Do You Believe?

Although the Early sisters had followed in their father's footsteps by making photography their career, their different values had taken them very in different directions. Rose had become a family photographer with a love for technology and manipulating images. Joan, who fancied herself a photojournalist and traveled the world in search of unique subjects for her lucrative coffee table books, eschewed the digital aspect of the industry. Film couldn't lie. Or could it? The two girls had never been close, which is probably why Rose had ignored the strangely desperate emails Joan had been sending her from England. Now it might be two late. Joan was missing and the only clues Rose has are the proofs sheets of Joan's latest subject, and an autographed horror novel in which Joan had written copious notes regarding her belief in the existence of evil. The book was an uncharacteristic read for Joan but the handsome English novelist was right up her alley. Rose goes in search of Vic Drummond who happens to be writing a sequel at the home of his late Aunt. She has one question for the man. Does he believe as well? Intrigued by Rose's contrast to her hard edged sister, Vic Drummond becomes determined to help her solve the mystery of her sister's disappearance. Soon his only goal is to keep her right by his side. As they replay Joan's last days, the trail leads from a bizarre sex club to the local church which has a strange and ghastly effect on them both. Could unimaginable evil really lurk in a quiet town filled with ordinary people? Could their new found love keep them safe? While horror is a new direction for the novel's writer, romance and otherworldliness are not. Ms. Lawrence is the author of both a virtual reality and a medieval romance series. These two subjects combined themselves well as historical artifacts propel the reader into the world of the paranormal in this intriguing who-done-it. Ms. Lawrence paints a vivid picture of the insidiousness of evil as it devours the unsuspecting villagers little by little over the course of time. The passion between Rose and Vic is just as colorful and one wonders as they do, whether it is real or if they are being manipulated by forces beyond their control. Do you believe in evil? Do you believe in love? If you believe in an intriguing and steamy mystery that will keep you awake at night, DO YOU BELIEVE is a read you won't want to miss. This reader couldn't put it down! --- Reviewed for PNR Reviews

If you are looking for the Ann Lawrence of LORD OF THE MIST, LORD OF THE HUNT, VIRTUAL DESIRE OR VIRTUAL WARRIOR this in not her. I adored the above titles but this is a different type of novel. I am not saying it is not good just not as good as those others. This is more of a gothic type romance. Rose Early has come to England to find her sister Joan who has gone missing. Both are photographers, Joan is compiling a book about the churches in England. Rose arrives in Marleton Village to find that her sister has not been seen in several days. Vic Drummond is a writer, he lives in Marleton and has had a few interludes with Joan. But after he meets Rose he realizes she is not like her sister. Eventually he falls in love with Rose as they hunt for her sybling. There seems to be a great deal more going on in the church than prayers. The ghosts of monks appear to Rose and she begins to see evil in and around the vicar, curate, and several members of the parish. Something evil is in the church and has set its thoughts on Vic. Togather they must fight against the evil not only in the church but in themselves. This was an OK read, Vic and Rose seemed to fall into bed alot and the pace was alittle slow. However, the last few chapters went faster and finally explained what was going on. NOt one of her best but not the worst either, if you like Gothic, you will probably enjoy it.

Rose Early owns "Early Photography" in Pennsylvania, USA. Her sister, Joan, specializes in coffee table books. Last heard, Joan was in the English Cotswolds, a quiet Marleton village. Joan's current project is a book on religious art, commissioned by the Cotswolds Diocese of the Church of England. All was fine until Joan's emails became strange and then ceased all together. Rose travels to England, worried about her sister, but Joan has disappeared. Knowing that Joan met with the famous horror writer, V.F. "Vic" Drummond, Rose begins her search with him. Vic and Rose become a couple, but he is lying (by omission) when it came to what Joan was doing whenever he met with her. But the truth will come out, sooner than expected. The local residents protect their own and keep Rose at bay until Vic shows everyone how much he has come to care for Rose. Then they embrace Rose into their shops, pubs, and town. However, the church is a different story. Rose and Vic soon discover that Joan had been fascinated by All Saints Church, which dominates the village, and the famous tapestry that resides within it. But something totally evil also dwells in All Saints Church. Something that has slowly seeped into every stone and crevice over the last thirty years. It affects everyone that enters its doors ... and it is now spreading outside the church, even into London! Rose and Vic cannot dismiss all the eerie things that are happening, no matter how much they wish they could. Dark dreams leave scratch marks upon them that never seem to heal. (Something right out of an "Elms Street" movie.) Vic's deceased aunt keeps typing messages in his current book's file. No matter how many times Vic deletes the texts, they keep coming back. But the worst things are the demons with the red, glowing eyes! **** This combines many genres. I noticed Super Natural Romance, Thriller, and Horror mostly. About half way in, the love scenes begin and they are H-O-T, very explicit! Consider yourself warned. Quite a bit of English slang is used. Most of it is used in such a way that readers who do not live in England will still easily understand what is being said. For example, the slang "not on" means "wrong". However, once or twice I found myself unsure. Do I recommend this novel? Oh yes! To fans of many genres, especially Dark Romance. This work of art may keep you awake at night. **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Pennsylvanian Rose Early is in Marleton Village, the last known address of her missing sister Joan, a photographer who recently vanished while on assignment for the Cotswolds Diocese of the Church of England. Rose's only clue to find her sister is Joan's copy of Do You Believe in Evil, a horror novel written by local author Vic Drummond. She visits Drummond's home, but he pretends to be the gardener and blows her away. Vic is impressed with Rose's persistence and decides to help her find her sister. As the Yank and the Brit investigate, both reconsider whether evil exists because something is not right in the remote sleepy village especially with the local All Saints Church; all who enter suffer nightmares and physical emanations. Whatever is inside is beginning to get outside. As Rose and Vic become believers, they also reassess the existence of love at first sight for that is the only weapon they have found so far to counter the malevolence that is spreading beyond the village. Readers will believe in Ann Lawrence's talent as the author effortlessly combines a heated contemporary romance with a supernatural thriller that grips the audience once Vic agrees to help the obstinate American. The relationship between the lead couple is cleverly set up so that the attraction starts early (no pun intended) but his secret about her sister that he hides from her becomes critical later; to survive evil she must trust in their love even though she learns he hid things from her. The essence to trust or not to trust makes this a strong supernatural romantic suspense thriller that never slows down until the final confrontational rites occur. Harriet Klausner