Mystic Isle (Hidden Passions) (Harlequin Intrigue, 675)

Rating:
Summary: dark, sexy & intriguing!!
Review: Dallas-bred Kathryn Moreland had received an anonymous phone call about her
younger sister's disappearance in New Orleans, and after an unsatisfying
visit to the local police department, Kathryn delves into the mysterious
world of a retreat called Mystic Isle, which she believes is the crucial key
to finding her sister.

Roark Lansing is not exactly what he appears to be, Kathryn suspects he is
much more than a trusted employee at Mystic Isle but his dark, sexy looks
tempts her regardless. Roark has his own personal agenda for his
entanglement in this world of voodoo and sexual exploits, and now his
growing attraction for Kathryn is yet another reason for him to procede with
utmost caution at Mystic Isle.

What a fantastic story! I was totally captivated with the steamy world of
voodoo, dark bayou secrets and love overcoming evil. Set in New Orleans, it
was wonderfully authentic. If you enjoy a sexy intriguing romance with Cajun
blend then do not miss this book!!

Rating:
Summary: Mystic Isle
Review: Joanna Wayne has an unusual and original story to tell in "Mystic Isle." Kathryn Morland comes to New Orleans in search of her missing sister. The trail leads her to the mysterious Mystic Isle, a club whose charismatic owner has a strange pull over his followers. Trying to uncover his connection to her sister, Kathryn finds herself up against the mysterious Roark Lansing. Roark knows she's asking too many questions that will only place her in greater danger. Can he protect her without revealing the truth about himself?

It's been almost a year since the last Hidden Passions book, "Another Woman's Baby," so I don't really remember if any of these characters were in that book or how the two are connected. "Mystic Isle" was easy to understand on its own, so I don't think it's necessary to read the other book first. Readers looking for a different kind of romantic suspense book will want to try "Mystic Isle." I don't think I've ever read an Intrigue quite like this before. The storyline is different than the normal Intrigue plots these days. Wayne takes a different approach to her story than we usually see. She doesn't focus only on the hero and heroine, but also shows us what's happening from several other characters' perspectives. This opens up the story more and gives the supporting characters a little more development than we're used to. We get to see everyone with their separate motives and see how one person's decision affects something someone else is doing that they don't know about. It's a neat method that pushes the limits of category and makes "Mystic Isle" seem almost like a mainstream romantic suspense in its style.

At the same time, the romance is somewhat lacking, mostly because the characters are so focused on the suspense plot that falling in love seems like an afterthought. I also never really got a good impression of who Roark was as a person. It is possible to have a mysterious hero who keeps his secrets while still showing enough of his personality to make him a full-blooded character. I don't think Wayne is completely successful at this. That made it even harder to get involved in the romance. Kathryn is a good heroine though, a determined woman who won't back down when her sister is in danger.

"Mystic Isle" is recommended for readers tired of the same old thing. This book certainly isn't that. Kudos to Joanna Wayne for creating such an unusual, enticing tale for Intrigue readers.

Rating:
Summary: Synopsis from book cover
Review: MYSTIC ISLE - Joanna Wayne HIDDEN PASSAGE Series

In an attempt to rescue her kin, Kathryn Morland insinuated herself into the dark, mystical underworld of New Orleans -- a
world filled with hypnotic voodoo that fronted a society of sex slaves. Posing as a member pushed her courage to the limit... and made it impossible to resist the embrace of Roark Lansing. The sexy stranger tripped her heart, stole her breath -- and tempted her to trust him.
Roark NEEDED Kathryn to trust him, hoped desperately that the daring beauty would read his true intent in his heated touch, his passionate kiss. Because he wasn't the enemy. He was undercover, a man hell-bent on vengeance and prepared to save Kathryn from the evil he knew thrived in the recesses of the
bayou.

Rating:
Summary: Very Suspenseful
Review: This was right on the cutting edge of romantic suspense, though it will remind you more of a single title than an Intrigue. The characters seemed real and the suspense was spine tingling. I highly recommend it.