From futuristic to paranormal to the supernatural, this anthology has something for anyone who likes to step outside the normal bounds of romance. I'm not much for anthologies in general, you usually have one really good story and the rest are just okay, but story for story this is absolutely the best anthology I've ever read.

"Interlude in Death" by J.D. Robb. Lieutenant Eve Dallas goes off planet to give a talk at the interplanetary law enforcement conference. Once there she is offered captain bars if she will help take Roarke down. Ha! They don't know Eve. Soon the killings begin, and someone's trying to frame Roarke for them. Eve is off her normal "turf" and must fight to save Roarke's life and her own.
Thanks Nora for a teaser before "Seduction In Death" next month.

"Kinsman" by Susan Krinard. When two telepaths try to stop a war from breaking out between the humans and the Shaavrin, they must fight tradition, prejudice and greed. The Shaavrin have refused to allow humans in their air space unless accompanied by a kinsman, but secret negoiations have been ongoing for several years to put an end to this practice. Kori and Jonas must stop a plot to destroy the tenuious relations between the two peoples. Along the way they find their own relationship is OUT OF THIS WORLD.
I would love to see a new full lenght futuristic from SK, and don't forget "Secret Of the Wolf" coming in Oct. I was lucky enough to recieve a preview of this book and I have to tell you I LOVED IT!!

"Immortality" by Maggie Shayne. Puabi is an Immortal High Witch who turns to the dark side when her child dies and her husband takes a mistress. Puabi has lived for four thousand years, and then she almost dies. Matthew, who is feeling guilty about the death of his own wife and unborn child, rescues her. Puabi looks remarkably like Gabielle, Matthew's dead wife, but they are exact opposites in every other way. Together they find the love and acceptance they never found before.
Maggie Shayne as always gives us a great story. Look for "The Gingerbread Man" in Oct. It's a romantic suspense and the excerpt has me hooked.

"Magic like Heat Across my Skin" by Laurell K Hamilton. I admit to being a little lost in this story, never having read any of the Anita Blake books but it was still a very interesting read. This was not it's own story like all the others, but the beginning of 'Narcissus in Chains', LKH's new book due out in Oct.... and you too may be a little lost if you haven't read any of the Anita Blake series.
In this story Anita ask for help from her vampire lover Jean Claude in getting back one of her wereleopards. To do so he insists that they must merge auras. She reluctantly agrees and the results are something never before seen in this world.
Personally this was just a little over-the-top for me with the S&M theme so I probably won't be rushing out to buy the rest of the series.

EXCELLENT

Jo Anderson

A.L.R. Reviews