Author: Annice Dare
Publisher: HeatWave Romance
ISBN: unavailable
Genre: Historical Romance
Pages: 25
Rating: 5 Nymphs
Reviewed by Kira Stone
March 5, 2005
Summary: The unnamed heroine of the story is a lover of art. By necessity, she hides her gender. Without a father or male relative to protect her, it is the only way she can remain safe in the Italian city she calls home. Her days are filled working as an assistant in an art gallery, but her nights are empty of love. The camouflage that keeps her safe, also keeps her celibate. She yearns for a man's touch, a flesh and blood man with the body and face of the famous marble sculpture, David. On the one day of the week she can walk in public as her true self, she sits at David's feet and wonders what it would be like to love him as a man and woman are meant to love.
So taken is she by this need, that she grows weak and tremulous. A stranger catches her before she falls, sweeping her off her feet. Why it is so easy for her to love this stranger, she doesn't know. He's a gentleman, but one with dark secrets that he will not share. This frightens her into running after she has barely tasted the physical pleasures he can bring her. He tries to explain his actions by taking her back to the statue and asking her to compare the faces she sees, one of flesh and one of marble. In that instant she knows, they are one in the same. But how is that possible?
A week goes by where fear recedes and curiosity returns to the forefront of her thoughts. She returns to David's statue, not sure until she is in his arms again how much she wanted to be with him again. She confesses her love, which in turn gives him the right to tell her what she needs to know. That he is, in fact, the David she has been dreaming of, cursed to live forever in the cold stone, only given limited life when he is well and truly loved. Both of them have learned through bitter experience to take happiness when and where they can, and find a way to do so with each other for as long as the love can last.
Review: Heart of Stone, published by HeatWave Romance, is a unique tale of love. Set in Italy, there is a flavor of old romance that permeates the entire story. Little details add to the mix of fantasy, history and passion to create a short tale that delivers a heart-warming yet erotic punch, straight to the reader's heart. I definitely look forward to reading more stories by Annice Dare.
Click to buy Heart of Stone
Author: Carol McPhee
Publisher Wings ePress ( www.wings-press.com )
ISBN: 1-59088-351-9
Genre: Contemporary Romance Suspense
Rating: 4 Nymphs
Reviewed by Kira Stone
Summary:
After an accident that leaves her sister dead and herself scarred both emotionally and physically, Lori Wheeler fights for justice in the courts and loses. She leaves the courthouse with an empty feeling in her gut and a need to put her life back in order. But her previous life had been spent working for the very justice system that had just let her down. How could she go back to that?
Rand McCormick sneaks into court and watches the proceedings where Lori's case is dismissed for lack of evidence. He knew she was feeling betrayed but could do nothing to help her, even if he wasn't working undercover for the RCMP.
Rand meets up with Lori again a short time later at a fancy resort, the last place he expected her to be. From the start, she buys his undercover image as a man with a dark side, looking to earn some extra cash by working for one of the biggest drug lords in the area, Malcom Warner.
Doing the right thing becomes difficult as neither can be as open and honest with each other as they would like. They have the same goal, but don't trust each other enough to confide their motives. It leads them into troubled waters. Will they learn to put aside their fears and have faith in each other before it's too late?
Review:
Means to an End by Carol McPhee is a modern day romantic suspense with old-fashioned values. The characters are easy to get to know. The plot is clear with rich descriptions that bring the scenes to life. If you enjoy a well-told story in a Canadian setting, this offering from Wings ePress is a definite buy!
Click to buy Means To An End
