The Mistress Of Normandy-Susan Wiggs

The Mistress Of Normandy

Susan Wiggs

Mira, Jul 29 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778316367

In 1414 Westminster, King Henry V honors peasant soldier Enguerrand Fitzmarc for saving his life and that of his brother the Duke of Clarence from the religious fanatical Lollard assassins and for war heroics by naming him a knight the Baron of Longwood.  However, he also learns how diabolically clever the monarch is as his estate is in Normandy where his paternal roots will help since he speaks French; additionally his chosen bride Lady Lianna who rules there.

Irate Lianna learns that the King sent an outsider from across the Channel to be lord of her and her land as her husband.  She refuses to bow down to anyone even the monarch’s anointed.  When Lianna and Rand meet in the nearby woods; they are attracted to each other until she learns his identity.  Though she loves Rand, Lianna, feeling betrayed, rejects him.  While he struggles to earn the trust of the fiery female he cherishes, enemies of the English plot to kick the English off the continent starting with killing the pair and other Henry loyalists.

This “revised” version of 1991 The Lily and the Leopard (don’t know how much was refreshed) is a winning medieval romance though the changing relationship between the lead couple is typical of the subgenre.  Still Susan Wiggs (see Tudor Rose Trilogy) provides a satisfying historical starring two resilient resolute personalities clashing over love and leadership until a mutual deadly enemy threatens both of them and the locals they cherish.

Harriet Klausner

The Hexed-Heather Graham

The Hexed

Heather Graham

Mira, Jul 29 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778316374

Peabody, Massachusetts high school senior, Craig “Rocky” Rockwell is not into Melissa Wilson though she makes it clear she wants him.  When he hears her calling out to him, he ignores her until he realizes she pleads for him to help her.  Thinking of slasher movies he rushes towards where he believes the voice emanates; only to find Melissa with her throat sliced.

Thirteen years later, a second female victim in nearby Swampscott with the same M.O. of a sliced throated, posed as a pentagram and a silver medallion on her chest enables FBI Agent Rocky’s transfer to the Krewe of Hunters unit.  Special Agent Jackson Crow assigns him to the Massachusetts case though there is some concern over his emotional attachment to the first known vic. 

Following the death of her great-Aunt Mina, Devin Lyle inherits her cabin and moves back to Salem to live there.  She finds a corpse nearby her home, which brings Rocky into her life.  They both quickly realize they share in common the ability to talk with ghosts as her Aunt Mina tries to assist them on their inquiry.

The latest Krewe of Hunters urban fantasy police procedural (see The Cursed and Phantom Evil) is a thrilling entry in which Heather Graham captures the essence of coastal Massachusetts north of Boston (I lived in the area including a wonderful month in Peabody in the early 1980s).  Although the protagonists feel less developed than the usual zoo Krewe, the paranormal investigation brings as always top rate enjoyment with the otherworldly elements feeling genuine; while Ms. Graham hauntingly brings to life (and death) Salem and the surrounding towns.

Harriet Klausner

The Dog Park-Laura Caldwell

The Dog Park

Laura Caldwell

Mira, Jul 29 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778317142

In Chicago, stylist Jess Champlin and reporter Sebastian Hess spent most of their time together arguing.  To save their floundering marriage they adopted Baxter the Goldendoodle.  His human parents fall in love with him, but their relationship ended in divorce with shared custody of Baxter.  Jess and Sebastian continue to fight, for instance over Baxter’s leash and collar, as they see each other once a week since their dog moves back and forth between them.

While walking with Jess, Baxter breaks loose and runs at full speed towards a toddler and her mom.  He knocks the toddler down just before a truck would have hit little Clara.  Vinnie recorded the incident and placed it on YouTube where it goes viral as everyone agrees with the grateful mom Betsy that Baxter is a superdog hero.  As Jess’ business takes off, she begins dating for the first time since her relationship (except for Baxter) with Sebastian ended, but a betrayal over what happened to her in New York shatters her confidence yet she has gained strength to face the past including her love for ex.

The Dog Park is a fascinating contemporary starring an OCD female and her beloved canine she treats as her toddler; in fairness her ex sees Baxter as a “man” since the canine no longer is a puppy.  Baxter the superdog is the lead protagonist as he and the other dogs steal the show from his two-legged momma; his human dad is a secondary character.  Though at times the plot turns too cute, The Dog Park is an enjoyable tale that looks deeply at the bond between a dog and a human.

Harriet Klausner

Mr. Right Goes Wrong-Pamela Morsi

Mr. Right Goes Wrong

Pamela Morsi

Mira, Jul 29 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778316497

Accompanied by her teenage son Tru, Mazy Gulliver left Wilmington to move back to her mom’s home in Brandt Mountain, North Carolina; a place where her rep is that of a loose woman making bad decisions when it comes to men.  Needing a job, the accounting clerk is grateful when her former lover, Tru’s dad, Tad Driscoll hires her as a debt collector.

Her childhood friend Eli Latham still loves Mazy though she dumped the nice guy twice for unsavory types.  Deciding to go for a walk-off homerun or a game ending strikeout, Eli the good guy changes his image into a bad boy as that is what Mazy always wanted.  As she falls in love with the boy next door, he miscalculates the effect of the Tru factor; Mazy wants her Mr. Right to return to his being Mr. Nice instead of Mr. Wrong bad boy.

This regional third chance at love romance is a pleasurable contemporary starring a woman who found love with all the wrong men until now and a man who changes his nature so that he is her next and most important last one.  Although Eli’s changing his lifelong instinctual mental state 180 degrees overnight never comes across as plausible, readers will want Mazy and her caring Mr. Right to make it.

Harriet Klausner

Mr. Right Goes Wrong-Pamela Morsi

Mr. Right Goes Wrong

Pamela Morsi

Mira, Jul 29 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780778316497

Accompanied by her teenage son Tru, Mazy Gulliver left Wilmington to move back to her mom’s home in Brandt Mountain, North Carolina; a place where her rep is that of a loose woman making bad decisions when it comes to men.  Needing a job, the accounting clerk is grateful when her former lover, Tru’s dad, Tad Driscoll hires her as a debt collector.

Her childhood friend Eli Latham still loves Mazy though she dumped the nice guy twice for unsavory types.  Deciding to go for a walk-off homerun or a game ending strikeout, Eli the good guy changes his image into a bad boy as that is what Mazy always wanted.  As she falls in love with the boy next door, he miscalculates the effect of the Tru factor; Mazy wants her Mr. Right to return to his being Mr. Nice instead of Mr. Wrong bad boy.

This regional third chance at love romance is a pleasurable contemporary starring a woman who found love with all the wrong men until now and a man who changes his nature so that he is her next and most important last one.  Although Eli’s changing his lifelong instinctual mental state 180 degrees overnight never comes across as plausible, readers will want Mazy and her caring Mr. Right to make it.

Harriet Klausner

No Strings Attached-Susan Anderson

No Strings Attached

Susan Anderson

Harlequin HQN, Jul 29 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373778874

Seven years ago on Andros Island, Bahamas, Tasha Riordan and Diego shared a terrific tryst.  He told her he had to meet his boss but asked her to delay her flight home from Nassau for another day of sex, which she did as this trip was the highlight of her life.  A few hours later, Drug Enforcement Unit Inspector Rolle arrested Tasha for possession with the intent to sell as these next two days prove the lowlight of her life. 

In Razor Bay, Washington, running late for a going away party thrown for Gina, Bella T’s pizzeria owner Tasha enters the room only to see Diego “NoLastName” sitting at the table with the guest of honor’s daughter Harper and Max (see Some Like It Hot).  Stunned she drops the food and wine she brought to the gala.  Max’s brother Luc Bradshaw remembers his time with Tasha in the Bahamas as his greatest memory though he regretted leaving her behind due to a DEA undercover mission.  Now he wants a second chance but needs to know what happened because he believes she left him to go home on her scheduled flight; though she still wants him, she distrusts the man who left her lingering terrorized with fear in that hellhole Bahamian jail.

Putting aside the odds, the third Razor Bay Bradshaw brothers’ contemporary (see That Thing Called Love) is a diverting second chance drama in which “… the truth will set you free”, but in this case probably alone.  Luc and Tasha make for a fun romance as trust died in the Bahamas crippling their love.

 

Harriet Klausner

Hot Intent-Cindy Dees

Hot Intent

Cindy Dees

Harlequin HQN, Jul 29 2014, $7.99

ISBN: 9780373778898

Kindergarten teacher Katie McCloud joined Doctors Unlimited as a translator in war torn Zaghastan where she assisted Dr. Alex Peters with providing medical help to pregnant women.  When danger arrived, Alex deployed skills no geek possesses and managed to get them back to the States along with newborn Dawn whom Katie delivered and carried home with her; though America’s illusion of haven proved false (see Close Pursuit).

While Alex was away for a year in training, his CIA handler Andre Fortinay warned Katie to have no expectations with her lover.  When Alex finally arrives at their DC home, Katie welcomes him back as her hero.  Soon afterward, Katie and Alex travel to Cuba to help hurricane victims.  However, his espionage past catches up to the two lovers.  When the CIA orders him to dump the woman he loves, Alex must choose between his heart which shouts he belongs with Katie and Dawn; and his training and tortured past which insist eliminate mission threats especially vulnerabilities like Katie and Dawn.

The latest Doctors Unlimited romantic suspense is a thrilling sequel starring a haunted hero who seems capable of doing anything except love, and a spunky female who refuses to quit on her anguished man.  Although lacking the unique profoundness of a war torn Zaghastan village (see Close Pursuit), the depth into Alex’s abnormal mental state filled with rage hooks the audience.  Readers wonder throughout whether Alex will allow his two beloveds to become expendable pawns; as the pressure from the CIA and his paternal Russian family amplifies with each side agreeing on one thing in the international game of deadly intrigue: dump the female albatrosses.

Harriet Klausner