Phantoms & Fantasies [Kindle Edition]

Annie Rayburn (Author)

Book Description

After a devastating trauma, Zeenie attended a college mixer and experienced powerful Crainesian pheromones between herself and Turk. Unprepared for the life-mate call, she
panicked and fled. Turk has waited and yearned for Zeenie for years while staying dialed in to her recovery. Finally, rumor says she's ready to date again, and he's determined to make her short list, even if it means resorting to a little trickery. 

Zeenie's plan is to ease back into the world of dating, not dive in heart first. Especially not
with the hunk who's supposedly bedded half the women in Dallas since she rejected him. On a blind date, he surprises her with patience and maturity when she fights against their pheromone bond, then shows tenderness and consideration when phantoms of her past arise.

As she learns more about Turk, Zeenie entertains heated fantasies of what could be and makes tentative forays into his sensual world. But her initial rejection broke with Crainesian custom and continues to cast a dark shadow on their future. Can she embrace her sexuality and summon enough courage to claim her man in true Crainesian style, or will their growing love be tainted forever?
            
An erotic romance novella. Approximately 25,000 words or 76 pages.


Warning: Explicit language, building sexual tension and hot love scenes will steam up your Kindle!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An intriguing, erotic story full of romance and an emotionally satisfying ending." -Morag McKendrick Pippin, author of Blood Moon Over Bengal

"Phantoms and Fantasies is a magical story of love, passion, and healing that will have readers hanging on to every word." - Tammy, Fallen Angels Reviews. 5 Angels, Recommended Read
"Annie Rayburn has penned a wonderful book and interesting characters, which will have readers looking for more of her books." -Angel Brewer, Romance Junkies. 4
Ribbons

From the Author

I loved writing Zeenie and Turk's story, which came to me in a dream. In Phantoms & Fantasies,  Zeenie doesn't let the pain of her past control her. She takes charge of her life like the strong Crainesian woman she is. This book has a special place in my heart. I hope you'll give their steamy love story a try!

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 252 KB
• Print Length: 89 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Annie Rayburn; 2nd edition (May 26, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0052Z8LAE
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,421 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and sensual! June 21, 2011

By n22v

Format:Kindle Edition

I love Annie Rayburn's stories and this one definitely delivers on the sensuality and emotion. I truly felt for Zeenie because of the trauma she'd suffered in the past. Turk is the perfect hero. He's patient and understanding. And he's loved Zeenie, his life mate, for years even though he couldn't be near her. The sexual tension explodes off the page and so do the intense emotions! I loved this story and I can't wait to read this author's next story, Bittersweet Obsessions.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Crainesians-- Like Your Heroines Strong & Your Heroes Brawny, Yet Vulnerable? June 5, 2011

By P. Mason

Format:Kindle Edition

Annie Rayburn is building a new world with her Crainesian species, and ALL women will want to be Crainesian once they discover this author on the rise.
Zee was raped years earlier on aHalloween night, and the brutal memory has not yet healed. Turk, also Crainesian, has loved her for as long as he's known she was his destined lifemate, but only from the distance Zee imposes. Something he is not used to or happy about.
Unable to trust any man's interest in her,much less that of Turk's reputation, Zee not only learns self defense, she imprisons herself in a fortress designed to keep herself safe from Turk's advances. But Turk cannot wait any longer-- he has to find out for himself if she can ever accept his love, or be doomed to live from one meaningless sexual encounter to another.
Turning Crainesian custom on its head, Turk makes the first move and pursues Zee-- in her dreams. When she realizes his motives are for a lifetime commitment and not another conquest, she learns to let down her defenses and trust him. But this is not the way their race normally handles the mating ritual. Has Zee damaged her chance at love with Turk by humiliating him in front of their people?
Ms.Rayburn writes wonderful sexual tension and steamy love scenes between her characters.She doesn't hold back, and her heroines are the ones in control.It's a refreshing change from the brooding man always in control.
There is so much more to be revealed in this world that she is building bit by bit. Insight was just a short glimpse, and Phantoms is a good introduction into the Crainesian customs and philosophies. And rugged heroes with military brushcuts are always welcome in my Kindle.
I'm diving into Bittersweet Obsessions next to see where Ms.Rayburn takes her readers with the Crainesians.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read August 21, 2011

By Aunt Thelma

Format:Kindle Edition

Phantoms and Fantasies is a well crafted tale that grabs your attention on the first page.
It reads smoothly and keeps your attention throughout.
It has a good story line; He (Turk) believes he has found his life mate and is waiting for her.
While she (Zeenie) has been emotionally shut down after a violent tragic incident in her life.
Friends Di and Coop act as any well meaning interfering friends would.

There is one small complicating factor. These people are crainesians, a humanoid species from some other planet not specified in this book.
The peculiarities of Crainesian courtship are given in just enough detail, and just in time to explain certain customs and rituals as they occur, almost in an off-hand manner.
Perhaps a full description is written out in a prior book, but this facet of the story is very underdeveloped if you are reading this book as a stand-alone; in fact, details are so glaringly spare that it is quite noticeable and distracting.

It is a good read, (absent details notwithstanding), and I would recommend that you add Phantoms and Fantasies to your reading list.

More About the Author

"Sizzling romance that tugs at your heart!"

Annie Rayburn is the pen name for Carol Burnside's speculative fiction and more erotic works. Traditionally published in short stories, Carol's novel length manuscripts have placed in numerous contests and won five, including the prestigious Maggie Award for Excellence. Writing as Annie Rayburn, she produces sizzling romance with sci-fi and paranormal elements.

Imagine our world today with a humanoid race very much like us (Crainesians) living peacefully among us here on Earth and searching for their life-mate. They have the ability to communicate telepathically, can project visions and share dreams. Can you imagine? Not just phone sex, but dream sex? That's why they're also labeled soft sci-fi and lite paranormal. Talk about cross-genre sizzle! Enjoy excerpts, review snippits, and more about Rayburn's sexy Crainesian characters on her website and blog at www.AnnieRayburn.com.