Compelling, captivating, evocative and very enjoyable

This completes my reviews of the Charles Raines's stories currently available - I bought my copy from Amazon.co.uk

In my system, stars represent the grading of my overall enjoyment of the story; which is based on, characters, plot, heat level, errors & omissions, technique, readability, and the 'x' factor. My reviews are honest and unsolicited. I do not charge for reviews. The review is my own opinion and is not endorsed by The Carter Seagrove Project LLC.

Having read the other three stories by Charles Raines, I had high hopes of this story - and of course I wasn't disappointed (except that there isn't anything else to read now!!) The fact that I have read all of Charles's stories is probably the most telling comment I can make - it's rare for me to engage to that extent across an author's output.

As expected, the plot is laced with just enough intrigue, always posing the question and keeping you guessing without being distracting. Just like the other stories written by Charles Raines which are set in Marseille, this one uses the city to great effect - the sounds, flavours, colours, danger and romance provide a perfect backdrop. I really enjoy Charles's story-telling, it has a timeless quality; plot and characters have depth and you can't help but to engage, in fact, you feel that you have to 'own' the story.

Why not five stars?

Good question. The intrigue unwinds - highly imaginative ending - but a little rushed for me. That's the only thing I can say to its detriment.

Compelling, captivating, evocative and very enjoyable. Not a quick read nor should you rush it - savour it like I did.

I'd actually started The Man With The Mandolin a while back but put it down to read Dicing With Danger by Charles Raines, to then pick it up again today.

The fact that I had put it down and could just pick it up, speaks volumes about the story; enthralling as I was kind of expecting, laced with intrigue and seriously arousing without, seemingly, any effort on the author's part - but we know that simply means that the author worked extremely hard to draw these pictures and a fine job he did of them - yet again.

I bought my copy from Amazon - click here

In my system, stars represent the grading of my overall enjoyment of the story; which is based on, characters, plot, heat level, errors & omissions, technique, readability, and the 'x' factor. My reviews are honest and unsolicited. I do not charge for reviews. The review is my own opinion and is not endorsed by The Carter Seagrove Project LLC.

A more sensual story in some respects compared to Stranger In Translation (though I am reserving overall judgement on that story until after I have read Falling For Forever which I am halfway done with).

It's all about atmosphere, colour, smell and taste - here we have it in spades and I love the setting of the dance school - very imaginative and again, evocative - Charles Raines just seems to be able to conjurer images from thin air with a word or phrase.

And it is a kind of dance - this story - the relationships, the intrigue, the eventual fulfilment of the promised romance, culminating in the opening performance of the new ballet - whether intended or not - I suspect intended - a wonderful metaphor.

A thoroughly enjoyable read; not a quick read; it requires some digesting at times. A timeless story and the where is just as important as the when - Charles Raines knows his Marseille!

Hot on the tail of Stranger In Translation, I read Dicing With Danger, fully expecting to captivated and enthralled - I wasn't disappointed. Thoroughly deserving of four stars. I was left very hot under the collar!

I bought my copy from Amazon.

In my system, stars represent the grading of my overall enjoyment of the story; which is based on, characters, plot, heat level, errors & omissions, technique, readability, and the 'x' factor. My reviews are honest and unsolicited. I do not charge for reviews. The review is my own opinion and is not endorsed by The Carter Seagrove Project LLC.

A much shorter story than Charles Raines's other stories, it packs a punch, above and below the belt - so to speak. I was instantly transported to the railway carriage; Charles Raines has an uncanny knack of invoking the moment effortlessly. The story has a glorious twist and I am not about to spoil it but suffice to say, it was well done and it didn't feel contrived.

All of the characters were well drawn - for me, to feel a character is essential; I want to smell them and taste them - you'll forgive me for waxing lyrical - these chaps will have you panting.

Characters without plot will always remain just that - to come alive, they need a story which is engrossing.  When you feel your body swaying to the rocking of the railway carriage, you know you're in the story.

I can't wait to start the other two Charles Raines's stories which I have downloaded in anticipation of the weekend - The Man With the Mandolin and Falling For Forever.