NIGHT FALL

Author: Cherry Adair ISBN: 9780345499905 10/2008 PARANORMAL Publisher: BALLANTINE

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.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This is the first "wizard" book that I have read, and I can honestly say that I am pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it! NIGHT FALL is fun, frisky, and fast- paced. Once I started reading this book, it did not leave my hands!

It's always fun when an author can hook you on the first page of a book, and that is exactly what happened. On page one we are given a description of Kess from our hero's perspective that seriously just grabbed hold of me and hooked me. From the start, I knew our heroine was going to be a major pain in Simon's good-looking backside, and that this was gonna be one great adventure of a ride! Kess is everything Simon thinks she is and more—she's smart, beautiful, feisty, and not afraid to get her hands dirty. Far from a girly-girl, Kess is willing to risk life and limb to try and stop a disease that is killing thousands of people; and if she has to “suffer” the attentions of a gorgeous wizard to do it, well, I guess it’s all in a day’s work!

Simon Blackthorne is just the wizard to help Kess with the problem of containing this international threat. He is not only able to be at two places at once, he has the power of invisibility and teleporting to assist him while he assists her. He realizes almost immediately that not everyone is as they seem upon first glance, and even though Kess may not be his norm, she is certainly making him sweat! He has his perfect ideal of a woman, and Kess certainly doesn't fit the bill; so he cannot explain his complete physical reaction to everything that she does. Not only that, but his preconceived notion about the kind of operative Kess is, gets blown to smithereens once he realizes what she is all about. The chemistry between this h/h is scorching and had my glasses steaming up!

I love the entire idea of this series: the idea that "anything goes." A beautiful suite of rooms, instead of a dingy, smelly hotel? Done. A cooler full of steaks and potatoes in the mountains of Africa while on the run from the bad guys? Done. Teleporting all over the world with literally a thought? Done. It's just great fun, any way you look at it.

Simon and Kess are unstoppable as a team, even when Simon is having difficulties with his powers. They are kick-butt and on task, and I completely enjoyed going along with them to kick some serious, bad guy behind!

Kristal Gorman