MIDNIGHT RECKONING – Kendra Leigh Castle
Dark Dynasties , Book 2
Grand Central Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1-609-41838-0
January 2012
Paranormal Romance
Silver Falls, New York – Present Day
James Dennis Harrison, or Jaden as he is called after he was turned into a Vampire, has just been freed from the Ptolemy Dynasty where he was a slave. Jaden can also turn into a cat, and the cat collar they had on him made him their “pet”. He's just getting used to his freedom when he comes upon a woman being attacked. Jaden met Lyra, a werewolf, months ago in a Chicago safe house. Lyra took an immediate hatred to him, and he was surprised to learn she was a future Alpha of her wolf pack. Now here she is apparently being hassled to mate with another werewolf. Lyra isn't afraid to fight the man, but eventually her injuries show she needs Jaden's help. After her rescue, Lyra goes back home to heal, and prepare for the Proving.
Away from her town, Lyra recklessly got herself backed into a corner by another werewolf anxious to mate with her and become part of the Black family. When she is saved by Jaden, she remembers him from their meeting months ago, and how she was pushed out of meetings at the safe house because she was a werewolf. Lyra doesn't easily forget slights like that. Lyra wants to be the Second to her father, the current Alpha of the Thorn pack. The only way to become the second is survive the Proving, a winner-take-all fight among everyone who also wants to be the Second, and it could be a fight to the finish, or Lyra could lose; something she is determined not to do. The only thing is that no one will teach her how to fight, and without some serious training, even the moves she has learned herself won't be enough to save her. When Jaden returns a necklace torn off her neck by the other werewolf, her father asks him to train Lyra to fight like he does; he doesn't want to see his daughter hurt during the Proving.
Kendra Leigh Castle has created a world of slightly different characters and species. I've never heard of a cat/vampire, and apparently the mating of a vampire and werewolf is considered unacceptable to both groups. Jaden's story is told in his own words; he was turned several hundred years ago and has spent many years as a slave/pet of the Ptolemy dynasty, headed by Queen Arsinoe. The Queen is determined to get Jaden back and will do whatever it takes. Lyra had a different life as the well-respected daughter of the Pack Alpha, except for her deep seated need to be the next Alpha, and learn everything from her father. Strong willed and brave, Lyra has decided men and marriage isn't for her, she wants to spend all her life in service to the Thorn Pack.
Secondary characters are Lyra's cousin Eric, who she has heard has dire plans for the Pack if he wins the Proving. Lyra's father is Dorien, current Alpha trying in vain to get Lyra's mind off joining the Proving; a girl just isn't strong enough to win or become an Alpha. Simon is Lyra's best friend since she was young, and her father has tried to interest her in marrying him and starting her life without worrying about guiding the Pack. There are other vampires bent on trouble, and of course, Queen Arsinoe has minions at her beck and call to start all types of trouble.
MIDNIGHT RECKONING explores two different types of paranormal species and the interaction between them as Lyra and Jaden try to build a relationship. There's plenty of action, fights, miscommunication and hatred between species. MIDNIGHT RECKONING is book 2 of the Dark Dynasties series. SHADOW RISING comes out in July 2012. If you like to explore the paranormal world, MIDNIGHT RECKONING is just right for you this month.
Carolyn Crisher
