The Secret Affair-Brenda Jackson

The Secret Affair

Brenda Jackson

Harlequin Desire, Dec 1 2014, $5.25

ISBN: 9780373733545

Paige Novak tells her sister Jillian that like their two other siblings she cannot go on the cruise with her to celebrate the latter graduating from med school; as she just got a part in a Spielberg movie.  Disappointed Jillian understands though she hoped she and her sisters could have gotten together.  She decides to go it alone as she needs something to get her mind off Aidan Westmoreland, who she ended their top secret relationship a year ago.

However, Paige put on an Academy Award winning performance when she informed Jillian she can’t join her since she had no intention of going on that cruise; instead she arranged for Aidan to be with Jillian.  On the ship Aidan makes it clear he wants to jump Jillian’s bones, but more so wants their relationship to be forever.  Now he must persuade his reluctant beloved that they are good for each other; not just in bed but in all aspects of life including their careers as doctors.

The 28^th Westmoreland family drama (see Aidan’s identical twin Adrian in The Real Thing) is a delightful second chance at love romance.  Part of the fun is learning about the first time around especially the start and climax of their affair.  Though Jillian can act immature at times, the protagonists are a nice pairing of an "Unstoppable Force (Aidan – must be in Westmoreland DNA) meets an Immovable Object” (Jillian).

Harriet Klausner

Undercity-Catherine Asaro

Undercity

Catherine Asaro

Baen, Dec 2 2014, $15.00

ISBN: 9781476736921

Book One: “City of Cries.”  On Raylicon, Bhaajan was a “dust rat” barely surviving in the Undercity ghetto beneath Cries until as a teen she did the unthinkable and left to join the Skolian Empire’s military.  After a stint as an officer with the Imperial Space Command Bhaajan, she became a private investigator; recently hired by the royal House of Majda rulers to search and rescue missing Prince Dayjarind Majda lost in the Undercity aqueducts.  

Book Two: “Beneath The Vanished Sea.”  Bhaajan’s efforts to bring the prince safely back to Cries leads her to learning of an illegal operation to sell weapons to the enemy Eubian Concord Space Command who killed two billion innocent without blinking.  However, when the smuggled cargo vanished, Colonel Lavinda Majda gives Bhaajan three days to retrieve it or else the military will invade the Undercity. 

Book Three: “The Phorine War.”  Bhaajan learns from her friend Jak, owner of the Black Mark, that Commander Braze is selling arms to local gangs and giving away node-bliss known as phorine above ground to Undercity residents.  The former major informs Lavinda of the illegal sales and that a gang war is imminent.  She asks Colonel Majda to protect the innocent, but not intercede in the battle; while she also learns why the distribution of free Phorine.

These three Skolian Empire early historical science fictions are fascinating novellas as Catherine Asaro provides her fans with a discerning glimpse into the pride of those residing in a squalid slum out of sight (so out of mind) from the affluent mainstream.  Although resolutions seem too easy, saga fans will relish these entertaining early twenty-third century AD thrillers that focus on Bhaajan’s rise to a position of influence.

Harriet Klausner

Lone Star Survivor-Colleen Thompson

Lone Star Survivor

Colleen Thompson

Harlequin Romantic Suspense, Dec 1 2014, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373278992

The military informed the matriarch of the Rayford family of Rusted Spur, Texas that terrorists killed her son Ian.  In a mental haze, the former Army captain, guided by the image in his shattered mind of the woman he loves, walks towards his North Texas ranch though suffering from memory loss, PTSD and physical injuries.  When his brother Zach (see Lone Star Redemption) gives him a ride, Ian fails to recognize his euphoric sibling.  

At the Marston unit of the Warriors 4 Life Rehabilitation Center, former Army Colonel Julian Ross assigns his fiancée psychologist Dr. Andrea Warrington to help the “Texas Miracle” Ian recover.  Andrea explains to Julian that she was Ian’s fiancée, but ended their relationship because she could not deal with his unexplained absences.  With major reservations, Andrea agrees to stay at the ranch for two weeks to help Ian.  As they work together, their love remains strong; but assault from an adversary has both believing that this unknown foe wants to insure Ian never remembers what happened in theater. 

The second Rayford family drama is an intriguing romantic suspense in which the mental state of the Wounded Warrior supersedes his reunion return from the dead and the attacks on him and his beloved.  Driven by the relationship between the fabulous lead couple before Ian died and in the present, the story line is filled with action and a twist that adds tension but also simplifies the plot.

Harriet Klausner

The Wolf and the Lamb: A Jerusalem Mystery-Frederick Ramsay

The Wolf and the Lamb: A Jerusalem Mystery

Frederick Ramsay

Poisoned Pen, Dec 2 2014, $24.95

ISBN 9781464203282

In 30 CE Jerusalem, Roman Emperor Tiberius’ outpost inspector Cassia Drusus arrests the Empire’s Prefect of Judea and Overseer of the Palestine Pontius Pilate for the murder of his adversarial rival Aurelius Decimus.  Stunned Pilate is well aware of how damaging the evidence is and that his Roman compatriots want to exile him back home where he will face certain death.  Thus he turns to honorable Sanhedrin Chief Rabban Gamaliel, who has solved several mysteries lately (see The Eighth Veil and Holy Smoke), to prove his innocence in spite of being caught with blood on him while next to the corpse in which his dagger protruded from the victim’s heart.

Ironically Rabban Gamaliel believes the greatest threat to the Jewish people comes from the despicable Pilate.  Aware of the condemnation and most likely assassination attempts he will receive from his people (especially the deadly Dagger Men) if they learn of his task, Rabban Gamaliel agrees to investigate.  With assists from his physician friend Loukas and Pilate’s “messenger” Marius, Rabban Gamaliel begins his dangerous inquiry.  Meanwhile as Jews celebrate Passover, High Priest of the Temple Caiaphas arrests the Galilean upstart Yeshua ben Joseph abetted by Pilate’s clever sacrifice rule to keep Rabban Gamaliel from presiding over a trial.

The third Jerusalem Mystery is a fantastic entry in what is one of the best ancient times’ investigative series.  Though the first century Holy Land inquiry is excellent, the historical background hooks the audience.  Spellbinding are reasonable explanations as to why Pilate and Caiaphas feared Yeshua so much that these natural enemies collaborated to eliminate him while disregarding Gamaliel’s warning they will regret their decision once they understand the outcome.

Harriet Klausner

Colton Holiday Lockdown-C.J. Miller

Colton Holiday Lockdown

C.J. Miller

Harlequin Romantic Suspense, Dec 1 2014, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373278985

Dr. Rafe Granger returned to his hometown Dead River, Wyoming to help alongside other dedicated medical personnel to find a cure for the pandemic virus threatening to kill all trapped inside the quarantine zone.  When two months of research is destroyed with the refrigerated Vacumtainer tubes emptied, a frustrated Rafe wants to give up and leave Purgatory, but knows there is no exit except the elixir or death.  He believes the only good thing so far in his coming home is grown up Nurse Gemma Colton.

As Rafe and Gemma team up seeking the cure, they fall in love.  However, he left Dead River once before and she assumes he will be gone as soon as he can.  At the same time, someone in the shadows watches them and the other researchers with further plans to insure they cannot prevent the death of all the townsfolk.

The final Coltons: Return To Wyoming miniseries (see Her Colton Lawman by Carla Cassidy and A Secret Colton Baby by Karen Whiddon) is an exhilarating medical thriller with the romance taking a backseat to the efforts to find the cure and the culprit hampering the progress.  Though the motive of the villain and that of an accomplice seem weak, readers will feel they are inside of Dead River alongside the researchers, the sick people and their expected soon to be sick loved ones struggling against a deadly virus.

Harriet Klausner

The Tess Chronicles Volume Two-P.R. Frost

The Tess Chronicles Volume Two

P.R. Frost

Daw, Dec 2 2014, $8.99

ISBN: 9780756410254

“Faery Moon.”  After surviving imp fever, Tess Noncoire became a Celestial Blade Warrior and bonded to Scrap the imp.  Tess and Scrap work outside the system to stop demons from coming into our realm (see The Tess Chronicles Volume One).  In Vegas they and her grieving mother attend the Fairy Moon show where winged dancers fly without wires.  In the Interdimensional Chat Room, Scrap sees the portal to Faery leaking out energy.  He and Tess learn the dancers are faeries trapped by Lord Graham abetted by a vampire.  Tess, Scrap, her archivist Golum, Damien the half demon, Lucia the vampire pretending to be a demon or is that a demon pretending to be a vamp, and their cab driver Mickey try to liberate the faeries and close the leak. 

“Forest Moon Rising.”  Tess and Scrap travel to Portland where a psychopath who crossed over through an undiscovered leak has committed violent crimes against women.  At the same time other issues overwhelm Tess.  She is responsible for a horde of half-breed demons; serves as a backup to a renowned Celtic-folk singer; needs to write a book; and finally persuades her beloved they are fated once she decides who he is.

The reprints of Tess Noncaire books 3 and 4 are exciting kick butt urban fantasies filled with danger, intrigue and heartache.  The heroine at times seems to be the star of a fantasy game in which whenever she needs a new skill she obtains it seemingly instantly but also uses her new talent as a seasoned veteran rather than struggling to understand what she newly possesses.  Still this is an engaging series as the Amazon warrior and her impish sidekick battle paranormal evil.

Harriet Klausner

Seducing The Hunter-Vivi Anna

Seducing The Hunter

Vivi Anna

Harlequin Nocturne, Dec 1 2014, $5.75

ISBN: 9780373009350

Daeva the Seductress of Shadows demon prefers residing on earth rather than in Hell.  Over many millennia she has possessed female mortals until an exorcist would send her home until she escapes again.  Presently she has been in Hell for three years ever since the love of her life demon hunter Quinn Strom sent her there.

Her servant-friend Klix the goblin stuns her when he says his sister Loir is going topside seeking a skeleton key that opens something ancient and valuable to demons.  Daeva concludes someone aware of the key knows that it opens the cursed Chest of Sorrows containing a deadly tome inside that a scholar entrusted to her a century ago. 

Crimson Hall Cabal sorcerer Richter Collins accompanied by a female goblin demands Quinn give him the key.  Before she leaves the injured Quinn, Loir informs him she is servant to the one he betrayed and who told her not to kill him.  In Hell, Klaven the demon tortures Daeva trying to learn where she hid the chest; at the same time San Francisco State Professor Q tells Strom he has no choice except to work with the female who knows the location as this is an End of Days event.  Reluctantly Quinn visits Mary to get the supplies needed to bring his Demon back to earth.  When Quinn summons Daeva, the negotiations begin.

The second delightful Strom family demon hunter urban fantasy (see Releasing The Hunter) is an entertaining action-packed thriller.  The second chance at love dysfunctional relationship between the demon and the hunter at times supersedes the good and evil battle between the cabal, Klaven and their minion vs. Strom, Daeva and their allies.

Harriet Klausner