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While I normally dislike paranormals, there are certain plot elements – fantasy, science fiction, paranormal – that I enjoy, including ghosts, benevolent witches, and psychics. Beyond Fearless has a heavy psychic/science fiction plot that is intriguing, however, the story as a whole fails to significantly stand out among its competition.
“Magic Anna” Ridgeway is a psychic, earning her living performing shows in which she asks for personal items from an audience, touches them, and then is able to see into the owner’s life and personality. Anna fled the U.S. and a dangerous situation and found herself at the island of Grand Fernandino performing in a nightclub. However, she is still uneasy in her surroundings, even more so when she meets Zachary Robinson. The two share an instant, intense psychic connection that at first frightens Anna, then draws her to him.
Zach, a treasure hunter, is in Grand Fernandino to search for a sunken yacht off the coast of the island. When Zach has an accident after a member of his crew sees a deity of the local Vadiana religion – a faith that combines elements of paganism, Catholicism, and voodooism – no one will go near Zach’s boat or the job, fearing the God of War.
When Zach meets Anna, he knows something is different about her. Despite her initial misgivings, they soon fall hard for each other, and discover that they are connected psychically, and can communicate telepathically. As Zach has never had psychic abilities, they know that they are meant to be together. However, they soon learn that there is more to their connection than meets the eye; someone is trying to find them and kill them for it. Meanwhile, a local Vadiana priest with a strong psychic ability wants to get Zach out of the picture and make Anna his bride in order to combine their powers.
This book is the sequel to York’s Beyond Control. Some parts of this book confused me, as there were several return characters and a continuation of a plot from the previous book. I did manage to figure out what was going on, but the comprehension time would’ve been cut much shorter had I read the prequel.
Some of the telepathic communication between Zach and Anna – and another couple that comes into the picture – got a bit annoying and seemed, occasionally, inconsistent. The two different villains also added too much to the plot. Despite the psychic connection, I also had a hard time following the logic of Anna and Zach falling desperately in love after knowing each other for such a short amount of time. However, the book is entertaining enough and quite suspenseful; there’s also a really nice back story to Anna and Zach’s relationship that really adds something to their relationship.
Overall, this book isn’t bad, and those who don’t like paranormals – or are over them – shouldn’t have a problem with its psychic heroine. A strong suspense component unfortunately cannot overcome flaws in the romance, so while there’s some fun to be had here, there’s not quite enough to earn Beyond Fearless a recommendation.
Grade: C+
Book Type: Paranormal Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 27/12/07
Publication Date: 2007
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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.