Dakota Cassidy Scores Again With Her Latest Accidentally Paranormal Novel...

THE ACCIDENTAL GENIE

An Accidentally Paranormal Novel 

Dakota Cassidy

Berkley Sensation

ISBN 978-0-425-25324-3

December 2012

Paranormal Romance

Werewolf Sloan Flaherty's manning the OOPS hotline--that's the Out in the Open Paranormal Support hotline, not expecting for any major 'accidental paranormal' calls to come in when he gets a doosey--Jeannie Carlyle's stuck in an old gin bottle--that's right, a gin bottle--and wants to get out pronto! With no one available in the office to help, it's Sloan to the rescue. He manages to shake Jeannie--who's now a genie dressed in harem pants and tiny bra--out of the bottle and back to size yet in the process, somehow they're tied together and can't be very far from each other without a very painful psychic pull. The recently reformed love 'em and leave 'em Sloan notices Jeannie's outfit and her attributes, but knows better than to act upon it or the OOPS females consisting of  other paranormals will come gunning for him for taking advantage of a vulnerable client. So the gorgeous Sloan's melded to a lovely but skittish and emotionally wounded lady who's somehow a newly made genie who can telepathically grant wishes...and besides finding her adorably attractive, he likes her, too...unlike the scores of one-night stands he's famous for...it's up to the OOPS gang to find all the magical answers to the questions of how and why, and help Jeannie adapt to being a genie--if they're not all killed in the process thanks to the secrets Jeannie's holding close to her chest...then there's the attraction between Sloan and Jeannie...are they destined for an eternity together?

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest entry in the Accidentally Paranormal series. Dakota Cassidy's at her wild and wonderful best with all the flying zingers and barbs and LOL dialogue between Nina, Wanda, Marty, Sloan--and Jeannie fits right in with them all. There's a particularly nasty villain as well as an heart-warming episode involving Nina that'll make readers laugh, cry, and wonder what the heck?! Especially endearing are secondary characters Mat, the mixed up flying carpet, and djinns, Nekaar and Najim,  THE ACCIDENTAL GENIE is a fast and furious and fun read!

Reviewed by Debora Hosey

4 1/2

How to Deceive a Duke - Review

HOW TO DECEIVE A DUKE
Lecia Cornwall
Avon Publishing
ISBN# 978-0062202413
December 2012
Historical Romance

When Rose Lynton runs away instead of going through with an arranged marriage to the Devil Duke of Temberlay, her sister Meg steps in to fill the role of the blushing bride. She's harbored a secret crush on Nicholas Hartley and is not past helping her family by doing the duty her sister would not. A soldier and hero, when Nicholas' older brother dies in a duel, he comes home to do his duty to his family and marry. Yet, the morning after, he realizes it's not Rose he married, it's the hoyden of the family. He soon gets over his anger as he realizes he's not all that upset because Meg is definitely a beauty and someone he's very attracted to. However, there are others who were in on his brother's demise and will stop at nothing to finish off Nicholas.

This first part of this book is great, with the characters being used and manipulated, yet still are able to find some kind of peace between them. What hovers between is a series of misunderstandings, jealousies and non-communication that really has no place in this story. Nicholas has a mistress when he marries, but does not let Meg know that he's gotten rid of her, which causes Meg lots of heartbreak. There is also the insecurities that Meg has felt all her life, being the only red head in a family of blonde sisters. She's bright, bold and head strong, but yet she feels inferior and Nicholas does little to reassure her. Then there is the thread of his brother dying in a duel that was supposed to have stemmed from something Nicholas did. Then what could have been a pure character driven romance, turns into a conspiracy story, yet it changed again into something entirely at the end as Nicholas rides back off to battle. I felt that the first part of the book was written with an entirely different ending in mind, then something happened to cause the author to switch endings and wrapped up in a dark mire.

Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jennifer Jones

STILL LIFE WITH A SHAPE SHIFTER

STILL LIFE WITH SHAPE-SHIFTER

Shifting Circle-Book 2

Sharon Shinn

Ace Books

ISBN: 978-0-425-25681-7

November 2012

Paranormal

Melanie has spent her life protecting her sister and living for the days that she comes home to visit. As time passes these visits become few and far between and Ann seems to be less when she does show up. Ann is a shape-shifter and has always been the center of Melanie's world. Even as an infant, Melanie spent more time caring for her than her own parents. Ann's mother had a tendency to roam as most shifters do and as Ann grew up eventually Melanie ended up as her only caretaker. When a reporter comes to town wanting to write a book about shape-shifters, Melanie is terrified, even though she is completely drawn to Brody Westerbrook. Ann shows up shortly thereafter and is looking sicker than usual and has another shifter in her midst. She claims he is the love of her life, but Melanie fears that her life is in danger, whether from the reporter or just an unknown illness she isn't sure. But Ann has no fear of Brody and immediately sets up a matchmaking scheme. As Ann and her boyfriend continue to come and go at will, Melanie tries her best to avoid Brody, but finds strength in his friendship as she fears she is losing her sister. Meanwhile other shifters play important rolls in the background in the story. I found STILL LIFE WITH SHAPE-SHIFTER to be very poignant and sad, but overall a lovely romance. If you are looking for something different than your everyday shifter romance, Shinn may very well fit the bill.

Reviewed by Lori Sears

Rating: 4

The Fangover

THE FANGOVER
Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love
Berkley Sensation
ISBN:  0-425-25323-6
November 2012
Paranormal Romance

Erin McCarthy and Kathy Love join teams to create the unusual tale, THE FANGOVER.  After the unexpected death of her musician brother, Johnny, vampire Stella drowns her sorrows in alcohol and seeks comfort from her vampiric friend, Wyatt.  Wyatt’s loved Stella for years, and now that he finally has the chance to show Stella how much he cares for her, things go awry.  Surprisingly, each of Johnny’s bandmembers also has some strange experiences; Berto Cortez awakens married to a newly turned vampire, Saxon has a cross burned into his forehead, and Drake is missing a fang. No one knows exactly what happened, but each of their situations must be resolved in order to bring about those happily-ever-afters.

As a paranormal retelling of the popular movie, THE HANGOVER, this novel is likely to appeal to readers who appreciate a heavy dose of humor mixed in with their romance.  THE FANGOVER has an abundance of characters that can be hard to keep straight.  There’s plenty of romantic tension, as well as plenty of convoluted twists that are entertaining and surprising.  An engaging read!

Reviewed by Angela Etheridge
Rating: 3

Her Sky Cowboy

HER SKY COWBOY
The Glorious Victorious Darcys
Beth Ciotta
Signet Eclipse
ISBN:  0-451-23847-4
November 2012
Romance (Steampunk)

Set in a steampunk era unlike any I have encountered thus far, HER SKY COWBOY is the first book in the new Glorious Victorious Darcys series.  Amelia Darcy is disinterested in marrying well, she is much more interested in the inventions created by her eccentric father.  When her father is unexpectedly killed in a tragic accident, Amelia decides she must help save her family from destitution by seeking out an invention of historical importance.  If Amelia can find the invention, then the prize money affiliated with pursuit will restore her family’s finances.  When she sneaks away on her father’s kite-cycle and crashes into an airship of Tucker Gentry's, Amelia is stunned to be in the company of the famous man. Tucker agrees to help Amelia on her quest, but neither realizes that a villainous man has them both in his sights, determined to have Amelia and the invention for himself.

 

HER SKY COWBOY has an usual premise that is pervasive throughout the tale. The actions of the time travelers that created this alternate reality have a significant impact on the worldwide culture of the world.  The historical implications of time travel are thought-provoking, and the romance between Amelia and Tucker is steamy, steamy, steamy.  It is clear that Amelia’s brothers will each have their own adventures, and it will be intriguing to see the final outcome of the overarching storyline.

 

Reviewed by Angela Etheridge

Rating: 3

New Dee Davis book!

DOUBLE DANGER
A-Tac Series
Dee Davis
Grand Central Publishing
ISBN# 978-0-446-58293-3
December 2012
Romantic Suspense

When new member and ex-SEAL Simon Kincaid comes face to face with his past, it's more than the memory of his best friend, Ryan, who died in the war. Her name is Jillian Montgomery, Homeland Security, who is working with the A-Tac team in investigating a helicopter crash at a hospital. But there are more questions than answers, and most are leading to the Consortium, A-Tac's nemesis. Jillian is now a widow trying to put her past with Ryan behind her, but she can't forget Simon and how she had fallen for him all those years ago in college. It's hard to do since Simon was the one she really loved, but he broke her heart and she never fully recovered. Working together, they will confront their past demons as well as working with the rest of the A-TAC team in figuring out what the Consortium is really up to, even as the bodies start piling up.

I love second chance love stories, combined with thwarted love, guilt and searing passion, DOUBLE DANGER has everything in one explosive book. Davis handles her characters realistically, and manages to twist the plot nicely to avoid recurring themes. Scoop this one up, but beware, you will most likely be unable to put it down once you start! The ending will leave you breathless with anticipation!

Reviewed by Jennifer Jones
Rating: 4