Title: Between Dreams and Darkness
Author: Claire Michaels
Published in 2005 by Linden Bay Romance
Genre: Paranormal
ISBN: 1-905393-15-6
New Orleans was home now, and that is a good thing. The history of the place is varied, special, and although known mostly for its Mardi Gras parties and ghosts, there is more to the city than seen on the surface. When Gabrielle James returned, it was because she had seen the life she did not want to lead, the life her grandmother warned her about. It was important to her Gabrielle understand, and yet Gabi felt cheated she couldn't tell Missy she understood now what she had been trying to tell her. Wyatt's cool, calculated appraisal of her and her assets was what made her run and not look back. His cold appraisal of her worth, and of her position in society was not what she wanted. Missy, the name her grandmother insisted she be called, was adamant Gabrielle deserved the man of her dreams, so when Missy died, and Wyatt showed his true colors, Gabi called a halt to it all. In taking over her grandmother's art gallery, businesses, family home, and properties, she is taking her place where she truly belongs, She is back where she can call the city home, upholding the family traditions. It seems strange when the first showing at the gallery, The James Collection, takes place. She's used to being in the public eye, but as this is her first show as hostess opening at the gallery since Missy's death, Gabrielle wants everything to go off without a hitch.
She hasn't given up on her dreams after all, and she knows Missy would be so very proud. She is back taking pictures again, the gallery is running smoothly, and thanks to the opening, she is once again in the bosom of her friends, the family she has missed while living in New York. The townhouse has been empty for so very long, and she decides to move into it as it is a better neighborhood than the studio apartment Missy used. After a few nights, when she is settled in, the most disturbing of dreams takes place, and it scares Gabi badly. In looking for help, she again meets the most delicious man she has ever set eyes on names Trey Fairfax. She never would have guessed her call to the Para-Psychology Department at Tulane would bring him to her door. Gabrielle was embarrassed by the thought of telling Trey about what has occurred, so she skims the erotic details, and tells him only of her terror at the manifestation, and the strangeness of the situation. To Gabrielle it didn't make a lot of sense, and she is uncertain of what Trey would make of the seemingly ghostly phenomenon. She only knows she fears, and fear is something Gabrielle is not handling well. There is also the fact that if she can't get rid of the ghosts, she just may not survive...
Trey Fairfax has been on his own in New Orleans since he told his father he was changing his major and going into paranormal investigations. This was not pleasing to a man whose family and friends were only sensible, didn't believe in the hocus pocus of ghosts, goblins, and things that go bump in the night. Pipes thump, windows rattle, and tree branches scrape, but to the elder Fairfax, ghosts just don't exist, and the so-called ghost hunters were a bunch of crazies. So much for Trey's inheritance, and if he doesn't make it on his own, then he really has no one to turn to anymore. Its fine with him, because working as a tour guide for Joshua's father is a job, and it allows time if any investigations come up for him. He hates it, but it does provide him with an income he badly needs now. His mentor, Professor Mann, keeps him in the loop, and Trey is a valuable consultant to the team of Ghostbusters from the Para-Psychology Department. The pay is not bad, it is just not enough to live on. The freelance work he is sent really helps when he can get it, so he is sure to keep in touch with the group. He doesn't expect to be attending the Gallery opening, but the invite from his college roommate is too good to pass up. When he meets Gabrielle, he is so very glad he went along. She is his idea of forever. There is an instant attraction, but Joshua is determined to have Gabrielle all to himself, and a few well placed words in the right person's ear sends Trey home in disgust.
What Trey was not expecting is the call he receives from his friend and professor asking him to check out a problem, a very strange and frightening manifestation, being experienced by a woman in a very posh section of the French Quarter. As he pulls up to the address of the townhouse, he is very surprised to be met by Gabrielle. When she explains the reason she gave the name Camille Monroe, Trey can only smile in understanding. What he doesn't understand, or like is what he feels in the house, and the fact it scared Gabrielle so badly she can't stay. It is her good fortune she has her grandmother's studio apartment to use, but Trey is determined to see this through. He is aware of the skepticism, but he wants to solve this one quickly, especially since it is Gabrielle's problem, and she is truly terrified. From what he can find out, there is a lot going on in Gabrielle's townhouse, and until the ghosts or manifestations can be dispelled, there is no way Gabi can go back there to live. It is dangerous, no question about that, some situations are not, but he has a feeling about this particular problem. He has to find out the hows and whys before he can attempt to rid Gabi's home of the malevolent ghosts. He hopes this will give him another chance, maybe bring them together. And just maybe there is hope for a real future with her too...
I think we should thank Linden Bay Romances for finding Claire Michaels.Between Dreams and Darkness is a compelling and delightful paranormal, full of romantic suspense which takes you from one end of New Orleans to the other. It encompasses a bit of folklore with some great ghostly elements, brings a pair of strong well developed characters into the mix, and VOILA! Gabrielle is an independent and capable woman who has just gotten rid of a man who had no respect for her as a person, or as a woman of independent means. Wyatt thought he was gonna run Gabi's life, manage her money, and set her on a shelf. Gabi isn't that kind of person, and when she and Trey meet, she starts to learn he is nothing like Wyatt, and may just be what she needs. As for Trey, he has come from a wealthy background, yet he has worked hard to get where he is, bucked his father the whole way, and is trying make a name in the world of Para-Psychology and a good life for himself. He is not one to make fun of someone's ghost problems, for he is a sensitive, and has been aware of ghosts for a long time. He is more than willing to take on Gabi's problem, and he just might be the only one who can solve it for her.
Between Dreams and Darkness is a book you are not going to want to pass by. Filled with the sights, sounds, and the joie de vivre that typifies New Orleans, it will enthrall you, draw you in and make you sad when it ends. From first to last, it is a fast paced read that will keep you on your toes, and keep you guessing too. The problems Gabrielle and Trey are faced with must be solved before anything else can be thought about. The haunting of her grandmother's French Quarter townhouse is dangerous for her, and they soon come to realize that it could be a matter of life and death for them both. Between Dreams and Darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat, with its knife-edge tension and well written plot. It is a masterpiece in the realm of a paranormal suspense, and a definite book to remain on your Keeper Shelf to be read again and again. Look for Between Dreams and Darkness now at Linden Bay Romances, and get yourself a copy today.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
Claire Michaels Bio Interview Review Buy Claire's Linden Bay Books
Buy Between Dreams and Darkness Books
