Title: First Star I See Tonight

  Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

  Publisher: Avon (Harper Collins)

  ISBN: 0062561405

  Release Date: June 27th 2017

  I have a number of authors I’ve been following for as long as I’ve been reading romance and Susan Elizabeth Phillips was an early author discovery I’d made in college. I fell hard for her Chicago Stars series starting with It Had to Be You in 2002. If you’re new to Phillips, you can start pretty much anywhere, but I recommend Lady Be Good. First Star I See Tonight has a punchy start, which is the calling card for what I like to think of the romance comedy sub-genre. Piper Dove, the heroine, is following Grant, an ex-football star. Piper is tasked to follow the once-decorated-athlete-turned-club-owner and gain information on his daily routine. In the process she discovers his bartender is skimming from him and so even though she can’t seem to keep herself hidden from the football hotty, she does win him over with her ability to see things in places he’d never think to look. It’s not long before Piper is pulling him into even more adventures, including tangling with a Middle Eastern royal family to free one of their servants. Phillips delivers fast-paced, humorous, and touching novels and this one is no different. Her characters always spark and the banter in the dialog gives it a rowdy edge. If you’re new to Susan Elizabeth Phillips or an old fan who hasn’t checked in for a while, it’s time to check her out with First Star I See Tonight.

  .

  Title: Blood Fury

  Author: J.R. Ward

  Publisher: Ballantine Books

  ISBN: 0451475348

  Release Date: January 9th, 2018

  So, it’s no secret I’m obsessed with The Blackdagger Brotherhood. I’m a fan of the rich world Ward has created, and I seriously dig her style. I know for those who have yet to pick up a book in the series it might seem daunting with so many out. Where does one start? For those who have tried it and not liked it (a very tiny percent of the reader population): you may skip to the next review. Everyone else? You are nodding along with me here. These books are pure fun. And vampires. Did I mention that? The spin off series with the new trainees is a good place to start, picking up one of these will give readers a taste of the world, without bogging the reader down with a lot of background information. Each book can stand on its own and Blood Fury is no different. This installment features Peyton, self-proclaimed just-for-fun guy. He doesn’t take much seriously and as a result he has a lot of growing to do. His love interest is also a recruit, Novo. She’s had to be an adult a little too soon. Her sister snagged Novo’s boyfriend, but not before he left her when she was pregnant and later lost the baby—telling no one. Her prickly nature isn’t for naught. She’s got a thick skin that protects her from emotional harm. But a major bonus for old fans of the series: we get Saxton’s story too—our favorite lawyer to the vampire king. Those who don’t know, Saxton stepped aside when Quinn and Blaylock got together. He’d been with Blaylock and thought he’d never find true love again. But cue Ruhn—a mysterious soft-spoken civilian who can fight like he’s a professional. Sparks are flying all over this book, both couples bring delight and hours of reading pleasure. Sometimes it’s awesome to discover a new read, and other times it’s reassuring to know our old favorites have still got it. Ward is that consistent hit for me.

  .

  Title: Marked by Love: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Taurus

  Author: Rosalie Redd

  Publisher: Self Published

  AISN: B06XZDC415

  Release Date: May 9th, 2017

  The world of self-publishing brings about creative projects, like a group of popular authors pooling together and writing a series. Such is the case with The Zodiac Shifters. Each novella landed in its coordinating zodiac sign during release. In the Taurus installment, Danae, a panther shifter, will do anything never to mate again. After Danae had been forced violently into a mating arranged by her father, she vows to never trust another male again with her heart. Aramond was the panther she was supposed to spend the rest of her long life with, but he’s banished soon after her forced mating with another male and she believes her true love is gone forever. Fate has something else in mind for this pair, however, and they meet again a few hundred years later (panther shifters have very long lives) under the backdrop of a war where panther shifters are struggling for survival. They quickly realize the sparks are still between them. This was a delightful, random find. The novella was a quick read, not because of its length, but because the story pulls the reader along with magical narrative and compelling characters. I always love uncovering new series and new authors and these projects are a treasure trove of discovery.

  Copyright © 2018 by C.S. DeAvilla.

  USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart writes sweet to sexy romance for Harlequin's Heartwarming and Romantic Suspense lines, but paranormal romance is her first love. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating fun, funny, and family-centric romances with happily ever afters for her independent heroines. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural and Sherlock addiction and tolerates an overly affectionate cat named Snickers. You can read more about Anna and her books at www.authorannastewart.com.

  WARDEN OF SIGHT

  by Anna J. Stewart

  “You’re sure you told Clara thirty minutes?”

  Nellie MacQueen tucked a springy curl behind her ear and bit the inside of her cheek. How her older sister could sound both frustrated and condescending was a question Nellie had been asking herself for twenty-eight years. Ever the peacemaker of the family, Nellie counted to five before answering. “Yes, Amber. This isn’t my first go-around with our book obsessed sister. A half-hour. We agreed.” And yet it was going on ninety minutes. Unease bubbled low in Nellie’s already squirming belly. She knew she should have stuck by Clara’s side rather than go rushing off to help a more-than-capable Amber with the car rental. She just hadn’t been able to tolerate the idea of yet another dreary, dust infested bookstore.

  “Yeah, well, she better get her butt into this car soon.” Amber chewed on her thumbnail, a telltale sign her frustration was getting the better of her. “Text her again.”

  “I’ve texted Clara twice already.” And received no response. Not even Clara’s typical “yeah, yeah,” brush off. “How about I just go in and get her?” Anything to get away from her increasingly moody sister. It wasn’t as if this trip was easy for any of them. Nellie shoved open the passenger door.

  “Wait.” Amber locked a hand around Nellie’s wrist and squeezed. “I’m sorry, Nellie. I’m just wound up about seeing Mom after all these years. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”

  Nellie relaxed a little. At least Amber was finally willing to admit she’d been a bit of a crank ever since they’d left on vacation. Of the three of them, Amber had the strongest and most vivid memories of Shona MacBride, the mother who had abandoned them and their father when Amber had been three, Nellie, two, and Clara barely one. While Clara was the queen of avoidance when it came to talking about their mother, and Nellie turned a deaf ear, Amber was the one who bore the most emotional scars. It was odd that it had been Amber who had pushed so hard for this family reunion.

  “What else are sisters for if not to take things out on?” Nellie offered Amber a sympathetic smile as she shoved her purse under the front seat. “We’re all anxious about seeing her again. It’ll either go well or it won’t. No sense worrying it to death. Whatever happens, in another week we’ll be back in the States living our mundane, ordinary lives once again.”

  And Nellie would have to come to public terms with her ex-fiancé embarrassing betrayal. Nothing like running halfway around the world to try to forget how desperate she’d been to be with anyone that she’d fallen for a man who’d used her to advance his own career.

  “My life is hardly mundane.” Amber tilted her chin so her nose went higher up in the air. “Or ordinary. I’m considered one of the—”

  “Top ten art buyers in the continental United States.” Nellie rolled her eyes and fought a grin. “Seriously, sis, get a new tag line. That one’s getting old.” But Nellie had accomplished her task. She had a talent for knowing exactly where and how to needle people, especially her sisters. It came with being the unassuming one; the one who blended in with the crowd. Being invisible had turned her into a master observer. Amber’s inordinate pride in her job, not to mention her status, always lined her up as the perfect target. Wallowing in uncertainty, however, was never a good state for the eldest and most protective of the MacQueen sisters.

  “I’ll work on my branding while you drag Clara out of there.” Amber leaned forward, her long, wavy red hair spilling over the steering wheel as she peered around Nellie toward the storefront. “Huh. It does look interesting, though. I love those candlesticks in the window.”

  “Candlesticks?” Nellie climbed out of the car and followed her sister’s gaze, a frown on her face before she found the items that caught Amber’s interest. Glistening silver sparkled against the morning sun, through crystal clear glass. Not a smudge in sight. “They must have just put those in there.” And cleaned the glass. And…dusted.

  “I thought you said this place was a hole,” Amber accused with narrowed eyes. “Or was that just your way of trying to keep me out of there as well?”

  “I’ll plead the fifth.” It was the most diplomatic way to end the conversation, especially since Nellie felt the need to double check the sign over the door. Thistles and Thorns. No, this was the same shop. Except when she’d stood outside with Clara a little over an hour and a half ago, the place had looked like something out of Dickens’s red light district. At least…that’s what she’d thought. “Maybe I just need more coffee.” She leaned back into the car for Amber’s cup.

  “Not a chance.” Amber knocked Nellie’s hand away and scooped up the paper cup to clutch against her chest. “Just because you guzzle your caffeine like a thirsty camel, you don’t get to claim mine. I sip. I savor. And I keep, otherwise I’m going to get very testy.”

  “What do you mean ‘going to get’?” Nellie did what she always did when Amber won a round. She stuck her tongue out at her.

  Amber laughed as Nellie slammed the door and hurried to the front door of the store. She flipped the collar of her jacket up against the morning chill that was slowly burning away under the rising sun. If there was anything more exhilarating than an early morning in Edinburgh, Scotland, Nellie certainly hadn’t found it. This place was otherworldly perfection, mingling her love of history with the excitement of modern day. She could easily set her life aside, or most of it at least, without much regret. Regret was only one of the reasons she was anxious to get this “meeting” with their mother going. If Shona welcomed them with open arms, all would be fine and they’d see life in this beautiful country first hand from the woman who had birthed them. If Shona didn’t want to see them…. Nellie caught her lower lip between her teeth. Well, she didn’t want to think about that, did she? Being rejected by their mother once had already caused life-long damage. Nellie didn’t want to consider what being cast off a second time might do to her sisters. Or to herself.

  A horn blared, and Nellie jumped. When she looked back at Amber, she found her sister waving an impatient hand at the door.

  “Yeah, yeah.” Where was Clara when she needed her? She never let Amber—or anyone else—steamroll over her. “I’m going.” And she might just buy those candlesticks, if for no other reason than to annoy Amber.

  Ah, a goal. Excellent.

  Nellie’s step lightened as she reached for the doorknob—she could have sworn it was a latch handle when Clara entered—and went inside. As she lifted booted feet over the threshold, a jolt of electricity shot through her body. Nothing painful, just enough to set her teeth on edge as she closed the door and turned to face an elegant display of historic-inspired brick-a-brack. There wasn’t a speck of dust in sight, not even floating in the air. Everything sparkled and glowed as if she’d stepped into Aladdin’s cave. Paintings in ornate frames hung on the walls. Jewelry, from pearls to rings to diamond encrusted brooches, sat housed in thick glass display cases atop lush velvet fabric. Sets of hand-painted bone china were stacked far in the corner, with a delightful collection of teacups hanging from hooks along sections of the opposite wall. And…ooooh. Nellie’s fingers itched to touch. A miniature replica of Glamis Castle that included a working drawbridge and hand-stitched coat of arms flags.

  Nope. Didn’t have time to look closer. Nellie sighed. Not yet, anyway.

  “Hello! Clara!” Nellie stepped further inside, spotting the crammed shelves of new and very old books lining the shelves at the back of the store. “Unless you want Amber coming in as backup, we need to go! Oh, hello.” Nellie’s cheeks went warm as a woman stepped out from behind a beaded curtain at the back of the store.

  The woman was tall, almost willowy, with long silver hair that trailed over angular shoulders almost to her waist. Her bare arms displayed a collection of bracelets and bangles while a shimmering copper amulet hung low around her neck against the black fabric of her dress.

  “I’m sorry,” Nellie said. “I’m looking for my sister. She came in a little while ago.”

  “Clara, yes, she was here. Please.” The woman turned and motioned for Nellie to follow. It was then Nellie noticed the woman was very pregnant. “I’m Elya.” She smoothed one hand over her rounded belly that had Nellie’s heart pinging with longing and more than a bit of envy. “Clara was most interested in my collection of books. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you what she was looking at.”

  “Um, actually, I just need to collect my sister.” Unease prickled the back of Nellie’s neck and she resisted the urge to shiver. She’d learned a long time ago to trust her instincts and right now, those honed alarm bells were ringing louder than a cathedral’s tower. “We have an appointment and can’t be late.” The lie slipped easily from her lips. How could they be late when their mother didn’t even know they were coming? “Clara!”

  Had Nellie not been looking at Elya, she would have missed the flash of irritation that sharpened her features. Silver-grey eyes darkened as if a bank of storm clouds crossed. For a moment, Nellie was reminded of a raven with its sharp talons and even sharper gaze.

  “Impertinent.” But her thin lips formed into a smile and once again Nellie wondered if she’d imagined the slight. “Clara is in my…private reading room. Just back here.”

  Nellie thought the shopkeeper had said Clara was here—past tense. Did that mean she was no longer here?

  Her head began to spin the deeper into the store she walked. Her pace slowed, as if she were being held back by something even while feeling compelled to move forward. The aroma of nutmeg and incense drifted into her nose, fogging her mind even more. She stumbled clumsily over her own feet, almost falling flat on her face. Typical. She’d always been a klutz of the first order.

  The small room ahead didn’t have a door. The entry way was constructed of stacks of thick, leather-bound books with heavy gold embossed spines.

  Nellie jumped as candles flickered to life inside the makeshift space. While she didn’t see Clara nose deep in a tome as she expected, she did find her sister’s purse on the rickety wooden table. “Where is she?” Nellie cleared her throat, uncertain why it was so difficult to push the words out of her mouth.

  “She’s close.” Elya reached for a green book so large she had to step back to set it on the table in front of Nellie. “Clara wanted you to see this.” Elya’s long fingers trailed across the cover. Beneath her touch the gold lettering shimmered. An image of a walking staff topped with a glowing white orb burst to life before being replaced by a triskele. Mesmerized, Nellie reached out her hand.

  “You know The Bruadarach?” Elya’s question broke through the haze in Nellie’s mind.

  Nellie nodded. She and her sisters had been obsessed with the stories of three warriors fighting an unstoppable evil in a time of myth and magic. Granted Clara was the expert, probably because the book had been the one gift their mother had left for them. No doubt that was part of the reason Clara had become a librarian and rare book collector. But Nellie would be lying to herself if she didn’t admit to having imagined those three heroes—Keane was the only one she could remember by name—well into her older years. The magical warrior with a twinkle in his blue eyes and an unparalleled weapons expertise had had made an indelible impression on Nellie in particular, who at times, especially when dealing with her ex-fiancé, found herself wishing Bruce could be more like the fictional hero. Honest. Loyal. Devoted. Determined.

  That Keane was, at least in Nellie’s mind, heart-branding handsome hadn’t hurt, either. Whatever author had created those characters, this magical world, they had certainly known how to ignite a young girl’s heart.

  Nellie couldn’t remember the last time she even thought about these stories, or Keane. She could only imagine Clara’s excitement having come across what looked like a genuine first edition. Nellie, however, wasn’t quite as enamored. Men like Keane and his fellow warriors didn’t really exist. They were childhood fantasies, imaginings and tales she and Amber and Clara had joked would change depending on their moods and whims. Stories didn’t change. Once ink hit paper, the story was set. Forever.

  That electrical jolt that had welcomed her at the door zinged through her system once again as her fingers drew close to the brass lock holding the pages closed.

  “You wish to see? To read?” Elya’s voice echoed as if from a distance. Nellie nodded as her fingers brushed against the bulky finding.