Review: Fast Paced, Wonderfully Engaging!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 5, 2014
This is fast paced and full of wonderfully engaging action and strong characters.  Rating 4.5.Juliana is a Realm Walker with special abilities that help her hunt, trap and, if need be, kill paranormal entities who refuse to abide by the rules that separate the magical world from the normal, human world. She is half-mage and half dark fae who works side by side with werewolves, mages and others of paranormal ilk. Juliana has been successful in her post and is often sought to lead the teams because of her abilities to see auras, distinguish creatures by scent and speak most known and even forgotten languages. Few know Juliana’s history and even she doesn’t remember all details of her difficult, orphaned childhood.One person who thinks he knows her pretty well is master vampire, Thomas Kincade. He took Juliana into his household when she was just a street urchin and was befriended by his sister. Thomas helped train Juliana and watched over her as she matured. When she became nineteen he overwhelmed her by saying that she was to be his mate and declaring how powerful they would be together. This frightened Juliana who thought she needed some time to adjust. Thinking he would give her time to live a little life as her own person Thomas left the next morning with instructions for his coven to watch over her.Now, seven years later, Thomas has returned to discover that Juliana is bitter about his abrupt departure. Bit by bit he learns more secrets, including that she has suffered and nearly died on several occasions. Somehow he has to convince her he left with good intentions and that he wants her for reasons beyond the power she can bring to their union.First Thomas has to get close to Juliana while she is busy battling a demon who is able to jump from host to host. If that isn’t bad enough, the snarky demon has apparently been summoned to kill Juliana herself. Although Juliana has returned from several death experiences she is not immortal. It will take all her skill and help from some special sources when the demon possesses Thomas as the tool to hunt her down.This story jumps into battle action right from the opening and never slows down. I really enjoyed the fast pace, full action as well as the conflicted emotions. Both leading characters are really strong personalities and there is great tension between them as they struggle to find a place of trust and sharing of their strengths. There are unexpected and powerful connections revealed that add to the intrigue and intensity of Juliana’s situation. I highly recommend this very engaging story and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Collins.