The
Enchanting World of Kathleen Nance
an interview conducted by Denise Fleischer
(GWN ONLINE- Oct. 4, 2002) - Kathleen Nance has been our
creative navigator. With each novel she creates a window for us to observe magic
in the making, paranormal abilities and Djinn in their colorful, dangerous and
sensual environments. We have followed Leila and Jack's passion in Enchantment.
We have cheered Dia Trelawny as she performed her fascinating magic on stage. We
have enjoyed Zeus and Hera's attempts to play matchmaker. We have watched
Matthew Hennessy come strolling back into Joy Taylor's life. We always want more
of her magic. And we get it.
Denise: Kathleen, where in the world do you get all the ideas for your
books?
Kathleen: Ideas can come from all kinds of places. The djinn series
started with a quote from Stephen Sondheim: wishes come true, not free. It
started me thinking about what might be the cost of wishes and why someone might
not want to pay that cost. Of course, wishes are often associated with
genies, but I didn’t want a hero who lived in a lamp, thus Kaf was discovered.
The Sons of Olympus series started because I have always loved mythology
(and Xena and Hercules on television).
Denise: When you became a stay-at-home mom, is that when you
decided to develop your stories and to work toward publication?
Kathleen: Yes. I lost a job and ended up at home with three small
children. I figured if I was ever going to put my dream into action, that
was the time. I took classes, read tons of writing books, but most of all,
I wrote.
Denise: What type of characters and storylines do you prefer to create?
Kathleen: I don’t want to say there’s some genre or type of story I
wouldn’t want to write, because who knows what the future holds. I enjoy
the romance stories because I like their message of hope and strength, but I
tend to write ones with a fairly strong external plot as well. My
published works have all been paranormal,
and I enjoy the suspense genre, I think because both of them have that
intriguing “extra something.”
Denise: It took six years of hard work before "Wishes Come
True" was published in 1998. You now have 6 books and 3 novellas. What was
that road to publication like for you?
Kathleen: I divided this question up because the answers are different.
Everyone has a unique road to publication. In my case, it took the form of a lot
of studying and
classes, finding a writer’s group, joining several different critique groups
before I found one that worked for me, and writing a lot.
My first sale came about as a result of a contest. I’d finaled in the
Winning Beginnings contest and the final judge–a Dorchester editor–asked for
the complete manuscript (after picking mine for first place) Fortunately, I had
a polished manuscript ready to go and I sent it right out to her. She
called and asked to buy it six weeks later.
Denise: Tell us all about your first Djinn novel and what leads Zoe
Calderone to the love of her life.
Kathleen: Zoe is the heroine of my first book, Wishes Come True. As I
said, the book got started when I began thinking about what might be the cost of
wishes. Zoe is a single mother, who firmly believes you only achieve what
you work for and wishing for things is a waste of time. Her daughter,
Mary, however, has a fanciful
belief in magic and wants to try a spell to summon a genie. Intending to
prove to her daughter that magic doesn’t exist and wishes are a waste of time,
(and not
wanting her daughter actually trying to do magic) Zoe performs the ritual in her
stead. Boy, is this mom surprised when a gorgeous, naked man suddenly
appears
in her living room.
Denise: We want to know what inspired you to write the Olympus Series,
which includes The Seeker, The Warrior and The Trickster. Please briefly
introduce your future readers to the characters and plot of each book.
Kathleen: As I said, I’ve always been fascinated with mythology, plus I
loved all the revisionist fun of the Xena and Hercules TV programs. I also
wondered if the
myth-writers hadn’t taken from a seed of truth, but got a few of the facts
wrong, This, plus a TV documentary on ancient astronauts got me to
thinking about the origins of the myths. The premise I set up was that
Zeus and Hera (and the other gods) are long-lived aliens, banished to this
planet from their own world. Now in his twilight years (only 2 or 3
centuries left), Zeus decides to match make for descendants of the women he
wronged in the myths. His early escapades have left a legacy in their
lines, where the women are all failures at finding their true loves. He
discovers, to break the curse he left, he has to match each woman with a
descendant of one of the gods. Each book starts with the relevant myth, so
anyone who hasn’t read the stories will know the background and each also
includes an ongoing story arc as Zeus and Hera try to resolve their own
relationship difficulties.
In The Trickster, Matthew Mark Hennessy (descendant of Hermes, the trickster)
returns to chef Joy Taylor (descendant of Io) to protect her, the woman he loved
and left, from the schemes of a jewel thief. But, Joy finally has what she
has always dreamed of – a stable home – and she wants nothing to do with the
itinerant
magician.
In The Warrior, vegetarian chef Callie Gabriel (descendant of Callisto) is
searching for FBI agent Armond Marceaux (descendant of Ares, god of war) to tell
him he’s going to be a father, the result of a single night before their
differences tore them apart.
Unfortunately, Armond has no recollection of Callie or the night, for one of his
cases has left him with amnesia. Callie, however, is his best chance at
regaining his memory and his love –if they can survive the machinations of a
traitor.
In The Seeker, magician Dia Trelawny (descendant of Leda) unexpectedly finds
herself in charge of her four teenage nieces and nephews, when her sister
disappears. Dia turns to the best at finding a missing soul, detective
Hugh Pendragon (descendant of Hades, god of the underworld).
Unfortunately, Hugh
has retired – until he discovers Dia holds the key to restoring his vanishing
psychic powers.
Denise: "More Than Magic" tells how Isis Montgomery binds the
Protector of the Ma-at unknowingly. All she was really after was the perfume of
her dreams. Who is behind this dark task?
Kathleen: A female djinni, rival to the Protector, hopes to use Isis to
destroy Darius. What Pari doesn’t expect, however, is the power of
love, of forgiveness, and of sacrifice.
Denise: Through your imagination, we have explored the Djinn world of Kaf.
How did the Djinn first come to Kaf? Did the ancients create it? Tell us about
ma-at, what a zaniya is and about the ways of Djinn. What do they wear, what are
their homes like and what do they eat? Do they live longer lives than mortals?
Kathleen: Tall order. I’ll briefly summarize a few background
points, but in each djinn book, the reader learns more about the djinn and their
world. The djinn (which
they prefer to genies) were originally of earth, greater than man, but lesser
than the angels. Not wishing to be lesser than any being, they left earth
(or Terra as they call it ) for another dimension and another world – Kaf, a
harsh, but beautiful land. Since they were once of earth, they can return
here, however few choose to do so. Humans have the ability to bind djinn
and force them to grant wishes, a fate the djinn abhor, especially since they
are lost to the company of their own people during the binding. Most of
them don’t like humans for this reason. The winds and fires of Kaf are
the source of their ma-at (as they call magic), and as a people they are
mercurial, arrogant, and sexually free. Few form long term bonds, unless
they find their zaniya or zani, their soul mate, and then their union is
eternal.
Denise: Enchantment is your latest title. Here a mortal scientist has
created a device to protect him from Ma-at? What happened in Jack Montgomery's
life that he feels he needs the device? Isn't he Isis' brother? How does he come
to meet a djinn named Leila and what is her goal?
Kathleen: Yes, he’s Isis’s brother. He’s a biomedical
engineer – a genius and a scientist through and through. I figured if
any one of Isis’s brothers would detest the
idea of magic when he meets Darius, his future brother-in-law, it would be Jack,
the ultimate in rationality and logic. He has devoted his time since to
finding a way to negate the effects of magic, refusing to allow someone to
control him. Besides his
basic nature, Jack has some strong reasons from his background why he will not
accept someone controlling him – but that’s something you’ll have to
discover
when you read the book. He meets Leila when she attempts to seduce him.
She also has her reasons why, but I won’t spoil the journey for you.
Denise: What book of yours can we expect to see on bookshelves in the
near future?
Kathleen: Spellbound will be available June 2003. Here’s a short
blurb:
A djinni whose sensual music is the soul of his world and a woman bound by a
terrifying secret discover bonds and dangers reaching back centuries. Will
their
love be enough to combat the evil intent on destroying them?
Denise: How do you promote your books? And when in the world do you find
the time?
Kathleen: I haven’t figured out what works best for promoting, and as
you say, time is always an issue. I’ve tried a variety of things: ads,
mailings, etc. Right now, I’m working on a bookstore database, giving
some workshops, and relying on the Internet. You can visit my web
page at kathleennance.com.
Denise: Thank you so much for your time, Kathleen. Please say hello to
Leila and Jack for me.
THE
COLOR OF BLOOD
By M. K. Fottrell
The Fiction Works
© 2001
E-book
ISBN: 1-58124-699-4
Romantic Mystery
M. K. Fottrell draws us into the world of the rich and famous in the movie
industry during the early sixties. Camelot and racism are the headlines of the
era. Miranda Lane creates another controversial headline. The grownup child
star, loved by millions, has retired.
Miranda has made other major decisions. She left the controlling influence of
her mother. And she has agreed to be interviewed by a handsome reporter who
becomes more to her than she ever expected.
Angry about Miranda's independent actions, her mother retaliates by spending all
of Miranda's movie earnings, forcing Miranda to return to the movie industry
she'd just left. Her mother also informs Miranda that a dark secret looms in her
past that can destroy her career.
But there seems to be more that her mother is hiding. A similar element in the
suicide of Miranda's accountant and the fiery death of a scandal reporter causes
a policeman from back east to question the deaths. And why do the deaths remind
him of several unsolved murders back east?
To uncover the secrets in Miranda's life, download a copy of THE COLOR OF BLOOD.
Be forewarned that it contains explicit sex scenes.
2 out of 5 TRENCHCOATS
SG Pickett, Gotta Write Online Book Reviewer
Lone
Arrow's Pride
By Karen Kay
Avon Historical Romance/
The Legendary Warrior's Series
ISBN: 0-380-82066-8
$5.99
384 pages
July 2, 2002
Setting: American West,
Bighorn Mountains: 1866
Eleven-year-old Carolyn White had only instinct to guide her through the foreign
land. A cholera epidemic struck her family's caravan shortly after departing
Fort Kearny. Alone on the Bozeman trail, the only survivor of the outbreak, she
journeys on foot north toward the mountains. Her goal is to reach Fort C.F.
Smith.
During her journey she encounters a mysterious whirlwind on the mountain near an
unusual set of stones. The wind, perhaps a spirit, guides her to a spot beneath
a cliff and toward a Crow Indian, named A-luu-te Ih-ach kaat or Lone Arrow.
Carolyn follows the whirlwind downhill and literally lands beside a naked
Indian, perhaps five or six years older than her. His scent is strong with sage
and other herbs.
For weeks Lone Arrow had prepared for his vision in order to communicate with
his Maker. He sought an animal guide or warrior protector. Instead, what he
holds captive is a young white girl, alone and frightened. Why she is on the
sacred mountain is a mystery to him. And she arrived after he witnessed the
spirit of the mountains. It spoke of the future, but nothing of a planned raid.
Now, this new distraction. He releases her to determine her own fate.
Because she knows him only as an enemy, she seizes the opportunity to run down
the hill, toward the shoreline and right into a big, black bear. Lone Arrow
pulls her away and together they run for the nearest tree. Into a small hole in
the ledge of a cliff they fall in order to survive. Entering the cave of
treasures changes Carolyn's life forever. Against the advice of Lone Arrow, she
takes a golden cross, knowing the treasures are cursed. He is unaware of her
theft as he leads her to Fort C.F. Smith. She repays his kindness by giving him
her locket, her only possession.
Eight years pass. Even though the Simons adopted Carolyn, she continues to
experience a bad run of luck. Her adopted father fell from a ladder and broke
both hips. She and her mother must do the majority of the work to pay their
debts. Debts that could lead to their property being taken away by the bank.
Carolyn comes to realize that the only means of ending her and her family's
financial problems is to return the cross to the cave. So begins her journey to
locate the cave and the young man.
The return path begins at Fort Ellis. There she meets Petty Moon who acts as her
messenger, leading Lone Arrow to her and possibly back to a normal life.
LONE ARROW'S PRIDE bridges two souls together who under normal circumstances
would have never met. It is also about obligations to one's people and family.
Lone Arrow is committed to seeing that the secrets of the cavern are not
revealed. Only Carolyn can save her family from poverty. The only drawback in
this novel is the consistent scenes were Carolyn is tripping over things because
of the curse and I couldn't see a woman traveling alone in Indian Territory.
3 out of 5 arrowheads
--Denise Fleischer, GWN Book Reviewer
8/18/2002
White
Eagle’s Lady
by Pamela Johnson
Romance
Echelon Press
2002
172 Pages
White Eagle’s Lady tells a story every woman dreams her romance to be, though
the romance blossoms in a series of frightening and brutal events. A
violent first encounter gives way to a peaceful love and devotion that can only
come through the struggle of trials. The story takes the sorrows of two
individuals and molds their lives into one, against all odds.
The book is not simply a romance novel, but a depiction of the Cherokee way of
life. Their philosophies of life and love are explored through the heroics
of White Eagle and the deception of Tsula. Johnson portrays White Eagle as
the icon of the Cherokee nation, full of pride and strength, but with a gentle
and faithful love for nature and his people. This love is naturally, and
miraculously transformed into a love for a woman he was never supposed to
love.
White Eagle’s strength is overshadowed only by the innocent might of Sarah
McKenna. Straight from boarding school, with little knowledge of men
beyond her child-like fantasies, Sarah is thrown into a journey from which she
will never look back. With trembling heart and a gentle, yet bold spirit;
Sarah encounters the man who will forever change her view of the
world.
The conclusion of the story is bitter with the needless death of someone close
to White Eagle, yet sweet with the lovers’ future. This book will keep
you hanging by a thread and leave you content with love’s victory at its
finale.
-Four hearts out of five
-Amy Renea Harrison, GWN book reviewer
5/22/2002
TO TAME
A ROGUE
by Linda Kay
Zebra Books
Time Travel -Historical Romance
Kensington Publishing Corp.
March, 2001
Heiress Arden St. Claire desires a little adventure in her life. When she
happens upon a unique travel agency named Any Time/Any Place she has no idea
that it specializes in time travel. When the entrepreneur, Tobias Thistlewaite
suggests that she's the perfect candidate for a Regency Tour she approves.
Thinking her travels will focus on historical reenactment she prepares her
wardrobe and currency. When the shop begins to tremble and she finds herself in
a forest somewhere in England she knows she got a little more than she bargained
for.
Shortly after touching down in the 19th century Arden find herself in the middle
of a crime. Coming to the rescue of William Robert Stanley Warrick, the sixth
duke of Wolverton, Arden finds herself a suspect in the eyes of young William's
uncle, Captain Royce Warrick, second son of a duke and late of the Prince of
Wales' Royal Light Dragoons.
Caught in the mystery of who is trying to kill young William, Arden demands to
be included in the investigation and stops several attempts at ending the boy's
life. Royce doesn't know whether he should consider Arden an American spy, a
suspect in the series of accidents William has nearly died in, or if he should
bed her. The attraction is there and he knows it. Royce's obligations to wed
another and his promise to his brother to ease into a more responsible lifestyle
are a constant threat to Arden and his growing love for one another.
TO TAME A ROGUE brings a contemporary woman into a highly restricted,
pre-conceived society where appearances and titles mean everything. Where you
are judged not only by wealth, but by your ability to maintain an acceptable
reputation in the eyes of the ton. This one is a keeper folks and keep your eyes
open for Linda's next time travel romance, TO CHARM A KNIGHT (Nov. 2001).
Denise Fleischer, GWN Online Romance Editor
Netera@aol.com
July 18, 2001
NovelTalk Chat
http://www.debstover.com/chat.htm
Every Wednesday and every third Thursday at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, join your
hosts Deb Stover, Trish Jensen, and Kathy Boswell and their guests for "NovelTalk."
November 28th, 2001 Karen White will discuss her breathtaking Gothic
Romance, Whispers of Goodbye!
Special Event--Special Night--Special Guest!
Saturday, December 1st, 2001, NovelTalk is honored to chat with
the legendary Georgia Bockoven. Please join us for what promises to be
a memorable evening!
December 5th, 2001 Alice Duncan/Emma Craig/Rachel Wilson will be our
guest--yes, that's singular--this evening to discuss her latest releases--yes,
that's plural!-- Gabriel's Fate and The Leading Man.
December 12th, 2001 Both halves of Elizabeth Keys will join us to discuss
Reilly's Heart.
December 19th, 2001 Robin Owens will talk about HeartMate. Please join
us for this special maiden voyage. <G>
December 20th, 2001 Third Thursday Chat - Check your pulse!!!!!!!!!
Bertrice Small and Thea Devine will be our guests this evening to discuss their
newest releases!!!!
January 17th, 2002 Kathleen O'Reilly will talk about Dragonslayer
(Berkley/Jove) and A Christmas Carol (Harlequin Duets).
February 6th, 2002 Veronica Sattler will present her phenomenal Irish
Historical Fantasy titled Come Midnight! Note: Yes, Deb got a sneak peek! :)
February 13th, 2002 Melynda Beth Skinner will focus on the second novel
of her related series of Regencies, The Blue Stocking.
They're Two Of A Kind:
Meet Margaret Brownley and Lee Duran
(GWN ONLINE - July 27, 2001) - Let's talk about the power of networking. I
received an email a few months ago informing me that two women had a written a
book together. That wasn't an uncommon thing. I'd just interviewed Christine
Holden, aka the mother and daughter team of Leslie-Christine Megahey and Shirley
Holden-Ferdinand and also the writer known as P.J. Parrish. In reality, sisters
Kristy Montee and Kelly Montee write under that pen name.
All right, so what makes Margaret and Lee unique. According to these creative
ladies, they were born in different countries and are as different as night and
day, but there is no denying there is a special bond between them. They often
kid around saying that the only thing they have in common is their love for
writing, their brilliant minds and the same shoe size. Oh, they also watch the
same soap opera.
They meet 11 years ago while running for the same national office of the
writer's organization they belong to. Together, they have survived "an
earthquake, rising flood waters, family tragedies, beauty makeovers, and a
panicky trip through a snowstorm to reach a daughter about to go into
labor."
Putting their creative talents to work, they wrote a storyline for their
favorite soap opera while on a cruise to Mexico. They also plotted their book
"Spittin' Image" while touring the ghost towns of Nevada.
Living in two different states doesn't seem to stop them from brainstorming and
writing book after book. They've grown accustom to sending chapters to each
other via e-mail.
Now, Sit back and enjoy this recent conversation I had with these two
fascinating women.
DENISE:: A writer's organization election brought you and Lee together.
What turned a winning friendship into a writing team?
Lee: It didn't happen overnight. We were both busy with our own books for
several years. But then we had a chance to collaborate on a storyline for a CBS
soap opera (and sell it, yet!). We quickly discovered that we work really well
together.
Margaret: Not only do we work well together, we truly inspire each other.
One of us comes up with an idea, the other builds on it, and the ideas flow back
and forth until we have something bigger, brighter and even bolder than either
one of us could have come up with alone.
Lee: For example, the setup for Spittin' Image had been drifting around
in my head for years but I really didn't have much story to go with it--until I
mentioned it to Margaret. She turned it into a mystery and came up with the idea
of using first person, which I fought tooth and nail before realizing she was
absolutely right. Before we knew it, we were off and running!
What was your first collaboration? Did it lead to a sale?
Margaret: Our first collaboration was an anthology, which we wrote with
two other writers. Since it sold in two weeks, we thought we were invincible and
that the sky was the limit. After we sold to CBS, there was no stopping us.
DENISE:: While touring the ghost towns of Nevada, you both were inspired
to write "Spittin' Image," which will be published in July by
iPublish.com. The plot has two women with identical profiles meeting at O'Hare
Airport during a raging storm. What do they dread and what do they decide to do?
Lee: My character, Sam, doesn't want to sign divorce papers but must
because her husband has enough on her and her uncle to put them both away for
decades.
Margaret: My character, Jayne, has always been a disappointment to her
flamboyant grandmother, and doesn't want to face up to emptying the old lady's
Victorian mansion. So she reluctantly agrees to change places with Sam, just for
a week.
Lee: It's a switch made in heaven! At least, that's what Sam contends.
Margaret: It's a switch that quickly turns into a nightmare.
DENISE:: The plot thickens when relationships start heating up. Who do
Sam and Jayne fall for and who is hot on their trail?
Lee: Sam falls for Jayne's forbidden hunk of a half-brother.
Margaret: Much to Jayne's horror, she falls for Sam's husband, which goes
against everything she believes in. Hot on their trail are the bad guys…
Lee: …and that's all we can tell you without spoiling the fun.
Denise: Do we get a happy ending?
Margaret: Lee and I are romance writers at heart, so the romantic
elements will always play an important part of our story. Spittin' Image is the
first book in the Doubletake Series, and we're already at work on book two.
We'll continue to explore Jayne's relationship with Russell-and Sam's with Ben.
The only thing we can promise is that the relationships will change for better
or worse with each book-and there will never be a dull moment.
DENISE:: How many publishers did you send this manuscript to? What were
your experiences like? How have you dealt with waiting to hold the book in your
hands that first time?
Lee: Umpteen. We didn't get any negative comments about the 'book,' just
doubt that it fit into any discernible niche. One editor actually held the
manuscript for a 'year' trying to figure out a way to publish it, then finally
sent it back. But we persevered, determined to tell the story as it should be
told and let the chips fall where they may.
Margaret: Earlier I said we thought we were invincible and the sky was
the limit. That was before we tried to market the book. Nothing brings you down
to earth quicker than the publishing business. Combined, Lee and I have sold
over 60 romance novels. This worked against us because publishers considered us
romance novelists, and well, let's face it, our heroines do things that no
respectable romance heroine (other than Scarlet O'Hara) would do. As I mentioned
earlier, Jayne falls in love with a married man. Some editors wanted us to make
him divorced from the start, but that would have taken away the conflict, not to
mention the fun of having a straight-laced woman do something so completely
outside her nature.
DENISE:: As for waiting for the book to be published, we've been so busy
we haven't really had time to savor the moment. We've just completed a special
project for iPublish called Wild Women, which will launch a writing contest. The
winning entries will be published with our stories in an anthology. What are the
reviewers saying about Spittin' Image?
Lee: Naturally, they love it! (Said with Sam's usual lack of modesty)
Margaret: So far, every reviewer has liked the book. I take this as a
sign that readers are ready for something different. I know I am.
DENISE:: Any future projects planned?
Lee: We can't let go of Jane and Sam! Next up: Two Many Cooks. Guess who
can't boil water?
Margaret: Spittin' Image is the first book in the Doubletake series. That
means our two look-alikes heroines will be getting into trouble and trading
places at the worst possible times in future books.
DENISE:: What writing organizations do you two belong to?
Lee: Sisters in Crime, Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America
DENISE:: Any tips for beginning writers?
Lee: My best tip came from that wonderful writer of romances, Barbara
Faith, who unfortunately is no longer with us. It was 1987 and I'd just entered
another partial manuscript in another writing contest. Upon hearing this news,
Barbara pulled her granny glasses lower on her nose and said in her best school
ma'rm fashion, "Dear, don't you think you should stop entering contests and
'finish' something?" I took her advice and sold my first book in
1988. So 'my' advice for beginning writers is: Finish the darned thing!
Margaret: My advice is do quit your day job. (I bet you never thought
you'd hear anyone say that!) No one works harder than a starving writer. I quit
mine and it was either sink or swim as a writer. Fortunately, I sold enough
non-fiction articles and work-for-hire novelizations to keep me going through
the tough times, and it was only a few months after becoming a full-time writer
that I sold my first book. Had I kept teaching, it would have taken me years
longer to publish my first novel.
BTW ...We're giving away an electronic reader to one lucky person. Just go to www.margaretandlee.com
and click on contest. It's fun, it's easy and it's free!
--Denise Fleischer, GWN Online, Romance Editor
Netera@aol.com
7/27/2001
Bold and Brave-Hearted
by Charlotte Maclay
Harlequin's American Romance series
Men of Station Six mini-series
August, 2001
$4.50
ISBN 0-373-16886-1
Setting: California, present day
It took an earthquake to bring Kimberly Lydell and Jay Tolliver together in
Charlotte Maclay's novel, "Bold and Brave-Hearted. Though they'd gone to
the same high school, Jay didn't think he was good enough for Kim. When the
earthquake strikes, Kim is trapped by a fallen overhead light in the TV studio
where she's a news anchor. All Jay could think about was being there for her
until other firefighters could help pull her out of the partially collapsed
building.
Four months pass, leading Kim into total isolation because of the scars on her
face. Her life as a local celebrity is over. Courage is not something she can
grasp. Until one day she learns from the Station Six Fire Chief that the man who
rescued her was injured in a plastics plant explosion. There was an explosion
and shattered glass cut the corneas of his eyes.
Kim reaches out to Jay by visiting him at home. She's hiding behind a scarf and
sunglasses to conceal her disfigurement and he's in total denial of his
situation. While Kim helps him reorganize his life, Jay's thinking of every
possible way of keeping her at his side, everything from dinner at Smoke Eaters
Bar & Grill, playing darts and a picnic. Out of necessity, she temporarily
moves in with him to give him eye drops as a precaution against infection.
Though the attraction that fires up his soul can not end his nightmares and the
fear that his blindness will be permanent, he still hopes that he'll see again
and that Kim will be his wife.
While Kim longs for normalcy and a future with Jay she doesn't believe either
are possible. There's always the chance that his eyes would heal and he'd pity
her once he saw her face.
Several secondary characters attempt to bring them together: Emma Jean Witowsky,
the dispatcher who thinks she has the ability to predict the future and
Councilwoman Anderson who has more than a political agenda where the chief is
concerned.
BOLD AND BRAVE-HEARTED wasn't like the Harlequin romances I remembered. It was
appropriately sensual. The characters weren't perfect or goodie-two shoes. I
don't know if I can realistically see a blind man doing some of the things Jay
did, but in the story that's what kept him alive and hopeful. Several times I
felt tempted to refer Kim to a good plastic surgeon. That alone pointed out to
me that I cared what happened to these two very special people devoted to their
jobs.
The book deals with the power of emotion and discrimination that those suddenly
disabled must live through, also how lives change and families and strangers
react. If you haven't picked up a Harlequin romance in a long time, pick this
one up and watch for the next Charlotte Maclay book in the Men of Station Six
mini-series due out in September, "With Valor and Devotion." This book
focuses on a secondary character in Bold and Brave-Hearted, Mike Gables.
Apparently, Gables rescues an orphan boy and his dog. The youngster's social
worker, Kristin McCoy, proves to be an obstacle when Mike tries to adopt the
child. Learn more about Harlequin's latest releases by logging on to
www.eHarlequin.com and check out Charlotte's website at: www.occrwa.com/charlottemaclay/
to learn about the 32 books she's written.
Denise Fleischer, Romance Editor, GWN Online book reviewer
Netera@aol.com
8/16/2001
Just Breathe
by Dee Davis
Ivy Books
The Ballantine Publishing Group
July 2001
U.S. $6.50
362 pages
Romantic Suspense
www.randomhouse.com
www.deedavis.com
Dee Davis delivers a tale of mystery, suspense and fate in "Just
Breathe." It begins with a meeting in Volksgarten, Vienna, Austria in 1985.
Lisa Munroe, a young reporter determined to receive vital information for the
story of a lifetime, sets out to meet her source at the statue of Elisabeth, a
Hapsburg empress murdered by an anarchist. No sooner does she reach her
appointed destination does she stare into the eyes of her killer.
Sudbahnhof, Vienna - Present Day. Future travel writer Chloe Nichols is aboard a
European train with a group of wealthy American seniors. As the train comes to a
stop, she prepares to disembark with the other passengers in order to enter the
underground station. As she steps into the crowded isle, behind a woman weighed
down by luggage, she stops, is pushed aside by a short man and then collides
with him. Literally falls on him. She is warned by a handsome stranger to move
on quickly, to follow him and seconds later feels a stinging sensation in her
arm.
Call it fate, by Chloe quickly becomes the target of a killer and is thrown into
the unfinished business of international spies. In an attempt to protect her,
from Charles Messer's killer, former agent Matthew Broussard takes Chloe under
his wing. Posing as Chloe's fiancée presents the perfect cover for Matthew
during his self-assigned mission to find his former lover's murderer. The
charade continues as he weaves back and forth socializing with Chloe's
companions on tour: Irma Peabody, Charlotte Northrup, Wilhelmina Delacroix and
tour director Thomas Hardy. At the same time he's working with Benjamin
Grantham, chief of station and Harry Norton, a CIA operative to solve the
unsolved case of Lisa's death and what she might have uncovered.
JUST BREATHE, takes your average, always-in-trouble, American woman and throws
her into the heart of international suspense. The pseudo-engagement not only
places Chloe in danger, but informally has her volunteering her services to
"figure this one out." Using her knowledge of history and myths, she's
an informative player in the deadly game of espionage. You quickly fall in love
with Chloe and her senior companions, you begin questioning former operative
Sabra Hitchcock's part in all the never-ending madness and you've got to wonder
who Matthew and Chloe can trust.
What is in Chloe's possession that the killers are trying to uncover? Which one
of the adorable, fun-loving seniors is not your average, everyday citizen? What
did Lisa, Alekesi Panov and another journalist have in common? And when is a
waltz, not a dance? Read "Just Breathe" to find out.
Denise Fleischer
War Cloud's Passion
by Karen Kay
The Legendary Warriors series
Avon
Historical Romance
U.S. $5.99
July 2001
368 pages
Through Sky Falcon's quest to make Spirit Woman his wife, comes a tale of an
inherited curse. It begins with the handsome young merchant's reputation for
drawing young maidens to his furs with a flute as he traveled from village to
village in the west. His wandering ways come to a halt when he casts his eyes
upon a beautiful woman in a Cocopa village. He is determined to win her over
with a song given to him from a medicine man.
Because of Sky Falcon's reputation, Spirit Woman's father, Lost in Timber,
disapproves of the marriage and the only way they can remain together is if she
leaves her people. They begin their lives as husband and wife in Sky Falcon's
village and live contently for years. That is until Dark Star, a young woman
from a warring tribe, joins forces with Lost in Timber to separate the young
lovers. She weaves her deceptive ways with dark magic and an enchanted deerskin.
When he touches the deerskin, Sky Falcon falls under her spell. Dark Star tells
him that Spirit Woman must make her a wedding dress. Then she and her mountain
lion lead him to her lodge. Dark Star's next command is that he make love to
her, what is required for a traditional marriage.
But this dark deed was not to be, for Spirit Woman entered the dwelling
determined to put a stop to Dark Star's evil ways. Her heartbreaking scream,
after finding her husband disrobed and with another woman, broke the spell that
bound Sky Falcon. The lion upon hearing the scream attacked Sky Falcon and the
only way to stop him was for Spirit Woman to give her life for her husband's.
The agreement is made and Spirit Woman leaves the Earth never to be reunited
with her lover. In the end, Lost in Timber curses both Sky Falcon and Dark Star.
Dark Star's body transforms into the true being of her soul and Sky Falcon, and
the generations of his family to come, will be unlucky in love.
Generations of Sky Falcon's family fall victim to the curse and in death call
out to the Cheyenne warrior to put an end to their unrest. In 1869, War Cloud
has more than his share of responsibilities to handle. He is a leader of a group
of Dog Soldiers trying to keep his people alive and at the same time avenge
those who have fallen to the white warriors. He has to get his younger brother,
Lame Bird, out of the grasp of those who captured him and off the train he's
being held on.
On the Kansas Pacific Train are passengers Anna Wiley, Miss Pagney and 12
orphans who are destined for good Christian homes. No sooner does Anna learn
that lawmen have a young Indian hostage and does she stand up for the boy's
rights, are there signs that the passengers on the train are in danger. With
great fear for the safety of the children, Anna is a witness to the execution of
all on board the train and she awaits her own death. Because of her alliance
with the Indian boy she and the children are spared. Unfortunately, Miss Pagney
is among the dead. War Cloud is now obligated to take Anna and the children with
him because of his young brother's insistence that she spoke in his behalf. So
begins the journey of two souls desperate for love, but separated because of a
curse and cultural differences. Anna is a courageous, strong-willed woman
determined to achieve her mission and because of this War Cloud learns to look
beyond the color of her skin to see the purity of her soul.
WAR CLOUD'S PASSION blends myth with historical reality. It doesn't forget that
War Cloud and Anna are from two very different societies and attempt to bring
them together without tension. It shows prejudice of both the inhabitants of the
encampment where they seek temporary sanctuary from warring tribes before Anna
moves on to a fort. Pre-set ideas, hostile forces both mortal and immortal and a
mission are unyielding conflicts. Can these two special people overcome their
differences? Will the children find good Christian homes and a stable future
with loving parents? Can a curse last until the ends of time?
While the book tries to focus on the struggle to survive nature and enemies, it
focused on one issue a little too long, that being War Cloud and Anna having to
become lovers in order for him to be able to protect her. I also would have
liked a little more paranormal guidance from Sky Falcon.
The characters earn your respect and love and I found myself interested in
knowing if they were accepted into War Cloud's society or had to make a life for
themselves and their family elsewhere. The plot flows well and resolution is
achieved. This is one book I wished there was a sequel to.
--Denise Fleischer, Gotta Write Online Book Reviewer
Netera@aol.com
9/29/2001
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Updated 11/27/ 01
