Dragons Wild by Robert Asprin

Dragons Wild
The Dragons Wild Series, Book 1
Robert Asprin
Ace – Penguin Group USA
April 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01470-5

As Griffen McCandles graduates from the University of Michigan he assumes he’ll be brought in to the family business with his Uncle Malcolm. What he gets instead is a sit-down chat about dragons that sends Griffen’s world spinning in a whole new direction.

Not wanting to be in service to his uncle, Griffen pays his sister Valerie a visit, explaining that she too has dragon blood running through her veins. As the stakes get higher and his life is threatened, Griffen takes a college buddy up on an offer in New Orleans. There he’ll work along with a dragon and eventually take over his gambling business in and around the French Quarter. A much better offer than those prior who had wanted to bring Griffen in to work for them, earning him none of the power a nearly pure blooded dragon would want.

Griffen settles into his new life, strengthening the hold that Mose had in the area while he learns to accept his role of leadership. The dragon powers are just beginning to manifest for both Griffen and Valerie, and just in time. There are some very unsavory dragons who believe that if they can’t have Griffen under their control, then he should be eliminated. The carefree life he led as a small-time con is over, and Griffen’s battles to keep power have just begun.

Dragons Wild is the first book in a new urban fantasy series. Learning that he’s a dragon has changed Griffen’s life in a big way, but nothing could have prepared him for what followed. Mr. Asprin adds his own twist to the myths and legends in this entertaining tale of dragons. At a smooth and steady pace the protagonist begins his change into a dragon, giving readers glimpses of his potentially powerful future. While I can’t say that any one thing stood out, the reader learns about the dragon world with detail and dialog that makes it an easy story to follow. This is an entertaining start to a new series and should have readers looking forward to the next installment.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Magic Burns
Kate Daniels, Book Two
Ilona Andrews
Ace – Penguin Group USA
April 1, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-441-01583-2

Every seven years the usual changes between tech and magic are disrupted, and for Kate Daniel’s her jobs as a mercenary and working for the Order are about to become a lot more complicated. As the flare builds to release, the magic fluctuates higher than usual in Atlanta and the difficulties become magnified. The worst of the flare’s effects is the ability for gods and goddesses to manifest and bring with them their battles for power as they use or destroy everyone in their path.

As Alpha to the local Pack, it’s Curran’s responsibility to keep his people safe. When someone breaches their security and steals the Pack’s maps Kate is called in to locate the thief and retrieve their property. It’s not long before Kate tracks down the culprit, but she runs into many obstacles along the way, like a young girl whose missing mother may have the answers they need. Finding her, in the midst of the flare’s chaos, may prove to be an impossible task. With the battle raging all around her, Kate will be lucky to survive this round, but Curran could be just the man to save her.

Magic Burns is the second book in the Kate Daniels series. Kate is settling in at her job for the Order and doing mercenary work with her partner Jim on the side. When the flare hits Atlanta, every skill Kate has will be tested, even those she’s been careful to hide. Ilona Andrews builds a strong world that’s full of magic, intriguing characters and supernatural action. This fast-paced tale is vividly detailed and has the beginnings of a romance fans will be anxious to read more of in Kate’s next adventure. While Magic Burns can be read as a stand-alone story, new readers won’t want to miss Magic Bites to learn more of Kate’s background.

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

Interview - Linda Wisdom

Darque Reviews welcomes Linda Wisdom!

Hi Linda, thanks so much for sharing your time with Darque Reviews! We’re looking forward to getting to know you and your work better.

Your new paranormal romance, 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, just released from Source Books on March 1, 2008. Can you tell us about it?

LW: Jazz Tremaine is a 700 year young witch who works as a curse eliminator during the day and a driver for All Creatures Car Service at night. She’s snarky, sexy and funny. And not too many witches have a ghost haunting their car. The only curse she wasn’t able to eliminate. Except now, her life is turning upside down when Nick Gregory her vampire ex lover shows up. He needs her help in taking down a killer of vampires. The only thing is, Jazz doesn’t want to spend too much time with Nick because she’ll just fall into bed with him again and that never goes well.

Jasmine Tremaine is a witch, Nikolai Gregorivich is a vampire. What made you choose to put them together in their on and off relationship?

LW: When I thought of the man who would take on Jazz, I soon realized a vampire, someone who’d been around for centuries, could be the only one who could handle her. Even if it means dodging fireballs she can throw all too easily.

Fluff and Puff…of course we have to hear about those naughty little slippers. How did they come about?

LW: We all have our form of comfort items. Teddy bears are great, but I’ve always had a thing about bunny slippers. I have quite a few stuffed animals wearing bunny slippers including a wolf. Fluff and Puff just sort of popped up, said they were magickal, that they were protected from punishment and they pretty much ate anything. There are times I’m convinced my own bunny slippers are out partying at night.

There are a variety of supernatural beings in Jazz’s world. Which was your favorite to write about, and why?

LW: Wow, that’s tricky. Irma, the cranky ghost was a blast to write, but I’d have to say Dweezil, Jazz’s boss at the car service. He could be the only one of his kind, has his collection of erotica, is so cheap he makes Scrooge look like a philanthropist, and believes the world is out to get him.

Will we see more of Jazz Tremaine in the future?

LW: In the fall!! I don’t have the exact month yet. Hex Appeal begins several months after 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover ends.

Can you tell us what you’re working on now, and what readers have to look forward to next?

LW: I’m waiting word on the next few witch books and I’m also trying a Young Adult urban fantasy.

What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you, and why?

LW: Writing a synopsis! I hate them. To me, it’s easier to write the whole book than write a synopsis.

What genre do you enjoy reading? Who are some of your favorite authors?

LW: I enjoy most genres, paranormal, contemporary romance, mystery, romantic suspense, sci fi/fantasy. And so many great authors out there. Yasmine Galenorn, Annette Blair, Candace Havens, Jim Butcher, Laura Anne Gilman, Linda Fairstein, Charlaine Harris, Maryjanice Davidson, Carrie Vaughn. As I said, a lot!

Do you have a hobby, or something you enjoy doing when you find some free time?

LW: Reading, of course. I also have a spoiled rotten Yorkie/Chihuahua I love to play with. Bogie’s 16 and still loves his walks. And a great way to get out and figure out what’s next.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers or aspiring writers before we say goodbye?

LW: For aspiring writers, just keep on as long as you have absolute faith in your work. For readers, if you buy Jazz I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved writing.

Thanks so much for spending this time with Darque Reviews, Linda. We wish you the best with 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover!

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

You can visit Linda Wisdom here:
Witchy Chicks

Or at MySpace, here:
http://www.myspace.com/lindawisdombooks

You can purchase 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, here:
http://www.sourcebooks.com/cart/shopexd.asp?id=1520

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

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

Winners - Fangland Book Giveaway!

Hi All! Hope you’re having a great weekend. Three winners have been chosen from the bowl to win a copy of Fangland. Thanks to all who commented, and congratulations to the lucky winners. Here they are:

Robert

Tetewa

T.C.

If you’ll send your mailing info to me at: darquereviews @ gmail . com (without the spaces of course!) I will get them in the mail the beginning of the week.