Title: The Grand Ellipse Author: Paula Volsky File Type: Mobi Subject:Fantasy Description:From Publishers WeeklyRichly inventive and breathlessly paced, this variation on the old around the world race theme surpasses Volskys earlier acclaimed fantasy The White Tribunal in deft characterizations and sly, wry wit. Tottering on the brink of war, the Vonahr republic watches uneasily as Grewzlands vainglorious mystic imperior Ogron blitzes his unprepared neighbors. The traditionally neutral Low Herz, however, ruled by Ogrons womanizing dilettante cousin, Miltzin IX, possesses a fantastic new magical weapon with a mind of its ownDthe green Sentient Masterfire. When Miltzin decrees an international race called The Grand Ellipse for the wealth and status of a Herzian barony, luscious Vonahrish bluestocking Luzelle Devaire accepts her governments secret commission: win the race, convince the lascivious Miltzin to sell Masterfire to Vonahr, and thus annihilate Grewzlands militaristic threat for good. She also hopes to escape the life of genteel wifely servitude that her domineering father has arranged for her. As feisty and resourceful as her Victorian ancestors, Luzelle finds herself drawn to her two chief rivals, the elegant Vonahrish ex-Marquis Girays vAlisante, her former fianc , and the noble Grewzian Overcommander Karsler Stornzof, product of the mystical Promontory, where honor counts more than lifes blood itself. Although Volskys well-crafted novel uses the traditional quest format common in fantasies, Luzelle and her admirers provide thrilling entertainment for readers of all genres as they hurtle from one narrow escape to another. Brimming with vibrant, exotic settings and Volskys knack for utterly convincing dialogue (impeded only slightly by contorted consonants in proper names), this lively adventure makes for unflagging reading enjoyment that should appeal to a wide swath of SF and fantasy fans. (Oct.) 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. From Library JournalWhen an ambitious and fanatical tyrant threatens to invade the rational republic of Vonahr, the leaders of that land resort to desperate measures to acquire a magical creation that could mean the difference between conquest and freedom. To help her country, a young Vonahrish adventuress enters the spectacular race known as the Grand Ellipse in the hopes of winning an audience with the king, who possesses the secret of Sentient Fire. The author of The White Tribunal excels in portraying fantasy worlds steeped in quasihistorical authenticity and convincing period detail. Reminiscent of Jules Vernes Around the World in 80 Days and other great race novels, Volskys latest sf adventure features an engaging heroine determined to live by her own rules, even at the cost of her hearts desire. 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Title: Mob Rules Author: Cameron Haley File Type: Mobi Subject:Romance:Fantasy Description: I'm Domino Riley, an enforcer for Shanar Rashan. Like most mob bosses in L.A., he's a powerful sorcerer, battling for control of the city, gathering up the magic of violent and powerful emotions and storing it for his own use. Back in the day, Rashan saved me from the streets and made me his lieutenant. You could say I'm his go-to girl. When a fellow gangster is ritually executed, I have to find out which of Rashan's enemies was behind it—and why. The cryptic messages I'm getting from the *Beyond* tell me it wasn't a simple hit. With the bodies piling up, I need to win an occult gang war, take out the supernatural traitor within our outfit and, oh yeah, deal with the mixed messages I'm getting from the boss's son….