Terrific two-fer post - Kleypas and Cast

Blue Eyed Devil
Lisa Kleypas
St Martin's
March 25
ISBN 031235164X
Romantic Suspense
****1/2



If she had just followed through on the one, embarrassing kiss she accidentally gave Hardy Cates in the dark, Haven Travis might have saved herself a sentence in an earthly Hell. But, she did not, instead marrying the devil himself, or nearly so. Nick turns from being a caring fiance' to a demoralizing, abusive rapist, subjecting her to years of degrading torture that strips away Haven's self worth and tries to steal her away from herself. When he goes too far, Haven is able to summon up enough spirit to escape, turning to her brother for refuge. Once safe, she begins to heal on several levels gradually. Then, Hardy re-enters her life and the attraction is there and stronger than ever. Yet, Haven still has the scars of her marraige on her soul, ones Hardy will have to deal with in order to win her. And, Nick is not done with his ex-wife.



Though this book has been critisized for being graphic in its depiction of domestic violence, that is a strength. Normally, I abhor seeing portrayls that are graphic in any way; however, it was critical to this story for the harshness to be seen. Haven's situation comes to life thanks to this, and once you start, this book is impossible to walk away from.


Warrior Rising
P.C. Cast
Berkley
May
ISBN 0425221377
Paranormal/Time Travel
****



When the goddesses get utterly fed up with the Trojan War, not to mention with all the inaccurate information that myth, legend, and history have recorded about it, they decide its time to intervene. Since Achilles is the key to stopping it, they decide what he needs is a good woman, and thanks to Venus' time in the modern world among mortals, Kat, a twenty first century woman in the prime of her life, is chosen to go back to the time of the Iliad and tame a berserker warrior. Before she can though, she and her best friend, Jacky, are killed in a car wreck. While that's disconcerting, it's no problem, really. The goddesses simply transplant their souls into the bodies of a Trojan princess and her maid. As the princess, Kat combines a younger, more beautiful body with her intellect and skills to easily win over her "master." Yet, though Achilles loves her and longs for peace, he lives under a curse and fate seems determined to carry out his doom. Only a great sacrifice might have a slim chance of stopping that, if Kat is willing.


Most Trojan epics can be summed up in the phrase long and boring. No wonder Venus, Athena, and company got their fill of it. This is the exception to the rule. With snazzy, snappy wit and loads of humor, Ms. Cast has made the epic interesting again. Her spin on things is far different than most, but that is what makes it wonderful.

Oceans Apart

Oceans Apart
Karen Kingsbury
Harper
April
ISBN 0061456713
Inspirational Mainstream
******



He only slipped up once in his marriage vows and his commitment to living the Christian way, but it only took one night of giving into loneliness and tempation to give Connor Evans a son that he does not know about until the boy's mother is killed in a plane crash. When lawyers contact him to inform him of the sad news and the decision he now faces, Connor must confess to cheating to his wife, Michele. Though she attempts to cope, Michele is rocked and believes her entire marriage to be stained by lies. Even as Conner and his son, Max grow closer and their daughters begin to accept him as a friend, even though they do not know the whole truth, Michele struggles with the entire situation. Has Conner gained a son to lose a marriage? What is the path God woudl have them take?



This is a book that will shake you up; Ms. Kingsbury, as usual, pulls you into the narrative and wires you into the characters' emotions. Max's simple faith, Michele's hurt reaction to being betrayed, and Conner having to face the results of his sin will all feel as real as the nose on your face. Once again, a strong Christian message is presented, but not in a wimpy way, like so many "inspirational" novels tend to do. The characters are beautifully realized with all their flaws and heartaches. Even more clear though, is God's ability to make miracles out of messes.

Hollow

The Hollow
Nora Roberts
Jove
May
ISBN 0515144592
Paranormal Romantic Suspense
****



Once upon a time, three young boys performed a dark ritual to bind their friendship, but in doing so, awakened an ancient evil that has gone on a killing spree at seven year intervals in their small hometown. As the time for its return approaches, the trio unites to stop it. Now adults, the men need their other halves, the women who are their soul mates, to help them use the powers that the ceremony bequeathed them, in order to put the chaos to an end and atone for their foolish act. Fox's resultant "gift" from that night was the ability to read minds, and in Layla, he finds a soul with a similar blessed curse. For her the emphasis is on the curse side, and she is unable to deal with having such a power, or the sudden connection she finds with this man. Despite her struggle, it is something she must learn to accept, for herself, for Fox, and for everyone she cares for's sakes.



The drama and tension continue to cast their spells over Ms. Roberts' legions of fans. Her ability to weave relationships is fantastic, and she makes the utterly unrealistic seem totally believable. You will never go wrong with one of her books, and this is not the exception to the rule.

CALL OF THE HIGHLAND MOON

Call of the Highland Moon
Kendra Leigh Castle
Casablanca Press
May
ISBN 1402211589
Paranormal
***1/2



Normally, the worst thing you have to worry about when taking in a stray is fleas, various messes, or possibly that the animal is diseased. The critter turning into a hot naked guy running both away from and towards destiny just is not something that would cross your mind, but it's what Carly gets when she takes in a rather large dog that turns out not only to be a wolf, but Gideon, a werewolf crown prince. Bound together by evil circumstances that include the weather and rival wolves and by a growing attraction for each other that goes against all the rules and logic, Carly and Gideon become involved in a power struggle and the search for an ancient artifact dating back to the time of the Patriarchs.



Weaving together romance, adventure, and lore, Ms. Castle has the start of a fantastic series here. All sorts of passionate feelings crackle to life on the pages, shifting dynamically as lycanthrope mythology is reinvented for this new world. This belongs on the keeper shelf beside Susan Krinard or Ronda Thompson's shapeshifter romances for sure.

EVE DALLAS

Stranger in Death
J.D. Robb
Penguin
Feb.
ISBN 0399154701
Futuristic/Mystery
******



The humiliating death of a millionaire was supposed to look like a kinky accident, but Eve Dallas knows murder when she sees it. Though she has strong suspicions about who did it and why, there is no way to prove it as the prime suspect has an airtight alibi. Frustration only makes her determination stronger. Armed with her keen mind, her need for justice, unerring instincts, and a cadre of loyal and brilliant friends, Eve sets out to prove her theory. The key will be found in a most unusual way.



Combining the wit and class of the best and most classic detectives with a taut edge, a hint of sizzling passion, and wry humor, Ms. Robb once again proves why Eve Dallas is the best there is. Normally, I do not like futuristic stories, because they lack humanity, but Dallas breaks that rule. The strong characterizations are what keep this series working and make it, in the words of Mavis, “totally mag.” Even if you are not into novels set in anything other than the present, if you enjoy mysteries, if you enjoy having a series where the characters become cherished friends, you are cheating yourself not to invest in the entire set of these books. Invest is the right word; they are keepers.

Personal Demons - Stacia Kane

Personal Demons
Stacia Kane
Wildside
April
ISBN 0809572559
Urban Fantasy
*****



Her promises to "slay personal demons" for her listeners and patients were supposed to be only taken as a figure of speech. Despite her paranormal gift that allowed her to read minds, Megan did not really believe there were demons out there, and certainly not that they would come after her. However, she has to alter her thoughts when she begins to see them and when a friend, Greyson, turns out to be one that is trying to keep her safe from the Accuser himself. This turn of events also forces her to confront her pain filled childhood and the incident that made her a parriah in her home town. Unless she gets past that, if she survives, her future will be ruined. Of course, the trio of demon brothers assigned to keep her from becoming roadkill would rather face the legions of Hell than Greyson if they fail to make sure she lives to see tomorrow.



Ms. Kane has managed to blend eerie edginess with laugh out loud humor and just enough romance to make this a truly winning recipe for a good read. She even includes a recipe that looks interesting enough to almost tempt a vegetarian! I simply adored this story, especially the three brothers 0809572559who I cannot decide if I'd enjoy having around or if they'd drive me mad trying to "take care of me" where I their charge. Treat yourself to this when you want to smile.

Personal Demon Kelley Armstrong

Personal Demons
Kelley Armstrong
April
Spectra
ISBN 0553806610
Urban Fantasy/Romantic
****1/2



In the Otherworld, you don't want to upset the Cabals, defy them, or owe them. Even if you are the devil's daughter, it's a wise half demon that stays on the good side of these semi - Mafia like entities. So, when the head of the Cortez Cabal calls in the debt Hope Adams, Lucifer's daughter, owes, she figures it's in her best interests to accept the job. Going undercover to infiltrate a gang of potential troublemakers, Hope soon finds herself up to her neck in alligators and having to tread a fine line to live through the successful completion of her assignment. Complicating matters is her back-up man, Karl, the werewolf who was once her lover. While she might resent his presence, the real problem is the temptation he represents. The perils are not wholly physical in nature. Moral choices, the lure of rekindling a romance, conflicting loyalties, truth, pride, and more become "personal demons" for Hope.



Sharing the spotlight with Hope is Lucas Cortez, Paige's husband and the youngest "black" or would that be white sheep of the Cortez clan. In his usual dry, yet witty tone, Lucas offers some extra insight into the twists and turns of the plot. He has even more issues to confront as he is drawn back into his family's politics. Even though this is a "Women" of the Otherworld book, it would be more than cool to see Lucas get a book told entirely through his eyes.



Having a Kelley Armstrong book come my way is always a treat, and this is no exception. There is an extra edginess to this one, especially when compared to the books focused on Paige, perhaps reflecting the evolution of Ms. Armstrong's writing as is seen in Exit Strategy. Fortunately, for new readers, this, as do all the books in this series, can stand on its own two feet. You can enter the Otherworld at any point in the timeline without being lost. Since manths pass between the stories, and I do read a lot, that is very welcome. October and the next book can't come soon enough.