A Companion of Wolves
Sarah Monette & Elizabeth Bear
Tor, Oct 2007, $29.95
ISBN: 9780765318169
Wolfcarls are men who fight the trolls and wyvern when they come down from the north and are telepathically bonded with their warrior wolves. There has not been a major Troll excursion in almost a century so the ranks of men and wolves are below full strength. They live apart from the community as the wolfhealls and the males must bond.
Njall is picked as part of this year’s tithe, an honor that makes him defy his father who orders him not to go. He bonds with konigenwolf Viradechtis, an alpha who will grow up to lead her own wolfheall along side of Njall, now called Isolfr. He learns what it means to be a wolfcarl, as major aspects of his life has changed, but his love for his wolf makes him feel it is worth any hardship. However, the trolls invade the land, killing all who stand in the way of their horde. Isolfr and Viradechtis risk their lives to stop the raiders, but will fail unless a recluse who wants no part of them helps; and even then they may still lose.
This collaboration between two greats has led to a fascinating and unusual fantasy. Although the story line follows much of the usual coming of age quest saga, the plot goes much deeper especially into the relationship between the wolfcarl and his wolf than most Scandinavian mythos based tales; thus the audience learns how wolf society works. Not for the squeamish. A COMPANION OF WOLVES is a delightful sexually graphic (running the gamut) save the realm fantasy similar in some ways to Andre Norton’s works.,
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
A Lost Touch of Innocence-Amy Tolnitch
A Lost Touch of Innocence
Amy Tolnitch
Medallion, Sep 2007, $7.95
ISBN 9781933836096
He knew he should not, but could not prevent himself from touching the compelling crystal. By doing so Piers Veuxfort lives everyday in hell on earth. His gentle rub released the essence of the evil Fin Man, previously trapped inside the crystal. Now the Fin Man resides inside of Piers.
Giselle St. Germain was to be a nun, but the abbess of Kerwick Abbey learned of her “sight” and condemned her as a satanic abomination; she was tossed out of the nunnery that she lived in for thirteen years after allegedly causing Sister Anne’s choking. Her exile is complete with the knowledge she suddenly is betrothed to a stranger. She arrives at Falcon’s Craig Castle to marry Piers. He fears for her as he is losing the control battle to the dark malevolence growing side him. She wonders how a man can be so devilish yet be so attractive. Hiding behind her pietistic upbringing by the nuns, Giselle thinks of fleeing but has no place to go; besides she soon feels God sent her here to help Piers exorcize his demon as love binds these two troubled souls.
The sequel to A LOST TOUCH OF BLISS is an entertaining medieval paranormal romance starring an interesting lead male with two intelligences battling to control his body and the innocent woman who completes the demonic triangle. Piers is a fascinating protagonist as he literally battles with an inner demon for control of his body and soul. Although Giselle adapts to life out of the abbey too easily, she risks her soul to help the man she loves win the war against the malevolent Fin Man. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Amy Tolnitch’s latest Veuxfort thriller in which hearts and souls are on the line.
Harriet Klausner
Amy Tolnitch
Medallion, Sep 2007, $7.95
ISBN 9781933836096
He knew he should not, but could not prevent himself from touching the compelling crystal. By doing so Piers Veuxfort lives everyday in hell on earth. His gentle rub released the essence of the evil Fin Man, previously trapped inside the crystal. Now the Fin Man resides inside of Piers.
Giselle St. Germain was to be a nun, but the abbess of Kerwick Abbey learned of her “sight” and condemned her as a satanic abomination; she was tossed out of the nunnery that she lived in for thirteen years after allegedly causing Sister Anne’s choking. Her exile is complete with the knowledge she suddenly is betrothed to a stranger. She arrives at Falcon’s Craig Castle to marry Piers. He fears for her as he is losing the control battle to the dark malevolence growing side him. She wonders how a man can be so devilish yet be so attractive. Hiding behind her pietistic upbringing by the nuns, Giselle thinks of fleeing but has no place to go; besides she soon feels God sent her here to help Piers exorcize his demon as love binds these two troubled souls.
The sequel to A LOST TOUCH OF BLISS is an entertaining medieval paranormal romance starring an interesting lead male with two intelligences battling to control his body and the innocent woman who completes the demonic triangle. Piers is a fascinating protagonist as he literally battles with an inner demon for control of his body and soul. Although Giselle adapts to life out of the abbey too easily, she risks her soul to help the man she loves win the war against the malevolent Fin Man. Sub-genre fans will enjoy Amy Tolnitch’s latest Veuxfort thriller in which hearts and souls are on the line.
Harriet Klausner
The Restorer’s Son-Sharon Hinck
The Restorer’s Son
Sharon Hinck
NAVPRESS, Oct 2007, $14.99
ISBN: 9781600061325
At the battle of Morsel Plains, the Children of the Verses defeated the Hazer army with the help of the Restorer Susan Mitchell, who came from earth to the world of her husband Mark via a portal in their attic (see THE RESTORER). When the couple returns to earth, they learn their son Jake also went through the portal so they go back to retrieve him. Susan is no longer the Restorer as that mantle and associated responsibility has passed on to Kieran, who refuses to perform the role.
Kieran and Jake meet when the former flees from the attacks of Kahlarian assassins. They travel together to the capital city of Lyric where Councilman Cameron tricks Kieran so that he looks like a traitor. They escape and Jake is left with the Braide Wood clan while the banished Kieran travels to Hazer. He fights against doing the bidding of the One until he finally accepts his fate. Eventually the new restorer, Jake, and his parents meet up just as hostilities seem imminent between Hazor and Lyric.
This enchanting fantasy is filled with plenty of action, political intrigue, sublime religious overtones that fit nicely into the storyline and exciting battle scenes. Susan’s role has changed from when she was the Restorer as now she introduces the readers to her replacement. Having Kieran become the Restorer is ironic as he refused to be touched by the One’s love. Hick’s world is an interesting place in which the Creator shows his power in everyday life; the description of this orb is so vividly alive, readers will check their passports to see the stamp. Fans of Karen Hancock will enjoy the entertaining RESTORER’S SON.
Harriet Klausner
Sharon Hinck
NAVPRESS, Oct 2007, $14.99
ISBN: 9781600061325
At the battle of Morsel Plains, the Children of the Verses defeated the Hazer army with the help of the Restorer Susan Mitchell, who came from earth to the world of her husband Mark via a portal in their attic (see THE RESTORER). When the couple returns to earth, they learn their son Jake also went through the portal so they go back to retrieve him. Susan is no longer the Restorer as that mantle and associated responsibility has passed on to Kieran, who refuses to perform the role.
Kieran and Jake meet when the former flees from the attacks of Kahlarian assassins. They travel together to the capital city of Lyric where Councilman Cameron tricks Kieran so that he looks like a traitor. They escape and Jake is left with the Braide Wood clan while the banished Kieran travels to Hazer. He fights against doing the bidding of the One until he finally accepts his fate. Eventually the new restorer, Jake, and his parents meet up just as hostilities seem imminent between Hazor and Lyric.
This enchanting fantasy is filled with plenty of action, political intrigue, sublime religious overtones that fit nicely into the storyline and exciting battle scenes. Susan’s role has changed from when she was the Restorer as now she introduces the readers to her replacement. Having Kieran become the Restorer is ironic as he refused to be touched by the One’s love. Hick’s world is an interesting place in which the Creator shows his power in everyday life; the description of this orb is so vividly alive, readers will check their passports to see the stamp. Fans of Karen Hancock will enjoy the entertaining RESTORER’S SON.
Harriet Klausner
Cybermancy-Kelly McCollough
Cybermancy
Kelly McCullough
Ace, Oct 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780441015382
Necessity created the magical web (mweb) in order to interconnect the infinite worlds of the multiverse as a means to keep chaos under control. Sorcerer Prince Ravirn of the house of Fate was chosen as the web administrator because of his superior hacker skills. However, as is his way, alienates his three great-aunts, the Fates (Clothos, Atropros, and Lachesis). Actually it was Lachesis who exiled her nephew and his best friend webgoblin-laptop Melchior from the family; while Clothos renamed him Raven of chaos.
Ravirn’s (Don’t call me Raven) girlfriend Cerice mourns the death of her webpixie-PDA Shara, who died saving her mistress; life. Making her grief insurmountable and driving Raven crazy is that Shara the PDA contained Cerice’s doctorate in Computer Science. Thus her paper is on the other side of the River Styx with no way of retrieving it without trickery. Ravirn has a plan to fool his poker buddy Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld and hack into Lucifer’s database to retrieve Shara. Ravirn succeeds, but the outcome proves different than he imagined. Instead of kisses, he finds the mweb is falling apart as if a worm is eating away one byte at a time and Lucifer is madder than hell that someone hacked into his computer. As his great-aunts predicted Ravirn has brought chaos into order and they fear that even worse he plans to fix his mistakes by deleting and rebooting the multiverse.
This zany mixing of computer technology with mythology is a cleverly designed satire in which the audience will have a great time following the antics of Ravirn in the mythological information age. The amusing story line spoofs American top secret paranoia as Ravirn hacks into Lucifer’s protected database and abducts Shara from the other side while correcting his miscues with greater errors. Readers who appreciate something different will want to read this enjoyable insane sequel to the as much fun and crazy WEBMAGE.
Harriet Klausner
Kelly McCullough
Ace, Oct 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780441015382
Necessity created the magical web (mweb) in order to interconnect the infinite worlds of the multiverse as a means to keep chaos under control. Sorcerer Prince Ravirn of the house of Fate was chosen as the web administrator because of his superior hacker skills. However, as is his way, alienates his three great-aunts, the Fates (Clothos, Atropros, and Lachesis). Actually it was Lachesis who exiled her nephew and his best friend webgoblin-laptop Melchior from the family; while Clothos renamed him Raven of chaos.
Ravirn’s (Don’t call me Raven) girlfriend Cerice mourns the death of her webpixie-PDA Shara, who died saving her mistress; life. Making her grief insurmountable and driving Raven crazy is that Shara the PDA contained Cerice’s doctorate in Computer Science. Thus her paper is on the other side of the River Styx with no way of retrieving it without trickery. Ravirn has a plan to fool his poker buddy Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld and hack into Lucifer’s database to retrieve Shara. Ravirn succeeds, but the outcome proves different than he imagined. Instead of kisses, he finds the mweb is falling apart as if a worm is eating away one byte at a time and Lucifer is madder than hell that someone hacked into his computer. As his great-aunts predicted Ravirn has brought chaos into order and they fear that even worse he plans to fix his mistakes by deleting and rebooting the multiverse.
This zany mixing of computer technology with mythology is a cleverly designed satire in which the audience will have a great time following the antics of Ravirn in the mythological information age. The amusing story line spoofs American top secret paranoia as Ravirn hacks into Lucifer’s protected database and abducts Shara from the other side while correcting his miscues with greater errors. Readers who appreciate something different will want to read this enjoyable insane sequel to the as much fun and crazy WEBMAGE.
Harriet Klausner
Bride for a Knight-Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Bride for a Knight
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Warner, Sep 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780446617307
Following the death of his mother giving birth to him, his father has had nothing to do with his offspring, James Macpherson. Instead others have raised him. Jamie is squire to Duncan “The Black Stag” Mackenzie when he learns his brothers were killed. As the heir he must come home to meet the father who abandoned him at birth.
Reluctantly, Jamie does his duty and comes home for the first since his father banished him, but is still unwelcome by his sire although he is the heir. He also learns from his father that he is to wed his late sibling’s fiancée to cement an alliance between clans. However, Aveline, the sister of his betrothed, takes her place as his bride. As their lust for one another turns to love, the ghosts of Jamie’s brothers demand he avenge their murders and stay alert for he and his beloved wife are the next targets.
Sue-Ellen Welfonder continues her powerfully vivid fourteenth century Highlander saga (see UNTIL THE KNIGHT COMES) with a wonderful romance. The male protagonist believes he is unworthy of love as he remains estranged with his father while the woman who loves him plans to prove to him he is wrong as he is deserving of her love. The paranormal and mystery elements blend nicely into the story line as those segues enhance a fine historical romance.
Harriet Klausner
Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Warner, Sep 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9780446617307
Following the death of his mother giving birth to him, his father has had nothing to do with his offspring, James Macpherson. Instead others have raised him. Jamie is squire to Duncan “The Black Stag” Mackenzie when he learns his brothers were killed. As the heir he must come home to meet the father who abandoned him at birth.
Reluctantly, Jamie does his duty and comes home for the first since his father banished him, but is still unwelcome by his sire although he is the heir. He also learns from his father that he is to wed his late sibling’s fiancée to cement an alliance between clans. However, Aveline, the sister of his betrothed, takes her place as his bride. As their lust for one another turns to love, the ghosts of Jamie’s brothers demand he avenge their murders and stay alert for he and his beloved wife are the next targets.
Sue-Ellen Welfonder continues her powerfully vivid fourteenth century Highlander saga (see UNTIL THE KNIGHT COMES) with a wonderful romance. The male protagonist believes he is unworthy of love as he remains estranged with his father while the woman who loves him plans to prove to him he is wrong as he is deserving of her love. The paranormal and mystery elements blend nicely into the story line as those segues enhance a fine historical romance.
Harriet Klausner
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Written in Bone-Simon Beckett
Written in Bone
Simon Beckett
Delacorte, Oct 2007, $24.00
ISBN: 9780385340052
The Scottish police ask forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter to assist their investigation into a fiery death on Runa, a remote Hebridean island, as they have no expert available to look at the crime scene at this time. All that remains of the victim besides ash and bone are feet and one hand; the shack where the person died has no signs of a fire.
Dr. Hunter, Police Sergeant Fraser, and Constable Duncan travel to Runa, a small island community whose residents live off the ocean and visiting tourists. However, Hunter and the two cops accompanying him find the island inhospitable when storms batter Runa and communications to the mainland are completely cut off. Retired chief inspector Brody, who found the first corpse, assists the outsiders while the death count rises yet the islanders refuse to cooperate with the mainlanders.
Although the motive for the murder seems pathetic, Simon Beckett provides a terrific atmospheric police procedural. The story line is fast-paced with Hunter and his cohorts struggling to gain cooperation from the locals even with one of them assisting the inquiry. Filled with twists, it is us vs. them attitude that makes for a wonderful deep whodunit.
Harriet Klausner
Simon Beckett
Delacorte, Oct 2007, $24.00
ISBN: 9780385340052
The Scottish police ask forensic anthropologist Dr. David Hunter to assist their investigation into a fiery death on Runa, a remote Hebridean island, as they have no expert available to look at the crime scene at this time. All that remains of the victim besides ash and bone are feet and one hand; the shack where the person died has no signs of a fire.
Dr. Hunter, Police Sergeant Fraser, and Constable Duncan travel to Runa, a small island community whose residents live off the ocean and visiting tourists. However, Hunter and the two cops accompanying him find the island inhospitable when storms batter Runa and communications to the mainland are completely cut off. Retired chief inspector Brody, who found the first corpse, assists the outsiders while the death count rises yet the islanders refuse to cooperate with the mainlanders.
Although the motive for the murder seems pathetic, Simon Beckett provides a terrific atmospheric police procedural. The story line is fast-paced with Hunter and his cohorts struggling to gain cooperation from the locals even with one of them assisting the inquiry. Filled with twists, it is us vs. them attitude that makes for a wonderful deep whodunit.
Harriet Klausner
Primal Desires-Susan Sizemore
Primal Desires
Susan Sizemore
Pocket, Sep 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9781416513360
Sofia Hunyara is stunned to learn her cousin Cathy has been kidnapped. She learns the abductors belong to a werewolf pack planning to control all were and vampire groups. Sofia vows to use the skills she has all but ignored to rescue her relative.
In Las Vegas Prime Vampire Jason “Beast Master” Cage works closely with wolves as he puts on quite a stage show filled with magic that the audience assumes are master illusions; he knows that he hides his full skills from those paying to see his performance. When he meets Sofia he is shocked as she is his soulmate although she is werewolf. When she explains her mission is to save Cathy, Jason agrees to assist her as he needs to insure his beloved stays safe. However, he also knows they will need a combined horde from both their species especially her Wolf Tamer family to defeat the rogues holding Cathy hostage.
PRIMAL DESIRES is a superb paranormal romantic suspense thriller in which sensational Susan Sizemore makes believers of her audience that vampires and werewolves exist at least in the Sizemore universe. The story line is fast-paced with seat belts required, but it is the changing relationship between the Beast Master and Sofia as they team up to try to rescue Cathy that makes this a must read for sub-genre fans.
Harriet Klausner
Susan Sizemore
Pocket, Sep 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 9781416513360
Sofia Hunyara is stunned to learn her cousin Cathy has been kidnapped. She learns the abductors belong to a werewolf pack planning to control all were and vampire groups. Sofia vows to use the skills she has all but ignored to rescue her relative.
In Las Vegas Prime Vampire Jason “Beast Master” Cage works closely with wolves as he puts on quite a stage show filled with magic that the audience assumes are master illusions; he knows that he hides his full skills from those paying to see his performance. When he meets Sofia he is shocked as she is his soulmate although she is werewolf. When she explains her mission is to save Cathy, Jason agrees to assist her as he needs to insure his beloved stays safe. However, he also knows they will need a combined horde from both their species especially her Wolf Tamer family to defeat the rogues holding Cathy hostage.
PRIMAL DESIRES is a superb paranormal romantic suspense thriller in which sensational Susan Sizemore makes believers of her audience that vampires and werewolves exist at least in the Sizemore universe. The story line is fast-paced with seat belts required, but it is the changing relationship between the Beast Master and Sofia as they team up to try to rescue Cathy that makes this a must read for sub-genre fans.
Harriet Klausner
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