Book Review: The Presence

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Presence     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Heather Graham
Class/Genre:   Romance
Mira, Sep 2004, $6.99, 384 pp.

Toni MacNally and her five friends (David, Kevin, Ryan, Gina, and Thayer) convert a dilapidated Scottish Castle into a tourist attraction using reenactments of stories of love and lore. As Toni and the others perform for a crowd of visitors, a big hunk in kilt shouts for the leader of this charade to face him. Laird Bruce MacNiall apparently has arrived.

Bruce informs the sextet that his castle was not for leasing and they were conned, but allows them to at least recoup their costs by continuing their performance for now. An ex-cop Bruce investigates a series of murders in which the culprit dumps the corpses on his land. Toni has weird dreams in which she sees through the eyes of the serial killer, but also feels a strange connection to Bruce. As she falls in love with the Laird of the castle, Toni wonders if he is the killer. Bruce shares her feelings of love and wants to keep Toni safe even at the risk of his life.

This is an exciting paranormal romantic suspense romance that stars two wonderful lead characters and several fine support players especially the troupe members. Readers will agree with Toni and Gina questioning why Bruce suddenly appears after their show begins to draw crowds (his travel excuse with modern communication seems lame). Still fans will enjoy this tense thriller as Toni struggles between visions that make her fear Bruce and a love for him that makes her fear herself. Heather Graham once again shows why she is a strong presence within the genre.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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