Shay's mother marries Ian's father. They meet in the bathroom as Ian is stepping out of the shower. Shay is a nude model while Ian is a minister. She teases, taunts, and tempts him tenaciously. He keeps showing his ministerial side and proving Shay right. Eventually he acknowledges his feelings for Shay, and they begin seeing each other. When emotions are about to explode one night, Ian asks Shay to marry him. While life is good for a while, Shay takes a job and Ian blows up. Will they make their way back to each other or go their separate ways?

I enjoyed this story. Shay just keeps on getting under Ian's skin as he does hers. It was delightful to watch their differences make them more attracted to each other. Shay had her doubts about the two of them together, but it works until she takes the job. I understood Shay's reaction. They never talked about her job before they married. Ian was judgmental towards her job and, as a result, her. Shay is a good, generous person. She sees needs and finds ways to meet those needs. She does it without Ian telling her this is what a minister's wife does. She is spot on and able to step in when Ian is not there. I liked her a lot. Ian needed his behind kicked once or twice.

This book was written in 1983 when romances were getting hotter. The love scenes did not end at the bedroom door but instead went into the bedroom. The language was getting away from euphemisms. This is a book that goes from the tame stories of the early 1970's and back to the more realistic books of today. This is part of the history of the changes of romance novels. The story is as contemporary as anything today, but it shows the evolution of romance novels. A choice read!

by Laura Tempest Zakroff

Non-fiction

This is a book about sigil magic, something that has roots in a spectrum of ancient cultural esoterica but became popular with the rise of chaos magick in the 1970s. The book starts with a general explanation and some history of some of the systems where sigil magick began. It then continues with a full chapter on pictorial art from cave paintings to symbols used by secret societies, hitting a few little known facts but missing out obvious things like Runes, which is later explained.

I have mixed feelings about this book. As a book about art and how to apply drawing techniques for interesting looks for sigils, it excels. On magic... not so much. I have no doubt that the author's spells would work for her, but the explanations of how sigil magic works falls short and in some instances contradicts safety information I've read from more experienced and trusted authors on the subject.

I noted that an early reference to the method used in chaos magic(k) gave me the impression that it had been taken from a couple of variations that might have come from Internet forums and thought the author could benefit from reading the book by Austin Spare where that particular method originated, then later she talks about having read that very book and suggests it's difficult to follow.

She also never mentions anything about charging the sigils, which is an important step in the process. For people new to sigil magic, I'd suggest people start at the known authors; Spare, Carroll, Hawkins and possibly Hine.

I think this book would be a good resource for someone who already has a working knowledge of sigil magic and is looking to expand on the artistic possibilities. Her information on art materials was excellent and it's clear she knows her stuff on that. This would be a good supplement for visual appeal and some alternative approaches, plus some I've read about elsewhere like motion sigils get more attention here than in the earliest sources.

An Oliver Steele Thriller

Oliver is a very capable accountant/investigator who works for a rich client this time he is sent to South Africa to trace fifty million stolen dollars by a gang of blackmailers that targets government ministers. His investigation brings him on a lethal path through the streets of Protea City, into the Kruger game reserve and to Dubai.

This thriller works well as a stand-alone so no worry if you pick it up at this point.

Kidnapping, murder and corruption is at the heart of this fast-paced thriller. Mayhem is what propels the narrative forward in a very captivating way. Mr. Tempest is relentless on pacing, vivid description of locales and peppers his storyline with ruthless characters. I love Oliver’s trials and triumphs and Mr. Tempest gives us a truck load of action to follow. His main player is a well-define, a no –nonsense and loveable character. Rebekka Moran plays an important part as his sidekick and follows him down the lethal path where gunmen will stop at nothing.

This tale is quite interesting and very entertaining. It also gives us an insight onto financial crimes and into the mindset of corrupted individuals. What a fast and fun read “Joburg Steele” turned out to be. Smooth sailing from start to finish. I loved it.

“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."