Customer Reviews

Touched by Light (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
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Catherine Spangler continues this excellent series with another tale sure to keep your attention from first page to last. Adam Masters is as close as we could come to having a Superman helping protect the earth. Not only does he have super powers, he's one of those men most of us would want in our lives even without the trappings that come with his race. He's a perfect match for Julia Reynolds, a woman who's been through the hell of rape and doesn't want to let anyone close to her again. Their stubbornness throughout keeps us guessing as to whether either will give in.

The great love story between the two is a feast of sensuality as the battle between good and evil rages around them. Matt Stevens is the missing Sentinel. A psychopath has taken over his body to use for a killing spree to please his bloodthirsty god, Belial. Adam, Julia and their friends are superb characters developed in such a way that the reader will enjoy them all. Ms. Spangler has penned a unique sci-fi thriller sure to quench the readers' thirst for a tale rich in scenarios that will give us that extra punch we look for in a great book. - Dee Dailey

I looked forward to this book after having read the other two Sentinel books (Touched by Darkness and Touched by Fire)which I loved, but was disappointed in this one. The other two books were amazing and different but this one fell short of the mark for me. I think it was because I just didn't like Adam Masters, but I liked him more than Dr. Julia Reynolds, and if you don't care for the main characters it's hard to get into a storyline. The book seemed too predictable in action and reactions of the two main characters. Ms. Spangler is an amazing writer and I own everything she has written but to me this one fell short of the 'I can't wait to read it again' mode that tells me a book is really good.

I really like the book. It is very well written and is different and very interesting to read.I really have enjoyed all oer books that I have read

I loved all of Catherine Spangler's novels. Just enough other worldliness to make them interesting with lots of hot action between the protagonists.

Dr. Julia Reynolds has made a new life for herself after being brutally attacked and now has discovered her peace is about to be totally destroyed. Julia has made herself a great career at the University of Houston. But there is one effect from her attack that has brought her to the attention of the Sentinels, powerful reborn beings that protect Earth. Julia doesn't really want to deal with their leader either, but has found he is one person who won't accept no for an answer.

Adam Masters is the Head Sentinel of this area and is actually a bit more than that. He knows that Julia would love to turn away from him, but Adam also knows that she is his other half and is determined to prove it to her. Unfortunately it will have to be done while they are figuring out why one of his men is missing in action and what is causing unusual deaths in the area.

Julia is fighting herself almost as much as Adam in denying her attraction to him. Being forced to travel with Adam and work on his project is another great reason to not want him - right? If only her body would listen to her head and not the heart area. Adam and Julia face their fiery passion and intense danger while looking for the missing Sentinel. When the mission is accomplished, Julia is still fighting her passion and Adam. Which might be why she took her attention off of the other danger, even deadlier to her that has been just waiting for a moment to attack. Will Julia and Adam be able to fight off this other danger that threatens their love before it destroys all hope?

What to do when you are threatened on two separate fronts? Touched by Light brings Julia, a woman who's life was damaged and forever changed by one horrific act and Adam a reborn and powerful Sentinel who wants to protect Julia even more than the Earth he is bound to. The rocket fired often when Julia and Adam were together and it was easy for me to see that it wasn't anger that was the cause. I found Julia to be a really strong willed woman who gained my respect by what she had fought against. Adam is alpha all the way and tries to overrule Julia often, only to find himself having to backtrack at times. I was enthralled from the beginning with their story and didn't really want it to end, even when it became apparent that just because they found their way, the arguments were not stopping anytime soon. Just continued fireworks to keep life interesting for Julia and Adam. Touched by Light keeps you on a triple loop roller coaster ride until the last page.

While Touched by Light is part of a series, I had no problem reading it as a stand-alone and not feeling like I missed anything. However I did look at the other two books in the series and will probably go back and check them out too.


Jo
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Julia is not happy to see Adam. She has buried that part of her life, she thought, a good twelve years ago. No more visions no more horror. Now Adam is back and with him all her visions and the horrible life she thought she left behind. Adam says she is his conductor - the person to channel the energy he creates as a Sentinel. She is not thrilled or convinced. But Adam has to convince her she is his, as a Sentinel without a conductor is doomed to die horribly. Only together can they beat the evil to come and he is not above using sex to get what he wants. Julia has always brought out his inner bad boy and now he is going to use it against her to get her on his team. But when Julia's life is threatened Adam finds his protective instincts kicking in. He will not let anything happen to the other half of his soul. But can he save Julia from both supernatural and human demons that plague her?

This is the third installment to the Sentinel series with Touched by the Light by Catherine Spangler. This is a supernatural thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. The blend of the paranormal and romance to it makes it a must read for any fan of the Sentinel series. Julia is an innocent to most of the paranormal until one freak accident brings out all her paranormal abilities. She really would rather not be part of all the demonic activity but Adam refuses to lose his mate and Julia is definitely his mate. The one person in the world just for him that can ground his powers. Adam is used to being a protector that is what Sentinels do after all. He is strong alpha male, although sometimes really could use lessons on being subtle but overall he is one yummy hero to remember.

Together these two are one unbeatable team. When you want a thriller/mystery romance you really need to read Touched by the Light.

Adam Masters needs the help of Dr. Julia Reynolds on his quest to find a sentinel. Her precognitive skills are critical as they enhance his extrasensory gifts. However, Adam also knows the highly probable cost to her if he loses to his deadly enemy; Julia will die horribly.

Julia wants nothing to do with Adam or any man for that matter as she struggles with knowing the animal who raped her has just been freed from prison. However, she understands Adam's plea and reluctantly agrees to help him. Adam feels guilty that he may be endangering this kind woman he is attracted to while Julia struggles between her fear of the male beast and her attraction to her new teammate.

The latest Sentinel "Touched" paranormal romantic suspense (see TOUCHED BY FIRE and TOUCHED BY DARKNESS) is an enjoyable thriller starring two interesting lead characters. Julia is especially a fresh face as she is at times is out right nasty towards the hero though she likes him, desires him, and supports his goal. Adam is somewhat similar in personality to the Sentinel heroes of the previous tales Damien Morgan and Luke Paxton. Fans will enjoy this fine entry yet ponder why Julia's precognitive skills work so well to help her and Adam have a chance at surviving his quest, but failed to warn her about the rapist. Catherine Spangler provides an engaging tale in her strong Sentinel saga.

Harriet Klausner,

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

A CK2S K2 Recommended Read!

At last we have another book in the wonderful The Sentinels series by Catherine Spangler! Touched by Light is every bit as full of adventure and emotion as the preceding books in the series.

Dr. Julia Reynolds has been through more trauma than any woman should have to face. Brutally attacked, raped, and permanently scarred, she hasn't given up on at least some of her dreams, even if a romantic relationship is out of the question. Then she is sucked into a battle between good and evil when she is discovered to be a Conductor and the Sentinels needed her help to save her sister, Marla. (See Touched by Fire.)

Adam is one of an ancient people, a survivor of the lost world of Atlantis. He is a Sanctioned and his responsibility is to take care of all Sentinels under his command and help them capture the Belians. When one of the Sentinels goes missing, but is believed alive, Adam's duty is to find him, especially when he fears that his friend has been tracked by an especially crafty and powerful Belian.

Adam comes to Julia to ask for her help once more, only to receive the shock of his many lifetimes. Julia is a perfectly matched Conductor to Adam but never before has a Sanctioned been gifted with such a treasure. Julia reluctantly agrees to help Adam find his missing Sentinel but her own life is about to get more complicated. Her attacker, William Bennett, is released from jail and he has plans for Julia. Danger is coming from all sides and Adam and Julia will have to tap into that bond between them if they hope to win this battle. Can they survive being Touched by Light?

I love the romance of Adam and Julia. Adam is floored by the revelation Julia is matched to him, treasuring this for the gift that it is. So it is no surprise that he overwhelms her with his presence, since he is not about to let this miracle go. Because of Julia's past, she naturally has many doubts and fears about such an overpowering male being enamored of her. The interaction between these two is hot enough to set the house on fire. Intensity is added with the looming threat to the humans in Texas and those against Julia on a personal level.

The nearly two year long wait for Touched by Light was completely worth it! My heart bled for Julia and all she had suffered when I met her in Touched by Fire and I am so excited we finally get her story! Catherine Spangler does Julia justice with this powerfully emotional read. It was wonderful to see her blossom from a quiet introverted college professor to a strong and brave Conductor, with a few special abilities brought on by her trauma. She has to face those demons that have shadowed her since Bennett nearly killed her, and conquer them once and for all if she ever wants to find peace again. There is an especially compelling scene towards the end of Touched by Light that shows us just how far she has come.

Wow, Touched by Light is a powerhouse of a book. Full of fast paced action, sizzling sexual tension, intense emotions, a strong mystery, and a brilliantly developed world, I could not put this one down. This story is more complex than the preceding two books, requiring readers to pay close attention to keep up with what's happening. Catherine Spangler has also expanded her universe with several surprises that are revealed, making us gasp in shock and surprise. The additional complexities enhance rather than detract from the main story with how they unfold.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, May 2009. All rights reserved.