"Welcome to Talisman Bay - where there's hell to pay for falling in love - literally!"

Stephan Rashleigh may appear to be a successful businessman on the outside, but he's really one of the Shadow Walkers -- men who protect the town of Talisman Bay from the various demons andother beasties who are drawn to it. Talisman Bay is a dimensional portal, which allows other universes access to Earth. It's a thankless job, but Stephan and his friends had no choice in the matter. They were saved from death and this is the price they pay.

For twelve years now, Stephan has only had a pleasure goddess for female companionship. It's too dangerous for Shadow Walkers to fall in love, as his brother Marlin found out so horribly. But when Stephan sees Mariah, he can't get her out of his mind. When he rescues her from a demon, a careless comment may cost Mariah her life. Now the demons thinks she's his woman and will do anything to capture her to get to him.

Exotic dancer Mariah DeSilva doesn't want or need a man in her life. After witnessing her mother go through a series of bad relationships looking for "the one", and nearly dying herself after a lover turned on her, the only thing she wants is peace. She'll take men's money for her dancing, but that's where she draws the line. Until she's rescued by Stephan. Why can't she forget about him?

When Mariah's roommate Twyla is abducted, Mariah will do anything to save her friend. She goes to Stephan in desperation. Why is she so drawn to him, particularly when Twyla is in danger? What kind of friend is she, to be in lust while her friend could be dying? The passion between Stephan and Mariah has been predestined and nothing can stop it from flaring to life. Twyla is having a sensual adventure of her own, despite her kidnapping. How can she desire one of her kidnappers? However, there's more to Freeze than meets the eye.

Wow! Mariah and Stephan try to resist the sensual pull between them, yet there's no fighting it. Something draws them to each other despite what their minds say on the matter. Can love flourish in an environment of constant danger? When Mariah learns the whole truth about Stephan and the reason for the danger she's in, will she be able to forgive Stephan? And just who is the mastermind behind this evil plan?

There is much more to LOVER'S TALISMAN; you'll have to read it for yourself to see. I am eagerly anticipating the next Talisman Bay story. I can't wait to see what will happen next. There are many unanswered questions which I'm sure will slowly be uncovered through the course of the series. Ms. Raine has created a world that can provide an endless supply of stories for needy readers. This is definitely a must-read!

Sensuality: Rated NC-17 by the publisher. Explicit sex, anal sex (dream sequence), ménage (dream sequence); sexually explicit scenes: 10.

Reviewed by Denise Powers
Courtesy Sensual Romance
Posted August 6, 2003

Summary

Five mortal men, their lives dedicated to protecting Talisman Bay from unimaginable horrors. No one knows what they really do...

Until one man compromises his duty to save a woman's life.

But his mistake shows a weakness...A weakness someone has been waiting for. Now one woman's missing and another woman's life is in grave danger. And Stephan Rashleigh has to make right his mistake. And walk away from the woman he's fallen for.

Welcome to Talisman Bay. Where all hell breaks loose on a daily basis...especially when you fall in love.

Sexual Content: NC-17. Genre: paranormal.