PHANTOM PLEASURES

Author: Julie Leto ISBN: 9780451223654 4/2008 PARANORMAL Publisher: NAL/Signet

Hotshot hotel developer Alexa Chandler lusts after the property she’s found off the coast of St. Augustine, Florida—a haunted island complete with an abandoned castle she intends to convert into her premiere luxury resort. Inside, the only furnishing—a captivating portrait of a man—calls to her. With a single touch, she unleashes a phantom who has been trapped within the painting for over two hundred years. Centuries ago, Damon Forsyth charged into a mysterious gypsy enclave on a desperate mission, but found himself trapped inside a cursed painting by his mortal enemy. Over time, he has contemplated little but revenge and retribution—until undeniable need draws Alexa to his lair. Though she releases him from the painting, Damon remains bound to the castle where the portrait hangs. Damon needs Alexa to break the final barrier. Using the dark magic that enslaves him, he initiates a game of seduction—with his freedom as the ultimate prize. Unable to resist Damon’s fierce sexuality, Alexa surrenders to his ghostly touch, but soon, she must choose between thwarting the magic that holds Damon in thrall...or her own mortality.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

In 1747, a group of brothers, sons of a British man named Forsyth and his two wives, one a gypsy, seeks to find their sister and rescue her from the sorcerer she's fallen in love with, an evil British lord fascinated with gypsies. In 2008, an American hotel heiress hopes to develop the castle her late father left her into a luxury hotel, the jewel of the empire she inherited.

It's hard to access the island off the coast of Florida, but Alexa Chandler manages it, drawn inexorably by the sight of a phantom at the window of the deserted castle. Little does she know that the phantom holds the key to both her heart and her body. But does he want the key, or is he focused only on finding out what happened to his family? She has no family of her own except a stepbrother she loves, but can't quite trust. Alexa desperately needs love in her life. Damon needs to escape the half-life he's been trapped into.

PHANTOM PLEASURES is a suspenseful tale with a sexy hero and a determined heroine. The supporting characters are a great mix of Indiana Jones and adventuresome psychics. There is lots of material here between a secret cult, the missing relatives, the absent sorcerer and gypsy magic for a great series. The story arc in some ways has scarcely been set in motion. Leto has done a great job setting up an engaging paranormal universe. I look forward to the next book!

Heather Hiestand