Lord of Lightning

by Suzanne Forster

Her Fantasy Viking Warrior... — When Stephen Gage collided with Lise Anderson, she felt actual sparks fly between them! His eyes were the color of infinity, his voice held the promise of exquisite sensuality, and his spirit seemed to recognize hers. The mysterious geologist intrigued the fiercely independent schoolteacher, unsettled her -- and ma... more »de her long to tame his wild blond hair with her fingers. Somehow he knew she yearned to be taken by storm, claimed, possessed -- and that part of her secret dream was surrender, abandon, the thrilling seduction of letting go all restraint and embracing the danger of her destiny. Stephen wasn't just a man, but a force of nature who made her dizzy with fear and desire. Once, he'd shown her the healing power of the heavens and carried her away to touch the stars. Could Lise prove to him that time would stand still when they were together, that only she could soothe his pain and be his sunlight in the darkness?

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Loveswept

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

About the author

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Suzanne Forster is living proof of William Shakespeare’s maxim that the uses of adversity are sweet. Suzanne’s writing career began by accident. Literally. A car accident ended her dreams for a career in clinical psychology. During her recovery, she began writing to fill the hours, and before she was well enough to return to graduate school, she’d sold her first book and launched a new career.
Since then Suzanne has written more than thirty novels and been the recipient of countless awards, including The National Readers’ Choice Award for Shameless, her mainstream debut. She’s received recognition for outstanding sales from Waldenbooks and Bookrak, and her recent novel, Unfinished Business, was made into a movie for the Oxygen Network.
Suzanne has a Master’s Degree in Writing Popular Fiction, and she teaches and lectures frequently. Her seminars on Women's Contemporary Fiction at UCLA and UC Riverside were rated outstanding, and her most requested workshop, "The High-Concept Synopsis," is based on personal experience. Her breakout novel, Shameless, sold on a synopsis that triggered a bidding war and garnered her a six-figure contract.
Suzanne has received considerable media attention, including a feature segment on Extra, NBC's news and entertainment magazine, and an Emmy Award–winning "Special Report" on CBS Channel 23 News. Her many print appearances include the L.A. Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Redbook and Orange Coast Magazine

Reviews

[Sláinte Wanderlust · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book Blurb -
When a mysterious stranger arrives in Shady Trees, things go quickly awry: clocks stop, small children insist they’ve spotted UFOs, and the prim and proper schoolteacher begins indulging in abduction fantasies
One night in quiet, bucolic Shady Trees, two children witness a startling occurrence: A giant silver figure engulfed in green light emerges from the darkness before them, picks up a dead bird, and brings it back to life. The next day at school, Miss Lise Anderson hears her students buzzing about the sighting and dismisses it as a childish rumor. Then she encounters handsome geologist, Stephen Gage. Unable to ignore the electricity coursing between them, the buttoned-up Lise seeks out the stranger.
When two precious artifacts go missing from the town museum, locals accuse Gage. Lise emerges as his only advocate. Is her attraction to him clouding her judgment? After Gage arrives at her home unexpectedly during a storm, and takes her against her will to the hills, she realizes she’s begun a risky erotic game with a man as dangerous as he is desirable.
This ebook features an illustrated biography of Suzanne Forster including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

Cover & Title - 3 out of 5
Favorite Line - "Well, if he decides to take another shot at impregnating this earth woman," Lise said sardonically, "I hope he doesn't know me out first."
Favorite Character - Lise

I must admit throughout almost the entire book i was intrigued but at the same time befuddled. Even though i have just finished the book i am still unsure of what i have just read. I have been left with many questions & few answers. I actually found the story quite gripping, maybe it was the constant feeling of disarray? I do not know what hooked me on the story but something did. It was a very strange book but i liked it.

I theme songed this book, Live - Lightning Crashes.. its fitting :)

[Andrei Tamaş · Rating 1 out of 5]

Banala dragoste americana transfigurata intr-o alternanta dintre tragedie si -da!- comedie!
Una dintre cartile alea pe care le citesti cand ajungi din intamplare intr-un hotel si, fiindca ai fost luat pe nepregatite, nu ai reusit sa-ti iei nicio carte cu tine, dar ai gasit una in livingul hotelului...

[Jess the Romanceaholic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a re-issue when I picked it up, but sadly, it became obvious as I read it. :-/ The book felt quite dated, even though some of that "dated" feeling could be chalked up to the fact that the book was set in a small town where people tend to be a bit more old-fashioned than their big-city neighbors.

Even so, this one didn't really do it for me.

I think I was disappointed in the fact that it started off feeling almost as though it were a paranormal romance, and it ended up being a straight-up contemporary, which threw me for a loop.

The romance itself was solid, with likable protagonists, and the chemistry was good, but the story itself fell a bit flat.

Not terrible, but not really something I'll be likely to re-read in the future.

3/5 Stars.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lord of Lightning was originally published in 1990 and published by Loveswept. Open Road Media has re-released the book in digital format and given it a new updated cover.
I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley.

Lise is a school teacher in a small village. One afternoon she runs into Stephen, literally, when her shopping cart developed a mind of it's own. There was an instant attraction and sparks flew, again quite literally. There was something about Stephen that was a little different.
When Lise gets wind of rumors that Stephen, new to the community, is maybe an alien from outer space, Lise decides to pay the man a visit and welcome him to the community and warn him about the rumors he has been a victim of.

When Lise located Stephen's out of the way home, she discovers some strange things located there. Before she can fully digest what her eyes are seeing, she has a bad fall and Stephen finds her and takes care of her.
Both of them are physically attracted to each other. Stephen is at times almost too aggressive in his pursuit. Then at other times he is the perfect gentleman.
Lise doesn't know quite what to make of him, but she does know he makes her feel like she has never felt before.

As they get to know each other a bit, Lise learns that Stephen does indeed have some really odd secrets. Will those secrets prevent them from having a long term relationship?

This book is part contemporary romance, part science fiction, with a touch of paranormal.
The plot doesn't really gel together to well at times, and the premise is really out there. The author does have an imagination, I can say that much. The author does keep us guessing about Stephen's true nature. Is he just a man doing a job or is he actually from another planet?
All questions are answered in the end, but it was a little rushed through. The HEA was also a bit of a let down. I didn't feel satisfied with the arrangement.
Having said that, I did enjoy the nostalgia in the book. There were references to things from the 80's , like TV shows and movies, but also the language used by Lise's students. Remember "that's so rad"? Funny. That's one of the things that makes these books fun to pick up and read again after so much time. This one a unique. I give this one a C.

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faina cartea. Putin mai ciudatica.....

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

One night in quiet, bucolic Shady Trees, two children witness a startling occurrence: A giant silver figure engulfed in green light emerges from the darkness before them, picks up a dead bird, and brings it back to life. The next day at school, Miss Lise Anderson hears her students buzzing about the sighting and dismisses it as a childish rumor. Then she encounters handsome geologist, Stephen Gage. Unable to ignore the electricity coursing between them, the buttoned-up Lise seeks out the stranger.
When two precious artifacts go missing from the town museum, locals accuse Gage. Lise emerges as his only advocate. Is her attraction to him clouding her judgment? After Gage arrives at her home unexpectedly during a storm, and takes her against her will to the hills, she realizes she’s begun a risky erotic game with a man as dangerous as he is desirable.

Heather's Notes
The book started off really good and there were lots of paranormal hints and intrigue but the ending was bit of a let down and really destroyed the story for me. Also he never explained how he healed the "dead" bird. They never really resolved why the artifacts were stolen. So much left unanswered.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lord of Lightning by Suzanne Foster is a 2011 reissue of a novel originally published in 1990. A mysterious stranger in the small town of Shady Trees is bound to bring suspicion from the locals, especially when combined with stopping clocks and children insisting they have spotted a UFO and a strange figure glowing green that just happened to bring a bird back to life. Miss Lise Anderson is the straight laced school teacher trying to convince her students, and the town that nothing extraterrestrial is happening. But after a few encounters with the mysterious Stephen Gage Lise is certain that there is some electricity in the air.

Lord of Lightning left me with mixed feelings. It feels a little dated, but since it is a reprint that is not too unexpected. Lise is a prim school teacher in an extremely small town. She does not believe in the crazy rumors surrounding the newest member of the town, but seems willing to take whatever he is willing to offer her- although she does offer up the token protests. Stephen is certainly mysterious, and I like that his character keeps the mysterious air through out the book. In fact, there were moments when readers might find themselves wondering if he really is an alien or something paranormal. He has a tragic back-story, and an attraction to Lise that he seems unable to deny. The book walked the line between category romance and erotica, but never really seemed to excel at either one. I was left feeling rather let down, only because I have enjoyed more recent books from Foster, and thought she could have done much more here. But, perhaps this just shows how far she has come as an author since this book was originally published.

Lord of Lightning has great potential to be great category romance or erotica, but missed the mark. It seemed to walk the unexpected line between the two. It was a quick read, and showed me how much Foster has grown as an author, but was not a book I would widely recommend. Readers that are big fans of Foster might want to give it a look, to see the photos and information she has included about her life in the back, and to appreciate how much she has grown as an author.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is the glorious stranger that appears in the heroine's small town a space alien, a NASA scientist, a mystic healer or just a beautiful man with a tragic past? The Hero is the subject of much speculation and small town paranoia, but when he becomes involved with the h, a beloved school teacher, sparks (literally) fly.

The H/h fight their attraction, but love is inevitable. The H's unusual activities and the mysterious lights coming from the quarry near his cabin makes the h question the H and her own feelings. Guilt over the past and overwhelming circumstances separate them, but a near tragedy draws them back together. Can they overcome their differences and have a future together? Fortunately, Suzanne Forster is known for her creative HEAs.

This well written, well edited, romance/sci fi book is a pleasant, interesting read. I can see myself rereading it on a cold day with my feet up and a hot cup of tea.

[Atunah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one left me a bit confused. I give credit to the Loveswept line that really did have some great unique category romance stories. This one is no exception. Is it paranormal, is it science fiction, is it small town romance. I think maybe it tried to be a bit much all at once and then I was a bit let down I guess.
But it is certainly a memorable story. A bit flowery but not just going over that purple line.

I did really enjoy it though overall. I don't think there is much contempo stuff out there with these touches of other sub genres.

[Beret Brenckman]

Loveswept