Readable historical romance, 26 Oct 2008
A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather
Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey - a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero's name from Ned to Nick) didn't help either.


WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries
Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff's reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.


SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London
Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he's hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do American's assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies - you won't find woodchucks in Britain, for example.


Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and fairly enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter's night then you really can't go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Readable historical romance, 26 Oct 2008
A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather
Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey - a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero's name from Ned to Nick) didn't help either.


WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries
Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff's reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.


SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London
Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he's hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do American's assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies - you won't find woodchucks in Britain, for example.


Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and fairly enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter's night then you really can't go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Worth a read and shows great potential for a new series, 18 Jun 2008
I got this book based on a recommendation from Amazon whilst waiting for the next JR Ward & Kresley Cole installments of their Black Dagger Brotherhood & Immortals After Dark Series'. I'm not going to write a plot synopsis as what I enjoyed most about this book was that it has a different slant on things like new species, powers, and a different mythology/history of the "Nightwalker" species. It was fun being lead into a another world that does not focus on vamps.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and did find it very hard to put down.

This only reservation I had was that after finishing the book, it felt like I'd read an introduction to the series, and not a book that stands alone in it's own right. Don't get me wrong, I will be reading the next in the series, but the plot outside of the romance between the main characters could have been explored more thouroughly. To put it bluntly, the baddies could have been so much more bad! They did not have an ominous presence at all.

Overall, it's definately worth are a read and I am left looking forward to the second installment. The supporting characters introduced in this book look to give the readership a little more "bang for their buck" in the future installments of this series.

Some issues, but worth following, 08 Oct 2007
I have mixed feelings about this one. Whilst I adored the world Frank created - Demons with elemental powers discovering they may be doomed to extinction because of their own racial prejudices - there were some aspects which felt very "same old, same old."

First, the good: I really liked Isabella, the heroine. She was intelligent and fiesty without being a charicature. I also loved the world-building, as mentioned, especially the idea of the Transformed Demons, the elemental powers and their relationships with Druids. Interesting stuff that will definitely see me buying the second book in the series, "Gideon." Secondary characters such as Legna (pronounded "Laina," BTW) and Noah were great and well-developed.

The bad: I really can't thoroughly and completely enjoy romances that are based on "primal, instinctive connections." By that I mean, the man sees the woman for the first time and decides in that split second she is "his," as if he were picking out a new pair of shoes or something. To me, even if the woman feels the same, it contradicts the idea of romance and reduces it to something rather less ... romantic.

For that reason, I didn't really like Jacob, the titular hero. Especially since, having decided Isabella was his, he spent a lot of time angsting over that decision, which seemed redundant when everyone around him agreed they were destined to be together - including Bella herself. Having said that, I loved his powers and role with Demon society, so he wasn't a complete loss.

Obviously my issues with "Jacob" didn't stop me reading and enjoying it, and as said, I'll be buying "Gideon" - I really liked him in this book, so am keen to see him in his own.

Definitely Recommended, 22 Jul 2007
I really liked this book especially after reading the disaster of Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. Jacob and Isabella are great characters, it is so refreshing to read a book about something other than vampires or werethings.

The story basically is; Jacob rescues Isabella as she falls out of a window, Isabella rescues Jacob from a transformed demon. He then takes her to his world and they fall in love, ahh! :)

If you enjoy supernatural romances then this is the book for you.


It has potential..., 09 Mar 2007
The story of Jacob the Enforcer and Isabella has all the ingredients of a great paranormal romance tale: a tall dark handsome hero, a feisty heroine, action, adventure, steamy love scenes. But despite all this, reading through it I kept feeling something was missing. That elusive spark that very few authors capture brilliantly wasn't there for me. Nevertheless I did persevere and read it through to the end. The beginning seemed promising although I didn't particularly like Isabella (I found all the hands on hips stuff really annoying) and I didn't think that Jacob was all that convincing. I felt that the author spent far too much time meandering around; building up to the end scenes through most of the book then rushing headlong into a semi-conclusion adding additional characters you will probably be seeing in other books as an afterthought. I don't feel that I got to know any characters very well and therein lay the problem I had with this story. They were all just characters in a book - they never jumped out of the page at me. Perhaps that will change as the series goes along. Perhaps I simply lack the necessary imagination needed to fill these characters with life. I don't know.
Having said this I must admit that Ms Frank does have a lovely lyrical way with words. She does not lack talent as a writer; she simply didn't draw me in like other writers of this genre have. Maybe I've been spoiled by J R Ward, Feehan and Kenyon - Ward in particular cannot be equalled or surpassed in my eyes.
I would recommend this book - if only to help fill in the gap between BDB novels.


I really wanted to like this, 23 Feb 2007
Jacob is an Enforcer for the demons; when one of his species transgresses, it is he who brings them to justice. One night while out patrolling he saves Isabella's life, and suddenly it is he who is breaking the law.

So many people recommended this book that I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't grab me with that intensity.

The world of the Nightwalkers is an interesting one and having demons as the good guys makes a change from vampires and werewolves. (Although they refer to themselves as demons, they are more like elementals, each having a dominion over a certain elemental aspect - fire, mind, wind, body etc.) As an introductory book to a series it works quite well, we get an overview of the situation and meet many of the characters I expect will be popping up again in future books. The banter between Isabella and the various demons she meets gives her character just the hint of sharpness she needs.

However, I was always aware I was being told a story, and couldn't fully immerse myself in the world Jacquelyn Frank has created. I think partly because of the omniscient point of view - we know what every character is thinking, including the bad guys. So I never felt as invested in Bella's situation as I could have been. There are a couple of occasions where the author shies away from describing something. Either by having a character say "Don't ask me about it." Or by writing around the situation as when Bella is attacked at the beginning of the story. This also acts to distance the reader.

All the demons we meet are nice (not including the transformed); all the humans we meet are bad. There are no shades of grey here. It's a testament to the strength of the story that I still wanted to finish the book despite this.

If you like Sherrilyn Kenyon or Christine Feehan, I'd check this one out as a change from dark-hunters/vampires. If you prefer something with a deeper intense point of view, I'd approach with caution.

Gideon the second book in the Nightwalkers series is released in June 2007.

Readable historical romance, 26 Oct 2008
A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather
Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey - a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero's name from Ned to Nick) didn't help either.


WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries
Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff's reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.


SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London
Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he's hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do American's assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies - you won't find woodchucks in Britain, for example.


Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and fairly enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter's night then you really can't go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Worth a read and shows great potential for a new series, 18 Jun 2008
I got this book based on a recommendation from Amazon whilst waiting for the next JR Ward & Kresley Cole installments of their Black Dagger Brotherhood & Immortals After Dark Series'. I'm not going to write a plot synopsis as what I enjoyed most about this book was that it has a different slant on things like new species, powers, and a different mythology/history of the "Nightwalker" species. It was fun being lead into a another world that does not focus on vamps.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and did find it very hard to put down.

This only reservation I had was that after finishing the book, it felt like I'd read an introduction to the series, and not a book that stands alone in it's own right. Don't get me wrong, I will be reading the next in the series, but the plot outside of the romance between the main characters could have been explored more thouroughly. To put it bluntly, the baddies could have been so much more bad! They did not have an ominous presence at all.

Overall, it's definately worth are a read and I am left looking forward to the second installment. The supporting characters introduced in this book look to give the readership a little more "bang for their buck" in the future installments of this series.

Some issues, but worth following, 08 Oct 2007
I have mixed feelings about this one. Whilst I adored the world Frank created - Demons with elemental powers discovering they may be doomed to extinction because of their own racial prejudices - there were some aspects which felt very "same old, same old."

First, the good: I really liked Isabella, the heroine. She was intelligent and fiesty without being a charicature. I also loved the world-building, as mentioned, especially the idea of the Transformed Demons, the elemental powers and their relationships with Druids. Interesting stuff that will definitely see me buying the second book in the series, "Gideon." Secondary characters such as Legna (pronounded "Laina," BTW) and Noah were great and well-developed.

The bad: I really can't thoroughly and completely enjoy romances that are based on "primal, instinctive connections." By that I mean, the man sees the woman for the first time and decides in that split second she is "his," as if he were picking out a new pair of shoes or something. To me, even if the woman feels the same, it contradicts the idea of romance and reduces it to something rather less ... romantic.

For that reason, I didn't really like Jacob, the titular hero. Especially since, having decided Isabella was his, he spent a lot of time angsting over that decision, which seemed redundant when everyone around him agreed they were destined to be together - including Bella herself. Having said that, I loved his powers and role with Demon society, so he wasn't a complete loss.

Obviously my issues with "Jacob" didn't stop me reading and enjoying it, and as said, I'll be buying "Gideon" - I really liked him in this book, so am keen to see him in his own.

Definitely Recommended, 22 Jul 2007
I really liked this book especially after reading the disaster of Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. Jacob and Isabella are great characters, it is so refreshing to read a book about something other than vampires or werethings.

The story basically is; Jacob rescues Isabella as she falls out of a window, Isabella rescues Jacob from a transformed demon. He then takes her to his world and they fall in love, ahh! :)

If you enjoy supernatural romances then this is the book for you.


It has potential..., 09 Mar 2007
The story of Jacob the Enforcer and Isabella has all the ingredients of a great paranormal romance tale: a tall dark handsome hero, a feisty heroine, action, adventure, steamy love scenes. But despite all this, reading through it I kept feeling something was missing. That elusive spark that very few authors capture brilliantly wasn't there for me. Nevertheless I did persevere and read it through to the end. The beginning seemed promising although I didn't particularly like Isabella (I found all the hands on hips stuff really annoying) and I didn't think that Jacob was all that convincing. I felt that the author spent far too much time meandering around; building up to the end scenes through most of the book then rushing headlong into a semi-conclusion adding additional characters you will probably be seeing in other books as an afterthought. I don't feel that I got to know any characters very well and therein lay the problem I had with this story. They were all just characters in a book - they never jumped out of the page at me. Perhaps that will change as the series goes along. Perhaps I simply lack the necessary imagination needed to fill these characters with life. I don't know.
Having said this I must admit that Ms Frank does have a lovely lyrical way with words. She does not lack talent as a writer; she simply didn't draw me in like other writers of this genre have. Maybe I've been spoiled by J R Ward, Feehan and Kenyon - Ward in particular cannot be equalled or surpassed in my eyes.
I would recommend this book - if only to help fill in the gap between BDB novels.


I really wanted to like this, 23 Feb 2007
Jacob is an Enforcer for the demons; when one of his species transgresses, it is he who brings them to justice. One night while out patrolling he saves Isabella's life, and suddenly it is he who is breaking the law.

So many people recommended this book that I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't grab me with that intensity.

The world of the Nightwalkers is an interesting one and having demons as the good guys makes a change from vampires and werewolves. (Although they refer to themselves as demons, they are more like elementals, each having a dominion over a certain elemental aspect - fire, mind, wind, body etc.) As an introductory book to a series it works quite well, we get an overview of the situation and meet many of the characters I expect will be popping up again in future books. The banter between Isabella and the various demons she meets gives her character just the hint of sharpness she needs.

However, I was always aware I was being told a story, and couldn't fully immerse myself in the world Jacquelyn Frank has created. I think partly because of the omniscient point of view - we know what every character is thinking, including the bad guys. So I never felt as invested in Bella's situation as I could have been. There are a couple of occasions where the author shies away from describing something. Either by having a character say "Don't ask me about it." Or by writing around the situation as when Bella is attacked at the beginning of the story. This also acts to distance the reader.

All the demons we meet are nice (not including the transformed); all the humans we meet are bad. There are no shades of grey here. It's a testament to the strength of the story that I still wanted to finish the book despite this.

If you like Sherrilyn Kenyon or Christine Feehan, I'd check this one out as a change from dark-hunters/vampires. If you prefer something with a deeper intense point of view, I'd approach with caution.

Gideon the second book in the Nightwalkers series is released in June 2007.


5+ Stars: Beautful! A treasure!, 06 Jul 2008
Liz Fielding's THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is the eleventh book in a 24 book collection of classic short story romances celebrating the 100th birthday of Mills and Boon. Liz Fielding brings together a wonderful hero and heroine on a riveting journey of humorous dramatic conflicts to a final extraordinary moment that expresses the sheer power of love to transform hearts.

Talie Calhoun is late for the first day on her new temp job! Once inside the elevator of Radcliffe Tower, she can't help but share her first day jitters with the unknown sexy man standing beside her ---- a man she doesn't realize is her new boss! Jude, a man of all business and no play, just does not know what to make of Talie and her unusual reason for tardiness. When the two of them are unexpectedly forced to work together, how will he tame her propensity for joy, misadventure and living life to the fullest? Hard as he might try to keep their minds on business, can Talie show Jude how to open up his heart and savor each moment? When attraction sparks, will Jude's dedication to detail and long term strategies win Talie's heart and open their lives to a dream neither of them thought even possible?

In THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON, Liz Fielding brings together two opposites in a story that takes the reader on a journey of laughter and misadventure, romantic tension all the way to an ending full of joy and emotion. Talie's guilelessness mixed with professional excellence bubbles right off the page into the heart, a wonderful combination that touches both the little girl and woman within us all. Jude's attention to business detail has earned him a reputation to be envied, but when he turns that same dedication to winning the woman he loves, love takes a heart-warming magical turn.

Liz Fielding is the master of memorable detail. How can anyone forget Talie's crazy hair or Jude's reaction to her! Or that one detail of attire that expresses so much sexiness and romance together in just a few words! The ending brought a tear or two to my eye, as much for the beauty of the writing as the emotion of the story. Talia's story is not to be missed! THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is a must read for Liz Fielding fans and a great way for those new to this author to see for themselves why this author's romances captivate with stories that move the heart with a richness of emotion that fills the reader with deep joy. THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is beautiful --- beautiful for its writing, beautiful for its emotion, beautiful for bringing together two vulnerable people whose love for one another opens doors.

Readable historical romance, 26 Oct 2008
A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather
Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey - a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero's name from Ned to Nick) didn't help either.


WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries
Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff's reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.


SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London
Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he's hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do American's assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies - you won't find woodchucks in Britain, for example.


Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and fairly enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter's night then you really can't go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Worth a read and shows great potential for a new series, 18 Jun 2008
I got this book based on a recommendation from Amazon whilst waiting for the next JR Ward & Kresley Cole installments of their Black Dagger Brotherhood & Immortals After Dark Series'. I'm not going to write a plot synopsis as what I enjoyed most about this book was that it has a different slant on things like new species, powers, and a different mythology/history of the "Nightwalker" species. It was fun being lead into a another world that does not focus on vamps.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and did find it very hard to put down.

This only reservation I had was that after finishing the book, it felt like I'd read an introduction to the series, and not a book that stands alone in it's own right. Don't get me wrong, I will be reading the next in the series, but the plot outside of the romance between the main characters could have been explored more thouroughly. To put it bluntly, the baddies could have been so much more bad! They did not have an ominous presence at all.

Overall, it's definately worth are a read and I am left looking forward to the second installment. The supporting characters introduced in this book look to give the readership a little more "bang for their buck" in the future installments of this series.

Some issues, but worth following, 08 Oct 2007
I have mixed feelings about this one. Whilst I adored the world Frank created - Demons with elemental powers discovering they may be doomed to extinction because of their own racial prejudices - there were some aspects which felt very "same old, same old."

First, the good: I really liked Isabella, the heroine. She was intelligent and fiesty without being a charicature. I also loved the world-building, as mentioned, especially the idea of the Transformed Demons, the elemental powers and their relationships with Druids. Interesting stuff that will definitely see me buying the second book in the series, "Gideon." Secondary characters such as Legna (pronounded "Laina," BTW) and Noah were great and well-developed.

The bad: I really can't thoroughly and completely enjoy romances that are based on "primal, instinctive connections." By that I mean, the man sees the woman for the first time and decides in that split second she is "his," as if he were picking out a new pair of shoes or something. To me, even if the woman feels the same, it contradicts the idea of romance and reduces it to something rather less ... romantic.

For that reason, I didn't really like Jacob, the titular hero. Especially since, having decided Isabella was his, he spent a lot of time angsting over that decision, which seemed redundant when everyone around him agreed they were destined to be together - including Bella herself. Having said that, I loved his powers and role with Demon society, so he wasn't a complete loss.

Obviously my issues with "Jacob" didn't stop me reading and enjoying it, and as said, I'll be buying "Gideon" - I really liked him in this book, so am keen to see him in his own.

Definitely Recommended, 22 Jul 2007
I really liked this book especially after reading the disaster of Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. Jacob and Isabella are great characters, it is so refreshing to read a book about something other than vampires or werethings.

The story basically is; Jacob rescues Isabella as she falls out of a window, Isabella rescues Jacob from a transformed demon. He then takes her to his world and they fall in love, ahh! :)

If you enjoy supernatural romances then this is the book for you.


It has potential..., 09 Mar 2007
The story of Jacob the Enforcer and Isabella has all the ingredients of a great paranormal romance tale: a tall dark handsome hero, a feisty heroine, action, adventure, steamy love scenes. But despite all this, reading through it I kept feeling something was missing. That elusive spark that very few authors capture brilliantly wasn't there for me. Nevertheless I did persevere and read it through to the end. The beginning seemed promising although I didn't particularly like Isabella (I found all the hands on hips stuff really annoying) and I didn't think that Jacob was all that convincing. I felt that the author spent far too much time meandering around; building up to the end scenes through most of the book then rushing headlong into a semi-conclusion adding additional characters you will probably be seeing in other books as an afterthought. I don't feel that I got to know any characters very well and therein lay the problem I had with this story. They were all just characters in a book - they never jumped out of the page at me. Perhaps that will change as the series goes along. Perhaps I simply lack the necessary imagination needed to fill these characters with life. I don't know.
Having said this I must admit that Ms Frank does have a lovely lyrical way with words. She does not lack talent as a writer; she simply didn't draw me in like other writers of this genre have. Maybe I've been spoiled by J R Ward, Feehan and Kenyon - Ward in particular cannot be equalled or surpassed in my eyes.
I would recommend this book - if only to help fill in the gap between BDB novels.


I really wanted to like this, 23 Feb 2007
Jacob is an Enforcer for the demons; when one of his species transgresses, it is he who brings them to justice. One night while out patrolling he saves Isabella's life, and suddenly it is he who is breaking the law.

So many people recommended this book that I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't grab me with that intensity.

The world of the Nightwalkers is an interesting one and having demons as the good guys makes a change from vampires and werewolves. (Although they refer to themselves as demons, they are more like elementals, each having a dominion over a certain elemental aspect - fire, mind, wind, body etc.) As an introductory book to a series it works quite well, we get an overview of the situation and meet many of the characters I expect will be popping up again in future books. The banter between Isabella and the various demons she meets gives her character just the hint of sharpness she needs.

However, I was always aware I was being told a story, and couldn't fully immerse myself in the world Jacquelyn Frank has created. I think partly because of the omniscient point of view - we know what every character is thinking, including the bad guys. So I never felt as invested in Bella's situation as I could have been. There are a couple of occasions where the author shies away from describing something. Either by having a character say "Don't ask me about it." Or by writing around the situation as when Bella is attacked at the beginning of the story. This also acts to distance the reader.

All the demons we meet are nice (not including the transformed); all the humans we meet are bad. There are no shades of grey here. It's a testament to the strength of the story that I still wanted to finish the book despite this.

If you like Sherrilyn Kenyon or Christine Feehan, I'd check this one out as a change from dark-hunters/vampires. If you prefer something with a deeper intense point of view, I'd approach with caution.

Gideon the second book in the Nightwalkers series is released in June 2007.


5+ Stars: Beautful! A treasure!, 06 Jul 2008
Liz Fielding's THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is the eleventh book in a 24 book collection of classic short story romances celebrating the 100th birthday of Mills and Boon. Liz Fielding brings together a wonderful hero and heroine on a riveting journey of humorous dramatic conflicts to a final extraordinary moment that expresses the sheer power of love to transform hearts.

Talie Calhoun is late for the first day on her new temp job! Once inside the elevator of Radcliffe Tower, she can't help but share her first day jitters with the unknown sexy man standing beside her ---- a man she doesn't realize is her new boss! Jude, a man of all business and no play, just does not know what to make of Talie and her unusual reason for tardiness. When the two of them are unexpectedly forced to work together, how will he tame her propensity for joy, misadventure and living life to the fullest? Hard as he might try to keep their minds on business, can Talie show Jude how to open up his heart and savor each moment? When attraction sparks, will Jude's dedication to detail and long term strategies win Talie's heart and open their lives to a dream neither of them thought even possible?

In THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON, Liz Fielding brings together two opposites in a story that takes the reader on a journey of laughter and misadventure, romantic tension all the way to an ending full of joy and emotion. Talie's guilelessness mixed with professional excellence bubbles right off the page into the heart, a wonderful combination that touches both the little girl and woman within us all. Jude's attention to business detail has earned him a reputation to be envied, but when he turns that same dedication to winning the woman he loves, love takes a heart-warming magical turn.

Liz Fielding is the master of memorable detail. How can anyone forget Talie's crazy hair or Jude's reaction to her! Or that one detail of attire that expresses so much sexiness and romance together in just a few words! The ending brought a tear or two to my eye, as much for the beauty of the writing as the emotion of the story. Talia's story is not to be missed! THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is a must read for Liz Fielding fans and a great way for those new to this author to see for themselves why this author's romances captivate with stories that move the heart with a richness of emotion that fills the reader with deep joy. THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is beautiful --- beautiful for its writing, beautiful for its emotion, beautiful for bringing together two vulnerable people whose love for one another opens doors.

an enjoyable read, 22 Aug 2008
Isabelle's secret marriage to Don Luis de Silva seems to be over. When they meet again after 2 years apart, she expects him to end their marriage for good. But instead he demands she pretend to be his fiancee, then his wife. What does Luis have to gain from this reunion - except Isabelle?

Readable historical romance, 26 Oct 2008
A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather
Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey - a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero's name from Ned to Nick) didn't help either.


WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries
Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff's reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.


SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London
Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he's hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do American's assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies - you won't find woodchucks in Britain, for example.


Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and fairly enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter's night then you really can't go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Worth a read and shows great potential for a new series, 18 Jun 2008
I got this book based on a recommendation from Amazon whilst waiting for the next JR Ward & Kresley Cole installments of their Black Dagger Brotherhood & Immortals After Dark Series'. I'm not going to write a plot synopsis as what I enjoyed most about this book was that it has a different slant on things like new species, powers, and a different mythology/history of the "Nightwalker" species. It was fun being lead into a another world that does not focus on vamps.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and did find it very hard to put down.

This only reservation I had was that after finishing the book, it felt like I'd read an introduction to the series, and not a book that stands alone in it's own right. Don't get me wrong, I will be reading the next in the series, but the plot outside of the romance between the main characters could have been explored more thouroughly. To put it bluntly, the baddies could have been so much more bad! They did not have an ominous presence at all.

Overall, it's definately worth are a read and I am left looking forward to the second installment. The supporting characters introduced in this book look to give the readership a little more "bang for their buck" in the future installments of this series.

Some issues, but worth following, 08 Oct 2007
I have mixed feelings about this one. Whilst I adored the world Frank created - Demons with elemental powers discovering they may be doomed to extinction because of their own racial prejudices - there were some aspects which felt very "same old, same old."

First, the good: I really liked Isabella, the heroine. She was intelligent and fiesty without being a charicature. I also loved the world-building, as mentioned, especially the idea of the Transformed Demons, the elemental powers and their relationships with Druids. Interesting stuff that will definitely see me buying the second book in the series, "Gideon." Secondary characters such as Legna (pronounded "Laina," BTW) and Noah were great and well-developed.

The bad: I really can't thoroughly and completely enjoy romances that are based on "primal, instinctive connections." By that I mean, the man sees the woman for the first time and decides in that split second she is "his," as if he were picking out a new pair of shoes or something. To me, even if the woman feels the same, it contradicts the idea of romance and reduces it to something rather less ... romantic.

For that reason, I didn't really like Jacob, the titular hero. Especially since, having decided Isabella was his, he spent a lot of time angsting over that decision, which seemed redundant when everyone around him agreed they were destined to be together - including Bella herself. Having said that, I loved his powers and role with Demon society, so he wasn't a complete loss.

Obviously my issues with "Jacob" didn't stop me reading and enjoying it, and as said, I'll be buying "Gideon" - I really liked him in this book, so am keen to see him in his own.

Definitely Recommended, 22 Jul 2007
I really liked this book especially after reading the disaster of Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. Jacob and Isabella are great characters, it is so refreshing to read a book about something other than vampires or werethings.

The story basically is; Jacob rescues Isabella as she falls out of a window, Isabella rescues Jacob from a transformed demon. He then takes her to his world and they fall in love, ahh! :)

If you enjoy supernatural romances then this is the book for you.


It has potential..., 09 Mar 2007
The story of Jacob the Enforcer and Isabella has all the ingredients of a great paranormal romance tale: a tall dark handsome hero, a feisty heroine, action, adventure, steamy love scenes. But despite all this, reading through it I kept feeling something was missing. That elusive spark that very few authors capture brilliantly wasn't there for me. Nevertheless I did persevere and read it through to the end. The beginning seemed promising although I didn't particularly like Isabella (I found all the hands on hips stuff really annoying) and I didn't think that Jacob was all that convincing. I felt that the author spent far too much time meandering around; building up to the end scenes through most of the book then rushing headlong into a semi-conclusion adding additional characters you will probably be seeing in other books as an afterthought. I don't feel that I got to know any characters very well and therein lay the problem I had with this story. They were all just characters in a book - they never jumped out of the page at me. Perhaps that will change as the series goes along. Perhaps I simply lack the necessary imagination needed to fill these characters with life. I don't know.
Having said this I must admit that Ms Frank does have a lovely lyrical way with words. She does not lack talent as a writer; she simply didn't draw me in like other writers of this genre have. Maybe I've been spoiled by J R Ward, Feehan and Kenyon - Ward in particular cannot be equalled or surpassed in my eyes.
I would recommend this book - if only to help fill in the gap between BDB novels.


I really wanted to like this, 23 Feb 2007
Jacob is an Enforcer for the demons; when one of his species transgresses, it is he who brings them to justice. One night while out patrolling he saves Isabella's life, and suddenly it is he who is breaking the law.

So many people recommended this book that I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't grab me with that intensity.

The world of the Nightwalkers is an interesting one and having demons as the good guys makes a change from vampires and werewolves. (Although they refer to themselves as demons, they are more like elementals, each having a dominion over a certain elemental aspect - fire, mind, wind, body etc.) As an introductory book to a series it works quite well, we get an overview of the situation and meet many of the characters I expect will be popping up again in future books. The banter between Isabella and the various demons she meets gives her character just the hint of sharpness she needs.

However, I was always aware I was being told a story, and couldn't fully immerse myself in the world Jacquelyn Frank has created. I think partly because of the omniscient point of view - we know what every character is thinking, including the bad guys. So I never felt as invested in Bella's situation as I could have been. There are a couple of occasions where the author shies away from describing something. Either by having a character say "Don't ask me about it." Or by writing around the situation as when Bella is attacked at the beginning of the story. This also acts to distance the reader.

All the demons we meet are nice (not including the transformed); all the humans we meet are bad. There are no shades of grey here. It's a testament to the strength of the story that I still wanted to finish the book despite this.

If you like Sherrilyn Kenyon or Christine Feehan, I'd check this one out as a change from dark-hunters/vampires. If you prefer something with a deeper intense point of view, I'd approach with caution.

Gideon the second book in the Nightwalkers series is released in June 2007.


5+ Stars: Beautful! A treasure!, 06 Jul 2008
Liz Fielding's THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is the eleventh book in a 24 book collection of classic short story romances celebrating the 100th birthday of Mills and Boon. Liz Fielding brings together a wonderful hero and heroine on a riveting journey of humorous dramatic conflicts to a final extraordinary moment that expresses the sheer power of love to transform hearts.

Talie Calhoun is late for the first day on her new temp job! Once inside the elevator of Radcliffe Tower, she can't help but share her first day jitters with the unknown sexy man standing beside her ---- a man she doesn't realize is her new boss! Jude, a man of all business and no play, just does not know what to make of Talie and her unusual reason for tardiness. When the two of them are unexpectedly forced to work together, how will he tame her propensity for joy, misadventure and living life to the fullest? Hard as he might try to keep their minds on business, can Talie show Jude how to open up his heart and savor each moment? When attraction sparks, will Jude's dedication to detail and long term strategies win Talie's heart and open their lives to a dream neither of them thought even possible?

In THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON, Liz Fielding brings together two opposites in a story that takes the reader on a journey of laughter and misadventure, romantic tension all the way to an ending full of joy and emotion. Talie's guilelessness mixed with professional excellence bubbles right off the page into the heart, a wonderful combination that touches both the little girl and woman within us all. Jude's attention to business detail has earned him a reputation to be envied, but when he turns that same dedication to winning the woman he loves, love takes a heart-warming magical turn.

Liz Fielding is the master of memorable detail. How can anyone forget Talie's crazy hair or Jude's reaction to her! Or that one detail of attire that expresses so much sexiness and romance together in just a few words! The ending brought a tear or two to my eye, as much for the beauty of the writing as the emotion of the story. Talia's story is not to be missed! THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is a must read for Liz Fielding fans and a great way for those new to this author to see for themselves why this author's romances captivate with stories that move the heart with a richness of emotion that fills the reader with deep joy. THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is beautiful --- beautiful for its writing, beautiful for its emotion, beautiful for bringing together two vulnerable people whose love for one another opens doors.

an enjoyable read, 22 Aug 2008
Isabelle's secret marriage to Don Luis de Silva seems to be over. When they meet again after 2 years apart, she expects him to end their marriage for good. But instead he demands she pretend to be his fiancee, then his wife. What does Luis have to gain from this reunion - except Isabelle?

a short but sweet read, 25 Jun 2008
Pretending to be her boss's mistress is one thing, but now everyone in the office thinks Harriet is Matthew Cole's fiancee. Harriet has to keep reminding herself it's all just for convenience - but how far is Matthew prepared to go with the arrangement.

Readable historical romance, 26 Oct 2008
A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather
Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey - a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero's name from Ned to Nick) didn't help either.


WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries
Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff's reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.


SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London
Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he's hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do American's assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies - you won't find woodchucks in Britain, for example.


Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and fairly enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter's night then you really can't go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Worth a read and shows great potential for a new series, 18 Jun 2008
I got this book based on a recommendation from Amazon whilst waiting for the next JR Ward & Kresley Cole installments of their Black Dagger Brotherhood & Immortals After Dark Series'. I'm not going to write a plot synopsis as what I enjoyed most about this book was that it has a different slant on things like new species, powers, and a different mythology/history of the "Nightwalker" species. It was fun being lead into a another world that does not focus on vamps.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and did find it very hard to put down.

This only reservation I had was that after finishing the book, it felt like I'd read an introduction to the series, and not a book that stands alone in it's own right. Don't get me wrong, I will be reading the next in the series, but the plot outside of the romance between the main characters could have been explored more thouroughly. To put it bluntly, the baddies could have been so much more bad! They did not have an ominous presence at all.

Overall, it's definately worth are a read and I am left looking forward to the second installment. The supporting characters introduced in this book look to give the readership a little more "bang for their buck" in the future installments of this series.

Some issues, but worth following, 08 Oct 2007
I have mixed feelings about this one. Whilst I adored the world Frank created - Demons with elemental powers discovering they may be doomed to extinction because of their own racial prejudices - there were some aspects which felt very "same old, same old."

First, the good: I really liked Isabella, the heroine. She was intelligent and fiesty without being a charicature. I also loved the world-building, as mentioned, especially the idea of the Transformed Demons, the elemental powers and their relationships with Druids. Interesting stuff that will definitely see me buying the second book in the series, "Gideon." Secondary characters such as Legna (pronounded "Laina," BTW) and Noah were great and well-developed.

The bad: I really can't thoroughly and completely enjoy romances that are based on "primal, instinctive connections." By that I mean, the man sees the woman for the first time and decides in that split second she is "his," as if he were picking out a new pair of shoes or something. To me, even if the woman feels the same, it contradicts the idea of romance and reduces it to something rather less ... romantic.

For that reason, I didn't really like Jacob, the titular hero. Especially since, having decided Isabella was his, he spent a lot of time angsting over that decision, which seemed redundant when everyone around him agreed they were destined to be together - including Bella herself. Having said that, I loved his powers and role with Demon society, so he wasn't a complete loss.

Obviously my issues with "Jacob" didn't stop me reading and enjoying it, and as said, I'll be buying "Gideon" - I really liked him in this book, so am keen to see him in his own.

Definitely Recommended, 22 Jul 2007
I really liked this book especially after reading the disaster of Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. Jacob and Isabella are great characters, it is so refreshing to read a book about something other than vampires or werethings.

The story basically is; Jacob rescues Isabella as she falls out of a window, Isabella rescues Jacob from a transformed demon. He then takes her to his world and they fall in love, ahh! :)

If you enjoy supernatural romances then this is the book for you.


It has potential..., 09 Mar 2007
The story of Jacob the Enforcer and Isabella has all the ingredients of a great paranormal romance tale: a tall dark handsome hero, a feisty heroine, action, adventure, steamy love scenes. But despite all this, reading through it I kept feeling something was missing. That elusive spark that very few authors capture brilliantly wasn't there for me. Nevertheless I did persevere and read it through to the end. The beginning seemed promising although I didn't particularly like Isabella (I found all the hands on hips stuff really annoying) and I didn't think that Jacob was all that convincing. I felt that the author spent far too much time meandering around; building up to the end scenes through most of the book then rushing headlong into a semi-conclusion adding additional characters you will probably be seeing in other books as an afterthought. I don't feel that I got to know any characters very well and therein lay the problem I had with this story. They were all just characters in a book - they never jumped out of the page at me. Perhaps that will change as the series goes along. Perhaps I simply lack the necessary imagination needed to fill these characters with life. I don't know.
Having said this I must admit that Ms Frank does have a lovely lyrical way with words. She does not lack talent as a writer; she simply didn't draw me in like other writers of this genre have. Maybe I've been spoiled by J R Ward, Feehan and Kenyon - Ward in particular cannot be equalled or surpassed in my eyes.
I would recommend this book - if only to help fill in the gap between BDB novels.


I really wanted to like this, 23 Feb 2007
Jacob is an Enforcer for the demons; when one of his species transgresses, it is he who brings them to justice. One night while out patrolling he saves Isabella's life, and suddenly it is he who is breaking the law.

So many people recommended this book that I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't grab me with that intensity.

The world of the Nightwalkers is an interesting one and having demons as the good guys makes a change from vampires and werewolves. (Although they refer to themselves as demons, they are more like elementals, each having a dominion over a certain elemental aspect - fire, mind, wind, body etc.) As an introductory book to a series it works quite well, we get an overview of the situation and meet many of the characters I expect will be popping up again in future books. The banter between Isabella and the various demons she meets gives her character just the hint of sharpness she needs.

However, I was always aware I was being told a story, and couldn't fully immerse myself in the world Jacquelyn Frank has created. I think partly because of the omniscient point of view - we know what every character is thinking, including the bad guys. So I never felt as invested in Bella's situation as I could have been. There are a couple of occasions where the author shies away from describing something. Either by having a character say "Don't ask me about it." Or by writing around the situation as when Bella is attacked at the beginning of the story. This also acts to distance the reader.

All the demons we meet are nice (not including the transformed); all the humans we meet are bad. There are no shades of grey here. It's a testament to the strength of the story that I still wanted to finish the book despite this.

If you like Sherrilyn Kenyon or Christine Feehan, I'd check this one out as a change from dark-hunters/vampires. If you prefer something with a deeper intense point of view, I'd approach with caution.

Gideon the second book in the Nightwalkers series is released in June 2007.


5+ Stars: Beautful! A treasure!, 06 Jul 2008
Liz Fielding's THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is the eleventh book in a 24 book collection of classic short story romances celebrating the 100th birthday of Mills and Boon. Liz Fielding brings together a wonderful hero and heroine on a riveting journey of humorous dramatic conflicts to a final extraordinary moment that expresses the sheer power of love to transform hearts.

Talie Calhoun is late for the first day on her new temp job! Once inside the elevator of Radcliffe Tower, she can't help but share her first day jitters with the unknown sexy man standing beside her ---- a man she doesn't realize is her new boss! Jude, a man of all business and no play, just does not know what to make of Talie and her unusual reason for tardiness. When the two of them are unexpectedly forced to work together, how will he tame her propensity for joy, misadventure and living life to the fullest? Hard as he might try to keep their minds on business, can Talie show Jude how to open up his heart and savor each moment? When attraction sparks, will Jude's dedication to detail and long term strategies win Talie's heart and open their lives to a dream neither of them thought even possible?

In THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON, Liz Fielding brings together two opposites in a story that takes the reader on a journey of laughter and misadventure, romantic tension all the way to an ending full of joy and emotion. Talie's guilelessness mixed with professional excellence bubbles right off the page into the heart, a wonderful combination that touches both the little girl and woman within us all. Jude's attention to business detail has earned him a reputation to be envied, but when he turns that same dedication to winning the woman he loves, love takes a heart-warming magical turn.

Liz Fielding is the master of memorable detail. How can anyone forget Talie's crazy hair or Jude's reaction to her! Or that one detail of attire that expresses so much sexiness and romance together in just a few words! The ending brought a tear or two to my eye, as much for the beauty of the writing as the emotion of the story. Talia's story is not to be missed! THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is a must read for Liz Fielding fans and a great way for those new to this author to see for themselves why this author's romances captivate with stories that move the heart with a richness of emotion that fills the reader with deep joy. THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is beautiful --- beautiful for its writing, beautiful for its emotion, beautiful for bringing together two vulnerable people whose love for one another opens doors.

an enjoyable read, 22 Aug 2008
Isabelle's secret marriage to Don Luis de Silva seems to be over. When they meet again after 2 years apart, she expects him to end their marriage for good. But instead he demands she pretend to be his fiancee, then his wife. What does Luis have to gain from this reunion - except Isabelle?

a short but sweet read, 25 Jun 2008
Pretending to be her boss's mistress is one thing, but now everyone in the office thinks Harriet is Matthew Cole's fiancee. Harriet has to keep reminding herself it's all just for convenience - but how far is Matthew prepared to go with the arrangement.

Worth a look, but only if you buy it discounted..., 11 Jan 2008
I must admit that I only bought this book for the Patrica Briggs story, which was excellant and I'm looking forward to the full novel she'll be releasing later on this year with the characters.

However, I didn't like the other stories in it at all (I only got around to the thrid story, but I was kinda bored with the book at that point, so I didn't even bother reading Sunny's...from some of the reveiws here, I'm probably glad that I didn't...) The reason why I'm disapointed in the rest of the book is because I thought that with a title like "On the Prowl" they would all be werewolf stories, but sadly, aside from Patrica Briggs' story, that isn't the case. In fact, I think a better choice for the other authors would have been Kelley Armstrong, Carrie Vaughn and Kim Harrison, but that's the thing with these anthologies - you usually get an author that you love, which gets you to buy the book, but find the rest not to your liking...

A mixed bag, 23 Dec 2007
As others have mentioned it's hard to write an overall review for an anthology.

Patricia Briggs - as usual, especially in her werewolf series, a really good read. The characters were nicely developed with the emphasis on their feelings as opposed to the "thriller" angle. I also liked the fact that the supposed bad guy in the end had motivation that you could identify with even if his methods were despicable.

Eileen Wilks - overall a good story. It lost it's way a bit in the middle but managed to finish well. I felt as if it would be a good introduction to a series involving Kai, Nathan and Dell.

Karen Chance - This one worked well as a stand alone story although I did feel as if the sex was a little gratuitous and it would have been possible to find some other way to (more believably) have her manifest her potential. I particularly liked the conclusion.

Sunny - I'd never read any of her work previously and now have absolutely no desire to. There wasn't really a plot and the whole thing seemed to be an excuse for ever more graphic sex scenes. The main characters grief at the death of her lover would have been more believable had she not been very enthusiastically sleeping with at least three other people (I may have lost count). Frankly I think this story would have been better off clearly labeled as "adult" fiction.


Worth Buying for the Patricia Briggs and Karen Chance stories..., 03 Sep 2007
The problem I find with anthologies is you tend to buy them for one (or maybe two) stories. Therefore I shall admit my bias straight off and say I bought On the Prowl for the Patricia Briggs story.

Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs.
Set in the Mercy Thompson universe (Moon Called, Blood Bound). Alpha and Omega follows Charles (the son of werewolf king Bran) when he comes to Chicago to deal with unrest in the Chicago pack. Although this story takes place during Moon Called it's not necessary to have read Moon Called to enjoy this story.

Not surprisingly I really liked this. It's also a story I've dipped back into whilst reading the other three. My favourite part being when Anna initially calls Bran for help. In a way this serves as an introduction to Anna and Charles who will be getting their own series of books in 2008, so there is something of a feeling that there is more to come. If I had any quibbles it would be that on p69 Anna smells Boyd's blood but Boyd wasn't involved in the fighting. So surely it should be Justin's blood? Rate - 4/5

Inhuman by Eileen Wilks.
As I'm not familiar with the Universe this is set in, I found it unsatisfying. I feel strongly that even if a short story is set in an ongoing series, it should be able to stand on its own. However, I felt like I'd come in part way through the action, the characters were talking about things I knew nothing about. The situation is ultimately resolved by magical means so I didn't feel like it had really been dealt with. The heroine wasn't that interesting, but Nathan was well written, I could have read more about him and how he saw the world. One for the fans who'll have a better idea of what's going on and might enjoy it more. Rate - 2.5/5

Buying Trouble by Karen Chance.
This was my second favourite. I thought the story had real humour and the characters were engaging. It had a bit of a slow start, but following the gamelans escape, the story had much more pace. Claire's transformation scene was very well done, and Heidar has a way with the witty remark. Claire had an appealing voice and I could happily read more about her. Based on this short story I'd definitely check out Karen Chance's backlist. Rate - 3.5/5

Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny
I have only read Book 1 of the Mona Lisa series. And if you're in the same position you may want to give this one a miss - because it's got huge spoilers in it regarding the death of a character.

There is very little plot here. There's quite a bit of exposition bringing you up to date with what's happened - kind of like a 'Previously in the Mona Lisa Universe...'. It's more of a filler between books and is probably only interesting if you're a fan of the series. Nothing really happens, and it happens for about 60 pages.

Also, similarities between the Mona Lisa world and both Laurell K.Hamilton's Merry Gentry and Anne Bishop's Black Jewels stories are slightly grating to say the least. 0/5

Disregrading Mona Lisa Betwining I'm giving the anthology a four overall. Worth checking out. :)


On the Prowl - a breakdown, 29 Aug 2007
There are four 'romance' stories written by four authors. The 1st is written by Patricia Briggs and when she gets it right she's fabulous - and this is a great example of this. Her story is set in the same world as Moon Called/Blood Bound and deals with a Chicargo Werewolf Pack - Anna who is an abused member gets the courage to inform the Morrok (head werewolf)in Montana of a murder within the pack. He sends an 'investigator' his son Charles and arranges for Anna to liase with him. The story then develops as Charles investigates what's gone wrong with the pack including how they treat Anna, and Anna learns about the true rules of the wolfpacks. The romance is a beautiful thread and I can't wait for the sequel! The 2nd story is by Eileen Wilks and is about a psychic called Kai with an unusual power, her inhuman friend Nathan and a deadly magical creature that is murdering Gifted people. The idea is a 'power wind' brought magic back to the world so there are now Gifted e.g mages and psychics and lots of unexpected flotsom... The race is on for them to find the killer before it finds Kai, and for Kai and Nathan to sort out their feelings. Loved the twists, including Nathan's true identity! The 3rd story is by Karen Chance who delivers a wonderfully inventive tale with a few twists of it's own set within the same world as Touch the Dark etc but this time focused on a mage called Claire who is a mage null and as such a highly prized rarity, which is how she finds herself for auction. This is not good news as her value is in her death and in escaping she ends up in Faerie - fortunately with a Fey Lord who's in as much trouble as her as they've landed in enemy territory. The 4th story is by Sunny set in the same world as the Mona Lisa series. Forget the romance, the story whacks a bit of sex in instead and it's just a chapter which could have easily been included within her books where Mona Lisa finds out some consequences of having killed the Queen Louisa and that she's getting a little mixed up with the demon dead again. Pretty important if you're reading the series, a disappointing story if you're expecting ANY romance or engaging world/characters.


A mixed bag - but two out four makes it worth reading, 19 Aug 2007
Got to take the rough with the smooth as they say and that's certainly true of anthologies. I guess most people will be picking this book up because it has a story by an author they like. Personally, I'm a Patricia Briggs and Karen Chance fan but I'd never read anything by Eileen Wilks or Sunny.

It's very difficult to give the book an overall rating - three stars makes a reasonable compromise - so I've rated each short story on its own.

-- Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs - 5 stars --

I've read everything by Patricia Briggs which is in print and have enjoyed them all. The Mercy Thompson universe, which is where this book is set, is a wonderful and somehow very real creation. The story is an offshoot of 'Moon Called' although you don't really need to have read it for the story to work.

Charles is the eldest son of Bran, the 'Marrok' or leader of the Werewolves living in North America, and he acts as his father's enforcer. He is sent to Chicago to find out why the Alpha of one of the City's two packs has been turning people without their consent and selling them.

In the course of his investigations he discovers Anna, a fairly new werewolf, who he realises has a very special talent - she's an Omega wolf, naturally able to quell the violent urges of her pack mates, but she's been viciously abused by her pack.

It's one of the interesting features of this author that she writes about serious issues like abuse with a sensitivity, and an emphasis on the positive action that people take in confronting and then moving beyond these horrific events, which makes you think the books are less dark than they actually are.

At heart this is a love story, but one where commitment comes almost before the relationship because as Anna and Charles get to know one another (and so do their wolves) their bond deepens very rapidly.

It's fascinating to see Charles come alive. He's quite a distant character in Moon Called, but even in that book he shows a caring side in his interaction with Mercy in Montana. Here is gets to display those wonderful protective Alpha instincts.

There are also some lovely moments with the seemingly omniscient Bran. He's a such an interesting character, so much power yet he makes so little display of it. (I may also be slightly bias as he's Welsh!)

The main disappointment was how short the story was. I would have loved more - and would happily have sacrificed some of the space given over to some of the other stories in this book.

Overall - short, but beautifully written, wonderfully pitched characters and simple, but well thought out plot. Can't wait for the next stories for these characters (and for Mercy herself.)

-- Inhuman by Eileen Wilks - 3 stars --

I'm still not sure what to make of this one. The world in which it takes place was interesting and the characters were likeable and had a believable relationship.

It follows Kai, a telepath, and her friend Nathan, who is a policeman. Nathan is also not human or at least wasn't when he started out life. They live in a sort of post-magical apocolypic world. Where talented humans are not entirely welcome. A series of horrible murders begin and Kai and Nathan find themselves draw into the chase.

For me, the plot didn't really work. The initial murders, investigations and then going on the run were fine, but the story lost me towards the end by going all high drama and fey queens. The explanations got rather convoluted and I simply didn't buy the motivations that shaped the decisions relating to Dell.

Overall - it was solidly written, readable, but nothing special.

-- Buying Trouble by Karen Chance - 5 stars --

Ah, Karen Chance - her books are always guaranteed to be funny, have a plot that moves at ludrioucs speed and be filled with crazy characters and lots of action (of all sorts.)

This may be a short story, but she still managed to pack it all in.

The story follows Claire, a projective null who can dull magic, on a voyage of discovery when she is whisked away by a magic rune and a rather attractive Lord of the Light Fey when things go spectacularly wrong at the auction house where she works.

She ends up in the Faerie, but unfortunately in the bit controlled by the enemies of her companion, Heidar. There then follows a wet, frenetic chase and Claire makes some very surprising discoveries about herself.

The story is very amusing. Claire is a great lead character - likeable, tough but still vulnerable. Heidar is adorable - probably the most 'leading man' of any of Chance's male characters (I love Mircea and especially Pritkin, but the geas and being generally psychotic do count against!)

There is a chapter or so where things get slightly fairytale princess, but it's soon back to sarcasm and our world.

Overall - I loved it. The story made me smile, I really liked the characters and would like to read more about them.

-- Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny - 2 stars --

Hmm... well... I guess if you like this author this would be okay, but it just isn't my thing.

I don't have a problem with sex scenes in a book, but this was just too graphic without a discernible plot to break up the... er... action.

I will say that the world of the Monere was interesting and the book wasn't badly written, but the motivations of the characters, including the lead character, Mona Lisa, made no sense to me - again, if you've read other books set in this universe I guess this wouldn't have been a problem.

Overall - Not my cup of tea.

For On the Prowl overall - reading this book confirmed that I like what I like, but didn't entice me to check out anything else by the other two writers (in fact for Sunny it simply served to label her work 'avoid in future'.) Still it's a good way to test out some different authors.

Readable historical romance, 26 Oct 2008
A HOLIDAY GAMBLE by Jane Feather
Newly returned from India to take his place as the Viscount Allenton, Ned Vasey finds himself at the mercy of the weather when he gets stuck in a snowstorm. To make matters worse he is accosted by highwaymen and must take shelter in nearby Selby Hall where he meets some unscrupulous people as well as Lady Georgiana Carey - a woman with secrets Ned is determined to uncover.

This was a readable story but I found it lacked any passion, excitement or sparkle. It really suffered from being a short story and silly little editing mistakes (such as at one point changing the hero's name from Ned to Nick) didn't help either.


WHEN SPARKS FLY by Sabrina Jeffries
Heiress Elinor Bancroft is on her way home for Christmas with her aunt and young cousins when their coach gets into an accident during a snow storm. They seek shelter at Thorncliff Hall, home to the notorious Black Baron, about whom there are some dreadful rumours. Despite Martin Thorncliff's reputation, Ellie is determined to bring some Christmas joy into his heart for the season.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and found this story delightfully festive and sweet. I wish it could have been longer to develop the characters more but they still had some great chemistry together and it was perfect for a winter night by the fire.


SNOWY NIGHT WITH A HIGHLANDER by Julia London
Lady Fiona Haines must find her brother to protect him from scandal. Unfortunately for her, he's hidden away in the Highlands of Scotland and she needs someone to take her there. Laird Duncan Buchanan is scarred after a terrible accident and agrees to take her even as he obscures his ruggedly injured face. But what will Fiona do when she realises the identity of her protector?

I liked the idea of this story and the writing was engaging and kept you reading. However, the story was enormously let down by the embarrassing attempts at Scottish accents (why do American's assume every Scottish person speaks with a Glaswegian accent?) and the constant inaccuracies - you won't find woodchucks in Britain, for example.


Sabrina Jeffries story was the stand out story in this collection although all three were readable and fairly enjoyable. If you like historical romance and are looking for something to read on a long winter's night then you really can't go wrong with this collection. 4 stars.

Worth a read and shows great potential for a new series, 18 Jun 2008
I got this book based on a recommendation from Amazon whilst waiting for the next JR Ward & Kresley Cole installments of their Black Dagger Brotherhood & Immortals After Dark Series'. I'm not going to write a plot synopsis as what I enjoyed most about this book was that it has a different slant on things like new species, powers, and a different mythology/history of the "Nightwalker" species. It was fun being lead into a another world that does not focus on vamps.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and did find it very hard to put down.

This only reservation I had was that after finishing the book, it felt like I'd read an introduction to the series, and not a book that stands alone in it's own right. Don't get me wrong, I will be reading the next in the series, but the plot outside of the romance between the main characters could have been explored more thouroughly. To put it bluntly, the baddies could have been so much more bad! They did not have an ominous presence at all.

Overall, it's definately worth are a read and I am left looking forward to the second installment. The supporting characters introduced in this book look to give the readership a little more "bang for their buck" in the future installments of this series.

Some issues, but worth following, 08 Oct 2007
I have mixed feelings about this one. Whilst I adored the world Frank created - Demons with elemental powers discovering they may be doomed to extinction because of their own racial prejudices - there were some aspects which felt very "same old, same old."

First, the good: I really liked Isabella, the heroine. She was intelligent and fiesty without being a charicature. I also loved the world-building, as mentioned, especially the idea of the Transformed Demons, the elemental powers and their relationships with Druids. Interesting stuff that will definitely see me buying the second book in the series, "Gideon." Secondary characters such as Legna (pronounded "Laina," BTW) and Noah were great and well-developed.

The bad: I really can't thoroughly and completely enjoy romances that are based on "primal, instinctive connections." By that I mean, the man sees the woman for the first time and decides in that split second she is "his," as if he were picking out a new pair of shoes or something. To me, even if the woman feels the same, it contradicts the idea of romance and reduces it to something rather less ... romantic.

For that reason, I didn't really like Jacob, the titular hero. Especially since, having decided Isabella was his, he spent a lot of time angsting over that decision, which seemed redundant when everyone around him agreed they were destined to be together - including Bella herself. Having said that, I loved his powers and role with Demon society, so he wasn't a complete loss.

Obviously my issues with "Jacob" didn't stop me reading and enjoying it, and as said, I'll be buying "Gideon" - I really liked him in this book, so am keen to see him in his own.

Definitely Recommended, 22 Jul 2007
I really liked this book especially after reading the disaster of Lynn Viehl's Night Lost. Jacob and Isabella are great characters, it is so refreshing to read a book about something other than vampires or werethings.

The story basically is; Jacob rescues Isabella as she falls out of a window, Isabella rescues Jacob from a transformed demon. He then takes her to his world and they fall in love, ahh! :)

If you enjoy supernatural romances then this is the book for you.


It has potential..., 09 Mar 2007
The story of Jacob the Enforcer and Isabella has all the ingredients of a great paranormal romance tale: a tall dark handsome hero, a feisty heroine, action, adventure, steamy love scenes. But despite all this, reading through it I kept feeling something was missing. That elusive spark that very few authors capture brilliantly wasn't there for me. Nevertheless I did persevere and read it through to the end. The beginning seemed promising although I didn't particularly like Isabella (I found all the hands on hips stuff really annoying) and I didn't think that Jacob was all that convincing. I felt that the author spent far too much time meandering around; building up to the end scenes through most of the book then rushing headlong into a semi-conclusion adding additional characters you will probably be seeing in other books as an afterthought. I don't feel that I got to know any characters very well and therein lay the problem I had with this story. They were all just characters in a book - they never jumped out of the page at me. Perhaps that will change as the series goes along. Perhaps I simply lack the necessary imagination needed to fill these characters with life. I don't know.
Having said this I must admit that Ms Frank does have a lovely lyrical way with words. She does not lack talent as a writer; she simply didn't draw me in like other writers of this genre have. Maybe I've been spoiled by J R Ward, Feehan and Kenyon - Ward in particular cannot be equalled or surpassed in my eyes.
I would recommend this book - if only to help fill in the gap between BDB novels.


I really wanted to like this, 23 Feb 2007
Jacob is an Enforcer for the demons; when one of his species transgresses, it is he who brings them to justice. One night while out patrolling he saves Isabella's life, and suddenly it is he who is breaking the law.

So many people recommended this book that I really wanted to like it, but it just didn't grab me with that intensity.

The world of the Nightwalkers is an interesting one and having demons as the good guys makes a change from vampires and werewolves. (Although they refer to themselves as demons, they are more like elementals, each having a dominion over a certain elemental aspect - fire, mind, wind, body etc.) As an introductory book to a series it works quite well, we get an overview of the situation and meet many of the characters I expect will be popping up again in future books. The banter between Isabella and the various demons she meets gives her character just the hint of sharpness she needs.

However, I was always aware I was being told a story, and couldn't fully immerse myself in the world Jacquelyn Frank has created. I think partly because of the omniscient point of view - we know what every character is thinking, including the bad guys. So I never felt as invested in Bella's situation as I could have been. There are a couple of occasions where the author shies away from describing something. Either by having a character say "Don't ask me about it." Or by writing around the situation as when Bella is attacked at the beginning of the story. This also acts to distance the reader.

All the demons we meet are nice (not including the transformed); all the humans we meet are bad. There are no shades of grey here. It's a testament to the strength of the story that I still wanted to finish the book despite this.

If you like Sherrilyn Kenyon or Christine Feehan, I'd check this one out as a change from dark-hunters/vampires. If you prefer something with a deeper intense point of view, I'd approach with caution.

Gideon the second book in the Nightwalkers series is released in June 2007.


5+ Stars: Beautful! A treasure!, 06 Jul 2008
Liz Fielding's THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is the eleventh book in a 24 book collection of classic short story romances celebrating the 100th birthday of Mills and Boon. Liz Fielding brings together a wonderful hero and heroine on a riveting journey of humorous dramatic conflicts to a final extraordinary moment that expresses the sheer power of love to transform hearts.

Talie Calhoun is late for the first day on her new temp job! Once inside the elevator of Radcliffe Tower, she can't help but share her first day jitters with the unknown sexy man standing beside her ---- a man she doesn't realize is her new boss! Jude, a man of all business and no play, just does not know what to make of Talie and her unusual reason for tardiness. When the two of them are unexpectedly forced to work together, how will he tame her propensity for joy, misadventure and living life to the fullest? Hard as he might try to keep their minds on business, can Talie show Jude how to open up his heart and savor each moment? When attraction sparks, will Jude's dedication to detail and long term strategies win Talie's heart and open their lives to a dream neither of them thought even possible?

In THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON, Liz Fielding brings together two opposites in a story that takes the reader on a journey of laughter and misadventure, romantic tension all the way to an ending full of joy and emotion. Talie's guilelessness mixed with professional excellence bubbles right off the page into the heart, a wonderful combination that touches both the little girl and woman within us all. Jude's attention to business detail has earned him a reputation to be envied, but when he turns that same dedication to winning the woman he loves, love takes a heart-warming magical turn.

Liz Fielding is the master of memorable detail. How can anyone forget Talie's crazy hair or Jude's reaction to her! Or that one detail of attire that expresses so much sexiness and romance together in just a few words! The ending brought a tear or two to my eye, as much for the beauty of the writing as the emotion of the story. Talia's story is not to be missed! THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is a must read for Liz Fielding fans and a great way for those new to this author to see for themselves why this author's romances captivate with stories that move the heart with a richness of emotion that fills the reader with deep joy. THE TEMP AND THE TYCOON is beautiful --- beautiful for its writing, beautiful for its emotion, beautiful for bringing together two vulnerable people whose love for one another opens doors.

an enjoyable read, 22 Aug 2008
Isabelle's secret marriage to Don Luis de Silva seems to be over. When they meet again after 2 years apart, she expects him to end their marriage for good. But instead he demands she pretend to be his fiancee, then his wife. What does Luis have to gain from this reunion - except Isabelle?

a short but sweet read, 25 Jun 2008
Pretending to be her boss's mistress is one thing, but now everyone in the office thinks Harriet is Matthew Cole's fiancee. Harriet has to keep reminding herself it's all just for convenience - but how far is Matthew prepared to go with the arrangement.