Dating Outside Your DNA-Karen Kelley

Dating Outside Your DNA

Karen Kelley

Kensington Brava, Dec 2009, $14.00

ISBN 9780758225764

 

While recuperating from an on the job leg injury that keeps him from galactic field work, special agent Roan Hendrix trains tyro operatives.   He detests having to work with Nerakians, but the stipulation for his return to space is mentoring half-Nerakian Lyraka.  Deciding field work is more important than his detesting the aliens, he agrees.

 

Lyraka hates humans so prefers not to be trained by one of them.  However, if she wants field work she will accept Roan as her instructor which she does as becoming an operative means more to her than her destesting his species.

 

Both are stunned when their animosity turns to attraction.  However Lyraka fears her Nerakian sex drive will injure the soft himan she wants so decides to keep her libido in check, which drives Roan crazy with desire.  Sadist Prince Banyon of Rovertia sees Lyraka as an opportunity to avenge the scar on his face that her mom etched on him when she said no.  He abducts Lyraka leading to Roan and his unit giving chase to rescue her.

 

This is a faster than the speed of light scicne fiction roamnce starring two beloved enemies and a nasty villain.  The story line is straightforward with a projectory that is obvious, but no one will care as Roan returns to active duty to rescue the half human he loves.  With a gender sexual twist as the female heroine fears her Nerakian sex drive will physiclaly overpower her loved one, fans will enjoy being lost in space in the Kelley uivorse (see CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF A SEXY KIND and The Bad Boys Guide To The Galaxy).

 

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

 

To Serve and Protect- Arianna Hart, Kit Tunstall, Trista A Michaels, and Delilah Devlin

To Serve and Protect

Arianna Hart, Kit Tunstall, Trista A Michaels, and Delilah Devlin

Ellora’s Cave (Pocket), Nov 10 2009, $14.00

ISBN: 9781439131541

“Convince Me” by Arianna Hart.  The man charged through the door to the fundraiser cursing socialite Sareena and threatening to kill her for giving his battered spouse protection at a Brooklyn shelter. The attacker comes after her with a knife, but as police officer Brogan watches in horror, she disappears and a jaguar chases the sociopath into Central Park.  Unable to resist her lure, Brogan escorts Sareena back to her apartment.

“Ablaze” by Kit Tunstall.  Firefighters Nick and Paula enter the blaze at the Westbridge Academy and rescue Miri. After Miri is released form the hospital, Nick suggests a heated tryst, which out of character Miri agrees to.

“Fantasy Bar” by Trista Ann Michaels.  Having fled from Meenus Prime to Klindor, Kira hides from the law.  At the fantasy bar, she meets Jerrod, an undercover private investigator searching for her as she killed his best friend.  Instead of bringing her back to justice, he indulges in their fantasies.

“Ride a Cowboy“ by Delilah Devlin.  Katelyn had enough of men after her nasty marriage until the Texan arrives to help renovate her new home.  He offers to also renovate her body and heart too.

There four heated erotic romances run the gamut of urban fantasy, science fiction, suspense, and second chance but all contain strong females and men who understand their role is TO SERVE AND PROTECT the women they love and cherish.

Harriet Klausner

Blaze Of Memory-Nalini Singh

Blaze Of Memory

Nalini Singh

Berkley, Nov 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780425231111

Steely Shine Foundation chief Dev Santos is absolutely certain the waif he has found outside his door is a trap set up by his enemy the Psy.  Still Dev cannot kill her even though he knows he should or even ignore the battered female.

She suffers from starvation and total memory loss.  Her mind is deteriorating without access to the Net Mind although she receives enough feedback to barely hold onto her tenuous grip of reality; the Silence being unbearable.  Katya as she is called and Dev know she is probably a deadly weapon programmed to kill by Ming and the Council with him and his organization who protect the Forgotten as her probable target(s).

The latest Psy-Changeling urban fantasy not only moves the overarching theme forward, but Nalini Singh provides insight into the Silence.  The story line is fast-paced as Dev cannot figure out why he feels protective of what is obviously a conditioned killer who’s most likely coming for him.  Fans will appreciate this super entry as love and determination battle against devastating preconditioning brainwashing that literally washed the heroine’s brain clean and replaced her past with a future imperative (think of The Manchurian Candidate) in a great entry.

Harriet Klausner

Wicked Harvest-Anitra Lynn McLeod

Wicked Harvest

Anitra Lynn McLeod

Kensington Aphrodisia, Aug 2009, $13.95

ISBN: 9780758235336

The Harvester understands that sex is duty and duty is sex.  In that environs, Chur a Harvester in training, has prepared for the past year minus one day for his role of taking virgins to ecstasy but never allowing himself the same pleasure.  The women with his one dip into their honey pot are deemed ready for marriage, but he must remain alone and aloof.

His loyal paratanist servant Enovese has fallen in love with her master Chur.  She believes he cares for her much more than just as a kind boss though he hides his feelings.  She has decided to take a chance on love by giving her virginity to the Harvester; if she fails she will have to marry someone else.  He has freed his first two females to marry their bondmate, but is stunned with the identity of the third one.  Chur tries to hide his desire, but Enovese will not allow him to escape her siren’s call.  He knows she is his bondmate, but if he declares her so, as he knows also the consequences, he plans to teach his slave sexual obedience that is if he can keep her from making him come to soon.

This is a fantastic erotic romantic science fiction tale in which Anitra Lynn McLeod creates a fascinating world with an intriguing custom.  The lead couple is a delightful pairing as Enovese risks all for her perfect mate while Chur is caught between his need for his bondmate and his responsibility to society as a Harvester.  Fans who relish something different will appreciate the tale of the WICKED HARVESTER and his clever paratanist.

Harriet Klausner

Take Me Shelli-Shelli Stevens

Take Me

Shelli Stevens

Kensington Aphrodisia, Aug 2009, $12.95

ISBN: 9780758235282

Talia of Zortou has spent years since she turned eighteen as a Rosabelle pleasing males on a world where females are scarce .  Not once in all that time did the highest bidder for her services consider her pleasure; instead they took what they wanted as they all felt they paid for their enjoyment not hers.

Undercover operative Ryder arrives on Zortou to thwart an invasion of his planet Bolton.  He learns that the handlers of Talia are behind the schemes.  Believing she knows their intimate secrets, Ryder abducts her planning to seduce her into telling all.  As he gives the woman of pleasure ecstasy for the first time in her life, Ryder finds he enjoys making love with her as much as  she does with him though she tries to hide her passion he has enflamed.  Talia realizes he is her ticket to freedom while Ryder realizes he wants more form his prisoner besides information, but having been brainwashed for her entire life she finds it difficult to betray her abusive handlers.

Talia is a fascinating lead character as she wants to tell all to her kind liberator, but has problems doing so as she has been trained form almost birth to accept male dominance and abuse; she accepts is her fault when her handlers rough her up for an indiscretion.  Ryder is more typical as a hunk of a hero.  Although the lack of background about either planet leaves readers anchorless, fans will enjoy the erotic romance between a couple from different walks of life and planets.

Harriet Klausner

Trio of Seduction-Cassie Ryan

Trio of Seduction

Cassie Ryan

Kensington Aphrodisia, Aug 2009, $12.95

ISBN: 9780758220677

In Phoenix half-breed Dr. Kiera Matthews meets with diminutive Council member Danen to argue that it past time for the Cunts to go for peace with the Klatch.  A quarter of a century ago the clan split into civil war and now the Cunts hide amongst humans with Kiera their only medical practitioner.  He calls her a traitor just like her purebred mom; irate she kicks his butt in with moves she learned from her human military father.

The stranger watches her take out the arrogant counselor and his two guards.  He applauds her skills even as she  never believed in love at first sight, but now accepts lust at first sight. Ryan is the Prince of Klatch and recognizes Kiera as  his mate, the Healer who will bring the divided clan back together, which is her life goal dedicated to her late mom.  As a being who thrives on sexual energy, he knows she is the one because his dreams have changed from dark hair to a specific blonde.  However, though she relishes the heights of passion he brings to her, she has doubts that a Halfbreed can be destiny’s darling for the Klatch and the Cunts.

The third “Seduction” erotic romantic science fiction (see VISIONS OF SEDUCTION and CEREMONY OF SEDUCTION) is a terrific thriller with some paranormal elements enhancing the exciting story line. The lead couple is a delightful pairing in and out of the boudoir as they feed off of each other while also encouraging one another.  Readers will be seduced by Cassie Ryan’s enticing sexual healing (Marvin Gaye style) “Seduction” science fiction saga.

Harriet Klausner

Time Raiders: The Seeker-Lindsay McKenna

Time Raiders: The Seeker

Lindsay McKenna

Silhouette Nocturne, Aug 2009, $5.25

ISBN: 9780373618163

Time raiders Delia Sebastian and Jake Tyler are assigned to work together in finding the first piece of an alien artifact the Karanovo Bronze Seal in ancient Rome during the time of Julius Caesar.  Delia does not want to go with Jake as her partner as she has a past with him that left her hurt.  On the other hand, Jake looks forward to spending time with her.

Their Italian vacation posing as Grecian mercenaries proves dangerous as Caesar’s mistress Servilia has an agenda of her own yet the artifact is in her Pompeii villa.  Worse, an alien seeks the artifact and is using the body of the scribe to hide inside.  As the peril mounts, Delia and Jake must cover each other’s back if they are to survive the mission and have any hope of successfully accomplishing it.

This is the opening act of a new romantic science fiction series in which different authors over the next few months will provide novels.  THE SEEKER is a fine tale starring two leads who battle one another and two insidious enemies.  The story line starts slow as the key background information is provided, but once the protagonists (some might say antagonists) go back in time to 44 BC, the action turns fast-paced and the lead couple’s attraction could ignite Ancient Rome.  Fans will enjoy Lindsay McKenna’s solid thriller as Ancient Rome comes alive and the table is set for Cindy Dees in September to go after the next segment of the Karanovo Bronze Seal.

Harriet Klausner

Relentless-Lauren Dane

Relentless

Lauren Dane

Berkley, May 2009, $15.00

ISBN: 042522760X

Since the Fifteen Families left Earth to settle in the Known Universe, they have ruled over the Federated Universe. In that pyramidal hierarchy, the orb Ravena and its ruler the patriarch of the House of Lyons is the elite of the elite.

Barrister Abbie Haws, Unranked, wants the system changed dramatically to provide equal rights to everyone. When she meets Ravena’s ruler Roman Lyons, she is shocked as she is attracted to her enemy. Even more stunning perhaps, the elitist Roman feels the same way. As they agree to show each other their respective worlds, they turn up the heat with a solar affair; someone wants Abbie dead either because of the tryst or her activism

This terrific science fiction erotic romance is fast-paced and filled with action in and out of the bedroom. However, what makes the tale spin is the plausibility of the society built by Lauren Dane that serves as the conflict between the two lovers. Though the climax is obvious, with a strong lead cast and a powerful support cast (especially his family), fans will enjoy the antics of the lead couple as Abbie rides Roman’s rocket yet continues to argue for her cause.

Harriet Klausner

Coyote’s Mate-Lora Leigh

Coyote’s Mate

Lora Leigh

Berkley, Feb 2009, $7.99

ISBN: 9780425226339

She has waited patiently for years for the right moment to rescue her Coyote Breed incarcerated in her father’s Russian lab. Now after six anxious years fearing she will be caught for her seditious activity, Del-Rey “the Coyote Ghost” Delgado informs Anya Koran the time to set their final rescue plan in motion has arrived. She asks him one favor; not to kill her dad when they liberate the female specimens; he agrees.

During the raid, Del-Rey shoots and kills Anaya’s father; he escorts her and the other Coyote Breed to the Sanctuary compound. While Anya remains irate with him for killing her father, mating heat assaults both of them. However, as his soulmate rejects him though her body betrays her by craving his touch; a traitor within the compound places everyone especially the newcomers in danger.

The latest Lora Leigh’s homage to the X-Men (see DAWN’S AWAKENING, MEGAN’S MARK and HARMONY’S WAY, etc.) stars a great lead pairing who appear destined to remain apart in spite of mating heat uniting them. Anya cannot forgive Del-Rey for killing her father though she knows his other choice was a failed mission with many of the rescued dead and the rest imprisoned. Once again the bioengineered breeds seem genuine and the romance between the Alpha and his Coya enjoyable to follow. Although the betrayal seems somewhat similar in tone to MERCURY’S WAR, fans of the saga will enjoy the latest science fiction romantic suspense as the hatred and prejudice the Breed encounter would make Magneto believe humans love him and his mutants.

Harriet Klausner