"Four contemporary stories, each with the author's individual style."

Magic In the Wind by Christine Feehan

Damon Wilder has moved to a small town as a last-ditch effort to save what little sanity he has left. He is alone, always alone. He thought that if he didn't make any friends, no one else would ever get hurt again. He once worked for the government on top secret projects. Until one night he and his assistant were kidnapped, beaten, and tortured. Damon eventually got away, but his assistant wasn't so lucky -- his death still haunts Damon. That is why he quit, but it seems people are still after him. The scars inside as well as out have made him the shell of a man he is today.

Sarah Drake, the oldest of seven sisters, has gifts that even her bosses don't know about. She finds herself drawn to Damon against her better judgement. Whether it is prophecy, destiny, or fate it is Sarah's job to keep him safe whether Damon wants her to or not. She was born and raised in this small town where everyone knows everyone. She has powers that Damon doesn't know about and a two hundred year old prophecy that always comes true.

It what Sarah and Damon feel for each other real or was it foretold? Can Damon keep Sarah safe? Magic In the Wind is superbly written. Ms. Feehan has composed another masterpiece. Word of warning though: don't start reading this late at night because you will not put it down until you finish it. Magic In the Wind could have easily been longer then the ninety-four pages allotted. The question becomes will we revisit the Drakes to see the other six sisters' stories unfold? I for one hope so.

Hot August Moon by Kathleen Sutcliffe

Special Agent Anna Travelli was going back to New Orleans, but not under happy circumstances. She's been assigned to a serial killer case. If that's not bad enough, she knows she will be working with District Attorney Jerry Costos, to whom she was engaged to at one time. It's funny how life takes you down paths and you often wonder if you chose the right one.

Hot August Moon is a short prequel or set-up story to Ms. Sutcliffe's next book BAD MOON RISING, due out soon. The French Quarter killer once again goes up against Special Agent Ann Travelli.

After Midnight by Fiona Brand

For Jane O'Rielly, nothing feels safe anymore. Not since the death of her husband Patrick by cancer a few months ago. Especially with the break-in and killing of a local couple in Taylor Creek. Will she ever feel safe again?

Michael Rider is Jane's neighbor. Scarred and disheartened, he is no longer a Special Forces warrior. Someone's been lurking around Jane's property and Michael feels it's up to him to protect her. He can't leave it to the local sheriff Sargent Tucker and his Keystone cops.

Only Human by Eileen Wilks

It is Homicide Detective Lily Yu's job to find San Diego's newest serial killer. Only this time it seems that a Lupi (werewolf) was the killer and humans the victims. The Mayor has asked Prince Rule Turner to aid in the investigation. Rule is Prince of the Nokolai Clan and very interested in both the investigation and Lily.

Only Human has some wonderful points in it. The descriptions used bring the readers right into the scene. With only 105 pages to work with, the story was rushed. At first the story is centered on Lily and Rule, and then you learn a little bit about Were history. I would have preferred Only Human to keep to the main focus of the investigation and their relationship. With the limited page count, the other elements brought into play are not allowed to progress. This story has the potential for a stand-alone story and if it were ever expanded and re- released as such I would run out and buy it.

All but one of these stories was a paranormal. This would have been a good venue to introduce new authors, but with all four authors being well known, LOVER BEWARE did not help them. Be advised that all four authors need to cram their stories into just three hundred forty-four pages. LOVER BEWARE could have easily yielded one thousand pages to bring real justice to each author's style. On the whole I suprisingly enjoyed the non-vampire story of Ms. Feehan, and also was titillated by the story of Ms. Sutcliffe. I look forward to reading further books by all these accomplished authors.

Ms. Feehan has also included a preview of SHADOW GAME, due out in September 2003.

Reviewed by Hunter McKenna
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted July 19, 2003

Be Warned...

Four of today's most popular authors push passion and intrigue to the limit in four thrilling original stories

In a sleepy coastal town...
Early retirement turns deadly for a defense expert--until a beautiful woman steps between him and his assassins...

Among women of the night...
An FBI profiler can see into the mind of a French Quarter killer targeting prostitutes-but not into the heart of the detective she must trust with her life...

Between Strangers...
Sometimes one glance is all it takes. And sometimes all it takes is one man to tear apart what fate-and desire-have brought together...

Under the light of the moon...
Investigating a series of grisly murders, a San Diego detective is caught off guard by the enigmatic man helping her find the killer...

Summary

MAGIC IN THE WIND by Christine Feehan.
Oldest of 7 sisters, Sarah Drake has come home. She is mysterious, magical and so different from other women that Damon can't help but be drawn to her. Even the wind seems to whisper her name. Sarah lives with her sisters in the neighboring cliff house and Damon is shocked to find he is attracted to this 'powerful' woman. He is enraged to find she has been assigned to protect him; but even more shocked to learn that his coming has fulfilled an ancient prophecy.

Security genius Damon Wilder hopes to find refuge in the small coastal town. He had been kidnapped, critically wounded and saw his friend murdered and wishes to be left alone to find peace, but death follows him to his new home. Will Sarah and her sisters be able to work their special magic to secure a future for Damon and Sarah?

HOT AUGUST MOON by Katherine Sutcliffe.
FBI Agent Anna Travelli is part of a special Profiler division. Her psi-talents have been developed and she barely regrets leaving New Orleans and her former love, D.A. Jerry Costos. Now she has been called to help find a serial killer and working with him is part of the package. Can they work together without reigniting the fires of love?

ONLY HUMAN by Eileen Wilks.
While investigating serial murders, San Diego detective Lily Yu is forced to accept the aide of Rule Turner, prince of the Werewolf Clan Nokolai. Can she trust him not to follow his own agenda and can she resist their mutual attraction?

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Fiona Brand.
When Jane O'Reilly opened the door to her neighbor, they were both shocked by an undeniable bond. Jane's husband had terminal cancer and she would not abandon her first love. Seven years later, she is a widow and Michael Rider is divorced and has returned to his farm now retired from New Zealand's SAS.