TEST
Blood Lines is the third book in a series, following Tempting Danger and Mortal Danger. I think the author summed it up well in this paragraph:
“The world was set up to be blasted with repeated doses of magic, changing everything, probably killing people. Demons were popping up all over, and an Old One who’d been around since before the big bang wanted to destroy the lupi, seize the Book of All Magic, and rule the world.”
I had to reacquaint myself with this author’s universe quickly since there was no preface summing up the two previous books. Thankfully I remembered fairly quickly, but this is not a stand alone book. If you haven’t read the first two, don’t even attempt this one. Seriously, grab Tempting Danger and have fun! Once I settled in, this book quickly became engaging as old characters settled into their places.
In Wilks’ world, the lupi (werewolves) are mostly known to society and magic isn’t really hidden. Lupi are extremely long lived, and our hero Rule, of the Nokolai clan, is settling into his relationship with his human mate, Lily Yu, a magic sensitive. Lily can sense magic and the type of creature that created it. Sensitives are rare, and Lily works with a special division of the FBI. The mate bond has been an adjustment for both of them, but most of the uncomfortable growing pains present in the last two books have been overcome here. This is a bonus, because it gives the reader the chance to experience the relationship between Rule and Lily at its best.
They’ve literally recently returned from Hell, literally, and the action hasn’t let up. A flare of unbelievably strong magic has surged, causing havoc everywhere. Magic currents mess with all types of electronic systems, and this particular surge causes werewolves to change without warning, no matter their location. Along with the surge, demon attacks – mostly against werewolf heirs – are reported in numerous locations. A few have been killed, causing serious upheaval in the clans. One of the dead was connected to Rule.
In the course of Lily’s investigation, previous characters make their appearance. One of Rule’s former lovers, Cynna, who is also an FBI agent and now a friend of Lily’s, is called on to investigate the demon appearances. Cynna is a type of sorcerer, who has a regrettable (in her mind) attraction to another of Rule’s clan mates, Cullen Seaborne.
Cullen is a jack of all trades, to put it mildly. He is a stripper, a sorcerer, a werewolf, a handy medic at times, etc. He is on the hunt for dragons when he is drawn into the werewolf troubles and the FBI investigation. This serves to draw him closer to Cynna, and their relationship is complicated and engaging.
Not to be outdone, Lily’s grandmother (who is incidentally a tiger) also reappears here. Li Lei Yu is an extremely powerful being who finally reveals some of her own secrets as it becomes clear that the demon attacks are part of a much larger and sinister plot to locate the Book of all Magic. The Book was lost eons ago and it holds secrets that could be devastating should it fall into the wrong hands.
Although there is a satisfactory resolution to the investigation, further books are clearly in the works. Cynna and Cullen definitely have issues to resolve. I can’t wait to see more of Cullen. He’s just, well, yummy. Not too alpha, but definitely made of the right stuff. Cynna is a nice foil for him, as she is also a magic user, so they share an understanding with each other.
The author does a nice job balancing each couple, and entwining their stories together so that neither one gets cheated. I like Lily and Rule, it’s nice to see a couple function together after the epilogue, so to speak. Li Lei Yu was also fun to see again. She was almost non-existent in the second book, and her charisma is amazing. I had a smile on my face at the end of the book because of her character alone. The forthcoming books in this series are definitely auto-buys for me, and I can’t wait for the next one!
Grade: B+
Book Type: Shapeshifter Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 10/01/07
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.