Page Turners

March

THE RIVER NYMPH
by Shirl Henke
Reviewed by Charlotte Hubbard

Been hankering for a wonderful Western romance? Shirl Henke (with help from her husband Jim) delivers nonstop action, adventure and sexual tension aboard THE RIVER NYMPH.

Set in post-Civil War St. Louis, this story serves up the historical detail readers crave while pitting professional gambler Delilah Raymond against sexy Southern hero Clint Daniels. Clint doesn’t stop at losing his shirt when Delilah bests him at cards: when he loses his riverboat, the Nymph, to Delilah and vows to win them both back, he loses his heart (and sometimes all rational thought!) as well.

All through this fast-paced tale, you’ll wonder if Delilah stands a chance: she wants to give up the gambling life; intends to run mining supplies up the treacherous Missouri River to Fort Benton and make a LOT of money. Plenty of dastardly men assume they can take advantage of her along the way--and they resent her savvy enough to kill her. And while Clint is the ultimate gentleman, saving her from those villains as well as from her own naiveté, Delilah never plays the dumb female. She and Clint are evenly matched competitors--and lovers--to the end.

A cast of colorful characters, constant give-and-take between the hero and heroine, and a lush blending of history and humor make THE RIVER NYMPH an enjoyable read from the first scene to the last. I’m looking forward to Shirl’s next one!

DARK SEDUCTION
Daughters Of Myth Series, Book 2
by Kathleen Korbel
Reviewed by Donna Ross

There are fairies (gays) and then there are faeries (little people). Don't mix the two lest you bring down the wrath of Queen Mab. She has troubles enough because the queendom's sacred stones have been lost–one through the treachery of Mab's youngest daughter Orla–and one through our heroine's failure as guard and protector.

The world will sink into eternal winter unless the Dearann stone with her mystical power of womanhood is returned. A modest young teacher named Sorcha who believes she has no gifts must find the stone and restore it to its proper place.

Once through the gate separating fey from mortal, Sorcha is swept up--literally and figuratively--by green-eyed Harry Wyatt, Earl of Hartley. The pair are drawn together by an uncanny attraction which they know can never last. Vile dreams haunt the pair ever more violently until evil turns up on the very steps of the Abbey, Harry's ancestral home. If the Dark One hijacks the Dearann stone, the faerie world will crumble and with it the dreams of mortals. Without dreams mortals are doomed to madness.

Dark Seduction is a joyful break from the typical paranormal vampire or werewolf tale. Kathleen Korbel makes the love story sizzle, but she also accomplishes something much closer to the tender heart.

Somehow Kathleen manages to bring a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye in every book. This time the heartstring tug comes in the form of a "cherished one." Two year old Lilly is an adorable child with Down's Syndrome. The Faeries consider harming such a child the worst of sins. Not only are these souls painfully vulnerable and sweetly trusting, the precious ones never outgrow their ability to see faeries. It's a lesson we could all take to heart--and yes, not only does Lilly steal scenes, she steals hearts. She certainly stole mine.

GOLDEN LOVE
by Susan Bennet
Reviewed by Kris Anderson writing as Dee S. Knight

GOLDEN LOVE by Susan Bennet is 90% historical romance and 10% inspirational.

In 1881 Oroville, Colorado, Laura Rutherford is serving as cook and maid at the local hotel, and dreaming of going to Eton College in Denver to become a teacher. Her father thinks her dream is senseless. No mind. Laura is prepared to go to school against her father's wishes, but she needs money. Her church has secured a scholarship to Eton, but not the money for transportation and her living expenses for the three years it will take her to graduate. They ask that she commit to teaching in Oroville, where need is high and teachers scarce.

Four men play major roles in her life. Ransom Ravennel offers Laura an opportunity to secure her dreams, but-he's quite open about it-only if she compromises her principles and ignores her instincts. Caleb Prescott, mine manager, provides her a chance to attend school, but only if she'll agree to his terms. Byron Hartwell, a music consultant at Eton, offers the chance of a life among the rich and powerful-and a shot at love. But only if she'll ignore her previous pledges.

Those three men are attracted by her beauty. The fourth man in Laura's life, an old prospector who lives in back of the hotel in Oroville, is attracted by her innate goodness, and it's he who offers what she needs with no strings attached.

In Golden Love, Ms. Bennet demonstrates that even beautiful girls ultimately face the same questions we all do. What am I willing to do to accomplish my dreams? Will I find love? Laura finds the answers through perseverance and spiritual guidance. Lessons for us all.

Golden Love is available from Wings ePress, Inc.