Customer Reviews

Touched by Darkness (Sentinel, Book 1)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Dr. Kara Cantrell and her son Alex have left a life behind that included the death of her Sentinel husband, Richard. Seven years later, a dark stranger, Damian Morgan appears and informs her her son is a Sentinel. He must become a mentor to Alex to instruct him in the ways of the Sentinel, beings that are reincarnated from the lost city Atlantis. I won't go into the story since several reviewers have alreay given what this book is about. I would like to say that I found the plot of this book surprisingly good. I have never read a Catherine Spangler book, and was pleasantly surprised by it's refreshing story. The romance in the book was slow and purposeful. It wasn't your typical paranormal romance where the man must have her, she is mine, I must mark her!!!!! I must bond with her. She is the only woman for me! Yea, right, anyway this book took a whole different approach and the plot became the main story which I appreciated very much. If your looking for something different from all the other paranormal romances, read this book. You will enjoy it.

Dr. Kara Cantrell had fled a supernatural malevolence seven years ago when she witnessed her husband being killed. She settled in the small town of Zorro thinking it would be a good safe place to raise her son Alex and was living a normal life, away from the evil that had taken her beloved husband Richard from her. All seemed right with the world until now when she stepped from her truck. Feeling a familiar `power' she gazed at the tall dark stranger and recognized him for what he was -- a Sentinel. Kara knew the danger and the risk, and she wanted no part of him, his powers, or any influence he would have over Alex.

Damien Morgan was an Atlantian Sentinel soul born to a human body -- mortal but with supernatural powers to track down and bring Karmic justice to evil Belians. He knew at once that the woman recognized and felt him; knew also that she was not a Sentinel but a Conductor who could help him find the Belian. More than the woman though, Damien sensed a more powerful energy emanating from the boy, and knew he was an initiate - a fledgling Sentinel who without guidance would fall prey to the Belian evil.

Damien inserted himself into Kara and Alex's life mainly to protect but also knowing that with her help he would fare a greater chance of discovering where the Belian was. Kara didn't want any kind of emotional involvement with a Sentinel again. Damien's purpose of rooting out the evil was dangerous and she could not afford to have her heart broke again. But the pull Damien had on her was so intense that falling in love was too hard to resist.

*** This was an amazing story. Damien was a terrific lead with a take charge no nonsense attitude who was not about to be ignored. Fabulously sensual, the concept of when a Sentinel and Conductor have relations together and how the Sentinel's powers of tracking the enemy would be increased exponentially made for a truly steamy tale. The concept and characters were developed extremely well, and the brief background of terms describing these new beings was fabulously helpful in giving this reader a better understanding of what was going on and what was going on and who was who in this new world. Breathing life into the characters with a deft touch the reader will become immersed immediately into the story, feeling the terror, the heartbreak and the joy of the characters as they began to work towards the common good. I loved the entire concept of how these people came from the lost land of Atlantis and give high marks for originality and creativity. Fans of Sensual Fantasy are going to love this one.

Catherine Spangler, award winning author of the popular Shielder futuristic romance series has demonstrated her versatility with a brand new paranormal series.

Atlantis rises again through the reincarnated souls known as Sentinels who have returned to rid the world of the threat of the evil Belian's. Though mortal, Sentinels possess supernatural abilities that are magnified when combined with the energy of an opposite sex Conductor, ordinary human souls who have the unique ability to link with a Sentinel, helping to focus their psychic energy in order track down dark souls bent on mayhem and destruction.

Seven years ago Dr. Kara Cantrell had barely survived an encounter with unspeakable evil. Richard the man she'd loved, a Sentinel, hadn't been so lucky. Kara had fled halfway around the country and had felt safe raising their 6 year old son Alex in the small, close-knit town of Zorro, Texas. That is until the day she stepped out of her Chevy pickup and felt the power. Although Kara was aware that Alex was beginning to show signs of following in his father's foot steps, she knew that he was far too young to be projecting the energy she was sensing. Fear threatened to consume her as she made eye contact with an all too familiar gaze from a complete stranger. He had recognized Alex for what he was. She did the only thing she could do - get her son away from him.

Damien Morgan had indeed recognized the power emanating from the Initiate (a young Sentinel unskilled at shielding their power). He had been surprised not only to discover the presence of another Sentinel in town, but shocked by the fact that the child had appeared to have no Sentinel guidance. Without the know how to shield his power, Alex is broadcasting which would surely draw a Belian to him. Although the woman had clearly recognized Damien for what he was, she was not one of them. That only left the possibility that she was a Conductor. A murder has already occurred in this sleepy little town and Damien needs her to conduct for him in order to flush out the Belian responsible before for it strikes again. The child would be his bargaining chip. Since everyone knew everyone in a small town, Damien was certain to find them again.

Kara had been in deeply love when she'd conducted for Richard. Damien's childhood had taught him that emotional attachments only lead to loss. He's determined not to let their involvement get in the way of his duty. Kara is determined to protect her son without succumbing to the sexual energy inherent to conducting, but can she protect her heart? Can Damien work with Kara and her son to save Zorro from the Belian menace without dropping his emotional barriers?

Dark, edgy, and incredibly sensual, Touched by Darkness is spellbinding contemporary fantasy thriller which combines romance, suspense, mythology and metaphysics -- A unique and enthralling series debut that is not to be missed! This story was well researched, well written, and to say that I highly recommend it would be an understatement.

Leslie Tramposch
Courtesy PNR Reviews

Awaiting a Catherine Spangler book is like waiting for that elusive present you only get on birthdays or Christmas mornings. Her gripping sci-fi romance originals have delighted fans of the genre for quite a long while and I couldn't have been happier to see this new release. Spangler takes a break from the future though and opens our eyes to an evil walking right here, amongst humans on present day earth.

Dr. Kara Cantrell is hiding from an ancient evil, one that took her beloved from her and one that now has the power to destroy her son Alex as well. When she spies Sentinel Damien Morgan, a dispenser of Atlantian justice, she's sure trouble has found her again. He wants her--to help track down the Belian, crazed followers of an ancient dark rebel Atlantian, that is committing murders in her town of Zorro, Texas. With his responsibilities in the forefront, Damien cannot afford the distractions the lovely Kara brings to his emotionally stripped world. He will do everything in his power to gain her help, for if she refuses, the citizens of Zorro will be in far greater danger than they have ever imagined. Malice and murder have set sights on Kara and Alex and only Damien can stop it. Will Kara let go of her past fears in time to help...and will Damien learn to open his heart to what he thought never to have?

One of those all-nighters, "Touched by Darkness" is a fast-paced, action infused thrill of a romance. No one pens a tale of this magnitude like author Spangler and I am absolutely thrilled with her newest series. Kara is a mother desperate to preserve a sense of normalcy for a son that is anything but normal. Her plight is heartbreaking, but at the same time readers are reassured by Damien's handling of the problem. He steps in, as mentor to Alex and at the same time must guard himself against a growing attraction to Kara. Damien and Kara's romance is one that simmers slowly and builds to a heart-tripping crescendo, only to build again and again over the course of the story. Spangler's style, I'm happy to say, has changed quite spectacularly with this new series and she infuses a new feeling into it, guaranteeing readers are getting a totally new experience from her. At the end of the book, I am still flying high in anticipation of the next one, "Touched by Fire", due out fall of 2007. As always, Ms. Spangler, one hundred percent satisfied.

Reviewed for Paranormal Romance Reviews

...out with a FOUR PAGE GLOSSARY! Oh brother, was my first reaction, no one should take themselves THAT seriously. So dragging my feet, on a cold, damp, winter's day I started to read--and wow!--was immediately taken into a great new series. This writer follows the familiar path of supernatural, Alpha male but adds a nice changeup by having the creature actually NEED a uniquely, talented female to help complete important tasks. Add to this a great secondary story about a young boy gifted with similiar power, mentoring this boy until finally connecting up with everyone to create a family. These connections heal everyone involved and make a great attempt at continuing to save our world. Of course, the
book cover with a gorgeous man and a "supernatural" six-pack set of abs helps provide our mental image of the lead male, but allowing the female lead to have a significant "normal"life away before she and her powers are discovered again allows her a character depth that brings us right over to her side no matter which way her decisions
turn. Good start to a new year's full of another wonderful new series!

TOUCHED BY DARKNESS is a humdinger of a paranormal story that will keep you glued to the pages throughout. A mysterious man comes to the small town of Zorro, Texas posing as a crime writer investigating the recent murders in the area. Damien Morgan is tall, dark and dangerous and has supernatural powers.

Dr. Kara Cantrell and her young son Alex have settled in Zorro hoping to escape years on the run after her husband was killed. Now darkness is following her once again and it seems that Damien is her only hope of survival.

Damien needs Kara to be a conductor for his unusual powers as he tracts down the evil creature that is stalking them and the town of Zorro. Talk about explosive, wait until the two start a conduction. Wow and double wow! The sparks of sensuality are flying high in every direction when this sexy Sentinel puts on the power. Also, Kara has been trying to hide the fact that her son Alex has the same powers as Damien. Alex is a wonderful addition to the story and you know he will eventually have an important part in this fabulous mini series about the Sentinels who are protectors...lovers...and a whole lot more. The cover alone will send this book flying off the shelves. Readers once having read the electrifying story will be on fire for the next book Touched by Fire that comes out October 2007. Catherine Spangler is an author who knows how to tell an intense spellbinding story that is to die for. [...]

Several years ago, Dr. Kara Cantrell taking her six years old son Alex went into hiding after watching a supernatural essence kill her spouse Richard. She felt small town Zorro, Texas would be a safe place to raise her child far from the evil Belians that consumed Richard. Everything seemed fine until she senses the power and recognizes the stranger staring at her is a Sentinel. Kara knows first hand the danger of being near a Sentinel so she makes plans to run away but has no idea where she can keep Alex safe.

The stranger Damien Morgan, an Atlantian Sentinel human mortal is shocked because he had not expected anyone with his power in the town. He realizes that the kid has the power of an initiate Sentinel but is untrained with no guides nearby and assumes his superiors are unaware of this kid. He fears for the child being taken by the Belians with no mentor teaching him how to defend himself but also knows that the mother is a Conductor who has the ability to locate the Belians. Needing to protect the child and obtain the mother's help, Damien bullies himself into their lives, but neither he nor the mother he intimidated expected to fall in love while rooting out the Belians seeking her offspring.

This is an excellent romantic fantasy that grips the audience from the early scene when the rightfully overly protective Conductor senses the Sentinel and never slows down until a final confrontation with love vs. evil. The love subplot is handled deftly within the overall paranormal theme, as the two adults know keeping her child safe is first, destroying the Belians is second and their desires last. Touched by Darkness spangles with excitement as Catherine Spangler writes a fantastic thriller.

Harriet Klausner

4.5 stars...

Touched By Darkness by Catherine Spangler is book one of her exciting new sentinel series.
I found it to be a superb dark fantasy woven around the ancient legend of Atlantis. For the most part stories about Atlantis have become a tired and over-used concept so I was pleasantly surprised at just how entertaining the story actually was. The world building was excellent in that the author gives you just enough information to compliment but not overwhelm the story.

Seven years ago Dr. Kara Catrell's lover was brutally murdered by a Belian, an evil demon like spirit that occupies a mortal body. And ever since she's been on the run, trying to protect her young son Alex from the same evil that killed his father. But now it seems that same evil has again found them and the only thing standing between them and death is Damien Morgan a dark and dangerously sexy sentinel who forces her to remember feelings and desires long forgotten. This story has a very interesting twist that will keep you guessing right up until the end as to who the Belian really is....

Atlantis existed thousands of years ago before being destroyed and sinking into the North Atlantic. Its legacy lives on today through reincarnated beings that walk among us mere mortals. Some of them are the sons of Belial who relish chaos and violence. They are opposed by other reincarnated Atlantian souls known as the Sentinels. Just like the Belians, they are mortals that have superhuman powers. They attempt to track and eliminate Belians on behalf of the Sanctioned which are the aides to the priest of Atlantis. Last but not least are the conductors--those rare humans that are genetically capable of linking with a Sentinel. Such is the world envisioned by Richardson, Texas Author Catherine Spangler in the start of her new series.

Seven years ago, Kara's Sentinel lover Richard Wayman was killed in a violent confrontation with a Belian. His legacy for her is two fold---an all encompassing love for him intertwined with the painful memeories of his violent death which she witnessed and their son, Alex. While she can't do much of anything to get rid of the terror filled memories, she can and will do anything in her power to protect their son, Alex. She moved and moved again, each time working to hide their son who gradually showed signs that he has his father's abilities. Eventually they settled in the small Texas town of Zorro where she resumed her medical practice.

All was peaceful and tranquil until one morning she arrives in town with Alex and she senses the power. She hasn't sensed power that strong since Richard and it is clear that the tall man in the duster staring hard at her is the source. He is Damien Morgan; ostensibly a writer for a nationwide magazine and who, in reality is a Sentinel on the trail of a Belian killing in the area. A death, dismissed as natural causes was the work of a Belian and there will be more. The fact that Alex is, an untrained Sentinel and as such broadcasting his own presence, is sure to lure the Belian to them. To protect Alex, Damien must convince Kara of what is happening now and what is to come if he doesn't become part of their lives. For Kara, she is torn between her desire to run yet again, the memories of a man she once loved, the lure Damien represents as he is the first to make her feel this way since Richard, and the danger her young son faces. Gradually, she realizes that running away won't work this time and she has to stand and fight with Damien.

What follows in an entertaining paranormal romance. Simplified greatly, the novel is the age old battle between good and evil. In Catherine Spangler's hands, it becomes something more with rich complex characters full of emotion. Evil threatens in the form of a Belian and yet Kara is one of us all who fears facing again what she has dealt with before. Besides, Damien is clearly a hunk!

It is mildly graphic in a couple of points and some reviewers have complained about that aspect of it arguing that the relationship between Damien and Kara is cheapened by Kara's actions. It would appear that such reviewers are being overly critical of a clear character development issue, though obviously there is a point to their position in that the novel will be read differently by each gender in addition to the personal background of the reviewer. With interesting characters, the occasional plot twist, and plenty of romance this is a novel that delivers a strong read within the genre and is well worth your time.


Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2007

This was an enjoyable read and the first time I've read this author. It was slightly complicated at times but because it was the first book in a series I felt that was understandable - of course it may not complicated at all for others. There was just a lot to explain to set up the story.

I like the different take on the male/female roles in the book, how they needed each other to solve the mystery. It wasn't typical and the plot kept me guessing on the identity of the villain.

I'm looking forward to the next story but I'm hoping to skip some of the set up.