HEARTS AND WISHES - Shiloh Walker
La Grande Mort
Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com
ISBN: 978-1-4199-1561-1
February 2008
Erotic Fantasy Romance
Rated: E-rotic

The Northern Reach environome - Present Day

Most would think that being the only daughter of Santa Claus would be a good thing.  As that daughter, Holly is willing to admit that her parents spoil her completely; there is almost nothing she wants that she doesn’t get – except a life.  Her father, Nik, is so overprotective and intimidating that men won’t approach her, women see her as conceited, the only job she is allowed to have is one that a trained monkey could do, and not even her brother is willing to help her escape the silken prison she lives in.  Holly’s only pleasure comes from the private magick lessons she has with the very sexy Rhys, and the steamy dreams she has about him.  Through her lessons, Holly will hopefully be able to master teleportation, and escape the North Pole long enough for a little adventure.

While Rhys had been angered when he was first ordered to teach magick to the spoiled and incompetent princess, it only took a few lessons to learn just how he’d misjudged her.  Holly’s a dedicated student, determined to master her magick, and she doesn’t expect to be coddled.  She’s also completely miserable.  Over the past four years Rhys has watched Holly grow more depressed as her oblivious father showers her with material gifts and treats her like a child.  Rhys has also come to the realization that he wants Holly in a way that her father would definitely not approve of. 

An attempt to cheer Holly up leads to the most amazing night Rhys has ever had, and he knows that once will never be enough.  Before Rhys and Holly have a chance to explore their new relationship, duty calls, and Rhys is called away to deal with a threat against Nik.  This threat also has Nik crossing the line in regards to his relationship with Holly, to the point where she takes drastic action.  Will Holly be able to find the happiness she had been hoping for, or will someone evil find her first?

HEARTS AND WISHES is a fascinating romantic story.  Despite the fact that she is the daughter of arguably one of the most famous and respected elves – or maybe because of it – Holly is isolated and stifled to the point that she feels she has no choice in her life.  She admits to being spoiled by her parents, but she never comes off as such, nor does she whine or pout about how unfair her life is.  Her stoicism and surface acceptance of her life cover the plans she is making to escape.  Even knowing that escaping will eventually lead to being captured and returning to an even stricter life, Holly is willing to do whatever it takes to have her one adventure.  Little does she know that adventure is waiting for her in Rhys’s arms.  Seeing Holly’s life through Rhys’s eyes is heartbreaking and his feelings for Holly run much deeper than lust.

Fans of Shiloh Walker may recognize Holly’s parents, Nik and Chelly, from her previous release, MAKE ME BELIEVE.  Though they are still deeply in love, their differing views on Holly are a test to their relationship, and this secondary storyline blends in well with the changing relationship between Holly and Rhys.

It’s always great when a book is so captivating that you don’t want to put it down, but when finishing a book brings about disappointment because it’s over and an urge to read it again immediately, I feel that it deserves some recognition.  For that reason, I’m giving HEARTS AND WISHES La Grande Mort – and going back to read it again.

Jennifer Bishop