HUNTERS: HEART AND SOUL

Author: Shiloh Walker ISBN: 0425213927 4/2007 PARANORMAL Publisher: HEAT

In the shades of night, when the evil are free to seduce the weak and indulge their desires, there are still those who will fight to the death for the innocent. They are The Hunters. They are at the heart of a sensuous and strange new world... Two men. Two women. Paranormal warriors and eternal lovers who keep the undead in line by destroying those who have gone rogue. They serve as Judge, Jury, and Executioner. They are as merciless as their prey. And they are its soul. But in this strange enclave of midnight retribution, some discover a hunger they'd never imagined, a love that crosses unnatural boundaries, and a blood reckoning with a damnable past that could save the Hunters or destroy them.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This book actually contains two stories—one about Mike and Leandra, and the other about Malachi and Kelsey.

Mike and Leandra's story starts with a bit of background about Leandra's colorful past. She grew up as part of the Scythe, a group that is telling her they are the good guys, and that the Hunters are evil and the Scythe must do everything they can to get rid of them. Only after doing some horrendous things does Leandra find she has been working for the wrong side all along. After being turned by a vampire, Leandra joins the ranks of the Hunters.

Mike is one of the Hunters Leandra injured during her time with the Scythe. Despite this Mike is fascinated by Leandra, but because of her actions Leandra thinks she is past redemption.

Malachi and Kelsey's story begins where Mike and Leandra leave off. Malachi is a very old vampire, one of the oldest, and Kelsey is a witch and a healer for the Hunters. At the end of Mike and Leandra's story, Malachi loses someone close to him and in his grief isolates himself from everyone. Kelsey tries to get him to return to help with a serious Council matter, and there their story together begins.

Usually I don't like shorter stories like this, but in this case these stories blend to actually make one story about two different couples. There is a centralized issue that involves everyone, and where Mike and Leandra's story ends, Mal and Kelsey's begins. So, while I enjoyed the central story line, the stories about the four main characters could have been longer and more in depth. However, if you're looking for a quick read they're great for that—the stories are a bit brief in length, but intense.

All in all this was I book I enjoyed reading. I look forward to gobbling up the next full length story!

April Luth