TEST
If you have not read any of the Sea Haven or Drake Sister novels by Christine Feehan, then I strongly recommend doing so before you read the novel Spirit Bound. Although this is a good book, it is very confusing in the beginning if you do not know the back story on the characters. I had never read any of the books from the other series and it really made it hard to get into this book at first. However, once I finally got everyone’s real identity and cover identity straight, I thoroughly enjoyed this book – even though spy/thriller type romance novels are definitely not my normal thing.
Stefan Prekenskii is a highly specialized secret agent assassin. He works deeply undercover for the Russian government. As the book begins, he is undercover in prison as the cell mate of Jean-Claude La Roux. Jean-Claude has stolen a microchip with information concerning the Russian secret agents, and it would be deadly for Stefan if that information got out. Stefan is in jail with him in the hopes that he will find out where Jean-Claude has hidden the chip. The only lead that he has is Jean-Claude’s pictures surrounding him in his cell – all of a beautiful woman named Judith Henderson. Even as Stefan plans to find Judith and get the truth from her, he finds himself strangely attracted to her and protective of her.
Judith is a woman with a dark past and the ability to control the element of spirit. She lives on a farm with her adopted sisters – each of whom controls an element (earth, water, air, etc.) with their psychic talents. All of the women have dark and mysterious pasts involving violent events which have traumatized them. To say that these women are unwilling to trust is an understatement. Surprisingly, they have all accepted Levi, their sister Rikki’s husband, but that stretched their limits. Strangers, especially men, are not welcome on their farm.
But when Judith and Stefan met, sparks fly. There is a psychic bond that allows each of them, with their psychic talents, to let go and be completely free with one another. Since Stefan’s brother is Levi, Rikki’s husband, Stefan is able to prove himself trustworthy to Judith and the women on the farm. But there are problems on the horizon. Jean-Claude is due to be released from jail any day now, and Stefan and Levi discover that they are on the list to be exterminated by their secret agency. In order to protect Judith, Rikki, and the rest of the Sea Haven sisters, Stefan and Levi prepare the farm for a direct assault.
Judith and Stefan are a good couple. The unique bond, and the swiftness of its creation, would not be believable if not for their psychic talents. But Feehan also provides other reasons that the bond is so desirable and freeing for them. Stefan is a trained killer who does everything 100%. When he is undercover, his cover is complete and Stefan disappears to be replaced by who he has to become. Deep down, there is a small part of him that remembers what it is to be Stefan, and that is the part that falls deeply in love with Judith. The traumas of their pasts make the refuge and hope that they represent to each other convincing. And when a killer and torturer like Jean-Claude is out to get you, it is easy to see how Judith would want a man like Stefan protecting her.
At first, the real identity of Stefan, his cover identity (Thomas), his brother’s real identity (Lev), his cover identity (Levi), plus all the sisters and their friends within Sea Haven, make the beginning of the book very confusing. Not having read any of the other books in the series, I had to try to get old characters straight when two major characters had two names and identities, and I am sure that I missed a lot of clues on how the story was going while trying to figure out who was who. Once Stefan and Levi reveal themselves, the book took off for me. Since that was a good 150 pages into the book, it was very hard to get into the book. But I am very glad I stuck with it because it was worth it in the end. There were some parts that were a little rough and could have been edited, like when Judith was teaching Stefan to make a kaleidoscope. Since this was the turning point, where Judith was deciding to accept Stefan or not, the overdone details of how to make a kaleidoscope unfortunately brought down what should have been one of the best parts of the book.
I will say that there are four more sisters in Sea Haven. There are a few more Prakenskii brothers around as well. If the trend in the series continues and each of the sisters is paired with a brother, I would be disappointed. Though I could see that two of the brothers, whose souls were on the edge, could find their salvation in Sea Haven with the sisters, I think it would be beyond believable if that was the plan for the rest of the brothers and sisters. The book seemed to hint to that uncomfortably. Barring that, this is a good book and I would likely continue to read the series in the future.
Grade: B-
Book Type: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 17/12/11
Publication Date: 2012/01
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.