Catspell

Paranormal investigator Shelly Holmes has been summoned to determine the cause of Lady Arielle Blaylock strange malady. Her father has seen the symptoms before in Arielle's mother Isis. They had resulted in his wife's suicide when Arielle was a mere babe. Although Arielle barely remembers her mother, but she has begun to feel quite strongly that her mother is trying to warn her about something and needs her help to find eternal rest. Her father has been reticent to tell her anything regarding the reason for her mother's death. All Arielle has of her mother is a small portrait, an Egyptian amulet which had been passed down from mother to daughter for generations, and a penchant for all things feline. Since Arielle has worn the amulet she has been subject to strange and sensual dreams where her infirmities do not trouble her, and two men wearing lion masks, one of the dark and one of the light vie for her seduction. As Arielle lays purring in her bed, her father and Miss Holmes watch as deep scratches appear out of nowhere on her arms and breasts. One of her dream suitors has marked her as his own. Arielle has no memory of her dreams when she awakens. Astutely surmising that the amulet is the key to Arielle's trances, Shelly removes it, much to Arielle's distress. Without this conduit the two men, half brothers vying with each other for their soul mate, must manifest themselves in her waking world. Seth Taub is dark and aggressive, Luke Simball is golden and gentle, but are appearances deceiving? Both are incredibly handsome and seductive. Which suitor is of the light, which is of the darkness, and who will help her set her mother's spirit free? Arielle has already begun her transformation. Will Shelly solve the mystery before it is too late? CATSPELL is an interesting blend of Egyptian and shape shifter folklore with traditional elements of mystery, romance, and the battle between good and evil which makes this tale unique. Along the way Ms. Holmes, who has secret of her own, captivates an old friend of the Blaylock family, Ethan Perot. Independent Shelly fights the attraction tooth and nail, but Ethan is more than determined. Although the outcome was undetermined, the door was left open for him to follow her into another tale. I do hope so. -- Reviewed for PNR Reviews

I enjoyed this book very much, the characters and story kept my interest at all times, the brothers were an interesting mix. Again the presence of Miss Shelly Holmes was a treat can't wait to read her story and see just how elusive she can be.

I liked Shelley Holmes way more than I liked the supposed main character, Arielle. I think it was because Shannon spent more time developing the Shelley character then she did the Arielle character. I've only read one other book by Shannon (Themaine? I believe was in the title) and that one spent much more time developing the character into a well rounded person that fought between turning evil. In this book, Arielle is petty and childish. I can't for the life of me see why two men would fight over her, much less compliment her on her strength. Another thing concerning Shelley was that Shannon gets the reader all excited only to dump us in the end. It is obvious she is leading us into the next book. Which I plan to read.

This was a good read and the first book by this author I have read. I eagerly look forward to more works that utilize Shelly Holmes' unique skills as a detective and the romances Ms. Shannon spins around her interesting characters.

Lady Arielle Blaylock has lived a somewhat sedate protected upper class life until she wore the Egyptian cat amulet. Now during the day she remains that prim and proper Victorian lass, but at night she dreams erotic seductions that frighten her when she awakens because they seem so real. In that dream realm where sorcery rules two men desire Lady Arielle. She wants both of them as each somehow holds a lovemaking spell that has ensorcelled her, but she also distrusts Luke and Seth not knowing what either truly desires of her. However, Arielle realizes she is in trouble in this alternate dream world where she may remain forever if she chooses the wrong man; one will help her regain the light of day while the other dooms her to eternal darkness. This is a terrific paranormal romance that will remind the audience of Frank Stockton's classic The Lady or the Tiger placed in a fantasy realm. If Arielle selects the wrong champion she will have closed the door to her going home permanently. Arielle is a wonderful protagonist while the two males competing for her affection make the dream realm genuine. Colleen Shannon provides a fine thriller that will elate sub-genre readers. Harriet Klausner