When you’ve been reading romantic paranormal novels for a while, there’s a point where you think you’ve seen every storyline. Prepare yourself for something new this time, a concept I haven’t seen in print in about 15 years, and an execution that is engaging, endearing, and unique. Bound To Love Her is a novel in which the worlds of the elves and the humans collide by new author Esri Rose. If you aren’t accustomed to paranormals, you’ll want to give this a try, as it doesn’t require as much of a suspension of disbelief as many other novels in this genre.

In Bound To Love Her, the elf and human worlds collide when Erin is walking her neighbor’s dog and happens upon a handsome injured man in the park. She helps him up off the ground, and ends up bringing him to her house before bringing him to the hospital with her housemate. While Erin’s housemate Jed is collecting his things, Erin brushes Galen’s hair off his face and uncovers his pointed ear, and Erin learning that elves are among us.

Galen had been injured by a poaching elf, Fellseth, when he broke Galen’s bond with his land (the public park), and took it for himself. When Erin happened upon him, Galen ended up bound to her energy rather than energy from the land, thereby saving his life. Once they are bonded, Galen can’t find a way to un-bind them, so he needs to stay very close to Erin, or else he becomes quite ill. As they spend more and more time together, Erin and Galen find that they are attracted to eachother, and their relationship becomes more complicated. Do they really want the bond to be broken?

Bound To Love Her is not just a romance, though, the underlying storyline has intrigue and suspense that keep you turning the pages. The elves need to find out why Fallseth stole Galen’s land, stop him from stealing land from other elves, and uncover mysteries that lie in the elf world and the human world. Elves are not used to working with humans, so Erin needs to fight long-standing prejudices as she tries to help Galen and his people.

Esri Rose has created a world of elves that feels incredibly realistic in Bound To Love Her. The next time I’m in a state park I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for a glimpse of an elf! The characters are also very realistic; Erin’s thoughts about Galen could be coming from any woman with an incredibly gorgeous elf sitting nearby. When Galen’s elven world and Erin’s human world mix, the elven powers over humans are fascinating, and the personalities of all the characters jump off the page.

In addition to having a storyline that will keep you hooked, Bound To Love Her is currently available as a special value for $3.99, which makes it an easy choice for adding to your Amazon shopping cart!

I’ve written several times about the fabulous books by Katie MacAlister. If you’ve been waiting for something great to read, don’t wait any longer – Katie has a started a new series! If you liked the Aisling Grey Guardian Series, starting with You Slay Me, the Silver Dragon series will pull you in quickly, as it is a spin-off of that. We’ve seen Gabriel, the leader (wyvern) Silver Dragons before, and we see him in new lights and shadows in Playing with Fire (Silver Dragons, Book 1).

Playing with Fire continues the story lines begun in the Aisling Grey Guardian Series, but uses a new couple to carry plot, though the earlier characters pop up frequently. If you haven’t read the Aisling Grey Guardian Series, you’ll have a bit of catching up to do and learning by context, but the storyline is strong enough to carry along new readers as Katie sprinkles the book with background information, expertly walking the fine line between giving new readers information and over-explaining to long-time readers.

Our protagonist, May, is a doppelganger – a twin created from a naiad (Cyrene), by way of a demon lord. The doppelganger is bound to the demon lord, but is also part of the shadows, and can disappear into any shadows. Mayling (Cyrene’s pet name for her) is used by the demon lord as a thief, and she meets Gabriel when she tries to return an item she accidentally stole while on another job. After meeting Gabriel, May is pulled into the world of the dragons – a world of fire, intrigue, mates, immortality, and uneasy alliances.

Playing with Fire’s story of May and Gabriel is unlike most of the relationships in Katie MacAlister’s novels. Our hero and heroine accept their attraction for each other, and enjoy every moment they have together. While I love all of the couples in Katie’s books, finding a couple that doesn’t fight their attraction for each other is a welcome change. Oter aspects of the book are in line with Katie’s other books, and readers will feel comfortable with the Otherworld that has been the backdrop for all of her novels.

I realy enjoyed Playing with Fire, and found it impossible to put down, kicking myself repeatedly for not having picked it up earlier. If you are one of Katie’s fans, you won’t be disappointed. If you’ve been looking for a new paranormal author, look no further – Katie MacAlister and Playing with Fire will keep you in their grasp until the last page. My only complaint is that I’ll need to wait a while before the second novel in the Silver Dragons series!

This book was received without cost for review purposes

Lynsay Sands is a vampire novel/paranormal romance staple. If you haven’t already read about the Argeneau family in her first six novels, you should go do so now. Each of Lynsay Sands’ novels centers around a member of the Argeneau family, and the romance and romantic problems between the Argeneau family member and his or her “lifemate”, the one person in the world who they have been fated to meet; the one person who they cannot “read”, or mentally control.

I’ve found that reading the novels in chronological order rather than published order works well – A Quick Bite first, Love Bites second, Single White Vampire third, Tall, Dark & Hungry fourth, A Bite to Remember fifth, and then Bite Me If You Can sixth.

While all of the Argeneau books are romances, each of Lynsay Sands’ novels takes the characters on a different path from the others. Yes, the couples meet at the beginning and are together at the end, but it’s what happens along the way that makes these books stand out. Sands has a flair for characters and a wonderful ability to keep a plot alive through several books. There are hints in earlier novels about romances or issues in later books, a skill that isn’t frequently used in this genre.

Her first 6 novels had some connections (you saw the family evolve as they each found their lifemate), the newest three books have a tight connection. Marguerite, the matriarch, has decided to be a PI, and goes off to Europe with a real PI to help an immortal find out the identity of his mother.

In The Accidental Vampire, there was an ad posted for a vampire in a Toronto paper, so Victor (one of the “enforcers” from the Council who makes sure immortals follow the rules) arrives in a small town to learn more about the situation. Elvi doesn’t know how she became a vampire, and lives according to the rules of Dracula, not knowing there are others out there. Victor has been strict and rigid about rules for eons, but meeting a woman he can’t read starts to change and soften him. Elvi’s impulsive nature combined with Victor’s rule-following makes for some fun along the way! Victor is worried how Lucian, the Council’s leader, will react to his rule-bending after discovering his lifemate, but thankfully when they meet Lucian he has softened too after finding Leigh in Bite Me If You Can. He and the others in the Argeneau clan are more worried about finding Marguerite in Europe than the idea that a small town knows all about vampires.

The Argeneau clan has become more worried about Marguerite, so they send cousin Thomas to England to start searching for her in Vampires Are Forever. Thomas’s cousin Bastien has paired him up with a top vice-president, Inez, so that he will have an easier time navigating London and the rest of the UK. What Bastien doesn’t mention is that Inez knows nothing about the fact that she is working for immortals (aka vampires). As the story develops, she becomes frightened, but once she learns that they are vampires due to nano technology rather than the walking dead, she calms down. As with the other women in the Argeneau series, Inez doesn’t follow Thomas’s lead, she works in tandem with him, blending their skills. We also learn more about Thomas, who has been seen as something of a slacker in earlier books. Discovering his hidden talents is part of the fun of Vampires Are Forever!

Matriarch of the Argeneau clan, Marguerite has worked to find lifemates for her family, and at least 8 couples are together thanks to her. In Vampire, Interrupted, it’s Marguerite’s turn. Marguerite and her colleague Tiny are helping the 500 year old Christian find his mother. His father, Julius, is accompanying him, and will only say that there were threats from his mother’s family. As Marguerite tries to follow leads, there are unexpected curve-balls everywhere. What secrets have been hidden for 500 years? After a horrible marriage that lasted 700 years, will Marguerite take the risk of loving Julius, a man who appears to be her lifemate?

If you love paranormals or love romances, or both, it’s in your best interests to read Lynsay Sands’ novels, and be sure to check out the 3 newest books! I just re-read all nine, and I continue to love Lynsay’s way with words.

Have you ever read any books in the Urban Fantasy genre? Some mystery fans may be leery of reading paranormals or vampire books. However, there are some very intense mysteries published that are also paranormal/urban fantasy/vampire books as well. A Rush of Wings, by Adrian Phoenix is one of those hybrids, containing an intensely suspenseful mystery, vampires, as well as a touch of romance.

Unlike many urban fantasy novels, in A Rush of Wings, the world at large is not knowledgeable about vampires and other paranormal beings. With this one difference, the storyline’s very realistic feel becomes even more intense. FBI agent Heather Wallace is tracking the Cross Country Killer (CCK) when she arrives in New Orleans to see if a recent murder fits the CCK profile. Heather’s investigation brings her to the club next to where the body was dumped, Club Hell, owned by a mysterious young man named Dante. The elusive Dante is a member of the band Inferno, but doesn’t grant interviews or photographs, and mysteriously appears to have no last name, birth date, or social security number; the only links to his past are the 60 foster homes he lived in before reaching maturity. At first, Dante’s friends block Heather from meeting him, but soon she is conversing with the Cajun sweet-talker.

Heather quickly comes to the conclusion that Dante isn’t the CCK, but why are the most recent murders focused on his club, and why is the FBI trying to pull her away from New Orleans when that’s where she’s finding clues? Dante’s looks and personality pull people to him, his attachment to his friends and his compassion are just as close to the surface as his universal sex appeal. As A Rush of Wings continues we meet fallen angels, more of the Nightkind (aka vampires, who do not need to kill to feed, but can kill during feeding), and learn more about Dante and his headaches caused by his missing memories of the past. There are so many layers to each person, Heather is much more than an agent, Dante is much more than a vampire, and each layer is uncovered as the book takes flight.

While we are pulled into the lives of Heather and Dante, we also meet a mix of police officers, FBI agents, killers, and Nightkind. Adrian Phoenix has done a wonderful job with the characters. A Rush of Wings has a large cast, but it isn’t unwieldy, and the author’s talent for creating fleshed out characters makes it easier for the reader to remember everyone. There are also sub-plots mixed in with the murder mystery, everything is intertwined, and the suspense builds as we learn a tidbit here and a tidbit there.

At the beginning of A Rush of Wings, I was a little confused, as Adrian Phoenix drops us right into the lives of Heather and Dante, without much of an introduction to their worlds. However, I quickly started to piece things together, and I was learning about the characters, their worlds, and the mystery of the killings all at once. Many authors have used New Orleans as a setting for their vampire novels, so it has a familiar feel, but with a unique twist; the Cajun French interspersed with the English reinforces that connection. This is a book that keeps you anxious to turn the next page, and even when you know who the killer is, you are so fascinated learn why that you can’t put it down until the last words are read. Add in the growing relationship between Dante and Heather, and you really want to see what’s on the next page! A Rush of Wings is a book that is both plot and character driven, and with great characters and an incredibly intense plot, it’s a compelling read that deserves more attention!

If you enjoy murder mysteries, suspense, urban fantasy, and/or great vampire novels, you’ll really enjoy A Rush of Wings. Urban fantasy is rarely stocked on your library shelves, though, so if you want to try before you buy, you can read chapter one at the author’s website. Get ready to be carried away by the story, it will take you on quite an intense ride. After you’ve let A Rush of Wings fly you to another world, you’ll be eagerly anticipating the January ‘09 sequel, In the Blood!

This book was received from the publisher for review

Some authors use the same main character for all the books in a series. Other authors use one book’s minor character as the next book’s main character. It’s rare, though, to find a series where the first two books focus on the same character, yet the third book makes main characters out of people who were on the sidelines. Michelle Rowen manages that feat in her newly released book in the Immortality Bites series, Lady & the Vamp, which follows her hits Bitten & Smitten and Fanged & Fabulous.

Rowen’s vampires are brooding, romantic kind who do not need to kill to feed, and most of them live off donated blood, without much need for biting. Their feeding style makes these handsome vampires all the more appealing, especially as we start to enter tick season (ticks, the repulsive blood suckers). In Bitten & Smitten and Fanged & Fabulous, Rowen’s novels focused on new vampire Sarah Dearly, who was torn romantically between former vampire hunter turned vamp Michael Quinn and the mysterious 600+ year old vampire Thierry. When that situation was resolved in the end of Fanged & Fabulous, I wondered what would happen in the series – books that follow happy endings are often dull or create unnecessary strife between the couple for plot development. How many times do we really need to see the same two characters breaking up and getting back together? Now that Quinn is out of that romantic triangle, he is open pickings for being a main character, and for a woman who is ok with dating vampires who carry excess baggage.

In Lady & the Vamp, readers who are not already familiar with the emotionally tormented Quinn are brought up to date efficiently. Rowen fills them in on his history being raised as a vampire hunter, and now a new, reluctant vampire, as well as his relationship availability status. Quinn takes the “reluctant vamp” label to new levels – he’s out of town, so he doesn’t know where the closest vampire bar is located. Since he’s never bitten anyone and wants to keep it that way, he starts to become the first vampire anorexic I’ve ever seen! Fans will also remember Janie Parker as the bodyguard/assassin from Fanged & Fabulous, and the woman who grew up with a crush on Quinn. Rowen switches perspectives between Janie and Quinn, so we are quickly up-to-date on their lives without fans feeling overwhelmed by too many details.

When Janie and Quinn are brought together in Lady & the Vamp, they both search for a mysterious hidden object called the “Eye”, though for different purposes. Legend says that the Eye can be used once every thousand years to fulfill a wish, but there are mysteries in how to find it and how to properly use it. Quinn is wish for return to humanity, desperate to stop being a vampire. Janie, however, is tracking the Eye as a job for her boss, who requires contracts be signed in blood. Real blood, with very few out-clauses. As they search for the Eye, the stories of other characters from the Immortality Bites series are brought up to date, and we meet new characters and new life-and-death challenges. Quinn and Janie are vibrant characters who could’ve easily stolen the spotlight in the earlier books, so it isn’t hard for the reader to quickly become enamored of them, and eager to know what happens next. Even during suspenseful, mysterious segments of the book, Rowen’s humor shines through and some of the tension is eased.

If you loved Bitten & Smitten and Fanged & Fabulous, you will not be disappointed with Lady & the Vamp. Rowen has a great touch with her characters, both the major and minor characters are well-developed, with plenty of personality and quirks. Additionally, the storyline has plenty of twists and turns that squiggle into an unexpected direction. While we know in advance about the romantic ending, the how, why, and when is a surprise, as is uncovering the other relationships along the way. Lady & the Vamp far exceeded my expectations, and I had a very hard time putting it down in order to make dinner!

You’ll definitely want to pick up Lady & the Vamp, it’s a great read for “spring” that is masquerading as winter, and also for the beach when the snow melts! If you like romance, chick lit, paranormals, or a bit of suspense, you should definitely give the Immortality Bites series by Michelle Rowen a try! Grab the great vampire novels Bitten & Smitten and Fanged & Fabulous in addition to the new Lady & the Vamp!

Where the Heart Leads: From the Casebook of Barnaby Adair is the newest historical mystery/romance from bestselling author Stephanie Laurens. If you love a good Regency romance, you’ll adore this novel. If you have never read a romance, but like a good historical fiction novel, or a good historical mystery, you will be surprised by how much you like this book.

I was raised by English majors. I don’t think I met anyone who read romances until I was in my mid-thirties. My family talked about reading “popcorn books”, (aka books that aren’t classified as literary fiction), but they were talking about anything on the bestseller list, people read popular mysteries, or occasionally sci fi/fantasy, but not romances. When I started reading chick lit, and then paranormals, I thought there was a big difference between those and romances. There really isn’t much of a difference at all, and I’m annoyed with myself for dismissing an entire branch of fiction because of this attitude! The storyline, character development, and rich background research in Where the Heart Leads leads to an enchanting story, one that is of higher quality than a lot of “quality” literature.

Where the Heart Leads follows the life of Barnaby Adair, the third son of an earl, through his fourth mystery in Lonndon during the 1830s. Adair works in conjunction with a policeman at Scotland Yard named Stokes. (If you’re up on your good mysteries, think Lord Peter and Parker about 90 years earlier.) Penelope is the sister of a Viscount, and has used her place in society to help others, specifically by running the Foundling House, which helps teaches orphans from the East End skills to help them gain legal employment when they are older. Recently, however, 4 boys have disappeared after the death of their guardian, and before someone from the Foundling House could arrive to pick them up. Penelope is worried about the 4 boys, and convinces Adair to help her find the boys and protect the next East End boys who become orphaned from the same fate.

Laurens writes with such detail that we can almost smell the world of the ton and the opposing world of the East End. The clothes and foods are likewise beautifully detailed, and combined with the depth of character truly pulls you into the story so you can’t put down Where the Heart Leads. Barnaby Adair is a confirmed bachelor – no wife would be happy with him performing his investigations assisting Stokes and the police. Penelope is likewise determined not to marry, as she is insistent that her duty is to the children of the Foundling House, and no husband would agree with her level of involvement there. The two are drawn together in the investigation, and in Penelope’s search for a passionate affair without any strings attached. As they investigate, Scotland Yard officer Stokes and popular milliner Griselda, who grew up in the East End. The two couples work together and with both the local “rozzers” (police) and the East Enders to locate the boys, make them safe, and thwart a burglary scheme.

If you’ve never tried a Regency romance, you will be swept away by Where the Heart Leads! If you are already a romance lover, don’t wait to pick this up, you’ll love it! If you’re a mystery lover, you’ll really enjoy the class struggles and the unique methods of investigation in the 1830s. Stephanie Laurens has created fabulous characters and a world that is lively and fun. I’m looking forward to checking out her other novels, too.

This book was received from the publisher for review

I have loved escaping to the worlds created by both of these authors. I am focusing on the new releases, but I highly recommend you check out the other books by Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love – they are all fun, engaging novels that will help you forget your problems (or pain) for a little while. Winter is a wonderful time to escape into a romance (especially great vampire romances!) enjoying the heat from the book! Sucker Bet and Any Way You Want It have been connected by a New Orleans group named The Impalers – what a great name for a vampire band!

Any Way You Want It is the newest novel by Kathy Love. Kathy has written two wonderful series, but this is an unrelated new book (and maybe a new series?) about a recently jilted woman from Washington DC and a lampir from New Orleans. Maggie works researching and authenticating pieces of classical music, and has pushed fun aside after her recent breakup. Her friends bring her to New Orleans, where an old composition fosters a link between her and Ren, a singer in a Bourbon St. band called The Impalers. Ren had been a court musician and composer in the 1700s, and now he’s a lampir – a vampire who feeds off energy rather than blood. He has been cursed by his mother, and exists in a world of singing cover songs and having one-night stands, afraid of love.

Kathy switches perspective frequently between Maggie and Ren, which fleshes out both characters, and leaves us with a little smile that we know more than they do. While we know that this novel is a romance, Kathy seems to take her cue from the characters, and lets them move slowly in the beginning. As they alternate between pushing away and pulling towards each other, you learn what is in their hearts and heads, and can feel the build up of emotions.

One of the things I liked best about her Young Brothers series was how truly unique each character was – no stereotype vampires, and the secondary characters aren’t cardboard cutouts, either. The characters in Any Way You Want It continue in that vein, and right now I could easily imagine walking into a club on Bourbon Street and watching The Impalers play, complete with Ren singing the wrong line because Maggie distracted him. Maggie and Ren develop as interesting people, and the unexpected similarities in their lives draws them together.

Kathy’s abilities to write steamy love scenes are very impressive – these words will absolutely keep you warm this winter! However, these are more than just sex, there’s the sensual and truly romantic involved, too. Kathy has also done a beautiful job of writing how sensual and loving little gestures can be, and explores how you can make someone feel safe after they’ve been hurt. I hadn’t read anything previously about the lampir, so I hope she will write further novels exploring them. I also want to learn more about the rest of the band…

Sucker Bet, by Erin McCarthy is the newest release in her Vegas Vampires series. Glenna is the sister of the Vampire Nation’s president, and ex-wife to the Vice President. She has appeared as a secondary character in the earlier novels, and I came into the story thinking of her as a gentle, protected woman who at the same time seemed older than the other vampires. This mix of naïvité and maturity fascinated me, and I’m so glad to see her as the heroine of her own novel.

Gwenna is trying to learn more about the people on a Vampire Slayers email list, and as a result ends up at a crime scene where police detective Nick is working. They both feel a connection, but deaths and exes keep them apart at first. As their lives move closer and closer to each other, Erin gives us glimpses into both of their heads, smoothly switching perspectives. Nick’s personality pops from the page, and his first impressions of Gwenna are very funny. In fact, I am happy to pick up one of Erin’s books, because I know that in addition to the romance there will be plenty of laughs!

The other characters from the Vegas Vampires series are also involved in the storyline, and well-written supportive characters helps the novel keep you engrossed. The Impalers that also appear in Any Way You Want It show up for a few concerts, and through a friend of Gwenna’s we meet the bassist, Dave. Gwenna’s mix of boldness and shyness make for a really interesting combination when she gets drunk at an Impalers concert with her sister-in-law and a friend – especially since she’s supposed to be gathering information for an investigation with Nick!

Erin McCarthy brings us through a developing romance, a jealous ex-husband, a murder investigation, and the world of vampires, and does it with fabulous characters who catch your interest from the beginning. This book kept me up well past my bedtime – I couldn’t put it down! While I think that the Sucker Bet is a great read on its own, it will be an even better if you read the first three books of the Vegas Vampires series.

If you like romances or vampires, or if you just want a few hours to escape the mundane world into a fun read with great characters, go pick up Sucker Bet and Any Way You Want It. Grab a fleece blanket and a cozy spot and enjoy the winter the right way – inside with books! You should also visit The Impalers‘ website, and read the free serial about lead guitarist Drake!

In the winter, there’s a sure-fire way to warm up: grab a couple of quilts and a romance novel. Trust me – you’ll be warm in no time! But which novel to choose? I just finished two great ones – the historical romance Laird of the Mist, by Paula Quinn and the vampire romance Lord of the Night by Robin T. Popp. The main characters have each written letters to readers of the other books, tying these two books together. I started reading romances after cutting my teeth with vampire and supernatural novels, which referred me to vampire romances, which then led me to historical romances. If you’ve enjoyed chick lit books, don’t dismiss these novels because they are romances – you’ll enjoy a well-written romance, with or without fangs.

There are formulas used in all romances – but even given that romances follow a formula, there are books where a touch of the unexpected takes the book from formulaic to engrossing. With the number of romantic novels I’ve read, you would think that I would have seen all the possible story lines, but no – both of these novels have that unexpected twist. In Lord of the Night, Erik Winslow is a vampire who trains the decedents of his brother how to become vampire slayers. In Laird of the Mist, Callum MacGregor is a Scottish Laird whose clan has been proscribed – they can’t own land nor speak or use their given surname. Each of these Lords is really a lord with naught but a castle. Callum and Erik are both dark heroes who really need someone to lighten them up a bit – but what will help them change?

Lord of the Night is book four of Robin T. Popp’s Night Slayer series. I am sure that reading the rest of the series would help you understand the background from the beginning, but I read and enjoyed Lord of the Night without having read the first three books. Popp gives the reader the background you would have gained from reading the first three novels, and yet she does it in a way that feels natural, rather than by rote. The Night Slayer series also introduced me to a new world of vampires – Robin Popp has a mix of good and bad vampires as well as vampire slayers all coexisting in a way I haven’t seen before.

Erik Wilson is a Prime, a vampire created when a chupacabra bit and killed him four hundred years ago. As a prime, he was able to retain his personality, and when his brother Angus was bitten by a chupacabra but not killed, they worked to protect their family and town from progeny (vampires created by other vampires – mindless killing machines) and bad Primes. Erik has continued to train his brother’s descendants, but twenty years ago, a small army of progeny attacked his home, killing most of his remaining family, leaving only his nephew Gerard, Gerard’s young daughter, and the young daughter of a good friend.

Kacie Renault was one of those young girls, and she grew up learning to fight vampires, taught by Gerard and Erik. She has become estranged from Gerard, who had adopted her after her parents were killed, and her hatred of vampires includes Erik. When one of Erik’s friends since childhood, a Prime named Sedrik, is killed, Kacie is thought to have been the vampire slayer who killed him. Erik’s other two friends (Ty and Michael) were Sedrik’s brothers, and now he is caught between a woman he has vowed to protect and his friends of four hundred years.

Lord of the Night continues with secrets, warring loyalties, and a budding romance fighting for center stage. Is Kacie’s attraction to Erik strong enough to protect him, or will her hatred of vampires harm him? How will Erik choose between his friends and Kacie, or will they relent? Unexpected twists happen everywhere – who is betraying Erik’s confidences? What is Erik hiding in his lower level of the castle? What secrets will be revealed from Kacie’s short life and Erik’s long one?

Popp keeps us on our toes throughout Lord of the Night, as we plumb the depths of the small town of Hocksley, England. There’s a psychic link between vampires created by the same chupacabra, which helps us connect quickly with Erik’s friends. Michael and Ty manage to be mysterious, yet well fleshed-out characters. They want to avenge the death of their brother, so there isn’t much interaction between the friends once Erik starts protecting Kacie. We look into the past and get a peek at the world from their point of view – there aren’t any wooden secondary characters.

And oh-my-gosh how hot can the romance get? Popp can definitely write scenes that will have you fanning yourself, and you won’t be able to to put the book down. She takes things slow, especially because Kacie is involved with someone when she arrives. The waiting creates a simmering tension between the characters that is fun to watch, and very enjoyable when it bursts into flame! I’m not sure I’d recommend reading this in a doctor’s waiting room – I ended up blushing furiously a few times when I did that. However, the storyline and romance kept my mind off any pain or nerves because of the doctor!

Laird of the Mist is Paula Quinn’s fourth historical romance. While I’ve only read a few other historical romances, her writing captured my attention and I look forward to reading Paula Quinn’s other books. Quinn has set her story in the Scottish Highlands in the seventeenth century, and it’s clear that she has researched the beautiful scenery, the regional dialects, as well as the history. The Clan MacGregor really was proscribed during that time period, though it’s unlikely that the events in Laird of the Mist actually happened.

The two main characters are pitted against each other from the start. Kate Campbell is a lady who has been taught by her brother and guardians how to fight after her parents were killed by the MacGregors. Her much-disliked uncle took her brother to is castle for training, and has now come back to take her home with him. While he is there, a raiding party from the hills arrives, her uncle’s guard engages them in battle, and the fighting becomes fierce. Kate begins to fear for her life when a handsome man in MacGregor plaid rescues her. The MacGregors and the Campbells have been feuding for generations, and the MacGregors are looking for Kate’s uncle, who disappeared either before or during the fighting.

Callum MacGregor is instantly attracted to Kate, but he knows that he can’t get involved with her because of the feud between their families. Instead he “captures” her to hold for ransom – he will release Kate to her family once he has been given the opportunity to fight her uncle. Because the clan is proscribed, Callum and his men must return to their safe haven (the Mist of Laird of the Mist) as quickly as possible, so they ride despite their injuries. Kate’s satus as a captive and her injuries require her to ride with Callum, his arm holding her to him. Neither one seems particularly upset by this turn of events, though they are both quick to deny it!

As Laird of the Mist continues, we learn more about why Callum is called “The Devil”, what transpired between the MacGregors and the Campbells, and about the lives of the MacGregors on their misty island. There’s a dance between Kate and Callum, how can they remain true to their family while falling in love with their enemy? Quinn changes perspectives, as well – showing us what is happening with Kate’s brother and uncle as they ride to rescue her – this leads the reader to question who is good and who is evil, and when is killing necessary?

I shouldn’t neglect the romance part of a review of a romance, should I? After I tried to write romance scenes, I developed a strong admiration for anyone who can write them, especially those who can write them well. Quinn writes romance scenes that are steamy without crossing the line into p0rn0graphic. She uses vivid descriptions that may make your toes curl, but you won’t be feeling the wind-chill! As with Lord of the Night, I don’t recommend reading Laird of the Mist in waiting rooms, though it is very distracting!

I loved meeting all the MacGregors – Quinn does a wonderful job creating fleshed-out secondary characters, all of whom create vivid mental pictures, and speak in a unique voice. Once you, too, have fallen for the MacGregor clan, you’ll be happy to know that Paula Quinn has a second book about the clan coming out in August, 2008 – A Highlander Never Surrenders. It’s not even available for Amazon pre-order right now, but keep your eyes on her news page for updates.

When we open a romance novel, we are expecting a happy ending. We know from the beginning that Erik and Kacie’s story will end happily in Lord of the Night and Callum and Kate will find happiness in Laird of the Mist, the paths they travel are filled with ups, downs, and surprises. Go pick up these two romances and find out what happens in the middle of the books!

These novels were received from the publisher for review.

After writing entries about Demonic Goodness, Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Series, Vampire Romances and other reviews, I kept finding great paranormal/supernatural books. All of them are fun, and most have some romance in them. Each world is unique – vampires (for instance) can be evil beings who kill their “prey”, or they can be fun folks who drink bagged blood. Magic can be performed by regular people, or by a separate race of Witches or Wizards. While many books on this list could be also listed as Romances, others are Mysteries, some are Historical Fiction, and others stick straight to the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre. The big thing they have in common is a peek into a world that is outside of our own (as far as I know … ) I’m listing them alphabetical by author, as there is no way I’m going to try to pick favorites! (so don’t ignore the ones that aren’t at the top!)

Keri Arthur has a fabulous series about Riley Jensen – a half-vamp, half-werewolf who works to help keep the paranormal community in check in Australia. This is a world where everyone knows about the paranormal world, and there is a special law enforcement community just to deal with them. The bad guys also have clones and evil bio-tech folks trying to steal samples of DNA. You never really know who’s side someone is on, you have to keep guessing. Plus some great romance. A great combination. Series begins with Full Moon Rising.

Michele Bardsley has started a great series where a small town has been changed into a vampire town – a vampire who was temporarily insane turned an entire town of single mothers into vampires. The kids end up swapping schedules too, so school happens during the night. There are, of course, bad guys who are trying to get rid of some of the good vampires, and there’s always some difficulty getting the right folks to realize they were meant for eachother, but this is a fun & romantic series that will leave you waiting for the next book to come out! Series begins with I’m the Vampire, That’s Why.

Annette Blair’s series of Witch books is set in Salem, MA (near us). She uses some of the landmarks, but also has some poetic license (which she does identify at the end – too many authors don’t do that). These books are a mix of real magic and straight-up romance with pretend magic. There’s enough magic in the air around Salem, though, that these should be on a list of supernatural series! Series begins with The Kitchen Witch.

Jim Butcher created the Harry Dresden series, which was on Sci Fi channel for a while. This is another world where the paranormal has come out of the closet a bit – Harry is a wizard, and he’s in the yellow pages. Harry tries to earn a living as a wizard, and helps out the city’s Special Forces police, plus dealing with vampires, bad wizards, and people who just don’t pay their bills. It’s great to read a series where the wizard is struggling to pay the bills, as opposed to most of the other series where the paranormal hero is independently wealthy. Series begins with Storm Front.

MaryJanice Davidson teams up with her husband, Anthony Alongi for the Jennifer Scales series – a young adult series about a girl who can turn into a dragon. Add in some tension due to normal teen angst AND magical people, and you get a really fun series. Series starts with Jennifer Scales and the Ancient Furnace). Don’t miss MaryJanice’s many other series – Fred the Mermaid (starting with Sleeping with the Fishes), the Undead/Queen Betsy series (starting with Undead and Unwed), and her other great books.

Christine Feehan has written 18 books in her Dark series – all with a mix of romance, suspense, and plenty of paranormal activities. In her world the Carpathians are an ancient race who require blood to survive and (usually) can only come out when the sun is down or obscured. As male Carpathians age, they lose emotions and the ability to see the world in color – this only changes when they turn Vampire (start killing those from whom they take blood) or meet their life-mate (the woman to whom they are destined). The Carpathians are a race worried about extinction, so they search the world for women for their men (either other Carpathians or human women with psychic skills) and for bio-technology to understand how to keep their children alive. The Vampires and various societies out to get Carpathians (thinking that they are vampires) act as the suspense, along with these ancient men having to deal with the strong-willed modern-day women! Series starts with Dark Prince.

Charlaine Harris’s Southern Vampire series will enthrall you – what would happen if vampires came out of the closet after synthetic blood was invented? Our heroine is a waitress in a bar in Northern Louisiana – she’s human, but she can read minds. Vampires show up as “blanks” to her (very appealing to someone who “hears” everything people are thinking!), and so she gets drawn into their world. A fascinating series about humans with special powers, vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, and the politics of the supernatural world – with some great romance, too. Series starts with Dead Until Dark.

In the world of Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series, humanity and the paranormals are on equal footing after a bio-engineered illness knocked out most of humanity through tomatoes. Humans live with the “Interlanders” – vampires, witches, weres, pixies, etc. I don’t just like the series because the heroine shares my first name, but that doesn’t hurt! This series has a fantastic perspective on how the magic of Witches works, differences between types of vampires, and the inner workings of the new police structure. It’s also a series about friendships, and how important they are. Series starts with Dead Witch Walking.
Dean James has written a completely unique series of supernatural books – his vampire is Simon Kirby-Jones, a gay writer who also solves mysteries. Simon is in England, with an assistant who is titled and a huge flirt. Not only is Simon one of the few gay vampires I’ve read about, he is also one of the few that solves mysteries, rather than romances. In addition to all that, he takes pills to make him not need blood – he still needs very little sleep, but he is also losing out on the cool vampire tricks like changing form and reading minds (and garlic is still deadly). Is it really worth the trade-off? Series begins with Posted To Death.

Julie Kenner is an Austin writer who penned the fabulous books I reviewed in Demonic Goodness. In addition to those, she has written a 4-book series about superheroes. These are the decedents of the Greek Gods and Goddesses (or the superheroes who the Greeks named as Gods & Goddesses), and much of the tension and story surrounds possessions of their great-great (etc) grandmother Aphrodite. While the supers are special, are Halflings (half-mortal, half super) have powers as great as those with undiluted blood? And who is acting for who – the sides seem to shift a lot. Great fun, suspense, and yes – great romance, too. Series starts with Aphrodite’s Kiss. Don’t miss her Young Adult series about vampires in high school, starting with The Good Ghouls’ Guide to Getting Even.

Susan Krinard has written a couple series about werewolves (or loup-garou as they prefer). She started in the present day, but has moved to a historical werewolf series set in the late 1800s. These are romances, but they are also filled with the paranormal and wonderful bits of information about different eras and areas. The paranormal is still underground in her books, and sometimes the genes for werewolves will skip generations. The modern day books are Prince of Wolves and Prince of Shadows. The historical series starts with Touch of the Wolf.

Kathy Love has written some incredibly unusual, romantic, and fascinating vampire novels. Can YOU picture a vampire in a mobile home working at a bar with karaoke? Or a vampire who has found love, but has given himself amnesia? Much less a vampire night club owner who becomes enthralled with a woman trying to end the vampire’s dependence on blood? Her imagination is impressive! Her four novel series follows a family of vampires in a world where the paranormal is still hidden, but the underground world is strong. The Young Brothers series starts with Fangs for the Memories.

Katie MacAlister is about to release the fourth book in her Aisling Grey series – Holy Smokes. Aisling is a the mate of a dragon (who takes human form), she has a minor demon in dog-form as her pet, and she is also trying to train to become a Guardian. She really has a lot going on, add to that people keep dying near her, so she has to figure out what is happening (or risk getting arrested herself). Aisling is also trying to actually earn a living – something that most supernatural folks aren’t worried about. This underground magical world draws on the world within the Moravian Dark Ones series, but the characters don’t overlap. You should read the Dark Ones series, too, though! Aisling’s series starts with You Slay Me.

Erin McCarthy’s vampires are in Vegas – a sunny city, so they only come out at night, or else they stay in the casinos they own. This is another series where each book focuses on a different character, and you learn their story. This is a world filled with intrigue – vampire politics, drugged blood, and kidnappings. Of course, like any good vampire book there is plenty of romance and fun, too! First book in the series is High Stakes.

Kimberly Raye has written very funny novels about a woman vampire looking for the right man, so she starts up a dating service – for humans and for vampires. Her world of fashion accessories & great shoes, is rocked when she ends up investigating some murders and being under investigation herself because some of her clients are involved. She is also having trouble settling down with the right vamp – she needs a “born” vampire rather than a “turned” vampire, as only the “born” vampires can procreate. Of course, the guy she’s hot for isn’t in the right category! Book 3 (Your Coffin or Mine?) comes out on September 25, 2007, so it’s a short wait to find out what happens next. First book in the series is Dead End Dating

Stephanie Rowe’s books are another series filled with romance and humor. However, in hers there is a dragon stuck in dragon form (they can usually change to human form at will), a guardian of the goblet of eternal life (which is now in the shape of an espresso machine), and Satan, junior. There’s enough in this series to turn your thoughts of the supernatural world on its head, and you’ll be laughing as you do read. And wait for book 4 to be released in November, 2007 … Series starts with Date Me, Baby, One More time

Michelle Rowen’s two novels (of a projected 5) are about a woman who was turned into a vampire by a rogue vampire, and she is trying to learn how to cope with her new life. Her character is different than a lot of new-vampire women, as her “creator” is a bit of a nutcase. She also gets the fun of having vampire hunters coming after her. Of course there is a sexy vampire who acts as her mentor, so it really all balances out in the end. The first book in the series is Bitten & Smitten.

Lynsay Sands has written a fabulous series about the Argeneau family of long-lived vampires – each book follows one of the family members as they find their true love. This is romance writing that really sucks you in (heh). This series is also a different take on vampires and our world than what is usually seen – the vampires drink bagged blood from a blood bank, and they are normal members of society – writers, video game artists, etc. Another difference in her books is that there are female vampires looking for their male mates – very different from the male vamps only norm in paranormal lit. The first book in the series is A Quick Bite. 3 new books will be released in 2008 – 1 each for the first 3 months!

Shanna Swendson has written a series of books that are fabulous fun – a human (Katie) is recruited to work for a magical company. Katie is one of the rare people not affected by magic, so she needs to help the company keep itself safe from other magical people pulling tricks. Not quite enough romance for my hopes, but there’s lots of nice tension, and great characters. The bad guys keep winning enough to make things extra-interesting, and the good guys aren’t perfect – even though it’s supernatural, it all feels very real. I love when I can see the characters in my head as I’m reading! Never mind that Katie’s boss is Merlin – that should be enough to get you to read the books! The series begins with Enchanted, Inc., and the 4th book will come out in 2008.

I hope you can find some books you enjoy on this list – it should keep you going for a while! I’ll be researching a sequel, of course!

If someone asked me to name my favorite vampire books, I’d end up looking at them like a deer caught in headlights. Since I discovered vampire fiction this year, I’ve been sucked into it so much that I have too many favorites. I have read too many fabulous vampire novels to review each one individually, too. I want to share them with all of you, but how do I order them – by title? by author? by when I found them? by randomly having my children draw names out of hats? They are all great, so they’re in a random order.

So here are my favorite series and authors of fun vampire fiction. These make great beach reads (although you wouldn’t see a vampire out getting a sun tan) – they’re quick, fun, sexy, and have characters who will keep you interested in turning the next page. Just remember to look up every once in a while to double check that your kids aren’t being taken out by the tide or running off with another family!

Katie MacAlister has written a great series of vampire books (with two YA vampire books as Katie Maxwell – Got Fangs? and Circus of the Darned). They can be read individually or in order (which is my preference – starting with A Girl’s Guide to Vampires). In this series, vampires are Moravian Dark Ones – while they require blood to live, they don’t kill their, um, lunch – and actually, feeding becomes quite sensual. These books are well written and fun, and while they follow a theme: (Dark One has no soul, is unredeemed; Searches/bumps into/is hounded by a woman who is his Beloved/soul redeemer; They Join (following 7 steps), and vanquish a bad guy); Katie manages to mix it up in so many ways that there are still twists and turns that I don’t expect in each book. Sex, Lies And Vampires, especially surprised me in several ways after reading the other novels. The characters are all very well fleshed out, and you can see why they are paranormal romances from that sentence (heh). It’s fun to see the relationships develop between the characters- especially if you follow them through the series – former main characters have cameos in later books (plus crossover with the Young Adult books, too). These are “purchase and reread” books – you want to reread the novels after favorite characters have those cameos!

MaryJanice Davidson is the author of the Queen Betsy the Vampire/Undead series. In the first book, Undead and Unwed, Betsy is a laid off secretary who wakes up 2 days after getting killed in a hit and run. She’s shocked, and after trying (unsuccessfully) to kill herself, she goes back to her old life and then gets sucked (heh) into vampire politics. As the books progress, she deals with true love, roommates, her fated life, ghosts following her, and all kinds of surprises. These books read very quickly, so get the first three at once so you don’t have to drive back to the book store/library a couple hours later (1 – Undead and Unwed, 2 – Undead and Unemployed, 3 – Undead and Unappreciated). The fun, romance, and quirks of the characters grabs your attention and you can’t wait to find out what happens next. Plus you can’t stop reading while you’re giggling! In Davidson’s world, vampire feeding is also erotic, but the other rules and lives of vampires in her books are quite different than with other authors.

The Young Adult series starting with Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber has a different take on vampirism. The coffins and native ground are necessary for vampires in this world, and the vampire’s meat is served very, very rare. Raven is a Goth girl who has always been fascinated with vampires – how will her romance with new neighbor Alexander turn out – is he really a vampire? And once that is settled, can they have a dating relationship and still save the school from the bad guys? You know the bad guys are really Bad when you are hoping that the Soccer Stud Bully is safe from them! Great books – don’t discount anything just because it’s labelled “Young Adult” – give it a try.

The perfect books to put on display that Young Adult is not just for teens are the wonderful books by Stephenie Meyer – Twilight and New Moon. These are thick books that will fascinate you, and leave you waiting for more. As with the other books described here, the vampire world created by Stephenie Meyer is unique… each author creates their own mythology for their vampires. Romance, excitement, friendships, loyalty and danger are all explored with fabulous depth. The romance between Bella and Edward is transcendent – intense, yet chaste as is seemly for a Young Adult novel. Check out my full review here. These are the books that brought me into the paranormal romance world, and I am eternally grateful.

The vampire world within Happy Hour at Casa Dracula (Milagro de los Santos Series, Book 1) by Marta Acosta turns what I thought I knew of vampires on its head. In this book the “vampires” have a genetic disorder that requires them to drink blood, but it isn’t done to people. These very refined folks have a handyman living on the property to bottle animal blood. Milagro accidentally gets mixed up with them (I love the very idea of a “kissing accident”!), and she has to decide between an ex-boyfriend who wants her for biological testing and life within the compound of the genteel vampires. Mil felt out of her depth when she attended an Ivy League school, so living with the genteel is quite the challenge. This is a great vampire romance, but it needs a bit more romance, there’s a lot of excitement and danger. I’m thinking there will be more romance in the sequel – Midnight Brunch (Milagro de los Santos Series, Book 2). It’s great to see a multi-cultural vampire book, regardless.

In my to-read pile from the library is Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Bk. 1) by the highly recommended Charlaine Harris. I look froward to seeing how she takes on the vampire myths and legends.

I will probably have a “Vampire Favorites v2.0? in another couple months. You might notice that I’m not including the less romantic, vampire-hunter type books. While I like those, they have a completely different feel, and really don’t qualify as beach reads in my book.