Eternity’s Mark
Maeve Greyson
Kensington Brava, Mar 1 2012, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758273390

On Jasper Mills, veterinarian Hannah MacPherson grieves the death of her husband though he died in Iraq four years ago. Frustrated by her lack of response to the missives he sent to the stubborn Hannah that she inherited a Scottish castle, dragon-human Taggart de Gaelson arrives in Jasper Mills to bring her to Taroc Na Mor. Though wary, she goes to Scotland with Taggart.

He and his race need her to save his breed as she is the last sacred guardian of the Draecna magical dragons who guard the portal between worlds. Hannah is a whisperer who talks with animals. Taggart believes her uncanny skill will bring out the hatchlings from their eggs. However, she soon finds herself caught in the crosshairs of the bitter war between brothers.

This is an award winning entertaining romantic urban fantasy starring a stubborn American and a desperate hybrid. The romance seems too stereotypical as a woman in mourning for several years attracted to an outsider wanting to disrupt her life is a sub-genre staple. However, the dragons waging an inbreeding dark good and evil civil war with the Yank tilting the edge to one side makes for an exciting thriller.

Harriet Kalsuner

Shaded Vision
Yasmine Galenorn
Jove, Feb 7 2012, $7.99
ISBN: 9780515150353

On Valentine’s Day, Iris the Finnish house sprite and Bruce the leprechaun prepare to marry as their friends look forward to rejoicing in their happiness. Even Camille D’Artigo is happy for her pal Iris though she still suffers from PTSD after one of her fathers-in-law Hyto the dragon abducted and sexually assaulted his prisoner in order to break her will (see Courting Darkness).

A bomb explodes at the Super Community Center. Camille’s half-sister werecat/werepanther Delilah the Death Maiden (see Harvest Hunting for her last lead) learns Newkirk and the Koyomi coyote shifters have teamed up with sorcerers; while Shadow Wing dispatches one of his most ferocious ruthless leaders. With her two half-sisters (see Camille the witch in Bone Magic for her last lead) family, friends and lovers; Delilah leads the counterattack as danger mounts to a critical state.

The Sisters of the Moon urban fantasy rotates lead between the three D’Artigo sisters with the latest focused predominantly on Delilah. The Otherworld entry is superb in what is one of the great on-going sub-genre sagas. As always the key is how deftly Yasmine Galenorn keeps the personalities of the lead trio and their mates diverse and fascinating. Shaded Vision is a terrific thriller as even in the darkest night a joyful wedding brings a brilliant shiny light.

Harriet Klausner

Darkest Highlander
Donna Grant
St. Martin’s, Jan 31 2012, $7.99
ISBN: 9780312533496

The Druids created Broc the warrior who has dedicated his heart to protecting his beloved Druidess Sonya’ though he hides how he feels as he knows they can never be together. Thus Broc is stunned when the woman he loves flees Castle MacLeod.

He follows her only to catch up to her nearly dead. As Sonya heals, she explains to Broc that she no longer can perform magic. Broc is confused as he can feel she still has the power. When Deirdre’s evil forces capture Broc, Sonya knows she must rescue the man she loves. He is chained to evil magic with no hope for escape for eternity. She helps Broc escape; with both of them ending up in an ancient tomb where they dig up an artifact hoping to prevent Deirdre from using it.

The latest Dark Sword historical romantic fantasy (see Shadow Highlander, Untamed Highlander, Dangerous Highlander and Wicked Highlander) is a great tale that deftly merges early seventeenth century Highlander lifestyle within the Grant Druid mythos. The lead protagonists propel the fast-paced The storyline as readers will wonder love can overcome malicious amoral malevolence.

Harriet Klausner

Vengeance Born
Kylie Griffin
Berkley, Feb 7 2012, $15.00
ISBN: 9780425245261

Tormented Annika the Na’Chi hybrid daughter of the Na’Reish demon chief loathes her sire and his minions as her brutish father constantly with glee reminds her she is a Vengeance Born product of revenge. A healer, she dreams of escaping her torturous life but none of the human blood slaves have ever escaped from the demon realm and lived to tell the story.

The Na’Reish Horde has increased their invasions and abductions in the human realm. Kalan the Lady’s Chosen leader of the Light Blade defends humankind against the demons; he fears his side is losing a war of attrition as his warriors are shrinking in numbers and those still at combat aging. He argues with the Council that radical changes must be implemented now or the demons will soon overwhelm the human realm. When the enemy captures him, a despondent Kalan despairs the massacre is imminent. However, new hope arises when Annika, who he distrusts, offers to free him if he takes her into his realm. Distrusting her new ally but with no turning back as Annika knows her sire branded her for death.

The first Light Blade romantic fantasy is a terrific thriller as the endless war between demon and humans is reaching a critical survival stage for the latter. The lead couple is a strong pairing while the support cast, especially the Na’Chi, the warriors and the Council, enhance the internal squabble in the human realm. With an insightful look at racial intolerance in a time of long-term constant combat and security alert, fans will enjoy Vengeance Born.

Kiss of the Vampire
Cynthia Garner
Forever, Jan 31 2012, $7.99
ISBN: 9780446585118

The Moore-Creasy-Devon Comet passes the earth every seventy-three years; causing a temporary opening in the rift between the human realm and that of the paranormal, allowing parasites to cross over to the earth. These alien entities enter human hosts becoming various supernaturally creatures who have gained legal rights though the natives resent them.

Violent murders of vampires increase the tension between races. The Council of Preternaturals assign special agent Tobias Caine the vampire to lead the investigation. Half-human/half-demon Nix de la Fuente is part of his team. They had a heated history but he abruptly ended it and has no plans to renew it until he sees her for the first time in several years. Their desire distracts each of them from their inquiry and leaves them at risk from a diabolical serial killer.

The first Warriors of the Rift romantic urban fantasy is a refreshing look at the origin of vampires, werewolves and other myths. Fast-paced, the romantic and police procedural subplots deftly balance a strong storyline that starts off with an Arizona newspaper editorial condoning the killing of a vampire and never slows down as Cynthia Garner provides a fascinating take on the supernatural.

Harriet Klausner

A Devil Named Desire
Terry Garey
Avon, Jan 31 2012, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061986406

Gabriel the Lightbringer archangel asks his fallen brother Samael Divine if taking Eve was worth the cost. Sammy says yes but feels the Father was unfair to damn him but forgive the fools in the Garden. Gabriel asks him if he ever loved; Sammy responds no but believes his sibling needs a realistic view of humanity.

In Atlanta web designer Hope Henderson slashed her wrists after two years of anguish over her missing younger sister Charity. Sammy tells her Charity is alive, but Hope owes her life to him as she begged for the darkness when she tried to kill herself. He offers her a deal. She builds him a special web site by transcribing the Ars Goetia Key of Solomon that will enable his demons to cross over in exchange for her finding her sister.

Gabriel notices a woman with a bright halo and the darkness following her. He follows her, but when Hope sees Gabriel she ignores him, which shocks the archangel. He says he is a guardian and will protect her but unsure of from what. Gabriel is concerned with his feelings for Hope. Sammy tells him Hope belongs to him. Gabriel warns Sammy not to hurt Hope; as the archangel falls in love with this fallen human and he better understands why Sammy fell for temptation.

The story line focuses on the battle between Satan and Gabriel but contains several interesting twists including a deftly developed romance as Sammy knows there is a cost to comingling with the humans and a surprising offspring. Although the action is somewhat muted by a deep psychological look at the key characters, fans will appreciate this creative archangel romance.

Harriet Klausner

Bedeviled
Sable Grace
Avon, Dec 27 2011, $7.99
ISBN: 9780061964411

Vampyre-Lychen hybrid Dark Breed Kyana Aslan saved the life of Haven when she turned her BFF into a vampire by giving her blood. However, Kyana learns where good intentions lead to when the rebellious raging spirit of Cronos possesses Haven. Cronos plans to use the recently transformed Haven as a vessel to overthrow the Olympus pantheon, but his host has a vendetta too as she needs to kill her once beloved “sister” for changing her into this monster.

Although her bodyguard Ryker the demigod has not mouthed one I told you so, looks tell Kyana that he knows she erred due to her love of a friend. Now she must rectify her passionate saving of Haven because in seven days her BFF replaces Kyana as the new Artemis Goddess of the Hunt and therefore Haven must die before this transformation to prevent her BFF from bringing hell on Earth.

The second enjoyable Dark Breed Greek mythos urban fantasy (see Ascension) is an exciting tale that looks deep into the soul of the heroine as she struggles between guilt over her friend whom she expects to kill, whining over her wardrobe, and lusting over the body of her bodyguard. Fast-paced from start to finish, however the clothing and Ryker issues at times supersede the intriguing hellish Haven horror subplot.

Harriet Klausner

The Bride Wore Leather
Simon R. Green
Ace, Jan 3 2012, $25.95
ISBN: 9781937007133

After trying to escape from Darkside, John Taylor has accepted his place in the darkest part of London. He has become the new Walker Voice of the Authorities and is marrying his beloved Suzie Shooter, the most dangerous bounty hunter in town.

However, before settling down, John wants to work one last case as a private investigator. He learns of a plot at the annual Ball of Forever to destroy an immortality serum. John gets inside and finds himself investigating the murder of the King of Skin. As the Walker, he and his friend Julien Advent search for the Sun King who believes that this locality abomination and its denizen need ethnic cleansing. Meanwhile nothing goes right; everyone hunts John including his leather clad fiancée who he fears might choose the bounty over love.

Although a bit thinner than usual, the latest Nightside thriller (see A Hard day’s Night) is a fast-paced exhilarating thriller. John tells the tale of how he goes from the fire into the frying pan while someone in the shadows manipulates the scenario. Fans will enjoy John’s tsuris as Darkside and the Sun King come after him while he wonders if he knows Suzie.

Harriet Klausner

Tricks of the Trade
Laura Anne Gilman
Luna, Nov 15 2011, $14.95
ISBN: 9780373803316

Private Unaffiliated Paranormal Investigations (PUPI) top dogs assign Paranormal Scene Investigator Bonnie Torres as part of the team looking into two cases. First there is an affluent Null human claiming a Talent broke into his home damaging two rooms and stealing two objects. Second there is the murder of a floater found by NYPD, but who turns out to be a fatae so it becomes PUPI’s inquiry. Both cases go nowhere while pressure mounts on PUPI to resolve them.

At the same time, Bonnie and her supervisor Ben Venec struggle to ignore their respective magical essences that want them to merge in order to create their offspring. Finally in the Electric Apple is frustrated rock-in Roblin who wants to destroy Bonnie and her teammates.

The third Paranormal Scene Investigations (see Hard Magic and Pack of Lies) is an exciting urban fantasy mystery that employs magical forensics. Bonnie is a terrific protagonist while her teammates especially Big Ben enhance the thriller. Although the three prime PSI detecting subplots never quite merge, readers will enjoy touring the Electric Apple with Bonnie and the pups.

Harriet Klausner

Bride of the Night
Heather Graham
Harlequin HQN, Nov 22 2011, $7.99
ISBN 9780373776153

In 1865 Pinkerton detective Finn Dunne believes Confederate spy Tara Fox plans to assassinate President Lincoln when Tara tries to run the Union blockade of her hometown of Key West. She fails as her ship and Finn’s vessel become shipwrecked on an island. However, the half-vampire is wrong about her intentions. Instead of wanting him dead, she follows her visions in an effort to prevent the killing of the president.

Tara explains to him what her mission is, but he distrusts her. As they fall in love, vampires attack them. They survive the assault and begin a perilous journey to DC hoping to arrive in time to prevent the murder of President Lincoln and expose the diabolical leader behind the conspiracy

This is an entertaining Civil War era paranormal romance in which Heather Graham merges historical facts with a vampire thriller. The story line is fast-paced except when Tara goes into vision mode, which detracts and slows down dramatically rather than enhancing the plot. Still in spite of being over the top of the Key West Lighthouse, fans of the author will enjoy this overall entertaining Americana thriller.

Harriet Klausner