Most readers are not too fond of the TSTL heroine unless she manages to redeem herself (or she's Stephanie Plum--sorry, I couldn't help myself), but since they're only fictional folk, there's not too much damage done, except to the psyches of the young girls who admire them.

But I was tooling around the blogosphere today and I happened on an article at the Women in Crime site talking about gullible real-life women who risk much to be with men who mistreat or kill them. Case in point: Sandra Boss and her daughter who was duped by a supposed Rockefeller, a man with no social security card, no job or history of having one, no real family. How the hell did this guy fool a supposedly smart woman duped into sharing their lives and their fortunes with reprobate men.

A big part of the equation is that these men don't want you to know. They go to great lengths to preserve their con. This is their whole life and when it starts to unravel, they usually do one of two things--kill to cover their tracks or disappear. Luckily for little Reigh Rockefeller (now Boss) her dad chose the latter route even if he took her with him.

Conventional wisdom would suggest that there is something lacking in these women that these men pick up on and exploit. I would agree with that. When you consider that many of these type of love stories begin with the same formula: a whirlwind courtship followed by a quick marriage. Then the woman finds herself separated either emotionally or physically from her family and friends. It's the same way many abusers and other predators behave: separate the weak one from the herd.

Another part of the equation is the pervasive sentiment that we women are still not complete without a man. We spout crazy statistics like we are more likely to get hit by lightning than to find that man after a certain age. Like a demented game of muscial chairs women are afraid to be the one left without a place to call their own. So, many close their eyes to signals anyone else would see. They don't want to admit, until perhaps too late, that their (possibly) one shot at love isn't who or what they claim to be.

But I think it's also true that some folks take the fantasy of the romance novel and the movie theatre too literally. Some guy sweeps into their life and rather than being suspicious about why some man with millions wants ordinary ol' you, you swoon. It's not like Cinderella stories never happen, but more than likely the heroine ends up in divorce court trying to salvage some bit of her life, in a shallow grave--or, perhaps, my next novel. We'll have to wait and see.

The Snow Queen is set apart from the other stories in the series mostly because of Godmother Aleksia: prior to becoming a Godmother Aleksia was unwittingly pursuing a Traditional story where she would kill her sister to marry her brother-in-law. Even when she is rescued from this and set in place as the Snow Queen, Aleksia remains concerned how her isolation and solitude makes the dark side in many ways appealing.

The Snow Queen is an enjoyable summer read and more similar to the first two novels in the series. Oddly enough I keep finding fragments of Terry Pratchett throughout this series, and either Lackey is paying homage to my favorite fantasy writer or I’m looking for him where he doesn’t exist! But the two authors employ some similar ideas when it comes to story telling and tradition.

R. Leigh is the author of the fantasy romance novel, THE WINDS OF ASHARRA. You can visit her website at www.thewindsofasharra.com.

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Author R. Leigh is a mystery to local neighbors, appearing enigmatic and ageless, and wearing an ever present red crystal pendant. Some have guessed this author's secret other worldly origin, speculating that the tales of Asharra might somehow be true. Outskirts Press does not confirm this and will not comment on rumors that the manuscript for this novel appeared in their offices out of nowhere. We urge you to read this book and decide for yourself.

You can visit R. Leigh's website at www.thewindsofasharra.com.

The Winds of Asharra Synopsis:

Fantasy and Adventure under a Purple Sky! After Victor and Zoe, two 18 year old American college students, suddenly find themselves transported to Asharra, a surreal and highly sensual world, they must grapple with their inner visions of who they are and where they really belong. When Ionera, a troubled Asharran girl with a mystical secret enters Victor's life, his priorities turn upside down and new challenges present themselves. In a land where evolved felines, intelligent telepathic trees, musical dragons and hidden wisdom flourishes, Victor, Zoe and Ionera seek answers to riddles as old as the stars. Will their discoveries guide them or will they be carried along by the Winds of Asharra? Join them on a journey of self discovery in a world where adventure, love, sex and home all have new meanings.

The Winds of Asharra is a blend of imaginative fantasy, high adventure and sizzling sensual romance, set in the mythic land of our half-forgotten dreams. Filled with a group of richly diverse characters and speaking to everyone's hidden longings, the story will quicken your pulse and carry you to a world of new possibilities.

Read the excerpt!

It was a spectacular cross-over from ya to yi, as the twin suns parted company, creating a breathtaking twilight, on a world where it never became completely dark. The clear sky, now a softer shade of violet, was only dotted with a few wisps of light blue clouds as the naked winged pair lazily glided home to their own crystalline osharra. While aloft, they embraced and kissed, even joyfully managing a spin and a tight loop without breaking contact. His large blue wings covered her smaller red ones as he playfully introduced his tongue into her mouth. It was an Earth custom which she was grateful to have learned and one which she would never forget. He touched one of her tiny silver horns for luck, a gesture that had become a habit, as he slyly patted her on the globes of her tezz before releasing his mate from his embrace and landing on the familiar red soil of Asharra. They had been through so much together and encountered so many fine creatures, many of whom were formally declared as friends by way of the Doings.

For her part, she was relieved at the completion of the most recent events, even with the surprising consequences which she could never have imagined. Images of the beings they had encountered along the way darted across her greater mind as she snuggled into the pile of multi-colored looshie cushions inside the sleeping chamber. She was grateful for the experience of knowing the intelligent plants and the brash blue two-legged bull, to say nothing of the dreegins and the dragons. The sudden appearance of Paraaz, the great emerald colored gerh, a feline with more pride than poise, also reminded her to add him to the list. The winged beast, if he could have read her mind, would have been satisfied at the addition. She was as content as a friznaggle who had just gobbled up a batch of zim.

Her mate flexed his body in preparation for sleep, eager to cuddle up to her and enjoy the closeness of her warmth and scent. He absentmindedly touched the red crystalline pendant which he wore around his neck, part of a matched set, and indicative of all that they had recently experienced. His sense of purpose and identity had been clarified and fulfilled. His Kokayniah was true and he was firmly on the path, despite a few accidental diversions along the way.
“Tell me a story, my mate, “ she cooed to him, playfully rubbing her body against him.
“And which one might that be.” he joked, clearly knowing the anticipated reply.
“Silly dox, “ she giggled, “there is only one worth telling.”
“Where shall I begin?” he whispered, beginning to caress her body with more urgency.
“At the beginning of course...” she sighed, “and don't skip over my favorite parts..”

• Primary Inversion by Catherine Asaro 
• The Last Dragonlord by Joanne Bertin
• Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop 
• Miles in Love by Lois McMaster Bujold
• The Thread That Binds the Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman 
• The Fire's Stone by Tanya Huff (collected in Of Darkness, Light, and Fire)
• Commencement by Roby James
• Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay 
• Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
• Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner
• Magic's Pawn by Mercedes Lackey
• Silver Metal Lover by Tanith Lee
• Timeshadow Rider by Ann Maxwell
• The Ship Who Sang by Anne McCaffrey
• The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley
• Local Custom by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller
• Dragon Prince by Melanie Rawn
• Naked in Death by J.D. Robb
• Shapechanger's Song by Jennifer Roberson
• Archangel by Sharon Shinn
• Alien Taste by Wen Spencer
• Nameless Magery by Delia Marshall Turner
• Stardoc by S.L. Viehl
• Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L. Wilson

I've probably forgotten several other wonderful books, so if you think of any others please leave a comment!

Ellysetta, raised in the mortal land of Celieria, has been fascinated by the Fey her entire life. She is part of the crowd gathered to view Rain Tairen Soul, King of the Fey and the legendary figure who "scorched the world" with grief-stricken madness a thousand years ago. When Ellysetta is knocked down and nearly trampled by the crowd, her mind calls out unknowingly to her truemate for protection. That soulmate turns out to be Rain. Overwhelmed by the turn of events, Ellysetta does not immediately accept Rain as her truemate. Rain must court her against a background of political turmoil as the Fey's old enemy, the Eld, begin to stir even as the Fey are weakening as a race.

Wilson originally wrote Lord of the Fading Lands and its sequel, Lady of Light and Shadows, as one long novel so be prepared for the abrupt end to the first book and have the second near at hand.

Check for availability of C.L. Wilson novels at Fiction Addiction.