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SIMPLY WICKED - Lisa G. Riley Parker Publishing/Passion May 2008 |
SYNOPSIS: American actress Cassidy Hamilton accepts the role of a lifetime on a British television show, allowing her to pursue aristocratic British CEO Tony Carleton, a man she has wanted for years. Older sophisticated Tony has kept his own desires for the nublie actess in check. She is too young, too free-spirited, and as he's always believed, too dangerous for his soul. Tempted by her nearness, Tony succumbs to her allure and begins a passionate affair with her while deluding himself that he's in control. But someone is stalking Cassidy, a man who will stop at nothing in fulfilling his twisted obsession.
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE |4| Marguerite Lemons
REVIEW: Cassidy Edwards “Hamilton” has not had your normal life growing up. She discovered her murdered parents in the bedroom of their home at the age of six, and was forced to move to another city with her grandmother, when the press refused to leave her alone. Now, twelve years later, Cassidy is on her way to making a name for herself on the big stage, after she completes her studies in the theater department of Yale University. Anthony “Tony” Carleton is stunned into silence when he first meets Cassidy pirouetting form in the dorm room she will share with his sister, Esme. For Cassidy, it is love at first sight, but unfortunately, Tony feels that, at twelve years his junior, she is much too young for him. Cassidy doesn’t share his qualms, and decides to pull out all the stops to get what she wants. That is, until her life is threatened by an enemy she never knew she had.
Cassidy is strong willed and independent, but she is also emotionally scarred and vulnerable due to the events that took place after her parent’s death. It was interesting to watch this character mature and take charge or her life, and at her weakest moments you really felt sorry for her. Tony’s character is charming, frustrating and funny. He tries hard to be an honorable member of the nobility, but it’s so funny to watch him battle between what society expects of him and what his heart truly wants. Tony’s family members are encouraging and secretly hoping that Cassidy will prevail. However, Cassidy’s uncle is praying she’ll get over him while continuing to hide a secret of his own.
Simply Wicked is a fun story with a plot that takes you almost seamlessly through four years at Yale and then from England to Chicago and back. Cassidy’s antics and Tony’s inability to thwart her at every turn are highly entertaining. The supporting characters are fun and at times at their own comic relief to the story. They are supportive of Cassidy, and don’t mind giving Tony a little grief when they feel it is warranted. Tony’s need to protect Cassidy at all costs is touching, and at times infuriating, and the fact that I couldn’t figure out who the culprit was midway through the story is a definite plus.
Ms. Riley is to be commended on this romantic suspense that keeps you wondering almost to the end just who the culprit could be. This is a must read.
reviewer@romanceincolor.com | 8th July 2008