Candlelight Sinner by Stella Deleuze

Being madly in love with Tom, a rather good looking immortal wish-consultant and working in her dream job, life seems to be perfect for 32-year-old Celia. If it wasn't for the dark side still being after her or Sam, a charismatic man asking for her help, causing dilemma. When Tom gets another demanding case, and Celia takes her friend on a trip to Lanzarote, everything's about to change.
If she decides to help her brother crossing over from the dark side, she might lose everything she loves: her boyfriend, her job, her friends and her life.

The books fits neatly into the category paranormal romantic comedy, but beware: no vampire or werewolf in sight, just the odd human being with supernatural powers. Book Description

I was given this copy by author free for review, but as always on the basis that my opinion is honestly held, and whether paid for or free my views are not influenced by that. Integrity is important to me and gushing false reviews do neither author nor reader any favours. As always my views are what I honestly feel about this book.

This is a follow up novel to No Wings Attached and continues the story of Human Celia and Supernatural wish consultant Tom. Like the first book its a paranormal romance but not heavy on vampires or werewolves, simple a flexing of some supernatural muscle at times so its suitable for all romance lovers.

Tom and Celia have been given permission from Above to be together but are on trial. Tom still has his powers limited and Celia is banned from using any of hers. They are in live but as ever the course of true love never runs smoothly – well if it did we'd be stuck for a good book wouldn't we :) Tom's new case involves a beautiful would be model who makes it clear she's interested on Tom and of course Celia's insecurities about how she's ended up with such a fantastic man and her history of being let down means there are sparks about to fly. Celia gets drawn in to a plan to rescue her brother from the dark side by a friend of his – the lovely, lovely Sam. Sam undertakes to train her in using her powers in secret and she can't let Tom know. Its secrets secrets all the way and of course a hot bed for jealousy and suspicion.

Like the first book this is well written and edited and a good length for the money, and a great way to while away a few hours. Its light-hearted and easy to read – I love an in-depth deep book but sometimes just want something light that doesn't need too much concentration but just something to enjoy without taxing the brain as to who is who and what has been happening. I compared Stella's writing to that of Sophie Kinsella in the first book and again this one has the same feel – Sophie’s books are ones I turn to when I want something gentle and easy to read and amuse me. Again chapters alternate from viewpoint of both Celia and Tom so we can not only see what the results of their actions are but understand why they did things and what the other person thinks about them. I really enjoyed that part – seeing an issue form different sides makes it so much clearer to understand why characters act in the way they do.

 Candlelight Sinner had times when it made me laugh, times when it made me cry and times when I could scream at Celia “ you stupid woman, what the hell are you doing!!” and that is good, as it shows how “into “ and involved in the characters I'd become. I don't like to feel an onlooker when reading but want to be totally immersed. Again it has some surprising turns I didn't foresee and that’s good – no one wants to read a book where the plots are obvious. However I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I did the first one, its close but somehow it didn't grip me in quite the same way. I'm not sure why though, maybe it’s that the first book had the charm of a new and forbidden romance perhaps, and stuff like that always gets to me? Anyway it’s still an excellent read, one teens and adults, paranormal and non-paranormal readers can enjoy and value for money at just £2.31 for a 533kb book. There's an opening for a third book too in the way the story ends, and as we've learned more about some of the characters and how they related it would be interesting to read further stories about them.

 Stars – Once again 4 stars – good story, well written and edited and value for money.

You may find Stella Deleuze on the web here :
http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/StellaDeleuze

http://wordsbystelladeleuze.blogspot.com/

Reviewed by Midnight Ruby