Review - Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland

Any Given Doomsday
The Phoenix Chronicles, Book 1
Lori Handeland
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-312-94919-8

Book Blurb:
Elizabeth Phoenix once used her unique skills as a psychic to help in the Milwaukee Police Department’s fight against injustice. But when Liz’s foster mother is found viciously murdered—and Liz is discovered unconscious at the scene—her only memory of the crime comes in the form of terrifying dreams...of creatures more horrific than anything Liz has seen in real life. What do these visions mean? And what in the world do they have to do with her former lover, Jimmy Sanducci?

While the police question Jimmy in the murder, Jimmy opens Liz’s eyes to a supernatural war that has raged since the dawn of time in which innocent people are hunted by malevolent beings disguised as humans. Only a chosen few have the ability to fight their evil, and Jimmy believes Liz is among them. Now, with her senses heightened, new feelings are rising within Liz—ones that re-ignite her dangerous attraction to Jimmy. But Jimmy has a secret that will rock Liz to her core…and put the survival of the human race in peril.

My thoughts:
Elizabeth Phoenix has always felt her intuition and used it to guide her. Then one fateful day during her time as a police officer something goes terribly wrong and Liz has never forgiven herself. Leaving that chapter of her life behind, Liz is tending bar when she has an urgent need to see Ruthie, the foster mother who has always been there for her. Discovering her near death, and listening to Ruthie’s last words, Liz finds herself thrown into a new role in life and she’s given a new look at the world around her.

Jimmy Sanducci, fellow foster child and former lover, is by Liz’s side to keep her from harm. He’s a demon killer (DK), whose allegiance to fight the evils around them now binds him to Liz. He’s kept another secret hidden for all of these years, and while getting past a broken heart was never easy, and no longer loving him was next to impossible, the Jimmy she’s about to be exposed to may destroy any small chance Liz thought they could have together.

It’s up to another man from Liz’s past to help her realize her power. Sawyer is likely as dangerous as the evil they’ll battle, but he’s her best and only option if there’s to be any hope of surviving.

This is the first book in The Phoenix Chronicles, and it pulls readers feet first into the fray. The plot moves at a quick pace, the characters are intriguing, and Ms. Handeland’s writing is sure to have you captivated from the first chapter. With a leader in training, two powerful men at her side, and scenes that are often tender and always passionate, Any Given Doomsday was impossible to set down. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I’d happily recommend. I’ll be looking forward to the next in the series, Doomsday Can Wait, that’s currently scheduled as an April 2009 release.

To learn more about The Phoenix Chronicles, please visit Ms. Handeland’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews