Sarah A. Hoyt

SOUL OF FIRE, Hoyt's second novel set in her alternate 'Magical British Empire' series, follows a minor character from Hoyt's first novel in the series, HEART OF LIGHT, Peter Farewell, British gentleman and were-dragon.

After his promise to Nigil, the hero of HEART OF LIGHT, to return the second of two legendary magical jewels said to have been in Charlemagne's (yes, that Charlemagne) possession once upon a time, Peter sets off to British occupied India in pursuit of the jewel. He doesn't expect to become embroiled in a family's dark secret, a young girl's bid at freedom or the truth behind the whispered rebellion of the natives.

If you read HEART OF LIGHT before this, then you'll know all the references Peter makes throughout the book without help. For those who haven't read the first book, there is enough referencing to the events of HEART OF LIGHT to cover anything that might be mentioned.

Peter is a likeable hero. Maybe because I went into the book expecting it to be like other historical romances I read and I thought he would be less flawed than he was. Those flaws endeared him to me, however, from the eye patch to his mixed emotions over his father's death, and his almost clumsy courtship with the heroine, Sofie. Peter seemed real to me.

Sofie at times annoyed me. She was a little younger then I would have liked (she was only seventeen) and at times acted very much the spoiled brat she insisted she wasn't. I don't think she meant any of her selfish tendencies out of spite, but all the same, they more often then not landed folks in trouble because she didn't think things through. She was all impulse and determination. She does mature however, and I did enjoy her and Peter's relationship as it progressed along.

The others in the story—Sofie's (mercenary) parents, handmaiden/friend Lalita, the other weres and even the natives that came and went, were all well written and interesting. I especially liked Lalita's Uncle, who fit his title quite well.

As previously mentioned, this is the second book in Hoyt's Magical British Empire series, preceded by HEART OF LIGHT (out now) and shortly to be followed by HEART AND SOUL (due out end of October 2008).… (mer)

A quick and fun murder mystery romp with the Musketeers. The author does a good job of setting up how these stories came to light via her hands, she also has a good grasp on the character voices. We get some nice back story on the more minor characters in the original tales as well.

This story interweaves into the very beginning of when D'Artagnan arrives in Paris and meets the Musketeers - Porthos, Athos, and Aramis. We get a good glimpse into the Royal palace and at the Cardinal's households and lifestyles too.

Sending this onto Cheesy so she can read it.… (mer)