Although I enjoy historical romances the most, I was given an opportunity to read something a little different this month.

The first is a paranormal romance set in London in 1888. There's where the historical reference ends.

"Night Falls Darkly" (Signet Eclipse, 2008, $6), by Kim Lenox, is her first published paranormal romance, and the first in her Shadow Guard Series. The hero, Archer, Lord Black, is a Reclaimer in the ancient, immortal Shadow Guard who is sent to "reclaim" Jack the Ripper and send him to the Eternal Pit of Darkness. Elena Whitney is Lord Black's ward whom he had saved from certain death two years past.

Elena lost her memory after her "accident," and though she has lived under Lord Black's roof ever since, he had gone abroad for those two years and she had no memory of him. They meet again when Jack the Ripper strikes in London and targets his nemesis' ward.

A paranormal love affair soon develops and Archer risks his immortality to save Elena from the Ripper's insatiable knife.

"Night Falls Darkly" is a good read, but I found myself wishing that Lord Black and The Eternal Pit of Darkness could have been given more original monikers. I am, however, looking forward to reading Kim Lenox's second book in the Shadow Guard series, "So Still The Night."

"Mercury's War" (Berkley Sensation, 2008, $7.99), by Lora Leigh, is another paranormal romance, although it's probably not so much paranormal in an eerie sense as it is abnormal.

The setting is at a facility called Sanctuary in Buffalo Gap, Va., in the 22nd century where Breeds like Mercury Warrant (half human/half lion) have lived for a century protecting other Breeds from scientists, who'd like to experiment on them, and prejudiced humans who would like to destroy them.

Mercury meets Ria Rodriquez, a human, who was sent from Sanctuary's benefactor, Vanderale Industries, to root out a spy who was feeding sensitive information to hostile research facilities.

Breeds mate only once, and Mercury's mate was believed to have died years ago before he had actually mated with her. So why was he feeling such powerful protective and sexual emotions where Ria was concerned?

If you are looking for an over-the-top steamy romance that is a little different from the rest, "Mercury's War" may fit the bill.

If the animal/human thing is not your cup of tea, it may help to know that Ria is not who she seems to be, but I won't spoil it for you.

"Mercury's War" is just one of Lora Leigh's Feline Breeds series.

Contact Whispering Pines writer Laura Snyder at lsnyder@lauraonlife.com.