Carpathian Intrigue
John SimpsonParanormal erotic romance
Available from Dreamspinner Press
ISBN: 978-1-935192-33-6
November 2008
| Granted rare permission to study at the Bran Castle library, Christopher, a young scholar, wastes no time traveling the mountains of Romania. Expecting to meet an elderly recluse, he's surprised when greeted by a healthy and spirited, Count Michael, who not only welcomes him, but also turns on the charm. After discovering tortuous underground chambers and revealing the Count's past recorded in two hundred year-old scrolls, Christopher's wary of Michael's forthrightness to bed him, but finds the Count too pleasing to resist.
I admit I had certain expectations when I chose to read this paranormal erotic romance by John Simpson, an author who has written crime novels full of intrigue and drama. I enjoyed the depictions of ascending the Transylvanian mountainside, the dated, yet pristine castle, the dungeon chambers, and although a bit clipped, the erotic content wasn't disappointing. I loved the library scenes with unraveling and reading the ancient scrolls, and found myself engrossed with the love unfolding between Christopher and Michael, but the author's attempt at historical diction was both distracting and unflattering. While I feel Mr. Simpson writes contemporary suspense with much greater appeal, the setting and characters in Carpathian Intrigue held my interest.
Overall rating:
Reviewer: Bryl Tyne |
