Total Eclipse

The thrilling, steamy ninth installment in Caine's Weather Warden series (after Cape Storm) finds weather warden Joanne Baldwin and Djinn leader David struggling to cope with losing their magical abilities. David is especially hard-hit, since without magic he's merely human, but their quest to recover their powers must wait until they can get the world's weather back under control. Joanne is dispatched to approach the mysterious Oracles and resolve the situation. What follows is a race through the Apocalypse, delivered with sly, sarcastic humor. Particularly fascinating is the changing relationship between Joanne and her half-Djinn daughter, the Oracle Imara; parents will recognize the shifting emotions as some once-essential elements are lost while the core affection remains. Solid pacing, romantic tension that leaps off the page, and the battle to save the world make this ideal summer reading for the paranormal romance fan. (Aug.)