Romance at Heart Magazine: review of Waking Annabel by Jayelle Drewry

Title: Waking Annabel
Author: Jayelle Drewry

Published in 2005 by Phaze Books
Genre: Erotic Contemporary
ISBN: 1-59578-173-0

Other Books by : The Other Half The Outcast

Cool was the word for her. Remote, like a finely sculpted statue, serene, severe, aloof. There was also heat there, he could sense it, felt it, and if it weren't for the fact he had a business meeting, he would have explored it up close and personal. She sat at a back table, in the dark, alone and silent. Although she never moved, Jason O'Brien may never have looked twice but for the air of anticipation about her. The band played, but she was still, controlled, no tapping of toes, no thrumming of fingers, and seemingly no notice of the music or the crowd around her. That was the impression she made on him all those years ago. She was married too, to the man with whom he was interested in doing business. Yep, Jason had it bad, and even as he told himself to forget her, he knew deep inside he never would. There were some women who just did that to a man, and Jason had managed to convince himself that Annabel Sullivan was not for him, would never be for him, and that, as they say, was that. End of story, but not the end of dreams. Oh Yeah, Annabel Sullivan was the stuff of which dreams were made, and she belonged to someone who in all likelihood, considering who he was cheating with, didn't deserve her at all.

It had been two years since the encounter with Annabel Sullivan, and she still played in the back of Jason's mind. he was aware of her presence there from time to time, but it was most likely the reason no one else interested him. There had been a connection there, a jolt of awareness he felt, and no one to date had managed to measure up. Now that feeling was back, stronger than ever thanks to the chance encounter, and an overheard conversation at lunch. He made up his mind, this time, Annabel was not getting away. He was not going to just forget her because of the fear he saw in her eyes, he knew instinctively she had been terribly hurt, even back then, but she was on his turf now, and fair game. Caution was the operative word, so Jason lays a careful plan of seduction, charm, and persistence to gain her attention. Oh he wants her, and he will have her, and it will be on his terms. There is one thing he knows for certain. To have her when and where he wants her, he may just have to play by her rules. Heat burns in her, a source of untapped energy laid dormant inside for far too long. Jason was determined to wake it, and in waking that fire, and stoking its flames, he would claim Annabel as no one had before. He would allow no other near her for she was his alone, she just didn't know it yet...

She centered her world on her carefully cultured reserve. Control was precious, it was tantamount to success, and there was no way she would give it up to anyone or anything. Her life was stable now, lonely maybe, but it doesn't bother her. She has control of her self, job, and environment so she feels safe and secure. She can't understand why her partners constantly harp on her lack of a love life. After what she went through with Andrew, they expect her to date? To get back in the rat race, and be hurt all over again? No way is she buying into that deal again. It was too hard on her the last time, and although she realizes in some part it may have been partly her fault, she had been too young, naive, and inexperienced to know better. If Renee, Laura and Sally wanted to live vicariously, let them find someone else to live through. It wasn't that she didn't want to date, for one thing, she didn't really know how. With Andrew, he just swept her off her feet and into a disastrous marriage, he never courted her, they never actually dated. He just barreled in, just took over without a by your leave. Now it seems the ghosts are back to haunt her, and the girls just won't let her alone.

It all started with a chance encounter at lunch, and the heat he engendered in her left her trembling for a long after. The play has been methodical, and no matter how often she says no, no matter what she says no to, and even when she requests the flowers stop, he just keeps on coming. It is scary, exhilarating, and Annabel is totally floored by the attention the man is showing her. She met him once, and at that time, Jason O'Brien witnessed the end of her marriage. It was the end of many things, the end of her life as she knew it then, and the most humiliating time in her short existence to name two. It was not a time she is proud of, but for some reason, Jason is a man who is physically, mentally, and sexually far above her. Why he is interested in her is a source of curiosity for Annabel, but it is also a question she will probably doesn't want the answer to and will never ask. She knew she had a chance of running into him when she moved to Atlanta, but she never thought he would remember her, let alone set out to deliberately pursue her. Jason O'Brien is truly every woman's dream, but he scares Annabel, attracts her, and she is sure he poses a definite danger to her and to her well being...

Say hello to one of Jayelle Drewry's best characters, a man who knows what he wants, and is determined to get it. Jason O'Brien saw a woman who he thought would never be his, one who at the time was out of his reach. He has not found anyone since who even come close to the cool reserve of the woman he knows as Annabel Sullivan. Now he is on her trail and he is not about to let her get away. Thanks to an overheard conversation and a chance encounter at a local restaurant, Jason knows Annabel is divorced, and if he has heard correctly, available. Annabel is wary of Jason. She senses he could well be more sophisticated in his tastes, a man of discernment, diversity, and maturity. She is well aware of the sensuality and the sexuality of his nature that make him compelling, drawing her like a moth to a flame. The only experience she had left her shaken, her confidence torn, and she fights Jason, running from him for all she is worth.

Waking Annabel is a sensuous and erotic feast. Its name is very apropos for Jason is about to bring Annabel's eyes open, and introduce her to the fire within her, the fire she never allowed to ignite. He has the desire to warm himself in her fire, to use it to cleanse away the stresses of his days, and heat his nights with a passion like no other. Before he can do that, he has to catch her, then wake the flame. He is learning, however, that Annabel will have to be won, and it will take patience, and perseverance on his part to win her over. Once there, Jason is sure they will both revel in the heat of the flames, but he has to take care for he doesn't want her to be burnt. Waking Annabel is available at Phaze.com, and is a most delightful and sexy read. Jayelle has again captured the essence of the relationship between these lovers, and brought home the depth and beauty of their newfound love. I have greatly enjoyed Waking Annabel, and it will remain on this reviewer's Keeper Shelf!

Yours in good reading,

Rose!

Jayelle Drewry Review Buy Jayelle's Books at Phaze