Ashleigh Raine Reviews

Page One

Added August 5, 2003

Love in Pictures Book 1: Acting on Impulse

Author: Ashleigh Raine
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Contemporary
Format: E-book download in LIT/PDF/HTML
Price: $2.99
ISBN: 1-84360-518-X
Author Email/Website: www.ashleighraine.com
Reviewer: Beatrice Sigman

Samantha Layton doesn't have much time to do things for herself. All her time and energy goes towards her two year old daughter, Gina, and her bakery business. Well her friend and roommate, Bliana, is changing that for one evening. Bliana is taking Sam to a party of the "who's who" in Hollywood, a definite fantasy night for Sam.

Connor Clarey was tired of the over zealous Hollywood glamour party. The only reason he came was to mingle with the big shot director and get his agent off his back. But Connor can only handle so much pawing and petting by the other wannabes, who just want a piece of Connor's insatiable sex drive. So when he sneaks out, the last thing he expects to see is a luscious looking woman telling a bedtime story on her cell phone. For once in Connor's life, he has found a woman that can arouse him in an instant.

Will Sam act on impulse and be seduced by Connor? Will it just be a steamy one-night stand between these two or will it turn into more?

This was an awesome book. I was sucked into the erotic tale from the very beginning. I am definitely going to read more of Ashleigh Raine's books. So if your looking for a short, erotic summer read, than Acting on Impulse is a must read.

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Added August 1, 2003

Talisman Bay Book 1: Lover's Talisman

Author: Ashleigh Raine
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Available At: www.ellorascave.com
Publishing Date: July 2003
Genre: Romance: Erotic/Paranormal
Format: E-book download in LIT/PDF/HTML
Price: $6.49
ISBN: 1-84360-577-0
Author Email/Website: www.ashleighraine.com
Reviewer: Robin Taylor

What Stephan Rashleigh doesn't know is that, as a Shadow Walker in Talisman Bay, he's being watched. All it takes is for him to show a particular weakness for one woman, Mariah Andrea DeSilva, and all hell breaks out.

The Shadow Walkers are businessmen by day, and spend their nights protecting the citizens of Talisman Bay from things like demons, vampires and even more vile creatures. The Shadow Walkers have been doing a fine job for years. But, suddenly the stakes are up, and someone or something is after Stephan, and the entire Shadow Walker group.

Walking home from the Silver Twilight, Mariah is contemplating her financial success in her job as a stripper, even though it is tiring. She'd rather be exhausted; it helps her to put her painful past behind. One night, she hears footsteps behind her, and tries to rush home to safety. Terrified, Mariah is grabbed by a creature she cannot recognize. The fear Mariah experiences is palpable. After being thrown against the wall by this creature, Mariah becomes unconscious.

Stephan senses danger nearby; it is not unusual for a Shadow Walker to do so. When he happens upon the situation, he goes to protect the woman. When Stephan comes face to face with the creature, a Losfun demon, it is one he recognizes, Asfar, whom he hoped to never see again. In order to save the woman, the first thing Stephan thinks to say is that he and the woman are joined and cannot be separated. This lie is believed by Asfar, and Stephan is able to try and save the woman, who is still unconscious. The very woman Stephan just saved is an exotic dancer at a club he just visited, the Silver Twilight. Stephan feels sucker punched, as this woman enchanted him. What impact will Stephan's lie have on Talisman Bay?

This incredible journey continues when not long after Mariah awakens from her ordeal, not even knowing that she was healed by another Shadow Walker, Fiero, she finds out her best friend and roommate, Twyla, has been kidnapped. The intrigue and the connections between Mariah being attacked, Twyla's kidnapping, and Stephan's role as the lead Shadow Walker, are intrinsically woven.

What has happened to bring Stephan in the middle of a battle for his life? What is the real significance between Stephan and Mariah? I was shocked and pleased, and even more eager when considering that there are so many more Talisman books coming out. Ashleigh Raine has written an amazing prelude to a series that is sure to catch quite a bit of attention.

Mariah has gone through some terrible experiences in her life. Now she is learning about things she never knew existed. When she looks into Stephan's eyes, however, she sees trust, safety and desire. What is nearly as terrifying as Twyla being missing? Looking into Stephan's eyes and sensing the same love she feels is emanating from his heart. How could that be? She shut herself off for five years. And yet, this gorgeous man, with a body built for sin, opened her heart right up. The same thing happens to Stephan. He battled with his emotions and barriers were broken.

Lover's Talisman tells us the story of how the Shadow Walkers came into existence, and what the future holds for Talisman Bay, but not without some amazing facets - drama, intrigue, humor, passion, love, hope and trust. As devoted as Stephen is to his job as a Shadow Walker, something about Mariah has crept into his soul. He wants her like none other. Stephan breaks his own rules and that of the Shadow Walker organization to protect Mariah. It is this type of intense devotion that makes Lover's Talisman such a fantastic read.

There are just not enough wonderful words to say about Lover's Talisman or these two brilliant ladies who write under the pen name of Ashleigh Raine. As much as I hate to put this book down, I am eager to know of the many more Talisman Bay Series titles that are coming out, the next one being Forsaken Talisman. Visit Ms. Raine's website at www.ashleighraine.com to get a list of the future titles in this amazing series.

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