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West Salem
After an emergency call, Detective Daniel Ryker arrives in West Salem to investigate a brutal homicide. Priestess Sorcha Terrabella claims a witch-hunter is killing pagans as fear rules Samhain in the village. Daniel is spellbound when he realizes Sorcha's the woman who's been starring in his recent erotic dreams.
Daniel stays cool when he faces ghosts and faeries to save a missing young witch but Sorcha must convince Daniel that the evil lurking is part of a larger plan. A plan that could destroy many.
Daniel stays cool when he faces ghosts and faeries to save a missing young witch but Sorcha must convince Daniel that the evil lurking is part of a larger plan. A plan that could destroy many.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2011
338 people want to read
About the author
Chérie De Sues
10 books102 followersChérie De Sues is a "critically acclaimed", "award winning" and "bestselling" author of thrillers, paranormal and contemporary suspense romances from sensual to sizzling heat levels. A member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), and 2010 RWA participant in both the RITA and Prism Awards.
When Chérie takes a break from writing novels, you can find her at romance conventions, book signings, online, or traveling to research her next novel. She shares her home in Galveston, Texas, with her Irish terrier, Reilly.
When Chérie takes a break from writing novels, you can find her at romance conventions, book signings, online, or traveling to research her next novel. She shares her home in Galveston, Texas, with her Irish terrier, Reilly.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 21, 2011
A witch and a police detective work together to find out who is trying to kill the residents of West Salem.
A pagan community has moved to North California to work together to attempt control of an ancient, evil power. As the village of West Salem prepares for Samhain, the murders begin and Police Detective Daniel Ryker arrives to solve the case. He gets more mystery than he was bargaining for.
I enjoyed the overall plot of West Salem - a bit of witchcraft, a bit of Native American, a bit of detecting and adventure. The pieces come together well to provide a story of interest throughout.
However, there are no shocks, no horror instilled by the author into the events that occur, despite the excellent plot ideas. Everything seems rushed. The characters develop in a bit of a rush too. I could even suggest that, if the intriguing central characters had been more deeply described, the relationships more thoroughly explored, this book could have been easily acceptable at twice the size! the story wouldn't have suffered for it.
Ms De Sues has been described as a writer or erotica, but I'm afraid by the end of the book I found myself sniggering like a schoolgirl and tempted to count the number of times a certain word was used to describe the "male genitalia". I didn't in the end because I was enjoying the story line and fought the distraction. I'm really not a prude,I'm a romantic and I would like some variation of description. Some of the words used to describe parts of the body do seem to "cheapen" the sex scenes instead of enhancing them, losing the atmosphere of long held desire and love, making it about lust and "leg overs" (charming British phrase...)
Despite what appears to be moaning and picking, I enjoyed "West Salem" - it is an adventurous plot and far more interesting than a lot of stories I have read in the same genre. Ms De Sues has some excellent ideas and I am looking forward to the sequels.
A pagan community has moved to North California to work together to attempt control of an ancient, evil power. As the village of West Salem prepares for Samhain, the murders begin and Police Detective Daniel Ryker arrives to solve the case. He gets more mystery than he was bargaining for.
I enjoyed the overall plot of West Salem - a bit of witchcraft, a bit of Native American, a bit of detecting and adventure. The pieces come together well to provide a story of interest throughout.
However, there are no shocks, no horror instilled by the author into the events that occur, despite the excellent plot ideas. Everything seems rushed. The characters develop in a bit of a rush too. I could even suggest that, if the intriguing central characters had been more deeply described, the relationships more thoroughly explored, this book could have been easily acceptable at twice the size! the story wouldn't have suffered for it.
Ms De Sues has been described as a writer or erotica, but I'm afraid by the end of the book I found myself sniggering like a schoolgirl and tempted to count the number of times a certain word was used to describe the "male genitalia". I didn't in the end because I was enjoying the story line and fought the distraction. I'm really not a prude,I'm a romantic and I would like some variation of description. Some of the words used to describe parts of the body do seem to "cheapen" the sex scenes instead of enhancing them, losing the atmosphere of long held desire and love, making it about lust and "leg overs" (charming British phrase...)
Despite what appears to be moaning and picking, I enjoyed "West Salem" - it is an adventurous plot and far more interesting than a lot of stories I have read in the same genre. Ms De Sues has some excellent ideas and I am looking forward to the sequels.
March 26, 2012
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
If you’re looking for a story with a blend of just about everything…romance, mystery, paranormal elements, you’ll love this story.
I enjoyed it from start to finish and especially liked the pairing of the police detective and witch. Ms. De Sues did a wonderful job drawing me into the story. The opening scenes are described in such a way I really felt like I was in the scene experiencing this area of the California coast, and the community of witches.
Daniel, her partner in helping her solve the vicious murder, is likeable and very realistic. Even though he’s a mortal and she’s not, you get a feeling that this will be a good match, both on and off the job.
Despite this being a full length novel, the pacing was fast. I found myself reading more and more at each sitting to find out what would happen next. The secondary characters are well drawn too and everyone’s dialogue is natural sounding. I thought the mystery and romance was well balanced. I must admit I’m partial to a good suspense story. This was the first time I’d read one that was a solid mystery with a paranormal twist. Something I’m now hooked on and would like to see more of.
If you’re looking for something fun to curl up with during these last few weeks of winter, check out West Salem.
If you’re looking for a story with a blend of just about everything…romance, mystery, paranormal elements, you’ll love this story.
I enjoyed it from start to finish and especially liked the pairing of the police detective and witch. Ms. De Sues did a wonderful job drawing me into the story. The opening scenes are described in such a way I really felt like I was in the scene experiencing this area of the California coast, and the community of witches.
Daniel, her partner in helping her solve the vicious murder, is likeable and very realistic. Even though he’s a mortal and she’s not, you get a feeling that this will be a good match, both on and off the job.
Despite this being a full length novel, the pacing was fast. I found myself reading more and more at each sitting to find out what would happen next. The secondary characters are well drawn too and everyone’s dialogue is natural sounding. I thought the mystery and romance was well balanced. I must admit I’m partial to a good suspense story. This was the first time I’d read one that was a solid mystery with a paranormal twist. Something I’m now hooked on and would like to see more of.
If you’re looking for something fun to curl up with during these last few weeks of winter, check out West Salem.
March 28, 2012
Intriguing content-rich paranormal romantic suspense. The premise is fascinating, the action tight and well-scripted, all at the expense of characterisation. The narrative loses a little impetus in the middle of the book and these slow pages could have been traded for more insights into some of the superficially interesting characters, especially the villain of the story.
West Salem is a small village in North California, founded by a community of Wiccans, both as a refuge and source of revenue from curious tourists. A local detective is called in to investigate first one then multiple murders, and so the story gets underway.
The mystery element concerns the perpetrators of the murders, their motivation and methods. All good, page-turning stuff. But for me the bigger mystery was the authenticity of the Wiccan theme. Author Cherie De Sues fills each page with references to Wiccan (pagan?) mythology and ceremonies. As someone who knows next to nothing about the workings of a Wiccan community, I was left wondering if the author was making it all up, or writing from research or experience. Time to dip into some of the John Michael Greer books that I have on my bookshelf. The only one I've read so far is Inside a Magical Lodge: Group Ritual in the Western Tradition, mainly for its Masonic content.
Oh, and did I mention the Native American plot line? Again, I've no idea how authentic this is, though the description of genocide by invading Russian fur traders strikes true.
West Salem is apparently the first of a series, forthcoming volumes of which will presumably fill in some of the gaps in the first book. While waiting for the next volume in the series, I think I'll try some of Ms De Sues' other books.
West Salem is a small village in North California, founded by a community of Wiccans, both as a refuge and source of revenue from curious tourists. A local detective is called in to investigate first one then multiple murders, and so the story gets underway.
The mystery element concerns the perpetrators of the murders, their motivation and methods. All good, page-turning stuff. But for me the bigger mystery was the authenticity of the Wiccan theme. Author Cherie De Sues fills each page with references to Wiccan (pagan?) mythology and ceremonies. As someone who knows next to nothing about the workings of a Wiccan community, I was left wondering if the author was making it all up, or writing from research or experience. Time to dip into some of the John Michael Greer books that I have on my bookshelf. The only one I've read so far is Inside a Magical Lodge: Group Ritual in the Western Tradition, mainly for its Masonic content.
Oh, and did I mention the Native American plot line? Again, I've no idea how authentic this is, though the description of genocide by invading Russian fur traders strikes true.
West Salem is apparently the first of a series, forthcoming volumes of which will presumably fill in some of the gaps in the first book. While waiting for the next volume in the series, I think I'll try some of Ms De Sues' other books.
Want to read
November 19, 2015..not finished reading this yet, but it is slow going. I'm not overly interested.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews