I have seen this book pop-up time and time again on various blogs, so I finally got my act together and read it. Ann Aguirre is a new author to me, but after reading this book she has been added to my auto-buy list!
Corine is a handler, someone who can hold an object and see a glimpse into the past – it captures whatever the last person who held it experienced. She was not born as one though, her mother passed on her gift to Corine as she was brutally burned to death. As a consequence, every time Corine uses her gift, her palm burns, hence, she uses her gift sparingly.
She now lives in a small town in Mexico selling antiques and other people’s treasure. Years ago she used to help solve missing person crimes alongside her now ex-boyfriend Chance, who when focused, will always have luck on his side. Corine is not sure exactly how it works, but if there was ever one lucky guy, it was Chance. The two of them were a pair both in work and love, until one fateful job where Corine ended up in the hospital and she got tired of fighting. She felt that Chance was never emotionally connected to her and that he was just using her gift, and that was the only reason he wanted her around.
Years later she finds herself happy and content in her new life, always suspicious a bad guy from her past will find her, but happily hidden. Just when she feels the most content, things get chaotic again. Chance’s mother has gone missing and he needs Corine’s help to find her.
So how does Chance track her down? Why, his luck of course. Although Corine was the one that decided to leave, she still can not help to think why he hasn’t tracked her down all these years until he needs something from her. To say she has trust issues with him would be an understatement.
As much as Corine does not want to involve herself with Chance and return to a life of danger, she loved Chance’s mom and does not want to see her come to harm. She wants the people responsible for her mother’s death to be punished, so Chance offers to help her if she first aids him in finding his mother. Off she goes with Chance to find his mom, and along the way she meets some very interesting characters, (some human, some of the evil demon kind), fights with dark, wicked warlocks, and tries her best to fight off feelings for Chance – might be hard if luck is on his side.
This is the first book in a series featuring Corine Solomon and it is told in her POV. It is urban fantasy, no nicely wrapped up happily ever after at the end, but this book deals more with the relationship between Chance and Corine then the disappearance of Chance’s mother. There is no throw-down sex, but a lot of analyzing her past and present feelings for him and romantic tension galore. Ann Aguirre does it in a way where she doesn’t give all the past history up front, so you aren’t quite sure if you should trust Chance at the beginning. Even with the supporting characters she introduces, you never quite know if they have good intentions, or if they are there for some devious means. What really happened to drive Chance and Corine apart, the details of Corine’s mother’s death, and the circumstances leading to Chance’s mom’s disappearance are all very slowly woven into the story.
Because this is the first book in the series, there is a lot of world building and description, but I found there was enough action and plenty of romantic tension to keep the story interesting and moving forward. The books wraps up the mystery, but leaves enough questions open to lead perfectly into a second book.
I loved this book and really glad to hear there will be more Corine (and Chance) in the future!
Rating: 4 Stars
The Corine Solomon Series includes:
Blue Diablo – April 7, 2009
Hell Fire – Coming late 2009
Shady Lady – Release date TBA
Visit Ann Aguirre’s website for information on all of her previous works.
I was eyeballing this one at RT so I’ll be adding it to my “Buy” list. Thanks for the review!
I , too, saw this on several blogs and decided to read it. I liked it. I didn’t realize she had a release date for the next book – I’ll have to add it to my “coming soon” list!
Munk – You will not be disappointed!!!
Patti – I am very excited for the next book!!
Awesome book! I love the title of this book. Ann Aguirre is also on my auto-buy list. I've gone and bought Grimspace & Wanderlust, since I had liked Blue Diablo so much. I haven't read them yet but will soon.
Wonderful Review Mandi!
I’ve heard some really great things about not only this novel, but the author as well. I have ‘Blue Diablo’ on my Wish List.
I’m not a HUGE fan of Urban Fantasy but if it’s full of sexual tension, I’m so game. I can’t wait to read this one.
:) VFG
I loved it too :) And it sure made me wanna read more Aguirre. Which I will get to do soon enough with her sci-fi book
Fantasy Dreamer – I definitely want to read Grimspace and Wanderlust!
VFG – Although I do like Urban Fantasy, this one had a surprising amount of relationship stuff in it. There is even a little love triangle going on:)
Blodeuedd – Yep, definitely has become an author I now can’t wait to read:)
Hi Mandi!
Great review! I have this book in line to read. So, maybe I can get it read and compare notes. I love the video Ann Aguirre has up on Urban Fantasy Land, too cool.
Dottie :)