BY: Jean Barrett
PUBLISHED BY: Harlequin
PUBLISHED IN: 2004
ISBN: 0-373-22804-X
Pages: 249
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

Set on a small island off England, ghost hunter Meredith Allen, along with private eye Jackson Hawke, investigates the strange occurrences happening at the Croft Castle. Of course, this castle is your typical haunted castle with secret passages, eerie lights and ghosts.

Jackson is a non-believer of the supernatural and believes that a human is responsible for the strange happenings at the castle. At first, Meredith wants nothing to do with Jackson, but this is a romance novel, so she falls for him. They explore the castle and uncover a dark mystery.

This was an easy fast read for me. One thing that really bothered if Meredith was suppose to be a ghost hunter, why didn’t she have any ghost hunting gizmos with her? The book cover says this is a gothic romance. Beside for being set a castle, I never really got the feeling that this was a gothic novel. Overall, I enjoyed the novel because of its fun characters.

Demon Possessed
BY: Stacia Kane
PUBLISHED BY: Pocket Books
PUBLISHED IN: 2010
ISBN: 978-4391-6761-8
Pages: 321
Ages: Adults
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

The psychic psychologist Megan Chase is back in “Demon Possessed,” the third and final book in the series. A FBI agent is wanting to know what her involvement with Greyson Dante is, and where the rumored demon meeting is going to be located at. Of course, Megan denies everything. The truth - Megan is attending the demon meeting with her demon lover, Greyson.

Greyson is pressuring Megan to join the “family” - to become a full-fledged demon, and he has a few dark secrets kept hidden from her.

Then, things start to go wrong at the meeting, including a minister performing “weekend exorcisms.” To make matters worse, a scary angel wants to kill Megan.

I have never read the first two books in the series, so it took me awhile to figure out what was going on. Megan Chase is a bold fantasy heroine, who doesn’t want to settle down. The book’s weakness is the lack of action, and it’s unnecessary focus on Megan’s emotions. The love scenes between Megan and Greyson are unbelievable. There was no passion, just dread. There are enough twists and turns to keep you turning the pages. “Demon Possessed” is fast-paced, just falling over three-hundred pages. Fan of the previous books will enjoy the final installment. If you’re new to the series, I would recommend reading the first book so you want be confused as I was.

The Sultan’s Favorite
BY: Anne Burnside
PUBLISHED BY: iUniverse
PUBLISHED IN: 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4401-1907-1
Pages: 435
Ages: Adult
Reviewed by Billy Burgess

In this sequel to Gaton Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” the phantom, Erik, is living in the Ottoman Empire. He’s working as the sultan’s personal architect. He’s still mourning the rejection of his love, Christine.

The sultan takes a third wife, Alexandria - the widow of the ruler of Constantinople, and demands Erik to make changes in the designs for the new palace. The sultan wants his new wife to have her own court.

Erik hates Ottoman Empire and the way the women and slaves are treated. He remains there to finish the palace because he believes it will be his greatest achievement. With one look at Alexandria, he knew she was unlike the sultan‘s other wives. She was smart, beautiful and independent. Erik begins spending time with her. Alexandria wants to get closer to this masked man.

Erik tries to control his ongoing feelings for her. He never thought he could ever feel this way about another woman after Christine’s rejection. Soon, he can no longer hold back his feelings. He starts a passionate affair with Alexandria.

Being a fan of the original novel, I was intrigued in reading “The Sultan’s Favorite.” After reading the first few pages, I was hooked. Author Anne Burnside has done a wonderful job in continuing Erik’s journey into this violent world of the Ottoman Empire. I was surprised to find two other characters from Gaton Leroux’s “The Phantom of the Opera” pop into the latter half of the book. I recommend reading this book if your fan of the original or for anyone who wants to read a good romance.

*Note: I would like to thank the author for sending me this book to read and review.