FAVORITE AUTHORS:

AUTHORS I JUST CAN'T PUT DOWN

 
CHARLOTTE BOYETT-COMPO:

I have decided to write about Charlotte Boyett-Compo for this posting of my favorite authors. However, I never expected it to be as hard as it has been. I found no matter what words I come up with they just didn't seem to do justice to this author. Not only does she have a mountain of titles to her credit, but each and every one of them is an excellent read. What I thought I would do is let you know why I love this author's work, put links to reviews in each title I mention if Sime~Gen happens to have one posted, post a bit of a review for a couple books I have read and a link to her website where you can get a list of all her books.

I started reading and reviewing Charlotte Boyett-Compo due to some negative comments made on an email discussion list. The comments themselves made me curious about this author so I requested a copy of one of her books for review. That was all it took, from that book on I was totally hooked on this author. I read just a bit of the book and knew this read was like no other. Since that time I have read many of Charlee's books and each one is filled with such intense emotion that I just can't put them down.

For example while reading In The Wind's Eye, I could feel all the emotions that the characters felt. It was amazing the extent of dislike I was able to actually feel for the matriarch of the family. Charlee's writing was so descriptive that it made me feel a part of the story itself. I went on from there to read In The Teeth Of The Wind another single title book I was entranced by.

I then began reading the story of Conar McGregor beginning with WindKeeper This series through all it's twists and turns has become my favorite of all Charlee's series or trilogies. Somehow during the reading of this series I grew attached to Conar like no other character from other series or author's before or since reading these books.

After book one I had the pleasure of reading WindSeeker in which we see another side of Conar McGregor.

In book three entitled WindWeeper Conar is introduced to a pain from which even he may never return. I found reading this one during the beating and supposed death of Conar it truly brought tears to my eyes. Something of which is no easy task as I grew up reading horror stories from a young age.

In book four WindHealer I again found tears coming to my eyes at the torture of Conar and the changes it made in a character I had come to love reading about. By the end of this book the Conar of old was gone and a new one had taken his place.

Of course I then had to read book five WindReaper in which Conar McGregor reveals he is alive to his family. Though some are not so happy that he still lives, they must make peace with their fears.

Book six is WindDreamer and the first review at all for this book here at Sime~Gen will be in this column. Book six brings two old loves together as never before. Liza and Conar must overcome the past and join forces to try and bring down Kaleel Tohre. But will they be able to fight the attraction they still feel? A'Lex, Conar's brother is becoming increasingly unstable himself with his fear that he has lost his wife and love of his life to Conar. What lengths will A'lex go to in order to keep his wife and Conar apart?

This book was one that brought many surprises to the reader. I was very shocked at some of the twists and turns. For example horrible things happen to Liza, things that even this fan couldn't imagine. We are also introduced to some new characters in this book. It almost seems as if this could be the end of the saga. But no, there is definitely more to come. I myself am dying to read the rest of the series after the surprises brought about in book six.

Including this series I have had the pleasure of reading some of the DemonWind trilogy. Book one BloodWind is a whole new world, not like earth now or in the time of the McGregors, this is a world where women do not exist. Women are kidnapped from other worlds as mates for those on this world. Reapers are a sort of vampire, and were-creature at the same time they are just one of the inhabitants of this world.

I then read DarkWind this is book two where a Reaper from book one follows his love to earth. I found this a very enjoyable follow-up to book one. The third to the trilogy is currently awaiting release.

We are not nearly done yet, there is another trilogy I had the pleasure beginning called the WindWitch trilogy starting with NightWind. It is also the only one currently in publication. Follow the link to read about a being that is much more than just a demon, he is a vampire of sorts. I found this to be an excellent and somewhat sexy start to another great trilogy.

Blackwind is a book I recently had the chance to read. In this story we meet both a NightWind and a Reaper, it seems they have two things in common, they love the same woman and don't like each other much. Sean Cullen and Bronwyn McGregor fell in love at a very young age. From the time they were small they knew they were destined to be together. However, Sean comes from the wrong side of the tracks. Bronwyn and Sean lose touch for a few years and then run into each other again in High School where they really begin their romance.

This is when Bronwyn's parents step in. They send Bronwyn away to a secured place where Sean can't reach her. In the meantime Sean has to go through is own trials and tribulations such as meeting his biological father. Over the years much happens to the two of them, for example Bronwyn meets a being that is not of this earth who becomes her constant companion. This being is in love with Bronwyn, which becomes a big problem because she also meets a Reaper. Though Bronwyn doesn't know what a reaper is or that the reaper is actually Sean her one true love. Much has happened over the years including Sean dying and his body being brought back in another form. While keeping this review short I will say it is a definite must read. Charlotte Boyett-Compo found an interesting way to join the world of the Reapers and the Nightwinds into a new story.

I have also had the pleasure of reading In The Heart Of The Wind This was a stand alone book about Jamie the son of a crime boss. It seems his father has found where he fled to and is out to make his life pure hell again. Since I couldn't find the review I wrote for this book I have had to link to one at Sime~Gen by another reviewer.

I've also had the chance to read Prince Of The Wind: In this book we again revisit earth in a time even before the McGregors. . However this is set in a different time very possibly before all the other books that were based on this world. This is the story of Riain Cree. Riain a young prince has been kidnapped by the enemies of his father. A year later he somehow escapes and is taken in by people from another land. This is where he meets Suzanna a woman to be the death of him many times over. Riain though young is a fine specimen of a men. Suzanna though older has decided she would like to make Riain hers. Riain is not very fond of this idea and spurns Suzanna at every turn, though she manages to drug and bed him. When her duplicity is found out she is locked up for being insane and puts a curse on Riain's head.

Sadly this curse will follow Riain for a very long time. It will take intervention from those with extraordinary powers to free Riain from his curse. Once she has managed to become free from the asylum she reinforces that curse and her vengeance by seeking help from demons. Riaian's mother also seeks help from those more powerful than herself also. Many things happen and many bargains are struck in this book, some for good some for bad, but all are intriguing. There is much more to this book than can be described from here, but one thing that can be said, we will also be introduced to a Nightwind in this book. While it is redundant to say I loved this book as I do all of the book Charlee has given me the pleasure to review.

Last of all I recently also read ShadowWind: In this book we revisit one of Charlotte Boyette Compo's earth. The same earth that harbors the McGregors and the Brotherhood of the Domination as well as many others from previous books such as WindKeeper and others in the series. However, this book seems to be its' own series, possibly in the future and introduces us to many new people.

An Amazeen princess has been kidnapped by the Hadsu and is being taken to a place to be kept as a whore for any who will buy her. Who better to rescue her than Aradia, an Amazeen who's already been in the world of men and had her purity taken from her, and thus here the story begins.

Aradia must find a way to get into the fortress to find her friend thus she entertains the idea of enlisting the aid of a Shadowlord, until she finds out he is one from her past. The key though is whether this Shadowlord will hinder or help Aradia in her quest. What is the bargain Aradia must agree to with the Shadowlord in order to save her sister?

The Shadowlord wants the woman who saved his life many years earlier to be his wife. This woman just so happens to be Aradia. But in order to save her sister Aradia must agree. This will not bide well for the two, as the higher ups will not be happy with this situation. Little does Aradia know that all her traveling, worrying and bargaining was for naught since her sister does not wish to be rescued. Her sister has come to a bargain of her own. One she likes much better, one that will bring freedom and power to her. Orithia has agreed to be the kings number two wife. Now all has changed and what the future will bring is something none will expect.

I would like to end this column by saying I am sure there are books coming out or books I have missed that I just couldn't fit in this column. I will say however no matter what book you read you will find a true intensity like no other author. I enjoy all her books and hope to continue reading them for many years to come. I would also like to say I've had the pleasure of being a member of her yahoogroups list and her must review for list and during those communications I have found her to be a very pleasant person to work or communicate with. Check Charlee's website for all information regarding her books currently in publication and soon to be published Windlegends.com