Calamity Jayne Heads West by Kathleen Bacus

The fifth volume in the Calamity Jayne series takes Tressa Jayne Turner on the road to the Grand Canyon where her grandmother wants to get married. Unfortunately an ugly fertility figurine she picked up from a road side vendor proves to be hazardous to everyone around her. Now it’s up to Tressa and the sexy Ranger Rick to unravel the mystery before someone winds up dead.

This story is better than some of the past ones, but I think I’d like to see Kathleen try a new set of characters.

Details: Love Spell, October 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodel by Ronda Thompson

Lou Kinipski is a supermodel who has it all. Her only problems are her mysterious past and her her furry tail when comes and goes on it’s own schedule. But when a serial killer’s victims bear an uncanny resemblance to her, Lou finds herself in a live-or-death struggle and even worse, the murders appear to be tied into events from her past. Now can Lou find the killer and save herself or will she be the next body on the killer’s hit list?

I have to confess, I waited a long time for this book to arrive in print and I wasn’t disappointed. If you’re looking for a funny paranormal book with really cool characters, check this one out.

Details: St. Martins Press, October 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Your Coffin or Mine? By Kimberly Raye

Kimberly’s latest volume in the Dead End Dating series features another funny story about Lil Marchette, owner of a dating service for vampires and other creatures. This time the story revolves around Lil’s attempt to find new clients by going to auditions for Manhattan’s Most Wanted, a dating reality TV show. In addition to handing out her business cards, Lil finds herself on the show itself when all she wants is to spend time with the sexy vampire, Ty Bonner. Unfortunately danger abounds and if they’re not careful, they’ll be erased with the first daylight.

A worthwhile read and one that will definitely bring a smile to your face.

Details: Onyx, October 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Over Hexed by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Every woman in Big Knob, Indiana wants to have sex with Sean Madigan, so Dorcas and Ambrose take it upon themselves to use their magical abilities to make Sean less appealing. But when Maggie Grady sails into town she sets her sights on a lot with and old Victorian house as the best place to put a brand new SaveALot mega store. Unfortunately that house is the one Sean where grew up and he’s almost saved enough money to but it. But when he tries to charm her out of the house, he learns his sex appeal is gone and now has to do it the old fashioned way.

Vicki managed to carry her popular nerd franchise into the paranormal world with this cute story. If you’ve liked her stories in the past, but are afraid of paranormal books in general, you should give this one a try. It’s everything that a normal paranormal isn’t, except for a little light magic.

Details: Onyx, October 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

A Touch of Minx by Suzanne Enoch

Samantha Jellicoe is back and this time she’s searching for some missing antiques for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Plus it give her a good excuse for avoiding the sparkling piece of jewelry Rick’s been carrying around in his pocket. However this time the thief most dangerous man she’s ever encountered and Samantha’s put herself and Rick’s lives in great danger.

A great plot with enough sex and danger to keep you turning pages as fast as you can. This almost (I repeat almost ) makes up for the fact that I had to wade though a historical story to get to another Samantha Jellicoe story. Highly recommended.

Details: Berkley, October 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Ain’t Myth-Behaving by Katie MacAlister

Two tales of the otherworld make this book enjoyable. In Stag Party, Dane Hearne – an Irish fertility god much choose a bride before the annual celebration or forfeit his powers. He believes he’s found his soul mate in the form of Megan St. Clair, a travel writer, but Megan refuses to become involved with such an ego-centric individual. Now can Dane convince Megan to marry him, or will Dane be forced to give up his godhood as well as his life.

In Norse Truly, the hero is cursed to sail his Viking ship along the same stretch of Scandinavian coastline forever. However when Alrik Sigurdsson finds the only woman who could possibly save him, she doesn’t believe his improbable story

Both stories are cute and funny, and both are written in first person. But this is the first time I’ve read a complete story, showing only the hero’s point of view. If you love Katie’s other books, I’m sure you’ll love this one.

Details: Pocket, October 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

A Date with the Other Side by Erin McCarthy

While Shelby Tucker makes a living by giving tours of haunted houses, she’s never actually seen a ghost – at least until the Boston Macnamara rents one of the houses. Boston is in town to inspect the plastics plant, which is the town’s major employer for possible shutdown. Now a batch of random accidents is pushing the two together. But are the accidents random or is someone or something’s magic at work.

I liked this story enough to check out some of Erin’s other stories. I enjoyed the humor and wish more writers would incorporate it into their stories.

Keywords: Details: Berkley, January 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Undercover in High Heels by Gemma Halliday

Set on the set of Magnolia Lane, TV’s newest hit, Maddie finds herself in the middle of a real life story as she investigates a young starlet’s death. Each star seems to have a motive and too much publicity complicates everything.

A cute mystery story with a good sense of humor is always bound to catch my attention.

Details: Making It, September 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Killer in High Heels by Gemma Halliday

The sequel to Spying In High Heels features Maddie Springer wrapped up in the middle of a big mystery. This time her father who ran off a long time ago to Vegas, makes a desperate call for help. So she hits the road in search of her father. Combining a good mystery with a nice batch of wacky characters and this book is sure to bring a smile to your face.

Details: Making It, March 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Witch in the House by Jenna McKnight

I enjoyed this story about a witch who casts a spell to find the perfect man. But the spell backfires and brings her a man that she can’t love. Now she has to work hard to get rid of him before he becomes too suspicious about her powers. A must read for Jenna McKnight fans.


Details: Bantam, March 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair

Filled with action and adventure, Linnea introduces a heroine who finds herself serving underneath a cyborg, with whom she previously fought against during the war. Now a more insidious enemy invades their universe forcing the couple together. Can love be far behind.

Great story with a complex plot and very believable characters. A must read if you like science fiction and romance.

Details: Bantam, March 2007

Excellence Rating: Great

Careful What You Wish For by Lucy Finn

This is a cute story about a single mom, who finds an attractive genie in her kitchen. But after her third wish the genie will be returned to when he was originally bottled. It’s bound to bring a few smiles to your face.

Details: Signet Eclipse, June 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Beg for Mercy by Toni Andrews

Mercy Hollings doesn’t consider herself human because she has the psychic ability to “press” people into doing whatever she wants. But what she really wants is to be alone. Unfortunately the one person she calls friend disappears and Mercy feels responsible. Soon she finds herself collecting a wacky group of people to help, but will Mercy find her friend in time to save her.

I liked this story and since the story leaves open room for a sequel, I’ll purchase when it comes out.

Details: Mira, September 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

The Life of Reilly by Sue Civil-Brown

This book is set in the same world as her previous HQN novel, Hurricane Hanna. Treasure Island’s school teacher, Lynn Reilly is haunted by her aunt Delphine who seems to be pushing her toward her neighbor Reverend Jack Marks. While I was concerned that a relationship between the heroine and a preacher would be a little boring, Sue seems to find plenty of humor in this story.

Details: HQN, September 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good

Driven by Eve Kenin

Interesting story which takes place in a futuristic world filled with danger and suspense. I love the blend of science fiction with romance that the Shomi books offer and I’m looking forward to reading more of those stories.

Details: Shomi, September 2007

Excellence Rating: Very Good