Set in Houston, Texas. Claire and Jack Barnes have been married for twenty-three wonderful years and they are proud of their two children. Ian is in high school with a head for science and computers. Next year he plans to begin looking for a college. Kayla is almost thirteen. She loves sports and is full of life. Jack and Claire run the family's business, a construction company. Jack is a great home builder, a people-person, and loves both his family and the company. Claire has a major art talent. She mainly uses her skills to decorate the model homes for Barnes Construction, but recently has begun taking art classes at the university. The perfect family's life shatters when Claire, arriving home late from class, learns that Kayla has been hit by a car.

Sarah Levine was not drunk or speeding. She did not mean to hurt Kayla. The sun blinded Sarah for only a second, followed by a sneeze, and then the young girl was hit. Kayla dies within the week. Sarah is unable to forgive herself, even though it had been a true accident.

Shaken by the tragedy, the Barnes family begins to fall apart. Each family member (Claire, Jack, and Ian) deals with the pain separately and alone. Each holds tight to guilt and blame. Real or imagined. Upon graduating high school, Ian moves fifty miles away from the darkness at home. He begins a new life, working at Gulf Coast Oil Refinery.

Two years after Kayla's death, neither Sarah, nor any member of the Barnes family, has put the past behind them or began the healing process. (Sarah is becoming suicidal and her husband fears for her.) Claire and Jack are on the verge of divorce. But when Ian's life goes terribly awry, Claire and Jack are forced to re-examine their lives in order to save their marriage, help Ian, and try to find a way to bring their family back together.

**** FOUR STARS! Be warned in advance that this story is a real tear-jerker. My emotions stayed in constant flux with each good and bad situation that came to pass. The story is told (mainly) by three characters: Ian, Claire, and Jack. The name of the character being followed is noted at the beginning of each new section. My only problem is that everyone is so sensitive, even after two years. They are scared to risk communicating with each other and possibly making things worse. But there is no way for family members to move forward until they do, so events escalate. I like how the author included Sarah in the story and kept me, as the reader, in the loop about how she was doing.

This is not the type of story that Linda Barrett normally writes. If you are expecting a sweet or suspenseful romance, you are destined for disappointment. This time Barrett deals with a parent's worst nightmare. Her talent in storytelling will keep your nerves raw and your eyes moist as you silently yearn for the people involved to recover from each devastating blow they receive. By the end, I was filled with a warm glow and had a silly smile spread across my face. Linda Barrett will take your emotions on an unpredictable roller coaster ride. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Melanie "Mel" Tyler and Kathleen "Katie" Conner have been best friends since kindergarten. As teenagers, their favorite television show was The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The girls even had a hidden room where they kept files on various schoolmates. But after graduating from high school, everyone in the graduating class went their own way. Mel's voice landed her a variety of voice-over jobs and she now lives in a Santa Monica Condominium. Katie wed and her husband, James O'Brien, eventually became a Minnesota State Senator.

Today, Mel and Katie find it difficult to believe that they are about to attend Abbeyville High School's thirtieth reunion. Seeing most of their former classmates should be fun, but there are a few that the ladies hoped would not attend. Unfortunately, the three worst do make an appearance. Charles Haussman and Eric Kramer were bullies back in school and they have not forgotten how the ladies once bested them (thanks to their U.N.C.L.E. addiction.) Then there is Wyatt Gaynes, the jock that Melanie had a crush on - along with many other female students. The deceitful creep had used Mel, just as he did everyone else.

Mel and Katie are soon recruited by U.N.C.L.E., which turns out is a real spy organization, to help thwart a former schoolmate's plan for worldwide domination.

**** FOUR STARS! I have never seen an episode of the old television show The Man From UNCLE, but after reading this book I plan to search various streaming internet sites in hopes of viewing a few. You do not have to be a fan of the old show in order to fully enjoy this tale. (I guess it does not hurt that I used to watch other spy series, such as Get Smart.) I found this story to be extremely fun to read! There are several typos, most toward the ending, but I could easily overlook them. Those who have read this author's previous novel, Red Wine for Breakfast, may even notice the subtle nod to the Sock Test. (I could not help but chuckle when a pair of socks was mentioned in a single, short line.) If you are looking for a story to enjoy during vacation or to make a rainy afternoon fly by, this is it. I have no doubt that I will not soon forget this fun spy thriller. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Vivian Maylor has just broke up with her boyfriend, Jared Michaelson, and moved to a new town to work at Krebston Memorial Hospital. Her mother, Isobel, is mentally unstable and is under special care. Vivian is finally on her own, living in a small apartment and just trying to have a quiet, uncomplicated life. Vivian is unable to sleep and wonders if it is due to the stress in her life or if her mother’s insane rants about Dreamworlds is making her feel a little paranoid. But when an emergency room patient begins sputtering about dragons and then spontaneously combusts before her eyes, Vivian cannot help but begin to wonder if Isobel may be on to something.

Things get even stranger when she meets Zee Arbogast, a bookstore owner, who gives her a book about Dreamworlds. Vivian soon learns that the book had been left with Zee ten years prior for him to deliver when Vivian finally walked into the store. Confused and a bit scared, Vivian begins to accept the fact that she is the last of the Dreamshifters, someone who is able to walk through all three worlds: Wakeworld, Dreamworld, and Between. With no one to teach her, Vivian is doing her best to learn what is needed to do her duty. But a witch, Johenna, has stolen the dreamspheres and is using them for evil as she seeks the key to Forever.

*** THREE STARS! In the movie Hook, starring Julia Roberts and Robin Williams, Tinkerbelle tells Peter Pan that she will be waiting in that bit of space where he is not really awake and not really asleep (Between). In Schafer’s story, Between has no cute fairy. It is where dragons lurk. It is a dangerous place and to be avoided whenever possible.

The story does not start off in the middle of anything. It starts off slowly; however, it begins to pick up the pace after a couple of pages. Later events get confusing as Vivian jumps between the three worlds. Combine this with scene hopping and various characters having flashbacks, it is no wonder that I had to start paying strict attention just to keep the characters, places, and times straight. This means that I could not relax and submerge myself in the story. Reading this began to feel like work. Yet once I finally got a hold on what was going on and who/what each character was, I must admit that I liked the plotline that Kerry Schafer was drawing. Be warned that there is a scene where Vivian is being raped, but the author keeps it very brief and only reveals details of pain and a comparison of animals. I do not believe there is enough to trigger anything within someone who has lived through such an ordeal.

This is not a lighthearted read and the scene hopping is choppy, but author Kerry Schafer shows wonderful talent and I plan to keep an eye on her future work. ***

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Edith “Edie” Spence works at County Hospital on the floor called Y4. Y4 is dedicated to the care of the supernaturals. In recent history, Edie helped save Anna, a rare living vampire. On New Year’s Eve, at midnight, the Sanguine will approve for Anna Arsov to ascend during an initiation ceremony. Once done, Anna will be allowed to begin her own House. Reluctantly, Edie agrees to be Anna’s Ambassador to the Sun.

In the meantime, Edie and her coworker/friend, Gina Martin, are just trying to survive each shift on Y4. After witnessing a black truck hit a pedestrian, Edie keeps people distracted so they would not realize that the injured man is not human, but were. Once on Y4, Edie learns that the victim is not just any were; he is Karl Winter, the werewolf king. When the full moon arrives it should heal Winter – unless he is too far gone. It is up to Edie and her coworkers to keep Winter alive.

When not at work, Edie’s life is still not safe. The vampire Dren is pissed-off at Edie for the damage she inflicted while protecting herself from him (during the previous book titled “Nightshifted”). Edie is also being attacked by weres for unknown reasons. To make matters worse, Anna’s driver, Gideon, was assaulted and is staying in Edie’s apartment until after Anna’s ceremony. When Gideon arrived he was little more than a sack of meat, but eventually becomes a cyborg by dismantling and using items in Edie’s apartment. Edie is not sure which way that Gideon is more dangerous. Then there is Veronica, Gideon’s girlfriend, who is currently unconscious in Edie’s closet because she is in the middle of transforming into a vampire. (Who will be very hungry when she finally awakens in a stranger’s closet.) The only good thing lately is that her brother, Jake, is actually trying to turn his life around. But Edie is wary about the “energy supplements” he is selling. Why is nothing ever simple?

**** FOUR STARS! Readers get to see glimpses into the lives of Edie’s coworkers this time around. Edie is on Y4 to keep her brother clean and drug free. Since it looks as though Edie may survive awhile on Y4, her coworkers loosen up a bit. A couple of them tell what deal they made in exchange for their services on the supernatural floor. By the end of this episode, I had a lot of respect for Gina, Charles, and Meaty. Readers also learn more about the Shadows. They, too, have a so-called boss; a higher up they – literally – fear.

Cassie Alexander has given new life to medical dramas by putting a nurse, Edie, into the dangerous paranormals world and yet still lets Edie retain the morbid sense of humor that all emergency personnel develop (in order to remain sane). For those who like to keep up with things, the next title in this series will be called “Shapeshifted (Edie Spence)” and due for release on June 4, 2013. I see awards in this author’s future. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Rory Lennox, the Duke of Abshire, is new to his title, which was bestowed upon him for services rendered to the Crown. As the story opens, Rory is caught in bed with his archenemy’s still-innocent sister, Miss Verity Fitzroy, the morning after the (soon to be well known) bachelor party. Verity refuses to wed Rory, preferring to be sent away until things blow over. But once settled in Derbyshire, Verity becomes so bored that she actually agrees to educate the children in the village while their teacher is away for a fortnight or so. When Rory appears, Verity knows it is his intension to persuade her into accepting his hand in marriage. While Verity has always been fascinated by Rory, she has too much pride to wed a man against his will. In the end, she agrees to an engagement, which she insists that she will break off at the end of the season, even if it renders her unmarriageable. (Not that it matters, as she never intends to ever wed.)

Meanwhile, a London newspaper begins to publish excerpts from a mysterious diary, detailing the most shameful exploits of the most scandalous bachelor party (which was also attended by the Prince Regent.) These stories could easily incite the country to riot, as they come so soon after the French Revolution. Rumor is that Rory recorded his friends’ misdeeds, but Verity knows he is innocent. Should the truth be revealed, it could destroy any hope of happiness for Verity. But when a series of mysterious accidents takes place, Rory realizes he must face down his greatest fears not only to save Verity, but to win her hand and her heart.

**** FOUR STARS! Author Sophia Nash sharpened her claws on certain gentlemen during the previous titles of this series. Now, to my utter delight, Nash sinks those slender talons deeply into the lives of Rory and Verity. I have been quoted in the past as describing Sophia Nash as “having an awe-inspiring, book-writing talent” and this story shows exactly why.

Unlike many other Heroines, this one has a backbone and can think for herself. She is not responsible for the stories printed, though they do come from her missing diaries. And unlike other Heroes, this one is certain of his actions (mostly) and has no urge to flaunt his brave acts from during the war to prove anything. The author has created believable characters and taken strides to keep events true to history. I found myself curious at some points and laughing aloud at others. Mystery, suspense, and romance collide to give readers a fun and memorable story. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Set in Cumberland, England. The year is 1813. After his wife died giving birth to Jamie, Will ran off with the diplomatic corps. Only the death of his older brother brought him home. If he had not been called home to claim the title and assume its responsibilities, Will might never have seen his son grow up. Now he is William Wentworth, Earl of Kendrick, and his son, Jamie, is an impressive young man at seventeen years of age. Will suspects that his neighbors, the Everards, were connected with his brother’s death eight years ago; therefore he wanted nothing to do with them. But Jamie had grown up with Lady Samantha Everard as his best friend. Upon meeting the young lady, Will can easily understand why.

Baroness Samantha Everard will lose Dallsten Manor and the bulk of her fortune if she does not wed by her twenty-fifth birthday. That fateful day is less than a fortnight away. Until a few odd years ago, Samantha had not known that she had any living family members. Since she met her three handsome cousins and watched them fall in love and begin having children, Samantha’s life has been filled with so much joy. But if she has learned nothing else, Samantha knows that those in her family feel their emotions stronger than most others. Samantha fears that she may repeat her mother’s mistake of marrying someone she loves only to realize a few years later that it had been only an illusion. It would be a few years of false love, followed by a lifetime of misery. Therefore, Samantha is fiercely determined not to wed in order to keep her inheritance – even if that means losing her home and becoming the poor relative of the family.

Will knows from his son that Samantha is under a great deal of pressure, yet Jamie refuses to divulge her secrets. Even with his years of diplomacy, Will is unable to convince the lady to tell him what is wrong. But when Will notices that Samantha is being stalked, he becomes even more determined to solve the mysteries surrounding her.

***** FOUR & A HALF STARS! This is the final book in the Everard Quartet. There is not as much danger as in the previous titles of the series, but there is enough suspense to keep readers glued to their seats until the very end. (For those who would like to look up the Cousins’ stories: The Rogue's Reform (Love Inspired Historical) is the story of Jerome and Adele. The Captain's Courtship (Love Inspired Historical) is the story of Captain Richard and Lady Clair. The Rake's Redemption (Love Inspired Historical) is the story of Vaughn and Imogene.) Those who have read the prior stories have seen Samantha grow into a lovely and intelligent lady, who is very good at horseback riding and fencing. Now we see the results of her unusual life. And I could not be happier.

It is pretty obvious who the bad guy of this story is, but that does not lessen the suspense at all. About the half-way point of the book, Samantha’s cousins arrive with their families. Vaughn is the only one who plays an important role though. After all, Samantha cannot reveal any of the information about Will’s brother and she certainly is not going to put her personal problems on display for him or anyone else. I admire that about Samantha’s character. She is a strong role model. I would also like to mention to readers that this is an Inspirational Regency Romance, meaning that the main characters often say a short prayer or recall a Bible verse. Do not fret if you are not a Christian though. The author does not shove religion down the reader’s throat. It is one of the traits that I love so much about this author. Regina Scott’s stories seem to come directly from her heart. Highly recommended reading! *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Sam and Dean Winchester meet up with Bobby Singer at a little town near the Tahoe National Forest where hikers and tourists have been killed. Rangers think it is a rogue bear, but Sam and Dean suspect that the trouble is due to a wendigo. Bobby Concurs. While hunting in the woods they meet Ranger Grace Cumberlin with the US Forest Service. If Grace did not see the next odd event with her own eyes, she never would have believed it. A naked man, covered in blood, walks out of the trees. The silent man stares straight ahead and does not stop walking, even while in a vehicle en route to the hospital. But that is not all. The walking man has no pulse and he has organs of several other people within him.

After the wendigo is dispatched, the Winchesters believe the hunt is over. That is, until they learn that people are still disappearing. Once back in the Tahoe National Forest, the hunters find a mysterious flying creature attacking them. The tall monster looks as though it has a hide of leather and resembles a pterodactyl. But this sly creature can assume human form.

Sam and Bobby head out to find ingredients to make a weapon against their latest foe. Dean and another hunter remain in the area to ward off hikers from entering the creature's territory. When a blizzard strikes the area, Dean must battle the elements as well as the creature. As for Sam and Bobby, they are being ambushed by vampires as they rush to complete the weapon. But once done, they will still have to figure out a way to locate Dean before the creature or one of the avalanches kills him.

**** FOUR STARS! The story starts out like many of the television episodes; the brothers are at the end of a mission, being attacked by a very nasty spirit. The author keeps Sam, Dean, and Bobby's characters true to form. I could easily envision Dean yearning for some type of greasy meat f or dinner. The story takes place during season seven, between "Shut Up, Dr. Phil" and "Slash Fiction". Therefore, Sam is still fighting off images of Lucifer and flashbacks of the time he spent in the cage. A few of the secondary characters from previous television episodes are mentioned but do not make an appearance.

Author Alice Henderson does a fantastic job at keeping the identity (human form) of the creature from the reader. She had me guessing everyone at various times. (Ultimately, my guess was wrong.) The story slows down and drags for a brief time in the center, but by the time Dean finally gets a good look at what they are up against; things begin to speed up quickly and become intense. The author also seems to know what she is writing about. I checked with a park ranger I know and Henderson describes avalanches and the procedures done for avalanches perfectly. I hope to read more novels from Alice Henderson in the future. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Karak Kadrin is in the Worlds Edge Mountains and is ruled by Slayer King Ungrim Ironfist. The Slayer King and the dwarfs of Karak Kadrin protect the gate, fighting off any dark forces that attempt to pass through it. Now the largest Chaos horde to spill out of the north since the time of Magnus the Pious is at their door. Slayer Gotrek Gurnisson and his human companion, Felix Jaeger, arrive to find Karak Kadrin under siege. This is led by the warlord named Garmr Hrodvitnir, who intends to unleash Chaos unlike any known before.

As an army of Slayers head out to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Gotrek and Felix are forced to remain at Slayer Keep. According to the aged priest, should Gurnisson march toward and meet the Chaos army in battle, he will find the death he seeks, but the world will die with him. This, of course, does not sit well with Gotrek.

** TWO STARS! I am a big fan of the Gotrek and Felix series. I look forward to each release, eager to read the next adventure. I have come to enjoy Gotrek's surliness, his jumping into the middle of any battle, and his scowls - to name only a few traits I adore. As for Felix, I am very familiar with his brave and skillful fighting. I now rely on seeing Felix by the Slayer's side no matter what comes. The human is a bad a...Well, he is deadly, especially with a sword. Occasionally the pair will have company in their travels. One such companion is Snorri Thungrimsson, a Slayer who is usually crazed and refers to himself in the Third Person. There is no one else quite like Snorri.

This story has all three of these characters that I enjoy so much; however, none of them are portrayed correctly. Gotrek is not as moody and he does not put away the ale like water. Felix spends most of his time in battle on his tail. He barely parries swings from his opponents and is constantly being saved by others. Felix does not seem to remember how to fight until late in the story. His spine finally stiffens about the same time. Up until then, Felix mutters under his breath and when Gotrek asks what he said, Felix actually cringes and apologizes. There are no snarky remarks to earn Gotrek's displeasure or even much of a scowl. Snorri is not the insane comic relief who goes berserk in battle. In this story he is very serious. He is the King's hearth-warden, his Reckoner, and his Remembrancer. Snorri is the King's right-hand. He advises King Ironfist, helps strategize, and is a total bore.

Though the characters do not act normal, the battlefield still runs red with blood. Readers who are not already familiar with the characters will probably love this story, but diehard fans may find themselves irritated. **

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Prologue by Annette Blair
Centuries ago, four ladies wash up on a beach in a hidden cove. Though not biologically related, these four consider themselves to be Sisters of Spirit (SOS) and have been there for each other through thick and thin. As the group's eyes peek through a tide pool, the ladies get a glimpse of other SOS groups.

New View by Lynn Jenssen

Marina Simms and her husband, Cameron, have been wed for seven years. Currently Cam is the only trained Network Engineer for his work place; however, another Engineer has recently been hired. Until Phil DeMeo is fully trained, Cam still has to work long hours, travel with little-to-no notice, and be on-call for emergencies. Marina understands that Cam is under a lot of stress and exhausted by nightfall, yet she is hopeful that once Phil is trained things will get better. When Marina begins having flashes of visions (much like viewing snapshots of the future) she starts to become concerned for the health of her marriage.

An SOS is sent out by one of Marina's close friends. She and her three Sisters of Spirit drop everything and travel to Munnatawket Island for a gathering. No one admits to sending out the SOS, but it has come at a good time. Each of the ladies needs the comfort and support of her Sisters of Spirit.

**** THREE & A HALF STARS! Of the four friends, Marina's personal life is the rosiest. (No pun intended toward the rose-colored sunglasses that she found on the beach of Hidden Cove.) This tale introduces the four ladies to the reader and paints the setting. Basically, it sets the foundation upon which all four stories are built. Because the author had to include so many details, Marina's trouble had to be less complicated than her friends' problems, but still be bad enough to make readers sweat over the outcome. Lynn Jenssen chose the problem that all couples fear in their relationships - lack of communication and fear of abandonment. Well done! ****

Identity by Christine Mazurk

Bryce Evans runs her own boutique, which thrives, and she has managed to lose one hundred pounds. Her world has changed. Now at her target weight, Bryce works to maintain it. While combing the beach of Hidden Cove, Bryce finds a luggage tag with an Ironman symbol on it and the name John Connery. A little research leads her to John's Gym where she meets Mike, John's son. John had recently passed away so the tag means a great deal to Mike. As a thank you, Mike becomes Bryce's personal trainer and she is soon entering races. Before too long, the pair's relationship begins to bloom into something more than what is normal between a trainer and athlete.

**** FOUR STARS! Any reader that has struggled with their weight will easily be able to empathize with Bryce. On that same track, anyone who manages to work full times and also exercise daily will feel a connection too. This author writes about what she knows. Christine Mazurk is a business woman and Ironman triathlete. Her experience shows on every page and makes the story believable. ****

Shaman's Shell by Jeanine Duval Spikes
While beachcombing with her close friends in Hidden Cove, Clara O'Keefe finds a small turtle shell. From its cavity she pulls out a necklace. It looks to be American Indian, with a teardrop oyster shell suspended from a loop of beads. Clara is eager to do some research and leaves Munnatawket Island for the mainland. Shortly thereafter, Clara is hired as a research assistant to Dr. Nathan Kestrel. She cannot shake the feeling that the archeologist wants something from her, but also believes Nathan to be an honorable man. As Clara and Nathan work on a dig together, they find more questions than answers. Each feels drawn to the other, yet neither knows whether the other can be fully trusted or not.

***** FOUR & A HALF STARS! This story has a bit more of a paranormal element in it than the prior ones. Fans of history will be interested too, especially if they also have a yen for magic. Jeanine Duval Spikes has a crisp writing style that is easy to read. The surroundings are vividly painted and the main characters' feelings are well expressed. This author has major talent. *****

Moving Pictures by Annette Blair
While combing the beach of Hidden Cove with her friends, Anastasia Jones finds an old camera. The broken digital camera is a pre-release model of a (2009) Cannon. The chip within it is a little worse for wear, but not in bad condition. Once accessed, Anastasia views the vacation photos of Max Peabody, but there is one file that she is unable to open. Though Anastasia has recently lost her mother, is jobless, and the bank just took the historical family home, she decides to track down Max Peabody; at least she could give him his missing happy vacation memories.

Max turns out to be the world-class advertiser of Peabody Marketing. The man is a hermit iceman. Mistaking her for being a temp from the agency, he places Anastasia at a computer and puts her to work. By the next day the identity error is known, but Max realizes the lady is uber-talented and hires her as his personal assistant.

To Anastasia, residing in a small section of his huge domicile is better than living out of her broken down truck. The pay is awesome too. But the people in the camera are nowhere to be seen and Max is an unemotional robot who prefers his privacy. If not for his dark aura, Anastasia would not have believed the man to be human. Anastasia makes it her mission to make the robot crack a smile.

***** FIVE STARS! This tale closes the circle and ends as it began - the SOS looking into a tide pool. This story is a little bit longer than any of the others. After all, life as Anastasia has always known it has been taken away. She has been stripped of everything but a few clothes and a vintage sewing machine. As for Max, he has nothing but his work and money.

As this story played out I noticed events from the other stories taking place. Anastasia answers the phone call that Clara made in the first episode and the Shaman's Shell is mentioned. So the events in all four ladies' lives are happening simultaneously. Their interactions within this story somehow made them very real to me. Perhaps it is due to the personal touches littered throughout this episode. Annette Blair is selfless when it comes to giving out personality details and inserting wacky humor. (The stolid recluse was defenseless against Anastasia's crazy hats and balls.) Blair is an amazing author!

To me, the best part of this novel is the ending. As the four friends stand together, I recall the changes each has made. I feel as though I actually know these people. So perhaps, just perhaps, these four authors make up their own SOS group. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

BOOK ONE: Nagash the Sorcerer

Nagash, Grand Hierophant of the Living City's mortuary cult, searches for the secret to eternal life. Without the fear of death, the gods would have no hold over mortals. Nagash's brother, Thutep, is the king. When Nagash first sees Neferem, the betrothed of Thutep, he feels jealousy as never before. Neferem represents the covenant. She is the conduit for the gods' powers. Once she becomes queen, she stands beside her husband's decisions, helping to care for their people. Nagash, craving power, plots to kill his brother, take the throne and the queen for himself, and bring about the end of the gods' hold on mortals.

Nagash becomes the Undying King. His life-giving elixir is given only to those he chooses. As long as those chosen keep taking the elixir, they are immortal. Through trickery, Neferem is made immortal. She is enslaved, bound body and soul, to Nagash. Her hatred for Nagash is as undying as his elixir makes him.

The sorcerer, craving more and more power, continues his dark experiments. The Hieratic Council in Mahrak defies the Undying King. But before the necromancer is done, all Nehekhara will lie beneath his heel, and Settra's great empire will be restored. The age of the old gods is over!

**** FOUR STARS! Mike Lee has done a terrific job of bringing the legend of Nagash to (immortal) life. As I read about the birth of vampires, there were times that I wondered if perhaps I had been ensorcelled by the author's writing talent. I admit that I found the narrations to be too long-winded at times, yet the images crafted within my imagination as I read were amazing. Highly recommended reading! ****

BOOK TWO: Nagash the Unbroken

Many hope, pray, or believe that Nagash the Usurper, Undying King of fallen Khemi, perished with his undead army. The remaining immortals were hunted down, a feat that took decades, and eliminated. Only one remains, Arkhan the Black. As the Usurper's army fell, Lamashizzar smuggled the books of Nagash from the Black Pyramid outside Khemri. Now Lamashizzar, Priest King of Lahmia, City of the Dawn, seeks the power that Nagash once held. With Arkhan nearby, locked immobile within his own flesh and bone, Lamashizzar studies Nagash's tomes. Yet Arkhan knows that once he reveals all Nagash's secrets, he will be destroyed.

Queen Neferata realizes that Lamashizzar cares for nothing more than his studies. The care and protection of Lahmia falls to her. Therefore, without her husband's knowledge, Neferata strikes a bargain with Arkhan. The immortal gives the queen secret tutelage of the necromantic arts. Soon she can deal with Lamashizzar, care for her people, and eventually make Lahmia the undisputed center of power in all of Nehekhara.

Unfortunately for Nehekhara, Nagash still lives. Nagash retreats to the mountains where he slowly rebuilds his strength and finds new allies in many of the barbarians and the skaven (mutant ratmen that dwell beneath the earth). In his new lair of Cripple Peak, Nagash discovers warpstone, which gives the necromancer more power than ever before. Once Nagash unlocks all the secrets of warpstone, he will be unstoppable.

**** FOUR STARS! The blurb on the back of the individual book speaks only of Nagash and the skaven. This is extremely misleading. Less than half of this book follows Nagash. As for the skaven, they are hardly seen or mentioned. The main focus this time is on Queen Neferata. My main problem with the story is the large gaps in time. More than once I turned the page to find that fifty years or more had passed. This caused me to somewhat flounder as I tried to figure out if anything vital had changed. I believe these sections could have been handled better. Yet overall, this story is intriguing. The epilogue, which begins after another huge time gap, gives a minor sneak peak as to how the third book will begin. I look forward to reading more about the beginning of the vampires. ****

BOOK THREE: Nagash Immortal

Nagash the Usurper, Tyrant of Khemri, still walks the earth, some five hundred years after his defeat at the Battle of Mahrak. His plans to seal the doom of the great cities of Nehekhara are delayed when the skaven dwelling under his dark mountain try to overtake the mining levels and claim the powerful stones called abn-i-khat as their own. Nagash must crush the skaven, a task that will take many years and battles, before he may continue his evil plans.

While Nagash deals with his ratman problems, other immortals are busy too. Neferata is the Queen of Lahmia, the City of the Dawn. Her line has ruled Lahmia for millennium. The vampire has kept her immortality and true nature hidden from the mortals. Within her court resides Alcadizzar, Prince of Rasetra, who she has raised and educated since his birth. (Alcadizzar is thirty-years-old when he is first introduced to the reader.) As the young prince matures, his tutors relentlessly train him to be the best king Khemri has ever had. Few know that Neferata plans to unite Khemri and Lahmia by making Alcadizzar her consort. As the prince continues to learn all he can to help his people in their future, Neferata slowly molds him according to her own wishes.

Alcadizza is fifty-one when he finds out that Neferata is a vampire. Her dark elixirs have slowed his aging, so Prince Alcadizza's appearance has hardly altered. The prince flees Lahmia, intent on warning Nehekhara of Neferata's dark crimes. But without evidence, none of the great cities' rulers dare to move against Lahmia. In order to find proof, the prince travels into the Golden Plains. Under the alias of Ubaid, the prince is adopted by one of the best tribes. Here he will live and fight as one of the bani-al-Hashim for decades. Once proof is finally found, all of the great cities will band together to purge Nahekhara of Lahmia's great evil.

After many, many decades of war between Nagash's forces and the skaven, they form an uneasy alliance. The skaven are greedy by nature and Nagash uses their vice for his own nefarious purpose. The necromancer launches his nightmarish army and finally begins his final attack on the lands of Nehekhara, killing any and all before them. Only one man dare stand in his way - King Alcadizzar. Should Nagash prevail, Nehekhara will cease to be, followed by all the Old World.

*** THREE STARS! This is the last book of the Nagash Trilogy. Nagash is given more time in the spot light this time around, yet still not as much as I would have enjoyed. When I, as a Warhammer fan, think of Nagash, I imagine an incomparable evil. He is a dark figure compiled from the most malevolent sorceries and made sentient. Often the author manages to convey that same image to me, however, there are times that Nagash's character comes across as too weak.

Queen Neferata is as problematic for Alcadizzar as Nagash, if not more so. Our hero will make horrible sacrifices and go through great pain for his people. But will it be enough? Will Nagash and Neferata, or both, be destroyed? Can there be a happy ending? I refuse to spoil the story by telling. ***

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.