The Harlequin by Laurell K. Hamilton

This is the 15^th book in the Anita Black series and well anticipated.  In this outing, a frightening group of vampire spies and enforcers called the Harlequin has come to terrorize the Hamilton’s alternative world St. Louis.  Malcolm, the head of the vampire Church of Eternal Life turns to those he considers corrupt and sinful, Anita and her lover Jean-Claude, who have forged a powerful triumvirate with werewolf Richard Zeeman.  When the Harlequin sends Anita a message in the symbol of a white mask, she knows that they are warning her...  That will be their first mistake. A more tightly structured effort than Danse Macabre, this book is sure to please Hamilton’s longtime and devoted fans. Personally though, I liked Anita better when she spent more time killing vampires than she did sleeping with them (and various others). ***1/2 by Staff

Undead and Uneasy by MaryJanice Davidson

Days before her wedding to sexy vampire, Sinclair, Betsy realizes that all her friends and family are missing.  When a pack of werewolves show up, she knows that it’s going to be up to her to put an end to their evil scheme.  This is a top pick from Romantic Times, so if you like this series (and this is book 6) then you’ll probably enjoy this one too.  These books are more comedy than horror, and much more Sex in the City than Anne Rice.  ***

All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris

For about a hundred pages, I wondered if Ms. Harris was ever going to start the plot.  Instead, we meander through Sookie’s life, meeting up with nearly every vampire (and human) she has ever had contact with in the last six books.  This was the same problem with her last book, just too many characters and not enough concentration on the plot.  The last half though perked up and was more enjoyable.  In this installment, Sookie is going to the Vampire Convention in Rhodes to work as the queen’s human Geiger counter.  When she finally arrives at the convention, the book has moments that remind me why I liked the series.  Why couldn’t there be more of them?  Sookie is a sexy, sweet heroine—a telepath, bar waitress—who just so happens to be attractive to quite a host of gorgeous, supernatural creatures.  The ending left me wanting more—though not panting for it—and maybe part of the problem is Sookie’s chemistry with her current beau is not what she has with Eric or Bill. (And I say bring Bill back into the picture, because having those two hunks in contention is what keeps the pages turning.) by Staff *** for entire series click here

For A Few Demons More by Kim Harrison

In this fifth book in the Hollows Series, Rachel Morgan continues to resonate with real emotions, humor, and a tough resilience.   Rachel, a bounty hunter and earth witch in an alternative world Cincinnati, must struggle with owning a 5000-year-old demon artifact called the Focus which every were, vampire, and demon in the city would like to possess.  Meanwhile her werewolf friend, David, is accused of being a serial killer by the FIB (Federal Inderland Bureau) and she must somehow clear his name while dealing with Master Vampires, drug dealing elves, and her own crazy partners.  This is an action-packed series with a whole string of characters and plot lines that build and only partially resolve with each book.  Definitely, a good read for fans, but newcomers would be advised to start with BK 1 Dead Witch Walking.  **** by Staff

Working for the Devil (Dante Valentine BK 1) by Lilith Saintcrow

Dante is one of the toughest necromancers in the world, and a prickly, fearless heroine to boot.  When Lucifer (the devil) needs someone to hunt down a serial killer demon, Danny's who he calls. She doesn't want much to do with him, but will gladly chase down the demon-there's nothing she likes better.  Well received from fans of the older Anita Blake books. By Staff ****

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Mercedes isn’t your ordinary heroine.  For one thing, she runs a garage, and for another she’s a “walker”, which means that occasionally she strips off her clothes and turns into a coyote. Mercy likes to keep to herself for the most part, but when a young werewolf comes to her door looking for work she takes pity on him and gives him a few days worth of work.  Soon though it seems that this young man has brought major league trouble to Mercy’s door, involving her in the local werewolf pack, the town’s vampire mob, and many other “fae” who live on the nearby reservation.  If that wasn’t complicated enough, Mercy’s werewolf ex-boyfriend has come to town and her sexy neighbor, the town’s Alpha wolf, is getting very territorial.  There’s lots to enjoy in this first book of a hopefully fun and romantic series. Mercy is the kind of character I like to root for, funny and yet kind, a girl out to do the right thing no matter the cost. By Staff ****

Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

The first book in a fun, engrossing series, Midnight Hour will make you laugh and maybe even shed a tear or two.  Kitty is a radio talk show host who also happens to be a werewolf, an identity that she’s trying to keep in the closet until an assassin comes to kill her on air and all is revealed.  Soon she’s dodging silver bullets, pack politics, and police questions as a werewolf serial killer starts threatening Denver—and Kitty is the prime suspect, oh, and don’t forget the sexy bounty hunter who’s after her.   Ms. Vaughn writes an engaging paranormal debut, and though this is the best book so far in the series, all three books (Kitty Goes to Washington BK 2, Kitty Goes on Vacation BK 3) are worth checking out. **** by Staff

The Stand by Stephen King

If you haven't read this book, then let me just tell you that's it's a great, epic summer read. King writes that he still gets told that this is his best book (a sometimes depressing fact for a writer), but you need to read it to judge for yourself.  When the entire population is wiped out in America, the survivors struggle to come together...but their problems have only just begun! By Staff *****

Stephen King News: Publishing on June 12th is Blaze by Richard Bachman (aka Stephen King) A 1973 novel never before published.  Called the best of Bachman's books by Publisher's Weekly.

The Dream-Hunter by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Megeara Kafieri watched her father ruin himself, and most of her family die in the pursuit of one dream—Atlantis—and though she doesn’t want to follow in her father’s footsteps, she is pulled in anyway. Arik, a dream-hunter who can only feel when inside human dreams, makes a bargain with Hades to come to earth as a mortal for two weeks and in exchange, he will return with Megeara’s soul.  Meanwhile, he joins in her search for Atlantis, knowing far more about the mythical city than he could ever tell her.  Though the Dark Hunter series has delighted many fans of Kenyon with its hot sensuality, mythic concepts, and occasionally funny dialogue, this one is a disappointment.  The romance is secondary, the plot confusing, and the climax dull. By Staff **

The Ruins by Scott Smith

You’ll never look at your potted plants the same way after reading this tale of terror.  Four friends and a young man they meet on vacation decide to trek off into the Mexican jungle to find some mysterious ruins.  What they find and how it plays out will keep you up all night.  This isn’t a fun novel, as much as something that will haunt you with its imagery and character study.  It’s definitely a page-turner and not for the faint of heart.  *** by Staff

Embraced by Darkness (book 5 in Riley Jensen series) by Keri Author (July 31)

Tanner's Scheme (The Breeds Bk 3) by Lora Leigh (Aug 7)

On the Prowl (anthology) by Patricia Briggs/Eileen Wilks/Karen Chance/ Sunny (Aug 7)

Eclipse (Bk 3)  by Stephenie Meyer (Aug 7)

Dark Prince by Eve Silver (Aug)

Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh (Sept)

Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood BK 5) by J. R. Ward (Sept)