ROMANCE AT HEART MAGAZINE

Who would have thought eternity could be a prison? Certainly not the bold and brave band of Spartans, or the seven last warriors who went down in history as the saviors of the Greeks, and the suicidal battle of Thermopylae which allowed the Greeks to finally defeat the Persians. Yet for Ajax Petrakos, that is truly what immortality, and his many centuries of life has become. His King, Leonidas of Sparta, has not only summoned him twice, and he has not answered, but now he finds his mission is one of grave importance. There is a prophecy about to be fulfilled, and Ajax is the main player, as is the woman of his dreams. After 2500 years, Ajax is to meet the one woman who will have a profound effect on his life, Shayanna Angel. She has featured in his dreams, has been the reason he has hung on to his sanity for so very long. The hope her presence in the world would bring him is one thing, having her here and now a whole new perspective. That she could be in danger, it is one thing Ajax cannot bear to think about, and now he is in a position to find her.

In the long history of the Greeks, the Oracle of Delphi beloved of the God Apollo, has always been known as guide to the Kings and people of Greece. For the last 2500 years, she has used Ajax to guide the seven Spartans, chosen by Ares, to help and guard mankind from evil. Ajax has been her only conduit, but now unexpected changes are occurring and he finds Leonidas can now see her as well. Between the three of them, Ajax realizes history is about to repeat itself if he doesn’t find Shayanna fast. With the help of Oracle, Ajax is transported to Savannah, Georgia, and into contact with Shay. Finding her besieged by the very being who stripped him of his family, Ajax is enraged, and swears to all the Gods he will do whatever needs to be done to save and protect her. Ajax knows this being, the Persian Djinn known as Elblas, who was helping Xerxes at Thermopylae. Calling himself Sable, this Djinn used Ajax’s family to torture him, ripping away their memories of him forever, and causing him incredible pain. Now he appears to be after Shay, and considering what she means to him, Ajax is wary of Sable’s knowledge and reasons for being there at this time. This assignment could be harder than anything he has ever done in his whole life, and his life, love, and his immortality, in truth his very soul may hinge on the outcome of this battle.

Shayanna Angel belongs to a family of Demon Hunters, an oddity considering most of the world believes in evil, but not the creatures embodying it and who roam the earth dispensing it with unholy glee. She has been begging her family to include her in the family business, but they have steadfastly ignored her requests, thinking to protect her from the evil surrounding them. Shayanna has told her mother about seeing the demons, and about her desire to help, but her mother wouldn’t intercede with her brothers, holding on to Shayanna as if her life depended on Shay remaining ignorant. Now, with the death of her remaining parent, Shay’s brothers have taken up the mantle of “protection,” and inflaming Shay even more. Bing left out is not helpful at this point in her life, especially when her brother mason has pulled away from her, becoming curt and unresponsive. Having her brothers keeping her out of the loop has disastrous consequences for her when she goes to the cemetery. Missing her mother, and having an unreasonable fear that evil is stalking her deceased parent, she is totally unprepared for the attack upon her by a hoard of demons.

She is even more unprepared for the unlikely savior that comes to her rescue. Praying for a rescue, she is confused when a winged creature comes, not only rescuing her, but taking her to safety, and telling her brothers they had better train her or they could all be in big trouble. James and Mason refuse to listen to the creature’s advice. Thinking of him as a demon doesn’t seem right, and yet he couldn’t be an angel…his wings were black. Shay tried again to lobby her brother’s into training her using the creature’s arguments, but again her pleas fell on deaf ears. Now, untrained and unable to be protected by her brothers, Shay is left on her own. She is not totally without protection, however, as Ajax has found her and he will do everything in his power so she will not be harmed. The attraction is there, and Shay has a hard time understanding how the creature knows her name, why he came to her rescue, and a whole plethora of other questions no one is there to answer for her. Only time and Ajax can answer her queries, and when the time comes, she will be hard pressed to believe what he is telling her.

Deidre Knight has written a book that truly blows this reader away, and as promised, even outshines her Parallel series. Red Fire is an amazing tale of love, revenge, vengeance, and a spoiled God named Ares who is upset that those immortals he created won’t play his games. Seven Spartans were given immortality by Ares after the Battle of Thermopylae, and they have done his bidding for 2500 years. Now Ajax is rebelling, and Ares is determined to punish him. The drama plays out between Sable and Ajax, with Ares pulling the strings, and totally unconcerned about the outcome as far as the humans involved are concerned. In trying to force Ajax to his will, Ares sets in motion as series of events that will change the nature of the relationship with his Immortals and could possibly land him in even greater trouble within his own Pantheon. The problems between Ajax and Shayanna are compounded when she finds out who Ajax is, and what he wants her to do for him.

From demons to spoiled gods, from the mouth of Oracle who is now giving the Immortal Spartans words from the Highest One, the god who has no name, Red Fire keeps the reader immersed and on the edge of their seat. For those who are familiar with their Grecian history and mythology, it is a feast for the senses, and a prod for the imagination. For those who are not into Greek history or mythology, it provides an action packed read you will be unable to put down. No one is left out of the action or in the dark about motives as Ms. Knight explains what is necessary, and allows one’s imagination free rein to fill in any blanks. Here is a story as rich and as vibrant as any myth, and for those who are interested in the paranormal, Red Fire is a real feast for the hungry and a no holds barred winner. I have to recommend this book to any lover of great romance as well. The story of Ajax and Shayanna will hold your attention, and will remain in a privileged position on your keeper shelf, of that I am certain. It is coming from Signet Eclipse to a book store near you in October 2008 so keep a watch for Red Fire by Deidre Knight, and be prepared for the ride of your life!

-- Rose, Romance at Heart Magazine

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ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY

Wyoming - Present Day

Lieutenant Anna Draekus is a member of the Refarian army stationed in Wyoming. Here to protect Earth from the Antousians, she’s also a member of a secret Refarian society, the Madjin Circle. Born and bred to protect the royal family, she and the rest of the Circle have kept their secret well, until now. With their identities revealed, Anna is up for questioning by her superior officer, Lieutenant Nevin Daniels, something that might go more smoothly if Anna could just ignore her attraction to him.

Lieutenant Nevin Daniels has been drawn to Anna for many years now. In fact, just last year the reserved officer had decided to approach her and find out if they are meant to be lifemates. But then, as happens to many Refarian males, his maturity struck with devastating speed leaving Nevin unable to father children and making him unfit to mate with Anna. At least unfit in his own eyes.

Two passionate people, Anna and Nevin seem destined to miss their chance at love until they’re marooned in the backcountry with nothing but time and each other. Suddenly, anything could, and does, happen.

PARALLEL FIRE brings together two of my favorite characters from the Midnight Warriors series. Anna is lighthearted and dedicated to her people, especially Jared Bennett (exiled king of Refaria and her commander). That doesn’t mean however, that she isn’t a woman. Without his knowledge, she’s been watching, and eventually lusting after, Nevin for some ten years now. Having resigned herself to his apparent disinterest, when his façade of cool reserve cracks, she’s determined to get to his heart one way or another. Nevin always presents a serious, somewhat dour face to the world. Underneath it all, though, he’s in a constant state of high energy, especially since his maturity came upon him. You know what they say about Refarian males who have just entered that state don’t you? They’re said to be intensely sexual with an almost unquenchable desire for more. A rumor Anna has heard, and one she’s eager to prove is true. Will this pair of Refarians give in to their physical needs, and if they do, will they also accept that age difference or not, they’re meant to be lifemates? Well, you’ll just have to read PARALLEL FIRE to find out.

A wonderful introduction to the Midnight Warriors series, this previously released novella will also satisfy the curiosity of established fans of the series. Don’t miss this passionate story; it’s a sure winner!

-- Lori Ann, Romance Reviews Today