"fascinating romantic fantasy"

In 1217 Hugh escorts Lady Isabel to the castle of her husband Baron Robert after both were away for two years to keep her safe. , Hugh's mentor Sir George sends him in to check some activity near the Roman ruins There he sees the naked seneschal William Mandeville tied up by Lilith who will keep his identity secret in exchange for a future favor.

Lilith pretends to be Isabel as she knows Hugh desires her. He instead offers her a bargain she accepts. Why look like a hag when she can be anyone. She replies it easier to hide as men only want young breasts. He kisses her in her hag form shocking Lilith. Later she watches Isabel come to Hugh who thinks she is Lilith. He kisses her as Robert and Mandeville arrive. Shocking Lilith he takes full responsibility for the incident, but Lilith intercedes just before he was to have his head cut off. Hugh becomes a guardian

In 2007 San Francisco Hugh is no longer a guardian having voluntarily Fallen following his killing Lilith in 1991 Seattle. However, now he is involved in murders, Lucifer, and the return of his beloved Lilith.

This a fascinating romantic fantasy with obvious religious overtones. The lead couple is a delightful pairing of star-crossed lovers while the war between the minions of heaven and hell is set up with several different enthralling spins beyond the typical religious dogma. Though the tale would have been better suited to eliminate the centuries between the opening encounter and the modern saga, sub-genre readers will appreciate this delightful saga.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted December 26, 2006

Read an Excerpt

Summary

All hell breaks loose in Meljean Brook's erotic, supernatural debut novel.

DEMON
For two thousand years, Lilith wrought vengeance upon the evil and the damned, gathering souls for her father's armies Below and proving her fealty to her Underworld liege. Bound by a bargain with the devil and forbidden to feel pleasure, she draws upon her dark powers and serpentine grace to lead men into temptation. That is, until she faces her greatest temptation—Heaven's own Sir Hugh Castleford...

ANGEL
Once a knight and now a Guardian, Hugh spent centuries battling demons—and the cursed, blood-drinking nosferatu. His purpose has always been to thwart the demon Lilith, even as he battles his treacherous hunger for her. But when a deadly alliance unleashes a threat to both humans and Guardians in modern-day San Francisco, angel and demon must fight together against unholy evil—and against a desire that has been too long denied...