Stone Kissed by Keri Stevens
December 27, 2010
Paranormal Romance
E-Book
Carina Press
Reviewed by Mandi
Delia has a very distant relationship with her father, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t devastated when her childhood home, Steward House burns in a fire. Her father is left in a coma as a result. Not having much money, and knowing she will have substantial medical bills in the near future for her father, she decides to sell Steward House to Grant Wolverton. She has had a crush on Grant since childhood, but he doesn’t remember her. Very wealthy, Grant who deals in antiques and art, offers to restore Steward House, and Delia reluctantly hands over the deed for a great sum of money.
Delia herself is a stone conservator – but that is not where her special abilities end. She can also communicate with the stone statues. They keep her company but they have also made her the town outcast. Stories have been swirling about her odd behavior in the small town she is from. Now that she is back in that small town, gossip starts again. Afraid to let Steward House go completely, she offers to take over the remodel. Grant agrees – and neither can quite let go of the attraction that is building between them. But the question of who set the fire is still unsolved and there is another woman in town who has her eyes set on Steward House and Grant.
Stone Kissed is an odd little book. I say that because it is different – and I really wanted to like it. But I had some problems. It starts off rough and the first third of the book I had a really hard time with. The sentences and changes from scene to scene were jerky and not smooth. I didn’t understand Grant and had a hard time with the intense attraction Delia feels for him. About halfway through things start to settle down and I became more immersed in the story. It is a dark book. Delia has an awful relationship with her father who is now comatose so she has guilt in that area. She had to give up her home which she feels a great connection to, and she has to figure out these intense feelings for Grant. I had a hard time buying into the romance. The actual sex scenes are very sensual, but I didn’t get Grant’s love for Delia. Delia herself has had a crush on Grant for years, so her side makes more sense. But for most of the book, Grant thinks Delia is delusional for her claim to talk to statues and he thinks she is a thief for taking his statues from him. Yet he still falls in love? I buy into the fact he lusted after her and likes her in his bed, but not love.
I liked the statue aspect and how they interacted with Delia. I also think the villain in this story is well done – nothing is held back in terms of the evil emanating from her. But the overall tone of the book is so dark and depressing. I tend to like darker books, but there wasn’t anything to grasp onto as we waded through the serious stuff. I never quite understood Delia and Grant. And when I don’t believe in the love between the hero and heroine, I can’t be satisfied by the story.
Rating: D+
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Because of my dirty mind and this looking like an erotica, I thought possible the heroine has some "fun" with the statues, if you know what I mean? ;)
I'm sorry you didn't like this one as much as I did. I think one of the things I liked so much about it was that it was different then other paranormal romances out there. The statues had me cracking up!
While this has very steamy scenes between h/h…no statue sex KT ;)
Aw shucks.
Colette – It definitely had a different feel..and I think the statues were unique and a nice addition- but the romance didn't work for me. That was my sticking point.
I think Colette and I had similar responses to this one!
I really didn't walk away from this book thinking it was too "dark." Not any darker than most other paranormals, anyway! Yes, there were some darker elements, I guess… but overall, I thought it was kind of a fun book! LOL
Thanks for linking to my review, Mandi!!
It just seemed more darker to me…which is fine. But I just had a hard time connecting. Enjoyed your review!
I'm reading this one soon so I just skimmed. Sorry it didn't work out for you. :(
I've been looking at this one for a while, waiting for it to come out. The other reviews I've read are all glowing, but I've waited for your review because I know I'll get the true grit! Thanks Mandi!
Nice review Mandi. I've had this on my "I'm just not sure" list. Now after reading your review, I'm still not sure. Lolol
FV – Looking forward to your thoughts!
Lizzie and Tori – This book doesn't match my tastes..but I'm glad it worked for others :)
I'm a sucker for 'I've had a crush on you themes'.
Nice review!
Nice honest review, and by reading it, nah not for me. I rather look at that hunk on the cover of the book you are reading now
Mandi,
I read this book and cannot agree with you more :( I wanted it to be better! but it fell limp for me.
Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the honest review Mandi! I appreciate it very much and I'll remember to keep this one off my list of books to read.