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YESTERDAY'S DREAMS
Danielle Ackley-McPhail
ViviSphere, $16.00
158776112
She would do anything for her beloved ailing father so Kara O'Keefe knows she must sacrifice the only asset she owns her beloved violin given to her by her grandfather years ago, but medical bills for cancer treatment must be paid. Knowing and doing are not the same as Kara delays the inevitable wandering the city until she finds YESTERDAY'S DREAMS and meets Maggie McCormick, a Sidhe who realizes what Quicksilver the violin truly is: a magical piece of the owner's soul.

Lucien the collector sees an opportunity to add Quicksilver and Kara to his booty. He will do whatever it takes to possess both. As Kara struggles with the existence of the Sidhe and magical objects, she joins forces with Maggie, her first mentor since her grandfather died, to battle the evil Lucien.

YESTERDAY'S DREAMS takes the typical fantasy theme of good vs. evil, but places it in modern times with modern day dilemmas as opposed to the usual medieval fare. The setting and Kara's disbelief make for a fabulously fresh tale that hooks the audience from the moment Lucien sees his prey. The prime characters appear real enabling the audience to believe that the magic is real in the music. Though changing narration perspective can become jolting at times, readers will appreciate Danielle Ackley-McPhail's wonderful novel.

Harriet Klausner

The Choosing PhylissAnn Welsh Novel, 2002, 295pp. ISBN: 1931696772

Port Marcus Captain Feenix, personal guard to the High Priest of the Sea Elves, is irate with the god Mac Lir for turning her into a helpless dolphin once a month. That is why her sworn enemy, a Night Elf captured her. That Night Elf Prince L'Garn of Cragimore believes this acerbic human slave will enable him to learn about her strange species. L'Garn desperately desires control of the human half of his blood that fills him with shame and unwanted feelings that leave hum unsuitable to one day sit on the Night Elf throne.

However, already attracted to one another, these two proud obstinate individuals remain unaware that Mac Lir chose them as the means to save the Elven by bringing peace to the species. The demon god Tuatha plans to exterminate the elves from the seven Cella worlds with genocide complete on one, Earth, and this orb Tylana expected to be accomplished soon.

Book two of PhyllisAnn Welsh's the Sylvan Wars Saga, the CHOOSING, is a descriptive romantic fantasy that follows on the success of the first novel (see The BINDING) by retaining the complex genuine feeling realms as the adventure unfolds. Ms. Welsh makes Tylana seem real through her support cast who provide the depth so that the audience knows they are visiting a vivid locale that cannot be imaginary. L'Garn and Feenix are a delightfully strong duet whose respective essence stays consistent even when each one falls in love with the enemy or subject to the Sylvan creator Mac Lir matchmaking manipulations. The audience will choose this novel and series if they want a fun fantasy.

Harriet Klausner


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