On the outside, Catherine 'Charlie' Brown is a tough woman, one who knows what she wants, goes after it and doesn't take any affronts from anyone. But this is really only an outer façade, a protective shell. Charlie has been hurt by every man in her life, from her father to her boyfriends. She no longer believes in love, nor marriage and the like. One thing she cannot stand is sanctimonious, chauvinistic pigs – like Nicholas St Eve, Bad Boy rocker of the chart topping band Tantaliser. When his band is recruiting for a drummer, Charlie's best friend Rachel dares her to try out, even though they – well, Nik - have particularly stated they want a man. Charlie knows she's more than good enough, but is happy with her life as it is. But she hates to disappoint Rachel, and hey, a dare is a dare. Charlie goes along to the audition, with the plan of showing up St Eve for the chauvinistic bastard that he is – and she succeeds. He walks out when she walks in, then plants a smacker on her as she is leaving. Well, talk about a man thinking he's God's Gift to women. Charlie wants to take him down a peg or two, and warns him to watch out. Though he doesn't take her seriously, he soon finds out that he should beware an angered woman – especially if that woman is Charlie.

Two years later, Charlie's plan has come into fruition. Her band Mystique is topping the charts, whilst Tantaliser is nearly free falling out of them. In all of two years, Tantaliser has not put out any new music, though they have finally managed to conquer America – though not before Mystique. Life is great, except for those fearsome headaches Charlie keeps getting. And, oh yeah, the way Nik's tours seem to suspiciously mirror hers. For two years, his behavior could almost be classified as stalking. Each is aware of the sizzling attraction between them. Nik is determined to pursue it; Charlie is equally as determined not to. But will she be able to hold out against this bad boy rocker? Is he someone she could learn to trust and depend upon? Or does he only want to use her?

Nik hasn't had sex in three years. After his doctor advised him to choose between the booze and having sex, well, there was no real choice. He cleaned up, but still couldn't get an erection. Well, until Charlie had walked through the audition doors. Then he had started sporting a hard on strong enough to split stone. He had quickly left the audition hall lest he loose face, but the sound of Charlie's music had stopped him in his steps. Her drumming was one of the sweetest sounds he'd ever heard, her talent enough to rival that of his deceased friend and fellow band member Bobby. But she is a woman, and the band has an image to maintain. But he believed he could still pursue a physical fling with her, until she stopped those actions in their tracks. For the last two years , all he has been able to think about is her. He has not responded to any other woman, and is desperate to get relief. Three years is a real long time to go without sex, but with only one woman raising his appetite his dry spell doesn't look like it will come to a close any time soon. His only hope is to convince her to get physical, but he has been trying to do that for years and so far, no go. But it seems that at long last her resolve may be crumbling. But will his desire for only a quick, physical relationship change into a real desire for a deeper, longer lasting relationship? Are his dry spells – both sexual and songwriting – about to come to a close?

Rose Middleton’s Tantaliser had me hooked from page one, start to finish. This is a marvelous contemporary novel that grips you throughout the story and is darned near impossible to put down. Tantaliser is a real page turner, and you'll savor every word. The characters are developed in-depth. At the beginning, both main characters appear somewhat brusque, especially Nik, yet as the tale unfolds, hidden depths are revealed about them both. Each has had their own trying experiences, which have shaped their personalities and how they live their lives. You need not be into hard rock to love this story, though if you are that could help add a tune to the song lyrics provided. All of the characters, not only the central characters, are simply fabulous, especially the supporting characters of Casey and Rachel, who are themselves engaged in an on-again, off-again relationship. There is sex, and it is described in detail. The only more risqué sexual act performed is phone sex, and a fairly mild version, at that. This is my second Middleton novel, the first being the excellent One Foot Forward, in which there was a brief mention of the two bands Tantaliser and Mystique, though the books are otherwise completely unrelated. I now count Middleton among my watch-out-for authors, and am eagerly keeping a keen eye out for more. In fact, I've already got my next Middleton novel lined up!

Reviewed by: Elizabeth