Chicago police detectives Marti MacAlister and her partner Matthew "Vik" Jessenovik struggle to keep their law enforcement work from interceding with their personal lives at a time both deal with radical change. The newly married Marti works on establishing a cohesive family relationship with her new husband Ben and their children. Simultaneously, Vik deals with the muscular deterioration caused by a horrific attack of multiple sclerosis on his suffering spouse Mildred. However, two corpses appear, forcing Marti and Vik to dive head first into their professional lives.

The body of an unidentified mummified woman was found in an abandoned theater owned by the wealthy Cheney family. The second deceased person turns out to be Barnabas Cheney, a mentally disturbed individual. Someone murdered both victims with the only link being Barnabas. As Marti and Vik investigate, clues seem to take them no where until they find a link to Vik's police mentor and hero, former detective Curly Smith, an item threatens to split the team apart.

The seventh novel in the MacAlister-Jessenovik police procedural continues the tradition of multilevel story lines blending into a wonderful novel. The main plot evolves around the murder investigation. However, the secondary plots bring much personal depth including the schism between the former tightly unified detective team. It is the secondary tales that make TELL NO TALES and the fabulous

previous books into one of the best representatives of the sub-genre. No one comes away from an Eleanor Taylor Bland reading experience feeling that they tasted a bland novel because of the varying complexities that ultimately flow into an entertaining book.

Harriet Klausner

The hero, Magnus, isn't the strong, silent type. In fact, he's a Viking pushover who has been saddled with eleven children (many of whom aren't even his). The heroine, Angela, isn't an innocent virgin with an idealistic view of life. Instead, she's a divorced realtor trying desperately to save her family's vineyard. When the two miraculously meet, apparently in response to a prayer by Angela's grandmother for a virile man for her granddaughter, the attraction is immediate. However, neither is willing to admit their feelings.

Magnus (who appears in modern-day California with most of his motherless children in tow) has sworn himself to celibacy. And Angela is afraid to commit herself after the disaster of her first marriage. Their awkward courtship, with the help of Magnus' children and Angela's grandmother, is often hysterically funny and yet feels right to modern readers---many of whom have experienced "blended" families themselves.

Read this book--and then go back and read its prequels, The Last Viking and Truly, Madly Viking. You'll love them all.

Angela Abruzzi doesn't know what to make of the man who claims to be from another time...who claims to be her destiny. Together they must find a way to save her family's vineyard...and maybe find what magic lies between them.

Sandra Hill pens a unique tale of love that can overcome time itself...and even more miraculously, can overcome the distractions nine children can cause!!

This is the first Elizabeth Lowell book I have read and I can't wait to explore her others!

The plot centers on Kalena and Ridge. Kalena is young lady who wants to fulfill her life mission, to avenge the deaths of her father and brother at the hands of Quintel, important nobleman and comerciant. To achieve that, she makes a "trade marriage" (temporary) with Ridge (called "Fire Whip," who is loyal to Quintel), not intending to fulfill it but to get closer to Ridge's employer, Quintel (so as to kill him).

But the story takes many unexpected spins that make it very interesting, forcing Kalena to fulfill her duties as a trade wife, and allowing us to see how her relationship with Ridge developes, while they search for the Sand (a valuable commodity in their world), facing numerous dangers.

The only fact that kept me from giving 5 stars to this book is that sometimes the thoroughly "alpha male" attitude of Ridge annoyed me (and a lot). But, on the other hand, the story was original and convincing, the characters believable, and the ending excellent. So my advice is: read it and enjoy!!!

The baby comes along, and Ruth is just in the way then; as her mother-in-law literally casts her aside leaving Ruth to feel inadequate as an inexperienced mother, rather than being encouraged.

RUTH FIGHTS BACK! Totally dependant, financially and mentally, Ruth sees that there's only one way to claim her space in the family and sets out to grasp it! The conclusion is brilliant, and leaves you mulling over the story line, long after you've finished reading it!

In most ways this book adheres quite closely to formulaic romance novel conventions. The hero and heroine deal with secrets and misunderstandings and also deal with tumultuous passion that makes all the secrets and misunderstandings fade. I am never sure about this as the basis for strength in a romantic relationship in these stories. I am concerned with some of the Byronic aggression of the hero and with the heroine's unwillingness to reveal even basic information about herself--with this level of lack of trust, how can their relationship grow at all?

However, the tumultuous passion here is steamy and fun, and the historical background is important and helps to develop the characters. I ended up really liking Jarrett McKenzie and Tara Brent and being very glad that they have a happy, satisfying life and reoccur in Captive.

Ultimately, good historical romance and a lot of escapist fun.

The two killers want Jocelyn dead, but Viscount Rand Beaumont, assigned to keep Alexei safe, vows to protect her. To do that, he needs her out of London and entrenched in a safe house until the thugs are stopped. However, he cannot escort a single young woman by himself unless he marries her. To Jocelyn, life is meaningless with a mere viscount even if she reacts to his regal kisses.

THE PRINCE'S BRIDE is an entertaining historical romance once the readers moves past Jocelyn's princely requirement. Rand is a hunk of a hero and surprisingly readers will ultimately find the lead female protagonist smart and charming. The support cast provides humor or tension depending on their role, but all enhance the relationship between Jocelyn and Rand. Sub-genre fans will relish Victoria Alexander's warm tale.

Harriet Klausner