Customer Reviews

Touched by Fire (Sentinel, Book 2)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is set in a Sentinel-lite universe, seemingly with the same rules that apply to the fandom-Sentinel universe. In the first chapters, the lead male: stalks her, breaks into her apartment, reads her email, sends an email from her account to her family to tell them that she was taking a trip to Mexico, drugs her with his abilities, kidnaps her, drugs her dog, and physically intimidates her. He also keeps her prisoner, restricts her coffee and drinking (she has drink from a sippy cup), and says that if she does anything funny he's going to restrict her bathroom breaks. Yet, he says that he has a code of honor. Yet, he says that he won't hurt her without reason (but who decides if it's a good reason).

How do women find this attractive? How is this sexy?!

Jesus, this is just... OMFG! Just NO. I don't care! It's AWFUL!

Author Catherine Spangler keeps the heat on and the evil Belial creatures "in check" in book #2 of her incredible "Sentinel Series". Having read her first book TOUCHED BY DARKNESS, it did not take me long to immerse myself into the plot line especially with the very helpful glossary of terms given in the front giving new readers insight into the world of Sentinels, their purpose, their enemies, and other amazing facts of their history.

After Marla Reynolds and her sister Julia had been brutally attacked by a stalker eleven years ago, Marla has been emotionally traumatized; able to function in the work place but dead inside when it came to any kind of emotional attachment. When accompanying a friend to a local bar scene, Marla met Luke Paxton, a man who seemed to exude a combination of energy and sensual awareness Marla thought dead and buried.

Luke, a Sentinel and member of the ancient Atlantian super race, was not only attracted to the feisty, stubborn, and mouthy woman at his side, but instinctively knew she was a "conductor". A conductor being a person of the opposite sex who through a conduction could help him track down a Belian monster, who was killing off the innocents of the world. The problem Luke faced was two-fold, the conduction was accomplished with the sentinel and conductor having highly charged sexual intercourse - only Marla was a virgin, and in the Sentinel rulebook - untouchable!

Wow, this was a fast moving and action packed addition in the "Sentinel Series" that is completely stand alone and packs a terrific wallop. Spangler does not create a new world but brings to life a super human race from the myths of old regarding the lost city of Atlantis come to protect earths inhabitants. She brings us the advanced culture race of Atlantians who live in the Light and whose sole purpose is to expel the evil Belians from slaughtering innocent humans.

In creating Marla as the perfectly matched conductor to help Luke track down one of the evilest of their foes, Spangler throws up numerous road blocks in Luke being able to convince Marla, 1) that he is one of the good guys, and 2) to convince Marla that as much as he desires her, she is perfectly safe because the rules state a sentinel cannot have sex with a virgin! On top of that, Marla is unintentionally mind linking with the evil Belial who wants to control her.

Spangler packs this one with thrills, chills, titillating dialogs with marvelous comebacks, and a cast of wonderfully crafted secondary characters. Marla's sister Julia is introduced along with the head honcho Atlantian Adam Masters. They add additional spice to an already steamy read, while setting the stage for the third book in this series which by any indication of Julia's dislike for Adam's arrogant and superior persona is sure to be a highly combustible addition to this remarkable series. Paranormal fans are sure to love this highly recommended read while anxiously awaiting what happens next with Adam and Julia in TOUCHED BY LIGHT!

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization repugnance

Belians, Sentinels and Sanctioned....oh my. And no, I couldn't resist. Spangler's latest series induces all sorts of feelings when reading it: fear, anger, sympathy, trepidation...she's an author that's never failed to get my attention, especially with the second in this series. Original and suspenseful, the Sentinel books pack plenty of emotional punch and incentive to read on.

Marla Reynolds has no delusions about her looks. She's got her safe little world and she knows it limits. Stuck being the "wingman" during a night on the town with a good friend, she's patiently waiting to drive said friend home. When she sidles up bar side for a little libation, she's perplexed at the static charge that fills the air. The man to her left is one of the sexiest men she's ever seen, and he only has eyes for her. While Marla's not buying it, Luke Paxton's not giving up till the lady abides long enough to agree to a date. When Marla gives him the slip, he'll have to take matters into his own hands, even if it is a tad bit illegal. Marla is special, and Luke needs her unique abilities to track down a most unusual killer, one of the Sons of Belial. Being a Sentinel, It's Luke's job to send the Belian's soul out for rehabilitation...before he kills more people. As a Conductor, Marla can help Luke channel his powers long enough to do so. Earning her trust will require no small effort though and a past tragedy may never allow them the cooperation needed to see the deed done. But as the action heats up, more importantly, will they be able to keep it strictly business in an increasingly volatile game?

Touched by Fire sparks at the very beginning with a great first chapter intro. We learn a little bit more about the world Spangler has created and there's an introduction to the new Atlantean on the block...well, not so much new as never before seen by readers, Adam, one of the Sanctioned, which in the hierarchy are one step above the Sentinels. There's a great plug for the next book via Adam's character and his interactions with Marla's sister. Marla and Luke in the meantime are playing hot and cold, push and pull, till the fire heats up and this reader began to meltdown. Marla has a tragic past that made for a good conflict between her and Luke. She takes on her duties as Conductor with more bravado than grace, but she clearly completes Luke. Luke himself is the cool element in the duo, sexy as all get out yet deadly earnest in his duties. Determined to remain emotionally unattached, he soon finds it hard to resist the sheer bravery and fortitude Marla exhibits time and time again. I did begin to wonder at a certain point if the romance would pick up...and then it did, answering the craving for it that the first chapter began so well. The ending, it made me smile--pure Spangler magic. Wrapping the story up is a very interesting turn in Marla's sister's life, thanks to the pestering attentions of Adam. Stay tuned for the third Sentinel book, Touched by Light.

Eleven years ago Marla Reynolds had experienced true human evil when a stalker had brutally attacked and raped her sister. Marla had watched helplessly after being brutally beaten by the assailant herself while attempting to defend Julia. She had been only nineteen at the time and relationships with men had left her cold ever since. Ironically she now finds her self in a prime pick up bar thanks to a friend's automotive misfortunes. She can only hope Rebecca finds someone to go home with before someone in the bar remembered to turn on the television to reports of today's horrific tragedy. Evil has reared its ugly head once more in a bombing involving a bus full of school children.

Ordinarily Marla would have taken no notice of the handsome man who takes the seat next to her at the bar. Perhaps Luke Paxton would have taken no notice of Marla's intentionally understated beauty either had he not felt the unmistakable jolt that alerts him to the fact that she's a perfectly matched human Conductor.

Luke is a Sentinel, a reincarnated Atlantian whose sole purpose on Earth is to track and send Belian souls to Saturn for rehabilitation. Belians thrive on chaos and blood. The perpetrator of today's heinous bombing is a particularly aggressive practitioner. Marla is just who he needs to help him amplify his psychic energy to evaluate his impressions of the Belian Crime Scene.

Marla proves to be a challenge, surprising Luke when she fails to acknowledge the undeniable attraction arcing between them. He does finally manage to convince her to meet him in a neutral location of her choice for dinner but once the link is broken by distance Marla's fears resurface and she sends him her regrets. Unfortunately Luke can't afford to take no for an answer knowing that it's only a matter of time before the Belian strikes again.

Unaware of her past experience, a frustrated Luke uses his skills to let himself into Marla's home. Marla returns home to discover she's not alone and understandably thinks the worst. She's become experienced in self defense and carries a gun but is no match for Luke's superhuman abilities. The next thing she knows she's in a Sentinel safe house being told a highly unlikely tale. Is she in the hands of another psychopath or is the real danger out there ready to strike again. Can she afford not to find out?

Fortunately Luke has the wherewithal to back up his claims and once at the Belian Crime Scene Marla's own unique abilities kick in, putting her inside the twisted mind of unimaginable evil. Can she face this new terror head on and help Luke stop the Belian before more innocent lives are lost? Will she give in to the undeniable desire she feels for this man alone and convince him to give up his loner existence?

TOUCHED BY FIRE is a blazing hot romantic fantasy thriller that is impossible to put down. Catherine Spangler puts her readers into the twisted mind of a psychotic killer right along with her heroine. It is an experience that one won't soon forget. Luckily, good triumphs over evil once more, but not for long. Luke's superior Adam Masters, one of the Sanctioned (a spiritually advanced Atlantean soul) who has been above human desire for centuries, has made the startling discovery that Marla's sister is a perfectly matched Conductor as well ---- for him! Julia is as scarred as Marla if not more so, but having faced death once she's not about to let this arrogant, macho, super ego tell her what to do. I can't wait to see who ends up handling who in Book 3: TOUCHED BY LIGHT. For now, enjoy TOUCHED BY FIRE a read I recommend highly for an edge of the seat adventure and brilliant characterization.

Reviewed by Leslie Tramposch for PNR Reviews

Catherine Spangler has long been on "auto-buy" for me. I loved her series that she did for Dorchester, and Shadow Crossing will forever be a top favourite of mine, but I think it's with the "Touched" series for Berkley where her voice and talent has come of age, sort to speak. This is the sequel, second in the series to Touch by Darkness. Two more Touched books are in the works, which is news sure to please Spangler fans.

In this one, Marla Reynolds is playing designated driver for her friend's night on the town. Another boring evening for her, she figures. However, from the instant she sit at the bar, she senses something different in the air, something beyond the norm. She quickly sees what it is -- a sexy man sitting next to her. Like most women used to being "designated driver to the world", she prefers the safety of her secure life, and having a drop dead hunk making goo-goo eyes at her, as if she's the only woman in the world for him, just isn't something she trusts. Too afraid of being hurt, of taking that risk, she gives him the brush off.

Only Luke Paxton is on a hunt, and his target is Marla, and for more than their instant attraction. Marla is special, and Luke needs her unique powers to help track down a killer. Luke is a Sentinel, the premise raised in Spangler's first book. For the Sentinel to operate at their most powerful level, they need a mate, a Conductor, which is where Marla comes into play. Luke needs her to control and focus his powers, to give him to strength to dispatch the killer before he kills again. It's imperative he gains her complete trust, but Marla, for too long, has learnt to keep the world--and specifically men--at arms length. Even when she must accept the role has his Conductor, she still tries to keep her emotions--and her heart---locked behind that protective wall she has built.

It's a sizzling, dark, erotic adventures, yet it emotions driving this tale. Marla is a strongly drawn character, one that immediately earned my sympathy and understanding. Luke is perfect a Alpha/Gamma male, yet under Spangler's skillful craft, comes fully alive in this riveting story.

Highly recommended. It leaves readers eager for Touch by The Light next year.

This was not a 5 star book. I loved the first book, Touched by Darkness, but this book wasn't near as good. I had problems with the main character, Marla, a 30 year old virgin due to a horrible occurrence in her past involving her sister and an old boyfriend. I also do not buy a dowdy, overweight, wiry haired woman attracting a very hot, good looking man. Maybe a beautiful woman with an ugly man, but very rarely the other way around. And also, Marla was way too needy! This book was OK, worth reading, but not five stars by any stretch of the imagination.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

Luke Paxton is a Sentinel tracking a dangerous Belial on a bombing spree with an agenda none of the Sentinels can yet discern. When Luke visits a pub in Houston one night, he is shocked, quite literally, to discover his perfectly matched Conductor. If only he can convince her that he needs her...

Marla Reynolds is not the type of woman men normally pay any attention to, which is quite all right in her book due to her traumatic past. So when a sexy stranger starts coming on to her in the Pub, she doesn't know what to think. When he later starts spouting crazy talk about Sentinels and Conductors and Belials, she's convinced he could be a threat to her, in more ways than one, the greatest being to her heart.

Luke needs Marla, willing or not, to be his partner and Conductor on this case and will even go so far as to kidnap her. But while Marla comes to understand her purpose and her connection to Luke, he hesitates to have the full sexual conduction experience with her. Then, when it becomes apparent that the Belial has noticed Marla, and bonded to her, Luke and Marla must put all doubts aside to protect her from this evil, and prevent any more destruction.

Having been fascinated with stories of Atlantis for as long as I can remember, I was quite eager to read Touched by Fire, and was totally enthralled with the world Catherine Spangler has created. Even having not read the previous book in the series, Touched by Darkness, I found I had absolutely no problem at all understanding the story. Catherine manages to explain her world quite thoroughly, without giving the impression it's just filler, through Marla. Marla is new to the Atlantians-on-Earth reality, so as she learns all about how they are and what they do, so too in turn did I. This technique for explaining back story works wonderfully since it doesn't feel like that's what it is.

Marla and Luke both have their personal demons to conquer and this has quite an impact on their relationship. Marla was sole witness to the brutal attack and rape of her sister, Julia, by a stalker, nearly killing Julia, eleven years ago. Seeing the atrocity first hand that evil can impose has left her emotionally damaged permanently. So when she learns what the Belial is capable of, she becomes determined to do her part to bring him down, even if it means facing her fears head on, with Luke's help. Luke was orphaned at a young age when his mother died (his father had abandoned them) and left to take care of his younger siblings. This is all he knows and not without a few blow out battles, Marla teaches him that it is OK to let go once in a while and get help from someone else. Marla and Luke are polar opposites in so many ways, and this just enhances the attraction and later, love, between them.

I love when authors gets inside the mind of evil in their books because that adds an extra layer to the thickening plot. Catherine Spangler handles this brilliantly, giving us just enough of the Belial's point of view to understand what a sick and evil monster it is without going over the top. We see his twisted desires and his grand plan, adding a sense of urgency to the story. After all, how could anyone allow something that hideous to continue its murder spree?

Fans of fantasy romance, Atlantis, and/or emotional stories with strong characters will be drawn into Touched by Fire in no time at all. New to the Sentinel world? I was too. Have no worries, you will be totally captivated. I loved, loved, loved this book and can't wait to read more books set in the Sentinels world!

© Kelley A. Hartsell, September 2007. All rights reserved.

What if the fall of Atlantis really happened?

Luke Paxton is a Sentinel, a reincarnated soul who is now fighting against the very evil that destroyed Atlantis. Who is this Belian he is tracking and what mayhem does he have planned next? Luke is determined to find out, and a human conductor will aid him in his search. Marla Reynolds is more than just a conductor; she is the perfect match. There's only one hitch... a full fledged conduction requires sex and Marla has emotional scars, ones that may make this impossible.

TOUCHED BY FIRE is the superb sequel to TOUCHED BY DARKNESS. It can easily be read as a stand alone as Catherine Spangler ensures that everything you need to know is provided. If this is your first taste of the Sentinels series, I can guarantee that TOUCHED BY FIRE is going to make you hungry for more!

Catherine Spangler isn't afraid to address tough issues. Marla's scars run deep, as do those of her sister, Julia. Only a storyteller as sensitive as Ms. Spangler could make a sensuous story while addressing such a traumatic past. There were a few dicey moments early on where I wondered about how in the world Luke was ever going to convince Marla that he wasn't some demented stalker! After all, who wouldn't question the sanity of a man blathering on about Atlantis and Belians? Have no fear, however, as Ms. Spangler resolves everything to perfect satisfaction.

TOUCHED BY FIRE solidifies that Catherine Spangler is truly back, and back with an emotional bang! What an intense storyline! The evilness of the Belian is clearly portrayed and emphasizes just why the Sentinel and conductor relationships are so very important. TOUCHED BY FIRE is a guaranteed hit.

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

I quite liked the first book, Touched by Darkness, somewhat in spite of the the whole Atlantean/Sentinel thing (slightly overdone, I think); this 2nd book, Touched by Fire, not so much. In part, the characters were not as engaging. But also, I had a lot more trouble in this book with the discrepancies between behaviour and description; particularly the Sentinels and even more so, the "Sanctioned". If these people are such old souls, and so "evolved" why are they so governed by ruthless expediency? And why are they like so many typical alpha romantic heroes?

Great, unique and unusual characters within great, unique and unusual situations. Thus, makes an interesting tale to tell. I had a hard time putting this book down--nearly reading the whole thing in one sitting. The main character, Marla, and her sister go through a horrible encounter during their late teen, early 20s years that have effected their character and their health for the past 11 years. Now, they and their unique (there's that word again) talents are needed in what becomes a reoccurance of what they had already experienced and barely survived.

At one point I was close to tears. Spangler did a great job bringing the reader close to the character and their feelings. I'm sooo looking forward to the next in the series!