The Lady is a Vamp

The Lady is a Vamp
Michelle Rowen
Warner Forever
April 08
ISBN 0446618632
Paranormal Romance
****



The Ruby Eye will grant a wish once every thousand years. As the time for it to be able to do so approaches, two once upon a time friends are in a race against each other to gain it first. Janie's enigmatic, cruel Boss has ordered her to bring it to him and kill her rival, or she and her sister face the most unpleasant of deaths. Killing her rival should be easy for her, despite the crush she once had on him, for she is a vampire hunter, and Quinn is now a vampire. He is determined to find the Eye and wish for humanity, but seeing Janie and hearing her need changes things. As they get closer to it and to each other, their impossible situations continue to become more and more painful.



Excitement, a strong, character driven, intense plot, and wicked humor keep this story racing. It's a true gem, that adhere to some conventions, but at the same time remains fresh. As usual, Ms. Rowen delivers a winning story. Enjoy it. No fooling.

Return to Tara

Rhett Butler's People
Donald McCraig
Nov
ISBN 0312262515
Historical
****



Rhett Butler. Those two words alone will make any woman's head jerk up and have her looking for Clark Gable, but, there's more to the handsome enigma than his looks. Mr. McCraig begins the story of of Mr. Butler's life as a youth, long before Scarlett hurled a vase at him. We see his story unfold as he becomes the family blacksheep, maintains a relationship with his sister who is so like Miss Melly, and befriends Belle Watling. Then, he meets Scarlett and his world becomes the one we all know, but now, we see another side to it. Fans of GWTW will also learn a few things we've longed to know since we first encountered that epic.



This is an absorbing treat for not only Gone with the Wind fans, but fans of historical novels in general. Filled with historical insights, it presents us with the heart of a compassionate, passionate man who has lived in the hearts of millions for decades.

Sexy Angels

Seraphim
Rene Lyons
Samhain
2007
ISBN 1599985373
Paranormal
****



Sabrina needs to know the truth about a trio of mystic stones said to be old as Creation, magical rocks tied to her father's legacy and her own destiny. Her quest takes her to see Seth, or more properly, Setheus, an enigmatic man who is actually an angel who sacrificed his place in Heaven to protect humanity from the rebellious angels who want the stones and to wrest control of life away from God. After so long, Seth's life has become a torture to him, but when Sabrina enters his carefully controlled world, he finds new interest. He also finds that the war against evil has flared into intense life and it will take his closest brothers plus all Sabrina has to give to defeat it.



The only flaw in this story is that it is far too short. The angelic mythos presented here is utterly fascinating and I would love to explore it in greater depth. You will not regret adding this book to your TBR pile, just don't make it a to be read for long. Read it.

Truly inspiring

Cathy's Angel
Pamela Thibodeaux
Wild Rose Press
www.wildrosepress.com
2007
ISBN NA
Inspirational
****1/2



While on a morning run, Cathy's prayer of thanks is mingled with a plea for an angel. Instead, she gets a sprained ankle. Alone, and unable to figure out how to get home to her children, she is confounded until Jared shows up and finds himself cast as the Good Samaritan in her life. Though he really did not plan on getting involved with the attractive young widow and her four kids, he finds himself becoming part of their lives. Could Cathy's prayer have been answered in him?



Though this story will take you less than fifteen minutes to read, it will linger in your heart for some time to come. Cathy's poignant prayer could be considered a model one for the busy, rushed lives so many of us live, and the unexpected way in which God answers her will help readers see the truth in Romans 8:28 with new eyes. This is a joyful way to spend a mental break time and may be just what you need to get through the day when you feel overwhelmed.

Choices
Pamela Thibodeaux
Wild Rose Press
www.wildrosepress.com
2007
ISBN NA
Inspirational
****



Winning a contest with a prize of front row seats and a backstage pass to see Kip Allen, the hottest country star going, gives Camie a chance to reconnect with her first love. Though their reunion is joyful, it shows them both that while Kip's been changed in less than God honoring ways by his fame, Camie's heart has remained unconformed by the world. Yet, it is also clear that their love never died and everything depends upon the choices they will soon make.



Christians are called to live in the world, but not be of it, a seemingly impossible task. Books such as this illustrate how it is possible and rewarding. In a very brief space, what feels like an entire novel is played out in a fashion that will gladden your heart and help you live out your Christian walk. If you have ever loved and lost, but wished you could get one more chance, you will also be thrilled with this one. Though there are very few authors I can say have never let me down, this lady is certainly among those few.

Mermaid Overboard

Swimming Without a Net
Mary Janice Davidson
Jove
11-2-07
ISBN 0515143812
Paranormal
***1/2



After taking a year off from romance, Fred Bimm, the mermaid, is confronted with the need to deal with her People of the Sea half of her ancestry when she is summoned to a major meeting at the command of her would be fiance, Prince Artur. When she and her best friend, Jonas, arrive, she also discovers her other potential suitor, Thomas, has been invited. Though he's strictly a land dweller, Artur is compeled by fairness to make sure he has equal access. Now, Fred just needs to learn merfolk etiquette and protocol while navigating the stormy seas of love and politics while her people debate joining the biped world. She also has to somehow keep her boss, who has arrived to continue her romance with Jonas, from learning she's a mermaid. What fun!



Fred may be having a bad day, but readers will be delighted with the results of this latest comic romp, or would that be swim? Although many of the story elements will be familiar to fans of Ms. Davidson's body of work, it is a comfortable read, perfect for a mental escape in a high pressure season. Fred's unique circumstances give a new spin on the conventions we love in these stories. If you need a laugh, then you won't go wrong buying this book, or anything else by MJD.

Blood Brothers New Nora Trilogy Begins

Blood Brothers
Nora Roberts
Jove
Nov
ISBN 0515143804
Paranormal
****



Three ten year old boys unwittingly unleash an evil force that rains down havoc and hell on their small town every seven years thereafter. Now, as the third set of seven years approaches, things begin to come to a head. Adding to the danger and to the resources the three blood brothers have to stand against their foe is Quinn, a beautiful writer researching legends. She has won the heart of one of the men, Cal Hawkins, and has skills that will prove useful as they enter the war on evil. Yet, love can be a distraction as well as a source of strength. Which she will prove to be could prove critical when push comes to shove.



I wonder if Ms. Roberts will ever write a bad book. Juding by this, no. Despite the word blood in the title, if anyone is expecting more vampires, they will be disappointed. However, that should not prevent anyone from loving this tale of good vs. evil, love, destiny, and consequences.

A Wish in time

A Wish In Time
Laurel Bradley
IUNIIVERSE
2007
ISBN-13: 978-0-595-40948-8 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-85307-6 (ebk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-40948-2 (pbk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-85307-2 (ebk)

Time Travel

****




In the seventeen hundreds in Scotland, Magda offers a final kindness to an old woman accused of witchcraft, not knowing that Auld Annie truly was a witch and so when she promised the young mother-to-be a wish, she had the power to make it so. Even if the granting would take over three centuries to fulfill. In New York, in the present, Maggie and her husband, David, long for a child, enough so that they are taking drastic medical measures to procure one. As Maggie goes under for her procedure, Magda goes to sleep beside her husband, Davy. When the two women wake, they have changed places. Now, each struggles to adjust to a new world, a new life, and a man who is and is not her husband. One of the men believes his wife has gone nuts, the other is able to accept what has happened, but withholds his complete love. Yet, the two mixed up couples find themselves falling in love as one set prepares for a birth and one continues to wish for it to be. Will the two women ever find their proper times?




Ms. Bradley has written a sweet story that shows how much of a miracle kindness can be and examines the importance of a baby in a family's life as well as what makes us who we are. Readers would do well to search out what may be a hard to find treasure and get this for their collection.

Tempting Darkness

Tempting Darkness
Rene Lyons
Samhain
2007
ISBN 1-59998-321-4
Paranormal
****



For two months, Lucian is trapped in a dungeon with the human woman, Jessica, a constant temptation to both his seven century long vow of celibacy and his intense vampiric hunger. They are kept there for no other reason than Stephan wants revenge on Lucian, simply because he came home after his death. Now, he has turned literally into his brother's keeper, but in a horrific way, using every opportunity to torture Lucian. The Templar Vampire knows he must achieve an escape for both himself and Jessica before it's too late. Yet, he also knows the terrible price that their freedom will exact.



This is a very different book from the two previous volumes in the series, with a decidedly different focus. Those who have followed the storyline will be most intrigued by the additional details given about the mythos of the Templar Vampire Knights and their sacred duty. Perhaps Tempting Darkness is the most intense of the three novels to date, with its themes of sacrifice, family, betrayal, and revenge. It is also the most powerful.

Carole Nelson Douglas returns to fantasy

Dancing With Werewolves
Carole Nelson Douglas
Juno
Oct
ISBN 0809572036
Urban Fantasy
****



Several years ago, it seemed as if everyone expected Y2K to bring about the End of Days. It fizzled in this world, but Delilah Street's Earth, it was appocolyptic in the true sense of the word- revelatory. Rather than ending life, it revealed that witches, were-beings, vampires, and all things mystic are real. Delilah is not a witch or other para-being, at least she doesn't think she is, but she does investigate them for a local news station until she gets on the wrong powerful being's bad side. That, grief, and seeing her "twin" dead on CSI Las Vegas V impel her to shift her residence to Vegas and try to find out who the mystery woman with her face is. Delilah thought she was alone in the world. Now, she might not be. CSI's producer, Hector Nightwine, provides her with a job and a place to live. He is only one of the intriguing males who will come into Del's life. The vampire, Snow, wraps her wrist in an enchanted bracelet with strange powers that couuld lead to trouble. Ex-FBI agent, Ric Montoya, provides her with help, via his dowsing powers, and romance. Then, there is her new dog, a wolf hybrid, who could be considered her familiar. Her investigation will show Delilah just how complex and dangerous the world is. CinSims, beings who replicate matinee idols, a werewolf/vampire war, mystical spiders, and Vegas itself keep the action fast paced and filled with rich images. Delilah may have bitten off more than she can chew, or it might just be the start of something wonderful. My vote is for the latter.



Ms. Douglas' return to fantasy is a triumph. She has enhanced the present reality with magic and excitement that leaps off the page and never slows down. Readers' minds will be filled with vivid pictures, but never too much information. Yet, despite the fast pace, there are raw, emotional moments that will strike your heart. Though set in Vegas, this book is not a gamble. You can only win if you read it.