Eileen Wilks, Mortal Danger

Mortal Danger

Eileen Wilks

Berkley, Nov 2005, $6.99

ISBN: 0425202909

Former cop now FBI Agent Lily Yu takes time off from her case searching for the dangerous Reverend Patrick Harlowe and the magical staff he stole to attend her sister's wedding. At the reception she notices a woman whom she believes is Helen, someone she killed three weeks ago. She follows the woman into the bathroom only to be hit on the head. Her lupine soulmate Prince Rule Turner, insures she is okay, and to make sure she stays that way, he makes her move in with him over her objections.

Just prior to the incident, Xitil the Great One summons a fearful minion Gan, ordering the demon to work with a young looking female who shockingly does not fear the Great One and the human Harlowe; their target is to drink the blood of the sensitive Lily. Harlowe and his demonic associates have set the perfect trap to capture Lily, whose only hope of escaping the minions of hell is Rule, but he may prove to be collateral damage.

This is a terrific "danger" tale that continues taking heroine Lily Yu into new fantasy/horror dimensions and away from her mystery roots. The cat and mouse storyline is action-packed as Lily seeks to capture Harlowe, who in turn sets a trap so that she, as a sensitive to magic can be eliminated. The relationship between Lily and Rule will leave the audience howling, while the support cast on both sides of the fight enhances a thrilling tale of combat on mystical realms. Keep an eye out for the enigmatic Cynna Weaver in future novels, perhaps even a starring performance.

Harriet Klausner