Touched by Darkness by Catherine Spangler
Published by Indie
Published on: November 8, 2013
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 304
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Chapters | Kobo | GoodReads
After seven years on the run, Dr. Kara Cantrell believes she and her son, Alex, are safe. She’s wrong.
Kara settles in the sleepy town of Zorro, Texas, convinced that she and her child have escaped the sinister reach of a supernatural underworld. But the appearance of Damien Morgan, a dangerous, alluring man with superhuman abilities, upends her quiet existence.
Damien realizes that Alex is a fledgling Sentinel, and Kara is a matched, psychic conductor for him. She wants nothing to do with him, refusing to revisit the hell she experienced seven years ago. But she has no choice, as her son is projecting his abilities, leaving him vulnerable to unseen forces. Not only that, but someone—or something—is murdering people in Zorro.
Kara is forced to work with Damien, tapping into a mystical link that triggers desires both of them must ignore. But as they work together to protect her son, and to track the killer, evil stalks them, reaching out—with the touch . . . of darkness.
Supernatural beings that aren’t werewolves, witches or vampires? That’s what you get with this book. It’s part one of a trilogy about a group of beings named Sentinels, reincarnated from Atlantis, by way of another galaxy. Sentinels are tasked with killing the evil beings from their world, called Belial. Since it’s an older book(although a re-release I think), it may not be a new read for you, but once I found it, bought it and started it, I read it non-stop and totally enjoyed myself along the way. It was a one day read for me this week.
The story centers around Kara, a doctor with a young son, Alex. She has moved to a small town in hopes that she can escape the supernatural nightmare of six years before. Alex’s father, a Sentinel, was killed right in front of her by a Belial. After his death, she runs when she finds herself pregnant. She doesn’t want her child to be touched by the world of his father, but that’s all about to change, as Alex is coming into some of his powers. Damian is a Sentinel and he is chasing a Belial that he believes is living in the same town as Kara. Since Belial’s take over bodies, everyone in town in suspect-especially the weak or the sick. He is shocked to realize that Kara is a conductor and a match to help him to do his work. But he is more surprised that Alex’s power is unprotected and transmitting loudly for any Belial to hear.
This ended up being a really good romance and actually a who done it. We meet all sorts of the towns people, and I never figured out who the Belial was. The way a Belial receives energy is by killing people, so they are pretty much psychopaths. There are several murders and lots of suspects. It’s up to Kara and Damian to save the day. Did I mention that conductors and Sentinels work best while having sex? Oh yes. So there are some pretty steamy scenes involved and they were very well written, as is this whole book. The characters were interesting and each had an intriguing back story.
I really liked the story, the characters and the mystery. The premise is different then the usual paranormal romance and I totally was on board for that! This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I will definitely be buying the next book in the series soon.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
He has no neck *stares*
Not my favorite cover. LOL I had been wondering why and you got it in one try!
I can imagine the level of hotness since they can get energy from having sex.. I do like the way the mystery sounds.
Interesting, thank you. 4 star is a not bad rating for a first book in series.
Thanks..the sex thing was done well though I think-the MC didn’t immediately agree to it 🙂
Believe it or not I haven’t heard of this series but I love the sound of it!
Great review. I am glad you found one that you couldn’t put down.
Thanks! Another good thing-it’s free!
Okay, this sounds pretty awesome. I haven’t heard about this book before, but I’m adding it to my tbr list. I love how it has different “mythology” and not usual vampires/werewolves stereotypes.
i hope you like it!
Supernaturals reincarnated from Atlantis. I love the premise.
Yes I thought it was pretty different too 🙂
I don’t think I would have picked this up by that cover…haha but it sounds like a good read. Romance and mystery? I’m sold! I also like it’s not your typical vamp or were PNR. Great review!
Thanks! I have two web sites that send me free books to get daily and this was one-I would never have found it either. 🙂
The cover…meh. But the blurb has me very interested and great review as well. Sorry but I keep staring at the cover. I think his neck is missing! 😉
Yep that seems to be the general thought! Disregard the cover and you got a good story though 🙂
And that I can totally do Lorna! 😉
I love the idea! It’s always wonderful to have some new speacies many with these ideas, so original and interesting! thanks Lorna!
It was different 🙂 I enjoyed it!
I am not a big fan of the cover, it feels like a homage to Fabio but I’ve read books before where I hayed the cover and liked the other books. Great review Lorna, it’s def interesting to read a new paranormal specie!
I meant hated the cover and liked the actual book. Man, my autocorrect is wonky.
Thanks! Auto correct can be pretty bad and sometimes really funny! But that was okay, I knew what you meant 🙂 And I do agree with the cover problem!
I love falling in love with older series, because usually all the books in the series are out (or at least the next book is coming out soon)! 🙂
Yes they are all out and she has another series too. My problem is my tbr pile is so huge I don’t know when I will get to the next one. 🙂
I do have some of her books on my shelves, all unread of course. I need to get my stepstool and a duster someday soon …
I had bags of books and when I went home for Christmas, one of my friends put them all on bookshelves-all mixed up with books I have read. I have already bought one ebook that I already had on the shelf. No telling what’s on the shelf that I will buy again!(she meant well 🙂 )
Lol you need to make a list with all the books you have, and then mark those you have read… It is a fun job and you will discover lots of books you have forgotten about.
Good idea if I could make myself sit down to do it 🙂