Changeless
Gail Carriger
Orbit, Apr 1 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780316074148
In an alternate world during the Victorian Era, the supernatural species like the vampires and weres are part of society with the same rights as mortals. Queen Victoria employs vampires as advisors and the weres as soldiers fighting to expand the empire. The weres are being recalled from India with plans to deploy them to Africa.
In London near the Thames, the supernaturals are becoming mortals and no preternatural like the Soulless Lady Alexia Tarabotti is responsible for it. A preternatural can turn a supernatural into a mortal for the length of the touch but were Lord Conall married Alexia anyway. The curse heads to another part of London and then ro Scotland where Conall is heading. Using a dirigible, Alexeia, her sister, her milliner and others flies to Scotland.. He has business with his old pack but Alexei who works for the Queen is trying to learn why the humanization plague is occurring. Her life is in danger, but she has no idea from whom.
Gail Carriger has written an enthralling alternate historical urban fantasy. The romantic subplot between Conall and Alexia enhances the feel of the period while the action is fast-paced throughout. Alexia is a fascinating protagonist who risks her life knowing that being Soulless means when she dies she is dead period with no next plane to move onto. Somewhat too modern in outlook rather than Victorian, the audience will enjoy her second adventures in paranormal Victorian England.
Harriet Klausner
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Family Man-Trish Milburn
The Family Man
Trish Milburn
Harlequin American, Mar 2010, $$4.99
ISBN: 9780373753048
In Horizon Beach, Florida detective Sara Greene seeks a fourteen years old runaway David Taylor, which is how she met Adam Canfield, a Beach Bum in her mind who could never be a family man, which is all she needs out of a male since she is raising her almost adopted daughter thirteen year old Tana and her legally adopted child three year old Lilly. That is her belief until he rescues a drowning boy.
Adam ran away as a teen from a troubled home so commiserates with the Taylor teen. However, perhaps it is meeting the three Greene females, but though he wants no responsibility he allows Taylor to stay in his home for now. Soon he and Dara fall in love, but she must determine whether his entry into her relations could hurt her fragile family and he must decide what to do about David and whether he can handle being The Family Man.
This is an entertaining family drama starring a fabulous secondary cast who brings out the best in the lead couple. Although fans will admire Sara, Adam is the more fascinating protagonist as his childhood is slowly presented to Sara and the audience though readers will know in general ideas by his comments for instance a fourteen year old can take care of themselves and once David enters his life. Trish Millburn provides a strong contemporary as the hero has a second chance at life if he risks his heart while the heroine has already done so.
Harriet Klausner
Trish Milburn
Harlequin American, Mar 2010, $$4.99
ISBN: 9780373753048
In Horizon Beach, Florida detective Sara Greene seeks a fourteen years old runaway David Taylor, which is how she met Adam Canfield, a Beach Bum in her mind who could never be a family man, which is all she needs out of a male since she is raising her almost adopted daughter thirteen year old Tana and her legally adopted child three year old Lilly. That is her belief until he rescues a drowning boy.
Adam ran away as a teen from a troubled home so commiserates with the Taylor teen. However, perhaps it is meeting the three Greene females, but though he wants no responsibility he allows Taylor to stay in his home for now. Soon he and Dara fall in love, but she must determine whether his entry into her relations could hurt her fragile family and he must decide what to do about David and whether he can handle being The Family Man.
This is an entertaining family drama starring a fabulous secondary cast who brings out the best in the lead couple. Although fans will admire Sara, Adam is the more fascinating protagonist as his childhood is slowly presented to Sara and the audience though readers will know in general ideas by his comments for instance a fourteen year old can take care of themselves and once David enters his life. Trish Millburn provides a strong contemporary as the hero has a second chance at life if he risks his heart while the heroine has already done so.
Harriet Klausner
Surprise Dad-Daly Thompson
Surprise Dad
Daly Thompson
Harlequin American, Mar 2010, $$4.99
ISBN: 9780373753017
Boston attorney Earl Ritter calls Mike Foster, owner of a diner in Serenity Falls, Vermont, with news that Evan Howard and his young wife Celine died in a car accident. Furthermore the lawyer states that Evan named Mike guardian of his eight month old son Brian. Mike is stunned that he has a half-brother as Evan Howard was his estranged father. He thought his big issue was to franchise or not, but now Mike has a funeral and an infant to deal with
When Allie Hendricks was sixteen she worked at Mike’s diner. Her goal was to become a doctor, but she is home from medical school. Mike cannot believe how beautiful the former employee has become and how easily she nurtures his sibling. However as they fall in love, she plans to complete her dream, but practice medicine elsewhere.
The solid cast makes for a fine Green Mountain State family drama as the lead couple is a terrific pairing and the secondary characters bring out the love they feel. Readers will enjoy this wonderfully warm Vermont romance summed up succinctly and nicely by Evan in a letter to his oldest son to be delivered only if he dies.
Harriet Klausner
Daly Thompson
Harlequin American, Mar 2010, $$4.99
ISBN: 9780373753017
Boston attorney Earl Ritter calls Mike Foster, owner of a diner in Serenity Falls, Vermont, with news that Evan Howard and his young wife Celine died in a car accident. Furthermore the lawyer states that Evan named Mike guardian of his eight month old son Brian. Mike is stunned that he has a half-brother as Evan Howard was his estranged father. He thought his big issue was to franchise or not, but now Mike has a funeral and an infant to deal with
When Allie Hendricks was sixteen she worked at Mike’s diner. Her goal was to become a doctor, but she is home from medical school. Mike cannot believe how beautiful the former employee has become and how easily she nurtures his sibling. However as they fall in love, she plans to complete her dream, but practice medicine elsewhere.
The solid cast makes for a fine Green Mountain State family drama as the lead couple is a terrific pairing and the secondary characters bring out the love they feel. Readers will enjoy this wonderfully warm Vermont romance summed up succinctly and nicely by Evan in a letter to his oldest son to be delivered only if he dies.
Harriet Klausner
Promise of Pleasure-Cheryl Holt
Promise of Pleasure
Cheryl Holt
Berkley, Apr 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425235089
In 1814 in rural England twenty five year old Mary Barnes is treated with disdain by her half sister eighteen years old spoiled Felicity who abuses her as a poor relation servant. Mary’s widowed stepmother Victoria is as horrific towards her; only widow step-sister Cassandra does not mistreat her. Wastrel Viscount Jordan Winthrop is staying at Barnes Manor as he is expected to propose to Felicity for her money; while Mary has waited a decade for her neighbor Harold Talbot to marry her.
Jordan meets Mary and assumes she is a servant. He flirts with her and tells her she is pretty. She later sees him making love with Lauretta. She flees from him, but he watches her in the woods where she kisses Henry who is upset by her boldness; she also is upset as she felt nothing.
Victoria tells him who Mary he is, which stuns him as he know he treated her shabbily. He kisses Mary and tells her he wants to do it again. Peddler Philippe Dubois sells her the Spinster’s Cure with the understanding she not pay until it proves successful by getting her true love to marry her. She drinks the potion ready for Harold to appear, but Jordan does instead. Desperate after another nasty incident with Felicity, Mary puts potion in his wine. That night he sneaks in her room. Soon they are having a tryst. Felicity, Victoria and Jordan’s mistress Lauretta try to end the relationship between the lovers.
The first Spinster’s Cure is a fun adult version of Cinderella with a strong lead couple and a solid support cast who with several neat twists seem to have stepped out of the fairy tale into the Regency sub-genre. Ironically, the wicked stepmother and stepsister mirror the fairy tale, but neither possesses any redeeming qualities while Philippe is a superb spin on the fairy godmother. Fans will enjoy this fine Regency romance as Jordan must choose between love and money.
Harriet Klausner
Cheryl Holt
Berkley, Apr 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425235089
In 1814 in rural England twenty five year old Mary Barnes is treated with disdain by her half sister eighteen years old spoiled Felicity who abuses her as a poor relation servant. Mary’s widowed stepmother Victoria is as horrific towards her; only widow step-sister Cassandra does not mistreat her. Wastrel Viscount Jordan Winthrop is staying at Barnes Manor as he is expected to propose to Felicity for her money; while Mary has waited a decade for her neighbor Harold Talbot to marry her.
Jordan meets Mary and assumes she is a servant. He flirts with her and tells her she is pretty. She later sees him making love with Lauretta. She flees from him, but he watches her in the woods where she kisses Henry who is upset by her boldness; she also is upset as she felt nothing.
Victoria tells him who Mary he is, which stuns him as he know he treated her shabbily. He kisses Mary and tells her he wants to do it again. Peddler Philippe Dubois sells her the Spinster’s Cure with the understanding she not pay until it proves successful by getting her true love to marry her. She drinks the potion ready for Harold to appear, but Jordan does instead. Desperate after another nasty incident with Felicity, Mary puts potion in his wine. That night he sneaks in her room. Soon they are having a tryst. Felicity, Victoria and Jordan’s mistress Lauretta try to end the relationship between the lovers.
The first Spinster’s Cure is a fun adult version of Cinderella with a strong lead couple and a solid support cast who with several neat twists seem to have stepped out of the fairy tale into the Regency sub-genre. Ironically, the wicked stepmother and stepsister mirror the fairy tale, but neither possesses any redeeming qualities while Philippe is a superb spin on the fairy godmother. Fans will enjoy this fine Regency romance as Jordan must choose between love and money.
Harriet Klausner
The Wild Marquis-Miranda Neville
The Wild Marquis
Miranda Neville
Avon, Mar 9 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061808708
Known throughout the Ton for his rakish behavior the Marquis of Chase relishes chasing women but his ultimate objective is recovering a rare medieval manuscript Burgundy Hours once owned by his family. When he learns the artifact is being sold at auction as part of the Tarleton Collection, he hires rare book expert Juliana Merton as his purchasing agent.
Widower Juliana instructs her client on the care of a book collection and finds the rake has redeeming values he conceals from society. He is especially aware of his reputation as a rogue and how that could prevent him from becoming guardian to his beloved sixteen year old sister. At the same time he sees beneath the veneer of the bookworm widow to a warm caring heart. As they fall in love, Cain notices a pattern of accidents occurring with Juliana at the center. He believes someone wants her dead either because of her book knowledge or related to the death of her spouse whom Juliana believes was murdered.
The first Burgundy Hours Regency romance is a wonderful pairing of two people who the Ton would frown on them marrying but would encourage trysts. The lead couple makes the tale as they quickly learn not to judge a book by its cover. With the interweaving of rare book collection during the Napoleonic Era enhancing the fine story line, readers will enjoy the adventures in love and danger of the Wild Marquis.
Harriet Klausner
Miranda Neville
Avon, Mar 9 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061808708
Known throughout the Ton for his rakish behavior the Marquis of Chase relishes chasing women but his ultimate objective is recovering a rare medieval manuscript Burgundy Hours once owned by his family. When he learns the artifact is being sold at auction as part of the Tarleton Collection, he hires rare book expert Juliana Merton as his purchasing agent.
Widower Juliana instructs her client on the care of a book collection and finds the rake has redeeming values he conceals from society. He is especially aware of his reputation as a rogue and how that could prevent him from becoming guardian to his beloved sixteen year old sister. At the same time he sees beneath the veneer of the bookworm widow to a warm caring heart. As they fall in love, Cain notices a pattern of accidents occurring with Juliana at the center. He believes someone wants her dead either because of her book knowledge or related to the death of her spouse whom Juliana believes was murdered.
The first Burgundy Hours Regency romance is a wonderful pairing of two people who the Ton would frown on them marrying but would encourage trysts. The lead couple makes the tale as they quickly learn not to judge a book by its cover. With the interweaving of rare book collection during the Napoleonic Era enhancing the fine story line, readers will enjoy the adventures in love and danger of the Wild Marquis.
Harriet Klausner
The Marriage Ring-Cathy Maxwell
The Marriage Ring
Cathy Maxwell
Avon, Mar 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061771927
In 1810, prim and proper Richard Lynsted is outraged to learn an actress is extorting money from his uncle and father. He goes to the theatre where the "Scottish Songbird" performs with plans to confront and tear into the hide of this brazen Grace MacEachin after he proves she is a low life blackmailer.
Grace is outraged with the haughty aristocrat who accuses her of being a felon. She admits to blackmailing his family, but her motive is not money. Instead she believes his family destroyed hers when she was a little girl and disgraced her father with accusations of embezzlement. Now she plans to prove her dad did not take the money. Stunned by her assertion and her beauty, Richard accompanies Grace to Inverness where she believes the evidence can be found even as an unknown adversary wants the falling in love pair dead.
This is a refreshing incredible Regency romantic suspense thriller in which the lead couple investigates what really happened years ago and learn more than they bargained for as family secrets of all sorts surface on both sides. The story line is driven by the amateur sleuths who fall in love, but as they find one family skeleton after another while someone tries to kill them, each changes their initial perception of the other and even more emotionally shocking of their respective families. The Marriage Ring is a great historical.
Harriet Klausner
Cathy Maxwell
Avon, Mar 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061771927
In 1810, prim and proper Richard Lynsted is outraged to learn an actress is extorting money from his uncle and father. He goes to the theatre where the "Scottish Songbird" performs with plans to confront and tear into the hide of this brazen Grace MacEachin after he proves she is a low life blackmailer.
Grace is outraged with the haughty aristocrat who accuses her of being a felon. She admits to blackmailing his family, but her motive is not money. Instead she believes his family destroyed hers when she was a little girl and disgraced her father with accusations of embezzlement. Now she plans to prove her dad did not take the money. Stunned by her assertion and her beauty, Richard accompanies Grace to Inverness where she believes the evidence can be found even as an unknown adversary wants the falling in love pair dead.
This is a refreshing incredible Regency romantic suspense thriller in which the lead couple investigates what really happened years ago and learn more than they bargained for as family secrets of all sorts surface on both sides. The story line is driven by the amateur sleuths who fall in love, but as they find one family skeleton after another while someone tries to kill them, each changes their initial perception of the other and even more emotionally shocking of their respective families. The Marriage Ring is a great historical.
Harriet Klausner
The Killer-Tom Hinshelwood
The Killer
Tom Hinshelwood
Dunne, Apr 13 2010, $25.99
ISBN 9780312558048
In Paris mercenary assassin Victor shoots fifty-eight year old Latvian Andris Ozols and retrieves a flash drive from the corpse. Mission accomplished with ease, he leaves the body in the alley and goes back to his expensive Hotel de Ponto not thinking twice about the case or client as this was another easy one.
However, Victor finds his assertion false when two other hit men supported by others try to kill him at the hotel. He knows he is a target and speculates the motive is on the flash drive, but who remains unanswered. He survives the Paris assault barely and flees deeper into the content, but is being followed as other attacks to eliminate him occur. He knows he is embroiled in some sort of espionage scenario that leads to Africa where all converge on Victor and the flash drive.
Filled with twists mostly caused by double and triple crosses, thriller fans will relish the action-packed The Killer which never stops for a breathing break. Victor holds the storyline together as he goes from smooth remorseless paid killer to target of other professional killers including legalized government assassins. Sub-genre fans will enjoy his escapades to stay alive.
Harriet Klausner
Tom Hinshelwood
Dunne, Apr 13 2010, $25.99
ISBN 9780312558048
In Paris mercenary assassin Victor shoots fifty-eight year old Latvian Andris Ozols and retrieves a flash drive from the corpse. Mission accomplished with ease, he leaves the body in the alley and goes back to his expensive Hotel de Ponto not thinking twice about the case or client as this was another easy one.
However, Victor finds his assertion false when two other hit men supported by others try to kill him at the hotel. He knows he is a target and speculates the motive is on the flash drive, but who remains unanswered. He survives the Paris assault barely and flees deeper into the content, but is being followed as other attacks to eliminate him occur. He knows he is embroiled in some sort of espionage scenario that leads to Africa where all converge on Victor and the flash drive.
Filled with twists mostly caused by double and triple crosses, thriller fans will relish the action-packed The Killer which never stops for a breathing break. Victor holds the storyline together as he goes from smooth remorseless paid killer to target of other professional killers including legalized government assassins. Sub-genre fans will enjoy his escapades to stay alive.
Harriet Klausner
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