Nanny has

Afterglow
3 Stars

A disappointing sequel that does not live up to the potential established in the first book. Aside from the fact that the heroine, Dakota North, works for Zak Stark, there is no connection between the books, which is unfortunate as it would have established a continuity that is sorely lacking.

The hero, Rand Maguire, is a complete jerk and almost ruins the book. Dakota, however is intelligent and engaging although the fact that she still wants to be with a man who called her a "money grubbing whore" kind of puts a damper on her character.

The plot, while fast-paced and action packed, it exceedingly far-fetched. In fact, the elaborate conspiracy and ridiculous progression of events makes the identity of the villain completely obvious. Moreover, the paranormal element adds nothing to the plot or characterization.

Hopefully the next installment will be better. ( )

In Cherry’s 2nd book in the Lodestone series we start off with a twist on the don’t drink the Kool-Aid. At a wedding reception someone spikes the champagne with an aphrodisiac and all inhibitions are lost.

Rand Maguire used to be a stuntman and is now security specialist to the stars. His current job was to protect the celebrity guests at a wedding. Well that didn’t turn out so great. He calls Zak from the Lodestone group asking to send someone that can help figure out what and who could have done this. Was it a terrorist act or someone’s sick sense of humor?

Dakota North is sent to the hotel by Zak because of her previous history as a pharmaceutical chemist. Dakota and Rand’s father were the creators of DL6-94 which she thinks the guest were given. Its highly addictive and lethal in large doses. Which Rand knows all too well, since his mother died from it and his father is in jail for her murder. All of which he blames Dakota for.

Dakota has the same type of ability Zak does. She can touch an object and see coordinates to track the owner of the item. This leads Rand and Dakota on a chase from Monte Carlo to Barcelona to a bank. But when they get there they find the aphrodisiac has been released airborne and everyone is dead. Both Rand and Dakota inhale the toxin and whew for the next couple of pages you need a fan and a cigarette after.

From here we are taken on a wild ride. It is nonstop action from Spain to France where they scour the catacombs under the Paris streets to jumping out of a moving vehicle. You start to get the impression that both the bad guys and the good guys are not who they say they are.
During all of this both Rand and Dakota are still dealing with the pain of their broken engagement 2 years before. She is still in love with him but due to many misunderstandings he thinks he hates her even though he is still very attracted to her.

From the opening scene to the shocking ending this book was one thrill ride. I look forward to the next book in this series.
( )

Very weak 3 Stars

After reading some of her other novels, this one was so so. I think I just expected more depth. ( )

Afterglow is book 2 in Cherry Adair's Lodestone series and it does not disappoint. It’s full of action and hot sex. Rand Maguire and Dakota North are chasing down a madman who has a deadly chemical that acts as an aphrodisiac to take its victims unaware and they have to stop him before its too late and he releases his deadly chemical and they have to use Dakota's superpower to do it. You can read this as a stand alone, but just don't miss this book! ( )