Full Moon Rising
Keri Arthur
Bantam, Feb 2006, $15.00, 304 pp.
ISBN 0553804588

Riley and Rhoan are two hybrid siblings, half vampire and half werewolf with the wolf side dominating both of them. They keep their nature secret because the werewolves look down at the rare hybrid. Both work for the Directorate of Other Races, an organization that polices the supernatural and keeps humans safe from the ones that are evil. Reily enjoys sex with different partners because the heat of the moon demands she have sex as the full moon rises or she will be hit with moon madness, a state where she is not in control of her faculties and can commit damage without know she is doing it.

Although she has two fantastic sex partners, she is aroused when a sexy powerful vampire knocks on her door asking to speak to Rhoan who is out on an assignments. When she senses he is in danger, she with the help of her new vampire friend Quinn rescues her brother from a place that is collecting sperm and eggs from the supernatural community against their will. This ties into the disappearance of several guardians who are part of the Directorate and an illegal cross species clones project to create the perfect soldier. As Riley, Rhoan, their boss and Quinn investigate, attempts are made on their lives and Riley will soon learn the painof betrayed by those she trusted most.

Keri Arthur is one of the best supernatural romance writers in the world and the best to come out of Australia. After the audience reads this book, they will want to read her backlist (see imajinn books.com) because they are as good as FULL MOON RISING. There is enough romance, action and intrigue to satiate the most discerning reader.. Character development is incredible making readers want to read future books starring Riley, an incredible person who will do what is necessary to keep her loved ones safe. There are several loose threads dangling so readers can be assured of at least one sequal and this reviewer can hardly wait.

Harriet Klausner

Return to Alastair
L.A. Kelly
Revell, Jan 2006, $12.99, 368 pp.
ISBN: 0800731166

In the town of Alastair, Tiarra Loble has been brought up on stories about her father and brother, Tahn Dorn, who helped his father kill their mother before the father was killed and her son scarred by burning hot water tossed on him by villagers before he escaped with his uncle. The truth is he was taken when he was four years old and his mentor was an evil sadistic monster who beat him and brought young orphans into his criminal organization. After saving Lord Trilet’s family from a nobleman’s envy, Tahn broke free of his master and took the children to the estate of the nobleman he saved and where he became the chief guardsmen.

Although he is treated as a son by Lord Trilet and everyone expects him to marry Netta the daughter of the house, Tahn needs to go back to Alastair to see if he can find out the truth about his past. The townsfolk revile him, especially his sister, calling him a killer as he goes about asking questions. The bandit leader he once knew wants him dead as Tahn embarrassed him and Lord Trent wants him and his sister dead because they have a very real claim to his title, wealth and estates. Tahn is content to leave his fate in God’s hand.

RETURN TO ALASTAIR is an exciting romantic fantasy with a protagonist that is easy to love as he proves that evil has no power over goodness once one chooses to accept salvation. As he suffered untold cruelties as a child, a teen and an adult Tahn has the faith that leads him to leave the dark path to that of purity and decency. There is so much action and fantastic character development that readers will hope for a future RETURN TO ALASTAIR.

Harriet Klausner

Circus of the Darned
Katie Maxwell
Smooch, Jan 2006, $5.99
ISBN: 0843954000

Teenage psychic Francesca Ghetti has plenty of angst and just being six feet should be enough, but in her case even adults agree it is genuinely earned though she has somewhat adapted to her abilities and abnormal lifestyle. How many students can summon the dead or travel around Europe as a member of Gothefaire. Of course few can claim a witch for a mother who actually has conjuring skills.

Even for Francesca used to the absurd being the norm, things are much more out of control than usual. One can start with the twelve dead Vikings she brought back to life. Or perhaps her stolen horse. However, mom chooses her unacceptable boyfriend. No one in their right mind would date a motorcycle riding vampire who is almost three centuries her senior. While mom objects that he is too old for her and has a bad overbite that she fears he will use on her daughter (dental costs are high); Benedikt Czerny insists she is his life mate, which means he needs to insure that his beloved GOT FANGS too. However the biggest problem in Francesca’s mind is he is a night person and she has a curfew.

This is a terrific sequel that readers will appreciate as Katie Maxwell’s Oregonian teenage amazon has plenty of woes, but her biggest issue is quality time with her boyfriend. The story line is filled with humor and the paranormal that in both cases enhances a deep look at teenagers believing they are ready to fly from the nest though parents are hesitant to send them forth. Young adults and us long-toothed readers will appreciate the stand alone CIRCUS OF THE DARNED, but also get GOT FANGS, as that is a delight too.

Harriet Klausner

My Favorite Witch
Annette Blair
Berkley, Jan 2006, $6.99
ISBN: 0425207234

Kira Fitzgerald feels doubly betrayed when she observes her professional hockey playing fiancé using his stick to score with her sister. The white witch swears off all athletes even considering placing a curse to have a certain body part vanish. She moves on starting with new employment as the assistant to the director of Special Events for Pickering Foundation.

National Hockey League superstar Jason Pickering Goddard is out for at least six months after suffering a knee injury. His adoring grandmother coaxes him into becoming the director of Special Events for Pickering Foundation in jeopardy of closing, which in turn could devastate Anthony’s Home for Boys.

Neither Kira nor Jason wants to work together because she distrusts hockey players and he fears that wand she totes may cause harm to his pride and joy. However, as she watches Jason actually spend quality time with the orphans and seemingly enjoy it and his proposals to raise money are top rate, she feels he bewitched her. He reciprocates as the white witch has charmed the skates off of him. As they fall in love, both wonder what will happen if he returns to the rink.

Obviously Annette Blair is a white witch as she charms her readers with the amusing MY FAVORITE WITCH, the sequel to the also magical THE KITCHEN WITCH. The lead couple is an enchanting pairing as the attraction, with an assist credited to Grandma, intensifies in spite of dueling wands as neither wants to score with the other. Though the orphans for the most part are too precocious, readers will enjoy this amusing bewitching sports romance especially when the gloves come off.

Harriet Klausner

Futureshocks
Edited by Lou Anders
Roc, Jan 2006, $14.95, 336 pp.
ISBN 0451460650

As described in the introduction, this sixteen collection science fiction anthology focuses on future trending of “new fears arising out of sociological, biological or technological change”. Each tale centers on a particular hot button that a relatively large populace believes will lead to the end of society as we know it; similar as pointed out by Mr. Anders to the 1950s and 1960s nuclear trepidations. The contributions range the spectrum of controversy such as bioengineering or “living” after death, and of course AI, etc. Overall the compilation is superb with some tales going very deep in spite of the shortness. A shocked audience will ponder bad choices that lead to the denigrating of a group; not necessarily purebred human. Though a few tales surface the potential, they do not dig deep into the impact; however, for the most part most of the compilation will leave readers wondering whether Pogo is right that we met the enemy and he (or she or it) is us.

Harriet Klausner

Sorceress of Faith
Robin D. Owens
Luna, Feb 2006, $13.95, 400 pp.
ISBN 0373802218

Monsters from the Dark were getting through holes created when segments of the magic fenceposts died; the people of Lladrana did not know how to repair the damage or recharge the magic until the Exotique Alexa from Earth figured it out and destroyed the monsters in the latest battle. Unfortunately one of the monsters, a sangvile, escaped and killed the parents of the sorcerer circlet Jaquar.

The Sorcerers summon a new Exotique and Jaquar plans to use her to travel the planes and kill the malevolent maw spawning new monsters. Marian is conducting a Wiccan ritual when she is thrust threw the dimensional portal and ends up in Lladrana where she is first trained by the master sorcerer circlet and later by Jaquar himself. As he gets to know Marian, he abandons his plans because he does not went to send the woman he loves into danger that probably means her death. Although Marian wants to stay in Lladrana she has a brother that she loves very much on Earth that she can’t abandon and a betrayal by people she has come to trust makes her doubt her feelings about those she came to save.

One of the great things about Robin D. Owens’ ongoing Luna series is that each book can stand alone yet there remains continuity through the return of heroes and champions from the previous tale. This sword and sorcery fantasy, complete with Pegasus and a sentient hamster, and an enigmatic fairy is so fascinating that readers find themselves caught up in in the magic of reading. SORCERESS OF FAITH is romantic fantasy at its very best.

Harriet Klausner

The Star Witch
Linda Winstead Jones
Berkley, Jan 2006, $7.99
ISBN: 0425201287

In Colubyana, the Fyne witch rejected the wizard making him so angry he cursed the Fyne women so that their love will always die. Over the next three centuries any Fyne witch who married for love watched either their mate die young or ultimately hate them. Of the three current generations of Fyne siblings, the oldest Isadore watched her spouse die. She and her sisters vow to never marry or fall in love until the youngest Sophie breaks the pledge (see THE SUN WITCH) and Juliet follows (see THE MOON WITCH).

While the prisoner of Emperor Sebestyn, Isadore contemplates whether the trio can actually end the Curse. Meanwhile Captain Lucan Hern is stunned that he cannot get the prisoner out of his mind; his desire for her is that strong. This is out of character for the duty bound soldier, who has spent his life in training to fulfill his destiny as Prince of Swords. Rebels led by the other two Fyne witches are coming to attack the Emperor, who sends Isadora to a hell where no one has ever returned. Isadora sees this as the chance to finally lift the curse even if it takes her death to do so while Lucan risks his life to rescue the woman he loves.

The final tale of the bewitching Fyne Witch trilogy is a fabulous climatic romantic fantasy. The story line is more complex than before filled with fascinating twists beguiling the unsuspecting reader. The lead couple, the emperor, and the other sisters and their spouses lead to a magical enchantment that grips the audience wondering if the Curse can truly be lifted or will a three-peat tragedy strike as Linda Winstead Jones beguiles her fans.

Harriet Klausner

Troubadour
Don Fenn
Synergy, Oct 2005, $22.95
ISBN: 0975592262

Following a break-through with a patient sixty-two years old psychotherapist Peter Icarus barely can move to urinate. Worn out by self deprecation reflections on his personal failures, he sits on the throne to pee and ponder like Rodin’s Thinker how with three ex-wives, two adult children, and three grandchildren he feels lonely. When he receives an email he assumes it is a hoax, but still wonders what does he have to lose if he accepts the odd invitation; so he agrees to journey to a planet Troubadour in which humanity is two centuries ahead of what is current San Francisco.

On Troubadour, he remains isolated except for two constant visitors. The wise male Rain is his host whose wisdom enables Peter to look deep inside on why he fails at relationships. The woman Wind offers him more of an emotional attachment that provides Peter with an anchor as he peels away his protection to understand his fears that have crippled him. However, he also wants physical comfort from Rain as he needs her, but she has her own quest to learn why she has failed at life.

Troubadour is a fascinating Utopia that looks at the role of society quite differently than the mindset of modern western governments as the individual’s mental health is fostered to achieve a higher level of harmony with oneself and in relation with others; like an Eastern libertarian philosophy. The story line focuses mostly on melancholy Peter who finds a new look on life while perplexed about Troubadour. A deep science fiction character study, readers will place themselves in the shoes of Peter contemplating how to improve relationships with loved ones while also reconsidering the role of government in one’s life.

Harriet Klausner

Hammer of the Earth
Susan Krinard
Luna, Feb 2006, $12.95, 400 pp.
ISBN 0373802242

Rhenna the amazon warrior with powers of air, Cian the Aliuri shapeshifter, Tehva the seer, and Nyx a woman with secrets to keep all escape from the capital city of Karchedon in the evil Arrihidaean Empire. Only Quintos stays behind because the Tiberian rebel learns that he really is the baseborn half-brother of the Emperor Nikodemos. The Emperor Nikodemos wants Quintos to prove his loyalty. However, Quintos plans to work within the Empire to break the power of the Stone and the clergy who worship it especially, the chief priest Baalshillek, who wants to control the entity in the stone and rule the world after the Emperor has conquered it.

Rhenna, Cian, and Tehva overcome many obstacles to recover the Hammer that was meant for the Godborn Cian, a Bearer who in the near future will use the weapon in the war against the Exalted, those gods who wanted more power than their peers and were encased in the stone when they lost the battle. Rhenna and Tehva with Nyx’s help once again journey to the secret city of New Meroe where the prophecies are written down about the upcoming war. They also hope to find where their hidden weapons are located because they need them to defeat those who kill In the name of the Stone, their high priest and the emperor.

Susan Krinard has written another fantastic quest filled fantasy where it is hard to tell friend from foe and the protagonists are at the mercy of the various gods they come in contact with. There is plenty of action and a touch of romance in HAMMER OF THE EARTH but the heart of this novel lies with the characters who though they live in a fantasy world have the same qualities as readers. It will be hard to wait for the next installment in this stunning series.

Harriet Klausner

The Musashi Flex
Steve Perry
Ace, Jan 2006, $7.99, 336 pp
ISBN 0441013619

In the twenty third century, planets have been colonized all over the galaxy policed by the confederation who has spies everywhere. The MUSASHI FLEX, a martial arts game where contestants duel each other, is one way to move up in a stagnant hierarchy. Lazlo Mourn, who played the game for fifteen years, is ready to retire until he saves the life of journalist Cayne Sola who was trying to tape the number ten player. Lazlo finds that he has stepped outside the box and into a new paradigm that lets hims beat opponents he couldn’t touch before.

Multibillionaire Ellis Shaw has it all, power, prestige and women but what he really wants is to be the champion in the MUSASHI FLEX. However, he lacks that something extra needed to become a champion. He has his scientists work on the drug Reflex that speeds up his movements and starts steadily moving up in the numbers of MUSASHI FLEX. He meets the beautiful Azul at an art gallery and the two starts a relationship not realizing that she is a plant sent by control to find out about Reflex. These four people are going to find themselves linked in a way they never thought possible.

With steroids making superstars in sports and some suggesting the use of asterisks for modern records, though occurring in the distant future, MUSASHI FLEX is a timely science fiction thriller as the wealthy Shaw uses his money to find a chemical way to become the sport’s champion. The three prime relationships, Shaw-Luna, Mourn-Sola, and Shaw-Mourn are deftly handled to enhance the personalities of the two male combatants so that the audience knows the demons that drive each before they finally meet with everything on the line. Weird but fascinating in many ways, this is an intriguing science fiction tale with a timely message.

Harriet Klausner