(I think this is one of the better covers in this series.)
Branded by Fire – Nalini Singh
July 7, 2009
Paperback, 368 pages
Berkley
Paranormal Romance
Riley Kincaid is the Snowdancer’s most senior lieutenant. He is calm, practical, but very dominant. He has spent most of his life raising his younger brother and sister after his parents died. His younger sister Brenna, who was the heroine in Caressed by Ice, was kidnapped by a Psy and almost killed before being rescued by himself and fellow shifters. He has never forgiven himself for letting that happen and not protecting her.
Mercy is a dominant leopard, one of the few dominant female leopards in the Darkriver pack. She is tough, independent but lately has been on edge. Riley acts as the liaison between the two groups and starts noticing Mercy immediately.They are both needing skin contact and both attracted to each other. For awhile just sleeping together, with no strings attached, seems to calm the leopard and wolf, to take the edge off. However, neither wants to give up control, or be subservient to the other. Although their animals seem to be calmed when they are together, the person in both of them is very stubborn.
Besides fighting for control, Mercy and Riley also deal with an onslaught of Psy going crazy and violent. The Human Alliance is a group of humans who are against all things Psy. In the world Nalini Singh has created, humans are the weakest of the three groups. There are certain people in the Human Alliance who want to see the Psy fail. Psy start committing very violent acts and some even kill themselves, something that is not normal. When the Psy councilors become targets, the shapeshifters step in to avoid an all out war.
Nalini Singh never strays from the foundations of being a shapeshifter. She wrote Mercy and Riley as perfect dominants, and brought in the sweetest moments when one or the other decides to give, just a bit, to show their mate that they could. As shapeshifters they need touch and Mercy knew she needed Riley to stay sane. She relied on her pack mates and the close bond she has with them – able to vent her frustrations when it became too much. She was scared out of her mind when it came to the thought of Riley as her mate, but she had family and pack mates with her every step of the way.
What came out of their physical bond was an emotional one so strong and sweet that sealed their relationship. It is rare to read about two such strong alphas mating with each other. It was a fun change plus there was lots of growling and lustful eyes going dark – Nalini Singh really knows how to write deep and sensual love scenes.
Although they use sex at the beginning of their relationship, they also just use touch. Some of the most tender moments came when Mercy allowed Riley in her bed and they just slept, absorbing that skin to skin contact that shapeshifters crave so much.
Two turning points in their relationship – when Riley’s nightmares about Brenna’s kidnapping became too much to bear, he seeks out Mercy for comfort. Similarly, after a fight, Mercy decides to apologize, as best she can, and she seeks Riley out. In both instances the one being sought realizes the sacrifice in dominance the other has made and it changed something inside of them.
As in the other books in her series, you still don’t know if you can trust the Psy councilors, the Ghost is still out there fighting the Psy and The Net Mind also makes an appearance. I thought I had who the Ghost was all figured out, but there is a quote in this book (the last sentence on page 305) that now makes me think it is someone else. How is that for cryptic!
I cannot forget to mention Hawke, the alpha of Snowriver pack and Sienna, an 18 yr old extremely powerful Psy who lives with the wolves. I thought I wanted their book NOW before this book, now I don’t know how I am going to make it. Nalini Singh knows how to torture you – but in a good way. This is the sixth book in a series that does not have one bit of staleness to it. If anything, the books are getting stronger.
Rating: 4 Stars
I strongly suggest you read this series in order:
Slave to Sensation – September 5, 2006
Visions of Heat – March 6, 2007
Caressed by Ice – September 4, 2007
Mine to Posses – February 5, 2008
Hostage to Pleasure – September 2, 2008
Branded by Fire – July 7, 2009
Blaze of Memory – November 3, 2009
Future book – Max and ? – TBA (Max is policeman in Mine to Posses)
Nalini Singh’s Website.
She has a fun Blog too!!
My love for this series is rearing its head again after reading your review Mandi. I loved how these two strong characters found each other. Great review and have a blast at the RWA today!
Thanks Leontine! :)
I.MUST.START.THIS.SERIES!
Hi Mandi!
I haven't read this series yet, but another reading VFG and now your review, I'm clearly lacking!
I'll look into this series today!
Dottie :)
Pearl – YES.YOU.MUST
Dottie – I am sure you will love it!!
Like Dottie said, after reading yoursa dn VFG's reviews I really want to start this series!!
Great review!
OMG… Wonderful review Mandi!!!
Thank you for putting the books in order and listing them for us!! Because now I can find all the names here that I need to write down in my notebook and go to the store and obtain!!!!
Must buy soon!!!!
Have fun at RWA *a little jealous* Have a wonderful time!!!
Mandi,
I have this one on the tbr shelf. :) Thanks for the wonderful review.
M
Hi Mandi,
Oh I do need to try Singh, I am very curious about her and people do seem to love her books.
This one sure sounds juicy too.
Hey Mandi!
I'm so happy you enjoyed BBF! And you're right, this is one of the better covers in the series. ;)
Ugh, I WANT HAWKE!!!!
I really hope we get some good stuff of him in 'Blaze of Memory'. But then again, how much are we really going to see of DarkRiver and SnowDancer? Dev is human and his heroine is Psy….
~VFG
I can't wait to start this series! I'm reading Slave to Sensation next, wonderful review Mandi! :)
Amanda – I have only seen great reviews for this book!
Cecile – I know how you shop..you will come home with all of them..LOL!!
Michele – you will have to let me know how you like it:)
Blodeuedd – Yes..I highly recommend her.
VFG – Darn, you are right. Dev is/was ? Tally's boss so maybe we will see Clay! He is my FAVORITE! I am surprised Hawke's book is not after Dev. I guess Sienna is only 18:)
Tricia – you are in for a treat!
Smashing review. I really think Ms. Singh should use this in place of the back summary on the book. I am obsessed with Hawke and Sienna, I'm constantly checking to see when that book will be written, alas no definite book date yet.
ttyl