Review: Fascinating premise plus very interesting characters
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 2, 2013
The latest story by the talented Linda Thomas-Sundstrom is an urban fantasy tale filled with intriguing situations and features a couple with extremely unusual lives. The author calls her new series Dark vs. Light, and this is certainly a fitting name as the focus of the story is on whether those with evil intentions will prevail or if anyone who is trying to do right can finally succeed. Plenty of action makes for exhilarating scenes, and the uncertainty of numerous outcomes makes the incidents even more riveting. TRAPPED IN STONE is roller-coaster ride of emotional highs and lows.When Izzy returns to Notre Dame Cathedral again, she wonders if this time will have a different ending or everything will turn out the same as it has in years past. She knows Tristan will be there, not in human form at first, and she wishes that there would be some way to change what will more than likely happen by morning. There is a game being played between Good and Evil powers, and Tristan is unfortunately caught in the middle. Izzy does not ever plan to give up on helping him out of his dire predicament, regardless of how long it takes, because he is the only man for whom she truly cares.After she gets to the top of the Notre Dame Cathedral, it does not take long before there is an awareness of the night feeling much different than on previous visits. If something has changed, she wonders if how the evening concludes will also be altered.The earlier paranormal releases by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom have always contained various supernatural beings, but those in TRAPPED IN STONE are especially creative. With their own distinct personal traits, the main couple becomes more notable with each new fact learned. The reason Tristan became a gargoyle is particularly thought-provoking, as the explanation for why he has been imprisoned for years gave insight into his inner personality. A man with a kind heart is always a great hero in my mind, and he definitely qualifies when all is eventually revealed. How Izzy reacted throughout the long time period also let me know much about this woman and what her behavior signified. Often individuals do not see themselves as others do, and the author let me discover much about the characters as they came to understand themselves. While it may seem as though Tristan and Izzy had nothing in common when they met, the lusty passion they felt overwhelms them and changes their future lives in a huge way. Much of the story is about what someone will do for love, and its power is demonstrated on quite a few occasions.Any supernatural aspects are very original, and I enjoyed seeing all the detailed facts concerning the many diverse beings. The Paris setting is depicted with lots of interesting facts, and the compelling descriptions related to the Notre Dame Cathedral made the book all the more believable. Linda Thomas-Sundstrom begins her Dark vs. Light series with an enthralling novella, and the next story certainly has a startling plot. TRAPPED IN STONE is entertaining with imaginative scenarios and loads of surprises.ARC received from author for a Single Titles review - 4 Stars