Title: Charlotte Vale Allen
Subtitle: three complete novels.
First published: 1993
Description: Illusions

When Stanleigh Dunn, an award-winning author of children's books notable for her complexly intricate illustrations, meets Daniel Goddard on a flight to London, they are each (although unknown to the other) in the grip of a terrible loss. Their chance encounter develops into an ambivalent but sexually charged relationship that is colored by their grief. While she is both seductive and dismissing, he becomes progressively more obsessed until, finally, what began as the attempt of two wounded people to find solace in each other's company culminates in a shocking episode of kidnapping and sexual abuse whose powerful evocation will hold the reader in a thrall of horror and fascination.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dream Train

Enter the elegant and mysterious world of the Orient Express...

 It's a plum assignment for photojournalist Joanne James, a ride on the Orient-Express with a stop in Venice for five days at the exclusive Cipriani Hotel -- all expenses paid. 

 Yet all is not well. Joanna is tired and filled with self-doubt. The trip starts out more as an inconvenience than an exciting adventure -- especially when a stop in London renews her friendship with two very different men, two way different lovers who both want a commitment she is not ready to give. 

 But then she boards the lush, luxurious train and enters its romantic world, where strangers become friends, where confidences are shared, where hearts are broken, and where love is lost...and found.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Night Magic

Combining elements of Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast, this is a modern fairy tale for adults. It is romantic, erotic, mysterious, and moving.

A beautiful, sensitive young girl falls in love with a brilliant older man who is so profoundly scarred both physically and emotionally that he literally cannot face the light of day. Despite his deep apprehensions, he allows her to enter his world of darkness, where they communicate their love for each other through music.

Fearful of what he most craves, Erik nevertheless becomes convinced of Marisa's love. He nurtures and tutors her as she matures from girl to womanhood while she, in turn, teaches him to trust and gradually coaxes him into the light.

Theirs is a magical bond, cemented by adversity. How this bond grows stronger, flourishing through the years is the basis of this hypnotic fantasy.
Subjects: American Love stories, Love stories, American
LC classification: PS3551.L392 A6 1993