Two short novels from the Del Fantasma series by Aspen Mountain ... QC #406

Reviewed by Katherine-eHarlequin on October 31st, 2008, 9:08pm

by Maura Anderson, Sharon Marie Bidwell

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Format: eBook

Series:

4 Stars! ~ These are two new authors to me, in a genre I’m fairly new to.  I enjoyed these very much.

Texas Tea by Maura Anderson

and

A Slow Fuzzy Screw by Sharon Marie Bidwell

Aspen Mountain Press

Del Fantasma series by Aspen Mountain Press

The Del Fantasma is a quirky bar in Loma Vista, California where all sorts of people and creatures meet to have a good time. It’s run by Cody Warren, who became a vampire while serving in the armed forces in Afghanistan in the 80’s. When he came home to the U.S. he decided there needed to be a place where other worldly people could gather, thus the Del Fantasma. Cody also has a hidden talent for matchmaking; it’s an instinct that has never proven wrong. And he uses this talent rather covertly, and sometimes wickedly, to match up his patrons. The Del Fantasma series brings us Cody’s successes; each story is titled after the name of the drink that Cody serves the main characters.

Texas Tea by Maura Anderson

Aspen Mountain Press ~ August 2007

From the publisher…

Photographer Lara Saunders has a lifelong secret -- she can see and hear ghosts. When she was rescued from a near drowning by the ghost of a lighthouse keeper, he set her on a mission to document historic lighthouses and the lives of their keepers so they were not forgotten. Now on her third book in the series, Lara has arrived in San Diego to document the Old Point Loma Lighthouse but hasn't counted on becoming the target of Cody Warren, the matchmaking owner of the Del Fantasma bar. Or falling in love with a handsome Park Ranger whose secret is even more strange than her own.

Though I found this story started out rather awkwardly, it picked up interest and pace and I really enjoyed meeting Lara and Matt aka Texas.  Lara’s sees herself as an outcast because of her abilities to see and speak to ghosts.  Sharing her gift with others has only led her to heartache.  Matt is a shape shifter; his other spirit half is Coyote; and he’s too is afraid to reveal his secret for fear of rejection.  But something inside both Lara and Matt make them recognize that they are mates.  This instinct is so powerful they cannot resist.   Matt was adorable in both his shapes; human and coyote.  It took me a bit to warm up to Lara, but she came through.  I liked that Ms. Anderson allowed the sexual tension to build and the two didn’t make love until almost the end of the book.  And wow, the lovemaking was scorching! 

A Slow Fuzzy Screw by Sharon Maria Bidwell

Aspen Mountain Press ~ October 2007

From the publisher…When Shayne asks for a Slow Screw to get the bartender’s attention, he’s not aware there’s more than one blend of the cocktail.  Shayne’s careful when it comes to relationships, even those that last only a few hours.   Leon’s disillusioned with life and haunted by his past.  To complicate matters, he’s a shape-shifter.  Shayne’s looking for something out of the ordinary and he can’t say he hasn’t found it.  Leon’s looking for company but Shayne’s not quite what he expected. 

I really enjoyed this one.  Leon’s is rather surprised with bartender Cody’s matchmaking choice, as he’d never thought his life companion could be a man.   But Cody’s never wrong, so Leon decides to go with it and see where it leads.  Shayne doesn’t know Cody’s reputation, nor does he believe the rumours that the Del Fantasma patrons are not truly human – well, that is until he meets Leon.   This is a sizzling story about two lonely men who find that special connection.  Ms. Bidwell has another instalment to this series, and I’m looking forward to reading it.

Excellence: Very Good ~ Steaminess: Heat Wave

My Totals = 125 ~ Harlequin Imprint = 87 ~ Other Publisher = 38

KatherineT-eHarlequin ~ Book Challenge Host
I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it! ~ Quiet Canadians Blog