Present Day; the United States

Eenie meenie, miney mo…Catch a demon by the toe…

Quinn is in the business of hunting down and vanquishing demons of all sorts: lust, stealth, mimic, war. She doesn’t discriminate, as they’re all intent on the same things -- mayhem and evil. If the general population only knew what danger sometimes hid behind the most common face, they’d never leave their homes. That she also considers her work as playtime may be disconcerting, but as an elite member of the mysterious Shadow Destroyers group, she’s one of the best in the best. Quinn’s partner, Braxton, could be considered fuddy-duddy, but his by-the-book ways and oh-so-proper demeanor hide the heart of a sinfully delectable man -- a man Quinn has lusted after for so long.

When Quinn’s twin sister, Cass, is kidnapped, she automatically goes into warrior mode and vows to hunt down and destroy whoever, or whatever, has taken her sister. Brax has no choice but to stick by his partner’s side, despite his inner struggle to control a reckless lust for the very woman he has sworn off. Even though danger abounds at every turn, Brax cannot turn off the mental tape player of his one night with Quinn in his arms. After an assignment in which Quinn received a minor injury during a fight with a lust demon, emotions and desire took the front seat. Before common sense could rein them in, Brax experienced a night that will forever haunt him. Even though she promised she’d never forget, her infection from the lust demon prevented Quinn from following through on that oath -- the next day, her one night in Brax’s arms was quickly forgotten. Damned, pesky demons...

While Brax and Quinn search for Cass, the niggling at the backs of their necks hints at an unforeseen danger on the horizon. Quinn’s nightmares have shown her glimpses of her parents and a lot of bloodshed. Their supposed deaths in a car wreck don’t gel with the hideous pictures Quinn sees in her dreams. The lack of sleep, constant worry for her sister, and inner turmoil with Brax’s sudden change in demeanor all start taking a toll on her, and it’s not long before even Quinn doubts her own capabilities. Can she get it together in time to fight for her own life and sanity?

Can I just tell you how thrilled I was when this assignment came in? I was first blown away by the first book in the Shadow Destroyers series, UNBREAKABLE. The phrase “packs a punch” doesn’t even begin to describe Sydney Somers’s newest installment, STRIPPED AWAY! The author has a surefire talent for creating the most insurmountable challenges for her excellently portrayed characters. Just for fun, she makes her hero and heroine leap through hoops and climb mountains to attain a combustible conclusion that will take your breath away.

In STRIPPED AWAY, it becomes quite obvious that Brax and Quinn are meant for each other, but of course they don’t know it. Brax’s way of sheltering his partner even as he tells himself that he shouldn’t care so deeply is touching and heartfelt. And did I mention…sexy? Quinn is the perfect counterbalance to Brax’s play-it-safe tendencies. She’s a bit impulsive and reckless but maintains a balance of good along with her bad-ass ways. The electric blue streaks in her hair are perfectly descriptive of the volatile emotions she struggles to keep in check.

In case I forgot to mention, while I’m sounding like a fan-girl, STRIPPED AWAY is a perfect balance of characterization, action and danger. You can actually cut the tension with a slotted spoon. Jordan and Gage, the stars of RESURRECTION (now titled UNBREAKABLE) make appearances and show readers that they still ignite in the most satisfying ways. At the same time, Ms. Somers introduces us to new characters who hopefully have stories waiting for them. Cass, Darcy, Drew, and Rae -- Quinn’s sister and co-workers -- all are fairly begging to tell us just what’s going on with them.

Take a break from the humdrum of your work week and add some zip to your day -- be sure to check out STRIPPED AWAY as soon as possible from Samhain!

(Reviewer’s additional note: Fans may already know, but newcomers should be aware that since the dissolution of Triskelion Publishing, where RESURRECTION was first released, it can now be purchased from Samhain. Future books in this series are in the works, and Lord only knows -- they cannot get here fast enough. *tapping foot*)

Amy Cunningham