The Compete Keeper Chronicles

The Compete Keeper Chronicles     

by Tanya Huff is a trilogy that includes Summon the Keeper, The Second Summoning and Long Hot Summoning.  I am always impressed by this versatile author (and I am a really big fan of her space opera Valor series that features a truly kick-butt heroine and I enjoyed the glimpses of Canada that I received through her Blood series) and she has such a quirky sense of humor that I delight in the snark (featured most recently in the sequel to The Enchantment Emporium, The Wild Ways) although I undoubtedly miss some of the subtext occasionally.  This omnibus is a bit unwieldy to handle (especially if one has wrist problems the way I do) but it is definitely a treasure of entertaining fantasy.  I love the way the cats have their own way of dealing with rules and annoyances and that entertaining struggle between what the veterinarian has decreed for the health of the cat and the cat's own opinion is even funnier when the cat can actually vocalize his opinion!  There is a lot of creativity in this series and although these books were initially written more than a decade ago, they are still just as refreshing as they were then.  I can only hope that the author is starting up the series again as I love playing in this universe.

My Amazon review for The Complete Keeper Chronicles is at this link






(Note:  The following are just a FEW of the books in the author's various series) 



                     

The Silvered

The Silvered   

by Tanya Huff is an impressive fantasy story that combines the typical quest trope with the paranormal elements of wolf shape-shifters in a tale that is absolutely enthralling.  There is a fair amount of violence that is a bit disturbing but the stark emotionalism detailed about characters who practically leap off of the page (yes, I can occasionally come up with tongue-in-cheek references) make this another of this very talented author's masterpieces.  I have been a long-time fan of this author and I am anxiously awaiting an addition to her sci-fi series about Torin Kerr (the Valor series) but, wow, this certainly is a satisfying detour.  There are certain elements that I was a little disappointed about since I am an incurable optimist but I definitely understand the need for these developments in order for the story to progress.  One of the things that I am always impressed by is an author's ability to tweak something that is conventionally accepted as a paradigm and the new application of the 'healing' ability was definitely startling.  I can only hope that there will be many more tales in this mesmerizing universe that is populated by determined beings who can definitely change their world if force of will has anything to do with it.

My Amazon review is at this link.  Be forewarned...I gush, lol.

Veteran's Day

Just wanted to stop and say how much I appreciate those who have served or are serving, both in active duty or by supporting those who are.  It is difficult for those of us remaining safe in our homes to conceive the kind of horror and stress that these brave souls endure daily and I know that I am inadequate at expressing my true gratitude and empathy for them.  There are many great authors who give us a glimpse of the lives of those who serve in the military but it is impossible to know what life in the warzone is truly like unless you have experienced it yourself.  I am always shy about greeting strangers in uniform so I try to show my support through agencies like Soldier's Angels, AnySoldier.com and Operation Paperback but there are countless organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project which need support as well.  Those who are able to send letters or Christmas cards may wish to contact Kim at the SOS Aloha blog for addresses to use to brighten some soldier's day with a note or a card.

Some of my many favorite military romance authors are:

Suzanne Brockmann (Troubleshooters series), Mary Margaret Daughtridge, Jessica Scott, Tanya Huff (sci-fi Valor series), Linnea Sinclair (actually sci-fi romance but still a military theme), M.L. Buchman, and many, many more....and don't forget that Anne Elizabeth's delightful new book, A Seal at Heart will be released the first week of December!