Book one of the Light Warriors Series
Patti O’Shea is a new author to me and I decided to read her because I needed an author or a book that started with the letter “O” for The Royal Review book challenge. It is always fun to find a new author and enjoy her books.
Summary:
Ryne Frasier is a troubleshooter member of the Gineal, a magic wielding group of people who has the responsibility to keep the human race safe. This includes fighting off those Gineal that have embraced the evil dark magic and other non-human, nasty creatures.
Ryne’s mentor growing up, Anise, has turned to dark magic and now they are mortal enemies. Anise had cursed Deke Summers to live in a cartoon for the past four years. Ryne, who obessively notices there is someone behind those cartoon eyes, delivers a spell that casts Deke out of the cartoon, back to real life, and naked in her bed when she wakes up in the morning.
The chemistry sizzles from the beginning, but Ryne is afraid to get close to a human because she has many secrets as a Gineal. Deke’s time out of the cartoon is not permanent – in two weeks, when the full moon sets, the spell will cause Deke to go back to the cartoon, the mere thought of that sets Deke into a panic. The only solution is to stop Anise, but her strength may be too much for Ryne to overcome. Together, Ryne and Deke set out to stop Anise before Deke is lost forever.
Thoughts:
The idea of someone stuck inside a cartoon character is a different take on someone being in peril and I thought it worked well. It is king of eerie to know there are human eyes looking at you while you are watching your favorite cartoon.
The one part of the book that bugged me was in the beginning when Deke gets cast out of the cartoon and ends up in Ryne’s bed. Ryne wakes up to find a naked stranger next to her. At first she checks to see if he is human, and when he appears to be she relaxes and settles in next to him. I just don’t buy her not jumping out of bed, or pushing him out of bed. She accepts it way too easily. However, Deke wants her doing naughty things in bed from the beginning and Ryne refuses to give in. He teases her relentlessly throughout the book, which becomes very amusing banter to read and some of my favorite parts. For that reason, the acceptance of a naked man in her bed redeems itself.
Once we get past that scene, I started to fall in love with Deke. He is an ex-cop and is tough, unselfish and has such a fit every time Ryne has to step in to protect him. He admits he is not a worthy opponent when a magical creature is attacking them and he has nothing to fight back with except for his human strength, but that does not stop him from trying.
Ryne is an admirable heroine, very tough, independent, but has an almost sad vibe about her because she truly is alone in the world. Her mentor, and the person she lives with for fourteen years of her life, has turned to the dark magic and she now must try to kill her. The only other person she is close with is her sister, and their relationship is strained and complicated. The biggest feat she needs to overcome is letting someone in her life to trust. Deke is there, patiently waiting with lots of sizzling romantic tension.
You are not told why Deke is a threat to Anise, she just keeps the evil magical creatures and mental torture coming at them which makes it a fun mystery (well, for me, not for Ryne and Deke). Added with a hot romance, this book is a really fun read.
Rating: 3 Stars
This series includes:
In the Midnight Hour – Light Warriors book 1 – July 31, 2007
In Twilight’s Shadow – Light Warriors book 2 – June 3, 2008
The Edge of Dawn – Light Warrior book 3 – June 30, 2009
Visit Patti O’Shea’s site for information on all her other books!
I enjoyed your review of ITMH and it got me in the mood for The Edge Of Dawn. The second book in this series gives a beautiful insight in the sister relationship from Maia's pov.
And I remember the sizzling romantic tension too, something that is always highly appreciated *wicked grin*
Hey Mandi! Great review!! I haven't read anything by this author, but I've seen her name before. This book sounds good.
Leontine – Looking forward to reading more about Maia!
Barbara – This was my first..glad I found her:)
What, she sees a naked guy in her buy and just goes back to sleep? I would scream and hit him in the head and then go and hide. No matter how sexy he was ;)
Blodeuedd – I think it was more relief he was human, "as she relaxes against him" but still – she is a tough cookie – she should have thrown him out. She does hold strong against his advances though..for awhile:) I really liked her as a heroine.
I'm glad to see you're liking this. I have it, maybe time to actually read it!!
Wow… what a read! I never heard of this author nor her series. Something I will have to change. I do agree with you on the waking up to find someone in my thing… Which would bug the crap out of me too. But if the redemption is that worth then… then it can be forgiven! Glad you liked it and you got "O" out of the way! LOL!
Hey Mandi! Great review.
Okay, I have to ask: Is that two men embracing on the cover?? I've seen this book and I've looked at it several times but I assumed it was a m/m romance based on the cover…
:D VFG
Carolyn – I never have time to get to everything either:)
Cecile – Yay, got one down on my challenge!
VFG – LOL..now that you mention it…I think the person facing away is a girl, I mean..it must be. There was no smexy m/m going on. Darn ;)
Hi Mandi:
Wonderful review! Wow, the hero jumps out of a cartoon and into her bed buck naked eh? lol
Sounds very intriguing. I think I'm going to have to add this one to my list.
Thank you
L
Very good review! I've seen Patti O'Shea's name mentioned a few times. This story certainly sounds interesting, caught my attention at Deke bespelled as a cartoon.
Glad you enjoyed this one :) I love Patti O'Shea, but this series… sigh. not really doing it for me, but I can't wait till Edge of Dawn.