Average customer rating:
- WARM TO TEPID
- Great book--until the ending
- Raintree:Inferno
- the beginning of a new magical trilogy, the Raintree
- Stupid...Not Worthy of a Howard Book
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Raintree: Inferno (Silhouette Nocturne)
Linda Howard
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
 Fantasy, Futuristic & Ghost | Romance | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0373617623 |
Book Description
Two hundred years after the Raintree clan defeated and abandoned them on a small Caribbean Island, the Ansara wizards are rising again to take on their bitterest foes. Despite their extraordinary powers and supernatural origin, the Raintree have largely blended into the modern world. They are bankers, cops, husbands, wives and lovers in the society of humankind. But now, from Nevada to North Carolina, the rejoined battle will measure the endurance of their people. It will test their loyalties and relationships. And it will force upon them all new lives they could barely have imagined before.
Customer Reviews:
WARM TO TEPID.......2007-10-03
Was so desperate to read a Linda Howard that I bought this Silhouette romance. Hoped that this would be better than her last few dismal hard covers.
Strangely, I enjoyed it a lot. It really had no depth but it didnt pretend to be as her hardcovers do. Liked both hero and heroine. I have all Linda's old books in paperbacks and treasure them. This was a quick read and entertaining. Smiled at the ending. Should have known!!! I will purchase the others when I finish my list.
Great book--until the ending.......2007-09-23
I am a huge fan of Linda Howard. Her worst book is still better than most books by other authors.
I loved this book until the ending. I thought it set up the trilogy brilliantly and I am not much of a paranormal reader. I thought the book was fast-paced and sexy and I loved the dynamic between the hero and the heroine. I notice that many reviewers think the story is poorly developed, but for the word count I disagree. You cannot compare a book this short with Howard's longer novels. She simply did not have the space to develop issues other than the relationship between the hero and the heroine and the paranormal world.
I was, however, disappointed by a profound feeling of being left hanging by the book's ending.
I bought the next two books, and hopefully I will feel fulfilled when I read them.
I salute Linda Howard for writing another wonderful book--until the last few pages. BRAVO!!!
Raintree:Inferno.......2007-09-18
Linda Howard is one of my favorite authors and this book was no exception. Very well written and I enjoyed it very much.
the beginning of a new magical trilogy, the Raintree.......2007-08-21
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Dante Raintree is the dranir (leader) of an ancient magical clan, gifted with the ability to manipulate fire, and is the owner of a casino in Reno. He is none too keen to find a woman in his casino, Lorna Clay, who seems to be just a mite too lucky at the card tables. Convinced she may have a few magical abilities of her own but knowing she is not of his clan, Dante suspects she may belong to the Ansara, an enemy wizard clan the Raintrees defeated a couple hundred years ago.
Lorna Clay has always been gifted though she's not exactly sure how or why. That doesn't stop her from using her gift to make a living at the casinos, frequently winning, but never enough at one time to set off any red flags. However, her luck may be about to run out... Being sought out by one of the casino owners and questioned about her ability to win so much, she begins to suspect something is up. It doesn't help that Dante seems to have a few gifts of his own, especially in the ways of seduction.
When a huge fire breaks out at the casino, turning it into a real live Inferno that Dante is unable to control, he realizes that maybe their ancient enemy is growing strong once more and Lorna may be the one person who can help him find enough power to defeat the enemy.
I was relatively unimpressed with Inferno. The story is very fast paced, all occurring within only a few days, just before the Summer Solstice, when magical power is at its strongest. However, it doesn't feel complete. Yes it is a part of a trilogy and it's expected in a series done in this format that the full story continues over all of the books, not to be completed in one book. Yet on the flip side, I still expect my romance novels to have a beginning, middle, and an end to the individual stories in each book. With, Inferno, there is no sense of completion at all, as it just stops, not ending at all. This is something I expect from a fantasy novel or an historical epic, not a romance - series or stand alone.
I did get a strong enough impression of the battle between opposing clans of Raintree and Ansara however and look forward to seeing where the long-standing animosity between rivals will lead. It is quite apparent that the Ansara are not thrilled about being defeated and have been waiting a long time to seek vengeance. That aspect of the story I loved and I look forward to the books to follow, Haunted and Sanctuary to see how everything is resolved.
I had a very hard time accepting Dante and Lorna as a couple. He is a very dominant alpha male and Lorna is a strong-willed spitfire who won't let anyone push her around. Normally, this combination works well since I can't stand when alpha males are paired with a simpering female. The heroine needs to be as strong willed as he or she is turned into a doormat. However what pushed me over the top and made me hate Dante is how he shows his dominance. On more than one occasion he mind-rapes her, and Lorna tells him how much she despises his tendency to "brain-rape" her, as she refers to it. This just disgusted me that someone who is supposed to be heroic would do such a thing against the will of the person he's doing it to. Later, he does come to understand this technique for controlling Lorna is wrong, and he shows some remorse, but I think Lorna deserved more groveling from him to make up for what he did. I surely never could have forgiven him so easily were I in her shoes.
In short, as an individual romance story, Inferno can't hold a candle to most books I've read in the genre, not giving me enough satisfaction that there will eventually be a happy ending. As the beginning to a series though, Inferno is strong and shows promise for the remaining books in the Raintree trilogy. For that lone reason, this book did not immediately become a wall-banger for me.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2007. All rights reserved.
Stupid...Not Worthy of a Howard Book.......2007-08-12
This was a ridiculous story. One character makes and controls fire. Woo. The female character has psychic powers. There are clans that are feuding for thousands of years...zzzzzzzzz. This is a poor mans Lord of the Rings type story. It was so incredibly stupid I gave up 2/3 through it.
Average customer rating:
- Looks interesting
- Respect the Lord of Dreams
- Graphic SF Reader
- A classic of highbrow surreal fantasy graphic fiction
- A Slow Start - But Great Finish
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The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
Neil Gaiman
Manufacturer: Vertigo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1563890119 |
Amazon.com
"Wake up, sir. We're here." It's a simple enough opening line--although not many would have guessed back in 1991 that this would lead to one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comics of the second half of the century.
In Preludes and Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman weaves the story of a man interested in capturing the physical manifestation of Death but who instead captures the King of Dreams. By Gaiman's own admission there's a lot in this first collection that is awkward and ungainly--which is not to say there are not frequent moments of greatness here. The chapter "24 Hours" is worth the price of the book alone; it stands as one of the most chilling examples of horror in comics. And let's not underestimate Gaiman's achievement of personifying Death as a perky, overly cheery, cute goth girl! All in all, I greatly prefer the roguish breaking of new ground in this book to the often dull precision of the concluding volumes of the Sandman series. --Jim Pascoe
Book Description
"Wake up, sir. We're here." It's a simple enough opening line--althoughnot many would have guessed back in 1991 thatthis would lead to one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comics of the second half of the century.In Preludes and Nocturnes, Neil Gaiman weaves the story of a man interested in capturing the physical manifestation of Death but who instead captures the King of Dreams. By Gaiman's own admission there's a lot in this first collection that is awkward and ungainly--which is not to say there are not frequent moments of greatness here. The chapter "24 Hours" is worth the price of the book alone; it stands as one of the most chilling examples of horror in comics. And let's not underestimate Gaiman's achievement of personifying Death as a perky, overly cheery, cute goth girl! All in all, I greatly prefer the roguish breaking of new ground in this book to the often dull precision of the concluding volumes of the Sandman series. --Jim Pascoe
Customer Reviews:
Looks interesting.......2007-09-08
I bought this because I thought the storyline sounded good. But the animation is just a little too busy for my taste.
Respect the Lord of Dreams.......2007-09-06
The Sandman series is largely responsible for rekindling my desire to write. It is a beautiful work of art both visually and regarding its unique plot. This series won Neil Gaiman numerous awards and critical acclaim and it is well deserved. It's a delight to pick up these graphic novels and just see how dreams and reality are interwoven to dizzying heights with surprise twists, unique endings, plot branching and zero commitment from Gaiman to cater to typical comic lovers. I'm not saying the world of Marvel has nothing to offer, but I am saying that if you're an adult and want something intellectually stimulating and challenging that dares you to dream and invites you to respect the eternal energies that govern the unconscious, the parallel and the trans dimensional. Five stars shouldn't be given lightly as neither should one star ratings. But when something comes along that shatters your preconceived notions of certain aspects of your reality, then I think this easily counts as one of those instances where I'd put a six star rating if it were allowed. Simply put, mesmerizing and marvelous.
Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03
Dream has been captured by a group of self-centred magicians, who had been trying to entrap his sister, Death. They create many safeguards to keep him imprisoned, but eventually make a mistake.
He sets out to recover the items of power needed to rule his realm after his seven decade absense. This takes him by way of John Constantine, via Hell, to Scott Free and John J'onzz, and lastly a confrontation with Doctor Destiny.
Then, at the end, he gets a bunch of abuse from his sister.
A classic of highbrow surreal fantasy graphic fiction.......2007-08-20
[Review written Apr 2004]
Series Review: The Sandman
What happens when you have an oh so rare confluence of supreme talents (each of whom are among the best in their respective fields) who team up to produce a graphical series ? You get a once-in-a-generation, cutting edge, high-water-mark masterpiece like this one.
Speaking as a former hardcore collector with over 5,000+ issues at home, this series is easily one of the very best graphic novels ever produced, period. No questions asked.
This fabulous comic series has been conveniently re-published by Vertigo as an 11-part Graphic Novel:
1: Preludes & Nocturnes
2: The Doll's House
3: Dream Country
4: Season of Mists
5: A Game of You
6: Fables & Reflections
7: Brief Lives
8: World's End
9: The Kindly Ones
10: The Wake
11: Endless Nights
What's it about ?
Basically it's a long series of 11 sweepingly surreal short stories, told a GN format, about "The Endless" ... a quasi-divine extended dysfunctional family of metaphorical beings who struggle with their overall role in the greater scheme of things (i.e., reality), with each other, and with the mortals whose lives they intersect. Their names are Dream, Destiny, Death, Desire, Despair, Delight/Delirium and Destruction.
I'll close with an eloquent excerpt from the prelude of Book 4, by Harlan Ellison (himself one of the most acclaimed and award winning short story writer currently living):
Harlan Ellison gushed:
"Possibly the only dismaying aspect of excellence is that it makes living in a world of mediocrity an ongoing prospect of living hell ... how dreary and burdensome and filled with anomie are the remainder of one's waking hours trapped in the shackled lock-step of the merely ordinary, the barely acceptable, the just ok and not a stroke better ...
In any field of endeavor, an occasional talent will manifest itself and, through its bare existence, we perceive how mundane has been the effort [prior to that point] in that field or genre ... and recognize how much higher thereafter is the high water mark.
The point being: {Edit: the peerless excellence of} Neil Gaiman's work on The Sandman ..."
High recommendation marks from moi. A must read for anyone who enjoys high brow surreal fantasy.
A Slow Start - But Great Finish.......2007-08-11
The Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes is the first volume of the graphic novel series of Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman. Preludes collects the first eight volumes written. These follow a quest by Dream, one of the immortal Endless, to recover his powers and his realm, The Dreaming, after escaping a lifetime imprisonment at the hands of an English occult society. Dream's journey brings him to many interesting locales and forces him to cross paths with other DC characters, such as Scarecrow and John Contantine.
Positive:
* Gaiman is skilled storyteller and each chapter works as a self-contained tale. He has the ability to quickly create characters we can empathize with and are interested in.
* Comic book lore, pop culture, and mythology are woven together beautifully to create a world that is pleasantly unique.
Negative:
* Gaiman himself admits in the afterword that during this first volume he is struggling to find his voice. Subsequently, the stories oscillate between occult mystery, dark fantasy, horror, psychological studies, and superhero action. The quality of the writing wavers quite a bit as well.
* While the individual chapters are engaging, the overall story arc is not. It is a cliché quest adventure in which Dream must overcame obstacles to recover three lost artifacts one by one.
For Fans Of: modern mythology, urban fantasy, and dark fantasy
Bottom Line: While flawed, this volume shows great promise especially towards the end of the book. The chapters "24 Hours" and "The Sound of Her Wings" would be considered great writing in any format. Gaiman has set the stage for better things to come in future entries with an engaging character, Dream, and an interesting world. Though not consistently great writing, Preludes is a worthwhile read.
Book Description
Complete scores of three orchestral favorites by vastly influential modern composer. Among the most popular, most recorded, most performed works in the repertoire. Innovation, texture, shimmering impressionism. Reprinted from early French editions. New Contents, Glossary of French musical terms.
Customer Reviews:
Dover's reprints most of the time are outstanding!.......2005-07-30
Sure, there can occasionally be problems with reprints of older editions (and I've seen some quite poor ones at that, notably with Belwin-Kalmus!); however, this one of Dover (as well as their reprint of the same composer's opera "Pelléas et Mélisande") is not one I'd slight in the least. My copy has very few problems indeed. I recommend this one unreservedly!
The Problem with Reprints.......2004-02-07
As the earlier reviewer pointed out, this Dover edition is a reprint of the orginal Durand score issued in the first decade of the 20th century. The downside of a reprint edition, especially from French publishers, who had a very distinctive engraving style, is that stems and staves tend to disappear in places, which makes it hard to read. Even so, Dover does a great service by making this masterpiece (I don't use that term lightly!) available at a reasonable price. If you really want to have a clean modern engraving, you'll have to shell out more than $100 for the cloth-bound critical edition.
Dissapointing printing.......2003-06-22
The music is of course fantastic, but I was dissapointed by the quality of the printing in this volume. Sometimes note stems are virtually nonexistent, and the very small verbal instructions are almost impossible to read. The reason for this is not Dover's fault; it's because this book was printed directly from ancient master plates of the original French editions. In fact, all of Dover's "reproductions of old French editions" series seem to share the same problems. Yet none of Dover's German editions has the problem. Oh well, I guess all I can say is: Let the Buyer Beware.
music.......1999-06-21
1.Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun 2.Nocturnes (a).Clouds (b).Festivals (c).Sirens 3.La Mer (a).From Down to Noon on the Sea (b).Wave Play (c).Dialogue of Wind and Sea
Book Description
This new volume in Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics presents 26 preludes, 21 nocturnes and 19 waltzes - a large amount of music at a value price. There are new urtext editions of seven pieces included, not edited by Joseffy in his original Schirmer editions: Prelude in A-flat Major (1834), Nocturne in C-sharp minor (1830), Nocturne in C minor (1837), and Waltzes in A-flat Major (1830), E-flat Major (1830), E-flat Major (1840), and A minor (1843).
Customer Reviews:
Chopin collection_sheet music .......2007-07-12
Carefully transcripted and correctly analysed in both tonal and expression matters this sheet music Chopin collection covers the needs of both the experienced and the amateurs pianists.
an outstanding value.......2007-06-12
This book is an excellent value with offerings suitable for the intermediate to advanced player. A wonderful opportunity to add these selections to your music library. The book itself is about 245 pages it stays open easily on my music stand. The pages are large and printing is dark.
Book Description
One look and shape-shifter Lucaine Herrick knew. Mate. The urge to claim the woman for himself was instant. Yet he could not. he'd come to a tiny Texas town in search of a myth—a Halfling healer who had no idea that Pack blood ran in her veins, or that she was the only being in generations with the power to heal shape-shifters with her touch. And if what he suspected about Samantha Warren was true, his people needed her too much for Luc to claim her as his own.
But someone else watched Samantha from the shadows. And soon, claiming Samantha might not be Luc's forbidden desire, but his only choice for protecting her life.
Customer Reviews:
okay but nothing to write home about.......2007-05-10
This story was just a bit too much for me to swallow. The characters were very well written, but the premise was too far-fetched. By a used copy if you want to complete the set.
Fascinating shape shifter romance.......2007-04-24
Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
Shape Shifter Lucaine "Luc" Herrick is desperate. His best friend's Halfling daughter is wasting away from cancer and does not half much time left. When rumor reaches the NY pack all the way from TX about a possible Halfling healer, Luc is sent to investigate. Once before he could not save someone he cared about from dying and he needs hope to keep him going. He will not fail this time. Even when the person he is looking for turns out to be his mate.
Samantha "Sam" Warren has the power to heal animals with only her touch but if this became common knowledge, she would be exploited for her gift. When a strange but compelling man shows up begging her assistance, as afraid as Sam is to reveal her ability, she can't bear to destroy his hope.
Someone or something else is in TX, giving the locals reason to believe there is a werewolf in town. Now Luc must explain to Sam what she is and why her gift is so important to their kind. But when someone makes it clear they want Sam for their own purposes, Luc must do whatever it takes to protect her, even if it means kidnapping her himself.
I loved the different spin Karen Whiddon puts on her Shape Shifter society, especially the novelty of the legendary Halfling Healers. What a brilliant way to distance Touch of the Wolf from the usual Shape Shifter concept. The idea of rare halflings using their power differently from other halflings and full Shifters out there is quite a novel concept and totally believable in this society. I also loved how Luc does not truly understand her gift... no one does... and we are educated right along with him as to the limits to Sam's abilities.
Luc is a true alpha wolf male. He is strong and powerful, unafraid of throwing his weight around when it's needed. Yet when he meets Sam, he melts into a kind and gentle giant when he's with her. Yet the true instincts of a predator never leave him, as is evidenced by the great lengths he goes to in protecting Sam, not caring what she or anyone else thinks. She is his Mate and nothing can stop him from doing whatever it takes to keep her safe.
The mystery of the stranger in TX and their purpose there is very well done. This adds another tension laced thread to the greater tale and Luc's purposes for being in TX at all. When it was revealed who the stranger is and what they want, I was shocked at the turn of events and what follows.
Touch of the Wolf was my first foray into the supernatural world of Karen Whiddon's The Pack and is sure not to be my last. I was immediately sucked in to the story, eagerly turning pages and unwilling to stop reading even for a minute. Too bad my real life interfered with that annoying thing called a job... I was fascinated with the society Whiddon has created, in all its complex glory and am eager to go back and read previous books in the series.
© Kelley A. Hartsell, April 2007. All rights reserved.
Suberb paranormal romance .......2007-03-11
Werewolves have the ability to heal themselves, but changelings (half-breed shifters) cannot and therefore need healers. In two generations of Pack births no new healer has been born and some like Lucaine Herrick think healers are a myth. His pack disagrees with his assessment; so when three year old Lucy suffers from an inoperable brain tumor, he is sent to Anniversary, Texas to see if Samantha Warren a Healer.
When he first sees Samantha, Lucaine is disgusted with his poor timing as he realizes she is his mate; he wants to escape and run like the wolf, but first he must fulfill the quest. Samantha is unaware that she is a Halfling who has the Healer's talent instead of the shifting trait. Luc tries to get Sam to admit she is a healer as he is convinced she might be the real thing, but she denies her "heritage" and having such ability. Another ailing Changeling needs Sam to save his life and he will do what it takes to force her to do so while Luc will risk his life to keep his mate safe.
This paranormal romance is filled with excitement, intrigue, tension, and danger as Karen Whiddon creates a fine tale of a believable sub-society surviving within the larger purebred human environs. Luc is a strong-willed male, who proves he is a perfect match for the feisty vulnerable heroine. However, it is Sam who brings plausibility to this entertaining werewolf romantic suspense as she struggles with her universe turned inside out when she learns werewolves and changelings exist.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
Reborn moments after Queen Isabella of Spain ordered her lover's death, Santos accepted eternal life in exchange for protecting humanity. For centuries, he's kept himself secluded in a hillside mansion. But all that changes one night when he takes in a woman who claims to have seen him in a vision.
A dire prediction has convinced Erin Brady she will be murdered on her thirtieth birthday--and that Santos is the only man who can help her. Unwittingly drawn to the beauty who can read his thoughts and heart like no one ever has, Santos realizes she is his Destined Mate. And with the threat of her imminent extinction ticking like a time bomb, Santos suddenly has something worth dying…and worth living for.
Customer Reviews:
More like 4 1/2 stars..........2007-07-07
Erin Brady's biological father is determined to see her dead on her 30th birthday. Mishaps have started plaguing her as the dreaded day looms closer and closer. Erin turns to the only one who can save her, Ricardo Santos. Santos is a Guardian and has dedicated his immortal life to saving humans from demons. Will Santos and Erin realize their own destiny or will time run out?
Maureen Child does a fabulous job with character development in NEVERMORE. Santos is a tortured hero, but a loveable one. He is pure Alpha male but his feelings for Erin soften him up quite a bit. Readers will enjoy delving into Santos' past as it provides some depth to his character. Erin is the ideal heroine for Santos. Her ability to sense the history of any object has set her apart from others, while her own past remains a mystery.
NEVERMORE is the second installment of the Guardians series. This story is easily a stand alone as only a brief reference is made to the first book, ETERNALLY, and no spoilers will be revealed by reading the books out of order. Be prepared for a whirlwind tale, as NEVERMORE is chock full of action, romance, and even a touch of mystery.
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
I enjoyed Nevermore.......2007-02-20
I enjoyed this book. It did sag a little at the end, but don't discount the storyline. The characters are good.
wonderful horror romance .......2007-02-11
Three weeks before her thirtieth birthday, Erin Brady is on the run from an unknown person, her biological father, who wants to strip her of her psychic powers before killing her. In Shadow Cove, Maine, Erin feels that someone is following her and ducks into a store. She touches a knife that enables her to envision someone named Santos just as he is killed because she somehow distracted him. She sees a second vision in which Santos is in present day San Francisco so following her intuition she travels across the country.
Santos is an immortal Guardian who watches the portals between earth and the demon dimensions so none of these evil beings cross; if they do he insures they are returned to their hells worse for wear. When Erin arrives to see him, someone tries to run her over so he takes her to his home. After hearing her tale and knowing she is s the woman who distracted him, he offers to protect her especially when he realizes humans and demons want her. As he tries to learn why, they fall in love, but he is an immortal warrior vowed to fight demons for eternity making it impossible for them to have a normal life together.
This horror romance is a wonderful tale of star-crossed lovers with Santos trying to keep her alive when mortals, demons, and other ilk want her dead. The immortal is a brave warrior when it comes to fighting, even against overwhelming odds but he is a cowardly lion when it comes to his heart. Erin is a strong individual not afraid to go where her heart leads her even if that places her out in the open with seemingly every evil in the universe wanting a piece of her. Maureen Child provides a spellbinding romantic fantasy that transports the audience into a magical realm where evil is around every corner.
Harriet Klausner
Customer Reviews:
Awesome Paranormal Romance mixed with CSI.......2007-08-15
Vivi Anna, has written an excellent paranormal romance and the first Nocturne book I could not only finish, but devour. She has made her name to my must buy list.
Strong Author Deserves Better Help.......2007-08-12
This review is actually closer to a 4.5 and a strong recommendation for setting, great plot, wonderful characters--both secondary and villians--thatoverallmake this just a delightful read. Until we get to the "third act', when it all starts to fall apart. The author has done excellent world building, but suddenly starts contradicting herself. The lead male character develops certain characteristics that readers of the urban fantasy genre know darn well wouldn't happen. Yet I don't hold the author responsible because of the level of quality and originality she demonstrates through the entire book. She needed a good editor to pick up the small details that could ruin an almost top-knotch book. Still--this is an author to watch and brand-name buy for next time. Betcha' by her next book, she will be hooked up to a better publisher, too!
Vampire CSI + Romance..........2007-03-23
I haven't been all that tempted by the new Harlequin/Silhouette Nocturne paranormal line so far, but I couldn't pass this one up--we have the alternate-modern-day setting (mostly like our own world but with vamps and other beasties running around) that I like so much, plus some pretty good police procedural/CSI stuff, plus kind-of-hot vampire romance.
I loved the setting, Necropolis, a city built on an abandoned military base as a refuge/home for all sorts of paranormal types, including vampires, werewolves and witches. Necropolis is near San Antonio but the human and nonhuman worlds aren't supposed to interact, except they do and a human woman ends up dead in Necropolis. This is the reason for the insertion of Eve Grant, human criminologist, into CAine Valorian's crack Necropolis PD forensic team. Of course Caine (leader of the team) and Eve have an irresistable attraction to each other, while they work side by side trying to figure out who killed the girl and what they might be planning to do with the blood they took from her.
Necropolis, where it's pretty dangerous to be human, even if you are a trained police type, is the best part of this book. Second best part--the interesting team working with and around Caine. I am sure they are due books of their own at some point. If you like the CSI tv show format (lots of science jargon, friction between team members etc) and the typical paranormal ingredients, this is definitely a book to check out.
Alas, the actual crime plot was on the weakish side, or at least wrapped up far too hastily, or maybe not at all and will be continuing in further books. I wasn't sure what the bad guy was up to and if there really was a bigger bad he was working for, who showed up or not. If the plot goes on in further books it will clarify this, but I wasn't sure whether this was supposed to stand alone or not.
I also was a little let down bythe romance plot. Heavy on the angsty "humans and vampires can't mix" side, when they do finally get together I wasn't as convinced as Caine and Eve seem to be that this will all work out. Of course, again, this storyline may continue in further books which would make everything in this book ultimately make more sense.
My mind remains open and I look forward to more books in the series, as well as other work by Vivi Anna.
Blood Secrets -A Joyfully Recommended Title!.......2007-03-12
Necropolis wasn't all that different from any other city in America; high-rises brushed the night sky, storefronts lined the busy streets, fluorescent signs declared this week's special sales and couples out on the town lined up to get into the hottest nightclubs. There was a difference though... the people. They weren't human, they were Other. For the most part, the existence of the Otherworld community was a guarded secret from the rest of the world. The human populace on a whole weren't aware of the existence of any Otherworld community, let alone a city built just for them fifty miles outside of San Antonio, Texas, behind the chain link fence of a supposed military installation.
Caine Valorian is a Crime Scene Investigator for the city of Necropolis. His lab is his baby and he spent months setting it up, getting it organized, buying the equipment; all of it funded by his own sizeable fortune. A vampire didn't live as long as he had without amassing some wealth... if he was smart. Since the death of his wife, Caine hasn't had anything to do with relationships, other than professional ones.
Why did she have to open her big fat mouth at the emergency lab meeting and say that working in the Otherworld Crime Unit would be no big deal? Eve Grant works as a Crime Scene Investigator in San Antonio and has for the past two years. She's processed evidence and maintained the computer lab, and although she'd been out on a few crime scenes while in training, this would be the first one she'd be out in the field alone... well, not quite alone.
The first time Caine saw Eve, he thought she looked like a Malibu Stacy Barbie doll. There was an instant attraction¾which was odd for him; especially since she was a human. The attraction became stronger when she proved herself to be extremely intelligent and good at her job. This was bad, he needed to keep his mind on the case, not on the human that came in to help with it. Eve expected Caine Valorian to look like a classic movie vampire... long black hair, aristocratic features, and pale blue eyes but the only thing he and the vampire in her mind have in common was the color of his hair. She was in trouble. She just arrived and she was already imagining the lead investigator of the case in flagrante. The case... she had to keep her mind and attention on finding out what a young human woman was not only doing in a city that is off-limits to the human race, but who her murderer is.
Valorian Chronicles is a book that totally captivated me with its intense emotion, mystery and adventure. Every step that Caine and Eve took solving Lillian's murder brought me closer to finding out who the murderer was, but even with the occasional glimpse into the killer's mind and life, as well as the clues that were found, I didn't figure it out until the end. Both the romance and the mystery in the Valorian Chronicles told in this alternate reality felt so real, that I could easily not only see the story as it unfolded, but also felt that I could fly to San Antonio, rent a car and drive right to Necropolis. I have loved every story of Vivi Anna's that I've read, and the Valorian Chronicles is another one that goes onto the top shelf of my keeper bookcase. I loved Valorian Chronicles from first page until last and I can't wait until book two comes out!!
Lyonene
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed
superb paranormal romantic police procedural .......2007-03-11
In downtown Necropolis at a room in the Black Heart Hotel, Otherworld Crime Unit Chief Caine Valorian a vampire and his top aids Jace Jericho and Lyra Magice struggle with the case of a woman's throat sliced, but little blood at the crime scene. Though a bloodsucker apparently bit the human victim, the amount of blood apparently taken is way beyond the pint normally consumed; that amount should have left them with a comatose culprit lying in his or her vomit. This murder could be the final impetus leading to an interspecies war.
Caine also has a new cop on his team; one whose assignment makes no sense to him to be working the paranormal crime beat. His superior at Necropolis Police Department Captain Mahina Garner has assigned human Eve Grant to work for him breaking a glass ceiling as no human has ever been placed on this squad. Though Eve proves to be a superior dedicated investigator, she poses a second problem for Valorian; he is attracted to her and struggles to contain his desire for her as he knows cross species romances normally fail and besides, one should never mix pleasure with work especially with a subordinate. As he holds his need in check, they work in close proximity on a homicide case that if not solved fast could expedite the impending interspecies war.
The key to why BLOOD SECRETS is a superb paranormal romantic police procedural is that the lead couple and the support cast (on both sides of the law) make Necropolis seem genuine; thus the fantasy elements come across as real. The relationship between the vampire chief and his human detective enhances the whodunit with the fear of a dangerous civil war between species lurking on the horizon. Viva Vivi!
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
Larsen Vale has a secret: she sees things. Terrible things. Deadly things. And her latest vision features a strange albino man…and her own death. Haunted and afraid, she trusts no one, not even the handsome cop who seems fascinated with her.
Washington, D.C., detective Jack Hallihan has one mission: find the man who is assaulting young women. But the police have no clues, no leads and no witnesses. And Jack has a deadly secret of his own—a secret Larsen holds the key to.
Time is running out. If Larsen and Jack can't learn to trust their attraction to each other, the Gate will be opened—and the world will be forever changed….
Customer Reviews:
Creepy.......2007-07-31
I found this book to be creepy.If you like stories about rapist elves this book is for you. This is the third nocturne I've read and I won't be reading anymore. These are the worst books I've ever read. I gave each and everyone only one star and that is more than they deserve as a whole.
WOW!.......2007-05-15
I have read very few books that I could not put down--THE DARK GATE was one of them. I had to force myself to close the book at midnight and hated to. This is an exciting book with non-stop action and suspense that doesn't end.
The characters are amazing, complex with many levels and dimensions.
It's impossible to believe this is a debut novel. I don't usually read paranormals but look forward to many more by Ms. Palmer. The paranormal elements are seamlessly woven into the real world and completely believable. Considering how creative the elements are, this is a testimonial to the depth of talent possessed by this writer.
Wonderful new paranormal!.......2007-04-26
Metropolitan Police Detective Jack Hallihan is trying to stop a serial rapist. In each case, multiple witnesses are present but no one can remember a thing about the attacks. Attorney Larsen Vale narrowly escapes death at the hands of the rapist when her visions of death return after being dormant since her childhood. She is terrified to tell Jack about her vision of the albino rapist, but Jack has his own secret as he fears he is succumbing to madness from the unintelligible voices in his head. Will Jack and Lauren learn to trust one another in time to stop evil from overtaking the world?
Do not start this book just before bedtime or you are guaranteed to miss out on sleep! I made this "mistake" and could not put THE DARK GATE down. I kept telling myself, "just one more chapter", as I turned page after page. Pamela Palmer's suspenseful paranormal tale is phenomenal!
THE DARK GATE truly epitomizes what the Silhouette Nocturne line is all about. The romance aspect is strong but the darker elements of this paranormal tale are where the writing talent of Pamela Palmer really shines! Her unusual twist to the story makes this a superb addition to any paranormal lover's keeper shelf. The story behind the albino man is quite fascinating, and the reactions of Larsen and Jack are very believable as they cope with each new revelation in this enthralling tale.
THE DARK GATE provides readers with a refreshingly unique paranormal tale chock full of suspense. Pamela Palmer is a new author to me but I can guarantee I will pick up her next book after reading this one! Easily recommended!
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
delightful paranormal romance .......2007-04-07
Metropolitan Police Detective Jack Hallihan is working on a case that has him totally stymied. On three occasions several victims were knocked out, but when they all awakened simultaneously; one girl was raped and no one remembered anything. Jack also fears he is going insane because he hears voices in his head. He meets lawyer Larsen Vale who keeps a secret from everyone. She feels she is evil because she can forecast death.
When Jack touches Larsen the voices stop making him need to get to know her in the hopes she has the power to rid him of his terror permanently. At a wedding she has a vision in which she sees an albino man enchanting people. No one else sees him but her. He wears the stone of Erzie, which is the key to another dimension. Jack arrest this male, but after locking him away and leaving, the culprit enslaves the entire police station occupants. When Jack and Larsen learn what the creature is they know they must prevent him from opening the portal that would allow magical malevolence to conquer the earth.
Pamela Palmer has written a delightful paranormal romance in which mortals must first believe in the unbelievable starting with a monster out of the myths that really exists and that magic works. This is an action oriented thriller with a supportive romantic subplot that enhances the escapades turning THE DARK GATE into a great romantic urban fantasy.
Harriet Klausner
Excellent Urban Fantasy Romance!.......2007-04-02
In The Dark Gate, Pamela Palmer weaves together heart pounding plot with heart warming romance and enough magic to keep even hard core fantasy readers very, very happy. Larsen and Jack manage to fend off magical fiends, fall in love and save the world in a page turning read. This is a wonderfully romantic urban fantasy and I'm looking forward to the next installment of the Esri series!
Book Description
Her ability to shape-shift into a wolf. On the run now from the dangerous mobster who destroyed her special gift, Jewel faces even deadlier stakes. For she will die if she doesn't change into a wolf soon.
Arriving in west Texas, Jewel strives to complete her transformation. But as she lies naked in a grassy area and the animal in her is crying out for release, a handsome stranger intrudes. Brooding Colton Reynolds appears to be a man who knows a good deal about secrets…and the power of keeping them to himself.
A man equally unable to trust. As her urge to shift awakens burning carnal desires, Jewel must put everything on the line. For if she gives her body to Colton, can she truly free her soul?
Customer Reviews:
The Pack: Cry Of the Wolf, bk 6.......2007-09-05
This was another great read for me, i have most of them, that i got off of amazon of course, what can i say, paranormals are my thing, especially the shiftshapers. I loved this book
could really state 1 star.......2007-08-06
Do not want to be cruel to an author, but this book was a waste of time. I did read it all, hoping against hope for something to grab my interest. Nothing did. No build up to a climactic scene, no real character development, I have nothing positive to say whatsoever. Characters thrown together to make a scene, with no real purpose. I am an avid reader or paranormal romance, and this was the second worst book I have ever encountered.
She is a broken shape shifter on the run for her life........2007-04-27
She was the prosecution's chief witness against her ex-husband's drug cartel. She is now on the run for her life. Leo has guys everywhere, coast-to-coast. She has changed her name to Jewel Smith, colored her hair, left all credit cards behind, and tossed away her cell phone. She can live without any of it. However, she cannot survive much longer without shifting into her wolf form. Problem is that Leo did something to her; making her unable to shape shift.
Colton Reynolds lost his daughter two years ago because of drugs. When he learns who Jewel really is, Colton offers his help. In fact, he insists she needs him after someone cut the break lines on her car. Colton knows Jewel is ready to run again, but Leo would only pursue her.
Jewel wants desperately to trust Colton. Yet Jewel knows she has bad judgement when it comes to men. Besides, even if Jewel told Colton the truth about what she is, he would never believe her.
*** I found this to be a pretty good read for a road trip. I believe it would be best if read in the mountains, surrounded by woods, or at the beach, since the setting is around a lake. Nothing original within these pages. Nothing fascinating either. But no matter where you read it, you will be entertained as you take a walk on the wild side. ***
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
More like 4 1/2 stars............2007-01-19
Jewel Smith has two deadly secrets. Hiding in a small town in Texas, she doesn't want anyone to recognize her as the ex-wife of Leo Licciardoni as his high profile legal case was news nationwide particulary when he vowed to kill her. Even more importantly, however, Jewel has to keep her identity as a shifter secret because no humans can know of her ability to change into a wolf. Jewel has another problem on her hands as she is currently unable to shift and if she doesn't shift soon, she will die. Reporter Colton Reynolds wants to help Jewel but will her secrets destroy their growing attraction for one another?
CRY OF THE WOLF is a superb foray into the world of the shifter. Karen Whiddon's twist involving a werewolf who can't shift is an interesting one and provides a different approach to the overall genre. Jewel's struggle with her inability to change adds depth to her character as she goes from acting like a victim to a survivor.
Karen Whiddon addresses a very powerful issue in CRY OF THE WOLF as she focuses on battered women. Leo has tried to shatter Jewel's spirit, just as he repeatedly broke her body. Jewel's trust in men is at a low point when she meets Colton, but luckily Colton is a very special man. The emotional impact of CRY OF THE WOLF is extremely potent and it is encouraging to see such a talented writer dare to address such a touchy subject as domestic violence.
CRY OF THE WOLF is spectacular! Karen Whiddon is quickly developing a reputation as a writer to keep an eye on in the paranormal genre. CRY OF THE WOLF is yet more proof that Karen Whiddon should be on any paranormal lover's auto-buy list.
COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES
excellent werewolf romance .......2006-12-30
Jewel Smith AKA Julie Licciardon is on the run from her husband Leo, a drug lord, who tortured her and gave her something that prevented her from turning into a wolf. Unless she can change she will die; if Leo escapes from prison or one of his minions finds her she will die regardless.
When she tries and fails to change, Jewel collapses. Reporter Colton Reynolds finds her unconscious and revives her. When he realizes who she is he admires because she turned in Leo; his former wife killed their daughter because she was dealing drugs. Jewel and Colton are attracted to one another, but she fears revealing to him she is a werewolf while he needs to uncover the secret she hides from him. After two failed attempts to kill her, he vows to keep her safe even if he dies doing so.
Karen Whiddon provides werewolf romance fans with an enthralling paranormal thriller that is filled with action and intrigue especially with enemies trying to eliminate the two protagonists. Readers will sympathize with Jewel for what she has put up with from a sadistic monster while hoping she can transform into a werewolf. The author cleverly handles spousal abuse inside an exhilarating tale.
Harriet Klausner
Book Description
In Spanish Harlem, real danger comes in nonhuman form. A night stalker haunts the barrio, feeding its insatiable hunger, craving the humanity only healer Ricardo Fernandez can give him. For Ricardo is cursed with the ability to heal, and hurt, by touch--a talent he hides behind the practice of Santeria.
Sara Martinez knows there's no such thing as faith healing, until Ricardo's gifts become her last hope. And Ricardo's passion becomes something she can't live without.
But when the night stalker uses Sara as bait, Ricardo must choose between two evils: lose the woman he loves or lose himself to the darkness of his powers.
Customer Reviews:
fantastic paranormal romance.......2006-12-30
In Spanish Harlem, Ricardo Fernandez places his hands on ailing people and heals them. He pretends to be a priest in the African-Carib religion Santeria because that is the only way he can help his patients including Sara Martinez's mother. She is suffering from cancer and he can at least provide her a bit more time with her family without pain.
Ricardo and Sara are attracted to one another, but she senses that he his hiding something from her; she cannot abide liars having been once hurt by one so the two wrestle with their feelinggs Meanwhile a soul sucking blood eating Chupacabra is drawn to Ricardo's emotions; he demands he uses his power to turn him back into a human. Ricardo knows that is impossible and would be devastating for innocent people so he refuses knowing he will fight this evil, but he will need a specially ally, the woman he loves, whom the monster craves too.
Caridad Pinero is one author readers can consistently rely on to provide a fantastic paranormal romance. The star-crossed lovers are so very much alike, both fear opening their hearts though their reasons differ; she because she does not want it broken again while he is his afraid of rejection. The support cast include vampires and humans with everyone aware of Ricardo, a beacon of light for the unnatural to devour.
Harriet Klausner
Books:
- Shabanu: Daughter of the Wind (Readers Circle)
- Shield of Lies (Star Wars: The Black Fleet Crisis, Book 2)
- Sky Woman Falling
- Snow Crash (Bantam Spectra Book)
- Snow Drop, Book 1
- Summer of the Sea Serpent (Magic Tree House #31)
- Systems Analysis and Design, Sixth Edition
- Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew
- Tender Warrior: Every Man's Purpose, Every Woman's Dream, Every Child's Hope
- The Annotated Uncle Tom's Cabin
Books Index
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