Cassandra by Starlight (by Susan Mac Nicol)

Amazon - B&N

Cassandra by Starlight rating:  3.5 out of 5 stars

Release Date:  August 13, 2012

How are the sex scenes? 

Steamy, delicious.

How are the story lines? 

Enjoyed the beginning - even the suspense part is great, 

yet the ending is rushed and several loose ends are not properly addressed. 

Would you read it again? 

On the fence...If there is a sequel, I will. 

Back of the Book

A London woman is swept off her feet into the glamorous yet surprisingly dangerous world of an up-and-coming star of stage and screen.

To Catch a Rising Star

Unconventional though she may be, Cassandra Wallace leads the life of an average Londoner, from blind dates to rush hour traffic. Then, along comes Bennett Saville. Charming, erudite, the up-and-coming actor is like the hero of a romantic movie. He sets Cassie afire like he has the stage and screen, and defies the tragedy that brought them together. From the tips of his Armani loafers to their scorching hot first kiss, he’s perfect. Only, he’s ten years younger and from the upper class, and those emerald eyes invite dangerous secrets. The world is full of hungry leading ladies, and every show must have its villain. Yet a true romance will always find its happy ending.

Review

Cassandra by Starlight is a contemporary romance set in London.

The day that Eric Saville literally jumped on the car of Cassie Wallace is the day her life is changed. The accident brings Bennett Saville, the jumper’s brother, into her life. He is an actor, handsome, rich by anyone’s standards AND younger than her by 10 years. They have no illusions where their relationship will lead them. They certainly didn’t plan to fall in love, but they did…hard. The age difference is tastefully handled by the author. It isn’t awkward; it isn’t dirty. I didn’t cringe imagining them getting at it. 

If we can nominate a family for being dysfunctional, the Savilles are a perfect candidate; a dominate and controlling kind of a father, a psycho-schizophrenic of a mother and a loser of a brother who wasted his inheritance to drugs, women and bad habits. Oh, how Cassie suffers in their hands! All of them had a piece of her in their own sick and selfish ways. I deeply admire Cassie for not bailing out on Bennett. It is her love that kept her from running the other way. 

I like the suspense/thriller part and the build-up (like the hang-up phone calls). I couldn’t wait to get to know who is bothering her, who wants to hurt her. It is a wonderful culmination of events when it is revealed! 

Then the couple has Bennett’s stalker to contend with. It is while this part is unraveling that the story went south for me. The stalker is supposed to be a sadistic pro. She has gone through so much trouble abducting Bennett but she later lets him go so she can have him at her beck and call. This action renders the story unbelievable. 

Other issues I have are: 1. The bone embedded in Cassie’s head, 2. There’s no follow-up on the nephew, 3. Ian’s true feelings to Gabby, and 4. What does the “by Starlight” in the title mean? If there is any subliminal message, I totally missed it. 

Cassandra by Starlight has an attention-grabbing choice of supporting, quirky, lovable characters and they back the story well. It is a one delicious romp a-la Cinderella kind of love story with a touch of suspense, well-paced and tasteful.


Learn more about Susan Mac Nicol and her upcoming titles on her website, Facebook and Twitter.

This review provided by:

Published by Boroughs Publishing Group

Disclaimer:  No compensation was received for this review.  

ARC provided by author.