Night Whispers

In 1864 during the Arizona Territory days, a young man disappeared into 'The Hoyo del Diablo Cavern (The Devil's Pit) never to be heard from again. The Indians say the cave is cursed but that didn't stop those who created what is now called the BioCave. A chance to be a member of the BioCave team could drive a person to do just about anything. At least that's what Liz Madison and Ethan Winslow are about to find out. When the team goes underground to live in the BioCave they experience something more frightening than the resident ghost. Nothing puts the chills down my back quicker than hearing my name and not knowing 'its' source. You will hold tight to your book and refuse to put it down until you know what 'it' is. The mixture of romance, ecological science and the paranormal makes for an explosive result.

A little slow at first, the story line definitely picked up as it moved along, with both the character development and action improving until it reached a satisfying conclusion. The story is one where Noah Simmons, killed in a cave by an unseen evil presence, haunts a group of scientists who enter an underground network of caves for a six-month scientific experiment. The group, headed by Ethan Winslow, has Liz Madison on the team among others. To enable both to be on the experiment, Ethan and Liz marry and the story deals with their attraction and, ultimately, love for one another. The evil presence is a good background and is not overplayed at all. Noah is a cowardly ghost, unable to battle the evil until the end, which is a bit tiring after a while. The man is dead already! Ethan wrestles with not wanting to love Liz, and that is ultimately a little wearing, but seems to reach a natural conclusion. Liz has a secret relationship with the experiment's "founder" -- Aaron -- and the reason for their relationship, and the ensuing gossip and jealously on the part of Ethan, is, to me, the weakest part of the story. The end is done in a few pages, the secret is revealed, and I was tempted to say "That's it? You were willing to ruin a relationship with Ethan for that and yet you happily divulge it at the end?" But that is the only real dissatisfaction I had with the story. Overall, an enjoyable read which blended the horror and romance rather well!

In the 1864 Arizona Territory, the Pima Indians told Noah Simmons about a fortune in gold and silver in Hoyo del Diablo, but what they didn't tell him was that the treasure was protected by a deadly evil force. In the present, at Hoyo del Diablo Cavern, a scientific team sets up a BioCave. The group plans to reside for six months in underground isolation in order to conduct experiments in hydroponics and alternative energy sources. The strange vernacular sprinkled amidst the English language surprises the ghost of Noah; however, the biggest surprise of all is seeing Lizzie Madison, whom the specter feels he has known forever and loved. An unmarried Lizzie is at first refused the opportunity to remain with the team during the test as the financial backer insists only married couples will participate inside the cavern. As luck would have it, the fiancée of the lead geologist, Ethan Winslow, breaks off with him. Ethan and Lizzie agree to a quick, temporary marriage so they both can participate in the experiment. One small problem, Lizzie isn't immune to the handsome Ethan and finds it hard to fight against the powerful attraction that develops between them. Lizzie soon realizes that there is an aura of evil surrounding the team and when Noah tries to protect her, she is is unsure what to tell Ethan. Will he trust her enough to believe her that a malevolent being is threatening them. NIGHT WHISPERS is an excellent otherworldly romance that will leave readers with several thrills and chills. The storyline is unique, with modern day science and a century old ghost battling with an unnamable abomination. The three characters that make up the love triangle - Lizzie, Noah, and Ethan - are all warm and intelligent and at times you are torn between who is best for Lizzie (even if one is a ghost). Karen Sandler pushes all the right buttons, providing readers with an unforgettable supernatural romantic suspenseful story. Harriet Klausner