Slut! That's what spoiled heiress Loretta Shaw is, and she'd be the last one to argue the point. But then, she has her reasons and the deeply ingrained scars to bear them out. For years, she's looked for love in all the wrong places, because the only man she could truly love is literally stone cold toward her.

By day, Cray Diamond is hostage to a curse that traps him in a monstrous Gargoyle effigy. At sunset, stone turns to living, breathing flesh, and he becomes Loretta's bodyguard, an immortal man restrained by his own sense of chivalry. Over the years, Loretta has done everything she could to entice Cray into breaking his vow of celibacy with those he's bound to protect. As much as Cray wants Loretta, he's determined to maintain his honorable intentions. What he doesn't count on is Loretta's determination to wear him down. What she doesn't expect is the jealous reaction of an ex-lover. When his jealousy drives him over the edge into madness and he threatens Loretta's life, events are set into motion that could either tear Loretta and Cray apart - just as their love is blossoming - or bind them together forever. Which will it be?

Well done, Mel Teshco! You have produced an absolute gem in Stone Cold Lover. Although there were a couple spots late in the story where I felt a bit rushed toward the conclusion, this novella - overall - could possibly be the best I've ever read. Most novellas just don't get it done for me; this one did. I loved it! It's beautifully written, with a lot of fast-paced action, tension-filled suspense and sensually hot sex packed into a modicum of pages. The characters are wonderfully portrayed; so alive they nearly jump off the pages. Cray is the quintessential angst-ridden hero in need of healing love, while being capable of giving a wealth of love and understanding in return. Loretta, at first, didn't appeal to me, but she quickly won me over, with the depth of her love for Cray and her determination to wear down his inflexible barriers.

Tremendous first book! I'll definitely be watching for more good things from this great new author.

Reviewed by: Merrylee