Behind Closed Doors

Love--or at least sex--makes the world go 'round in Krahn's ( Caught in the Act ) tasteless historical novel, in which a woman who doesn't lasso herself a good man can turn a mite bitchy. Not surprisingly, then, the bitchiest of them all is England's unmarried Queen Elizabeth I. Corrie Huntington, a new and very innocent lady-in-waiting, is the queen's ``special pet,'' and Elizabeth declares her off-limits to the court's lounge lizards. But then Corrie's cousin Anne takes her to an all-female bash at which the ``sundry parts and privities'' of various gents are evaluated. Thus Corrie's interest in men is piqued just as a fine specimen appears: Sweden's gorgeous ambassador Rugar Kalisson, who flirts and dances as superbly as he fights. He even has a dimple. But this blond beefcake's father was humiliated at Elizabeth's court years ago, and Rugar seeks revenge, which happens to include captivating the queen's pet. Corrie falls in love. Rugar falls in love. Elizabeth is furious and (clearly her father's daughter) wants Rugar beheaded. Lord Cecil, an adviser, calms the queen, but not enough to prevent her from trying to forcibly reclaim her favorite. (Sept.) Science Fiction & Fantasy