Her store had been robbed by an armed intruder a few days earlier and she is thus paranoid about locking and securing the bookstore at night. It's on the ground floor and she lives above it. The least little noise or strange breeze raises her hackles. She fills her newly acquired lamp with oil and lights it to help ease her jangled nerves.

When a flame erupts from the lamp and stands in the middle of the room untethered, Judy is about to come unglued. The Zmeu that appears before her is ready to give a whole new meaning to the magic carpet ride that he is about to take her on. No "three wishes and I'm out of here," Genie, but an interesting character that shows Carter's vivid imagination at work. Judy's independent, freedom-loving nature soon turns to a desire to be protected and embraced as the man she named Zarek forms before her.

New Flame is a book about fire. Fire as passion. Fire as protection. Fire as transportation from one realm to another. It is a hot read with a humorous kick that takes a shot at our preconceived notions of what is and is not. I would highly recommend this delightful read to anyone who enjoys a good erotic romance with well drawn characters and a plot that sizzles.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Explicit

Reviewer: Billie A. Williams
August 22, 2003