Hearts Eternal
By Rebecca Goings
Cursed Hearts Series - Book 1
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-248-X
November 2006
Paranormal Romance
Cassie Chapman had finally found the one man who she was attracted to, and who intrigued her, but he claimed that he was a ghost, and she was the reincarnation of his true love. She didn't believe him at first, but was quickly compelled to.
Lord Laith Moreland had found true love. Centuries earlier, they both had been killed, and he had been cursed. Now he lived as a ghost, searching for the reincarnation of his shelmir, his soulmate. Finding Cassie was only the first step in breaking the curse. They would have to hold off from making love until the time was right, while protecting Cassie from his greatest enemy - his twin brother. For it was Jareth who had caused their deaths, and had cursed himself to find Cassie.
HEARTS ETERNAL was an interesting story about true love overcoming all obstacles, including centuries of time, and death itself. To me, it had a slightly "gothic" tone, where the unfolding events seem to be out of the hands of the characters. It was also fascinating to watch Jareth, the seemingly unrepentant villain, knowing that he is to be the hero in the sequel. I'm rather intrigued to find out how Ms. Goings redeems him.
Rating: 4.0 out of 5
© Kathy Andrico and gottawritenetwork.com
Devil's Playground
By Arianna Hart
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-201-3
August 2007
Romantic Suspense
Caitlyn O'Toole wouldn't be able to be wild and adventurous even if she wanted to. Not with three older brothers who each took their job as "Big Brother" very seriously. She lived independently, but still grumbled about their protectiveness, but if she was honest, she was just as protective about them as they were about her.
All four of them had careers that could put them in danger. Caitlyn worked as an ER nurse in a somewhat dangerous neighborhood. However, it was her brother Tom who worked undercover, and he and his partner Devlin "Mac" McDougal consistently put their lives at risk.
Mac had been deep undercover infiltrating a gang when he was shot. Luckily, he was near where his partner's sister worked, and was able to get her assistance. However, he didn't know who he could trust. Somebody in law enforcement was obviously conspiring with the gangs on the streets, and all of Caitlyn's siblings could be suspect. Just because he knew them didn't make them innocent. He'd have to hide in Caitlyn's apartment, keep her safe, hope that none of her brothers were involved, and fervently will himself from seducing the one woman who intrigued him like no other.
Caitlyn had been interested in Mac from the first time she'd met him, but his career kept him away. Having him shot and hiding in her apartment didn't facilitate a relationship either. But being tailed, and having her home broken into quickly sidelined the passion she felt for Mac. It wouldn't matter how much either of them might want each other when it was very possible they could end up dead.
DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND is yet another exciting, heart-pounding romantic suspense novel by Arianna Hart. I was gripped by the story from the moment we meet Mac shot and hiding under Caitlyn's car. I adored the family Ms. Hart created for Caitlyn, and Mac's unmistakable desire to be part of that unit. The brothers and sister care unconditionally for one another, and each would give their life for the other. Devil's Playground had suspense, passion, love, and great characters. I couldn't ask for more - well, actually, after the epilogue, I definitely ask for more!
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
© Kathy Andrico and gottawritenetwork.com
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PAGE TWO REVIEW INDEX
Hearts Eternal
By Rebecca Goings
Samhain Publishing
Devil's Playground
By Arianna Hart
Samhain Publishing
Beyond the Night
By Sharon Long
Samhain Publishing
Taming Eliza Jane
By Shannon Stacey
Samhain Publishing
Inventing the Abbotts
By Jerri Drennen
Samhain Publishing
The Wolverine and the Flame
By Rebecca Goings
Smahain Publishing
High Noon
By Rebecca Goings
Samhain Publishing
Reviews on page 3
Beyond the Night
By Sharon Long
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-456-3
July 2007
Historical Romance
Thomas Hadley, Viscount Ridgewood, had been excited over his purchase of a journal from the late Sir Roderick Castleton. Inside were drawings and writings which he was certain were clues to finding the lost city of Pagoria. It was a city of legend that couldn't be verified to have ever existed. Yet now, in his hands, was evidence. Unfortunately, Ridge was not fluent, neither could he read, the Pagorian language. Luckily, he knew of one woman who could.
India Ashton had spent too many years traveling and exploring, and was happy to return to England and live her life in peace and to heal. She was mourning the loss of her father, a man whom many considered to be crazy over his beliefs of Pagoria. Now, one of those men had come to her home asking for assistance. She had absolutely no intention of helping Ridge. Learning that her father was truly alive and needed her help, India knew that she would have to use Ridge, then betray him in order to rescue her father.
Yet there are even more threats to both Ridge and India. Someone breaks into their homes, and India is accosted. It is obvious that someone else wants the relics from Pagoria. They must work together, and as they do, they grow close.
Beyond the Night was a thrilling historical romantic adventure. I was engrossed from the prologue, and enjoyed every bit of the action, romance, and learning the mystery of Pagoria. The characters intrigued me. Ridge is excited about the adventure and anxious for more expeditions, while India craves returning to the sanctuary of home, and dreads knowing that she must betray Ridge. I look forward to additional stories by this author.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
© Kathy Andrico and gottawritenetwork.com
Taming Eliza Jane
By Shannon Stacey
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-508-X
June 2007
Historical Western Romance
For Eliza Jane Carter, the town of Gardiner, Texas was a project. She was determined to teach the women that they had rights, deserved to be listened to, and not be beholden to a man. She had done this in other towns, and like those, she intended to leave and find a new town to help once she was finished here.
Babysitting a woman with revolutionary thinking was not in Will Martinson's job description. He was the town doctor, and only served as deputy since his best friend was sheriff. Those two jobs kept him busy enough, but now Eliza Jane was causing an uproar in every establishment that she entered. Not only was she very tall, striking, and attractive enough to pretty much keep only one thought on Will's mind, but now he had to protect Eliza Jane from the men livid over the ruckus she was causing.
Taming Eliza Jane was a lively read that was a thorough delight. I enjoyed the romance between Eliza Jane and Will, and was moved by watching them both overcome their personal issues in order to find happiness together. I loved the inhabitants of Gardiner, and would love to revisit the town. That's why I'm thrilled to know that there will be a sequel.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
© Kathy Andrico and gottawritenetwork.com
Inventing the Abbotts
By Jerri Drennen
Aztec Security - Book 1
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-546-2
August 2007
Romantic Suspense
Thorn Abbott was on his first field assignment, backup to Ava Stanton. She was a woman who could turn any man’s mind to mush, particularly Thorn. Her sex appeal was ideal for their current mission. However, her inability to always follow the rules was why Thorn wanted to be backup. She drove him nuts, but he cared about her and wanted her to be safe. And keeping his eyes on her was not only pleasant, but kept him sane from worry.
Ava cared for Thorn like a brother, but he didn’t know how to work in the field. He was a computer guy, not an agent, and she had much more experience and knowledge. Ava knew how to lure their target, and she’d use all the weapons nature gave her to do so. She had no intention of allowing him to kill again And if her conduct annoyed Thorn, then that was his problem.
But Thorn suddenly didn’t seem to be so annoyed. He shocked her with some of his actions, and seemed to be interested in another woman. His new attitude didn’t sit well with Ava. She had never before realized how hot he was, but this was Thorn. The guy she’d considered to be like a brother.
Soon they were racing through the Louisiana bayou, running for their lives. And as is always the case, it takes a life or death struggle to make people truly realize their feelings for each other.
Inventing the Abbots was a fun, fast paced, romantic suspense that was the perfect introduction to Jerri Drennen’s Aztec Security series. I loved Thorn from the first page. He has rather realistic non-expectations when it comes to Ava. He knows that she never has committed relationships and any chance that he has with her is slim, but he still recognizes his feelings. It is when he decides the heck with it, and pretty much shows her what she is missing that I absolutely adored this hero. He may be a geek, but he’s a geek with determination, and that is what he’ll need to win Ava, and keep her safe.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
© Kathy Andrico and gottawritenetwork.com
The Wolverine and the Flame
By Rebecca Goings
The Legends of Mynos - Book 3
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-544-6
August 2007
Fantasy Romance
Before his best friend's death, Sir Ethan of Krey had promised to take care of his sister should anything happen to him. Then Ethan had the unpleasant task of turning over his friend's sword to his sister, Meghan. He deeply mourned his friend, but Meghan was devastated. True to his word, Ethan knew to help Meghan, she would need to return with him to Castle Templestone. She needed time to heal, and visit her brother's grave.
Ethan also wanted time to get to know Meghan better. He enjoyed her company, was attracted to her, but feared moving too quickly. After all, she was mourning her brother. Ethan had never before felt such inclinations to settle down, in fact, he loved to flirt with Sir Sebastian's wife, Jewel. Although he had once fancied her, he now continued to do so to annoy Seb. Now, however, Ethan realized how shallow those feelings for her had been when compared to how he felt for Meghan.
Meghan felt lost. She was now alone in the world. Yet she wasn't. She had a new protector, a man who had been best friends with the brother she had loved. He was a connection to him, but Meghan felt more for him than just kinship. Meghan knew she wasn't as attractive or as sophisticated as the many women Ethan had been around, and she knew for a fact that he'd been around.
Yet it was Meghan that Ethan fancied and wanted to court, but as can be expected for the Wolverines, Ethan does not have an uneventful courtship. A new gem had been identified. It was evil, and when touched, the evil spread and consumed the handler. Soon, Meghan's life is in jeopardy, and Ethan must come to terms with the strength of his love for her. And that isn't even the worst danger that everyone faces.
I am saddened that The Wolverine and the Flame is our last foray into Castle Templemore and the Wolverines. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. I was looking forward to reading this story. I knew that there would be action, adventure, fascinating characters, and a wonderful romance. I was not in the least disappointed. However, it was a little bittersweet, and I do hope that Ms Goings decides to visit here again.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
© Kathy Andrico and gottawritenetwork.com
High Noon
By Rebecca Goings
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-685-X
November 2007
Western Romance
Talon Holt had left Banning, Texas and Alison Williams knowing that she loved him. They had been friends for years, despite the seven year age gap, the fact that she was a white woman, and the knowledge that he was a full-blooded Comanche who had simply been raised as white.
Talon had been a man with a man's feelings for Alison. He feared that should he stay, he would act on those urges. Alison was still a child, and he would protect her, even from himself.
Five years passed, and on one of those rare visits near Banning, Talon learned the fate of Alison. Her father had lost her and the ranch in a wager. Talon knew immediately what he needed to do. He would return to Banning, and Alison.
It may have been five long years, but the pain of Talon leaving was still with Alison. She had loved him, still did, but he had abandoned her. Now she was to be the wife of a man she couldn't respect, whom she feared, and who had threatened her.
High Noon is a touching best-friend's romance that truly was a heart-tugger. Talon and Alison are so in love with each other, but Talon's determination to protect her from himself had now put her in jeopardy. I adored the two characters and watching them finally turn to each other in love. I was a bit disappointed in the storyline of her father and the wager, but I think it was actually because I didn't like that it took the focus away from Talon and Alison's romance. I adored these two characters, and loved watching them forgive their past mistakes, and work towards starting their new life together.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
© Kathy Andrico and gottawritenetwork.com
