Phantom Pleasures (Signet Eclipse) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Julie Leto (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A sexy page turner you won't want to miss!"
-New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter

Product Description
A hotel developer who wants to turn an abandoned island into an exclusive resort unwittingly unleashes a phantom cursed centuries ago-a spectral man who turns her secret desires into reality...

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Signet (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451223659
• ISBN-13: 978-0451223654
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #408,596 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Feelings, April 11, 2008

By	Cherise Everhard (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

3.5 Stars

Business heiress and hotel developer, Alexa Chandler, inherits an island in Florida from her deceased father. On this Island is a castle that was moved there years before from Europe. The island and the castle conjure images from Alexa's youth where she used to fantasize about castles and prince charming. Ignoring the rumors about the haunted island and the castle that won't allow in visitors she sets off to see her new prize. She has her heart set on making this a luxurious getaway.

When she gets to the castle a portrait of a man calls to her, she can hear a whisper beckoning her and as she is captivated by the man in the portrait, she touches it and inadvertently releases the "phantom." Damon Forsyth has been trapped in that painting and in that castle for centuries, when he is released from the portrait he is taken in by the red haired beauty who released him.

OK, I have very mixed feelings about this story. The part that really lowered the rating for me was the main couple; they just didn't have any chemistry for me. A minute after meeting, after setting this Phantom free, Alexa has sex with him. I just couldn't buy it. I realize this is fantasy and believe me I have no problems imagining the impossible. But it seemed to me that even in the land of make-believe a woman would have to digest and accept the phantom factor for say maybe 5 or 10 minutes before jumping said phantoms' bones. It was like men pop out of paintings everyday around her, no big deal.

Then the Phantom/Damon was pretty much a big time jerk. He ran hot to cold in seconds and she just kept coming back for more. I would have left his sorry bum in the castle and found my self another oil based boyfriend! ;) It's hard to get involved in a story when you don't care about the two main characters. Luckily the secondary characters of Cat and Ben had plenty of sizzle, they really made this story. They had all the chemistry and likeability the main couple lacked.

The actual storyline itself is fanciful and well told. Julie Leto created a tale about Gypsies and magic, curses and love, lost brothers and missing civilizations. I loved the story, how Damon got in the painting, the conclusion and I am looking forward to the next book, Phantom's Touch, in December. All in all a good story that could have used a little more time developing the main love story.

Cherise Everhard, April 2008

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good read...but supporting charaters better than the leads, April 12, 2008

By	R. Hoover - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have to agree with the other reviewers, Cat and Ben were the much better couple and I would have loved to have seen the whole book revolve around the two of them. I never felt a connection or spark between the main hero and heroine, Alexa and Damon. They fell flat for me, I only started to enjoy the story when Cat, Ben, and Paschal came into the story. I even found myself skip the pages where Alexa and Damon were featured to read on about the secondary players. I'll read the next one just to catch up with Cat and Ben again!!!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Phantom Pleasures-Julie Leto, April 7, 2008

By	jjmachshev "jj" (Grovetown, GA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Really 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed the story in the book and the sex and characters were very hot!! However, there were many things left unsaid. I always seemed to feel as if I were missing vital information or motivation for many of the characters.

Alexa has inherited a haunted castle! As the head of the Crown Chandler hotels, she plans to turn this castle off the coast of Florida into a premiere location, complete with its own ghost.

Damon was cursed centuries ago and trapped inside a painting by a powerful magic-user. He just wants out so he can find his family and seek revenge...and he'll do anything or anyone to achieve those goals.

Sex as a cure to black magic. Intersting premise, but not done as well as I'd hoped...at least not for me.