"Archangel's Kiss," by Nalini Singh

From Amazon.com:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel-and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena... 

I only recently read "Angel's Blood," by Nalini Singh, and I found myself wondering why I hadn't read any of her books before. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed "Angel's Blood," and so I snapped up "Archangel's Kiss" the moment it was released.

All I can say is that "Archangel's Kiss" was a very satisfying continuation of the story of Elena and her archangel, Raphael. Not only must they face off against Lijuan and her growing army of reborn, but they must contend with the threat posed by murderous power-play of an unknown, but powerful angel.

I love the characters and world that Ms. Singh has created here. I think I actually liked the second book better than the first one, as Elena and Raphael are past many of the "where are the relationship boundaries?" part of of their relationship, and now present a united front against their enemies.

I also very much enjoy the cast of secondary characters. In addition to Dimitri, Venom, and Illium, we now have Galen, Jason, and Aodhan. All of them have pasts that beg to be explored, and I look forward to learning more about them all. I suspect that we'll also explore more of Raphael's past, and I am anticipating a future visit from his absent mother.

I'm starting in on Ms. Singh's Psy-Changeling series shortly. I am grateful to have discovered Mr. Singh's wonderful work.

Rating: 5 stars

"Lessons in French," by Laura Kinsale

From Amazon.com: 

Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure, until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and, in a furious frenzy, drives Trevelyan away in disgrace. Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie discovers that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with excitement, but he can't give her the one thing she wants more than anything—himself.
For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last goodbyes, he's determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them.

I cannot tell you how much I anticipated this book, since it's been a number of years since Laura Kinsale published a book, and I adore her work. And I must say that I was not disappointed--the book was a wonder.

The story's hero, Trevelyan, has a come home to see his dying mother. The heroine, Callie, has a sister soon to marry, is event is about to leave her in her cousin's home, unwanted. Her prize bull, Hubert, is, however, very much wanted, and it is Hubert, inevitably, who provides reason to bring our hero and heroine together over and over again. 

This was a marvelous tale of family, love, and livestock. (I continue to worry about the fat pig, and hope that her owner takes care to provide her a healthier diet.) Being a country girl at heart, I was overjoyed to read of a heroine in a Regency tale wearing muck out boots on a regular basis...I suspect it will be years, if ever, that I read of such a refreshing woman again. Truly, I loved this book. I hope that Ms. Kinsale does not take a break from her writing again any time soon. (But if she does, I will patiently wait for her new work, and buy it on the spot.)

If you haven't read any of Laura Kinsale's work, this is a fine book to start with. Then, of course, you must read all her other works without delay. If you are like me, then Trev and Callie will long remain in your heart.

Rating: 5 stars

Dangerous Highlander

From Amazon.com:

"First in a breathtaking new series, the bold and passionate Lucan MacLeod—one of three brothers cursed by dark magic for eternity—is driven by desire for the one woman he dare not let himself possess…

He is magnificently strong—and dangerously seductive. One of the fiercest of his clan, Lucan MacLeod is a legend among warriors, inspiring fear in man and woman alike. For three hundred years, he has locked himself away from the world, hiding the vengeful god imprisoned in his soul. But then, a young lass caught in a raging storm awakens his deepest impulses…and darkest desires.

Cara doesn’t believe the rumors about MacLeod castle—until the majestic Highland warrior appears like a fiery vision in the storm, pulling her into his powerful arms, and into his world of magic and Druids. An epic war between good and evil is brewing. And Lucan must battle his all-consuming attraction for Cara—or surrender to the flames of a reckless, impossible love that threatens to destroy them both…"


"Dangerous Highlander" was a book I was very excited to read, given the premise. It is very difficult to find good paranormal romances, at least for me, because as a regular science fiction and fantasy reader, often I find the paranormal romance world-building to be lacking in depth. And given the fact that this concept--that ancient "gods" are held captive in certain Highland warriors, and that an evil Druid wants to find a way to harness their power for her own purposes--was refreshing, because it didn't involve vampires or  werewolves. (Not that I don't love vampires and werewolves, but still.)

The story has some very good points. The concept is indeed fresh, and Ms. Grant has created some interesting characters. Having said that, I did find her world-building to be a bit iffy, as characters often had to throw in extra explanations over such pivotal plot points as "Dierdre is a drough, not a druid, and Cara is a druid, not a drough." As 300 year-old warriors who had long fought Dierdre and had been held in her castle for years on end, I expected that most of these men would have had a very firm grasp of who Dierdre was, as well as the lore of the druids. If they didn't know before they became warriors, they would certainly have the time and abilities to find out. And they would most assuredly have had a motivation to do so.

Also, the love story part of this book did not work for me...I never felt the connection. I suspect this was because this book was really more of a mix of romance and epic fantasy. The epic qualities meant that Ms. Grant had to focus on a grand theme, and move many characters around in her story to give them their time on the stage, and because of this, it seemed that the focus on the relationship between Cara and Lucan suffered. (Others will think differently, I'm sure.)

This is a series I will not continue to read, unfortunately. I must say, however, that I simply adore the cover!

Rating: 3 stars