Since I read
Snow Shadows, the first book in the Eternal Shadows series by author Caitlyn Hunter and loved it so much, I grabbed
Storm Shadows up as soon as I saw it. I couldn't wait to get back to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the four gorgeous brothers and their friends, human and animal alike...
As Hunter did in the first book, she hooked me from the first page; the exciting prologue tells the tale of early American Cherokee "blood brothers," Matt, Marc, Luke and Jonathan, who are cursed by the shamans for defying clan rules. In a surprising twist that sets the pace for this unforgettable love story/adventure, the young warriors are destined to live forever, confined to the area around Eternity Mountain and commanded to protect their environment and the animals they have been given the ability to morph into.
Yes--shape-shifters!
If the brave, adventurous, handsome young heroes in this book weren't enough of a lure, Hunter captured me with the "shape-shifter" aspect of her plot. Since I learned all about the caterpillar and the butterfly, I've always been intrigued by metamorphosis. (I even find werewolves something to howl about... I also said that in the first review, so wonder if I can get by with it when reviewing the next two books in this series. lol)
Matt, the hero in the first book, turns into a bear, while Marc, the main protagonist in this one, morphs into a cougar. And just as each brother changes to a different animal, each also has a special magical gift and strong spiritual and mental connections with the others.
The curse contains a mystery to do with "finding true love," but I can't spoil the plot by telling too much about that. Suffice it to say that Jonathan--the healer of the brothers and the only one who lives off the mountain--seems to have figured it out because he is forever trying to "match-mate" the others. He succeeded by bringing Matt and his soul-mate Ellen together in book one, but will he succeed this time around with Marc and the cute, feisty, lovable Betty Sue?
This story opens with Nathan (Jonathan's town name) encouraging Betty Sue, the librarian, to write and illustrate a book she started long ago. Something he does causes some small-minded students to lie about Betty Sue, prompting the Board of Directors to force a leave of absence while they decide her fate.
What did Nathan do to inadvertently cause trouble for Betty Sue? Why does he offer her the use of his cabin on Eternity Mountain? Why does Marc go to the cabin? What is the woman's reaction to Marc? Does she believe his tale about the curse? She admits to "clumsiness," but why does it happen more often when Marc's around? What do Marc's visions have to do with not wishing to see Betty Sue again, even though he has strong feelings for her? And how does she get seriously wounded while trying to save Marc's life?
I could list a dozen more "teaser" questions, but to find out more, you'll have to read this exciting paranormal adventure/love story for yourself. All I will tell you is that it has a wonderful ending and that I can't wait to see what fate has in store for Luke and Jon/Nathan at the hands of some beautiful, interesting women. Caitlyn Hunter plans to write Luke's story in the third book in this series...and I'm sure Jon will be the instigator of Luke's "romance." Hmmmm...
Betty Sue accepts Nathan's offer because she has some serious thinking to do. She's always been a "pert-near" woman, as her grandfather calls her, but now she's determined to become a full woman by gaining more confidence and working on her clumsiness.
Just as Betty Sue is seen by some as a pert-near woman, I see this book is pert-near perfect!
It's exhilarating reading and has enough adventure and Native American folklore to appeal to men, and women will go nuts over these four brothers. They are a woman's dream: in addition to being caring, giving and gentle with great senses of humor, they are gorgeous. Another awesome aspect of this book is the bond between the four men and the unique methods they use to help each other.
I highly recommend
Storm Shadows and am quick to predict that this talented author will become a force to be reckoned with in the literary world. She's a gifted writer with a great imagination and a keen knack for writing humor as well as high drama.
Endnote: Although this is the author's second print novel, she wrote a Kindle e-book that I hear is wonderful too.
Unwilling Angel is about an apprentice angel who comes to earth to help a woman and ends up wreaking all kinds of havoc...not only for the woman, but also for himself.
Reviewed by Betty Dravis, January 17, 2010
Author of "Dream Reachers" (with Chase Von) and other books
