Stairway To Heaven

Reviewed by Dan Russell © 2006

Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006

Title: Stairway To Heaven
Author: Shannon Leigh
Publisher: Amber Quill Press
Genre: Short Paranormal Erotica
ISBN Number: 1-59279-414-9
Release Date: August 20, 2005
Author Website: Shannon Leigh's website
Warnings or ratings if applicable: Some graphic sexual content

Rhea works for a medical company as a scientist and is over the moon when she is chosen to work on a project in the depths of the Amazon rain forest. Before thoughts of 'The Medicine Man' pop into the reader's head — she is trying to track down a rare plant that possibly holds the cure for cancer — Shannon Leigh sets the scene before the protage even steps off the plane. With two single, sex hungry women, it becomes a kind of 'Bridget Jones in the Amazon' story. But then it all changes again...

What is Stairway To Heaven? Just as you think you know what genre it would fit in, the story changes again. This makes the novel very hard to box, which works really well. Elements of romance, fantasy, adventure, even horror sneaks into the melting pot.

Rhea and her coworker Ashley arrive at a tiny village cut off from the civilised world. They start to see a strange figure that appeals to both their desires. This figure is known as the Guardian, and only women can see him when they want something. But he wants something too, and only Rhea can provide it.

The aspect that shines through in this book is Leigh's use of setting. The scenes in the Amazon, and especially in the village, are spot on. These are stark in comparison to the Guardian's realm, a world of white satin, silk and glass.

Her characters are down to earth, believable and easy to sympathise with. Rhea's response to the almost demonic rape of the Guardian is handled well as she starts to lose her mind but cannot resist him. I don't want to spoil the ending, but let's just say that it resolves well.

Stairway To Heaven has a bit of something for everyone. It had enough mystery to keep me reading through to the end in one sitting with a language of such ease, the time flew by. Highly recommended.

Rating: Four cats.

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To find out more about how to purchase Stairway To Heaven visit Shannon Leigh's website.