TURBULENT SEA – Christine Feehan
Drake Sisters, Book 6
Jove
ISBN-10: 0515145068
ISBN-13: 978-0515145069
July 2008
Paranormal Romance

U.S.A., Various Cities – Present Day

Joley Drake is the sixth sister of the Drake clan. All the sisters are witches with magical gifts, but Joley expresses her gifts most strongly through music. This gift brought her fame and fortune in the rock world, but it has not brought her the happiness she craves. She carries a secret, a belief that she has darkness inside. In spite of everything she has accomplished, she feels she is not good enough. Joley believes that she will never have the love and satisfaction that her other sisters have found. Sergei Nikitin, a Russian organized crime boss, seems fascinated by Joley and gives big lavish parties after the concerts. Recently, Joley has seen evidence that the after concert parties that some of the group attend may be a cover to lure young girls into sexual slavery.

Joley’s attraction to Ilya Prakenskii is the worst of all of her dark secrets. Ilya has gifts like her family, but he works for Nikitin and has a reputation as a hit man. Ilya is an enigma to Joley: sexy, yet hard and secretive, gentle and protective with her, but ruthless with others. Joley fears he may be involved with the traffic in sexual slavery. He put his psychic mark on Joley’s palm. He says they are mated, that he will marry her and give her children. Can it be true? Is she safe in his keeping?

TURBULENT SEA is a tale of adventure and suspense, paired with romance and a touch of the paranormal. Ms. Feehan is justifiably famous for crafting new worlds. Her vampires are unlike any this reader has ever seen in a book. The world created for this story is also unique, combining magic and music, Russian mobsters, and undercover agents. The concept of the story is a solid one, but I was frustrated by what seemed to be inconsistencies in the plot and character development. Perhaps because this is the sixth book in the series, there is an assumption that the reader knows the characters and back-story well. Joley is defined as an accomplished person with the support of a strong, loving family, fighting skills, and magical abilities to inspire through her music, but she seems helpless, confused and conflicted. Ilya clearly represents a classic alpha male character; he knows what needs to happen, and he makes it happen. Long time fans of Ms. Feehan will want to add TURBULENT SEA to their collection, but this might not be the best novel to start with for a new reader.

Lisa Baca

Second Opinion

Joley Drake is the sixth daughter in a family who has magical gifts. Each daughter has special talents, and Joley’s are music and spell singing. Her talents have brought her great success as a musician. Her band is very popular—almost too popular. Band members have let fame go to their heads and are now pursuing their favorite vices at parties thrown by a Russian mobster, Sergi Nikitin.

Nikitin is one evil man, but his sexy bodyguard, Ilya Prakenskii, tempts Joley in a way that no other man ever has. He calls to her using his beautiful voice until Joley burns with desire that only Ilya can satisfy. But Ilya doesn’t want to be just another of Joley’s flings; he’s playing for keeps. The situation becomes dangerous as Joley starts investigating the disappearance of a 13 year old girl who was last seen at one of Nikitin’s parties. Soon Joley’s fan mail becomes dangerously threatening and her security staff cannot protect her, but can Ilya?

TURBULENT SEA continues Christine Feehan’s series regarding the magical Drake family. Joley and Ilya have strong sexual chemistry that at times overwhelms her. She is a strong woman full of her own magic, but she is vulnerable to her own fears. Her character is at times weak because she allows herself to be overwhelmed by stress. Most of that stress is caused by her own indecision regarding Ilya.

Ilya was raised in a Russian orphanage under brutal circumstances. He has his own family secrets and sources of magic. Ms. Feehan does not give readers much information about Ilya’s family. He is a very secretive alpha male who seems to have lost all of his gentle emotions and social abilities. The conflict between Ilya and Joley is based on a lack of communication. Ilya will not discuss his past with her, and this leaves readers in the dark. I would have enjoyed learning more about Ilya’s past and his family’s story.

TURBULENT SEA is full of enough suspicion and intrigue to keep readers wondering where the plot will take them next. The Drake sisters take a backseat to Joley’s band members while she is on tour. Brian, the band’s lead guitarist, is a loveable character who will have readers missing their best guy friend or brother. The setting moves across the country as the band goes on tour.

Readers familiar with the Drake Sisters series will enjoy the latest installment. However, those anticipating Joley’s personal strength in a face off with a dynamic personality may be disappointed, as Joley spends much of the book hiding from herself. Readers new to the Drake series should first read book three, OCEANS OF FIRE, because that is where Ilya is first introduced to Joley and it provides much of the back story missing from book six. I recommend TURBULENT SEA for the die hard fans of the Drake sisters.

Mel Mason