Dark Encounter is a wonderful new story just released at The Wild Rose Press, from author Lauren Delaney. I was very privileged to review this book and my review follows:
Dark Encounter
Lauren Delaney
The Wild Rose Press
Black Rose/Miniature Rose
Maplethorpe Industries, a huge conglomerate, is throwing a Masquerade in commemoration of the Halloween holiday, and Criss, as an employee, is expected to attend. Criss is feeling discontent in her personal life after the recent loss of her parents, and lately, in her career moves as well; the last event she’d like to participate in right now is this masked ball. What’s more unnerving is that the president of the company has arranged for a chauffeured limousine for Criss and her friend Trish, his executive secretary.
Rafael Ambrose bears an ancient curse which is controlling him currently, on the year’s tenth moon. The scent of Criss’s cologne is nearly enough to propel him into the change; and when the two are introduced by Maplethorpe, Criss perceives an instant change in which the room, and the two of them, seem to shimmer, and Rafe’s eyes seem to turn gold from their ordinary amber. Rather than alarm, Criss experiences only excitement, and a sense of protection and peace, emanating from Rafe. Criss isn’t sure what’s happening, but what she is certain of is that destiny stands beside her this night, and she must follow it.
Dark Encounter is a very touching and endearing new twist on the shapeshifter theme. I found that Ms. Delaney incited in me some of the same warm and hopeful emotions I experienced in younger years, reading the authors I considered great, such as Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney: authors who no matter the topic, could make the reader feel that the rainbow really did exist and if we only persevere, we can find it. This is how Lauren Delaney’s Dark Encounter affected me!
On a scale of 5, I would rate Dark Encounter at 5.5! I truly loved this story and it will be for me a frequent reread. Thank you, Ms. Delaney!
--Montgomery Sword, reviewer-reader-author
My recommendation: run, don't walk, to http://secured.thewildrosepress.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=136&products_id=290&zenid=9546999d2c21daf17ca70d1517f70721
and pick up Dark Encounter
