Quick Jump to Reviews:

WYSARD By Carolyn Kephart (Review by Sharon McGinty)

MOOREEFFOC: Fiction in the Mythic Tradition: Phetal Publications (Review by Sandra DeLuca)

TALES OF A PRINCESS: L’ISLE DES DEAUX MAISONS (Island of Two Houses) By D’amadeus
(Review by Sandra DeLuca)

SHADOWS IN THE MIST By Maureen McMahon (Review by Sharon McGinty)

THROUGH THE NECROMANTEUM: PROJECT FAR-REACH By Laurance Pearsongreer (Review by Sheryl Ellis)

THE TELLING By Ursula K. LeGuin (Review by Patricia Lucas White)

SOULSAVER By James Stevens-Arce (Review by Susan McDonough Sanchez)

THE ART OF MAKING ARMOUR: A Craftman's Guide to Creating Authentic Armour Reproductions By Rob Valentine (Review by Lisa Lacroix)

NECROPOLIS By Xina Marie Uhl (Review by Joey Hill)

A STORY OF LOVE By Beverly Ruuth (Review by Lisa Lacroix)

CIRCLES OF DISPLACEMENT By Darrell Bain (Review by Stefan Vucak)

DREAMS OF DARKNESS: Book 1 of The Everdark War By Elizabeth Burton (Review by: Susan McDonough Sanchez)

GUARDIAN OF THE CONTINUUM By Joey W. Hill (Review by Jon Lambert)

SOUL OF THE VAMPIRE By Minda Samiels (Review by Tracy Eastgate)

STARKISSED By Lanette Curington (Review by Tracy Eastgate)

About Our Reviewers
 

Wysard
By Carolyn Kephart

SterlingHouse Publisher, Inc
http://www.sterlinghousepublisher.com/
Fantasy
Trade Paperback
$11.95
ISBN: 1563151448
Copyright © 1999
Available Now

Review by Sharon McGinty
Sharon's Reviews
http://www.geocities.com/mcgintyshar

Highly Recommended

Ryel Mirai had come to Markul over twelve years ago, barely in his teens. During that time his uncle Edris had trained him in the ways of the Art. Ryel's training had not been easy, not only was he stubborn but any types of sexual relations were forbidden.

Once Ryel had accepted his abilities and applied himself, he quickly mastered the tests set before him. Yet Ryel's life was not destined to be easy. His uncle Edris dies tragically, leaving Ryel alone. It is after Edris' death that Ryel learns that his uncle was murdered, and that his soul trapped is
in the Abyss.

To rescue his uncle, Ryel must leave the city of Markul, his haven from the cares of the world.  His travels are perilous, filled with temptation and dark magic. What had begun as a quest to free his uncle, soon becomes a race to save Markul and the world from a great evil.

Ms. Kephart has crafted a marvelous tale. Emotionally moving, bringing hours of enjoyment to the reader, Wysard is one of the best novels I've read this year. My one complaint is that I didn't know that Wysard is the first book in a two-part series. I reached the end of the novel and was
confronted by a blurb for Part Two. However, this is not a novel to be missed.
 
 

MOOREEFFOC
Fiction in the Mythic Tradition

Phetal Publications
P. O. Box 416
Lanesboro, MN  55949
Fall 2000, Issue # 1
Nicholas Ozment and G. N. Dybing, Editors
Single issue/$3.95
One year (4 issues)/$14.00

Review by Sandra DeLuca
 

MOOREEFFOC is a unique new publication. It is a full-sized magazine with a neat and attractive setup. Where did the title come from? The editors say it comes from an anecdote about Charles Dickens. Once, when Dickens was in London, he noticed a word on a window and it caused him to feel a strange sense of wonder. Then he realized he had been  reading the word COFFEEROOM from the other of side of the glass. The editors go on to say that this magazine is like seeing the old and familiar from a new perspective. MOOREEFOC is definitely a treat and  a view of everyday life embellished.

The stories are all beautifully written.

THE BLACK BULL, by G. N. Dybing, is a fantasy about a little girl who takes a journey to a strange new world upon the back of a magical bull. The imagery and beauty of this story are quite remarkable. What a wonderful read.

ECHOES OF ANCIENT DANGER, by Sherwood Smith, is a modern-day tale about Muses and Sirens on the sea. This is another exquisite piece of fiction. The characters are strong and the writing is quite powerful.

THE RUDE ELVES, by Patricia Russo, brings us into the world of the Fair Folk, creatures who live over the border--across from our own realm. This highly imaginative work shows us what can happen when ignorance, lust and stubbornness cause one to stray over that delicate boundary of reality and magic.
THE OLD WITCH CYPRESS, by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, is written like in a lovely, poetic style. It’s a mysterious tale of discovery and about the love between a mother and child. Where does the child go to find her heart--her soul? The Old Witch Cypress just may tell you.

There is also a classic story included by Lord Dusany: THE WONDERFUL WINDOW. In addition MOOREEFFOC is filled with great poetry by Nicholas Ozment, Giuisseppe Jones, Roy Shrum, with a classic poem reprinted by Walter de la Mare.

If you’re looking for something different to read,  and you love unique, fantastic elements in your fiction,  then this magazine is right for you. I recommend it.
 

 

TALES OF A PRINCESS
L’ISLE DES DEAUX MAISONS
(Island of Two Houses)
By D’amadeus

North Star Publishing
N17285 Co. Road #400
Powers, MI  49874
(The price is not listed, however,
the publisher states that additional copies
are available upon request)

Review by Sandra DeLuca

Highly Recommended

L’ISLE DES DEAUX MAISONS is the ninth of fifteen short chapter-books of TALES OF A PRINCESS BY D’Amadeus. The books may be read in any order and each one is meant to stand alone. This little masterpiece certainly does have the strength to do just that.

After reading this particular segment of TALES OF A PRINCESS, I’m anxious to read the other pieces which the author has penned.

his enchanting little tale is eloquently written and is an entertaining read for adults and children alike. It is both whimsical and fantastic. It’s an excellent artistic achievement.

This is the story of Blue, a faerie childe. Within this tale the reader experiences the discovery and growth of a new soul about to enter through a portal and into another world. The imagery is beautiful. I was reminded of stories I read in my childhood by Hans Christian Anderson, or fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm --tales that children enjoy and in which there also are many underlying meanings and lessons about life, death and birth.

Here, with the guidance of Willy, “the great companion and friend of the children”, a faerie child is led on a fantastic journey along a magical pathway, past wildflowers, into the Dark Forest and over hillsides--until the childe is set free to go to his Father’s Mansion.

As a lover of children’s literature and a collector of fairy tales and classic adult fantasies, I can see this work, and its accompanying pieces fitting rather nicely within my collection. Yes, I liked it that much. I only wish writings such as this could attract a larger market appeal.

This is highly recommended. Write to the publisher, inquire how to obtain this book, as well as the other fourteen. You won’t be sorry.
 
 

Shadows in the Mist
By Maureen McMahon

Publisher: Avid Press, LLC
http://www.avidpress.com
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.50 US / $8.50 CAN
ISBN: 1929613369
Copyright © 2000
Available Now

Review By Sharon McGinty
Sharon's Reviews
http://www.geocities.com/mcgintyshar

Recommended

Suzanne Dirkston was in a secluded cabin working on her second novel when she learned of her father's death. She returns to her old home, Beacon, only to learn that the circumstances surrounding her father's death are rather suspicious. To make matters worse, her family seems to be keeping
something of great importance from her.

Amid skeletons of the past and visits from ghostly apparitions, Susanne refuses to accept her father's death as accidental. Her investigations bring her into the arms of danger. But her greatest danger isn't from her father's murderer; it's from her father's will.

Leopald Dirkston had amassed a person fortune and was the head of a very successful business.  In his will, Leopald left the bulk of his estate to Suzanne, provided she marries Grant Fenton.  If Suzanne refuses everything will be given to charities, and she will be left penniless. Suzanne is horrified, but knows she must accept the terms of the will.

To cope with her grief and frustration, Suzanne turns to her best friend David. However, their past relationship has changed. David is no longer her best friend, but her jilted lover. Can Suzanne make things right with David? Will she find her father's murderer before she is killed?

Ms. McMahon has written an interesting, haunting mystery. Full of excitement, danger and memorable characters, the storyline keeps moving. But in my opinion the highlight of this novel was that the murderer's identity wasn't obvious. An enjoyable read.

 

THROUGH THE NECROMANTEUM: PROJECT FAR-REACH
Laurance Pearsongreer

ISBN 1-58338-286-0
CrossroadsPub.Com
http://www.crossroadspub.com/
Publication date July, 2000
Genre: Speculative Fiction/Horror

Review by Sheryl Ellis
Author of: The Bronze God
http://www.geocities.com/wanageshik/Crossroads_Authors_Page.html
 

FUN RATING

I'm psychic! What... don't you believe me? I'm going to predict something and we'll see if it comes true. Ready? Bringing together the wisdom of the ages, the sage of ancient astrologers, celestial energies from past and future, of good and evil-- I predict, THROUGH THE NECROMANTEUM: PROJECT FAR-REACH by Laurance Pearsongreer will be a box office hit.

Enter a world of telepathic sensing, remote viewing, evil incarnate and thought projection. Just reading THROUGH THE NECROMANTEUM will burn out synaptic receptors faster than a 5-day rave party! If you're looking for a neuronal workout this weekend, skip the 'shrooms and jump on the Necromanteum wave, where a mysterious world of mental gymnastics and roller coaster action will buzz your brain blurry. The special effects, techno-glyphics and bizarre psychoactives will astound you in this stunning and fast-paced adventure. With visual imagery and dialogue so fresh and alive, it literally leaps off the page and grabs you. Get ready for non-stop surprises, as you enter a place where the living commune with the dead.

The tension created by Laurance Pearsongreer in this unique story, will scare the bejeebers outta you one minute and have you tittering the next. The book was an absolute riot! The various subplots were masterfully woven into an ingenious metaphorical nightmare. My mind felt like a pretzel afterwards.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book. Oh, by the way... wanna know how I already KNOW this book will be a box office hit? The secret lies in the Necromanteum. Go there yourself and see what I mean. <VERY Evil Grin>
 

THE TELLING
By Ursula K. LeGuin

ISBN: 0-15-100567-2
Harcourt, 2000

Review by Patricia Lucas White

Special Recommendation

I've read this book twice and am still at a loss as to what recommendation to give it.
I loved it, thought it was an elegant addition to Ms. LeGuin's Hainish Cycle, and am almost wordless in admiration of the ebb and flow of the poetics, the lyric voice of the telling.  It is marvelous in its simplicity and daunting in its complexity; a book that will join the rest of LeGuin's work on my shelf of beloved books.

But can I, while writing a review for a broad spectrum of readers, give it a loud and ringing endorsement?  I honestly don't know--but I'm fairly certain that someone looking for derring-do, action adventure, and a space opera to make their adrenaline surge will not find that in this book.

The protagonist does journey across space and across many physical obstacles, but more accurately, it spiritual journey, a quest for truth in her own life, in an alien culture, and the truth lies in The Telling.  On still another level, Ms. LeGuin's own telling, her lush, compressed prose, her social anthropology of a marvelously detailed future, is ultimately as satisfying as the telling's plot.

An Observer for the interstellar Ekuman, Sutty, the protagonist, has been assigned to Aka, a world ruled by a materialistic government that has outlawed all the old customs and beliefs.  An Earthwoman, Sutty own government is controlled by religious fundamentalists.  She is given permission to leave the city and search out the old customs and is introduced to The Telling.

All I can say at this point it: If you haven't visited Ms. LeGuin's works, you haven't experienced the very best science fiction has to offer.  She is the master.

So, I guess, for my part, I would give the telling a galaxy of sparkling stars and let every other reader give their own evaluation, but I'm sure than anyone who ventures into the author's body of work will not be disappointed.
 
 

Soulsaver
By James Stevens-Arce

Harcourt,  Inc., 
Hard Cover, $24.00

Review by Susan McDonough Sanchez
http://sites.netscape.net/suewriteusa/homepage

 In Soulsaver, James Stevens-Arce describes the ultimate nightmare of anyone who has ever felt paranoid about religious fanaticism. The year is 2099 in Puerto Rico (the fifty-first state), and the Christian Catholic church is all-powerful.The protagonist, Juan Bautista Lorca, is a comical combination of Ned Flanders and Dudley Do-Right. As a trainee of the Suicide Prevention Corps of America, he is delighted to drive his FreezVan at breakneck speeds past the traffic jams of the “penance lanes.” In this poverty stricken country, suicide seems the only option to many. It is the job of the SPCA to freeze these sinners so that they can be resurrected and their souls saved from hell.

In this world of environmental blight, population overload and religion run amok, Juan Bautista must try to find the truth. Not an easy task for a self-described “Howie Happy” whose “faith is as strong and sturdy as a mighty oak.” Juan Bautista strongly resists his own growing enlightenment. But eventually he is forced to recognize his antagonist -- none other than the devil himself -- and sort through the lies he has grown up with.

 Stevens-Arce has created a strange and scary future which will give anyone pause who has ever questioned the separation of church and state.  Juan Bautista is a refreshingly naive hero who inspires both laughter and tears. The non-Western setting and Spanglish make a nice change from the Western, techno-centered future earths of other writers. Soulsaver is well worth reading, but be warned: the vision of the future it provides may well change the reader’s viewpoint about politics, religion and the need for environmental protection today.
 
 

The Art of Making Armour
A Craftman's Guide to Creating Authentic Armour Reproductions
By Rob Valentine

American Literary Press
ISBN:  1-56167-527-X,
Pub. date:  July 11, 2000, Softcover $14.95
Genre:  Non-fiction/"How To"

Review by Lisa Lacroix

Recommendation:  Excellent for specific interests

"The Art of Making Armour" is a fascinating glimpse into the workshop of a highly skilled and dedicated artisan.  Traditionally a closely guarded secret, the details of 16th century armouring techniques are brought to life, step by step, in this wonderfully illustrated book.

Intended as a craftman's guide to creating authentic armour reproductions, the language used is technical, but the photos provide enough detail for the casual reader to follow the process.  Anyone curious about how medieval knights were able to get around buckled into all of that heavy steel, will be intrigued by the techniques used by ancient armourers to make their products lighter, more maneuverable and even fashionable.

The author, a self taught contemporary armourer, explains that there is very little written information to explain how armour was made.  Much of the process has been inferred from pictures of armourer's workshops in paintings, woodcuts and rare manuscripts.  Many of these pictures are
included in the book to provide an historical perspective.

This book would make an excellent reference for a writer of fantasy who wants to learn more about medieval knights and their armour.  I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in this topic.
 

Necropolis
By Xina Marie Uhl

Publisher: XC Publishing
(http://www.xcpublishing.com/)
Release date:  May 2000
ISBN 1-930805-00-4   $5.95/download --
PDF, HTML, RTF, TXT, PRC
ISBN 1-930805-02-0   $9.95/CD --
PDF, HTML, RTF, TXT, PRC
Genre - Fantasy

Review by Joey Hill
http://www.storywitch.com/

Highly Recommended

Conyr feels fortunate to have landed a job at the prison in Eretria.  Through the drudgery of guard duty and the power of drink, he can block out his memories of battle campaigns against Cyra.  Then a young man is brought into the prison and nearly beaten to death for his crimes.  Conyr knows Dru is innocent.  Another prisoner also knows Dru is not what the judges think he is.  Gilas, former council member and sorcerer, knows Dru was the hostage sent from Cyra as part of the peace accord.  He suspects the mission has gotten ambushed by those who want war to return. Gilas calls in a favor Conyr owes him and the guard rescues Dru, hiding him in his home. Val, the young girl who cleans Conyr's rooms, talks him into letting her nurse Dru.  Soon her mother Jesra is helping.

Conyr, who had cut himself off from relationships, now finds himself in the midst of a complicated maze of them, as well as up to his swordbelt in sorcery and danger.  Ikati assassins have been dispatched by the war-mongers to finish Dru off.  For unknown reasons, Dru's own people have dispatched the Rythria after him, sorcerous spirits that use any fleshly body they can possess to pursue and eliminate their target.  Dru keeps having visions of a mission he is supposed to fulfil but cannot clearly recall, something beyond his role as hostage.  Taking these disturbing events into account, as well as Gilas's manipulative sorcerous agenda, Val's adolescent tantrums, and his own disturbing feelings for Jesra, Conyr finds his well-ordered life has gotten very messy.

Necropolis is classic fantasy and was an excellent, well told story.  The author is an ancient history graduate student and it shows in the detailed society she crafts.  The book possesses strong, complex characterization and has an edge-of-your-seat conclusion.  If you love reading fantasy, don't overlook this one.
 

A Story of Love
By Beverly Ruuth

Paranormal Romance
Word Wrangler Publishing, Inc.
ISBN:  1-58630-029-6
Format:  HTML (email attachment or floppy disk)
Word Count:  10,500
URL:  http://www.wordwrangler.com/bevruuth.html

Review by Lisa Lacroix

Good

Orphaned and on her own all of her life, Margot Patterson is looking for Mr. Perfect.  Little does she realize that she will find him in another dimension.

Margot finds herself in the year 1907, living the life of Faith Lausanne, who is married to, and deeply in love with her husband, Thomas Lausanne.  Finally, Margot is experiencing what it is like to be truly in love.  But all is not perfect.  After three miscarriages, Faith is pregnant once again and in danger of losing, not only the baby, but her own life as well.

Lost in a time she knows nothing about, Margot must somehow save this young couple from suffering another devastating loss.  Can she be strong enough to change their fate?  Can she leave all of the modern conveniences of her own life behind?  And finally, will she be able to return to her own life in the end?

Readers will enjoy the rich detail of Ruuth's descriptions of life in 1907.  One cannot help but be touched by this simple love story that inspires faith in the strength of the human spirit.

 

Circles Of Displacement
By Darrell Bain

ISBN: 1-58338-477-4
Publication Date: Sep/Oct 2000
Price: $8.00 CD, $4.00 Download
Format:  CD, Download HTML, Rocket
Publisher: http://www.crossroadspub.com/
Genre:  Science Fiction

Review by Stefan Vucak
Author of In the Shadow of Death: Book One of the Shadow Trilogy
orieli@ozonline.com.au

GOOD

A passing alien starship sends a shower of time displacement spheres sleeting through Earth, sending everything they touch into a far past. Plucked from their comfortable, humdrum lives, or in some cases less than desirable predicaments, men and women face survival not only against prowling beasts, but something far more ruthless and dangerous -- their own kind.

Wanda, an army captain, fleeing sexual harassment from her superior, suddenly finds that the highway has disappeared in front of her and she is surrounded by an ancient forest. McMasters, a mediocre physics professor, searching for relief from his uneventful academic existence, finds more than he bargained for, which finally challenges his considerable capacities. Burley, a hardened convict with a burning hate for all men, especially black men, together with a prison full of convicts, is hurled into a past where he is free to wreck his revenge on his fellow humans.

In his story, Darrell Bain paints an all too-real and frightening possibility. Beneath our thin veneer of civilization, the savage within all of us lurks, awaiting an opportunity to be unleashed. Yet the blood of thousands of years of struggle for reason and law overcomes blind lust, wanton destruction and the urge to kill. Bain shows the reader that clearly in the face of adversity modern norms mean nothing, and otherwise unprepossessing personalities emerge to take charge and shape events.

This is a good book to curl up with on a rainy weekend and escape into. The reader will become involved with the individual stories of the characters.
 
 

Dreams of Darkness: Book 1 of The Everdark War
By Elizabeth Burton

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Pulsar Books
Format: HTML, PDF; Print-on-demand
scheduled for mid-November
Price: Download, $3.95; CD, $9.95; POD, TBA
ISBN: 1-58697-250-2
Publication Date: September 12, 2000

Review by Susan McDonough Sanchez
Science fiction and fantasy author
http://sites.netscape.net/suewriteusa/homepage

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This is a warning. If you want to be waiting impatiently for Elizabeth Burton's next book, read Dreams of Darkness. Book 1 is so absorbing, you'll be sending her emails asking about Book 2 before you're finished.

Randrik alt Harbinnen is a charming playboy hero who must learn to think beyond his own comfort and pleasure if the world is to be saved from the Souleater. Perian, an adept of the Temple, must overcome the abuse in her past and allow herself to love and be loved. Both must be willing to change themselves, give up their former lives, and fight together to defeat the terrifying Souleater.

This is another warning. Dreams of Darkness is not for the faint of heart. Azdrefel the Souleater is the stuff of nightmares, the love scenes are steaming hot, and the battles are bloody. Dreams of Darkness is definitely adult material.

These warnings having been issued, I would advise anyone who enjoys fantasy to read Book 1 of the Everdark Wars. The characters are engaging, the plot is interesting, and the ending leaves you scrolling to the bottom of the page, hoping for more. I'll admit to having stayed up long past my bedtime to find out what would happen to Perian and Randrik...and I'm still waiting!
 
 

Guardian of the Continuum
By Joey W. Hill

Dark Star Publications
ISBN 1-929034-81-4
Download 3.95/Cd 9.95
Published September 2000
Genre: Fantasy

Review by Jon Lambert

Recommended Rob Steigir is having a most unique year. Even though the senator's son is enrolled at liberal Havenwood College, a place where alternative medicine students reside among those majoring in prelaw, nothing could have prepared him for his new roommate. Adam Al-Aziz seemed peculiar from the onset. After all, what red-blooded college student isn't interested in beer drinking, picking up women and sleeping?

Adam quickly becomes interested in one the first people he meets upon his arrival to campus, a young woman named Correen.  Instead of drinking and partying, Adam spends his time painting and seems in some ways the antithesis of Rob.

It soon becomes clear that Adam is no mere college student. Instead,
he is a leader from another place, sent to protect the earth from the apocalypse. Circumstances quickly reach a point where Rob and Correen must help Adam to try and save the world. Both students have their own hang-ups about themselves and their lives, but they must set these aside in order to secure a future for the earth, for all of humanity.

Guardian of the Continuum was a most interesting novel. I loved the way
life at Havenwood was painted. The story was entertaining, with liberal
dashes of humor to cut the tension and fully held my interest
throughout.  While I would have liked to have seen a longer time of
adjustment for Adam upon his arrival at Havenwood, this was an all together entertaining novel.
 
 

Soul of the Vampire
by Minda Samiels

Publisher: Clocktower Fiction
http://www.clocktowerfiction.com/
Genre: Horror
ISBN(s): POD:  0-7433-0095-5
PDF:    0-7433-0194-3
ReB:    0-7433-0252-4
Release Date: POD - October 2000,
   PDF & ReB December 2000
Cost: Pending

Tracy Eastgate
Tracy's Book Reviews
(http://www.geocities.com/t_eastgates_reviews/)

Very Good

Michael de Charney was the son of a Baron in the Champagne region of France, but even that couldn't help him solve this problem. The problem is it is now late 1998 and he was born in the late 1500's, four hundred years ago. Michael had the misfortune of becoming a vampire against his will, a plan initiated by his own brother. Michael's life had been anything but easy since he was a child. He was the third son of the Baron which practically guaranteed he would receive no inheritance and very little for a dowry, so as a result he was sent to school to become a priest, a profession he did not want. As time moved on however, he was able to escape to England from France and his controlling and manipulative brother. In England he began to build a life for himself and his mother; happiness seemed to be finally within his grasp, only to be destroyed by his brother once again.

Elaina Campbell is a forensic specialist with the County Coroner's office and has been asked by the Chief of Police to help them solve the Avenger case. The Avenger began working two years ago and had already cost Elaina her marriage, now she was supposed to work with her ex-husband and help him solve the case. She had noticed fang bites on the wound site of a couple of the victims, however nobody was going to believe her opinion as to what was going on. But when she met Michael, her world began to suddenly change and change for the better. Michael was everything she could possibly want in a man and to make things even better, it seemed as if the feeling was mutual.

But was it?

SOUL OF THE VAMPIRE is a nice blend of new and old on a subject that has been around forever. Author Minda Samiels has blended a wonderful mixture of horror and folklore, romance and pain, turning it into a book that one would enjoy reading. The story isn't as heavy as some horror books can be which makes this a delightful read.
 

 

Starkissed
By Lanette Curington

Publisher: Dancing Willow Publications
http://www.dancingwillow.com
Genre: Futuristic Romance
ISBN 1587970066
Release date: July 2000
Cost: Pending

Tracy Eastgate
Tracy's Book Reviews
(http://www.geocities.com/t_eastgates_reviews/)

Excellent/Most Highly Recommended
 

Leith McClure doesn't really want to be in this particular place right now. Actually, she would much prefer to be back on Earth at the University where she is most comfortable. But with her fathers' illness, it is up to her to run the family business until he recovers. So in March of 2308, she found herself sitting with Steve Hancock, her fathers' right hand man, in a bar on Arreis, better known as Trader World. She was here to meet one of her father's clients, J'Qhir the Warrior, but she was completely unprepared for the meeting. The Warrior is a Zi and there are sanctions against trading with them.

Unknown to Leith, dealing with the Warrior was the least of her problems at the moment. Both she and the Warrior are in grave danger. Someone has a plan for the Zi's jewels and her ship, a plan doesn't include them. Suddenly Leith and the Warrior find themselves stranded on an uninhabited planet with no hope for escape. As they try to prepare themselves for the upcoming months of winter while hoping beyond hope for rescue, questions run through each of their minds, questions with no simple answers. Will the people responsible for their abandonment get away with it? Or will they be caught? If the guilty are caught will the truth come out in time for a rescue?

Author Lanette Curington has done a beautiful job with STARKISSED. She has captured danger and excitement, thrills and chills, love and hurt, and forbidden romance. All of this has been blended into a wonderful book that flows quickly and wraps you up completely into the story that you feel you are there. You lose complete track of time as you race along with the characters to see what is going to happen next. This is a book that you will want to add to your list of "Must Reads". 

 

About Our Reviewers:

Charlene Brusso has worked as an archaeologist, an astronomer, a baker, an editor, a museum curator's assistant, a janitor, a tutor, a physicist, and a scientific programmer. In fact, CB has worked so many different jobs, by 1990 it became clear that she wasn't qualified to be anything but a writer.

Her first fiction sale, "The Salute," (Aboriginal SF, Spring '96) was recommended for a Nebula Award.   Her recent sales include "Absinthe Eyes," (Issue #42 of Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine), "Lady of the House" (Dark Regions, Issue #13) and "A Night At The Opera," (Amazing Stories, Spring 99). She also reviews and writes for several magazines, including Aboriginal SF, Millennium SF & F, Publishers Weekly, InQuest Gamer, and Brutarian. She has just finished her first SF novel.

Patricia White is a very talented author and an associate editor at Under The Covers Book Reviews.  Her fantasy novel, A Wizard Scorned, won the coveted 1998 Sapphire Award.  It has been named the best selling e-book by Barnes and Nobel.  Her latest novel, The Godmother Sanction, is a Romance finalist for the 1998 Affaire de Coeur Reader/Writer Awards.

Jeffrey A. Katt lives with his wife in Southeastern Wisconsin and works in the health care field. In his limited free time, he enjoys a glass of fine vintage port, listening to classical or jazz music, cultivating native Wisconsin wildflowers, and writing fiction.  He wrote his first short story in 1999, and has been published in Quicker, Black Petals, The Horror Newsletter, The Door to Worlds Imagined, The Inditer, Redsine, Mindmares and Pillow Screams. He is also an associate editor Sinister Element. He hopes to begin a novel near the turn of the century. Jeffrey may be reached for comment at jeffk30@hotmail.com.

Alex F. Brown has published several stories in various ‘zines and is currently working on increasing that number, although he spends way too much of his time reading instead of writing. This summer he took a three-week writing class at Northwestern University, and last spring attended his first science fiction convention, the WisCon in Madison, Wisconsin.  He reports that both were fabulous experiences. At the moment he is hard at work on a novella.

His first, "Grass," appeared in these pages last October.  Since that time he has sold another story to Eternity On-Line and another to MSF&F.

S. Joan Popek is an age challenged grandmother with one foot placed firmly in the Dark Ages and the other in the Twilight Zone. She was born and raised in New Mexico. She still lives in Roswell, NM (Yes. That Roswell. The UFO capital of the world) with her husband, Joe. She is the mother of five and the grandmother of thirteen with another on the way.

The Fiction Works, has just released S. Joan Popek’s first collection of short Stories,"THE ADMINISTRATOR," as an e-book. The Fiction Works also plans to release it in audio book form with dramatic readings soon. Visit Online at www.fictionworks.com.

She currently is an editor for The Roswell Literary Review and Millennium Science Fiction & Fantasy Magazines.  Her first published fiction appeared in The Roswell Literary Review and Millennium Science Fiction & Fantasy (Before she owned them). Since then has published many short fiction stories in various magazines such as: Eternity, THE EDGE, Exodus, Anotherealm, Chaotic Reflections, Pulp Eternity, The Special Editors' Edition of Goddess of the Bay and others. One of her stories will soon be featured In "The Best of Eternity, Volume 1".

Tracy Eastgate is the proud wife of Glenn, a career Sailor who is currently a 2nd Class Petty Officer. She is a full-time mom to their two children, Glenn Jr and Tabitha and also to their 2 cats who think they are children also. They live in southern California at Camp Pendleton where they will spend at least the next 3 years--if not longer.

Tracy has been reading as long as she can remember. She started reading adult books (Robert Ludlum) at an early age, long before most get out of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys stage. Tracy has always thought about writing reviews because she loves to read and also tell people about the books she has read, but never got the opportunity until now.

When she is not attending to the house or playing with the kids, Tracy is either curled up in her favorite chair with a book or spending time on the computer.

She loves to laugh, smile and make new friends and have made many close friends over the internet.

The Celticfrog aka Alex McGilveryhas been writing since Grade school. He has posted much of his work on his web site where he also offers a free reading and critiquing service. He lives in Ontario, but hops around so much that he really can't narrow it down any further.

http://celticfrog.8m.com/
"Kiss not this frog"
The Celtic Frog

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