Morning Light
Catherine Anderson
Signet, Jan 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451222770
Clairvoyance runs through the maternal genes of her family so in spite of growing up as an accepted norm, Loni MacEwen detests her gift believing it is a curse. Her feelings were recently accentuated when she helped the police on a case that ended badly. Thus she flees to Crystal Falls, Oregon to get away although she knows she cannot completely run from her second sight.
In the rustic small town Loni is stunned when she sees the face of rancher Clint Harrigan for the first time person; he has been the star of her visions forever as he is her soulmate. However, she also envisions his son needing him as Trevor has lost his mom due to a rafting incident that has left him lost in the wilderness; Clint assumes she is a lunatic as he has no children. He revises his opinion when the media runs the story. As the pair travels together to find the child he never knew he sired Clint begins to fall in love with his psychic guide.
The sequel to SUN KISSED starring Clint’s younger sister is a delightful contemporary paranormal romantic suspense that brings to life the Oregon wilderness. The story line is fast-paced as Loni insists the time is running out for Trevor forcing the duo to frantically hurry. Readers will feel they have second sight as they will get inside the heroine’s head as she panics over being too late again. Although the feelings of love between the lead couple arrives way to fast, the key to MORNING LIGHT is that both heroes keep their passion somewhat in check as saving the lad remains the prime focus of an exciting thriller.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Highland Wolf-Hannah Howell
Highland Wolf
Hannah Howell
Zebra, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780821780008
By 1477 Scotland disgraced former Laird James Drummond knows if he is caught he will be executed for killing his wife Mary three years ago. However, he also realizes as he hides that he will soon need to get inside his former home Dunncraig to find proof that his late spouse’s relative and current Laird Donnell MacKay killed or arranged the killing of his late spouse. James also wants to hold his child Margaret whom he desperately misses, but claimed as his by the devious new Laird.
He manages to get inside Dunncraig masquerading as a master carver. However, as he uses his disguise to get around the keep, James meets Donnell’s cousin Annora MacKay, who takes care of the laird’s young daughter. They are attracted to one another and she unmasks him; but instead of exposing James, she helps him. When James goes berserk when someone tries to rape his beloved Annora, they are forced to flee. However, they are caught by his enemy leaving them no time left for love as he is to be executed while she has already been flogged.
Few authors if any can match the passion that Hannah Howell consistently brings to her Highland historical romances. Although somewhat like her myriad of previous well written fifteenth century Scottish tales, fans will relish Ms. Howell’s terrific HIGHLAND WOLF as the probability of this couple surviving seems almost zero.
Harriet Klausner
Hannah Howell
Zebra, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780821780008
By 1477 Scotland disgraced former Laird James Drummond knows if he is caught he will be executed for killing his wife Mary three years ago. However, he also realizes as he hides that he will soon need to get inside his former home Dunncraig to find proof that his late spouse’s relative and current Laird Donnell MacKay killed or arranged the killing of his late spouse. James also wants to hold his child Margaret whom he desperately misses, but claimed as his by the devious new Laird.
He manages to get inside Dunncraig masquerading as a master carver. However, as he uses his disguise to get around the keep, James meets Donnell’s cousin Annora MacKay, who takes care of the laird’s young daughter. They are attracted to one another and she unmasks him; but instead of exposing James, she helps him. When James goes berserk when someone tries to rape his beloved Annora, they are forced to flee. However, they are caught by his enemy leaving them no time left for love as he is to be executed while she has already been flogged.
Few authors if any can match the passion that Hannah Howell consistently brings to her Highland historical romances. Although somewhat like her myriad of previous well written fifteenth century Scottish tales, fans will relish Ms. Howell’s terrific HIGHLAND WOLF as the probability of this couple surviving seems almost zero.
Harriet Klausner
Cutting Loose-Tara Janzen
Cutting Loose
Tara Janzen
Dell, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780440243854
For the past eight years he was undercover as an El Salvadoran drug lord Alejandro Campos; but that scenario is over and CIA operative Zachary Prade is back at Langley. On his first day back he amusingly thinks that this is the first time in his CIA career that he is going through the front door although he wonders why they yanked him now even if the sh*t hit the fan three weeks ago and why a body bag containing an ex marine is in the meeting with his superiors. Zach knows how everything went wrong on the last CIA operation but he and another operative contained the storm from being a type 5 hurricane and that he saved the life of schoolteacher and video maker Lily Robbins in El Salvador.
The CIA, Zach’s former associates and a guerilla group want her video that apparently contains the key to a computer file with plenty of useful data for whoever possesses it especially America’s enemies. Zach’s stateside assignment is to keep Lily safe while bringing the key to Langley. Everyone seems to be converging in Albuquerque.
Tara Janzen’s latest wild romantic suspense thriller is fast-paced, but owned by the hero, who struggles to readjust to being Zach instead of Campos. As he falls in love with the woman he vows to protect, he believes he is unworthy because he did some horrific things while undercover; adding to the drama is she assumes he is a drug lord or at best an El Salvadoran agent, but soon realizes just like in Central America she must trust him to survive. Although sex while on a perilous run for your life even in remote Paysen, New Mexico, population 28 max, seems wrong, fans will appreciate this superb CIA caper.
Harriet Klausner
Tara Janzen
Dell, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780440243854
For the past eight years he was undercover as an El Salvadoran drug lord Alejandro Campos; but that scenario is over and CIA operative Zachary Prade is back at Langley. On his first day back he amusingly thinks that this is the first time in his CIA career that he is going through the front door although he wonders why they yanked him now even if the sh*t hit the fan three weeks ago and why a body bag containing an ex marine is in the meeting with his superiors. Zach knows how everything went wrong on the last CIA operation but he and another operative contained the storm from being a type 5 hurricane and that he saved the life of schoolteacher and video maker Lily Robbins in El Salvador.
The CIA, Zach’s former associates and a guerilla group want her video that apparently contains the key to a computer file with plenty of useful data for whoever possesses it especially America’s enemies. Zach’s stateside assignment is to keep Lily safe while bringing the key to Langley. Everyone seems to be converging in Albuquerque.
Tara Janzen’s latest wild romantic suspense thriller is fast-paced, but owned by the hero, who struggles to readjust to being Zach instead of Campos. As he falls in love with the woman he vows to protect, he believes he is unworthy because he did some horrific things while undercover; adding to the drama is she assumes he is a drug lord or at best an El Salvadoran agent, but soon realizes just like in Central America she must trust him to survive. Although sex while on a perilous run for your life even in remote Paysen, New Mexico, population 28 max, seems wrong, fans will appreciate this superb CIA caper.
Harriet Klausner
Moving Target-Cheyenne McCray
Moving Target
Cheyenne McCray
St. Martin's, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780312937645
She survived the Russian mafia murders of her parents and sister; and was placed in the Witness Protection Program having to give up her major museum curator job in Manhattan to run an antiques shop in Bisbee, Arizona. Now in two weeks Ani Carter formerly King will be the star witness testifying that Dmitry Berenko, son of Russian Mafia chief Yegor, killed her family.
However, when the Harrison family comes into her shop with a valuable artifact that the family legally owns, she feels for them as they need the money to care for their child, a burn victim just like she was but much worse than her. She makes a call to a former client, but now the Russians know where she is. When she tells U.S. Deputy Marshal Daniel Parker, he rushes to her side because he knows the Russians are coming to kill her; besides which he has fallen in love with the woman he must keep safe for personal reasons.
Although this reviewer has problems with people on the run stopping to have sex (even if it’s inside a motel room as this was), MOVING TARGET is an exhilarating romantic suspense thriller. The story line is fast-paced from that first phone call and never slows down until Daniel confronts his boss. The lead couple is a delightful pairing of a dedicated professional and the witness struggling to survive an incredible assault and to contain their desire and need for one another as they trek across the country with the Russians in hot pursuit to prevent her from testifying
Harriet Klausner
Cheyenne McCray
St. Martin's, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780312937645
She survived the Russian mafia murders of her parents and sister; and was placed in the Witness Protection Program having to give up her major museum curator job in Manhattan to run an antiques shop in Bisbee, Arizona. Now in two weeks Ani Carter formerly King will be the star witness testifying that Dmitry Berenko, son of Russian Mafia chief Yegor, killed her family.
However, when the Harrison family comes into her shop with a valuable artifact that the family legally owns, she feels for them as they need the money to care for their child, a burn victim just like she was but much worse than her. She makes a call to a former client, but now the Russians know where she is. When she tells U.S. Deputy Marshal Daniel Parker, he rushes to her side because he knows the Russians are coming to kill her; besides which he has fallen in love with the woman he must keep safe for personal reasons.
Although this reviewer has problems with people on the run stopping to have sex (even if it’s inside a motel room as this was), MOVING TARGET is an exhilarating romantic suspense thriller. The story line is fast-paced from that first phone call and never slows down until Daniel confronts his boss. The lead couple is a delightful pairing of a dedicated professional and the witness struggling to survive an incredible assault and to contain their desire and need for one another as they trek across the country with the Russians in hot pursuit to prevent her from testifying
Harriet Klausner
Midnight Reign-Chris Marie Green
Midnight Reign
Chris Marie Green
Ace, Feb 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780441015603
She was lured back to Los Angeles because her father is missing, but stuntwoman Dawn Madison became involved with the P.I. firm Jonah Limpett & Associates due to a prophecy. She was there to find and destroy the vampire Underground but she thought Jonah Limpett was crazy until she beheld a child star turned vampire. Now she is part of the team seeking to kill vampires while also searching for her dad.
When a woman dies, it looks like a vampire killed her; wannabe star Lee Tomlinson is arrested for the murder. The Master of the Underground and his son, the Sorcerer Vampire Soria, are concerned that this homicide will call attention to their species. When another female is killed in the same manner, the Master devises a plan to lure Lippett out of hiding in order to kill or turn him. While Dawn is dealing with the two murders, she also has to face the fact that the man she is attracted to is besotted by her dead mother Eve Claremont and her best friend Jacqueline Ashley has had surgery to look like Dawn’s late mom. Dawn fears both are part of the underground, but Jonah insists they are not and he should know.
Chris Marie Green has given her fans an inside look at the underground culture and social class system from the most powerful Elite bitten by the Master to the lowly Guards converted by the Groupies. The murder investigation contains several twists that teach Dawn a key lesson in survival; trust no one as anyone can be an underground slave. Readers will find this fun urban fantasy mystery appealing as Dawn learns life lessons.
Harriet Klausner
Chris Marie Green
Ace, Feb 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780441015603
She was lured back to Los Angeles because her father is missing, but stuntwoman Dawn Madison became involved with the P.I. firm Jonah Limpett & Associates due to a prophecy. She was there to find and destroy the vampire Underground but she thought Jonah Limpett was crazy until she beheld a child star turned vampire. Now she is part of the team seeking to kill vampires while also searching for her dad.
When a woman dies, it looks like a vampire killed her; wannabe star Lee Tomlinson is arrested for the murder. The Master of the Underground and his son, the Sorcerer Vampire Soria, are concerned that this homicide will call attention to their species. When another female is killed in the same manner, the Master devises a plan to lure Lippett out of hiding in order to kill or turn him. While Dawn is dealing with the two murders, she also has to face the fact that the man she is attracted to is besotted by her dead mother Eve Claremont and her best friend Jacqueline Ashley has had surgery to look like Dawn’s late mom. Dawn fears both are part of the underground, but Jonah insists they are not and he should know.
Chris Marie Green has given her fans an inside look at the underground culture and social class system from the most powerful Elite bitten by the Master to the lowly Guards converted by the Groupies. The murder investigation contains several twists that teach Dawn a key lesson in survival; trust no one as anyone can be an underground slave. Readers will find this fun urban fantasy mystery appealing as Dawn learns life lessons.
Harriet Klausner
Thunder Moon-Lori Handeland
Thunder Moon
Lori Handeland
St. Martin's, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780312949181
Residents of Lake Bluff, Georgia hope and pray that the small town has returned to normal after the werewolf incidents (see HIDDEN MOON). Especially hoping for no more supernatural occurrences is Sheriff Grace McDaniel, who in spite of the evidence of last summer and being part Cherokee remains skeptical.
However, to her chagrin something is stalking the town; this creature can rip a heart out of a person, but leave no marks on the epidermis. This killer seems to have arrived at about the same time that Dr. Ian Walker came to Lake Bluff. Attracted to the newcomer, she scoffs at his insistence that she contains powerful magic inherited from her Cherokee background. They team up to investigate a supernatural serial killer.
This romantic police procedural fantasy is a superb thriller that will grip the audience from the moment that Ian arrives in town and never misses a beat until after the final confrontation. Grace is fabulous as the lead protagonist as her first person account will have fans leaving the lights on at night. THUNDER MOON is a terrific blending of several genres as Lori Handeland turns to Sherlock Holmes in her wonderful paranormal whodunit: “… when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Harriet Klausner
Lori Handeland
St. Martin's, Jan 2008, $6.99
ISBN: 9780312949181
Residents of Lake Bluff, Georgia hope and pray that the small town has returned to normal after the werewolf incidents (see HIDDEN MOON). Especially hoping for no more supernatural occurrences is Sheriff Grace McDaniel, who in spite of the evidence of last summer and being part Cherokee remains skeptical.
However, to her chagrin something is stalking the town; this creature can rip a heart out of a person, but leave no marks on the epidermis. This killer seems to have arrived at about the same time that Dr. Ian Walker came to Lake Bluff. Attracted to the newcomer, she scoffs at his insistence that she contains powerful magic inherited from her Cherokee background. They team up to investigate a supernatural serial killer.
This romantic police procedural fantasy is a superb thriller that will grip the audience from the moment that Ian arrives in town and never misses a beat until after the final confrontation. Grace is fabulous as the lead protagonist as her first person account will have fans leaving the lights on at night. THUNDER MOON is a terrific blending of several genres as Lori Handeland turns to Sherlock Holmes in her wonderful paranormal whodunit: “… when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."
Harriet Klausner
Friday, November 30, 2007
Siege of Heaven-Tom Harper
Siege of Heaven
Tom Harper
Dunne, Dec 2007, $26.95
ISBN: 9780312338725
In 1098, the surviving feel their sacrifices were worth it as the Crusaders see the end in sight with the conquest of Jerusalem coming soon. However while some remain wary and weary from all the bloodshed, the leaders of the various Christian armies show their true colors of pride and vainglory as each competes with one other to be the first inside the holy city.
Greek Demetrious Askiates is tired of the destruction, deaths, and atrocities like the spread of the plague in Antioch he has witnessed from both sides of the religious war. He wants to go home to Constantinople, but remains committed to serving the Byzantine emperor even when he is disappointed with being sent to Egypt to negotiate with the Fatimids to obtain their support against the Turks.
The final entry in Tom Harper’s excellent First Crusade trilogy (see THE MOSAIC OF SHADOWS and KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS) is an incredible eleventh century thriller as the star Demetrious is not solving a murder, but instead trying to keep from being killed. His trek from the Holy Land into Egypt brings the period of the First crusade vividly alive to his grateful audience as few if any novels in recent memory have.
Harriet Klausner
Tom Harper
Dunne, Dec 2007, $26.95
ISBN: 9780312338725
In 1098, the surviving feel their sacrifices were worth it as the Crusaders see the end in sight with the conquest of Jerusalem coming soon. However while some remain wary and weary from all the bloodshed, the leaders of the various Christian armies show their true colors of pride and vainglory as each competes with one other to be the first inside the holy city.
Greek Demetrious Askiates is tired of the destruction, deaths, and atrocities like the spread of the plague in Antioch he has witnessed from both sides of the religious war. He wants to go home to Constantinople, but remains committed to serving the Byzantine emperor even when he is disappointed with being sent to Egypt to negotiate with the Fatimids to obtain their support against the Turks.
The final entry in Tom Harper’s excellent First Crusade trilogy (see THE MOSAIC OF SHADOWS and KNIGHTS OF THE CROSS) is an incredible eleventh century thriller as the star Demetrious is not solving a murder, but instead trying to keep from being killed. His trek from the Holy Land into Egypt brings the period of the First crusade vividly alive to his grateful audience as few if any novels in recent memory have.
Harriet Klausner
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