IMMORTALS: THE CALLING

Author: Jennifer Ashley ISBN: 0505526875 5/2007 PARANORMAL Publisher: DORCHESTER

Created at the dawn of time to protect humanity, the ancient warriors have been nearly forgotten, though magic lives on—in vampires, werewolves, the Celtic Sidhe, and other beings. But now one of their own has turned rogue, and the world is again in desperate need of the Immortals. He burst into the battle, his leather jacket billowing and his huge silver sword flashing. Amber had no idea why this windswept warrior would rescue her, but there he was—fighting the same demon who'd killed her sister. Though he was a stranger, she immediately sensed he'd come to protect her. And with the first touch of his lips on hers, she knew he was bound to her, his bodv meant for her. Yet the shadow of evil is spreading quickly, and more death will follow unless they can discover the secrets of ...The Calling.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

IMMORTALS: THE CALLING is a kick-ass tale of good against evil. Death magic is beginning to overwhelm life magic in the world. The two must stay in balance or there is big trouble. One pocket of danger is being created by part of a powerful witch coven. A witch experiments too much, dares too much, and she dies.

Amber Silverthorne, witch in a long line of witches, lost her sister and wants to know why. An immortal is out there with the same questions. Adrian, a son of the goddess Isis, lost his brother seven hundred years ago and has searched for him ever since. He follows a clue to Amber, who is reproducing the events that killed her sister. They band together along with a dragon and a cobra, a werewolf, a movie star, a cop and vampires, to chase a murderous demon and find Adrian's brother.

For me, IMMORTALS: THE CALLING worked best as an urban fantasy tale. One of the main parts of the romantic conflict between Amber and Adrian early on is that Adrian has the power to affect human minds and even wipe memory. The point is made repeatedly that Amber can fend off most of his attempts to control her, but I was uncomfortable with this imbalance of power between them.

Other than that, the story is well written, with great characters and is also very sexy, of course. If you don't mind a little mind control in your romance, you will love the book.

Heather Hiestand