Water Bound (Sisters of the Heart Series #1) By Christine Feehan
July 27, 2010
Paranormal Romance
Paperback, 480 Pages
Jove
Reviewed by Tori
Lev Prakenskii remembers nothing before being lost in the the cold, icy current of the ocean. When he is rescued by a beautiful stranger he realizes he doesn’t know who he is. Or why he seems to possess the instincts of a deadly killer. All he knows is something is out there. And it wants him…dead or alive.
Rikki is a sea urchin diver in the tranquil town of Sea Haven. She has always felt more at home in the water then anywhere else. When she rescues Lev she realizes that she cannot deny him anymore then she can deny the water. As they risk it all for passion, both their secrets will plunge them into a battle for their lives.
Sisters of the Heart is a spin off of Feehan’s Drake Sisters series. We are introduced to five "sisters" who have settled in Sea Haven; each in need of healing. Water Bound is the first in this series. An interesting aspect of this book is it overlaps Feehan’s last Drake Sister book-Hidden Currents. For those of you who have read it, you will be surprised and intrigued. For those of you who have not, I recommend starting at the beginning. While they all have a stand alone plot, the over all arc in defined and expanded in each book.
I found the entire story to be suspenseful, engaging-fraught with magic, action, and romance. Rikki has always felt an affinity to the ocean and the tides. As a sea urchin diver she is able to have the water and the solitude she requires for survival. As a child she escaped a deadly fire that killed her parents. The devastating results have shaped her into the solitary person she is now. While Rikki is diving one morning she is overtaken by an unnatural caustic storm.
As she fights to regain control in the water, she is surprised to see a body being swept along in it’s wake. She rescues him and brings him aboard her boat. From the moment he awakes there is a strong bond between them. Two people forced due to circumstances to remain alone and disconnected from the world; one for their own good and one for the world’s good. Though Lev has no idea who he is or what happened to cast him in the water, he does knows he is dangerous. And that he will protect Rikki with his life.
Rikki is especially interesting as she has Aspergers. Highly intelligent, she has made her life as safe as she can while dealing with this particularly cruel condition. The sounds and textures of the world overwhelm her to almost catatonic condition so her solitude is self imposed and necessary.Watching her deal with certain situations tugged at my heart strings; she tries so hard and she knows what the problem is but cannot help any of it. But she is strong and brave. She tackles what she can until her mind can handle no more.
Lev is a quiet VERY bad boy. And you all know I have a thing for quiet bad boys. I had initial problems with him in the beginning but once his background story comes to light you can’t help but sympathize with him. He was as much the victim as the villain. With Rikki he instinctively understands how she is. Rather then toss her a side as a problem he doesn’t want to deal with, he treats her gently but firmly. He uses his own experiences to insulate himself into her life and bed. He grounds her; and by doing so he gives her the greatest gift of all-her freedom.
The chemistry between them is slow burning and hot. The love scenes are detailed and add plenty of spice to the book. Feehan doesn’t rush their love which makes it all the more tantalizing and better to savor.
You meet new characters and visit with some old. Always personable and larger then life; the secondary characters add depth to the story and allow for a smooth flowing storyline. The main plot actually split into two stories as Lev and Rikki both have turbulent pasts that come back to haunt them. The suspense builds through out the book intertwining and adding more flavor to the romance.
The ending was wonderful and left just enough open ends to ensure I HAVE to read the next one in the series.
Rating: 4/5
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I actually assumed this was a release in the Drake sister series LOL I have a push/pull with Feehan, either she delivers a off the chart good read for me or a so-so one :( This sounds really promising though!
Can't wait for nexk week. I am a huge fan. I already want the next book in the series, just by reading the review.
I've only read her Dark series. I really need to give her other stuff a try. This one sounds good, great review. ;-)
Tori, I have this one to read next. I'm excited to try something new with Feehan. I got burnt out with the Carpathian Series and stopped reading the books. Glad to hear you enjoyed this. Great review!
amyt865
I've got this in my to buy list. I skipped her last release (Wild Fire), but I have enjoyed her Drake Sisters series.
I've got this book pre-ordered and I can't wait to read it. I hope this series is a good as her Drake sisters was. I still love her Dark series but I can't get into her Leopard series as much as all of the others.
sstrode@scrtc.com
Wow this book does sound good. I have this book and can't wait to read it. Great review Tori.
I haven't read any Feehan but maybe it's time I start – so first with the Drake sisters then this series?
Oh so glad you reviewed this one T, I read all of Feehan's Drake books (we won't go into Ella's story *grimace*) – I liked 'em didn't love 'em. Kind of easily forgettable. Maybe with this spin-off series Feehan brings more of her A-game..?
Thank you everyone. :) This is a spin off the Drake sisters. I like the way she is going with this one and look forward to the next one in the series.
I have this one too – so pleased you enjoyed it! This will be my first Feehan book :)
I believe you can read this series as a stand alone..although some of the characters appear in her other series.
I have not read these yet – Tori is having internet difficulties and can not get online.
I really liked the Drake sisters stories (with the exception of Elle's. Shares grimace with Smokin). The Carpathians are too repetitive for me. And the Game series fizzled for me after about book 3.
I'm hoping that with this series being similar to the Drakes that I'll enjoy it a bit more.
Christine Feehan is ANOTHER writer I am DYING to pick up and try and still have not found the time. Great review and I am once again reminded that I need to get my booty in gear and check this out!
Thanks for the great review Tori. I've heard so much about Christine Feehan and haven't had time to read her yet. Maybe this one would be a good place to start since it is the start of a new series.
Thanks for sharing, this book sounds really good!
Thank you Tori. I must be one of the only people who haven't been able to get into Christine Feehan's books…
BCC-It's a good book to start with though as Mandi says-you will see references from the Drake Sisters series in it.
Buried by Books- Elle's story was hard. *sigh* But this one I feel makes up for it.
Pam-Get to readin' girlfriend. :)
Lea-TY. Yes, Feehan has a lot to choose from.lol
Orannia-Maybe give this one a try? You may like it.
Is the character Lev Prakenskii from one of the Drake sisters books? The name sounds familiar. I LOVE Christine Feehan. She writes some amazing books.
I loved your blog. Thank you.