Reviews from Harriet

Lucas
D.B. Reynolds
ImaJinn, $15.00
ISBN: 9781610261005

Though it may cost her the job she loves with the Feds due to insubordination, FBI Special Agent Kathryn Hunter defies her superior’s orders not to search for her missing brother Daniel the photographer. Instead Kathryn follows clues that lead to South Dakota’s home of Lucas Donlon.

Though the Lord Vampire wants to bite Kathryn all over her body, he has no time for the tasty morsel as he has a war brewing with rival vampire lord Klemens who craves adding Lucas’ Plains territory to his Chicago based empire. Lucas tells her to go back to working FBI cases, but a defiant Kathryn insists on finding her sibling, which places her in the crossfires of hostilities between two vampire clans and besides she wouldn’t mind dining on her delicious albeit reluctant host.

The latest Vampires in America romantic fantasy (see Sophia, Duncan, Rajmund, Jabril and Raphael) is a great thriller starring two kick butt protagonists as the female, used to competing in a men’s club, proves the equal to the vampire lord, unused to anyone competing at his level. Fast-paced, fans will enjoy this strong entry with a stunning fabulous late twist as D.B. Reynolds provides another winner. Harriet Klausner

The Shadow Rising
Robert Jordan
Tor, $15.99
ISBN: 9780765334671

The weary battered band of travelers split up after their recent escapades to possess Callandor and confront evil (see The Dragon Unborn). Rand, Mat, Egwene, Moiraine and Lan journey together as Rand turns to the Aiel wasteland. Nynaeve, Elayne, Julian and Thom head to Tanchico to uncover the plans of the hideous Black Ajah in order to thwart and ultimately defeat this evil. Perrin, Loial and Faile travel home to Emond's Field by Two Rivers to join the fight to repel the more powerful Trollocs and Whitecloaks invaders. Min seemingly vanishes in Tar Valon.

In the Forsaken, Rand finds a mentor as he apparently continues his path of destiny while Mat faces a near death experience that leaves him with memories of a dead warrior. Perring and Faile marry while never losing sight of the peril facing the Two Rivers.

Book Four of the Wheel of Time takes a different approach to the storyline as the adventurers split into separate escapades and subplots). Each of the prime subplots move forward the overarching premise as well as providing background into the respective cultures and geographies where the action occurs. Although this writing approach can feel disjointed and difficult to follow who’s who, where and why with a seemingly quadrillion heroes and as many malevolent beings, series fans will enjoy the action as the heroes establish divergent BHAGs. Harriet Klausner

Blood Fire
Sharon Page
Kensington Aphrodisia, $14.00
ISBN: 9780758278296

In 1821, knowing she is dying; Lady Octavia Grenville wants the Earl of Sutcliffe to take her virginity. Thus she plans to seduce the sexy Matthew at a special gathering. Turned into a vampire, Matthew struggles with guilt having committed fratricide when his sibling was turned into an undead. Matthew is dying and he has a fortnight to find his true love or be dead

At the gala, Matthew is attracted to the bewitching Octavia, but wonders why a seemingly innocent like her would attend a debauched event like the one they both are at. Still they have sex and a confused Octavia finds her health improving with every tryst she has with Matthew. As she assumes she is a witch, though he does not believe in love for good reason, Matthew proposes. She accepts once she learns she is pregnant. However, others try to kill the pair and their unborn.

The latest Blood Deep heated historical romantic urban fantasy (see Blood Secret, Blood Deep, Blood Red and Blood Rose) is a fabulous paranormal thriller as the female protagonist uses a Devil and Miss Jones opening gambit to begin a heated tryst with both needing love to live. Fast-paced, fans will enjoy the romance between one of the Six and a fledgling vampire while paranormal villains assault them. Harriet Klausner