnal Delights business manager Pruella Takimori McGuire.  She is a bottom line type of woman and not fantasy Magick lover.  His efforts to win her love is frustrated by her ignoring the Voice as it has no effect though she conceals her attraction to Erik the person and not his Golden persona.  However, Erik is soon in deep trouble when the Necromancer has evil plans to use the Golden Voice to devour the souls of the innocent.

This is an enjoyable romantic fantasy starring two likable lead characters and a sinister villain.  The Golden one finds his charming seductive voice fails him with the woman he wants and who might be the one to bring him redemption.  Besides his failure with Prue, he now has a kick butt evil necromancer determined to use his seductive skill to steal souls.  Fans will take pleasure in Denise Rossetti’s return to the realm of the Four-Sided Pentacle (see The Flame and the Shadow).

Harriet Klausner

Taming The Cougar-Vonna Harper

Taming The Cougar

Vonna Harper

Kensington Aphrodisia, Oct 2009, $12.95

ISBN: 9780758229465

Animal psychic Kai Tallon is part of an anthropological exploration on Navajo land in the canyons of Northern Arizona.  She knows this area is reputed to be home to a pride of shapeshifting half human and half cougar species.  Though she has doubts the legend of the Tocho is true especially the sexual proclivity of the males, she hopes to affirm the myth as real with an encounter of the first kind.

Kai meets Hok’ee on spiritual and physical levels.  He takes her to his abode claiming her as his lifemate. She shocks him when she figures out what changed him from a purebred human to the hybrid.  Her challenge in a tug of war for her beloved’s soul is the skinwalker who wants Hok’ee to be more cougar than man.  Her colleagues are so excited about their find that they plan to report to civilization once they return from the canyons.

This is a thrilling erotic rural romantic fantasy that uses Navaho mythos as a basis of a heated tale.  The story uses the duality of rotating first person perspectives between Kai and Hok’ee that enable the audience to understand the motives of each, but though fascinating especially his schizoid needs fighting each other for supremacy, this also slows down the pace.  Once the lead couple meets, the engaging story line is faster than a fleeing roadrunner even with the BDSM encounters of a first kind.  Erotica fans who relish refreshing sexual twists will enjoy this superb thriller.

Harriet Klausner

What She Wants-Lucinda Betts

What She Wants

Lucinda Betts

Kensington Aphrodisia, Jul 2009, $13.95

ISBN: 9780758234599

In San Diego Dr. Ann Fallon prays she secures a biologist professor position at Harvard University vowing to be the best if Dr. Stoller hires her. She also wants to be the best wife possible to her boyfriend.  However, while the former remains up in the air, the latter proves false as he has a girlfriend.  Upset, she runs into the arms of Detective Kai.

Kai is pleased to find Ann because he fears she is the target of some nasty paranormals just like his beloved was until they killed her.  A shapeshifting centaur Chiron as he is known by his people vows to keep her safe while she vows to hide her secret in his secure arms.

This is a terrific urban romantic fantasy starring two likable fully developed lead characters, who make the mythological seem at home in Southern California and some nasties chasing them feel real.  The story line is fast-paced from the moment the lead couple meets in San Diego and never slows down.  However, fans will be better off first reading the novella “Centaur Heat” (see EROS ISLAND) to obtain a better understanding of Lucinda Betts’ mythos.

Harriet Klausner

Naamah’s Kiss-Jacqueline Carey

Naamah’s Kiss

Jacqueline Carey

Grand Central, Jun 24 2009, $26.99

ISBN: 9780446198035

From the time she was a young girl in Alba, Moirin of the Maghuin Dhonn, an isolated clan of the Brown Bear worshippers, Moirin heard the voices and saw the faces of other deities. Although she did not know it, other Gods were worshipped in Terre d’Ange. She conducts a quiet inquiry and learns her unknown father was a D’Angeline priest serving Naamah, the goddess of desire. As a mage with power, Moirin also begins to explore and upon maturity travels into the spirit world where she will either be fully accepted or totally rejected by the Maghuin Dhonn

She accepts her and the divine spark, the diadh-anam stays in her essence. Moirin learns she has a destiny to fulfill. She goes to Terre d’Ange to meet her father, but is run over by Raphael de Mereliot whose lover is Jerhanne, the queen of the city of Eula. Moirin learns she has the power to heal people even from death though that drains her. Jehanne and Morin become lovers as the newcomer is the first person the queen has trusted in years; she would like to stay with her lover, but Moirin is asked by her mentor Lord Bo to return home with him to Ch’in because the emperor’s daughter and heir is demon possessed. In Ch’in, Moirin realizes what the problem is and asks Snow Tiger, the emperor’s heir to trust her. Neither was prepared for a coup d’etat by an evil sorcerere.

NAAMAH’S KISS takes place in the same world as the Kushiel saga only decades later. Once again Jacqueline Cary shows her skill at world-building in this super cerebral yet action-packed fantasy. The cast is solid especially the mages and the characters with supernatural powersl, but anchored in time and place by everyday people and political leaders. In many ways a coming of age thriller as the heroine learns of her illustrious roots (not just dad), the story line belongs to the vivid descriptions especially of the dark sides of Ch’in and Terre d’Ange as Morin explores both with energy and love.

Harriet Klausner