Taylor Manning Reviews

Added October 29, 2004

Ghost Rider

Author: Taylor Manning
Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Available At: www.newconceptspublishing.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Paranormal/Ghost/Novella
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML
Price: $2.99
Author Email/Website: taylormanning.homestead.com
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus

Sara lives in an old house and her mind keeps distracting her from the lack of sleep. Then suddenly comes a handsome man who wants to help out on her dude ranch. Trace Caldwell has answered her help wanted ad and she is instantly attracted to him. But there's something about this cowboy that sets her detective instinct humming and she hopes to find out what it is. Her only hope is that by giving him a chance that she's not made a bad decision.

That night, she sees a ghost that warns her off the land and the house. She challenges the ghost, who doesn't respond, but leaves. Being a former detective, Sara doesn't give in easily and now has her curiosity piqued.

Quinn Farrell was betrayed over one hundred years ago by a faithless friend and his wife. Though she didn't know that Rogers had killed him with a bullet to the head, she did give into the ministrations of the friend there to help her in her difficult times. Yet when he faces Sara as she finds him in his cave, his tomb, he's amazed at the spitfire and the fact that she thinks he's working with some guy named Ricardo Vega, trying to get her to sell her land. What they share as Quinn tries to scare her, backfires and blows into something more that neither one of them can easily admit to. However, Quinn wants his land and doesn't want anyone else to have it.

When Sara and Quinn finally talk about her plans and what they can accomplish together, they then face a lot of problems. Among them is the dreaded Ricardo Vega, who wants to develop the land into many houses instead of keeping the dude ranch as it was in the 1880s. Will Ricardo succeed or will Sara and Quinn manage to find a way to keep the ranch as it should be? What about Quinn's being a ghost? What does that bode for him and Sara?

The story is intriguing and the ending is not the usual type ending for a ghostly romance, but it's a satisfying read for someone like me who's tired of the same old endings. Taylor Manning has managed to assuage my need for something different, something special with twists and turns that don't quite make things blissful, but the circle and the meaning becomes clear once you get to the end of the story. Taylor has done a wonderful job creating a believable ghost and storyline. If you like something a little spooky but a love story at heart, this is definitely for you.

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Added February 1, 2004

The Most Dangerous "Wolf" of All

14 Days of Fairytale Romance

Author: Taylor Manning
Publisher: New Concepts Publishing
Available At: www.newconceptspublishing.com
Publishing Date: February 14, 2004
Genre: Romance: Fantasy/Historical/Novella
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML
Price: $2.50
Author Email/Website: taylormanning.homestead.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Married at the age of twelve to Duncan Blakely, Constance was shocked when her mother and aunts urged her upstairs so that the ritual consummation could take place. Granted, she had expected this, but didn't think they would be forced to consummate their marriage in broad daylight. To her relief and horror, her new husband climbs into bed beside her and falls asleep. Wanting only to shut out the whispers of the wedding guests, Constance feigns sleep also. Several hours later, the wedding guests depart and Constance hopes her husband will make a wife in more than name only. To her dismay, he rises, dresses and leaves for the Continent.

It has been seven years to the day and still Constance has yet to be a wife in more than name only. Making matters worse are her husband's letters admonishing her to be chaste. As her mother prepares a basket for Constance to take to a former nursemaid, Constance debates the unfairness. Why should she remain faithful when her husband is out gallivanting and bedding any who catches his eye? The basket completed, Constance heads through the woods to Old Lady Froth's cottage. Along the way, she meets a handsome stranger who is traveling to the mill.

She is stunned by her instant attraction to this man but remains loyal to her husband. But will her morals and convictions remain when the stranger tempts her beyond all reason?

Get ready for a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood that would have your grandmother blushing and running for cover. Ms. Manning packs a lot of heat into this very short story (only 36 pages). Constance is a wonderful heroine and I loved her spirit, especially when she faces her "wolf".

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