Paranormal/Futuristic
Torrid Tarot: As the Lady Wishes
By Cheryl McInnis
Jul 1, 2008 - 12:20:39 PM

Lila Hayes has escaped from an abusive marriage and is trying to start her life over again when she comes across an old painting of the most handsome man she has ever seen.  The painting strangely arouses Lila, and one night after making a heartfelt wish that the man in the painting was real, she is stunned to find him standing in her room.  He is very much alive, and claiming to be an ancient Druid who is there to give her what she most desires.

Arthur of Sefyll was cursed into a stone by his Druid brothers one night many centuries ago.  The goddess Morrigan felt sorry for him and altered his curse so that he is bound to the one who releases him from his prison with their heartfelt longings.  He is able to grant them their heart’s desire only three times before he is sent back into his exile.  The cursed Druid longs for the day when someone cares enough for him to wish for his freedom.  When Arthur sees Lila, he is immediately drawn to her beauty and to the magic she carries within her.  After many lonely nights, when she wishes for him to be real, he is able to appear before her.  After some hesitation, he convinces her to let him give her unimaginable pleasure.  To his delight, Arthur finds true happiness and joy with Lila and for the first time, he starts to imagine a life free from his curse.  But danger has followed Lila, and Arthur knows that his power alone will not be enough to protect Lila from what is hunting her.

Sheriff Sam Walker doesn’t know what to think when he meets Lila.  He knows that she isn’t being straight with him and is quite possibly a little insane, but the desire she awakens in him can’t be ignored and he finds himself falling for her.  Sam has always been a grounded man who believes in what he can see and hear.  So when the time comes to put his faith in the unexplained and in a strange man claiming to be a Druid, in order to save Lila, will Sam be able to step up and be there when Lila needs him?

AS THE LADY WISHES is a wonderful story about magic and dreams.  The two authors, Anna J. Evans and December Quinn, blended their voices perfectly and the story flows seamlessly.  The relationship between Lila and Arthur is very sensual and when Sam is introduced into the picture it becomes even more so.  I also appreciated the handling of Sam (who is very much heterosexual) and the way he felt with the addition of another man in his relationship with Lila.  Sometimes in ménage stories, the reader is left wondering how a straight man feels in these situations, and this is the first time I’ve had that question answered.  I truly enjoyed AS THE LADY WISHES and recommend it to any reader looking for a short and spicy read.