Boston, Massachusetts - Present Day

Widow Elise Chase lost everything when her son was turned Rogue by the drug Crimson (see KISS OF CRIMSON, book 2) and killed. She has left the Sanctuary where she resided for her entire life in order to seek vengeance against those who took her son. Using her extraordinary psychic gift, Elise is able to track Rogues and kill them. But the price she pays is high. Unable to tune out or filter her gift leaves her vulnerable to the emotions and thoughts of all the people in her vicinity. While tracking and destroying another Rogue one night, Elise doesn’t realize that she, too, is being tracked. When a group of Rogues surrounds her and begins to attack, she is amazed to see Breed Warrior Tegan appear and save her.

Tegan is furious, and amazed, to find out that the delicate Elise is hunting Rogues. He has felt a connection to Elise since he helped her the night that her son was killed. Since Tegan hasn’t felt anything for anyone in the five-hundred years since he lost his Breedmate, he is also confused by the emotional response that Elise brings out in him. Trying to talk her out of killing Rogues isn’t working. She not only wants to continue, she needs Tegan to show her how to control her gift. The only thing Elise will agree to do is help Tegan, and an alliance is born that will lead them both into dangers they never thought they would face; danger that comes from a mortal enemy and from the dark desire that develops between them. Desire they have both sworn never to feel again.

Additional characters include Breed Warriors Lucan, Dante, Gideon, and their wives; Sterling Chase, newest Breed warrior and Elise’s brother-in-law; Reichen, a German vampire indebted to the Breed warriors; and Marek, the Rogue leader. The secondary characters provide insight into both Elise and Tegan. They help build suspense, ferocity, and mystery into the saga.

MIDNIGHT AWAKENING is a dark, intense delight. Tegan is a brooding anti-hero compelled to destroy the enemy that stole his emotional soul. He has been on a binge of vengeance since the night Elise lost her son, destroying each Crimson lab he comes across in brutal and spectacular fashions. Elise has always been treated with deference in response to her overwhelming psychic gift. She has felt coddled, and strangled, by her husband and the other members of her Sanctuary. She feels freed by her decisions, even as it imperils her life. The tension and sparks Elise and Tegan generate fuel the story, even as both fight it. Excellent writing and fully drawn, emotional characters keep the pace moving rapidly. High suspense, fierce battles, and surprises keep the interest high and the pages turning. A knockout ending with a wicked twist is wonderful. An excellent addition to this terrific series, MIDNIGHT AWAKENING is one not to be missed.

Jennell