When You’re Desired-Tamara Lejeune

When You’re Desired


Tamara Lejeune

Zebra, Dec 4 2012, $6.99

ISBN: 9781420123913



In 1817, widower Lord Dorian and his brother Lord Simon a soldier discuss a play starring notorious actress Cecilia St. Lyrs. Simon hates her while Dorian likes her. Their mom invited wealthy Sir Lucas Tinsley and his daughter Lucasta to join them. After the show, Lucasta, Dorian and his mom visit Cecilia while Simon talks to Prinny about business with Lucas. Lucas tells Simon he will ignore Prinny’s debt to him if he retrieves a necklace he gave to Cecilia because she failed to sleep with him. She plans to sell the necklace to raise money for the Foundlings Home.



Cecilia informs Simon she chose the late Armand over him because the Frenchman offered marriage. Irate Simon demands she choose sex with Lucas or return the necklace. She chooses sex. Cecilia tells Dorian she will never be his mistress as she used to sit on his knees when she was a child. Dorian is shocked as she is Sarah Hartley who lived with their family years ago. His mom said she died while he was away; he even visited her grave. Instead she was sent to Ireland as a teen to wed an odious man. As Dorian vows to protect her, he cuts off his mom shocking his sibling who still loves his brother’s “mistress”.



This entertaining late Regency romance stars an interesting heroine, an angry lead male and a strong fully developed support cast. The theatre provides a nice backdrop. Although the Dowager Duchess’ actions seem inane several years ago but much more so in the present as if she did not expect her sons to talk, fans will enjoy this engaging second chance at love historical.



Harriet Klausner

The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright-Rea Nolan Martin

The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright

Rea Nolan Martin

WiaWaka Press/Lulu, Apr 10 2012, 25.00

www.lulu.com

ISBN: 9780557074952



In Canaan, New Jersey, sixty-three year old beautician Vera Wright and her husband Monk attend services at the Church of St. Jude the Apostle as they do every Sunday. Father Max Alter’s sermons encourage his flock to let God into their life. Heeding her pastor’s advice, Vera begins coming to church for the daily mass



One day at the church, Vera sees a light shine through the glass window of Jesus. She notices the light reflects that half the attendees seem redeemed while the rest stained with the blood of salvation. Having let God into her life, Vera is shocked with what the Lord wants from her; as the Divine Father picked the least (in her mind) to lead the world to a new spiritual revelation.



The Sublime Transformation of Vera Wright is a thought provoking tale that uses humor to remind readers what matters in life. The profound storyline focuses on the awakening of the heroine who must overcome her doubts and the doubts of others including those who know her as the baby boomer beautician. Rea Nolan Martin provides a wonderful inspirational story as Vera “almighty” affirms what eighteenth century hymnist William Cowper wrote: “God Moves in Mysterious Ways.”



Harriet Klausner

A Hometown Boy-Janice Kay Johnson

A Hometown Boy


Janice Kay Johnson

Harlequin SuperRomance, Jan 2 2013, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373718252



Two weeks ago in Tucannon, Washington, Joyce Own told her troubled oldest son thirty-four year old Robbie he would have to leave if he failed to take his psychiatric medicine as she feared for her life. He left with rifles and began a deadly rage starting with the nasty next door neighbor Tindall and ending with his suicide. The mass killings became a media sensation.



Robbie’s brother David comes home to help his mom cope with what her boy did and with the town’s ostracizing her, which he cannot blame them as he told his parents Robbie was dangerous and needed to be committed; they refused. In town, David and his friend from his teen days Acadia Henderson meet. They were sweet on each other, but she moved before either acted on their feelings. The pair remains attracted, but David knows his mom’s need comes before his desire; complicating any relationship is Acadia grieves the death of her dad; one of Robbie’s victims.



This is a tense small-town thriller that looks at the aftermath of a massacre done by one of them. The key to the character-driven poignant tale is the romance between David and Acadia plays second fiddle to a town and a family struggling with the bloody tragedy.



Harriet Klausner

The Truth About Comfort Cove-Tara Taylor Quinn

The Truth About Comfort Cove


Tara Taylor Quinn

Harlequin SuperRomance, Jan 2 2013, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373718290



In Comfort Cove, Massachusetts, twenty-eight years ago, a man raped Sandy Hayes and kidnapped her baby daughter Allie. Now the police have a DNA match, but because the science was new that may not be enough to convict him. Sandy’s daughter police officer Lucy Hayes encourages her frightened alcoholic mom to look at a line up where the older woman claims number four raped her.



Comfort Cove Police Detective Ramsey Miller never comes home to Vienna, Kentucky as his negligence years ago led to the death of his sister though his father pleads with him to see his ailing mom. Ramsey investigates a missing child cold case in which the DNA of the victim snatched almost three decades ago was found in the home of a baby trafficker. When Ramsey and Sandy team up on the inquiry neither expected the attraction between them.



This is a great taut police procedural romance with a strong cast and wonderful twists including a stunning final spin. Fast-paced but character driven, readers will relish this powerful romantic suspense.



Harriet Klausner

The Other Side Of Us-Sarah Mayberry

The Other Side Of Us


Sarah Mayberry

Harlequin SuperRomance, Jan 2 2013, $5.50

ISBN: 9780373718245



After learning that his wife Edie was cheating on him with her ex for five years, musician and sound technician Oliver Barrett obtains a divorce and moves into the Melbourne suburban beach house of his late aunt. His next door neighbor is TV producer Mackenzie Williams, who is recovering from a terrible car accident last year.



Neither is friendly as healing is their top priority. However, their dogs become BFFs while teaming up to tear down the fences, physically and metaphysically. Soon the two obstinate humans follow the lead of their canines as Oliver and Mackenzie fall in love.



The Other Side Of Us is an entertaining contemporary Australian romance starring two sets of couples with the precocious pooch pair leading the way. The keys to this engaging love heals all storyline are the realistic portrayal of the respective anguish and hurt of the lead humans and their “recovery.” Fans will enjoy this warm Down Under tale.



Harriet Klausner

Hurt-Travis Thrasher

Hurt


Travis Thrasher

David C. Cook, Jan 1 2013, $9.99

ISBN: 9781434764164



Chris Buckley knows his preference is to quit like his mom did to the bottle, but his conscience refuses to allow him to surrender even to Temptation. He has learned much about his dark DNA since coming to Solitary, North Carolina; home of his family, Pastor Marsh and other evil. Chris believes he is the chosen one to save the townsfolk though he has doubts he is up to the task having been unable to keep his beloved safe while facing one failed attempt after another until he just about gave up and fled town.



Now he is back in Solitary with renewed spirit and hope as he accepts his only ally is his belief that God is on his side. Distrusting everyone else especially family, Kelsey and religious icons, Chris with faith as his armor prepares for the final battle against evil with his soul and that of others on the line.



The final Solitary young adult tale (see Gravestone and Solitary) is an intriguing climax to a strong saga. The reluctant hero knows the time of reckoning cannot put off any longer though he prefers the Temptation of just being a teen while ignoring the wickedness that engulfs the town. Although it behooves the audience to read the previous entries to learn how far Chris has come, Travis Thrasher provides a powerful finish as the young champion faces benign-looking evil at stake is redemption of many souls vs. the loss of his.



Harriet Klausner

Dark Shala-Cathy Benedetto

Dark Shala


Cathy Benedetto

BlackWyrm, Oct 31 2011, $15.95

www.blackwyrm.com

ISBN: 9781613181164



After five centuries of peace, the Surmese Empire two-front invasion left the kingdoms on the continent of Sandala reeling. The prophecy of the Shala warriors (accompanied by their Fels) of saving the humans has begun with the liberation of Gleneden and Palaton (see The Eyes of Sandala). The Shala led by the royal Tahjeen Tier escorts many humans through the underground passages beneath the Sea of Death leading to their cavernous home inside a crater. However, on their journey to safety, someone murders Ladean the Shala; Tahjeen and his beloved Ariann the healer know the impossible has occurred. A traitorous Shala has betrayed his species and the prophecy by killing a Shala.



In the frozen north, a raging and resentful Krale, the exiled Shala, plots revenge against his former queen and her son for exiling him ten years ago as a child when the Fels rejected him. He has connected with his own beast a dreadwolf. With his Dark Shala exiles, traitors within the Shala and an alliance with the Surmese, Krale believes he is destined to sit on the throne and rule Sandala.



The exciting second Shala military fantasy is fast-paced throughout even with a frantic feel that time is running out on getting the humans to safety. Filled with betrayal and a close look at the Dark Shala, readers will appreciate this solid middle entry as Tahjeen tries to save the continent from his race, angry exiles and quislings who share his doubts about fulfilling the prophecy.



Harriet Klausner