Lois Dyer

RomanceContemporary Romance

More than meets the eye

Review by Lois Dyer

USA Today best-selling author—and our very own romance columnist—Christie Ridgway returns readers to Blue Arrow Lake in Can’t Fight This Feeling, the third book in her Cabin Fever series. Former soldier and current landscaper Brett Walker is content with his bachelor life in the mountain resort town where his family has lived for generations. His past involvement with spoiled rich girls, however, has left him with a scarred heart, and he no longer believes in love. Therefore, he fights his attraction to beautiful heiress Angelica Rodriguez, unwilling to believe she’s any different than the other snooty women who frequent Blue Arrow Lake.

Angelica is equally drawn to the handsome, tough Brett, but she’s baffled when he kisses her, and then avoids her for days. He’s the first man she’s ever really lusted for, and she’s clueless as to whether he dislikes her as much as he seems to desire her. But Angelica has bigger problems than her confusion over Brett because her father, a hedge fund manager in Los Angeles, has been arrested for financial misdeeds. She quickly learns that he drained her personal savings, and she’s now without funds. Within a very short time, her situation becomes desperate.

Brett’s determination to stay far away from the enticing Angelica goes up in smoke when he overhears her tell his sister that she’s been sleeping in her car. Every protective instinct he has kicks in, and before Angelica knows what’s happening, she finds herself wrapped up in the generous Walker family circle. Angelica is an only child with distant, uncaring parent, and the big, bustling Walker family is everything she’s always longed for.

Blue Arrow Lake feels like home to Angelica, and she desperately wants to stay. But her financial circumstances and uncertainty about Brett’s feelings make her question whether she can remain in the welcoming town. As she struggles to reach a decision, only Brett can keep her anchored—but will he be able to forget the pain of the past and claim a future with her?

There is so much to like about this latest novel from Ridgway. Brett and Angelica’s struggle to reach beyond their emotional scars and trust each other is heartwarming and powerful. The heat between them is volcanic, the romance tender, their need to protect each other endearing. The story has everything romance readers love—a broodingly handsome hero, a beautiful and smart heroine, lots of hot sex, many heart-meltingly sweet moments and a wonderful ending.

Lois Dyer writes from Port Orchard, Washington

 

 

USA Today best-selling author—and our very own romance columnist—Christie Ridgway returns readers to Blue Arrow Lake in Can’t Fight This Feeling, the third book in her Cabin Fever series. Former soldier and current landscaper Brett Walker is content with his bachelor life in the small resort town where his family has lived for generations. His past involvement with spoiled rich girls, however, has left him scarred in both body and heart, and he no longer believes in love. Therefore, he fights his attraction to beautiful heiress Angelica Rodriguez, unwilling to believe she’s any different than the other snooty women who frequent Blue Arrow Lake.
RomanceParanormal Romance

Breaking through

Review by Lois Dyer

Prolific New York Times best-selling author Nalini Singh returns to the paranormal world of the Psy-Changelings in Shards of Hope, the 14th novel in the series following Shield of Winter.

After Arrow Squad leader Aden Kai and Commander Zaira Neve are viciously attacked, they regain consciousness only to find themselves trapped in a dark cell. Their psychic abilities have been blocked, and Zaira is seriously wounded. Their captors, however, are unprepared for the nearly superhuman abilities of Arrow warriors. Escape is the first priority, but once achieved, they find themselves far from civilization. There only hope for survival lies with a pack of changelings who are extremely wary of outsiders.

Aden and Zaira are determined to survive and unravel the dark conspiracy that threatens the Arrow Squad, and the plot against them proves to have multiple, tangled strands. Even as they follow each lead deeper into danger, they continue to move forward with plans to create a brighter, warmer future for the Squad’s deadly warriors. Aden wants to bring his battle-weary people in from the cold and offer them a life with the possibility of love, family and friendship. He wants Zaira at his side as his lover and his mate, and although she is fiercely committed to Aden, she refuses to claim him. She is convinced the torture she suffered as a child at the hands of her sadistic parents and the Psy Council prohibits her from ever truly being his.

Even as they struggle to find a way to forge a future together, the evil force threatening to destroy the Arrows draws inexorably nearer. Aden has fought too hard to save Zaira and his Squad; he’ll do anything to keep them safe, even if it means sacrificing himself.

Singh’s reputation as a world-class storyteller is certain to grow with her latest novel. The intricacy of the plot, the complex details of the very intriguing world of the Psy-Changelings, and the depth of emotional connection between Aden and Zaira result in a breathtaking story that’s impossible to put down.

Lois Dyer writes from Washington State

Prolific New York Times best-selling author Nalini Singh returns to the paranormal world of the Psy-Changelings in Shards of Hope, the 14th novel in the series following Shield of Winter.

RomanceRomantic SuspenseHistorical Romance

Growing a mystery

Review by Lois Dyer

Amanda Quick, a pen name of prolific writer Jayne Ann Krentz, takes readers to Victorian-era London in her latest romantic mystery, Garden of Lies. The story follows independent businesswoman Ursula Kern, owner of the Kern Secretarial Agency, who is stunned when one of her employees seemingly takes her own life. Ursula, however, knows the woman too well to believe she would commit suicide. Instead, Ursula is convinced that her friend has been murdered. 

Archaeologist and adventurer Slater Roxton is surprised when Ursula tells him she must abruptly resign from her position as his stenographer. He’s even more stunned when she confesses that she plans to investigate what she believes is the murder of her employee. Unable to convince her to abandon the dangerous plan, he announces that he will join her. As an archaeologist, he’s proven skillful at finding lost artifacts, which should easily translate into detective work. Ursula gladly accepts his aid. While she finds Mr. Roxton extremely attractive, she is unaware that his main interest in joining her investigation is to keep her safe.

As Slater and Ursula join forces to unravel the tangled skein of criminal activity that surrounds the truth about her friend’s fate, it quickly becomes apparent that they are now on the mysterious killer’s hit list. They narrowly survive his attacks, and it’s anyone’s guess whether they will unmask the villain before he terminates them both.

Garden of Lies is simply delightful in so many ways. The details of the story’s setting in Victorian London are impeccable, and the hero and heroine are honorable, daring and sharply intelligent. The secondary characters aren’t just flimsy foils, either; they add charm and humor to the tale, and the mystery plot is cleverly detailed, forming a most satisfactory labyrinth of clues. And to top it all off, the dialogue between Slater and Ursula is witty and their romance eminently rewarding. Readers of historical romance and mystery are going to love this latest book from Quick.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Washington State

Amanda Quick, a pen name of prolific writer Jayne Ann Krentz, takes readers to Victorian-era London in her latest mystery romance, Garden of Lies. The story follows independent businesswoman Ursula Kern, owner of the Kern Secretarial Agency, who is stunned when one of her employees seemingly takes her own life. Ursula, however, knows the woman too well to believe she would commit suicide. Instead, Ursula is convinced that her friend has been murdered.
RomanceContemporary Romance

Skating on thin ice

Review by Lois Dyer

Best-selling author Robyn Carr returns to Thunder Point, Oregon, in her latest novel, One Wish. Beautiful Grace Dillon walked away from stunning success as a champion figure skater to embrace an ordinary life as the owner of a flower shop in quiet Thunder Point. She changes her name, keeps her past a secret and refuses her imperious mother’s demands that she return to the skating world. Grace is happy with her choices and keeps busy with work and friends. However, every once in a while, she wishes she had a guy in her life.

Handsome local high school teacher Troy Headly has come to the conclusion that Grace works far too much. Therefore, he coaxes her into joining him for seaside hikes, impromptu movie nights and chaperoning teenage dances. Before long, their adventures are including kisses and romance. Grace is delighted, thoroughly enjoying everything about their fun, no-commitment relationship. Her training began at age four and continued until her abrupt departure from the skating world at 23, and there had been no time for school dances and boys. Grace is quite happy to revel in the growing connection with Troy.

Both Grace and Troy are falling in love, however, both are wary of confessing their feelings. Troy isn’t certain he wants the changes to his life that loving Grace will inevitably bring, and Grace has secrets she’s kept from Troy—will he be able to deal with her diva mother, celebrity past and all that it entails? As both struggle with accepting and confessing their growing feelings, a shocking letter arrives, forcing Grace’s hand: She must tell Troy who she really is, for danger is stalking her.

One Wish is the seventh novel in Carr’s Thunder Point series, and it doesn’t disappoint. Grace is strong, courageous, independent, sassy and endearing. Her struggle to build her life beyond her mother’s control and the pressure of fans is both admirable and touching, and Troy is the perfect match and counter-balance for Grace. While Grace’s life has been far outside the norm, Troy has a very ordinary, meat-and-potatoes background. Describing his relationship with his family, he says, “I’m crazy about them all the time—we just get on each other’s nerves. We’re typical, I think.” But Troy goes far beyond typical when Grace lands in trouble; Troy steps up and is able to give her exactly the support she needs. Fans of the series will love this latest addition and will be delighted with the glimpses into the lives of characters they’ve met and loved in earlier books.

Lois Dyer writes from Port Orchard, Washington

See more about One Wish in this blog post from Robyn Carr.

Best-selling author Robyn Carr returns to Thunder Point, Oregon in her latest novel, One Wish. Beautiful Grace Dillon walked away from stunning success as a champion ice-skater to embrace an ordinary life as the owner of a flower shop. She changes her name, keeps her past a secret and refuses her imperious mother’s demands that she return to the skating world. Grace is happy with her choices, and keeps busy with work and friends. However, she sometimes wishes she had a guy in her life.
RomanceParanormal Romance

Love on the wing (of a dragon)

Review by Lois Dyer

New York Times best-selling author Donna Grant launches the new year in spectacular style with Hot Blooded, the latest entry in her wildly popular Dark Kings series.

When murder eliminates the human guardian of a door between hostile magic realms and Dreagan, the earthly home of the Dragon Kings, his daughter returns to the Scottish Highlands. Twenty years earlier, at the tender age of 8, Iona Campbell was torn from her home and heritage by her narcissistic mother. She endured her mother’s careless parenting and multiple stepfathers until she was old enough to escape. Her love of photography was her solace during her loveless childhood, and she has become a world-renowned photographer.

Laith is a shape-shifter dragon, ancient in human terms, and an integral part of Dreagan. He has watched several of his friends find mates over the last months and he’s very sure bonding with a woman is not in his plans. Fate intervenes when Iona Campbell walks into his bar and he’s shaken to his core. He has no desire to fall in love, but everything about Iona draws him like a magnet. Iona feels the same compulsive attraction to Laith, but her sterile childhood has instilled in her an unshakeable belief that enduring love doesn’t exist. She has never been in a relationship—and she doesn’t want one.

Iona and Laith have little time to adjust to the heat between them, however, for an evil enemy wants revenge against the Dragon Kings, and the enemy’s target is Iona. If Laith and Iona are going to survive the attacks and guard the magical portal, they’re going to have to join forces and deal with the fiery attraction between them. The real question is—even if they make it out alive, will Iona ever be able to commit and bond with Laith?

Grant has a legion of fans who love the Dark Kings series, and this latest novel is a stellar example of just why the books are so popular. With a detailed Scottish setting, a cast of characters that include hot men who shape-shift into powerful dragons and equally strong, beautiful women, as well as an evil villain threatening the destruction of their world, it’s no wonder readers can’t get enough of the Dreagan stories. Fans are sure to welcome the latest novel from Grant with delighted enthusiasm.

Lois Dyer writes from Port Orchard, Washington.

 

New York Times best-selling author Donna Grant launches into the new year in spectacular style with Hot Blooded, the latest entry in her wildly popular Dark Kings series.

RomanceHistorical Romance

Scandals and secrets revealed

Review by Lois Dyer

Best-selling author Sarah MacLean concludes her Rules of Scoundrels series with Never Judge A Lady by Her Cover. The long-awaited final book stars Lady Georgiana Pearson, the daughter of a Duke. Ruined at the tender age of 16, Georgiana turned her back on society and created her own world when she became part owner of “London’s most scandalous and most popular gaming hell,” The Fallen Angel. Only her three partners in the club know that Georgiana is also the most feared person in Britain. Disguised as Chase, the mysterious gentleman privy to nobility’s most hidden and disgraceful secrets, Georgiana holds the power to destroy many privileged families.

But now Georgiana’s daughter is old enough to be hurt by the cruel comments of other young girls, and Georgiana decides to marry in order to add a layer of protection around her sweet, intelligent child. She boldly re-enters the society that scorned her, determined to marry a nobleman who can add his name and influence to shield her daughter.

Georgiana has made a list of titled potential husbands, but the man who effortlessly intrigues her is not an aristocrat. Duncan West is “brilliant, powerful, handsome as sin” and the owner of five of London’s most-read publications. He has received plenty of secrets from Georgiana at The Fallen Angel. But there, she is disguised as Chase or cloaked in the persona of Anna, the queen of London’s light-skirts. Duncan doesn’t recognize her clad in the beautiful gowns and jewels of Lady Georgiana, but that will soon change.

How can they possibly reach their goals without losing the overwhelming, unexpected love that binds them?

While the two are powerfully drawn to each other, Duncan doesn’t have the aristocratic family title that Georgiana believes she needs to protect her daughter. However, she does need the influence of Duncan’s newspapers in order to sway public opinion and convince society to accept her. Duncan, on the other hand, wants information from Chase that is vital to breaking the hold a blackmailer has on his family.

They need each other for reasons beyond the physical. What neither could have foreseen is how much they want each other, passionately and beyond reason. But their mutual desire has the power and potential to destroy everything they’ve each plotted and schemed to achieve. How can they possibly reach their goals without losing the overwhelming, unexpected love that binds them?

MacLean’s written a well-executed novel, grounded solidly in the historical details of 1823 England. Never were a hero and heroine so evenly matched, both in bed and out. In Duncan, Georgiana has, at last, found a man who can go toe-to-toe with her formidable personality. In Georgiana, Duncan has found a woman he can trust with his deepest, darkest secrets. Readers won’t be disappointed by this rousing end to an intriguing series.  

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Washington

Best-selling author Sarah MacLean concludes her Rules of Scoundrels series with Never Judge A Lady by Her Cover. The long-awaited final book stars Lady Georgiana Pearson, the daughter of a Duke. Ruined at the tender age of sixteen, Georgiana turned her back on society and created her own world when she became part owner of “London’s most scandalous and most popular gaming hell,” The Fallen Angel.
RomanceContemporary Romance

A meta romance

Review by Lois Dyer

New York Times best-selling author Catherine Bybee delivers an emotional story with Not Quite Forever, the latest installment in her Not Quite series.

Successful romance author Dakota Laurens attends a writers’ conference as a scheduled lecturer but gets more than she anticipated when she meets the handsome doctor Walt Eddy. Both Dakota and Walt are slotted to use the same classroom, and the accidental double booking leads to shared drinks, conversation and mutual attraction. Their time is cut short when Walt’s work with Doctors Without Borders calls him away. It’s not until they both return to their homes in Southern California that they have the opportunity to explore their attraction.

While Walt’s work in a hospital ER is exhausting and time consuming, Dakota’s schedule is a bit more flexible. The two manage to see each other sporadically, but when Dakota accompanies Walt to Colorado for his father’s birthday party, things really heat up. Unfortunately, the intense physical connection between them is in direct contrast to Walt’s mother’s chilly reaction to Dakota. Mrs. Eddy doesn’t like Dakota, and she doesn’t try to hide her feelings. Walt’s support of Dakota, however, is unqualified.

Just when it seems that all will go smoothly for the two lovers, Walt’s past experiences make him question—and fear—his deepening feelings for Dakota. The two have a rocky road ahead of them, fraught with surprises and life-threatening peril, and whether they will find their way through their difficulties is anyone’s guess. This leads, of course, to deeply emotional, wonderfully written scenes that readers will relish.

Bybee has created an interesting and refreshingly adult heroine in Dakota Laurens. A strong woman with certain undeniable flaws, Dakota remains honest, admirable and sympathetic, and readers will find themselves rooting for her. Walt Eddy, too, is a man of strong character who balances Dakota very well. The couple is surrounded by a supporting cast of interesting friends and family, while the worlds of medicine and romance writing provide intriguing detail. The plot is well conceived, with a few surprising twists that are sure to keep readers engaged and eagerly turning pages.

Lois Dyer writes from Port Orchard, Washington  

Successful romance author Dakota Laurens attends a writers’ conference as a scheduled lecturer but gets more than she anticipated when she meets the handsome doctor Walt Eddy. Both Dakota and Walt are slotted to use the same classroom, and the accidental double booking leads to shared drinks, conversation and mutual attraction.
RomanceFictionParanormal Romance

Demons and desires

Review by Lois Dyer

Best-selling paranormal author Jeaniene Frost launches a new series with The Beautiful Ashes, a Broken Destiny novel. Twenty-year-old Ivy Jenkins’ world is shattered when her adoptive parents die in a car accident while searching for their missing daughter, Jasmine. Grieving but determined to find her only surviving family member, Ivy conducts her own investigation and quickly discovers that her beloved sister has been kidnapped by a demon. That’s right—a demon. Ivy has spent her short life being treated for hallucinations of a truly terrifying nature. Now, the distractingly handsome Adrian, a man with amazing paranormal powers, tells her that what she thought were mental aberrations are actually real. Ivy has the ability to see through demonic glamour to the dark reality beneath. Those terrifying images she thought were caused by her mind playing tricks on her are, in fact, much too real.

Ivy soon learns that her sister is being held captive in a parallel world ruled by the demons that haunt her visions, and only Adrian can help Ivy rescue Jasmine. To do that, they must enter the demon realm, find a supernatural weapon that only Ivy is destined to wield, locate Jasmine and somehow escape back into the normal world again.

Their task seems impossible, but it appears to be the only choice. Ivy must rescue her sister, and Adrian is committed to fulfilling the role fate has set for him, even though he knows fate has also decreed that he will ultimately betray Ivy. The task is made more difficult by the overwhelming attraction they feel for each other. Nevertheless, they set off together, knowing full well they may not survive the coming test of strength, endurance, loyalty and character.

Frost has created an interesting world in The Beautiful Ashes, peopled with demons, minions, angels, gargoyles and other mythological creatures. The demon realm is dark and violent, yet it eerily echoes many aspects of the human world. Readers will root for Ivy and Adrian to succeed, both in their quest to save Jasmine and in reaching a happily ever after for their seemingly doomed romance. If you prefer nail-biting, other-worldly suspense and adventure with your love story, this one’s for you.

Lois Dyer writes from Port Orchard, Washington

Best-selling paranormal author Jeaniene Frost launches a new series with The Beautiful Ashes, a Broken Destiny novel. Twenty-year-old Ivy Jenkins’ life is in a tailspin after her adoptive parents died in a car accident while searching for their missing daughter, Jasmine. Grieving but determined to find her only surviving family member, Ivy conducts her own investigation and quickly discovers that her beloved sister has been kidnapped by a demon. That’s right—a demon.
RomanceFictionWomen's FictionHistorical Romance

Sultry Lowcountry nights

Review by Lois Dyer

In Kim Boykin’s latest Southern-steeped novel, Palmetto Moon, a young woman struggles for independence and the right to choose her own life path in 1947 South Carolina. 

Vada Hadley is young, beautiful, college-educated and determined to choose a future that is certain to shock her very rich, privileged parents in post-war Charleston, South Carolina. Before she can move forward, however, she must summon the courage to walk away from the society wedding of the year—her own. To do so will disappoint her mother, outrage her father and deeply annoy her wealthy fiancé.

Vada decides she really has no choice but to run away—and run she does, all the way to Round O, fifty miles south of Charleston. The tiny town sits at a country crossroads, and here, Vada is offered a position as a schoolteacher. It’s the perfect place to hide from her parents and fiancé while she considers the choices before her. In this small rural community, she will make her stand for independence.

She never expected to fall in love.

Frank Darling grew up in Round O and couldn’t wait to escape into the world beyond its confines. Fate, however, had other ideas, and he finds himself caught in the dull routine of running the family diner. At 28, he sees no hope for his future—until Vada walks into the diner. One look, and he’s entranced. Vada is equally charmed by the handsome young man; his calloused hands and open, honest manner are quite different from the entitled boys in her parents’ elite social circle.

While Vada and Frank are getting to know each other, she’s also growing closer to fellow boarding house resident Claire, a widow with three adorable boys. Both women are facing cataclysmic life changes and struggling to come to terms with the choices they must make.

As Vada grows more involved with the small town’s residents, she risks exposing the secrets behind her arrival that she has yet to share. Frank, Vada and Claire each have their own untold stories, but the question is, how will they respond when each closely guarded truth is finally disclosed?

Boykin does a marvelous job of depicting life in post-war America. The details of cars, clothing, dusty country roads and small town life are evocative of the late 1940s, and the people are drawn with depth and insight. Readers will fall in love with Frank, be charmed by Vada and cheer for Claire and her boys. An extra bonus in this excellent novel is the inclusion of recipes for the mouthwatering Lowcountry food described throughout.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington

 

In Kim Boykin’s latest Southern-steeped novel, Palmetto Moon, a young woman struggles for independence and the right to choose her own life path in 1947 South Carolina. Vada Hadley is young, beautiful, college-educated and determined to choose a future that is certain to shock her very rich, privileged parents in post-war Charleston, South Carolina. Before she can move forward, however, she must summon the courage to walk away from the society wedding of the year—her own. To do so will disappoint her mother, outrage her father and deeply annoy her wealthy fiancé.
RomanceFictionContemporary Romance

The sweetness of love

Review by Lois Dyer

Celebrated New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs returns readers to the lush orchards and gardens of California’s Bella Vista in her latest novel, The Beekeeper’s Ball. Chef Isabel Johansen is not only planning the menu for her sister’s upcoming wedding, she’s also turning her family’s hacienda into a destination cooking school. She’s juggling so many details she barely has time to breathe. Then biographer Cormac “Mac” O’Neill arrives to interview her grandfather for his next book, and the handsome writer soon has Isabel questioning whether her determination to focus solely on her work is the right choice.  

Mac quickly discovers that everyone at Bella Vista has secrets. While her grandfather may be ready to reveal his, Isabel is not so quick to trust. As he encourages the elderly Marcus to tell the remarkable stories of his days fighting the Nazis in Denmark, Mac finds himself increasingly fascinated by the beautiful Isabel. She is nothing like any other woman he’s ever known; she’s complicated, often prickly and wildly talented. The food she creates in her kitchen is nearly orgasmic.

As their grandfather relates the stories of his youth and comrades in the war resistance, his immigration to America and his marriage, both Isabel and her sister are deeply moved. He has secrets to share that are wholly unexpected, and his revelations change their view of both him and their own parents. The summer days slide by, filled with sunshine and a new sense of anticipation. With Mac’s help and encouragement, Isabel gains a greater insight into her Italian mother, who died in childbirth, leaving her to be raised by her grandparents.

With each day that passes, Isabel feels herself changing; growing stronger and more confident, and she knows that Mac’s presence in her life has brought about a sea change. There’s no question that she’s fallen in love with him. But Mac is a man whose work as a journalist takes him all over the world, while Isabel is a woman who is deeply rooted in the rich soil of Bella Vista’s acres. There seems no pathway that will allow the two to have a future together.

Wiggs delivers a richly layered, sumptuous feast of a novel, colored with mellow California sunshine, fragrant herbs and decadent recipes sweetened with beekeeper’s honey. The joy and pain of past family decisions and how those impact the younger generation, melded with the taut emotion of their own heartache and joy, spill from the pages to pull the reader more deeply into the story. The plot twists and turns, ending with unexpected events that will surprise, intrigue and delight readers.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

Celebrated New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs returns readers to the lush orchards and gardens of California’s Bella Vista in her latest novel, The Beekeeper’s Ball. Chef Isabel Johansen is not only planning the menu for her sister’s upcoming wedding, she’s also turning her family’s hacienda into a destination cooking school. She’s juggling so many details she barely has time to breathe. Then biographer Cormac “Mac” O’Neill arrives to interview her grandfather for his next book, and the handsome writer soon has Isabel questioning whether her determination to focus solely on her work is the right choice.
RomanceFictionParanormal Romance

Heart of ice

Review by Lois Dyer

New Zealand author Nalini Singh returns to the world of the Psy-Changelings in her new novel, Shield of Winter. A highly gifted teleporter, Vasic was removed from his family as a 4-year-old and trained to become an Arrow, an elite warrior class within the Psy race. After a lifetime spent as an assassin, his “soul is drenched in blood.” Although he’s a powerful force within the Arrows, he’s weary of his life and is on the verge of self-destruction. He knows he is “ice cold and permanently cut off from his emotions.” He cares so little for life that he’s volunteered to be the test subject for a dangerous experimental weapon, a glove-like prototype which fuses to his nervous system. The future holds no hope for him.

But his personal crisis must wait, for the Psy world he was trained to protect is in extreme peril. The mind Net, which is vital to Psy existence, is suffering from a deadly contagion. His Arrow superiors charge Vasic with awakening the once-rejected empaths in a last ditch attempt to save the Net. Vasic’s first empath contact is Ivy Jane, a beautiful young woman whose perceptive copper and gold eyes, golden skin, black hair and warm empathy shock his icy heart. The more he interacts with her, the deeper his fascination grows. Ivy Jane feels the same attraction to this deadly Arrow with grey eyes of winter frost.

Exploring their feelings must wait, however, because the chaos in the Net is growing ever more deadly. Despite their best efforts, a solution appears unattainable until an experiment with a contagion outbreak in New York City sends Vasic and Jane in another direction. Have they found the combination of Psy powers that will save their world?

Yet, just as hope looms on the horizon, the deterioration of the prototype fused to Vasic's body speeds up. Vasic’s life is in danger, for if the prototype fails, he will die. Racing against time, Ivy and Vasic seek help from his lifelong mentor to track down the original inventor of the device. The couple needs not just one solution to life-threatening problems, but two.

Singh’s marvelous imagination and amazing ability to create other worlds shines in her latest novel. Both new and longtime readers will be delighted with Vasic’s story. Pairing nail-biting suspense with smoldering sensuality, the author delivers a rattling good read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and awake long past their bedtime to reach the last page.

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

New Zealand author Nalini Singh returns to the world of the Psy-Changelings in her new novel, Shield of Winter. A highly gifted teleporter, Vasic was removed from his family as a 4-year-old and trained to become an Arrow, an elite warrior class within the Psy race. After a lifetime spent as an assassin, his “soul is drenched in blood.”
FictionWomen's FictionContemporary Romance

Three lives intersect at a charming Seattle yarn shop

Review by Lois Dyer

In Blossom Street Brides, beloved author Debbie Macomber returns to the thriving community of women who frequent a knitting shop on Seattle’s Blossom Street. This time around, Lydia Goetz, the owner of A Good Yarn Shop, is worried the future of her business, while newlywed Bethanne Scranton is struggling to maintain her long-distance marriage, and Lauren Elliott has just broken up with the man she was certain she would marry.

Although Lydia’s life is busy and fulfilled by her loving family and the shop she adores, sadness hovers on the horizon. Her elderly mother is growing increasingly frail, and Lydia knows their time together is running out. She’s also faced with an intriguing mystery, one that’s creating increased interest in her yarn shop. While she’s pleased with the influx of new customers curious about the mystery, she wishes she knew who started the creative knitting campaign. Could an unknown customer, her husband or perhaps a dear friend be behind it? The possibilities are endless, and putting the pieces of the puzzle together seems nearly impossible.

Longtime knitter Bethanne is a successful businesswoman, and her family is about to expand with the birth of her first grandchild. While Bethanne’s roots are sunk deep in Seattle, her new second husband Max has a thriving wine business in California. Despite their best efforts, sharing their lives with a thousand miles between them is proving increasingly difficult. Yet how can either give up a busy, successful world and move to join the other?

Lauren Elliott is 34 and fed up with waiting for her longtime boyfriend, Todd, to propose. While moving their relationship to the next level doesn’t seem to be on his radar anytime in the near future, Lauren, on the other hand, is more than ready for commitment. Even she, however, is startled by how quickly her attention is snared by another man after she’s breaks up with Todd. Rooster is nothing like Todd, and much to Lauren’s surprise, he might just be exactly what she needs—and wants.

These three women—each caught at a crossroad and all brought together by their love of knitting—find support and validation at A Good Yarn Shop. Blossom Street Brides gives Macomber fans sympathetic characters who strive to make the right choices as they cope with issues that face many of today's women. Readers will thoroughly enjoy spending time on Blossom Street once again and watching as Lydia, Bethanne and Lauren struggle to solve their problems, deal with family crises, fall in love and reach their own happy endings.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington. 

In Blossom Street Brides, beloved author Debbie Macomber returns to the thriving community of women who frequent a knitting shop on Seattle’s Blossom Street. This time around, Lydia Goetz, the owner of A Good Yarn Shop, is worried the future of her business, while newlywed Bethanne Scranton is struggling to maintain her long-distance marriage, and Lauren Elliott has just broken up with the man she was certain she would marry.

FictionWomen's Fiction

Second chances at Cedar Cove B&B

Review by Lois Dyer

In Rose Harbor in Bloom, beloved author Debbie Macomber returns to the bucolic small town of Cedar Cove and the Rose Harbor Inn, where proprietor Jo Marie is anticipating the arrival of several guests. Mary Smith, with a scarf covering her shorn hair, checks in first. Mary reveals little of the reasons for her visit to Cedar Cove, but it is clear that she is gravely ill. Readers soon learn that she’s there to see her first and only love, and to seek forgiveness for a life-altering decision made during her youth.

Next to arrive is Annie Newton, who is organizing her grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary gala. With their lengthy and happy marriage, Kent and Julie Shivers inspired Annie’s conviction that love can last forever. But much to Annie’s shock, her grandparents are sniping at each other and arguing nearly nonstop. What is going on with the once happily married couple—and did Annie inadvertently cause their conflict? If that wasn’t enough, Annie is also trying to cope with her ex-fiancé’s stubborn refusal to accept the end of their engagement—and the arrival of Oliver Sutton, who gave Annie a first kiss she has never forgotten.

The stories of these five guests are interwoven with the events of Jo Marie’s daily life as she awaits news about her husband, who’s been reported missing after a military helicopter crash. She also carries on an intriguing, albeit often frustrating, friendship with the irascible Mark, whose interpretation of his duties as the inn’s handyman clashes with Jo Marie’s independent spirit.

Each of these stories explores the difficult choices that impact our lives and change the course of our futures; how our perceptions of other’s actions may, or may not, be valid; and the necessity of strength and forgiveness in our lives. Seeing characters from previous Cedar Cove books appear at the Rose Harbor Inn is an additional pleasure. As always, Macomber uses warmth, humor and superb storytelling skills to deliver a tale that charms and entertains.

In Rose Harbor in Bloom, beloved author Debbie Macomber returns to the bucolic small town of Cedar Cove and the Rose Harbor Inn, where proprietor Jo Marie is anticipating the arrival of several guests. Mary Smith, with a scarf covering her shorn hair, checks in…

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