Sealed In Blood

Rating:
Summary: Unusual Vampire Story!
Review: Alison Leigh Powers, an eleven year old middle school student, wants to buy a horse. To make money to fund her desire, she offers to become her mother's assistant in cataloguing miniature books. In her efforts to sort them Alison learns that miniature books, all less than three inches, are fascinating. As Alison discovers more about the books, she finds herself looking forward to working with them, and getting to know the book owners.

When Mrs. Powers notices that a book she has already made notations on comes up missing, she is horrified. Alison finds out that more than one book is gone, and is determined to find the person responsible for putting her and her mom's jobs in jeopardy. As she looks for clues, she hates to point the finger at any of her new friends, but knows the books must be found. When Alison finds out who the culprit is, will she tell on him, or find a way to get him to return the books?

In The Mystery of the Missing Miniature Books, Alison, a wonderful main character with an inquisitive mind helps bring the reader to the right conclusions as she searches for clues. Her insight to finding out the hidden secrets makes for a wonderful story about an eleven year old sleuth. This reviewer, having grown up on Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, fell in love with a new generation of mysteries with Ms. Kinman's stories.

The Mystery of the Missing Miniature Books comes packed with facts that will make the reader think about books, boxes, and any other items they may have considered collecting. Alison learns not only about work ethics, but about the cost of a horse, and the time needed for upkeep. This novel is full of adventure and learning for any middle reader. Ms. Kinman has created the perfect mystery for both girls and boys with her series about Alison Leigh Powers, and this reviewer would recommend them as a gift to any child who enjoys books!

'Angie Dobson

Rating:
Summary: Unusual Vampire Story!
Review: Alison Leigh Powers, an eleven year old middle school student, wants to buy a horse. To make money to fund her desire, she offers to become her mother�s assistant in cataloguing miniature books. In her efforts to sort them Alison learns that miniature books, all less than three inches, are fascinating. As Alison discovers more about the books, she finds herself looking forward to working with them, and getting to know the book owners.

When Mrs. Powers notices that a book she has already made notations on comes up missing, she is horrified. Alison finds out that more than one book is gone, and is determined to find the person responsible for putting her and her mom�s jobs in jeopardy. As she looks for clues, she hates to point the finger at any of her new friends, but knows the books must be found. When Alison finds out who the culprit is, will she tell on him, or find a way to get him to return the books?

In The Mystery of the Missing Miniature Books, Alison, a wonderful main character with an inquisitive mind helps bring the reader to the right conclusions as she searches for clues. Her insight to finding out the hidden secrets makes for a wonderful story about an eleven year old sleuth. This reviewer, having grown up on Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, fell in love with a new generation of mysteries with Ms. Kinman�s stories.

The Mystery of the Missing Miniature Books comes packed with facts that will make the reader think about books, boxes, and any other items they may have considered collecting. Alison learns not only about work ethics, but about the cost of a horse, and the time needed for upkeep. This novel is full of adventure and learning for any middle reader. Ms. Kinman has created the perfect mystery for both girls and boys with her series about Alison Leigh Powers, and this reviewer would recommend them as a gift to any child who enjoys books!

�Angie Dobson

Rating:
Summary: powerful vampire romance
Review: Berkley psychology professor Nigel Jameson is a late attendee at the Sequoiacon Science Fiction Convention, but he is not there as a fan. Instead, the real life vampire (oxymoron) seeks to gain possession of graphic photos that could expose and endanger his race to the prejudices of humans. Convention participant Keith Brewster swears he will prove that an alien creature exists on earth.

Nigel enlists the aid of another attendee thirty something librarian Sherri Hudson, who though she is attracted to him, remains reluctant to break and enter someone else's room to steal the pictures. However, the duo accomplishes his mission only for him to realize from the photos that his sister is in deep trouble. Working together to rescue Laura, Sherri and Nigel fall in love even as she learns the truth about her partner.

SEALED IN BLOOD is a powerful vampire romance that works on several levels besides the obvious supernatural boy and human girl falling in love. The story line is fast-paced as most fans will read in one sitting. The convention details are a delightful description of chaotic fun and the suspense thriller aspects blend quite nicely with the horror and romance ingredients. Sherri is the ideal mix of innocence, awe, and skeptic with an emphasis on the latter. Though Nigel is too perfect an upright moral individual, Margaret L. Carter provides a powerful novel that sub-genre readers will enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: powerful vampire romance
Review: Berkley psychology professor Nigel Jameson is a late attendee at the Sequoiacon Science Fiction Convention, but he is not there as a fan. Instead, the real life vampire (oxymoron) seeks to gain possession of graphic photos that could expose and endanger his race to the prejudices of humans. Convention participant Keith Brewster swears he will prove that an alien creature exists on earth.

Nigel enlists the aid of another attendee thirty something librarian Sherri Hudson, who though she is attracted to him, remains reluctant to break and enter someone else's room to steal the pictures. However, the duo accomplishes his mission only for him to realize from the photos that his sister is in deep trouble. Working together to rescue Laura, Sherri and Nigel fall in love even as she learns the truth about her partner.

SEALED IN BLOOD is a powerful vampire romance that works on several levels besides the obvious supernatural boy and human girl falling in love. The story line is fast-paced as most fans will read in one sitting. The convention details are a delightful description of chaotic fun and the suspense thriller aspects blend quite nicely with the horror and romance ingredients. Sherri is the ideal mix of innocence, awe, and skeptic with an emphasis on the latter. Though Nigel is too perfect an upright moral individual, Margaret L. Carter provides a powerful novel that sub-genre readers will enjoy.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Intricately woven -- Highly recommended
Review: Rumors that a second rate reporter has obtained authentic pictures of a demon draws professor Nigel Jameson to a science fiction convention. Nigel convinces another convention guest, Sherri Hudson, to aid in his plan to steal the pictures and negatives before they become public. Unfortunately, someone else wants those pictures as well. After Nigel successful obtains them and learns the "demon" is his vampire sister, someone else slips into the reporter's room and leaves him dead.

Several days after the convention, Sherri receives a threatening phone call demanding the pictures. Soon she finds herself swept away on a supernatural adventure to find Nigel's sister Laura. While Nigel protests the possibility of a long-term relationship, neither can resist their shared allure, plunging them into a passionate affair.

Margaret Carter maintains the seductive allure of vampire legend yet lends vampires their own unique heritage in SEALED IN BLOOD. Vampires in Carter's world have their own evolutionarily and cultural background coexisting with humanity. One is born a vampire, rather than transformed, as the bitterly disappointed antagonist learns. Vampires earn livings and live among humans, though they maintain a mild sensitivity to the sun. In addition, Carter's understanding fandom and cons lends the novel an authentic background complete with filk music and fanaticism. An intricately woven novel that blends romance, adventure, suspense and the supernatural, SEALED IN BLOOD comes highly recommended.