Maggie Shayne - Sharon Shinn
Shayne, Maggie - ANNIE'S HERO (Avon - 1997) (3)
Richard and Annie had been in love since they were children, but shortly after their wedding, tragedy struck and he died in a terrible accident. His soul didn't actually die, however; only his memories. He was taken to an alternate universe and became a "White Knight," dedicating himself to banishing the world of evil. His next and most important battle is to save an unborn child who has the power to change the world.
Ren (as he's now called) has fought evil for centuries, but only eight months has passed on earth. Annie, alone and pregnant during this time, has been attempting to hide her grief for the sake of her family. She has been sleepwalking through life, waiting for Richard to come back to her. One stormy night her dreams come true when he arrives just in time to save her life. But although this man looks, speaks, and acts just like her husband, he insists his name is Ren and that he is only there to protect her unborn child from evil. Annie refuses to believe this story and insists that he has just lost his memory. Eventually, bits and pieces of Ren's previous life do come back to him, and he falls in love with Annie all over again; but because of the vows he has taken (to the "Light Side"), he can’t stay with her. He refuses to break her heart once more, so he doesn't reveal that he's "her Richard," and he tries to concentrate on keeping her and their baby safe.
This is a moving love story with a good-versus-evil plot. Although the heroine's grief is heartbreaking and the couple's rediscovery of their lost love is touching and done very well, the paranormal elements were extremely predictable, and the villain was obvious from the beginning. ANNIE'S HERO is a very good book, but I have read others by this author that are far more original. ~Laurie S. (shallah@empire.net)
Shayne, Maggie - INFINITY (Jove - 10/99) (4)
Arianna Sinclair, a young woman living in a small town in the Scottish Highlands, has always known she was different. She takes instruction from the "The Crones," three women known to be witches, while defying the villagers to also brand her as a witch. Arianna's life changes when Nicodimus Lachlan, a man she loves and has known since childhood, returns to Stonehaven.
After her life is threatened by the villagers, the Laird orders her to marry one of his sons for protection, but she chooses Nicodimus instead.
Although he resists at first, they are wed; but Arianna does not know his true feelings...or the truth behind their existence. They are actually Immortal High Witches—Light Ones. The Dark Ones keep their power and immortality by taking and possessing the hearts of other immortals, and they have been following Nicodimus and trying to take his heart for many years, which puts both Arianna and Nicodimus in great danger. When the unthinkable happens, Arianna vows to begin her life as a High Witch and learn to fight, kill, and survive—eventually leading her to a second chance with Nicodimus.
INFINITY begins and ends in the present, but the majority of the book is actually a prequel to ETERNITY, as it flashes back (usually in first-person narrative by the hero) to the past events leading to present circumstances. INFINITY is a dark, intense, compelling read that will be of interest to Highlander fans and anyone who enjoys a well-written paranormal romance. Readers will come to care about the characters and the outcome of their sometimes tragic circumstances in this multilayered, bewitching story. Best of all, Maggie Shayne has announced there will be at least one more book in the series, so this excellent family saga will continue. ~Karen Witkowski for Bookbug on the Web
Shinn, Sharon - ARCHANGEL (Ace - 1997) (4+)
Although you'll probably only be able to find this book in the sci-fi/fantasy section of your bookstore, it definitely has a strong romantic thread running through it. ARCHANGEL is set in a world where angels coexist (and are encouraged to mate) with mortals. Gabriel is slated to be the next Archangel (head angel) and a mate, Rachel, is chosen for him by Jovah (their God). Rachel feels blessed to be saved from her fate as a slave, but she is annoyed with the idea of being bonded to an arrogant angel...and lets him know it. But the fate of the world rests on their coming together and keeping their world in harmony, so they must learn to coexist. Romance fans will delight in the realistically drawn and slow building romance between angel and mortal. The book never got bogged down with boring technological babble, so don't be put off by the sci-fi categorization on the spine. I loved every word of this book. I should warn those looking for a steamy love scene that there isn't one here, but there is an abundance of sensuality. I highly recommend finding this treasure! ~Laurie S. (shallah@empire.net)
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