ANGEL’S PAIN - Maggie Shayne
Wings in the Night Series, Book 15
MIRA Books
ISBN: 978-0-7783-2498-0
October 2008
Paranormal Romance

North Carolina and Byram, Connecticut, Present Day

Briar is a bitter and vengeful vampire. She wants only one thing in life, to get even with Gregor, the CIA created vampire. Manufactured to hunt down their premier assassin, Reaper, Gregor has gone rogue and enjoys the absolute power of his immortality. He changed Briar to be his companion and a soldier in his war to gain power over both vampires and humans. When Gregor imprisoned and tortured her, Briar swore to herself that she would kill him. Joining Reaper and his ragtag band of humans and vampires who are also gunning for Gregor has Briar closer to her goal, but the camaraderie the group shares is something she can’t tolerate. However, even as she pushes them away any time one of the group reaches out to her, Briar finds her defenses breached, especially by Reaper and the mentally hampered vampire Crisa, whom Briar saved with her own blood.

Reaper was the best assassin the CIA had, and when he disappeared into the vampire world to help hunt down rogues, he knew the CIA would come after him. He never thought they would be stupid enough to turn out another vampire in the world to help them. With Gregor now creating an army of drones to do his bidding, taking him out may be a suicide mission. Always a loner, Reaper will not allow any of his band to take the ultimate risk. Keeping Briar out of the way will not be easy, but the unaccountable attraction he feels for her brings out a deep-seated need to protect her. When Crisa begins to hears voices in her head, one begging for help and one wanting her to lead Reaper to him, she sets out on an undeniable mission to save a child. The blood bond Briar shares with Crisa compels her to follow the child-like vampire, and Reaper will put everything aside to accompany Briar in her quest. But what Briar is after now is in question, one that she is not be able to answer even to herself.

Other characters of note include CIA agent Derrick Dwyer; humans Ilyana and Roxy, who refuse to leave Reaper; vampires Topaz, Jack, Mirabella, Vixen, and Seth, who are helping search for Gregor; and Matt, a boy who is one of the chosen. Surprises, twists, and secrets come to light for Reaper and his group, including horrendous machinations by the CIA that none of them could have imagined. The most unexpected occurrences, however, are the emotional upheavals and revelations that come to Reaper and Briar.

An action packed thrill ride, ANGEL’S PAIN is a race to seek justice and truth. The depth and reasons for Briar’s absolute lack of trust are exposed as her need for revenge leads her and Reaper through her past. The guilt that has haunted Reaper for years is also revealed. The opening of old wounds alternately draws the pair closer together or causes them to pull further apart. When the freedom that they both seek is finally within reach, an ultimate sacrifice may be the price paid to grasp it.

Excellent writing, interesting and complicated characters, and a prickly romance are the highlights of this intense story. For fans of the series and the paranormal genre, ANGEL’S PAIN is a must read.

Jennell