Sentinels: Lion Heart
Doranna Durgin
Silhouette Nocturne, Aug 2009, $5.25
ISBN: 9780373618170

Ocelot shapeshifter Lyn Maines is assigned to investigate whether a Sentinel is betraying the cause. She heads to the Arizona mountains Dook’o’osliid to determine if mountain-lion shifter Joe Ryan has gone to the dark evil Atrum Core while also hunting the retreating regional Drozhar (prince) after his side lost a battle recently. Based on what she knows about the case, she assumes Joe is a traitor.

After a few days with Joe, Lyn begins to reassess her opinion. She believes he is either an Oscar Award level actor or innocent. As she falls in love with Joe, she fears her heart is rose coloring her eyes or someone diabolically clever is framing him. Now she needs his help to deal with the Atrum Core Drozhar using the mountain’s power to restore his own, but all the evidence affirms Joe is betraying their cause.

Although the plot feels a bit emaciated at first, the latest Sentinels Arizonan urban fantasy romance (see JAGUAR NIGHT) picks up momentum and turns into a wonderful entry due to the suspicion by Lyn and the Sentinels that Joe is the traitor. Thus their relationship starts off on the wrong foot, but as they fall in love, Lyn refuses to believe her beloved whose obvious love of the mountains would sell out to someone destroying his revered snowy peaks. LION HEART is a solid entry with a bit of a mystery to enhance the fun plot.

Harriet Klausner

Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Abyss
Troy Denning
Del Rey, Aug 18 2009, $27.00
ISBN: 9780345509185

Tensions are rising to a dangerous feverish pitch on the planet Coruscant where the seat of power of the Galactic Alliance and the Jedi Temple are located. Increasingly at an epidemic rate Jedi Knights are falling prey to a strange illness that lead them into believing people they have known for years are actually doppelgangers. The Galactic Alliance Chief of State Natasi Daala wants the Jedi Order subservient to her government and Princess Leia and her husband Han Solo try to thwart her ambition.

Still seeking the cause of Jacen Solo’s downfall into the dark side of the force, Luke Skywalker and his son Ben head to Maw Cluster, a mysterious dangerous sector where the Force is very potent. They come upon a space station populated by the dead and the dying. The strongest of the living the Mind Walkers show the father and son team how to leave their bodies and travel to an orb strong with the Force to fond some of the answers they seek.. They know Jacen was in this sector and visited that orb before he became Darth Cadeouss, dictator of the Imperial Empire who killed millions in the civil war. The Skywalkers also fight a lost tribe of Sith who want them dead as a step towards regaining what they feel is their right to rule the galaxy.

The third novel (see OMEN and OUTCAST) in this nine book Star Wars saga is an exciting tale as the story line moves forward on both major plots. The Maw segue is the more fascinating of the two as the worlds and people inside this sector provide a fresh element to the Luke Skywalker legend with readers wondering if he and his son will fall into an abyss that will lead them to the dark side of the Force. The Solo-Leia entry is also enjoyable though somewhat similar to past tales; as the pair and their daughter battle the ambitious ruler. Fans will relish the strong latest entry in the Fate of the Jedi.

Harriet Klausner

Semper Human
Ian Douglas
Eos, May 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 0061238643

Across the galaxy, all hell has exploded with many colonial planets and other orbital habitats in jeopardy; billions could die. The Galactive Associative has tried to maintain the peace and prevent internal hostilities from destroying much of humanity, but the leaders recognize they failed especially after the Xul Incursion in 4004. One year later they call for desperate measures to prevent the beginning of the end as rebels are springing up seemingly everywhere. They awaken General Garroway and his Star Marines from eight and a half centuries of deliberate cybernetic-hibernation sleep; a super squad who chose cybernation in 3152 in case they were ever needed again.

However, the almost millennia induced coma has left Garroway and his United States Marine Corps warriors unprepared for a society in which the rules of engagement they adhered to are considered obsolete by self interested politicians who have plans on manipulating the reanimated marines for personnel power gain as the common good is superseded. Still Garroway and his corps begin the counterattack only to realize the greater peril is not from within or even just the invincible Xul, though great threats to the well being of mankind. A hazard so insidious the past, present and future are simultaneously in danger of being eradicated by the unbeatable Xul and the Great Annihilator whose plan is eliminate any trace that humanity ever lived or lives.

This is the exciting finish to the Inheritance trilogy with the third book (see STAR STRIKE and GALACTIC CORPS) of the third saga (see the novels of the Heritage trilogy and the Legacy Trilogy). The story line is fast-paced and resolves much of what has occurred in the last twelve centuries; answering the key questions in an exhilarating way. Garroway and his unit are terrific, but Ian Douglas continues to show his scorn of politicians as once again cowardly politicos get in the way of the heroic marines so long term fans will finish the saga with the thoughts of well written and very entertaining, but a nagging sense of deja vu.

Harriet Klausner

Cat in a Topaz Tango
Carole Nelson Douglas
Forge, Aug 4 2009, $24.99
ISBN: 9780765318626

In Las Vegas, public relations specialist Temple Barr convinces her reluctant fiancé, former priest turned radio show host Matt Devine to enter a charity sponsored Dancing with the Celebs contest at the Oasis Hotel that will raise money for charity. Temple agreed to emcee the Junior Division as her on-line zany teenager Zoe Chloe Ozone; Matt is in as well as tough Homicide Lieutenant Carmen “C.R.” Molina is in that division.

Temple told him it would be fun, but soon accidents occur. Carmen bullies Temple to help her when her teenage daughter Mariah vanishes. Also working the disappearance are the teen’s father, Rafi Nadir, chief of security chief at the Oasis Hotel and of course Temple’s significant other hardboiled detective Midnight Louie. Everyone fears the Barbie Doll who has stalked teens.

The twenty first alphabetically correct Midnight Louie caper is a terrific entry in spite of the whodunit being somewhat low-keyed. Temple’s former boyfriend Max Kinsella is a minor player as he remains off stage in Europe struggling with killers and amnesia but not struggling with a blonde. The story line is fast-paced even when Louie takes time outs to seduce a feline femme fatale. Fans of the series will enjoy this entertaining feline urban noir while newcomers will appreciate a short summary of who’s who.

Harriet Klausner

Atlantis Unmasked
Alyssa Day
Berkley, Jul 2009, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425223222

In St. Louis at the rebel regional headquarters, a vampire attacks Michelle, the best friend of Diana the Huntress descendent Grace Haviland. Atlantis priest Alaric saves her life, while Grace and Atlantis Seven warrior Alexios rush her to the hospital. Alexios is worried about Grace as vampires killed her brother ten years ago. They kiss, but Alexios flees as he remembers the hellfire that scarred his face and soul.

Some time later rebel squadron leader Grace is swimming off St. Augustine when the Seelie High Court Prince Rhys arrives to ask her to arrange a meeting between him and Atlantis for next week. At the same time in Yellowstone Alexios and his friend Lucas are attacked by shapeshifters and enthralled by vampires. With the help of two other Atlantans, they dispatch the pack. Alexios and his Atlantis mates return home for the birth of the royal heir as human Queen Riley gives birth to Prince Aidan.

Grace learns that Vonos the Primator vampire leader in DC possesses the Vampire’s Bane in his place in Florida. The Atlantans want the gem as part of Poseidon’s Trident so they can raise their island to the surface. Alexios arrives at Grace’s post to train the rookies but is miserable with desire. He tells her how Anubis burned his face when she captured and tortured him for two years and his vow of celibacy to Poseidon. As they fall in love, each knows retrieving the gem and training their soldiers come before their needs.

The latest romance between an Atlantan and a human is enhanced by his vow of celibacy while the over-aching theme of the urban fantasy war remains exciting and the support cast is solid especially with the birth of the heir to the Atlantis throne. Although the climax seems too simple for such a complex tale and series, fans will relish the newest cross breed thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Faeries Gone Wild
MaryJanice Davidson, Lois Greiman, Michele Hauf and Leandra Logan
St. Martin’s, Jun 2009, $7.99
ISBN 9780312945688

“Tall, Dark and Not So Faery” by MaryJanice Davidson. The Fairy king sends six foot plus Scarlett to conduct a census of the residents of a paranormal shelter in Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Used to males being below her shoulders, she is taken aback when she meets for the first time a hunk taller than her whose heart matches her heart in size.

“Pixie Lust” by Lois Greiman. Wealthy developer William Timber plans to cut down the forest for his next project; Avalina the California prim and proper pixie is responsible to keep the area green. As they disagree on his project, they agree on love.

“Dust Me, Baby, One More Time” by Michele Hauf. Librarian Sidney Tooth moonlights as the tooth faery so has no time to find a man though her prim and proper behavior does not help her. That is until she meets arrogant sex machine Dart Sand the sandman who, if she helps him on his quest, might exile her from the mortal realm; but she wonders if that is all bad since she would be with him in more than just her dreams.

“A Little Bit Faery” by Leandra Logan. A confused single vivacious fairy Tia Mayberry decides to test the bright lights of Manhattan though she always goes home alone. This time her desire leads her to Simon, a mortal firefighter who blazes his heart into her soul.

Although the tales except for Leandra Logan’s are thin as expected for a novella collection, these are four fun urban fantasy romances.

Harriet Klausner

Darkness Burning
Delilah Devlin
Avon, Jun 23 2009, $13.99
ISBN: 9780061498206

The storm of the century devastated New Orleans leaving the city vulnerable to murders, looters, and other deadly predators. In that environs, one killer should not stick out, but to reporter Mikaelaan evil is walking the streets.

Daywalker Alex Broussard has patiently waited seven centuries for his time to occur. He believes it is now. So he prepares to fight to the death the malevolent demon and the invincible female vampire that head the Undead. The only thing distracting him from his date with death is Miki, who he wants but fears allowing her into his dangerous life at a time he hopes to insure a future for his species; yet knows he can no longer allow her to roam The Crescent City alone.

The third erotic Dark Realm urban fantasy (see INTO THE DARKNESS and SEDUCED BY THE DARKNESS) is a super thriller that fans of the saga will devour faster than an Undead can drink blood. The story line is fast-paced and filled with plenty of action including soft BDSM. Although newcomers will be better suited reading the previous two novels first than diving into an already wrecked New Orleans, sub-genre fans will believe the trip into Delilah Devilin’s devilishly delightful Darkness is worth the time.

Harriet Klausner

A Grey Moon Over China
Thomas A. Day
Tor, May 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780765321428

In 2027 the world environment has been poisoned to the point of no return and consequently the global economy stands on the verge of total collapse as alternate fuels have either failed or been ignored while the oil supply is nearing depletion. War over oil and water has made for strange bedfellows as for instance a Pacific Rim alliance ties Japan and California together in combat with much of the remaining mainland American states.

Army engineer Eduardo Torres finds the solution when he uncovers plans for a quantum battery that if shared would save the planet. Instead, he decides to keep the technology setting up his own “nation” by buying a mercury force. Following up on an abandoned plan to colonize space, Torres builds starships and enters a wormhole to the Holzstein System. However, he is not welcomed as another humanoid race and aliens attack his fleet.

This grim look at the near future paints a bleak horizon as the earth is consumed by the liquid wars. The cast is powerful and realistic as Darwinism wins over creationism with survival of the most diabolical. Torres and other key characters are not likable, but that is one of the key points of this gloomy cautionary tale in which Thomas A. Day lucidly insures his players are not romantic heroes. With a wild well written military in space clash of cultures that enhance the argument how sentient are we as a species if we commit increasingly faster pandemic suicide. GREY MOON OVER CHINA is a super science fiction thriller warning us that time is running out on mankind.

Harriet Klausner

When Sparks Fly
Autumn Dawn
Love Spell, Jun 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780505528025

On Polaris when their father died his three daughters Gem, Brandy and Xera took over the Spark tavern. Society on the mining planet is very restricted concerning behavior so the three Harris sisters are careful so that their reputations stay intact.

When Hyna Blue started drinking in the tavern, Gem realizes he did hard time as he has special cybernetic implants. She hires him though she assumes he will leave rather soon as he is a wanderer. However, her heated blood over boils whenever she is near Hyna. He feels the same but fears he will lose his cover as an aimless drifter concealing he is and undercover narcotics agent who believes The Spark is a major dealership.

This an excellent futuristic romantic urban Noir that grips the audience from the moment that Gem hires Hyna and never slows down as he works his case while falling in love. The heroine is a perfect Gem as she understands NO WORDS ALONE will explain how the drifter heats her blood with one look. Fans will enjoy this super science fiction romantic suspense as the undercover agent wants to be under the cover with the tavern owner.

Harriet Klausner

Undead and Unwelcome
MaryJanice Davidson
Berkley, Jun 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 0425227731

The vampire king and queen, newlyweds Eric Sinclair and Betsy Taylor feel obligated to accompany the corpse of werewolf Antonia back to his New England-based Wyndham Pack since he died saving her undead life. They leave the twin Cities for the Cape with Betsy grieving and feeling survivor guilt while her spouse fears a cross paranormal species war is coming.

50,000 plus howling werewolves scream for their blood so the werewolf council demands an accounting as to why one of their own died protecting a vampire. In St. Paul, Betsy’s half sister Laura fears for her sibling’s life and being the daughter of the devil plans to take action against her enemies. The Minnesota royal supporters struggle to keep her from going over the deep end and causing the hostilities to heat up which Eric hopes to prevent from happening. Alas adding to the cross paranormal mess is the royals’ legal ward of her infant half-brother BabyJon who has fangs flying everywhere; hell even Eric who did not want to be a daddy for a few more centuries is over the edge when it comes to the baby.

The latest Undead and … tale is a fast-paced wild ride filled with much darker but as hilarious humor as its predecessors. Now two years as the queen, Betsy still struggles with the intra and inter etiquette between the supernatural species as well as with humans and vamps; she especially struggles with those who pee and those who never urinate (don’t ask what is left). The story line is loaded with off beat zaniness as Eric expects an unwelcome greeting in Cape Cod while St. Paul is out of control. Betsy puts the potential cross species war in proper perspective: her shoes have no scratches so far.

Harriet Klausner