Fantasy

Ill Wind
Author: Rachel Caine
Copyright: 2003 (ROC); pgs. 337
Series: Weather Warden #1
Sensuality: Warm

Blurb:

Copied Blurb:

The Chronicles of the Warlands, Book One

SHE MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HER PEOPLE AND HER FREEDOM...

Xylara is the Daughter of the Warrior King, Xyron. With her father dead and her incompetent half-brother on the throne, the kingdom is in danger of falling to the warring Firelanders.

Before she was old enough for a marriage-of-alliance, Xylara was trained as a healer. She can't usurp her brother or negotiate a peace--but she can heal the brave ones injured in battle.

But not only her countrymen are wounded, and Xylara's conscience won't let Firelander warriors die when she can do something to save them. She learns their language and their customs and tries to make them as comfortable as possible, despite their prisoner-of-war status.

She never expects that these deeds, done in good faith, would lead to the handsome and mysterious Firelander Warlord demanding her in exchange for a cease-fire. Xylara knows must trade the life she has always known for the well-being of her people, and so she becomes...

The Warprize

     When I started the first book in this connected trilogy ~ and OH how I wish that Julie Miller had written at least two other stories... one for each of the other men in Colonel Ramsey's team.... *sigh* ~ I had no idea that they were connected, but I soon discovered this fact and was very pleased to think that I had managed to find all three books.... Nice!
     The three stories are all, indeed, much more along the lines of paranormal, or more exactly, fantasy stories:  Immortality, spirit walkers and angels making mistakes, all definitely different from Julie Miller's later books... but I enjoyed them just as much.  Julie is such a fantastic writer and her characters come to life, so regardless of whether or not they're "real" people is moot... in all the ways that count, her characters are real enough that the reader, or at least this reader, can connect on an emotional level.  And their adventures are thrilling, fast-paced and all-absorbing.  VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

RATING:
Excellence: Excellent ~ 4.0 stars
Steaminess: Sensual

OK, last one for today, I promise (hello, HR! I'm really working hard!)

This is the first book in Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series, published by Simon Pulse.

Dingo by Charles de Lint

(Firebird - 2008)

Rating: Good

Miguel's dad owns a music and comic book shop. One day, Lainey, just moved to town from Australia, comes into the shop. Miguel feels an instant connection, and it seems to be mutual. But why, when he sees her on the beach the next day, is she cold to him? And what's the story behind her pet dog, who looks just like an Australian dingo, and the large pawprints that seem to be stalking Miguel?

Katie MacAlister gives up two mythological stories with a wickedly funny twist. Stag Party - Cernunnos (Irish God of Fertility) is dumped by his long-time goddess. He has to come up with a bride by Beltane or cease to exist. How hard could it be for a hunk God to get himself hitched? This story made me laugh out loud.

The Second book in C.L. Wilson's Debut Epic. From the Back Cover...

Always, She Had Feared The Magic... Always, She Had Fought The Dark Visions... Always, She Had Dreamed Of The Lover Who Could Save Her...

Awesome debut novel!! From the Back Cover...

Once He Had Scorched The World... Once He  Had Driven Back Overwhelming Darkness... Once He Had Loved With Such Passion, His Name Was Legend..