HEART OF STONE

Author: C.E. Murphy ISBN: 0373802927 11/2007 PARANORMAL/FANTASY Publisher: LUNA

What secrets lie shrouded in darkness? Okay, so jogging through Central Park after midnight wasn't a bright idea. But Margrit Knight never thought she'd encounter a dark new world filled with magical beings—not to mention a dying woman and a mysterious stranger with blood on his hands. Her logical, lawyer instincts told her it couldn't all be real—but she could hardly deny what she'd seen . . . and touched. The mystery man, Alban, was a gargoyle. One of the fabled Old Races who had hidden their existence for centuries. Now he was a murder suspect, and he needed Margrit's help to take the heat off him and find the real killer. As they worked together to figure out who was framing Alban, Margrit discovered that this man with a heart—and body—of stone made her feel more alive than ever, And as the dead pile up, it's a race against the sunrise to clear Alban's name and keep them both alive . . .

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Though I wish it was not the case, I have to say HEART OF STONE does not compare to the Walker Paper books, URBAN SHAMAN, THUNDERBIRD FALLS, and COYOTE DREAMS. It is a good, solid, character-driven read. But, I am afraid the tension-wrapped Walker series draws me into it much better.

While I struggle with the concept of a gargoyle being sexy—yes, I hear myself and know that makes no sense because I love vamps, wolves, etc.—I do enjoy the creativity of the idea. So, I have to look at this book more as the strange adventure it is and not focus on the love aspect of the story. I also view this one more as an introductory, or even a summary, of the players involved and expect the next book to give me a better vibe.

The best of HEART OF STONE for me is the heroine. I like how she thinks, and I like how she acts both physically and mentally. I think she can develop into something really cool, and her openness to the world is refreshingly like Joanne Walker's. (Plus, I think she looks like me, Ha Ha!)

Anyway, C. E. Murphy has a vivid imagination and I am so glad she lets us take a peek at it sometimes.

Shannon Johnson