BEYOND THE NIGHT

Author: Joss Ware ISBN: 9780061734014 1/2010 PARANORMAL Publisher: AVON

A man with no future . . . When Dr. Elliott Drake wakes from a mysterious fifty-year sleep, the world as he knew it is gone. Cities are now desolate, and civilization is controlled by deadly immortals. Stranger still is Elliott's extraordinary new "gift"—he has the power to heal, but it comes with fatal consequences. A woman with a past . . . Jade barely escaped the immortals and is now hell-bent on revenge. She trusts no one . . . until Elliott. His piercing gaze and tempting touch shatter her defenses, but the handsome doctor seems to have dangerous secrets of his own. Is it safe to trust him with her heart? If they are to survive in this dark new world, Jade and Elliott must work together to fight the forces that take them beyond danger. Beyond desire.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

A little bit superhero, a little bit time travel, a little bit zombie horror show, a little bit buddy drama... oh, yes, and then there’s the apocalypse stuff and some things that get revealed as the book goes on. BEYOND THE NIGHT is a conglomeration of many ideas, and it works surprisingly well. Romance is, of course, a significant part of the package, though probably not the most successful part.

Dr. Elliot Drake and his buddies have been wandering the desolation that is now Arizona and New Mexico for six months after they woke in a post-apocalyptic world when they come across a band of teenagers hunting for drugs. A couple mysterious types get mixed up in a battle with zombie-type creatures in an attempt to save the teens. Well, that’s one way to meet cute in a romance. Jade is a mysterious sort but she eventually agrees to lead the men to Envy, a city they’ve been looking for since they first heard about it.

Envy has power, computers, and the brains behind the fight against the immortals who are masterminding all the evil drama. Can Elliot and Jade battle the baddies and still find time to kiss and cuddle and all that good stuff? Of course they can!

Ware does an impressive job with the world-building and if you are at all into unusual romances you should definitely give BEYOND THE NIGHT a shot. It’s part one of a three-part series that is getting back-to-back releases this winter, though I believe there are more to come later. I can’t wait!

Heather Hiestand