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Romance Book ReviewsPage Two of TwoSpellbound by Kathleen NanceLove Spell, June, 2003Paperback, 364 pages ISBN: 0505524864 Subgenre: Paranormal Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Madeline Fairbanks is a talented dancer, but has suffered
from debilitating stage fright ever since her childhood. Her
current job in public relations is a torment to her because
of her fear of performing in public; if she doesn't solve the
problem soon, she's going to lose her job. To make her life
more complicated, she has agreed to housesit for her eccentric
friend who warns her that there will be a houseguest to look
after. The houseguest turns out to be a handsome djinn -- and
not just any djinn. Zayne is magical, of course, but he
certainly doesn't grant wishes or live in a lamp. He is also
the Minstrel of Kaf -- his music holds his world
together. And he is on Earth to find his mate, who
must be a fantastic singer, to complement his music.
Unfortunately, Madeline is tone deaf. Still, sparks
fly whenever they are together and Zayne may be the
one person that can help Madeline solve the mystery
of her mother's strange illness and her father's
disappearance.
Kathleen Nance enthralls once again in this magical, sexy romance. The world of the djinn, Kaf, is a fascinating place, one that readers are sure to want to see more of. But the author makes New Orleans seem like a magical place, as well. The interactions between Zayne and Madeline are very well-written. This is the perfect book for lovers of fantasy romance. Traveler by Melanie JacksonLove Spell, August, 2003Paperback, 342 pages ISBN: 050552533X Subgenre: Paranormal Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Io Cyphre is an undercover agent for HUG, Humans Under
Ground. In her first serious assignment, she's sent to
Goblin Town (a grimly fascinating alternate reality
version of Detroit) to find out more about the Goblin
Fruit, which is addicting and killing humans at an
alarming pace. Since the Goblins arrived from
France (described in a very funny backstory) America begrudgingly
gave them asylum and they are now insidiously working
their way into mainstream society. Io's co-agent on this
mission is Jonathan "Jack" Frost, a dangerous death fey
who is also a legendary operative. As Io and Jack
delve deeper into the goblin's underground
headquarters, they discover shocking secrets that could
spell the end of humankind.
Like Laurell K. Hamilton, Melanie Jackson takes romance to a different, darker place with results that are both edgy and entertaining. In this first book of her new Wildside series, Jackson raises the bar for the genre. There is magic, passion and gritty crime drama, all set against a vivid and disturbing background. This is an imaginative and well-imagined story that should earn Melanie Jackson a large following. Romance Reviews Page One | Page Two Return to Book Reviews Index ** To visit the archives of romance novels reviewed in The IWJ, please click here. |