ReviewsByElizabeth

Beaudry's Ghost
By Carolan Ivey
Samhain Publishing
ISBN: 1-59998-852-6
Paranormal Romance

Jared Beaudry was mutilated and shot in the back by Bloody Zechariah Harris during the Civil War. For over a hundred years his spirit has roamed the beaches of North Carolina, refusing to rest until he finds a way to restore both his limbs and his honor while exacting vengeance on the man who took them. Although managing to make himself seen by a few people over the years, he's unable to make contact until he stumbles into a re-enactment of the battle where he died and meets psychic sensitive, Taylor Brannon.

Taylor has the ability to see spirits, an ability that terrifies her. She's spent her life running away from it. With the loss of her twin brother, Navy Seal Troy Brannon, Taylor tries to embrace her gift in an effort to make contact with him, but to no avail. Cutting her hair and dressing in her brother's Confederate uniform, she joins the re-enactment, hoping this will bring Troy to her. Feeling Taylor is the answer to his prayers, Jared makes a last ditch attempt to set things right by jumping into the body of a Union re-enactor, setting off a deadly chain of events no one could have foreseen.

Ms. Ivey has extensive knowledge of the Civil War and her ability to present the historical details in a way that doesn't slow the plot was quite impressive. I like the way the romance between Jared and Taylor develops and found the paranormal aspect done extremely well. The author has a talent for putting the reader right there in the thick of things, as the plot races along. The secondary characters were interesting and believable. The book could do with some editing to correct extra/missing words, but these didn't detract too much from my enjoyment of the story, which was well written. I do think the ending cries out for a sequel and hope Ms. Ivey has one planned for the near future.

4 stars out of 5
Elizabeth Melton Parsons

Jayna Incarnate
By Jane Shoup
Whiskey Creek Press
Historical Romance
EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-60313-925-5
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-59374-924-8

In an effort to halt her worsening mental illness, Samantha Bennett agrees to undergo experimental brain surgery. During the procedure Samantha's heart stops and her spirit travels back to 1745 and enters the body of a dying woman, Jayna Conroy. Jayna isn't just any woman; she's Samantha in a former incarnation and has risked death to escape the clutches of the infamous pirate, Shoale.

I was impressed with Ms. Shoup's seamless weaving of the different plots in her mystic, historical romance, "Jayna Incarnate." It's fascinating the way the author successfully merges the elements of time travel and reincarnation. I found Jayna charming and wanted so much for her to find the home, love and happiness she desperately seeks. The author created the perfect hero for Jayna in the body of Mackenzie MacAndrews, head of the MacAndrews clan.

The way their romance unfolds amidst the wonder and beauty of the Highlands is delightful. A man both strong and gentle, Mac takes the responsibility for his people seriously and is just as committed to keeping Jayna safe from the pirate who's determined to reclaim her. There's enough suspense and danger to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Ms. Shoup has a true talent for breathing life into her characters, making them come alive on the page. The historical details of the story were presented in an entertaining way. I read this book in one day, unable to put it down and recommend it to anyone who enjoys romance with a fresh twist.

4 ½ stars out of 5

Reviewed by E. G. Parsons

Pursuit
By Elizabeth Jennings
Romantic Suspense
Forever - Hachette Book Group
ISBN 13: 978-0-446-61891-5
ISBN 10: 0-446-61891-8

Court Industries heiress, Charlotte Court is shot in the shoulder after walking in on her father's murder. Discovering she's been set up to take the blame for murdering her father in his hospital bed and killing his nurse by CEO of the company, Robert Haine, Charlotte flees in her housekeeper's car. Wounded and feverish, she fears she won't survive the severe winter in the northeast. Seeking a place of warmth and safety she escapes to Mexico. Using her housekeeper's identity, she starts to heal and begin a new life in San Luis where she meets Navy SEAL, Matt Sanders.

Matt has some healing of his own to do. Severely wounded and left in a coma, he fought to stay alive. A shadow of his former self, he's come to San Luis to heal and regain his strength. Feeling an affinity for each other's emotional and physical pain, Charlotte and Matt are drawn together. Love blooms, but Charlotte never forgets she's not only wanted for murder, but is being hunted by Haine. She fears if she tells Matt the truth about herself, he may feel obligated to turn her over to the American authorities.

Haine had a plan, marry Charlotte and take over Court Industries. Charlotte rebuffs his advances putting an end to his dreams in that direction. Then when she and her father reject the eight billion dollar Pentagon contract he put together, Haine decides it's time to get rid of them both. Unfortunately his men botch the job and Charlotte has disappeared. Needing Charlotte dead and fast if he's to meet the Pentagon contract's deadline, he hires legendary hit man, Barrett, to find and kill her.

I found "Pursuit" by Elizabeth Jennings an interesting story with great characters. Using artist terms and having Charlotte zone out when planning a painting brought her character to life for me. Matt is the kind of man most women dream of meeting, strong alpha type with a soft side. I was intrigued by Barrett's character. He's a cold-blooded killer, but has depth and multi-dimensional character traits. He doesn't get pleasure from killing-it's all about the money and he takes great pride in being the best. Haine's character is just sadistic enough to garner hatred from the reader and I didn't feel it was over done.

The suspense builds to nail biting intensity and will keep the reader glued to the page. I love that the author uses different points of view to tell the story. Being able to know what everyone is thinking adds to the suspense and strength of the story. I did find information being repeated too often in the beginning. And being told over and over again that the heroine is the most beautiful woman in the world grated a bit. It's understandable though, because it's Matt's opinion and he's in love. Ms. Jennings gritty and down to earth writing style is a pleasure to read. For those who like romantic suspense, I don't think you'll go wrong with this one.

4 stars out of five - Elizabeth Melton Parsons, gottawritenetwork.com
May 15, 2008

Carrot Cake Murder
Joanne Fluke
Kensington Books
ISBN 13: 978-0-7582-1020-3
ISBN 10: 0-7582-1020-5

Summertime has finally arrived in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and Hannah Swensen, owner of the Cookie Jar bakery, is happy to help her business partner, Lisa, prepare for a big family reunion. Everyone is delighted when Lisa's long-lost uncle, Gus, makes a surprise appearance. Well, almost everyone. When Gus is found dead with two slices of Hannah's infamous carrot cake by his side, Hannah sets to work to uncover the secrets from his past. She'll have to sift through a long line of suspects to find a killer-and it could prove to be a recipe for her own demise.

It's been several years since I've curled up with a cozy mystery, preferring a little more grit in my reading material. When I received Joanne Fluke's new Hannah Swensen Mystery, "Carrot Cake Murder", I was expecting to have a fairly pleasant reading experience. What I wasn't expecting was the way I became caught up in the day-to-day lives of the residents of Lake Eden. I'd never read one of Ms. Fluke's mysteries and knowing this was a series, I expected to be at a loss when it came to the characters and their backgrounds. Imagine my delight to discover this wasn't the case. Ms. Fluke does a phenomenal job of reintroducing the characters without slowing the plot with unnecessary past details.

I immediately fell in love Hannah, thought her sisters were interesting and adored her mother. All the other characters were done just as well, including Hannah's cat. I especially liked the character of Lisa's dad, Jack, who suffers from early Alzheimer's. He's presented in a believable way without seeming contrived or overdone. Mike and Norman are Hannah's love interests, and although she may be undecided on which one to settle on, I'm not. Mike, the police officer, may be a tad bit sexier, but Norman, the dentist, is by far better husband material. Having said that, I'd like to see Hannah eventually go in an entirely different direction and fall in love with a new character.

While reading this book, I felt as though I'd come home, chatting with female friends and family members in the kitchen, while cooking for the masses who gathered for our own reunions. Working with Hannah to solve the mystery is interesting and entertaining with just enough danger and suspense while catching the killer to keep you on edge, but it's the characters who will grab your heart, tug at your emotions and leave you wanting more. The book also contains many yummy recipes that are easy enough to follow for even those non-cooks out there. This may have been my first Hannah Swensen Mystery, but I'll definitely be looking forward to Ms. Fluke's next edition.

5 stars out of 5
Elizabeth Melton Parsons
gottawritenetwork.com
May 22, 2008

E. G. Parsons' passion for writing began as a child when she'd curl up in the barn loft on rainy days to read Edgar Allen Poe, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, and anything else she could get her hands on. After reading "The Raven" at the age of twelve, she scribbled verse and short stories on a daily basis. Her mother told her she could be whatever she wished to be and her fondest dream was to be a writer.

Elizabeth did her writing at night, shoving the handwritten copies into a box under her bed. With the support and encouragement of her real life hero, her husband Garland, she began writing full time and gained success as both a freelancer and poet, having worked for both newspapers and magazines. Her poetry is featured in school syllabuses and published in textbooks.

Today, Elizabeth prefers writing and reading romantic novels laced with intrigue, suspense, and the paranormal. Her newest release is the time travel romance titled "Black Rock: A time For Love". When not writing, reviewing or indulging her other passions of painting and gardening, she loves hiking the hills around her hometown with her family and their boxer, Charlie. http://egparsons.com

Gone With The Witch
By Annette Blair
ISBN 10: 0425221210
ISBN 13: 978-042221211
Publisher: Berkley

Goth girl triplet, Storm Cartwright hears a baby crying when she's anywhere near sexy, antique restorer, Aiden McCloud. Feeling the child needs rescuing and Aiden is the key to finding it, she turns on her considerable charm in an attempt to gain his help. Although our heroine captivates Aiden, he's determined to avoid a crazy, cross-country search for what he feels is a non-existent baby. Go to plan B. Using her witchy powers, Storm handcuffs Aiden to the bed in his luxurious motor coach and kidnaps him.

Book two in the Triplet Witch Trilogy; GONE WITH THE WITCH is a delightfully humorous, paranormal romance with an intriguing plot line and charming characters. The snappy dialogue and wicked innuendo between Storm and Aiden is vastly entertaining and although this road trip has its suspenseful tension, there's plenty of laugh out loud moments to lighten the mood.

I wouldn't recommend this book for all readers because some don't enjoy hot sex and graphic language, but for those lovers of sensual, paranormal romance with likable characters and a great, although not entirely original, story line, you'll love this one.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Melton Parsons
5 stars out of 5

Highland Fire
By Hannah Howell
Historical Romance
ISBN 13: 9780821774298
ISBN 10: 821774298
Publisher: Zebra - Kensington

Upon the death of her parents ten years earlier, Moira was sent to live with her abusive uncle, Sir Bearnard Robertson. Now her cousin, Una, has been kidnapped and held for ransom by Mungan Coll. Going to pay the ransom, Sir Bearnard insists Moira accompany them on the dangerous sea voyage where she meets Tavig MacAlpin, in disguise as an older gentleman.

In an attempt to gain possession of Tavig's home and lands, his cousin, Sir Iver, sets him up to take the blame for two murders, leaving Tavig with no option but to run from the hangman's noose. He boards the ship as elderly George Fraser, hoping to escape to his cousin Mungan's keep. With his gift of sight, Tavig knows Moira is trouble the first time he sees her, but that doesn't stop him from being irresistibly attracted.

During a violent storm his disguise is washed away while he's trying to protect Moira from her uncle's cruelty. Tavig again makes good his escape when Moira is swept overboard and he dives into the churning waters to save her. Washed ashore and stranded, Tavig must continue the arduous two-week journey to the safety of his cousin's on foot, dragging a reluctant Moira with him.

Hannah Howell delivers another enchanting page-turner with HIGHLAND FIRE. The protagonists are charming, likeable characters full of fire and determination. Having suffered years of abuse at her uncle's hand, Moira's spirit has been beaten into submission and she's plagued by fear. It's heartwarming the way Tavig's careful, patient wooing eases that fear and allows Moira's spunky personality to reassert itself. The passionate romance between the two develops amidst almost insurmountable conflict, both internal and external. Strong, interesting secondary characters and the many twists and turns in sub plots keep the reader glued to the page. HIGHLAND FIRE is a wonderful love story filled with non-stop suspense and intrigue. Highly Recommended.

5 stars out of 5
Reviewed by Elizabeth Melton Parsons
June 25, 2008