Reviewed by Gannon Carr
Publisher: Penguin
4 stars

A sexy warrior trapped in a magical sword, a beautiful action movie star, and a centuries-old curse.  Sounds good, doesn’t it?    Julie Leto’s second book in her Phantom series continues the quest to free the Forsyth brothers, who were trapped by a Gypsy curse over 250 years ago.

Aiden Forsyth, along with his brothers, set off to find their sister, Sarina, who is in the clutches of evil sorcerer, Rogan.  Searching the abandoned Gypsy village, Umgeben, Aiden goes to the armory and finds Rogan’s sword—a beautiful weapon with rare, fiery-red gems set in the handle.  As soon as he picks up the sword, it burns his hand, but he cannot let go; the sword has somehow fused to his hand.  Suddenly, all is black.  He has become trapped in the sword, where he will stay for the next 250 years.  Until the woman, who is his destiny, frees him from his prison.

Lauren Cole cannot wait to finish the final Athena movie.  Even though the role has made her famous as a Hollywood action heroine, her ex-husband, Ross, is the producer of the film.  And the sooner she cuts her ties with him, the better.  The only thing she wants from Ross is the antique sword he bought her in Dresden, Germany.  Her bastard ex kept it, but Lauren manages to break into Ross’s house and steal it back—piece of cake for a bad-ass chick like her.  Lauren goes back to the movie studio to practice alone with the sword, and unwittingly unleashes Aiden….and a passion hotter than the fire that forged the enchanted sword.

Aiden is a phantom, only able to become corporeal at night.  While he is technically free from the sword, his freedom is not absolute, and he and Lauren must discover a way to make that happen.  But others are searching for the sword and they will stop at nothing to get it.  Aiden is frustrated that he cannot keep Lauren safe during the day, and he knows that she is the only one who can completely free him.  But Lauren’s ex, Hollywood drama, and the K’vr (the evil group wanting the sword), will not make Aiden and Lauren’s mission an easy one.  But it’s one worth fighting for.

Ms. Leto has penned one hot paranormal!  Aiden and Lauren’s love scenes should definitely rate a molto caldo—seriously sizzling!  But they show a great deal of tenderness, too.  There are wonderful secondary characters who add another luscious layer to this phantom fantasy.  Although this is the second book in the series—more books will follow, one for each brother—it certainly can stand alone.  Reading the first book, Phantom Pleasures will certainly enhance the whole experience.  I plan on doing just that.  I don’t want to miss any of the adventure with the Forsyth brothers!