Hunters: The Beginning [Paperback]

Shiloh Walker is simply one of the best writers of the newly dubbed 'Romantica' genre. (The term,I believe, comes from the e-publisher, Elloras Cave.)

The Hunters is a series of stories whose lead characters,ie.(the romantic interest couple) are vampires, werewolves, witches....well you get the idea. Each story is a completed story within a series, and though Elloras Cave standards list the individual stories as novel length, they are really novellas. (They are not short stories though so relax)

The characters are fun and hot...and true to the signature of this genre which crosses WAY-HOT erotica with romance and in many cases Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery...you name it and Shiloh Walker has an excellent series for all taste.

I'm not going to tell you the story in this review. What I will tell you is that though it will never win a Nobel Prize, it is fresh and exciting especially for a vampire story, which have just about been done to death in publishing. (Great villian too as well as the ghost of the villians Mother.)

Declan and Tori are the 1st in this series. Declan is an 'inherent werewolf' (read the book to find out what that means), and Tori is almost a vampire. (read the book to find out what that means), its just too darn complicated for a quick synopsis. (If you want to read sample chapters and a synopsis go to www.ellorascave.com to find a listing of Shiloh Walkers prodigious, wonderful stories complete with cover art and more.)

The 2nd story is the story of the powerful leader of the Vampires, Eli, and a vengeful witch, Sarel. Eli is introduced in the Declan and Tori tale,(you'll love him, all of them really). Shiloh Walker writes about Super-Alpha males and tough bold women.

What you need to know about this book: 1. Its an adult book, it contains all the elements many Romance readers look for and then add to their keepers shelf and its blazing, ass-scorching hot! (Made me fidget) ( : Elloras Caves stable of writers, write erotic romance...very erotic. (You can check out the rating system at the Elloras Cave web site stated previously.)

2. The plot will hold your interest...no doubt about it. Shiloh Walker is an expert world builder, she takes you places that don't exist and makes you believe in magic and love and anything else she wants you to believe for that matter.

3. If you are not interested in reading sexually explict material or have issues with naughty language don't bother with Shiloh Walker because her books sizzle with heat...all kinds.

4. Most of her titles are available only in e-book format...so you should grab this paperback,(which by the way Elloras Cave publishes a wonderfully bound trade paperback for all its titles in print) if you don't have e-book resources these well made books are a pleasure to own and read.

I'm a bookseller, and I never have used copies of Elloras Caves printed titles, I can't seem to keep this title in stock even new, and as I mentioned above Elloras Cave has done a great job with the quality of their printed titles. The art work on the covers, which is important to book people, is hit and miss with some of Elloras Cave titles, but not The Hunters, by Shiloh Walker. The cover is interesting and...well...hot.

Buy this book if you like it wild and hot and Bad to the Bone. You won't be sorry.

Blush for Pink Books

Shiloh Walker's Hunters: The Beginning contains the first two stories from her Hunters series. The first story Declan and Tori starts off her Hunters series. Tori is a detective who is bitten by a vampire while doing her job. Starving and not sure what is wrong with her she turns to Declan, a police detective, for help. Little does she realize that he is a werewolf.

The second story is Eli and Sarel. Eli is a powerful vampire and Sarel is the witch who is trying to kill him. Sarel believes that Eli killed her family so she's determined that he will pay. She almost accomplishes her goal before she realises that Eli is not the guilty party.

***Shiloh Walker is most certainly an author to watch. Her books are loaded with steamy, erotic love scenes. But unlike many authors who write romantica(erotic romance) the highly erotic nature of the book does not distract from the romance or the storyline of the book. However, readers who are not comfortable with books that have non-traditional love scenes will probably not like this book but those who are looking for a lushly sensual story will do well to give The Hunters a try, you won't be disappointed.*****

The Hunter world of magick and the paranormal is bursting with vivid images and emotion, and will surround you like a seductive spell.

The journey begins with Tori McAdams, a practical woman who never believed in vampires until she became one. Bitten by a vengeful vampire, she is left to die an agonizing death until a voice in her head guides her to survival. It also leads her to sexy Declan Reilly, a cop who's been trying to seduce her for months, only she doesn't get involved with cops. Now Declan is her lifeline to getting through the Change and dealing with the uneasy feelings and physical adjustments that both amaze and horrify her. Only some of the changes mystify Declan, a man with his own secrets, and he brings her to someone who might be able to help, a friend, a centuries-old vampire named Eli, to complete Tori's transition to her new existence. Eli has an aura all his own, as most vampires do, and it calls out to Tori. She is an exceptional creature, a Hunter, and able to resist the calls a lesser vampire is forced to answer. Only not all does she choose to resist. Shiloh creates a sexy love story of two bonded mates who truly belong to each other. You will be fascinated by the paranormal world she has created that blends blood, sex and magick with a generous amount of eroticism. The love scenes will leave you breathless and the bold sexuality of the lovers is unbelievably hot and intense - they will definitely make you squirm. Tori is a strong, passionate woman conflicted by her new life, but one who learns to come to terms with it so she can find happiness with her true mate. Declan fiercely loves his vampire and stands by her side as together they fight an evil determined to destroy them both. These characters will capture your heart before you even realize it's happening. *****

Eli is longing for Tori, the mate of his best friend Declan, and wants so desperately what they have found together. While he truly loves his dear friends, being with them is becoming unbearable, and he feels that an existence without his own love may not be worth continuing. But Eli has a calling, a need to save innocent souls that keeps him from giving up quite yet. While out on such a mission, he is being hunted by someone who hates everything he stands for. She is a powerful witch, and Sarel wants Eli dead, to suffer as her family has suffered. Only her wish for vengance doesn't go as she planned, and she discovers how wrong she's been about Eli all this time. As she learns to control her magick, the two are separated, but the distance of time and space is agony to them both. Once reunited, their intense desire for each other consumes them, but neither realizes that it is more than lust driving them to be together.

WOW!!!!! These are two very explosive stories that tie into each other in a rather unique and bold way. While very graphic and sexual in nature, the impact of these longer novellas would not be as potent without the strong emotional connection between the characters. Walker is a master at creating strong and lasting bonds that transcend the traditional romance, yet still manage to touch you with their poignancy. I am anxious to learn more about the Hunters and their brethren, and can't wait til the next story.