Touched By Darkness [Mass Market Paperback]

Dr. Kara Cantrell and her son Alex have left a life behind that included the death of her Sentinel husband, Richard. Seven years later, a dark stranger, Damian Morgan appears and informs her her son is a Sentinel. He must become a mentor to Alex to instruct him in the ways of the Sentinel, beings that are reincarnated from the lost city Atlantis. I won't go into the story since several reviewers have alreay given what this book is about. I would like to say that I found the plot of this book surprisingly good. I have never read a Catherine Spangler book, and was pleasantly surprised by it's refreshing story. The romance in the book was slow and purposeful. It wasn't your typical paranormal romance where the man must have her, she is mine, I must mark her!!!!! I must bond with her. She is the only woman for me! Yea, right, anyway this book took a whole different approach and the plot became the main story which I appreciated very much. If your looking for something different from all the other paranormal romances, read this book. You will enjoy it.

Dr. Kara Cantrell had fled a supernatural malevolence seven years ago when she witnessed her husband being killed. She settled in the small town of Zorro thinking it would be a good safe place to raise her son Alex and was living a normal life, away from the evil that had taken her beloved husband Richard from her. All seemed right with the world until now when she stepped from her truck. Feeling a familiar `power' she gazed at the tall dark stranger and recognized him for what he was -- a Sentinel. Kara knew the danger and the risk, and she wanted no part of him, his powers, or any influence he would have over Alex.

Damien Morgan was an Atlantian Sentinel soul born to a human body -- mortal but with supernatural powers to track down and bring Karmic justice to evil Belians. He knew at once that the woman recognized and felt him; knew also that she was not a Sentinel but a Conductor who could help him find the Belian. More than the woman though, Damien sensed a more powerful energy emanating from the boy, and knew he was an initiate - a fledgling Sentinel who without guidance would fall prey to the Belian evil.

Damien inserted himself into Kara and Alex's life mainly to protect but also knowing that with her help he would fare a greater chance of discovering where the Belian was. Kara didn't want any kind of emotional involvement with a Sentinel again. Damien's purpose of rooting out the evil was dangerous and she could not afford to have her heart broke again. But the pull Damien had on her was so intense that falling in love was too hard to resist.

*** This was an amazing story. Damien was a terrific lead with a take charge no nonsense attitude who was not about to be ignored. Fabulously sensual, the concept of when a Sentinel and Conductor have relations together and how the Sentinel's powers of tracking the enemy would be increased exponentially made for a truly steamy tale. The concept and characters were developed extremely well, and the brief background of terms describing these new beings was fabulously helpful in giving this reader a better understanding of what was going on and what was going on and who was who in this new world. Breathing life into the characters with a deft touch the reader will become immersed immediately into the story, feeling the terror, the heartbreak and the joy of the characters as they began to work towards the common good. I loved the entire concept of how these people came from the lost land of Atlantis and give high marks for originality and creativity. Fans of Sensual Fantasy are going to love this one.

Catherine Spangler, award winning author of the popular Shielder futuristic romance series has demonstrated her versatility with a brand new paranormal series.

Atlantis rises again through the reincarnated souls known as Sentinels who have returned to rid the world of the threat of the evil Belian's. Though mortal, Sentinels possess supernatural abilities that are magnified when combined with the energy of an opposite sex Conductor, ordinary human souls who have the unique ability to link with a Sentinel, helping to focus their psychic energy in order track down dark souls bent on mayhem and destruction.

Seven years ago Dr. Kara Cantrell had barely survived an encounter with unspeakable evil. Richard the man she'd loved, a Sentinel, hadn't been so lucky. Kara had fled halfway around the country and had felt safe raising their 6 year old son Alex in the small, close-knit town of Zorro, Texas. That is until the day she stepped out of her Chevy pickup and felt the power. Although Kara was aware that Alex was beginning to show signs of following in his father's foot steps, she knew that he was far too young to be projecting the energy she was sensing. Fear threatened to consume her as she made eye contact with an all too familiar gaze from a complete stranger. He had recognized Alex for what he was. She did the only thing she could do - get her son away from him.

Damien Morgan had indeed recognized the power emanating from the Initiate (a young Sentinel unskilled at shielding their power). He had been surprised not only to discover the presence of another Sentinel in town, but shocked by the fact that the child had appeared to have no Sentinel guidance. Without the know how to shield his power, Alex is broadcasting which would surely draw a Belian to him. Although the woman had clearly recognized Damien for what he was, she was not one of them. That only left the possibility that she was a Conductor. A murder has already occurred in this sleepy little town and Damien needs her to conduct for him in order to flush out the Belian responsible before for it strikes again. The child would be his bargaining chip. Since everyone knew everyone in a small town, Damien was certain to find them again.

Kara had been in deeply love when she'd conducted for Richard. Damien's childhood had taught him that emotional attachments only lead to loss. He's determined not to let their involvement get in the way of his duty. Kara is determined to protect her son without succumbing to the sexual energy inherent to conducting, but can she protect her heart? Can Damien work with Kara and her son to save Zorro from the Belian menace without dropping his emotional barriers?

Dark, edgy, and incredibly sensual, Touched by Darkness is spellbinding contemporary fantasy thriller which combines romance, suspense, mythology and metaphysics -- A unique and enthralling series debut that is not to be missed! This story was well researched, well written, and to say that I highly recommend it would be an understatement.

Leslie Tramposch
Courtesy PNR Reviews

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