C.L. Wilson – Crown of Crystal Flame

The fifth book in the Tairen Soul series, published in 2010.




A Song of Love won her heart.

A Song of Darkness haunted her soul.

A Song in the Dance would seal her fate.

Seers had long foreseen an extraordinary destiny for Ellysetta Baristani. Already she had won the heart of the Fey King - the magnificent Rain, ever her ally, eternally her love. She had saved the offspring of the magical tairen and fought beside her legendary mate against the armies of Eld. But the most powerful - and dangerous - Verse of her Song had yet to be sung. As the final battle draws nigh and evil tightens its grip upon her soul - will Ellysetta secure the world for Light or plunge it into Darkness for all eternity? As she and Rain fight for each other, side by side, will they find a way to complete their truemate bond and defeat the evil High Mage of Eld before it's too late, or must they make the ultimate sacrifice to save their world?




As disappointing the previous book was, so filled with highs is this one. A glorious conclusion to a great fantasy series. An ending I never could have predicted. I loved every page of this book. I smiled and I cried and I just kept reading even when sleep called for me. I just had to know how this all would end. There is just no way I can summarize this book as I usually do. To much happens. And I don’t want to spoil anyone’s reading pleasure.

Yes, I am still in a readers high after finishing this book. The cover says it is the conclusion of the series, but luckily C.L. Wilson has left a loose thread that may very well become a new book. I really want to know what happens to Mellisande. So please write that one. Soon.

If you like a great romance, a great fantasy epos, and lots of magic, Light against Darkness, and the best of heroes, main and secondary characters, you should read this series. But read it in order, as the story just continues.

Lynn Viehl – Stay the night

The seventh book in the Darkyn series, published in 2009.




Stay with her …

Legendary outlaw and immortal vampire Darkyn lord Robin of Locksley has stolen countless works of art, evading human authorities for the past seven hundred years. The prince of thieves also tends to steal the hearts of women – until the night he meets the woman who steals his.

Stay on him …

Undercover federal agent Chris Renshaw has no time for an affair with Robin. She’s hoping to snag an elusive art thief, using as bait the priceless Maiden’s Book of Hours. When it’s stolen, Chris has no choice but to join forces with Robin to recover it.

Stay the night …

Although Chris and Robin mistrust each other, the sexual tension between them grows ever tauter. As they cross Europe to rescue the book –and those the thief would hurt- they’ll have to choose between losing each other and losing everything valuable to them.



FBI Agent Chris Renshaw is working undercover in Atlanta to catch a world famous art thief, known as the Magician. He leaves no traces, is wanted in 22 countries, and he is responsible for the dead of her partner in Chicago a month ago. She is posing as a wealthy art dealer, owning a gallery of forged paintings supplied by the FBI, and one extremely valuable book.

The Maiden’s book of Hours, over 500 years old, and worth over 5 million dollars. They just know the Magician will come for it, and when he does, the FBI will catch him this time.

Trying to lure him out, Chris goes to a hotelbar, waiting to picked up by the right man. As the Magician has pulled his stunts for decades know, they believe him to be an elderly man, so when a young and extremely handsome man tries to pick up Chris, she knows it is not her quarry. She isn’t into casual sex and one-night stands, but there is something about this man, Rob, that appeals to her, and she cannot resist his invitation to spend the night with him.

Of course she doesn’t know the Rob she left that morning sleeping peacefully is the man she is looking for. Robin of Locksley, a famous thief for centuries now. And he is furious that she dared leave him while he was asleep! No woman has ever done that to him! He slept in her arms and she just walked out! He is determined to find out everything about her and sets his seneschal, Will Scarlet out to do so. And when he gets the answer she is an FBI agent looking for him, he is even more furious about the deception, and plans to have his revenge on her.

But then he gets a visitor, and the rules tell him to offer his hospitality to the Italian Contessa at his door, and her people. Robin and the Contessa visit the gallery where Chris and her men are waiting for him together. Chris is jealous at first at seeing his beautiful escort, and doesn’t know how to react. But while they are in her little office, the fire alarm goes off. Someone beat Robin to his target, the book is stolen and the store is covered in ice, imprisoning the visitors and the Contessa. Robin knows immediately his old enemy is at it: Guy of Gisbourne, who got banished from America by Michael during the latest feast. But then the Contessa reveals her treachery: she has taken his entire jardin prisoner, and demands of Robin that he follows Guy to get her the book. It used to belong to her sister Beatrice, and she wants it back!

Robin has no choice but to take an unwilling Chris with him to Rome, to where Guy has fled. His Kyn powers have no effect on her, he cannot influence her. He tries telling her the truth about the Darkyn, but she refuses to believe him. Thinks he is delusional, totally in the thrall of one of the role playing computer games that are all the rage. His fangs? They have to be fake. Until he finally proves to her they are real …

So they follow Guy to an abandoned palazzo, where the Contessa again fools them all. She plans to release her sisters tears an the world again …

In the meantime, Michael and Alexandra are in England for a meeting with all the other seigneurs and the high lord, to discuss the possibilities of open war with the Brethren. The Brethren have been murdering the Kyn in France, Italy and now Spain. Hundreds have died, hundreds more are fleeing wounded and dying. And at this “le conseil supérieur” the men will decide what has to be done, while their woman will have to play at being at court. Really nothing Alexandra looks forward to.

But then she discovers there is a hospital with twenty wounded Kyn underneath the castle, and she is needed there. No care is being given to the wounded, whose wounds will not heal, burn victims and shot victims alike. Immediately she takes charge, and starts helping those who can still recover. Nicola and Gabriel are still in Europe rescuing more captured Kyn and sending them to England.



It was a compelling book to read, the last in this series. I had way to much storylines to relate them all, some loose ends coming together, not in the least that one of Luisa and John. I do so hope they will turn up in the books of the Kyndred.

I took me a long time to start this books, as I dislike my childhood hero Robin Hood used for a Darkyn character. I prefer to keep my memories intact, and not have different stories about him in my head. But the worst of it was in the previous book. Still, I did not really come to like him, he was very overbearing and quickly insulted. I liked Chris for standing up against him, but also never came to know the real her. I just wanted to get back with the pieces of Michael and Alexandra. I though that story was more important.

The ending was a very big surprise, and a good one. O, there was also a gay lovescene in this book, so be warned.

New addition for my addiction

Mmm I squeled with delight when I opened this envelope! I didn't know it was already in the mail.
Nalini Singh - Play of Passion.

Now I really don't know where to start, I was saving the C.L. Wilson for tomorrow, and I need to read the Lara Adrian book, and ... and ... pfff. Very good timing to take the week of!

Bertrice Small – The Border Vixen

The fifth book in the Border Chronicles series, a very good series. Published in 2010.





Dugald Kerr, the laird of Brae Aisir, has lost his male heirs in the raging border wars. He has but one inheritor remaining: a beautiful headstrong granddaughter knows as Mad Maggie. There are many eager to wed Maggie, for with her comes the profitable right to exact tolls at a famous safe passage through the border hills, which has been under the protection of the Kerrs for generations.

Keenly aware of the covetous interest in his lands, the laird announces that any man who can outrun, outride and outfight Mad Maggie will win her and her inheritance. His proposition causes more chaos than resolution, for feisty Maggie’s reputation proceeds her, and the one man to take up the challenge is roundly defeated.

But young King James V learns of the laird’s problems and dispatches his cousin Fingal Stewart into the borders to wed the heiress without delay so that the valuable pass may be protected. But the laird insists his conditions be met, and the heated contest of wills between Fin and Maggie brings out the fire in them both. But there are those who will stop at nothing to gain control of Maggie’s inheritance … even if it means getting rid of Fingal Stewart and his border vixen.


Her grandfather is almost seventy, really old for a Border Lord in those times. Maggie is 17, and should have been wed years ago, but she is not even betrothed. She has no interest in a husband, as she is convinced she can rule the keep and the pass by her self and her loyal clansman. But the clan needs heirs to secure the position of the Kerrs, and so she reluctantly agrees to find a husband. None of their neighbours interests her though. She needs a man she can respect. Which means, a man who can beat her in the contests her grandfather has announced.

Only one man wants Maggie as his wife, as he has lusted after her and her heritage for years. When she is his, he will beat that wilfulness right out of her, she will come crawling to him at his demands! But Maggie is not interested in Ewan Hay at all, he is just a bully, and a third son, so of no importance. Maggie beats Ewan Hay in the footrace, and he just gives up the contest. She has made an enemy out of him, and he is even more determined to tame her.

So Ewan decides to go to the King himself, and ask for Maggie as his wife. But King James is no fool, and he doesn’t trust the tale Ewan tells him. He sends his own cousin, Lord Fingal Stewart of Torra, as Maggies husband-to-be, to take control over the pass, and more importantly, the income from it. Lord Fingal is an unimportant and poor man, owning his sword and a house in Edinburgh, but renowned for the loyalty he and his family has always owned the King. He has been a mercenary for years, and a big strong man. So he will be able to beat Maggie in her contests, and gain her respect. He really wants that, because he already likes Maggie, and she is a very bonny lass.

Maggie realizes she has to obey the King, and the marriage has to take place immediately, but the bedding will have to wait till after the contest. And that she manages to postpone for a few months. Time to get to know each other, and for Maggie to show Fingal how things are done in the Borders. He is impressed with her knowledge, for she has managed the keep for a few years now, even the accounts.

The safe passage between England and Scotland has been guarded by the Kerr family for over 500 years. Her English uncle though has delusions that he shall marry Maggie himself (she will be his third wife) so he can control the whole pass, and not just the 8 miles of it on English soil. Maggie has no intention of doing that of course, and her grandfather dislikes his English cousin Edward Kerr greatly. So he will never permit that to happen. And now the King has made the decision for them.

For a few years, all is well. Maggie and Fin get along great together, they have two boys to guarantee the succession of the Kerr family line, and even have been to Edinburgh to visit the King.
But now England and Scotland are at war again, and Fingal has to join the Kings army. Against his wife’s wishes, she just knows there will be trouble coming from it. And indeed there is trouble. Her husband goes missing, presumed death after a minor battle the Scots lose. Ewan Kerr enters the keep with an lie, and takes over. He still wants to marry Maggie, and know he will use any means in his power to get what he wants. But Maggie keeps refusing him, believing her husband to be alive, he will come back to her! Until he threatens the lives of her children and her beloved grandfather, she no longer has the choice to refuse him.

Of course, Fingal saves them all just in time, but that is not the end of it. Ewan Hay will never give up his dreams of having Maggie in his bed, at his mercy.


I totally loved this book. Bertrice Small has a writing style I really like. The descriptions of everything, the food on the table, the clothes, the furniture, the daily life. And of course the great pieces of true history, what happens with the Kings of Scotland and England.
Her heroines are down to earth, and strong. They will always survive, but not lead an easy and pampered life. Common sense prevails and they will do what is necessary. And her heroes can see the value of such a wife, and treasure her. The lovescenes are well written and inventive. I hope she will write dozens more, and I will always keep buying them.

New additions to my addiction

Yesterday two books from E-bay arrived safely home.

Donna Fletchers - Whispers on the Wind
Joanne Pence - Courting Disaster

It was midnight when I finished my book, so that review still has to be written. I dreamt all night about it, which means it was a good one :).

Jayne Castle – Silver Master

The fifth book in the Harmony World series, published in 2007.






Fleeing a lurid scandal, matchmaker Celinda Ingram arrived in Cadence City desperate for a new start. Known for her strong para-resonator abilities, she is able to match up clients by reading their psi waves. It’s this talent that sets her body tingling when security specialist Davis Oakes shows up at her office.

A formidable psychic himself, Davis is trying to track down a powerful relic that Celinda supposedly bought as a toy for her pet dust bunny. Trying to wrest the ruby red object from the suspicious duo nearly drains Davis of the energy he’ll need to keep his growing desire for Celinda in check – and to keep her safe from those who will do anything to possess the relic …



Another great story about a couple with new and different psy-powers. Celinda is a powerful psychic, who can see the psy waves other people have, kind of like an aura I guess, and so can see which couple are a perfect match. She was driven out of Frequence City when she rejected to help a powerful guild man, almost the new boss of the Frequence City Guild, her services. She could she he was twisted, evil, and mad. So he took revenge by abducting her and destroying her reputation. The added threat against her family kept her quiet and made her leave her home town for Cadence City. She has been trying to build a new life there. A new job with a top matchmaking agency, a pet dust bunny called Araminta to spoil, and a little apartment.

Then one day she gets a visit from a police inspector, called Detective Alice Martinez, and a very expensive private investigator, who is working for the Guild. The other day she bought a very inexpensive reliq at an antiques store, because her dust bunny wanted it. And now it seems to be stolen from the Guild vault, and naturally, the Guild Boss wants it back. But just as Celinda is handing it over, her dust bunny grabbed it and ran of with it. So that took care of that part. The moment Celina sees Davis Oakes in her office, she knows he is her very own Mr. Perfect. Davis also feels the strong psy waves between them, and he asks her out to dinner that very same evening. When they get back to her apartment, after a strange encounter with a would be car thief, and find it burglarized, his mission changes. He will be her new bodyguard and accompany her to her sisters wedding the next day as her boyfriend. Until the artefact is found, Celinda is in danger. She has no choice but to trust Davis. Though she is not thrilled about introducing him to her large family.

They do seem to like Davis though, and are happy that after the scandal four months ago, she has found someone new. But then Benson Landry arrives at the hotelroom to threaten Celinda some more. Somehow, the mad doctor who is after the artefact himself, has gotten hold of Landry and gotten his help in retrieving the artefact from Celinda. But Davis saves the day, and in doing so, tells her brother the truth: why she left town, and what really happened four months ago. Lucinda doesn’t want to spoil her sisters wedding, and convinces them to keep quiet for the time being.

Later that night, on their way back to Cadence City, they run in trouble with a lot of Ghost Hunters, hired by Landry to catch them. They escape in some catacombs at an old ruin Celinda visited many years ago with her family, and there she finally sees what Davis is capable of: pulling silver ghost light to de-rezz the ghosts the enemy makes, and going invisible to knock them unconscious. Unfortunately, burning that much amber exhausts him, and Celinda barely manages to get him aboveground and in the car again. Davis is falling into a coma, just like a few months ago when he rescued a little kidnapped girl, and Celinda has no choice but to use the relic with her own particular psy-talent to heal his para senses.

Back in Cadence, they still have to unravel the loose ends: find the docter who is after all of this, and the ghost hunter who pulled that double ghost on them. Davis promises Celinda that the Guild will take care of Landry … But in the end, she just has to do it all herself.

Celinda is pertinent that the relic will not end up back in the vault, it has so much potential to heal psy-disturbances, she wants it handed over to a medical laboratory for testing. Of course, the other use is as a weapon, and she is afraid that the Guild will just lock it away. But there are so few people who will be able to use the relic, so few people with her particular talent. So now she just has to convince Mercer Wyatt of that fact ...


Of course, the dust bunny’s stole the show a few times. Davis has his own dust bunny called Max, and he surely hits it of with Araminta. Will there be little dust bunny’s in a few weeks? The fact that she suddenly eats more than a grown man seems to imply that it is her mating season …

I loved Celinda, she is a very strong woman, who will not be denied. And Davis, after he got burned by a matchmaker once, he certainly has no belief in them anymore. But Celinda is just perfect for him, and he cannot get her out of his mind. He wants her as his wife, and he will do anything to convince her of that fact.

A great mix of romance and paranormal suspense, with lots of humor and great primary and secondary characters. I really loved it, and will read the next book in this great series very soon. Of course you can complain that it is all the same format, and of course you are right, but it works, and I love it. The writing style, the characters, the surroundings, the new psy powers invented. It is just the thing I like.

New addition to my addiction

Suzanne Enoch - Rules of an engagement reached my house today. I sure have loads of books to catch up with! Luckily, I took next week off from work ...