Illusive Flame (Arabesque) [Mass Market Paperback]

Dara Girard (Author)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Kimani Press (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583146296
• ISBN-13: 978-1583146293
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,930,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dara Girard is an award-winning author of novels that feature strong heroines, family dramas and romance. Her writing has been praised for its deft plot twists, witty dialogue and humor. Dara was born in the American Midwest to immigrant parents who moved around the country, before settling in Maryland. Dara's love of writing was evident at a very early age ' and supported by her close-knit family. After earning her undergraduate degree in communications, Dara held a variety of jobs and did some freelance writing. She was forced out of the corporate world when her last job was made redundant and that's when she decided to write full-time. Luckily this risk paid off and she received a two-book contract that same year. In July 2008, Power Play, was released. This is the first in her miniseries The Black Stockings Society about four women, one club and a secret that will make their fantasies come true. Dara is also the author of an award-winning non-fiction book for writers, The Writer Behind the Words (Ilori Press, 2007).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Illusive Flame, March 8, 2006

By 

Black Butterfly Review (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illusive Flame (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

Victoria Spenser has a past and a psychic ability to detect fires that she's trying to leave behind. A native of Jamaica she is forced to move to America to the only relative who will claim her, Aunt Janet.

Aunt Janet works for Robert Braxton, an arson investigator with a painful past of his own. When Victoria goes to work for Robert as his maid she thinks she may have finally settled into a real life. But then the fires start and she goes to the police with her visions to offer help. Robert doesn't believe in psychics and is outraged that he is employing a woman who claims to be one.

Ms. Girard delivers a refreshing story with Illusive Flame. A wonderfully researched and executed suspense centering around an arsonist and the prejudice of people who don't understand true psychic abilities. At one point, the intense storyline had me checking my own smoke detectors.

The romance was very slow moving for me, seemingly forgotten sometimes as the desire to catch the arsonist took precedence. However, Victoria and Robert's relationship did develop into a believable joining at an extremely emotional time. I myself fell in love with Robert on page 247!

Kudos to Ms. Girard on a very entertaining read that I would definitely recommend!
Reviewed By: AC Arthur, Black Butterfly Review

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative, January 30, 2008

By 

Essence (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illusive Flame (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

The plot and the writing of this book was so good, you would want to keep on reading. I loved the dialogue between Victoria and Robert. They were very comical. Victoria has a mouth on her; she does not take mess from anybody. I was so intrigued by the first chapter that I knew this was going to be a good book. The mystery and the suspense added interesting twist to the book. If you want something new in a romance book, this is the book to get.

4.0 out of 5 stars A Different and intriguing love story, April 29, 2006

By 

Jermaine "AJJ" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Illusive Flame (Arabesque) (Mass Market Paperback)

This story was a refreshing story. A well written book with suspense about an arsonist and black on black prejudice.
The romance was developed rather slowly, but thinking about it some more, it was more believable that way.
I recommend that people read this book by Ms. Girard. Superbly written and entertaining.