Title: Discovery in Passion
Author: Shiela Stewart
Published in February 2007 by Linden Bay Romances
Genre: Contemporary Erotica
ISBN: 978-1-60202-080-1
Related Books: Escape In Passion, Mercy In Passion
Other Books by Shiela: Kidnapped
There is one thing everyone notices about Cassandra Evans, she is all woman, totally feminine with Marilyn Monroe looks and soft curves, but there is the side of her completely unexpected. Cassie is no dummy, or a pushover, she is not easily scared, and above all, she is determined to start fresh. She has the house of her dreams, a very sexy but standoffish neighbor, and a new town that is exactly what she has been looking for, so what is wrong with this picture? In spite of the objections of her family, Cassie knows she needs to get out and away. The things that brought her to this conclusion are best left behind, and dependency on her parents is the last thing she wants in her life. She has found this delightful town named Passion, her tiny but very livable dream house, and from the looks of it, a really sexy neighbor. She was definitely gonna have some work done on the house, but she can do that, it is hers now and she can do whatever she desires. Cassie is enjoying the process of choosing improvements, and she is enjoying the freedom the move brought her. It is also, to her dismay, finding that home ownership comes with yard mowing, gardening, and a myriad of small details she hadn't thought about before.
The most intriguing part about her new environment is Thomas Healy, the town's handyman, and in spite of all the resident best kept secret. He is a painter of some renown, but claims he finds the seclusion of Passion to his taste. Cassie finds herself drawn to him, to his quiet strength, his talent in so many areas, and is glad when he agrees to assist her in the remodeling of the house to better suit her tastes. Her own small fortune in hand, she was forced to make the move because she didn't want her family telling her what to do, where to go, and how to spend her money. Cassie is more than willing to live up to the conditions of the will, but she wanted to make a life somewhere for herself. Now she can do that, and have fun discovering Thomas Healy's secrets too if she can. She knows he HAS to be THE Artist, but why he would move to Passion, why he was hiding is something she can work on discovering. Of course, she was finding out he had a mean and stubborn streak a mile wide to overcome. That, her house, and the shop she wants to set up should keep her busy, at least for a while anyway. At least till the stain reappeared on her floor, one she just couldn't get rid of no matter what she tried, and the runours of murder...
Thomas Healy was an artist without his art. The cancer that killed his mother and so drastically changed his life robbed him of his talent. But that was what he thought until he saw his sexy new neighbor, Cassandra Evans. She stirs something in him he thought had died, something he hasn't felt in over five years. Until Cassie waltzed into his life, he had not picked up a brush or a pencil in over a year. Now his fingers itch to draw, to paint, and not only her portrait, but also her as a nude. She is sexy, blonde, long-legged, well proportioned, voluptuous, almost Reubenesque in a way, but alluring nevertheless. She is a ripe subject for him, but she is just not his normal, run-of-the-mill model. She seems to be looking for something he is not willing to give. For one thing, Cassie is too forward for his tastes, too pushy. He has tried everything to shake her loose, refusing to paint her, trying to keep her at arm's length, but having little success.
He has to fight the attraction he feels for Cassie, and he also has to finish what he started. Thomas promised her he would get her house fixed up, remodeled, but the interruptions are driving him crazy. He does, however, have his painting to fall back on now, his desire to paint again returned. His portrait of Cassie is finished, and even though he has not allowed her to see it yet, he is pleased with the result. There is the problem of the ghostly interruptions, the rumours of the house being haunted he never paid attention to before. He only knew that a variety of people had lived in then suddenly moved out of the house, but he never knew why, never wanted to ask before. Now something was going bad there, and Thomas was afraid for Cassie. In spite of all her attempts at getting him into her bed, he genuinely liked the girl, and he didn't want to see anything untoward happen to her. To that end, he would help her solve the mystery, and maybe then Thomas would be free to decide exactly how he felt about Cassandra...
Sheila Stewart writes a book of depth, full of wonderful characters, and above all, real suspense. Her characters in Discovery In Passion are full, and well developed, strong and yet bringing out the best in each other, as well as the worst. Cassie and Thomas are like oil and water in some instances, but they will soon find they have more in common, a desire to solve the mystery surrounding Cassie's house. But when the killer comes to call, it is going to take everything they both possess to defeat him and his plans to keep his crimes hidden. The tension is there between Cassie and Thomas, and as the killer tries to wedge between them, the ghosts seem to draw them together.
Discovery In Passion is a well rounded romantic suspense that starts slowly, and builds to a very exciting and satisfying conclusion. The way is pebbled with innuendo, delightful side trips, and the burgeoning love affaire developing between Cassie and Thomas, but will it be another tragedy for the town of Passion to gossip about? Or will the discoveries bring then together and forge a new bond? I can tell you the trip is rocky, the love found is good, and the way is exciting, so if you want to go on a real thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat, then Discovery In Passion is the book for you, and Sheila Stewart is an author you will want to add to your Keeper Shelf. I know she is on mine. Look for her books at Linden Bay Romances, and check out the Passion Series. Don't forget her others books also found in Linden Bay's wonderful bookstore. And while you're there, check out the other marvelous books Linden Bay Romances has to offer.
Yours in good reading,
Rose!
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