Saturday, July 18, 2009

Son Of Avonar by Carol Berg


SON OF AVONAR
Mass Market Paperback: 472 pages
Publisher: Roc (2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451459628
ISBN-13: 978-0451459626
Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:
Magic is forbidden throughout the Four Realms. For decades, sorcerers and those associating with them were hunted to near extinction.

But Seri, a Leiran noblewoman living in exile, is no stranger to defying the unjust laws of her land. She is sheltering a wanted fugitive who possesses unusual abilities - a fugitive with the fate of the realms in his hands...


Comments:
Son Of Avonar is the first book in a facinating fantasy series by writer Carol Berg. With this book she has won the 2006 Winner of the 2006 Prism Award.

I have to admit the reason I bought this book was the opening scene where a naked stranger runs into the heroine. But the story really was not about that. Still I enjoyed it quite a bit. It is more what I would term a classical fantasy novel with a touch of romance. But the romance element is not in the sense of the romance genre. I suspect the audiance of these books were meant to be a younger crowd (thank myself :D). Struggle of good and evil is a strong theme throughout the series.

The style of the books in this series is especially interesting. Always written in first person, but the person telling the story changes from chapter to chapter. I found this very interesting and especially useful way of avoiding the difficulties the first person narration presents in general. It manages to give a more up close description of situations where the hero may not be present and makes the story all the more captivating for it.

I think if you like reading fantasy, you will enjoy these books.


Where to find one:
You can find a copy of Son Of Avonar at AC Read:

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Devil's Bargain and Devil's Due by Rachel Caine


DEVIL'S BARGAIN
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Silhouette (2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373513674
ISBN-13: 978-0373513673
Genre: Romance

Synopsis:
Jazz Callender - don't call me Jasamine - is an ex-cop with a goal: opening her own private detective agency and proving her former partner is innocent of murder. Too bad no one will lend her the money. Until a sexy lawyer with the devil's own grin appears with an offer she can't refuse...

$100,000. A savvy new partner. And an agreement to make any case arriving via red envelope a top priority. But if Jazz accepts, there's no turning back. Because once she opens that envelope, all hell's gonna break loose...




DEVIL'S DUE
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Silhouette (2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373513879
ISBN-13: 9780373513871
Genre: Romance

Synopsis:
The money Lucia and her new partner received to open their detective agency had come with strings: any assignment delivered via red envelope had to be top priority. No sweat. No one could make Lucia do something she didn't believe in - right?

Wrong. Lucia soon learned that every choice she made meant life or death for innocent people. No one could be trusted, not even the ex-cop she'd hired - and fallen for. in fact, Ben might be her fatal weakness, if the powers warring to control the future used him to control Lucia...


Comments:
These two books make up a wonderfully intriguing duology. Writer Rachel Caine is better known for her popular urban fantasy series, the Weather Wardens. Her writing in these two books is just as strong, exciting and interesting. She is in my opinion definitely a rising star who will go far in her career.
The romance aspect of these books is a bit secondary to the interesting mystery-adventure paranormal plots. So the expectations may be different judging by the publisher (of these books), however they definitely won't be a disappointment.

Where to find one:
You can find a copy of Devil's Bargain at AC Read:

Monday, July 6, 2009

The Pillars Of The World by Anne Bishop


Mass Market Paperback: 424 pages
Publisher: Roc (2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0451458508
ISBN-13: 9780451458506
Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:
The youngest in a long line of witches, Ari senses that things are changing - changing for the worse. For generations, her kin have tended the Old Places, keeping the land safe and fertile. But with the Summer Moon, the mood of her neighbors has soured. And Ari is no longer safe.

The Fea have long ignored what occurs in the mortal world, passing through on ther shadowy roads only long enough to amuse themselves. But the roads are slowly disappearing, leaving the Fea Clans isolated and alone.

Where harmony between the spiritual and the natural has always reigned, a dissonant chord now rings in the ears of both Fea and mortal. And when murmurs of a witch-hunt through the town, some begin to wonder if the different omens are notes in the same tune.

Comments:
Part of award winning writer Anne Bishop's Tir Alainn triology. This is the first book in this wonderful triology. Compared to her better known Black Jewels series, the tir Alainn triology is less well known. But they do reflect Anne Bishop's mastery in world building and crafting interesting fantasy stories.

Where to find one:
You can find a copy of this book in our store

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Master Of Swords by Angela Knight


Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 3, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425209210
ISBN-13: 978-0425209219
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis:
Witch Lark McClure has survived a vicious vampire attack that shook her confidence and left her struggling with feelings of helplessness and fear. The last thing she needs is a partnership with Gawain, a handsome vampire knight who means to seduce her every chance he gets.

Gawain believes he needs Lark for one thing and one thing only - and it's not her skill with magic. In the process, he plans to help her overcome her fear and show her the pleasure to be found in a vampire's arms.

But even as passion sizzles between Lark and Gawain, a revenge-driven killer targets them. If he has his way, Lark, Gawain, and the world itself will pay the price.

Comments:
Part of bestselling writer Angela Knight's wonderful Mageverse series.

Where to find one:
You can find a copy of this book in our store

Promise Me Tomorrow by Nora Roberts


Paperback: 296 pages
Publisher: Pocket (1984)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0671470191
ISBN-13: 9780671470197

Synopsis:
Sarah had to build something big, in her work and in her life. And Byron's searing kiss stirred wild longings in her no other man had touched. Her future as an architect was in his hands. But he would trap her in a desperate passion - one never fulfilled by love. She fled to a glamorous assignment in Paris - to the embrace of an elegant Frenchman whose sensuous caress hid a dangerous ambition.

Comments:
This is one of Nora Roberts' most sought after books. It has been out of print for a very long time and Ms. Roberts is refusing to have it reprinted. There have been only a few publishings of it in the mid-1980's. Since then Nora fans had been searching for the few remaining copies. As you can imagine the condition of the remaining books are deteriorating with time. And after 25 years it is very tough to find a good reading copy let alone one in priecetine condition.

Where to find one:
Luckily for you we have a great reading copy of this book in our store
http://acread.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4517706

For collectors of Nora's books we have several more copis of this book. Here are two different prints of it with rare covers
http://acread.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2619879 (I have only seen one more book with this cover over the years, searching, buying and selling copies of this book.) and
http://acread.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2056999 (I have seen a few books with this cover, however it is still pretty rare)

Here is a copy of this book printed in Canada. I have not run accross another such copy. Looks similar to the US prints however there are minor differences.
http://acread.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=4246475

And here is the same book printed in German.

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