Caridad Pinero, Devotion Calls

Devotion Calls

Caridad Pinero

Silhouette Nocturne, Jan 2007, $5.25

ISBN: 0373617550

In Spanish Harlem, Ricardo Fernandez places his hands on ailing people and heals them. He pretends to be a priest in the African-Carib religion Santeria because that is the only way he can help his patients including Sara Martinez's mother. She is suffering from cancer and he can at least provide her with a bit more time with her family without pain.

Ricardo and Sara are attracted to one another but she senses that he is hiding something from her; she cannot abide liars having been once hurt by one. So the two wrestle with their feelings. Meanwhile a soul sucking blood eating Chupacabra is drawn to Ricardo's emotions; he demands he uses his power to turn him back into a human. Ricardo knows that is impossible and would be devastating for innocent people. So he refuses, knowing he will fight this evil but he will need a special ally, the woman he loves, whom the monster craves too.

Caridad Pinero is one author readers can consistently rely on to provide a fantastic paranormal romance. The star-crossed lovers are so very much alike, both fear opening their hearts though their reasons differ; she because she does not want it broken again while he is afraid of rejection. The support cast includes vampires and humans with everyone aware of Ricardo, a beacon of light for the unnatural to devour.

Harriet Klausner