If you haven't stopped by the forum lately, you're missing out on some great book giveaways. But never fear, I have more waiting, so now's the time to get registered over there if you're not already. And if you are, why aren't you over there chatting with the rest of us?
First up this time out is 
The Shadows of Christmas Past (Pocket Star), with stories by Christine Feehan and Susan Sizemore. The first, Rocky Mountain Miracle, by Ms. Feehan has Cole Steele struggling through the holiday season in a place he hates with a half-brother he barely knows. When he brings Maia Armstrong, the pretty new vet, to the ranch during a snowstorm, a lot more happens than he could have expected. The steamy attraction comes as no shock, but the emotions that come along with it are a big shock. Nary a vampire in sight, so I liked this one. Ms. Sizemore's story, A Touch of Harry, features Marj Piper, local vet/animal control officer, searching for a wolf. And a man. Harry Blethyin is both and on the hunt for a group of runaways, who happen to also be werefolk. This one has a lot of light moments, which made it quite enjoyable. I'm giving this anthology three and a half arrows.
Next is Jude Devereaux's 
Always (Pocket). Darci Montgomery finds herself smack in the middle of an FBI case while she searches for her husband. Agent Jack Rose's father has been kidnapped, and Darci's psychic abilities might be helpful. If she could keep them when they travel into the past, that is. I admit, I have a lot of Jude Devereaux books on my shelf in the next room, including the two previous in this series, though I haven't had a chance to read them yet. I wish I had, because maybe then more of this story would have worked for me. I was confused trying to follow along, and the ending left me cold. I'll probably read it again, after I've read the first two, and hopefully I'll like it better then, but right now, I'd say it's not a keeper. If you've already read the first two, you've probably been waiting impatiently for this one, so run out and grab it now.
Hunter's Moon (Tor). Tony Giodone, aka 'Bob', is a hit man. His latest wanna-be client is Sue Quentin, who wants him to kill her. Kind of an odd way to meet prospective mates, but whatever works, right? Sue and Tony share an immediate spark, and even the knowledge that he's a werewolf doesn't put a damper on it--and not just a werewolf, but a mob-connected werewolf. An interesting story, probably more so if you're a werewolf fan and like wisecracking smart alecks telling you stories. Sue's not quite as well-drawn as Tony, but it's really his story, and, being told in first person, that can't be helped. Judging by some of the secondary characters, I'd guess there may be more connected stories forthcoming, but that's just a guess. Fantasy fans will be thrilled with this one, I think.
Until next time, happy reading!
