Still Life (Wildside Romance) [Mass Market Paperback]

Melanie Jackson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In an alluringly intricate alternate contemporary world with PDAs, cell phones, and helicopters, humans, lutins descended from insects, and remnants of the decimated faerie population are all engaged in a mysterious war rife with intrigue. Nyssa has curious holes in her memory as well as the ability to leave her body and travel back in time, but ghosts plague her. When the aloof executioner Abrial is directed to bring Nyssa to Cadalach, he jumps at the chance but soon finds himself falling in love, and the couple faces a journey fraught with danger. The FBI, HUG, goblins, ghosts, and a hobgoblin are all on their trail, not only in this world but also in the dreamlands. Swashbuckling action and daring escapes abound in this curious combination of dark fantasy and romance leavened with quirky humor. Readers of Laurel K. Hamilton will enjoy this complex tale, as will those who have read the other four books in Jackson's Wildside Romance series. Diana Tixier Herald
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 327 pages
• Publisher: Love Spell (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0505526085
• ISBN-13: 978-0505526083
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #246,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melanie Jackson is the award-winning author of more than fifty novels, novellas and poems published in various languages. She lives with her writer husband, her bossy cat and spoiled dog in the Sierra foothills where it is almost impossible to grow pumpkins (or anything else the deer like). Besides gardening, she is involved with animal charities.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful romantic fantasy, July 28, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still Life (Wildside Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ghostalker and dreamwalker Nyssa searches for information to fill the vast gaps of what she knows about her past. Nyssa is almost obsessed with finding out who she is and what her connection to hobgoblin Qasim is.

Cop Jack Frost becomes concerned with Nyssa's probe reaching the attention of those who would use and abuse her or others who will kill her. To keep her safe from the FBI and goblin goons, he dispatches the entity Abrial, but initially she refuses his help. That changes as the Feds and the goblins begin to give chase. Travelers on the run with no hope of dispatching a courier to Jack, the two outsiders Nyssa and Abrial fall in love. However, their relationship means new groups who would not want a merger between a ghostalking dreamwalker and a night entity for fear of what the next generation will bring.

The latest walk on the "Wildside" is a wonderful romantic fantasy that adds new elements that brilliantly fit and enhance the existing Jackson mythos. The action-packed story line is filled with mythological creatures, who along side of government agencies make Wildside seem real. However, the crucial component that invigorates STILL LIFE is the love subplot between two souls who know they should not, but could not prevent their feelings from showing even with danger mounting from seemingly everywhere.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another winner!, August 9, 2004

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Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Still Life (Wildside Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

Nyssa has few memories; dreams are the majority of her reality. Amnesia has hidden her importance in the struggle between humans and goblins, but when she begins to know that she has information critical to the war, she places herself in danger. To keep her safe, Jack Frost, the death fey/boss on the side of light dispatches Abrial, a dreamwalker of the Unseelie court. Her dreams made Abrial love her, but he believed that to be a doomed love. Even if she could defy his moira and love him, inside her is a dark secret that her own father would kill her to take.

**** With unerring surety, another Wildside romance enchants readers, daring them to love. The pace remains tense and fast through the climatic finale. Ms. Jackson deftly balances the elements of romance, magic, and adventure to complement each other. Sadly, we will have somewhat of a wait until she escorts us to through this dangerous world again. Whatever comes next, it will be good. ****

Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little disappointed but very little, August 5, 2004

By 

Elaine C McTyer "avid reader" (Dawson, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Still Life (Wildside Romance) (Mass Market Paperback)

I love the Wildside books. This is the fourth one. I hope there will be many more.

While the characters are good, the romance leaves alittle to be desired. Abrial is a wonderful character, he is the Unseelie Queen's Executioner. As Mabigon is dead, he is free of her.

Nyssa really doesn't know who she is. But she has some bad suspicions. She is hunting for her lost memories. This leads her into the past. IT also brings her to the attention of Abrial and Jack Frost.

Yes! All of our former friends are in this book. I loved catching up with all of them.

Jack sends Abrial to get Nyssa and bring her to Cadalach. They have to fight goblins (including Lilith), the government, HUG, and the hobgoblin (Qasim). The chase is on.

Very fast paced, with a great plot. But I felt there was not enough emphasis on the romance. Yes the guy gets the girl, but it was way too easy for them to fall in love.

Abrial has had to live without many emotions to protect himself from the stress or memories of the many kills he made for the Dark queen (Mabigon). Nyssa had so many questions in her life she didn't let herself get involved with anyone.

There seemed to be a great deal of room for both to be more shaken by the emotions they feel for each other. Anyway I would have liked to have understood more.

All in all, I never miss one of the Wildside Romances. Neither should you.I enjoyed the book and sat up late to finish it.