Stone Kissed
Author: Keri Stevens
Publisher: Carina Press
Pub. Date: December 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1426891014
Retail: $5.39
When Delia Forrest talks to statues, they talk back. She is, after all, the last of the Steward witches.
After an arsonist torches her ancestral home with her estranged father still inside, Delia is forced to sell the estate to pay his medical bills. Her childhood crush, Grant Wolverton, makes a handsome offer for Steward House, vowing to return it to its former glory. Delia agrees, as long as he’ll allow her to oversee the restoration.
Working so closely with Grant, Delia finds it difficult to hide her unique talent—especially when their growing passion fuels her abilities.
But someone else lusts after both her man and the raw power contained in the Steward land. Soon Delia finds herself fighting not just for Grant’s love, but for both their lives…
~*~*~
When a fifth generation witch, a succubus with an uncontrolled lust, and a virile, strong willed treasure hunter all vie for ownership of the same house, you know sparks are going to fly.
STONE KISSED has Delia Forrest, a quiet dedicated stone conservator with a long held secret, losing her ancestral home to fire. Her estranged father is badly burned in the blaze and lies comatose in ICU at the local hospital. Delia returns home for the first time in years. Her heritage as a witch, with a special talent for conversing with the statues she repairs, comes rushing back.
Grant Wolverton and Delia’s father have a long standing dislike for one another. Grant has never liked Vernon Forrest since he first witnessed the man’s cruel behavior toward his daughter years ago. His dislike escalated as they competed against each other for antique treasures. Beating Vernon at his own game gave Grant a bit of pleasure. As a result, he’s far from sympathetic upon learning the Steward ancestral home has been damaged by fire. Rather, he sees it as a great opportunity to own a beautiful historical property where he can finally put down roots.
Cecily Johnson has a history of sucking men dry…literally. As a succubus, it’s simply a matter of survival. But she sees something she wants more than a quick thrill – the Steward house. Cecily has known about the strange powers on the Steward family land for years so she plots to not only possess the ancestral home but the man who bought it. Grant Wolverton has tons of money and an energy that feeds her craving. Or will until he dies like the rest.
After Delia’s father is horribly burned in the fire, she reluctantly accepts Grant’s offer to purchase the property so she can afford medical care. Grant tries to ignore his attraction toward Delia, yet gives in when she suggests he allow her to assist with the renovation. After all, she knows more about the original design of the house than anyone.
As the attraction consummates into a passionate relationship, Grant ignores the little idiosyncrasies about Delia. She talks to statues. She answers them. She moves them around when he’s not present. Is he going crazy? Or is she? And what’s with her cousin, Cecily? The woman is all over him but there’s a coldness in her that feels repulsive.
The police investigation into arson points fingers to a drifter Cecily hired, forcing her to go on the defensive. The results are a long tangle of dried up body parts as she craftily eliminates her opposition. She’s also irritated that hunky Grant seems to prefer mousey Delia over her. She’s not above taking out the strange little creature if she has to, but when she inadvertently learns Delia can wield power to inanimate objects, Cecily is more than intrigued. She realizes taking Delia’s energy will empower her far beyond anything she’s experienced.
The story culminates in a final showdown between Grant, Delia and Cecily at the family mausoleum. Delia and Grant’s love and lives are tested beyond belief. They receive assistance in the nick of time but neither can believe what one loving soul sacrifices to keep them safe.
STONE KISSED was a good read. It started off a little slow with some confusing scenes. They make sense later on if you can hang in there through the first 150 pages. I personally felt it could have been condensed into a shorter, tighter story but I understand the painstaking care with which the author built the paranormal environment. That care, however, made some pages move at a sluggish pace.
Keri Stevens has shown real promise with this title. I am curious to see what else she produces.
Stone Kissed
