R. Casteel Reviews

Page One

Added January 16, 2003

Taneika: Daughter of the Wolf

Author: R. Casteel
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Paranormal
Format: E-book download in Mobipocket/LIT/PDF/HTML
Price: $5.95
ISBN: 1-84360-201-6 MS Reader, 1-84360-202-4 Mobipocket
Author Email/Website: www.rcasteel.net
Reviewer: Robin Taylor

Daughter of the Wolf . . .

Taneika Swift Eagle was found as a baby who had been raised by wolves. John Swift Eagle adopted her. She never fit in with the Indian tribe; always felt like an outcast because of rare gifts, including the ability to communicate with and control animals.

Taren Carpenter is an undercover agent who is immediately drawn to Taneika. He knows she is different, has amazing abilities, but that doesn't repel him, in fact, it excites him and draws him closer. He is intrigued because of her enhanced abilities, a fact that flounders Taneika.

The story can be a bit gory at times, but I find it fits well with the genre written, a paranormal fantasy, with strong elements of suspense. Taren and Taneika are forced together because of a murder investigation, with a drug and mob connection. At this point, Taneika and her wolf Lobo are placed in danger. Then Taren is shot. While trying to figure out his boss' connection with the mob during all of this, Taren realizes that Taneika's abilities might be able to get them out of this alive.

This is the setting for R. Casteel's novel, Taneika: Daughter of the Wolf. A paranormal story with elements of suspense, mystery, romance and erotica, and the tension in all these was riveting.

What I find when reading Taneika: Daughter of the Wolf is that, as a reader, I know that I am reading paranormal. That infers a level of acceptance here. What I find for Taren is that he realizes that he really cares for Taneika. But will he be able to accept their differences? Many of Taneika's ways and rituals are far from normal, according to his way of life, but that acceptance makes it possible for him to consider sharing his life with hers.

While Taneika realizes it is her destiny to be with Taren, she's terrified. He accepts her now, but will he always do so? She tries to push him away because of her fear. She also knows his life is still in danger, and pushing him away might be her only way to save it. That just leads to more tragedy, and eventually a discovery that Taneika may never be able to accept about herself.

Mr. Casteel slips some wry humor in the book, which was a welcome change of pace. Admittedly, Taneika is very unusual, with her ability to communicate with wolves. However, if anyone read Watchers by Dean Koontz, you will love and appreciate the relationship between Lobo and Taneika, as I did.

In this vein, I must say that this book was quite enjoyable to read. I so enjoy reading the different genres and watching the talent that the authors use to make it work. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Casteel.

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Added September 4, 2002

The Crimson Rose

Author: R. Casteel
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Publishing Date: Available Now
Available at: www.ellorascave.com
Genre: Romance: Contemporary
Format: Ebook download inMS Reader/Mobipocket/Rocketbook/PDF/HTML
Price: $5.95
ISBN: 1-84360-168-0 MS Reader, 1-84360-169-9 Mobipocket
Author Email/Website: www.rcasteel.net
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Being married by a Justice of the Peace was not exactly how Rose Ann Shawnassy pictured her wedding day. Nor did she picture her honeymoon consisting of a quick kiss before her husband and his mates left for Beirut, Lebanon. Circumstances dictated she and Mark marry this way. Fortunately, he was supposed to be home before the baby was born.

She would be the first to admit waiting for her husband to return was hard. The letters helped a great deal, yet it wasn't the same. Then the unthinkable happened. Her husband's base was bombed and he was one of the many casualties. Her life would never be the same.

A former military man, Dennis Grady knew all about family notification procedures. So when no one called informing him about his brother's status, he was angry. Calling the family hotline only resulted in confusion and more anger. Apparently his baby brother had married without telling the family.

His brother's marriage set off warning bells. This woman had to be a gold-digger, probably told Mark she was pregnant with his baby. Determined to find answers, Dennis flew to Jacksonville, North Caroline. His first meeting with Rose didn't go as smoothly as he planned.

As time passes, they become uneasy friends and in-laws. Both are surprised by their decidedly romantic feelings. Determined to stay true to Mark Grady's memory, Dennis and Rose try to stay away from each other. It is the appearance of Rose's abusive father that forces the two together.

During their forced interaction, they admit to their mutual attraction. Yet will the two lovers have a happy ending? Or will outside forces tear them apart?

Set during the tumultuous peacekeeping years of President Reagan's reign, The Crimson Rose is a highly emotional novel. From the beginning, the reader is drawn to Rose, experiencing her grief, happiness, sorrow and joy. Mr. Casteel's debut novel is resplendent with vivid details, strong characters and familiar events. He accurately recaptures the emotions and events of a not-so distant past.

There aren't enough words to accurately describe how I felt about this novel. I wept, laughed, and fell in love. The Crimson Rose is certainly not a novel to be missed. It holds a spot on my "keeper" shelf.

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