"fine paranormal romances"

"Dark Dream" by Christine Feehan. The former Carpathian hero sadly knows it is too late for him as his soul is lost forever. However, he makes one last rescue attempt of a woman, but instead of fleeing she fights. Sara Marten knows of him and has since she was fifteen. She desires him, which gives him some renewed hope that his soulmate can rescue him from the abyss.

"A Dream of Stone & Shadow" by Marjorie M. Liu. The witch cursed his family turning his siblings into stone and using and abusing Charlie. He has no hope to escape her imprisonment except death or Dirk & Steele Agent Aggie Durand. Death is his first choice as he does not want to harm the sweet and kind Aggie, but the witch has made that nearly impossible. So there is Aggie or continual imprisonment.

Both tales are fine paranormal romances though the Dirk & Steele tale seems much more invigorating and fresher than the Carpathian thriller. Still fans of both series will like the latest entries, but this reviewer believes Ms. Liu will gain a lot more new readers.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted August 22, 2006

Summary

Dark Dream by Christine Feehan (originally published in the After Twilight anthology, 09/01)
She's known him since she was fifteen. Every night, he is with her: his face, his voice. Tonight, Sara Marten will meet the man who is both angel and demon, salvation and temptation: Falcon—the Carpathian, the banished hero. Tonight, Sara will meet the dark-eyed destroyer destined to be her mate.

A Dream of Stone and Shadows "Dirk & Steele #4" by Marjorie M. Liu
There are those who do terrible things in this world, and those who simply watch. Charlie would do neither. Imprisoned, his only release is through his own destruction—or through Aggie Durand. Sweet as a kiss or a rescued child, she is the one dream he does not dare desire. As an agent of Dirk & Steele, she could be his salvation. Today, Charlie's dream is waking.