PHANTOM’S TOUCH Book two in series by Julie Leto

Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Date published: December 2008
ISBN: 978-0-451-22490-3
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Dawn
Obtained by Publisher


Lauren Cole is thrilled to be on the cusp of throwing away her role as the Hollywood “It” girl for Action Movies. When she finds her ex-husband has her beloved antique sword, she decides to go get it and unleashes a magic that will change her life forever.

Aiden Forsyth was locked in the ancient sword since 1747 when he tried to save his sister from a Gypsy Camp. Falling victim to a powerful spell leaves Aiden in the sword for over two centuries. Now free when Lauren releases him, he will do everything he can to find his brothers and pledges himself to Lauren. Can these two find a way to save themselves when Aiden’s ancient enemy comes back and this time vows to destroy not just Aiden but Lauren as well?

PHANTOM’S TOUCH is the second book in the Phantom series and even though I didn’t read the first book in the series, PHANTOM PLEASURES, I found this one to be a charming story, full of intriguing characters, simmering sexual tension and action-adventure. This is a new to me author and I was drawn into the world of movies, warriors and ancient enemies. It was one wild ride from start to finish.

Meet Lauren Cole, a woman who just finalized her divorce from her Producer ex-husband and is about to begin filming her final movie with him. Determined to have her antique sword, she sneaks into her ex’s place to grab it and unleashes something much more than a sword but a sexy warrior who finds himself drawn to Lauren even as he tries to assimilate all the changes in the world he is in now. This is one independent woman which I loved. She was feisty and not afraid to stand up to Aiden when he became too alpha male for her.

Aiden is a warrior from 1747 and enslaved into the sword that Lauren now owns, he is released and finds himself in a time where the women are not to be cosseted. Determined to find his brothers he believes are enslaved like him, Aiden vows to do all that Lauren desires. He doesn’t know if her feelings are genuine or not but when an ancient enemy of Aiden shows up determined to end not just his life but Lauren’s as well, both Aiden and Lauren will find themselves reaching for the love growing between them in order to survive. I love these two together. They bring a perfect balance to the story where one character isn’t the dominant over the other one. This is an author who really knows her characters and it comes across in PHANTOM TOUCH. The secondary characters were exceptional and they kept the story flowing smoothly. The writing was tight and I enjoyed the sparring between Lauren and Aiden as they dealt with the issues between them.

PHANTOM’S TOUCH is a wonderful story that will keep you highly entertained from start to finish. With the right blend of mystery, romance and paranormal, this author delivers a story that will keep you glued to the pages to see what happens next for Lauren and Aiden. I will have to check out the first book as well as the others in this series as well. I look forward to more books by this author and hope there will be more Phantom books in the future.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.

PHANTOM PLEASURES by Julie Leto

Publisher Signet Eclipse
Date published April 2008
ISBN 978-0-451-22365-4
Paranormal romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie






Alexa Chandler is a busy, successful hotel developer. She’s found some prime property and is determined to turn the haunted island with its abandoned castle into a premier luxury resort. When she gets inside the building, she finds a portrait of a man, who seems to be calling to her. And calling her, he is. Before she realizes it, she’s unleashed the phantom that has been trapped within. Damon Forsyth charged into a Gypsy enclave centuries ago, desperate to save his sister. Instead, he was trapped inside a cursed painting by his enemy. Although Alexa releases him from the painting, he is still bound to the castle. He needs Alexa to break the final barrier. Alexa cannot resist Damon’s seduction and she surrenders to the heat of his touch. She will have to choose between her own mortality and overcoming the magic that holds Damon.

This is a fabulous story. I was totally captivated and swept along in the intrigue and sensuality. Julie Leto writes a well-rounded story and adds a secondary romance in a sub-plot which was like icing on the cake. There is lots of sizzling chemistry and sexual tension in this exciting story that gave me lots of thrills. The plot is well thought out and the magic well written. This is a powerful and emotional story. Damon is a man of his time and at first has a hard time to accept that Alexa is a successful, independent woman, but he does come to terms with it. He has a lot to catch up on, historically, but is an intelligent man. This looks like a good start to a great series and I hope that we will hear the stories of Damon’s brothers and sister.