Zombies and Psychics

Once Bitten, Twice Dead
Bianca D’Arc
Kensington Brava, Mar 2010, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758247292

Police officer Sarah Petit investigates a routine call in an abandoned building that she assumes is being used by the homeless or teens drinking.  Instead zombies assault her.  She survives the assault, but is stunned by these B movie attackers.

She goes to a nearby hospital for treatment.  Green Beret Captain Xavier Beauvoir visits Officer Petit at the hospital where he explains to her the zombie disease was accidentally created by the military and that Sarah is one of few people with natural immunity.  He further elucidates that her immunity may prevent further mass calamity from occurring though the enemy continues to create more of these monsters.

This is a fun zombie romance in which the love subplot is shockingly between two humans.  The story line is fast-paced and filled with plenty of zombie action.  Although the prime villain comes across as a Hollywood B level stereotype, readers will enjoy the cop and the soldier battle the paranormal, the brass (his and hers) and love in Bianca D’Arc’s exciting supernatural military romance.  Harriet Klausner

Out of Body
Stella Cameron
Mira, Mar 2010, $7.99
ISBN: 9780778327622

Marley Millet is a psychic just like generations of her family before her.  Lately she has suffered from a horrific nightmare; the underworld Embran torturing young women.  Marley knows the Embran loathes her for what her ancestors did to the loathsome beast.

In New Orleans fearing for women, Marley visits NOPD Detective Archer who treats her like she is a crazy lady though much of her rumbling proves true.  Meanwhile the Ushers inside her head mock her failure.  Only reporter Gray Fisher, a retired cop, who talked with several of the surviving torture victims, believes her.  As Gray and Marley team up to prevent the Embran from harming anyone else, they fall in love, which stimulates his previously unknown psychic skills.

This is a terrific paranormal romantic suspense starring a wonderful heroine, her distracting dog Willow and a former cop who finds her amusing and attractive as the colorful sparks they make confuse him and surprise her.  The cast is fully developed to include the predator from beyond.  Fans will enjoy this exciting fast-paced thriller as the crazy lady, Willow and her beloved reporter battle a nasty underworld serial killer. Harriet Klausner