by: Shana Abe

Number of pages: 335

This rich story, although not the first of a series, is an amazing gem.

Told partly in fairy tale, and in the tale’s period of mid-1700’s Europe, the fantasy revolves around the legend of the Drakon.

These lost people have legendary powers, but have hidden from the world due to the greed and ambition of man. Amalia Langford is the daughter of a Drakon alpha, and she can hear the future. The foil to her power, Zane, is a master thief who knows about the Drakon secrets, and how to destroy them. An unlikely pair, fate has conspired to pull them together to find a mystical blue diamond with the power to enslave Lia’s people.

The building story, along with the pair’s obvious growing infatuation, contrasts with the genuine hopelessness of the situation. Lia doesn’t know if the man she’s fallen for is going to enslave her and use her to destroy, or if he truly loves her. As the story is revealed, the reader roots for the seemingly impossible happy ending.

Delicately written and wonderful, this is a story not to be missed. I loved it.

Overall book rating: 9

by: Angela Knight, Diane Whiteside, Emma Holly, and Lora Leigh

Billed as “Four stories of limitless desire…” Beyond the Dark promises near-erotic romance with a bite of paranormal exoticy.

By far, Holly’s story was the most unique. Instead of being rooted to this world and the limitations of standard paranormal fare, the mix throws in aliens, ancient Egypt, erotic god powers and a steamy story line.

Leigh’s installment of the breed series ties up a few loose ends and opens the door to better heroes. Instead of being entirely ruled by the mating heat, the leading man allows his captive intended a choice.

Dragon Dance by Angela Knight was amazing and had great potential as a jumping off point or introduction to a promising series.

Whiteside’s story would appeal to Regency lovers who desire a bit of magic.

Overall book rating: 7.5625

by Steven Brust

I was disappointed by the latest Vlad Taltos novel. While the writing hasn’t deteriorated, the whimsical Joie de vivre is gone. Vlad is simply a tired criminal on the lam and spends too much time whining over his failed marriage. The intrigue of former novels isn’t as easy to pick out and the wrap up at the end, although expertly contrived, leaves much room for reader enjoyment.

Jhegaala is set in Draghera, but in the non-Empire portions of the East where “Easterners” dwell. Convenient, isn’t that? Vlad, a professional assassin and former leader of his very own Jhereg syndicate, has fled the Empire so he can hide from assassins like himself who have been hired by the Jhereg to kill him. He finds that the east is much like the west and he is forced to defend himself from his own kind.

This is not a “stand alone” novel. If you have read the series, it falls somewhere after Phoenix, of course. Vlad has recently fled Adrilanka following a complicated assassination that threw him into a mess he could not fix.

BUT, there are references in this book(to a Teckla boy) that make me wonder if it is supposed to fall after Orca. All in all, it was confusing so I Googled for the proper reading order, here it is:
Taltos, Yendi, Dragon, Jhereg, Teckla, Phoenix, Jhegaala, Athyra, Orca, Issola, Dzur

Not his best novel: 7.1

by Katie MacAlister

Plot twists, dastardly demon dogs with snappy one-liners, a deceivingly dubious detective story, dragons, dopplegangers, baddies and super-baddies…and set in the funny world of the Guardians led by Aisling Grey. This offshoot of the Guardian world features Gabriel, sexy wyvern of the Silver dragons, May Northcott, his destined mate with a big secret, and a host of supporting roles that make this quirky tale deliciously complex.

Warning: subtle and not so subtle humor(Demon dog Jim returns with comedic timing that will make you spew your coffee all over the page if you take a drink at the wrong time), lovely twists and turns and a heck of a story line. It is a perfect stepping stone off the beaten path and a wonderful direction to meander into while exploring the crazy worlds of Katie MacAlister. Be careful because this one will suck you in.

Overall: 8.5

by Katie MacAlister

This fun little duet of twisted myths picks up where stoic Greek legends don’t dare tread. The first story, “Stag Party” deals with a jilted Irish fertility god, wacky druid cultists, an American travel writer and some oddball deities thrown in to make life very interesting for the poor Stag. Will he end up solo? A snortingly funny story with just enough grown up humor.

The second story “Norse Truly” was a bit darker but no less humorous. Poor Alrik Sirgudsson has been playing the Ancient Mariner for too long. Only by finding the right witch/Valkyrie can he and his men be free to cease their sea-faring ways. Again, the poor Yank doesn’t see what’s coming.

Overall: While not a meal, just enough sweetness and yummy heroes to make it tasty. 6.75

by Jade Lee

First a warning, those who don’t appreciate Anne McCaffrey or LKH’s Nightseer fantasy don’t read it. You will be lost. Comparing it to Nightseer isn’t a stretch either. There is a certain element of epic fantasy versus romance that threads through the book. It definitely could be classified as a fantasy rather than romance because the story would not suffer greatly if you took the nookie out. Of course, where would the fun be in that?

The story in quickie format: There’s an evil overlord who is also a dragon lord. He’s spent a hundred years wiping out the existence of dragons to “protect” his kingdom. How does he do it? Enter Kiril, dragonslayer extraordinarrre. His job, kill any and all dragons and their attached humans.

The complication? Lovely Natiya current host of the last dragon egg. Kiril hunts down Natiya, falls for her in the process, there’s betrayal, backstabbing, intrigue, creepy bad guys who are insane, dragons and other fun stuff. Epic.

Overall: Despite semi-cardboard characters there’s a sewer scene (every good castle has a sewer) and other nods to fantasy works. I’m not convinced it was intentional. 8.2

by Eileen Wilks

I really think I read this book’s prequel, but for the life of me cannot be certain because the writing style/voice is so unique that I should have recognized it.

Wilks spins such a hefty web of world building and paranormal camp plot that the novel cannot be put down easily. That’s a good thing, right? I’m not sold. The non-geeky part of me was simply overwhelmed by the shear size of Night Season’s universe. Much like a newbie Tolkein fan I simply could not grasp much outside the Shire.

Overall: Masterful writing, complex storyline, compelling concept but not affiable characters. 7.5

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

If you’ve ever had the opportunity to read Ms. Thompson’s “Nerd” series you have stumbled across a truly gifted writer. This little jaunt into the world of paranormal marks a highlight in a solid career. I’m looking forward to more of these.

“Over Hexed” has four main characters, demoted witch and wizard couple Dorcas and Ambrose, and leading lady and man Maggie and Sean. There’s funny business going on, with Dorcas and Ambrose leading the story through a magical matchmaking destined for mayhem.

Sean is a small town Romeo who just can’t seem to shake the possee of women hunting him down. Maggie is barely clinging onto her job as location scout for SaveALot stores. They meet through the magic of matchmaking. Add a smoke-ring-blowing dragon with ADD and there is truly some magic to be had.

Writing: Ms. Thompson is one of those writers who sneak up on you. Better than MaryJanice Davison in style, and more subtle in humor than Christopher Moore she draws you into a madcap romp with ease. 8.8

Characters: As you get sucked into the story, the leading characters albeit funny charactures are fleshed out so subtly that you really care what happens to them. There are so many facets to the diamonds in the rough people she uses to populate her stories that you root for them before long. 8.1

Plot: VLT uses grody glasses the way MJD uses shoes. They are a metaphor for her characters. The more geeky the glasses, the more beautiful the inner soul. 7.9

Ending: Witchcraft makes for easy Deux en machina. Luckily it’s all pre-planned and forewarned. Otherwise, you’d be screaming by the end. Well done. 7.8

Overall: Cute, funny, solid. Short of a recommended read. Probably because of genre. 8.2