Leap of Fate receives 5 angels from Elizabeth of FAR! She said,
"Leap Of Fate is a wonderful, quick read that will catch you up in the story from page one and won’t release you until you finish the tale a little while later. Ms. Pearce has done an excellent job of crossing two planes, making the possibility of a limbo world seem entirely believable, if somewhat unnerving if one were to think about it in-depth. These two characters are charming, very well developed for a novella and a great complement to each other. Their love for one another ties the story together; were it not so strong, there would be gaping holes in the plot. Speaking of which, the plot is solid, smooth flowing and very enjoyable. There is plenty of sex, not just thrown in but woven in as a marvelous and integral part of the tale. There is some anal sex and play in addition to your vanilla, with a mild tint of subservience, but it’s nothing that would bother you, I assure you. Leap of Fate is an excellent short tale, a must read for anyone who has ever loved and lost, or for anyone who believes in fate emerging triumphant. Bravo, Ms. Pearce!"
Click here to read the full review: http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2007/August/Elizabeth-LeapOfFate.htm
Leap of Fate receives 4 roses from Nicole of My Book Cravings! She said,
"Wow, the only thing wrong with this book was it was not longer. If you want a do good story, that is full of sweet love and hot connection's then this is the perfect book for you. I look forward to reading more by this author. "
Click here to read the full review: http://www.freewebs.com/nicoleharvey/paranormalscifireviews.htm
Mahaira Fatima of Just Erotic Romance reviews (JERR) gave Leap of Fate a rating of 4/5 Stars and a Heat Level of "H." In part, she said,
"Ms. Pearce shows plenty of talent in her debut novel as she pens an engaging paranormal story that hooks the reader through and through. Leap of Fate has everything a romance is supposed to have - believable characters, a wonderful page-turning plot, and a love that defies the odds. It effectively sends across the message that sometimes we just need to cling to hope, faith, and love and a higher being will work out the rest for us. Believe me, you can’t guess the outcome with this great quick read. Grab a copy and it will teach you the value of love."
The entire review should be linkable soon. In the meantime, the JERR reviews website can be located at: http://www.justeroticromancereviews.com/features/bookreviews/index.asp
Holly Tibbs of Romance Reviews Today (RRT) Erotic gave Leap of Fate a rating of "Multiple O's" and said,
"I’ll admit that within the first couple of pages of LEAP OF FATE I knew what was coming, but Antonia Pearce does it with such finesse, that it kept me turning each page to see what happens. The story is short, but long on fiery passion as the chemistry between Merryn and Luke sizzles. Head on over to Cobblestone and pick up this gem of a tale."
Click here to read the full review! http://www.rrterotic.com/2007%20Reviews/Nibbles/cobblestone_press_2007.htm
Leap of Fate receives 5 hearts and an explicit rating from from The Romance Studio!
Dee Daily, Reviewer from The Romance Studio, says in part, "Sometimes an author’s choice of words can imbue a story with just that extra touch of magic that makes us wish it were true. These characters are so well done that I really think this writer has put that smidgen of fairy dust into this story that makes it just that much better than other."
Click here to read the full review: http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/leapoffatepearce.htm
Merryn Porter never saw the blow coming—she was too busy shoving the bride and groom out of the way.
She could have cleared the falling pine tree, too, if she hadn’t tangled herself up in the long skirts of her hideous bridesmaid’s dress. Risking herself to save her dear old friends Serena and Dave on the happiest day of their lives was nothing compared to the sacrifice of being seen in public in that dress.
The pain, when it came, was crushing. Oh, and the churning, mouth-watering nausea… Ugh. As soon as she opened her eyes, she was going to toss her cookies for sure.
The snow should have numbed some of the agony, but no. The icy wetness just soaked her dress and produced a nice case of frostbite to go along with the fractured skull. As her teeth chattered, she thought with longing of nice, dry ski clothes and an Antarctic parka. Maybe a hot toddy and an even hotter ski instructor to go along with it.
She had no intention of ever opening her eyes and dealing with the situation, but the insistent, seductive voice from her past changed her mind.
“Merryn, get up. We’ve got to get going. We can’t stay here.”
She knew that sexy baritone. She’d heard it often in her dreams, whispering hot, naughty things that could make her go from zero to wet in one point two seconds. There was a reason she should not be hearing it now, but her head hurt so much she couldn’t summon the answer.
“My head hurts. I’m sick. I don’t want to go anywhere except to a hospital.”
“Merryn, open your eyes. Focus. We can’t stay here.” In her dreams, the voice had been a teensy bit more polite.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she cracked open an eye. “Luke!” Joy suffused her, almost distracting her from the pain. “Where have you been?” It had been so long since she’d seen Serena’s older brother. She couldn’t remember why she hadn’t seen him, but who cared?
“Yes, Merry. It’s me.” He ground out each word for emphasis. “We’ve got to leave. Now.” She didn’t particularly care for his tone. Luke at his autocratic best—some things never changed. He grasped her upper arm in a vise-like grip and hauled her up off the ground.
“Wait a minute, I’m hurt here. What do you think you’re doing? You’re going to make a scene, too.” Oblivious to her own dramatic effect, she gestured animatedly, surprised to discover she still clutched her bridesmaid’s bouquet in her hand.
“Trust me. That’s the least of our worries.”
She tried to turn back to see what Serena and Dave were making of Luke’s unexpected appearance. Strange that no one was talking—in fact, there was no noise at all.
“No! Don’t look at them.” His tone was frantic. Luke never sounded anything but calm, cool and collected. He frog-marched her forward—almost at a run, refusing to let her even look back over her shoulder. Unable to hang on to the pretty little nosegay of lilies and roses, she tossed it to the ground with regret.
“What is your problem? You’re acting like a crazy man. Can’t you tell how badly I’m injured here?”
“I think I have a pretty good idea, but that’s beside the point. We have to get to my house. We’re running out of time.”
“I think I’m going to throw up. I can’t run in this condition.”
“You only think you’re going to throw up,” he spat in irritation.
She looked at him as he pulled her along. Handsome as ever in a dark suit and crisp white shirt, grimness replaced his customary jaunty, devil-may-care persona.
She rolled her eyes at his misguided assessment and regretted it at once, the movement triggering a wave of vertigo. “Whatever. I’m a registered nurse. I know these things. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
He came to a sudden halt, steadying her when she nearly tottered forward. “Look at me.”
“What?”
“I said, look…at…me. Am I speaking Greek all of a sudden?”
“There’s no need to be snippy. It’s just a little difficult to understand you when you talk with your jaw clenched like that.” Wow, those deep blue eyes hadn’t changed a bit. She still wanted to drown in them. And that thick, wavy chestnut hair. And that body…Too bad about the unpleasant personality, but one couldn’t expect a guy to be perfect.
“We’re here.”
She tore her gaze away from his and turned to see that they stood on the front porch of his sprawling red brick hilltop home. He’d moved into it right before she and Serena left for college, and she’d only been there twice; once for a birthday party for Serena—the other time didn’t bear thinking about. Lingering hurt constricted her chest like a steel band.
Perplexed, she skewered him with her best I-know-you’re-hiding-something look. “Wait a minute. Your house is across town from the country club where we had the wedding. How’d we get here?” Maybe she did have a fractured skull—or at least a concussion—to be this out of it.
“We ran, remember? You complained every step of the way.” He opened the enormous glass-paneled front door and pulled her inside, shutting it after them.
“You know, you really should keep your doors locked. It’s just not safe.”
He rolled his eyes this time. “That’s not something I’ve worried too much about lately.” Shedding his suit jacket and tossing it over the back of the couch, he took her hand and led the way through the living room, towing her into the master suite.
At first, the sight of his taut butt flexing ahead of her was so distracting she didn’t realize where she was. Then it hit her. Oh, great. The scene of the crime. If he wasn’t going to mention that humiliating episode, then neither was she.
Freezing cold, massive headache and hot butts notwithstanding, there was something wrong with this whole situation. Somewhere inside she felt she knew what it was but, every time she tried to concentrate, the thoughts just slipped further away. Along with the bittersweet trace of heartbreak. Of tragedy.
Whatever it was, he knew. She knew he did. “Luke, you can’t run from one side of town to the other. Especially not in ten minutes. How…did…we…get…here?”
In typical Luke fashion, he focused on his goal and ignored everything else. “Look, you’re soaking wet and freezing. Let’s get you comfortable, and then we’ll talk.”
“Still bossy, I see. Still have to have everything your way.”
He just smiled, complacency evident in the curve of his full, sensuous lips. “Come on.” He pulled her unresisting and shivering into the master bath.
When he reached up to unzip her gown, she slapped his hand. “I can do that myself, thank you.”
“Grrr. I’m just trying to help you.”
“Excuse me. Did you just growl at me?”
“You have always been the most frustrating woman I’ve ever met.”
“The feeling’s mutual, pal. Well, the frustrating part, not the woman part. No one would confuse you with a woman.” She eyed his tall, rangy form with appreciation, suppressing a love-struck sigh. He still got to her, even after all these years with no word from him. No need to further inflate a bloated ego, though. “I have no intention of allowing you to undress me.”
“That’s not what you said the last time we met.” The words slid over her like warm syrup, thick with meaning.
Shit. He’d brought “it” up. He hadn’t sounded as arrogant as she might have expected. Was that a fondly reminiscent smile now on those handsome features? Or just her imagination running rampant. Again.
She struggled with the wet zipper. “You are no gentleman to mention a trifling incident that occurred when I was a foolish child of eighteen. You put me in my place back then. I realized the error of my ways, and I don’t want to think about it ever again.” Defeated, she presented her back to him so he could undo the clingy, wet dress.
Obliging, he unzipped her. He took the opportunity to run his fingertips lightly down her exposed back, and she started as though he’d zapped her with electricity. “Hey!” She jerked away.
He laughed softly. “So, are you trying to tell me that you consider sneaking into my house, taking off all your clothes, and crawling into my bed to wait for me and seduce me a ‘trifling incident’?”
“You are not a nice man,” she said on a huff, pulling away from him.
“No, I was too nice when I should have followed my heart.” Emotion vibrated in his tone, charging the very air around them. He reached into the glass-enclosed shower and turned the water on. The expression on his face when he turned back to her was dead serious. Regretful.
The bottom dropped out of stomach. “What are you talking about?” No stammering, but she couldn’t keep the subtle quaver out of her voice, couldn’t quite stifle the irrational hope leaping in her. Delicious steam seeped into the room from the shower, and warmth flooded her body from the suggestive images flashing in her head like an x-rated slideshow she was powerless to stop.
“You know what I’m talking about, Merryn.” He reached over and ran his palm down her bare arm. “I made a mistake that night when I sent you away. I thought I was being noble, but it was the worst decision I ever made in my entire life. My intentions were good, but I hurt you and it just…wasn’t what I wanted—to send you away. I wasn’t meant to do that…or rather, what I’m trying to say is that we were meant to be together.”