PNR Inklings

PHENOMENAL GIRL 5
(Elite Hands of Justice: Book 1)
by A. J. Menden

Love Spell (Shomi)
October 28, 2008
ISBN #0505527863
EAN #9780505527868
368 pages
Paperback

Synopsis: Lainey Livingston has just been made a member of the Elite Hands of Justice, the world’s premiere cadre of superheroes. Her work with the Red Knights and the Power Squad was impressive; her apprehension stats are above normal, and her great strength and ability to fly are equally remarkable. But no one gets a free pass to active duty, and Lainey’s next test is going to be her hardest. She’s to train with the Reincarnist.

Robert Elliot, the Reincarnist. A magician who has lived multiple lifetimes, he’s the smartest man in the world—and Lainey’s last obstacle. He was personally responsible for seeing Pushstar wash out. But his eyes are the softest, kindest that Lainey has ever seen, and he’s just the sort to knock her for a loop. Lesson #1: Romantic entanglements among crime fighters are super exploitable, and falling in love with a man who “can’t die” is like waving a red flag at a bull. Especially not when the most fiendish plot ever is about to break over Megalopolis like a wave of fire.

Leslie says: “Ms. Menden’s characterizations are so brilliant that for the reader Megolopolis, the world, the EJH, and even the fiendish plot come in a distant second to the relationship evolving between Lainey and The Reincarnist. The story forces the reader to invest their own emotions, ripping us apart and putting us back together again. All I can say is Wow! PHENOMINAL GIRL 5 is a stunning debut – a definite keeper - highly recommended!”

But that’s not all! Book 2, TEKGRRL, featuring EJH heroine Mindy Clark is on the way. I can’t wait.

Read Leslie’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=28853

Leslie also recommends:
November 4, 2008: ANY GIVEN DOOMSDAY by Lori Handeland
August 5, 2008: SEA FEVER by Virginia Kantra
July 1, 2008: SEA WITCH by Virginia Kantra

THE BRIDE OF TIME
by Dawn Thompson

Love Spell
July 29, 2008
ISBN #0505527286
EAN #9780505527288
368 pages
Paperback

Synopsis: SOME LOVES…
There was little of joy and beauty for Tessa LaPrelle, a scullery maid in 1903 London, but a painting called The Bride of Time. The nude raised eyebrows and speculation that Tessa had posed. Impossible! Even if some man could make her so wanton, even if the subject had Tessa’s thick chestnut hair, the work had been commissioned a hundred years previous, at the start of the Regency!

…KNOW THE BRUSH OF ETERNITY
Regardless, it wasn’t the subject or its uncanny resemblance to her that drew Tessa to The Bride. Nor was it fascination with the artist: one Giles Longworth, whose portrait showed eyes black as sin, wind-combed mahogany hair and broad, muscular shoulders. If any could make her wanton it was he; but he was also accused of sorcery, of dark evil things. Some even said Longworth had been a werewolf, the throats of his alleged victims torn from their bodies. No, what drew Tessa was a small window in the painting’s corner, a seeming portal to that wild Cornish wilderness, to misty moors in a time gone by. Sometimes she dreamt she had been running all her life–from what and to whom, she was about to discover.

Deborah says: “I actually wanted to re-read this book. It stayed with me, haunted me, and I wanted to visit it again. Very rare that I do that with lack of spare time these days. Thompson nailed it with this Time Travel - Werewolf book. It’s perfection. Beautiful writing - Thompson’s trademark -the intriguing story, and power to make Master Monty into the ultimate villain is simply mesmerizing. Just not too many stories I want to re-read these days. I will re-read this one yet again…watch.”

Read Deborah’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=28447

Deborah also recommends:
October 8, 2008: ETERNAL SEDUCTION by Jennifer Turner
December 30, 2008: LORD OF THE FOREST by Dawn Thompson
November 25, 2008: EMBRACING MIDNIGHT by Devyn Quinn

Mippy Recommends:
October 28, 2008: LIVING WITH THE DEAD by Kelley Armstrong
December 30, 2008: IN THE BLOOD by Adrian Phoenix
June 3, 2008: WALK ON THE WILDSIDE by Christine Warren

Synopsis: Returning to the Fading Lands with his Celierian truemate, Rain discovers a dissension among the most powerful members of his own council. As the Eld plot their next deadly strike, Ellysetta struggles to master her powerful magic and discover how to save the tairen, while Rain confronts open challenge to his rule and prepares to lead the Fey army to war.

Leslie says: “With her debut novel LORD OF THE FADING LANDS, C. L. Wilson instantly established herself as a “must read” author. With each successive book in this series the reader is drawn deeper into Rain and Ellysetta’s world. One cannot help but immediately yearn for the next installment.The third and latest, KING OF SWORD AND SKY is a suspenseful and mesmerizing read to be savored slowly and carefully as its complex plot unfolds.

Ellysetta is simply amazing! Although she has, as yet, been unable to find her inner tairen or to bond wholly with Rain she is strong and loyal and will stop at nothing to save the pride and their fey kin whether she risks her own soul or breaks every law in the land to do so, and she will stand be her truemate’s side come hell or high water. Will she be able to fight the growing darkness inside her or will the Eye’s prophesy come to pass? Tune in as the saga continues with QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS in June of 2009.”

Read Leslie’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=29745

Leslie also recommends:
September 30, 2008: IRREVERSIBLE by Liz Maverick
September 30, 2008: KNIGHTS FORK by Rowena Cherry
September 30, 2008: THE CROSSING by Joy Nash
October 28, 2008: WINTER’S DAUGHTER by J. C. Wilder (paperback reissue)

(The Phoenix Chronicles: Book 1)
by Lori Handeland

St. Martin’s Press
November 4, 2008
ISBN #0312949197
EAN #9780312949198
352 pages
Paperback

Synopsis: The countdown begins now…
Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department’s fight against injustice. But when Liz’s foster mother is found viciously murdered—and Liz is discovered unconscious at the scene—her only memory of the crime comes in the form of terrifying dreams…of creatures more horrific than anything Liz has seen in real life. What do these visions mean? And what in the world do they have to do with her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci?

While the police question Jimmy in the murder, Jimmy opens Liz’s eyes to a supernatural war that has raged since the dawn of time in which innocent people are hunted by malevolent beings disguised as humans. Only a chosen few have the ability to fight their evil, and Jimmy believes Liz is among them. Now, with her senses heightened, new feelings are rising within Liz—ones that re-ignite her dangerous attraction to Jimmy. But Jimmy has a secret that will rock Liz to her core…and put the survival of the human race in peril.

Mippy says: “I found myself glued to this strikingly edgy and fast paced story and could not put it down. I eagerly await the next chapter of The Phoenix Chronicles and highly recommend fans of the urban fantasy genre not to miss out on this gripping new series.”

Read Mippy’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=29523

Mippy also recommends:
November 4, 2008: A MERMAID’S KISS by Joey W. Hill (erotic paranormal)
June 1, 2008: THE DARKEST KISS by Gena Showalter
June 3, 2008: WALK ON THE WILDSIDE by Christine Warren

Synopsis: It Happened in the Idaho Desert…
The rodeo clown: Brody wants the thrill of bullfighting and the wind at his feet. The actuary: Rita doesn’t want anything to do with a busted up cowboy-and odds are, Brody will be. The mule: Socrates understands humans. And love, even if humans don’t. Can Socrates lead Brody to Rita’s heart? Will Rita let herself take the biggest risk of all?

Deborah says: “I don’t know when I have ever laughed so much, or felt so happy after reading a book. The story of Socrates the miniature matchmaking mule is just so original, so witty that is over shadows most of what I have read of late.”

Read Deborah’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=29433

Deborah also recommends:
September 15, 2008: CHINOOK, WINE and SINK HER by Morgan Q. O’Reilly (contemporary)
December 1, 2007: HER WARRIOR LORD by Celia Jade

Leslie’s
September 08 Top Read

WANDERLUST
(Sirantha Jax: Book 2)
by Ann Aguirre

Ace Books
August 26, 2008
ISBN #0441016278
EAN #9780441016273
320 pages
Paperback

Synopsis: Sirantha Jax doesn’t take chances…she jumps at them…
Sirantha Jax is a “Jumper,” a woman who possesses the unique genetic makeup needed to navigate faster than light ships through grimspace. Jax has worked for the Farwan Corporation her entire career. But now the word’s out that the Corp deliberately crashed a passenger ship, and their stranglehold on intergalactic commerce has crumbled-which means that Jax is out of a job.
She’s also broke, due to being declared dead a little prematurely. So when the government asks her to head up a vital diplomatic mission, Jax takes it. Her mandate: journey to the planet Ithiss-Tor and convince them to join the Conglomerate.
But Jax’s payday is light years away. First, she’ll have to contend with Syndicate criminals, a stormy relationship with her pilot, man-eating aliens, and her own grimspace-weakened body. She’ll be lucky just to make it to Ithiss-Tor alive…

Leslie says: “I love the way Ann Aquirre puts the reader inside of each character giving a better understanding of their motivations and their angst. It’s impossible not to care about each and every one of them, even when their emotions are covered by sarcasm and bravado….WANDERLUST is an action packed, engrossing and addictive science fiction thrill ride that leaves the reader on the edge of their seat waiting for the next fix. I want a t-shirt that says, “Jax is addicted to grimspace, I’m addicted to Jax!”

Read Leslie’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=29218

Leslie also recommends:
July 29, 2008: COUNTDOWN by Michelle Maddox
August 26, 2008: IMMORTALS: THE REDEEMING by Jennifer Ashley
August 26, 2008: RAZOR GIRL by Marianne Mancusi
August 26, 2008: THE DRAGON EARL by Jade Lee
September 2, 2008: HEART FATE by Robin D. Owens

Synopsis: New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward delivers a behind-the-scenes look at her “to die for”( Publishers Weekly) Black Dagger Brotherhood series — and a brand-new short story starring Zsadist and Bella.
This is a book no Black Dagger Brotherhood fan should miss — an insider’s guide that will seduce readers as powerfully as the sexy band of Brothers and the world they live in. And also included is an original short story about stars Zsadist and Bella!
This comprehensive guide features insider information on the Brotherhood, their dossiers, stats, and special gifts. Readers will savor interviews with their favorite characters, deleted scenes, exciting material from the J.R. Ward message board and the answers to their burning questions. They’ll learn what it’s like for J.R. Ward to write each installment of the series, and in a fascinating twist, read an interview with the author—conducted by the Brothers. Plus readers will get a sneak peek at the much anticipated next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Avenged.

Dee says: “This is just the thing to tide fans of this phenomenal series over until Rhev’s story, Lover Avenged. Zsadist and Bella’s novella alone is worth buying the book, even if it didn’t have tons of must read insider info!”

More Info:
http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/book.php?id=13641

Synopsis: Just typical. No love life to speak of for months, then all at once, every creature in the Otherworld wants to get in your pants…
Eugenie Markham is a powerful shaman who does a brisk trade banishing spirits and fey who cross into the mortal world. Mercenary, yes, but a girl’s got to eat. Her most recent case, however, is enough to ruin her appetite. Hired to find a teenager who has been taken to the Otherworld, Eugenie comes face to face with a startling prophecy–one that uncovers dark secrets about her past and claims that Eugenie’s first-born will threaten the future of the world as she knows it.
Now Eugenie is a hot target for every ambitious demon and Otherworldy ne’er-do-well, and the ones who don’t want to knock her up want her dead. Eugenie handles a Glock as smoothly as she wields a wand, but she needs some formidable allies for a job like this. She finds them in Dorian, a seductive fairy king with a taste for bondage, and Kiyo, a gorgeous shape-shifter who redefines animal attraction. But with enemies growing bolder and time running out, Eugenie realizes that the greatest danger is yet to come, and it lies in the dark powers that are stirring to life within her…

Mippy says: “If you are looking for a non-stop, action-packed urban fantasy, I think you should definitely give Storm Born a read.”

Read Mippy’s Review:
http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=29057

Mippy also recommends:
September 23, 2008: UNTAMED: (House of Night: Book 4) by P. C. Cast/Kristin Cast
September 16, 2008: FAEFEVER: (Fever: Book 3) by Karen Marie Moning
May 27, 2008: DAMIEN: (Nightwalkers: Book 4) by Jacquelyn Franks
October 2, 2007: MINE TILL MIDNIGHT: (The Hathaways: Book 1) by Lisa Kleypas (Historical Romance – Regency)

Synopsis: She has watched him from afar, thinking of him as her knight in shinning armor, but when her heart gets broken, Skyler Draeger discovers there isn’t much to her fairy tale.
Adrian Laswell made a big mistake one night and it seems an even bigger one when he makes his claim on Skyler. He lets a few months go by before he reappears in her life only to discover that claiming Skyler isn’t going to be as easy as he imagined.
An old saying goes that there is nothing worse than a woman scorned, only a man has no concept of that until he comes face to face with a shifter female. Now the battle of wills is on and a shadow lurks over their shoulders. Can Adrian mend Skyler’s broken heart, or will his mistake prevent her from loving him forever?

Stephanie says: “Ms. Sinclair can weave a tale of love, heated passion, humor and intrigue that keeps you going. Her characters are passionate and really draw the reader into the story. The one thing I can guarantee you with a Jaden Sinclair book is a very good time, a very hot and steamy good time that is.”

Read Stephanie’s Review:
http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=29249

PNR Staff Top Picks for August 2008

Synopsis: For two fugitive lovers, space has no haven, no mercy, no light - only…SHADES OF DARK…

Before her court-martial, Captain Chasidah “Chaz” Bergren was the pride of the Sixth Fleet. Now she’s a fugitive from the “justice” of a corrupt Empire. Along with her lover, the former monk, mercenary, and telepath Gabriel Ross Sullivan, Chaz hoped to leave the past light-years behind…until the news of her brother Thad’s arrest and upcoming execution for treason. It’s a ploy by Sully’s cousin Hayden Burke to force them out of hiding and it works.

With a killer targeting human females and a renegade gen lab breeding jukor war machines, Chaz and Sully already had their hands full of treachery, betrayal - not to mention each other. Throw in Chaz’s Imperial ex-husband, Admiral Philip Guthrie, and a Kyi-Ragkiril mentor out to seduce Sully and not just loyalties but lives are at stake. For when Sully makes a fateful choice changing their relationship forever, Chaz must also choose - between what duty demands and what her heart tells her she must do.

Leslie says: “All I can say is wow, this book should win every literary award on the planet, and then some. If you read one SF romance this year, make it SHADES OF DARK. And if you haven’t yet read GABRIEL’S GHOST run, don’t walk, to the nearest bookstore and read it first. BTW fans of this series - get excited! Ms. Sinclair is working on a story for Admiral Philip Guthrie, which she is calling HOPE’S FOLLY. I personally cannot wait.”

Read Leslie’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=28186

Leslie also recommends:
August 26, 2008: DARK LIGHT by Jayne Castle
August 5, 2008: HOT MAMA by Jennifer Estep (Mass Market Reissue)
September 2, 2008: JINX by Jennifer Estep

Dee’s
August 08 Top Pick

Mippy’s

August 08 Top PickETERNAL PLEASURE
by Nina Bangs

Dorchester (Leisure Books)
July 1, 2008
ISBN #0843959533
EAN #9780843959536
384 pages
Paperback

Stephanie’s
August 08 Top Pick

Synopsis: Now, as the deadly Psy Council tightens its grip, a rebel Psy scientist finds herself at the mercy of a changeling who has sworn vengeance against her kind…

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy–cool, calm, emotionless…at least on the surface. Inside, she’s fighting a desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the lethal danger of a sniper’s embrace.

DarkRiver sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard lives within. And that leopard’s rage at the brutal loss is a clawing darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been on Dorian’s agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules…

Stephanie says: “Hostage to Pleasure was well worth the wait, you will not be disappointed. Let’s face it, Ms. Singh never disappoints. This book is a roller coaster of emotion and just as thrilling as a roller coaster too. I loved every page and hated to see it end. This series is one of the best on the market. Do yourself a favor and read them all, then enjoy Hostage to Pleasure.”

Read Stephanie’s Review: http://www.paranormalromance.org/reviews/review.php?id=28953