Review - Night Shadow by Cherry Adair

Night Shadow
T-FLAC/psi Trilogy, Book 3
Cherry Adair
Ballantine Books
November 25, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49973-8

Book Blurb:
The passion and suspense of Cherry Adair’s latest killer trilogy, begun in Night Fall and continued in Night Secrets, now reaches its explosive conclusion in Night Shadow, as mismatched international agents take on evil head-to-head–and each other heart-to-heart.

Aside from working for the international anti-terrorism agency T-FLAC (and having the same last name), Lexi Stone and Alex Stone are polar opposites, right down to Lexi’s mere mortality and Alex’s paranormal powers. While straight-arrow Lexi pushes paper at an Internal Affairs desk, renegade Alex is busy pushing the envelope as he pursues the most dangerous global criminals. And though Lexi disdains his rule-breaking bravado and cowboy tactics, she can’t deny Alex’s skills when it comes to getting his man (not to mention any number of women)–just as she can’t ignore how his roguish charm makes her heart race and her temperature rise.

But Lexi’s secret desires clash head-on with her duties when suspicions arise that Alex is poised to switch sides–and join forces with a European terrorist cell. Tapped for her first field mission, Lexi finds herself assigned to shadow Alex’s every move, and if necessary, terminate him. Despite her feelings, Lexi’s willing and able to carry out her orders, as long there’s proof that Alex is a traitor. But getting the goods–and the drop–on her superagent quarry becomes an even tougher task when Lexi and Alex suddenly find themselves partners on an emergency mission in Russia.

When terrorists seize a busy Moscow railway station for ransom, then abruptly massacre their hostages and vanishinto thin air, the agents realize they’re facing adversaries possessing of the same paranormal abilities as Alex’s elite T-FLAC/psi unit. But after Lexi kills an armed suspect during a breathless rooftop chase, she makes a series of shocking discoveries about the enemy T-FLAC is facing, the troubling truth Alex has been concealing, and the terrifying plot of a treacherous mastermind that could spell the downfall of T-FLAC’s most powerful and valued operatives. To save precious lives and stop the rise of a superhuman terrorist threat, Lexi and Alex must work as a well-oiled team in a race across the globe–and against time–with lethal shadows looming behind them, and no one to trust but each other.

My thoughts:
A part of Lexi Stone’s first T-FLAC field assignment is to keep an eye on Alex Stone and determine whether or not he’s gone rogue. The agents may share a last name, but there’s no blood relation between them. Working together is about to bring them closer than ever.

Terrorist attacks around the world are increasing. It’s clear that not only are those that are carrying them out are more than human, but they’re considered expendable by their leader. Tracking down the mastermind behind the activity will be a difficult task for T-FLAC, and when the leader is discovered it will shock the wizards to their core.

This is the third installment in the T-FLAC/psi Trilogy. Ms. Adair wraps up this trio of books with a fabulous mix of action, magical elements and a delicious new romance. While each of the books in this trilogy is centered on a different couple, they should be read in order to enjoy the full impact of Night Shadow.

To learn more about Night Shadow, please visit Ms. Adair’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Night Secrets by Cherry Adair

Night Secrets
T-FLAC/psi Trilogy, Book 2
Cherry Adair
Ballantine Books
October 28, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49991-2

Book Blurb:
Sydney McBride is writing a profile on a plastic surgery spa in Rio that caters to celebrities, and she’s going under the knife herself–all to revive her sagging career. But then she gets wind of an even bigger story. Among the nips and tucks she discovers a mysterious and devastatingly attractive man claiming he’s come to Rio to foil a plot that has the potential to unleash worldwide horror. Lucas Fox is Sydney’s ticket to a comeback–one that could relaunch her into the limelight. All she has to do is gain his trust.

But Lucas Fox trusts no one. He’s a drop-dead gorgeous T-FLAC operative whose paranormal powers are flickering–but whose powers in bed rocket Sydney to a place she didn’t know existed. Now, with the astounding secrets that she and Lucas have uncovered at the spa, Sydney is willing to take on her most risky career move of all. She’ll work side by side with a world-hopping wizard–stopping only for the most forbidden pleasures along the way.

The night sizzles to new heights in these novels of romantic suspense.

My thoughts:
After her writing career takes an extreme turn for the worst, Sydney McBride agrees to undergo surgery for the sake of a new book she’s been contracted to write. While finishing up her interviews and notes on site at Novos Começos Medi-Spa in Rio, Sydney seizes the opportunity to follow a much more exciting lead when a gorgeous man shows up in need of help. Her curiosity will nearly get her killed.

Chasing down a lead brings Lucas Fox to Rio just as his powers fail him. With no choice but to seek help, he finds himself relying on Sydney and revealing himself as a wizard. The danger soon escalates, and Lucas has his hands full trying to complete his mission and keep Sydney safe while his powers flicker off and on.

This is the second book in the T-FLAC/psi Trilogy. This installment follows Lucas Fox as he tracks down a lead with possible terrorist ties, and falls for a woman too curious for her own good. With a great flair for the unexpected, Ms. Adair takes readers on an edge of your seat adventure with passion and romance along the way. Night Secrets is a fast moving and magical tale with witty characters and a plot you won’t want to miss. While this story is part of a trilogy and a larger series, it can also be read as a stand-alone.

To learn more about Night Secrets, please visit Ms. Adair’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Review - Night Fall by Cherry Adair

Night Fall
T-FLAC/psi Trilogy, Book 1
Cherry Adair
Ballantine Books
September 30, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49990-5

From the publisher’s site:
T-FLAC/psi operative Simon Blackthorne goes to Africa to continue the global war against paranormal terror–never expecting to clash swords with strong-willed Kess Goodall.

Kess struggles in her own desperate battle to unravel a deadly secret that has killed millions in the tiny country of Mallaruza. But Simon proves to be the ultimate distraction: his very presence takes her body to the edge of a pleasure-filled abyss, his touch superbly rapturous. Now, against a backdrop of staggering beauty and horrific violence, with danger at every turn and libidos in overdrive, a spirited woman and an indomitable wizard face a malevolent force more frightening than both can imagine.

With foes strong and numerous, Kess and Simon must forge a bond strong enough to eliminate a sadistic enemy before Mallaruza is lost to terrorist control and the world forever changed.

My thoughts:
Simon Blackthorne, a wizard and T-FLAC/psi agent, travels to Africa to see an old college acquaintance that’s running for presidential re-election in Mallaruza. Millions of Abioyne Bongani’s people are dying, and doctors have been unable to diagnose or stop the apparent spread. Simon plans to take matters into his own hands and get to the bottom of what’s happening in this small country. Protecting Abi’s publicist, Kess, quickly becomes a priority when a powerful wizard enters the fray and makes his intentions known.

Kess Goodall got as far away from Atlanta, Georgia and her tarnished reputation as she could, taking the job as publicist to President Bongani. She enjoys the job and respects the man she works for. She’s horrified by what’s going on around them and Kess is prepared to do whatever she can to help, even if she’s putting herself in harms way. Simon may be frustrating at times, but it’s obvious even to Kess that there’s something special about him. Without his help and protection she may not survive.

This is the first release in the T-FLAC/psi Trilogy, and what an action-packed start it is. Surrounded by death and danger, Simon and Kess find a passionate connection as they fight side by side to survive. Ms. Adair seamlessly blends thrilling suspense and paranormal romance into one scorching read. Night Fall is well-detailed, witty at just the right moments, and has a strong plot that will keep readers engaged to the end.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

Don't Hex With Texas by Shanna Swendson

Don’t Hex With Texas
Katie Chandler, Book 4
Shanna Swendson
Ballantine Books
April 29, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-345-49293-7

Katie Chandler thought she was doing the right thing by leaving her job and the man she cared about behind. Far from Manhattan, she returns to her hometown of Cobb, Texas where life is generally quiet. While she missed her job at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., Katie thought her absence would help to keep Owen safe. Her boss, Merlin, seemed to agree. Little did she know that something was brewing in her hometown, and someone she knows could be deeply involved.

Owen Palmer is a powerful wizard who’s at war against darker magic. He’s been busy tracking down Idris, a wizard who poses a dangerous threat. When Katie’s hometown is in magic induced trouble, Owen betrays his orders and heads down to help. What he discovers could be a real problem. While he manages to find assistance from some unexpected sources, he’ll still have to rely on their honor in keeping their promises. Not such an easy thing to do when so many lives are on the line.

This is the fourth installment in the Katie Chandler series. In this magical world wizards can be charming, gargoyles make fabulous bodyguards, and what most of the world sees is rarely what’s there. Don’t Hex With Texas is fun, witty and delightfully entertaining. Ms. Swendson weaves fantasy, fairytales and her own creative magic into the storyline, making this series simply unique.

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews