Death's Angel

December 15, 2012
Archangel Azrael, the former Angel of Death, has been on Earth for thousands of years searching for his destined mate, so he's surprised when finding Sophie makes him more vulnerable and frustrated, not less; they'll both need to exorcize some demons--actual and psychological--before they can find happiness. After thousands of years on Earth searching for true love with their destined archesses, four archangels--Michael, Gabriel, Uriel and Azrael--believe the time is at hand. Uriel and Gabriel have found their mates, and at Gabriel's wedding, Azrael meets Sophie, the maid of honor and a woman so compelling, he knows she's meant for him. The angels have been fighting for good during their time in this realm, and the sudden union of these mates appears to be a threat to darker forces on Earth. Ancient enemies are rising and forming sinister alliances, hoping to weaken the angels' power by threatening the things they cherish most--the loved ones they've been searching for for millennia. As the former Angel of Death, Azrael's reconciliation is particularly problematic. Unlike his brother angels who came to Earth in human form, he fell to Earth as the first-ever vampire. His destined love, Sophie, has unwittingly been hounded by shadowy forces from a young age and left to survive a troubled, painful childhood. Before they can come into their fullest individual powers as a couple, they must overcome self-doubts, mistrust and some fundamental crises of faith. The third installment of The Lost Angels series is an interesting, intriguing blend of vampire myth and archangel legend, with an intense romance reinforced by taut sexual tension and a fast-paced adventure that succeeds through dynamic writing, its well-drawn characters, and the "good triumphs over evil, love conquers all" theme. Some small plot elements and character motivations don't ring quite true, and a vague underlying religious/spiritual thread depends on some suspension of disbelief, but in general, the complicated mythical and theological backdrop works fairly well. With numerous nefarious villains, fascinating supernatural abilities and details, and an action-packed plot all serving the sweet yet sexy romantic core of the story, this book will keep its intended paranormal-romantic-suspense audience entertained and engaged.

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