Love Spell/Perfect Heroes (Paperback),
ISBN: 0-505-52393-0
A hero? Yes, Vad fits the job description and then some. 

Virtually perfect? By definition virtually means "nearly" or "almost." The female gamers that flock to Gwen Marlowe's boardwalk game store, Virtual Heaven, would hotly dispute the "almost" when applied to the perfection of the Tolemac warrior poster advertising the virtual reality game Tolemac Wars II. Vad, when he tumbles into the store's virtual reality booth from some otherwhere or otherwhen, personifies the poster -- although he exudes an odor unknown to posters, shivers with cold, and sports a few bruises. Gwen hustles him out of the store before the gamers can spot him and start asking questions. She takes him to her apartment -- which makes for some truly interesting situations, unusual complications, and a smile or three. 

The sequel to Lawrence's debut novel, Virtual Heaven, Virtual Desire details the romance between Gwen and Vad, secondary characters in the first book, with verve, surprises, action, incredible plot twists and superb characterization -- not to mention lots of sizzle as the romance heats up.  

From the opening sentence, "She appeared in a glittering column of snow," to the end (no, I'm not giving away a great ending), the incredible action grabs the reader, throws her over its broad shoulders and carries her off into a virtual world of heroes, battles, betrayal, danger, and intrigue.  

A stand-alone fantasy time-travel (into and out of a virtual reality game), Virtual Desire weaves its own spell, answers its own questions, and never relies on the preceding work for explanations or background material. A skillful writer, Lawrence makes it unnecessary to read the first book to understand this one. However, I would recommend you read Virtual Heaven also, not because you have to but because it is a great read in its own right. If perfect heroes whet your desires, then grab Virtual Desire and enjoy. 

Patricia White

Patricia White is the Sapphire Award-winning author of A Wizard Scorned. Her recent contemporary PS, I've Taken a Lover, is available from Lionhearted Books.  The Wandering Troll , an electronic magazine, began serializing her novel Prophecy Be Damned in April 2000.  Her latest, The Legend of Lejube Rogue, is now available at Crossroads Publishing .

Click here to share your views.