Presumed Guilty - Tess Gerritsen

Publication
1993 but reissued, Harlequin

In short
Miranda's ex-lover is found murdered. She had a motive and the opportunity. After being arrested for the crime, Miranda is shocked to learn she's been released on bail - bail posted by someone determined to remain anonymous. Is someone trying to help Miranda? Or is someone trying to manipulate Miranda and draw her into the dark and secret world of a murdered man, where everybody's presumed guilty?

In words
Utterly stupid, sorry to say. All characters are cardboard and the relationship between the main characters is based on nothing because he doesn't trust her until the very last moment, when it becomes clear she is innocent. I wouldn't want a partner like that. I couldn't understand why she wanted to get involved with him at all. In the last part of the book the heroine behaves even more TSTL as she sets out to corrupt/steal evidence that is supposed to prove her innocence (personally I don't see why the author of the letters HAS to be the killer). The villain also behaves TSTL by not turning the tables on the heroine at that moment.

In numbers
Voice - 1 (max 3)
Characters - 0 (max 3)
Romance - 0 (max 2)
Plot - 0 (max 2)
Sensuality - 0
Minus points - 1 - character behaviour TSTL
Total - 0
F = 0/10 = 1 stars

Dark Prince - Christine Feehan

Publication
1999, Love Spell/Leisure, Carpathians # 1

In short
Prince of the Night
He came to her in the night, a predator - strength and power chiseled his features. The seduction was deep and elemental; he affected her soul. His need. His darkness. His terrible haunting loneliness. Her senses aroused, she craved the dangerous force of his body. Burned for him. And he had only touched her with his mind.
Lady of the Light
She came to him at dawn, his bleakest hour. As the beast raged inside him, threatening to consume him, he vented his centuries-old despair in an anguished cry that filled the waning night. And she answered, a ray of light, piercing his darkness. A beautiful angel. Her compassion, courage, and innocence awakened in him an exquisite longing and tenderness. He knew he must possess her, for only she could tame his savage side and lift the dark shadow from his soul. Apart they were desolate, bereft. Intertwined physically and spiritually, they could heal one another and experience an eternity of nights filled with love.

In words
It was a struggle to finish. After reading three of her books, I must conclude Christine Feehan just isn't my cup of tea. Didn't like the couple: they are a couple almost from the start of the book and there is no romance or development of their relationship whatsoever, and you do not get to know either of them as a person. Didn't like the plot: because apart from the last 40 pages or so there is no plot. Didn't like the voice: too many repetitions, too many adjectives and bordering on purple prose at times. Frankly, I found the whole thing boring and it would have been a DNF if I hadn't wanted to do a review.

In numbers
Voice - 0 (max 3)
Characters - 0 (max 3)
Romance - 0 (max 2)
Plot - 0 (max 2)
Sensuality - 0
Minus points - purple prose / character behaviour TSTL
Total - -2 (never ended up in minus before)
F = 0/10 = 1 stars