Wicked Game
Jeri Smith-Ready
Pocket, May 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9781416551768

Con artist Ciara Griffin has decided to leave behind the life of a cheat and become legal and morally above board. To accomplish her objective, Ciara obtains work at small radio station WWMP where no one cares about your résumé, your past, and your lack of conventional morality as long as you accept the stinky pay.

However, she soon learns a fascinating sidebar about her new place of work; all the night DJs are vampires who are expert musicologists on the era of their respective conversion. However, a huge conglomerate tries to buy the station with plans to change the format. Ciara worries about her night friends losing their link to humanity, especially she is concerned about grunge rocker hunk Shane who she desires. Trying to save her pals by saving the station, Ciara tells everyone listening that the night DJs are bloodsuckers knowing no one would believe her. She was thinking about human disbelief on the subject, something she is familiar with; Ciara failed to consider an ancient vampire might object to her exposure in daylight scheme.

WICKED GAME is a brilliant vampire thriller in which readers will believe in magic of the supernatural as Jeri Smith-Ready makes everyone seem genuine. The concept of vampires stuck in a time warp is ingenious leading to quite a variety in music. Fans will enjoy this fun tale even if “It’s Only Rock and Roll”, blood dining, the infamous Griffin curse that rivals Greek mythology and sex, but we like it.

Harriet Klausner

Warrior Rising
P.C. Cast
Berkley, May 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780425221372

Hera, Venus and Athena are tired of masculinity stupidity as the Trojan War is over thirteen years old. The three goddesses conclude that the fighting is all about male penises, the prime organ in man’s superego. Worse the female trio is sick to hear these dumb braggarts claim the goddesses or Helen started the combat and that they fight in their honor. The poster boy for inane masculine pretentiousness is Achilles. So the goddesses decide the only way to end the war is to get Achilles to stop fighting; the only way to get him to stop fighting is occupy his penis with a woman who will keep the blood rage from turning him into a berserker warrior.

Venus visits modern day Tulsa to see if she can obtain the services of a specialist sex siren. When their car crashes, psychologist Dr. Kat and her best friend trauma nurse die. Venus brings the pair back to the Trojan War to entice those brutes Achilles and Patroclus with a lifetime of making love not war.

Only this author could cast a modern day romance in an ancient Greek mythos and make it seem real and fun. With a nod to the Trojan Horse tale and Lysistrata, P.C. Cast provides a strong Goddess tale starring spirited intelligent twenty-first century women battling the invincible Achilles (whose heel proves not to be his vulnerable body part) and his best buddy in a gender war that supersedes the Trojan War.

Harriet Klausner

Wild: Pack of St. James
Noelle Mack
Kensington Brava, Mar 2008, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758222756

In 1815 although he is part Russian wolf, Kyril Taruskin is also one of the three leaders of the Pack of St. James sworn to protect the English crown. However, Kyril becomes concerned when the actions of Vivienne Sheridan may jeopardize his Pack from a werewolf hunter. He vows to find the hiding female and learn her secrets.

At the same time Kyril fears for his clan, the adversary has begun stalking his prey. Meanwhile Kyril finds Vivien hidden in a mansion. He tries to learn her secrets, but finds he wants to reveal his own to this siren who he knows from a previous encounter is his soulmate, but first they must deal with treacherous evil men as everyone converges on the Serpent’s Egg allegedly possessed by Vivienne.

The first Pack of St. James paranormal Regency romantic suspense is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller starring likable lead characters and a strong support cast including the bad guys. The freshness comes from the vivid description of early nineteenth century London’s underbelly where drugs, prostitution and black market contraband are the norm. Noelle Mack provides a wild vivid tale of love, war, and perhaps too much blood with her delightful opening Pack diamond.

Harriet Klausner

The Wolfman
Nicholas Pekearo
Tor, May 2008, $23.95
ISBN 9780765320261

Discharged by the Army after serving as a grunt in Nam, Marlowe Higgins lives in Evelyn near the Ivy River just a spider’s web outside of Tennessee. He earns a poor man’s living making hamburgers at Frank’s greasy spoon make that restaurant as he needs the below poverty level position. Once a month Marloew feels schizoid because he relishes yet fears the full moon when he, like his antecedents before him, turns into a werewolf. He also investigates malicious crimes as a form of sublimation to abate his guilt over killing innocent people during his blood disorder frenzy although Marlowe tries to target killers when he turns wolf albeit not always successfully.

A particularly vicious serial killer has begin horrifically murdering people; the media calls this psychopath the Rose Killer for potting flowers in eye sockets of victims. Higgins begins investigating this predator with plans to rip his throat out when he finally hunts him down.

This engaging paranormal serial killer thriller is an entertaining tale that werewolf fans and investigative vigilante readers will appreciate as the hero seems genuine especially when he agonizes over killing an innocent. The story line is fast-paced and filled with action, but it is Higgins who makes the horror crime thriller work as fans will empathize with his plight while wondering whether we sympathize with the devil. Sadly, Mr. Nicholas Pekearo was killed in 2007 while on duty as a NYPD auxiliary police officer.

Harriet Klausner

A World Too Near
Kay Kenyon
Pyr, Mar 2008, $25.00
ISBN 9781591026426

The Tarig constructed the concentric circles Fortress Ahnenhoon to protect the engine that uses the Rose universe as its prime power source to provide energy to sustain the Entire universe. In the Rose universe, sentient beings on planet earth realize the power draining caused by the Ahnenhoon will suck life out of this universe.

Pilot Titus Quinn knows the only way to save earth’s universe is to destroy the Ahnenhoon engine although that could result in destroying the rival universe where his wife and daughter reside. However, scientist Helice Maki insists humanity cannot trust Quinn to do his job as he has a motive to keep the Entire functioning. Maki believes Quinn will try to skip the Rose for the Entire to find his wife Johanna abducted by the Tarig over a decade ago and probably incarcerated inside Fortress Ahnenhoon; and once he rescues her they will search for their missing daughter, Sydney. Maki is sent to accompany Quinn on his mission, but the scientist has a scheme to use the nano-technological weapon to take control of the Ahnenhoon engine and from there usurp the Tarig as the power of two universes fight for survival.

The sequel to BRIGHT OF THE SKY is much more complex than described above as the two “dueling” universes contain convoluted relationships; thus plenty of twists and spins await readers who accompany Titus on his quest. The story line is action-packed, but also further describes the two universes especially the Entire while key characters like beleaguered Quinn and ambitious Maki are fully developed. With two universes on the brink of mass destruction, science fiction fans will want to join Quinn on mission.

Harriet Klausner

When the Tide Rises
David Drake
Baen, Mar 2008, $25.00
ISBN 9781416555278

The war continues unabated between the Republic of Cinnabar and the Alliance of Free Stars. Although his side is short on battleships and experienced combat officers, Cinnabar Space Navy Officer Daniel Leary expects to be mothballed since his mentor on the Board was replaced by someone who detests the maverick as success does not matter; political connections do.

Instead he and his crew are assigned to help the fledgling navy of the Independent Republic of Bagaria, who seceded from the Alliance. Espionage agent Signal Officer Adele Mundy accompanies Daniel and his crew. Upon arrival at the frontier republic, they find the biggest problem is from within the divided Bagarian political leadership as treason seems to be the norm especially for those who lost power when Bagaria left the Alliance.

The latest Leary outer space military science fiction thriller (see SOME GOLDEN HARBOR, WITH THE LIGHTNINGS and THE WAY TO GLORY, etc.) is an excellent entry that has the author’s trademark look at the brutality of war, but much more. The story line contains the usual Mr. Drake’s deep look at the outcome of hostilities on civilian populations as well as the surviving military. However, the tale also provides a fascinating political twist that is mindful of Iraq and the Baath party. Those who were in power under the Alliance want back what they lost; while those who gained power refuse to share. WHEN THE TIDE RISES is a thought-provoking entertaining entry in the Cinnabar-Alliance war.

Harriet Klausner

The Warriors
Mark Andrew Olsen
Bethany House, Apr 2008, $19.99
ISBN: 9780764202742

Abby Sherman and Dylan Hatfield argue over the differences between spiritual and mortal combat. They are Watchers; humans who hear God’s voce and can see demons and angels fighting one another. Dylan is with a black ops operation in Tora Bora; the place where Osama escaped in Tunnel Nine from the allies during the overthrow of the Taliban. The Watcher realizes he and his peers have uncovered a Principality; a demon hold on earth. He is the only one to come out alive, but those who saved his life want him dead because they are possessed.

Abby goes to Jerusalem to visit the Watcher the Sentinel who is dying but needs to deliver a message for Abby. A giant wave of destruction is going to destroy the North American eastern coast; to prevent onslaught Abby must find the summons in stone that will call forth the Warriors. Abby and Dylan meet up with both on the run while searching for the stone etching. Demon possessed American agents pursue them to prevent them from bringing the Warriors to fight the horde.

Mark Andrew Olsen is an expert at writing exciting faith based supernatural thrillers in which a chosen few are chillingly able to see the true meaning of Revelations. Most people are unaware of Watchers and the few who do rarely believe they are part of God’s plan, but instead assume they are crazy religious fanatics. Whereas Abby’s faith carries her through one crisis after another, Dylan’s doubts make him work harder at acceptance. Readers will enjoy this couple who if successful will prevent biblical calamity.

Harriet Klausner

When the Tide Rises
David Drake
Baen, Mar 2008, $25.00
ISBN 9781416555278

The war continues unabated between the Republic of Cinnabar and the Alliance of Free Stars. Although his side is short on battleships and experienced combat officers, Cinnabar Space Navy Officer Daniel Leary expects to be mothballed since his mentor on the Board was replaced by someone who detests the maverick as success does not matter; political connections do.

Instead he and his crew are assigned to help the fledgling navy of the Independent Republic of Bagaria, who seceded from the Alliance. Espionage agent Signal Officer Adele Mundy accompanies Daniel and his crew. Upon arrival at the frontier republic, they find the biggest problem is from within the divided Bagarian political leadership as treason seems to be the norm especially for those who lost power when Bagaria left the Alliance.

The latest Leary outer space military science fiction thriller (see SOME GOLDEN HARBOR, WITH THE LIGHTNINGS and THE WAY TO GLORY, etc.) is an excellent entry that has the author’s trademark look at the brutality of war, but much more. The story line contains the usual Mr. Drake’s deep look at the outcome of hostilities on civilian populations as well as the surviving military. However, the tale also provides a fascinating political twist that is mindful of Iraq and the Baath party. Those who were in power under the Alliance want back what they lost; while those who gained power refuse to share. WHEN THE TIDE RISES is a thought-provoking entertaining entry in the Cinnabar-Alliance war.

Harriet Klausner

The Warriors
Mark Andrew Olsen
Bethany House, Apr 2008, $19.99
ISBN: 9780764202742

Abby Sherman and Dylan Hatfield argue over the differences between spiritual and mortal combat. They are Watchers; humans who hear God’s voce and can see demons and angels fighting one another. Dylan is with a black ops operation in Tora Bora; the place where Osama escaped in Tunnel Nine from the allies during the overthrow of the Taliban. The Watcher realizes he and his peers have uncovered a Principality; a demon hold on earth. He is the only one to come out alive, but those who saved his life want him dead because they are possessed.

Abby goes to Jerusalem to visit the Watcher the Sentinel who is dying but needs to deliver a message for Abby. A giant wave of destruction is going to destroy the North American eastern coast; to prevent onslaught Abby must find the summons in stone that will call forth the Warriors. Abby and Dylan meet up with both on the run while searching for the stone etching. Demon possessed American agents pursue them to prevent them from bringing the Warriors to fight the horde.

Mark Andrew Olsen is an expert at writing exciting faith based supernatural thrillers in which a chosen few are chillingly able to see the true meaning of Revelations. Most people are unaware of Watchers and the few who do rarely believe they are part of God’s plan, but instead assume they are crazy religious fanatics. Whereas Abby’s faith carries her through one crisis after another, Dylan’s doubts make him work harder at acceptance. Readers will enjoy this couple who if successful will prevent biblical calamity.

Harriet Klausner

Witch Blood
Anya Bast
Berkley, Mar 2008, $7.99
ISBN: 9780425220436

Water Witch Isabelle Novak flirts outrageously with Dustkoff Warlock chief Stefan Faucheux until they are alone in his limo. Suddenly she grabs his balls and begins freezing the liquids inside his body as she seeks to kill him as his demon killed her half-sister Angela. Fire Witch coven Chief Thomas Monahan prevents Isabelle from finishing the act. He has Adam Tyrell and Jack McAllister take Stefan to Gribbon prison where magic does not work so that he can be interrogated. Though drawn to Thomas, Isabelle angrily vanishes disobeying her leader’s insistence they talk.

The next day Isabelle explains to Thomas that since she cannot find the demon that killed her sister, she went after the man whose late father brought him here. Coven archivist Micah asks Stefan why the demon has not gone home after so many years here. He explains there are four types of demons in their world with no one wanting this type of demon to come home. Stefan also says that he must kill four witches to rape their power in order to open a portal to the demon realm. Finally he gives Micah access to his demon library in exchange for his swift death.

Isabelle and Thomas kiss and begin stripping when they are interrupted by Mira who says she heard whispered the name Simon Alexander. They keep him under surveillance, but he shows no sign of power. Simon meets an earth witch Melanie and her daughter Katie when the demon arrives, but in spite of being hurt by Isabelle, he escapes. As Thomas and Isabel work together to stop the demonic killing, they fall in love.

The sequel to the bewitching WITCH FIRE is a terrific romantic fantasy in which (pun intended) the key paranormal species Witch, Warlock, or Demon seem genuine; especially fascinating is the types of demons residing on Demon World. Fans will appreciate this strong tale although a late escape feels anti-climatic. Still the romance is strong set in the superbly developed Bast universe where the unreal feels real.

Harriet Klausner