Title: Midnight Lady
Author: Linda Wisdom
Published in 2004 by Triskelion Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense
ISBN: 0-974861405
Self sufficient and strongly independent Samantha Lyons is a woman trying to make it in a man's world. Head of her Grandfathers studio and production company she faces adversity at every step she takes. Samantha is extremely selective as to who can pass through the barriers she has erected around her life. As a private person, she wants nothing more than to stay out of public scrutiny while continuing to make the grade A movies her studio is well known for producing. Since her father Roland’s death, Samantha is the controlling force behind Baron Productions. Despite all of the work she has put into the company, she is undermined by siblings who think they are more qualified for her job. Confident in the role she plays and it's importance she knows that trying to change a good thing could very well be disastrous for her grandfather's dreams. Unlike her sister Pamela, who basks in the limelight as Barons' publicist, Samantha knows that sometimes the media could make or break a studio by its reporting.
Samantha wonders at encrypted messages her grandfather hints at all evening. She is at once put off and intrigued by the unexpected arrival of Kyle Fletcher. A world class reporter known to handle heavy hitting and globe impacting news. Samantha suspects that Kyle is here to dig up dirt on her family and cuts him off at first meeting. Seeing that he is far more insistent than she counted on she decides to shake him up a bit. And in what better way than using the grand and totally automated Mausoleum of a house that her grandfather built for it's shock value. Her plans however don't go as smoothly as she would like for them to. Developing a sudden and fierce attraction for Kyle seems to be getting in the way of all the frightful goodies she has planned for him. Samantha constantly finds her body warming to his sensual and overt glances. As the air electrifies between them she finds herself falling for the one man that could spell trouble for all she holds dear.
Considered one of the worlds top reporters, Kyle Fletcher goes after the truth wherever it may lead him. Known for his insightful interviews with prominent world leaders he is thrilled at the chance to meet with Baron Lyons. Kyle also knows that he is the first reporter to ever have the opportunity to interview Baron and be invited to his extremely private home. Being a tough reporter has gotten Kyle out of close calls before. Upon seeing the mansion for the first time however he begins to have doubt as to his safety. Likening the butler Reinhold to an aging corpse he jumps right in for the story of a lifetime.
Kyle’s instant magnetism to Baron's granddaughter surprises him to no end. A woman who dresses in dark colors and is out for his blood at first meeting. He understands why she doesn't want her life exposed but lets her know he is there for the positive stories and not the trash. Enjoying his verbal sparring with Samantha he let's her know firmly that he will interview Baron even with her interference. As Kyle gets to know Samantha and her family better he finds himself hopelessly falling for the beautiful and dark seductress of the night. But will Kyle be able to melt her icy exterior? Or will he find himself a victim of the midnight lady?
As Samantha and Kyle start to fall for each other they realize that they both are in need of the same things. Samantha has to prove that as a woman she is capable of running Baron Productions. Kyle has to show that he is more than just a reporter hunting down an elusive story. They both need to learn to give in and let love have it's way. They have trouble seeing the obvious due to happenings beyond their control. Someone is leaking untruths to the press. Are Samantha’s constantly bickering and greedy siblings to blame? With Baron as matchmaker the two find themselves in constant proximity and fall prey to the escalating tides of passion. But can Kyle keep his cool when faced with seemingly supernatural acts of terror? Will the house of many hidden facets scare him into leaving the woman he fiercely desires? Can Samantha believe that she has found a man who wants her and not her money? Linda Wisdom answers all these question with a satisfyingly warm and romantic flair.
Right from the start I felt the attractive pull between Samantha and Kyle. The story streams along delightfully and occupied me with more than a few hilarious laughs. I also fell headlong with pleasure into the amazingly sensual love scenes between Samantha and Kyle. The references to Vincent Price brought back wonderful memories of me as a child sitting in front the television on a Saturday afternoon watching a fright fest marathon. I found MIDNIGHT LADY to be a light and engaging read without a convoluted plot. The book was highly romantic and the love scenes all sizzled with erotic energy. I would have liked for the author to have tapped deeper into Samantha’s family. I didn't feel as if I knew enough about them to relate to them more personally. Despite that, the book still flowed along fantastically. Linda Wisdom has done an excellent job in her writing of Midnight Lady. I recommend this book if you are looking for a highly romantic and sexy read. With lovable characters and an entertaining yet stickler butler you can't go wrong.
Yours in good reading,
Joann Ruffen
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