Lori Foster Reviews

Page Five

Added June 26, 2004

When Bruce Met Cyn

Author: Lori Foster
Publisher: Kensington Zebra
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: July 2004
Genre: Romance: Contemporary
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0-8217-7513-8
Author Email/Website: www.lorifoster.com
Reviewer: Robin Tayler

Cynthia Potter, at 22, has turned her last trick and has washed away the past. Starting over, she blindly points to a spot on a map - Visitation, North Carolina. And, it is not just that her finger has landed on Visitation, every time she sleeps, she has visions of a man, and of a peaceful place, with friendly people, something unlike she's ever known.

Preacher Bruce Kelly is on his way home from visiting friends in Ohio and sees a young woman at a rest stop - apparently in danger. Bruce has spent many years helping women in need, providing ex-hookers a place of respite, and a chance to start over. His nature demands no less: he runs outside of the restaurant at a rest stop when he sees a big burly trucker manhandling this particular lady. Though the entrancing young woman can certainly defend herself, Bruce discovers she is in need of a ride, and since he's heading home to Visitation, offers her a ride at least that far. Fate: meet Bruce and Cyn.

Bruce is an honorable man. In all the years of helping ex-prostitutes, his honor remained high. He is a man to be trusted above all else. Raised by a father who is a minister, he knew his calling early in life. Bruce has a twin brother, Bryan, who is a former bounty hunter, and they both now call Visitation their home. But, meeting Cyn - even before he discovers that she is a former prostitute - Bruce is hit hard, hard on his libido. Never before has a woman had such a powerful affect on him. Among the feelings of lust, Bruce quickly shows signs of protectiveness and possessiveness when it comes to Cyn. It is amazing to Bruce to be around a woman who manages to push each and every one of his buttons.

Cyn cannot believe this guy, Bruce Kelly, is a preacher. How could he be? He's a hunk beyond comparison. Besides, at the rest stop, he noticed her - really noticed her - as a woman. No way could he be a man of the cloth! Yet, he treats her with so much kindness, so much respect, that it truly blows her mind. Were her dreams and visions right? That Visitation is her destiny? And, who is the man in her dreams?

Readers who have read Say No to Joe? and The Secret Life of Bryan, both by Ms. Foster, have met the incredible, but enigmatic Jamie Creed, an empath. After arriving home in Visitation, as Bruce is preparing a hot meal for Cyn, he begins to tell her about the citizens of Visitation - his twin Bryan and his new wife, Shay, and close friends Joe and Luna Winston. As Bruce begins to tell her about a very unusual man that just "appears" from time to time - Jamie Creed - Cyn describes him with an eerie preciseness. Cyn begins to tell Bruce about her strange dream, and of seeing Jamie in her dream. Cyn is in for a shock, because Bruce doesn't believe her crazy, but is fascinated by her dream.

Bruce is determined to help Cyn - to get a job, to find a place to live, and to have a new start in her life. Though she has told him some details of her past, leaving out some pertinent details, he assures her that her secret is safe with him, and that she will find success in Visitation. Shocked to the point of tears, Cyn finds herself welcomed with open arms by the town's members. She finds a job - two jobs - and a place to live, right away. Eventually she opens a bank account, and is certain her life has truly just begun. Add to the strong attraction she has towards a certain sexy preacher, and her future looks bright and hopeful.

However, when Cyn left home at 17, she left behind her a horrible secret. Though it is five years later, and she has never used her actual identification until now, her past has suddenly caught up with her. Danger has followed her to Visitation. Bruce's libido is at war with his conscience, especially as he has to force Cyn to accept his trust, more difficult now as the two of them are forced to spend much time together.

What a fine line here! Two people, attracted beyond all reasonableness - one a former prostitute and one a preacher! Well readers. No worries at all. Lori Foster writes this book with an amazing amount of delicacy. One fact should be mentioned - Bruce is a man, all man. Just as sexy as his twin Bryan is. Yet, his convictions make him the man that he is. In addition to his lustful feelings towards Cyn, Bruce feels a deep emotional connection towards her. Surprisingly enough to Cyn, she has similar feelings. Therefore, the sexual tension in When Bruce Met Cyn is done to near perfection. They have time to explore their deeper feelings, before falling into bed. Besides, Bruce is the local preacher, and while he shows proper concern for his congregation by behaving with utmost propriety, he manages to convey to Cyn how very special she has become to him.

Lori Foster has written another winner. No doubt about that. Whenever readers pick up a Lori Foster book they can expect at least three things: strong family ties, deep emotion, and intense sensuality. Though the sensuality in When Bruce Met Cyn is dealt with in a different level, it is still in this book to the nth degree. This book is sure to keep the reader's interest from the very first page. Along with a touching romance, there is intrigue and danger in this book as well. Strong secondary characters, from previous books, have a delightful place in this story, thus rounding out yet another fantastic read by Lori Foster.

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Added March 31, 2004

The Secret Life of Bryan

Author: Lori Foster
Publisher: Kensington Brava
Available At: Bookstores everywhere
Publishing Date: March 2004
Genre: Romance: Contemporary
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $14.00
ISBN: 0-7582-0338-1
Author Email/Website: www.lorifoster.com
Reviewer: Robin Tayler

Readers of Lori Foster's Say No to Joe? met the irascible Bryan Kelly, a bounty hunter with a big chip on his shoulder. In The Secret Life of Bryan, Bryan's brother, Bruce, is a preacher and a protector of retired prostitutes. While working to get them off the street and into a safe house, Bruce has been seriously injured. As Bruce's identical twin, Bryan easily slips into Bruce's life so that he can catch the guy who did such severe damage to his brother. Bryan didn't expect the complication of Shay, the "non" prostitute who accepts his help, and wants to stay at the safe house. Shay has reasons for not telling Bryan who she really is, but he can't turn away her desire to stay, especially when he can relate to her need to help the women there.

Shay has been dubbed The Crown Princess, and is experiencing problems with the media for something that happened in the women's shelter she runs. She has an opportunity to stay at a safe house run by a preacher, but if he finds out who she really is, he'd explode, and the media circus would begin all over again. Shay has another problem: she's attracted to this "preacher" like none other. What is it about him? Can she make him lose his religion and fall into bed with her?

One thing Bryan learns rather quickly is: Love can hit suddenly, totally unexpected. Bryan is, and has always been, anti-commitment. There is no way this one woman can affect him like she has. But she does, and figuring out what to do about it is very difficult. Neither Bryan nor Shay is what they seem, so where will this palpable dual attraction lead?

While Bryan does his best to play the role of his preacher brother, his true nature reveals itself to Shay. She knows there is something deeper about Bryan, and there are things that belie his claim of being a preacher. However, despite the fact that Bryan isn't the preacher his brother his, he displays remarkable compassion towards the women. Shay is a wonder as well. Her wonderfully giving nature goes a long way with the women she helps. Also, the ex-hookers in this book, Barb, Morganna and Patti are a real hoot!

What a great story The Secret Life of Bryan is. Wonderful characters, a touching love story, and a case of intrigue that will keep you guessing, all blend together nicely to make this book an engaging read.

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