A Match Made in Hell by Terri Garey

A Match Made in Hell
Nicki Styx, Book 2
Terri Garey
Avon Books
June 24, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-06-113616-0

When a heart condition nearly took her life, Nicki Styx came back with a gift she’d rather not have. She can see the spirits of people who haven’t crossed over, and each of them need her help. This time around an accident victim, Peaches, leads Nicki to answers from her past and the family she didn’t know existed.

Joe Bascombe, the emergency room doctor who saved her life, is her new beau. More often than not his time is spent by her side, especially during the times that she needs him most. He’s adjusted to Nicki’s gift rather well, so when she finds herself chasing down family ghosts it’s no surprise that Joe takes a few days off from the hospital to join her.

A surprise visit from a family member leads them both to the home they knew nothing about. Once there, family secrets are revealed, spirits are set free and Nicki finds herself fending off some tempting attention, the price of which could cost her soul.

This is the second novel in the Nicki Styx series. Nicki’s family background is revealed and it’s as much a surprise for her as it is for fans. Ms. Garey adds many twists to this installment, and keeps readers on the edge of their seat until the last moment. With some new and intriguing characters added to the mix, the trouble in A Match Made in Hell intensifies, a strong romance is put through more than one test and souls are in danger. The chemistry is scorching, looks can be deceiving, and Nicki’s life is about to get a lot more complicated.

Kimberly Swam Darque Reviews

Cluck: Murder Most Fowl by Eric D. Knapp

Cluck: Murder Most Fowl
Eric D. Knapp
Book Surge
December 10, 2007
ISBN# 978-1-4196-8264-3

A rooster hatches and begins his life on a farm. While he’s larger, stronger and more intelligent than the rest, he doesn’t know what fate has in store for him. He connects with Helena, a hen that has hatched at the same time. They become favorites of the farmer, and he treats them just a bit better than the rest. When the rooster dies, he suddenly finds himself alive again, or undead as the facts may be. The zombie rooster evolves from the pleasant soul he was, to the Rooster King who now has an army of rotting zombie chickens to do his bidding.

Arnold is born to parents who are amazed by his intelligence. While most children would take years to learn the basics, Arnie swiftly masters them. When he starts seeing auras and souls, his mother sends him to Father Beaumont who recognizes his gift for what it is. He soon shuffles Arnie off to The Order in France where his talents can be utilized. Once there, he has a mentor who eventually passes on The Charge to him. There are other members of The Order, but Arnie finds himself with the knowledge and the responsibility for fighting the evil chickens.

After years of fighting to stay alive against the foul chickens that have invaded his farm house, Bobby Garfundephelt is slowly going crazy as he does his best to avoid the traps and ambushes the chickens set for him. Arnie’s appearance could mean his survival of the horror he’s been through, or it could mean something else entirely.

From the supernatural life of a rooster, to the paranormal talents of a boy, Cluck: Murder Most Fowl is beyond anything you might imagine when you pick up this book. Mr. Knapp entertains readers with a well-written and detailed world that has many twists, turns and horrors to experience along the way. While zombie chickens may not be at the top of your list of interests, the bizarre nature of this story will keep readers turning the pages to see where it will lead. It’s an unusual tale that falls more on the light side of horror than anything else, and it’s one that anyone who reads it won’t soon forget.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Weddings From Hell - Anthology

Weddings From Hell
Anthology
Harper
May 27, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-0614-7268-8

‘Till Death by Maggie Shayne – When Kira Monroe receives a call requesting she attend the reading of her great-aunt’s will, she finds herself heading to Scotland to meet the relatives she never knew she had. She also meets the handsome Ian Stewart who captures her attention from the start. It seems there’s a family curse on the women of her mother’s line, and Kira’s convinced there’s a way to break the curse and set the ghosts free. It could be her only chance at love.

Happily Never After by Jeaniene Frost – Isabella Spaga is being forced into marriage with Robert Bertino, a local mafia boss with big plans. Her brother Frazier has disappeared, and Bertino claims to be holding him until their wedding. All is not lost because Chance arrives to honor his sire’s request in stopping Bertino. Once he lays eyes on Isa he’s in it for a whole lot more. Now he’ll just have to convince her that what he is doesn’t make him a monster.

Ghoul’s Night Out by Terri Garey - When Nicki Styx got a call from her cousin, Debbie, she did the right thing by agreeing to be in her wedding. Even if it meant that she had to dress like the Chiquita Banana lady. It’s not long before a ghost pays her a visit and clues her in on how she became a bride’s maid. Someone among the group of Debbie’s friends has intimate knowledge of a murder. Now she just has to get a confession to prove it before the killer strikes again.

The Wedding Night by Kathryn Smith – If Violet Wynston-Jones wondered why she wasn’t happy to be marrying her handsome fiancé, she need only think of Payen. It had been five long years since the night he ran away and never looked back. His sudden reappearance may push her into doing the right thing, but Payne is a vampire child of Lilith, and convincing him to stay is going to take a lot more doing.

With stories from four fabulous authors, Weddings From Hell offers something for everyone who enjoys a good urban fantasy or paranormal read. From ghosts to vampires, sweet to steamy, these strong heroines know what they want in a man and are determined to get it. A fast, fun and entertaining time.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Spectre by Phaedra Weldon

Spectre
Zoë Martinique, Book 2
Phaedra Weldon
Ace
June 3, 2008
978-0-441-01593-1

Zoë Martinique isn’t just an astral traveler; she’s a Wraith who’s in demand. With several groups trying to capture, control or kill her, Zoë is having a time of it just keeping herself and those around her alive. Homicide detective Daniel Frasier is still recovering from injuries and has no idea what Zoë is, but he’s by her side every chance he can be.

After a failed job for Maharba, Zoë is expected to take on another in its place. While she’d love to refuse, there’s the threat that he knows where she lives and will take it out on the people she cares for. She arrives on the job with her assignment and spends the evening dodging all manner of people and entities with their own agendas. It’s there that Zoë encounters the Vice detective, Joe Holleran, who helped get her out of the morgue when she’d been separated from her body and presumed dead.

Several deaths by dismemberment have taken place, and it seems that the same evil that would like to control Zoë is following old rituals and searching for the Eidolon amulets they’ll need to capture and control her. In order to survive she’ll have to turn the tables and outsmart those that are after her. Zoë’s only hope is with help from those she trusts, but even they may not be what they seem. It’s enough to make her scream, if she could, but the Archer is still using her voice with no intention of giving it back anytime soon.

In this second installment of the Zoë Martinique Investigations, new powers are revealed for Zoë and place her on the radar for many who’d like to control her future. Ms. Weldon takes readers on a fast moving adventure of murder, mystery, the dark side of survival and a romance that is ready to bloom. Spectre provides fans with action and danger at every turn while adding to the growing list of questions about Zoë, the Archer and the assortment of friends and beings she attracts. While you’re waiting for this release, you might want to stop by the author’s website to read Out of the Dark, a dose of Zoë and her friends between the first two books in the series. It can be found here: http://www.phaedraweldon.com/outofthedark.php

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Wild & Hexy by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Wild & Hexy
The Hex Series, Book 2
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Onyx
June 3, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-41258-4

Annie Winston was once the Dairy Queen of Big Knob, Indiana, but left to pursue her dreams. Soon after the break-up of her marriage she’s returned home for her sister’s wedding. She’s gained a bit of weight and now her mother is busy making sure that splitting seams won’t be an issue come wedding day. Dropping a few pounds won’t be a problem with so much running to do for the wedding, tracking down a daily story for her job at the Tribune and spending what’s left of her time with Jeremy, a guy she barely noticed in high school.

Jeremy Dunstan runs an internet café in town with the only high-speed connection around. He had a crush on Annie when they were teens, but he was too shy to act on it. Now that she’s back and using the café to send off her articles for the paper, he wishes he had the confidence to ask her out. With Annie coming to the conclusion that he’s not interested in women at all, it’ll take a bit of magical help for Jeremy to sweep her off of her feet. Convincing her to stay in Big Knob will take a whole lot more effort than a touch of borrowed magic.

With Dorcas and Ambrose Lowell meddling in their love lives, the residents of Big Knob are destined to find their perfect match. In this second book of The Hex Series, readers are introduced to a new pair of unsuspecting mortals on the Lowell’s matchmaking hit-list, and find that there are more supernatural residents calling Big Knob home. Each book that Vicki Lewis Thompson pens is an experience that will have you laughing from the start. The world is well-built, the characters are charming and the storyline is simply delightful. Wild & Hexy is a zany adventure in romance and magic. Readers won’t be able to resist another visit with the inhabitants of Big Knob.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Angel of Mercy by Toni Andrews

Angel of Mercy
Mercy Hollings, Book 2
Toni Andrews
Mira
May 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-7783-2547-5

Mercy Hollings is a hypnotherapist with a gift she calls ‘pressing’. When she gives a client a suggestion, they obey without argument. She’s careful to keep the persuasion light because she’s learned first hand how deadly her skills can be when someone is pressed too hard.

When a client arrives who has clearly been abused by her husband, Mercy knows that the woman needs more help and protection than she can provide. Making arrangements for the ill-treated Tiffany brings Mercy into contact with Rose Jackson, the woman who runs Haven House. The facility does their best to help those they can, and Mercy finds herself brought in on a case where a mother and daughter, Anna and Grace, have been abused so badly that Rose can’t begin to uncover all that’s happened.

With her friend Sukey’s help, Mercy is looking into her past to find answers to the questions that have plagued her throughout most of her life. Her boyfriend Sam has been patient in waiting for her to trust him enough to share her secrets, but she’s recently discovered that he has some secrets of his own. In an effort to use her gift to help, Mercy’s control begins to slip, and soon the lives of those around her could be at risk.

In the second installment of the Mercy Hollings series, Mercy takes a step closer to discovering her past, keeps her boyfriend at arms length and uses her gift more than ever. There are some heart-wrenching discussions on abuse, and as disturbing as that may be to some readers it plays an understandable role in the storyline with Mercy’s profession. Ms. Andrews pens a unique paranormal tale with mysterious pasts, romance and suspense that’s bound to capture the reader’s attention. Angel of Mercy references incidents from the first book in the series, Beg for Mercy, and to really understand the extent of Mercy’s power it’s best if they’re read in order.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

The Death Dealer by Heather Graham

The Death Dealer
Heather Graham
Mira
March 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-7783-2532-1

After surviving a kidnapping at the cost of another life, Genevieve O’Brien has had enough horror. Now her worries are for her mother and the other Ravens of the Poe Society who appear to be in danger. There’s a serial killer on the loose and no one’s better to find the culprit than the man who helped to save her life. Confident in his abilities, Gen hires Joe to look into the Poe Killings and to keep her mother safe.

Joe Connolly is a Private Investigator, and reluctantly takes on Gen’s case. He has problems of his own right now and thinks he may be going crazy after hearing voices from the dead. With so many possible suspects, and so little proof, the case will take more than his expertise to be solved. Gen isn’t about to let him go off to investigate on his own, so when she insists on accompanying him Joe gives in.

As they grow closer to the truth the killer will strike once again and Joe will have little choice but to believe in the voices of those he lost. If he doesn’t heed their warnings another life will be taken soon, and that loss may be more than he can bear.

This sequel to last year’s, The Dead Room, is another well-told mystery with a paranormal touch. Ms. Graham writes some fabulous tales, and her romantic ghost stories are certainly a favorite. A romance blooms, the mystery steadily unravels, and readers are led to a brisk and satisfying end. The Death Dealer picks up soon after Genevieve’s rescue, but can easily be read as a stand-alone book.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Romancing the Dead by Tate Hallaway

Romancing the Dead
Garnet Lacey, Book 3
Tate Hallaway
Berkley Books
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-425-22133-4

Garnet Lacey’s life tends to be a busy one, but things were finally settling down. The Vatican assassins are no longer on her trail for being a witch, and she’s getting ready to marry Sebastian Von Traum, her vampire fiancé. They’re forming a new coven, and Garnet’s meeting with her boss to put in an offer on Mercury Crossing, the occult bookstore where she works. Just as everything seems to be going well for her, Sebastian disappears and her life is suddenly in danger.

When Sebastian doesn’t show for a scheduled speech to the Horticultural Society, Garnet begins to suspect that he’s decided to cozy-up with one of the new coven members. The arrival of her future stepson, and their growing concerns, force them into an alliance to discover his whereabouts. With no real leads to follow, Garnet begins questioning the ghouls Sebastian sees for his feedings.

As her search for Sebastian becomes more frantic a new threat emerges. One of the new coven members develops more than a passing interest in Lilith, the goddess who lives within Garnet. If she’s not careful her relationship with the goddess could be damaged beyond repair and without Lilith’s power she may not have the strength to save the man she loves.

Romancing the Dead is the third book in the Garnet Lacey series. Ms. Hallaway provides another exciting adventure in her unique series, and adds fascinating new characters to the mix. Readers will meet Micah who’s charming, sexy and altogether captivating, even when his actions are less than honorable. Garnet, who is generally a strong character with all she’s weathered, becomes more flawed and human as she deals with the shock of her missing fiancé, accepts help from the future stepson she loathes, and suffers the insecurities of contemplating the future she’s about to share with her vampire lover. Romancing the Dead starts off slowly, but it’s really the only chance readers get to catch their breath before they’re swept up into the melee and left looking forward to more of the same.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Playing with Fire by Katie MacAlister

Playing with Fire
The Silver Dragons, Book 1
Katie MacAlister
Signet
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22378-4

Gabriel Tauhou is a wyvern that leads the Silver Dragons. He’s just discovered his mate in Mei Ling, a notorious cat burglar. Her talents are exactly what Gabriel’s been looking for to help him retrieve the phylactery that the Black Dragon, Kostya, now has in his possession. While May would not choose to be a thief, her unique skills enable her to hide in the shadows and become invisible under the right circumstances. Her gift could come in quite handy, but it’s the fact that May can take his dragon fire that draws him to her.

May Northcott is a doppelganger and twin of Cyrene, the naiad who brought her into existence and in desperation bound her to Magoth, a demon lord of Abaddon. When May is given a direct order by Magoth, she’d be foolish to decline. If she were to refuse his command she’d become dybbuk, and that could put her in a position she’s fought hard to avoid.

The sexy dragon has won May’s heart and she’ll give up everything to keep him safe, even if it means having to let him go. Gabriel now has a mate, something he never thought he’d find, and losing a treasure that grand to a demon lord isn’t an option any dragon would entertain.

Playing with Fire is the first installment in The Silver Dragons series. Ms. MacAlister works her creative magic and adds a fabulous new layer to her world of sexy dragons. The dialog is as witty as ever and having the charming Gabriel in the lead is an experience that you can’t help but enjoy. Readers that follow the Aisling Grey series will be thrilled to see Aisling, Drake and Jim in supporting roles. Playing with Fire has all of the danger filled action, steamy romance and wonderful humor that fans know and love.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Under Darkness by Savannah Russe

Under Darkness
The Darkwing Chronicles, Book 5
Savannah Russe
Signet Eclipse
May 6, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-22385-2

Daphne Urban is a centuries old vampire working for the government as part of the Darkwing team. It’s not a job she would have picked for herself, but being given the choice of working as a spy or being left permanently dead was a good motivator. As a team the vampires are sent out to prevent or eliminate threats to the US.

When an important historical symbol goes missing, experts are baffled at the how and why of it. The Darkwing team is called in to figure out how it was done, locate it and find out what purpose the theft serves. There’s a much darker plan at work and their worst fears of a terrorist attack may be realized if the team can’t solve the mystery before their time is up.

For Daphne and her fellow vampires there’s more going on with a sudden threat of vampire hunters trying to eliminate them. Darius is back, and while Daphne hasn’t stopped loving him, she still has to wonder if he is behind the attacks. With Darius as secretive as ever, Daphne will have to maintain her focus on the dangers surrounding her and decide once and for all if this is a man she can trust.

Under Darkness is the fifth book in The Darkwing Chronicles. Dangerous brushes with vampire hunters and terrorists making demands have the team on high alert in this newest installment. Ms. Russe shares a well-defined Urban Fantasy and adds danger, death, and romance to the action-packed mix. The characters are engaging and realistic in their world, and more often than not their reactions and flaws are very human. For a solid understanding of where the Darkwing team members came from, and how the steamy romance has gotten to the point where it is, this series should be read from the beginning.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

The Darkest Night
Lords of the Underworld, Book 1
Gena Showalter
HQN
May 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-373-77246-9

Traveling to Budapest with her boss and coworkers from the World Institute of Parapsychology, Ashlyn Darrow ignores her boss’s order and attempts to gain access to the men she thinks can help her. Ashlyn can’t stand the voices in her head anymore, and for her dealing with men who are described as angels by some or demons by others is worth any risk.

Maddox and his brethren have been cursed for freeing the demons contained in Pandora’s Box. His punishment is to be possessed by the demon Violence and to be killed night after night in a gruesome manner. When he finds Ashlyn sneaking around the fortress grounds with Hunters following her every move, Maddox sees her as Bait from their enemies. Still, there’s something about her he can’t resist.

When Ashlyn is taken back to the fortress by Maddox what she learns will have her questioning the Institute’s motives and the role she was forced to play. One thing she’s sure of is that being with Maddox is the most peaceful she’s felt in her life, and she has no plans of giving that up.

The Darkest Night is the first full-length print novel of the Lords of the Underworld series. There is an ebook prequel titled The Darkest Fire. Ms. Showalter gives readers a well-built and dark paranormal world to escape to, and spices things up with a scorching tale of love. With a unique blending of myth, fairy tales and imagination, The Darkest Night will lure you in and keep you entertained to the end. The next installment, The Darkest Kiss, is due to release June 1, 2008.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Fallen by Erin McCarthy

Fallen
Seven Deadly Sins, Book 2
Erin McCarthy
Jove
April 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-515-14462-8

Given the task of watching over humans, the angel Gabriel is overwhelmed. When he falls into addiction and the woman he cares for is murdered, he’s punished for his sins and becomes one of the ‘fallen’, a demon. Bound to the city of New Orleans for the past 150 years, Gabriel has sobered up and is now looking for answers to the mystery of Anne Donovan’s death.

Sara Michaels has lost her mother in a brutal unsolved murder, and the man accused, her mother’s boyfriend Dr. Rafe Marino, has just been acquitted. Sara has always felt he was innocent, but she failed to stand by him through the trial while her grief turned her life upside down and sent her into addiction.

Gabriel has followed the news from Florida on the murder of Jessie Michaels, and contacts Sara to collaborate on a book showing the bizarre similarities between the deaths. With Sara’s forensics background she may be able to help solve Anne’s murder and finally release Gabriel from his self-imposed torture.

Both keeping secrets, some much bigger than others, Gabriel and Sara set out to examine every piece of testimony and evidence they can find. Their working arrangement brings them closer together, but if they cross the wrong line it could destroy them both.

Fallen is the second book in the Seven Deadly Sins series. Gabriel and Sara are engaging characters with interesting backgrounds, but both characters retain secrets throughout much of the story. Ms. McCarthy leads readers in a murder mystery that twists and turns its way to a surprising climax. With a sizzling chemistry that turns steamy, and the immortal ‘fallen’ to add a taste of the paranormal, readers should be entertained by this suspenseful tale.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Key to Conspiracy by Talia Gryphon

Key to Conspiracy
Gillian Key, ParaDoc, Book Two
Talia Gryphon
Ace – Penguin Group USA
April 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01576-4

Though she’d prefer not to, Paramortal psychologist, Gillian Key, leaves Romania and her handsome Master Vampire, Aleksei Rachlav, behind when she’s recalled by the Marine Corps for a special mission. With her handpicked Re-Con team, Gillian is sent to Northern Russia under the cover of helping in a search and rescue after a major earthquake. Their true mission is tracking down kidnapped children in the hands of traffickers and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

While she and her team complete their mission in Russia, an unrelated job waylays her on her return trip and puts her in more danger than ever. Separated from Aleksei, Gillian is more susceptible to Dracula and his minions. When an evil she thought she left behind appears in the flesh, it’s all Gillian can do to get away. With a whole lot of help from her friends, Gillian plans to make it back to Romania and to Aleksei, the former patient she’s waited years to explore a relationship with.

Key to Conspiracy is the second book in the Gillian Key, ParaDoc series. Gillian enjoys her work as a Paramortal psychologist, but when the Marine Corps calls she’s duty bound to take on a new mission. With the dark prince Dracula still on the loose, danger is inevitable. Ms. Gryphon revs up her romantic urban fantasy series with new threats and action-packed danger. Chemistry sizzles between characters and their relationships move to a new level while the fight to break the dark prince’s hold continues. Key to Conspiracy can be read as a stand-alone story, but for a better understanding of the evil Gillian faces readers should start with Key to Conflict.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Free Fall by Laura Anne Gilman

Free Fall
Retrievers, Book 5
Laura Anne Gilman
Luna
May 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-373-80267-8

Wren Valere is a Retriever paid to find valuables that have been lost or stolen. She’s also a Talent with the ability to channel, store and use electrical current in a magical way. Manhattan is the town she calls home, and being among those that make up the Cosa Nostradamus Wren feels a responsibility to stop the torture and deaths going on around her.

Sergei Didier is a Null who runs an art gallery, and once worked for the Silence. The Silence was formed to protect the average humans, the Nulls, from those like Wren with Talent, and the variety of Fatae like her demon side-kick P.B. If Sergei wasn’t convinced that their purpose had been compromised before, falling for Wren cured him of any lingering disillusion and his ties to the Silence were brought down to a minimum of contact.

For his own safety, Wren needs Sergei to keep his distance. He’s addicted to what Wren’s current can do to him, but his very human organs aren’t designed to take such abuse. Wren senses something wrong within, and her control is becoming more difficult to keep in check. Sergei wants to protect her, but with the Cosa’s trouble mounting while trying to save those being used by the Silence, Sergei’s life would be in further danger. Wren has a goal, and once she’s committed she plans to see it through to the end.

Free Fall is the fifth book in the Retrievers series. Wren has much to deal with in the ongoing battle against the Silence, and the changes within her are beginning to cause concern. With the self-imposed separation from her lover Sergei making everything more difficult, Wren’s patience is about to snap and set her on precarious path. Ms. Gilman fills the pages with magical action, and edge of your seat suspense. The love between the heroine and the unsung hero continues to run deep, and like each previous story in the Retrievers series Free Fall has been well-written, is wonderfully exciting, and immensely entertaining. The story will provide readers with some intense moments that will leave fans stunned by the surprising outcome.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong

Personal Demon
Women of the Otherworld, Book 8
Kelley Armstrong
Bantam
March 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-553-80661-8

Hope Adams is a tabloid reporter and an Expisco half-demon who can never get enough chaos in her life. Owing Benicio Cortez a favor is never really a good thing, but when it’s time to pay-up, Hope has little choice. Asked to take on an assignment infiltrating a gang who’s causing trouble for the Cortez Cabal, Hope transforms into a young woman with the ability to detect chaotic thoughts that’s sympathetic to their cause.

Karl is a rebel werewolf and a man who once was close to Hope. When he discovers that Benicio has put her in danger, he flies in to remove her from the life threatening position. When Hope refuses to leave, Karl finds himself embroiled in the deadly drama playing out.

Members of the gang have gone missing, and the Cortez Cabal has become a larger target than Benicio originally thought. The arrival of his youngest son Lucas is a welcome sight, but the danger continues to escalate. It will take combined skills and power to stop their enemies, but discovering who they’re up against will be the most difficult task.

Personal Demon is the eighth book in the Women of the Otherworld series. Told from the viewpoint of both Hope and Lucas, readers are given the advantage of seeing the story play-out from within the gang as well as the Cabal. With a well-built fictional world, fabulous characters and a solid plot, the talented Ms. Armstrong shares the next action-packed installment to her Women of the Otherworld series of books. A strong paranormal romance and a well-planned mystery, make Personal Demon a story that readers won’t want to miss.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

A Stranger's Touch by Cait London

A Stranger’s Touch
Aislings Psychic Trilogy, Book 2
Cait London
Avon Books – Harper Collins
March 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-06-114051-8

Tempest is one of triplets born three minutes apart, and she’s been gifted with the ability to learn the history of an object or person she touches. While it’s an amazing talent, it has made for a difficult life. In order to protect herself, she wears gloves unless she’s certain about what she’ll touch. She’s been badly used once, and escaped, but Tempest won’t allow herself to be used that way again.

In search of a brooch that’s important to her family’s history, Tempest follows the trail to Marcus Greystone. He’s a dangerous man to Tempest, one she once shared a night of passion with before she left without a word of goodbye. Now he needs her help to find the truth about the terrible accident that killed his parents years ago, and he’s not taking no for an answer.

There’s a stalker after Tempest, and the family fears that he’s actually after each of the girls in turn. The women are at their most vulnerable near large bodies of water, and that’s exactly where Tempest needs to be in order to help Marcus. Searching for answers is a danger to her life, but the answers once found could be more dangerous to the people she holds most dear.

A Stranger’s Touch is the second book in the Aislings Psychic Trilogy. Tempest protects herself by rarely using her gift of Psychometry, but when it comes to those she loves she’s willing to take the risk. Even if it could cost Tempest her life. Ms. London weaves a paranormal romance through a suspenseful mystery of hidden love and murder. A Stranger’s Touch is mystical, dangerous and sizzling with chemistry.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

House of Whispers by Margaret Lucke

House of Whispers
The Supernatural Properties, Book One
Margaret Lucke
Juno Books
March 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-8095-7158-1

Claire Scanlan has moved back to California and left her life with a cheating husband behind. She’s gotten her license and a new a job as a real estate agent, but her first listing will be a very difficult sell. Especially when Claire is forced to come to terms with a talent she’s spent most of her life denying.

Her boss has sent Claire and her equally new colleague Avery to meet with a potential client to discuss the house he has on the market. Trouble is the client’s family was murdered there. After months in the hands of other agencies, it’s their hope to be the one that can finally sell it. Avery plans to make sure that it’s her name on the commission, but Claire is just as determined.

Ben Grant is still mourning the loss of his brother and his family while he does the best he can to raise Eden, his surviving niece. Then Claire comes into his life and what he believed was true of the murders is now in question. Truly solving the mystery of the family’s death is the only way they can ever move on, and Claire intends to help the deceased do just that.

House of Whispers is the first book in The Supernatural Properties series. Claire is doing everything in her power to make a new life for herself, but a meddlesome coworker and a few insistent ghosts are about to make it a very difficult process. Ms. Lucke pulls readers into her story with an intriguing murder mystery, and adds a bit of romance and the paranormal to the mix. This is an entertaining and suspenseful tale with a sweet blossoming romance. Readers will see more in The Supernatural Properties series in Ms. Lucke’s next installment, Mansion of Desire.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Rogue by Rachel Vincent

Rogue
Werecats, Book 2
Rachel Vincent
Mira
April, 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-7783-2555-0

Faythe Sanders is a werecat and the daughter of their Pride’s Alpha. Having to prove her strength among the werecats who are primarily male isn’t an easy task, but it’s one that Faythe takes on to help ensure her future in the Pride.

Toms are turning up dead and human women are missing. The rogue doing the killing has to be found and stopped. Marc, the Pride’s Enforcer and Faythe’s boyfriend, is teaching her the ropes in proper procedure. What they don’t expect is that Faythe’s past is catching up to her in a rather brutal way. Her prior insistence to do things her way will play a role in the current murders, and leave Faythe to face the responsibility for a crime committed against the laws of her Pride.

Rogue is the second book in the Werecats series. Faythe is one strong and determined female, but the less than conventional life she’s led compared to most members of the Pride may be putting everyone she cares about at risk. Ms. Vincent shares an entertaining and suspenseful paranormal tale filled with murder, mystery and romance. Readers are in for a surprise with an unexpected twist while the Pride deals with more of the fallout from the errors Faythe has made. I’ll be looking forward to the next installment to see how this heroine faces the serious challenges ahead of her.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover
Linda Wisdom
Sourcebooks, Inc.
March 1, 2008
ISBN#978-1-4022-1085-3

Jasmine Tremaine was banished by the Witches’ High Council and has been on her own for close to 7 centuries. With each offence comes time added to her banishment, and the Council is more than happy to remind her.

Driving her classic T-Bird, complete with a ghost named Irma, Jazz makes most of her money as a Limo driver for Dweezil, and picks up extra cash by removing curses. She has a very human roommate, Krebs, a hungry pair of bunny slippers, and a thunderous temper. Then there’s Nikolai Gregorivich, the sexy vampire who has been in and out of her life for nearly 300 years. Theirs has been anything but a smooth relationship.

When vampires start disappearing, Nick seeks Jazz’s help. After decades of being apart the spark between them is stronger than ever, and staying focused on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult. When an old enemy they believed dead resurfaces, the possibility that he’s responsible for the missing vampires quickly becomes the most likely answer. Now Jazz and Nick will have to find a way to stop him without losing their own lives along the way.

50 Ways to Hex Your Lover is the first in a new series. Ms. Wisdom carves her niche in paranormal romance with unique characters, a sizzling romance, and a supernatural mystery to solve. With a strong magical element and a nice touch of humor, when push comes to shove there’s no stopping this witch from getting things done. Readers can look forward to Hex Appeal, coming this fall.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Crime Seen by Victoria Laurie

Crime Seen
Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 5
Victoria Laurie
Obsidian – Penguin Group
September 4, 2007
ISBN# 978-0-451-22201-5

While recovering from a gunshot wound, Abby Cooper has been staying with her boyfriend, Dutch, who’s an agent for the FBI. Worried that Abby’s injury has healed physically, but that she hasn’t been able to move on psychologically, Dutch asks for her help with a few cases that have him stumped. As a psychic intuitive Abby is sometimes able to tap into a crime, and with the help of her crew she can find missing pieces. While not everyone believes in her talents, Dutch has seen first hand what she’s capable of. He’s hoping that by using her talents she’ll want to return to the life she enjoyed before her injury.

Teaming up with her P.I. friend, Candice, the two women set out to crack one of Dutch’s cases without letting him know. It seems that a man innocent of a deadly crime has been wrongly accused and is serving someone else’s sentence. In order to gather the information they need to prove who the real killer is Abby will have to go undercover as an employee at the company owned by the murderer. This is definitely not one her safer plans.

Crime Seen is the fifth book in the Psychic Eye Mysteries series. Abby Cooper may not be as quick to throw caution to the wind this time around, but her talent and need to see justice served takes over. Those admirable qualities are about to land her in a very tricky situation. Ms. Laurie dazzles readers by writing what she knows and using it as the strong backbone of her stories. The characters are intelligent and the action will have you at the edge of your seat. Crime Seen picks up where Killer Insight left off, leaving no gaps in the series. Readers will be eager to join Abby in Death Perception, her next Psychic Eye Mystery.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews