Killer Charms [Mass Market Paperback]

Of the 3 Darling books I think I liked Killer Charms the best. But maybe it is because I had altered my expectations of a Stillings book. It would be very hard for her to top Damsel in This Dress or Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie. (I do miss those catchy and original titles) Logan and Andie took awhile for me to warm up to. But once the story took off, they were great. The paranormal sub-story seemed a bit out of place at times, and near the end I wondered how it would actually tie in with the main story. The suspense was great and the villain was a baddie. I was caught off guard by the surprise twist, which I liked. I really like that she brought the characters from the other 2 Darling books back and made them a real part of this book.

My main disappointment: Stillings' humor has gotten less with each successive book. Killer Charms had very little to speak of. Considering her 1st several books were filled with laugh out loud moments and scenes, I really miss that in her later books. Her 1st several books were original and had her unique talented voice. Killer Charms was more of a traditional, if you will, romantic suspense.

I'm still a fan.

KILLER CHARMS
MARIANNE STILLINGS
Contemporary Romance
Avon Romance

Rating: 4 Enchantments

In order to get out of Vice and into homicide where her grandfather, father and brothers had all made their names, SFPD Detective Andie Darling needs to get the dirt on supposed clairvoyant and con man Logan Sinclair. Yet there's something about the Scotchman that has her intrigued, more than she should be. But when she finds herself being blackmailed by a superior into manufacturing dirt on the handsome clairvoyant or risking not only her career but her older brother's as well, Andie suddenly finds herself in more turmoil than she ever imagined.

Logan Sinclair is a `famed' clairvoyant who rose to fame with several celebrated books. Now he's using his supposed gift to help line his pockets with jewels and cash, and he has his eyes on the `Star of Avril' necklace and the beautiful Drew Mochrie. But Logan is more than a conman, in truth, he turned off his true gift at age nineteen after an accident that killed his parents and he learned to block his abilities. But when he walks into the mansion Andie is renting, he's suddenly assaulted with voices, real voices from the other side that have a message for Andie. The woman she was dreaming about was quite real.

Featuring one of the best lines I've read lately, "I'm half American." "Which half?" KILLER CHARMS is a contemporary romance with a twist of paranormal and suspense that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat as the story picks up its pace. I liked Logan and Andie together and the banter between them. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Logan, deciding he needs to push Andie away, takes her out to dinner at a Scottish restaurant, and orders her traditional food, without telling her what is until she`s ready to eat. My only fault with the book was around the midway mark when the murder occurs and suddenly a new character's point of view is introduced, that threw me out of the story a bit.

By day, Marianne works as a senior tech writer for a major Northwest aircraft manufacturing company, but at night, she creates romantic suspense with a humorous edge. Marianne lives in the Northwest with her husband and family, continues to believe in happy endings and intends to keep writing them as long as she has breath in her body, and her fingers don't cramp up. You can visit Marianne online at http://mariannestillings.com

Lisa
Enchanting Reviews
November 2008

SFPD vice inspector Andie Darling is very ambitious and her goal is to leave Vice for Homicide as soon as possible. She sees a great opportunity to prove her worthiness to brass when she is assigned to go undercover to catch psychic con artist Logan Sinclair cheat someone.

Logan finds Andie unique as she acts immune to his magnetism. However his failure does not alarm Logan who has not lost sight of his goal; starting with obtaining the Star of Avril necklace. Andie suffers from vivid nightmares starring a woman she has never met. Logan informs his skeptical client that the woman Emma Harte exists. However, a killer has plans that could include murdering Andie; Logan will risk his life to keep her safe.

The third delightful Darling thriller will give readers plenty of SATISFACTION starting with Logan AROUSING SUSPICIONS in the mind and heart of the only female Darling sibling. The fast-paced romantic suspense uses humor especially between the lead couple to somewhat lighten the growing tension. Filled with twists, some involving a bit of the paranormal, fans will relish this "Darling" drama as the heroine wonders if her self- proclaimed protector is her beloved enemy.

Harriet Klausner