"Suspenseful and wonderfully written novellas with a touch of the paranormal."

MAGIC IN THE WIND by Christine Feehan is the story of Damon Wilder, injured, burnt-out and retired scientist who once worked for the defense department, and Sarah Drake, eldest of seven Drake daughters and local legend. Sarah returns to her hometown on the wings of the rumors of her coming. Trouble follows her, but it's not her trouble. She's been retained to protect Damon from the people who previously injured him, to try to halt the shadow of death that rides him. However, once she meets him, it becomes obvious that while she may be his defender, he is her fate.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and really hope that it's the beginning of another series by this excellent (and, thankfully, prolific) author. The secondary characters, especially Sarah's sisters, are just as fascinating as the main characters.

HOT AUGUST MOON by Katherine Sutcliffe - Anna Travelli is an FBI agent sent to New Orleans to help track a serial killer. What local police don't know is that the reason her superiors sent her is because her profiling abilities are backstopped by an innate psychic power. The last victims of the killer were the wife and children of the best friend of a former flame. Anna has never really gotten over Jerry Costos, District Attorney and chauvinist extraordinaire. Can she deal with her lingering feelings for Costos and find the murderer, without revealing her psychic power?

I really enjoyed this tightly written little suspense story and am desperately seeking copies of books by this author in the same genre.

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Fiona BrandBY FIONA BRAND - Widow Jane O'Reilly has lived in the small New Zealand town of Tayler's Creek for seven years, and she's never before witnessed the panic that ensues when a local man is shot and killed and his wife raped and beaten in the course of a robbery. The hysteria is so great that the local police immediately take Michael Rider, recently retired from the SAS, into custody, pending examination of his alibi. Jane and Michael have had a deep, elemental attraction between them since they first met, even though they were both married to other people at the time. Jane is the only one who believes Michael is innocent, even after the police release him when his alibi checks out.

Watching Jane and Michael find each other, set against the backdrop of a murderous villain, is intense and wonderful. Just the kind of taut, beautifully written romance we've come to expect from Ms. Brand.

ONLY HUMAN by Eileen Wilks - Chinese-American police detective Lily Yu is working on a case of serial murders committed by one of the Blood, someone paranormal in nature. Even though she's fairly sure the murderer is one of the Lupi (werewolves), modern forensics are unable to generate any further information. The magical nature of the Blood does not cooperate very well with science. To aid in apprehending the rogue Lupus, the Prince of local Clan Nokolai, Rule Turner, volunteers to aid Lily in any way possible. Drawn to Rule deeply and immediately, though whether by the intrinsic sexuality of the Lupi or some deeper mechanism she doesn't know, Lily struggles to close the case without surrendering her heart to Rule...or her throat to the rogue werewolf.

I completely and utterly adored this story and can only hope that this author has more of the same in store for us at a longer length. Only Human has a lushly written love story, which, combined with a deeply suspenseful plot, a fascinating view of supernatural creatures and a dash of quirky humor, makes for a true keeper.

Reviewed by Nichole Keeton
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted June 20, 2003

Be Warned...

Four of today's most popular authors push passion and intrigue to the limit in four thrilling original stories

In a sleepy coastal town...
Early retirement turns deadly for a defense expert--until a beautiful woman steps between him and his assassins...

Among women of the night...
An FBI profiler can see into the mind of a French Quarter killer targeting prostitutes-but not into the heart of the detective she must trust with her life...

Between Strangers...
Sometimes one glance is all it takes. And sometimes all it takes is one man to tear apart what fate-and desire-have brought together...

Under the light of the moon...
Investigating a series of grisly murders, a San Diego detective is caught off guard by the enigmatic man helping her find the killer...

Summary

MAGIC IN THE WIND by Christine Feehan.
Oldest of 7 sisters, Sarah Drake has come home. She is mysterious, magical and so different from other women that Damon can't help but be drawn to her. Even the wind seems to whisper her name. Sarah lives with her sisters in the neighboring cliff house and Damon is shocked to find he is attracted to this 'powerful' woman. He is enraged to find she has been assigned to protect him; but even more shocked to learn that his coming has fulfilled an ancient prophecy.

Security genius Damon Wilder hopes to find refuge in the small coastal town. He had been kidnapped, critically wounded and saw his friend murdered and wishes to be left alone to find peace, but death follows him to his new home. Will Sarah and her sisters be able to work their special magic to secure a future for Damon and Sarah?

HOT AUGUST MOON by Katherine Sutcliffe.
FBI Agent Anna Travelli is part of a special Profiler division. Her psi-talents have been developed and she barely regrets leaving New Orleans and her former love, D.A. Jerry Costos. Now she has been called to help find a serial killer and working with him is part of the package. Can they work together without reigniting the fires of love?

ONLY HUMAN by Eileen Wilks.
While investigating serial murders, San Diego detective Lily Yu is forced to accept the aide of Rule Turner, prince of the Werewolf Clan Nokolai. Can she trust him not to follow his own agenda and can she resist their mutual attraction?

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Fiona Brand.
When Jane O'Reilly opened the door to her neighbor, they were both shocked by an undeniable bond. Jane's husband had terminal cancer and she would not abandon her first love. Seven years later, she is a widow and Michael Rider is divorced and has returned to his farm now retired from New Zealand's SAS.