"New Guild Boss and Tabloid Reporter look for conspiracy and find love"
DARK LIGHT is the fifth installment in the Ghost Hunters
series, the latest futuristic romance set on the alien world
of Harmony, Tabloid journalist Sierra McIntyre is pleased but surprised
to have been granted an exclusive interview with the new
boss of the Crystal City Ghost Hunter's Guild, John Fontana.
In particular Sierra wants answers regarding the
disappearances of homeless, retired hunters off the streets
of the city and the connection to their mysterious new drug
of choice, "ghost juice." What she really hadn't expected was the sense of excitement
the man stirred in her from the minute she'd walked into his
office, the energy he generated in her was physical as well
as paranormal. Although Sierra considered Guild members
little more than gangsters, even her dust bunny Elvis had
taken to Fontana from the start and his instincts were
generally as good as her own. It had taken all of her
considerable will power to focus on the interview. But she is totally knocked for a loop when he counters her
question about his possibly unique talents with a query
about her own. Did he know about her intuition? [In a neat little twist that will thrill fans of Ms.
Castle's historical and contemporary writing personas
(Amanda Quick and Jayne Ann Krentz), we are let in on
Sierra's family secret. Sierra and her family are
descendants of early settlers whose psychic talents, unlike
most, were not a result of Harmony's alien environment. Can
you guess the name of the paranormal Earth society they were
members of? John Fontana is unique himself in several respects. First in
a society which prizes families and family values, Fontana
is the product of an affair, not the likes of which someone
from a high class family such as the McIntyres would
consider respectable, and he has a rare and undisclosed
ability to work a deadly dark light.] Not willing to reveal anything about herself to glean
information from him, Sierra intends to end the interview
when Fontana lands the doozy of all surprises by making her
an offer she "can't refuse." He promises the story of her
career, with one catch -- she has to marry him in order to
get it! Sierra had not been alone in feeling the odd attraction
between the two of them. Fontana had been rocked on both the
physical and paranormal plains as well the minute the
reporter had walked through his door. Although she was the
polar opposite of his usual type, the feeling was like he'd
been waiting for her all of his life. He had planned his
strategy before he'd met her however, surprising her further
by admitting that he agreed with her assertion that a Guild
conspiracy surrounded the distribution of the ghost juice
and that he believed his predecessor had been directly
involved. He'd told Sierra that she had come too close to
the truth; that the marriage was for her own protection. But
the truth was that the thought had never occurred to him
until she'd walked through the door. Somehow it just felt right. But would Fontana's protection prove to be enough or had
Sierra come so close to the truth that it had become
necessary to silence her once and for all? Something new and
deadly had been discovered in the catacombs beneath the
planet that could drastically shift the balance of power on
Harmony. A corrupt force within the Guild was using this
power against its own men. The King holds the missing piece
of the puzzle but will Fontana and his new bride find it in
time? And if they survive, will Fontana be invited to
Sierra's Grandparent's anniversary party? It is awe-inspiring the way one's knowledge of Harmony
builds with each installment. The reader makes new
discoveries right along with its residents. Each new piece
of alien technology discovered has the potential to advance
or destroy their culture. The need to know whether good or
evil will prevail drives this tale, and oh what a ride it
is. DARK LIGHT is an expert weaving of romance, mystery,
action, and adventure with a healthy dose of the paranormal
of course! What's really wonderful is that Ms. Castle has
the ability to make us care about her characters from the
unlikely lovers, to the down and out Hunters she refuses to
leave behind for Ghost Bait. I loved Fontana and Sierra for
their guts and determination, and for their open minded
acceptance of each other. This book thrilled and chilled,
keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. One will not
want to put it down until the last page is read. Another keeper!
Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch
Posted July 13, 2008
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