Shadows at Sunset

What can I say? This book is awesome! I really like the way Anne Stuart plots her stories and of course, not to mention her writing style is superb! I have read most of her recent releases, and am looking up her past releases as well. Although I did manage to find a few, sadly her very much earlier ones are really hard to find! I'm hoping her publishers will consider to re-issue those books. Anyway, quit my ramblings and back to the review.

La Casa de Sombras was once a beautiful mansion occupied by the Hollywood movie's elite in the fifties. During that time, there was an uproar of a murder-suicide case. Everyone speculated that movie star, Brenda de Lorillard had killed her director lover Ted Hughes before she took the gun on herself. Although the incident had died down through the years, but the ghosts of Lorillard and Huges still roam about in that mansion.

The heroine, Jilly Meyer, with her two siblings, Rachel-Ann and Dean inherited this mansion from their grandmother. Jackson, their father wants the house to be demolished but couldn't do anything because Jilly wouldn't allow it. A millionaire, Jackson is known to be ruthless and couldn't give a damn about his children except Rachel-Ann, who is his favourite amongst the siblings.

Then enters the hero, Coltrane who works as a right hand man to Jackson. Jackson trusted him and wants him to keep an eye on his children and have them off his back while he deals illegal stuff for his businesses. But Coltrane has other agenda on mind, for he is out to destroy Jackson as he knows Jackson was the murderer who had killed his mother back when they were having an affair at the old mansion. His original plan is to use Rachel-Ann to get back at Jackson, because he knows Jackson cares Rachel-Ann more than her other siblings, but after he meets Jilly, he changes his mind as he finds her attractive and different; moreover he loves a challenge. Later, what seems like an easy plan becomes a tricky situation to him, as he soon finds himself deeply engrossed with the Meyer's family relationships and getting too personal with it.

I am really drawn to this intriguing romance suspense and besides the taut plotting, I also enjoyed reading the two spirits' POVs in the story. Although it was weird reading them at first, but I quickly understand Anne's purpose of doing so and that it makes sense and goes well with the whole story. This is one of Anne Stuart's fine classics in my opinion; and after reading it really makes me want to find her other older releases.

Note: Julia, it is always fun to read Anne Stuart's books with you. Looking forward for more!