Virtual Heaven

If this weren't a romance book, I might only have given it 4 stars, or 4 and a half, because I'm a picky, finicky reviewer. But for the romance genre, I must admit, this was actually incredibly good! It had a wonderful, intriguing plot, a compelling storyline and characters that were utterly believable. I have to confess, I couldn't put it down--it was a real page turner. The heroine was amazing, the hero was cute and adorable in a very manly, smouldering way, and even the minor characters were three dimensional. Moreover, the author's attention to detail was meticulous, giving the reader a true sense of--as the title suggests--virtual reality. If you like a book with simmering sexual tension and adrenaline-pumping adventure, then this is for you. My only real qualm was that I thought the cover art on the back of the book was a bit tacky, but maybe that's just me.

I expected fluff and found a series with tons of original, well developed world building depth. Though a romance series, the Virtual books could stand as straigh SciFi Fantasy. I actually read them backward in order, so book one I found to be a 'set up' book that paves the way the even more detailed and enjoyable 2nd and 3rd book in the series. Maggie, a silversmith, is urged by her friend who runs a game shop to try out a hot new virtual reality game. Because of a mix of a storm, cosmic alignment, and the celtic pattern of her pendent, all the things necessary to send Maggie to the world the game is based on are in place. All Maggie wants to do is get home again, but from the moment she appears she finds her fate is tied to the quest and well being of fantastic warrior who believes she's a runaway pleasure slave. On the surface it's a fluffy premise, but the book is fraught with gritty situations a real sense of peril and a rather disturbing and grim realism of the horror of being a slave and a female in a world where the life of either is held in casual contempt by those in power.Great characterization. Great world building. I enjoyed it as a scifi fantasy fan as much, if not more, than as a romance fan.

If you like a brave, strong, gutsy heroine and a hero you can't get enough of, then Virtual Heaven is what you need. The premise is fun and exciting, the land itself breathtakingly beautiful but harsh in its own way. The story is well-written and keeps you turning those pages. A good, solid read and one I highly recommend. Ann Lawrence, let's see a sequel...

I bought this book because the cover was like a Kathleen Nance cover and she recommended it. What luck!. This book is a winner. I have just finished reading the 6 Merlin legacy books by Quinn Taylor Evans and this book really struck a chord. How clever to connect fantasy - time travel - and todays Virtual reality games together. I think you are the first author to do it. As readers can read in the other reviews, this is a story of Maggie(heroine) being transferred thru a vertual reality game into the world projected by the game and falls in love with Kered (the hero). Maggie is strong and courageous and saves Kered's life plus helps him find "excalibur" and the "holy grail", however the story line refuses to let Kered have her as a wife because of that country's beliefs and Kered has another agenda also, to save his country and establish peace. I refused to read the end of the book until I reached it as I knew it would ruin the book for me, and I was right. I knew the heroine and the hero would get together but could'nt figure out how and that HOW is very clever. Does th story end with everyone staying in the virtual reality game country or does it end with everyone back in modern times, and if so, what about Kered? It was also clever to see how TODAY was entwined in the plot of the game. Ann Lawrence, you are very clever and imaginative and write very well. I read at least 3 books a week and really enjoy good writing. Please, please continue this story. Figure out a story for Tolemac II wars and I would also like to see Vad's own story. There is still so much more to continue on with. Thanks again for this book, I read til 3 this am to finish it and now will re-read it. Keep those books coming, Sincerely, Barbara

Ms. Lawrence brings us a heady blend of myth, magic and mystery in this wonderful fantasy adventure. Kered is manly-man medieval-type warrior hero, in search of a solution to his country's problems. What he finds is Maggie, a modern woman transported to his world, who possibly holds the key to his search -- but she may cost him more than he expects to pay: his heart. The two of them made me laugh, made me sit on the edge of my chair, and made me stay up late to finish the book and see how they resolve their situation! A delightful romp through a wonderful world that I look forward to visiting again. Highly recommended, but don't lend it -- you might not get it back.