Phoenix Unrisen: Kathleen Nance

New Orleans News Eye (NONE) reporter Natalie Severin has a nose for news, although her beat takes her into unusual places. Per her boss, her most recent assignment is to investigate mysterious lights seen in the bayou. His hope? Aliens.

After being led into the swamp by a very unsavory character, Natalie is disappointed when she doesn't find any aliens. However, she does find Ram Montgomery, local veterinarian and one tall, handsome drink of water...in the middle of busting up a drop for a smuggling ring of exotic animals. In this case, tubes stuffed with birds.

Natalie's news instincts take over, but what she witnesses next makes her see (and feel) Ram in a totally different way. The bad guys are busy abusing a dog – almost to the point of death. Stepping in, the vet displays a pair of rather unique talents: like whipsharp reflexes to kick some bad guy ass. And the amazing ability to heal the wounded dog. With her helping hands, the dog is healed enough to be taken back to his office but in the process, a bond is forged between the two that leaves both of them shaken. And later darted by the smugglers with animal tranquilizers. Evidently they want their merchandise back...but who would want a few not-so-exotic birds? And why go to such extremes?

And there is the problem concerning Ram's abilities. He's a Mage. Natalie knows magic when she feels it. She abhors it, in fact. She's a widow with a missing twin brother, both lost in their own search for more magical power. But she can't ignore what's happening between them, and she can't ignore circumstances when it becomes apparent there is way more going on than an exotic animal smuggling ring. And far more dangerous...

I don't ordinarily go for books on magic and witchcraft. Most of it comes across as hokey with a lot of made-up mumbo jumbo to prop up an unimaginative plot. It takes a book with quite a wallop to impress me...like Phoenix Unrisen, for instance.

Although marketed as romantic suspense, it's mixed heavily with paranormal overtones. Set against a wonderfully eerie atmosphere, the intriguing mystery blends well with the romance between Natalie and Ram. However, the romance seems to take a back seat to the captivating Mage storyline. Granted, there are a few niggling boilerplate moments along the way but the clues are well hidden, the plot twists in just the right place, and the ending is truly a surprise.

Fans of both genres will find this an excellent, and original, read. Be prepared to stay up all night with this one...

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Mass Market Paperback: 357 pages
Publisher: Love Spell (October 2, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0505527030
ISBN-13: 978-0505527035
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